Having a Boy

Here is an entry that is long overdue.

My birthday was quite the fun filled day. It started out with our first ultrasound in which we were going to find out if our little one is going to be a boy or a girl. Jen joined along since the ultrasound doc didn't allow other kids in the room. So while Jen & Zelda played outside the hospital, Ryan and I got to see a peek at our little one. They did a lot more with this ultrasound than with Zelda's. They spent a lot more time on it, and even had an option of getting a video recording. Very soon into the ultrasound we knew what it was...obviously a boy. They didn't even technically tell us what it was for several minutes, and really didn't need to; during a view of him from the front I noticed there was quite the difference between his and our daughter's ultrasound. So there you have it, we'll be having one of each. We are very excited. A great thing, too, as I've had his name picked out for years.

They showed us many things during the ultrasound, such as his leg bones, brain, heart, stomach, even a colored view of the blood flow in the umbilical chord. He was not very active, as opposed to Zelda, who just didn't sit still. I recall that she even made a silly, scrunched up face as soon as she was viewed on the ultrasound, and it made the nurse & I laugh quite a bit. I have noticed that as a consistent difference between the two of them. His movements are not as frequent, but when they happen they are very strong. Zelda on the other hand I had nicknamed 'the skanking baby' since it felt like she was dancing in my belly, arms and legs moving very often and quickly. I am so excited to meet my son in person in a few months and get to know him.

Here is the video, and a few photos:




































As we were going downstairs to find Zelda & Jen we ran into them when the elevator opened. Such good timing. Naturally they were the first we told of the news that we are having a boy. Zelda didn't quite get it, and was more interested in the little umbrella she had which she said was like Mary Poppins. It had been a raining morning and was slated to be a rainy day...which would later affect our other plans.

We went home to get a few things so we could go to Disney. They have a special this year where let you in for free on your birthday. Ryan had a discounted pass so adding another day for him only cost around $30. We got there around 1, planning on getting some pictures taken since I needed a portrait for Zelda's 2nd year, then playing around the park. We managed to get just a few at the entrance to the park when rain started. And boy did it rain! We trudged through it to Toon Town since we could meet the characters inside, and out of the rain. After meeting most of them it was soon apparent that everyone else had the same idea. We stuck around for a bit then ventured back outside with hopes we could at least go on one indoor ride. The rain was coming down harder than I have ever seen it other than a tropical storm. We were soaked, even with having ponchos and umbrellas. Most outdoor rides were closed and the indoor rides were packed. We decided to leave the Magic Kingdom around 4, only 3 hours after we got there. It seemed as though everyone was leaving at the same time. We then went to Wolfgang Pucks for my birthday dinner & celebration of our new little one. The food was amazing. By this time the rain had let up a bit, but storm clouds were all around us so we new the break was temporary. Instead of going back to the parks we decided to call it a day.

I had waited weeks to post this since I was trying to get a registry online for a site I used last time that specializes in cloth diapers, but after a month they still haven't gotten it together. We are pretty much set with what we need for his arrival; just need to get some boyish clothes and more cloth diapers. I know some people want to get us a few gifts; we are looking at getting Sopoeasy diapers, size small (can be found at http://www.bluepenguin.biz/ ) , and as for clothes anything from Threadless is awesome. Other than that we are good to go.

I am very excited about our little boy. Zelda talks about him often and is slowly getting the idea, even coming up and kissing my belly every now and then. 3 1/2 months and counting......

Farewell

It has been only hours since the world was told the news of the death of Michael Jackson. I must say a part of me was surprised about how much it affected me. I first heard of him being brought to the hospital in the 5 o'clock news headlines. 45 minutes later I logged in to check Facebook and a friend had said that he died...I at first didn't beleive it. I turned on the TV, and they were talking about it, saying that the news came in that he was pronounced dead. A split second of shock was followed by tears. No way...not yet, it can't be.... and then opened up reflections on just how much of an influence he was on my life. His passing on is like the marking of the end of an era, and end to my childhood. There is no doubt his influence will live on.

I remember the first time I was introduced to Michael like it was yesterday. I was quite young and at a birthday party for a daughter of one of my mom's friends, whose name was Sue. At some point in the party many of the adults were inside and going to watch something on the TV. It turned out to be Thriller. I remember one person telling me it was scary and I shouldn't watch it, but I was too intrigued to turn away. I fell in love instantly! Soon I was given the Thriller album on tape. I still have it, bearing a star my mom drew on the side with Billy Jean, which was my favorite song on the whole album. I had a little tape player/speaker combo that I brought with me everywhere and listened to the tape. I'm sure there are many people I subjected to my Michael Jackson infatuation over the years. ;) Later that same year for Christmas I was given a Michael Jackson Thriller doll, which I still have...though I have since lost his shoes, sunglasses, and silver glove. I had a poster of him at my bed. All by the age of 4.

Over my growing years I formed a life long adoration of singing and dance which I attribute to him. I realized last night just how much of who I am was influenced by my first childhood 'crush'. I used to dance and sing to his music in the backyard, imagining that I was also a famous singer. Such good times. I know that because of him I love skinny guys...so really Ryan has him to thank, too, ha ha... not to mention that I always that it was awesome when guys wear eyeliner, and even down to the fashion influence having me always loving black and a bit more of the goth style...I know it all surfaced from him. I also realized last night while watching some recaps of him and just mesmerized by his glittery outfits that my love of glitter must have been born through my love of him too. I even broke my arm when I was 8 because I was doing my own version of what I saw him do in the music video "The Way you Make me Feel"; he climbed through a window of a car, and I was doing the same thing only I decided it would be cool to sit on the window sill for a while. Next thing I knew I was hurt and on the ground. Whenever anything of Michael came on TV my parents would record it for me on what would be much used VHS tapes. I watched Moonwalker all the time. Whenever I see Joe Pesci I first associate him with the bad guy in Moonwalker. That movie was the first time I realized the Beatles could be cool, since he performed "Come Together" in it.

Even when his popularity waned during the 90s I never stopped loving him. I'd listen to his tape in my car all the time, not caring what others thought, though I just loved it when someone else enjoyed it as much as I did. Old school Michael is classic. You can't top it, and pop music could never escape his talented influence. Any time he is played at the dance clubs I'd get giddy and feel like a kid again. I used to love going to Disney's Pleasure Island while it was still open since they played him frequently at 8Trax. I even opened up our housewarming party last year playing the music video for Rock With You (woohoo, glitter)

I regret I will never be able to see him perform live. I was all set to do whatever I could to see him on his planned upcoming tour. We have lost an amazing talent, one I honestly believe will never be equaled in the field of pop music ever. Much love to Michael & his family, and many thanks for all he has meant for me.



















First photo: With my cousin Alyssa in Oregon listening & dancing to Michael on my tape player. Andrea was never much of a fan, ha ha.
Second Photo: Christmas when I got my MJ doll. You can see my tape player on the floor below him. Knowing me I was trying to play along with the song while pretending he was singing.
Third Photo: At Pleasure Island having a great time dancing to Billy Jean in 2008

Tiger Lily

Recently we dealt with a hard decision regarding our cat, Tiger Lily. Since before we got her she has had an occasional issue of missing the litter box. This had been manageable until we moved into our new home in April of last year. As soon as we moved in she started using the entryway carpet. Getting her to always use her litter box was a bit of a struggle but after about a month it seemed as though we succeeded. Unfortunately throughout the next year she would still use the entryway about once every two weeks. She even started using the carpet in the office. 3 months ago Zelda accidentally locked Tiger Lily out from the garage and consequently Tiger Lily used the carpet in the playroom as her bathroom. This seemed to open up a floodgate and she never stopped using it no matter what we did. We cleaned it using several methods, we tried putting her food over there, but she never stopped. This got very stressful, and became a point where it was a health hazard, since for one I’m not supposed to be near cat poop since I’m preggo, and being in the playroom it was always by Zelda’s things. I don’t know if perhaps the carpet had been marked by a previous owners pet, or if Tiger Lily was stressed out, but since we couldn’t get her to stop and it was such a big issue we felt we had to let her go. It was difficult to find a new home for her since most people can’t take a cat for various reasons, let alone with this issue…and some people are unfortunately deterred by her having one eye. So it was looking like the only last step was the shelter. At this point she was living in the garage, of which I felt terrible because of the heat, but if I let her in for even 30 minutes to cool off she would poo or pee on the carpet. Over the weekend I searched for a no kill shelter that had room since the one I got her from was no longer around. I wasn’t having much luck, but I got an offer from a friend who said she knew someone who was a foster parent of kitties that might be able to train her back into just using the litter box. I was contemplating this when I received a call from Jen that one of her co-workers would like to take Tiger Lily. I was happy and relieved that Jen was able to find her a home, yet I was so heartbroken over the prospects of letting her go. However, I knew this was a rare opportunity, so I took it…being that it has been so hard to find her a new home, and this lady was actually looking for a new cat. I cried a bit before Jen came to pick her up, and tried to explain to Zelda that kitty had to go bye bye. Zelda spent the last hour with her filling up her food & water bowl and bringing it to the cat. It was very cute. When she actually left, Zelda cried for some time saying “Kitty go bye bye. Wanna give hug.”

That was probably the hardest part for me, separating the two. Zelda just adores Tiger Lily. Days before she left, and when I knew she had to be going, I let the cat in to cool off for a bit. I heard Zelda go up to her, give her a kiss and say “I love you.” This made me tear up. Tiger Lily is a great cat, extremely sweet and tolerated Zelda’s toddlerness very well. They were such good buddies.

Tiger Lily is a wonderful and sweet cat who has been in our family since New Years Day 2005. You may first notice her unique feature...she only has one eye. We adopted Tiger Lily several months after losing our cat Morrissey to feline leukemia. Tiger Lily had originally belonged to a retired artist, sharing a home with another cat and a peacock. When he passed away, Tiger Lily was rescued by a local no-kill shelter. They had her for almost 7 months, unfortunately no one showing interest for her, when I found her on petfinder.org. She was perfect for what I was looking for. I am glad we were able to give her a good home for the years that we had her. She has been an enjoyable companion.

I’ve last heard that she is doing very well with her new family. They have a bunny rabbit, and apparently they play together. I really hope things go well for then and that Tiger Lily enjoys the rest of her years.

Baby clothes

Zelda has been quite the conversationalist lately. It is so fun to get a peek into her little brain. Yesterday morning when she woke up she had her shirt of the day picked out by the time I opened her door. As I got her dressed she was talking about her belly, then she pointed at my belly, saying "Your belly growing."
"Yes, it is growing because of the baby" I said.
"Does the baby wear a shirt?" She asked
"No, actually the baby is naked"
She smiled. "Silly baby!"