Tim

Hey Eve!

OK, this is really funny, at least to me. What comes around goes around. Just talked to your Mom and she was getting ready to go to the White House to check for "asbestos". Your Dad like goes to the Pentagon and your Mom like goes to the White House (those are both pretty importantly places) and like I go to Quick-Trip or Taco Bueno or Sonic. Anyway, more about that later. Your Mom just said that she was on a 2 to 2-1/2 hour schedule for eating, because you were hogging up all of the room in her tummy. That's great! Keep it up! That means that you will most likely be on the same schedule when you are born. Cool! Your Mom woke every 2-1/2 hours, everyday and everynight, for like forever to eat. Obviously, you are on that schedule, but no one else is. I hope you wake up, just like your Mom, and get hungry all of the time. Your Mom did that and it was miserable. We didn't have a full nights sleep for like 6 months! I am sure that they will try and explain all of this to you and that you will have to have a bunch of family meetings, but hang in there bud! Love you, Tim. (ps. 24 divided by 2 is 12...that means 12 "cloth" diapers a day...hey Carey, better find another dozen or two...)

Tim

Hey Eve!

See...I told you your Mom and Dad were pretty smart! I know that you can't read quite yet, but you are in for it. I can't wait until you ask for a piece of candy or something like that. You will probably get a 2 hour scientific lecture about the woes of sugar! Love you all!

fun party

Well, the party yesterday was a success. Dad bought 10 pounds of hamburger meat and 16 sausages plus hot dogs. I made 5 pounds of potato salad and the equivalent amount of coleslaw, 3 dozen cookies, and a veggie tray. Dad made baked beans and two sweet potato pies. Needless to say, we had way too much food and we'll be eating leftovers for a month. I did have to borrow propane from a neighbor since dad didn't check his tank before the party. It was all taken care of though and went smoothly.

I also had a doctor's appointment last week, and the doctor said everything was looking good. I had only gained a pound in two weeks, so that was a relief. She told me that my stretch marks were in a good spot and wouldn't be very noticeable later on since they were low. That was also nice to hear. We did order our cloth diapers and we do have many reasons for using them. At first, I was like grandpa and didn't agree with dad's decision to use cloth. I started researching this, which grandpa probably doesn't have enought time or energy to do and there are many reasons to use them. First of all, cloth is gentlest on your booty. Your chances of getting diaper rash go from 78% (disposable diaper occurence) to 6% (cloth diaper occurence). Cloth diapers will make it easier to potty train you since you can feel when you are wet. Doing laundry is one of my favorite chores and clean laundry is my favorite smell, so that doesn't bother me one bit. Disposable diapers account for 2 tons of waste in a child's diapering years. Cloth diapers will cost an initial $200-250 and will last for more than one child and disposable diapers over the course of the diapering years for one child will cost $2000. Your grandpa is correct that the chemicals used to absorb all the waste that you can produce were pretty ingenious, but then again so were a lot of other harmful chemicals. Asbestos is a miracle material, but turns out, it is not real good for you. Super absorbent gel in diapers makes me a little skeptical as well. I would actually like to hear why someone should not use cloth diapers. How are disposables better in any way? The excuse that cloth diapers require more work is inacceptable. Who said more work is a bad thing?

I did get a kick the other day and you wouldn't move your foot. You held it between my ribs and I could feel your foot with my hands. Dad got to feel it too and dad's friend, George, that was with us wouldn't feel it because it freaked him out too bad.

Next weekend we will be attending a wedding for a college buddy. Many of my classmates will be there and I'm sure you will get a lot of attention as is usually the case.

Tim

OK Eve!

Well, just when we thought you were in the stretch run and everyone was just going to sit around anxiously and wait for you to get here, your Mom and Dad do something new. Even though I joke a lot, I love them very deeply, but this one is a curve ball, even to me. Your Mom just bought 3 dozen "cloth" diapers! Seriously! Your Mom and Dad are both highly educated engineers, and have spent the last 4 or 5 years studying how to analize, design, and develop solutions to problems that will help people and make life easier and better. 30 or 40 years ago, some young engineers took an idea that came from some other very smart person and made the first "disposable" diaper. This was a wonderful and very creative breakthough, designed to improve the quality of life for babies and Mothers. Anyway, while I am proud to see your folks try to attempt to hold onto the traditional cloth diaper concept, it is sort of out of the blue. You see, they make these custom fit diapers, designed with a built-in absorption system, protective outside cover, and fastening tape, all engineered to keep your bottom dry and your pants clean. They even make special ones for swimming (even for water babies...that's a joke!). After you "go", your Mom or Dad can simply remove the soiled diaper, throw it away, and put a new, clean, dry one on. Done. Cloth diapers do work, but they also require that you wear an extra set of plastic pants, then they have to be washed, dryed and folded, and then, like you have to keep a smell-proof bag around to keep the dirty ones in, until you have time to put them in the washer. I am not sure about carrying around a sack poopy diapers, especially when you go out to eat or on vacation. Anyway, we support anything they want to do, but I can't help but wonder how this deal will play out and where the idea came from. It has to one of two things. Your Mom actually likes folding laundry, so if it came from that, she will get plenty to fold, because if you are like your Mom, you will poop and pee at least 10 times a day. The only other thing is that she used to watch this old time show called "Little House on the Prairie" about some little girl who was always doing something. I am pretty sure she wore cloth diapers too. She also wore a blue and white flowered bonnet, so if your Mom starts buying you stupid looking hats, watch out. She will probably also make you walk to school, read by candle light, and milk a cow every morning. Love you, and let me know how this turns out.

Tim

Hello Eve!

We just watched a special report on the news about the relationship between the size of a person's head and their IQ. IQ stands for intelligence quotient and measures how smart you are. Anyway, these scientists proved that most people with bigger heads had higher IQ's than those with smaller heads. Oh boy, does this create a dilemia in your family. Your Mom has a normal size head, maybe a size 6-6-1/2 and weighing maybe 6-8 pounds, both very average. But...your Dad has a big 'ol giant mellon on "his" shoulders. I'm talking at least a size 10, maybe 12, which is unheard of, and tipping the scales at probably 15 or 16 pounds, and I'm being nice. That's probably why he is so strong, from carrying the 10th planet around on his shoulders all day long. Now, your Dad "is" a really, really smart and has a very high IQ and that is good, but he is also a boy and people don't really care so much about the size of a boy's head. Just ask your Great Papa, or your Uncle Bat, or your Cousin Ray. They also all have big 'ol giant domes. Come to think about it, my 'ol knob isn't that small either. Anyway, we do want you to be very smart, but we are all also hoping that you get your "head size" from your Mom's genes. You may have to study a little more to get that high IQ with a normal size head, but trust me, it will worth it. Love, Tim.

Tim

Hey Eve!

Your Mom and Dad are having a party tonight, so watch out. Get some rest today, because I am sure there will be a lot of people rubbing your Mom's belly trying to feel you. Hey, one sort of funny story happened here. Jill and Noah were visiting and stayed overnight. As usual, your Aunt Jill always showers every morning. Well, she finished her shower and was drying her hair, but it wouldn't seem to get dry. She rinsed it again, because she said she thought she didn't get all of the shampoo out. It still wouldn't dry and looked really greasy. After several more attempts to rinse it out, she decided to wash it again. This whole deal was taking a very long time. The same thing happened after she re-washed her hair. She was getting pretty frustrated by now. She finally gave up and let it just be greasy as it wouldn't dry. This really upset Geri, because she knew Jill was mad. After Aunt Jill left, Geri went in to take her own shower and came out of the bathroom cracking up. She normally buys shampoo for "women with colored hair", because it is better for her hair. The shampoo in the shower that Jill was using read for "women of color"! Oooopppps!

Tim

Hey Eve!

Just got a picture of you, your Mom, and your Dad. I couldn't see you very good, but I did see your buldge. You don't stick out as far as your Mom did, but you look pretty long up and down. I wonder what size you will be. Your Mom was long and skinny when she was born. She weighed 6 pounds and 11 ounces and was 22 inches long. Most baby's are like 17-18 inches long and like between 7 and 9 pounds. I think you are going to be somewhere in between. My guess for you is 7 pounds and 8 ounces and 19-1/2" long. We ought to have a family pool recording everyone's guess. The winner should get a prize, like maybe a picture of your baby bed. Oh wait, that probably won't be done yet. (that's a joke about your Dad!) Speaking of your Dad, he looked pretty sharp in his dress whites. That's his fancy Navy uniform. He starts up the engines on nuclear submarines or something like that. It sounds pretty important. Your great Grandpa was also in the Navy. He was a radar operator on a Battleship. Pretty cool, too. Seeing your Dad in his uniform reminds me of my Dad, your great Grandpa. Anyway, have a great day. Love, Tim.

Tim

Hello Eve!

Hey, I forgot something. I am not sure that your name will actually be Eve, so if your Mom and Dad change their minds, then just act like you liked the name because we have all been calling you that. Anyway, regardless of your first name, I am a little worried about what your Mom and Dad may come up with for your middle name. They won't talk about it. Maybe it's a surprise, or maybe it's still in the "planning stage", like your baby bed. (that's a joke!) It will probably take until you are in the 6th or 7th grade before we all know. I just hope they don't try and do something silly. You need to let your Mom and Dad know that if they give you a bad middle name, the rest of us will be mad. Man, you need to get here pretty quick. Your bed's not done, you don't have a full name yet, and we don't know if you are going to be an albino or not. You have a bunch of stuff to resolve when you get here! Don't worry, I'll help! Peace and love, Tim.

Tim

Hey Eve!

Well, we are in the stretch run of your growth. These last few weeks will seem like an eternity, waiting for you to get here. It's getting hot, like it is supposed to do in the summer, but it's a little hotter than usual. I hope it doesn't stay that way, but it probably will. Your Mom is getting a little excited, but she tries to act cool most of the time. Your Dad still hasn't started your crib yet, but it definately will be the best "planned" crib ever! I think there are some guys at the Pentagon and at NASA working on it. Anyway, your Mom and Dad are having a party next weekend, so they bought some outdoor furniture. I really think they are just trying to keep busy, but who knows. I haven't seen your Mom in person this summer, but from the pictures I have received, she is really "white". She has always been that way. I wonder what kind of skin tones you will have. Your Mom has a really pretty complexion and has maybe had 4 zits in her life and that's the good part. Oh, that's a new word for you. I guess they are actually called blemishes, but they are also referred to as zits, pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and a lot of different names. If you get a really "big" one, it is called a honker. Anyway, that's the trade-off. Pale skin with no zits or dark with nasty skin. Actually, all of the girls have good complexions. And neither of your Aunts are albinos, like your Mom. Man, that's another new word. I am not sure that I spelled it right, but it is a wierd deal. Like there are albino tigers. All of the tigers in the world are orange with black stripes, OK! Then all of a sudden one comes out white and black. Anyway, it happens once in a while and I am actually joking about Carey being an albino, but just imagine if you were, like a "monkey", that came out all white and nasty. All of the rest of your family, brothers, sisters, parents, cousins, grandparents, uncles, etc. are brown and black and you are white. That would be pretty wierd, but at least it would easy to find you in a crowd. See, I told you we were getting bored waiting for you. We can't wait, 'cause there will be so many "incredible" stories coming from all of this that it will be really exciting. Anyway, have a great evening! (that's a joke about your name!) Love, Tim.

Tim

Hey Eve!

What up...chicken butt? Your Mom just got a few "stretch" (how do you spell stretch?) marks from you! Actually, it's not from just you, it's just natural. What I was hoping for was that you would somehow roll around in the right direction so that you would actually spell something with your growth. Like on your Mom's belly! Instead of of just pushing out, try and roll and push and lunge (is that spelled right?) in the form of something. Like maybe a whale...or a chicken...or better yet like in the form of the family fish! Or maybe an elephant (only with his/her trunk up) or at least something that is rocognizable (spelling???). Anyway, more later! Love, Tim. ps. you will understand this one later!

Tim

Ok Eve!

This ought to be a funny one! Your Aunt Jill and Uncle Noah are here and Jill doesn't really know what day it is, let alone how to send you a message. Noah is playing music as usual. They are debating what limb to cut off rather than another. Oh well! I don't think retardestness runs horizontially! They are horizontal relatives thank goodness! I am a lineal relative, oh boy watch out! OK, Jill wants to say something! Hello! From Jill...Well Eve, by the time you are able to read this you have already figured out that your grandpa is a little mmm.....eccentric in an odd way. It is okay though even though he may come off as a little intimidating and scary, he is okay. You will get used to him and off course a little will rub off on you. It is pretty pathetic that I am writing on my dad's blog but as you already know I am a little computer illiterate. I hope you get the smarts of your parents because all I can teach you is about how crazy Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh were and your uncle Noah can teach you any and everything about Guitars and his hero's Kurt Cobain and Bob Dylan. I am so excited to see you. Your mom is worried that I am going to talk baby talk to you because I always do to my ferret, Wishkah, but what can I say, I am a mother to all animals. I hope that he is around to meet you, but if not, I am sure I will have come across a wounded legless animal to save before too long. I hope that you aren't too overly freaked out about your soon to be family. I am sure you will fit right in. Love you. Your Aunt Jill

Tim

Hello Eve!

Your Mom just sent us a thank you note for the little outfit we sent to your shower party. She said you got a whole lot of pink stuff. Our stuff was like blue or purple or something. Anyway, a little about "colors". Your Mom is like a black and white person (actually beige). She is very analitical and organized. While she always insisted that her outfits match, she never wanted to stand out. She wouldn't go to school, unless her entire outfit matched, I mean including socks and everything. She would cry. She also wouldn't wear anything that was loud or had logos or anything that would make her stand out. She is still like that. Then, along came your Aunt Jill. She was and still is, just the opposite of your Mom. Jill couldn't care less if her outfits match and the more color the better, especially if they are "crazy" or let me say, "unused" colors. She doesn't do it to get attention, but I actually think it is because your Mom was just the opposite. Then there is your Aunt Erin. What you'll see when you meet her is way different than when she was little. Aunt Erin loves pink now (and probably would have stolen some of your stuff if it would fit her). She likes every "girly-girly" thing there is, especially trendy stuff. This is sooooooo far different than when she was little. First of all, she never, ever had anything new. She had to somehow take your Mom's plain stuff and your Aunt Jill's wild stuff, all hand-me-downs, to make an outfit. But, believe it or not she didn't care. She was actually a tom-boy and sort of a grubby little kid. So, I suspect her girly attitude now is simply trying to make up for her younger days. Anyway, we are all wondering what you will like. Your Mom's influence and your Dad's influence, Grama's, Aunt's, everyone will try and figure it out, but I am most assured that you will figure it out on your own. Just thinking about stuff! Tim.

Tim

Hey Eve!

Your Mom is really funny! She is still worried that your dad will chicken out when it comes to giving you your first bath and messing with your cord and stuff, so she keeps writing about it in this blog journal to make sure he gets the message. Don't worry because this case is so well documented that if he chickens out now, he'll never hear the end of it. Heck, he'll probably go ahead and deliver you himself now. Hey Dad, don't worry. It is actually pretty cool, but it is a little scary. You'll know everything is alright when Eve starts crying really loud. Eve, tell him to suck it up and stand up and be somebody! Love, Tim.

getting prepared

Wow, it seems like time is just flying until August 1. Your dad and I did attend a childbirth class and it was pretty cool. Now we won't totally freak out when labor starts, at least not at first hopefully! We went on a tour of the labor and delivery rooms and your dad got really excited when he saw the pull out chair he'll get to sleep in. It's about half the size of a twin bed. I don't even think his shoulders will fit on it, but he said he'd stay with us. He also said he would go with you when the nurses took you after birth. He'll help give you your first bath and weigh and measure you. He also said he would cut the umbilical cord. He was unsure about all of those things at the beginning, but now that the time is closer he has changed his mind. We watched you rolling around in my belly two days ago. Dad stared in awe and said it looked like there was an alien inside me. We set up the bassinet for you in our room. I sterilized it and all the blankets are already in it as well. Grandpa was correct, he knows me too well. Grama also mailed us two boxes of goodies for you from your little party a few weekends ago. As soon as we get those, we'll be even more set up in your room!

Having fun

I did get to go to a party recently. There was a lot of giggling and I a lot of people rubbed and patted me in mom's belly. I also had to attend a childbirth class so mom and dad know what's going to happen when it's time for me to join them on the outside. Mom did some funny breathing that is supposed to take her mind off the pain, but we'll see about that. I have been really active lately and that is because my room is diminishing in mom's belly. I've tried to make more room by pushing on all sides, but there's none to be had. Sometimes I can't get comfortable either so I roll around and around. Grama says I'm trying to impress her with my gymnastics, but I'm mostly practicing my headspin. I'm more into break dancing right now than gymnastics, but that could change.

Tim

Hello Eve!

Well, your Mom and Dad went to a class to learn how to have you. It's about time. I am glad they went early, because we are not sure if they passed. I am not sure why it is called "having" a baby. Of all of the adjectives that could be used with regard to childbirth, "having" is not the word I would have selected. Maybe, eruption, explosion, or volcano, but not "having"! Anyway, I am not worried about your Mom. She said today she that wasn't so worried anymore, and that if all of those "sissy" girls could do it, then she could surely handle it. I think Mother Nature takes over (along with some really expensive drugs) for Moms. I just wish I could be a fly on your Dad's shoulder. He has "no idea" what he is in for. The average baby weighs like 6 or 8 pounds. Heck, your Dad has poops bigger than that. Anyway, he's sort of a tough guy, but I promise you will be able to knock him over with a feather after you are "haved" (that's a joke too...your Aunt Erin probably uses that word regularly...E, that is not a word). Just don't scare him too much and try to behave the first few times he holds you. And PS. Make sure that they passed the class! Love, Tim.

Tim

Hey Eve!

Your Mom said she and your Dad actually saw you "rolling" around in her tummy this past weekend. Her skin was all moving around and stuff kinda like a ball of dough. She sounded pretty excited. Just make sure your head is down when you decide to join us. Just act like you are "diving" into a pool. Oh wait, you can't swim yet! Well maybe you can, I don't know. Speaking of swimming, please don't let your Mom put you in those crazy baby swimming lessons. We did that with your Mom and it was really stupid. We just put her in a pool and then they made me dunk her. She would then start flopping around. The instructor called it swimming. I called it no other choice! Anyway, your Mom and Dad cabbaged on to a bassinet. Carey said it had a stereo and a rocker and some other cool stuff. Just so you'll know, she has already washed it and sterilized it. I think she got that trait from me. She probably already has blankets, sheets, and pillows on it. I just hope it's pretty big, because you may be sleeping in it for a while. Your Dad is supposed to be making your baby bed, but so far he is still in the planning and design stages. I think he did order a matress, so when you get about 3 or 4 feet tall, they can at least throw the matress on the floor for you. Don't worry, Carey will clean that too, but it may be a little drafty down there. Seriously, everyone is really excited about your Dad building your crib. Your Mom and Aunt's all grew up in a homemade baby bed. It's sort of a family tradition. Your Mom's bed weighed about 600 pounds, but it was still sort of pretty. After the kids were done using it, we sold it to the zoo. They used it for baby gorillas and sheep and stuff. I trust your dad to build a submarine or maybe a racecar, but I am not so sure about this bed deal. It will probably have tailpipes and a cooling system and either have solar or nuclear power of some sort. Regardless, it will be interesting. Anyway, everyone is thinking about you a lot, so if you decide to come early, that will be cool too, just not too early!

Tim

Hey Eve!

You are surrounded by people that already love you and just can't wait until you get here. Your Mom was really jacked about your visit and actually wasn't that tired after all of the activities. You don't realize this yet, but you had better not be a "dickhead"! I guess I shouldn't use the term dickhead, so let's say, you had not better be a "wooosy" girl. I am pretty sure that won't happen, since your Mom is a mean 'ol thing when she wants to be be. If so, there will be a lot of people coming to visit you and give you advice. Your Dad is actually going to be surprised. Little girls are the best thing on the planet. He will soon learn "patience"! That is important. You will have to go "slow" with him at first, but he will come around. Just let him be the "MAN" for a while and then he will realize that you are actually pretty cool. He's just a little nervous right now. I know your Mom will do alright, just don't let her get "overwhelming". I love you.