Monday, March 24, 2008 at 12:00 AM
I hope everyone had a happy Easter. We spent Saturday with Jeremy’s parents and on Easter Sunday we went to church and then celebrated with Nana, my parents, my Grandpa Wirth, and friends of Nana’s, and had a good time.
Monday, March 17, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone! We’re not planning on doing too much to celebrate (and probably wouldn’t even if the holiday didn’t fall into Holy Week). I will probably put on something green to wear today. Jeremy bought Irish soda bread and made corned beef with cabbage and potatoes on Saturday. He is planning to experiment with grinding a corned beef brisket and making a shepherds pie tonight. (Sounds tasty to me!).
Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 8:00 AM
In some ways pregnancy is easier the second time because one knows what to expect, but I’ve heard people say that no two pregnancies are exactly alike. There have certainly been differences between this pregnancy and the last.
With Aidan, I suspected and found out I was pregnant early in the pregnancy. This time around I didn’t find out I was pregnant until I was almost through the first trimester (I was still nursing at night with Aidan at the time and hadn’t had a period since before he was born. As pregnancy is usually dated by the first date of last monthly period I joked with the doctor about being two-and-a-half years pregnant ;) ). I had not been feeling well for several weeks, but thought I had been fighting off a flu. Jeremy asked jokingly a few times if it was morning sickness, I didn’t think so until it had gone on long enough that I thought I actually might be pregnant and should probably get a pregnancy test.
I had trouble with pregnancy tests both times. Last time when I was pregnant I got an e.p.t. test that is supposed to show + = pregnant or a – = not pregnant, but the test showed a vertical line. So we bought a different brand of test with one or two lines. So this time I skipped the +/- style test and immediately bought the two line version. However the results were very unclear. It looked like only one line, but if you held the stick at a certain angle it looked like maybe there was an extremely faint line, or is it just an evaporation line? Again the solution was to buy another brand of test – forget messing with reading lines, let’s just do a digital test that clearly states “pregnant” or “not pregnant”.
The last pregnancy was planned for the most part. (We weren’t exactly trying to conceive, but we weren’t trying not to conceive). This time was a bit more of a surprise. I had wanted to have another baby eventually. I wasn’t planning on quite so soon, but after the initial shock we’re very happy and excited to welcome the new addition to our family. Although we didn’t find out that I was pregnant until much later in the pregnancy than the last time around we had our first ultrasound much earlier in the pregnancy at 10 weeks, in order to determine how far along I was. (I didn’t have my first ultrasound last time until 18 weeks.)
I had quite a bit of morning sickness with both pregnancies, enough that I actually lost weight in the first trimester both times. I will say with this pregnancy that it is not pleasant to change a toddler’s dirty diapers while suffering from morning sickness! Thankfully I am past the point of morning sickness, but morning sickness lasted longer into the second trimester than it did with the last pregnancy. When I was pregnant with Aidan my sense of taste changed. I found foods with too much fat, salt, or sugar to be unappealing throughout the whole pregnancy (too bad that didn’t last). I haven’t had that happen this time around.
I was able to feel the baby moving earlier in the pregnancy than the last pregnancy. However Aidan was much more active in general than this baby. I think Aidan must have been doing Jazzercise or something for most of the pregnancy! This baby seems much more mellow. Aidan would get very active if I hadn’t eaten in a while. It doesn’t seem to affect this baby’s movement patterns as much.
The last pregnancy was anything but routine. We had a lot more ultrasounds last time than this time. Thankfully this pregnancy is going much more smoothly than the last time around. One of Jeremy’s coworkers (who is due around the same time as I am) was complaining how pregnancy seems so much more boring the second time around. Jeremy and I both feel like “Hey, boring is good”. So far there have only been a couple of quirks. We had a scare early in the pregnancy when the doppler didn’t pick up the baby’s heartbeat (which turned out okay). The other concern is apparently I’m quite anemic. Two appointments ago my iron tested low, so the doctor prescribed an iron supplement. At the appointment before this one my iron had dropped even lower despite taking the supplement so she prescribed a stronger prescription. This time my iron was still lower yet so she wants me to take the stronger iron pill twice a day in addition to my prenatal vitamins. (Too much more iron and I think I’m going to be pooping magnets – if I can still poop at all.)
Aidan was not shy for ultrasounds. It was almost as if he was posing for the camera “look at me- I’m a boy!”. This time around the baby baby modestly kept his/her legs crossed and wrapped him/herself around the umbilical cord like a koala, so the ultrasound tech couldn’t get a sneak peek. It looks like we will have to wait for the surprise when the baby is born.
I was in much better physical shape with the last pregnancy. Before the pregnancy and even during the first half of the pregnancy I was still doing Dance Dance Revolution and exercising regularly. This time I didn’t enter in quite as good shape as I almost never seem to have the time or energy to exercise like I probably should (although chasing after a toddler has to count for some exercise, right?) Last time I still had a graduate assistantship. I was climbing up on ladders and setting up shows, hauling dress forms and mannequins on flat bed carts, walking all over campus – no problem. This time around doing the dishes, picking up Aidan’s toys, or vacuuming the floor has me panting like a puppy dog. – Sad and pathetic!!
I have been carrying the pregnancy weight differently this time around too. Last time I had a “cute” belly bump that was very round and high. I was able to wear normal clothes for most of the pregnancy. I wore low-rise jeans which dipped below my belly. My belly stuck out in front of me enough that my black winter coat barely fit (I had to repair the seams that had ripped out from the stress). This time I’m carrying much lower and wider. Regular jeans, even low-rise, are unfortunately not and option this time. My clothing options are much more limited. I have to wear maternity jeans or maternity slacks. My black coat doesn’t seemed quite as tight and stretched as the last time around though.
I have had a lot more general aches and pains with this pregnancy than when I was pregnant with Aidan. However the pain with Aidan was often more sharp, and I have had less leg cramps than with the last pregnancy. Last time I didn’t have any Braxton-Hicks contractions (at least that I noticed). There have been a couple of times with this pregnancy that I have had contraction-like tightening that is consistent with descriptions I have read about Braxton-Hicks contractions.
I was able to go through labor and delivery without an epidural or pain medication last time. I plan to try and do the same again, but I’m keeping my mind and options open. I would say I’m less afraid of labor than the last time around because I know what to expect this time – at least I think I do ;).
Monday, March 3, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Over the last couple of weeks Jeremy has been working on rebuilding CommonPlace in Scheme (instead of the original Rails version). He is now running the new version on his blog. So far the new version of CommonPlace seems to run much faster and takes up less memory. In the new version, galleries and articles are much more integrated, and the layout is more scalable. If all goes well, after Jeremy’s new CommonPlace framework has been tested I will probably eventually switch my blog over as well.
In addition, Jeremy changed his dark black and yellow site to a new blue and white theme (which I think looks nice), and has added a lot of new content.
Monday, February 25, 2008 at 12:00 AM
My birthday this year was a bit quieter and more low-key than last year which was my 30th and Aidan’s 1st, which is kind of nice, actually. I had a very good birthday weekend. We went to Dick Blick store on Saturday afternoon, since it was the last day the Lincoln store would be open. The selection was pretty picked over, but everything in the store was at least 80% off, and we picked up a few good deals. Later, Jeremy’s parents took us out to Tico’s to celebrate my birthday.
Aidan had been getting a good case of cabin fever from being cooped up in the house since the weather outside has been too cold or snowy to go out and play. Since the weather was so nice Sunday Aidan and I spent several hours outside playing. He seemed to have a good time getting out to run in the yard and play with his backyard slide and sidewalk chalk. We stopped at Novel Idea and said hi to Kirsten, who was working and then stopped at Ali Baba’s for gyros. Jeremy made me a spice cake with cream cheese frosting (my favorite) and even added extra spices (yum!). Thank you to everyone for all the cards and gifts and birthday greetings and for making me feel special on my birthday :-).
Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 8:00 AM
Happy Valentine’s day to everyone! My parents are planning on coming over tonight (not because of Valentine’s day, but to see the birthday boy). They are planning on watching Aidan so Jeremy and I can go out and have a date together. We don’t get out just the two of us very often, so it should be nice. We will probably go out to Beacon Hills, which is one of our favorite local Lincoln restaurants.
Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Mike Hostetler challenged/tagged me on his blog, so I guess I’ll play along. The rules are:
7 Facts about myself:
I grew up on a farm near Nebraska City. My dad, uncle, and grandfather (now retired) run a small/medium corporate family farm. My mom used to be a medical technician and now works for the National Arbor Day Foundation. I am the oldest of three kids. I have a little brother, Steve and sister Jeannine, who are twins (and no, they are NOT identical- I have actually had people ask me if they are!). I have been married my husband Jeremy for going on nine years. We have a great little boy, Aidan and are expecting our second child in May. In addition we have a sometimes neurotic (he has tatoos in his ears-not put there by us, and likes to lick glue and ink), but lovable cat Wasabi, which we adopted from the UNL Veterinary program five years ago.
I was definitely a tomboy. My first word was “moo”, and my first sentence was “Cows eat hay.” As a child I spent most of my time playing outdoors. I loved climbing trees, playing with toads and snails, hiking and exploring in the woods near my parents house. I once had a fawn/deer for a pet.
I went to District 13, a two-room K-8 country schoolhouse when I was in kindergarten and 1st grades (something I would guess is not too common for people under 35). Later I went to a small parochial school, Lourdes Central Catholic School for 2nd-12th grades (there were less than 20 people in my senior class-including the foreign exchange student). I graduated from the University of Nebraska with an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and am currently studying at UNL for a masters degree in textile design.
I have worked at a number of different jobs in my life including: Babysitter, Walking Beans, Bank Teller, Pie Garden Worker, Food Science Lab Assistant, Librarian, Phone Canvasser, Waitress, Web Designer, Dental Clinic Clerk, Artist/Graphic Designer, and Gallery Assistant. However of all the many things I’ve done in my life the roles I find the most challenging and rewarding are as wife and mom.
My father is Catholic and my mom is Presbyterian. I grew up participating and exposed to both churches. I think that growing up in a multi-denominational household has led me to more closely examine and challenge what I believe and why I believe it and although the journey has at times been difficult, has ultimately made my faith stronger in the long run. It has taught me the importance of open dialogue and religious coexistence not just among Christians, but among all people. I think it is important to focus more on celebrating common points than fighting over differences. It is possible to treat differences with tolerance, while still standing steadfast in one’s own faith.
The following are a few of my favorite, though often challenging bible verses to follow:
I think it is important for citizens of a democratic nation to exercise their rights and responsibilities of keeping informed of issues, candidates and positions and participating in the process through informed voting. I have voted in every election for which I have been eligible to vote. I’m not a huge fan of the entrenched two-party system. I’m still registered as a republican, though I have been known to vote democrat. I would be registered as an independent, but that would be pretty pointless in a closed ballot state like Nebraska. I would claim to be a moderate, but instead there are issues of both platforms that I strongly support, and other issues that I strongly oppose (I’ll post more on my stances in the future). I haven’t decided yet who I will vote for in the next presidential election.
Tag…You’re It!
Who should I tag for their self-disclosure? (Mike already tagged several bloggers I know, but I can still come up with a few more-I think) . . .
Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 12:00 AM
I have posted a lot of new material in the albums and galleries section. I still need to enter descriptions for many of the images, but I will work on filling these in. I also will try to post in less huge bursts in the future.
Friday, June 1, 2007 at 12:00 AM
I am very proud of my husband Jeremy for the vision, dedication, and work he has been putting into his book, Design Accessible Web Sites: Thirty-Six Keys to Creating Content for All Audiences and Platforms . I think it will be a good book and will meet a need by showing web developers principles for accessible development and practical ways to put them into action. I don’t think most designers intentionally create inaccessible content. It is refreshing to see an accessibility book that doesn’t treat designers like me as irrelevant or, even worse, as evil people. The book presents a helpful framework for thinking about content and design. Through the process, I have learned a great deal not only about accessible design, but also about improved design in general.
Designing a cover image is nowhere near as impressive as Jeremy actually writing the book, but I am pretty excited about seeing my design on the cover of the book when it comes out on the shelves this fall! My intent for the cover is to express the idea of breaking down mazes and barriers that hinder usability for people as well as the difficulties of learning accessible design, and providing paths to unlock meaningful access for all users. I wanted the design to stand on its own, yet still fit in with the look and feel of other covers for books from Pragmatic Bookshelf by creating a sketched and faded style around the image borders.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 12:00 AM
We rolled through the drive-through at McDonalds to grab breakfast on the way to drop Jeremy off at the airport for his flight to RailsConf. I hadn’t been to McDonalds in a while for a number of reasons. First I’ve been trying to eat healthier both for my own sake and to try to model better eating habits for Aidan. Second, we have been trying to help small businesses and the local economy by eating at local restaurants and avoiding big chains. Third, we have been eating out less in general to save money. But we were in a hurry so-what the heck. Jeremy was going to order a steak, egg, and cheese, bagel and two hash browns, which sounded good to me too. Since the sandwich alone costs $2.60 and a breakfast value meal, which is supposed to include hash browns and a drink, is $2.80 I figured I would order the meal (since hash browns alone cost $1). Jeremy insisted that he didn’t need a drink, and even though it would save on the total cost he still intended to order the sandwich and two hashbrowns instead of a meal (which also includes a drink) and ordering an additional hashbrown. He seemed annoyed that I planned to order a meal, stating that if I order a meal they will mess up our order and make us late.
I wouldn’t expect McDonalds employees to be the brightest people in the world. I would however, figure that with dozens, if not hundreds, of people ordering breakfast and regular value meals daily, the concept of a value meal including a sandwich, drink, and hashbrowns (for breakfast) or fries (for other times of the day) would not be an extremely challenging concept. I would have thought that ordering a value meal would actually be easier for the employees than ringing-up menu items individually. Apparently I would be dead wrong.
The order got terribly messed up-I think the guy in the drive-through window rang up two value meals plus two drinks and three hashbrowns. We tried to explain the order. He just wasn’t getting it. He got a manager who also seemed completely clueless. She couldn’t figure out our order either. It shouldn’t be that hard-really. In the end we were over-charged for two drinks-one of which should have been included in the value meal and a Coke that we didn’t order, but they threw in an extra hashbrown. The trip through the drive-through took way too long, but luckily we made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare.
I’d like to claim that I will heed the advice of Eric Schlosser and Morgan Spurlock and avoid McDonalds from now on. I know that I probably should. I haven’t looked up the nutrition facts for the breakfast I ate today and probably don’t want to know the information. However, every once in a while I get a craving for a McDonalds double cheeseburger, McChicken, or hot fudge sundae and even though I know I shouldn’t, I give in to the guilty little pleasure. I’d probably be lying if I said I won’t go back to McDonalds ever, but I’m not planning on going back anytime soon!
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