Feb. 5: It’s been a quiet day here. I think I’ve done nearly all the planning and preparations I can think of, so I found myself sitting around this morning in a bit of a funk. Fortunately, I had lunch plans with Karen, so that got me out of the house. I ran some errands, did some shopping for Andrew and for the little one, and in general enjoyed being out and about on my own. Andrew took a three-hour nap for his granny today, so she got some quiet time here in the afternoon.
We’re experiencing the start of a major snow event here. Laura, my doula, called this afternoon to see if we were seeming to be heading toward labor (no) and to remind me to give extra time for her to come over and for us all to get to the hospital since the weather may be pretty difficult.
Baby girl continues to move about, but doesn’t seem to be in much of a hurry. I told her that life out here in the world is pretty good.
Sure, it’s a little bright and a little cold, but there’s good things like milk and snuggling, and my darling dear, there are shoes!
It hurts my heart
Feb. 4: I wrote a post a couple weeks ago our how my friend Karen’s friend Cindy was at the end of a five year struggle with breast cancer. This morning, Cindy passed away. She was at the hospice center where Mom was at the end. My heart grieves for Karen and for Cindy’s husband and kids and all the people who love her. It’s five months since Mom died. It feels so weird to have death be something that I know on a much more intimate basis that I have ever before. And at the same time to be right in the moment where life is beginning.
There’s a lot more to this rich tapestry of life than I knew three years ago. I want to take it all in and accept it and make it OK.
Karen made a nice page on her website for Cindy.
Com’on, Baby…we’re ready for you!
Feb. 3: Andrew is on day three of his no-napping game. Hmmmm. I don’t think I approve:)
Bryan’s mom came into town yesterday. Her plane was able to land only after getting diverted to Iowa for more fuel since the runways were covered in snow and it had to circle for a while before getting cleared.
I had my week 39 midwife appointment on Friday. We got to hear the baby’s heart beat and she measured my belly. No signs of imminent labor, but I’m sending the baby lots of positive messages that the world is a friendly place and she should go ahead and check it out. Please proceed to the exit, little one:)
We got together this morning for brunch with Andrew’s little friends Alex and Budgy and their parents, Vicki and Mike and Veronica and Benson. It was a fun time. This afternoon, we’re heading to Sarah and Wes’ house to watch the super bowl and eat yummy food.
BabyCenter.com
How your baby’s growing:
Your baby’s waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it’s likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.
Forry’s obituary
Jan. 31: Terry is back in Madison after spending the last week in Salem with his mom. A memorial service is planned for February 23, the week of Forry’s 93rd birthday. An obituary follows, which can also be found on the Salem Satesman Journal’s website.
Forrest M. Haller Obituary
SALEM – Forrest M. (“Forry”)
Haller, 92, died peacefully at home on January 24, 2008. Forry was born on February 20, 1915 in Arnegard, North Dakota to Adolph I. and Della A. (nee Rohney) Haller. The family moved to Red Wing, Minnesota in 1922. In 1932, he graduated from Red Wing High School. Several years later, he went west and eventually found a job with Northrop Aircraft in Los Angeles. Over the next 25 years, with a hiatus during 1945-49, Forry rose to head Northrop’s production engineering operations, and he was General Supervisor of Missile Planning there. He worked on numerous Northrop projects, including the YB-49 Flying Wing airplane (a precursor of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) and the SM-62 Snark missile. Forry was married to Thelma (”Topsy”) Arstill on October 22, 1945, and they moved to Palm Springs, California, where they helped to build and manage the White Sun Guest Ranch in Rancho Mirage. In 1947-9, they lived in Portland, Oregon before returning to L.A. From 1951 on, they lived in Manhattan Beach and Los Alamitos, California before retiring to Salem, Oregon in 1972. Forry is survived by his very special wife Topsy, to whom he was married for over 62 years; two sons, Terry L. Haller of Madison, Wisconsin and Michael D. Haller of Salem, Oregon; one grandson, Christopher W. Haller in his senior year at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington; and two brothers, Donald M. Haller of Salem, Oregon and Deane A. Haller of Red Wing, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his father, Adolph Haller in 1940, his stepfather Fred Gerdes in 1964, his mother Della (Rohney) Gerdes in 1972 and his brother Lyndon W. Haller (wife Lela) in 1999. A memorial service will take place at 2:00PM on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church, 770 Chemeketa Street NE, Salem, Oregon 97301.
Vacuum terror
Jan. 31: Andrew may not appreciate me sharing this with the world, but I found it to be so earnest and tender that I just wanted to write it down.
Andrew feels very afraid when he hears loud noises: coffee grinders, blenders, lawn mowers, and especially the vacuum cleaner. This morning, I wanted to vacuum up the hallway carpet a bit. Andrew was playing with puzzles in the living room, and when I came over to tell him I was going to pull out the vacuum for a few minutes, he got really panicky. He started breathing fast and then started crying and trying to pick up all his puzzles at once. I promised him (as I always do) that the vacuum won’t hurt him. It helps Mommy clean, and it just makes a lot of noise while it does it.
Eventually, I calmed him down, and he went into his room clutching three of his toys, mumbling something about “saving them.” When I peeked into his bedroom after vacuuming the hall, he was on his bed with his toys under his blankets. Oh, he is so cute I just want to eat him up:)
Fun with Friends
Jan. 31: Our week is going really well. This period between when I stopped work and the baby arriving is a lot of fun. Andrew and I have been enjoying outings or visiting with friends in the morning and then napping (or not) and making dinner in the afternoons. Right now, the little fellow is in his bed reading books out loud. And today, that’s alright with me as long as he is cheerful this afternoon/evening:)
Bryan’s mom arrives in just two days. She’ll be here with us until Feb. 16…hopefully the little one will make her entrance on or before her due date so that Andrew can enjoy an extra adult’s loving attentions for a while. If not, we’ll just roll with that situation too:)
We got together with my neighbor, Kathy, and her daughters, Alivia and Rayna yesterday. Andrew had a great time and was talking about what we did at their house for the whole rest of the day. This morning, we met Jessica, Eli, and Celia at the library for some play time, and then we went to Manna Cafe for lunch with my co-workers. It feels so nice to spend time with friends. I really miss seeing my Gathering Waters pals every day, and my heart feels a little cozier for having shared a meal with them today.
Hope all is well in your world!
Visiting Grandma
Jan. 29: I’m feeling pretty snoozy this evening. It’s been a blustery, cold, wet, and snowy day today. An interesting mix of fog, rain, hail, and snow, just to keep life interesting.
Andrew is currently lying on the floor with Bryan listening to the music from Fantasia. He’s saying, “I’m scared, I’m scared…” as he listens to the dinosaur segment. Bryan’s being sweet and saying calming things.
We drove down to Monore this morning to visit my grandma. She’s living at a nursing home as she recovers from a broken hip. Poor Grandma really seemed pretty sad. I think a visit from the cutest little guy and patting an enormous belly helped to lift her spirits, though. And now, we’re off for a quiet wintery evening at home.
Not a manic Monday
Jan. 28: No real news to report today. Andrew and I attended our first-ever story hour, and I sat around feeling big and somewhat uncomfortable. I also re-arranged several dresser drawers in my continued effort to have the house completely organized before the little one arrives. The weather has warmed up significantly. It looks like it doesn’t even matter that we never shoveled the walk ways after last weekend’s snow fall since it all melted off today. I realized this morning that I can now legitimately tell people that the baby is due next week (Feb. 8 – a week from Friday). Wow. I think I want her to wait until February, but I also really want to get this show on the road!
A painted belly
Jan. 26: My dear friend Anne came over this afternoon…driving all the way from Milwaukee on a snowy Saturday to paint my big belly.
Anne painted my belly a few days before Andrew was born (see a photo here), and she has bedecked the bellies of a slew of other friends in the past several years. It’s a fun way to honor and commemorate my largely enhanced size, and the baby seemed to be tickled by the light brush strokes.
We decided on a snowy/starry night theme, and it turned out really well. Anne is such a fun friend! Photos for those who enjoy such things are in the gallery🙂
Terry’s dad died yesterday
Jan. 26 update: A memorial service for Forry is being planned for late February.
Jan. 25: Some sad news to report…Terry’s dad, Forry, passed away yesterday. I believe he was at his home in Salem, Oregon. Forry has lived through a somewhat stunning list of medical problems, and I kind of think we were all under the impression that he just must be immortal. Terry’s mom, Topsy, has been doing a tremendous amount of care for Forry over the last ten years. I believe the last time they came out to Wisconsin was for my wedding in 1999.
I’ve always considered Topsy and Forry another set of grandparents, and it really feels like a huge era is passing to know that Forry is gone.
I hope he is now freed from the confines of an aged body.
Terry is heading out to Oregon to be with his mom and his brother, Michael. I’d like to be able to join them, but there is no traveling when one is 38 weeks pregnant! I’ll post an obituary when one is available.