Reminiscing: Pictionary

Remember Pictionary? I certainly do. Though I didn't know it would ever help inform my immediate family of Chris and my impending little bundle, I did enjoy playing it as a child. There was even a show built on Pictionary's premise: Win, Lose or Draw. Each game started with two teams - ladies vs. gents. The teams would take turns at the drawing board where one player drew and the remaining two players on that same team made best guesses about that which was being Picasso'd with thick and colorful markers on the large flip chart.

So, that's the way my family shaped up our game. Estrogen vs. testosterone (Dad, Paul and Chris vs. Mom, Kari, Sarah and me). The plan was that at some point, Chris woud make the big reveal... whenever the time was right. Well, one and a half games later... we were still waiting for that perfect moment. See, with Pictionary, they have these "all-plays" that allow both teams to draw at the same time. Turns out, each time Chris drew, it ended up being an all-play, so instead of having the undivided attention of everyone at the table, he was only going to have the men's. Hence... we were into our second game (of course, us ladies were POUNDING the competition). Chris's turn came up and it was not an all-play. SCORE!

His hands started to get jittery. He reached carefully to turn on the camera. He read the word on the card several times (he still maintains he has no idea what it said) and acted perplexed at the prospect of having to sketch it.

The sand-filled "minute glass" was flipped and he was off. Though, it was a bit unclear what he was trying to do in the beginning, it became transparent in time. Here's what he drew...

Get it?

Don't feel bad... Neither did the fam; that is, not without a bit of explanation. Chris started to explain: The first picture is a man throwing a "rock"; number two is eyes that are looking, i.e. "see" (they got that one) and the third one is unmistakably an expectant woman (and that one). They just didn't understand how the three drawings worked together. He said it again "rock-see-baby bump"; then "pregnant" + "rock-see." By this time, I was beaming and tears were coming down my face because I was sure they were going to understand in a matter of moments. Then Sarah said "Roxi's pregnant?!"

From there, the game ended in a halt. Mom shrieked and grabbed me for a tight embrace; excited faces lit up all around the table; bodies rose to begin embracing; mom let me go and touched the lack of a bump on my abdomen. :)

Thanks for sharing in the memory!

The Greed Gun

A couple weeks ago, my sister (the future, auntie Kari) was in town to spend some time hanging out and catching up. Since it was mid-week, we decided not to paint the town and get all crazy... otherwise, watch out... we can be quite the duo. Riiight...

Instead, we decided to do more conservative and constructive things like taking a 5-mile walk, chatting about her most recent vacation (including cruise dining, winning a Sudoku competition and averting the clenched jaws of alligators - seriously!) and setting up baby registries at Toys R Us and Target. I know... you wish you could've been there, right??

So then it began...our date with the "greed gun." What's that, you ask? A simple device used to plan the future with every hope, aspiration and dream in mind. You guessed it - the product scanner that introduces your family and friends (and anyone else who wants to search for you) to all those "wish list" items you have for the future mini-me. For those of you who've not entered the future-parent-to-be-domain, perhaps you know the greed gun from a trips to the store prior to your marriage? And if that doesn't spark it for you, certainly you've seen a rogue dad weaving stealthily around department store displays doing his best impersonation of Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. He grips the registry scanner, peers down an isle of fragile goods, begins his raptor-like pursuit, turns a corner and points the scanner at an unsuspecting crystal vase his bride-to-be is holding oh-so-gingerly. Capisce?



Of course the intent with registries isn't really greed, but rather a simple opportunity to inform regarding those planning on gift-giving of what's really needed, necessary or just too darn cute to leave un-scanned.

Our progress wasn't exactly progress at all. I "mis-fired" a few times at Toys R Us and even though the scanner was supposedly equipped to delete items, I'm not convinced that actually happened. We did learn a lot though. Mostly, that there's SO MUCH to learn :) The sheer amount of options for bottles, strollers, bouncers, diapers and more, made me wonder if I'd ever get started. But with the help of some of you, I've now received excellent advice on what worked best in your opinion (or the opinion of your little ones) for products, brands, needs and wastes of time.

Now if I can just figure out the registry scanner...

Hiccups

There are a handful of folks who've asked me whether the baby's had hiccups yet. "I don't know, I haven't asked the little charmer," is typically my first thought. Really though, the little bean has been on the move quite frequently, but there hasn't been a time when I'd say I recognize any of the movement being similar to that which hiccups cause. That is, until today at 4:22 p.m.

There was a little nudge (not out of the ordinary), then another in the exact spot (again, not atypical), then another - all about two seconds apart. It went on, repeating at least 14 times (yes, I counted).

To think of the bean (who is supposedly about a foot in length - the size of an ear of corn, approximately - and weighs just over a pound) flailing around with uncontrollable abdominal spasms kind of makes me giggle. It was short-lived and as long as it's a part of the developmental process, I'm good with it.

In honor of hiccuping babies everywhere, inside and outside of the "pod," here's a little something for you to giggle at as well:

A Six-Pack Habit

So, I don't even like beer. In fact, I really can't stand it. I don't like the taste, the color's unappealing to me and my stomach's not particularly a fan either. So, overhearing a comment about "looks like she's got a six-pack a day drinking habit" didn't exactly make me feel fabulous... but I'm over it. It's part of this whole miraculous, incredible, creation-of-life thing. :)


With that comment, I suppose I owe you some belly shots (no, not those which some have enjoyed at many a drinking establishment) - here are some progressives since the last time I posted bump pictures (3/4/09). Enjoy - but keep the beer belly jokes to yourselves! Note - they move pretty quick!

Baby Snuggie, For Real.

Who knew that for the mere investment of $80, you could be the proud owner of your very own baby Snuggie. I'm not talking about the uber-popular adult version that served the sole reason for a recent Des Moines Pub Crawl. No, I'm talking about a new and improved version that allows for baby bonding - a shared version called the Peekaru. A revolutionary design adjustment that improves your full body blanket experience by allowing the baby to see the world from your point of view (and no dragging the excessively long blanket across the floor - if you have one, you understand).

Even better, there's no gender qualification for carrying babies this time - so dad's - you're not off the hook anymore!

Log on to order yours now*! http://www.togetherbe.com/productDescriptionPeekaruOriginal.aspx

*No, I am not a spokesperson for the Peekaru; yes, I am awestruck at the ingenuity of "some people's children" :)

Calling all Mamas (and Papas!)

So, I am in need of some "been there, done that" advice. Several of you have, in your own tenures as "mama" or "papa" (or any other name you'll answer to when called out by a wee one), provided a great deal of wonderful advice on the best of the best products, services, brands, etc. you've found. Unfortunately, most of that advice came prior to being an expectant lady. SO... in building our "baby wants and needs" lists, I'd love your assistance in identifying your favorites in the following categories:

• Stroller (Best brand? Four wheels or three? Do you need all the storage capacity? Which style is the easiest to handle with one hand?)


• Bouncy Chair (Best brand? When do babies start using it?)


• Swing (Best brand? What else do I need to know here?)


• Vibrating Chair (Best brand? Is it necessary to have more than a couple speed settings?)


• Bottles (Best brand? Glass or plastic? Disposable inserts?)


• Diapers (Best brand? Does the brand differ by age of child? Disposable or cloth?)


• What else?

As well - tell me if I'm crazy to be thinking of some of these.... perhaps it's not necessary to have some of these things at all...and maybe I need three swings. Again, this is a first time gig, so I need some slack for asking less-than-intelligent questions.

Dogs and Kids - WARNING

My Sister-in-law, Sarah, sent me this very serious warning about those of us looking to welcome newborns into the world who have dogs. However, I think it applies to children of all ages. It warns of the dangers of leaving children unattended in the presence of dogs. This is an example of why that is so important:


Wait for it....

Happy April Fools' Day ;)