Baylor Med School, Rice University discuss merger

Baylor Med School, Rice University discuss merger | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Zoe is six weeks old!

Zoe has now been around an entire six weeks, which both seems like no time at all and forever. Most days I try to get some 'tummy time' in if I can catch her in a good mood. As seen above, we still can't avoid the spit-up, though, no matter how long we wait after meal time. We have been able to keep her sleeping in the recently borrowed swing; not much luck with the bassinet or crib - we think the reflux wakes her up.
And Friday nite Kyle and I went out for date nite/belated anniversary dinner thanks to Auntie Em. We went over to the Triangle and had dinner at Galaxy Cafe, with a couple of beers afterwards at The Flying Saucer, where we sat next to a very interesting couple. When we got back home, we were thankful to hear Zoe had forgotten her regularly scheduled witching hour performance. When she woke up, Auntie Em was able to feed her a bottle, allowing me to get some rest. A great nite!

no rest for the weary

Zoe has this amazing sense to cry about 5 to 10 minutes after I put my head down to get a nap.

Update on single stream recycling

Recycling plant shelved, $1 million already spent

It seems that Austin still has a few things to work out on this whole recycling thing...

1st attempt to vote

Ugh - I just went, baby in tow, to go early vote, and apparently I have somehow requested and received a ballot by mail. Of course, I have done no such thing, and have not received any ballot by mail. Now I have to go wait in line at the county offices to figure out who the heck this Maureen is that requested a mailed ballot. Hassle, hassle, hassle. Hopefully it wasn't actually sent, and no one is stealing our mail - scary thought....

Update: So, it was this Maureen that requested a ballot by mail, two years ago - which is apparently good for 4 years for federal elections. Kyle was able to vote yesterday, though he had the same problem. However, the people that were working when he was there allowed him to sign something so he could vote. Basically, two years ago when we were in Germany, we requested to have our ballots mailed to Germany. Of course, they never arrived, and we were not able to vote back then. And when you request your ballot be mailed, that's valid for 4 years for federal elections (definitely not local elections, as I have voted since being back home). So, I still have to make it out to the county tax offices, because for some reason I wasn't offered the same opportunity to sign a waiver, and they don't actually realize through their records that I have been voting in local elections stateside and not from Germany.

Tour de Fat

This weekend we ventured out to New Belgium's Tour de Fat in Austin with the Walters. We really enjoyed ourselves, primarily because of the company, and Zoe slept through the whole thing!

On the way home I was the designated driver, so Zoe was keeping the Walters company in the back seat!

Single stream recycling comes to Austin!

Finally - it certainly took Austin long enough, especially for a city that claims to be so green. We can finally recycle all plastic, and not just numbers 1 & 2. Though, check out how big the bin is - larger than our trash! The old bins we'll get rid of next week.

She's Growing!

And here are some photos to prove it!

Above: September 21
Below: October 13

We went to the doctor's office yesterday to check up on all of her spit-up issues while she sleeps (suspected reflux, so medicine prescribed - it won't stop the spit-up, but it will hopefully stop her from having the pain when she spits-up and especially when she's supposed to be sleeping, as well as allow me to put her down during the day for a break or two!). So, updated weight: 10 pounds, 4 ounces - she certainly hasn't had problems gaining weight, at least!

Bottles make their debut

At least the first one was successful! We have yet to try another, but it really was such a relief that she took the first one so easily (knock on wood for future attempts). And she ate almost 5 oz and slept for almost 5 hours afterwards! Here's a before picture of some bottle soup - yummmm.

Picture of a Lifesaver

Note that this is an older photo -
I was either sleeping, showering, or eating
the whole time Karen was here.
Thank you Karen/Omi!

Breastfeeding Challenge

Rough nite last nite, but we are all taking turns getting some naps in today, in between eating and football games. It may just be my imagination, but I swear the spitting-up has increased in frequency. I just feel so bad for the girl. We're trying some new things, which will hopefully decrease the frequency. Cross your fingers...

Meanwhile, yesterday we participated in the Breastfeeding Challenge in Austin, which was held at the site of the downtown farmer's market. The goal is to encourage breastfeeding (the US recommendation is for a minimum of 1 year, while the World Health Organization recommends 2 years) and increase acceptance of public breastfeeding, which is perfectly legal. Austin was the highest rated US city (it's a Canadian organization that puts it on) - 133 babies! We met up with 3 other families from our birthing classes. So nice to be able to see some familiar faces, going through the same things - I think we all had that tired look on our face. We're looking forward to meeting up for a real 'reunion' in the near future, with bottles (baby and beer?) in hand to celebrate our growth from 10 to 15! Here's a photo of the dads and babies post-challenge. While our due dates ranged almost the entire month of September, the kids were all born within a week of each other. From left to right here, they were born on the 13th, 12th, 14th, and 10th (thanks to Jessica for compiling that!). And here's a photo of Zoe enjoying her meal - she was very sleepy yesterday, which was probably one of the reasons that we had such an active night...

First bath

Last Saturday we made a go at the first real bath. Her belly button is adorable (we don't have a photo of it yet, but one of our friends thought it looked like the 'G' for the Packers!), and now that she's had a bath it's thoroughly clean. She seemed to like it ok - there were of course crying fits, but we think that was more due to our own fumblings. It's hard to keep that little body warm!

Late update from week 2

So, this is Z from Oct 1 - isn't she adorable ? The outfit is out of the new Dwell line at Target - some nice modern stuff for baby.  She's laying on the changing table here, which we have found she loves to do. I think it's the mirror that's adjacent.  Also, the orange trees seem to be coming into focus now, which is pretty awesome.  We can walk around the room taking a tour of our orchard.


Meanwhile, these snoozing photos are from last week, but it's a familiar pose around here.  Oftentimes, whenever Z is sleeping I choose between napping, eating, going to the bathroom, showering, etc.  You can see that posting to the blog doesn't quite make the necessity list, unfortunately.  Pumping is supposed to be in that list too, so that someone else (Daddy, or maybe Auntie Em?) can take over a feeding, however last nite during only my second go at it the pump broke.  Medela was super nice, and will be sending a new one, but that's still another week without pumping to keep up the supply of frozen goods.  It also means we probably won't be going out for our anniversary, so rain check on that one!  

And here are a couple of parting shots, also from last week.  Z's first ride out in the stroller (which we do try to do every day, but honestly it ends up sort of every-other day).  And a picture of us perfecting the sling.  We're still working on it, but when I can get her in there, she stops crying in two minutes, and is asleep 5 minutes later.  An absolute sanity saver.  At our next La Leche League meeting I'm going to ask the others how to nurse in the thing - if that works out it could be my new best friend, deserving of a nick-name even!

Connected again...

So, readers, we were temporarily without internet for the past few days, hence the lack of posts.  Don't worry, this doesn't mean I was sleeping the whole time!  We've got some photos to download, and then we'll be back with some updates.  Until then, here's a Z (from 2-week birthday) image - with proud Papa - to tide you over ;)

Monday is deadline to register

Want to vote Nov. 4? Monday is deadline to register

register, register, register!

and watch the debates - make sure you are an informed voter!

Austin Race for the Cure 2008

Today is the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Every year I try to participate in the Austin Race for the Cure - whether by actually running/walking or 'Sleeping in for the Cure.'  The race this year is November 2nd, and myself, Zoe, and Mom/Grandma will all be participating!  Not sure if I'll make it the whole 5k, but we'll certainly try - I'm hoping I'll be pretty well healed from the Cesarean by then.  We would all certainly appreciate your help in raising funds for research for breast cancer.  Wouldn't it be absolutely amazing if by the time Zoe was in her 30s she didn't have to worry about the possibility of breast cancer affecting her or her loved ones lives?!  

Any donation amount is greatly appreciated - Austin is continuing the Power of 10 this year.  Imagine what a difference 10 people each contributing $10 can make.  Now imagine if those ten people each got 10 of their friends to donate and/or participate - what a difference we can all make with just $10!  If donating isn't up your alley, I'd certainly appreciate words of support, or if you're feeling adventurous, wake up early that morning and join us in the race!  And if you're out of town, try Sleeping in for the Cure!

Thanks to everyone for the support - last year you guys raised over $250 on my behalf - I'd certainly love to beat that this year!