Craig's OTHER List: Trogdor, the Dragon Fetus

On a midweek off day I officially took down our Christmas tree (we removed the ornaments and such days ago) and removed the remaining holiday lights adorning our house. The recent "warm up" to the 30's allowed for being outside for more than just a quick run and felt like spring compared to what we have had here lately.

Trogdor, sketeched by a former
coworker about 7-years ago
and still on my office
computer. Thanks Joel!

Yes, the holidays are over but our biggest present of all will be coming shortly. As for L, I'm sure she is just as excited for the baby's arrival as she is to be free from new aches, pains, bodily functions and constant gymnastics taking place in the womb. Some days she gets around the house like a patient in the triage unit and it makes you wonder how something so small could be creating that much of a ruckus. Is there actually a baby in there or some alien being festering inside? We are pretty sure it's a baby and not Trogdor from those old Strong Bad Email videos from homestarrunner.com. Either way, we don't have any thatched-roof cottages nearby we would have to worry about being burnt to the ground. So, yeah, we're good.

Keeping L's mind of off baby Russell's ramped up preparation for exiting his human incubator is getting tougher, so we have been finding other things for her to focus on. She does walk a mile or so around our neighborhood on a daily basis and spending time arranging the baby's room has been helpful. Once home from work we have been binging on episodes of "The Office" to keep both of us on a more even keel.

Sometimes the commercials between those episodes add some unexpected comfort. We had a good, stupid laugh at a cat litter advertisement as this woman was stressing how bad her pet's litter boxed smelled and was at a loss as to what she could do to correct it. I commented her problem wasn't the general odor, but the holding it up to her face like she was presenting a freakin' plate of lasagna for the family dinner table. If I shoved my head in the toilet, I - too - would probably complain about the smell!

Yeah, it's the little things that can get us going.

Oh, and that same night L felt Russell making odd movements and laughed when she realized he had the hiccups. Though she felt it much more since it was happening inside of her, I was able to faintly feel them myself after placing my hand on her stomach. One of the causes for hiccups is sudden excitement, maybe he, too, thought the cat litter comment was hilarious (that's my boy!). Also, did you know the medical term for hiccups is singultus - weird.

On Tuesdays, when I don't work the evening, I have been meeting up with running (and beer) friends Gary & Ken to squeeze in five miles or so. We start and finish in the parking lot of Buffalo Wild & Wings with the finish consisting of post run wings and a couple of beers. This past week, I was surprised with a gift from Gary and his family. It's a copy of the book "Goodnight Brew", a parody on the book "Goodnight Moon".

L's Funfetti cake, complete
with firefly decorations

Instead of a 'picture book' it is described as a 'pitcher book' for grown-ups, a besotted bedtime story for beer lovers everywhere. You follow the crew of animals as they close down for the evening and say goodnight to the brew kettle, barley and yeast, hops and mash, saison, porter, IPA, and more. Obviously, a tongue-in-cheek thing, but the last few pages do have brew infographics that follow the story. It may come in handy, in more way than one, in the near future.

This coming weekend is race #2 of the Fantastic Frigid 5k Series and if all goes as planned, I should be able to take part. Race #1 ended up being on the same day as the birthing class two weeks ago and I had to miss it. It isn't expected to be as cold as the first one and I'm looking forward to a trail course as the asphalt can get monotonous at times. #HShive #mettlemonday @honeystinger

At her place of work, L's coworkers had a baby shower for her. When asked what kind of cake she would like to have, L was proud to say - with the full confidence of a proud, adult woman - that she wanted a Funfetti cake. If you don't know, this is a white or yellow cake with rainbow colored sprinkles baked into the batter. When baked, the sprinkles melt into dots of bright color that resemble confetti or in this case "Funfetti".

Sunday Night's snow walk, L
& Pupa Russell standing
under the street light

The targeted demographic is, of course, children, but I guess one can get a pass if you are about to have a child as well. And the piece L had, of course, did have one of the fireflies on it. Just paying tribute to the logo she created for The Fermented Firefly. And she brought home a piece for me...and it was delicious. #HShive #mettlemonday

This past weekend saw my Cincinnati Bengals end a 31-year drought by winning a playoff game and did it with a fellow Southeast Ohio native in young superstar Joe Burrow. At the same time, L's Steelers lost in what is likely Northwest Ohio native Ben Roethlisberger's last game after 18 years. A bit of a weird contrast taking place on the same weekend for the both of our teams. And we also had the first significant snowfall of the season, something we enjoy and typically results in a night walk around our neighborhood.

The long Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday weekend ended Monday with the library where I work taking part in an event hosting Author Nic Stone and ending with a book signing at the library. I came away with a book signed by her for Russell and she used his ROKS initials after inquiring about the name we settled on. She also thought it was insane for anyone to run outside in the wintery weather, but since she lives in Georgia, she doesn't enjoy cold weather in general anyway. A couple of photos of what she wrote can be found below.

We are at 36 weeks and according to the birthing app, Russell is now the size of a bag of Bugles, so we at least know he's tasty (note to self: DO NOT EAT THE BABY). Another food related reference, this app knows us way to well.

We are also told his blood circulation is fully up and running now. And at around 36 weeks or later, your baby drops from around your rib cage to closer to your pelvis. Aha! Russell did that in the last week, he's ahead of the game! I believe L is proud to know our boy is a leader and not a follower, as well as a corn snack.

So 28 days, 4 weeks or one month - however you break it down - that is what the birthing encyclopedia indicates regarding the time we have until Russell's arrival. Though experiencing L's recent reactions to his increased movement, Russell apparently has his bags packed and is just waiting for the early train to leave the station.

Patience, Trogdor...uh...I mean, Russell...patience...we still have some corn snacks to finish off...

Tanlines - Brothers

Minimal big mistakes, and the last one:
In the car or the store, you didn't ask for it
Take your time, take the place, and react
Does it in my mind set the pace?

And rewind to them
And rewind to them
And rewind to them
And rewind to them

Take a chance, make a choice, you couldn't not look
Indecision overload is only chance figures
Change my mind, make mistakes, and put it past them
Raise the bar, set the course

And rewind to them
And rewind to them
And rewind to them
And rewind to them

You're just the same as you ever were
You fighting, no wonder why it makes no sense
I'm just the same as I ever been,
But I'm the only one who doesn't notice it

See me through the front porch
Sure, I want more
Off the cuff, doesn't measure
Got a front door
Take the stairs, make mistakes
Just make up for them
On the spot, don't pretend

And rewind to them
And rewind to them
And rewind to them
And rewind to them

You're just the same as you ever were
You fighting, no wonder why it makes no sense
I'm just the same as I ever been,
But I'm the only one who doesn't notice it

Yeah, yeah ah hey
Yeah, yeah ah hey
Yeah, yeah ah hey
Yeah, yeah ah hey
Yeah, yeah ah hey
Yeah, yeah ah hey
Yeah, yeah ah hey
Yeah, yeah ah hey

You're just the same as you ever were
You're just the same as you ever were
You're just the same as you ever were
You're just the same as you ever were