Greetings from the great city of Hendersonville, Henersnvil, or H-vegas as many call it. Jen, Grady, and I are in town for Grady's first baby shower!! This pregnancy has been a time of a lot of firsts for me. My first visit behind the doors of the lady Dr.'s office, my first time to feel a little human inside of my wife's belly, and my first experience with breastfeeding class. None of which were quite as overwhelming as our first experience with Babies-r-us! Let's just describe it this way:
Visit #1 - Felt a little overwhelmed, got dizzy and light-headed, almost puked... Jen didn't fare much better. Three hours later, we had registered for only 6 items. Jen says more, but she was delirious and pregnant... :)
Visit #2 - Aunt Kim... GOD BLESS AUNT KIM!!!! She came to our rescue. Having gone through this process twice and therefore possessing quite a bit of 20/20 hindsight, she became our salvation. No offense to Jesus, but I think even He would be overwhelmed at the prospect. Let's just say I don't think Jesus was a person of excess, but BRU (as the insiders say) is the breeding ground for it! Anyway, thanks to Kim, we have a wonderful registry of things for Grady that we will have no idea how to use when we get home. :) I guess she'll have to come back and show us. Hey! and to you people reading this blog with previous baby-rearing experience... Don't be screenin' our calls!
Moving on... over the past few months the phrase "eating for two" has become more of a reality for my budding wife. According to Jen, it is true what others have said, that everything tastes better when you are pregnant. I'm sure all you past and present preggos would agree. A couple of weeks ago I got this text in the middle of the day that said.... "I just ate a footlong!" I had to check who it was from because it couldn't have been from my "barely finishes a six-incher" wife. But sure enough, she had just victoriously downed a footlong like a conehead in one continuous bite! I was on the floor laughin! You would've thought she was a junior high boy proudly proclaiming that he just ate a whole large pizza! I offered my congratulations.
Meanwhile, back at BRU... have you noticed how fancy strollers are? I mean they have all the luxuries of a nice car. Most of them have lightweight aluminum frames, with cup-holders, and soft cushy seats that recline. Some of the car seat things look like wingback chairs... I'm surprised they don't have the lazyboy kick outs. They also come in some pretty fancy fabrics and designs. For real... mark my words... in about three or four years they're gonna start putting lcd screens under the hood of those things.
Finally, we had our last sonogram on Monday with Dr. G! (I'll post pictures soon). When we got there he said, "You guys mind waiting about 10 minutes? I've gotta go deliver a baby... be back!" What!?!?! Man, he not only talks fast, but he delivers fast too!!! We'll see.
So Grady is checkin' out just great! He's practicing breathing and head down kickin the fire out of Jen. She says he must be getting tighter in there though because his movements aren't quite as big.
In other matters, he's definitely a boy and he's gonna be a tank! Right now he's 3lbs. 8oz. and a whole week ahead in his development. Upon further inquiry, Dr. G says this doesn't mean he'll be born a week early, it just means that he gonna be BIG! Of course, Jen was celebrating! ;) Doc says if he continues on the regular course, he'll be like a nine pounder!!! He's definitely healthy. Here comes Grady Mac chuggin down the track.
And he's comin' fast... only 9 1/2 more weeks!!!
~A
Grady Lane McGowan
Jett Aubrey McGowan
April 19, 2008
April 10, 2008
Grady's Mama
Well, most of the time I get on here and blab about things that are somewhat related and at times not at all related to our son who will be born in late June/early July!
Today I'm breaking the mold!! I know, it's scary, but just follow along. I want to write about something that is directly related to Grady.... his mom... my beautiful wife.
As much as I feel my love for this little guy growing and welling up inside, I feel so much more my love for her growing. It's growing for her it seems in proportion to her belly :) Sometimes it seems like I kiss her goodnight and wake up in the morning feeling like Grady's grown even more and my love for her has grown right along with him. Everything seems to be accellerating, moving so fast, but I think it is so beautiful that love is not lost in the midst of everything; it hasn't fallen behind. In fact, it is not only keeping up, but it is living, breathing, thriving, beating more than ever.
I know that many of you already believe this, but Jen is going to be the greatest mother. She is so deeply passionate and full of love and kindness. It is the greatest gift in my life that I get to experience this as her husband and soulmate. I can't wait for our sweet baby Grady to know this love too.
I could go on and on, but I'll sum it up with this: I think I've only seen the beginning of Jen's love and beauty. The best is yet to come!
Grady, you are truly blessed! Your mother's love is an extraordinary gift.
~A
Today I'm breaking the mold!! I know, it's scary, but just follow along. I want to write about something that is directly related to Grady.... his mom... my beautiful wife.
As much as I feel my love for this little guy growing and welling up inside, I feel so much more my love for her growing. It's growing for her it seems in proportion to her belly :) Sometimes it seems like I kiss her goodnight and wake up in the morning feeling like Grady's grown even more and my love for her has grown right along with him. Everything seems to be accellerating, moving so fast, but I think it is so beautiful that love is not lost in the midst of everything; it hasn't fallen behind. In fact, it is not only keeping up, but it is living, breathing, thriving, beating more than ever.
I know that many of you already believe this, but Jen is going to be the greatest mother. She is so deeply passionate and full of love and kindness. It is the greatest gift in my life that I get to experience this as her husband and soulmate. I can't wait for our sweet baby Grady to know this love too.
I could go on and on, but I'll sum it up with this: I think I've only seen the beginning of Jen's love and beauty. The best is yet to come!
Grady, you are truly blessed! Your mother's love is an extraordinary gift.
~A
April 1, 2008
WWMS (What would Mary say?)
Ok, so it's been quite a while since we updated our loyal readers on all things babyish here in the McGowan household. Well, all you're getting today is a teaser, because it's 11:55 at night for cryin out loud!!
So Jen and I have not subscribed to the unsolicited baby advice magazine, but little did we know that every expectant mother and father gets signed up for a free subscription. I think it's some weird conspiracy theory that the hospital hoodwinks you into after you have your baby. They say something like, "We won't turn over your little bundle of joy until you sign this legally binding agreement promising that you will liberally divulge all of the knowledge you have gained in the last 10 months about pregnancy on any and every person you know, remotely know, see across the street, in the mall that is, looks like, or smells like they are pregnant or rubs their belly in a suspicious manner even if they are still holding the soggy Krystal carton. In addition, you must also take it upon yourself to rub any and every pregnant or suspected-pregnant belly that you see, so as to spread the general discomfort felt by all pregnant ladies who have been touched by an eager uninvited toucher. Finally, you must not tell anyone of the secrets of this contract or we will send your child to a legalistic religious Montessori school, make them wear tights and you will foot the ivy-league bill. Sign here _________."
The whole point I was making is that we have opted not to take the free advice of some that would say we need to sleep now and get rested for when the baby comes. No, we stay up late and wake up in three hour shifts every night just to spite those eager two cent-ers... Well, we haven't gone that far, but we sure aren't storin up sleep. It's against our religion... You know, don't want to be caught sleepin' when Jesus comes. Just ask the ox that lost his feeding trough.
I wonder what kind of advice 'ol Mother Mary would give anyway...
"If Gabriel shows up at your house, don't be afraid... you're already pregnant."
"You are gonna learn so much from this child."
"Don't worry, not everybody can have a perfect child?"
"Oh, don't get me started on hospital accommodations!"
"Super-natural is the only way to go!"
Ok... I'm done... please forgive me if I offended your deep rooted affections for Mary.
So Jen and I have not subscribed to the unsolicited baby advice magazine, but little did we know that every expectant mother and father gets signed up for a free subscription. I think it's some weird conspiracy theory that the hospital hoodwinks you into after you have your baby. They say something like, "We won't turn over your little bundle of joy until you sign this legally binding agreement promising that you will liberally divulge all of the knowledge you have gained in the last 10 months about pregnancy on any and every person you know, remotely know, see across the street, in the mall that is, looks like, or smells like they are pregnant or rubs their belly in a suspicious manner even if they are still holding the soggy Krystal carton. In addition, you must also take it upon yourself to rub any and every pregnant or suspected-pregnant belly that you see, so as to spread the general discomfort felt by all pregnant ladies who have been touched by an eager uninvited toucher. Finally, you must not tell anyone of the secrets of this contract or we will send your child to a legalistic religious Montessori school, make them wear tights and you will foot the ivy-league bill. Sign here _________."
The whole point I was making is that we have opted not to take the free advice of some that would say we need to sleep now and get rested for when the baby comes. No, we stay up late and wake up in three hour shifts every night just to spite those eager two cent-ers... Well, we haven't gone that far, but we sure aren't storin up sleep. It's against our religion... You know, don't want to be caught sleepin' when Jesus comes. Just ask the ox that lost his feeding trough.
I wonder what kind of advice 'ol Mother Mary would give anyway...
"If Gabriel shows up at your house, don't be afraid... you're already pregnant."
"You are gonna learn so much from this child."
"Don't worry, not everybody can have a perfect child?"
"Oh, don't get me started on hospital accommodations!"
"Super-natural is the only way to go!"
Ok... I'm done... please forgive me if I offended your deep rooted affections for Mary.
March 14, 2008
March 9, 2008
National Geographic Presents...
Warning: The opinions expressed here are not necessarily the opinions of the whole McGowan family including but not limited to Jennifer, Grady, Riley and their extended family. They by no means concur with or endorse any of the statements herein.
____________________
I would like to think that I am a well-rounded person. I mean, I have a love for music and art, I love to build things and watch the History channel, and I even like to watch a chic flick every now and then. I'm sure those are the indicators that you all look for in a well-rounded person/man; a musically-artistic-crafty in-touch-with-his-feminine-side-historian of sorts. I also thought that, by nature of my well-roundedness, I had become pretty knowledgeable about many things, but soon I would find that there is a universe of knowledge that has somehow evaded me to this point in my life. And who knew that this deluge of new info could come from one class about the wonderful world of BREASTFEEDING?
When Jen told me about the class I was pumped (no pun intended). This was going to be our first baby-related class and I was ready to learn. I thought, "This should be pretty quick and painless. They'll probably talk for a few minutes about how you should definitely do it and then send us on our way with a couple of pamphlets containing little p.c. cartoon diagrams of baby and mommy bonding 'neath a HooterHider (otherwise known as a modesty shawl... actually, I just made that up)."
WRONGO!!!! I casually asked Jen what time the class started and she said, "6:30." Cool, I thought. Then I asked her the telling question, "How long do you think it will last?" And she replied, "I think it says right here, until 10:30." Dun dun duh!!!! Holy shnikees! (quickly doing the math in my head) That means this class is going to last for 4 hours. What on earth could could anyone possibly say about breastfeeding for 4 hours? I was officially blown away, but nonetheless... intrigued. Here's how it all went down...
6:29 - we arrive, miraculously on-time
6:35 - the instructor shows up and says that we'll wait for others to show
6:40 - Jen goes to bathroom and leaves me alone in a breastfeeding class full of mostly couples and some women by themselves, but no MEN by themselves... except me..."No, no, I'm not a creep, just signed up for the class by myself, kinda curious about how this whole thing works... Ok, nice meetin' ya... Breast of luck to ya! I mean..."
6:45 - Jen returns, class commences, everyone introduces themselves... 20 minutes...
7:05 - Video - No really... Hmm... let's see... we're in a breastfeeding class... there's a video... listen, it's not what you think. Well, maybe it is, but hey, you just have to think about it like... a National Geographic Documentary about some indigenous tribe in an unexplored part of Africa. It's educational... and a little uncomfortable... but in context, informative.
7:40 - go grab a used breastfeeding dummy out of the tupperware box... ours had a flat nose, no spine, and uneven stuffing... perfect!
7:45 - Proper holding positions... the cradle, the cross-cradle, and my personal favorite "the football hold". Yes, that's the technical term.
8:00 - Proper latching form and technique. It's actually quite intricate, but thoroughly demonstrated by the teacher with her faux nipple and gianormous baby dummy...
8:15 - potty break... can you say "stampede"?
8:35 - pamphlet.... checked out... ate some snacks like a pregnant lady cuz I was hungry.... somethin somethin... dry cracking... somethin somethin... lanolin...
9:00 - The next hour was my favorite... pumps and pumping 101... Wow! These things are awesome!!! I mean there's everything from a hand pump that looks like a transparent air horn... to the double pumper 350 dollar job that comes with its own backpack... This was recommended for ladies planning on going back to work while breastfeeding... I can only imagine... "Hey Louise, you've got a call on Line 7." "TELL'EM TO LEAVE A VOICEMAIL. I'M PUMPING!" Oh, that's gotta be awkward.
Just then I realized, this class was not only about learning the intricacies of breastfeeding, but it was also about suckering you into dropping 350 on one of their designer pumps... at first, I was outraged, but then outrage turned to "Hey, now that's pretty savvy marketing." Ahh, but our frugality held strong... haha suckers... not gettin us today!
10:00 - Dismissed... Newly enlightened and more well-rounded than a pregnant belly.
I have a feeling that our Childbirthing class is going to be life-changing... seeing as though it is comprised of four, three hour evenings of mind-blowing revelation!
~A
____________________
I would like to think that I am a well-rounded person. I mean, I have a love for music and art, I love to build things and watch the History channel, and I even like to watch a chic flick every now and then. I'm sure those are the indicators that you all look for in a well-rounded person/man; a musically-artistic-crafty in-touch-with-his-feminine-side-historian of sorts. I also thought that, by nature of my well-roundedness, I had become pretty knowledgeable about many things, but soon I would find that there is a universe of knowledge that has somehow evaded me to this point in my life. And who knew that this deluge of new info could come from one class about the wonderful world of BREASTFEEDING?
When Jen told me about the class I was pumped (no pun intended). This was going to be our first baby-related class and I was ready to learn. I thought, "This should be pretty quick and painless. They'll probably talk for a few minutes about how you should definitely do it and then send us on our way with a couple of pamphlets containing little p.c. cartoon diagrams of baby and mommy bonding 'neath a HooterHider (otherwise known as a modesty shawl... actually, I just made that up)."
WRONGO!!!! I casually asked Jen what time the class started and she said, "6:30." Cool, I thought. Then I asked her the telling question, "How long do you think it will last?" And she replied, "I think it says right here, until 10:30." Dun dun duh!!!! Holy shnikees! (quickly doing the math in my head) That means this class is going to last for 4 hours. What on earth could could anyone possibly say about breastfeeding for 4 hours? I was officially blown away, but nonetheless... intrigued. Here's how it all went down...
6:29 - we arrive, miraculously on-time
6:35 - the instructor shows up and says that we'll wait for others to show
6:40 - Jen goes to bathroom and leaves me alone in a breastfeeding class full of mostly couples and some women by themselves, but no MEN by themselves... except me..."No, no, I'm not a creep, just signed up for the class by myself, kinda curious about how this whole thing works... Ok, nice meetin' ya... Breast of luck to ya! I mean..."
6:45 - Jen returns, class commences, everyone introduces themselves... 20 minutes...
7:05 - Video - No really... Hmm... let's see... we're in a breastfeeding class... there's a video... listen, it's not what you think. Well, maybe it is, but hey, you just have to think about it like... a National Geographic Documentary about some indigenous tribe in an unexplored part of Africa. It's educational... and a little uncomfortable... but in context, informative.
7:40 - go grab a used breastfeeding dummy out of the tupperware box... ours had a flat nose, no spine, and uneven stuffing... perfect!
7:45 - Proper holding positions... the cradle, the cross-cradle, and my personal favorite "the football hold". Yes, that's the technical term.
8:00 - Proper latching form and technique. It's actually quite intricate, but thoroughly demonstrated by the teacher with her faux nipple and gianormous baby dummy...
8:15 - potty break... can you say "stampede"?
8:35 - pamphlet.... checked out... ate some snacks like a pregnant lady cuz I was hungry.... somethin somethin... dry cracking... somethin somethin... lanolin...
9:00 - The next hour was my favorite... pumps and pumping 101... Wow! These things are awesome!!! I mean there's everything from a hand pump that looks like a transparent air horn... to the double pumper 350 dollar job that comes with its own backpack... This was recommended for ladies planning on going back to work while breastfeeding... I can only imagine... "Hey Louise, you've got a call on Line 7." "TELL'EM TO LEAVE A VOICEMAIL. I'M PUMPING!" Oh, that's gotta be awkward.
Just then I realized, this class was not only about learning the intricacies of breastfeeding, but it was also about suckering you into dropping 350 on one of their designer pumps... at first, I was outraged, but then outrage turned to "Hey, now that's pretty savvy marketing." Ahh, but our frugality held strong... haha suckers... not gettin us today!
10:00 - Dismissed... Newly enlightened and more well-rounded than a pregnant belly.
I have a feeling that our Childbirthing class is going to be life-changing... seeing as though it is comprised of four, three hour evenings of mind-blowing revelation!
~A
March 4, 2008
My Little Gymnast - Week 24!
I can't believe tomorrow marks Week 24! It seems like I started feeling Grady move overnight! He is actually kicking me right now, as I type!:) He is such an active little guy & Aubrey gets to feel him almost daily now, which he is very excited about! I know women have been experiencing pregnancy & having babies for years but this is seriously the neatest miracle I have ever experienced! Every week when I read what is happening with my baby, I am amazed! He weighs over a pound now and is nearly a foot long! The last update said that he will double in size over the next four weeks, which means guess what...so will I!:) Not really but I am growing quickly now...we will post some pictures soon.
We had an appt. last Friday, which was pretty uneventful. It was the usual weigh in, (Grady & I have gained 14 pounds now!) blood pressure, pee in a cup, listen to Grady's precious heartbeat that makes me cry every time I hear it & out the door. Dr. Garner says that everything looks perfect and that after next month's appt., we will start coming every 2 weeks...crazy!
I am starting to feel things speed up now & pressure to get the nursery ready, showers planned, books read, classes attended, etc. etc...but I know it will all get done! We had our first prenatal class last week...breastfeeding 101, which I am sure you'll hear more about in Aubrey's next post.
Stay tuned!
~jen
We had an appt. last Friday, which was pretty uneventful. It was the usual weigh in, (Grady & I have gained 14 pounds now!) blood pressure, pee in a cup, listen to Grady's precious heartbeat that makes me cry every time I hear it & out the door. Dr. Garner says that everything looks perfect and that after next month's appt., we will start coming every 2 weeks...crazy!
I am starting to feel things speed up now & pressure to get the nursery ready, showers planned, books read, classes attended, etc. etc...but I know it will all get done! We had our first prenatal class last week...breastfeeding 101, which I am sure you'll hear more about in Aubrey's next post.
Stay tuned!
~jen
February 14, 2008
Boot Scootin' Grady
As some of you may know, Jen was actually visiting good 'ole hometown Hendersonville last week. Unfortunately, she got sick the first day and it didn't get any better. She arrived on Thursday afternoon and pretty much stayed in bed from Friday night until Wednesday morning when she left. I was seriously bummed because I had been sick the week before she left and had done everything I could not to get her sick... I mean I didn't even try to kiss her for like a whole week. During her hours in bed though, Jen did some research on the flu and found out that you can catch it from just breathing the same air as someone who has it. It wasn't a fact that made her feel any better, but I kind of felt relieved that it could've been anyone... Maybe even the high school kid that checked her out at youth the other night (not joking)... I mean, it's rude! But she does have that pregnant glow! :)
Anyway, we were worried about little Grady and Jen was afraid to take medicine even though she had a fever. But talking to the Dr. she found out that the fever was more dangerous than the medicine, so she took some Sudafed. She began feeling better, but hadn't felt Grady yet that day. Worry had set in until he started just kickin her like a mule...
Pause the story... prior to her leaving I made her spit-shake and swear on Ducky that she wouldn't let anyone feel him before I did. I mean, this kid is half me... I wanna feel him first (ok I'm a brat) But hey, it's only fair! Jen gets to feel his spaceballs-alien-like-stomach-churning-no-longer-just-fluttery kicks and punches all the time. It's only natural that I want to feel his boot scootin' boogey too.
...When she felt him, she called Gigi in. She was so excited that he was moving again that she must've had a moment of pregnesia because she said those words, "Hey, come here. Can you feel him?" (Wait just a second... I feel so betrayed!!)
Well, needless to say, as hard as he was kicking, Gigi felt him right away. :( All in all, I guess I'll let it slide. :) I mean he's technically some small percentage of her too. Love you GIGI!!!!
That being said, when Jen arrived home from her sick leave in Nashvegas, we had stopped at Sonic for some much needed pregnancy rations (It's new on the menu. Look to your right as you pull in. It's all preggo friendly.) and he started to kick again..... OH YEAH!! This was my big chance.... I channeled all of the focus I had into the synapses of my hand... and... YESSSSS!!!! Me and GradyMac had our first contact!!! He gave me five through Mommy's belly and it was awesome... so slow though... he must've been really concentrating on his form... I told him the key is to "watch the elbow". Grady, Grady, Grady, this is just the beginning of our entertain/annoy Mommy antics! Oh man I love this kid and his Mommy more and more everyday!!!
~A
Anyway, we were worried about little Grady and Jen was afraid to take medicine even though she had a fever. But talking to the Dr. she found out that the fever was more dangerous than the medicine, so she took some Sudafed. She began feeling better, but hadn't felt Grady yet that day. Worry had set in until he started just kickin her like a mule...
Pause the story... prior to her leaving I made her spit-shake and swear on Ducky that she wouldn't let anyone feel him before I did. I mean, this kid is half me... I wanna feel him first (ok I'm a brat) But hey, it's only fair! Jen gets to feel his spaceballs-alien-like-stomach-churning-no-longer-just-fluttery kicks and punches all the time. It's only natural that I want to feel his boot scootin' boogey too.
...When she felt him, she called Gigi in. She was so excited that he was moving again that she must've had a moment of pregnesia because she said those words, "Hey, come here. Can you feel him?" (Wait just a second... I feel so betrayed!!)
Well, needless to say, as hard as he was kicking, Gigi felt him right away. :( All in all, I guess I'll let it slide. :) I mean he's technically some small percentage of her too. Love you GIGI!!!!
That being said, when Jen arrived home from her sick leave in Nashvegas, we had stopped at Sonic for some much needed pregnancy rations (It's new on the menu. Look to your right as you pull in. It's all preggo friendly.) and he started to kick again..... OH YEAH!! This was my big chance.... I channeled all of the focus I had into the synapses of my hand... and... YESSSSS!!!! Me and GradyMac had our first contact!!! He gave me five through Mommy's belly and it was awesome... so slow though... he must've been really concentrating on his form... I told him the key is to "watch the elbow". Grady, Grady, Grady, this is just the beginning of our entertain/annoy Mommy antics! Oh man I love this kid and his Mommy more and more everyday!!!
~A
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