Seven.Caged.Tigers

I was desperate for a new look for 7CT. Here it is. Nice and summery for a time in Michigan that is anything but. By Monday it is supposed to be close to 80 degrees. I can’t wait. I’m sick of wet and cold. All I want is warm…so warm I don’t have to wear a jacket. In the meantime while I’m hoping for an improvement in climate, I’ve been taking photos of Zack. I’ve also taken some lovely flower pictures. You’d never know looking at these that it’s pretty miserable around here.

Zack is quickly closing in on his second birthday. He is getting so big (but still pretty skinny). Anyway, I wanted to put a few pictures of him through the years here. Look at how much he’s changed (and how much he hasn’t).

Zack has been working hard on the bathroom. The tile is done (and we like it) and there are a few finishing bits that need to be done to it. First off was keeping it damp so that it would dry slowly and evenly. This was Zack’s favorite part I think. He had a great time helping Jeremy do the job of sponging the floor and bathtub down. Check it out!

He’s really not as helpful as he looks.

Dad Towne (aka Grandpa Towne) and Uncle Dick turned 60 a few days ago…here’s a photo of Zack with his grandpa:

And one of Jeremy’s uncles, Dad, and (Great) Grandma Towne…and for those who don’t know, yes my father-in-law is an identical twin:

And a few other random Zack photos:

Zack is turning into quite the little comedian.  Okay…at least we think he’s funny.

He’s putting his own shoes on and most likes his cowboy boots. Yes, really cowboy boots–leather and all–purchased at the high school rodeo championships last year. He loves putting them on when he’s only in a diaper and stomping around the house.

Anyway, he also is working on dressing himself. It doesn’t usually turn out too well. His balance just isn’t great and he wants to do it while standing up. I’ve been sick so yesterday when Jeremy went upstairs to get Zack from his nap I heard an “uh oh” from the little guy as the door swung open. I could hear it took longer than usual to get Zack from his crib (as it turns out Jeremy was squelching his laughter and trying to figure out what to say to me). The two came downstairs–both with giant grins. Jeremy goes “There was quite an interesting sight upstairs.” I turned and looked. Zack had managed to get his pants off (jeans, mind you) and put them back on–BACKWARDS! Ha!

ANTM time–again! Last week saw the dreaded (dreadful? daring? dippy?) makeovers. This is always one of my favorite episodes of any season. Basically the girls are held down and stripped of what they once considered to be “cool.” Most of the girls took it in stride but AJ, Melrose, Monique, and…uh…somebody else complained. No big huge meltdowns ala Cassandra but it was still good entertainment.

Even better entertainment was Monique’s major pouting episode…and the girls’ retaliation against it. Anchal was the one who finally really got fired up but it didn’t do any good. Monique, the self proclaimed princess/diva, remained on the phone listening to dialtone for 3.5 hours rather than being a human being. She’s definitely good for the show for creating friction. She’ll be around for a little while longer. Unfortunately her photos aren’t that strong at all.

The photoshoot was outstanding too. They were beauty shots. Basically they had crazy folks who specialize in crazy moving and colorful weaves work their magic on the remaining models. The results were mostly cool, sometimes awful, and every now and again amazing. Here are a few of the notable photos.

Michelle - Love the Color, Love the Pose:

Melrose - Again Love the Colors and the Pose

Amanda - Very, Very Lovely

Anchal - Gack, She Looks Like a Dog of Some Variety

Eugena - Looks as if She Flunked Modelling 101

Megan - Regretfully got kicked off but Looks Like an Ewok

Zack is now 12 weeks old and still incredibly adorable. He’s big, cute, and sleeping through the night. I know everybody is jealous. He actually started sleeping through the night a week and a half ago. He’s continued the routine much to my happiness (and relaxation). Here are a few new photos with my new camera.

Smiling (with his tongue):

Sleeping:

Looking Cute (it’s sooo natural):

And then a few new more flower pics…

Thistle:

Queen Anne’s Lace:

Weird Purple Flower:

The Princess:

Because I’m a ridiculous mother and I have to brag.  I do indeed have the cutest baby in the world.  He is Zack.  He is 10 weeks old.

Pouting:

Looking Cute (as usual):

Smiling:

Checking things Out:

Checking things out Pt. 2:

Screaming:

See.  Told ya.  He’s cute.

I’ve told myself I wouldn’t become one of THOSE moms.  My site wasn’t going to become a tribute to Zack.  I stand by that promise but for now it is what my life has become.  My days and nights revolve around my son so excuse me while I share a few photos of my rather adorable kid.  Here are a few new ones:

Baby & Baboon Horror…The Monkey Has a Red Butt, Seriously… 

Zack’s last day in the hospital…please note the apparent anguish…

Zack and daddy in front of the TV…

Super baby…

First of all, my husband is making me update. I’ve been lazy and relatively inactive on the net since Zachary (Zack!) came home a week ago. He’s still doing well, gaining weight, and generally being cute. Of course he also pees and poos all the time, cries more than we’d like, and wakes us at night to eat but those are all things babies are supposed to do. We’ll have more pics soon, I promise. We’ve been lazy.

Um. Uh. Yeah. I’m tired, I think I’ll sleep now.

I guess I owe ya’ll some updates. I’ve been completely sans internet because of being in the hospital AND beause Comcast is a bitch. That said…here goes nothing.

Zack is still in the hospital. It’s been like 10 days now. He’s still cute also but until he’s home I can’t say I’m entirely happy. He’s safe and well taken care of, I know, but it’s not easy. He is doing better but still not eating properly. It’s just a matter of time.

I’ll have more pics ASAP.

Born on 5/6 at 3:29a.m. He weighed 6lbs 5oz and was 19″ long. He’s not home with us yet, but we hope he is within the next few days.

Who knew you could not eat for 48 hours and still be relatively okay. I guess that’s the kind of thing you find out when you’re stuck in the hospital for three nights…

That’s right. I was released from the U of M hospital after two nights in high risk LDR and a night in a lower risk area. Basically I was admitted because of my blood pressure, extreme swelling, and borderline labs. As it turns out I’m actually pretty okay save for the fact that I’m stuck on bed rest until the little guy enters the world. I still think it will be another two weeks but I know for a fact it won’t be any more than 3.5 weeks. I can’t wait. This pregnancy hasn’t exactly been rainbows and kittens for me.

In any case, I’m bored. My life now revolves around whatever crap is at my bedside. Boy is this fun.

Another lovely photo taken in a moment when my belly wasn’t in the way. I want to get a good one of a purple hyacinth from the proper angle though–that presents quite a challenge!

Speaking of “Spring,” things are getting more interesting with my pregnancy. I officially have pre-eclampsia. I’ve been told by two doctors that they want to get me through the next week at the very least. I’m 33 weeks today and the little guy weighs around 5.5lbs right now. From there the OB would just be happy with each additional day. He says he figures I’ll go in for a NST (non-stress test on the baby) and they’ll “pull the plug.” Lovely, eh? So at the very most I have 5 weeks. I figure it’s closer to 3. THREE WEEKS!!!!!

Oh. My. God. I am so swollen it’s not even funny. I’ll be 33 weeks on Thursday and, well, I’m to a point that I can’t wait for this thing to be over. I know, I know “swelling is normal” but let my qualify the LEVEL of swelling I’ve got going on. First of all, it’s been happening for like 3.5 months. No joke. The combo reason for my issues is high blood pressure (chronic because of the MIA kidney) and missing lymph nodes in my left hip (from cancer/treatment). Fluid pools to a point in my legs, ankles, and feet that at first they hurt horribly. After they are done hurting they go numb. I waddle like a big fat preggo lady, not because of the baby in front of my but because of the clubs attached to my cankles.

The doctor said last week that I won’t go beyond 38 weeks. If I get to that point he is inducing. My blood pressure is so crappy that he expects it to go “to shit” prior to then though. Plus, I have diabetes now which creates big ol’ babies. That’s not to mention the fact that my family creates big babies anyway. I suspect my son is around 5lbs at least right now. He’s a big healthy guy who is doing all the right things developmentally according to the ultrasounds. I’m betting I have a baby around 36 weeks. So at most, I have 5.5 weeks to go and at least (I think) 3.5 weeks. We’ll see though.

I can’t wait to meet him.

Before this evening’s ANTM episode, I do have to update a little. See there are more and more people being kicked to the curb. I keep on forgetting to mention that Kari bit the dust after the falling fairy tales shoot. I overall thought the pics were weak, but it was determined that hers was weakest:

Kari - Kicked Off

Jade - The “Bitch” but also the “Best”

Last week the challenge was once again about becoming a character. This time instead of little red riding hood or snow white the character was an occupation. Each of the gals mentioned something they would be if modelling didn’t work out. It was a kitschy and cool shoot. Here are the results worth mentioning.

Brooke - Looking Very Much Like the Naughty Nurse

Joanie - Housewife Gone Bad (But Looking Hot)

Sara- Blow Up Doll…or something

Furonda - Fighting off the Media

Gina - Clothing Designer Who Finally Got the Boot

So that’s about it. Yes, I am addicted. Yes, I love the show. No, I don’t expect you to.

Jeremy (the “man,” the “husband”) is more than a little ADD. He was never diagnosed, but not for a lack of trying. Rather it was a lack of decent tests. Basically they sat him down with a bubble test (scantron, whatever) and said to finish it. He got half way through and put his pencil down. When the person conducting the test asked if he was done, he said “yes, I’m done.” Because he couldn’t finish he couldn’t be diagnosed and he didn’t get the extra help he needed. Yes, I know he has his Master’s degree but that’s through MUCH work.

And then I heard about this study from the University of Michigan:
Really Applicable Study

Basically the jist of it is that big fat tonsils may be related to ADHD. I’m not sure about the “H” in that equation but I fascinated by the ADD parts. See, Jeremy still has his tonsils. Not just that, but they are big and fat according to doctors. Could it be true? Could researchers have figured out why he is so spastic, distracted, and generally difficult to get to (yes, even moreso than a “usual man”)? The world may never know.

But color ME amused!

I now have two lovely new pieces of brown leather furniture sitting in my family room. It’s lovely and perfect and exactly what I wanted. Plus, the cats seem respectful so it looks like it is a success all around.

MMmm….uhhh…yeah. My life is rather boring these days. I’m relaxing, trying to be comfortable, and generally being lazy. I guess that’s what the doctors want though so I’m doing everything right. For a little perspective I’m now over 30 weeks pregnant and my son is somewhere around 4lbs. He’s a big healthy guy as far as we know right now. Speaking of babies, I wanted to also congratulate my friend Karyn for her pregnancy. Hers is a study in how TO get pregnant while mine is a study on how NOT TO get pregnant. One month off the pill and BOOM! I’m very happy for she and her hubby Jim for their (surprise) good news. They both showed up on my front stoop with Kristin and Kylee (my friend and her baby girl) as a surprise from Florida.

All my friends are having babies. That’s particularly funny considering Jeremy’s friends are still busy finding girlfriends and getting married.

Guess that’s it. Will post more pics soon.

I think I’m falling apart. I’m sure it has nothing to do with my brand new diabetes diet, but still…it is rather convenient timing. See, I chipped a tooth. I have spent my entire life being obsessed with my dental health. I suppose it all is rooted in my four years of braces and some 15 (or is it 19) teeth having been pulled (including four permanent and four wisdom). I used to dream about my teeth. It sounds weird, but I would wake up with a chill and see images of my jaw clamping down and all my teeth shattering out of my mouth.

Twisted, I know.

In any case, I haven’t had that issue in a while despite the fact I had to have a root canal two or so years ago (I now sport “bling” in my sister’s words). Something about pregnancy has completely changed my teeth. My jaw is uneven and hurts and when I bite down my molars no longer touch. It really is a strange and mysterious situation. So yesterday I was just sitting down and I got something “crunchy” in my mouth. I wasn’t eating–it didn’t makes sense. I swallowed and went on with life. Then I noticed my tooth was obviously chipped. Why do I have to have stupid problems? Of course now I could say I fit in better with my hubby–then again, I didn’t chip my big front tooth. It is more like my little front-ish bottom tooth.

Bah. That’s enough complaining. I should probably be sticking myself in the finger or something.