Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Yes, I'm a grown man. 33 yrs old,but I love the Harry Potter books and movies. I didn't read the first 2 books, but have read the rest of them. Each read took about 2 days. I am very excited to see this movie. The last one "Order of the Phoenix" was boring, but "Half-Blood Prince" should have a lot of action. In the book, there is a battle at Hogwarts, a very significant death and some action in a cave. Hope they do those scenes right.

I want Baby C to read these books, but seeing as how he isn't born yet, I'll have to wait a few more years before that happens.

To kill some time until he is old enough to read them or until the movie starts on Wednesday, I put together a list of my favorite TV/movie witches. I hope you guys enjoy these lists. I love doing them. Allison....not a big fan. Either way, here it comes, in random order.

• Sarah Jessica Parker - Sarah Sanderson - Hocus Pocus - "Amuck, amuck, amuck.."

• Michelle Pfeiffer - Witches of Eastwick - I don't remember much about this movie except that it had Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer.

• Samantha - Bewitched - I wasn't crazy about Nicole Kidman, I think I've only ever liked her in Moulin Rouge and Days of Thunder. So Cartoon Samantha it is.
• Another cartoon witch, from The Little Mermaid - Ursala - When she became human and used Ariel's voice. What can I say, I have a thing for brunettes.
• Alyssa Milano & Rose McGowen - Charmed
• Sabrina the teenage witch & Aunt Zelda (purple)- yes, Aunt Zelda is a little old for me, but cougars are in style now.

• The girls from The Craft - Robin Tunney made a big comeback for me in Empire Records when she shaved her head. Fairuza Balk, played a witch in Worst Witch and this movie too.
• Finally Hermine Granger. She makes the list twice. Once from the real Harry Potter movies.
• And also when Lindsay Lohan played her on SNL. This was a hilarious episode by the way. During the Debbie Downer skit the whole cast lost it and laughed. The Horracio was great as Hagrid in the Harry Potter skit. watch it if you can.

Well, have a good evening, can't wait to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I am re-reading the book again so I'm fresh when I see the movie. If anyone has any suggestions to get Baby C to read the books let me know. I was thinking of just leaving them at eye level and telling him, whatever you do...don't read these books! I think that will work. It would have worked for me, but more about the crazy things I did as a kid at another time.

Found the skit without commercials. check it out.

SNL - Debbie Downer Featuring Lindsay Lohan Video - Buzznet - Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

What do you do when the baby comes?

Allison and I discussed where I should sleep the night Baby C is born. I had never really thought about it until now. Actually that's not true. I always assumed I would just stay at the hospital. Winnie Palmer has 2 beds in the room. One for me. One for Allison.

Why would I not stay there? No offense Molly, I love you and all, but my baby boy and my lady will be in the hospital, why would I leave? What could possibly be more important than that?

Well, here are some things that may be more important.

1. I'll need to drive Allison and Baby C home the next day. I should be well rested.
2. Allison will be up every few hours with Baby C to do feedings. Which will probably wake me up and again...see the well rested note from line 1.
3. I snore. Allison needs her sleep, if my snoring keeps her awake in the hospital, I think she might murder me in my sleep.
4. Once we get home, I think Allison will be exhausted. So I'll have to run things. I should be well rested. Again, I think murder is the result if I am asking her every 2 minutes "Honey, where is the yogurt? Honey, where are my sneakers? Honey, how long should I heat this for in the microwave? a minute? you think a minute is good enough? Honey??" Yes, pretty sure I will not last.
   

Those are the only reasons I can think of. My plan now is to stay for all of visiting hours and probably a little later than that, then go home and come back in the morning. Having said that, if there is a problem with Baby C or Allison, there's no way I leave that hospital. Fill me up with Vanilla Lattes, I'm not going anywhere.

Also, who knows what time she will go into labor or give birth. For some reason, I think she will be at work. Steven, Javan, other Dynetechers reading this...keep some plastic bags in your car so her water doesn't leak on your seats....and bring her to the hospital. I'll meet you guys there. If she gives birth in the evening, I'm sure I'll just stay at the hospital. Whatever happens, hospital or home, I'm glad to be in the position to get to make a decision about it. That means Baby C is here.

Some Pix from the 4th

I just remembered I took some pix of Baby C on the 4th of July that I haven't posted yet. My parents and Uncle Carlo came down from NY for a visit and these pix just slipped my mind.

First up, Baby C vs. a fire breathing dragon.
For those of you that don't recognize it, this is the Disney Electrical Water Pageant. The show came out in 1971 and I seriously don't think they've done anything to it except replace a few light bulbs here and there. It's very corny, but something about Disney & being on vacation...people love it.


Next up, Baby C shows his patriotism.
Disney had some odd musical selections for their 4th of July fireworks and the water pageant. I love watching 4th of July fireworks shows for 2 reasons. 1) the fireworks 2) the patriotic music.

I can't pick one favorite, but here is a list of my top few songs:

• God Bless the USA - Lee Greenwood
• America, The Beautiful - Ray Charles
• What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
• National Anthem
• America - Neil Diamond
• Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen

The culinary highlight of the weekend was a toss-up. It was either Allison's homemade pasta (w/ homemade sauce & meatballs), Allison's homemade sloppy Joe's or Allison's homemade ice cream cake. My vote...The ice cream cake. I couldn't have too much of it because of all the chocolate, but this cake was possibly the best dessert she's ever made. If you've ever had any of her desserts, you'll know how huge of a statement that is.


Seriously, Allison outdid herself. Pregnant, she was in the kitchen working up 3 masterpieces. great job!

Another trip to the Doctor

Allison went for a Glucose Screening today. They are testing to see if she has Gestational Diabetes. She had to drink an extra sweet orange drink filled with 50 grams of glucose. Wait an hour, and then have blood drawn. She’ll get the results in a few days.

While she was at the doctor’s office, they listened to Baby C’s heartbeat. He was at 137 beats per minute. According to the doctor that is right where it should be. Good job little buddy! Allison’s blood pressure, measurements and weight were also in line with where they should be. I’d love to tell you what those numbers were, but I’d love more to live to see tomorrow.

They warned her that the breezy 2nd trimester is over and it’s time for the rough stuff. The challenging, hormonal, emotional, painful, uncomfortable 3rd trimester is in effect. Wish me luck…I guess wish Allison luck too.

The Doctor is in.

We met the doctor yesterday and my worst fears were realized. At the reception desk, I found a basket of Dum-Dum lollipops. If that wasn’t bad enough…they were all root-beer flavor! NOOOOOO!

I got there first, so I sat and waited for Allison to arrive. There were a bunch of toys, a book about a cartoon lamb and some magazines. I didn’t see any Highlights Magazines. I wonder what Goofus and Gallant have been up to?
Then 2 police officers came in. Someone had called 911 from a cell phone from the doctor’s office. They immediately called to cancel the 911 call, but the police said they still needed to investigate it. That’s a good thing. Allison finally showed up and we started our chat with the doctor.

We weren’t really sure what to ask, but in spite of that, I think we still managed to ask some good questions. She seems like a nice lady. She took her time and explained all her answers. She comes recommended by a friend, so that is an added plus. How do you go about picking a doctor? How do you know who squeaked out of medical school with a 74 and who was top of their class? Does that even matter in real world situations? I was glad to have a recommendation. I think we’ll talk to another doctor just to make sure we’re told similar things, but I’m pretty sure we found Baby C a pediatrician yesterday.

Before exiting, I left a note the suggestion box. It simply said “One, two-hoo, three!”

Sleep now or forever hold your peace

Last night I was emailing on Facebook with an old friend from my days with Computer Associates. She has a child and she said to me “as you've probably heard from everyone who has a child... it's the most amazing and exhausting experience.” I started thinking to myself, you know what, I have heard that from everyone I know that has a child. I have heard that exact statement multiple times. How is it that everyone that has a child tells you the same thing? I feel like I’m being left out of something. Or there is a secret nobody is sharing. Do they give you a pamphlet with things to say when you leave the hospital? Although an interesting theory, I highly doubt that is the case. I know it’s a life changing event, but still for everyone to say the same thing. I guess it’s similar with falling in love or finding the one. People always say, “When you know, you know.” I didn’t really believe that until I met Allison. When I met her, I knew. And now I say that same thing to people. I’ll know all about it in about 80 days or so. I’m really looking forward to it.

Some of the other advice I’ve gotten is:
Get your sleep /Sleep now, while you can: I know I’m not going to get much sleep or it will be very broken sleep, but if I get extra sleep now, will that really help? It’s not like I can bank those sleeping hours and use them when Baby C comes along. I’m a more than a little worried about lack of sleep. I have an allergic reaction to caffeine, so coffee or Mtn Dew may not be the answer. How am I going to keep myself awake? And I am prone to crankiness to begin with. I may be a nightmare to be around. Co-workers beware.

I’ve also heard:
I’ll love like I’ve never loved before. A different love than you love your wife, parents, niece or nephew.
It will completely change your life.
An older friend of mine said to me “the day before your child is born is the last good night’s sleep you’ll ever get” He’s 66, his kids are grown and he said every night before he goes to sleep he’s worried about them.

The funniest bit of advice I’ve gotten is from my neighbor Tony. I don’t know if its advice, but it’s definitely funny. He said “You only have 1 penis to worry about...I have to worry about all of them" (he has a little girl)

It’s getting closer and I can’t wait for Baby C to get here. Tonight we are meeting with a pediatrician. She comes highly recommended, so hopefully this appointment goes well. I have my questions ready.
1) Do you give out lollypops or small toys?
2) If lollypops, how many are the kids allowed? I understand giving only 1 red or 1 purple, but if he wants 2 yellows or a yellow and a green, those aren’t popular colors…give them both.
3) If Dum-dum lollypops, what’s they deal with these little lollypops. Where are the blow pops or tootsie pops?
4) I have real questions to ask too. I’ll report back tonight or tomorrow on how the appointment went.

I played with Baby C this weekend

My parent's and Uncle Carlo came to town this weekend. They brought a toy for Molly, which she proceeded to destroy in under 10 minutes. The part that remained was the top part of a green dog. Allison has already sewn it shut once. The squeaker still works.

Allison was laying on the couch waiting for everyone to get ready. Yes, you heard me, a pregnant Allison was waiting on the rest of us to get ready! Shocking, I know! Anyway, she was laying on the couch and I went in to check on her. She told me that Baby C was moving like crazy and to look at her stomach.

At first glance, I could see a huge bulged on the left side of her stomach. The right side looked flat. Almost a pre-pregnancy flat. Then I saw Baby C on the move. It looked like he was riding a unicycle or doing the spin move that Homer Simpson does on the ground...



Then the bulge was on the right side and the left side was flat. It was pretty crazy. Molly saw us just chilling on the couch and decided it was time to play. I threw her toy a few times, then though, I wonder what would happen....

I put the toy right next to Allison's stomach and squeaked it twice. Nothing. Did it again in a different spot. Still nothing. Third time....slight delay...then..BAM BAM. Baby C kicked or hit twice. I squeaked it again and again after about a 2 second delay, another 2 hits from the inside. We did this for about 10 minutes. It was really cool. That was the most I'd seen him move and there was actually some interaction with him. Great day.

Allison has felt him with the hiccups a few times, I haven't seen that, not sure if I can see it from the outside or not. But I'm pretty excited to play some music or read to him and see if he reacts to it again.