another day, another dollar

Last weekend, Kenny, Overboard and I were at Costco picking up some supplies. After we were done with our shopping, we decided to get lunch at the concession stand. While I purchased the hot dogs and pizza, Overboard and Kenny scouted out a table.

Apparently, on the way to the table, they came across a woman who is someone's great-grandma, and who thought Mr. K was the cutest thing ever in his fisherman's hat. Which is true, but I digress.

So Kenny stops to chat with this nice lady about the insect images on his hat, telling her what each one is. She is enthralled, he is empowered and Overboard is impressed. We then sat down for lunch. End of story? Not quite.

While we're eating, the woman walks over and announces that she "has some business to conduct" with Kenny. She hands him a one dollar bill and thanks him for taking the time to show her his hat. We repeatedly tried to refuse her payment, but she insisted. So we acquiesced and announced that it would go towards a good cause, like ice cream (which it didn't, but that's another story).

Sitting there, staring at my little money-making machine, I opined that if we could Kenny to grift every grandma in the joint, we could really be on to something. Kenny just happily munched away at his slice of pizza, unaware of his dangerously effective charm.

oh, kenny benny

When Kenny screws up and knows he's gonna get reprimanded, he announces in a sing-song voice, "Oh, Kenny Benny..."

Gotta love when the toddler mimics back adult disappointment. I think it's his form of Gen X irony or something. Mostly it's just cute.

terms and conditions

Week 37: Full-Term!

Professor Goldblatt isn't fully cooked, but she is edible, so to speak. That is to say, her lungs are fully mature and can adjust to the real world if necessary. As of now, the good Prof. weighs somewhere around 6 1/3 lbs, and is around 19 inches long. Or about the size of a stalk of Swiss chard. I love these random "about the size of" examples. I, honestly, have no idea what a Swiss chard is, but I'm going to Google it in a second to find out (and get a suitable picture to use). So thanks to Goldblatt, she's already helping me learn something new each day.

Overboard is doing okay, but getting a wee bit more uncomfortable as Goldblatt drops lower and plans her big escape. To her credit, Overboard is currently waddling through the discomfort, but it does mean Kenny is suffering from less opportunities to be picked up by Mommy. Not that it's a bad thing. After all, in only two weeks, Mr. Man is going to have to start being more and more independent since we'll have a wee one to fuss over and carry about. We'll see how that goes.

t-minus 17 days (and counting)

We're in Week 36 now, which means we have just over two weeks left to go. Amazing.

Professor Goldblatt is currently gaining roughly an ounce a day and now weighs in somewhere around 6 lbs, or about the size of a crenshaw melon (whether that makes her a Blood or a Crip, I'm not really sure). I'm not even gonna try to paraphrase the next part, so let's just give you the info straight from the source: "She's shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath." Lovely, no? It's like a prenatal spa in there, apparently.

The doctor told Overboard that the good Prof. is facing downward, which to me creates imagery of those zero-gravity boots that were so popular in the '80s. She is still squirming around in there, and we're having fun playing many a round of "there goes Mommy's belly again" every time Overboard sits down.

In the meantime, we've been speculating a bit on what Goldblatt will be like when she hits the "real world." Will she be like Kenny? Or will she be the polar opposite? Or maybe somewhere in between? No matter the results, it should be interesting.

nice try, danny

Cousins Danny and Elise were in town the other weekend and Danny tried to pry Professor Goldblatt's real name out of us. To no avail. So he tried Kenny.

DANNY: "What's your little sister's name?"

KENNY: "Sister."

That's my boy.

overboard overheard

Overheard at Overboard's office the other day in reference to her growing belly:

CO-WORKER: "Have you had a doctor check that thing out?"

OVERBOARD: "Yeah, I'm having it removed in three weeks."


*Thankyousomuchyou'reagreatcrowdtipyourbartendersandpleasetrytheveal.

that's "professor" honeydew, to you

It's Week 35! [sorry for the delay]

Things are getting cramped in Overboard's belly these days, as Professor Goldblatt continues to plump up and count down to her big debut. She is somewhere in the neighborhood of 18 inches long and 5.25 pounds, or about the size of a honeydew melon. With the spacial constrictions, Goldblatt isn't rolling around as much (though she is trying), but she making her presence known.

On a lovely note, the good Professor's kidneys are fully developped and her liver can process some "waste products." There's the image you were looking for, eh?

Earlier this week, Overboard went to the doctor and got checked out. All is good. (how's that for a detailed description?)

In reference to the title of this post, we need to do a few things before the Professor arrives, including washing up and polishing off her car carrier seat, snap-n-go stroller, bouncy seats, and prepping for the infusion of extra estrogen in the house. Good stuff.

under construction - part v

Things are rolling along with the house. The bathrooms have been tiled, closets have been set up, and just about everything has been primed for painting. Plus, the fence is down out front, so that makes things feel that much close to normal. Don't believe me? See for yourself...


Look, Ma! No fence!


Floor tile in our bathroom.


Tiling in our shower.


Quick peek into our walk-in closet. Tough to get good shots in there.


Floor tiles in the kids' bathroom.


Kid's tub/shower.


Kenny's closet.


Goldblatt's closet looks remarkably similar to Kenny's. However, outside of her closet is a cool little built-in bookshelf.

cheap schtick

Lately, Kenny has begun to sing his own version of "Surrender" by Cheap Trick. Just like his mommy, however, Kenny only remembers one line of the song, so he just repeats it over and over and over again.

According to Mr. K, "Mommy's alright, Daddy's alright, Kenny's alright, Sadie's alright..." (and then repeat).

five-alarm adorableness

Kenny slipped on his new fireman rain boots so he could splash in the driveway puddles earlier this week. Stomping about, he started singing, "If you're happy and you know it" at the top of his lungs. He took particular joy in the verse, "If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet!"

you can get married, but you cantaloupe*

We've moved into Week 34 and are definitely on the home stretch. Overboard's belly is getting bigger and even more active. It seems that our little girl can't stop squirming, especially when Overboard sits down after moving around. I'm hoping this love of motion doesn't turn into a series of "let's drive Goldblatt around the block 16 times to get her to fall asleep." Time will tell.

According to our sources, the good Professor is weighing in around 4.75 lbs, or about the size of a cantaloupe. She's also resembling a cantaloupe, as she adds fat and rounds out. Unlike a cantaloupe, however, Goldblatt's skin is quite smooth.

That's all I've got. Tune in next week for more.

*This has nothing to with babies, but it's all I could think of. Deal.

kenny lightyear

One of my co-workers created Buzz Lightyear wrist guards for his son, and was nice enough to give me the printout with the artwork on it. I then took two toilet paper rolls, a lot of tape, a bit of cussing, and voila! Wrist guards to fire lasers or call Star Command.

Kenny wasn't as enthused about them as I had hoped, and was ready to take them off about 37 seconds after putting them on. However, I was able to snap a few pix before the fickle one moved back to his other toys...


Kenny Lightyear prepares to secure the Gamma Quadrant from the evil minions of Zurg.


Kenny speaks with Buzz about proper laser safety.


"Whaddaya mean I can't vaporize the dog? What if she has it coming to her?"

pineapple express

We're at 33 weeks and Professor Goldblatt is a squirmin' and turnin' all over the place, giving us interesting visions of her life out of the womb. The Good Prof now weighs around 4.3 lbs, not according to our online source, but according to the doctor Overboard visited last week. That weight makes her around the size of a pineapple, but less prickly.

Goldblatt is starting to look less wrinkly as she grows and her skeleton hardens. If she's anything like her big brother, a strong skeleton (especially skull) will be a bonus. After all, Kenny managed to clock his head off the tub twice this afternoon while pulling on his underpants. But I digress...

under construction - part iv

The siding and gutters are all done, and the upstairs passed the initial plumbing/electrical inspection. The bath tub is in place in the kids' bathroom, and the base of our new shower is in our bathroom. The drywall is up and the've mud and taped just about everything. Sanding should start tomorrow, and maybe even some tiling this week. All in all, not too shabby...


Front of the house with siding and gutters in place.


Goldblatt's room and closet.


Kenny's room


The hallway (gotta love a good hallway).


Kids' bathroom and the rescued tub.


Our room. I love, love, love, the new windows. Had to be said.


The base to our new shower - complete with a seat/foot rest for those who shave their legs in the shower.

happy birthday, kenny!

The party may have been last weekend, but the big day is today. Here's to the world's greatest three year-old!

mr. cool

kenny's birthday weekend - the teaser video

Stories and pictures coming soon...

we should all enjoy an ice cream cone this much

jicama be kidding me

We're in Week 32 and Professor Goldblatt's arrival is growing closer and closer.

As of now, the good Prof. is roughly 3.75 pounds and around 16.7 inches long, which means things are starting to get cramped in there - like living in a Manhattan studio apartment, but without having to pay exorbitant rent. In produce terms, Goldblatt weighs about the same as a large jicama. "What the %$#@ is a large jicama," you ask? No? Was that just me? I suppose I should really do more grocery shopping. Anyhoo.

Apparently, Goldblatt will gain anywhere from a third to a half of her birth weight in the next seven weeks. It's like crash dieting in reverse. Nifty.

In Overboard news, she's doing well, but waddling a touch more these days because of the large, growing jicama in her belly. Also, Goldblatt is doing some sort of ongoing synchronized swimming routine in there, as she's in constant motion and we get to see those little ripples of elbows, knees and feet across Overboard's tummy. Kind of cool, but no fun when Overboard is trying to sleep.

awwww, mannnn

Picking up on something he undoubtedly heard me say a few million times, Kenny has a new phrase to employ.

The other morning, while trying somewhat successfully to get dressed, Kenny got frustrated at his shoes, which sadly didn't want to Velcro themselves. With a big dramatic sigh, Kenny then groaned, "Awwww, mannnn..."

happy birthday, dr. overboard!

Here's to Dr. Overboard...she's not getting older, she's getting more awesome.

under construction - part iii

The word of the week is "Siding"...


No siding here, but check out the new windows!


Side of the house...and siding!


Aaaaaaand...the back of the house, with (wait for it)...SIDING! Looks good, no?

wedding weekend

Two weekends ago we traveled to DC for Overboard's cousin's wedding. It was a fun occasion, and a chance for Kenny (and the rest of us) to visit with lots of relatives. We took a fair amount of pictures, but I tried to pick out some of the best ones here...


Kenny rests up before his busy Friday night.

NOW he's ready to hit the town. Yeah, baby.

Kenny and his gearhead cousins talk cars.

A family outing to the Air & Space museum near Dulles. Lots of planes and helicopters? Fine by Kenny.

A space shuttle too. Just for good measure.

Pre-wedding dinner. We had to negotiate a bit over whether or not this could be his wedding outfit. Let's just say Mommy won that argument.

The happy couple, Maura and Tyler.

Grammy Shirley is all smiles when surrounded by Uncle Henry, Aunt Melissa and Cousin Sara.

Uncle John, Aunt Amy, Sara and Grammy.

Family portrait with Grammy.

Kenny and Cousin Bessie-Margaret played many rounds of "run in circles while laughing hysterically."

Overboard and Kenny get their groove on.

Kenny and his comedy partner, Cousin Peter.

under construction - part ii

Just a few more construction pix. These are actually from a week or two back, but I don't have the latest just yet. But what do you care? These are all new to you, right? Right. So there you have it.


This is after the gables were added, but before the windows were put in.


Piping in the kids' bathroom.


This is taken from Kenny's room. The closer window is in his room, then his closet, then Goldblatt's window and room.


This unfortunate flue was in Goldblatt's room, just in front of the corner of her closet. Luckily, we were able to have it readjusted and shrunk (pix coming soon).


Gotta love the new windows (and the tax refund they'll bring).

Up next: Exterior shots of the new windows and siding! Wow. You can just feel the excitement.

goldblatt's just pondering her navel

Week 31 is upon us, so what does that mean?

Well, Professor Goldblatt is now clocking in around 16 inches long and about 3.3 pounds. Or, roughly the size/weight of four navel oranges. She can turn her head from side to side, and her limbs and body are pudging up as fat accumulates underneath her skin. She's also Ms. Squirmypants. Overboard is perpetually grinning and commenting how our little girl is "really moving around in there!" Last night we even saw some fun ripples across Overboard's belly, as the good professor decided to go on a roll. It was like Aliens, but cuter.

one big happy family

As previously discussed, the house is under construction. Our contractor is an awesome Chi-caw-go guy and Kenny has gotten to know him as the dude he sees every morning as we're on the way out, and he's on the way in.

The other night Overboard picked up Kenny from daycare and asked if him if he was excited to go home and see everyone.

"We'll go see Daddy, and Sadie..."
"...and Mr. LaPelusa," said the boy.

happy mother's day

Happy Mother's Day to Grammy Shirley, Grandma Jackie, Great Grandma Barbara and all of the amazing mothers we know. But above all else, Happy Mother's Day to Dr. Overboard.

Love,
Prof. Evenkeel, Prof. Goldblatt, Ms. Sadie and this guy...


Kenny knows the simple truth that mommies are awesome.

cabbage patch kid

Week 30 has arrived and we're starting to gear up for the home stretch.

Professor Goldblatt is now measuring in around 15.7 inches, and weighs nearly three pounds - or, wait for it...about the size of a head of cabbage.

The Professor's eyesight continues to develop, but for now she's still squinting like someone who just came out of the movie theatre into broad daylight. On the upside, she doesn't smell like popcorn, but she very well may have some sort of Goobers stuck to her feet.

As for Overboard, she's doing well, but coming down off of the energetic high that was the second trimester, and now searching out more and more naps during the weekend.

That's all I've got. You may resume your normal Web browsing at this time.

dandelion man

Today in the park, I helped Kenny discover the joys of dandelions. While his blowing technique wasn't terribly efficient, his shaking-rapidly-to-disperse technique was pretty effective. Or, to sum up, we had fun going through every dandelion we could find (all 652 of them).