Weekend Plans in IM form

(I let her pick her nickname; I take no credit)

me: I had my monthly Dr. appt, and she measured and said I measured at 26 weeks, but I'm only 23 weeks.
she says it's probably a growth spurt, which is normal, but technically anyone who measures as 3 weeks ahead or more has to go have an ultrasound
so we go tomorrow.
Shut_In_w/Cats: that's good right?
Shut_In_w/Cats: it means you are healthy?
me: well, it's not really good or really bad. That's why they have to do a test.
me: But maybe we will get more photos!
Shut_In_w/Cats: that's good the test... information!
me: If it's just a growth spurt, then that's ok. If the baby's growing a lot consistently, that might mean an early induction. If there's a freaky tumor growing in there, then omg I don't know.
But really, I suspect growth spurt.
Shut_In_w/Cats: spurt spurt!
me: I'm not really worried. I'll worry when they tell me to worry.
me: We're going over to the hospital early, though, because I have to do this weird blood test thing, too.
It's a totally routine thing
Shut_In_w/Cats: eeek
i hate blood tests!
me: I'm just trying to get everything in in one trip
oh, this is a weird one - it's The Glucose Challenge!
Shut_In_w/Cats: weirds!
me: I go in, and they give me a sugary beverage (free drink!)
and then I have to sit there for an hour and not go anywhere and not do/drink/eat anything
me: and THEN they take the blood.
but my plan is that after that, I have a little food and head upstairs for the ultrasound.
With 'challenge' in the name, I feel like I should win a prize.
I Met The Glucose Challenge!!
Shut_In_w/Cats: no prize.. evidently just larger baby!
me: yeah. that's unrelated.
she's overachieving.
aim for average, little baby!
no rush! Rushing makes Mommy worried you're going to be HUGE!

So that's it for my weekend plans.
It's supposed to be really cold, so it's probably best to stay inside the rest of the time.

National Pie Day

Apparently, it's National Pie Day. So D bought pie for us to honor this important day. By eating pie.
Happy Pie Day!

Rechargeable Laptop Battery Pack: English Cautions

First off, let me tell you all that I won't be posting any photos over at flickr for a few weeks because my computer is going off to Vaio Laptop Sleepaway Camp, where it'll learn to do the backstroke, weave small baskets, and burn audio CDs. OK, just the last part, actually. There are some issues with the drive. So maybe I'll blog using D's computer, but not photos because he's got a Mac, and that's complicated.

Okay. Anyway.
So poor little Tappy (that's my computer's name) also needs a new battery, which arrived today, complete with cautionary insert. Please allow me to share the highlights:

English
This safety instructions must be read carefully and must be fully understood, before attempting to use your Laptop.

• Never throw the battery pack into fire, as this could cause battery pack to explode.
• Never hammer a nail into the battery pack. Never hit a hammer on the battery pack.
• Always keep the battery pack out of reach of infants or small children.

And here I was thinking I'd use the old one as a crib toy, possibly as a pacifier.

Chunky's Casino Royale with Cheese

I like to think that I'm pretty in-the-know about Greater-Boston-Area offbeat local activities and attractions not too far outside the city. I'm not one for Jillian's or a Sam Adams brewery tour or walking the Freedom Trail; I'm more about the Good Time Emporium, Nashoba Valley Winery, and Davis Mega Maze. So I tend to get pretty surprised when I discover something new that's always been there, but for some reason has escaped my attention and Google searches.

D and I wanted to see Casino Royale this weekend, which is a bit of a feat, because it's in its waning weeks in theatres. We also tend to be pretty picky about our movie theatres; If it can't be IMAX, then we prefer stadium seating, and if that's out, then at least we need to go where the screen is decently big. Also, we'll go downtown if we have to, but there's an added hassle to the driving/T/parking scenario therein that makes it not the preferred choice. Also-also, for anything with lower than an R rating, I prefer shows that begin closer to 9pm or later because I hate kids and highschoolers in the theatre with me.

In D's defense, most of these restrictions/preferences come from me. I'm high-maintenance.

Anyway, so I Googled up the movie to see where it's playing, and in doing so discovered Chunky's Cinema & Pub. There's one in Haverhill, which is about 45 minutes north of Boston. I immediately called D over to have a look at the website, and we agreed that it was THE premier choice of the venues available for us for the evening. Mostly because OMG CINEMA AND PUB.

The box office opened only 30 minutes before showtime, and we were the third couple to buy our tickets. The theatre itself had a relatively small screen (probably about the size of a regular multiplex screen) and three levels, all with tables for 8 or 4 people perpendicular to the screen, and every seat was a reclinable bucket seat from a limosine. No, seriously, for real.

Sadly, their liquor license was wasted on us ...this time. They have a deal with a local microbrewery, though, and I plan to try the IPA as soon as I get back to drinking. We started with an appetizer, the Wizard of Ozzerella Sticks. We each had a burger; I had the Kevin Bacon Burger, D opted for the Robert deNiro Burger, which is a cheeseburger with attitude, apparently. The burgers didn't arrive until after the movie had started (no previews or commercials; they just start right in), which is our own fault for taking forever to decide what we wanted. The waitstaff was really good about finding good times during the movie to deliver food or check in on us, which is really saying something during a Bond film, because there's hella action.

Overall, we really enjoyed the place. There weren't many people in the theatre with us, and I don't know if that's because of timing, or that the movie had been out for so long, or if the place just isn't popular. I wouldn't want to go to a non-R movie there, though, because it seems like a terrific place for kids otherwise, and I think that's where they make their money. It makes for a decent date night, but I think the best use would be to go in a group of 6 or 8 to a fun, goofy show like Wedding Crashers. Unfortunately for us, we'll probably have to pay for 4 hours of babysitting the next time we go up there. But don't let that stop YOU.

Eighty dollars seems a bit steep

But then again, it would match my car seatcovers.

Reader Poll re: gDiapers

I need some opinions from experienced moms regarding gDiapers, and whether it's something I should try out. Out of the gate, it sounds nice - cloth diapers with flushable/disposable interiors. But... well, follow this link and watch the video called "all about flushing." It seems like a high-maintenance undertaking, and some serious mess potential. Then again, it might be a reasonable alternative for the first few months, while baby is breastfeeding.

Also, what are your thoughts on the prices? How do they measure against disposables, which is what I expect to use?

This must be how Kevin Kline felt

I'm pretty certain I can feel her when she attempts particularly complicated gymnastic maneuvers now. It kind of feels like a Goldfish In The Belly. Not that I've ever had a live goldfish inside me before, but you know how they'll be swimming along all smooth and serene, and then they'll make some sudden movement to turnchangeduckflip. And then they start with the serene all over again for a few hours, like nothing ever happened. If you can imagine how that would feel in your lower torso, that's the best explanation I can give.