JenBob

We've Moved

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 21:53:00 +0000

Due to some technical changes at Blogger, we've moved the JenBob blog to our own hosted Wordpress blog.

If you're here, you've previously bookmarked the wrong page or your browser hasn't refreshed the proper page changes (try clicking on the blog link from the home page (http://jenbob.net) or click here)

The page you should have bookmarked is/was http://jenbob.net/blog.html That's where you'll find the new content.

If you want to continue with direct access, the new link is http://jenbob.net/wordpress.

The new atom feed is http://jenbob.net/wordpress/feed/atom/ for those that consume.

- b

Sunday Ride

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 20:54:00 +0000

Got out for a ride today.

Every time it's been a while between rides I feel like I don't belong. I feel like an impostor as I unload my bike from the car and head out.

Not far into the trail I came across three guys riding in jeans and Members Only jackets. Ok. Maybe not Members Only, but some nylon variety. I quickly realized there are no impostors. There are no rules on rides. Just ride.

The weather was nice. A bit on the cool and breezy side. The lake was choppy and the sun was bright.

Trail conditions were near perfect. The dirt was dry and fast with only the wettest of spots still wet.

It hurt to ride. The hills were killing me. Often I stopped to catch my breath and let the little stars fade back to the forest canopy. The air rushing into my lungs was good. It was good to be outside.

Gretchen and I made our way around the bonus loop stopping at the watering holes and taking it all in.

Along the way we saw Jim. We spoke then went about our separate ways.

It was good to be outside.

- b

Easter Family

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 13:13:00 +0000

I'm real late on this one, but it's important I get it out there.

For Easter Jen, Jen's mother, Abigail and I drove to Little Ferry, NJ to Jen's Grandmother's house. That would be Abigail's Great Grandmother.

The experience turned out bigger than I expected.

Sure there were four generations of women from the same family, and yes everyone had ample opportunity to hold and introduce themselves to Abigail.

but what I learned the most was that Abigail isn't just mine. She's apart of a family that takes as much ownership/responsibility that I do.

Maybe I can't put the feeling into words well enough, but in a way this child was conceived and produced by us for our families. The growth and success of that child reflects the growth and success of the family - not just me.

It's not something that imposes pressure or expectations, but a legacy full of love, tradition and generations of successful members to insure the same is true for Abigail.

It's a powerful blessing - one my usually over-riding self-sufficiency didn't expect, yet appreciates enormously.

- b

I Need a Dollar

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:57:00 +0000

Software is no business to be in and raise a family.

Or

Maybe software is no business I should be in while raising a family.

- b

Shhhhh! Grandaddy Says

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 02:50:00 +0000

Don't wake the baby!

- b

Kids Change Everything

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:27:00 +0000

I like music. I especially like the lyrics and the stories they tell.

It used to be the stories that related directly to me and my own personal experiences that I liked best (duh?).

Now it's lyrics and stories that match how I feel in reference to my daughter are what I like best now.

That's still me right?

Not quite. The ones that reflect the experiences Abigail might have or shouldn't have are what's changed and become important to me. Experiences that may be particular for girls and woman for example.

Not sure all that made sense. Not sure it matters beyond me.

- b

Then it was Than

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:58:00 +0000

Yeah so I can't spell and my grammar sucks.

I could try and lie and say I type faster THAN I think, but it was already pointed out (by someone whose second language is English) that my grammar transgressions are pervasive.

I'll try to do better.

- b

The Fam

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:14:00 +0000

Jen's brother brought his kids over today to visit while Jen's Dad was here.

At one point while Jen was feeding Abigail in the back bedroom, seven year old Brett came in to visit. This is how the conversation went.

Brett: "She's cute. Whatchya doin?"

Jen: "I'm feeding Abigail."

Brett: "With what?"

Jen: "Milk."

Brett: "Where does the milk come from?"

Jen: "From me."

Brett: "Where do you get it from?"

Jen: "I make it."

Brett: "That's weird."

Then he promptly left the room.

Ashley got to hold her little cousin.

- b

The Geographer

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:51:00 +0000

There was a story about a pond that never froze.

By the time I started riding the trails the pond was gone - at least most of the contents.

The plot had Sonoco Paper of Downingtown using the area as a "waste" dump. Whether any of that's true, I have no idea. Sonoco purchased the properties of Downingtown Paper Co. in 1968. The usage of the land could have been finished by then for all I know.

picture 4/14/1999

The pond was man made. An earthen dam was built between two ridges (i.e. "up the hollow") from which a spring made its way down to the East Brandywine. I'd ridden the ridges and across the top of the dam for years never paying much attention that it was actually a dam.

Now the land is owned by the township, the trails are legal and used by many.

Harmony Hill Recreation Area

Recently a trail was put in that runs down in front of the dam. At night it's quite ominous to look up from the bottom at the huge earthen wall and the sky way above.

Riding in the light, it's a different story. Coming from the bottom of the dam, still flowing to the East Brandywine is this.

In coal country that's called Acid Mine Drainage or Yellow Boy. What's interesting (even if just for me) is the water downstream running into the Brandywine is clear (at least in appearance). What's more interesting is the upper basin which looks like this.

Those are buttercups. Thousands of (poisonous) buttercups.

The pond is gone. All that's left are few old washing machines and dead trees sticking up out of the muck.

There's no real point to it all. Sure I have questions like who in their right mind would ever dam up a watershed and use it as a dump, but there's no point in asking. Those days are gone.

Beyond my own curiosity, there's probably very little point in this posting. Though, I did get a nice hike in with my Dad - even if the dogs drank the orange water and came back filthy.

- b

Mall Walker

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:28:00 +0000

Jen needed some bras (something about accommodating the new real-state). She tried buying over the internet, but apparently that doesn't "fit" so well.

Off to the mall we all went.

Jen went into the fitting rooms, while Abigail and I went into a holding pattern around the store.

After thirty minutes of circles through the Jr. Miss, Jewelry and Intimates departments, we ventured out into the mall itself. The main thoroughfare was risky (bumpy floor, sunlight and more people - couldn't risk waking Abigail while the food source was off working out containerization).

In the end it was all a success. I kept Abigail asleep and Jen found comfort. As monotonousness as it was, it was good to get out and mix up the routine.

ps. ever try breast milk? ever try spoiled breast milk? Don't!

- b

Quiet Moments

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 03:05:00 +0000

Abigail had her first vaccinations today - 5 in all.

First couple hours were rough.

Now she's got some Tylenol in her and sleeping like never before.

Coincidentally my parents are here (for a funeral) and holding her for the last two hours.

Having a nice time watching them watch her sleep.

Will kids every know the moments (i.e. hours) of joy they bring upon their parents (and grandparents) just sleeping in their arms?

- b

Blowout

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:22:00 +0000

She even got me.
Before I took off her clothes to clean her up.

- b

Deck Time

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:36:00 +0000

With the nice weather, Abigail and Mom have been spending time on the deck.

Sometimes it can be a little sunny for newborn eyes.

- b

Battery Acid Hurts

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 18:29:00 +0000

So I'm pulling the battery out of the motorcycle to charge it when I realize it's a little sticky around the top.

"Hmmm. That's funny. Ow! Shit! Damn!" as I run over to the workbench to sit the battery down.

Just about the time I realized it was sticky it started to burn my one finger.

Just one finger?

I have an open cut on that finger. The sticky acid wasn't enough to burn through intact skin, but against the open wound it hurt like hell.

And it continued to hurt like hell after sitting the battery down and rubbing my finger against my jeans.

Now the man dilemma.

Do I run inside and pour baking soda (where is the baking soda? do we even have any?) on my finger to fix it or wait it out? In all likelihood it will quit by the time I find the baking soda anyway.

Hmmm.

Damn! It still burns. This sucks.

Looking at my finger I see it's not changing colors or hanging by any blistering threads.

Hmmm.

Whatever. It quits. I plug the charger in and go about other chores.

- b

Couch Sitting

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 11:13:00 +0000

Just a cute shot.

- b

It Might be Working

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 02:36:00 +0000

Abigail went on Zantac this week. Hopefully without jinxing anything, I can say it's working.

She's actually sleeping.

If this is what sleep is really like for babies, then ours has never slept before.

- b

Weeds

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 03:38:00 +0000

new favorite show.

better late than never.

I love the way she flies by the seat of her pants.

- b

Out Like a Lion

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:44:00 +0000

Yesterday was much better on the Abigail front. We went from Abiwail on Saturday to Hapigail on Sunday. It was so much nicer we even had some playtime on the changing table.

Besides bouncing on the ball, the changing table is her favorite place. For an hour she was smiling and responding to both Jen and I.

I never could imagine the emotional charge you get when your kid responds positively. The little smiles and happy coos are like little shots of happiness right into your soul.

- b

Reflux Session

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 14:14:00 +0000

As I said, the Mylanta sort of works.

There was a particular session last night where we had to bounce and be held (mostly) upright.

Though it looks like I'm gripping her hands, she's the one held fast with both hands to my thumb.

Then she fell asleep that way.

Which means you can forget about moving (keep bouncing!) for at least an hour.

- b

Family Visit

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 11:56:00 +0000

Yesterday the Straw's made it out to meet Abigail.

It's kind of cute. Their youngest, Jake, wants to grow up and be a Dad one day.

As practice maybe he can fill in one of these days when I'm particularly sleep deprived. He can't be any worse than I am.

- b

Reflux

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 01:40:00 +0000

Looks like Abigail's got reflux.

It took a few days of this...
To realize if we turned her like this...
Everything was cool. - Yes. That was supposed to be a Silverlight animation. See it for real here.

She's currently on Mylanta. That's helping a little. Next week I think she gets Zantac, then hopefully we all get some comfort and sleep.

- b

Silverlight

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 23:15:00 +0000

Might start having some animations and other web effects here that will require the Microsoft Silverlight 4 plug in.

If you're a Windows/PC user, you can get the plug in here.

If you're a Mac user, you can get the plug in here.

I've heard the plug in may not work using Google Chrome, but I haven't tried.

- b

The Ladies

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:59:00 +0000

It was another 114 shots of Abigail weekend.

You're supposed to keep only a few and delete the rest, but it's so hard to choose any of them as not worthy.

- b

Psycho Moments

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:10:00 +0000

Twice last week I had a bloody nose in the shower. Each time it happened while I was washing my face, so my eyes were closed. Imagine my surprise when the soap was rinsed away, my eyes open and I saw blood splattered all over the curtain and shower walls?

Weird.

- b

Ups & Downs

noreply@blogger.com (JenBob) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:57:00 +0000

Tuesday started with the continuation of a car issue that lasted the week.

Finally got it figured out (the boys at Good Year are geniuses(I hope.)). Turns out a corroded connector through the firewall was shorting the system.

Wednesday night was St. Patty's, so me and boys rode out to the ruins and had ourselves a fire.

I brought along some celebratory beverage and smokes to mark the birth of miss Abigail.

Nothing like a $50 bottle of booze, $2 cigars and the smell of campfire to honor the blessing of ones child.

Speaking of blessings, check this out.

That's Jen holding Abigail's little hiny over the toilet. Jen makes some swishing sound and Abigail does her business. Crazy huh? We'd read some things on the internet and thought what the heck? I wouldn't go as far as to say we'll be hitching a ride on this bus, but it's fun to read the ads along the side.

Came home last night to find the refrigerator water line leaking (again).

Yay! Water stained ceiling tiles and pain in the ass compression fittings! My favorite!

At least until I got up today and discovered this.

That's two 2x4's and three concrete blocks fallen off the side of the pool and into the cover. Ice, wind, not sure what caused it, but it's got me really annoyed so far. Almost makes the water line to the fridge a long lost memory.

At least we had sushi for dinner.

It wasn't very good. Probably had more to do with my presentation then the actual food.

Then again after that Pliny the Elder I had this afternoon, how can I expect anything to taste as good.

- b