The size of babies

From Zuperfliegen

While describing a photo of Zuperfliegen, my friend Christine recently made a comment that I've heard before...something to the effect that she'd forgotten how small newborns are. I suppose in 6 months or 2 years or a decade, I might feel the same way. Right now I'm struck by how BIG he is. All of THAT was inside ME?

I found this statistic on the adhesive protector from a sanitary napkin: "When a woman is pregnant, her uterus expands to 500 times its normal size." (See photo from March 30 - you'll be convinced.)

And, while Zupe at birth weighed only about 6% of my weight, he was over 34% as tall as I am! Of course, that 54 centimeters wasn't stretched out in my abdomen, but curled up in what is so appropriately called The Fetal Position.

I knew that and I knew he was head down for the last 4 to 6 weeks. But, it wasn't until he was born and I was looking at his body that I understood that the "foot" I was always shifting off my midline was more likely a knee. I never even considered that I was being "elbowed" by elbows and knees. I was only thinking about hands and feet (while still puzzling over why his feet would be so low - just under my umbilicus. Perhaps I spend too much time looking at and thinking about dog feet?)

OMG - this is so funny - I just looked at that photo and thought, wow! he was so little. That didn't take long!

An introduction that might do a better job at introducing

So, I'm Ann.

From Zuperfliegen

I'm what you might call a "late bloomer" entering motherhood in the same year I qualify for some "retirement villages". Once upon a time, let's call it January, I used to have a job for which I worked only 4 to 5 days each week between 9 and 6. Now, I have a job I work, as they say, 24:7...except for last night. I went to bed early and left Kevin in charge. This is all to say, relative to the rest of the tribe (or pack as some of us like to say), I'm boring.

The other members of the cast include :

From Zuperfliegen

My dear husband, Kevin. His responsibilities include family entertainment, zombie apocalypse planning, and, most recently, winner of bread. (Ironic since in an earlier incarnation he was the mastermind behind the winning OF bread. See "Night of the Living Bread", "Loaf", "Sandwich".) The man doesn't just have one great idea; he's got a million of them. Secret master of the bread universe (Damn! I don't think I was supposed to reveal that!) and ninja night mower. Superpower: close parking.

Zelda - first child.

From Singles 2011

Genetic problem has resulted in a very heavy hair-coat and inability to walk on two legs. Has recently become quite deaf. Generally unimpressed with Zuperfliegen. Responsibilities: napping and the protection of the house in all situations not related to zombies (or hearing). Superpower: able to bring down an entire veterinary clinic from inside a locked enclosure using only her mouth.

Zuperfliegen - Full name: Zuperfliegen Baadasssss.

From Zuperfliegen

Addition as of April 8. Though actually "postmature" he's managed to snag a developmental brain problem more associated with "premature" infants: Central Apnea. As a consequence, he's outfitted with a cool-o nasal cannula that delivers a constant sniff of extra oxygen. We figure it is probably ultimately related to his latent superpowers. Current sweet skills - spitting milk and sleeping through Zelda's dog alarms. And, he's pretty kissable.

An introduction

From Zuperfliegen

I'm feeling a little embarrassed that my primary blog is being overrun with Zuperfliegen. I'm aware that this would be expected. One: we're first time parents with a newborn. Two: I'm home all day with said newborn and having limited "other" experiences.

Wait. Did I say primary blog. I should have said both my photo blog AND my "wordy" blog. That would be two. I'm still able to count.

That's a good sign. Overall, my brain is a little scrambled. I'm not overly sleep deprived. Case in point: I'm not currently crying. Still, I've always needed 9 hours. I felt crappy with even 8. Now, I'm pretty lucky to work in 6 hours and those are interrupted. Still, these chunks feel good relative to late pregnancy sleep - also known as pauses between trips to urinate.

I have about 6 partial entries started on my regular blog. The question now is do I finish them and post them there? or here? Perhaps, initially, I'll post in both spots. Otherwise, my "real" blog might be a very, very, very lonely place.