Our Little Branch: February 2008

Thursday, February 28

It Has Begun!

Delia asked me, "Why?" today. It's not that I dreaded this day or anything. It actually seems like it will be fun as Delia gets older and the why questions become more and more frequent. It is just neat lately watching her change and grow into this little girl rather than this little toddler that I've been spending my days with. She's even losing her baby fat, however her cheeks are still chubby and don't seem to be losing any mass. It will be a sad day when that happens.

Saturday, February 23

Look at that chicken!

When we first moved to Folsom we stumbled upon a park. This isn't your usual park, at least not to me. I knew there was something different about it when I read this sign posted near the front of the park.

The sign reads:

WILDLIFE NOTICE: FOLSOM IS HOME TO MANY FREE ROAMING WILDLIFE SPECIES, INCLUDING COYOTES AND RATTLESNAKES. THESE MEMBERS OF OUR NATURAL COMMUNITY SHOULD BE RESPECTED AND AVOIDED. PLEASE KEEP YOUR ANIMALS ON LEASH.

Great I thought. This is just the place I want my daughter playing. "Go ahead and play honey. Just keep an eye out for coyotes (no that's not a dog) and rattlesnakes (no that's not a baby rattle). The sign fails to mention the dozen or so "free roaming" chickens and roosters cock-a-dooing around the park. "What Delia? What white spots? Oh those white spots. Let 's not touch that, it's chicken poo."

Yes, the park has chickens and lots of them. Did I mention there are 2 or 3 peacocks too. They get really close and if you have food they're on you like a pack of...well coyotes. I think some would even eat out of your hand. There are trails that can be taken through trees, bushes, etc. This is most likely the reason why they posted about the "wildlife".

We've ventured to this park many times since that first visit. A feat you may think is crazy considering the warnings mentioned above. Hey, if the chickens can survive in a place where coyotes may lurk, then I think a little visit from us can't hurt.

The last time was especially fun because we brought along some bread to feed the many chickens (and roosters) with. Here is a short video of Delia feeding the chickens. She really did enjoy herself. And from the way she talks to chickens I think she'll be a pretty sweet big sister.

Thursday, February 21

Contractions, the Hospital and Water

Tuesday afternoon I started getting contractions. In three hours I had about 30. They weren't painful just stronger than they had been and obviously much more often. After I went to bed they subsided. Wednesday around 11am they started up again. I had 13 in an hour. So I called me doctors office and they said to go to labor and delivery. Since I had had them the day before and was getting them again they felt it was better to get checked and make sure nothing was happening. So Jake came home from work and we drove the 30 minutes to the hospital. We got there at 1:30 and didn't leave until after 6! They monitored my contractions and the babies heartbeat for over an hour. Then they did some tests and made sure I wasn't dilating. Which I wasn't. So after that they moved me to another room so that they could monitor me some more and had me drink two pitchers full of water! I felt like I could pee forever after that. They checked me again and since I still wasn't dilating they sent me home and told me to take it easy and drink lots of water. With Delia I had a lot of braxton hicks contractions but nothing that lasted as long as this little "episode". As of this morning I am still getting them. So I am trying to take it as easy as I can with a 2 year old demanding my complete and full attention. 14 more weeks and then I'll be ready for contractions...but not yet!

Video of Delia coming soon.....it involves wild chickens, a peacock and bread.