Posted by: ppernick | January 13, 2006

Tegan Approves

Day 2 of going back to work went by just as quickly as yesterday.  It helps to come back and have a project ready for you.
 
Had lunch (and dinner) with Julie today.  Yay!  And an added bonus, Cheong came for dinner too!  It was good to see Cheong again — it’s been so long since we’ve even talked I completely missed a move back to Texas and then back to Puget Sound again.  Hopefully it won’t be so long before we see her again.
 
And Julie…Julie headed back to Illinois this morning.  I found out that due to her assistanceship she has to stay in Illinois for the summer rather than looking for an internship out here.  *sigh*  At least it sounds like I have a slightly better than chance than I used to of convincing her to come back after library school.
 
Simeon Stuff
Tegan has finally given her approval of Simeon.  Last night, as people were finishing dinner and I was changing Simeon’s diaper, Tegan came over.  In the past, she’s maybe sniffed Simeon’s hair a bit before continuing on her merry way.  Tonite, however, she actually groomed his hair a bit.  She’s put up with him in the past, but now she’s finally come around and accepted him as part of the family.  Yay!

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Posted in Friendship, Simeon, Tegan

Posted by: ppernick | January 12, 2006

Back to work…

Today was my first day back at work.  It went much faster than I expected.  It was good to be back.  Good to get back to some semblance of normalcy.  Good to be around a group of adults without a voice in the back of my mind saying, you’re having too much fun without your son.  Of course, all I did was talk about him.
 
Having been so long since I’ve been in the car for a 40-minute commute, I need to find a way to get to a library and check out another book on cd.  Since I didn’t have one to listen to, I tuned into the Alito hearings.  I swear…every time I tune in the senators are asking the same questions and Alito is responding with the same talking points. 
 
Simeon Stuff
Received a call from Children’s Hospital today with a date!  Although our cardiologist has not yet presented Simeon’s case to the panel of surgeons, he’s been in communication with a surgeon.  Two weeks from today, Simeon will undergo surgery to patch his VSD.  The whole thing is still a bit unreal to me.  I know that this is happening.  I know the underlying severity of the problem and why this needs to happen soon.  But…it just isn’t real yet. My mother-in-law has been trying to prepare me – and I appreciate that. I think, though, that the magnitude of this won’t start to hit me until we go for the consultation with the surgeon and for pre-op; then it will finally hit me in full when I see him after surgery with all the tubes.  I remember how he looked when I first saw him in NICU and I expect it to look 100 times worse than that.  I just have to remind myself that this is a fairly routine operation now-a-days and the tubes will come out quickly.  Simeon is a strong, healthy boy otherwise – so we fix this now and he’ll be even better off.

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Posted in Hospital, Simeon, Work

Posted by: ppernick | January 11, 2006

Resolution #1…

I should be going to sleep…Simeon’s finally out, it’s just past midnight and I’m headed back to work tomorrow.  But what am I doing?  Sitting in front of the computer.  At least I’m fulfilling one of my resolutions and not just watching tv. 
 
*sigh*  I have heard over and over that it’s difficult to go back.  While I didn’t doubt this, I didn’t realize just how difficult it may be.  I have no doubt he’ll be in good hands with Grandma, but I think back to the first time I left him home with daddy for 4.5 hours while I ran some errands…tomorrow it’ll be 9 hours.
 
Simeon Stuff
Simeon rolled over today!  When we took Simeon in for his 2 week wellness visit with the pediatrician he miraculously rolled over in front of the doctor, who commented “Wow…won’t see that again for another 3 months.”  So, when he rolled over twice again two days later (again in a doctor’s office but with no witnesses), we started wondering how much a fluke this was.  Two days later, he did it yet again – with a witness – and I wanted to admit it was a fluke again, but the motherly instinct wanted to brag about my highly advanced child prodigy.  Eventually I reluctantly convinced myself he managed to incidentally roll over with the help of disporportionate head to body size and relatively good neck control.  He sort of rolled over a couple weeks after that in Florida, but that was it…until yesterday.  Monday night, I did tummy time on his activity gym mat and he eventually managed to roll over, though I think I helped a tiny bit.  Tuesday afternoon, with absolutely no help from mommy after putting him onto his tummy, he rolled over again.  This time Grandma Pernick actually witnessed the feat too.  Given that he’s almost 12 weeks, I’m thinking there’s a better chance this is advanced neck and muscle control over fluke.  Go, Simeon! (Just don’t go too fast…I’m not quite ready for the next step in child-proofing the house.)

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Posted in Resolutions, Simeon

Posted by: ppernick | January 9, 2006

The coming year

Now 2006 begins.  The first big event – at least for me – is going back to work.  Just a few days from now, I will begin transitioning back to the office.  Unfortunately, I will be needing to take off more time a few weeks later as Simeon must undergo surgery to fix his VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect – a hole between the bottom two chambers of his heart).  Assuming all goes well, he gets careful care for the following 6 weeks and then he’s better than new.
 
So…now I try to come up with New Year’s resolutions:
1. Update my blog more often.  I realize there are a few people who actually read my blog.  I want to be sure I keep people up-to-date with things – especially where Simeon is concerned.
 
2. Keeping in touch with friends and family.  I need to do a better job of this.  I say this often and don’t always follow through – but I will continue to try and try again.  As long as Simeon is small and willing to sit still in front of a camera, Netmeeting with the grandparents is a must.  I have friends, even out here in Seattle that I don’t see or speak to as often as I’d like.  I expect that the more mobile Simeon becomes, the less mobile Ari and I become – so the more effort I put into this now the easier it will hopefully get.
 
3. Meet new people/make new friends.  There are 3 circles of friends I would like to build.  One with other new parents, one with other Jews, and one with our neighborhood community. (Not to say they can’t overlap.) I’m happy to say that I already see one of these starting to form.  Ari and I recently finished attending a mediated group for new parents and everybody seems to be interested in continuing to get together.  I also see good potential of a nice Jewish group of friends to include Josh and Leslie, Deb, Sam and Jacob, and friends of Deb and Sam with a 7-month old daughter.  Plus, with two immediate neighbors that seem to know a good number of other community members, all I have to do is make the first move and group number three should fall into place.
 
4. Do more with the Jewish community.  Especially with Simeon here, I want to be more involved with making sure Judaism is part of our life.  We’ve gotten a good start with recent Synagogue attendance and getting together with Deb, Sam and Jacob to celebrate holidays.  Hopefully we can build on this.  Luckily, I have a husband who seems to want this as well.
 
Well…this turned out to be 100 times longer than I expected.  Happy New Year everybody.  Tune in soon for a Simeon update – though feel free to check out our photo collection for picures.  We do try to keep it updated.

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Posted in Resolutions

Posted by: ppernick | January 9, 2006

The year in review

Well, the holidays have come and gone – and a new year is upon us.  Last year went by so fast.  I recently printed out about 100 pictures from 2005 and it was amazing to see the highlights of the year.
 
The year started off on a good note.  Ari and I spent a quiet new year’s eve in a nice bed and breakfast at Friday Harbor.
 
January was busy.  Each weekend was booked – a visit from my mom (including an iced-out Oregon trip), a weekend at Mt Baker, and a belated holiday gift exchange.
 
February slowed a bit.  We went up to Whistler for a long weekend and then participated in Puzzlehunt.  The big news for February was learning that I was pregnant.
 
March, April and May were all pretty quiet.  Spent most of the month trying not to tell people my exciting news.  Once we got past the first trimester in April, we finally started sharing the news.  Passover came and went and spring was looking good.
 
June was wedding month.  We went to Chicago for Ben and Becky’s wedding, did a little siteseeing and met up with some Chicago friends.  We also received our new dining room furniture.
 
July was another busy month.  It started off with a farewell party for Julie who would be heading for library school soon.  Then Ian and Rebecca came for a visit – although they fell asleep, Ari and I learned we live walking distance from a very nice firework viewing spot.  Next was STP weekend – a 200 mile bicycle ride from Seattle to Portland.  Julie, Ben and Becky joined me in Portland – I was so proud to see Ari on the other side of the finish line.  July continued with a final farewell to Julie who left for Illinois and a visit from Ari’s mom and her friend, Linda.  And last, but not least, was the birth and bris of Jacob Leo Fleishman.
 
August started off with a vacation.  Ari and I took a road trip through the Washington and Oregon coast, Portland and along the Columbia River. I was really feeling the pregnancy by this time, but I was happy to make it to the top of Neakhamie Mountain. Then I had visits from Paula and my mom, as well as a baby shower thrown by some friends.
 
September was slow, which was good considering I was going slow…and considering the rest of the year would only speed up.
 
October.  First were the high holidays and then there was the rest.  October 22 at 6:28am marked the birth of Simeon Ryan Pernick.  Everything after that point was pretty much all about him.  A lot family came in for his Bris, including my Aunt Carol, Uncle Sheldon, cousin Paula and my Grandma Becky.
 
November did actually include a few other events.  A trip to Florida for the wedding of Ronni and Sly Bergeron.  Then a trip to Virginia for Thanksgiving with Ari’s family.
 
Finally December.  Most of it was spent with Ari and I on one side of the camera and Simeon on the other.  We came back from vacation to find our house looking wonderful with a new coat of paint and then covered with snow a few days later.  We managed to have a Shabbat dinner with the Goldmans before they moved to Florida.  Ari’s mom came to town on Christmas day to stay and help take care of Simeon for a month.  Deb, Sam and Jacob came over that same evening for the first night of Channukah. And last, but not least, we welcomed in the New Year with our friends.

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Posted in Reflection

Posted by: ppernick | December 6, 2005

A month later…

So much has happened this last month.  The big things:
 
* Florida: Ari, Simeon and I spent a week in Florida – I miss that weather already. Ronni and Sly’s wedding was beautiful and Sue Ann had a smile all night that just lit up the room :).  Both sets of parents were invited to the wedding as well, so it was nice to spend time with our families.  And, an added bonus, my cousins Stanley and Roberta babysat for a few hours in a nearby room.  I can’t thank them enough.
 
* Virginia: From Florida, the three of us went north to Virginia and spent Thanksgiving with Ari’s family.  It was a nice trip and Ari’s mom even babysat so that Ari and I could go on a double-date with Ian and Rebecca.  She’s coming soon to help for a month as I start transitioning back to work. Yay 🙂
 
With both trips, Simeon did a wonderful job flying, sleeping most of the flights.  We need to travel with him now before it gets too difficult.
 
* House: The house is painted and looks wonderful.  Mark and Alyssum stopped by the other day and almost didn’t recognize the house.  Thank goodness the weather has cooperated at the right times.
 
* Snowstorm: We got 3 – 4 inches of snow last week and it’s finally almost done melting away.  ‘Tis the season.
 
Well, Simeon is waking up…time to go.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: ppernick | November 4, 2005

Welcome Simeon Ryan Pernick

Well, he’s here.  Simeon Ryan Pernick arrived at 6:28am on October 22, 2005.
 
The last couple weeks have just zipped by.  I think the last I wrote, Ari and I were considering an induction.  Well, we went through with it late Friday night.  We were actually afraid we wouldn’t get in…the hospital was packed.  I think I heard that they had to clean out a linen room to make room for a bed.  When we got to the hospital and told the lady at the front desk that we were here for an induction she was surprised.  For some reason I think my doctor had something to do with us getting in that night.
 
Things I was unprepared for:
  • An early IV and Pitocin.  When we got to the hospital room, we weren’t quite prepared for the nurses to come back with an IV. We were under the expectation that all Dr. Lawler had to do was break the water.  Turns out, we didn’t quite understand what it meant for the baby to have floated back up to -3 station…it meant pitocin was needed and that meant an IV.  Turns out getting the IV early was good…as much as I tried to stay calm, my body didn’t listen.  I’m pretty sure I went whiter than a ghost, and the baby’s heart rate dropped big time. I’m not sure how things would have been if they had to give me the IV while I was in pain with contractions and wanting an epidural.
  • Easy Epidural.  One of the things I was worried about was getting an epidural.  Turned out to be much easier than I feared. I had made a goal not to get an epidural until I was at 6cm.  I have no idea how much time went by, but I was still at 4cm when I started thinking it wouldn’t be a bad idea.  The anastesiologist was busy, so I decided to take a narcotic to hold me over…turns out I dilated 2cm in the 10 minute span of trying to make that decision.  The anastesiologist had good timing.  He came by between c-sections and showed up just as the narcotic was wearing off.  He had a wonderful bedside manner, which probably helped a lot too.  I have to say the lack of feeling to half my body was strange – and trying to move or hold my legs was…interesting.
  • C-section.  Labor turned out to be pretty stressful for the baby.  I was on oxygen most of the night since the baby’s heart rate would slow down with many of my contractions.  I managed to get fully dilated and started pushing, but the cord had wrapped around the baby’s wrist.  Every time I pushed, the cord contracted and the baby’s heart rate slowed.  After a few pushes, I was wheeled to the OR.  I was in a bit of shock at this point.  I just did what I was told and sort of stared into space.  Well…actually, I stared at the door waiting for Ari and hoped he’d make it in time.  He had to put on scrubs before coming into the OR.  Silly thing to worry about…not only did he make it in plenty of time, but the doctor had to remind him to take pictures. 🙂
Overall, the experience wasn’t as bad as I expected.  Maybe that’s due to having a c-section rather than a natural birth.  Maybe I had good timing with requesting drugs.  Maybe the “short” labor period of 6 hours and not having any sense of time helped.  If nothing else, Ari was wonderful support and I don’t think anybody else could have kept me as calm.
 
I’ll stop here for now and get into the hospital stay and recovery next time.  And eventually include the bris and family visit.  In the meantime, here are pictures of Simeon Ryan (Shleimah Racham).
 
Actually, before I sign off…how we came up with the name.
 
His hebrew name is Shleimah Racham.  Shleimah, which means “complete”, was the name of my father’s father.  Racham, which means “compassion”, is a masculine variation that Ari and I chose for my mother’s mother (Ruchel).  Both my grandparents passed away when I was little and I never felt that I had the chance to get to know them very well.  What I do remember of them is that they were very loving. I enjoyed the time I did have with them and treasure the memories.  As I look at my son, I look at a little boy who I will get to know completely and who will embody the compassion of both his namesakes. 
 
Choosing the english variation of his name was more difficult.  The tradition is to choose an english name with the same first letter as the hebrew name.  Neither Ari or I could find an “S“ name that we really liked.  We even leafed through the siddur (prayer book) during high holiday services in hopes of finding something.  We finally agreed on a name a couple days before checking into the hospital.  Once we agreed on the first name, the middle name actually came relatively easily. Now I am finding that the more I hear Simeon Ryan the more I like the name and the way it rolls off the tounge.  A unique but not ridiculously made up name.  I just hope he grows up to like it too.

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Posted by: ppernick | October 18, 2005

Another update

Doctor’s visit is today – possibly the last one.  Hopefully the last one.  This appointment is in the Issaquah office, so I’ll be working from home today.  This is good and bad.  Good in that I’m at home where it’s a bit more comfortable.  Bad in that my office is a little closer to the hospital and I think I’d have an easier time finding somebody in the office to take me to the hospital if I don’t feel I can make it myself.  ‘Course everybody at work is expecting me to not be in any day now.  A few were half-surprised I was there yesterday.  I wonder how many people will think I’m in the hospital because they won’t see me at my desk today. 🙂 
 
I think Link had a growth spurt yesterday/last night. When I woke up this morning, I’d swear my tummy was bigger.  I came home from work yesterday with a headache and woke up with another. Eating helped but did not manage to get rid of either headache completely.  I’ve determined that when I get headaches, it means the baby wants more food and it seems like I just couldn’t eat enough yesterday. I really hope Link decides it is ready to come out before the due date.  *Hear me in there, Link?  you can come out now.  Hide and seek is over…I found you.  You’ve already gotten me a few times, why don’t you go after Ari now?* 
 
On the other hand, it would be kind of cool if this child was born on its due date.  Aside from the fact that it’s uncommon, I was apparently born on my due date (almost beat the doctor to the delivery room according to my mom).
 
So what else is actually going on in life?  Unfortunately, I can’t think of much.  Work has luckily slowed down at just the right time and I’ve managed to cross-train/transition all the big things.
 
My friend, Jess, has either just moved or is about to move to Virginia.  Congrats on the job, Jess!  It’s actually pretty cool that she found something in Fairfax, since it is so close to my in-laws.  Ari and I have been talking about going to Virginia for Thanksgiving and it would be great if I have the opportunity to see Jess while we’re there.  I haven’t seen her for a few years.
 
Well, hopefully I’ll add more after the doctor’s visit today.  ‘Til then.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: ppernick | September 6, 2005

And more time goes by…

I do seem to be pretty bad about updating blogs…

Never did post about my Oregon road trip.  I do have pictures tho.  My favorite is a picture taken in Astoria as Sunset was getting close.

Baby is growing.  I notice I’m growing, but I notice it most when I’m laying down.  I’m still small compared to most other women at my stage, but the doctor doesn’t seem worried.  Had the 32 week ultrasound recently and still didn’t find out gender.  We looked at the skull, heart and abdomen and all are doing well.  Head’s a bit ahead of schedule, abdomen’s a bit behind, but the doctor said that wasn’t surprising and all is going well.  Based on the baby’s activity and development, he no longer thinks it necessary to induce — so we’re working with a due date of Oct. 22.

My mom came in town recently, as did my cousin, Paula.  It was nice…spent a bit of time working from home, but we did get some things done and do a little site seeing.  Paula visited on the ends of an Alaskan cruise.  Apparently she and her friend met a guy I know through softball – though he didn’t recognize my name.  Not sure if he would have recognized my maiden name, but he would have recognized my team name…he subbed for us a couple times.  My mom stayed for a week.  Came for the baby shower and then stayed to overlap Paula’s return visit.  I think I’ll be quite happy when she’s in for a couple weeks after the baby’s born.  She knows the house/kitchen better now too…so that’s good.

Baby shower was fun.  Sue Ann did the invitations, Alyssum put the party together and Carrie opened up her house. Thank you!  We got a lot of nice gifts and I’m slowly making my way through the thank yous…

Ari and I did manage to purchase baby furniture recently.  We bought the dresser/changing table, hutch and crib.  If you click the picture for “Sydney“ you can get a better look at the style we chose.  We got a darker wood, but that’s the look at least.  I wish I could find an even better picture, but we’ll just have to post pictures when it comes in.

Enjoyed the long labor day weekend.  Checked out the Redmond farmer’s market and took a trip to Ikea with some friends.  Ended up getting more than expected, but at least it was a lot of small stuff that should help us organize the house.  Went to Bumbershoot.  Figures that it would pour during the one band we all really liked.  Course we stayed out in the rain and now our camera doesn’t work and my phone is still drying out (at least it works – hopefully when the front display drys out I’ll be able to use caller-id again).  And yesterday, we went to a bbq.  It was a nice afternoon with good company and we finally met Jared.

*sigh*  Time to get back to work.  We’ll see if I get any better with the blogging thing.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: ppernick | August 10, 2005

A little behind…

Oops…2 months have past since my last post.  I must admit, a lot has happened in 2 months.

July was the beginning of visitors for us.  First week of July, we hosted my brother-in-law and his girlfriend.  Except for July 4, I was stuck at work for the week, but Ari was able to take a couple days off.  Seems like Ian and Rebecca had a good time and would have preferred to spend a few extra days.  Next was Ari’s Mom and her friend, Miss Linda.  They visited for a couple weekends with an Oregon road trip in between stays.  It’s always nice to have them stop by – especially when they’re so willing to do our laundry and some cleaning for us :).  Next visitors are my cousin Paula and a friend of hers.  They’ll stay at our house for a night before leaving on an Alaskan Cruise. The next evening my mom comes in for a week and will get to see my cousin Paula when she stays for a day after the cruise.  Nice busy time for visitors.

There were also a few events.  End of June, right before Ian and Rebecca visited, was a going away party for Julie.  It was fun.  I was her “handler” for the day.  The two of us had to solve puzzles to make it through the scavenger hunt in order to get to the final party place.  Julie had to give up some tickets to go to a wedding and exchanged them for tickets so Ari and I could see Bugs Bunny at the symphony house (watch clips of Bugs Bunny with the Seattle Symphony playing the music).  Rebecca ended up joining me so that Ari could spend some time with his brother.  The day after Ian and Rebecca left, Ari biked STP (seattle to portland) – 206 miles.  The most he’d ridden before that was 100 miles, but he managed to finish in 13 hours averaging 16 mph.  Julie rode down to portland with me and we met up with Ben and Becky at the finish line as Ari finished.  He trained hard for the event and although he sounded ready to give up at one point, he stuck it out and I was so proud of him when he crossed the finish line :).  Somewhere in the last month or two, season 2 of Battlestar Galactica started.  A few of us have been hosting showings – it’s just as good this season as last season so far.

It deserves it’s own post, so I won’t go into it too much yet, but Ari and I then took a 1 week coastal trip.  Long Beach, WA to Astoria, OR, along the coast a bit then on to Portland and finally along the Columbia River before coming back home.  A couple days of laying at the beach, gorgeous scenary throughout the trip…it was just wonderful!

And of course…the baby is growing.  At this point it’s growing roughly a 1/2 pound per week.  I’m showing more and more.  Just went through the testing for gestational diabetes.  Failed the first test but was happy to get the phone call from the doctor this morning after hearing I passed and don’t have it.  I’ll also add a post within the next couple days with a full update of baby stuff.  I’ll get the book and do a full growth comparison list – though they’ve pretty much stopped comparing the baby to random objects.

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