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Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad!

Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad! How to get (both of you) through the next 9 months. By John Pfeiffer My brother and his wife are expecting their first baby. As an avid reader my gift is always books. I went to the bookstore and bought books for my sister in law and my favorite book for the baby, Love You Forever, and I noticed they had books for Dad’s. I bought this one for my brother and it’s hilarious! The book is broken up by trimester to tell the new dad everything he should expect, with a touch of … Continue reading →

Why is President Obama’s Hair Turning Gray?

Obama appears to be going gray. Is this due to genetics, or simply a side effect of being the President of the United States? The answer to this question has been speculated about in quite a few of the news articles that can be found online. President Obama did an interview with Jake Tapper from ABC. Mr. Tapper pointed out to President Obama that he has been “getting gray”, and that the gray seems to disappear after the President gets a haircut. The implication is that perhaps Obama had been dying his hair. However, the President pointed out that the … Continue reading →

Finding and Eradicating Pet Odors

I’ll leave scents in both obvious and hidden places Spring cleaning season might be over, but it’s never too late for some tips on how to keep your house fresh and free of pet odors. Today I have some tips on what to do if you notice unpleasant pet smells around your house. Advice for how to deal with a smelly pet is simple: if you have a pet that regularly stinks, bathe it as often as needed. If you continue to have trouble there might be a health issue, so take your pet to the veterinarian, or at least … Continue reading →

Rent or Buy: Our experience with home ownership

We bought a home mainly because we were always told that we should… not because it was right for us, but because it was expected of us. We were told that home ownership is important for stability of your family, real estate is always a good investment, and that owning a home would be cheaper than renting. I actually have a friend who used to argue these points with me so vehemently that I can’t even have the discussion with him any more. I understand that owning a home can be a really good investment. But I also understand that … Continue reading →

Top Ten Pregnancy Milestones (Part 1)

Pregnancy is an exciting time, full of new experiences for new moms and veterans alike. Some experiences are particularly memorable. They are the treasured moments, the events that are recorded and remembered. And for those who are not a huge fan of being pregnant, these milestones can help make the time go by faster. I’ve made up a list of the top ten most exciting pregnancy milestones. Here are the first five: 10. Reaching twenty weeks The halfway point of pregnancy is exciting for many reasons. From that point on, it’s all downhill. The weeks until delivery are finally less … Continue reading →

Drop That Baby!

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There are many signs to look out for when you are waiting for labor to begin. You may lose your mucus plug, your water may break, you may notice an increase of vaginal discharge or spot the bloody show. If you are a first time mom, you may also experience something known as lightening up to four weeks before delivery. Second time moms typically see their babies “drop” much later, sometimes after labor has already gotten started. Dropping is a really good sign: it means the baby has engaged the presenting part (head) into the pelvis. When this happens, the … Continue reading →

Diary of a Cat Care B&B: Three Cases for Keeping Cats Indoors

We currently have three guests at the cats-only boarding facility who make a very good case for keeping cats indoors. One is easily one of my favorite all-time guests. He’s a big tabby fellow and a total sweetheart — that’s probably why his family called him Pooky. These days, Pooky is a lover, not a fighter. But in his past? He was probably a fighter. He’s got a few good-sized scars running down his nose that speak of old fights. Pooky is an indoor cat now, and I wonder if that’s what gave his lovebug side the opportunity to show. … Continue reading →

Braxton Hicks vs. Real Contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are also known as “false” labor. These contractions can often be confused with early labor. This is especially true for first time mothers, but even seasoned veterans wonder at least once or twice before the real thing. As the third trimester progresses, these contractions can get stronger, making it more difficult to tell the difference. There are three things to consider when determining if your contractions are real or not. The first thing to consider is the timing of the contractions. Initially, this can seem difficult to determine, particularly if the contractions are coming frequently. In general, … Continue reading →

When Contractions Start and Stop

The last days of pregnancy are often spent thinking about labor and wondering when it will begin. The wait is never easy, but becomes incredibly frustrating when you have contractions that start and stop. This happened to me in two of my four pregnancies. I’d get contractions that were coming as close as five mintues apart. Over the next hour or two, the pains would come gradually further apart and then dissipate altogether. There were a few nights when I went to bed certain I’d wake up in strong labor, only to wake up pain free the next morning. This … Continue reading →

Sweeping the Membranes

If you have reached or passed your due date, your health care provider may suggest sweeping the membranes. This is a somewhat common practice among obstetricians. The purpose is to help bring on labor. Sweeping the membranes is a fairly simple process. It is often done during a vaginal exam when the doctor may also be checking the cervix for ripening. The doctor uses a finger to gently detach the amniotic sac from the wall of the uterus, near the cervix. The worst part for the mother is the discomfort associated with the exam and the stripping of the membranes. … Continue reading →