Laura's Christmas Present...For Last Year!

I have been crocheting for many years now. My first crocheting adventure was a scarf for a friend who was serving a mission in Iowa. I then started on an afghan that was long enough to fit a queen size bed. It became the afghan of many colors as I would add to it with left over yarn from different projects. It ended up to be maybe arms width wide and really long but my family still uses it on occasion. I recently picked up the crochet hook again and finished a scarf for Laura by putting flowers on it. I then decided to make my first hat with the left over yarn. It is a little big but I am proud of it anyway. I hope Laura likes it. And you get a new belly picture...I am HUGE!

Doctor's Orders!

The other day (Wednesday, October 1 to be exact), I meandered over to my doctor's office for a scheduled appointment regarding the sebaceous cyst on my head. He inspected it and scheduled me to have it removed in a week. Nothing exciting here, right? On the contrary, my loyal readers. After calling me into his office to get my family medical history for his files, Dr. Torres looked me in the eye and began the following conversation:

Dr. Torres: Do you drink coffee?

Me: Nope. I drink Coca-Cola though.

Dr. Torres: Did you have one before you came over?

Me: Yes.

Dr. Torres: That would do it. Your resting heart rate is 106.

Me (rather surprised): Oh.

Dr. Torres: I wouldn't want you to develop an arrythmia. You need to stop drinking caffeine.

Me (rather depressed): Oh.

Now, I've known all along that Coke wasn't particularly good for me. It has carbonation, sugar (unless you drink diet or Coke Zero), and caffeine, which obviously stimulates the body; I mean, that's why we're drinking it. Apparently, however, my body has reached the point where it just can't handle the quantities that I have been ingesting. Will it kill me? Probably not right away. Should I stop? I think so. I have been able to resist Julie's urging for two years, but when a board certified Internist tells you that you need to stop drinking Coke, well, the message might finally get through. So, my faithful friend of many decades, it is time to bid you a fond adieu. I will miss the rush of energy you provided, and I'm sure the Coca-Cola company will miss the money that I spent on you. Farewell and goodbye!

P.S. - Julie wants to take a poll: How long do you think Pat will actually stay away from Coke? Answer on the right and let her know!

A Bag-terrific Reunion!

Several weeks ago I received a voicemail message while conducting my Navy training in Newport, Rhode Island that made my day. It was the New Jersey Transit Office. It turns out that they had finally located the bag that I left on the train at Newark International Airport. They left a claim number and told me to come and get it. Today I finally had enough time to make the four hour round trip excursion to claim my property. To be honest, I had low expectations; I expected to reclaim the bag and, perhaps, my Theodore Roosevelt biography. Imagine my surprise when I received the bag and discovered that NOTHING was missing. That's right! Everything was in the bag that was in it when I lost it. My laptop computer, digital camera, neurology textbook, and checkbook were all accounted for. The checkbook even had all of its checks (although they're worthless now; we cancelled every single one months ago). Apparently there are still some decent people out there who will return a misplaced bag without emptying it of its contents, as well as some very professional New Jersey Transit employees. My faith in humanity is restored. The best thing is that now I can post some pictures that my negligence had prevented me from sharing for three months. Enjoy!



Here is a picture of Julie's pregnant belly at the beginning of July. She was just barely starting to show.



Here is Julie's pregnant belly as of a few minutes ago. Isn't she precious?



Here's the little guy at 19 weeks, which is about 13 weeks ago. Isn't he already the cutest little thing?

Here he is again, only this time he has his little fist next to his little nose. All together now....Ahhhhh! How cute!

Julie Loves a Man in Uniform!

Especially when that man in uniform is me! On Saturday, after a morning of painful study (who knew that the nervous system could be so complicated), I came back to the apartment and noticed a package at our door. After opening the package I was rewarded with my cleanly shaved face staring back at me; my Navy pictures had finally arrived. In the spirit of shamelessly sharing minute details of my private life (which is what blogging is all about, anyway) and to satisfy my undiagnosed narcissism, here is my favorite of the bunch. Topgun, here I come!

I also had one taken with a sword. I really like that one too.

Finally, Julie promised that she would post a picture of me with my buzz cut. I feel that I should explain the circumstances of this haircut...actually, I don't really know what I was thinking. I didn't have to get it cut this short. I must have had a flashback from Army basic training. Anyway, enjoy and please, keep the snickering to yourself ;)

Old Ironsides

In honor of my fascination with the movie "Master and Commander", I thought that I would post some pictures of Julie and my visit to the USS Constitution in Boston. We went there with our friends David, Jana, and Breyton after my graduation from the US Navy's Officer Development School. We toured the 211 year-old ship and had a blast. The only thing that could have made it better was if they had let me fire a cannon; I guess I'll have to wait until I'm an admiral for that experience!



Here is Julie giving the order to fire. Beware a woman scorned (especially if she's pregnant)!



I think I cut a commanding figure; Russell Crowe better look out!



And here we are after the tour. We had a great time; it's too bad that I'll never be able to command it. Curse that rule about physicians being non-combatants!

In the Navy!

For those of my loyal readers that don't know, over the course of the past five weeks I have enjoyed an all-expense paid vacation in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island. It was quite the experience! I awoke every day at the luxuriously late hour of 5:30 am to a screaming Senior Chief Petty Officer who enjoyed torturing new Naval officers. I then conducted physical training in goose poop encrusted fields, attended mind numbing classes, and attempted to save the USS Buttercup from our clumsy ship saving efforts! Overall, my experience at Officer Development School was a blast, and it was well worth the wait. At the end of the ordeal, I marched my company onto the field and graduated in a uniform that can make the nerdiest of us look hot! I was even able to wear a sword for the ceremony. The only thing that would have made it better was if they had announced my entrance with the phrase, "Future Surgeon General, arriving"! I guess I'll just have to wait until I'm actually appointed for that ;)

This is a picture of me immediately following the presentation of the Leadership Award. I must say that I cut a rather dashing figure!

My beautiful wife made it to my graduation. She wanted me to let everyone know that the sun was in her eyes. I like to think that she was so overwhelmed by my good looks that she couldn't look at me anymore!

My good friends from medical school, David, Jana, and Breyton Badger, also made it up to see me graduate. I'm currently trying to convince David that he should sign up and get a sweet uniform as well. Come on, David; you know you want to!

Your So Vain... You Probably Thing This Song is About You

I never thought of myself as a vain person. Even when in high school my sisters sang the "your so vain" song to me. I have recently come to the realization that I am vain. When I started receiving requests to see pictures showing my belly. I thought it would be no big deal. I love to look at my belly in the mirror, and to feel little Andy move around and I want to share that with my family and friends.

I do my best to look like a cute pregnant lady, and I think I am doing an okay job when I look in the mirror. Yet it never fails that when I look at myself in pictures I can't help feeling like I am not doing a good job. It maybe because I have gained about 12 pounds, which does not seem like very much but if it is true that the camera puts on 10 pounds that makes me look like I've gained 22 pounds. Now maybe I am holding on to that false mirror image of myself but I would really like to believe that I am not as big as I look in pictures. Even thought I know that I am pregnant and I am suppose to look big it has taken me a while to take a picture that I at least feel somewhat okay in. So I am sorry it took me so long to post a picture, but what can I say...I am vain, and I am working to overcome it.