Pete Brown's Blog (POKE 53280,0)
Pete Brown writes on a variety of topics from XAML with the Windows Runtime (WinRT), .NET programming using C#, WPF, Microcontroller programming with .NET Microframework, .NET Gadgeteer, Windows on Devices, and even plain old C, to raising two children in the suburbs of Maryland, woodworking, CNC and generally "making physical stuff". Oh, and Pete loves retro technology, especially Commodore (C64 and C128). If the content interests you, please subscribe using the subscription link to the right of every page.
Archive for tag:
Pregnancy-and-Baby
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Here is one that was worth waiting for :) Abigail Noelle Brown, born October 4, 2008 1:14am. 8lbs 12 3/4oz, 22” long. Due date was September 24, so we were waiting a little longer than expected. At 4” taller than Ben when he was born, I sense she’s going to catch up to him quick and give her big brother a run for his money. heh. Mom is doing well, exhausted of course, but fine otherwise. ...
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[Please Read the Entire Post!] I’ve spent a good bit of time watching this grow, so I’m pretty excited to say that we’re expecting a huge v2 release in just seven days (September 24, 2008). I don’t know about you all, but I’m really excited about it even though I’m sure it will be a lot of effort to get it out. I’ve been pretty quiet about it becau...
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I made a few quick updates to the Silverlight 1.1a Balloons example this weekend, and put the new version at a separate URL for comparison purposes.I tested to see if object creation was the performance problem. It wasn't. I tested by reusing existing objects.I removed the PNG animation (clouds) to reduce some of the CPU usageI added the requested "pop" functionality. I didn't...
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I had to try out some code-based animation and dynamic controls tonight without messing up my much larger solution.As it happens, my son absolutely loves balloons (beyond loves: he's obsessed - "balloon" was his first word outside of mama dada; I don't know if all 1 1/2 year olds are into them as much as him), especially this one site - pogo poppit - that has balloon...
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My wife got me interested in learing about vaccines when she was pregnant with Ben. I became interested when I saw that some of the vaccines I had when I was a child were later pulled from the market because of the number of nasty effects. I've had similar experiences with other medications as well. For a while my doctor had me on Propulsid for my stomach. That was later pulled from the mar...
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Project NoSpank is a great resource site for those of us who do not think corporal punishment is the way to go with our kids. Some of the stories on that site are truly heartbreaking.Violence gets passed down from generation to generation, manifesting as physical abuse, mental abuse, that foul temper, coldness, or any number of other more subtle ways. Be the one to put a stop to it so...
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We were in the parking lot for Annapolis Endodontics today, where Melissa was getting a root canal done (her first, I believe. I'm a veteran <g>). Earlier, Ben had been getting all sorts of oohs and ahhs from the ladies behind the counter there. There's something about folks that work at dentist offices as the ladies at our regular dentist go nuts over him too. I won't complain. heh
Meli...
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Ok, I know this is supposed to be some sort of worm or caterpillar, but it just looks too much like some sort of marshmallow cereal Mr. Hankey for me to think of it any other way.
Ben doesn't like this toy, but he does giggle when he farts, so there is hope yet ;-)
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Amazing! In just the couple days I've been in Las Vegas, my five week old son hit a growth spurt that had him, in two days, outgrow his diapers and many of his 0-3 month clothes.
It's incredible how their bodies can work like that. I mean, I have almost outgrown a pair of pants after eating candy and ice cream at the PDC for a week, but I didn't suddenly pull a Bill Bixby->Lou Ferrign...
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I finished the bookcase for Ben's room this week. Painting and sanding took a while, as it has been pretty cold here, and I had to paint outdoors, so I was at the mercy of whatever 50 degree day I could get for a couple hours. The low temperatures also made the paint goop up a bit (it didn't flow like it would on a warm day), so it was not ideal. Sanding and additional coats fixed that,...
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This image shows how I retouched a photo of Ben on my lap before sending it to Kodak for printing. I was experimenting with the soft focus and some other features in Paint Shop Pro. I have used them to clean up images of trains and whanot before, but rarely people. Click on the image for a larger version
I selected the background using the edge selection tool. Once I had that, I experimente...
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Well-meaning grandparents and even same-generation friends and co-workers often give very poor child rearing advice. While we are still very new at this, we generally try to follow solid atachment parenting guidelines, including breastfeeding, co-sleeping, responding immediately to cries, etc. It's not always easy (especially the breastfeeding which took a couple weeks of practice for mom ...
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The baby came this weekend, followed very shortly by one of the 20 worst storms ever to hit Maryland. It was all a pretty neat experience. I'll post a bit more on it when I get a chance.
Name: Benjamin Noah BrownWeight: 7lbs 3ozLength: 18.8inDOB: February 11, 2006 12:07pm (40 wks and 3 days)Born in Annapolis, MD at Anne Arundel Medical Center, delivered by Sue Brown from Bay Ar...
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This week I put together a bookcase for the baby room. The case is mainly poplar, with two plywood shelves. It will be painted, likely white. Like most other built-ins, It will be permanently attached to the wall and will have the floor trim continued around its base.This is the first time I used some new bits from Sommerfeld tools. Except for the dados for the two fixed plywood shelves (which ...
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Today is the due date and the start of week 40. It looks like someone is not cooperating, though. :)
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Today starts week 39 of the pregnancy. No baby yet, but it could be any day now!
Of course, because we bought several cute little winter outfits, we've had freak weather in the 50s and 60s with barely any freezing, and zip for snow. :-)
It seems like we have conversations like this several times a day:Melissa: (groan)Me: What's up? Contraction?Melissa: No, his [foot/butt/elbow/knee] is [...
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This is a photo of the Amby next to our bed. (click for larger version)
It is basically a free-swinging padded hammock. Among others, this is recommended by Dr. Sears. It keeps the baby near by, and helps eliminate things like the flat head you sometimes get from a crib. Also, since it is free-swinging, the cats want nothing to do with it :-)
The heater vent under it will likely be cl...
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Week 37 starts tomorrow (Wednesday). We're almost there. Just like everyone says, these last couple months have been just a lot of waiting.
I don't know where that baby is scrunched up, but Melissa is half the size of a lot of pregnant women we've seen. I pity her poor smushed guts :-) She still gets around quite well, she just doesn't get up from a chair as fast as she used to :-) It's a good...
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Well, except for trim and for patching the nail holes in the floor, but that will be done at the same time I do it for the rest of the house. This is the first room to have the new flooring completely installed. I have to stay that I really like the look. The strand bamboo flooring has a unique character to it and really contrasts well with a light colored wall. Melissa and I p...
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A few folks have asked us where Melissa is registered for the baby. Here are the links:
Nurtured Family : Natural fuzzi bunz cloth diapers and wipes. Please follow the instructions on registry page as they aren't quite as automated as other places.
Babies 'R' Us : Lots of things, including car seats, toys, etc. You can also shop directly at the store; just select the registry that sho...
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Here's some interesting baby gear we intend to get:
Slings
We ordered a Maya Wrap for Melissa, and a larger one for me, from La Leche league of Annapolis. They sell them as a fundraiser. While we were down there, we saw a fairly slight woman with a very large baby in the wrap, hanging off of her front. She had no problems at all with moving around or using both of her hands. She also didn't l...
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On Friday September 23, 2005, we had the 20 week ultrasound. Luckily, they were able to do the 4d ultrasound (4d is 3d + movement the fourth dimension is time) I was hoping for. Here is a shot of the 4d ultrasound. The baby is lying against the placenta here; you are looking at the side of the baby's face. Click on it for a larger version.
4d Ultrasounds tend to still be pretty noisy (a...