Thursday, August 09, 2007

Ramble Time

Ramble time sounds like rumble time - what is that, big time wrestling or nascar? That's how my brain works when I'm pregnant. I can't think of anything and I'm totally dyslexic when it comes to typing.
So, my intent was a couple of topics. But . . . my 11-yr-old has taken to sitting here staring at me while I type, so I'm rather distracted. That's what it's like being a stay-at-home mom with kids at home all summer. I try to keep them occupied, but . . . We did go listen to a band downtown today - the Paperboys - they were pretty decent, and you can't beat free. We even went to a raptor program at the library and rode city buses. She's still sitting here staring at me, though. Now you understand if I haven't visited your blog lately, because I can filter mine while I type, but I can't necessarily filter anyone else's while I read with her sitting here.
So, I'm ready for summer to end. The weather has gotten cloudy. I live in Seattle, go figure. We're done with vacations for the most part. My husband finished his 6-month long training goal and completed a half ironman last weekend. It was truly inspirational. He had a great swim and a great bike, then had some back cramping/spasm issues that required him to walk the remainder of the run course in order to finish, and finish he still did. My youngest and I (and the dog) wandered around the corner, out about 200 meters from the finish line, where finishers couldn't see how close the finish was. It was fun to talk with (at) the people coming in and see the realization on their faces when they learned they were almost through with a half ironman. My husband didn't even seemed phased by what I thought would be physical exhaustion - we went back and continued camping when he was done. He spent no time contemplating what his next event will be. I think he's becoming an addict.

And then there's still this baby thing. I felt great for a month or so, now I'm starting to feel yucky again. C'est lavie. I did something interesting this morning. I checked out gender prediction using the chinese lunar calendar. I've done it before - checked it against our other kids, and thought it only got 2 out of 3. But I did it again. It factors in the mother's age at conception, and the month the baby was conceived. It predicts all three of our girls correctly. So I checked for this baby. The supposed conception date, according to the doctor, is the first week of April. Two different ultrasounds have dated the baby about 10 days older, giving it a supposed conception date of late March - but the doctor says the ultrasound people are always a week off. When you look at the prediction chart - conceived in April gives you a girl, conceived in March gives you a boy.

In order to have been savvy and figured out the gender before now, you would have needed only to view my husband's blog - he tells it straight out.

But there's another interesting side to my story - The Sound of Music. That's right - the movie. You have to have seen it some time in your life. Here I go on a long tangent . . .

For complicated reasons, my husband did not know his grandmother, Anna, until he was an adult. However we were fortunate to have several visits with her and hear her tell stories in her heavy german accent before she passed away. She and her husband lived during the holocaust in Germany. Her husband was a pilot in the german army. Anna was a concert pianist and even played for Hitler. They didn't agree with Hitler and his agenda. When she was supposed to cursty for him, she bowed instead. They had five children - 1 girl and 4 boys - the youngest being my husband's father. I don't know all the details of their heroic journey - but that they really did escape over the mountains. Anna, alone with all 5 children. (Her husband joined her in the United States at a later time.) She was nursing her youngest child and so was another woman on a train along their route. This other woman could no longer provide milk, and Anna helped feed the baby to keep it alive. There were other tales of favors to the german soldiers somewhere along the early parts of the trip to help get herself and her children to where they could be safe. She was an amazing lady - very strong-willed.

So, this family with five children made it to the United States, and the children grew up. Two of them got married, only one had children. Fast forward to today, and only one of those five children is still alive, and not in good health. But the one that had two children - there was a boy and girl. The female has had surgery and will never have children. The male - he's my husband. To date, we've had three girls. So, if you've been able to follow all that . . . you look at the family legacy of all of that - the challenges that were overcome climbing the alps and keeping children alive to give them a chance at a new life and the future - and the future of a family. And then if you're like my husband and me, and you look at old-fashioned traditions of carrying on the family name . . .

. . . it's sort of ironic that the ultrasound dating seems to be the correct one. Not only does it date the baby to have been conceived in March, but we saw some pretty good visuals of a baby boy inside there. There is that minute chance that it's wrong, but we're pretty sure, against all odds, that it's a BOY!

And now, my three girls brought the dollhouse and ALL of its accessories out into the living room and it's time for me to provide afternoon snack, consider dinner plans, fold laundry, and fall asleep on the couch by 7:00.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congrats to your husband for finishing the ironman!

And, you are having a boy - that is awesome! maybe that is why you don't feel great - aren't you suppose to be more sick with boys?

JustRun said...

WOW, what a fantastic post! That's an amzing story.... and to think of a boy's name. Knowing your naming style... hmmmm.
Thanks for sharing- hope you get out of the 'yucks' sometime soon. :)

psbowe said...

Isn't always interesting and exciting digging up family history. Thanks for sharing yours.

It has to be the weather that playing a big factor into the yuckiness, we're suppose get some sun soon.

That'll be interested to see if the baby is a boy or girl.

Legs and Wings said...

Hey, what a great story. I do hope you have a boy - it will be a complete change for all of you - and joyous just the same...boys are pretty special.

Take care over there. All the best.

Unknown said...

The struggles of generations past are so often amazing tales. I'm very happy that you'll be able to carry on the family name / legacy.

I also really enjoyed your post... moving from children to ancestors and back to the next generation.

Good stuff Ginger.

IHateToast said...

the girls can dress him up!

Toasty said...

how did using your voice work out?

why can't your girls carry the family name? it doesn't seem right to me

Anne said...

I'm always amazed at family histories and particularly the hardships our ancestors endured. How will we compare in the annals of history if our biggest obstacle in life was overcoming the evening rush hour and having to cut back on food because we had so much?!

Oh boy, that imbilical cord can be very deceptive.... :-)

Danielle said...

Congrats to hubby!!

And congrats on the boy!! I'm sure you're happy no matter what as long as baby is healthy, but it's nice to have the new one...although, just an FYI, even with all girls, it's still possible to carry on the family name. Your girls can be strong willed and make the husband get his name changed! one of my friends actually had that happen. Her husband is one of 8, she's an only child, they don't plan to have kids, but in case they do, he took her name to allow for their children to carry on her family name if that is the case in the future...

Joe said...

Great story.

I might be a macho man but I love "The Sound of Music".

Kurt said...

My grandparents were born in Germany and still have relatives over there.

The Covey run was not fun for me. Totally ran like a dead turtle the 2nd half of the race.

Great post, really nice one and thanks for sharing. You should link your hubby's blog so we can read that one also.

Robin said...

Congrats to your hubby on his accomplishment.

And I loved your story of the family history and how exciting it would be to have a boy at the end of all of that amazing journey to carry on the family name. Plus, boys are fun and cool in different and interesting ways (says a woman who just went through a birthday party where her 11 y.o. son got knives, pirate books, Roman centurions, and a rather scary book called "The Dangerous Book for Boys"!)

Sarah Elaine said...

Great post! A boy would certainly change up the family dynamics, eh?

Well, I have to say that I was thinking of you yesterday at my race. I walked away with a "medal" that might have had you drooling. :-)

Hope you're feeling better soon.