Heffeweizen and Ho Fun - Life in our multicultural family.

Think Fast, Steely Dan!

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:30:02 -0700

Cat and I went out last night to hear the great Steely Dan at the Fabulous Fox Theater in downtown St. Louis. It had been a couple of years since we got to see them, so we were excited for the show.

I was actually pretty excited for the opener, as well, the Sam Yahel Trio; a trio of four members, last night, at least. Sam Yahel is a great jazz organ player from the New York area to whom I was first exposed while tracking down various Joshua Redman recordings. When I found out that his group would be opening for the Dan, I was cautiously optimistic that I'd get to hear both Steely Dan and Joshua Redman in the same night, as Redman played on Yahel's most recent recording.

Nerd Time!

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:38:08 -0700

This weekend, I get to geek out on gaming while I attend the 4th annual Geekway to the West gaming convention, which happens almost literally in my back yard.

I'll start early on Friday morning (8:00), come home late Friday evening (23:00), keep the same hours on Saturday, and finish up from 12:00 to 18:00 on Sunday.

I'm excited because I don't get to do tons of really serious gaming. Cat's really wonderful about letting me host periodic game nights, but those seem to fall about once per quarter, or less. We have some friends who live nearby, and they like to play games, so we bring out games when we hang out with them, which is quite frequent. But those games are necessarily lighter ones, which, while still fun, don't really scratch the itch that I get from time to time to really play a meaty game.

Mario Kart Wii

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 06:48:24 -0700

I went out Sunday afternoon while the kids were napping and picked up the latest and greatest Mario Kart game for the Wii.

I'd just like to point out that it's awesome.

Go buy it.

Instead of writing a review myself, allow me to point you to one that's far better and more thorough than I'd ever be able to do: Ars Technica Review of Mario Kart Wii.

Happy reading!

So...It's Been a Little While

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:21:50 -0700

We haven't been on here much lately, updating and such. I thought I'd recap what we've been up to:

The kids - Colby's set to start kindergarten in the fall. Her name was drawn from the hat at the lottery, which allows her entrance into the Remington Traditional School, which is a part of the Pattonville school district where we live. We're excited about that. Colby also started taking piano lessons at the beginning of March. So far, it seems quite easy for her. Steady practice has seen her progress nicely through her first book, and she's really enjoying it.
Peyton will have one more year of pre-school before she heads off to Remington (siblings get automatic entry into the school). She's a pistol, and as funny as ever.

The Latest on Dad

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 23:28:08 -0700

There's been a lot going on since my last Dad-related post. The most important thing, though, is that he had surgery to remove the tumor, and it was a complete success.

They found a doctor in Pittsburgh, with some relation to my grandfather. I believe he was one of Bepaw's students. (For those of you who don't know, my grandfather was a neurosurgeon, and apparently he was really good at it.)

The options available to Dad in Birmingham were Gamma knife, radiation, or opening up his cranium to get at the tumor.

The doctor in PA had a procedure that would extract the tumor through the nose, using arthroscopic techniques. I must confess that every mention of the surgery brings to my mind an image of that scene from Total Recall, where the governator removes that homing device from his head by way of his nose. It was not pleasant to watch.

Dad Update

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:47:53 -0700

We spent Thanksgiving in Birmingham with Dad and Carol. It was a great time, and it was good to spend more than a few minutes with them.

Things with the tumor seem to be coming to a head (pun intended; I just can't help it). While we were there, he had what both he and Carol said was his worst day to date, as far as headaches go. It was so bad that he had to cancel the Sunday School class he was slated to teach on Sunday, as he couldn't muster the energy to finish his preparations. He's got pain medicine, which helps sometimes, but it didn't seem to get it done, this time.

They did find a suitable treatment, which is a huge answer to many people's prayers. There was the option to open up his skull and remove the tumor. There was also an option to use a Gamma knife (radiation treatment). Neither of those seemed like the right thing. For one, Dad didn't want his skull sliced open and his brain tissue rearranged to get to this tumor.

moooooooo

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 05:17:24 -0700

this week has been a big week for us - especially the girls. colby and mei mei started preschool and dance classes and got a new nanny. they seem to be adjusting well to the busy schedule, but still don't seem to want to sleep at night. that bums us adults out because we were hoping that it would tire them out more.

i started pumping this week since macey is not as interested in nursing at night anymore (a good thing). the first morning, i fed her and then pumped 5 oz in 5 minutes. the cow is back! mooooooo.

Need Some Prayers for Dad

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 05:57:28 -0700

My dad called yesterday to deliver the frightening news that he has a brain tumor. For the last 3-4 weeks, he said he's been having some pretty bad headaches, along with pain across the surface of his skin.

His doctor prescribed an MRI, which revealed the tumor. It's right between his eyes, in the lining between his skull and his brain, which is a great mercy, compared to the alternative (in his brain proper). And, after the MRI, they declared definitively that it is benign. I think if you're going to get a brain tumor, this is the way to go. Keep it out of your brain, and make sure it's not out to get you.

billi? what billi?

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 18:00:14 -0700

macey had her billi level checked again yesterday and she is in the clear. it has gone down from 17.9 to 10.9. the little champ has pooped out the billies in the last few weeks and we're so proud of her.

quick update

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 07:49:46 -0700

i've been meaning to post more pictures but i'm not sure what i've been doing that has been taking up all my time. ohhh, i know ... nursing the baby.

macey is now almost three weeks old and literally getting fatter in front of my eyes. she is finally filling out the loose skin she wore when she was born. i was nursing her in the wee hours of the morning a few nights ago and noticed that her thighs are now bigger than the rest of her legs.

i was cleared to drive last week and have been out a few times with macey and the girls. it's nice to have some freedom.

more pictures soon, i promise! thanks to everyone who leaves comments.

harry potter vs madden 2008

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 06:07:23 -0700

i found it very silly that the tv reporters were comparing the release of madden 08 to the release of book 7 of harry potter. what a joke! harry potter rocks and madden is just another silly video game. aren't you glad you know how i feel?

everyone here is fine. macey has been super. we go to the doc today for another weight and jaundice check. she still looks about the same yellow tint to me but justin thinks she's less yellow. i hope he's right. i'll update later and hopefully post some more pics.

billi update

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:11:30 -0700

macey's billirubin level was down a little today to 17.3. the doctor did not start her on phototherapy and we're just gonna watch her to make sure she feeds well and acts normally. we'll see the doc again on friday so i'm not too concerned.

she's a feisty one, that macey. she knows what she wants and will do what it takes (cry) to get it. she's pretty much been nursing every 1.5 hours today so you can imagine how my day went ... i can't complain though, because i love this stage. even the middle of the night feedings are enjoyable. i just feel bad because frequent feedings make it difficult for me to spend time with the older two.

billi baby

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 20:41:34 -0700

macey had her first weight check today. she was 5 lbs 13 oz when we left the hospital and was 6 lbs 2.5 oz today. so she's obviously a super nurser and getting enough food.

the doc was concerned about her jaundice so we had to take her to have her blood drawn at the hospital. her billirubin level was at 17.8, up from 8 when she was tested at the hospital. i think she's on the line of needing phototherapy so we've got to get her tested again tomorrow. so sadly, we'll take her back to get her heel pricked and mashed for blood tomorrow to see if her levels have decreased.

she's getting lots of extra feedings today so she can pee and poo out the extra billirubin.

all caught up

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:09:54 -0700

i just posted several pictures. we should be caught up now. more to follow soon. thanks to everyone who has kept up with the recent developments. we appreciate all your love and support.

home at last

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:28:05 -0700

we finally got home from the hospital around 1230 today. it took longer than expected to get out because my OB did not write my discharge orders. anyway, after some confusion, they let us go and we're now riding the exciting rollercoaster of life with three kids.

mei mei started to show signs of jealousy at the hospital today when i had to nurse. she insisted that i hold her instead of macey and when justin was unable to keep the baby quiet any longer, mei mei's heart was broken when i took her to feed. sitting next to me was just not enough to satisfy her. colby has been acting out some, too, though in different ways. the next 3-4 weeks should be pretty interesting.