The long-awaited 2.01 release of Wordpress fixes uploading, rpc, caching, and permalink bugs, as well as improving support for old version of php and MySQL in strict mode.
Bernie says: Upgrade now!
Archive for January 2006
Like the title says, just type in something(ie: your name, your web address, a small phrase) and this great little online app will take what you typed in fetch pictures from Flickr for each letter.
Give it a try! Very cool Flickr app!!
Bernie says: I love this app!
Silicon Valley is roaring back to life, as startups mint millionaires and Web dreams take flight. But, no, this is not another bubble. Here’s why.
Bernie says: Good news for us. Cheers!
So we checked into the labor and delivery department at 6pm on January 4th, 2006. Doug and I were sent to a room where I was instructed to change into hospital clothes.
What happened after that proved to be the most unique experience I’ve ever gone through - I’ve read the books, but nothing can prepare you from the experience of labor and delivery. I’ve gone through intense pain, pain that I didn’t know how to handle, went on the verge of hyperventilation, been through intense fear and back. Now as I look back, I feel that I will be able to better prepare for the pain if or when I deliver my next baby. My contractions started at 2:15 am in the wee hours of January 5th, peaked at about 5 am, and lasted till about 8 am. Some time in between 5 and 8 am I had the epidural. It seemed none of the nurses were expecting me to go into labor so fast, and as I was screaming in pain, they were frantically trying to page the MW.
At about 8:30 am I was instructed to push. Let me tell you, pushing is different from having contractions. In a way it is more painful because you have to feel that pain in order to push effectively. If you are under painkillers there was no way you can push right. And when the baby’s head tears through you, OMG, you just push with all your might in the hopes that the pain would not last that long. After all, you couldn’t just say “OK, I give up, I’m not pushing any further”, coz the baby HAS to come out, right? I tried to focus all I had on the pushing and visualizing Rebecca coming out. Every 30 seconds, for about 2 hours, my husband, 2 nurses, and the MW would hold my legs up, and tell me to push with all I had. I had no idea when this would be over, but eventually it was - Rebecca was born at 10:03 am. After you manage to get the head out the body just slips right out - THANK GOD! Imagine having to endure the pain for the WHOLE BODY to pass through.
After Rebecca was born the nurse began to bathe her, clean her up, weigh her, etc etc, while the MW proceeded to remove my placenta, and sew up my tears. I got to hold her, which was a special moment. I can’t believe the whole 8 pounds of her was squashed inside my stomach, its like magic! Precious little girl.
Ok so that’s my labor (of love) story. This should be great reading material for the first day of the (Chinese) New Year. Yea right.
What I would do different, knowing what I know now:
ONE: Get a birth plan ready. I didn’t really know what the significance of that was before, but now I see it as an important step to make your delivery smoother if you plan it beforehand.
TWO: Try not to get the epidural - it should be a last resort, coz there might be complications for you and the baby.
THREE: Focus more on controlling the pain, not flailing about like I did and screaming like a banshee.
I know its been 24 days overdue, but I’ve never got the time to relate my labor story to you. I finally have some time in between feeds and soothing Rebecca’s cries (shhh, she’s asleep) to share my experience, so listen now …
The adventure started on January 4th. I was 4 days overdue and was scheduled for a non-stress test in the morning, followed by another checkup with the midwife. I was strapped onto a monitor, where the baby’s heartrate was monitored. The test result showed that Rebecca was not stressed, and she was doing well in my womb. I was relieved. My main concern at the time was the safety of my baby. The nurse then re-confirmed my labor induction for January 11th, which was 2 weeks after my due date. I was mentally prepared to deliver on that day, but, the plot thickens …
We had a couple of hours to spare, so we went shopping (yes, shopping). I remember it well, that was when I bought my ipod video case from the Apple Store. I wasn’t expecting anything exciting at the Midwife’s (MW), so imagine my surprise when my MW told me that my blood pressure was high, and the doctor has strongly suggested that I go into labor induction that very day! Ok let me tell you about me and blood pressure. I’ve been having high blood pressure off and on during my third trimester, and the MW was worried I might be developing Preeclampsia, which I read can be a highly dangerous situation for me and the baby. I guess I was lucky that I managed to keep that from happening during my full term, but now that I’m overdue, according to the doctor, there wasn’t any reason to risk it from happening by holding out on delivering the baby. The only way to cure my high blood pressure was to deliver the baby, and waiting one more week till the 11th, who knows what might happen between now and then?
The decision therefore lies upon us on whether to do the induction that day (Jan 4th) or wait one week. After listening to advice from the MW, we decided that I would check in to the hospital that very day. I was going to deliver my baby! Who knew?
This is so cool !!!!!!!!! you can get this cube for your empty flat foor ( if you have one) and it is movable by helicopter.
Bernie says - Now that’s a good thing!
To all of you who celebrate the Chinese New Year, here’s wishing you a year of health and prosperity! 2006 is, by the way, the year of the Dog, my favorite animal, so it HAS to be a good year.
We just had a reunion dinner this evening - hot pot, duck, steamed fish, herbal chicken, wow, what a spread! I’m stuffed right now.
Starting the year on maternity leave feels … weird. I feel like I’m in my very own 2006 realm, just baby, me and the master bedroom. And of course, TV. I feel that I’ve lost touch with the world outside. It’s ridiculous too, since its just been a couple of weeks. But so much has changed its like a lifetime has gone by. To summarize, I don’t do what I usually do anymore. I’m no longer the Bernie I used to know, if you get my drift. Just today I’ve started driving my car, and it feels like I haven’t driven for years.
But I digress. Anyway here is a list of shows that I’m watching for 2006:
- The Office
- Book of Daniel
- Ellen Degeneres Show
- Martha Show
- The Dog Whisperer
So there.
I’ve been spending most of my waking time reading baby-related articles, educating myself so I can be more prepared dealing with Rebecca. Baby Center is a good site for informative articles, and a very good forum as well. I also visit Ask Dr. Sears, a site created by Dr. William Sears and his wife, Martha, great articles too. Kellymom.com is a site to read more about breastfeeding and parenting.
Check out my baby-related bookmarks here.
Just got my order of iLife 06 delivered. Got it from Amazon for $70 (MSRP $79). Good deal.
I’m happy to report that the new iPhoto 6 is much snappier than previous versions in terms of load times and transitions between photos. I also love the new calendar themes.
… is harder than I imagined it to be. My typical day ever since Rebecca arrived pretty much involves waking up, pumping milk, feeding, soothing Rebecca when she cries, changing diapers, eating, napping, then all these events happen all over again 2 to 3 hours later. Some nights are better than others - good if she goes through the night without much fuss, and it can be bad if she spends 2 to 3 hours staying awake and being fussy.
During the first week, I was physically and mentally drained, but now in my second week, I am able to “breathe” a little better, as my mind and body adapts to my new responsiblity. I always remind myself, I must be strong for Rebecca, I can do this, I know I can. This gets me through the day. I might have a little bout of the “Baby Blues”, especially at nights, when feelings of being overwhelmed, worry, sadness, and anxiety overtake me. The recent gloomy weather didn’t help either. But I’m feeling better now. I’ve discovered this article, and though my baby blues isn’t as bad as what she experienced, I pretty much go through some of the similar thoughts she went through.
I don’t know what I’ll do without my husband and my mother-in-law helping me with the other stuff, like cooking, house cleaning, helping with Rebecca, etc. They help me keep my sanity. I’m also focusing on Rebecca’s growth and discovering her new behaviors with each passing day. My little princess.
Life’s slowly (but surely) getting back to “normal” as the days go by. Being a Mom is hard, but it is so rewarding at the same time.
I finally completed viewing Steve’s keynote this morning. I really liked the new MacBook Pro, wish I could get one, but my powerbook G4 is still going strong. I might get the iLife 06 - this rev looks very interesting, though I know the only app that I would really use is iPhoto. New features that I’m attracted to is photocasting, and the podcasting feature in Garage Band. Oh I almost forgot, Apple also introduced a new iPod accessory called the iPod Radio Remote, for $49. Finally you can listen to radio on your iPod. I might get one.
This is a blog about a Mom and her life with her husband, toddler daughter, two rat terriers, one green-cheeked conure, and one leopard gecko. Web developer by day, gamer by night.
