I had my aforementioned OB appointment this morning. I was a little worried going in that they wouldn't be able to find the heartbeat with the doppler, even though I'm almost 12 weeks.
Lucky for me, they found it right away. Little Sprout's heart was beating away at a nice and healthy 158 beats per minute.
I've decided to call this one Sprout (only until birth, that is) because Ellie simply has the cutest way of pronouncing it. It sounds a little like "pout", but way cuter.
In more good news, I've only gained half a pound! I was full expecting to have gained at least 10 pounds based on all the ginger ale, caffeine free Coke, potato chips, and other random junk I've been consuming lately while in the throws of morning sickness.
Oh yeah, and I finally put up a ticker in my sidebar. :)
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
0
Excellent news!
Remember that Nikon camera I mentioned previously that decided all of a sudden not to work anymore? I googled the issue a while back and found out that Nikon was supposedly fixing cameras for free because the issue is caused by some sort of defect. Today I finally got around to searching their site for more info, half expecting to find that I had to send it in a year ago or something to get it fixed.
I found this, dated 2/16/2007, with no "expiration date" listed.
"It has come to our attention that in a limited number of COOLPIX 3100, 3500, 4500, 5000, 5400, 5700 and SQ digital cameras, an electronic component may, in some instances, fail affecting your camera's performance and/or operability.
While only a limited number of COOLPIX 3100, 3500, 4500, 5000, 5400, 5700 and SQ digital cameras are affected by this advisory, if your camera presents symptoms that can include (1) images with a strong color tint, (2) images that are totally black and/or (3) images with visible defects, Nikon will, upon confirmation that the problem is associated to this Service Advisory, service your camera free of charge.
To obtain complimentary service for cameras affected by this advisory, please click the link below to download and print the Service Return Form. The Service Return Form provides detailed return instructions.
The Frequently Asked Questions button at the bottom of this page offers more information about this advisory and, should you have more questions, also provides information about how to contact Nikon.
We apologize for any inconvenience you may experience."
My camera is one of those listed and has the "images that are totally black" issue. So, It seems like if I fill out that form and send it in, they'll fix it for free! Whooooooot!
Now I just need to keep my fingers crossed that my good luck lasts until tomorrow's OB appointment. I'm very much hoping I'll be able to hear the heartbeat with the doppler. *fingers crossed*
I found this, dated 2/16/2007, with no "expiration date" listed.
"It has come to our attention that in a limited number of COOLPIX 3100, 3500, 4500, 5000, 5400, 5700 and SQ digital cameras, an electronic component may, in some instances, fail affecting your camera's performance and/or operability.
While only a limited number of COOLPIX 3100, 3500, 4500, 5000, 5400, 5700 and SQ digital cameras are affected by this advisory, if your camera presents symptoms that can include (1) images with a strong color tint, (2) images that are totally black and/or (3) images with visible defects, Nikon will, upon confirmation that the problem is associated to this Service Advisory, service your camera free of charge.
To obtain complimentary service for cameras affected by this advisory, please click the link below to download and print the Service Return Form. The Service Return Form provides detailed return instructions.
The Frequently Asked Questions button at the bottom of this page offers more information about this advisory and, should you have more questions, also provides information about how to contact Nikon.
We apologize for any inconvenience you may experience."
My camera is one of those listed and has the "images that are totally black" issue. So, It seems like if I fill out that form and send it in, they'll fix it for free! Whooooooot!
Now I just need to keep my fingers crossed that my good luck lasts until tomorrow's OB appointment. I'm very much hoping I'll be able to hear the heartbeat with the doppler. *fingers crossed*
Sunday, October 14, 2007
2
What a difference a new camera makes
Ok, so it's not my new camera. My Dad got the camera I've been wanting for oh so long (Canon Digital Rebel XTi).... but at least now I can borrow his until I save up enough to get my own. :)
I really don't know how to use it yet, but even with my lack of knowledge and extremely novice (umm... non-existent is probably more like it) photography skills, I can absolutely notice a difference in the quality of pictures taken with his camera vs. my 5ish year old point and shoot crappy camera (Fujifilm FinePix 2650) that I've been stuck using lately since my Nikon E5700 bit the dust.
To illustrate my point, here are a couple of pictures taken yesterday, outside on a very sunny day with my yucko Fujifilm.
Compare those with the pictures taken today, inside, with the pop-up flash using my Dad's sweet new camera.
The images can be clicked on to pull up a larger version. The pictures taken with the Canon are so much more vibrant, show so much more detail, etc... I can't wait to see what kind of pictures I can get once I learn all the features and get a chance to try it out in natural light.
I really don't know how to use it yet, but even with my lack of knowledge and extremely novice (umm... non-existent is probably more like it) photography skills, I can absolutely notice a difference in the quality of pictures taken with his camera vs. my 5ish year old point and shoot crappy camera (Fujifilm FinePix 2650) that I've been stuck using lately since my Nikon E5700 bit the dust.
To illustrate my point, here are a couple of pictures taken yesterday, outside on a very sunny day with my yucko Fujifilm.
Compare those with the pictures taken today, inside, with the pop-up flash using my Dad's sweet new camera.
The images can be clicked on to pull up a larger version. The pictures taken with the Canon are so much more vibrant, show so much more detail, etc... I can't wait to see what kind of pictures I can get once I learn all the features and get a chance to try it out in natural light.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
1
Maybe this is safe to put up now?
I've been avoiding putting any sort of ticker up here what with my history and what not... but I really like this little widget and like to see how it changes week to week. Perhaps once I reach the second trimester I'll feel confident enough to move it to the sidebar.
0
Am I really that weird?
At work, I generally work in the Small Commons, an area filled with circular tables conducive for group meetings and such. It's a common area of the school, so a lot of students and other staff/faculty often sit here to work as well.
Lately one of the school's English teachers has been sitting here lately to meet with her students. It seems like she's meeting with students on are strugging and thus far receiving poor grades. I can't help but overhear some of her conversations with these students, and it seems like so many are just SO unmotivated. I really can't understand that. They're missing assignment on top of assignment. It doesn't even seem like they're making much of an effort or even showing up for class. What gives?
Granted, I was a bit of a class cutter myself in college if I felt it wasn't something I really needed to be there for. But still, I don't think I EVER purposely didn't turn in an assignment. It's baffling to me that they can pay so much for school (it's a private university, so it's about $25K per year for tuition alone) and not even give it your best effort. Do people really not realize the value of that much money by college age?
It confuses me.
Maybe I'm just weird.
Lately one of the school's English teachers has been sitting here lately to meet with her students. It seems like she's meeting with students on are strugging and thus far receiving poor grades. I can't help but overhear some of her conversations with these students, and it seems like so many are just SO unmotivated. I really can't understand that. They're missing assignment on top of assignment. It doesn't even seem like they're making much of an effort or even showing up for class. What gives?
Granted, I was a bit of a class cutter myself in college if I felt it wasn't something I really needed to be there for. But still, I don't think I EVER purposely didn't turn in an assignment. It's baffling to me that they can pay so much for school (it's a private university, so it's about $25K per year for tuition alone) and not even give it your best effort. Do people really not realize the value of that much money by college age?
It confuses me.
Maybe I'm just weird.
