first post

July 30, 2005 - I went in to PRC for a little while today to run the air/water column. We're about two days behind schedule. I put in a couple of hours there (about 9:30 until 12:30) before heading off to Chic-fil-A.

Elizabeth doesn't feel well today. Nausea continues though the medicine prescribed by Dr. Ward has really helped keep her food down. We had muffins from Pacha (and I snagged a Pacha Iced Latte which was absolutely fantastic). Lunch was courtesy of the cow from Chic-fil-A. Dinner was Rotisserie Grill...again. I think we're done eating there for a while. The food tasted like it had been under a heat lamp for a little too long. I put the sheets on the spare bed so E could get some sleep.

Then I decided to update this web site...(everything prior to this entry is from memory).

July 29, 2005 - I went to UT campus today to work on the double effect evaporator. I don't think there is much that I can do with it. There are too many things that need to be replaced...

E is feeling okay today, but not as good as yesterday. The medicine just doesn't seem to be working as well as it did yesterday. Margaret and Marshall came over to help E with Hannah. I am so thankful for their help. I treated Marshall and E to a sandwich from Thundercloud. That really seems to be the food of choice for the pregnancy thusfar. We had Outback for dinner. It was a lot better than last time we ate there with E's grandfather.

I met with Paula Workman and her mom at Magnolia cafe at 3:00pm. The rain really slowed down the traffic and I wound up being about 3 minutes late. Paula hadn't arrived yet, so it wasn't too bad. We discussed her upcoming nuptials and price lists, etc. I hope that we get the wedding. It would really help us out financially and I know it would be a blast working with Paula and Jamon.

July 28, 2005 - Thursday! The weekend is almost here. Today was a long day at work. The packing that was supposed to arrive on Tuesday arrived this morning at 9:00. Ian and I loaded the column and tightened it up. I ran until 6:15pm.
Breakfast this morning was Taco Cabana breakfast burritos (bean and cheese) at 5:45. That's a new one. Someone was having a craving! Lunch was from Chic-fil-A. E and I went to Rotisserrie for dinner. It just isn't as good as it was when the restaurant first opened.
After dinner I mowed the backyard. All of the recent rains really made the grass grow. I almost killed poor Roo, Meshach's stuffed kangaroo. I just didn't see him. Honest...

July 27, 2005 - E's Birthday! Happy 23rd, baby! I love you so much! I awoke my beautiful bride (who was sleeping in the spare bedroom because the air smells a little cleaner in there - long story) at around 6:30am and sang "Happy Birthday" and gave her a few birthday gifts (a willow tree angel and a charm bracelet from James Avery). She wasn't feeling very spunky on her birthday, that's for sure. We called Dr. Ward and they were able to fit her into their Wednesday schedule at 11:00, so I took off from work and went with her to the OB/GYN. That was my first visit to one of those offices and it was a bit unnerving. However, we saw a heartbeat!!! That was a life-altering experience. WOW! That's when it hits. You know deep in your heart you're going to be a dad. That's an amazing feeling. All these changes you are seeing in your wife - some positive (body makes its initial physical changes) and some not so positive (morning sickness that doesn't just happen in the morning) - are directly attributable to yours truly. That is an awesome responsiblity. I am actually relishing in the fact I get to care for her by doing the dishes, washing the clothes, and generally running the house. It's a bit nerve wracking, too. I've got a lot going on these days - 2 full time jobs, running the house, taking care of my wife, and trying to find time to spend with the dogs. Not that E isn't doing anything - in fact, I think she tries to do far too much. Right now I just want her to rest and get to feeling better. On top of all this, you start thinking about stuff like life insurance...EEEK!

July 26, 2005 - Putting the finishing touches on E's birthday gifts from James Avery and Hallmark. I am having the worst time trying to concentrate on work today. E feels terrible and swears it's all my fault! I know she's joking, but in a way she's right. I'm glad E doesn't have to work today. She doesn't feel very good and isn't eating very much at all. I am a bit worried that she's going to have to go to the hospital if she doesn't snap out of this soon.
The packing that was supposed to come today is now supposed to get here tomorrow. It will probably be Thursday before it gets here. We've got the column ready to go...we're just waiting now.

Work is rough today! The reflux pump on the reactive distillation column had a catostrophic failure and wound up spewing pentane all over the place. On the bright side of things, I think it all evaporated before it hit the ground so we didn't have to worry too much about cleanup. Too bad the Emerson Process Management guys were there. Lina did NOT want to shut the unit down, but I had to not so gently let her know she didn't have a choice. This was one of the bigger issues we've had since I've been at UT.

July 25, 2005 - Monday. Need I say more? The morning sickness is back with a vengence. I have to run the staff meeting this morning and I'm probably going to be late...No worries, I got it taken care of. Frank is on vacation this week and I'm sure everything will go down the toilet. Everything seems to go wrong when he's gone - stuff totally out of my control...
Thundercloud for lunch today...I think E will keep it down.

I told my parents today...They were excited to know they were going to be grandparents. Now, we have to figure out what to call them. Grandpa Cubby??? LOL. It will be good to have some little ones running around at Christmas. We're all getting too old and grumpy.

July 24, 2005 - E doesn't feel well today. I hope she's not going to be sick her entire first trimester. I don't think we're going to make church this morning. George and Mary invited us to lunch, but E doesn't feel up to it. She really wanted them to come by so that we could tell them we're pregnant. The original plan was to tell Mary on her birthday, but now that E is getting morning sickness symptoms, I don't think we'll be able to keep it from them.
As it turns out, they were able to stop by after their lunch. We gave Mary her James Avery baby shoe charm for her bracelet/necklace. Needless to say, Mary was absolutely elated. George looked a bit more terrified. Me? I'm still having a hard time believing all this is happening!

July 23, 2005 - We went to dinner with Josh and Nicole tonight at Thai Passion, one of our mutual favorite restaurants. Nicole is about 5 months pregnant, and she's really starting to show. It was really good to see them and talk about pregnancy and parenthood. Wow. This is all so crazy!!!

July 17, 2005 - Okay...we HAD to tell someone. We went to dinner with the Woods and broke it to them just before we sat down to eat. Their son, Caleb, is really a good looking little guy and really quiet to boot. I hope ours is as well-behaved.

July 10, 2005 - We did our 3rd & 4th pregnancy tests and they both turned out positive. I am 100% convinced. E is still a bit skeptical.