Ponderings of a Scientist

Last weeks pics. on shutterfly, including first trip t the beach!

One the beach topic, I can’t help but comment:  The National Marine Fisheries Service had a new $60 million dollar research vessel built for doing fish stock surveys in the Northeast.  This boat, the R/V Bigelow, has taken years to build and now that its done, it doesn’t have anywhere to port.  Yep, the genius that is our government, built a boat with a draft to deep for any of the ports they want to dock the boat in.  So they are going to pay millions more to dredge, Woods Hole Harbor to create enough depth for the vessel to dock next to all the important research stations on Cape Cod.

Once upon a time, in a land far far away, this blog was a place for me to expunge neat science facts and compose scholarly prose about topics of importance to the World.  And a place for friends to add their witty thought. Then a little fairy (re: baby) came and took over my life, and this blog spot is now an area to post baby picture updates for friends and family (mostly family I imagine), whom look, but don’t write.  So in keeping in that tradition, instead of commenting on topics of renewable energy, here is a link to a neat blog about environmentally-friendly movements and technologies throughout the World.

Addison is speeding down the developmental pathway.  This week she started playing with toys - grabbing and holding them while looking at them, and getting mad when they fall over - and yesterday she rolled from her back to her belly.  She has been good at rolling up onto her side for weeks now, but this was the first time she made it all the way over.  Of course, then she was pissed, because her face was in the carpet!

Why Addie is speeding through her accomplishments, I’ve taken the slow and jerky approach (thanks to Addie).  Last week was week two of working 20 hours/wk. from home, while tending the babes.  Boy is that a challenge!  More on that later….

Pictures on Shutterfly

The babes now (9 weeks) weighs 11 lb 9 oz and is just shy of 23″ in length.  She received 4 shots this morning, and as expected, was not a big fan.  She’s been less hungry and more sleepy than usual today, both otherwise fine.  The rest of the day we spent in Bedford at my away from home office - I worked and she slept.

Check out more goofy pics at henninger.shutterfly.com.   Addie has her two month old doctor’s visit tomorrow which includes her first round of immunizations.  I’ll let you all know how it goes.

Today I had a meeting with an exercise physiology prof. at UNH, who is doing a study on exercise and lactation.  I was randomly approached by his grad. student at a softball game and  was convinced to volunteer for his study (it didn’t take much convincing me being the science nerd and all).  Basically, I get to exercise - circuit training- then they will measure my blood and milk lactic acid level, then I will feed Addison and see if she is cool with the (likely) high level of lactic acid in my milk.  They’ve already done the study having the women do aerobic exercise and found that while lactic acid levels were elevated, it didn’t bother the babies.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

Well I’m again employed in a position that pays in money, rather then in baby smiles.  I started Friday as the Assistant to the Executive Director of the lobstermen’s association I’ve done some contract work for in the past.  I will be working 20-25 hours a week, mostly from home.  Well off to do some work while my charge sleeps.

Last week’s Addison images up on shutterfly.

Its bad when the only reason you know you have a package on your doorstep (literally) is because you tracked it online and the tracker indicated that it was delivered.  I was home when the delivery was made, if only the UPS driver had knocked, Addie’s 12 boxes of diaper wipes wouldn’t have been sitting outside in a thunderstorm.

I just heard the funnest Unger Report on NPR’s Day to Day.  It was inspired by Al Gore III getting pulled over for speeding at over 100 mph in a Toyota Prius.  The audio won’t be available until ~ 3pm, but I had to post now before I forgot.  ENJOY.