On-Hold Music

As the subject implies, we spent the majority of this week just wishing our baby would hurry up and exit the womb. Our wishing notwithstanding, baby remains firmly ensconced in his parasitic pouch; however, our wishing may have been simply diverted from its course: Jennifer and John's little Lauren Noele finished the fetal course in style and awaits her cousin's arrival. Without further ado, here is an abbreviated version of the week's events (after remarks about the length of last week's post, we decided not to relate all 168 hours of the past week in real time).

Monday, 5 June
Today after class, I once again braved the murky bureaucratic waters of Weber State University's records office. Past encounters having ended in a draw (and still others in what I optimistically refer to as a "non-win"), I was determined this time to emerge victorious. After visiting no less than three windows and paying no less than ten dollars, I was informed that yes, the University would graciously evaluate my AP scores in terms of course credits; and, not surprisingly, that it was supposed to have been done months ago but was overlooked. Yet another example of why the Lord's University does not have the initials W.S.U. I will never, in related news, complain about BYU's policies or administrative procedures again.
Later Monday, we decided to improve baby's welcome by cleaning out our car for the first time in months. Inspired by our own efforts, we went the extra mile and got a car wash for the first time since we acquired the car over two years ago; we thought that the car's finicky performance of late may have been in protest of our negligence. Bessie's cleanliness was short-lived, however, undone by the week's rain as per Mr. Murphy's prediction.

Tuesday, 6 June
I spent the minority of my afternoon making my parents' garage once again habitable for their Saturn and the vast majority lazing around. Meanwhile, Alison attended her monthly meeting of mothers who have lost children to cancer at PCMC. It was held in Murray, the leash which extends from my wife to the labor & delivery floor of Davis Hospital being stretched to its limit.

Wednesday, 7 June
After my pathophysiology class we mounted our trusty steed for a trip to the OB. Unfortunately, our steed would not awaken from her slumber despite repeated jabbings in the side with my trusty spurs. I got to work on increasing the conductivity of our battery terminals while Alison called her visiting teacher (insert plug for the LDS Church's organization of service here) to ask for a ride. Of course, just as her VT arrived (with all four kids in tow - that's dedication!), I heroically revived our ride, my fair damsel mounted, and we made it to the office just in time to keep our appointment. Most unfortunately, Alison's cervical progression was not to our satisfaction. We set another appointment for Monday to try again; should we once again be disappointed, we will hold a special Induction Ceremony on Thursday morning bright and early to welcome our new son to the family.
We spent Wednesday night making chocolate chip cookies, a pastime we love only second to eating said cookies. Despite charitable intentions to the contrary, we ate them all ourselves. Oh well -- better luck overcoming our egoism next time.

Thursday, 8 June
We checked an item off our pre-baby To Do List by finally, after much anxiety, purchasing a digital camcorder. We will endorse our local Inkley's by saying that the service guarantee we purchased measured up to its hype; our camera will be repaired/replaced for free if damaged by anything except fire or theft - including, we suppose, if New Baby Johnsen slobbers it into submission.
Thursday evening was spent dining with Patricia "call me Jean" Lowe; the pasta was decent but a bit mushy, although the string beans were top-notch and free of excess sodium. As per tradition, I gave an exhausted Alison time for a 90-minute nap by making a wonderful red sauce from scratch. I am, as all admit, a wonderfully supportive husband in that regard.

Friday, 9 June
We were shocked this morning to realize that space aliens had entered our room, covered us with a transmogrifier, and turned the dial to "slug." We oozed around unproductively for much of the day, then Alison snapped out of it long enough to work on baby's crib skirt. My contribution for the day was to utilize Windows Movie Maker for the first time; if I can figure out the technique involved, I will post my Academy Award-Nominated film to this blog. We finished the day by reviving our long-cherished tradition of Playing Games As A Couple; the reader may draw his or her own conclusions as to the winner of Backgammon, Nerts, Set, and Pick-Up Stix. Our games were accompanied by the imbibing of homemade raspberry-lime smoothies.



Saturday, 10 June
The big news for the day is that John Spencer (in collaboration with Jennifer Johnsen Spencer) successfully delivered a beautiful baby girl. Happy birthday, Lauren Noele!