Ah...my resolve not to google David's condition lasted less than a week.
We actually had a pediatrician appointment yesterday, and I was able to hear a little bit more about what's going on with David's back. I found much of what our doctor said very comforting. The condition is called "tethered cord syndrome," and with a successful surgery we can expect David to run, jump, and skate just as well as his big brother. The timing depends on the opinion of the neurosurgeon, but we may be looking at surgery in the next couple of years, not the next couple of months. I'm sure that will still be hard when the time comes, but for now I am glad that the timetable is longer than I thought. The doctor really seemed positive about everything considering we were worried about a more devastating diagnosis (for instance, a spot that left neural tissue exposed).
I didn't feel very good after googling "tethered cord syndrome," though. I knew I should have held off on that one. I read all the complications that can happen when the problem isn't treated early, which left me wondering if it really would be okay to wait a couple of years on the surgery (glad we'll be seeing a neurologist to help with that one and that I don't have to depend on the wisdom of the interwebs). I also read that this problem is considered a neural tube defect related to spina bifida, which of course left me searching my brain to see if I remembered to take my prenatal vitamins during those first few weeks of pregnancy (i.e. -- is this my fault?).
I really won't have any more answers until our appointment at the children's hospital in February. Until then, I am trying to choose faith over fear and count the many blessings we do have in this situation. Thanks for your prayers.
P.S. -- We did find out at the pediatrician appointment that David is gaining weight really well; I am so grateful for that!
1.18.2011
1.17.2011
There's Not an App for That: HD7 Phone Review
I've been an Android smartphone user for over two years now. I was an early adopter with the T-Mobile G1, buying one the first month it was available, but I kept that phone for two years and fell a little behind the times. This Christmas my wonderful husband surprised me with my dream phone, the T-Mobile G2, which has the latest Android updates and is as wonderfully awesome as I hoped it would be.
Imagine my surprise, though, when I also was offered a T-Mobile smartphone through BzzAgent.com. In the past I have reviewed small items like makeup and gum as a Bzz Agent, but this time they wanted to send me a top-of-the-line smartphone for free. Um, okay!
So a few days ago I received an HTC HD7, one of the first phones to use the Windows Mobile 7 operating system. I'm pretty devoted to Android, but I was curious to see what the new WinMo operating system was like. I used a Windows Mobile phone for a couple of years before Android came out, so I knew I would have an interesting comparison on my hands.
Out of the Box
So the HD7 is a very pretty phone. If you like how the iPhone looks but want a different carrier, an HD7 might be something to consider. I'm really surprised at how much I like the look and feel of the phone. The back battery compartment is too flimsy -- it feels like an eggshell -- but other than that, the HD7 is a very sleek device.
I've used a phone with a full QWERTY keyboard for over 4 years, and I didn't think could live without one. The sleekness of the HD7's design might tempt me to try a phone with no physical keyboard, but only if the software keyboard is really good (like Swype). The existing software keyboard on the HD7 is frustrating and desperately needs an upgrade. While the keys are a nice size, the software is not intuitive at all. I can't imagine trying to take notes on it during a pediatrician appointment.
Home Screen
The main screen of the phone has spaces for "live tiles," where you can place shortcuts and widgets for your favorite applications. That means when you turn on the phone, the home screen immediately displays the number of emails, texts, and voicemails you have waiting, as well as the weather and the latest pictures from your friends. You can also add links to applications you want to access quickly, like -- if you are a pregnant woman -- a contraction timer. The live tiles are an interesting feature, and one that has been much touted on the Windows Mobile commercials, but I don't find them more useful than the Android home screen and notification bar.
Apps
Probably my favorite thing about the HD7 is the Netflix application, which is not available on Android at the moment. This will soon become irrelevant, since Netflix will be added to the G2 and other Android phones before very long. But watching movies and TV shows instantly on the Netflix app is a lot of fun, and I could see Netflix plus the screen size on this phone being useful for parents trying to entertain kiddos (or themselves) in airports. I'm thinking about taking the phone with me for my hospital stay for constant Doctor Who access (priorities, people!). Of course, if you aren't a Netflix subscriber, this doesn't really apply to you.
Other than a (very) small number of exclusive-ish apps like Netflix, T-Mobile TV, and the forthcoming Flickr app, the Marketplace is definitely the HD7's downfall. I have grown addicted to my Android apps like Tweetdeck and GroceryIQ. Right now there is a very small selection of applications available for Windows Mobile, and I get frustrated as I try to find applications that to let me use the HD7 for my daily activities. The applications I do find often spend so much effort conforming to Windows Mobile's pretty-pretty interface that they are slow and bulky.
Windows Mobile 7 is known for its smooth integration with Hotmail, Zune, and Xbox Live. Out of all those services, I only use Hotmail, and then only for newsletters and junk. Being able to check my Hotmail quickly is nice, but not essential for me. I've barely touched the Zune and Xbox interfaces at all, but that might be a nice feature for someone who uses those platforms. It is worth noting that the phone will sync with your Gmail and Google calendar, so it still works if Gmail is your primary e-mail account.
Hello, Hello
As far as actual phone function goes, I've found the HD7 to be frustrating. An accidental finger slide moves the phone controls off the screen and leaves me no way to hang up quickly, which is a problem when I accidentally dial my OB's pager number (sigh).When the phone rings, to answer I first have to slide my finger to unlock the phone, and only then can I choose to answer or ignore the call. While this adds only a few seconds to the process, those are a frustrating few seconds.
The HD7 also seems to suffer from the iPhone antenna curse. While I haven't experienced any dropped calls, I do notice call quality and data connectivity problems if I'm not vigilant about how I hold the phone.
One thing that absolutely baffles me about the HD7 is the lack of notification options. I think there is a status light that blinks if I have missed a call, but if I have texts or emails waiting I won't know until I turn on the phone. What? Now that's just silly. In this day and age the bulk of my communication is done through texts and emails, and I want to know right away when I receive something. Hopefully Microsoft will remedy this issue in the next update to the phone.
Summary
Windows Mobile 7 reminds me a lot of Android when it first emerged on the scene. In those early days, Android didn't have a ton of apps and offered very few home screen widgets. The software keyboard was hard to use, and Google calendar and email support could be sketchy. Over-the-air calendar and email syncing plus the prospect of future applications seemed super-cool, but much patience was required as developers helped the platform become more user-friendly.
The thing is, this isn't 2008. Android phones and iPhones are dealing with very established operating systems, and I can't imagine consumers having the patience for Windows Mobile to catch up. I certainly don't. I was planning to test the phone for two weeks, but that quickly shortened to 3 days because I found it so hard to follow my normal internet activities.
Windows Mobile might work well for someone who is new to smartphones and hasn't bought into a particular platform yet. If you have the patience to grow with the operating system, you might find it rewarding. WinMo doesn't allow the amount customization that the Android operating system does, but that simplicity might be welcome to someone who is looking for a phone mainly to access to Facebook, email, and cute pictures of babies. The phone also might be appealing to a businessperson who is looking for Exchange and Office integration, although Android seems to have enough functionality in this area for most people I know.
Really, I see the current target audience for Windows Mobile 7 and the HD7 as people who currently use feature phones -- non-smartphones that still support email, calendars, mobile browsing, etc. This operating system seems to be a natural next step. However, as long as the phones and data plans are just as expensive as Android phones and iPhones, I think the Windows Mobile adoption rate is going to be very slow.
So that's my take on the Windows Mobile HD7. I'd love to hear your questions and thoughts about it or the Android G2, so feel free to leave a comment and I'll try to answer.
I received a free T-Mobile HD7 with Windows Mobile 7 from Bzzagent.com for review purposes. My opinions are my own developed after testing the product.
Imagine my surprise, though, when I also was offered a T-Mobile smartphone through BzzAgent.com. In the past I have reviewed small items like makeup and gum as a Bzz Agent, but this time they wanted to send me a top-of-the-line smartphone for free. Um, okay!
So a few days ago I received an HTC HD7, one of the first phones to use the Windows Mobile 7 operating system. I'm pretty devoted to Android, but I was curious to see what the new WinMo operating system was like. I used a Windows Mobile phone for a couple of years before Android came out, so I knew I would have an interesting comparison on my hands.
Out of the Box
So the HD7 is a very pretty phone. If you like how the iPhone looks but want a different carrier, an HD7 might be something to consider. I'm really surprised at how much I like the look and feel of the phone. The back battery compartment is too flimsy -- it feels like an eggshell -- but other than that, the HD7 is a very sleek device.
I've used a phone with a full QWERTY keyboard for over 4 years, and I didn't think could live without one. The sleekness of the HD7's design might tempt me to try a phone with no physical keyboard, but only if the software keyboard is really good (like Swype). The existing software keyboard on the HD7 is frustrating and desperately needs an upgrade. While the keys are a nice size, the software is not intuitive at all. I can't imagine trying to take notes on it during a pediatrician appointment.
Home Screen
The main screen of the phone has spaces for "live tiles," where you can place shortcuts and widgets for your favorite applications. That means when you turn on the phone, the home screen immediately displays the number of emails, texts, and voicemails you have waiting, as well as the weather and the latest pictures from your friends. You can also add links to applications you want to access quickly, like -- if you are a pregnant woman -- a contraction timer. The live tiles are an interesting feature, and one that has been much touted on the Windows Mobile commercials, but I don't find them more useful than the Android home screen and notification bar.
Apps
Probably my favorite thing about the HD7 is the Netflix application, which is not available on Android at the moment. This will soon become irrelevant, since Netflix will be added to the G2 and other Android phones before very long. But watching movies and TV shows instantly on the Netflix app is a lot of fun, and I could see Netflix plus the screen size on this phone being useful for parents trying to entertain kiddos (or themselves) in airports. I'm thinking about taking the phone with me for my hospital stay for constant Doctor Who access (priorities, people!). Of course, if you aren't a Netflix subscriber, this doesn't really apply to you.
Other than a (very) small number of exclusive-ish apps like Netflix, T-Mobile TV, and the forthcoming Flickr app, the Marketplace is definitely the HD7's downfall. I have grown addicted to my Android apps like Tweetdeck and GroceryIQ. Right now there is a very small selection of applications available for Windows Mobile, and I get frustrated as I try to find applications that to let me use the HD7 for my daily activities. The applications I do find often spend so much effort conforming to Windows Mobile's pretty-pretty interface that they are slow and bulky.
Windows Mobile 7 is known for its smooth integration with Hotmail, Zune, and Xbox Live. Out of all those services, I only use Hotmail, and then only for newsletters and junk. Being able to check my Hotmail quickly is nice, but not essential for me. I've barely touched the Zune and Xbox interfaces at all, but that might be a nice feature for someone who uses those platforms. It is worth noting that the phone will sync with your Gmail and Google calendar, so it still works if Gmail is your primary e-mail account.
Hello, Hello
As far as actual phone function goes, I've found the HD7 to be frustrating. An accidental finger slide moves the phone controls off the screen and leaves me no way to hang up quickly, which is a problem when I accidentally dial my OB's pager number (sigh).When the phone rings, to answer I first have to slide my finger to unlock the phone, and only then can I choose to answer or ignore the call. While this adds only a few seconds to the process, those are a frustrating few seconds.
The HD7 also seems to suffer from the iPhone antenna curse. While I haven't experienced any dropped calls, I do notice call quality and data connectivity problems if I'm not vigilant about how I hold the phone.
One thing that absolutely baffles me about the HD7 is the lack of notification options. I think there is a status light that blinks if I have missed a call, but if I have texts or emails waiting I won't know until I turn on the phone. What? Now that's just silly. In this day and age the bulk of my communication is done through texts and emails, and I want to know right away when I receive something. Hopefully Microsoft will remedy this issue in the next update to the phone.
Summary
Windows Mobile 7 reminds me a lot of Android when it first emerged on the scene. In those early days, Android didn't have a ton of apps and offered very few home screen widgets. The software keyboard was hard to use, and Google calendar and email support could be sketchy. Over-the-air calendar and email syncing plus the prospect of future applications seemed super-cool, but much patience was required as developers helped the platform become more user-friendly.
The thing is, this isn't 2008. Android phones and iPhones are dealing with very established operating systems, and I can't imagine consumers having the patience for Windows Mobile to catch up. I certainly don't. I was planning to test the phone for two weeks, but that quickly shortened to 3 days because I found it so hard to follow my normal internet activities.
Windows Mobile might work well for someone who is new to smartphones and hasn't bought into a particular platform yet. If you have the patience to grow with the operating system, you might find it rewarding. WinMo doesn't allow the amount customization that the Android operating system does, but that simplicity might be welcome to someone who is looking for a phone mainly to access to Facebook, email, and cute pictures of babies. The phone also might be appealing to a businessperson who is looking for Exchange and Office integration, although Android seems to have enough functionality in this area for most people I know.
Really, I see the current target audience for Windows Mobile 7 and the HD7 as people who currently use feature phones -- non-smartphones that still support email, calendars, mobile browsing, etc. This operating system seems to be a natural next step. However, as long as the phones and data plans are just as expensive as Android phones and iPhones, I think the Windows Mobile adoption rate is going to be very slow.
So that's my take on the Windows Mobile HD7. I'd love to hear your questions and thoughts about it or the Android G2, so feel free to leave a comment and I'll try to answer.
I received a free T-Mobile HD7 with Windows Mobile 7 from Bzzagent.com for review purposes. My opinions are my own developed after testing the product.
1.14.2011
Another Trial, But I'll Take It
My new baby boy is absolutely perfect.
Except he's not.
When David arrived on the scene, he surprised us all by having an odd "birthmark" at the base of his spine. It looks like a skin tag or mole over a lump in his skin. In the operating room, the doctors and nurses took some extra time to check the mark out to make sure it wasn't open to the spine or anything immediately dangerous.
Our pediatrician was concerned about the area, in part because he couldn't classify it. It could have been a harmless birthmark or something more serious. And so David was scheduled to have an ultrasound on his back at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital as soon as we were discharged from the hospital. We didn't even get to go home first.
The ultrasound gave us a few answers. The area isn't a simple birthmark, as we had hoped, but it isn't anything immediately threatening. It's a small tag of fatty tissue on top of a bundle of extra nerves that are connected to the spine. So while we're thankful it's nothing terribly serious, it's also not something that can be ignored.
At first our pediatrician scheduled us to have an MRI two days later to give us more information, and he warned us that surgery might be necessary in the next couple of weeks. Apparently there is concern that the nerves could pull on David's spinal cord and cause problems.
However, when the pediatric neurologist saw David's scans, he decided that he would like to do a consultation with us first before any scans or talk of surgery. We are scheduled to meet with the neurologist in early February, so apparently things look good enough for us to wait a few weeks.
I am very thankful to have a month at home with my family, without worrying about surgery or other plans. I am deliberately not googling what we do know about David's back, because I'd rather have answers from professionals than get worried about speculations on the internet.
If I think about it, I am terrified at the prospect of David having surgery. So for today, I'm not thinking about it. Today, I'm focusing on my gratitude that David is healthy in every other way. He truly is so amazing. He is my little boy.
Except he's not.
When David arrived on the scene, he surprised us all by having an odd "birthmark" at the base of his spine. It looks like a skin tag or mole over a lump in his skin. In the operating room, the doctors and nurses took some extra time to check the mark out to make sure it wasn't open to the spine or anything immediately dangerous.
Our pediatrician was concerned about the area, in part because he couldn't classify it. It could have been a harmless birthmark or something more serious. And so David was scheduled to have an ultrasound on his back at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital as soon as we were discharged from the hospital. We didn't even get to go home first.
The ultrasound gave us a few answers. The area isn't a simple birthmark, as we had hoped, but it isn't anything immediately threatening. It's a small tag of fatty tissue on top of a bundle of extra nerves that are connected to the spine. So while we're thankful it's nothing terribly serious, it's also not something that can be ignored.
At first our pediatrician scheduled us to have an MRI two days later to give us more information, and he warned us that surgery might be necessary in the next couple of weeks. Apparently there is concern that the nerves could pull on David's spinal cord and cause problems.
However, when the pediatric neurologist saw David's scans, he decided that he would like to do a consultation with us first before any scans or talk of surgery. We are scheduled to meet with the neurologist in early February, so apparently things look good enough for us to wait a few weeks.
I am very thankful to have a month at home with my family, without worrying about surgery or other plans. I am deliberately not googling what we do know about David's back, because I'd rather have answers from professionals than get worried about speculations on the internet.
If I think about it, I am terrified at the prospect of David having surgery. So for today, I'm not thinking about it. Today, I'm focusing on my gratitude that David is healthy in every other way. He truly is so amazing. He is my little boy.
Announcing David Andrew Nicholson
My new little boy is here! He was born on January 10, 2011, at 8:30am. He weighed 7 lbs, 13 ounces, and was 21 inches long.
He is absolutely beautiful and has found a special place in all of our hearts. I am so grateful!
1.09.2011
Routines
Well, it looks like Baby #2 is hanging in there until the last possible moment. I have a C-section scheduled for Monday morning.
I must admit, I'm nervous to go back to "being a mom" again. Of course I never really stopped being a mom, but many of my mommy duties were assumed by my husband and mother while I was on bed rest. How on earth am I going to take care of two little boys everyday?
After a few weeks of me on bed rest, Ian got used to the "mommy in bed all day" routine. If I got out of bed, he would run and point to the bathroom door, because he knew that was the only place I was allowed to go. When I finished in the bathroom, he would point to my pillow back on the bed. As I've gained a little bit of my mobility over the past couple of weeks, Ian seems to be readjusting to me as a "normal mommy" again. I get more hugs and requests for play and reading time. Unfortunately, he also requests that I pick him up, which isn't allowed yet. Just a couple more weeks, buddy!
I definitely have my own bed rest routines to break. I am still the most comfortable near my bed....physically comfortable, yes, but mentally comfortable, too. I remember hearing on bed rest message boards that it can be hard to leave the bedroom when we have spent several months living almost exclusively in that space. By this point, almost everything I need is 12 inches away from my mattress, so walking about the house seems unnecessary and even foolhardy. Happily, the nesting instinct is driving me to get up each day and do a little bit around the house (at least until the baby pressure in my tummy makes me sit back down!).
I guess we'll adjust to life as a four-person family, just like we have adjusted to everything else. That has been a blessing of bed rest -- the ability to shrug my shoulders and let things come as they may.
I must admit, I'm nervous to go back to "being a mom" again. Of course I never really stopped being a mom, but many of my mommy duties were assumed by my husband and mother while I was on bed rest. How on earth am I going to take care of two little boys everyday?
After a few weeks of me on bed rest, Ian got used to the "mommy in bed all day" routine. If I got out of bed, he would run and point to the bathroom door, because he knew that was the only place I was allowed to go. When I finished in the bathroom, he would point to my pillow back on the bed. As I've gained a little bit of my mobility over the past couple of weeks, Ian seems to be readjusting to me as a "normal mommy" again. I get more hugs and requests for play and reading time. Unfortunately, he also requests that I pick him up, which isn't allowed yet. Just a couple more weeks, buddy!
I definitely have my own bed rest routines to break. I am still the most comfortable near my bed....physically comfortable, yes, but mentally comfortable, too. I remember hearing on bed rest message boards that it can be hard to leave the bedroom when we have spent several months living almost exclusively in that space. By this point, almost everything I need is 12 inches away from my mattress, so walking about the house seems unnecessary and even foolhardy. Happily, the nesting instinct is driving me to get up each day and do a little bit around the house (at least until the baby pressure in my tummy makes me sit back down!).
I guess we'll adjust to life as a four-person family, just like we have adjusted to everything else. That has been a blessing of bed rest -- the ability to shrug my shoulders and let things come as they may.
1.07.2011
Happy Birthday to Me
Today is my birthday. And I don't particularly care. I mean, I care a little bit. I've gotten some lovely well wishes from friends and terrific gifts from family. But I'm having a baby in 3 days, and that tends to overshadow everything else.
I'm planning some more celebratory fun for after the baby arrives. I'll probably go out to eat somewhere interesting, and my mom has promised me a Baskin-Robbins ice cream cake after baby arrives (I'm on restricted sugar until then).
I have a lot of posts in my head, so I may schedule them out over the next few days while I am in the hospital. So no, if you see a post pop up on Monday, I'm probably not blogging post-partum. Although I will try to post a picture of my new cutie ASAP.
I'm planning some more celebratory fun for after the baby arrives. I'll probably go out to eat somewhere interesting, and my mom has promised me a Baskin-Robbins ice cream cake after baby arrives (I'm on restricted sugar until then).
I have a lot of posts in my head, so I may schedule them out over the next few days while I am in the hospital. So no, if you see a post pop up on Monday, I'm probably not blogging post-partum. Although I will try to post a picture of my new cutie ASAP.
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