Footloose

"I'll hit the ceiling
Or else I'll tear up this town!"
~Kenny Loggins, "Footloose," 1984

Now 24 weeks into the pregnancy, Boy Basham has now reached one foot in total length. Therefore, we salute possibly the most famous of foots: Bigfoot. Of course, depending on where you are from, you may know this mythic hominid by one of its other monikers: Sasquatch, Yeti, Mapinguary, Yowie, or my personal favorite, The Florida Skunk Ape. Are any of these titles worthy as names for Boy Basham this week? Well, I do not believe The Florida Skunk Ape Basham would fly with Laurie, so we're going with Yowie Basham. It's close enough to Howie to pass as a real name, I guess.

Little Yowie is doing very well. He has continued his hyperactivity this past week and he checked in with the doc yesterday. Everything seems to be going smoothly. Laurie has gained the appropriate amount of weight, Yowie's heart rate was strong and normal, and the doctor said everything looks as if the original due date is on target (January 14). Our next doctor visit in on October 20, which is the day before the big Medical Center 10k race in Bowling Green. Yowie will be carried around by mom during the 5k walk. This will be his first race. I think he will do just fine.

In other news, we purchased a crib and changing table over the weekend. We also begin our birthing classes tonight, so keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I'll post some pics once we begin transforming the spare bedroom into the nursery.

So, my fellow cryptozoologists, as we conclude this foot-iest of posts, take a moment to think about Yeti, Kenny Loggins, Kevin Bacon movies, and The Florida Skunk Ape. And know that it was time well spent. Oh, and you just have to appreciate a photo of Bigfoot juxtaposed with Kenny Loggins lyrics.

Doctor Pulls Switcharoo

Dr. Lyons (our doc) was called to deliver a baby this afternoon, so we have rescheduled our visit for Monday afternoon. An update will be coming on Monday night or Tuesday.

Enjoy the weekend!

Enter the Dragon

This may sound like a slightly demonic/evil title for a post, but rest assured that this is a tribute to our budding martial artist. In 1959, a young man from Hong Kong came to America and burst onto the scene as one of the most amazing martial artists the world has ever known. Bruce Lee has been a legend ever since he came stateside to attend the University of Washington that year. After building a reputation of mythic proportions over the next few years, his film Enter the Dragon hit screens in 1973, and many consider it to be the definitive Kung Fu film. Unfortunately, that was the year of Lee's death as well.

So, we salute you, Bruce Lee. And our little guy, Bruce Lee Basham this week, has been saluting you with roundhouse kicks to Laurie's belly. We have been able to visibly see him practicing his nunchaku technique this week, as his wild assaults can be felt almost at will. He has taken a special liking to Laurie's right side. Visible movement is present at any given moment. Embedded above is Laurie's 23-week belly photo. We head to the doc on Friday, so please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
In other news, WKU hosted their only home cross country meet of the season last Sat. Here are some pics from an enjoyable day.

The start of the women's 5k. Kentucky took home first with WKU a close 2nd out of 7 schools.
















The lineup for the men's 5-mile. Eastern Kentucky dominated the event, taking home 4 of the top 5 slots. UK finished 2nd and WKU was 3rd out of 8 schools.















This insane cat from EKU (the winner) finished the 5-mile in 24.53!!! That is about 4.58 per mile in 80-degree heat, on grass, and on a very hilly and challenging course. For non-runners, trust me when I tell you that this is ridiculously fast. On my best day, I MIGHT scare 30 minutes.

Gaining A Few LB's

We are in Week 22 of the pregnancy and, therefore, The Baby Formerly Known As (insert your favorite name, or symbol, here) sheds his old name and gets a spanking new one. This week, the baby weighs nearly one full pound! Hence, we shall call the child L.B. Those initials can represent any combo of "L" and "B" names that you like. Here are some of our favorites:

Laurent Beauregard Basham (for the Southern genteel types)
Larry Bill Basham (for the less-monied Southerners)
Ludwig Beethoven Basham (gotta go for the musical angle)
Legolas Boromir Basham (Tolkien would be proud)
Luke Boba-Fett Basham (A nod to Star Wars)
L. Baum Basham (after Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum)
Little Baby Basham (for the Mr./Ms. Obvious out there)
L. Bean Basham (born with a backpack and plaid shirt)
Lincoln Buchanan Basham (to ensure a Basham in the White House in 2050)

Feel free to add to the list if you like.

In other news, Cort's post-country band, Redfoot, played a show at Spencer's Coffee House in downtown Bowling Green last Friday. It was a good set with a nice turnout. There was a biker rally downtown that evening as well, so there were hundreds of Harley's outside during the show. Many bikers came in to get coffee and catch a song or two. We shared the stage with friends Josh Beasley and P.W. Gopal. Here are some pics of Redfoot tuning up before the set. Ask us for a Redfoot demo CD the next time you see us if you do not have one already.

Derek, Cort, half of Charla's face, and Ryan (Brandon not pictured--he's behind Derek)
















Cort and Ryan tuning up before the show.

Ultra Cool

Here is our first baby picture for Boy Basham. You can make out his head on the right complete with nose and mouth. His torso and legs are also visible. He is in Week 21 now and has grown to about the length and weight of a large banana.

Of course, one cannot think of bananas without conjuring thoughts of two things: 1) "peanut butter jelly time" dancing and 2) Harry Belafonte's classic "Banana Boat Song" with it's catchy "Day O" lyrical hook. PB and J Time is my dance of choice to express joy of WKU Hilltopper success on my hoops blog. Belafonte's classic tune chronicles the plight of banana workers in the Caribbean. So, this week, the child shall be called "Bela" Basham. This way, it's a reference to two great musicians in Harry Belafonte and legendary banjo player, Bela Fleck. Oh, and it is a nod to an annoying, dancing, digitized banana.

This Labor Day marked the biggest 5K race of the year for me. The Run for Sight 5K is a fundraiser to supply lenses to needy folks in Warren Co. I set a personal record this morning by finishing the 5K (3.1 miles) in 18.20. Laurie was kind enough to take a pic of my finish and one of me and my pastor, Ron, after the race (see below). We had a great day in Breck Co. with the Bashams after the race highlighted by tasty grilled food courtesy of Monte and a tremendous Pea-Pickin' Cake prepared by Audrey. Good times were had with Monte, Audrey, Uncle Dooney (Neal), Nikki, both Mamaws (Basham and Preston), and Papaw Basham.

Hope everyone's Labor Day was as good as ours.

Cort finishes.
















Cort and Ron.