Wednesday, March 30, 2005

10:03 pm

Right this second is the very first time in 3 1/2 days that there has been complete silence in our house.


Ahhhhhhh.....................

-OD & OM

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

3 Days Old

Well, Oda Mae is almost 3 full days old and she has been through a lot already. Mom and Dad have been through quite a lot as well. Alli seems to be doing okay (most of the time), Mom and Dad are still a bit on the frazzled side. I think eventually we'll get the hang of it.

Things we've learned in the last 24 hours...
- Oda Mae does NOT like for her arms to be bundled up!
- Oda Mae likes to sleep in the daytime.
- It takes one wipe for the "liquid" diapers.
- It takes at least 20 wipes for the "plasma like" diapers. *it isn't a solid!!!!!!!!!
- Should probably pick up a few more wipes.
- Sleep when Oda Mae sleeps.
- Pictures cost a lot.
- They are worth it.
- We could pick her out in a line up.
- People will drive out of their way, a long ways, to see a cute baby for just a few minutes.
- Grandma Marge makes good french toast.
- It's good to have leftovers waiting in the fridge.
- The binky, suction bulb and burping cloth are always on the other side of the house.

That's about it for now.

Aunt Sarah has some pics for you all to look at. CLICK HERE
Mommy and Daddy have some new pics as well. CLICK HERE

-OD

Monday, March 28, 2005

NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have to see this!!!!!!!!!

See "One for the Family" on March 28, 2005

Open the links in two seperate windows if needed.

The Dancing Queen!!!!

The Modeling Show...

We've already got a hospital web page for Oda Mae. She worked really hard on this photo shoot and will be on magazine covers very soon!

ODA "MODEL" MAE!

Sunday, March 27, 2005

Hoppy Easter!

My Oda Mae gets to come home today! Today is her first Easter. She got here just in time.

I was able to come home last night after doing a few errands and get a little sleep. I'm ready now for the next 18+ years. Oda Mae came kind of late on Friday night, so it was about 3:30 am when Brenda and I were finally able to lay down and try and get a little rest. Then the nurse came in about 20 minutes later for a blood test. After that I think Brenda and I both got about another hour of sleep. Last night I'm sure that Brenda was "open for business" every 2-3 hours, so I'm going to try and get her to rest a bit today when she gets home.

It's funny how you look at all the babies in the hospital. You see yours, and then you look at the others and you wonder what the other parents and families think about their baby not being as cute or beautiful or smart as yours. It must be so sad for them because you just know that they wish they could have your baby instead. In the past when I've looked at other babies, either in person or on television, I've also noticed how those babies have some sort of something wrong with them i.e. pointy head, funny looking ears (everyone said Oda Mae has "Tullos" ears and that that is a good thing. This made me laugh!), too skinny, too fat, you know. But....MY BABY....she is so perfect. There isn't anything wrong with her. Oh sure everyone comes in talking about how she is 10 pounds 5 ounces, but I think that looks to me to be the perfect weight for a baby. All those other babies look too skinny and little. My baby is healthy! So to all those other parents......just BACK OFF!!!!!

I'm sure Oda Mae would like to meet everyone at some point this week. Please feel free to give us a call and let us know when you would like to come. There have been, and I'm not exaggerating, hundreds of photos taken by all the family. So, when these photos are sent I'll put them in an online album with a link here on the blog. I'm also going to put a permanent link on the side, that way you don't have to scroll down to try and find the photos. Her "professional modeling portraits" will be on the hospital web site in a couple of days. I'll let you know when they get there. Cousin Kati has taken some great photos. Here is a link to her website that has some of them posted. KATI'S BLOG.

-OD

Saturday, March 26, 2005


Oda Mae and Daddy Posted by Hello

Alli and Mommy Posted by Hello

Allison Leigh Tullos 3-25-2005 Posted by Hello

Oda Mae's Birthday Photos

Here is a link to the album.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ODA MAE!!!!

OMBBBPC!!!

Well folks, we have a winner!!!!!!! Gran guessed that Oda Mae would be born on Oda March 25, 2005. It was a very close race with great anticipation right up to the very end. With only a few minutes to spare, Gran has won the grand prize that will surely become a family
heirloom, the pregnant lady coffee mug. There might be a little something extra to go with it.

Congratulations Gran!!! You may claim your prize at the hospital.

-OD

P.S. Thank you all for playing!!!!!!! I hope everyone had a good time and enjoyed themselves. Maybe we'll have consolation prizes for all of the "non-grand-prize winners"!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALLISON LEIGH TULLOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last night (Good Friday) at 11:36 pm Brenda and I became the VERY PROUD parents of this perfect little girl. Mom did an unbelievable job of delivering her with about 3 hrs of hard labor. She came in weighing 10 pounds 5 ounces!!!!!!!! 20.5 inches!!! We had no idea she would be this large. She has light red hair and looks like her mommy. Well, she takes after her daddy as well. :)

Mom, Dad, and Oda Mae are doing great.

There will be photos up in the next hour or so.

-OD

Over Due Day 3

Your Pregnancy: day by day after the due date.
By Jimmy.

The Third Day After Your Due Date.
Day three your baby has grown considerable since you last checked (yesterday). She is now a whopping 10 pounds. Yes that's right, but she still has room to grow. Space is extremely limited. You may start feeling some minor labor pains, but don't fret. That baby isn't coming 'till next week.
You may feel the need to go run errands like buying a new cell phone, going to eat lunch with your mom-in-law, going to work and doing a few last minute tasks that you really feel that you need to get done.
By the time you get home, your starting to feel the contractions "burn". Don't worry, that's completely normal.
Your baby is soon to be here. Watch carefully for "full moons" and "thunderstorms"

Friday, March 25, 2005

Hmmmm....

Thought of something fun....

Your Pregnancy: day by day after the due date.
By Jimmy.

The first day after your due date.
Your baby didn't come yesterday. That is usually okay because you figure, "What's the rush? I don't really want this pain to happen." Mother nature will take its' course in time. You will tell people that you were due yesterday with a sly grin on your face. Right now it's funny; just wait.

The second day after your due date.
Your baby is growing at an alarming rate. She is about 8 pounds now and 20 some-odd inches; gradually working towards being the largest baby born in America (like that poor Brazilian woman who gave birth to the 17 pound baby a while back). She is moving around less and less, 'cause she is getting so big. So you might notice some anxiety beginning to build up. Not only in you and your husband, but your entire family as well. Everyone who has a blog is blogging "When's she gonna be here?". Family members will call you on the phone, "I'm not calling to see if you're in labor. I just wanted to see how you are doing today." Never before have these loved ones been so concerned about your daily well being. The most convenient time for your baby to arrive has obviously come and gone (Spring Break). Now, your baby must come at the most inconvenient time: while you husband is working 10 minutes, 45 minutes, or even 2.5 hours away. This is just a funny little joke that God likes to play on "Newbies".
You are uncomfortable standing up. You are uncomfortable sitting down. You are also uncomfortable sleeping or being awake. You have to go "potty" all the time, especially when your husband jiggles your belly in hopes of throwing you into labor. Your baby will arrive soon.

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Past Due

So, everyone...we are past the due date for Oda Mae. Only one person picked a date on the OMBBBPC after the 22nd. There happens to be a full moon on Friday....so we'll have to wait and see. I have no doubts that Oda Mae is waiting patiently to come while I'm at my gig on Easter morning. You know, Murphy's Law and stuff. Even though she isn't here yet Oda Momma is doing fine and plans to start her maternity leave on Monday even if Oda Mae isn't here by then. My post have been somewhat sporadic lately cause of the big Easter weekend coming up (I'm in rehearsals every night.) I do intend on keeping up with the blog after Oda Mae gets here. I know that you all want to see pics and hear about what she is doing. Until later, happy waiting.

-OD

Sandy, you friggin' didn't win.... Posted by Hello

Message from Napoleon to Sandy...

this is an audio post - click to play

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

OMBBBPC...

Yesterday was Oda March 21. Kip, I'm sorry, but maybe you should have gotten help from a studio audience.

"Bye, bye!" Posted by Hello

Monday, March 21, 2005

End of the Road...

In Your Pregnancy: week by week we have reached week 40. "Your baby weighs about 7.5 pounds. Its crown-to-rump length is about 14.8 to 15.2 inches. Total length is 21.5 inches. Your baby fills your uterus and has very little room to move." BTW: there are no more chapters in the book.

Went to the Dr. today (again!). The nurse had to start a new page for Brenda's information. We've run out of lines. The new page had space for about 20 more weeks. (Ha Ha) Oda Mae sounds great (as always). Brenda is (don't read this part if your squeamish) 3-4 cm now and ready, ready, ready. Now I've been watching all of those baby having shows on the Discovery Health channel and I seem to recall all of those women who are in the hospital get there at about 3-4 cm. I'm not sure what the hold up is.

Brenda told me to be nice to her Dr., so we did not have this conversation....

Me, "So doc, maybe I was wrong, but when you said Oda Mae would be 'early', I was thinking a few days, maybe even a couple of weeks. What' gives?"

Doc, "Well....."

Me, "So, are you thinking maybe just a day early? Or, were you thinking something more along the lines of early in the morning?"..........

She did ask Brenda if she wanted to wait and see what happens or if she wanted to set up a time to "induce labor". I have to admit, I was a little disappointed that she didn't reply, "Let's get this thing out today." But, after some careful consideration, I think she made the right decision to wait and let nature take it's course. So, we'll go back next week.

At IHOP today, as we were leaving, the waitress asked me when the baby was due. :) As Brenda was sitting on the waiting bench for me to pay, I had the pleasure of grinning and saying "Tomorrow." The waitress was very glad that she waited to ask us when we were leaving. She said, "Oh, my God! I'm glad I didn't know that until you guys were leaving." I can't wait to go back next Monday!

I'll keep everyone informed as the week progresses. Good luck to Kip, Sandy, and Gran this week in the OMBBBPC.

-OD

P.S. Rob and Kip are planning on bringing the family a ROAST when Oda Mae gets here! :P

Ahh, the first day of spring....

Grandma Bev....

Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Oda Mae didn't come
So I bet your a little upset that she didn't get here on the day you picked.

-OD

Sunday, March 20, 2005

Need a...

babysitter for May 19, 2005. Any takers??????????????

-OD & OM

Friday, March 18, 2005

The Luck O' The Irish

'taint with ya today laddy. Oda March 17 wasn't very magical, now was it Grandma Marge? Why don't 'cha go eat yourself a few bowls of LUCKY CHARMS 'till the time is right. You'll be thankful ya did...

Posted by Hello

Thursday, March 17, 2005

Geez.....

Here's hoping that Oda Mae doesn't wait too much longer...

Click Here

-OD

Wednesday, March 16, 2005


"As far as Caesar knew, the Ides were just another day." Posted by Hello

And Lo...

...the Ides (Oda's) of March didith not produce thy baby. Thy baby Oda will not hath been born on the Ides, but shall ever more be known as thy baby that wast born after thine Ides. Goeth Rob and Maw who hath lost this day forever and wait over there with everybody else who hath lost.

-OD

Monday, March 14, 2005

38 and 6/7 Weeks...

We'll be at 39 weeks tomorrow. We went to the Dr. today and everyone is doing just fine. The Dr. said that Brenda's cervix "is soooo ready." I suppose that is a good thing because I, like Brenda's cervix am soooo ready.

Week 39..."Your baby weighs a little more than 7 pounds. By this point in your pregnancy, crown-to-rump length is about 14.4 inches. The baby's total length is 21.5 inches. The illustration on page 327 [see below] shows a side view of a woman with a very large uterus and her baby inside it. As you can see, she's about as big as she can get. You probably are, too!"

No kidding!!!!

We asked the Dr. today when we needed to call her. Her response was that we shouldn't waste any time calling her and that when the contractions were 5, "not three" minutes apart and strong, that we needed to go straight to Labor and Delivery.
Yeah!!!!!!

Good luck to Rob, Maw and Granny Smith who all have days picked out this week on the OMBBBPC! I'm on "spring break" this week and will be able to get Brenda to the hospital quickly if needed. Make sure to keep your cell phones handy this week as we are gearing up for a spectacular event!

-OD

See through Brenda and Oda Mae at 39 weeks. Posted by Hello

Sunday, March 13, 2005


 Posted by Hello

OMBBBPC Update

Sorry Kati. There was just no way you can win today. Oda March 13 just wasn't good enough to stay on the stage...Click HERE to claim your prize.

Saturday, March 12, 2005

The Oda Syndrome

Nobody picked today in the OMBBBPC. So to pass the time, I'm going to tell you all the story of "Oda Mae". When Brenda and I were "Special Friends", we would hang out a lot and talk about how our families had nicknames for us. Brenda was called "Bean" or "Beany" 'cause when she was born, she was mostly arms and legs. Like a string bean. When I was born my dad called me "Turkey Bird" which eventually got shortened to "Byrd". I was also called "Bubba". I'm not sure if I know any person of the male gender who has an older sibling, and who lives in Texas who isn't called "Bubba". But, I digress. My friends from college and I started calling each other "Bubba", as kind of a running "east Texas red neck" joke. When Brenda and I would get together we started calling all the little boys we saw running around, "Bubba". So that's where that name came from. After awhile, we were like..."What do we call little girls?" We had no idea so we would just wait until the right name came along. One night we were watching "Ghost" on TV. [You can see where this is going....] Whoopie Goldberg played a character who was a psychic, and her name was "Oda Mae Brown" (actually, I think that is an alias she used at some point during the movie -OM). She was totally funny in this movie and we just cracked up at her name. I said, "If we ever have children and one of them is a girl, then we should name her 'Oda Mae'." Brenda was decisively against this, but eventually I wore her down. Ever since then we've called little boys, "Bubba" and little girls "Oda Mae".
Then we were thinking, "What if we have more than one boy or girl?" "We can't very well call them both 'Bubba' or 'Oda Mae'." So we decide that if we have a second boy he will be called "Elmer" simply because he's the second male. Poor "Elmer". We haven't thought too much about a second girl. We have come up with "Mae Oda" then when we needed both girls to come to us, we'd just call ' "'Oda Mae Oda!!!!' get in here!"

So that's the story and we're stickin' to it!

OD

In the Womb

So last night, Brenda and I watched this really cool National Geographic special called In the Womb. It is a really well done documentary on how modern medicine has been able to help people learn about the process of pregnancy and birth. They use computer generated sequences as well as sonograms and the NEW 3D and 4D sonograms that are really incredible. With the computer animations they are able to really give you a sense of what things are like in there for Oda Mae. They go step by step through each week of pregnancy and show you what the fetus looks like and what's happening in there. It is truly an amazing 2 hour show and we would highly recommend that you watch it whenever you get the chance.

OMBBBPC....Sorry Sister dear. I already tried to get Brenda to go run a couple of miles with me, she ain't gonna budge!!!!! Oda March 11 came and went without a hitch. YOU LOSE!

Thursday, March 10, 2005

OMBBBPC...


Posted by HelloThe date is Oda March 10. Grandma Betty, your psychic abilities are a tad short of those of Nostradamus.

Indeed you are the weakest link!

Goodbye.

OD.

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

"Birthday Pool"

So far Brenda and Dedra have completely lost. The next contestant on the Oda Mae Baby Blog Birthday Pool Contest is JIMMY!!!! Oda March 9 has come and gone.

In the immortal words of Weird Al...

"That's right Jimmy--you lost! And let me tell what you didn't win: a twenty-volume set of the Encyclopedia International, a case of Turtle Wax, and a year's supply of Rice-a-Roni, the San Francisco treat. But that's not all! You also made yourself look like a jerk in front of millions of people! And you brought shame and disgrace on your family name for generations to come! You don't get to come back tomorrow! You don't even get a lousy copy of our home game! You're a complete loser!!"

Maybe next time.

-OD

Monday, March 07, 2005

"Ouch, my uterus..."

Went to the Dr. today. Brenda is now at 3 cm and completely effaced (see Effacement). Oda Mae's heartbeat was strong and sounded good. The Dr. said that she would see us again next week, "unless something happens."

Tomorrow we will be at 38/40 weeks. Brenda has lost the pool and unless Oda Mae comes before midnight tonight Dedra will be the second to be voted off the island.

As we were leaving IHOP today, a little mexican lady came up to Brenda...people are always coming up to her now-a-days...and said "Eight months, right?"
Brenda said "Yes, that's right."
"It's going to be a girl, right?"
Brenda "Yes, how did you know that?"
Mexican lady, "My great, great grandmother was always able to tell, and they say it runs in the family. If you have a round belly, it's going to be a girl. If you have a large rear end, it's a boy."

If that's correct, I know a lady in town who's definitely having a boy!!!! Geez.

Here is a link to the pictures of Oda Mae's room. Click Here.

Here is a link to the "Office" shower. Click Here.

Here's hopin' for Oda March 9th on Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!

OD

Friday, March 04, 2005


Here is a photo I took of my sweeties.
 Posted by Hello

Here is a link to the "Family & Friends" Shower photos. Posted by Hello

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

Pictures

We'll see if this works better....

Click Here Instead

J.

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

Week 37...

starts today. We had a doctors appointment yesterday and it was very uneventful. No sonograms or anything cool. She did say that Brenda's tummy is 1 cm bigger than it should be...a sign that Oda Mae will be here earlier than March 22. We're looking at about 6.5 pounds now for the baby and a total length of 21 inches. Supposedly, Oda Mae's head is down in the pelvis at this point, but we haven't noticed any difference in the way she looks. There have been some pretty major bulges and protrusions and stuff though. Yesterday at the Dr. we were pretty much in and out in about 5 minutes, which leads me to believe that the Dr. A) Doesn't really know anything. B) Knows something, but doesn't want to tell us and get us all excited. or C) Is just playing games with us to see if we notice.

I do have some interesting stories about yesterday's outings....

Every time Brenda goes to the Dr. she has to weigh in on one of those fancy scales where you have to move the metal weights around...(I won't divulge the actual weight for fear of a knock upside the head), but the nurse (obviously a newbie) didn't really do it right. She wrote on Brenda's chart that she had gained 40 pounds since last week. I know that she's supposed to be eating for two now, but come on....she also didn't really know how to check blood pressure either. She was looking around the little room for one of those air pump thingies and had to go borrow one from someone whom I'm sure was a classmate. Apparently, she hadn't had time to go to the college bookstore to buy her own blood pressure supplies. The Dr. did notice the weight problem and said that it would be corrected.

After the appointment, we went to eat breakfast as usual to the local IHop. MMMmmmm...IHop. Then we went to Babies R Us to look for a stuffed animal net thing for Oda Mae's room. (You'll know what I'm talking about when I post the pics later.) When I pulled into the parking lot, I was about to pull into a space that I thought was unusually close to the entrance when I realized that it was one of those "reserved" spots. You know how you feel when you see a beaner spot at Wal-Mart or the mall only to find out it's "reserved"? Well, I was about to back out with a sigh of frustration when Brenda said, "Hey, that's reserved for pregnant ladies." I joyously replied, "Hey, that's you!!!" and we both cheered! It's the little things in life...

On the way to Babies R Us we had been talking about how with all the stuff that we've gotten so far we still haven't gotten many diapers, and how expensive they would be. While walking around the store looking at the clearance isle a lady came up to us and said, "Hey, excuse me, but would you like to have some diapers?" With very confused looks on our faces she went on to explain that her newborn had grown too large for some of the diapers that she had gotten at a baby shower. She had tried to return the diapers to BRU but they didn't carry that brand (Luvs). She had decided to walk around the store and just give them to someone, but all the people in the store had babies that were too big for the diapers as well. Then she decided to try and find a pregnant lady to give them to. So, she found us, and we gladly took the diapers. God works in mysterious ways.

We are in the month of March, which leaves us with only days (not weeks anymore) until little Allison gets here. This month will now be known as "Oda March" and we would like to start a little "Birthday Pool". The winner gets something cool like maybe that crazy pregnant lady mug that Uncle Rob gave us. Brenda (Oda Momma) would like to start with Oda March 5. I'll take Oda March 9. You may submit your chosen date via the "comments" button below or e-mail. If duplicate dates are chosen, the first person to choose that date gets to keep it. The second person has to choose a different date. Good Luck!!!!

OD

P.S. I've got lots of photos to show everyone, so I think I'll start an online photo album that will be able to hold them all. I'll give you all the link here at the Baby Blog as soon as I get it up and running.