Echo, Echo

Is this working? Damn Blogger.

The end is here

Well, it's been a long quiet month on the blog front, but that's mostly b/c it's been busy with b-day, anniversary, and Xmas stuff. I love December, but it's a busy already and we're planning, or rather hoping, to add another thing to it- our daughters arrival! We would so love if she came soon. It hit me last weekend- I am READY!!
For me I just want to be done, though it's been a fairly boring and not complicated pregnancy. I am probably the only woman ever to have lived who would be willing to be pregnant forever. It's been so easy and better than I expected that why wouldn't I continue the fun? Mostly b/c I want to know what my daughter looks like and what her personality is like.
2 weeks ago we had an exciting/scary appointment- the only one that Jim missed (but only kind of missed). I went and was measuring the same as I had for the previous month (approximately 35/36 weeks based on external measurements of the uterus). I was told that I needed to come in later that week to have a growth sonogram. I texted Jim to check his schedule and right after hitting send the midwife came back in and told me she was sending me to Sono right then. Jim called me and I tried not to cry as I waited for him and my 'appointment' to check on the baby. Got some great views of the baby, but no money shot to confirm all the pink purchases that have been made for this baby. I had time to review the results of the ultrasound w/ my midwife and Jim came in right as we were finishing up. Needless to say the baby is fine and healthy. A little on the small side- she was measuring 6 pounds 6 oz at 38 weeks, but she could have been as small as 5.5 pounds. Plenty of aminoitic fluid and she was moving great. We got a great picture of her head all smashed on the inside, so I think she's running out of room in there.
At least I hope so! B/c her eviction notice was given to her on Xmas day as I am so ready to move on to being a mommy. I want her here before the end of the year for tax purposes, to share my b-day month w/ her, to keep her out of January-where every kid in my family seems to be born, and to avoid an induction. My midwives will only let me go to 1 week 1 day past my due date before we start talking about induction and at 42 weeks, I don't have any choice really. I mostly just want a natural birth and I think this will be easier on me and the baby if we can start things naturally. No pictocin, no epidural, no Csection for me please!
I have been trying to get things moving on their own. I have been taking evening primrose oil since Xmas day and I'm thinking about upping my dose, just to help- you never know! I spend as much time walking as I can. I ate shrimp for dinner Friday night- an OWT from my office. I've tried visualizations. I've tried bouncing on my exercise ball. I've tried spicy food. I sent Jim to the store in search of red raspberry leaf tea. I've tried accupressure points. Can you tell I'm desperate?
We have another appointment on Tuesday for another sonogram and a non stress test and appointment with one of our midwives. I'm really hoping I don't have to make a 41 week appointment! Please, if you read this- all 2 of you- please send easy, quick, and fast arriving labor vibes my way. I don't want to have to go to work until April!!
****This post has been brought to you by the letter F, the numbers 4 and 0, and my new laptop which is a wonderful gift from Jim for Xmas- I'm a lucky girl who wants to share a guy who spoils me to death with our daughter- so get here quickly little one!****

26 weeks: Day before the infamous buybuybaby shopping trip!

27 weeks:

28 weeks:

29 weeks:

30 weeks:

31 weeks: You can see the color of the nursery!!!

32 weeks:

33 weeks: Oops! we forgot!

34 weeks:

::the sound of crickets::

Well November was a quiet month on the blog front. Mostly b/c we were so busy. We had 3 showers (2 for us and 1 for a friend's wife), Turkey day, and many many baby classes. I have been settling into having an extra day off (Monday's for now) due to budget cuts in my programs. This has sucked in many ways, but has also allowed me to spend more time getting things done in the nursery and around the house. I honestly expect that December will be just as busy and just as silent on the blog front as November was. I have been very frustrated with my lack of ability to deal with web 2.0 and really just want to kill just about every 'helpful' resource/website out there. I'm just getting too old for this crap.
And speaking of which my birthday is tomorrow. I will be a ripe old 29. I have always wanted to be 30 b/c I felt there was some kind of lack of questioning your age. You were old enough not to be so inexperienced in life, but not yet old.
Well it looks like our baby will likely not be born while I'm still 28. I haven't noticed her dropping and think I've got a couple of weeks left to go. Though I'm somewhat convinced I won't make it to my due date (12-28-08). Jim is taking odds on the 18th. I just don't want the 24th-26th. Too close to X-mas. And after the 31st. Then I'm out for my tax deduction. Let's hope this baby is more prompt than mommy and daddy. I have had on my to-do list adding pictures to my blog. And today will be the day! Stay tuned!!!

The strange morning that was

We have had the most bizarre, not typical, and somewhat crappy day. Well, actually just this morning. By 12:00 things had mostly calmed down. So let's start in the beginning. Actually last night.
We always go to the movies on Friday nights with our friends, last night being no exception. We went to see RocknRolla (pretty good and redeems Guy Ritchie from his more recent stink-o-roos). We also always hang out in the hallway outside the theater shooting the shit for some time. Last night was a good 30-45 minutes discussion, mostly about politics since the election is coming up so soon. We leave and get to bed around 1:00ish. This is late, but isn't a problem except we have baby birthing classes at 9 across town. I've been waiting for these to start b/c I think it will really make it all feel 'real.' As if getting kicked in the gut repeatedly isn't real. We were sad about losing a weekend morning for all the work we need to do around here, but not much we can do about it.
Our day starts at 7:20ish. Not b/c the alarm goes off. It's supposed to do that in 25 minutes. No, from Jim's phone vibrating. It's work (kind of. It's long and complicated) telling him that they need him to come in and let some work people into one of their buildings. Ugh, he can be there by 8:15. While he's getting dressed my phone rings (which is lucky b/c it's usually on silence from the night before- you know moviegoer courtesy). Its the people from the baby class, class is cancelled. Our instructor was in a car accident and in the hospital. Great, what a letdown. Jim's pissed to have to get up, I'm somewhat grateful to get more sleep. But in reality, when are we going to have time to fit this into our already packed November schedule.
Jim comes back from work fairly quickly. I had barely enough time to doze off again. Apparently he didn't even need to go in b/c some jerk forgot to tell him and the guy who makes sure everything is working properly. Ugh, this would have made my phone call a relief b/c then we would have both been able to sleep in.
Jim decides he's not hungry yet and gets to work to electrical work. After some finagling, we got the fan/light to work in the nursery. Breakfast time!!! While we're making breakfast we keep hearing this distant banging noise. It is hard to describe and we kept thinking it was coming from outside. While we were eating it got louder and all of a sudden it occurred to me what it was. Sally must have gotten into the vents b/c the covers are off due to painting. I went to the nursery to see that Sally had indeed pushed aside the kid gate, Jim went to the basement to see how far from the hole she had gotten herself. I tried calling her and brought out the treats into the hole. No such luck. Jim began pounding on the duct work to try to get her to move towards me. I think this just scared her more. We gave up and decided that she would find her way out or come out where the air filter connects to the furnace, which Jim remove the access panel from.
We went back to breakfast to finish our meal and coffee. After we had eaten, we tried to get her to come out again. This time Jim located her right above the furnace. She kept moving and at one point fell towards the air filter, but got back up in the vents. Close, but no kitty. I could hear her moving towards the living room, so Jim went upstairs to take off the grate cover. He had to move the couch and 2 bookcases while I talked to Sally to try and keep her from getting scared from the noises. As he was removing the last screw she popped her head up and he cajoled her out. Of course, I came running up the stairs to hold onto my filthy, heart pounding kitty.
We decide Sally needs a full bath STAT! Her white fur is gray and her orange fur is a weird color of dingy orange/gray mix. I won't let her down b/c I don't know where she will go and she was so disgustingly dirty. That's what one gets for spending 30 minutes in duct work that is probably 20-30 years old.
Then as we're trying to get things ready for Sally's first ever full bath- Jim's dad calls. Talk about bad timing. Sally is getting tired of being held and I want to start the bath. But he's polite and talks to him about a recent family funeral while I try to gather what's needed for Sally's bath. Jim was able to get free fairly quickly (though it didn't feel like it at the time) and assist me in soaking out kitty down. Sally had to be shampooed 3 times just to get the water to run clear. On the initial soaking the water was almost black and had bits of crap coming out of her fur. She's quite a skinny thing when her fur is all wetted down! Then we had a pathetic looking soaked kitty to dry off.
I came out of it covered in the same filthy dirty grime as Sally and my shirt was completely soaked trying to dry her off. I decided to start painting and Jim went to work on more electrical projects. As I start to paint, I realize, I don't have enough to do a complete 2nd coat on the entire room. Actually I don't have enough to do half of what really needs a 2nd coat! Ugh!! This day is sucking it up fast and it's not even 12 yet! Most of the room is a weird green color b/c the room was blue with one coat of primer that just made it light blue and one coat of yellow. How distressing!!? Jim is a sweetie and volunteers to go to the store to buy more paint and one electrical switch he needs.
From this point our day becomes mostly boring and full of finishing projects. Of course the nursery still needs a another coat in some areas-gawd this blue just won't go away! But we have light in both the office and the nursery, which before today we were living with wire sticking out of the ceiling and wall where you'd flip the switch. Thank goodness for table lamps! Now I can paint anytime of the day!!! And our house is 98% completely re-wired. It's only taken 6 years!!! What an awesome job my hubby does!
My work shower is on Monday and I'm feeling excited for it. I hope everyone has a good time and we get lots of useful things!! And I ordered some cloth diapers tonight for what is hoped to be an awesome deal and very helpful. Plus, I'll feel a lot more prepared and ready for this bambina.
Long update, for a long day!

The next 30 some odd days

So here we are. Firmly in the 3rd tri. Trying to be productive, yet finding so many things to get in our way. We have been insanely busy and November is shaping up to be a frighteningly busy month. And it's our last month to get anything done before the time suck that is our baby is due to arrive.
We have started baby classes (very brave and willingly Jim went to a 'Dads only class'), continued to remodel the house/nursery, visited with family, moved friends into a new house, and all of the typical chores necessary for adult life (paying bills, going to the grocery store, trying to stay informed on the election, work, oh! and have a social life too).
Coming up we have painting, lighting, trim work in the nursery, cleaning and decorating the nursery, 3 showers, 2 holidays, 4 or 5 baby classes, voting, working and the chores that come up every month as mentioned above. I'm tired just thinking about it. And of course, I'm getting larger and the aches of the end of pregnancy are starting to slow me down. Though I am quite thankful that I am mostly free from pain and have no real restrictions.
This was clarified for me at our 30 week appointment. I, as per my routine, brought a list of questions. One of them had to do with concerns about possible slow leaking of amniotic fluid. In debating whether to test to find out more information I am informed that if it is indeed amniotic fluid, then I will be sent over to the hospital for bedrest until I deliver. Not really what I had in mind for my day off nor the next 8-10 weeks. A quick test and I was dressed and waiting to leave for my lunch that I was desperately hungry for. After a little stress and about 5 minutes I am asked to get undressed again for further testing. Stress through the roof now. But I was assured that this is like a pregnancy test, it will either be positive or negative no 'well maybe we saw something'. Results in 5-10 minutes. Of coures we have to wait the full 10 minutes b/c it was in fact negative and I was allowed to go home and have my lunch.
So what did I do this weekend? Paint the ceiling and put one coat of paint on the nursery walls. I have never seen pregnancy as an excuse for being lazy or that I'm some kind of invalid now with my 'condition'. If I'm not put on restriction I will continue to live my life as I always have, though I am a wee bit more careful now. I just have less endurance.
So hopefully I will have enough endurance to make it through to full term (shortly after turkey day) even with everything we have in front of us this upcoming month. Though I'm hoping not much beyond full term. I do not look forward to being 40 weeks and even 1 day pregnant.

Random thoughts about... well.... not much

Why do I always think of great blog topics to share with you internets when I'm never in front of the computer? And why can't I think of any of those typically brillant Amy thoughts when I feel guilty enough to sit down and spend some time with my thoughts? Hmmm.... Universal questions, me thinks.
Anyway, I've been thinking about how blogs are like High School. This may be a limited thought out process, but hang with me.
So, many people desire to have friends or have the desire to be cool enough to be popular but not cool enough to care or state the desire to be popular b/c that would be uncool. Follow? Okay, great. So I think it's the same for blogs. Those who write them, I've found in my limited experience reading them, don't do it just for themselves but to also please some person or anonymous reader. Of course, if you were to ask a typical blog writer they would claim that they "just do it for themselves and screw everyone else who disagrees!" But I think that ultimately they are looking for approval. Either through the people they know who read the blog or through comments left by random readers. I must admit to this frailty.
You see, I want to post my most personal thoughts and feelings out there and feel safe from the glaring eye of my family and some friends. But at the same time I wonder why should I even be doing this time-waster? No one even reads it (though I have proof to the contrary, I just like to complain about how unpopular my blog is), I say to myself. I think I check it more often than anyone else does. I guess the upside of that is that I'm my own biggest fan.
I have found most of the blogs I read through another pit of HS-thenest.com Oh god, this is my internet vice! Like most internet forum/communities, people join, make idiots of themselves, fight like girls in 7th grade, discuss nothing relevant to the board at hand, and share links to their blogs. I will admit to 3 of the 5 above. And no, I will not tell you which 3. But I think the sharing of blog links is where people try to make their lives sound interesting and build up a loyal following of internets glued to the everyday boring events of people's lives. We're all just voyeurs. And I'll admit to being fasinated by others mundane lives. Although, sometimes you get a really funny or inspiring story if you can stick with it.
And most of these people I don't even know IRL. I would say that I regularly follow 8 blogs. And by regularly follow, I mean check once a day for updates. And being the hypocrite I am, I'm pissed when I don't get a new post once a week. I'm terrible at this, but trying people! Of those, I know or used to know 3. Less than half! Ack! But I get so caught up in the newest adventures their kids are going through, wanting them to get pregnant, wanting them to stay pregnant, greiving w/ them from afar when they have a loss (whether a pet or a pregnancy), learning from them, being inspired by them, being grateful to not have the troubles they have, being grossed out by them, the list goes on and on.
Sorry to get all emotional on you. Back to how blogs=HS.
I have also fallen into the trap of wanting my blog to be pretty and cute and attractive and slim my bottom half. Sound like a teenage girls wish for herself? Thus the current look to the blog that I still haven't been able to figure out how to fix. Nor the energy and patience I know it will take to give it the remodel it deserves. Oh well, it's functional.
So those are my completely incomplete thoughts on why blogging is like reliving HS without all the acne, body odor, and requirements for physical education.