Category: expecting

Yesterday was a good day. Most days are really pretty good if you look at them objectively, I notice. But sunshine and unicorns aside, yesterday was particularly good. I am not sure why. I did get to go to The Corner Office for lunch. It was admin professionals' day and a big group of us went there. Such good people. They're a lot of the reason I like work. Got a lot accomplished at work too … picayune things to finish up before I go on leave. I was late to pick up Tabby because I went home before going to the sitter's house to put the final coat of varnish on the drawers and somewhere in the mayhem, Matt spilled a quart of varnish on our carpet. Oops. Luckily we have a carpet cleaner in-house (dog+kids+oatmeal carpet) and I think we saved the carpet … if not, that's why we have home owner's insurance and our carpet NEEDS replacing (dog+kids+oatmeal carpet). But when I picked Tabby up, she was in a super good mood and thrilled to see me. The feeling was mutual.

We took Mr. Loki to our friends' house where he will stay for the next few days. I got to missing him right away, even if he has a jingly collar that wakes Tabby up while she's napping and doesn't understand personal space very well. We had Wendy's for dinner because there is NO cooking going on at our house right now. We snuggled in bed and watched Little Einstein – we skipped the end, but I'm pretty confident about how it was going to turn out. We installed the new drawers and organized all of the clothes. It is always sad to see my favorite outfits in the “too small” pile. Though based on Tabby's growth patterns, we also made a pile of “maybe next winter too!” clothes. Tabby went to bed without a peep, finally wanting her daddy to read to her (she's been all about mommy lately). Matt and I were able to quickly pick up the main floor and then spend a couple of hours watching some back episodes of Bones on the Tivo … together … cuddled up in bed. That has not happened in weeks, maybe months.

So not absolutely everything on my maniacal to-do list will be accomplished by the time our sweet boy arrives, but who cares? I'm sure he won't. And today I am having donuts for breakfast and a pedicure for lunch. Yay. Then after a nap, we've got dinner plans with my family and I need to make a quick stop at Target for a few essentials and it's home for a good night's sleep before the excitement of tomorrow. This will probably be my last post before Baby Boy arrives and hopefully I'll be able to update you sometime tomorrow afternoon and maybe even share a couple of photos.

How long are you working?
I am working right up until my C-date. I will work the morning of the 23rd and then leave around 11 and go get my pedicure (the shop is near my office, so this makes excellent sense) and then spend some QT with Tabby. Since I have a low-stress job that mostly involves sitting at a desk, being at the office is probably more restful than being at home, especially given my predilection towards compulsively organizing and cleaning at the moment. Plus … hello … $$!! Diapers are expensive. As many paychecks as possible, please.

Does this kid have a name?
Yes he does! And even if he were to turn out to be a she (fat chance – even I can read boy parts on our ultrasounds) a name has been picked out. Miss Tabby knows what his name is and has spilled it to quite a few people, but I guess it's not generally known yet. It will be on his birth announcement … speaking of which, email me your address if you would like me to send you one (and I don't already have your address).

How long are you taking off?
Four glorious summery months! Being as I am in construction and the economy being as it is, it is kind of a blessing to not have to pay me for 4 months of this year. But I will probably work one day a week or so since there is no duplication of my role. Plus it will give Tabby a chance to see her sitter (who she loves) so she doesn't get out of that habit.

Are you ready?
Doubtful. I'm not sure you're ever really *ready* for a baby. We've done a good chunk of the physical preparations and all, but there are more to be done and I'm sure I could easily occupy every moment between now and the time I leave for the hospital doing this or that. But we definitely need to assemble the pack 'n' play and make sure the breast pump still works and all of that.

So … how are you feeling?
Depends on when you ask me! Have I had enough sleep? Is someone or something annoying me? How are my clothes (you know the three items from my wardrobe that still can be worn) fitting me? Overall, I am not doing too badly, I suppose. But I am definitely counting the days. And I would probably start crying uncontrollably if they told me I had to wait any longer. Having that date really helps.

What will you miss about being pregnant?
Ha! Not much. I haven't been miserable or anything, but I do miss certain things that I haven't been able to enjoy whilst being pregnant. Margaritas. Sleeping. Running. Getting dressed. Bending over. I guess I will miss the baby kicks. Those are pretty sweet.

It was a real April foolsy sort of day. It was a bit cloudy when I went in for my appointment at 3:30. By 4 PM when I left the clinic, there was driving snow (nearly a white-out) plus thunder and lightning!!

Anyhoo, we are all set up for April 24. I knew that was probably going to be the date, but now that it's all lined up (with a printed piece of paper confirming it), I'm feeling nervous and way behind, saying things to myself like “only two more full weeks of work” and “only three more weekends.” And that, of course, is assuming this kid doesn't make plans of his own. Oy. Now I will tell myself to shut up and relax … and make my lists and such.

And I thought it was hard to sleep before!

I feel totally guilty because I sort of forget I'm pregnant half of the time. This kid seems like he's getting the short end of the stick compared to his sister. By this point in my pregnancy, Tabby had a whole nursery completely stocked and ready to go. This kid has a box of clothes in his sister's closet. And the plans for his arrival aren't real extensive … We'll be putting up the pack 'n' play in the master bedroom and installing the infant carseat bases.

I'd love to have things more ready, but we're running out of time. Hopefully Matt will have Tabby's toddler bed done in time and we'll be able to transition her to it so that the crib will be ready to go when the baby is reay for it and reorganize Tabby's room to accomodate both of their things.

And when is he coming? We're still not entirely sure. We met with the OB on Friday and the scheduled C is pretty much a done deal, but we don't know a date yet. It will be around 39 weeks, near April 24th. Meanwhile, he's busy be-bopping around. Baby wiggles are the best part of being pregnant for sure. Otherwise, I'm kind of over it. Sleep is fitful and inadequate and depending on the day, I can sometimes take it fairly well and sometimes not. I am working hard at not being too grumpy. Matt is too nice to let me know my win-loss ratio on that battle.

Tuesday was our 20 wk ultrasound. Instead of going through the normal radiology dept. at a clinic, I requested to have it done in the perinatology (high risk baby doctor) department. Last time the tech had some trouble scanning me and caused us some undue worry. This time I wanted to go straight to the source and so I asked my OB if I could be scanned the first time in perinatology (where we ended up last time). They have better techs and more sophisticated equipment and the doctor actually sits in with you during the scan and analyzes right then and there. Plus I love our perinatologist … he is a great doc with perfect bedside manner and so comforting to see!

The scan went just as perscribed and our gender determination was confirmed … boy it is! He's got all his parts and looks perfect, “totally normal and boring” as the doc joked. Because I'm one of the only “normal” patients they see in perinatology (usually they deal with multiples and other higher risk pregnancies), they let the novices (his resident and the ultrasound trainee) play around with my belly a lot which was neat because we got to see tons of stuff, including the kid waving at us and kicking me.

It was a very nice experience and definitely helped make it a bit more real for me. This time has been much different … I know I'm pregnant, but I don't think of it so much. With the gender confirmed, I think we've also been able to settle on a name, but we're not spilling … at least not yet. We did tell Tabby though and she seems to like it. Loki has been rather mute on the subject.