Saturday, December 23, 2006

I can't walk, but I can still look good...

Finally, here are some pics of Sam in his new kicks, lovingly provided by his Aunt PDiddy

Here he is, bustin' a move...don't worry, that face is just him being hardcore.

Wee little shoes...so cute.

Worn out from kickin' it.

Thanks Aunt Pam!

We're heading out tomorrow to J's folks for a week of xmas cheer. I'm SO looking forward to it. Hope everyone has a good holiday and great New Year...if I don't post before then...GO HOKIES!!

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

I am in line at the post office, Sam pleasantly asleep in his infant carrier at my feet. The lady behind me, very nicely asks how old he is, and we began to chat. And boy, this lady likes to talk. She has this annoying passive-aggressive way of giving me parenting advice, without really giving me advice, you know? It is all very nice and polite, but with all sorts of assumptions that I am an idiot and, man, she won't stop talking. I fidget with my bag of presents and look disparingly at the line of fellow procrastinators in front of me. Sam stirs. I joke how the line better move because he is due to awaken at any moment, explaining how I burned an hour of precious sleeping-baby-time getting my shit together and getting out the door...

"Well, you'll be quicker once you get organized."

"Yep"

"You'll find that once they get older, they can even help themselves"

"Yep"

"You see, you have to set up areas for them to put their things, like shoes, and beach gear, that way, everyone can find their things."

"Yep."

Wait. Hold on. Beach gear? Um, I'm pretty sure this lady is giving me advice she gleened off of last night's episode of Supernanny. I think of calling her out, but I don't. Luckily the line starts to move. I realize that being a new mother has brought out new things in me...like the ability to be irritated by well-meaning but annoying older women. Oh, also, ROAD RAGE. I have no tolerance for idiot drivers when Sam is in the car. Or when he's not, because after all, he could be in the car. Not waiting your turn at a 4-way stop has become a capital offence in my book.

This less than pleasant attitude may have something to do with the season. Xmas is kicking my ass. Shopping, mailing crap, packing up baby stuff, gathering the dogs stuff, paying $28 to ship presents Express because there is no Priority slips anywhere and Sam threatening to awaken in full "Give me the boob!" frenzy...bah hum bug. I can't wait until we arrive in Connecticut at J's folks and can relax.

So, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. I hope all your presents have been shipped and that Santa is kind to you. I am hoping in the new year I may be able to sit down at the computer a little more often and share what is going on...but Sam is in charge now, so I'll have to run it by him.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

what a babe

I've been trying to work on writing out Sam's "birth story", but of course it's a little busy around here. Especially since Grandma and Grandpa left yesterday. We are blessed to have such loving support. Luckily Sam has finally figured out that night time is for sleeping, so the past few nights have been more restful than the previous, which gives me more time to get some things in order. He's sleeping now so I thought I could finish up the story, but boy, a lot happened. It's going to be a novel! But I want to be sure to get it all down while it's still fresh. Hopefully one day soon I'll finish it.

In the meantime, here's something from my first baby photo shoot yesterday. As you can see, I'm not the only one who appreciates the virtues of the Snoogle.



Sunday, December 10, 2006

SAM!!!

I am super excited to announce the birth of Samuel Frederic! Born Wednesday 3:02 AM via c-section he weighed 9 pounds, 10 ounces and is 23 inches long.

Thanks to everyone for the kind wishes and for checking up on us. We just got out of the hopsital yesterday and will be resting up for a few days. I'll be back soon to share all the details and more pictures that you could ever want. Sam is truly a blessing.

The. Cutest. Thing. EVER.

All the cliches are true. I have never loved anything so much.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

MY WATER BROKE!!!

Ok, off to take a shower and we're headed to the hospital!!! They want to check out the baby. If things are slow, they're going to send me home for a while, but hopefully things will go quickly. Baby boy is coming!

Wish us luck!!!

Monday, December 04, 2006

If only I could put my cervix on the window sill...it works with tomatoes

If you can believe it, no change.

So, new game plan. We are going in for another NST tonight and as long as everything is ok, they are going to "ripen my cervix" with some sort of gel. Then they will do it again tomorrow. If no labor begins between now and Thursday, then I am being induced on Thursday.

I'd be lying if I didn't say I am disappointed with my body. She's not doing what I need her to do. But I am glad to know there is an end in sight. I don't like it that he's held up in there, shut up so tight. I know he's doing ok now, so I would prefer to just get him out of there now. The increased risks of c-section doesn't bother me. After all, it's more about him than me. I can take surgery and a longer recovery if it means he gets out healthy. Not that he's is trouble. It's just I can't help but worry that the reason this isn't progressing quicker is because of me, not him. That he's ready, or rather, has BEEN ready, but my body is just not interested.

So that's the scoop.

Baby by the weekend!

Sunday, December 03, 2006

41 weeks! Bah.

Thought something might have been happening yesterday, but of course it stopped. Even thought my water might have broke, but baby just squeezed my bladder a bit. Sorry if that's a little TMI.

I'm losing my good spirits. Getting grumpy and a little worried. I know I shouldn't be worried, but you can't help it. I just want my healthy little boy in my arms...NOW.

Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment. Hopefully there will be progress.

Friday, December 01, 2006

All systems go. Did you hear me? GO!

The tests show that everything is just honky dory in there. Getting plenty of oxygen, enough water in the pool to splash around and, most importantly, his right ear is perfect!



During the fluid check ultrasound we asked for a pic, but since it's so crowded and his back is to the front of me this was the only recognizable body part he could capture. Definitely takes after his father, no?

So the next step is...well, what it's been for the last week. Wait. I have an appointment on Monday, but we're hoping in won't be needed. Contractions are still happening, but nothing mind blowing. I'm sure anyone out there who reads this is as anxious as we are, so maybe I'll shut up about it. Contractions that, cramping this, I'm huge, wah wah wah...

So, in other news? Hmmm.

The mice who live in our house will poop in the silverware drawer, where there is NO FOOD, but won't touch the cheese in the traps we set up. Damn if I can't hear them right now in the kitchen scurrying around! Little monsters. I never had a big problem with critters before, but I think since baby is coming I've taken a harder line on vermin pooping near my food. Sorry guys. Well, not yet since you're not smooshed. But I will be sorry...I think we'll both be sorry. Part of me hopes they realize how dangerous the neighborhood just got and move out. The same part of me that thinks that the Secret of Nihm is plausible.

Oh, and it's going to snow. Tonight and some tomorrow too. Perhaps babe just wanted to wait for it to be pretty and white to come into the world? Or he is diabolical, and is waiting until driving and flying conditions are at their most treacherous...