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!!
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.
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.
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.
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!!!
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!
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.
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...
Ok, this kid is getting evicted. Not only am I HUGE (I know. I've been saying that for 9 months now, but now it's really, really true) but I got my first stretch marks! Crap. I've been counting my genetic blessings that I've avoided them, and if this kid had a sense of timing I would have escaped them altogether. I'm trying to look at them as badges of honor, and though I'd be happy to have none,mothers have been gladly sacrificing their bodies since the beginning of time, so I should stop my whining. I've got it pretty good. They aren't on my belly (yet) but on my hips, where I already have some from puberty.
Doctor checked me yesterday...no change. Not dialated, not even a smidge. I have a NST on Friday were they check to make sure baby is chillin' ok, that his sense of timing is better than theirs. In the end, he knows best. I might let them do a membrane sweeep on Monday if something doesn't happen over the weekend. That's when they kinda poke at your amniotic sac to stimulate hormones and hopefully get the ball rolling a little...I know you're jealous, sounds like fun, huh?
So, is my November baby destined to be a December baby? We shall see!
J and I both have a weird feeling about Saturday.
Well, STILL pregnant. Baby Boy's due date has come and gone. Though the doctor told me 41-42 weeks is not unusual I must admit I was holding on to that day. I figured the little guy would be enjoying his first Hokie football game on the couch with us, but instead he got the usual muffled Daddy screams through my abdomen wall. Perhaps his first words won't be "Tubbs, shut up!" but "GLENNON! You idiot!" Of course it all turned out ok on Saturday. Since we couldn't have Baby, at least we got to retain the Commonwealth Cup! Yay Hokies!
Last night I had some contractions, but at this point I don't put a lot of stock in that. I know I'm getting closer, but to guess how close that may be seems futile. It will happen when it happens. Only it is getting awfully close to xmas! I would like to keep him a November Baby. For some reason that line between months offers some kind of mental buffer. Expenditures on presents is a worry...especially before the winter heating season in Vermont. Baby Bday + Xmas + Gas Bills = poor house.
So I'm just waiting. I'm a little annoyed that the pre-baby house cleaning and grocery store trip has faded in their effectiveness. The dog hair is accumulating and the fridge is becoming bare. Today I have a list of little tasks to complete. Maybe the activity will help move things along.
So until further notice, I am still cookin' the kid. Everyone send me some labor vibes!
So, no change. Same ol' situation. She told me I should start thinking about it being 41 weeks so I don't drive myself crazy. I don't WANT it to take 41 weeks! **whiny voice and stamping feet**
A 41 week baby MUST be bigger than a 40 week baby. And I don't want that if I can help it, considering where he has to squeeze through. And I know for sure a 41 week pregnant butt will be bigger, and my butt is as about as big as I can stand. Come on kid...get a move on!
However, if you are a superstitious type, perhaps he will come on Saturday. J's dad had a collegue call him from a casino and ask him if he wanted to place a bet. He said put $10 on 25 at the roulette table since it's Fredwards due date...and it hit! Woo hoo! Not exactly scientific, but a girl can hope.
So it's just the waiting game around here. Looks like it will just be the two of us for turkey day. We are not inundated with turkey as I had feared we might. J forgot to sign up for the free turkey at work, so it's just the one bird. Still alot for two people, but lord knows I won't feel like cooking much after the kid shows up so the leftovers will be a blessing. And I made 2 pies! A pumpkin pie (which is already half gone) and a cherry pie that is waiting for Thursday in the fridge, yum! Of course none of this is going to help my butt situation, but let's just hope breastfeeding goes really well and the kid will just suck the fat off of me? It can happen, so I've heard. I've also heard not to count on it.
But then, there's always this
I've been hiding out a bit around here. I'm not laying low just on the blog front, but my phone communications have been few and brief. I think it's because there is this big thing that will be happening and everything else just seems boring and not worth mentioning. Also, most of my recent experiences are best described with whining. And I don't want to whine too much. So to all my buds out there, sorry I haven't been in touch very often...soon I will have news. Very soon I hope.
Especially Mrs. T! I don't think I've mentioned it in a blog post, but Mrs. T is pregnant too!! She's going to be having a little girl in April and I am so excited we are going through this major life change at the same time. Though being a bit further ahead makes me feel a little remiss in my friend duties, as she deserves all the care and attention she blessed me with when it all began for me. Oh I can't wait for our kids to meet! I can imagine them great friends. That is until cootie age. Then they'll ignore each other, until about 13 or 14...then we'll HOPE they ignore each other.
Hey, Mrs. T! if you read this...I remember you asking about how to post a picture. What's the the story? Am I going to get to see a pic of this little girl or not?!
I can't let this blog post go without a little bit of a whine. I hurt. Every joint in my body hurts. I feel like I've been hit by a bus. The worst part is, I can do nothing. I just sit. I feel useless.
Ok, now on the upside! My turkey points didn't have to be used to buy a turkey! Figures since such a large portion of the population is vegetarian. It's just $20 off your bill. Yeah! So yesterday I got some pie fixins and stocked up on some other crap. During the process I realized I can no longer go to the store to shop. My pregnant "waddle" has turned into a pregnant "shuffle" since my joints hurt so much. I felt like I was using the shopping cart as a walker. I must have looked pretty pathetic...also REALLY pregnant. 3 people asked me when I was due...usually they don't. I think they were just trying to insure that my grimaces and groans weren't indications of labor. Ooops, I let that go back into the whining realm...sorry.
Oh, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY! Today is my SIL bday. Yeah! You know what would be a GREAT present? A NEPHEW! I'll see what I can do.
Yesterday was the big "before baby" shopping trip to the grocery store. It took 3 hours. Not 3 hours just in the store (thank god), but 3 hours to waddle in, waddle around and waddle out. A good portion of that was also unloading the car and putting everything away.
Then I took a 2 hour nap.
It's frustrating that things that used to be simple have become major endeavors. I suppose it's a primer for what is to come...they say to add an hour to every task when you have baby with you. At least then I'll have baby in a little carrier on the front of the cart instead of grinding his head into my cervix as I walk.
One of my goals with the shopping trip was to get a turkey! I've been collecting "Turkey Points" from our grocery receipts, but I didn't have enough for the trip yesterday. I decided I better get a turkey anyway, since I wasn't sure the next time I would be able to get to the store. And because I want to get that sucker cooked, carved and in the freezer before my water breaks. Well, of course my grocery bill was absurdly high with all the frozen and canned foods and low stress meals, and as a result I earned a ton of turkey points. Doing the math in my head I knew I was close, when added with my points at home, to get a free turkey. I toyed with the idea of returning the turkey I got and trying to redeem points another day. But then you have to account for the reduced grocery bill and perhaps the docking of points...and I started to get a head ache. I didn't want to deal, so I bought my Butterball. Well, I got home and we do indeed have enough points for a free turkey. So now we can have two turkeys! The one I already have isn't real big, and if baby comes before Thanksgiving, there's a good chance of alot of people being around, so another turkey isn't really a bad thing...
Then J came home last night and when poking around the fridge I hear "So you got a turkey?"
"Yeah, funny story" I reply.
"Well, I got an email at work...everyone gets a free turkey and a pie...so I guess we'll have a lot of turkey."
Um, you think?
I don't have enough room in our fridge for 3 turkeys. Especially when you take into account the stockpile of Lean Cuisine and Amy's Lasagna. I'm assuming there is a charity somewhere in town that will take one... or perhaps my MIL can use one at xmas?
Otherwise, it's turkey until Valentines Day in our house.
I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but my landlord is having our house painted. Just the exterior, so it's not as intrusive as it could be. At first, it was bad, as they were scraping all the old paint off at 7AM every morning, but once they started the actual painting it got better. Just a little clattering of ladders now and then.
I don't know if it's my hormones, discomfort or the fact that it is TAKING THEM FOREVER, but lately, they are being HUGE pains in the ass. If I go out, I come back and they are parked in the driveway (we only have one spot). They make the dog bark. Ok, I can't really blame them for that...it's not like they're trying to make him bark, but Tubbs is driving me absolutely bonkers. As a result, baby is getting a steady stream of yelling, which is making me feel bad, and puts me in even a worse mood. Baby's first words will be "Tubbs, shut up!"
Now, the straw the broke the pregnant lady's back...
They are currently at lunch. This lunch is usually 2 hours long...I don't really care about that, they don't work for me. But what I DO care about is that they have left all their uncovered paint cans and brushes in Tubb's area. So he can't go outside. Of course I realize this as I'm walking him out to his chain, hunched over as I have him by the collar...and after he stepped on the newly painted threshold! Why would you paint a piece of wood that marks the entrance and exit of a house without telling the people inside?! Tubbs now has a green foot...and the threshold has a large paw print on it. I don't even want to get into how with my 8 month pregnant body I tried to coax the 90 pound dog away from his outside toilet shangri-la and back inside, without either of us stepping on the threshold again, and put his leash on so we can go to a non-paint can filled area to pee.
I think my neighbors have a new opinion of me, as I let the expletives fly. Wonder how many cute belly comments I'll get now.
And on our way in, I saw they are putting trash in my recycle bin!!! AAAAAArrrrrgghhh!
Tubbs is licking his foot. Great, now he'll be poisoned.
Last Thursdsay night was either going to be a chance for redemption, or a nail in the coffin of our season. Most weren't too optimistic. I cringed as I heard Herbie declare Clemson as the best One Loss Team in the NCAA. Kirk's comments from the BC game were fresh in my mind. I still felt the sting of his disapproval and disappointment. But now, well, we've kissed and made up...
As the night went on, I cheered along with the VT faithful as Herbie lavished his praise on the Hokie porgram, particularly Bud Foster. I haven't enjoyed a football game that much in a long time. Congrats Hokies! (Smoooooch Herbie)
All I needed for a perfect weekend was for Miami to beat GT. Bah. I didn't get to watch this game because of another discrepancy between what is shown as BLACKOUT on ESPN map and what is actually blacked out. But watching the bottom line, I had hope... and then the 'Canes blew it. Blew it big time. God I hope we crush them on Saturday.
Due to the ESPN problem, I called Adelphia again hoping to at least get my money back for this week of Gameplan. Well, to my surprise they agreed to refund the whole season! What does this mean? It means they are liars. Either they lied when they previously told me it was IMPOSSIBLE to refund the season, or they just lied to me on Saturday, in order to shut me up. I hope it's the former and the not the latter. That way I get a reasonable cable bill for a month. But I must say I will be slightly shocked if it works out that we actually get our money back.
But not as shocked as I am to find out that cervical cancer is caused by a certain type of common virus. A virus! I didn't know that. Luckily this drug company found a treatment which made it fiscally advantageous to make a super annoying commercial to let everyone know, so they can get rich selling pills! Whew! Lucky us. Excuse me while I go tell someone.
Sorry, but that commercial is pervasive on Mommy TV (aka TV from 10am-4pm) and it drives me nuts. Like it's some sort of PSA...we aren't IDIOTS...
So I am annoyed by commercials again. This usually signals a change in hormone levels. Could this be it!? Am I ready? Hell No I'm not ready! Last week I made a list of crap to do. Probably has 20 things on it. This morning I looked at it and I've done 2. 2! And this morning I had a doctor's appointment and was happy to know I could get something crossed off...pre-register for the hospital...but they were out of the forms. Crap.
And I've been having contractions. Not just the tight Braxton Hicks kind, but the painful, ugh, ow, kind. They like to come at 3 in the morning or so. I have 2 or 3 of them about 15 minutes apart, and then they go away. Fun. Each time I'm convinced this is the beginning of something...which of course it is, it's just that the end is still 3 weeks away...I think.
Baby Boy is still without a name. You may have noticed the name Fredward being tossed around. Don't worry, we are not naming our son Fredward. J's sister Amy came up with that as a combination of my Dad's name FRED and J's dad EDWARD...so it's been kind of a place holder. We have a list of 7 names. I think we'll just go to the hospital with it and pick then. And NO I'm not telling you what they are. At least I don't think so. If I do, I may have to come up with ground rules for feedback...like you can't tell me which ones you DON'T like, just the ones you really like. I don't want any negativity, because I like them all. Hmm...I'll think on it.
Off to go get some nursing pads and try and guess how big my boobs will be once my milk comes in and buy a bra or two.
We are a sorry sight. If my whining and complaining about the discomfort of baby belly weren't enough, J tweeked his back. So we both spent Sunday on the couch wincing and groaning.
This weekend was supposed to be the final nursery furniture building weekend, but due to Js injury it only seemed appropriate to put it off another week. His back was compromised during the moving of the carpet for the nursery, so a little bit is done. Though now the door won't close. Bah. I know "readying the nursery" is supposed to be fun and something a new mama looks forward to, but I'm having trouble getting motivated. Maybe it's because there are so many stairs between the nursery and the couch? I'm counting on a surge of nesting instinct to push me through.
Today I bought my binsi skirt! I've talked to a few mama's who didn't like the hospital gown experience (makes you feel like you're sick and it bunches up, not to mention leaves your butt hanging out) and have heard some nice things about this little outfit. Hopefully it will be comfortable. I'll give a review once I'm done!
So besides building of furniture, what is to be done? Well, I think I finally got all the gear I needed. I found a used Arms Reach at Once Upon a Child for the next to the bed. I have diaper stuff, got the newborn disposables as well. Now besides putting everything away once the furniture is built, I need to figure out how all this stuff works! Breast pump, bouncey seat, car seat, stroller, sling....so much! Right now, my stuffed Hokie Bird has been the stunt double for Fredward. His tail makes him less than ideal for diaper practice. I would take a picture, but my battery is dead.
Tonight is our last birth class. Crazy. That means we're close. It's a potluck, so I need to get cookin'! I'm just going to make cous cous, since I'm not sure if anyone is vegetarian. Most likely, somebody is. I hope we exchange email/phone numbers with some people. It hasn't been a real social group. Mostly just gettin' down to business. But there are a few nice couples that it would be cool to touch base with, since we're all going through the same things. I also wanted to start a mama trivia team...since J and I's trivia DOMINATION (we won 3 rounds last week!) will have to end once the little guy shows up. Figured the ladies can go out and leave the babes at home for an evening. Hmm...I'll have to come up with a good team name.
Daddy's Turn
Pump before the Pints
...help me out!
"And the room has 2 double beds?" inquires Mrs. Coldwater Creek as she twists her string of pearls with french manicured fingers.
"No, um, 2 twin beds" Sara behind the front desk says with some concern. She has been checking in wedding guests all afternoon and this Long Island and Connecticut country club crowd seem impossible to please. " We do have a room with a Queen if you'd prefer."
"The girl on the phone said we would have two double beds," Coldwater whines giving her husband, Mr. LL Bean a sideways look.
"I apologize, but we have no rooms with two double beds available."
"So you gave it to someone else," she huffs. "Just perfect."
"Ma'am, we don't have any rooms with two double beds."
"Yes, I see." She snaps.
"No ma'am, I mean none of our rooms have two double beds...we don't offer that particular arrangement."
"Oh, well" the woman was clearly not expecting this particular scenario. "The twins will be fine then."
I had the inkling she was caught trying a little scam...reserve a room and then complain that you actually requested different accomodations, hoping to get bumped up free of charge. Not sure why, she looked like money wouldn't be an issue. But I would also assume a married couple would prefer to sleep in the same bed, so what do I know.
Well, after another delay of someone running up to the desk (even though pregnant lady is clearly next! HELLO?!) to complain about the lack of TV in her room I finally check in. I was a little wary. This crowd seemed awfully hoity-toity to me. I wasn't super comfortable and felt kinda out of place. Not that we were going to the wedding or had to hang out with them, it was just an atmosphere kinda thing. I looked around and saw the staff and suddenly felt like Baby from Dirty Dancing and was wondering where all the guys and gals carrying luggage and opening doors were hanging out later.
This resort was definitely from another era. The Dirty Dancing comparison isn't that far off. I'm sure it had its hayday in the 50's with New York socialites and industrial barons. 
But this weekend it was J, me and Tubbs! Yep, even though it was kinda upscale, dogs were everywhere. Gotta love a place that lets the whole family come along. And we had a ball. It really wasn't as fancy as it first felt. Our little cottage was cute, complete with wood fireplace that smoked too much and no TV. That was probably the scariest part...sitting there realizing we were stuck for 3 nights with no TV. But of course, it was a blessing in disguise. It slowed us down and allowed us to just be. Everywhere you went, there's a place to sit and something pretty to look at. 
Not a ton to do, but we kept busy playing dominos, eating and walking around. If it were summer and I wasn't a weeble-wobble we could have swam, kayaked, drank from an insanely long wine list and taken a cocktail cruise. They have a pretty extensive kids program which seemed cool, so we're thinking of maybe making a trip back in the future, though I don't think we could afford it in the high season.
I took a ton of pictures.
The first night, there was an amazing sunset...
The second night it got a little stormy, which made for a pretty cool sunset too...
Part of our room deal included golf, so I tagged along with J while he hit the links. 
And of course, since it's Autumn in New England, the foliage was beautiful.
All in all, it was incredibly relaxing.
J and I got some quality alone time, probably the last of that for a while. We got to just enjoy each other and think about what big changes are on the horizon. And everyone got to catch up on some sleep...
Yesterday, J and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. It's hard to believe our wedding was that long ago. I know it sounds cliche, but it really was magical. It was the perfect night, perfect place,the perfect people and the perfect man. I am blessed to have found J and can't wait to see where this journey leads.
(insert nice picture of J and I dancing at our wedding....what the hell is up with blogger? Man.)
So last night we had a nice dinner out and then enjoyed the disappointing embarrassment of watching the Hokies. The second half I watched alone, in the bedroom, because J refused to expose himself to the shame any longer. I kinda wish I had turned the channel too, but I always try and have faith...you never know what can happen. This loyalty was rewarded with defensive breakdowns, punk move personal fouls and displays of apathy as a Hokie uniform gets a little boogie time in to Sweet Caroline. The worst was listening to Herbie. He's always been a supporter of our program, but last night he couldn't help but point out our lack of class and professionalism, not to mention our inability to play good football. Beamer needs to get a handle on these knuckle heads.
Ok, enough of that.
Today J and I are heading out to a little resort just south of here. We got a little cabin by the lake and are spending the weekend there to continue the anniversary celebration and have a "babymoon" of sorts. This will probably be our last hoorah before the little guy shows up! It's getting crazy close. I sorta wish we had done this a month ago when I was a little more mobile and comfortable. But better late than never.
We had the tour of the hospital on Monday. The birthing rooms are really nice. The only thing I don't like is that once the baby is born, they move you down to the materinity ward which seemed a little ghetto in comparison. We're trying to figure out what we can bring to make it a little more homey and comfortable. First thing is a lamp, because they have some bad flourscent lighting in there....and maybe a nice quilt or blanket. Too bad they won't let you just stay upstairs in the fancy place.
We got to see two little babies in the nursery while we were there. It was the perfect cure for the anxiety inducing "instrument" introduction we had just recieved. Nothing like a sweet pink little bundle to get the vision of forceps out of your mind.
Have a wonderful weekend!
That is what they told me last week since I've made it past the 34 week mark. Makes it all a little more real and not so far away anymore. I am feeling a little unprepared. I need to kick it into gear. I need to go shopping! God, I wish we had a Target.
Believe me, I already have plenty of baby crap. With pregnancy comes a whole world of products aimed specifically at you and your growing belly. But the most common in my home are the books, not exactly helpful in the day to day poop and pee fest of infants. Though they do help determine what is needed. Oh, don't get me wrong, I haven't read them. Or at least not all the way through. I can't seem to walk into Borders without feeling obligated to expand my pregnancy knowledge with the purchase of some sort of literature. But of course, since I don't actually read them, it doesn't expand much...perhaps shrink my wallet is a more accurate description.
Nevertheless, these books do get browsed. Usually this is for one of two reasons:
Something weird is going on. Either I feel funny, look funny or I don't feel or look funny enough. That's when these books get scooped up and I pour over the index looking for things like "shooting leg pain" (thank you baby, for putting your head on my sciatic nerve) and of course, "shingles."
Bathroom. Which as a pregnant woman you are in quite a bit.
The sleep issue has been mitigated by the introduction of the Snoogle! I love my Snoogle. My little nest would not work with out it. 5 pillows and 1 snoogle make an almost comfortable nights sleep. Since I won't be contributing to the household income once baby arrives, I've been trying to become a 'home economist' and figure out ways to save money. One of the first decisions I made was to use cloth diapers. I just ordered my first little stash of stuff and it seems silly, but I can't wait for it to get here! Yes, I am excited about pieces of material designated to contain my son's poop.
It's mostly the prefold diapers and closures like diaper pins and Snappis. Snappies? Well, I am very curious to get my hands on these things. In doing my research, I 've come across them often and I'm still not quite sure how they work, so I only ordered 2, in case they are too advanced for my fumbling, inexperienced mama fingers. Anyway, he only wears one diaper at a time, right?
And in true new mama form, I also ordered a few of the fancy fitted and even a couple All-In-Ones. It doesn't make sense for me to order a bunch of these since they cost so much...I might as well use disposables. But I figured it would be nice to have some cute ones for going out and visits from Grandma. And they are just too cute to pass up. So with the little arsenal I already have, thanks to my fabulous SIL Amy, and the new stuff, I should be all set for a while. Hopefully by the time it comes to restock or go up any sizes I will have my preferred system down. Who knew there would be so many options? Pocket Diapers, inserts, fitted, flat, prefold, covers...I still don't know what will work best for us.
Now, with all that said, I am now declaring that I do not committ or promise that I will stick with this cloth diaper plan. I hope so, but if it's too much, disposables here I come. I can't imagine it will be that tough, but you never know. And I don't plan to cloth exclusively, there will be disposables mixed in, especially at the beginning. I understand the poop frequency and consistancy in the first few days is best handled with disposables.
So now there will be lots of wash to do. Not just once babe shows up and starts pooping, but before hand. The new prefolds need to be washed 3-4 times before they become fully absorbant. So, if your looking for me, I'm in he basment, doing laundry!