Jan

OK, So today was an exciting day. Leslie woke up thinking that things were “different” – and in fact she had contractions with some regularity all day — small ones, but every 20 minutes or so — give or take a little bit. A clear sign that her body is on the move!

This afternoon we went to the Dr.s’ office for her regular checkup — Leslie was only dialated a centimeter, which I think she found to be a little bit diheartening — but it *is* progress. The “best” part, though, is that we learned that we are going to have a very contrary kid. Leslie had been a little concerned because the baby was now moving a bit less than she had been recently. She mentioned this to the Dr. –who then put Leslie on a fetal monitor to make sure all was OK — looking for signs of movement from the baby. Well, for a bout 20 minutes there was nothing — a very strong steady heartbeat — but no movement whatsoever. This even after they had stuffed Leslie with OJ and chocolate to give the kid a sugar high and make her hyper! In the end, the kid did move a fair bit, and the Dr. pronounced things A-OK. The best part though — once we had left the office, and no longer needed her to be moving on “demand,” our sweet little girl started doing her favorite tricks — head-butting mommy’s bladder while kicking her in the ribs — almost nonstop for 30 minutes, and then regularly thereafter! Our sweet little girl-to-be is showing very early signs of being very willful and contrary! (I guess she takes after her mom! %-)

  

Jan

Well, the bag for the hospital is packed, the baby’s room is all set, the only thing left to do now is clean the house so that when Grandma comes to visit the new baby she won’t think I’m a slob! In case it isn’t clear from the above – I am *so* ready for this baby to COME OUT!!!

I was having fun being pregnant – well, except for the stupid people who feel like they can touch me and ask me all kinds of personal questions and give me all kinds of unwanted (and usually bizarre) advice just because I am pregnant. But, starting in the last few days, it has become…well, a pain (literally). I have forgotten what it feels like to *not* have a backache, the itching has returned (though not quite as bad as earlier this trimester), and my hips hurt so much I can sometimes barely stand up! And, of course, I haven’t been able to sleep for more than 3 hours at a time for…a long, long time. I guess that probably will only get *worse* once the baby comes, though!

While I’m in whine-mode – really the worst part about it now is the waiting. I AM BORED!!! Even though I *do* have things I *could* do, I am finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate. So reading or working is quite difficult. Mainly now I find some excuse every day to go to the mall and wander around for a while. Today, I got a manicure and pedicure – I feel certain the delivery will go much more smoothly now that my nails are perfect, and I can look down at the stirrups and see my pretty red toenails! %-)

Incidentally, I am also collecting parenting advice – as much as I can get. So, if you have kids and you have any suggestions for Craig and me, please email us. Not only will I appreciate the advice, I will *really* appreciate the social contact, now that I am supposed to be “resting” all the time. Also, if you are single and/or child-free and you have advice about things we absolutely should not forget about being footloose and fancy-free, we’re interested in that, too. We don’t want to become old foggies *too* quickly!

  

Jan

Ah yes. Maternal Brain Damage! This phenomenon was pointed out to me by my very good friend Greg McHugo — It is believed to be caused by the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy — but especially by the high levels of pitocin excreted during labor (i.s., if Leslie is showing signs now, … %-). In any event, this Brain Damage makes moms very (some would say overly) protective of their young — to dote on them, etc., the way that self-respecting dads — even the most lovin of us don’t. This Brain Damage can be quite amusing to watch, as long as you know what’s going on — and as long as the victim of it has a good sense of humor (As I believe/hope that Leslie does)!! Some women become violent towards you if you point out their MBD-related behaviors. More on Leslie’s developing case, I’m sure, as it develops.

On other fronts, we have signs that Leslie’s body is starting to prepare itself for labor. Most recently her hip hurt — which we think means that the cartelage is softening to increase flexibility to make way for the baby. An amazing set of coordinated changes if you think about it — even though they don’t appear to be all that fun to go through!

In terms of the timing, I would like to make it through Tuesday before the baby comes — that way I can let go of my class in good conscience. However, if it is to be sooner, that’s no problem — my Co-Instructor, Tova Rubin, has things well under control (and probably will do a better job with the class while I’m gone, than I usually do!).

  

Jan

Well, yesterday I finally found *the* outfit for bringing her home! It is absolutely adorable!!! It is a one-piece outfit with a white background, red ladybug pattern, and pink (!) and coral flowers on it. I know, I know, after I went on and on about how much I hate pink! But this isn’t *so* pink…of course, I did buy two other pink jumpers at the same time! Oh, well, I am blaming it on late-pregnancy psychosis, no doubt the precursor of what Craig “lovingly” refers to as MBD (maternal brain damage; I’ll let him explain more about this concept later). Did I mention the adorable matching hat and blanket?

Yesterday I was also sick for the first time in months – *not* fun! I have been on iron supplements, since I was anemic for a while, and was still low in iron last week. For some reason, the last few days the iron has been making me feel a little queasy when I take it at breakfast. But I hadn’t actually gotten sick until yesterday. I guess my tummy is just getting more fragile. I usually have a pretty small breakfast, so our hypothesis is that there isn’t enough in my stomach to absorb all the iron. I took the supplement with lunch today and it was fine.

Last night we rented the video “Coyote Ugly” – soft core porn masquerading as feminist empowerment flick. Actually, it was pretty entertaining. But it started me on an existential crisis – I’m never going to move to New York and dance on a bar! I’m about to be a MOM!!! I can’t just do whatever I want whenever I want to anymore. I’m getting old…

This morning I went in for my now-weekly checkup. I have started effacing a *little* bit, and the baby has *started* to drop, but not much progress yet. But, the doctor says I could still go into labor at any time – first babies are pretty unpredictable I guess. She did say the baby’s head is down, which is good. I am also supposedly doing something called “nesting” – I truly have no grasp of what this is, but it seems to involve the fact that I lost a pound this week (and I had last week, too – I am now only 11 pounds over where I started!).

Okay, time for our Wednesday night shows…has anyone else been sucked in by this “Temptation Island” show? I am ashamed to say we’re hooked – we might even *tape* West Wing so we can watch Temptation Island live! And you wonder why I’m having an existential crisis…. %-)

  

Jan

Yes. Mystefied describes it. Of course, I want our baby to look nice when she comes home, but I think we have lots of nice clothes for her already. Of course the real worry is that if we dress her up in a nice outfit, then I might need to clean out my car, and then …. Where might it all end? %-)

The baby watch is intense now — I think Leslie is now starting to appreciate what my oldest sister, Maia, told us — something to the effect that the 9th month is when you come to realize that mother nature has designed pregnancy to be about 1 month too long! Leslie’s back sure agrees, although her sense of “Readiness” might not.

  

Jan

Well, I guess maybe we won’t do this *every* day! %-) We had a great weekend just hanging out alone together – all the more important since it may well be our last “childless” weekend together, FOREVER!!! What an overwhelming thought!

We’ve been having quite the adventure trying to find the perfect “coming home” outfit for the baby. Well, I use “we” in kind of a loose sense – Craig has come with me (without complaint) to each of the stores, offered some very good suggestions (such as not to get a pants outfit because the waist band would hurt the baby’s belly button where the cord was), and gives honest opinions about the outfits we find; nevertheless, he seems kind of mystified by the concept that we need a special outfit for bringing the baby home from the hospital.

I’m no longer going to my office, but I am trying to work at home to get as much done as possible before the baby comes. Craig is scheduled to teach this week and next week, and then he will get some time off to spend with the baby and me – he starts teaching again after Vanderbilt’s Spring Break (mid-March). Of course, if she comes early, things will have to shift somewhat.

Otherwise, the waiting continues. I still haven’t packed my bag to take to the hospital – somehow that makes it seem so real! My back hurts a lot, and I am getting more uncomfortable in general, but it’s not unbearable (at least not yet). I still feel like I’m not ready, but I’m not sure I will feel ready at all before she’s here…

  

Jan

An interesting idea. Let’s see how it goes. I just got home after a long day in Nashville. Now I’m looking forward to a long 4-day “weekend” of chilling and feeling the baby kick! But right now it’s time to go watch my time-shifted tape of “ER”.

  

Jan

Now that we’re in the “home stretch” on this baby-thing, we thought it might be post daily updates on the goings-on in our household. This service is supposed to make it really easy to do. Let us know what you think!