Monday, December 31, 2007

A date!

Yesterday, my mom came down and watched Roxanne while Justin and I went to Target (how romantic) and then La Fonda for brunch. It was really nice, and apparently Roxanne just slept the whole time. It was strange though, since Justin and I spent a large part of brunch talking about Roxanne and hoping that she was behaving herself. We are such suckers for her already.

We did go for our walk on Saturday, and it was very nice. Roxanne slept through most of it, but got fussy at the end because she was hungry. Justin pushed the stroller for most of it because he's such a gentleman, but also because the sidewalks in Lake Claire are sort of like something you would expect in a city that has recently experienced a serious earthquake. We agreed that for our next walk, I would put Roxanne in the baby sling, which I tried on yesterday. She looks very cute and cozy in it, and it's really pretty comfortable. I look at Roxanne, and how big she is, and think about how she wasn't too much smaller when she was in my belly, and that is just crazy. The sling sort of positions her over my belly, and it's sort of like being pregnant again. In an abstract way...

We're starting to get into a pattern of watching movies at night, so Roxanne has slept through several classics, including Dr. Strangelove and Miller's Crossing. Both of which we thoroughly enjoyed. However, I should probably be going to sleep earlier to get those precious couple of hours where she sleeps until about 10:30 or 11:00 before gearing up for at least two hours of wakefulness until around 1:00am. However, I have so much fun watching the movies with Justin that I just try to stay up and then sleep late in the morning. Trying to figure out a specific pattern is impossible, so I just try to sleep whenever I can. I'm just not good at naps during the day.

Oh, and we made Roxanne an appointment with the specialists (who are apparently at Scottish Rite and not Eggleston, oops) about Roxanne's shoulder. Her appointment is January 22, since they apparently only schedule these types of appointments once a month. Her pediatrician appointment is the day before. We decided that even though she seems to be completely normal with her arm, the specialists would be the best ones to decide that. Expert opinions are always best with a baby.

Happy New Year to everyone! We hope you do something very very fun!

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Nothing Much New...

Just more of the same from us. Roxanne is still doing really well, and eating a lot. She's still very very cute, too. I think she might be getting cuter every day. And I'm turning into a cheesy mom. Sorry.

We still haven't been able to have our walk, as accomplishing anything is a little tough these days. But we're going to try today. It's pretty warm out, so I think it would be good. We also need to fit in a sponge bath for Roxanne. She's only had one so far, and it was only vaguely traumatizing, so let's hope this one isn't too bad either. We're more scared of it than she is.

Daddy's making a hair appointment right now. He's actually going to get a real haircut. I'm pretty sure that hasn't happened since our wedding. It's going to be very exciting. He's going to be a cool Daddy-O.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Triumph!

Well, Roxanne has started lifting her left arm all the way above her head now! Justin took a picture of her sleeping with both of her arms above her head, and I'll try to post it sometime today. It seems like she has pretty much full use of the arm, and I plan to call the pediatrician today to ask if she thinks we should go ahead and see the specialist anyways, just to make sure that there isn't anything we don't know about. Or maybe the specialist can double check on whether or not there are still any limitations to Roxanne's movement. As far as we can tell, it's pretty much normal!

In other news, Roxanne's belly button fell off today. This is particularly good news, since it was really stinky. The newest thing with pediatrics and the belly button is that you just leave it alone and don't clean it with rubbing alcohol, which made it really stinky. I did clean it this morning though, just to make sure that it heals well.

Also, Roxanne has truly outdone herself, and sometime around 5:30 this morning she pooped on me. My sister joked that we should get her some of those "pee pee cones" that they make for little boys to prevent sprays during diaper changes. If only they made one for girls... It seems like she just likes to wait until she's in between diapers to pee or poop, and then I get to drag myself out of bed and do clean up. I don't mind though. Knock on wood, I don't have to do any fussy floor pacing or even rocking at this point. She just wakes up, eats and then sleeps. She is usually awake for an hour around 11:00PM or 12:00AM and then again in the morning, usually around 8:00AM, but she usually doesn't fuss, just stares at me quietly. This morning we've been listening to NPR together, and I think she likes it. Last night I read her some of the Dave Sedaris book I'm reading. I've been doing a LOT of reading lately, as it's perfect for feeding times. My favorite is reading Justin's issues of The Atlantic, which is the best magazine ever.

Roxanne seems to be falling into a pattern of "cluster feeding," meaning that she eats four or five times in as many hours, and then sleep for close to four or five hours at a time. It's a little grueling, but definitely nice during the longer chunks, so that I can sleep for longer stretches. I've also been putting her in the bassinet once she's asleep, and so far, she doesn't really seem to mind. It's easier for me to sleep not thinking I'm going to roll over and squash her. Although I miss the snuggling. She's such a snuggly little thing...

Well, Justin is off at IKEA, looking at possibly getting another dresser for our bedroom, as we are really realizing just how much STUFF this baby has, and how much surface space we need. I hope to take Roxanne for a stroll later. The weather is pretty mild, as long as the rain holds off. I would love the fresh air, and I'm trying to work on getting some of this baby weight off (not that I'm in a rush, but still). We'll take lots of pictures if we do go!

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Happy Boxing Day!

Well, our little family had a really nice Christmas. We went over to Nana and Mike and Leah's house with Roxanne dressed in her Santa suit. I forgot to take pictures, but Kendree took some, so I'll beg some off of her to post. Roxanne got lots of fun new toys from Nana and Mike and Leah, and hopefully she'll be playing with some of them soon.

Roxanne is doing very very well, and getting sweeter every day. She's really an easy baby, and I feel so spoiled. I keep waiting for a turning point or something, thinking that one morning she'll just wake up fussy. Let's hope not. I looked at a chart in one of my baby books last night, and her birth weight (9 pounds 5 ounces) and height (21.5 inches) are both in the 95% or so for babies. And her feet are so huge! I put her in a very cute set of pajamas yesterday with aliens and space ships on them that a co-worker gave us, and her feet were really too big for the footies. I think I'll just cut off the footie part, as Justin and I agree that she looks adorable in the pajamas.

She is also using her left arm more and more, although it still seems like she is sort of testing it out. She can lift it almost as high as she lifts the right one, and has started moving it in circles a little, too, in a sort of flailing motion when she's upset. I was feeding her last night in the football hold, and as it was 4:30 in the morning, I was a little out of it. She is very snuggly all the time, and loves to rub my arms or chest while she eats, and so it took me a minute to realize that she was rubbing my arm with her left hand! It was very thrilling, and I am so proud of her. Justin and I have been just staring at her in the bassinet when she's awake, watching her little left arm move around. Our first taste of parental pride. I am going to try and take a picture of her with her arm up in the air. It's such a big deal for us. We plan to call the specialist today and try to make an appointment, but hopefully, she'll resolve this on her own. From what I understand, babies with shoulder dystotia can sometimes magically resolve it on their own. We're hoping she does. She's made a lot of progress for being six days old!

Well, that's about all for now. The little one is starting to wake up. It's time for my favorite new baby game, which I like to call, "Was that a poot or a poop?" Roxanne poots more than most middle aged men, but somehow it's very endearing and cute.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas!

I'm about to fall asleep at the computer, but I just wanted to let everyone know that Roxanne is doing very well. We went to the pediatrician yesterday, and her weight had dropped from 9 pounds 5 ounces (at birth) to 8 pounds 4 ounces, and she was a little worried that we might need to do some supplements. However, she let us come back this morning for another check of her weight (one of the bonuses of having a Jewish pediatrician, she promised she didn't have anything better to do) and Roxanne has gained ten ounces overnight. This morning she weighed 8 pounds 14 ounces, which was more than the doctor expected. And that was after she did a giant poop right when we got there. Yesterday she peed on me while at the pediatrician. I think she has a sense of humor... She peed on me two more times yesterday at home. She seems to like to do that when her diaper is off. Stinker.

As some of you know, Roxanne has shoulder dystocia, meaning that she got stuck on her way out at the shoulder, and after a very scary 15 minutes or so, she came out blue and not breathing. She is totally fine now, but can't really move her left shoulder. She is starting to throw her left arm in the air about half-way up, but she still can't lift it over her head (and her right arm is always moving). The pediatrician has referred us to a specialist at Eggleston, and we will be calling to make an appointment soon. It's most likely nerve damage from being stuck, and basically all we can do is watch it. However, we are hoping to learn some physical therapy movements to help us help her get it better. It's a very rare birth complication, and I decided not to research it on the internet, as sources online can be so incorrect and alarmist. I know it would only upset me. So I'm going off what the doctor tells me, and she seems to have a pretty good outlook on it. If Roxanne still has a very limited use of her shoulder by the time she is a toddler, there are surgical options we can explore. For now, we're just so happy that she is healthy and really a sweet natured baby. She doesn't fuss much, just sleeps, eats and has little periods where she likes to stare at you quietly with her little brow furrowed. She also puts her legs in the lotus position when we put her in gowns, and these two factors lead me to believe that she is the Buddha reincarnated. Just with some drama queen thrown in.

Alright, I'm going to try and wake her up for a snack and then take a nap. We tried to do feedings every two hours at the doctor's recommendation, and I think I probably got about 4 hours of sleep last night. We hope you are all having wonderful holidays, and we can't thank everyone enough for all of the lovely e-mails, and the visits, and the food, and the general good will. We are very spoiled, and couldn't begin to thank you all enough.

Merry Christmas!

P.S. I promise to post more pictures soon!

Sunday, December 23, 2007

I only have one hand

Just wanted to let you know we are fine, and I put some photos on Flickr of Roxanne Elizabeth Lilly.  More to come!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Today is baby day

We're just getting ready to leave for the hospital, and I think we've packed enough stuff for a two week vacation. Oh well, I'd rather have too much than not enough.

Justin worked hard yesterday to make a playlist for his iPod that is full of relaxing music for while I'm in labor. He also rented Life Aquatic in case I feel up to watching a movie at any point. I'm not sure how all of this works, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to walk around too much, so I'm trying to make sure that I've got some stuff to do while laying down. Of course we're bringing a few baby books to see if we can learn how to care for a new born while we wait for Hosey to arrive. :)

The woman who booked my appointment said I could eat something light this morning if I got up early enough, but I'm too nervous, and can't eat. I'm sure I'll be regretting this later when it's been 14 hours and I'll I've had is ice chips, but oh well. I also got a bloody nose in the shower. It's been a weird morning. Very very surreal. I always listen to NPR on Justin's old alarm clock in our room (it's got a telephone attached to it, we're very high tech) and listened for the weather on Friday. If all goes as planned, that should hopefully be when we are bringing Hosey home, and it says it's going to be about 50 degrees. No rain so far either. That's for tomorrow, but I probably won't even see outside tomorrow.

Katie is acting very strange lately. She's been more and more needy, like she knows exactly what is going on. I feel badly for her, since she's been pretty spoiled for a long time, and now all of the sudden she's not allowed on the furniture, and we are always yelling at her not to get underfoot. At least she's not chained up in someone's backyard year round. Her suffering is very very relative. :) Speaking of Katie, we've got to delegate someone to come and let her out while we're in the hospital. We are thinking we'll just rotate it, and let different people do it at times that work for them. Hopefully that will work fine.

Alright, it's almost 8:00, and we're off pretty soon. One never knows what the traffic between here and Piedmont is going to be like... And this is one appointment we don't want to be late for.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

A sense of accomplishment


I finally finished our stockings. I still don't know whether they will ever be able to hold much, as I don't put much stock in felt, but they look pretty cute, if I do say so myself... Justin commented that Hosey's stocking is the same size as his (and he sounded a little hurt) so I added that his is taller, and Hosey's will actually some day hold things. Ours will probably not. I will add an initial to Hosey's at some point. Once we actually know which letter that will be.

Aren't you all excited to know the name? We've got them picked, and with a back up for each gender, just in case what we've picked doesn't fit the baby. And this time, no one will be able to tell us to our face that they don't like the name we've picked, because they will probably hear it when they see the baby, and that would just be tacky. Imagine what that poor baby would think...

I'm going to try some of my new sleepy time tea, which has been working wonders for me lately. Justin told me not to eat my cupcake because the chocolate and sugar would keep me awake. I did it anyways, and while I don't feel particularly sugared out, Hosey does seem particularly excited. Oops.

The Last Day


So here's me. I'll be 39 weeks tomorrow, and Hosey is getting kicked out. Poor Hosey. Justin and I are enjoying what we've officially dubbed "The Last Day," although if I let myself think too much, I get really freaked out.

We've just been taking it easy (I took a bath that lasted the duration of Pee Wee's Big Adventure, one of the advantages of watching movies on the lap top) and Justin has been doing baby laundry. I'm about to fold it, but thought I'd put up a post first.

Justin went to the gym earlier, and I went to Walgreen's for alchohol swaps in case the doctor wants us to use them for the belly button cleaning. Then we had a nice lunch at Highland Bakery, and got some desserts to go. I have a chocolate cupcake, and Justin has a piece of chocolate cake that I'm fairly sure weighs roughly 10 pounds. It's ENORMOUS. He says he'll eat it in 3 sittings. I'm just glad it's not mine, as I'd probably eat in one sitting and then die of sugar intake. Oh, I just heard him say "wow" quietly from the dining room. I think he just started it. Mmmm, I just had a bite. That is serious cake.

Anyways, we plan to have a quiet afternoon, and I've got to finish Hosey's stocking. I made one for me and Justin and Katie, but haven't had a chance to do Hosey's yet.

Calm before the storm...

Monday, December 17, 2007

Monday Monday

Today Justin and I decided that we would just go ahead and stay home until Wednesday. I'm glad we did. It will be nice to rest and spend time together before the big day. Of course, Hosey could show up at any time, but it seems like Hosey is really hanging in there. I've definitely had close calls all weekend, and woken up with contractions and cramps quite a few times, but they never go anywhere, even when they feel very strong. So now I'm just trying to appreciate that we'll actually know when Hosey comes. There is something nice in that.

I'm also glad to stay home, as my swelling is still getting worse. I'm having trouble even getting my muppet boots on anymore, and it's too cold for flip flops now. My mom and little sister picked me out some cute bedroom slippers, and I have visions of wearing those around for the next two days... Speaking of which, my mom also found us a very cute mobile for Hosey's crib. It is little stuffed animals, and I really like it. My sister brought us her glider yesterday, so we have that in our bedroom now. I'm very relieved to have it, so there is a comfy place to hold the baby upstairs and not just downstairs. It really is comfortable.

Well, that's all for now. We're off to find a cheap vaporizer/humidifier. We've both been bothered by the heat in our house, although I think it's worse for me. I keep waking up with bloody noses. I think that a vaporizer will be good for the baby, too. It's really really dry in here now. After that, I think we'll be watching movies and doing laundry. Two days is not very long...

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Saturday evening, and still no Hosey

Last night after eating delicious Eggplant Parmesan at Scalini's, I thought for sure we'd be off to the hospital some time in the wee hours. No luck. I woke up with very strong cramping and contractions several times, but went back to sleep (that's what the books say to do, try to sleep as long as you can) and by this morning, it was all quiet.

Justin and I have tried to stay busy today, so I did laundry, we had a nice brunch at Highland Bakery, and just got back from a little bit of shopping at Target and Ikea. I'm hoping all the activity will get things going... At the least, my back certainly hurts now! I talked Justin into getting Chinese food delivered for dinner, so we plan a quiet evening at home watching movies and eating SPICY Chinese food. Tomorrow we have a family event planned with my Dad, Colleen, Ashley, Kendree, Jon, and Chloe and Ella. We're all going to Flying Biscuit and then back to our place for Dirty Santa. I've been cleaning today, and my nesting instinct is really strong.

It's weird, I thought I was having a nesting instinct before, but this is completely different. Even my last few days at work, I was compulsively cleaning my desk, organizing all of my files with obscenely detailed sticky notes attached to everything so that whoever takes over has no doubt about what is necessary for each case. I didn't realize how many things I watch over, or how paranoid I'd be about trusting them to someone else. And this morning I had to just get out of bed around 8:00 because I kept thinking about the Christmas gifts in the living room that hadn't been wrapped yet. Poor Justin. I got up, put in a load of laundry, and watched an episode of What Not to Wear on the TLC website as I wrapped gifts. It would have been nicer if I weren't in such a horrible mood. Brunch helped. It was delicious, as always. And later, Justin and I did a little shopping in Little Five Points, I got a hot chocolate. I realized that my blood sugar falling makes me very very very mean these days. I think my hormones are gearing up for labor.

Anyways, we will keep you all posted. At this point, we're starting to think it will be Wednesday before we see any signs of Hosey. And that's fine, too.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Another Friday at work...

I'm here. At work. Last night was very quiet. No cramping or contractions at all really. I left work with lots of lower back pain, and convinced...

Oh well. We have a breakfast at work today. So I'll just pretend I held the baby in for the free food.

Tonight we go to Scalini's for the infamous Eggplant Parmesan. 7:00. Even my doctor knows about that place.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

This is like a soap opera

I'm honestly starting to think that Hosey is doing this on purpose... Last night, I woke up 3 times (at least) with really awful cramps and contractions. I thought I might end up having to wake Justin up to go to the hospital because I was in labor. Then I had more cramps all morning. I spent most of the day thinking I'd go into labor any minute, or at least sometime tonight. Now I haven't had any cramping or contractions in hours. Justin thinks that there is no way it will be happening tonight. I am tempted to agree.

I spent all day at work in a sort of frantic state, getting everything taken care of and tied up so that I could not come back and everything would be fine. Now I have mental pictures of dragging myself into the office next Tuesday! I guess it seems silly being worried over less than a week, but I really am hoping to have the baby naturally. Induction scares me.

The Italian restaurant is only open for dinner, so my mom and I couldn't go. We went to Flying Biscuit instead. It was wonderful. She gave us a mobile for Hosey's crib that is absolutely perfect. I think we might try and go there for dinner tomorrow night. Saturday would be a good day to have a baby!

Anyways, cross your fingers for us!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

drumroll please

So I just got home from the doctor. If any of you are trying to reach Justin, he went to the gym, and his phone doesn't work there. I'm sure he'll be out soon though.

The big news:

1. We scheduled an induction for next Wednesday, December 19. I will go into the hospital at 9:00 am and we'll start things slow. I've gained 4 pounds in a week somehow (she says it's more swelling), and the doctor is worried that my blood pressure will start going up with all of the swelling, and that would be very bad.

2. She doesn't think I'll make it to next Wednesday. She thinks I will probably have the baby on my own in the next few days. I am 80% effaced and 1 1/2 cm dilated. She could feel the baby's head when she was doing the exam. She kept saying that she thought "things were happening" with one of those little secret doctor smiles. However, I know that lots of women walk around partially dilated for days with nothing happening. I guess my effacement is pretty high though. I have felt different today, with lots of cramping. So we'll see!

Tomorrow I'm going for Eggplant Parmesan with my mom!

So I don't forget


So all of you can see me in my 37 week glory, here's a picture that Justin took last night. I took a couple of my cankles and feet at the request of some of my friends. I think Hosey will enjoy looking at what he/she did to me someday... :) Maybe Hosey just already wants to be an only child...


Anyways, I'm anxiously awaiting my appointment!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Wow, Hosey's hanging tough

I just wanted to put a post up so that no one thinks I'm at the hospital. I've noticed that if I don't talk to people every day, they think I'm having the baby.

The pressure at work is escalating, what with the office pool. People keep coming in my office to tell me that they have their money on a certain day, and would I mind trying to help them out? It's funny the first few times, but now I'm just sort of annoyed. I would love for Hosey to go ahead and come on out, too, but not so that a co-worker can earn $60 or whatever the pot is up to. Not that I blame them. I'd probably be doing the same thing...

This weird weather makes me wish Hosey would be born this week, just so we wouldn't have to be so careful with all the bundling up when we leave the hospital. It's truly perfect birthing weather right now. Although the heat is making my swelling pretty ridiculous. I left work early today to go to our baby shower at Justin's work, and the walk from the parking lot to Justin's office made my hands and feet swell up for most of the baby shower. It's really attractive. My fingers and feet get this weird red and white salami coloring. My belly is very very tight and hard.

Oh, tomorrow, Justin is going with me to my appointment, which is at 2:45. I have this weird feeling that the doctor won't really remember what she said last time and just not even reference the whole induction thing, but we'll see. I promise that I'll put a posting up on here as soon as we get home from the appointment, and if it's really big news, we'll call people, too. If she says she wants to wait it out, I'm going to lunch at this Italian restaurant with my mom on Thursday. It's on Cobb Parkway, and supposedly, their Eggplant Parmesan is guaranteed to start labor within 24 hours... We'll see!

I've asked Justin to take my picture tonight for 37 weeks, even though I'm 38 weeks tomorrow, so I'll post that later tonight. If only pictures could show you all my graceful waddle. It's a pretty good waddle, if I do say so myself.

Alright, I've got to go through these gifts and get started on thank you notes. I'm overwhelmed by how nice and generous Justin's co-workers are! We got some really lovely things (and practical ones).

Monday, December 10, 2007

Back at work

So it's Monday morning, and I'm here at work. I'm still dragging a little, but I have been feeling much better. Yesterday I didn't have to take any medicine at all, and thought that I would be close to 100% today, but now I'm realizing that the extra sleep I get on the weekends helps a lot. And I felt really awful last night, and didn't get much sleep, so this morning I will pop some Sudafed and cross my fingers.

This weekend was nice and relaxing, although we did a little Christmas shopping, which can be scary... :) However, we have tried to do most of our Christmas shopping at independent stores this year, and that is definitely much easier. We ventured to Target on Sunday and finally bought a vacuum cleaner, which is a really big deal. We usually just sweep every weekend, but it's just not enough. And the few rugs that we have were really getting icky. I think with the baby coming, the vacuum is going to be our best friend.

I've noticed some changes in the way I'm feeling as far as the baby. It's really getting tight in there, and Hosey is doing a lot of these kicks and turns and twitches that feel like angst. I think he or she is really tired of being in there. And while I keep telling Hosey it's fine to go ahead and come out, my offer has gone unanswered. I'm taking a lot of baths, which are really nice at this point, since they make my back feel wonderful, and my belly just floats. Hosey seems to like it, too. He or she gets very quiet while I'm in the tub, but when I get out, there's usually a few good kicks to let me know that it would have been fine to stay in there longer. Then I think how weird it is to be in the bath, and have Hosey floating in two layers of fluid. Like a bath within a bath.

My belly button is still halfway popped, but I have found that when I cough, it pops out all the way. It's really a good party trick. I'm pretty proud.

Anyways, no news for now. I am just so anxious and waiting for something to happen. It's tough, and Justin and I realize that we are going to be watching a LOT of movies in the coming days. It helps keep us distracted, which is important at this point. We watched Stranger than Paradise on Saturday night, which is one of my favorite new movies. We like Jim Jarmusch as a director, and it seems like almost all of his movies are lovely. Long, but lovely. Last night we watched Fargo, or re-watched it. We found out for the first time that even though the opening says that the movie is based on actual events, the Coen brothers just made that up. In the documentary that came as a special feature, William H. Macy talked about how they just wanted to put that in there, but it was totally untrue. And a (slightly crazy) woman from Japan came to America to find the money that Steve Buscemi's character buries in the snow, and died. Her death was ruled a suicide I think, but good grief. How bizarre people are...

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Disappointed...

Well, I'm still sick, and it seems to have spread more into my chest, as I've now got an icky cough. Justin seems to be starting to succumb, too. We skipped my work Christmas party, and I was very very disappointed about it. Especially as I got text message after text message from co-workers asking me where I was. Oh well. I just got back from Ross, where I returned my dress. Now I can use the money for some Christmas gifts!

The contractions I was feeling yesterday went away. Today I'm just feeling very very pregnant and congested and uncomfortable. The Sudafed doesn't seem to be doing nearly as much as it was. I'm still achey and my throat still hurts. Poor pitiful me. I think I will call the doctor again on Monday if I'm still feeling badly. When I called Thursday to ask what medicines I could take, they said to call back if I was still feeling bad. I think Monday is a long enough time to wait, given the situation we are in with Hosey's arrival so swiftly approaching. I don't have time for a two week cold. Not that I have much choice...

I hope all of you are healthy and happy!

Friday, December 7, 2007

Update on the Hospital

So I called Piedmont, and kids are allowed in the waiting room, but they can't come back into the room where the baby will be.

Friday Friday

I'm at work today (I took yesterday off to convalesce) and not very happy about it. I just have to wrap up everything on my desk so that I can be free to leave at any time. It's a scary thought, but not nearly as scary as leaving with all this stuff everywhere.

My work Christmas party is tonight, and I really want to go. I picked out a dress with my mom on Monday, and it would be a shame to waste it. I'm not feeling great, but with the Sudafed, it's like I have a crutch. :) I think I will go just for a little while. At least for the free food. It will be one of the last chances Justin and I have to get dressed up for a nice evening for a while. Not that there won't be opportunities to get babysitters to watch the baby while we eat out, but this is different. I really want to go. I'll have to try and talk Justin into it. I'm already sure he'll be against, saying I'm too sick. I think really he just doesn't want to wear a suit. :)

However, I have to confess that I think I might be having contractions every twenty to thirty minutes today. I could be imagining it (as I probably am), but they are much higher than usual. They are pretty minor, too, and less uncomfortable than the Braxton Hicks contractions that I've been getting in my lower belly a lot lately. Those have gotten rough. And the baby kicking can be brutal lately, too. It's so strange how many different sensations you go through during pregnancy. It's hard to know what to think about any of them.

Last night Justin and I went for our refresher hospital tour at Piedmont so that we remember the routine for checking in. In the car on the way over, Hosey was really giving me a run for my money. Things are getting very tight in my belly, and it's harder than it's ever been. It feels like a basketball. I'll take my 37 week photo tonight before the party (if we go) so that everyone can see how silly a 9 month pregnant woman looks in evening wear.

One thing we learned last night that is news to us; kids are not allowed in the labor/delivery room, or in the postpartum room with the baby. We are still trying to figure out if they can be in the waiting room, but the tour guide made it sound like they didn't want toddlers in the hall at all, unless they are siblings. However, one woman on the tour had a 4 year old with her... Anyways, we are going to call today and try to clarify. They also told us that everyone has to wash their hands as soon as they come in to see the baby. I've named Justin the hand-washing guard. I'm doubly nervous about it since it's prime season for colds, as my sinuses seem to be enforcing.

Anyways, we'll keep you updated!

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Oh, the irony

So after scheming for a few hours at my desk about castor oil, stairs, and spicy food, I noticed a funny tickling in my throat. By 3:00, I had officially developed a sore throat and body aches. I'm also congested and just feeling icky. Justin is feeling a little worn down, too, but not necessarily "sick" yet.

I'm rethinking my weekend plans... If I indeed continue feeling sick, I'm definitely going to steer clear of the castor oil, as I don't want to bring a baby home to a sick house, and I don't want to be sick in labor. So for now, I'm planning to wait patiently for Wednesday and see how it pans out.

I'm very very excited and nervous, knowing that we could have the baby any time now. It's taken all day for the doctor's advice to sink in. She's so straightforward, and it's definitely refreshing, but strange for her to just sort of mention in passing, "If you have another jump in your weight next week, we'll just go ahead and have the baby. And we'd be thrilled if you went into labor tomorrow." Those words are forever going to be burned into my psyche. And probably Justin's, too. :) He came with me today.

For now, I'm having a lot of cramping, which could be from the exam today. It's at least nice to know that if I should go into labor soon, the doctor says it's a good thing, and I won't be given medication to stop it. But I am a little scared, since I am just 37 weeks today. But I trust the doctor.

I only have a minute at the moment

But I promise I'll post more later.

Here's what the summary of the doctor visit was:

1. I've gained an astonishing amount of weight in 3 weeks, and it's evidently mostly fluids. My face and hands have started swelling, and my feet and ankles are getting very very very bad, and do not go down overnight.

2. I have started effacing (my cervix has thinned a fair amount) but I'm not dilated.

3. The baby is big enough so that it would be not only fine, but favorable if I went into labor any minute.

4. If I go back for my appointment on Wednesday next week and the weight gain is still happening, "we will have the baby," which I'm guessing means they will go ahead and induce.

So the long and short of it, I'm going to all that I can to start labor on my own now, since I'd rather not be induced, and judging by the rapid fluid retention increase, I'm not too hopeful that next week will be much different from this week.

I don't think we'll be making it to the 26th!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Right before bed


I'm almost as cozy as possible. It's late on Sunday night, and I'll be sleeping soon. I just thought I'd update the blog a little before I pass out. As you can see from the photo from earlier (I've got to learn to make more attractive faces in these photos...) my belly is at an all time high for size. You can use Katie for scale.

Our weekend was really nice. Full, but very nice. We went to Stone Mountain's Christmas Village yesterday (a gift from my Grandparents to our family) and got to stay at the Evergreen resort up there. It was really nice. I love staying in hotels, and this hotel was amazing. Our room had a balcony that overlooked the lake. Justin left last night to watch football in the hotel bar with our brother-in-law Jon and my step dad, and I had this gigantic king sized bed all to myself (and a few cable TV channels!). I made the mistake of settling myself into the middle, which made me realize 15 minutes later when I had to go to the bathroom that I am now similar in size to a manatee. Just not as graceful. I honestly think I spent roughly 7 minutes getting off the bed. It was sort of like being a turtle flipped on its back. At least I'd imagine... I'm really just starting to feel huge these days, and uncomfortable doing much involving bending over or moving too much...

Anyways, I put some photos from Stone Mountain on Flickr. The highlights included the train ride, and the parade, during which my nieces got to see Santa. Of course, seeing my family was great, too. We had a nice breakfast this morning (hard to believe that when we are all together, there are 15 of us; soon to be 16). Four toddlers, one tween, ten adults and one fetus. We could have put that breakfast buffet out of business if we'd tried a little harder.

Once home, I didn't do much today. I soaked in the tub, which Hosey does not seem to like, as every time I do, I suffer lots of well placed kicks. Then trying to get out of the tub always makes me feel graceful and lithe...sort of like a whale. Out of water. After I got out of the tub, I gave Katie a bath. She always acts like I'm beating her when I give her baths, but Justin and I agreed that she was starting to carry an odd swamp water odor. Now she smells like my oatmeal and shea butter bubble bath and some melon Dove shampoo to boot. I had a hard time bathing her in my current state, and every time I shifted to alleviate some point of pain, she took it as a sign that she should either shake off or try to jump out. Justin helped me dry her off at the end though, and that was a big help.

We went to Old Navy this evening, and I got socks for labor. They are beautiful and cozy, and made of chenille. I also got matching fleece pajama pants: light blue with snowflakes. Justin says they are ugly, but I don't mind. Wearing them is what I would imagine wearing a cloud would be like. I wish they were business casual...

We went to Manuel's Tavern for dinner to hear the big football announcements. We are talking about possibly getting cable just to last us through the bowl games and then NCAA basketball. We both realize that heading to the local tavern every time some important sport thing pops up is going to be decidedly more difficult with Hosey here in the flesh, and only a couple of weeks old. However, then we'd also have to find a TV, and that just really complicates things. Finding a TV would mean finding a spot for a TV. However, we tried watching a movie on the computer on Friday night, and Justin really was having a hard time. I fell asleep almost immediately, mainly because we were watching Last Days, the Gus Vansant movie about Kurt Cobain and it is about as post-modern (ie, little talking, lots of overly long still shots of a person walking, little narrative plot, and no actual resolution aside from death) as it gets. It sure did look pretty from what I saw. I watched my favorite, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead over the course of the weekend. I need to buy it. I just rent it every so often and remember that I pretty much am smitten with Tim Roth. It's just such a wonderful wonderful movie. If you like that sort of thing.

Ah well, I've managed to ramble out a ridiculously long and most likely tedious entry, and I'm sleepy from the milk and cookies Justin made. We promise to keep you all posted on progress of Hosey's debut, and we hope you are all doing well. Please remember that while you are keeping up with us through the blog, we don't know how you are unless you tell us! And we want to know. :)

Friday, November 30, 2007

Hooray for Friday

I'm very relieved that it's Friday. This week went by very quickly for some reason, but I'm ready for it to be over...

I had a really fun day yesterday, and I went to IKEA with my mom on my lunch break. Of course, I told my boss that I needed to run to the doctor's office to get some paperwork done, but I don't feel too guilty. It was the first time I've taken a lunch break all week. IKEA was fun, and I bought some Christmas gifts, and ate some delicious meatballs and macaroni and cheese. Then Mom got us some lingonberry frozen yogurt on the way out. It was very good. I really love the kid's stuff at IKEA, and the stuffed animals are so cute, and soft and squishy. I told Justin I'd like to some day get Hosey the panda bear that they have there, as it's very soft, and cute, and doesn't have any hard parts (the eyes are just thread, so it should be OK for babies on) and Justin grew up with a panda bear. Justin wants to stitch up the holes in his panda and give that to Hosey, but I think we should wait until Hosey gets older for that, since Mama Panda (Justin's panda) has hard plastic eyes and is currently dropping out chunks of foam from her insides. She is very cute though.

My mom also gave us a new shower curtain that she found at Ross, and it's absolutely perfect for us. It's covered in pictures of 1960's kids' foods. Stuff like pudding and chocolate milk, and it is very cheerful and child appropriate. We love it! And she had some books, including a very cute baby book called "Baby Owls." The owls are very cute, and their names are Percy, Bill and Sally. I love baby books. She also gave me a memoir by Ann Lamont about her first year as a mom. I really like Ann Lamont, and she's a really funny writer who is easy to read. She's more of a bohemian that we will ever be, but still, the message at the root is the same.

We went to dinner with our friends J and J and their baby Evie at our nieghborhood Fellini's. It was fun, and of course, being around babies is always good practice... :)

We're going to Stone Mountain tomorrow night for family Christmas (courtesy of my Grandma and Grandpa) and I'm really excited about it. We're staying at the Evergreen resort on Saturday night, and I can't wait. I love sleeping in hotels. Big beds, a TV with real cable, and the most easily adjustable air conditioning! It's like heaven... Poor Katie, we have to get someone to watch her. Any time we go on vacation, it's not really fun for her. Although I usually have my friend Sarah at work watch her, and Katie likes her a lot.

Anyways, I'm stalling again at work. Back to the grind!

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

36 Weeks

Just putting up the obligatory 36 weeks post! Last night was another night where I had the following happen (these things are starting to be constants):
1. I dreamt that I was in labor and/or had the baby, and forgot to call anyone in the family
2. I woke up having to pee, and thought for a half second that I was in labor, since it takes a minute to shake off a dream like that...
3. I flipped back and forth like a beached whale before finding a comfortable position for my ever "blooming" belly.

And for once, I didn't dream that Hosey was born, and ended up being something other than a human child. Over the weekend, I dreamt that Hosey was a kitten, and that Hosey was a large hot dog. I'm not joking.

In other news, we went to see a movie last night with my friend Sarah from work. Into the Wild, and it was really good. Really long, but really good. And I was not totally uncomfortable the whole time! That may have been due in part to the fact that we saw the movie at the Midtown Landmark Arts Cinema over off Monroe, and that place just makes me feel cozy. The theaters are smallish, and the chairs are comfy, and Justin got us a gigantic fudge brownie to share. In fact, I'm going to guess that the brownie was the only reason I was comfortable and happy. It was a seriously good brownie. But the movie was also very good, just a little long. We started to get squirmy towards the end, and there were some slightly silly parts in the movie, but overall, we give it maybe 4 out of 5.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Antsy antsy antsy

Tomorrow is 36 weeks, and I'm once again constantly caught in that divide between "Oh gosh it's so close I don't know what to do" and "it's never going to be December 26." I had a scare at my sister's house last Thursday where I stood up to go to the bathroom and was hit with excruciating lower back cramps that took about 15 minutes to go away. I had a mental soundtrack of "Oh no, no, no, no, no, not yet." While I wouldn't mind being a little bit early, I really want to make it past 37 weeks. Fortunately (and obviously) the back pains went away. I'm still having more and more regular Braxton Hicks contractions, and they are getting a little bit stronger and last for up to a minute at a time, but they are only in my abdomen, and nothing at all in the back. And they are worse in the car or at my desk, and really don't happen much if I'm laying down. These all add up to Braxton Hicks contractions. Real ones don't go away, and get progressively more painful.

My sleep has been rough the last few days, and I wake up a lot. It's harder to fall asleep, too. I'd been having this really nice holiday lately where I fell asleep very quickly, and stayed asleep easily. Although last night, someone in the street was apparently stomping on large pieces of corrugated tin before putting them into their truck bed. It was very weird, and woke me, Justin, and Katie up. People are so bizarre. I've also been enjoying Hosey's movements, as they are mostly pushes and gentle swishing, although there are usually four or five karate chops a day. On Thanksgiving, Hosey had been very quiet, perhaps lulled to sleep by all the food, and then my sister put her hand on my belly saying she wanted to feel it kick, and Hosey immediately delivered an earth-shattering kick that startled me and my sister. I think Hosey is already showing signs of a sense of humor and intelligence beyond that of most fetuses. :)

Work is fine, as I'm feeling tired lately, but nothing much else. The pain in my side seems to be staying gone, perhaps because the baby has dropped. However, it's increasingly hard for me to concentrate, as I keep wanting to research birth plans and what to take to the hospital. Yesterday I spent about 8 minutes just watching the undulations going on in my belly, which looked like a bowl of jello quaking and shaking all by itself. Very good for my productivity... I had my review a couple of weeks ago, and it was a very good review, so maybe I'm just lulled into a sense of security. My workload has also fortunately slowed a little, and I leave at 5:30 most days. It's making a very big difference.

It feels like it's been forever since my last doctor's appointment, although it is only 3 weeks between my last one and my next on December 5. I'll be exactly 37 weeks for that appointment, and I know they'll be doing the stress test, but I'm also devising a list of questions to ask as well. I'm going to see if she'll attempt a guess at Hosey's size, although I know a lot of doctors don't like to do that. Justin might be able to come with me to this one, too, as he's getting more and more anxious, too. At dinner on Friday, I told him that I was having contractions (meaning the fake ones) and his face was priceless. I didn't mean to scare him, and I thought my tone of voice communicated that it was just the Braxton Hicks kind, but I guess not. I can't wait to see him when I really do go into labor...

Sunday, November 25, 2007

101 Posts!

Today marks my 101st post to "Hosey Makes Three." I've been trying to figure out a way to print out the blog to keep as a sort of baby book, but the program I found doesn't work. It's supposed to let you upload your blog to it, and then transfer everything to PDF format and allow you to print it out as it appears. Again, it didn't work. It wasn't able to recognize the blog, so I'll have to look for another way.

Anyways, the four day weekend went by way too fast. I'm not looking forward to going back to work, as me and Justin have had a really nice time just hanging out together and getting stuff done. We're feeling pretty prepared, or at least as prepared as one can be for something like the arrival of a baby...

Thanksgiving was nice, and we spent it with my Grandparents, my Aunt Ellen, Uncle Patrick, and their twins, Anna and Sarah Ellen. My sister and her husband and two daughters also came. It was really nice, and although I brought a squash casserole, my grandmother had made enough food for an army, and it was all delicious. Justin especially loves the sweet potato souffle. Afterwards, we went to my sister's house for a while and just relaxed. Friday we did lots of errands, and put the car seat in! It's so weird having it in the car now, but it makes us feel better knowing it's there in case of an emergency. Friday night we went out to dinner for my dad's birthday in Virginia Highlands, and there were a million of us. It was a little overwhelming, but definitely fun. On Saturday, we had another baby shower, that my sister and her husband were nice enough to throw us. It was a small shower with our friends (boys and girls) and people were encouraged to bring diapers and wipes. We had a lot of fun, especially at the part where my sister melted six different candy bars into six diapers and we had to guess which was which. We all got perfect scores.

The other fun part was forcing people to decorate a onesie for Hosey. We had stencils, stamps, and fabric paint, and the products are hilarious. I'll post pictures at some point soon. In the meantime, Hosey has a super trendy selection of DIY artsy onesies. One, courtesy of our friend Bob, has a fist, and the letters FTP for Fight the Power. It's somehow so very appropriate.

Today, we took things easy, and went for a cozy brunch while it rained at one of our neighborhood favorites, Gato Bizco. Afterwards, we headed over to Young Blood Gallery that I seem to talk about every two days to see our friend Ariel's pottery on display. It's gorgeous! I was also tempted to buy some really neat Christmas Stockings, but then I looked at the price tags... Now I'm thinking I'll try to make some. I think felt would be pretty easy, with a nice blanket stitch. They just won't be made to hold giant lumps of coal. We went to Last Chance Thrift Store in Decatur, where I found an immaculate set of 1970's paper Christmas Decorations for under $2. They are fantastic! I can't wait to put them up in a few days. Big crepe bells and garland, and a banner that spells out "MERRY CHRISTMAS..." Perfect. Then we went to IKEA to pick up a frame for the poster we bought at the craft festival. Where else can one find a fantastic big frame for $5? It was a total madhouse though, and we were in and out. Although we made time to share a cinnamon roll... It's strange how people seem to turn into absolute savages at IKEA. They push, they steal, and they elbow. And they stare. I am getting tired of people staring at my belly. Sometimes they stare at it, and then smile at me, but sometimes they stare with this odd look of disgust on their face, as though I were walking around with a giant cyst or a goiter... Bizarre.

This evening, we packed the hospital bag partway. We'll try to finish it soon.

We hope everyone had wonderful Thanksgivings, and we are sorry we couldn't see more of you!

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

35 Weeks today!

I can't believe it, but I'm officially 35 weeks today. It's gone by so fast! Justin is starting to ask me if I think the baby is going to be early, and for some strange and mysterious reason, I feel like it will be closer to 37 weeks than 40 weeks, but I also think that it will probably come at 42 weeks just because I said that. My belly is definitely dropping a lot, which seems to have opened my belly up for a ridiculous appetite. I try to snack during the day on healthy stuff (I'm forcing myself to eat carrot sticks. I hate carrot sticks) but I feel like it takes a while to get full. Except for in the morning. Raisin Bran is my breakfast every day, and it seems to sit like concrete on my belly for about 3 hours.

I don't seem to be having Braxton Hicks contractions, which makes me worry that the baby really will come at 42 weeks. I have noticed quite a bit of hiccuping from Hosey, and last night I wondered if I'm confusing Braxton Hicks contractions for hiccups. It's hard to tell. Hosey is still very active, but it's mainly pushing and scooting and sticking his/her bottom against my belly really hard. That's the funniest.

I read in the baby book that 99% of babies born at this point make it fine, and very few have lasting health problems. That always makes me feel better. Speaking of which, I'm feeling really well lately. I have my days where I'm exhausted for what feels like no reason, and my feet and ankles are still really swollen (as are my hands lately) but the pain in my side is mostly gone, and I just feel like a big pregnant lady. I'm pretty moody, getting irritable easily, and hence have been sequestering myself from too much contact with family and friends, and just confining myself upstairs when I'm home with Justin and it happens. I'm pretty sure it's all normal pregnancy stuff. I realized that as of next Wednesday, I'll be 9 months pregnant. That seems so strange to me... I had a lady walk by me in Little Five Points, and she said "You're not pregnant, are you?" and then doubled over laughing. I didn't quite see the hilarity, but I chuckled with her. At the Indie Craft Experience, one vendor asked, looking pointedly at Justin, "Did he do that to you?" and just barely cracked a smile. I love strangers.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

The nursery is almost done...





Today, we got lots done around the apartment. Hosey's nursery is really pretty much done. We put pictures on the wall, made up the crib that will sit empty for the next few months, and put the stroller together. We will install the car seat next weekend. Justin joked that we should take the stroller out for a walk around the neighborhood today for practice, but we figured that we might look a little crazy. The bassinet is set up and ready, too, with clean sheets. Thanks again Mom and Leah! It looks very cute. I took pictures and put them on Flickr.

We also used some birthday money I had been squirreling away and bought a couple of new chairs for the living room from a vintage store in Little 5 Points. The woman who owns it is really nice, and actually has extremely fair prices. I had seen a large leather chair there yesterday and fallen in love with it, and managed to talk Justin into going back with me to get it today. It's sort of ugly, and looks a little 80's, but I think in the room, it looks fine. It's one of those chairs that you sit in, and you are sold. I call it the baseball glove chair, because that is sort of what it looks like. It's really big and comfy, and easy for me to get in and out of, even with my growing belly. We figure it will be a good chair for when Hosey comes, too. We counted, and with the two new dining room chairs that Susan brought down a few weeks ago (which I recovered today), we have seating for about 12 people now. This makes me feel better for when we have visitors with Hosey's arrival.

We also got a new office chair for the living room. Our IKEA chair is on it's third seat in under a year, and this last one my mom had bought for us. Even though the seats are only $6 to buy, it's starting to add up. So Justin found a chair he fell in love with at the same vintage furniture store, and it really is perfect. Very slick. We also got a little bit of a break buying two pieces from the dealer. And compared to Athens vintage prices, these were closer to flea market prices...

We are also starting the very early part of packing the overnight bag for the hospital. I picked out way too many outfits for Hosey, but I wanted to be sure that I got lots of size ranges covered. I washed those outfits, and today we bought some travel sized stuff, like toothpaste, and a couple of toothbrushes, so we don't have to worry about remembering our own when the time comes. Probably around week 37 I'll start putting clothes for me in there, too. And for Justin. I read one book that recommended that your partner bring a swimsuit, in case they want to get in the bath or shower with you during labor. The mental picture was just too much for me. Poor Justin in a bathing suit trying to fit into a shower with a gigantic pregnant me who is also in pain and possibly breathing fire. We decided we'd skip that advice.

Sunday morning already

Justin and I have had a nice weekend. We stayed busy, going to Lenox on Friday night to look for a new pair of jeans for Justin. That worked out perfectly, as to our surprise, Express (for men) was having a sale where all jeans were $20 off. He found a nice pair and got a great deal. I love it when that happens!

Yesterday, we went to the Indie Craft Experience, which is a great big market that was set up in this really neat studio called the "B Complex" over in Capitol View (yucky neighborhood, neat place). There were over 70 vendors, all selling really really neat things that they make themselves. We bought a few things, like a journal, probably to be used to track Hosey feedings in a few weeks. The man selling the journals was really creative. He takes old hardback books, everything from Cat in the Hat to old books called The Universe. We got one that is some kind of 1960's social science book. He leaves a few pages of the original book scattered throughout the blank journal pages and the whole thing is spiral bound. Very creative. The best part was that he sells them for only $12, which is very reasonable for handmade crafts. A lot of the vendors had beautiful things that we would have loved to bought (especially for Christmas gifts) but out of necessity, they are expensive. We did buy a print for the kitchen from a girl who does these really neat botanical drawings. Ours is sort of a poster about "air plants." It's neat. And it was very reasonable also.

The last thing we did there before leaving was make our own T-shirts. They had a stand set up where you could donate $5 to the Hagar House (a great charity) and get a t-shirt and the opportunity to stencil a design on it. I made one with the Indie Craft Experience logo, which is a bird holding scissors in its feet. Justin did one with a nuclear symbol in three colors of blue.

After that, we headed to Manuel's to watch the football game, or the last half anyways. It was nice to see Georgia win, and we ran into some friends there, too. After that, we went shopping in Little Five Points with my friend Sarah, where I bought a fantastic 70's "Newport News" coat that I think might be maternity. It was very cheap, and it's warm. It is sort of ridiculous looking, kind of like a hippie tent or something, but it has more than enough room for my belly, and I like that!

Last night we went with friends to see the new Coen Brothers movie at Phipps. "No Country for Old Men." It was really good, but definitely tough. Lots of gore. Lots of gore. But it was really just so well made. The acting, writing, directing... amazing. Tommy Lee Jones was really wonderful, and surprisingly, Woody Harrelson was spot on playing a cocky cowboy. We give it a ten out of ten.

We hope everyone had a great weekend!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Sad news

My grandmother (my dad's mother) passed away this morning. While I cannot make the trip to New Jersey for the memorial service, I will be thinking of her. My dad promises that in a year or so we will have a family event to remember her. Justin and I are thinking of using her name for the baby's middle name if Hosey is a girl. It's a beautiful name, Elizabeth, and it was my middle name before Justin and I got married. I think it would be a nice way to remember her. She was a very wonderful woman, and I only wish that I had been able to see her more growing up. It's hard to have family live so far away. I'm glad that Hosey will have lots of access to his or her grandparents. And we'll definitely have to tell Hosey all about "Gramma Zaic."

In the meantime, I'm trapped at work, as I don't get paid days off, and with only three paying days next week, I'm not going anywhere. I've got my door closed, but I have to complain just a little that it doesn't seem fair to not give your employees paid days off sometimes. However, as my officemate got fired last week, I'm trying to be on my best behavior. Doesn't it seem like things always happen all at once?

34 Weeks and Hosey is locked and loaded

I just got back from my 34 week check up. Nothing too exciting, except that I remembered to ask the doctor what position Hosey is in, and she said that Hosey is head down. Sounds like Hosey's head is down, and feet are up in my rib cage, and the bottom of the baby is smushed against my belly. So the baby is facing my back. Does that make sense?

My blood pressure was good this time, although I still have no frame of reference. I think she said it was 90/100. I don't know what that means. But I remember that when I was first pregnant it was 70/100. I read that the further along you are, the higher your blood pressure gets. Maybe that's in part due to the fact that your blood volume increases close to 50% while you are pregnant. That's so gross.

Anyways, she also gave me a brochure about labor, and kept patting my back and giggling, saying, "Not too much longer now!" It scared me. I was supposed to go back in 2 weeks and then have weekly appointments from then on out, but my doctor and the other doctor I see, Dr. Kleiss, are both out of town that week. So my next appointment is 3 weeks out, the day I will 37 weeks. I think it's December 5. Anyways, I have to have the strep test done, and I guess I should bug them about testing my blood again for iron levels, as they were supposed to do it today and didn't.

The doctor also told me that she wants me to call if I have any pre-term labor signs, but as far as real labor, she doesn't want me to call until my contractions are very painful and five minutes or less apart. She wants me to labor at home as long as possible. That's fine with me. I'll probably be mean and whiny, and best to keep that to onesself and one's husband as long as possible. Lucky Justin. She did say that if my water breaks, I should call no matter what. From what I hear, it's not so easy to tell most of the time...

Anyways, I'm avoiding work. I'm just starting to get excited and my focusability around here is declining a little bit. Or a lot. Don't tell anyone. :)

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Phew!

So I finally heard back from my doctor's office today. My ultrasound was normal. This is definitely good news. I'm weirded out by having severe pain in my side for weeks and weeks with no explanation, but I'm OK with that. And while it's been bothering me a little bit today, it's nothing like it was. Somehow, the start of this week seems to be marking the point of it getting better. I'm so glad! Just having it not hurt all day yesterday made me feel great. I went out with Justin to run some errands after work, and then got home and hung out with him in the living room... Just like a normal person! I feel sheepish having been complaining for so long and not having any sort of reason for it, but the only thing I can say is that I wasn't imagining it!

One thing we've been working on is baby names. We've got the boy list and the girl list whittled down to three names each. We're working on middle names, too, so each name has roughly 3 options when you include the middle name. I think we'll try to get the whole name worked out for all three of each gender, and then we'll just have three names to choose from once the baby is born. It's like a geometry proof...

I've been perusing the baby announcements on my favorite website, www.etsy.com, and it is starting to make me think I'd like to make my own. We'll see about that though... I just like looking at some of the interesting things people do. Some are REALLY terrible, with excessive amounts of bows and lace and lambs and any other baby thing you can think of. It's like a giant bundle of overkill. I actually found an article on the Martha Stewart website with cute ideas about making your own. And they really were cute. Surprisingly, a lot of Martha Stewart's craft ideas are really amazing. Please don't tell anyone I said that.

Well, I'm going to get back to work, doubly refreshed knowing that I don't have a gall bladder on the verge of bursting. :)

Monday, November 12, 2007

Thank goodness for Muppet Shoes

I always hated Ugg boots. They came out, and pretty much every female in Athens seemed to have a pair within a week. Of course, it was still 70 degrees outside, and they mostly wore them with very short skirts and t-shirts. All I could think when I saw the masses of them walking around campus was that they made everyone look like their foot had been swallowed by a clunky and cruel monster.

Yesterday I bought fake ugg boots. From Target. They were very cheap, but still. I'm feeling a little guilty. However, my feet are continuing to swell and spread, and I am down to roughly two pairs of shoes that fit me, and they are both ballet slipper type shoes that don't allow for socks or cold weather. So these boots are really comfortable. And they are lined with fleece. And my feet fit in them. Please don't judge me.

I also ordered a pair of black suede moccasins from Target. They are technically slippers, but they have rubber soles like regular shoes, and I tried some on yesterday at the store. They were very comfortable, especially since they are also lined with fur, but they didn't have them in my size. Rather than troupe around to the 9 million Target stores in the Atlanta area to find my size, I just ordered them on the Target website today. I never do things like that, but I figure now's a good time to start.

Still no news from the doctor, but my side has been feeling much much better for the last couple of days. It was still bothering me on and off until today, but not all the time round the clock pain like before. Today it hasn't hurt at all (knock on wood). There's a lot of pressure in my torso, both from what feels like little feet, and just the general weight of my belly. It's a new sensation. I have to remember to ask the doctor if she can tell if the baby is head up or head down. My appointment is Wednesday, so I figure I'll stop calling about the ultrasound, and if they haven't called me by my appointment on Wednesday, I'll just harass them in person. :)

Wednesday marks both my doctor's appointment, and 34 weeks. I can't believe it. I keep thinking that I still have at least 7 weeks, and that's a long time, but really, the baby will be "full term" at around 37 weeks. So I want to try and have the car seat in and the nursery ready by 36 weeks. I know that sounds silly, since the baby won't be in the nursery for months, but still. I guess it's my nesting instinct...

We hope everyone is doing well!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Chatagua Festival 2007 and other things



Well, first and foremost, I posted my first blog to the Atlanta Parent blog that they set up for me. The URL is http://www.atlantaparent6.blogspot.com/ in case you are interested. I'm trying to figure out exactly what type of tone to use, and trying to keep things personal, but interesting to strangers. It's definitely a learning experience... I also have to remember to ask them to change the spelling of the title. They put in an unecessary apostrophe, and the English major in me didn't even want to post to the blog until that was corrected, but I realized that I'm being a little silly.

We had a fun day yesterday at the Chatagua Festival in Winder. We got to see Ella and Chloe dance, spend time with my mom and Leah and even saw my grandparents for a little while. It was a nice day. My sister and I trekked to Mall of Georgia, and I almost bought Hosey some stuff at Gymboree, but talked myself out of everything. It was on clearance, but it was all bigger sizes that would fit next fall/winter. What if Hosey is extremely chubby or extremely skinny? I had visions of this cute winter coat, sized 12-18 months, fitting right at the end of February, or even worse, sometime in September! And Justin pointed out later that it will be fun to pick things out as we go. I just have this bargain shopper streak that makes me want to buy things off season and on clearance.

The pictures are from the festival, but of course, the rest are on Flickr. It occured to me the other day that a lot of you don't have Flickr accounts. This is absolutely fine, but I put the settings for photos of my nieces on private, so only people with Flickr accounts who are listed as friends or family of mine can actually view them. All of the other photos are public though. Just thought I'd mention that.

Justin and I worked in the nursery for a while today, arranging things how we think we'll keep them. It's much nicer in there with the new orientation. We also installed the new blinds on one side, which ended up being a ridiculously huge problem, as the window was a weird size, etc. Let me just tell you that there was a lot of cutting, breaking things, stripping screws, and swearing. It was definitely harder than putting the crib together... We also compiled the initial baby load of laundry with blankets and the crib mattress cover. Once that's all washed I can make the crib, which of course won't be used for months, but it will look cute!

We got the bassinet from my Mom's house last weekend, and again, thanks to her and her family for sharing! Especially Leah! We're trying to decide if we should go ahead and set it up in our bedroom, or leave it in the nursery for a while... The next few weeks will be getting busy with Thanksgiving and other family events, so we're trying to at least get a handle on what needs to be done. Is anyone ever ready for baby?

Oh, and don't worry, we are still working on the name game. We just haven't found that perfect one yet. Everything seems just a little short of perfect.

Friday, November 9, 2007

All over the place

This has been something of a difficult week. It's been long! I don't have much new to report, just a few points. You can see that I am very scatter-brained these last few days, and probably mildly incoherent.

*My grandmother is not improving. Please keep her in your thoughts and hearts and send love to her in New Jersey. I'm sad for her, and very sad that I cannot go to visit her, but I know that she is well taken care of and has a lot of family with her right now.

*Selfishly, I'm still anxiously worrying about my ultrasound. I called the doctor's office today to follow up, and the nice woman I spoke with told me that radiology has yet to send the ultrasound results back up. So no news there. The pain is still present, although today has been a little better. Let's hope that continues!

*I have a little piece of happy news. I sent an e-mail to the editor of Atlanta Parent magazine and told her that I thought she needed a younger and less experienced parent to join her current team of bloggers. To my shock, she responded the next day and told me she thought I'd be a good edition. So at some point in the next week or so, I'll be starting a blog on their website. I'm sure it's not paid, and it's not exactly the New York Times, but I'm excited. I'm trying to build a resume with my writing and eventually be able to try and land some more freelance work that is actually paid. But we'll see. If anything, you all just have to click on the blog at Atlanta Parent a million times a day to make it look like the whole world wants to read my blog.

Anyways, this weekend Justin and I are off to Winder to see Ella and Chloe perform at the Chatagua Festival on Saturday morning. I love watching them dance. I need some uplifting time, and I think this will be perfect. The Chatagua Festival is fun, too. We enjoyed it last year. There are cows and bulls and ponies, and crafts, and the Native American dancers were really neat to watch. Chloe was mesmerized by them.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

33 Weeks and Sad News

Today marks 33 weeks. It turns out that it is bad timing, as I just found out that my Grandmother on Dad's side is not doing very well healthwise, and I would have liked to go up to see her. After calling my doctor yesterday, the nurse told me that it is strongly advised that women past 32 weeks not travel. I asked if I could drive, but since it's about 14 hours in the car, she said that would be even worse than flying. My sister is going to go to New Jersey to visit her on Saturday, so I'm going to write a letter for my sister to read to her for me. It's not optimal, but it's the best I can do. I feel very badly about it, but again, I don't have very much of a choice. I'm hopeful that she overcomes the odds and maybe we can go see her with Hosey in the next few months.

I still haven't heard from the doctor, and I still have the pain in my side, but I'm continuing to hope that it's something normal, like maybe the rib pain that my doctor was talking about. I read about some women who have their babies stick their feet in between ribs of their moms, and this can be very painful. But it shouldn't be permanent. Maybe Hosey just is a little stinker and is constantly wedging his/her feet in there. Hopefully I'll know by the end of the week. When I spoke with the nurse yesterday, she said they still hadn't had the results sent up from radiology. Again, I'm assuming if it was something really bad, the technician would have helped get the results pushed through faster. So for now, I'm trying to convince myself that it is normal.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

No news is good news?

I haven't heard anything back from the doctor yet. I did call yesterday at lunch time to make sure that the ultrasounds made it back up to my doctor's office, and the woman I talked to sort of laughed at me. She told me "we don't work that fast." Oops. When I pushed a little to find out when I should expect a phone call, the best I got was "later in the week." Apparently the results have to be reviewed by a radiologist, and then it will get sent to my doctor, etc. etc. The wheels move so blindingly quickly at hospitals. I was just hopeful because last time, the doctor called me the same day as the ultrasound to let me know I didn't have a blood clot. But I guess that was more of an emergency situation.

In other news, my mom and I are going to a class at Babies R Us in Alpharetta tonight. It's all about newborn care, stuff like baths and skincare, etc. I'm sure it will be lots of shameless plugs for the sponsoring companies, but I'm also thinking there will be coupons. And samples. :)

Monday, November 5, 2007

Part One

I just got to work a little while ago, and my ultrasound went very quickly. The technician wouldn't tell me anything. He was nice, but very quiet. For now I'm just in limbo waiting for the doctor to call me after looking the results over and let me know if everything looks OK. I'm really hoping that it is all fine. I'm still having the pain in my side, but I would like to be told that it is nothing but gas or heartburn or something. After doing some research, gall bladder problems do not look fun, and while they are definitely better than some things, I would rather just be dealing with regular old pregnancy pains. It's just that the pain has been very severe, and lately makes it difficult to do a whole lot. Over the weekends, I'm OK to stay out and about for most of the day, but usually by late afternoon I'm in enough pain that I have to go home and lay down for a while. Usually it takes about half an hour of laying down, and the pain goes away. But it's very frustrating.

Our weekend was nice, with things fairly laid back and easy. We went shopping for a little while on Saturday at the thrift store to get costumes for a Halloween party on Saturday night. However, we ended up missing the party because even after laying down for a couple of hours, the pain in my side was excruciating, and the party was out in Kennesaw, which would require lots of car time. I was disappointed, as I was looking forward to going to the party and acting normal for a little while... but oh well.

Sunday was my family birthday party at my Mom's house. It was very fun. My mom cooked some delicious Paula Deen vegetable soup, and we had a delicious cherry stuff dessert that she made. I got to see my little sister, and my sister Kendree, her husband Jon and Ella and Chloe were there. It was a nice afternoon. We arrived thinking we were 15 minutes late, and then realized we were 45 minutes early, as we both thought the time change was supposed to happen overnight on Sunday night.

Anyways, I'll put up another post once I hear back from my doctor. Hopefully it will be today.

Friday, November 2, 2007

Tee Hee; Warning, objectionable content



So halfway through a spirited Cranium tournament last night, everyone ran out of beer/wine. Since I am officially a DD for the next few months, I offered to drive to Greene's Liquor Store on Ponce, which is very close to where we were at my friend's apartment in the VA Highlands. There were six of us, three girls and three boys, and we ended up just going with the girls and leaving the boys at home. So I was in charge of getting Justin his beer.

Here's me, 8 months pregnant, buying beer. Don't I look thrilled? I was oddly embarassed walking through there carrying a 12 pack of Negro Modelo and having to heave it around my big belly. But I think it was a golden moment. As you can see from the guy behind me, I don't think anyone in the store really thought anything of it, or maybe they just assumed that my belly was brought on my too many Negro Modelos and not a Hosey. Either way, I just thought I'd share this picture. I think it shows my true class.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Please Excuse my pregnant lady emotional moment

The last couple of weeks marked both me and Justin hitting our one year mark (mine was Tuesday) at our jobs. It's hard to believe it's been a year already that we've been living in Atlanta, but at the same time, we've been through lots of changes (ahem, HOSEY).

It made me look back and sort of take stock of how much our families have helped us through some tough times, from moving back from Taiwan, to finding jobs and a new place to live, to adjusting, my minor surgery saga, and then baby, and then moving. And I know that the biggest change is yet to come.

I know everybody knows how they've pitched in to help us get through everything, and I hope you all know how much Justin and I appreciate it. It's overwhelming for me to think about how much people have offered up to us to make things easier and better for us. It definitely makes me less scared to have the baby and worry about how we'll manage the changes that come along with it. Thank you again for everything.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Happy Halloween!



Today is lots of things. Halloween, 32 weeks, and I just got done with my doctor's appointment.

The doctor's appointment was fine. I forgot to ask how fast the heart rate was, but it sounded very fast. We talked about my side, and she thinks it could be rib pain from all of the expansion in my belly, but it could also be my gall bladder. Because it tends to hurt worse after I eat, this is a symptom of the gall bladder issue. We should have a better idea on Monday when I go for the ultrasound. Even if it is my gall bladder, there is nothing they can do for it until after the baby is born, at which point they will refer me to a specialist. Apparently pregnancy can sometimes cause problems with your gall bladder. In the mean time, it's just going to hurt.

In other news, they did this scary thing again (they did it last time, too) where my blood pressure was high when the nurse took it the first time, and then they took it again, and said it was fine. This time, the doctor took it two times in my room while I was laying down. She said it was fine, but it was sort of scary having them do that. I don't understand why it can come across as high at first and then normal the second time, but I guess that's why I'm not a doctor... :)

I hope everyone has a fantastic Halloween and gets lots of candy! I can't wait to see pictures of all the little ones in my family in their costumes. Maybe I'll be creepy and camp out somewhere in our neighborhood and watch all the little kids in their costumes. I can't wait for Hosey to be here next year. We'll go trick or treating... Even though Hosey won't be walking yet.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

I like this picture



I just wanted to share this family photo from Saturday that my dad sent me. It's a little shady, but you get the idea.

Nothing much new to report. Yesterday was a usually yucky Monday, where the phone rings off the hook from all the frantic questions that the foreign nationals have been holding all weekend.


Hosey is getting more and more aggressive with movements, and I honestly think sometimes I'm going to be sitting at my desk and a foot will just come straight through my belly button. I'm not sure where Hosey is, but I'm inclined to think that he/she is head down, only because of how much pushing is happening at the top of my belly. It feels like kicks. Although I'm not totally sure...
Justin and I have started composing our hospital call list. We're going to have to designate another family member to make the actual phone calls, since Justin will probably be a little busy, but this is the first time we've thought about who might actually want to be at the hospital. At this point, I think we'll just have someone making phone calls, and people can decide on their own whether or not they want to come. Our feelings won't be hurt either way. We're also trying to decide when we want to go ahead and put the car seat in. We're thinking at the end of November. I'd like to be a nervous nancy and put it in, and then go to a fire station and ask them to do a safety check to make sure it is installed correctly. Those things can be like rocket science...
The other detail I'm puzzling over is the bassinet. I still think I'll borrow my mom's (or Leah's, I guess I should say), but my doctor recommended having one upstairs and one downstairs... I'm not sure, but I've looked at some portable cribs from Graco, which are sort of like mini play-yards, and a lot of them have bassinet attachments. They have mostly glowing reviews on the Babies R Us and Target websites, and they seem like they would be useful, since you can use them for the baby to sleep in for travel for about 6 months or so, and they fold up to the size of a folding chair. And they are much more reasonably priced than a lot of things out there. We'll see!

Monday, October 29, 2007

Very Merry Birthday


It's strange. I've had the Alice in Wonderland song, "A Very Merry Un-birthday to Me" stuck in my head all weekend. I'm not sure where it came from, but it's still kicking around in there.


I had a very nice birthday weekend. And thanks to everyone who called, or sent cards, and generally made me feel special to be turning 24. I don't feel 24. I guess I just haven't noticed a difference in birthdays in a long time. Not since I turned 21. Not that that was all too long ago...


Our weekend was very fun. We had a great time at Andretti's. Justin got to race one of the karts, and he had a lot of fun, although he went a little slower than our friends. It was him, two of our friends, and then some guys who apparently are there all the time racing and thought they were really cool and tough. Right. Being in your early thirties and racing go-karts all the time makes you awesome. Especially when you are surly and mean and make nasty comments about the other racers... Either way, it was fun. I played lots of skee ball, and other fun arcade games. Everyone gave me their tickets, and I ended up with a billion. I got a stuffed Mogwai from the Gremlins movies. He's very cute. I also got an Atomic Homer, and he's wearing a super hero outfit. I'm not sure what it's in reference to, but I like it. I also got a little game with a suction ball and paddles. The ball lights up when it hits the paddles. I always dreamt of having that many tickets when I was a kid at Showbiz Pizza, but I never really got out of the plastic dinosaur and friendship bracelet range.


The farm on Saturday was fun. There was a petting zoo, and lots of little stands set up with exhibits, and of course, the historic home where the original farmers lived in the 1940's. It was interesting. Ella and Chloe had a good time playing with the animals, and I fell in love with Holly the pig. She was very little and fat fat fat. She would eat and eat and eat, ignoring everyone, and then fall over on her side and pant for a while. She was on a harness and leash that a little boy was holding. There was also a pony, goats, bunnies, ducks, a turkey, chickens, a ten day old calf, and a snake exhibit. Then there was some old gadgety stuff like engines that I didn't really get, but it seemed neat. We didn't go see the Civil War Reinactors, but you couldn't miss them stalking around in their costumes. They were very proud. It was also nice to see my dad and stepmom and stepsister, and I met my stepsister's boyfriend for the first time.


Saturday night, we went to dinner with Justin's Dad and Susan. It was a surprise, but we ended up going to Watershed in Decatur. It was very very good. I would definitely recommend it to everyone. Everything there is delicious. I had a pork chop with collards and macaroni cheese, and it was oddly elegant. It was really good. Justin ordered a 19 oz steak. It was gigantic. Then we had the "Very Good Chocolate Cake" for dessert. They put a candle in it for me, and it was very nice. And very good.


Sunday we went to Justin's sister Jessica's house for her daughter's second birthday party. It was very fun. She was dressed as a princess the whole time (Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty if I'm not mistaken) and her cake was an elaborate castle. It was nice to see everyone, and we also picked up the crib mattress from Justin's Mom and Terry, who were nice enough to bring it with them.


We finished our bedroom on Saturday, so we are now left with just the nursery. I think we figured out how we want the furniture oriented, we just have to move it. Then we can make the bed and hang pictures, and we'll just be waiting for Hosey! I still want to do lots of laundry, but I've got so many little things I keep forgetting to do. Mainly little stuff like my short term disability paperwork for work, and my hospital admission papers. But I also have to finish thank you notes and catch up on Hosey's baby book. I need to learn better time management skills... :)

Friday, October 26, 2007

TGIF

It's been a long week. I'm really glad it's already Friday. I just returned from lunch at Pleasant Peasant with some co-workers. Two of us have birthdays right around now (hers is today, and mine is tomorrow) so we went to lunch to celebrate. It was nice. I had salmon, asparagus and risotto. mmm, cheesey risotto.

This weekend is promising to be very busy, with lots of fun things going on, including a trip to Andretti's Speed Lab in Roswell tonight for my friend's birthday. I'm hoping they have skee ball there...

Tomorrow we've got my birthday party with my sister and her family and my Dad, stepmom and stepsister. We're going to a farm in Duluth where they have pig racing. I think it's supposed to be an authentic farm from the 40's. Then, Saturday night is dinner with Justin's Dad and Susan.

Sunday is a birthday party for Justin's niece, Mary Ansley. I'm sure that will be very fun as well!

So we'll be busy, but I think it will be nice. These days, it's just nice to keep my mind off work. :)

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Another 3 in one day... Sorry!

I just got back from Target. I skipped out for the drill, and went to Target (and to get my emissions tested) and it was a nice break. I got a pumpkin spice latte, too. It's delicious. Probably only about 3000 calories, too...

And just for the record, lots of people have asked where the pain is in my side. It's very high, up in my rib cage on the right side. It feels similar to when you go running and get a stitch in your side. And it is sometimes on the front side, and sometimes in the back. Lots of people have suggested round ligament pain, which I've had, and continue to have, but that's usually much lower. That's also gotten a lot better the further along I've gotten. Now I mainly have it when I sneeze, or get up too fast.

I appreciate everyone's concern. And suggestions! There's nothing I'd like more than to figure out what is going on over there! There's this one thing that Hosey does with his/her little fists (or feet...?) pushing really hard on that side up top, and it actually makes it feel a little better. It's like an internal massage. I know that sounds kind of icky, but I see it as Hosey's emerging personality, which is obviously caring and attentive. My mom suggested I check my blood pressure frequently at the drug store to make sure that it is not too elevated, and I think I'll try that. Those chair things are awesome!

Grumble grumble

The earliest appointment for the ultrasound is November 5. On the upside, maybe the pain will be gone by then... Either way, the doctor doesn't seem too worried about it, so that should be a relief. I tried taking Tylenol during the movie, and it didn't work at all. And I try not to take unnecessary medicine these days.

I'm sure it will work itself out eventually. In the mean time, at least I can whine on my blog...

Oh, and we have an evacuation drill in our building today. However, I don't have to walk down the 20 flights of stairs (I feel bad for those people on the 56th floor) since I'm pregant, but I will have to stand in the emergency stair landing while the alarm sounds for 20 minutes. Should be enjoyable... :)

So much for Wes

The movie was really really good last night! It was very funny, and definitely had that sad element that Wes Anderson seems to love to slip into his movies. The only disappointing thing was that Wes Anderson did not show up. Yesterday, Christa pointed out on the Pecanne Log that the Fox Searchlight website showed that it would only be Jason Schwartzman at the Atlanta screening. I'm not sure if it always said that and we just missed it somehow, or if it's changed...

Either way, the movie was very good, and Jason Schwartzman was fun to listen to. People asked (mostly) good questions, and since Jason was a co-writer on this film, he had a lot of interesting information. And of course, the visual aspects of the film were stunning, and he talked a lot about filming in India.

In baby news, I'm going in for an ultrasound sometime soon (not sure when exactly) just to double check that this pain in my side is not anything serious. It was really awful during the movie last night, and of course the theater was sold out, so I was squirming around between Justin and some poor guy on my other side, trying to find a way to sit and have it not hurt. I never did, but I did actually consider leaving early on because I was so uncomfortable. Lots of people have suggested it might be digestion related, but I've been eating Maalox with GasX every single day, and it doesn't make any difference. I'm guessing it's a pulled muscle that just won't get better.

And for the record, I didn't call the doctor this time, the doctor called me yesterday to tell me that she wanted me to come in. So I'll update once that's over.