Weeeellllll....

Today was wonderful and very, very long. It's now 8:20 in the evening and I feel like I have about two seconds worth of energy remaining. I'm tired, in pain (my back is killing me) and I wish that I could sleep for the next 3-8 weeks!

Our first appointment of the day was the ultrasound. Once again, it was absolutely amazing! We did get more 4D pictures of our little girl, and we also confirmed some of the details. First, she is definitely a little girl. We got some cute 4D looks at her butt and little girl parts. Very cute little pictures! Second, she is not so little. This ultrasound was ordered because I've consistently measured larger than I should given Bailey's gestational age. Well, at 33 weeks and 6 days, Bailey measured 6 pounds, 11 ounces. In week terms, that's about 36 weeks, 4 days. In other words, she's about 2-3 weeks bigger than she "should" be at this time.

Now, that's not a problem. It's actually fine. She's just a big girl. She's so freakin' adorable, honestly! She's already got little chubby fat rolls on her arms and legs. Her cheeks are big and round, her belly is perfectly round. She's incredibly sweet, and if born anytime soon would probably not have any issue keeping herself warm! All of her measurements are proportionate to her body...she's just a bit large.

Our doctor is not worried, and neither are we. A bit apprehensive, maybe, but not horribly worried. If she continues to gain weight at the "normal" range of about 1/2 pound a week and we go to 40 weeks, she'll be between 9-10 pounds at birth. Not exactly what I imagined when I imagined my perfect, natural delivery...but we'll take it! She's healthy and she's thriving inside my body. I wouldn't change that for anything.

Our next appointment of the day was our normal prenatal appointment. My blood pressure was perfect again, Bailey's heartbeat was fine and I have actually lost 2 pounds in the last two weeks. My total weight gain for this pregnancy is now 12 pounds! Honestly, I'm not complaining. Bailey is obviously getting what she needs to grow and thrive in my body and I'm not reeking havoc on my organs and limbs by packing on ridiculous amounts of weight. I'm proud of that. I am the one who has to lose it after the baby born, so I'm glad that I've found a way to be moderate and only gain an small amount of weight. It could have just as easily gone in the other direction.

We have one more two week wait. At our 36 week appointment, we will have our first internal exam and the strep B test. Exciting. After that, our appointments are every week. The wait is truly on. We are in the last inning of this big game, and I'm feeling every second of it.

Our final appointment of the day was with the woman who will become Bailey's pediatrician when she's born. We were pretty much entering the meet and greet with the thought that if we didn't hate her, she would become her pediatrician. I mean, there are many options in our area - if we find a doctor we end up not liking, we can just find another.

But we loved her. She was warm, kind, responsive (we only waited 10 minutes), and the facilities were adequate. She had absolutely no issues with us as a gay couple - didn't even bat an eye. She asked all the right questions and answered all of ours the right way. We got a very positive response from her when I indicated that I wanted to breastfeed for 6 months.

All in all, we think that she is going to work out just fine. She's a nice woman and seemed to be what we needed. She's available all the time (we have an after hours pager number that she or her associate carries 24/7) and gave us a good feeling.

So that dilemma is solved!

It was a great day. I'm tired, though, and ready to get this show on the road. Some dark part of me was hoping that I would get put on bed rest for some reason. I get so exhausted commuting back and forth and trying to work for 8 hours at a time. My days are 11-12 hours long, just in commute and work time. That's rough right now.

But, I'll survive. I am strong and our daughter is doing exactly what she needs to do in my body. How could I complain about that? I'll get through the next month or so. LOL - then, I suspect, I'll know what REAL exhaustion feels like...

Will Blog Later

Not much going on this morning. We are both at work until around 11:45 and then we are off to our ultrasound, doctors appointment and meeting with Bailey's pediatrician. I'll blog later and post any pictures that we might have gotten from the ultrasound!

Hey...wait a second...

...I just read what my sweetie wrote in the previous post and it made me feel like a lazy bum. I thought maybe I should also list what I did this weekend while Mikki was doing everything around the house including feeding us. I painted our family room. Sounds simple enough, but everyone who has ever painted knows the amount of work involved. The only thing left to paint downstairs is the kitchen (or chicken as Mikki says). I hope to get that finished before the little one arrives, but I'm having doubts since our weekends are numbered.

We're SO excited to see our little honey at tomorrows ultrasound. I hope she continues to enjoy being the center of attention and puts on a good show for her mommy and momma. Who knows, we might even find out she's a boy! :0 The 20 and 24 week ultrasounds both indicated a girl, but you never really know until s/he's born. We hear those stories all the time. ~Kelly

Wading Through Cold Honey

That is my description for how I feel. I am constantly wading through cold honey. It's sticky, it's heavy, it makes a mess and it's a hell of a lot of work. I'm tired from the slightest thing. My body is only really happy when I'm sitting or resting. I generally am not motivated to do anything, see anyone or interact with anything in anyway. Honestly, if I could just spend the next month reading, I would be happy.

My accomplishments for the weekend: I went grocery shopping, Target shopping and Pet Smart shopping. I made seven full meals - dinner on Friday and then three squares for Kelly and I on Saturday and Sunday. I kept the dishes clean. I did laundry on Sunday. I generally kept thing picked up around the house. And I read over 200 pages of book six of the Harry Potter series. I slept well both Friday and Saturday night.

In general, I did everything that I could do to prepare myself for this week. My time frame is now limited to making it through the week to the next weekend when I can recover and prepare for the week ahead. Lord, I love being pregnant...but I can't wait for Bailey to be born!!! At least, I'll have a number of weeks to recover slightly...

The exciting news of the week is that tomorrow Kelly and I have another ultrasound, another doctors appointment and a meeting with Bailey's pediatrician (we hope). This is our meet and and greet. We're hoping that we like her as much as everyone else seems to...

Now it's off to the shower and then to the bus ride. Remember how much I used to hate the bus ride into town? Not anymore...now it' a time for me to sleep!!!

Happy Birthday, Honey!

Today is the best day in the entire world...it's the day that my honey was born!!!!! I love today above all others, because on this day 32 years ago, my mother-in-law delivered the baby girl who would grow up to be my destiny.

I am so lucky to be loved by and to love this incredible woman who has chosen me to be her wife. For the past 9 years, I have woken up on this day and said a little prayer of thanks to whomever decided to select her soul to put into her body and then chose to bring us together. It feels like a miracle to me that I found such an incredible human being...and that incredible human being loves me as much as I love her.

Celebrate today, wherever you are and whatever you are doing! We're not doing much special - we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast with a birthday candle and Kelly is painting today. I'm hanging out with her growing a baby and keeping her company. We called off the trip to Dover Downs because of me not feeling great this past week - I'm tired and really do just feel better when I rest.

Happy Birthday, love. As I told you this morning, I am forever yours and I cherish every minute that we have spent together. I wish only for many, many more years of loving you...

Quick Trip to Labor and Delivery

Last night, Kelly and I made our first appearance at labor and delivery! It was a nice little dry run for what is going to happen when we actually go because we are in labor!

Remember me talking about headaches and swelling? Well a friend of ours made a link for us to the headaches and sudden swelling with potential high blood pressure concerns. At our last appointment, I was perfect - 124/80. That was a week ago. Well, I was a little worried, so we went to Safeway and used their blood pressure machine. My first reading came back at 154/83. My second reading was 144/94.

So we were worried. I called our doctor and first he gave me all kinds of shit for waiting four days before I called him. In my own defense, I didn't realize that a headache, swelling, achy back and inability to sleep well were anything other than just common third-trimester pregnancy symptoms. I mean, honestly - who doesn't bitch about all of those things when they are pregnant???

He told us to come on down to labor and delivery and get hooked up and have them test my blood pressure. We ate and then left. Two hours later, we were discharged with absolutely no signs of any trouble. Bailey was moving all around and her heartbeat was perfect. My blood pressure checked out twice at 116/68 and then 116/67.

It was a little hospital dry-run!

Two lessons have been learned:
1) The blood pressure machines at Safeway are not accurate.
2) The little TV's in the hospital rooms hurt your neck unless you are laying down.

The McFadden Birth Bill of Rights

I reserve the right:

1. To talk nonstop about having an unmedicated birth, and then change my mind at the last minute.
2. To enjoy the process of creating my dream birth and believe that it can happen just as I've planned it.
3. To choose to ignore you when you tell me what "will" happen when I actually go into labor.
4. To NOT take your advice, even if you mean well and are basing it on your experience.
5. To not allow you to diminish my experience by telling me all about the horrors of your own.
6. To scream, cry, moan and beg for pain relief during the process of labor, without fear that I will looked at as weak.
7. To lean heavily on Kelly and then give her the credit, verbally and emotionally, that she deserves for being my rock.
8. To expect that those who are around me before, during, and after my birth will honor the experience and not try to manage it.
9. To not give your "I told you so" any credence if my labor does not go the way that I've planned.
10. To ask you to leave my presence if you continue to insist that I cannot give birth my way.
11. To withhold any information that I choose to about the details of my birth experience.
12. To share my story, in its full truth, if you ask me.
13. To learn our daughter, in our own way, in our time and without your input.
14. To ask for help when I need it, and to refuse help when I don't.

And most importantly, I reserve the right to exist in this experience fully and completely, without feeling like I have to explain or justify the things that are important to me and to my partner.

Sleep, Glorious Sleep

I am absolutely delighted to report that I slept a lot last night!!! We went to bed around 8:30 and did our little reading/snuggling/talking rituals. I fell asleep in our bed while I was rubbing Kelly to sleep. She fell asleep to, but we were both woken quickly when I started to snore (I think it must sound a little like those redneck trucks with the jacked up exhaust pipes)! So, I rolled over to get out of bed and go to the guest room, but at some point during the roll I fell back asleep! Strange. I woke up again a few minute later and moved. From then on, I remember very little. I slept GREAT! I know I woke up four times - two from extreme thirst, twice from needing to use the restroom (probably because of the aformentioned extreme thirst wakings!).

The end result? I feel like a whole new woman!!!!! Suddenly the world is just a bit happier and easier to take. Ah yes...my back still hurts and Bailey is still using my bladder as her personal tramoline and my ribcage as her monkey bars, but who cares!!! I'm not falling asleep sitting at my computer! I'm not wanting to scream from annoyance and exhuastion!

It's times like this when I have to remember what my Momma always told me growing up - celebrate the little things like they are big things! All is good and right today. Bring on the world!

Surprise!

Well, today I had my baby shower! I say it that way, because it's probably the only official shower that I will have! My co-workers threw it for me and it was spectacular!!! Have I ever mentioned how incredibly sweet and generous they are???

We got all kinds of fabulous stuff - bath stuff, diapers and lotions, our high chair, tons of clothes, a baby organizer (which is PERFECT for me!), some really wonderful picture frames, lots of toys for Bailey and books! Just a ton of stuff. I have lots of thank you notes to write tonight...and we have the perfect stationary to write them on (thanks to my boss's christmas present to me!).

I'm very overwhelmed by it all. It's so much stuff, and their generousity is awesome. It makes me want to cry, but I don't want to look like a weeny. LOL! Damn these pregnancy emotions!!!

Oh...and they got me two cakes - that's right - TWO! One was decadent chocolate (yum) and the other was strawberry cream. And lunch.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love my job and where I work??? I'm so lucky...

Week 34

I'm not even sure how to begin this post. I'm tired. I'm happy. I'm moody. I'm sad. I'm exhuasted. I'm excited. I'm a million and one emotions all wrapped up into one. I want this over, but I want to savor every minute. I want this to go on and on, and I want it finished today. I dream of having her out, but yet I dream of her sibling being in there. As many women before me have said, I feel like a pod carrying this new life. It's just not about me. My needs have truly become secondary to this life inside of me.

Last night I didn't fall asleep until 11:30, then woke up every hour or so. I got about 5 hours of broken sleep. Not so bad. I feel better today. My headache is gone. My back hurts, but that's nothing new. I'm actually feeling moderately resigned to the next 4-9 weeks. I'm sure this is another cycle and that I'll cycle back to a more difficult place, but for today, I'll enjoy this period of relative acceptance.

Soon enough, Bailey will be in our arms and our dreams of a creating a family together will have come true. One more check mark on our life list of dreams - only this check mark is the most important one ever. I'm overwhelmed by it all.

Here is what's up for Miss. Bailey's development this week:

Fetal development in pregnancy week 34:fetus in eighth month

Your amazing baby is on the move! They’ve been riding fairly high in your stretched-out womb to this point (while kindly compressing your poor internal organs), but now they’re planning on making the big move to your pelvis this week. If you haven’t already, you’ll be noticing the weight shift that signals they are most likely out of breech position, with their head now resting on your pubic bone. In liver news: although not quite fully formed, your little miracle’s liver is now capable of processing a certain amount of waste. In general, most of your child’s prenatal physical development is pretty much up to snuff and ready for the outside world. Naturally, further weight gain is expected—so you’re still not at maximum capacity despite probably feeling like you definitely are maxed out.

And how's mom doing?

Obviously the big change for you is the notable weight shift (known as “lightening” or “engagement”). Now that your baby is resting deeper in your pelvis, you may find yourself walking as if you're carrying a watermelon between your legs. Yes dear, you’re officially “waddling” these days. Try to comfort yourself with this thought: it’s nearly over. Soon, you’ll just have to carry your adorable little watermelon in your arms. And in a rare spate of good news: this weight shift means you can breathe easier now that your lungs aren’t compressed. The not-so-good news, it’s a trade off: (we’ll wait till you’re back from the restroom) this new position has your poor bladder even more squished than before. We’d recommend writing your bladder little love poems to convince it not to leave you altogether, but unfortunately bladders don’t speak English (only Italian love poems will do).
If you've recently noticed some less-than-appealing itchy red bumps on your belly (and possibly around your thighs and belly), you've got yourself a harmless but not fun round of pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP if your don't have the patience for the full name). If you feel itchy ALL over your body, that's different, and you should call your health care practitioner as this could be a liver problem.
At your next check up you can expect your physician to conduct a Group B Streptococci test (GBS), a common bacteria screening. As long as you have a strong immune system, you’re in the clear (one more reason to eat right and exercise!), but your little one is more susceptible to serious health complications (including meningitis, pneumonia and blood infection) if not diagnosed and treated properly—so the tests are good for some peace of mind. Hang in there momma, you’re a star for making it this far!

"Dad Tip" for week 34

This weeks tip is to get preregistered at the hospital. Well, we did that back in October. I guess we have this one covered already. In fact, we are planning to take a duplicate registration form with us when we go in to deliver just in case they lost the first one. It's in a pile of other things that we don't want to forget to pack. I guess since I don't have any "real" challenge for the week, I'll go back and help out with previous weeks tips such as pushing the shopping cart and reaching things on high shelves. ~Kelly

Question for Everyone

So, I just need some reassurance that what I'm feeling is normal.

First, I love my job. I really do. I work in a great place, with wonderful women (all of them are women, which is really, really nice) and it's an easy environment. Sure, sometimes it's stressful, but that is rare. The pay is great for the work that I do. I've just been recently promoted. My coworkers are kind and generous with my pregnancy needs.

But honestly, I hate working right now. I am SO not interested in being here. I get frusterated when anyone talks to me. I'm tired constantly. My back hurts. My head is consumed with all things baby and this job is not even remotely near the top of my priority list.

What I want to be able to do is sleep late and then putter about our home. I want to make lunch when I'm hungry and watch TV. I want to relax and prepare myself to be exhausted for months. It's so frusterating, because the concept of 7 or 8 hours of continuous sleep each night is just a thought. I can't sleep that long. I can't stay in one position for that long. I wake up. I'm working on about 4 hours of sleep at night - none of which are continuous. I need naps.

But I can't take them. I have to work. I have to sit and get more sore, so that when I try to go to bed, I just want to cry because my body aches.

I hate working right now. I don't understand why it is that a country that is made up of more women than men can expect women to go through these last few weeks of pregnancy and still work. It doesn't make sense. It's stupid. It's unfair.

Am I just being a baby? Do other pregnant woman feel this way? Is what I'm feeling normal???

Sucky

It's definately official. The last part of pregnancy sucks (for me, anyway). I've still got a throbbing head ache. I'm cranky and hormonal beyond all reasonable levels. My back hurts so bad after 10 minutes in any position that I want to cry. I can't sleep well. I pee constantly. I don't want to work, but I have to. I want to be at home, puttering about and being able to sit and stare off into space until I feel like moving again. I want Kelly near me at every second of the day.

Mostly, I just want our little love to be born.

I'm torn by that, though. Of course, I don't want her to come early. I'm so happy that I can continue to grow her inside of me and that my body is keeping up with the demands I'm putting on it. I am proud of what I've accomplished in the past 33 weeks. I'm just tired. I want a good night's sleep on my belly. I want to not be 25 degrees hotter than everyone else all the time. I want for things like bending over and washing my feet to be easy again. I want to stand up and immediately start walking, instead of standing up and then waiting for everything in my body to adjust and the pain in my hips to subside.

Oh well. I'm just bitchy and cranky and tired and...you get the point.

Nesting???

In between naps today, and periods of sheer torture where my head throbbed at insane levels, I've worked on the nursery. I can't just lay down - my body and our little baby inside me won't tolerate that. It just hurts. I had to get up and do something.

So, into the nursery I went. I've now washed everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) and put it all back together. I've dusted, I've cleaned with mild, baby-friendly cleaner anything that might end up in her mouth. I've put things just so. I've looked at every piece of clothing (and good lord, there is a LOT) and I'm in the process of washing those clothes. Soon, I will be folding and putting everything into her dresser.

Yesterday, our lovely friends M&S came on by (once again) to help us put up the ceiling fan. I say "help us", but what I really mean is that they did it and we watched. The whole electrical thing is not something we are comfortable with. In exchange, I made them dinner and we shared chocolate cake (which I think is the perpetrator of this killer headache). (Thank you SO MUCH, M&S!) Last weekend, Kelly and I put up many of the pictures on the walls and this week, she picked out a couple of new frames for some more.

In other words, my friends, the nursery is damn-near finished! What is missing is the rocking chair that Bailey's Grammy and Andrea have gotten for us. This absolutely gorgeous, hand-made Amish chair is still being built for us. A couple of the picture frames are still empty - to be filled with black and white photos that we will have taken by a photographer on April 4th. We want for Bailey to be surrounded in her room by the love that we have for her, for each other and for this process of bringing her into the world. So...we're going to get photos to document the very-nearly end result of her in my body.

As for what we still absolutely NEED - we need baby wipes (seventh-generation ones...Whole Foods was out last time we checked). Other than that, we have everything that we would need if she came into the world today. There are still some things we want (check out our registry...LOL!), but we have what we need.

Wow. Suddenly it seems so close.

Momma Takes a Day Off

One of the lovely additions to my life during has pregnancy has been infrequent (thank god) migraine headaches. I have no idea why they come on and there doesn't seem to be any one trigger. I've never had them before.

Last night, I woke up at about 12:15 with a horrible headache that progressively got worse. I've taken Tylenol, but it hasn't touched it. I couldn't sleep, because the pain was throbbing down into my shoulders, making every position I was lying in uncomfortable.

It's not 5:45 AM. Kelly is long gone to work, and I am trying to go back to sleep. I laid down for 25 minutes, but my back is killing me, my shoulders ache and my head is throbbing. I'm going to try laying on the couch. I don't know what is going to help.

I'm obviously not at work this morning.

:-(

HYPOCRITE

There are times when I wonder how it is that the Republican Party feels so freakin' strongly about standing on their "moral values". The few good Republicans that I know (my partner's family included) will find this as shameful as I do. What I've discovered is that "moral values" really only counts when you're blowing smoke up the American public's collective ass trying to get votes.

The good, moral people that I know include Republican, Democrats, heterosexuals, homosexuals and every shade and gender in the middle.

Anyone else ready for something other than this bullshit in our politics?


Gingrich acknowledges affair during Clinton impeachment
POSTED: 11:03 p.m. EST, March 8, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was having an extramarital affair even as he led the charge against President Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky affair, he acknowledged in an interview with a conservative Christian group.

"The honest answer is yes," Gingrich, a potential 2008 Republican presidential candidate, said in an interview with Focus on the Family founder James Dobson to be aired Friday, according to a transcript provided to The Associated Press.

"There are times that I have fallen short of my own standards. There's certainly times when I've fallen short of God's standards."

Gingrich argued in the interview, however, that he should not be viewed as a hypocrite for pursuing Clinton's infidelity.

"The president of the United States got in trouble for committing a felony in front of a sitting federal judge," the former Georgia congressman said of Clinton's 1998 House impeachment on perjury and obstruction of justice charges. (Nice, isn't it, how he tries to change the story at this point in the game? I don't remember him using this argument when he was busy trying to impeach the President. Nope, back then it was all about cum on poor Monica's dress.)

"I drew a line in my mind that said, 'Even though I run the risk of being deeply embarrassed, and even though at a purely personal level I am not rendering judgment on another human being, as a leader of the government trying to uphold the rule of law, I have no choice except to move forward and say that you cannot accept ... perjury in your highest officials." (Interesting...it seems that on a "purely personal level" Newt has no problem with infidelity. I wonder how his stance will change when he's running for office and talking about gay marriage and how wonderful and sacred the institution of heterosexual marriage is. Stay tuned for more hypocracy!)

Widely considered a mastermind of the Republican revolution that swept Congress in the 1994 elections, Gingrich remains wildly popular among many conservatives. (Of course he does. How sad that a political party has aligned itself to scum like this. REAL Republicans - hence, those who actually care about traditional REPUBLICAN issues like low taxes and independance from the government, should be ashamed to have him be "wildly popular".) He has repeatedly placed near the top of Republican presidential polls recently, even though he has not formed a campaign.

Gingrich has said he is waiting to see how the Republican field shapes up before deciding in the fall whether to run.

Reports of extramarital affairs have dogged him for years as a result of two messy divorces, but he has refused to discuss them publicly.

Gingrich, who frequently campaigned on family values issues, divorced his second wife, Marianne, in 2000 after his attorneys acknowledged Gingrich's relationship with his current wife, Callista Bisek, a former congressional aide more than 20 years younger than he is. (Wow...there are so many things wrong with this on so many levels.)

His first marriage, to his former high school geometry teacher, Jackie Battley, ended in divorce in 1981. Although Gingrich has said he doesn't remember it, Battley has said Gingrich discussed divorce terms with her while she was recuperating in the hospital from cancer surgery. (Wicked nice guy, huh? He's certainly the person I want claiming moral authority over me.)

Gingrich married Marianne months after the divorce.

"There were times when I was praying and when I felt I was doing things that were wrong. But I was still doing them," he said in the interview. "I look back on those as periods of weakness and periods that I'm ... not proud of." (Nice. When in doubt - or when trying to cover up for being a 100% fuckhead asshole - draw God into the argument and ask for forgiveness. Rather than require a person to actually BE good, we're going to let them off easy with a little prayer. That'll help fix it all. And then next time? Shit...just pray some more.)

Gingrich's congressional career ended in 1998 when he abruptly resigned from Congress after poor showings from Republicans in elections and after being reprimanded by the House ethics panel over charges that he used tax-exempt funding to advance his political goals. (It appears that his shit-headedness doesn't only apply to "family" and "moral" values. He's screwing those with less money than him too. Go Newt 2008!)

Blog-Worthy

A couple of blog worthy developments that I forgot to mention in the last post.

1) This morning, Bailey woke up at around 2:30 AM. She kicked and carried on so hard that she woke me up. My belly was rocking back and forth, almost as if she was squirming from side to side. At one point, she kicked me so hard that our kitty (who was curled up to my belly) jumped up and turned and stared at my belly. I laughed out loud! It was very cute. It's not happened yet. All of our babies have felt Bailey move in my belly, but it's not been startling for them. It was very, very funny to watch our kitty react that way.

2) We got a new matress. In order to prevent our backs from aching, we splurged and got a Tempurpedic mattress. You know - the kind that is "NASA approved". Well, needless to say, it is completely worth it!!! The bed is absolutely fabulous. You think that it's going to be hard an uncomfortable, but then you just start to sink. And you sink into the matress in all the right ways. For those of you who are pregnant reading this, the mattress conformed PERFECTLY to the side of my body (including my belly). I didn't need any support from any pillow because the matress wrapped itself up around and gave me the support I needed. It was AWESOME!!!

Energy

I feel a strange and intense energy this morning. Around the start of spring, I start to feel this way. I've always loved it when spring finally pops into existance. When I lived in Maine, I'd wait for that first mild breeze that signaled that the flowers would soon come and I'd be able to once again sit outside in the mornings. To this day, there is still nothing better than a cup of coffee, a cigarette (even though I no longer smoke) and the sun rising on a cool, crisp early April morning in Maine.

Here in Maryland, it happens a bit earlier. Next week, the weather will be in the high 50's and low 60's. That's the start for me. The weather begins it's change. The grass starts to turn green. The buds on the trees start to show themselves.

Kelly and I just recently placed an order for a bunch of flowers for our front yard. They will arrive soon.

And to really make the whole "new life" thing more pronouced this year - Bailey will be born probably sometime next month...or very early in May. It's this incredible convergence of new life, new development, new changes.

It makes me feel anxious to start it all, and nostalgic for the times in my life that were just a little slower. I'm so happy to be able to spend this summer focusing all my energy and time on caring for our daughter, our home, my partner, our birds and our kitties. The things that truly matter to me...

It's funny...it seems like so far away. But it's not. Bailey is not far from being born. I have goosebumps thinking about it!!!! Goodness...it's all so exciting...

Baby Growing

That's what I do right now. I grow a baby. When I'm not 100% focused on that, I try not to fall too far behind in my work, I try to sleep and I try to love and take care of my partner (although, she really is doing the majority of the taking care of me right now...).

It's amazing how consuming this is. Honestly, I've never in my life spent so much time focused on one thing for such a long period of time. The baby is EVERYTHING in our world right now.

Here's an example - last night, I wanted to take a bath. Bailey likes the heat and it's a sure way to get her to drop out of the top of my uterus (and consequently, my rib cage!). I asked Kelly if she would be joining me upstairs. Now, I wasn't trying to be sexual or anything like that - but I was hoping that she'd want to come up and spend some time with me talking and all that. Her response back to me was "Yep, I'm going to come up and talk to Bailey." LOL - there you have it. We are consumed.

Worst case scenario - we are looking at 10 weeks left of being pregnant. Best case, we have five. Anything sooner than that, and we'll be very worried about our little honey. I'm focusing on five. If we get to that point and Bailey isn't coming yet, I'll focus week by week.

Right now, it's five weeks to go...

Week 33

Today was yet another doctors appointment and marks the completion of 32 weeks of pregnancy for us! Bailey is extremely active today...almost as if she is celebrating this milestone!

The doctors appointment went well. I've gained one more pound, for a total weight gain of 14 pounds in 32 weeks of pregnancy. Her heartbeat was hovering around 145. My blood pressure was fabulous (124/80) and there was no protein or sugar in my urine. The only little thing is that Bailey went through another growth spurt in the last couple of weeks. She measured at 35 centimeters (or what they would expect at 35 weeks). Our doctor is not worried at all, because this is consistent with her previous patterns of growth. However, we are lucky enough to get to have another ultrasound...just to be safe! So, we'll schedule this one for two weeks from now, and get another look at our little girl. We're both pretty happy...

So far, it seems that I'm doing well being pregnant! Bailey is fine, my body is certainly responding well. I'm really happy with my weight gain.

Here is what is on tap for the upcoming week of development!

Weeks Until Due Date (May 2nd): 8
Weeks Until Full Term (37 weeks): 5
Total Weight Gain: 14 Pounds

Fetal development in pregnancy week 33: fetus in eighth month

For all the weight and bulk you’re lugging around these days, you’d think your little champ should weigh much more than a mere 5 lbs and measly 7 inches in height, but nope, that’s about the average size for a baby in its thirty-third week. In terms of appearances, they’re getting cuter and pudgier every minute—just piling on the baby fat and those adorable little wrist rolls and chubby toes. And as we’re sure you’ve already noticed they’re getting stronger with every passing day. Nowadays, it’s possible to observe a well-placed kick just by watching your belly—but you already knew that didn’t you? Although they’re getting stronger, your bigger-by-the-day baby is losing space to move around, so the actual rate of movement will drop off in the last few weeks, despite that powerful drop-kick they’ve been working on. Did you know you’ll continue feeling their movements even during labor?

And how's mom doing?

Here’s a good way to deal with your mounting impatience: map out your plan of action for the big day. It’s an important and necessary step that’s also pretty soothing and fun. So, get out a piece of paper and pen. If you think about it, planning all the details now can be a real saving grace once the chaos and pain of labor starts up. This would include having a packed bag with a change of comfortable clothes, reading material, maybe an i-pod and your camera or camcorder (whichever you decide, if any at all). Know your driving route to the health center. Or if you’re delivering at home, make sure you have the delivery room prepared (equipped with your most favorite soothing music), and all necessary instruments and materials ready for use. Of course, get your doctor or midwife on speed-dial. Massaging the perineum (the area around the vagina) can reduce your chance of it tearing during delivery and there’s no time like the present to start. Be mentally on your toes (not literally of course)—conceivably you might have to spring into action any day!

"Dad Tip" (week 33)

Home safety preparation is the theme of the week for "dad"...making sure things are baby proof. Hmm, I wonder if having three cats gives us a head start. Maybe not in all instances, but I feel certain it helps with some things. For instance, I worry about the strings on mini blinds all the time...they could hang themselves! Same threat for babies/toddlers, and we have already taken care of that problem. However, our cats have never shown any interest in the electrical outlets like our Bailey probably will. That's something we will need to take care of. We also need to get safety gates for the stairs. Oh dear...it looks like this is another good "dad tip." But why is this completely dads worry though. Hey, is this a double standard? ~Kelly

Two Proud Aunts!

Well, here she is! Matt and Aarica were finally able to make it out of the house and get the cable they needed to upload the pictures of Miss. Kendall! Kendall is my second niece!

I think this one is particularly cute...and probably a pretty realistic description of what it feels like to be pushed from your warm, safe home in Mommy!

Finally - here is the photo that captures the best of everything! This is Kendall's big brother Elijah holding her!!! Let me just brag for a minute and say that Elijah is quite possibly the sweetest, most compassionate and kind little five year old I've ever known! (Can you tell that I love my neice and nephew???)

The Most Beautiful Sound

The most beautiful sound I have ever heard is the warmth and love in Kelly's voice when she's talking to our daughter. At night, we lay in bed and read to Bailey. Kelly puts her hands on my belly and talks to her about the story. Bailey kicks and wiggles, moves and shakes. It's very funny. She responds to Kelly's voice even more than mine. I think maybe it's because my voice is very familiar to her at this point. Kelly's is too, but it comes from a different place. Bailey hears me all the time, all day long.

We're ready to be Mommy and Momma. We were wondering the other day if it's possible to fall in love with other people's babies. We are facinated by Angele and Stacey's daughter, Riley. We look every day for new pictures or videos. LOL - she's a beautiful child and we get all excited about seeing her grow. We are anxiously waiting the first pictures of Matt and Aarica's new baby for the same reason. Now, Maveric Mama has her baby. Soon (although the exact time is yet to be determined) Kelly's sister will be giving birth to their daughter.

Everyone is getting babies, and WE ARE READY FOR OURS!!!!!

LOL - it's a struggle. I both want her in and I want her out. I know that she needs to be inside of me right now. She needs to continue growing and her lungs need to continue to develop. She needs to be stronger before she is born. But my goodness...we really want to meet her. We're ready to learn her expressions, her moods, her rhythms. Our lives are already consumed by her, so now, we'd like to have her here to kiss and hug and hold.

It's classic. I'm no different than any other pregnant woman in my eighth month. I'm ready for our baby...and our baby is going to wait just a bit longer before she joins us.

It's a test of my patience...

Another Monday

Two problems have arisen this weekend. First, my feet swelled to mamouth proportions, rendering my previously worn shoes obsolete and requiring that Kelly and I run around in search of shoes that fit. NOT an easy task, given that my feet are wide on a good day.

I finally ended up finding a pair of black slides in a size 10 that I could get on. They are about an inch too long, so the goal is going to be not tripping for the next 5-10 weeks. However, I can wear them to work and (most importantly) they don't require me to wear socks...which no longer fit me, no matter how much I stretch them.

Second, my back began aching on Friday night and has not stopped. It's horribly painful. Ever position I'm in hurts it, sleeping is difficult and the Tylenol doesn't touch it. I'm thinking that it's going to be hurting this way on and off until Bailey is born...so we are praying for an early delivery (anytime after 37 weeks).

In better news, we revisited our hospital last night. I've been having a bit of a difficult time accepting that I'll be in a hospital for our delivery. Revisiting was a way for me to get comfortable again, and I am happy to say that it helped a whole bunch. I just like Civista. The nurses are just ordinary people. It's not really clinical feeling. They listen and are open to hearing different ideas.

I just need to keep reminding myself that I'm going to be okay giving birth in a hospital. LOL - it's almost funny - so many other people would worry in the other direction...but not me. Oh well...

Full on, third trimester yuckiness is here. I'm hoping that it goes away a little, but if not, it's going to be a tough next 5-10 weeks...

Kendall Has Arrived!

Kendall arrived very, very early on March 3 at 12:32 AM. She weighed in at 8 pounds, 10 ounces (OUCH) and was delivered naturally. When I asked Matt at 2:00 AM on Saturday morning how long she was was, he jokingly told me "about 2 1/2 feet." LOL - a 30 inch baby, huh??

We found out later that she actually measured in at 19 inches. Far more reasonable...

Aarica is doing alright - she is recovering nicely from a long labor and a strenuous delivery. According to Matt, she was a trooper and did a wonderful job making this first baby happen!

Kendall's big brother, Elijah, is by all accounts very happy and delighted with his baby sister's arrival. At five years old, he is such a sweet, loving child. Matt has done an amazing job raising him and he is warm, empathic and compassionate. From what Matt reports, he didn't want to put Kendall down, and when they finally did put her in the crib, he kept walking over and touching her cheek.

Pictures will be posted soon. Matt, Aarica and Kendall are still in the hospital, and due to come home tomorrow (Monday). Matt promises to send pictures as soon as he can! If he and Aarica allow, I will post them when we get them!

"Dad Tip" (week 32)

I did not post this one yesterday because it was actually a reasonable tip...surprise! This weeks dad tip was to begin organizing telephone numbers to be prepared for the big day. Mikki and I have most numbers in our cell phones already, but we do have a couple more numbers to get in order. We need to be sure to have the hospitals number, our doctors emergency number, and our pediatrician. We also need to confirm which numbers (home, cell, work) are best to reach family members on. There are probably some others, but I can't think of them right now. Finally...a "dad tip" that is useful. ~Kelly

Again...The First of Three!

Okay - this is a follow up to my earlier "First of Three" post. My baby brother and his fiance, Aarica, are on their way to the hospital right now to be induced. I just got off the phone with them and other than a little bit of nervousness, they are holding up well. Matt promises to keep me updated as things progress, and I will let you all know when baby Kendall has made her debut!

Send happy birthing energy their way!!

TGIF

Can I say that again? Thank God it's Friday! It's been a long, tiring week for me. I'm exhausted, I could sleep for hours and hours more than I have been, and I just want to be with Kelly.

Ever had one of those weeks where just about everyone in the world pisses you off? That's the kind of week I've had. I really just want to go to my little house, snuggle up on my comfy sofa, with my head in my love's lap and forget that anything exists beyond our locked and alarmed doors.

I intend to do just that tonight.

This weekend is going to be busy. Kelly and I have hair appointments on Saturday and we're meeting one of my coworkers for lunch that day to give her the stereo we no longer have room for. Then we have to run a couple of errands while we're on that side of town. Sunday we are touring the birthing center again where we will be delivering Bailey. Now that I know what to ask and what to look for, I want to go back and check it out again! Not that it will change anything, but still.

Of course, at some point the laundry, cleaning and shopping needs to get done.

Sigh. It feels like we're not going to have much of a weekend at all...

Oh well...such is life. At least I can sleep late tomorrow morning...

All is well with Bailey. She's been unusually quiet this morning. I figure she's just worn herself out. She was thrashing about last night for quiet a while, and then we took a bath and calmed her down. I also drank some Tension Tamer tea...that usually calms her for a while. Maybe she's still just sleeping. LOL - I know I am!

Anyway - everyone have a happy weekend! M&S - enjoy your time at the B&B and Happy Birthday, S!!!

As Requested

Laura - a dad tip is on the way tomorrow! We read it, as we do each Tuesday night, but it was actually an okay tip, so it didn't stick in our brains. We'll refresh our memory, though, and Kelly will post tomorrow!

About Matt - his fiance Aarica was experiencing a classic case of false labor. The contractions sped up to about 4 minutes apart, but she never dilated past her original 2 centimeters. The contractions eventually slowed and then stopped.

Since then, there hasn't been anything.

However, tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM, they will be in the hospital for their planned induction!!! Needless to say, they are very, very excited to be having this baby! We know that she is a little girl and that her name will be Kendall. Other than that, we are waiting for the details!

I will post as soon as I know anything tomorrow and will share photos (as long as they agree to let me post photos of their new baby!) when I get them!

Thanks for the interest...and sorry to drop the ball!

Trying Again

Well, apparently my earlier post (which I've now removed) caused someone some issues. I don't know who, because their comments came from "anonymous". Needless to say, I don't publish anonymous comments...

Now, with that said - the post was about wanting to get away from here. I woke up this morning thinking about an old trip that we took to Ireland a couple years back with a group of people. It was truly a wonderful experience - one that I have never forgotten.

For Kelly and I, it was magical. And someday, we'll go back to Ireland. Not soon - we have a million other places in this world we want to see - but someday.

I love this experience, but it hasn't slipped my mind that everything is about to change. For the past 9+ years, Kelly and I have had the freedom to do what we want, to go where we want, to explore and play. The only limitations have been our financial situation (through college, we had to be more thrifty). Now, though, we have a whole new limitation...or addition...depending on how you look at it.

I would never, ever change our life and the choices we have made - but it does lend itself to a certain level of restraint. Bailey has needs that go beyond a simple hotel room. She won't be able to just travel for a good many years. And when her sibling(s) come along, we will be even further limited.

It's all worth it, but this morning, I woke up nostalgic for the times we've just taken off and played in this wide, wide world.

When we retire, we'll play again...until then...it's family friendly trips for us! At least, until the kids are old enough to stay with Nana or Grammy, while we escape for a few days!

Week 32

Well, we've made it through another week! Bailey is now 31 weeks old, and while it's still much too early for her to come join us out here, she seems to be growing wonderfully. She's strong now when she kicks me. Sometimes it hurts, other times it just makes me laugh. I love feeling her.

She had definate rhythms now. She wakes up with me pretty early and gets feisty if I don't eat breakfast. The bus ride to work seems to soothe her to sleep (lots of vibrations...and I'm always asleep then too). She's very active during the morning, but usually calms down in the afternoon. Then, the bus ride home seems to wake her back up. I love the bus ride home - she kicks and squirms and wiggles. Usually I'm hungry at that time, so it's pretty uncomfortable for me...but it's wonderful to feel her move around.

I'm doing okay. I'm starting to feel that sick-of-being-pregnant feeling that everyone talks about. It's not really about being sick of being pregnant, so much as it is about being tired of being uncomfortable. My body is large, heavy and takes a lot of manuvering. I have a pretty severe case of carpal tunnel in my left wrist and my heartburn is pretty intense in the evenings. I try to eat less, but I'm hungry a lot. And I'm pretty tired.

All in all, though, I'm still hanging in there. I'm so happy that the light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger. It will be nice to be able to sleep on my back again (assuming that I get sleep!) and to drink wine when I want a glass. The little things...

Here's what's up for Bailey's development this week:

Fetal development in pregnancy week 32:fetus in eighth month

And in the latest developing reports, your amazing baby has now developed sensitivity to temperature! This means, you’ll probably get a swift kick if you put a hot pad on your ginormous belly. For the Elton John lovers out there: baby’s got blue eyes. At this point, all babies do, although depending on their chromosomal disposition, this could easily change after birth (or even between now and labor), but for the time being, blue it is. Thanks to their recently matured lungs and a remarkably strong immune system, over 90% of babies born in their 32nd week, survive premature births. So it’s pretty much a done deal. Even if your little monkey’s planning on heading out early, their survival odds are in everyone’s favor. Time to celebrate (no, no, wait until after the birth to crack open the champagne!) We’re talking baby-showers and alcohol-free punch!

And how's mom doing?

If your family or significant other is around and involved, it’s probably time to start discussing what’s going to happen when you really go into labor. Of course, the delivery itself can be quite overwhelming for first-time viewers, so make sure and openly discuss the fact there will be blood, sweat, mucous, and possibly even a bit of poop (if you didn’t know already, it’s likely that while in labor and pushing, you also push out a bit of the ol’ number 2—it’s totally normal if not a little disgusting). Even the weak-stomached birthing buddies can still help to make the labor-process more bearable with breathing assistance, massages, and constant reassurance and cheering: "Yay! That was a great contraction honey!" (Now run before she breaks your wrist!). For the more blood-bold and not so faint of heart, the positions of cameraman, baby-catcher, and/or umbilical cord-cutter are always available—just talk to your doctor or mid-wife beforehand so they can be prepared to deal with an extra person during the birthing process.

Surprise! Your third trimester symptoms aren’t going away yet. If you just got back from peeing, you already know that your bladder is nearing non-existent-land. These joys will persist till you’re on the birthing bench. Also, be careful of lightheadedness during these last weeks. Your blood tends to pool in the lower limbs, resulting in low cranial blood pressure, so watch out for the head rushes and get up nice-n-slow after sitting for long periods (such as after another Sex and the City Marathon).

Wednesday Blues

Today makes the 6th day I have felt under the weather. Last Friday I started to feel like I had caught a cold. Today I still feel no relief. In fact, I have new symptoms. No temperature though. Ugg...maybe it's now time to call our doctor. The OTC stuff just doesn't seem to be cutting it. Feeling lousy does not help a Wednesday. I just want to go home. At least I can take advantage of only needing to take care of myself for a 63 more days. I don't look forward to being sick with a little one who needs me. ~Kelly

A Whole Lot of Nothin'

I've been relatively bored today. You'd think I could have found the time to post earlier than 2:30 in the afternoon. Work is slow - my boss is on a trip and it's quiet. It's nice that it's so easy right now - it's a nice break.

Last week was the hardest week I've had since I began this job. It completely drained me. This weekend I managed to recover slightly, but not fully.

I'm going through another tired spell. I could sleep constantly. I sleep on the way to work on the bus, and lately, I've been sleeping in the way home. I sleep all through the night with only a couple of pee-breaks. And then I'm tired during the day. Bailey must be doing some serious growing...either that, or it's just exhausting carrying around a tiny tot in my tummy...

Kelly and I made our birthday plans. This year, we are celebrating her 32nd and my 28th at the same time. Her birthday is on St. Patty's day and mine is on April 24th. My birthday is kind of a joke this year - I'll either be so pregnant I can't think, or we'll have a little one and we'll be so tired we can't think. So, we're going to celebrate both on Kelly's birthday.

A couple years ago, Kelly went to Vegas. Ever since then, she's wanted to take me gambling. We've wanted to go to Vegas, but since we didn't make that happen before the baby, I suspect it'll be a good many years before we go. Instead, we are going to Dover Downs in Delaware to play the penny slots! LOL - and we are staying at our favorite Marriot chain - the Fairfield Inn. It has a swimming pool. I can't wait to float.

LOL - it's going to lots of fun and kind of tacky and (I'm hoping) lots of good giggles. We enjoy doing weird things together, and it'll be fun to sit and drop pennys into a machine. Who knows...maybe we'll win something!

Did I mention I'm going to swim? Or rather, float. And then we'll get a movie and chill. And eat at Olive Garden. Hehehehe...it sounds so white trashy...but whatever. It'll be a good time!

Just Another Manic Monday!

LOL - I woke up with that song in my head. I'm not sure why. It was 4 AM and my alarm went off. I rolled over and suddenly that song started playing in my head. I finally understand it...all these years later.

Anyway. I'm now a resident of the guest bedroom in our house. Before you start thinking badly about Kelly, let me just say that she offered to move and let me stay in our bed. I refused to let that happen! Apparently, I snore. And not just my usual kick me and I roll over and it goes away snorning. Instead, it's the horrid rabid-bear snoring that is common toward the end of pregnancy. According to Kelly, it became intolerable a couple of nights ago when I started snoring on both the inhale and the exhale. LOL! No matter how much kicking, waking or rolling I did - I still snore. Loudly. And she can't sleep.

I sleep great...LOL! I've had no issues sleeping...other than an achy back, but again, that's just normal.

So, I have moved into the guest room until Bailey is born. It's just easier for both of us. We need our sleep. Without it, we get cranky and then we fight. And the more we fight, the more we nit-pick each other. And that is the worse kind of deadly sin in our relationship. We both HATE being nit-picked.

With that knowledge, I choose the guest room, and nights of easy sleep for both of us. I'll move back in when the baby is born and hopefully the worst of my snoring has passed.

I have 9 full weeks left of work. That doesn't seem like that many. It's amazing how fast this pregnancy has gone. Before we know it, Bailey will be here...no longer a thought, a plan or a dream...but a real live baby who needs us. Goodness.

Sometimes, I'm so amazed by that thought that it takes my breath away. I can't believe that my life has become this living dream. I mean, I wanted this for so long. I worked towards it. I dreamed of Kelly long before I met her. I imagined a life, shared with someone who challenged me and loved me beyond reason. I dreamed of raising children (and specifically a daughter). I dreamed of a little house in the suburbs where I could plant flowers and sit on my back porch in the morning with coffee and the birds. I dreamed of stability, predictability and the comfort of normalcy. I imagined carpools and playdates and birthday parties. I dreamed about stolen kisses from my lover when the kids were brushing their teeth, getting ready for bed. I imagined lazy Sundays with pancakes for breakfast and spending too long in our PJ's. I dreamed about Christmas trees that dripped with history and were laced with loved and imagination.

And I have all of that. More importantly, I have more than I ever imagined I could have. I am living my dream, but I am doing it with my very best friend and my deepest love by my side. All the dreams are nothing compared to the reality. The cardinals were not so red in my dreams, the summer sun not so warm, the colors of my life were never this bright.

I never, ever want to forget to be thankful for all that I have. My life is truly a dream and each day that I get to live in it is a blessing. I wish there were words for all that I feel in my heart, but since there isn't, I'll just leave it at what I've already said.

3 Layers

I see myself in three layers. The outer layer - the one that people see the most - is pretty easy. I'm not difficult to figure out. I'm pretty out there with how I feel, what I want and where I'm going. I'm willing to speak my mind, willing to shut up and listen, and able to adapt well in most environments.

The middle layer is the one that you see once you get to know me. This is where the "darker" side of me lurks...just below the surface. This is the side of me that loves controversy and drama. It's the part that likes nothing more than a REALLY good argument with someone smart (because arguing with stupid people is...well...stupid). This is where the truest passions live and where I get my edge, my energy and my heat from. This is the part of me that makes my mother laugh and my partner cringe when it's time for me to fight with her (I say it that way, cause Kelly doesn't fight back...she's not a yeller, like I am).

The final layer to me is the part that very, very few people in this world will ever know. It's the part that lives deep within and is my sustaining force. Kelly is the only person who knows this side of me very, very well. It's where all my fears live, and where the truest depth of my soul and my strength reside.

I'm finding, that in this pregnancy, the majority of my emotions are coming from this third layer of my life. Bailey, her presence in my body and her impact on our life together, has brought emotions to the surface that I didn't even know could exist. How can I feel so protective of something? To say that I would die for our daughter is an understatement. I would go through the worst torture in the world to save her from even a moment of pain.

Interestingly, I understand that I probably will do just that. Isn't that what parents say over and over again? That to watch your child go through pain is the most excrutiating thing a parent lives through? And yet, human beings must experience pain to grow.

Other than loving Kelly, I've never lived in the third layer of my being. I'm most comfortable in the second layer - I like those parts of me the most, and they are often the least vaulnerable. I find that in loving Kelly, and now, in loving Bailey, I have no choice but to live in the deepest parts of my soul. My partner and our child are my life. Pure and simple. It seems so easy, and yet the current of emotion that exists in that statement is so incredibly deep.

Just some of my thoughts this morning.

I ran a marathon...

Well, actually, I didn't. Of course. But I feel like I have...

This entire weeks has just been long. I feel like between work, home, getting to and from work and home, and now trying to sleep through Bailey's aerobics, I've not gotten any down time!!!

Work has been an absolute madhouse. My new position has me learning things that I have never even come close to knowing, and I've been fighting a seriously steep learning curve. I've been putting together a program with very little leadership from the partner in charge, and it's about a topic I know nothing about...and it's been my job to pull it all together.

I did it. And did it well. But the amount of mental energy it has taken for me to create the wheel and figure out what the hell the wheel is in the first place, has been rough. The program started a half hour ago, and I think that we're going to be okay...

Tomorrow is the full day of the program and then it's over until next year. Except next year, I'll know what I'm doing.

I'll be happy when this week is over, and my pregnant brain can go back to being focused on being pregnant and enjoying that process.

Have I mentioned yet that this is the best part of all of this for me??? I am absolutely LOVING this part of it. I'll write more about that tomorrow.

For now, I'm on my way home for the day. I'm going to make us baked ziti for dinner with fresh kale. I'm going to sit with my honey and watch the L Word and then after I'm going to watch Earl and the Office.

In short...I'm not going to think and I'm not going to work!

More Dad Tips

I did not post last weeks" dad tip" so I have two weeks to report. Last week "dad" is supposed to consider the fact that some work will need to be missed during the labor and delivery process and consider requesting some time off work. Hmm, yep, I guess he's a significant part of the process and should be present. But golly gee, he has to miss work. This weeks tip was that it is now time to start thinking about cribs and carseats. Thank goodness for this book!!

Week 31

It was a big day!!! We had our bi-weekly doctors appointment this afternoon. I have gained another pound, to put my total at 13 pounds in 30 weeks of pregnancy! Not too bad! The best news of all is that my tummy measured 32.5 centimeters...much closer to what it should be and very, very good sign that nothing is wrong and Bailey was just going through a growth spurt.

We are extraordinarily relieved!!!!! So far, everything looks good.

We spent some time talking to our doctor again about our birth plan, and got quite a different response. We talked about some of the more nitty-gritty details - for instance, we want for them to wait to cut the cord until it stops pulsating and we would like for them NOT to put Bailey under the warmer and instead leave her on my chest. The doctors response was mildly dismissive, and pretty much just that they were going to do it the way they wanted to.

There isn't much I can do to fight them - I mean, honestly, am I really going to grab a hold of Bailey and not let her go? I can't fight the entire system all the time during the time when I'm supposed to be relaxing and letting the process happen.

So, the solution to the problem is that I'm going to stay at home for as long as possible. And I truly mean AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. My goal is to go to the hospital when I'm so close to actually delivering that if they don't rush me there, I'll deliver along the side of the road.

I hate the hospital. I hate their routine procedures. I hate that a doctor thinks she knows what is best for my body and our baby. I hate that they don't listen and just do things the way that they were taught. I hate that medical doctors - including obstetricians - are NEVER, at any point in their training or career, required to be present for an entire birth. They never go through the process with any woman from start to finish.

Pardon my skepticism, but what the fuck do they know???

So anyway. Kelly had agreed that our next labor can be in an environment that is more in line with my crunchy, granola way of thinking. It'll either be at home or in a birth center. And I'll just have to work within the confines of the hospital requirements for the birth of Bailey.

Enough unpleasantness! Here is what's coming up for this week in Bailey's development!


Weeks Until Full Term: 7
Weeks Until Due Date: 10

Fetal development in pregnancy week 31:fetus in seventh month

Your not-so-little-one is just a bit closer to their birth weight and height now—at around 4 lbs and 17 inches in length. With each added layer of baby fat their skin starts to look more and more like it will when they finally get to see the light of day. The heavy news: you can expect little miracle-gro to gain about a half a pound of weight per week from now until about two weeks before birth. Great. That's just what you needed. Even more weight to carry around!

Your baby's still-developing immune system has gained substantial strength over the past few weeks getting them in full gear to face our disease-ridden world o’ wonders. Obviously, a large majority of your child’s immune strength will be derived from exposure to breast milk as well as the outside elements. Their cute little noggin’ (which could already be covered with luscious locks or just purty peach fuzz), is still soft because the skull bones have not yet fused together. As much as that sounds a little too vulnerable, their “skull softness” allows for a much smoother passage through the birth canal during labor—something both you and your little swimmer will appreciate when it’s finally time to “go!” Also, some babies will have that “soft spot” on their head for up to one year after birth.

And how's mom doing? Have you felt anything you suspect might be contractions already? Braxton-Hick contractions are part and parcel of the second half of pregnancy and lucky for you, become more frequent during the third trimester. Cleverly dubbed “false labor” contractions, these spasms are an obnoxious fake-out and shouldn’t be confused with premature labor. The fun part of having BH contractions is that it’s not unusual for them to be painful... and by fun, we mean “why oh why, does the third trimester mean everything is uncomfortable?” Still, just a heads up: if you notice the contractions more than four times in one hour, or even more glamorous—changes in your vaginal discharge, call your practitioner right away.

As for other third-trimester niceties; your nipples may be engaging in a bit of “pre-milk” expulsion at the most untimely moments. So next time you’ve got yourself a pair of damp head-lights in the grocery store, just go ahead and purchase the nursing pads to protect your clothes, bras, and any shred of dignity you can salvage.

As your magical growing baby obstinately refuses to shrink or give back any real-estate in your belly, you can sit back, "relax," and take in the heartburn and increased lower back pain. If you choose, you can always eat less with each meal, and instead opt for smaller more frequent meals, this should help the heartburn. As for your poor back, get off your feet and elevate them above your heart, double-check the names list, and how many key baby-items you’ve already got in your registry. If you’re lucky, you might just make it in less than eight weeks! Hang in there wonder-mom, we believe in you!

Two Thoughts For The Morning

First, a number game (with special dedication to M who also likes number games). I was thinking that 70 days is 10 weeks. A college semester is how long...15weeks, right? In college terms, we should be focusing on midterms. We all knowhow fast the time goes after midterms until the unavoidable finals week. Just a thought.

Second, Mikki and I are SO excited about a gift Bailey's Grammy and Andrea are giving us. They just ordered us a handmade rocking chair. I think Mikki might have blogged about it earlier at some time. Well, it's now ordered. Here's a picture:

Ours will be in cherry with the same fabric design but different colors. Instead of the blue, we will have a cranberry shade of red. We're SO excited!! ~Kelly

Getting Closer

It's hard to believe that we have 71 days left until our due date. After our Maybe Baby class last winter, we set our plan to begin trying to get pregnant at the start of 2007. Well, 2007 has started and the bread is almost ready to come out of the oven. Sometimes we find ourselves sitting around relaxing and look at each other and grin...soon we won't be able to do this. Soon we will be completely consumed with little miss Bailey. Oh wait...we already are! Ahh, but we understand the difference. It's so exciting because so many people that have been pregnant with us are ready to deliver. Mikki's brother and fiance called last night as they were on their way to the hospital with contractions 7 minutes apart. (They ended up being told to go home and walk, but they will probably deliver sometime today.) Many fellow bloggers are either waiting in the "any day now" process or have just delivered. Many others (including my sister and cousin) are within a few weeks of our due date. If we rounded up all these new babies that we have shared the pregnancy jouney with, we would have enough kids to start our own day care. We have truely started a new phase in our lives. ~Kelly

The First of Three

I think that I have mentioned before that in addition to Bailey, there are two other little girls on the way in our immediately family. Kelly's sister is due two weeks before us and my younger brother's fiance is due on March 9th.

It looks as though the first of the three (my younger brother's daughter) is on her way! Contractions started yesterday and got regular. As of last night at 10:30, she had only dilated 2 centimeters, so the hospital sent her home. I haven't heard anything yet, but all signs point to Kendall being born soon!!!

Everyone send good vibes for a healthy delivery!

Other than that, the weekend was lovely. We finally entered the 21st century yesterday. We now have digital phone, cable and cable internet. Amazing. We can get online without dial up. We have multiple channels. We have all kinds of phone features. It's amazing. Really.

Kelly could care less - and honestly, I don't care about the television - but the cable modem is REALLY important to me. I love the internet and love being connected in a way that lets me actually use it. Groovy.

We'll get the TV cut off when Bailey is old enough to want to watch it. It's yucky, with lots of yucky programming on it. We'd rather she not be subjected to it.

But for now, I'm hoping it provide my exhaustion-weary brain some entertainment while I'm breast feeding in the middle of the night. And during the day. While I'd love to pretend like I'm going to read more, the reality is that reading requires thinking and thinking requires sleep and sleep is something I don't anticipate having much of while I'm at home with Bailey.

So...mindless entertainment is good...

Long Weekend!

I love having a long weekend!!! It's now Monday, and Kelly and I are not at work. Lovely. We are going to play today - finish painting the living room walls, work on the dresser. I'm going to write our birth plan. Kelly is going to read her Money magazine. Bailey is going to hang out...hehehe!

I've rediscovered Kale. I loved it before I got pregnant, then the flavor just didn't work for me. We picked some up this weekend and had it last night and it was WONDERFUL! I loved it!!! Good...because it's really, really good for pregnant women. Well, it's really, really good for all people, but you know...

Okay - I need to put the dishes in the dishwasher and then get busy doing exactly what I want to do!!!

She's Just Big

Well, maybe not, but we can rule out gestational diabetes as the reason for Bailey's size!

I got a call from my doctor's office this morning. They had already recieved back my results from the 3 hour test yesterday! I definately DO NOT have gestational diabetes! My "fasting" number was 71 - the healthy range is 65-95. My one hour number was 136 - to be considered "high" it would have had to be above 180. She didn't give me the other numbers, but she commented that they were all "amazing".

So, I'm good. In fact, she said "You're body is obviously handling pregnancy very well!"

HA!

Can you tell I'm relieved? Nearly giddy, in fact.

Now...only 10 weeks left to go...

Finally Friday

Phew - this has been a weird week. I hate it when things don't go on their normal schedule. I'm a creature of habit, and this week has completely thrown me off.

Thank god it's Friday. I'm gonna be swamped, but at least I'm back at work and can catch up with my backlog. I plowed through the emails before 7:30 this morning and nothing had gone horribly wrong...which is very, very nice!

Tonight we are going to a birthing center in Alexandria to meet with a lactation consultant. We want to make sure that we are all set for getting started with breast feeding. Most people struggle in the beginning and we do not expect to be any exception. We are planning to need help and to need more information than we currently have. We'll be there until 10:00 PM. It'll be a long day...

But, it's a long weekend! We are going to hang out with friends, finish painting the living room, finish Bailey's dresser and organize her room and try to get some down time. We'll see about that...

Sucky Day

I decided to get online and write this blog entry now, because my goal is to fall asleep immediately after this and not think about how horrible today was.

It all started when I arrived at the lab to have my 3 hour glucose test. As I posted this morning, I was actually feeling okay. Not horrible. Not great...but not too bad. I arrived, got myself checked in and they sent me back to the room to have my "fasting" sample of blood taken. I sat there for about 20 minutes before they came in to tell me that the blood work orders were not in the system and that I would have to wait until my doctor's office opened to get started on the test.

The woman was, very insistantly, telling me that the orders were never in the system. Not cool. When I called on Monday to make my appointment, I had the person on the other end of the line verify that the doctors orders were in their system to avoid just this problem. I had to take a day off work to do this test, and there was no way that I was doing it again. So, she pissed me off and got an earful about how hungry I was. LOL - poor woman.

As soon as my doctor's office opened, I got on my cell phone and called (because I was listening for them to place the call from the desk, and they didn't). At 8:05, the orders were faxed over and they took my blood for the first time. Then I had to drink another fruit punch flavored sugar drink. Man - it was just awful. I mean, truly fucking terrible. It was twice as strong as the first one that I had during my screening and literally went down like syrup. Gross.

By now, the nausea had come on full force. The wait began. During the first hour, Bailey decided to go crazy. I think all that sugar effected her. She kicked just a strong as I've ever felt. It was entertaining for about 2 minutes...then it annoyed me. I was so freakin' hungry and pissed off. I was sitting in a waiting room with straight back chairs, overhead florescant lighting and LOUD lab staff talking all around me. Plus, they had a lovely flat screen television tuned to "LabCorp TV" that kept looping through the same 10 health-related infomercials. Christ. Just shoot me.

I hung in there. Finally I downloaded a game on my cell phone and played it. I got stuck in the same vein (because mine are not great in one of my arms) four times while I was there.

I left and immediately headed to the hospital. I had a prearranged appointment for my Rogram shot. I stopped at my doctor's office and picked up the paperwork and then walked over to the hospital (they are right next to each other). After checking in, I sat there and waited. Finally, the nurse came in and told me that the blood work paperwork (that showed I was O-negative) had a different last name and a different birthdate. The last name was fine (after all, it was a legal name change), but apparently some idiot had screwed up the data entry when they did my blood work and THAT was a problem. After all, I might not actually have O-negative blood. So, the solution was for them to have to take my blood, send it to the lab, confirm it's negative status and then give me the shot. All of this was going to take another hour and a half.

FUCK.

That was all I could think to say. So, they stuck me again (we're up to five sticks, now), but they used the other arm. I'm actually pretty impressed that she was able to find that vein...and thank god she did. I might have cried if they stuck me in the same place again.

Then I left. I went to Chipolte and ate. Then I went over to Borders and treated myself to a cup of coffee and a piece of Mississippi Mud Cheesecake (I know, I know...but hell, I needed something to make the day good). The nurse was supposed to call me back and tell me the results were back so that I could go back to the hospital and get my shot. She never called, so after an hour and a half, I went back on my own. I parked and walked back into the biggest freakin' nightmare I've ever seen.

Thursday afternoons are "free maternity care" day. The unit was FULL. And at this point, my tolerance level to deal with anything was so low. I just sighed and squeezed myself into a seat between one family that was shouting to each other (not sure why) and another girl who smelled like she hadn't showered in four or five days. I closed my eyes and pictured being far away.

Finally (30 minutes later), the nurse called me in for my shot. The final insult of the day came when she explained that it was a "muscle shot". In other words, it was a HUGE needled that needed to be "jammed" into the muscle of my upper arm. The woman said it would "hurt like hell."

At this point, I was either going to cry or scream. I opted for crying. I looked up at her, my eyes filled with tears and I said, "just do whatever so I can go home." She did her thing. It hurt like hell. I tried not to cry too much.

I gathered myself and my jacket and got back in my car and came home. Thank god today is over.

Come home soon, Kelly. I need a hug.

Week 30!

Well, we've made it through 29 weeks and are on our way through week 30! Every day, our Bailey gets stronger. She's such a strong kicker these days. Sometimes, she'll kick me and it'll actually hurt. It's kind of funny when she does that, because on one hand I want to tell her to stop!...but on the other hand, it's wonderful. I love having her in my belly. I love the warm, safe feeling of being able to feel her movements. I don't feel to overly anxious to have her be born yet (other than just wanting to meet her and be able to touch and kiss her). I'm enjoying this part of my pregnancy tremendously. I think the first part was so rough, that this part seems really easy to me. Sure, I have backaches and hunger issues and mild constipation. But they all seem mild when compared with five months of nausea. My energy is good, I'm sleeping alright, I am back to taking care of my honey, so my honey can take care of the little house projects. It works. This part is good.

Yesterday was a good day. It was a snow day for both of us. My wonderful boss called me in the morning and told me to stay home. The roads were no place for a pregnant lady! I love my boss. So, we spent the day at home together. I went out at one point (later in the day) and got a pedicure. Then later that evening, Kelly and I went to the mall just to relieve some boredom and get some excersize. Wouldn't you know, Kelly found some seriously good clothes!!!!! She walked away with 6 pairs of pants, a linen suit, three shirts and a shell. All for less than $190.

My girl can SHOP!

She's needed some new clothes, and I finally convinced her to make it happen. Actually, I think that she convinced herself (she doesn't like old clothes...), but I'm happy to take the credit! We had a good time and killed three and a half hours!

Today is my glucose test. I'm leaving the house in about 10 minutes to head over to the lab. I haven't eaten and so far, I'm doing alright. I've had a couple waves of nausea, but nothing horribly intense yet. I'm hoping that my body cooperates, but I am not holding my breath. Unfortunately, Bailey needs food and she's not going to get it until later. Poor girl...

So, here is what is happening in our Bailey's development this week:

Fetal development in pregnancy week 30:fetus in seventh month

The light is visible at the end of the tunnel! Your oversized self and amazing growing baby have finally reached the single digits (in terms of weeks till birth)! The fine lanugo hair that has been growing all over their little monkey-like body is going to start falling off this week in preparation for the big day. But don’t be shocked if they’re hairier than you’d anticipated, some babies keep their lanugo until after birth. Still, it’s not any cause to be concerned as it will fall off eventually. No surprises here: your little porker is getting even cuter with increasingly pudgy arms and legs this week thanks to the ever-growing layers of subcutaneous fat. In terms of numbers, they’ll be weighing in at around 3 pounds 12 ounces (or more!) and are nearly 16 inches long.

And how's mom doing?

On a very serious note: you should make sure to determine both you and your baby’s blood type. (We have...this is the RH Factor that I keep talking about! Today I get my first shot...another will be done after Bailey is born) It’s extremely important for everyone. In the case that you and your maturing babe’s blood types don’t match there’s a chance you could produce antibodies that could potentially attack and harm a future fetus. It is rare, but with modern medicine, the problem is easily corrected and little cause for concern if dealt with properly.

As for the ongoing joys of being in your third trimester: your not-so-fun symptoms are just intensifying this week, so it might not hurt to slow down a bit and focus on yourself. If you’re feeling extra fatigued, you’ve probably joined the "sleeping shouldn’t be this tough when I’m this tired" club, especially if you’re experiencing a lot of back pain and general discomfort. If you’ve been pushing the exercise thing, then this is the time perhaps to cut down on the physical activities and focus more on getting proper sleep (if this means buying a pregnancy pillow, then do it!). Oh and all that moodiness? Just go with the flow emotionally. This doesn't mean letting the hormones win and becoming a complete psychotic. Instead, feel the feelings, but know that the drama you’re feeling is largely a result of increased adrenaline thanks indirectly to hormonal swings—not because things really are that dramatic and merit adult temper tantrums. The clincher symptom for this week: it’s highly likely your libido has gone on sabbatical (or NOT). This, as far as we’re concerned is perfectly natural in your condition.

Glucose Screening Test

Well, I failed the glucose screening test. But not by much. The cutoff at my doctor's office is 130 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood plasma. Many doctors use 140 milligrams as the cutoff. My doctor uses 130 just to be on the safe side and to catch all women who may have gestational diabetes. My blood showed 143 milligrams. So, I'm over...but not by much. Just to put that number into perspective, a positive test (from the screening) for gestational diabetes would be 200 or more milligrams.

The next step is a three hour glucose challenge test. Starting at midnight on Wednesday night, I will fast (no food, and only sips of water). At 7:30 in the morning, I'll go to the lab and have my blood drawn. Immediately following this first blood draw, I'll drink another sugary glucose drink and then wait one hour. After one hour, my blood will be drawn. Then I wait another hour. Then my blood is drawn. Then I wait another hour. Then my blood is drawn. After three hours and four blood draws, I am free to go (and to eat!). If I fail two of the four blood draws (in other words, if my glucose is above their numbers in two of the tests), then I will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. If I pass, then I don't have it.

Either way, we'll know for sure and will adjust accordingly.

After the test, I have to go to the hospital and get the shot for my RH Factor. This will prevent me from being sensitized if Bailey's blood type is positive.

I'm taking Thursday off...

The snow storm is not a storm at all. It might turn into a "significant ice event" tonight, but I'm not holding my breath.

Bailey is moving lots this morning. I have lots of works to do, but don't want to do any of it. I'd like to go home and play with Bailey's things.

Oh well...work I must!

Riley is coming!!!

I'm so freakin' excited!!!! If you haven't been following the tale of our sisters to the North, now is the time to start!

Their little girl seems to be gearing up to make her entrance! I am so freakin' excited!! Perhaps it's because I'm getting kind of tired of the waiting (and hell, I've got weeks and weeks left), but I actually think it's more just because I am so excited for them! All the work and preparation...there can be nothing more wonderful than seeing it all come together!

Good luck, ladies! I hope your experience is wonderful and everything you dream it to be! I'll be reading, and enjoying your story!

All Good

This weekend was lovely.

We hosted our neighboorhood watch meeting on Friday night. Every person in our neighboorhood showed up. It was lots of fun, and productive. It's very, very cool to live in a place where people care about the community. We all watch out for each other, we all keep our homes looking neat and tidy. We all know each other, know each other's children and generally care about our community. We are planning a neighborhood cleanup for early spring (which will no doubt turn into a seriously fun BBQ after!).

I am so happy that we purchased our home in this neighborhood. We are very, very happy!

Other than that, we puttered all weekend. We finished staining the dresser for Bailey's room. We played with and explored all of our baby purchases and couldn't be happier! Other than a couple of things here and there (and the one major item left - the breast pump), we are ready for Bailey when she is ready to come. We need to organize the room, get all the washable stuff washed, and figure out seating (my Mom is getting us an incredible rocker!!!!), but that is the easy stuff. Oh...and we need to hang pictures and install the ceiling fan. THEN...we are done! LOL! It's coming...

Sunday, Kelly started painting our living room. She's gotten a bee in her bonnet about getting the downstairs painted before Bailey joins us. She (rightly, I suspect) assumes that we are not going to have the time or the energy after she is born to get it done. So far, it's wonderful! She is so good at that stuff. I was going to help, but by the time I made us meals, took care of the laundry and did some other administrative stuff, I was too tired to want to paint.

The only other news to report is that we have finally moved into this century! Bundled service from our cable provider has come to our area, and we are getting digital cable, cable modem for our computer (we still use dial up...hehehe) and digital phone. It'll cost us $99 a month, but that's not bad! AND, more importantly, I'll have real access to my email and to entertainment while I'm at home with the baby!

It's all being installed on President's Day!

WAY HAPPY!

On a more postive note...

Kelly and I have a MARVELOUS time last night after the appointment. We've spent countless hours pouring over books and reading reviews to figure out which of the many baby products we actually need, and then which styles/brands we wanted to buy. We then created a fabulously organized Excel spreadsheet listing those products out (by timeline, incidently...as in - when do we REALLY need this or that).

Last night, we took that list, a bunch of coupons and ourselves and did some SERIOUS shopping! We got our carseat, stroller, pack n' play, play mat, changing pad, sheets, sheet protectors, mattress pads, bottles, a bouncy chair (really cute one!), and other stuff. It's really, really exciting...

I've updated the registry accordingly...

Nothing like some retail therapy...

Sigh

Before I even begin, I need to send my heartfelt condolences to Bleu. Honey, I am so sorry. Kelly and I are thinking of you and sending all our best energy your way.

The appointment yesterday went well, for the most part. I drank my drink, got my blood taken and had the usual round of measurements. I've gained four pounds in the last four weeks - so 12 pounds total. Interestingly, I started gaining weight 12 weeks ago, so I've really gained about a pound a week. However, the holidays happened during that time, so some of that weight probably could/should have been avoided. Oh well. They are not worried.

What they are mildly concerned about is my measurements. For those who don't know, one of the ways that they measure me each visit is by taking a measuring tape and figuring how many centimeters (some docs use inches) it is from my pubic bone to the top of my uterus. This should measure about the same as how many weeks along I am. So, I should have measured about 28 centimeters. I measured 32 - or almost four weeks bigger than I "should" be. This is not a concern by itself, but last time we went, I also measured larger. I was supposed to measure at 24 weeks, but I measured at 26.

The continued pattern is what has them worried. I have another appointment in two weeks. They will measure me, and I will likely have to have another ultrasound to determine the actual size of Bailey. This is the bright spot in all of this. Our first ultrasound (at 20 weeks) measured Bailey dead-on target. They estimated her due date to be April 29th (which is only a couple of days away from the exact 40 week mark). The second ultrasound was at 24 weeks, when I measured two weeks too big. However, the ultasound once again sized Bailey perfectly - the estimated due date was again April 29th.

So, this could mean absolutely nothing. I am trying to hold on to that. It could also mean that I have gestational diabetes or some other something that I don't know about.

See, the problem here is two-fold. There is the natural concern that any parent feels when something "might be wrong". I want Bailey to be healthy. I want my body to be a healthy place for her to be for as long as she needs to be in there. The second side of all of this, though, is that if something goes wrong, my doctor is likely to recommend a c-section. For some, that might not mean anything, but for me it would be a devastating loss.

I've always viewed birth as one of the rights of passage in a woman's life. It means something to me. I've written a lot about what I want and what I don't want. All of that comes from the place inside of me that values the experience for myself as much as I do for the health of my child. I want to give birth. I want to feel it and be a part of it. I want for my body to be strong enough to bring Bailey into this world with nothing more than me and my partner supporting me.

Even the remote possibility that might be impossible is hard for me. Very, very difficult. It's not enough for me to just accept that this may be just the way it is. If that's what happens, I will find a way to be okay with it. But I will feel a profound sense of loss, and will have to work through the guilt.

Send me your good thoughts and energy. I hope this is nothing. I hope that I don't have to think about losing my birth experience. I hope that I don't have to prepare for that. Having Bailey, no matter how she comes into this world, is all that matters in the end. But anyone who has ever lived knows that the result is only a small part of the journey. It's everything that comes before that incredible moment when we hold her for the first time that I'm sad about today.

Another Day

Yesterday's breast feeding class was pretty good. I learned some things about positioning and latching on. Nothing major that I didn't already know, but I'm ready to give it a shot. If we are finding that it's not working, we'll hire a lactation consultant to help us out.

We leave work early today (woo hoo!) and have our next appointment. I'll drink my sugar drink and get my blood drawn, and hopefully everything will be alright. I'm not sure what I'll do if it's not. Rather than stress it right now, I'm just going to wait and see...

Work has been insanely crazy. The person who is replacing me in my old role (the one I got promoted out of) finally started and I've been busy training her. I'm also busy working through my own job! It's all good - the workload makes the days fly by and every day brings me closer to maternity leave (three months of pure housewife heaven for me!).

Bailey was very, very active this morning. For the first time, I was kicked so hard it made me wince. I was sitting downstairs waiting for Kelly and she was just all over the place. All of a sudden it was like she decided to jog in place for a few minute. Phew! It actually caused me to tense all up and wince in pain! I immediately relaxed, but still...ouchy!

Carpal Tunnel has taken hold in my left wrist in a pretty severe way. I'm wearing a brace constantly while working to hopefully prevent any further damage. It hurts. But I deal. Except last night when I threw a minor fit while doing the dishes because it hurt (sorry, honey...).

I'll post tomorrow and let you know how the test went. Of course, I won't know the results while I'm there, but soon...