What does the well-dressed baby wear to the Cats for music class? I don't know and it's going to come to a head sooner or later. Of course, in the Cats, all the moms are well dressed too. And all giving each other tips on the very expensive and exclusive gym they belong to..."Oh you're at Courtside too? Have you done the baby yoga yet? Oh, she loves it and takes a nice nap as soon as we're done...giggle giggle". What does this mommy wear? Fat rocks and chic pants with the oh so hip wedge heeled sandal. If it's me, maternity jeans and loose tops because I refuse to buy clothes until I lose some more baby weight. It sucks right now because the maternity jeans are too loose, but my regular jeans don't go over my hips or butt. Yuck and sigh.
We all know how much I hate to shop for jeans.
It's much more fun to dress Maia.
But I digress. In the beginning of a post. In any case, music class is a ton of fun...especially watching all of the parents. All the kids in the class are around Maia's age, in fact, there's only one baby who can sit up. The rest of the kids lay on blankets or are held on laps during the songs. Little legs are moved, little tummies are tickled and the parents rock out to the baby music. One number is called "Sneakin' Around the Room" and we, the grown-us, sneak, wiggle, and boogie in a circle around our darling babes. I can just see the WTF look in Maia's eyes. But then she laughs and waves her arms and kicks her legs and all is good again. After all, everyone is doing it.
So we have a good schedule going. A playgroup might be forming on Mondays; I have Mommy Group on Wednesday and Music on Friday. Plenty to keep us occupied. It's fun, but a challenge to not become completely sucked into Babyville. I think that's why the crib works for me. At night, I have alone time...or time just with John...and that's the time I need to refuel the mom battery. It's hard being "on" 24/7.
Everything else looks beautiful. Our anniversary dinner was a success. Sushi on the couch and a bottle of nice sake. I replaced the battery of John's watch and he brought me new rocks. Life is good and my ears sparkle now. So I guess I'm all right.
Busy week ahead. Maia turns four months and goes in for her next round of shots. Hello whooping cough! We’ll talk about solids. And see how much she's gained. And how much bigger she is. It's a fun check. I know she's bigger but I like to know by how much. I also have plans to see my fave author, Neil Gaiman, in Berkeley. Plus all the usual running around and merry making. We're happy happy fun girls, Maia and I.
Yawn. It's getting late and I've really said nothing of import. Just a little update to keep me in your mind. Till next time.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
September 25
It is the second anniversary of the day when John and I said, "I do". Smiles all around. I can't tell you what I have planned, though. It might ruin the surprise.
Friday, September 8, 2006
You are disciplined but tolerant; a true American.
How fascist are you? Find out here.
For fun, post your score in my comments. I want to see where my friends come in.
For fun, post your score in my comments. I want to see where my friends come in.
Good Lord...
...it's September already.
Maia will be 100 days old this Sunday. She'll be "one year" right around Wednesday or Thursday. Where has the time gone?
Maia will be 100 days old this Sunday. She'll be "one year" right around Wednesday or Thursday. Where has the time gone?
Monday, August 28, 2006
A Letter to Maia
This post was inspired by this site and a similar call on a message board to which I belong.
Dear Maia,
The day you were born was one of the greatest in my life so far. In you I saw so much from the time you opened you eyes to the time when you were bundled up and I held you so close. I always knew I wanted to breastfeed you, to give you the best I had to offer and to build a relationship like no other. This is what I believed at the time.
Three months and a struggle I didn't think would ever happen later, I know that it is not the contents of a breast that makes a mother but the contents of a heart.
In that first hour after you latched on, right after birth, I thought things would be easy. I was so sure of my body and of your ability I brushed off the kind labor nurse who wished us continued success with breastfeeding. I told her I was ready, I had read the books, been to the meetings. I knew what was going to happen next. You, Miss Maia, seemed like the "champ" I had read so many stories about. Your latch seemed good, no pain and you were there and happy attached to me still. Even after the lactation consultant visited, and helped me correct your latch and explained to me that I had to be careful with your placement because the way my nipples were shaped I was not worried. I knew my milk would come in full and voluminous and we'd both be happy.
We took you home (and I still can't believe they just let us walk on out with you!) and that's where the real struggle began. You had your days and nights confused. You would be such a sleepy baby during the day and during the night would just stay up and wail. We tried rocking, bouncing and swaddling. Nothing seemed to really calm you down. I fed and fed you but you always wanted more. We could sit and nurse for an hour and you would cry as soon as I took you off. You were losing weight...but that was to be expected. Your doctor didn't seem to be worried and I just knew everything would be all right in a day or two. I thought I felt milk coming in and was waiting for the feeling of engorgement that all new moms describe.
When you were a week old we couldn't get a wet diaper from you. You had lost so much weight the skin was loose on your little legs (so chubby and darling at birth) your dad and I knew something was really wrong. Guilt set in. I felt so strongly that something was wrong with me. My nipples are scarred and I knew that I had done something wrong and I could not feed my baby. I was devastated as I called the hospital lactation consultant and made an appointment with her that very day. It was there I learned that my milk had no come in and we needed to be feeding you fast. You were on the edge of severe dehydration. I cried as you took a bottle and gulped its contents down. I couldn't feed my baby. My body, the one that gave you life was now rebelling and causing you to suffer. I felt at that moment lower and worse than I had ever felt in my life. I had let you down.
It was there that day I learned a new phrase: Chasing the milk. That was what I set out to do.
The details are not important. I tried herbs, pumping, and drugs. Nothing worked and every new can of formula I purchased was another knife in my heart. This is not what I wanted. I envisioned a loving, carefree, breastfeeding lifestyle. I was going to take you everywhere...all you would need was a clean diaper and a breast and we'd be set. The bottle heavy, formula mixing, stress-inducing place I was in at this point was so far from my expectations. I was miserable. I kept you at the breast...you stayed there even after the bottle was introduced...but it was not the pleasurable experience of closeness I wanted but rather a task; a chore that had to be done. I dreaded feeding time even as you began to thrive.
You did thrive. You are a born eater. You gained an entire pound in the first week after we began to supplement you. There was nothing wrong with you and that was a blessing. It was simply mama who was broken.
Feeding was still a miserable time for me. I used to sit and cry over you as I fed you formula. My heart was broken. I couldn't talk about it without the tears beginning. I didn't want to take you out for fear of being judged a bad mama by strangers or friends as I prepared yet another bottle instead of putting you to the breast. It wasn't a good time and I am afraid that I missed out on some of the joy of your first months because I was angry and sad over the loss of our imagined breastfeeding relationship. Something had to change and it needed to be my attitude.
It was a dear friend of mine who put things into perspective for me, although it took me some time to be able to process and accept her words. She pointed out that while we had lost what I had dreamed about, it was up to me to take what we did have and make that special. Feeding, even bottle feeding, was still time to quietly connect, to let you know how much you were loved and to look in to your eyes and know that I was doing the best I could by you. I had the power to define my breastfeeding relationship with you.
I have set aside my guilt. We nurse the best we can. You are growing. You are happy and you smile up at me the same whether you're at the breast or at the bottle. I hold you close for both and remain connected to you. I am still sad that we don't have the relationship I dreamed about before you were YOU but I want you to know that you had a mommy who fought for you and did her best for you.
The last three months have been harder than I ever thought. I knew parenting would be a challenge, but this extra one pushed my to my limits. I didn't think I would ever be happy with how things worked out for our "breastfeeding relationship" but I am now. We have built our own special relationship. You are my darling daughter. You don't love me any less because I couldn't nurse you exclusively. In some ways, this struggle has made me realize how lucky we are. We have the luxury of finding alternative food sources; you don't have to suffer because of me. You will be able to grow and become a healthy child and adult even without the benefit of gallons of breast milk. We are blessed by options.
I am blessed by you, Maia.
always your loving...mama
Dear Maia,
The day you were born was one of the greatest in my life so far. In you I saw so much from the time you opened you eyes to the time when you were bundled up and I held you so close. I always knew I wanted to breastfeed you, to give you the best I had to offer and to build a relationship like no other. This is what I believed at the time.
Three months and a struggle I didn't think would ever happen later, I know that it is not the contents of a breast that makes a mother but the contents of a heart.
In that first hour after you latched on, right after birth, I thought things would be easy. I was so sure of my body and of your ability I brushed off the kind labor nurse who wished us continued success with breastfeeding. I told her I was ready, I had read the books, been to the meetings. I knew what was going to happen next. You, Miss Maia, seemed like the "champ" I had read so many stories about. Your latch seemed good, no pain and you were there and happy attached to me still. Even after the lactation consultant visited, and helped me correct your latch and explained to me that I had to be careful with your placement because the way my nipples were shaped I was not worried. I knew my milk would come in full and voluminous and we'd both be happy.
We took you home (and I still can't believe they just let us walk on out with you!) and that's where the real struggle began. You had your days and nights confused. You would be such a sleepy baby during the day and during the night would just stay up and wail. We tried rocking, bouncing and swaddling. Nothing seemed to really calm you down. I fed and fed you but you always wanted more. We could sit and nurse for an hour and you would cry as soon as I took you off. You were losing weight...but that was to be expected. Your doctor didn't seem to be worried and I just knew everything would be all right in a day or two. I thought I felt milk coming in and was waiting for the feeling of engorgement that all new moms describe.
When you were a week old we couldn't get a wet diaper from you. You had lost so much weight the skin was loose on your little legs (so chubby and darling at birth) your dad and I knew something was really wrong. Guilt set in. I felt so strongly that something was wrong with me. My nipples are scarred and I knew that I had done something wrong and I could not feed my baby. I was devastated as I called the hospital lactation consultant and made an appointment with her that very day. It was there I learned that my milk had no come in and we needed to be feeding you fast. You were on the edge of severe dehydration. I cried as you took a bottle and gulped its contents down. I couldn't feed my baby. My body, the one that gave you life was now rebelling and causing you to suffer. I felt at that moment lower and worse than I had ever felt in my life. I had let you down.
It was there that day I learned a new phrase: Chasing the milk. That was what I set out to do.
The details are not important. I tried herbs, pumping, and drugs. Nothing worked and every new can of formula I purchased was another knife in my heart. This is not what I wanted. I envisioned a loving, carefree, breastfeeding lifestyle. I was going to take you everywhere...all you would need was a clean diaper and a breast and we'd be set. The bottle heavy, formula mixing, stress-inducing place I was in at this point was so far from my expectations. I was miserable. I kept you at the breast...you stayed there even after the bottle was introduced...but it was not the pleasurable experience of closeness I wanted but rather a task; a chore that had to be done. I dreaded feeding time even as you began to thrive.
You did thrive. You are a born eater. You gained an entire pound in the first week after we began to supplement you. There was nothing wrong with you and that was a blessing. It was simply mama who was broken.
Feeding was still a miserable time for me. I used to sit and cry over you as I fed you formula. My heart was broken. I couldn't talk about it without the tears beginning. I didn't want to take you out for fear of being judged a bad mama by strangers or friends as I prepared yet another bottle instead of putting you to the breast. It wasn't a good time and I am afraid that I missed out on some of the joy of your first months because I was angry and sad over the loss of our imagined breastfeeding relationship. Something had to change and it needed to be my attitude.
It was a dear friend of mine who put things into perspective for me, although it took me some time to be able to process and accept her words. She pointed out that while we had lost what I had dreamed about, it was up to me to take what we did have and make that special. Feeding, even bottle feeding, was still time to quietly connect, to let you know how much you were loved and to look in to your eyes and know that I was doing the best I could by you. I had the power to define my breastfeeding relationship with you.
I have set aside my guilt. We nurse the best we can. You are growing. You are happy and you smile up at me the same whether you're at the breast or at the bottle. I hold you close for both and remain connected to you. I am still sad that we don't have the relationship I dreamed about before you were YOU but I want you to know that you had a mommy who fought for you and did her best for you.
The last three months have been harder than I ever thought. I knew parenting would be a challenge, but this extra one pushed my to my limits. I didn't think I would ever be happy with how things worked out for our "breastfeeding relationship" but I am now. We have built our own special relationship. You are my darling daughter. You don't love me any less because I couldn't nurse you exclusively. In some ways, this struggle has made me realize how lucky we are. We have the luxury of finding alternative food sources; you don't have to suffer because of me. You will be able to grow and become a healthy child and adult even without the benefit of gallons of breast milk. We are blessed by options.
I am blessed by you, Maia.
always your loving...mama
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Nothing Doing
Maia is asleep in my lap. She's too comfortable to move, and I love to let her sleep. But...laundry needs to be changed, groceries need to be bought and dishes need to be washed. Plus: I have to go to the bathroom and I HATE the show that's on the radio right now but the control is across the room.
Luckily the computer is right here.
Luckily the computer is right here.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Thursday, August 3, 2006
Comic Con...or More Geeks than you can Shake a Stick At
Comic Con was more than I could have imagined. With 100,000 visitors over the space of four days...plus the "sneak preview" evening there is enough to see without the added bonus of the booths in the dealers rooms. Every day has a full schedule of drop in conferences ranging from how-to's of the comic world to meetings with artists, writers and directors. Television stations and movie studios rollout there new offerings to see how they fly with the masses and of course, the big comic companies are there in full force to show what's new and hip in the world of four color print.
In a word: Overwhelming.
Navigating this world alone would have been hard enough but add a small infant to the mix and one might have a recipe for disaster. I came into it knowing that I wasn't going to push Maia too far...knowing that would mean that I might miss out on some of the things I wanted to do. It did. I didn't hit all the panels I was interested in or meet all the cool people who were there (most disappointing was missing Henry Rollins, but oh well, the breakfast took a bit longer than anticipated). All in all, I did get to see what was most important to me and I did have a very cool brush with greatness.
Joss Whedon held my baby. Joss, because we're on a first name basis after all, is the creator of many a cult classic from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" to the grossly underrated "Firefly". John and I are Firefly fans. We even make those who have not seen it watch it. Our DVD's have made the rounds. We might not be completely fanatical--like my sister Aribelle--but we dig it, you know? We were hanging out by the Browncoat (as card carrying members of the fan base like to be known) fan booth waiting to meet with said sister--who is so deeply involved I'm surprised she isn't tattooed--when word went out that Joss was circling the booth. Well. This was the day when Maia was wearing her Kaylee costume, from the Firefly show. Soon we spotted him. A group descended for pictures. I sat down to get a bottle ready. I waited for the crowd to disperse some. I grabbed the baby and made my move.
The conversation, as it were went something along the lines of me stating that I didn't normally accost people, but would he be so kind as to take a picture with my Kaylee baby?
Joss: Is she really a Kaylee?
Me: Her name is Maia, but she's wearing a Kaylee costume...
I thought we would pose together, but being a dad himself, he has no fears of babies so before I knew it I was handing her over to essentially a stranger for pictures she will only look at with slight embarrassment when she gets older. But, she is so cute!! I figure, these photos are really for us anyway at this point.
The best part was when Maia had her bout of baby gas as she was being held, and Joss-the-dad kicked in by mentioning that she was making a poo. Great conversation. He then decided that yes, she was the cutest thing ever and wanted to hang with her for the rest of the con...so he turned away and walked a few steps before smiling and handing her back. Very fun.
Joss with Maia
So that sums up Maia's first brush with the famous. Her other encounters that weekend were in rooms with dozens, if not hundreds of other people, but I'm glad I went and got to hear some of my favorite people speak. Ray Bradbury is still the funniest man on any panel and still sharp as a tack. His advise on writing? It should feel like sex. I can see that...I'd rather understand writing as sex than childbirth...but I think publishing is like childbirth. At least the writing is fun.
I would do Comic Con again...but next year I'm rooting for AirVenture in Oshkosh WI. John and I need to switch off big conventions and he gets his next year. Of course, there is always something for the both of us. We did end up buying art the Comic Con. German advertising lithographs from the 20's. Yeah, we have interesting taste. All in all, given all I experienced in San Diego, I still think my favorite part of the entire week was the room fairies. With that, I must go and get some more sleep.
In a word: Overwhelming.
Navigating this world alone would have been hard enough but add a small infant to the mix and one might have a recipe for disaster. I came into it knowing that I wasn't going to push Maia too far...knowing that would mean that I might miss out on some of the things I wanted to do. It did. I didn't hit all the panels I was interested in or meet all the cool people who were there (most disappointing was missing Henry Rollins, but oh well, the breakfast took a bit longer than anticipated). All in all, I did get to see what was most important to me and I did have a very cool brush with greatness.
Joss Whedon held my baby. Joss, because we're on a first name basis after all, is the creator of many a cult classic from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" to the grossly underrated "Firefly". John and I are Firefly fans. We even make those who have not seen it watch it. Our DVD's have made the rounds. We might not be completely fanatical--like my sister Aribelle--but we dig it, you know? We were hanging out by the Browncoat (as card carrying members of the fan base like to be known) fan booth waiting to meet with said sister--who is so deeply involved I'm surprised she isn't tattooed--when word went out that Joss was circling the booth. Well. This was the day when Maia was wearing her Kaylee costume, from the Firefly show. Soon we spotted him. A group descended for pictures. I sat down to get a bottle ready. I waited for the crowd to disperse some. I grabbed the baby and made my move.
The conversation, as it were went something along the lines of me stating that I didn't normally accost people, but would he be so kind as to take a picture with my Kaylee baby?
Joss: Is she really a Kaylee?
Me: Her name is Maia, but she's wearing a Kaylee costume...
I thought we would pose together, but being a dad himself, he has no fears of babies so before I knew it I was handing her over to essentially a stranger for pictures she will only look at with slight embarrassment when she gets older. But, she is so cute!! I figure, these photos are really for us anyway at this point.
The best part was when Maia had her bout of baby gas as she was being held, and Joss-the-dad kicked in by mentioning that she was making a poo. Great conversation. He then decided that yes, she was the cutest thing ever and wanted to hang with her for the rest of the con...so he turned away and walked a few steps before smiling and handing her back. Very fun.
Joss with Maia
So that sums up Maia's first brush with the famous. Her other encounters that weekend were in rooms with dozens, if not hundreds of other people, but I'm glad I went and got to hear some of my favorite people speak. Ray Bradbury is still the funniest man on any panel and still sharp as a tack. His advise on writing? It should feel like sex. I can see that...I'd rather understand writing as sex than childbirth...but I think publishing is like childbirth. At least the writing is fun.
I would do Comic Con again...but next year I'm rooting for AirVenture in Oshkosh WI. John and I need to switch off big conventions and he gets his next year. Of course, there is always something for the both of us. We did end up buying art the Comic Con. German advertising lithographs from the 20's. Yeah, we have interesting taste. All in all, given all I experienced in San Diego, I still think my favorite part of the entire week was the room fairies. With that, I must go and get some more sleep.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Vacation: Overview of a Week
Whew! Nothing like a week of fine hotel living to make you wish you had the money for your own staff. There is no feeling better to the new mom than the feeling of walking into a freshly made up room that she didn't have to make up. This was I last week. A week of living in the Hyatt Grand Manchester in, not Manchester England, but in San Diego California.
Ah San Diego. My spiritual home. "God's Naval" as my mom likes to call it. John, Maia and I went for an IEEE (read: major work related geek fest) conference and stayed for Comic Con (read: major fantasy/sci-fi/comic book geek fest). It was wonderful. While I didn't party as hard as some moms I know (well, their kids are older) I did manage one night of unabashed drinking at the best sushi joint in the state. Sake and beer to the point of singing Social Distortion along with two guys in a pick-up as I crossed the street while John strolled the baby in weird circles through a small park. That night we fed the baby a bottle, I pumped and threw out the breast milk. I even had a small hangover. In a way, it made me happy.
The days in the beginning of the week were long and filled with daytime TV. No Internet. I didn't want it. I wanted Oprah and Law and Order. I don't have television, as most people know it, so it's a treat to have a remote and watch whatever the networks put out there. And commercials. I don't miss them so much but I like how I feel slightly disturbed after watching them. I also had a cabana day by the pool. Tuesday afternoon is a good time for the pool. The cabanas were sparsely populated and Maia and I had a lovely time hanging out in a chaise lounge and ordering the pool boy around. Well, I ordered the pool boy to bring me a pineapple daiquiri. Maia just smiled and napped and ate her own food.
Wednesday Maia and I headed to one of my very favorite spots in the world, La Jolla Cove. The last time I was there I was pregnant and not far from delivery. John and I just strolled along the edge of the coast talking about the new life we were about to have. This time, I got to stroll with that new life and show her the ocean for the first time. We spent some time sitting on a large expanse of green lawn overlooking the cove that is a favorite place for divers and kayakers. I wonder if she'll remember any of that in her subconscious, and if she dreams of the ocean now?
Thursday through Saturday were spent at the convention center, and those days are entries in their own rights. Highlights? Neil Gaiman, Peter S. Beagle, Ray Bradbury and Joss Whedon. The Joss is the best story, at least for Maia. There are pictures of her first encounter with stardom up on the picture site. Too cute baby!
This week we've been settling back into the groove of things. Maia is keeping me jumping. She does everything in clusters. Today, after a week of not napping and staying up late, she's zonked out. I may pay for it tonight, but I've taken advantage of it this afternoon by doing laundry and picking up the living room...somewhat. I'll share more stories. I hope this nap thing lasts for a couple of days...but for now, my vacuum cleaner misses me.
Ah San Diego. My spiritual home. "God's Naval" as my mom likes to call it. John, Maia and I went for an IEEE (read: major work related geek fest) conference and stayed for Comic Con (read: major fantasy/sci-fi/comic book geek fest). It was wonderful. While I didn't party as hard as some moms I know (well, their kids are older) I did manage one night of unabashed drinking at the best sushi joint in the state. Sake and beer to the point of singing Social Distortion along with two guys in a pick-up as I crossed the street while John strolled the baby in weird circles through a small park. That night we fed the baby a bottle, I pumped and threw out the breast milk. I even had a small hangover. In a way, it made me happy.
The days in the beginning of the week were long and filled with daytime TV. No Internet. I didn't want it. I wanted Oprah and Law and Order. I don't have television, as most people know it, so it's a treat to have a remote and watch whatever the networks put out there. And commercials. I don't miss them so much but I like how I feel slightly disturbed after watching them. I also had a cabana day by the pool. Tuesday afternoon is a good time for the pool. The cabanas were sparsely populated and Maia and I had a lovely time hanging out in a chaise lounge and ordering the pool boy around. Well, I ordered the pool boy to bring me a pineapple daiquiri. Maia just smiled and napped and ate her own food.
Wednesday Maia and I headed to one of my very favorite spots in the world, La Jolla Cove. The last time I was there I was pregnant and not far from delivery. John and I just strolled along the edge of the coast talking about the new life we were about to have. This time, I got to stroll with that new life and show her the ocean for the first time. We spent some time sitting on a large expanse of green lawn overlooking the cove that is a favorite place for divers and kayakers. I wonder if she'll remember any of that in her subconscious, and if she dreams of the ocean now?
Thursday through Saturday were spent at the convention center, and those days are entries in their own rights. Highlights? Neil Gaiman, Peter S. Beagle, Ray Bradbury and Joss Whedon. The Joss is the best story, at least for Maia. There are pictures of her first encounter with stardom up on the picture site. Too cute baby!
This week we've been settling back into the groove of things. Maia is keeping me jumping. She does everything in clusters. Today, after a week of not napping and staying up late, she's zonked out. I may pay for it tonight, but I've taken advantage of it this afternoon by doing laundry and picking up the living room...somewhat. I'll share more stories. I hope this nap thing lasts for a couple of days...but for now, my vacuum cleaner misses me.
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
I Really Need...
...to blog more. Sorry. I hope to better perfect one-handed typing in the future.
The 4th of July is my very favorite holiday. I look forward to it like a kid looks to Christmas. The combination of food and fire just makes me happy. Today, I have a piece of pork just a few ounces smaller than my daughter on the grill and a red-white-and-blueberry star shaped Jell-O mold in the fridge. The Fourth makes me crave nostalgia food...hence the Jell-O.
Tonight, we will try to bust out the 20lbs of fireworks smuggled back from our trip to Louisiana. Did I ever mention that John and I almost rented a car to fill with fireworks for the trip home? That plan was under serious consideration...but sanity prevailed and we made due with shipping them UPS ground. Somehow they made it past the state line, so big booms here we come. I, of course, have a large stock of "girly" fireworks: ground blooming flowers, tanks that spit sparks, hen laying eggs, star balls, and sparklers. The sparklers excite me. They are the magnesium ones with metal sticks to hold on to...the ones that look like little stars are popping off when lit, not just a stream of light. The sparklers we can get here, where they are legal, are really lame. I am always disappointed with them. I hope the Louisiana sparklers are the ones from my youth. When it was OK to run around with flaming sticks and you might burn yourself if you weren't careful. "Safe and Sane" give a false sense of security in the firework world. I'd rather experience the joy of mastering the dangerous with my fire. But that's just me. Again waxing nostalgic.
Happy Fourth!
The 4th of July is my very favorite holiday. I look forward to it like a kid looks to Christmas. The combination of food and fire just makes me happy. Today, I have a piece of pork just a few ounces smaller than my daughter on the grill and a red-white-and-blueberry star shaped Jell-O mold in the fridge. The Fourth makes me crave nostalgia food...hence the Jell-O.
Tonight, we will try to bust out the 20lbs of fireworks smuggled back from our trip to Louisiana. Did I ever mention that John and I almost rented a car to fill with fireworks for the trip home? That plan was under serious consideration...but sanity prevailed and we made due with shipping them UPS ground. Somehow they made it past the state line, so big booms here we come. I, of course, have a large stock of "girly" fireworks: ground blooming flowers, tanks that spit sparks, hen laying eggs, star balls, and sparklers. The sparklers excite me. They are the magnesium ones with metal sticks to hold on to...the ones that look like little stars are popping off when lit, not just a stream of light. The sparklers we can get here, where they are legal, are really lame. I am always disappointed with them. I hope the Louisiana sparklers are the ones from my youth. When it was OK to run around with flaming sticks and you might burn yourself if you weren't careful. "Safe and Sane" give a false sense of security in the firework world. I'd rather experience the joy of mastering the dangerous with my fire. But that's just me. Again waxing nostalgic.
Happy Fourth!
Saturday, June 24, 2006
By the Way...
There are new pictures posted for those who know where they are.
E-mail me if you haven't seen them yet. At some point in time, I'll learn how to link from Blogger to other sites. Or perhaps I'll find out what Flicker is all about.
In any case, enjoy.
E-mail me if you haven't seen them yet. At some point in time, I'll learn how to link from Blogger to other sites. Or perhaps I'll find out what Flicker is all about.
In any case, enjoy.
Baby Wearer
Maia was three weeks yesterday. I have been going through phases of staying in all day with her or trying to do too much with her. For the past while, errands have meant loading her into the car seat, then either balancing the car seat on a shopping cart (a scary task for the one-handed Mom out alone!) or pulling the *light* stroller in and out of the trunk. What a hassle for short errands. I'd tried out the sling at home...but was still feeling wary about using it in public. I'm a new Mom...everything is a bit weird right now.
Wednesday I attended a "New Mommy" group at the hospital where we delivered. All the moms had the kids in their travel systems...car seats and strollers. The hall to the auditorium looked like a stroller warehouse. I was no exception. I had just settled onto the floor with Maia, having unhooked her and pulled her form the car seat, when in walks the slingin' momma. She had a beautiful pink floral ring sling wrapped around her 5-month-old girl. Both mom and baby looked great. She was casual as she unslung the baby and got set up on the floor. The baby was happy as a clam and mom had the easiest time settling in. I was watching with envy.
Later that evening at my regular La Leche League meeting one new mom in the group asked for a sling demonstration. I knew I had to get going on the slinging. I have a wonderful sling...long...full on pockets...purple to boot! I just needed a reason to get comfortable with it. All these other moms with slings, coupled with the ever-increasing desire within myself to get out more pushed me over the uncomfortable edge. I was ready to sling, or die trying.
Yesterday I needed to run three quick errands. Pharmacy. Target. Whole Foods. All in separate locations. Each stop would require a seperate car seat-stroller exchange. I didn't want to be gone for four hours to run three quick errands. It was time to break in the sling. I waited for Maia to go into her afternoon sleepy mode. I had her eat, changed her and loaded her into the car seat. I then realized that sling life would be easy if I put on the sling before I got into the car. Who would even notice the fabric while I was tucked into the car myself and it would save tons of time if I wasn't taking on and off the sling. After all...convenience is the watchword here. All slung up we went off to pick up mom's prescription. I found a parking place near the door with and empty space next to me so I would have some room to maneuver the baby into the sling. Carefully, I pulled sleepy Maia up and out and opened the sling. Something must have been in the air because she slid right in and into a perfect sling position. Her legs were crossed, her back was supported and her little head was peeking up and out but cradled by fabric. She was perfect and I was ecstatic.
The women at the pharmacy loved the sling. They thought it was very clever. Target went just as well for us. It was so nice to be able to go in and just pick up the couple of things I needed and run out again. The sling's pockets are deep and big, so I was able to put my wallet, phone, keys, and a burp cloth for Maia in them. Another bonus: No bag to lug around with the baby.
Whole Foods, which is a logistical nightmare akin to Trader Joe's as far as tight aisles and shopping carts go, was made much better by the sling and a small cart: a weird, small, cart that seems to have been made for the elderly--or moms with small children riding on their chests. Gotta love the upper-crust hippie store.
I am feeling so much more confidant with the sling. John and I are going to go out this afternoon, and I plan on slinging it again with Miss Maia. I have to finish the padded sling now; I didn't quite get to it before she was born. And I now am on the lookout for some beautiful floral print fabric of my own for a new sling...the fun never ends. It also doesn't hurt that when we got home, there was a package for Miss Maia setting on the porch. It seems that everyone wants us to sling together because inside the package was a wonderful hip carrier--for when she's a little bit bigger.
I may never put her down. :)
Wednesday I attended a "New Mommy" group at the hospital where we delivered. All the moms had the kids in their travel systems...car seats and strollers. The hall to the auditorium looked like a stroller warehouse. I was no exception. I had just settled onto the floor with Maia, having unhooked her and pulled her form the car seat, when in walks the slingin' momma. She had a beautiful pink floral ring sling wrapped around her 5-month-old girl. Both mom and baby looked great. She was casual as she unslung the baby and got set up on the floor. The baby was happy as a clam and mom had the easiest time settling in. I was watching with envy.
Later that evening at my regular La Leche League meeting one new mom in the group asked for a sling demonstration. I knew I had to get going on the slinging. I have a wonderful sling...long...full on pockets...purple to boot! I just needed a reason to get comfortable with it. All these other moms with slings, coupled with the ever-increasing desire within myself to get out more pushed me over the uncomfortable edge. I was ready to sling, or die trying.
Yesterday I needed to run three quick errands. Pharmacy. Target. Whole Foods. All in separate locations. Each stop would require a seperate car seat-stroller exchange. I didn't want to be gone for four hours to run three quick errands. It was time to break in the sling. I waited for Maia to go into her afternoon sleepy mode. I had her eat, changed her and loaded her into the car seat. I then realized that sling life would be easy if I put on the sling before I got into the car. Who would even notice the fabric while I was tucked into the car myself and it would save tons of time if I wasn't taking on and off the sling. After all...convenience is the watchword here. All slung up we went off to pick up mom's prescription. I found a parking place near the door with and empty space next to me so I would have some room to maneuver the baby into the sling. Carefully, I pulled sleepy Maia up and out and opened the sling. Something must have been in the air because she slid right in and into a perfect sling position. Her legs were crossed, her back was supported and her little head was peeking up and out but cradled by fabric. She was perfect and I was ecstatic.
The women at the pharmacy loved the sling. They thought it was very clever. Target went just as well for us. It was so nice to be able to go in and just pick up the couple of things I needed and run out again. The sling's pockets are deep and big, so I was able to put my wallet, phone, keys, and a burp cloth for Maia in them. Another bonus: No bag to lug around with the baby.
Whole Foods, which is a logistical nightmare akin to Trader Joe's as far as tight aisles and shopping carts go, was made much better by the sling and a small cart: a weird, small, cart that seems to have been made for the elderly--or moms with small children riding on their chests. Gotta love the upper-crust hippie store.
I am feeling so much more confidant with the sling. John and I are going to go out this afternoon, and I plan on slinging it again with Miss Maia. I have to finish the padded sling now; I didn't quite get to it before she was born. And I now am on the lookout for some beautiful floral print fabric of my own for a new sling...the fun never ends. It also doesn't hurt that when we got home, there was a package for Miss Maia setting on the porch. It seems that everyone wants us to sling together because inside the package was a wonderful hip carrier--for when she's a little bit bigger.
I may never put her down. :)
Saturday, June 10, 2006
I'm Still Here!
It's been almost a month now, I know. My first excuse is finals.
Finished them. Yeah! Still waiting for grades to be posted. It takes forever for the grades to be recorded to our SJSU accounts. Why can't they figure out a faster way? Let teachers post directly for their rosters? There has got to be a better way. I hate waiting for the final grade to come down the pipeline.
My second excuse is. Well. I haven't really been in a writing mood since school finished. I needed a brain break and some time to get the finishing touches done on the baby room. It's still not "perfect" but at least it's set up and workable.
Which is good for my final excuse.
Our baby girl was born on June 2, 2006 at 4:15 PM. Maia Evelyn weighed 7 lbs 14oz and was 19.5" long. She's a dear heart. And very time consuming. And well worth every moment we get to spend with her.
We've had family in and out for the past week, and we've had some bumps on the parenting road already. I'll be sharing the details...but for now, the wiggle worm wants to be changed and fed and cuddled and loved, and I am only too happy to comply.
Finished them. Yeah! Still waiting for grades to be posted. It takes forever for the grades to be recorded to our SJSU accounts. Why can't they figure out a faster way? Let teachers post directly for their rosters? There has got to be a better way. I hate waiting for the final grade to come down the pipeline.
My second excuse is. Well. I haven't really been in a writing mood since school finished. I needed a brain break and some time to get the finishing touches done on the baby room. It's still not "perfect" but at least it's set up and workable.
Which is good for my final excuse.
Our baby girl was born on June 2, 2006 at 4:15 PM. Maia Evelyn weighed 7 lbs 14oz and was 19.5" long. She's a dear heart. And very time consuming. And well worth every moment we get to spend with her.
We've had family in and out for the past week, and we've had some bumps on the parenting road already. I'll be sharing the details...but for now, the wiggle worm wants to be changed and fed and cuddled and loved, and I am only too happy to comply.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Thank You Mid-West
I awoke to overcast skies and a brisk breeze. When I left for school, it was about the same. Sometime in the late morning it sprinkled. A cool spring sprinkle. It was a perfect jeans and t-shirt day. I even wore a sweater this evening. Thank you mid-west for sending your rain out here, if that's where it came from. It has been unbearably hot in usually temperate Northern California for the past two weeks. This last week was the worst...hitting the mid 90's on Mother's Day as my mom toiled, painting the soon to be master bedroom of my house.
The weather has only been made less bearable by the large furnace residing in my mid-section. All I have to say is "Thank you Lord" for allowing me to deliver in early June. I could not handle being this big and hot any later in the summer, for sure.
In other news, I took two of my three finals today. I didn't realize how stressed I have been until I finished the last final of the day, the final I considered the toughest and the one worth a good majority of my grade in the class. I have been worrying about "making it through finals" from the beginning of the semester. I have been worried about not completing this round, and wasting these past months because I didn't get to the final. For the past couple of weeks, I have added to my stress by worrying about the actual finals...you know...doing well and getting good grades.
It had become so part of my routine, I didn't notice. Any tiredness, any mood swings, and kind of not normal feeling I have been chalking up to the end stages of pregnancy. I think I was worried about school, as much as anything else. I came to this realization as I left the classroom. I felt good. I felt good about the test, I knew what I was saying, I identified the passages, I knew the vocabulary, I wrote a decent essay. Suddenly, I realized I felt lighter. Physically lighter. I smiled, and it felt so very good. There was no tiredness left in my body. I have been recently coming home and sleeping for about two hours every afternoon. I could not be motivated to do anything. Today, I took the scenic route to light rail and simply enjoyed the walk. The air was clean, the day still cool and breezy. I was happy. I am happy.
Everything looks good right about now. I hope the cool weather stays for a bit. I have one more test on Wednesday, but I'm ready for it. Then, a couple of blissful weeks waiting for baby. Suddenly, the fact that our old roommate still has a room full of stuff here doesn't seem like a big deal. We'll get resettled when we can. It doesn't seem so scary that the house needs a good cleaning...I have some time now and energy to do it. And if not, well, that's what Mom is for after the baby comes. I am now looking forward to a summer adjusting to the demands of new parenthood. It doesn't seem as daunting as task as it did a week ago, when I absolutely melted down in a store because they didn't carry the "right" brand of baby bottles. I have just about made it through the semester. I have almost completed my goal of getting one more year of school in before baby. I am a few classes away from my bachelor’s degree...and now I feel as though I have the luxury of finishing at my leisure. I have proved that I can handle university.
It's a good feeling right now; one I hope doesn't soon go away.
The weather has only been made less bearable by the large furnace residing in my mid-section. All I have to say is "Thank you Lord" for allowing me to deliver in early June. I could not handle being this big and hot any later in the summer, for sure.
In other news, I took two of my three finals today. I didn't realize how stressed I have been until I finished the last final of the day, the final I considered the toughest and the one worth a good majority of my grade in the class. I have been worrying about "making it through finals" from the beginning of the semester. I have been worried about not completing this round, and wasting these past months because I didn't get to the final. For the past couple of weeks, I have added to my stress by worrying about the actual finals...you know...doing well and getting good grades.
It had become so part of my routine, I didn't notice. Any tiredness, any mood swings, and kind of not normal feeling I have been chalking up to the end stages of pregnancy. I think I was worried about school, as much as anything else. I came to this realization as I left the classroom. I felt good. I felt good about the test, I knew what I was saying, I identified the passages, I knew the vocabulary, I wrote a decent essay. Suddenly, I realized I felt lighter. Physically lighter. I smiled, and it felt so very good. There was no tiredness left in my body. I have been recently coming home and sleeping for about two hours every afternoon. I could not be motivated to do anything. Today, I took the scenic route to light rail and simply enjoyed the walk. The air was clean, the day still cool and breezy. I was happy. I am happy.
Everything looks good right about now. I hope the cool weather stays for a bit. I have one more test on Wednesday, but I'm ready for it. Then, a couple of blissful weeks waiting for baby. Suddenly, the fact that our old roommate still has a room full of stuff here doesn't seem like a big deal. We'll get resettled when we can. It doesn't seem so scary that the house needs a good cleaning...I have some time now and energy to do it. And if not, well, that's what Mom is for after the baby comes. I am now looking forward to a summer adjusting to the demands of new parenthood. It doesn't seem as daunting as task as it did a week ago, when I absolutely melted down in a store because they didn't carry the "right" brand of baby bottles. I have just about made it through the semester. I have almost completed my goal of getting one more year of school in before baby. I am a few classes away from my bachelor’s degree...and now I feel as though I have the luxury of finishing at my leisure. I have proved that I can handle university.
It's a good feeling right now; one I hope doesn't soon go away.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Lazy Girl
I always miss my train...by seconds, I might add...when I try and catch one from the downtown station. I have no idea why this is, but my guess is that the universe knows that I hate waiting the 15 minutes for the next train at this station. Why do I hate it so much? Well...there is no shade there and it's over 80 F out today. There is no place to sit and I'm tired. There are very smelly people all over the place. Really. Don't laugh. The street kids bother me, not personally bother me...but their presence bothers me. Too many folks hang out there and smoke. That just about covers it.
Fortune would have it that there was a train right after the one I missed...it just wasn't going where I needed to go. But, it does stop at the other station where I could comfortably sit in the shade away from smelly, smoking people. So I got on. And rode about a mile. And got off. And sat and waited for my train to arrive. I was very happy and comfortable eating my crackers in the shade.
Yes, I know that this qualifies for some kind of weirdness. I don't care. I got to sit.
Fortune would have it that there was a train right after the one I missed...it just wasn't going where I needed to go. But, it does stop at the other station where I could comfortably sit in the shade away from smelly, smoking people. So I got on. And rode about a mile. And got off. And sat and waited for my train to arrive. I was very happy and comfortable eating my crackers in the shade.
Yes, I know that this qualifies for some kind of weirdness. I don't care. I got to sit.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
A Collection of Small Things
I got to meet the latest baby to join our circle yesterday. He's Little D, the son of my former employer. He's adorable, with tons of black hair, just like his Momma. I was honored to be able to attend his Bris Milah, the traditional circumcision preformed on the eighth day after birth. While most people would cringe, it was a beautiful ceremony that connects the new son of the family with all of his male relatives, back to Abraham. Little D was well behaved, he cried a bit during the procedure, but after a good feeding he went to sleep and seemed just fine. Seeing it preformed, and seeing the reaction of a real baby, has cemented in me our decision to have our son circumcised, if and when we have a boy baby.
In other tradition news, I was showered on Sunday by my friends and family. It was lovely. While I missed those who could not make it, those who did were a wonderful collection of old family friends, Aunts, cousins and close friends. We spent most of the time just chatting and enjoying each others company...and of course eating the spread put out by Mom and Sister M (my Mom's best friend and like family to us), who hosted at her lovely home. Little Baby T received some thoughtful and adorable gifts and our playroom library has been well stocked. Just perfect for the English major's baby. I mentioned to John in passing how much fun I was going to have reading to the baby, and he gave me a look and said, "I'm going to enjoy reading to the kid just as much." He loved the big collection of fairytales from around the world we received. Our kid won't need TV at this rate...
My diapers arrived. A box filled with little cloth coverings and poly/nylon wraps. It doesn't look like a $450 box...but it is. The company included a FAQ all about washing and caring for our cloth investment, so now we're both thinking about buying new detergents just for diaper washing. And kidlette clothes washing. Our laundry room is going to fill up...good thing we got the pedestal stand underneath the new washing machine. At least we'll be able to keep it somewhat organized.
Speaking of organized, I have found the last two pieces of furniture to complete the nursery. And, they came as a set. I found a posting on Craigslist (online for sale ads that are community specific and free to post. I love Craigslist...we've purchased all of our baby furniture for pennies on the dollar from the site) for a glider rocker and a changing table. The rocker doesn't have an ottoman, but I'm cool with that, if I need foot support I'd like a small footstool. It has the big plush cushions and it's red in color. Perfect for the room. I love color, but was becoming resigned to either a denim blue (yuck) or beige (boring). The only catch is, they're located about an hour north of us. So, yes, we're driving out there on Saturday. But, it's a super deal, worth the gas. And we might even get to get an IKEA trip in. Oh joy!
John is in Fishkill, NY for the next couple of days...leaving me with my homework and not much else. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get some housework done. I have been slacking off big time on that! I should. I'd also like to get my padded sling sewn. That won't take too long, and I need to adjust my unpadded sling as well...cut some tail off and make pockets.
I have my 36-week appointment tomorrow. I'm on the weekly visit schedule now. All my teachers know I'm expecting at this point...I told the last two today. I only have to make it through to the 25th of this month then the kid is welcome at any time. Ideally, I'll get a week to rest and finish up home projects, but, as long as school is done...everything else can wait.
Speaking of schoolwork, it's time to get some homework done and then...load the dishwasher. Small things add up in the long run.
In other tradition news, I was showered on Sunday by my friends and family. It was lovely. While I missed those who could not make it, those who did were a wonderful collection of old family friends, Aunts, cousins and close friends. We spent most of the time just chatting and enjoying each others company...and of course eating the spread put out by Mom and Sister M (my Mom's best friend and like family to us), who hosted at her lovely home. Little Baby T received some thoughtful and adorable gifts and our playroom library has been well stocked. Just perfect for the English major's baby. I mentioned to John in passing how much fun I was going to have reading to the baby, and he gave me a look and said, "I'm going to enjoy reading to the kid just as much." He loved the big collection of fairytales from around the world we received. Our kid won't need TV at this rate...
My diapers arrived. A box filled with little cloth coverings and poly/nylon wraps. It doesn't look like a $450 box...but it is. The company included a FAQ all about washing and caring for our cloth investment, so now we're both thinking about buying new detergents just for diaper washing. And kidlette clothes washing. Our laundry room is going to fill up...good thing we got the pedestal stand underneath the new washing machine. At least we'll be able to keep it somewhat organized.
Speaking of organized, I have found the last two pieces of furniture to complete the nursery. And, they came as a set. I found a posting on Craigslist (online for sale ads that are community specific and free to post. I love Craigslist...we've purchased all of our baby furniture for pennies on the dollar from the site) for a glider rocker and a changing table. The rocker doesn't have an ottoman, but I'm cool with that, if I need foot support I'd like a small footstool. It has the big plush cushions and it's red in color. Perfect for the room. I love color, but was becoming resigned to either a denim blue (yuck) or beige (boring). The only catch is, they're located about an hour north of us. So, yes, we're driving out there on Saturday. But, it's a super deal, worth the gas. And we might even get to get an IKEA trip in. Oh joy!
John is in Fishkill, NY for the next couple of days...leaving me with my homework and not much else. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get some housework done. I have been slacking off big time on that! I should. I'd also like to get my padded sling sewn. That won't take too long, and I need to adjust my unpadded sling as well...cut some tail off and make pockets.
I have my 36-week appointment tomorrow. I'm on the weekly visit schedule now. All my teachers know I'm expecting at this point...I told the last two today. I only have to make it through to the 25th of this month then the kid is welcome at any time. Ideally, I'll get a week to rest and finish up home projects, but, as long as school is done...everything else can wait.
Speaking of schoolwork, it's time to get some homework done and then...load the dishwasher. Small things add up in the long run.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Dr. D Says
I went in for my regular check-up this morning with Dr. D. Everything is groovy so far. My blood pressure is good, no (extra) swelling, and even my jump in weight is nothing to worry about.
It came time to check the baby's heart rate and our little wiggler wouldn't sit still. Dr. D had a reading going, when *swoosh* the kidlette moved and she had to start over again. After Dr. D finally got her reading, 168 beats/min, she looked at me and said, "You're having a girl, right?" I just said, "I don't know..." She answered, "I think you're having a girl, this baby acts like one."
So, Dr. D has weighed in on the "Girl" side of the argument.
In other baby related news, John and I have settled on our prospective names. Girl and boy. It's been a challenge, but we're both happy with the results. You'll have to ask me in person if you want to know what they are...
It came time to check the baby's heart rate and our little wiggler wouldn't sit still. Dr. D had a reading going, when *swoosh* the kidlette moved and she had to start over again. After Dr. D finally got her reading, 168 beats/min, she looked at me and said, "You're having a girl, right?" I just said, "I don't know..." She answered, "I think you're having a girl, this baby acts like one."
So, Dr. D has weighed in on the "Girl" side of the argument.
In other baby related news, John and I have settled on our prospective names. Girl and boy. It's been a challenge, but we're both happy with the results. You'll have to ask me in person if you want to know what they are...
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Random Thoughts on a Sunny Day
Today as I walked from class to the English Society Tea I passed the following happenings:
International Student Fair--Complete with food booths ranging from fresh crepes to shish-ke-bob and a stage where Muslim rappers were performing.
Student Protest--They staged a walkout and picket line to protest fee hikes across the Cal Sate system.
Science 2 BBQ--I'm not sure who the Science 2 students are...but the BBQ sure smelled good.
I also got flashed from across the street while waiting for my train home by a woman who just didn't understand how short her skirt was as she sat, knees open, at the bus stop. That was before she dropped her cell phone and did some weird contortionist moves to pick it up from behind her seat. That gave me a view I can only describe in terms of my birth class. She was ready for the side laying one leg up pushing position...but I'm not her OB/GYN.
In other news, the shirts were off everywhere as the pasty skinned begin to work on their summer tans! It's about 77 F outside and sunny as can be. The first thing I did when I got home was to flip on the fan and trade my t-shirt for a tank top. Yikes, I hate being sweaty. I should get used to it, it's not going to get any better any time soon.
My cold has been replaced with the discomfort of allergy nose...dry then runny...and itchy eyes and a sore throat. I'll ask the doc tomorrow if there's anything I can take for it. On the "plus" side, my sense of smell has climbed up again to the level it was when I first got pregnant. It had been dormant for a while. Today in class I was so grossed out by the smell of my classmates bad coffee. Ick. It could get ugly as everyone gets sweaty.
All in all, so far, not a bad day. Even with the creeping allergies. I hope the sun decides to stick around. Things are much more appealing that way.
International Student Fair--Complete with food booths ranging from fresh crepes to shish-ke-bob and a stage where Muslim rappers were performing.
Student Protest--They staged a walkout and picket line to protest fee hikes across the Cal Sate system.
Science 2 BBQ--I'm not sure who the Science 2 students are...but the BBQ sure smelled good.
I also got flashed from across the street while waiting for my train home by a woman who just didn't understand how short her skirt was as she sat, knees open, at the bus stop. That was before she dropped her cell phone and did some weird contortionist moves to pick it up from behind her seat. That gave me a view I can only describe in terms of my birth class. She was ready for the side laying one leg up pushing position...but I'm not her OB/GYN.
In other news, the shirts were off everywhere as the pasty skinned begin to work on their summer tans! It's about 77 F outside and sunny as can be. The first thing I did when I got home was to flip on the fan and trade my t-shirt for a tank top. Yikes, I hate being sweaty. I should get used to it, it's not going to get any better any time soon.
My cold has been replaced with the discomfort of allergy nose...dry then runny...and itchy eyes and a sore throat. I'll ask the doc tomorrow if there's anything I can take for it. On the "plus" side, my sense of smell has climbed up again to the level it was when I first got pregnant. It had been dormant for a while. Today in class I was so grossed out by the smell of my classmates bad coffee. Ick. It could get ugly as everyone gets sweaty.
All in all, so far, not a bad day. Even with the creeping allergies. I hope the sun decides to stick around. Things are much more appealing that way.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
42 Days and Counting...
It's gone from 40 weeks down to about 40 days. Time flies when you're having a baby.
John and I attended our childbirth class last Saturday. We did the intensive one day eight hour session...that ended up being about nine hours. Our instructor loved the topic, has been teaching classes and acting a professional doula and is currently six months pregnant. Great combination for a class...but it was hard to condense the information.
It was a different experience than what I thought it would be. I was prepared to be frightened by everything we didn't know yet...but it turns out I should be more scared of what everyone else didn't yet know. Was I really the only woman there who already knew (and practicing) what Kegel's are? I thought, foolish me, that most people in this day and age and in this area, would have read up on the basics and would be looking for some specifics from the class. Not so. In Santa Clara County only about 10% of all expecting women attend a birthing class. I wonder what the other 90% do? I know it's an option, but I thought most people would want to know what to expect when the big D-day arrives. I do. Also, Santa Clara County has the highest rate of epidural use in the nation at 98% of births. I'm not judging, because I am so willing to accept the epidural, but I'm at least going to try other things before the feeling in my legs is taken away. That idea kind of bothers me. Laugh all you want mom's who have been there...but we all have our own ideas about labor and how we would like it go.
John and I left thinking that for most couples there that day, this was the only preparation they would do. That's fine...it's at least some preparation. We had breathing techniques explained, comfort measures practiced and some alternative labor positions presented. I like the over-the-side-of-the-bed-squat-bar position. Sounds kind of kinky doesn't it? What was reassuring was the knowledge that John and I are preparing ourselves as much as we can. I think that will make a world of difference when the time comes. It will hopefully allow us to have a sense of control over what is happening...control in that we understand what is going on and what our options are. I will say, John was the best husband there. But, I might be biased.
Six more weeks...give or take. It's getting kind of scary. Yesterday I was bone tired and not feeling very peppy. I had a classmate look at me and go..."You look like you're done with being pregnant and ready to have a baby." Yesterday I might have felt that way...but today I'm just ready to make it through to finals. Yup. I have one month of school left, and only a couple weeks of actual instruction to go. My biggest concern is: What have I learned this semester? Lot's about stars, literature, and even something about myself. It's all kind of a jumble right now mapped out in papers and projects. I'll do all right. Keep your fingers crossed for the next 42 days...
John and I attended our childbirth class last Saturday. We did the intensive one day eight hour session...that ended up being about nine hours. Our instructor loved the topic, has been teaching classes and acting a professional doula and is currently six months pregnant. Great combination for a class...but it was hard to condense the information.
It was a different experience than what I thought it would be. I was prepared to be frightened by everything we didn't know yet...but it turns out I should be more scared of what everyone else didn't yet know. Was I really the only woman there who already knew (and practicing) what Kegel's are? I thought, foolish me, that most people in this day and age and in this area, would have read up on the basics and would be looking for some specifics from the class. Not so. In Santa Clara County only about 10% of all expecting women attend a birthing class. I wonder what the other 90% do? I know it's an option, but I thought most people would want to know what to expect when the big D-day arrives. I do. Also, Santa Clara County has the highest rate of epidural use in the nation at 98% of births. I'm not judging, because I am so willing to accept the epidural, but I'm at least going to try other things before the feeling in my legs is taken away. That idea kind of bothers me. Laugh all you want mom's who have been there...but we all have our own ideas about labor and how we would like it go.
John and I left thinking that for most couples there that day, this was the only preparation they would do. That's fine...it's at least some preparation. We had breathing techniques explained, comfort measures practiced and some alternative labor positions presented. I like the over-the-side-of-the-bed-squat-bar position. Sounds kind of kinky doesn't it? What was reassuring was the knowledge that John and I are preparing ourselves as much as we can. I think that will make a world of difference when the time comes. It will hopefully allow us to have a sense of control over what is happening...control in that we understand what is going on and what our options are. I will say, John was the best husband there. But, I might be biased.
Six more weeks...give or take. It's getting kind of scary. Yesterday I was bone tired and not feeling very peppy. I had a classmate look at me and go..."You look like you're done with being pregnant and ready to have a baby." Yesterday I might have felt that way...but today I'm just ready to make it through to finals. Yup. I have one month of school left, and only a couple weeks of actual instruction to go. My biggest concern is: What have I learned this semester? Lot's about stars, literature, and even something about myself. It's all kind of a jumble right now mapped out in papers and projects. I'll do all right. Keep your fingers crossed for the next 42 days...
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