| May 12, 2004 36 weeks 4 weeks to go! 1 week until school is out! Quotes of the moment: "When you can't speak anymore, call us."---Birthclass Teacher/Nurse, about when to call and plan on coming on to the hospital. "Plan on wearing your glasses because your eyes will be dry during labor. Also bring some chapstick, as your lips get chapped. You will also be required to wear socks."--Birthclass Teacher/Nurse "I will be feeling SO pretty."--me to Chris What's going on with baby: "Your baby is still putting on the pounds...about an ounce a day. He weighs between five and six pounds and is about eighteen inches long. You may feel an increased pressure in your lower abdomen and notice that your baby is gradually dropping. (I can feel that for sure!) Can you tell my butt is draggin'? All I can find the energy for lately is throwing a load of laundry in the washer while I watch my reality shows on tv. If I'm lucky, I remember to throw it in the dryer, so I don't get that yucky "been hanging around in the washer too long" smell and have to redo the wash... It's been great having Chris back from the second shift. He's been doing his thing---he picks me up from school (on the days we want to leave his car in front of our house to keep the rednecks at bay), we chill out talking and listening to music on the way home, then we come home and he makes dinner after doing his Playstation Relaxation Thing. That College Football game is his favorite thing in the Playstation world, I believe! :) That's usually when I take a nap or catch up on the TWOP forums. ***************** Physically, I'm doing well. Luke rolls around a lot and likes to ram against my bladder, so it's lots of fun to pee all the time. He discovered my ribcage a few weeks ago and likes lounging with his feet up there... This morning I felt kind of PMS-y, like you are before you start your period, and I wondered if it meant anything. It felt kind of neat to feel like that again---felt "like the old Jen" if that makes any sense... ********************************* After my visit to the doctor next Wednesday (the last day of work! YAY!) then I start going every week until I deliver. That seems amazing to me (like how quickly did this go?) and at the same time it seems like it's taken forever, that I've been pregnant FOREVER...I'm as ready as I'm gonna be, so let's bring him on! I wonder if he'll have any hair...if he does have hair, I wonder if it will be brown, black, or blonde---since Chris was a tad blonde when he was little bitty... ********************************** Stacy W., my friend and doula, is coming over tonight to help me learn some relaxation techniques, since it doesn't take much to send me over the edge when it comes to stuff around my nether regions..I wish I could just get knocked out and they could wake me when it is all over to show me my baby! :) .Last doctor's visit, I had to get the Group B Strep test done down there. It wasn't too bad, but I just really hate showing my bottom to people. It's just not right! I guess I'll have to check my dignity at the door when the time comes. ****************************************** I've been practicing my "swaddling technique" with my old Cabbage Patch Doll, Nick, and carrying him around, seeing how the dogs react. Trashdog (tm) just seems out of it, not noticing, but Frank wants to see what it is I'm carrying around, and if it's for him. He is very curious, but very patient too, especially when he sees me and Chris being very careful and slow with the fake baby. He watches me put it in the crib and seems so interested... I found Theo the cat on the changing pad the other day. Great. I guess he finds it comfortable. Now I've learned to close the door to the nursery. I hate that because I like walking past it and admiring how pretty it turned out. It seems very peaceful---I know, I know, after the baby is here, it won't seem all that peaceful anymore! Ha. ******************* I had a mini-shower the other night, where I met a few co-workers from the English department at Ruby Tuesdays. I got a diaper genie and a bunch of clothes for Luke. Chris and I were also treated to a surprise shower for us and the baby this past Saturday evening at his boss's house. We got a Pack and Play, baby monitor, diapers, bouncy seat, snot plucker/sucker (heh), and some other great things! Angie is giving me a shower this Saturday and that will be fun, seeing friends (hopefully!) I haven't seen in a while since I became a hermit... and family (Donna and Meggan are coming too!). ******************** Added---Thursday, May 13 Stacy came by last night and we three watched some birthing videos and talked about what we expected out of each other and what I wanted during the birth--namely, I would TRY her suggestions for stuff, but she had to leave me alone when I asked for an epidural. She wants me to put off having that until I absolutely have to. When I start to go into labor, she's coming over to the house and we'll hang out there until we hit the stage where you have to go to the hospital---not a big deal, as the hospital is across the street. ****** I did a little bit of nesting last night when I was organizing the baby's room and sorting his clothes and burp clothes into piles to be washed. Chris kidded me about it. ******** It's now Thursday morning and I'm sitting in a very quiet classroom. The kids are taking their final exam. I feel very sad for some of my seniors---some won't be graduating, despite all the extra chances and extra credit I've offered. (That part makes me NOT sad about them. I feel worse for their parents, actually...having to call relatives and tell them not to come to the graduation next Tuesday. Then again, why weren't these parents involved? Why weren't they on their kid's butt to get their stuff done? Why am I so tender hearted? I need to just say, "Tough." I also find it horrible that we, the teachers, have to call the house of every failing student on Monday, to tell them the news. That will be lots of fun. I hope I get lots of answering machines. ********* last next |