How my pregnant mind works

The other night I had a dream that I was walking and just got so tired I had to sit down in the middle of the sidewalk. When I got back up people were in a big hurry behind me and I just turned around and yelled at them, "give me some space and be patient! Can't you see I'm 8 months pregnant?!?!?"

I was so excited about our successful pediatrician visit and also about scoring a(nother) steal of a deal from Craig's List. We bought a hardly used Tiny Love Gymini Play Mat (regularly $60) for $15. I felt like we were making so much progress, we came home and I cleaned up a little, and wasn't tired at all.

When 3 am rolled around, I was wide awake as can be, worrying about "urgent" things such as making sure we put sheets on our fold out bed for when my mom comes, and putting a hairbrush in my hospital bag and what we should stock up on at Costco before the baby comes so we don't have to worry after she's born.

This is much different than my Sunday which was spent taking three, yes THREE naps, falling asleep during a movie that night and then sleeping through the entire night.

and tonight I'm exhausted.

Pediatrician? Check!

Phew, one more thing (and a big one) off the list of things to do - especially since the hospital won't let us leave without having selected a pediatrician. Lane and I met with Dr. Welman today and were very pleased. Her office is just 2 miles away from us. We met with her and a nurse; they both were very friendly and gave us lots of good information.

Before meeting with Dr. Welman, I did what any sane person would do, I googled her. Here's what I found: http://www.americaspromise.org/APAGallery.aspx?id=6916 Click on her picture to watch the video and you'll see why I knew I'd like her before we'd even met.

She went to UC San Francisco, provided care to migrant workers in Salinas, CA for a while, and just has a huge heart and desire to help everyone have the right foundation and health care. Much different than the doctor who wanted to charge me $90 just to talk to them about whether or not I wanted to go to their practice.

Relief. Now if only we can cross some of these other items off our list.

Week 36

On the one hand, I feel like I have a month left to go, which is comforting because there are still many things to be done before this baby is born - finish up our room, install the car seat, find the pediatrician, take a load of stuff to goodwill so baby items fit in our closets, cook and freeze food so we can eat after baby arrives, clean, clean some more, etc.

On the other hand, it could really be much less time. Our child birth class instructor had her baby when she was 36 weeks and 4 days pregnant! It's so hard to believe that we could have our baby any time now. So yesterday I did the only thing that seemed reasonable and necessary given this impending deadline - I got a pedicure. Heavenly.

Over the weekend I (mostly) packed our bag for the hospital. There are a few more things I need to get together, but don't worry, I have a list inside the bag of the last remaining things we need. We also made a huge trip to Babies R Us and bought loads of things that we'll need and thanks to our generous family and co-workers, we paid for it all with gift cards!!

Baby Grover was "head down" at my last doctor appointment. I start going every week from now on. It's so amazing to think that she already has hair on her head, her finger and toe nails are all done, and that she probably has little dimples on her arms and legs. We're excited to meet her.

Staying Cool

It was pretty warm over the weekend, though nothing like last. We stayed cool by going to the pool at our apartment on Friday and Sunday. It's so relaxing to just hang out and read by the pool. The water is super comfortable. I'm usually a giant sissy about getting in water, but I just step right in. And, my big belly feels so much smaller and weightless, although the second I step out of the water, it feels like I'm carrying a giant bowling ball.


Since I never posted a pic of my bathing suit wearing shennanigans in the Outer Banks, here's one before we went out to the pool yesterday. When I sit down, I can't see my bikini bottom at all. I guess I just have to trust that it's there.

Baby Preparations Update

Thursday night the weirdest thing happened. I woke up around 3 am and realized I was starving! Maybe it was because we had an early dinner the night before, but this has never happened before. I layed in bed for a while thinking, "I can't eat in the middle of the night, that's too crazy!" But I was wide awake, and after much deliberation, got myself out of bed, ate some string cheese, and happily drifted back to sleep. That was a first.

The other day I started looking into some daycare centers in Crystal City. One of them emailed me letting me know their wait list for infants is... (you're going to love this)... ELEVEN MONTHS! Fabulous! I'm going to check out some other places also, but I thought this was kind of ridiculous. I'm really surprised at myself. I'm usually totally OCD Planner Girl and this whole pregnancy/baby thing has kept me really laid back. I'm much more easy-breezy and not really worried about things coming together (SOOOO unlike me). Even now, I figure there are other places, and anyway, it can't hurt to get on a waiting list. I bet people have to give up spots because they aren't ready when their turn becomes available. Plus, there are some family home day cares I can look into as well.

Our infant carseat arrived in the mail yesterday. I really like it. We found out already though that there's a voluntary recall on the base. There are two ways you can attach it in the car - with this LATCH system that doesn't use the seatbelt, or with the seatbelt. They've found a potential problem with the LATCH system, and the carseat is perfectly fine to use with the seatbelt. But we've already arranged to be sent a new base. Here's the link if anyone wants or needs more info: http://www.chiccocarseatrecall.com/

This weekend I will be doing Take 2 for Hospital Bag packing. I've made a list of what we need to bring. Now I just need to do some laundry and get it done. I've already packed our new diaper bag with a few items for the baby including a cutie outfit to wear home and some of Auntie Theresa's burp cloths just cos.

My friend Jessica's niece was born at Sibley on Wednesday. She was in Michigan at the time, and couldn't get in touch with them. When she texted me asking for visiting hours at Sibley, I cleverly decided I'd give her the number for Labor & Delivery so she could be transferred to her sister's room. I suddenly realized I had no idea what that phone number was and spent a while looking it up on the hospital website, thankful that we weren't in the midst of labor while we were finding out this information. Now, the number is safely stored in my cell phone. phew. I also stored the number for my short term disability claim at work. Seriously, when you're thinking about the people you're going to call after the baby's born, MetLife insurance just doesn't come to mind.

We may venture to Babies R Us this weekend to use our gift cards and stock up on more baby supplies. I also have high hopes of us donating a load of stuff to the goodwill to make more closet space for said baby supplies.

Lots to do, and not much time left!

Week 35

35 Weeks pregnant, only 35 days to go, and I still need to get that hospital bag packed. Baby Grover's physical development is practically complete, but she's still putting on the finishing touches. She continues to put on weight, which will help her regulate her body temperature after she's born.

The temps here have been a little out of control. I've been managing well by staying indoors as much as possible and drinking insane amounts of water.

My work had a very sweet baby shower for us three pregnant ladies yesterday.

I'm due on the 15th, Phebean's due on the 17th, and Kristin is due on the 18th!!

Wish Me Luck

Well, it appears the summer is upon us. Temps this weekend are expected to be in the 90s with a heat index of about 110. I have a feeling I will be putting our swimming pool to good use.