Classy

The S.O. and I spent most of our weekend at a prepared childbirth class. We opted for the two-day weekend express to get it done, rather than spread it out over four weeks and risk missing one (something always comes up, doesn't it?).

It was very informative. We've done a lot of reading but nothing quite compares with seeing where you will give birth and watching the video of a baby entering the world. Here's how I know I'm ready for this: When they showed a video of a baby crowning, then being delivered and placed on Mom's belly, I got choked up and tears came to my eyes. That same image a year ago would have elicited an "ugh," and I probably would have watched the scene through my fingers -- if at all.

Instead, I was fascinated, touched -- and a bit jealous. She was done! She had her baby and now gets to move on to the actual parenting part. The only part that didn't make me feel all motherly was when, as the baby's head emerged, Mom asked, "Does it look like a baby?" All I could think was, "No. It looks like my grandpa."

But when they gave us a tour of the birth center and stopped by the nursery (where there were just two babies because the hospital has a "room-in" policy) I oohed and aahed with everyone else -- and almost got choked up again. (Damn these pregnancy hormones!)

It was nice to see where we'll deliver our baby and where we'll get to hang out after he's born. In addition to the tour and videos, we got to practice some breathing and relaxation techniques. It has suddenly dawned on the S.O. that labor and delivery isn't going to be a walk in the park for either one of us. I think he really believed he'd get to just sit and play Angry Birds while I did all the work. Instead he'll be helping me focus, rubbing my back, holding me up when I need it and being available to my every beck and call and crazy laboring momma whim.

We still have a long way to go and plenty of things to buy before we're really ready for Baby, but the class definitely made us feel better informed and more emotionally ready. As a bonus, I think it brought us closer to each other -- we really are in this together.

Friday cuteness

I know I am completely biased, but I think my little alien is just too cute. Check out his latest ultrasound picture.

His little round button nose and his chubby cheeks make him look like his daddy.

We also got a good look at his wee wee-wee, and he was hanging on to it. I told the S.O. he's the one who gets to tell the boy that it's OK to touch it, just not in front of other people.

In other news, his heart looked and sounded good, he's got both kidneys, and the size of his head indicates about 33 weeks growth (the tech said they don't get too excited about head size at this point because they're all so different. I just hope his head isn't too big.) The tech estimated his weight at about 4 pounds.

They'll now compare these numbers to the numbers from our 20-week ultrasound and see how he's progressing. It seems to me like he's percolating just the way he should and will be here before we know it.

Week 31: Two months to go, two months to grow

Just this morning it occurred to me that I have just over two months left before I get to meet Baby. Part of me can't believe it will be here so quickly. Another part of me -- the part that just keeps getting bigger and bigger -- can't believe it's going to be so long.

We saw the doctor this morning, and my weight is good, my growth is good, and Baby's heartbeat is strong. We will have another ultrasound in a week or two to check Baby's growth. Oh, and my glucose levels were very good so I don't have to worry about gestational diabetes. Whew!

When I got home from the doctor, my e-mail newsletter from Fit Pregnancy was sitting in my mailbox. It tells me:

Your baby weighs between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 pounds. She continues to gain weight at a faster pace than she lengthens, which will give her those cute chubby cheeks. She's about fourteen to sixteen inches tall, although individual growth rates vary. Your baby begins to run out of room as she puts on weight. You should feel about ten kicks an hour.

They go on to say that some care providers may suggest keeping a "kick chart" (mine hasn't) by writing down how many kicks you feel in an hour, so that you are aware if there's a decrease in activity. Baby is so active at certain parts of the day, I don't know if I could keep track of the number of kicks he gives me then. As I've mentioned before, he seems to quiet down when other people want to feel him kick.

I find myself thinking about this summer -- outings and trips to see family and such -- and it is so strange to me to imagine those things with Baby in tow. I know a baby changes your life and I'm ready (as ready as I'll ever be) for that but it still feels strange.

Most-Awesome Friend

Yesterday, my good (and extremely talented) friend, known here on the Internet as Jackadillo Princess, brought me two huge boxes of baby clothes. The clothes range from newborn to 12 months. Look at these boxes:

They are also damn cute. Here's a sample:

Football footies!

Polka dots!

Paw print on the butt!

I had three older brothers, so I grew up with hand-me-downs from my closest girl cousin. Sometimes it was great. Sometimes not so much. As a parent, I definitely see the appeal -- and practicality -- of hand-me-downs. It's especially great when I'm really the only one who cares what he wears. I'm pretty sure Baby would be happy -- and totally cute -- naked. But getting these clothes sure makes me feel like I'm that much closer to being ready (or closer to as ready as I'll ever be).

Thank you, Most-Awesome Friend!

It's delightful

My good friend over at Grandma's Briefs writes about delight today, asking "When did you last experience delight, by any definition?"

In answer to that question I'll tell you about my afternoon yesterday. Because I am due late April, which falls right toward the end of our tutoring sessions, I decided to take this semester off from my duties as a site coordinator with our local children's literacy center. However, I have acted -- and will act -- as a substitute when I can.

Yesterday afternoon I covered two sessions at one of our library sites. And while I find that particular site coordinator to be a -- ahem -- challenge, the students and tutors at her site were delightful, especially one little girl who couldn't help herself and put both hands on my tummy. "Is it in there?" she asked.

If an adult had done the same thing, he or she would probably have gotten slugged (unless it was a friend who asked first) but this little girl was so cute and so gentle, I couldn't help but be delighted. It is probably one of the sweetest things that's happened to me in a long time.

Naturally, Baby picked that time to be completely still. He'd been kicking and wiggling and squirming most of the day, including early in the morning while I was trying to sleep. But when this sweet little girl wanted to feel just a tiny little kick? Nothing.

I think he just likes being contrary. I can't imagine where he gets it.

Week 30: OMG! Did I just type 30?

I had a dentist appointment this morning, and my wonderful hygienist was so thrilled to see my expanding waistline, we spent several minutes just chatting about the pregnancy. Last time I saw her I was technically pregnant but didn't know, and in those first few weeks, I did everything wrong. I had dental X-rays. I ate sushi. I drank beer. My doctor has assured me that Baby was merely going through cell division at that time and there was little chance of my hurting him way back then. And that huge lead apron must have done something to protect those little dividing cells, because here I am: 30 weeks pregnant.

Fit Pregnancy tells me at 30 weeks:

"Baby's length is about 16 inches—about as long as a laptop computer—and she measures almost 11 inches from crown to rump. She weighs approximately 2 1/2 to 3 pounds. From now until delivery, every baby will gain weight at a more individual rate. Your baby has doubled in height over the past six weeks, and from now until delivery, she'll gain only a few more inches in length."

Baby's brain continues to develop, and they tell me, his eyes are able to track light.

"Some researchers have theorized that exposing your belly to light may stimulate development. Try moving the beam of a flashlight slowly over your belly in a dim room, and see if she reacts."

If I try that, I will let you know the results. Baby is so active these days, I don't know if it would be a fair test, though.

They also say my belly is about the size of a watermelon (so now we're comparing me to food) but I'd say it's more like a basketball and reminds me of my medicine ball workouts from last summer.

One thing they don't tell me is how Baby seems to occupy all my waking thoughts. There are all so many things that have to center on Baby: doctor's appointments, eating habits, birth classes and other preparations. But even when I try to do things that don't center around Baby, he wiggles and brings my mind back to him. Did other moms experience this? Does it ever stop or is your child(ren) always on your mind, forever and ever?

Love is in the air

Happy Valentine's Day!