Baby School Dropout

The modus operandi for my pregnancy has been peace, and I've run (not walked) away from things that have caused stress. And it's worked for me. Sure, now that I'm approaching beach ball proportions, I'm realizing I should own a bottle or diaper or something. But I've just had this overwhelming feeling that everything will be ok. So I have chosen not to worry, well about basically anything.

That all changed when I went to childbirth class.

I don't know who these classes are for, but I've given it some thought:

• People who are worried sick, so the "worst case scenarios" they present are actually comforting
  
• People who are under the impression that they are still in control, even when giving birth
  
• People who are mentally challenged (I mean, I'm pretty sure I KNOW how to breathe already)
  

So to cut to the chase, I made it through to the potty break for the first class. Then I bolted and didn't look back. Poor Kirk (the saint) stayed till the bitter end, and I picked him up after. Besides the not-funny intro joke (you'd better take naps now, since it will be the last you take for 20 years, ha ha), I learned everything I needed to know in the first 5 minutes.

"When your contractions are 5-7 minutes apart for over an hour, call your doctor and go to the hospital." Let's see, maybe I should chill out at home beyond that? Nah, I think I'll head on over to check things out. Got it.

At the second class, I got some much-needed solitaire playing time in. And instead of the third class, we're going to Chili's with the neighbors. My neighbor Matt assures me that he'll tell the kid we were far too cool to waste brain cells on those classes.

So I'm back into peace mode. I'm getting ready for the whole family to descend next week (since I can no longer travel). I have takeout menus, and I'm not afraid to use them! Peace be to everyone this holiday season!

Eight months and counting!

Showered with Surprises

I've always loved going over to our friends the Fosters in Portland. Of course, their house is fabulous. But it's Irene's natural hospitality that makes you feel so special and yet comfortable at the same time.

On my trip to Portland, my book club of 9 years planned to get together while I was there.

Only it wasn't a book club – it was a surprise shower for me and the muffin. I feel too old for a shower, but there is no denying that having your baby celebrated by those you love is simply priceless. So I embraced it. Here are my girls who were there (minus Sarah, who was taking the picture).

We had an amazing dinner, played fun games (thanks, Margit - although I stunk at "guess the price" and the word scramble!), and sat around telling stories of pregnancy, childbirth and beyond (well, they told stories; I sat listening wide eyed).

“Where did my abs go?” OR “When are you due?”

Three weeks ago (when I was six months and three weeks pregnant), no one would have dared ask if I was pregnant. They would instead allude to my pregnancy by asking, "Do you have children?" I always get a kick out of this. Yes, I will soon have the one you are staring at right now!

But a week or two ago, everything changed. Suddenly, everyone wants to know when I'm due. I think they really just want to confirm that they are onto my little secret of being pregnant. After all, how can they respond to "February 8" with anything but "ohhhh."

Of course they can continue the questions if they wish – "do you know what you're having?" I've found there's a secret Alliance of People Who Don't Find Out. They minute you tell them you're waiting to find out when it's born, they instantly feel a bond if either A) they've been pregnant and didn't find out, or B) they've ever known anyone in their lives that didn't find out. I personally love this little bond. I can only imagine that if I were to say "boy" or "girl," I'd get another "ohhhh."

I spent Thanksgiving with Kirk and my parents in Ruidoso, and I think I grew exponentially there. I'm not sure if it was the little muffin growing or the non-stop eating, but I definitely look like a different pregnant person now. I even had a first – someone I didn't know reaching out and rubbing my belly. I've always heard about this phenomenon, and I couldn't imagine that it would bother me. And it didn't, but it's just so… strange! I wonder what people would do if I reached right back out and patted them on the butt.

I just went to the grocery store in what I would consider an incognito outfit – sweatpants and my trusty (and generously sized) Life is Good sweatshirt. The perfect foil to a big belly. And still, the checker asked, "When are you due?" I was shocked that she could tell, but upon hearing the blessed day, she responded with the ever-popular "ohhhh." But this time, she followed up with a little anecdote about how her cousin had gotten huge all of a sudden at seven months too. Thank you, Miss Checker! In case you're wondering, I responded to her little story with "ohhhh."

The last little tidbit today is that getting up or especially reaching down to get things off the floor is suddenly a rigmarole. It's like my abs have deserted me. Who knew abs were so important? Getting things from the floor is often accompanied by an attractive little grunt. But more often than I care to admit, I just leave said item on the floor, deciding it's not really worth it to get it.

I remember when I first was pregnant, and I couldn't relate to all those women with beach balls under their shirts. No matter how far along I am, it's just impossible for me to believe I'm becoming one of them! Oh well, I've re-upped my commitment to stay peaceful with the knowledge I'm not in control, and I'll be practicing this lots over the next two and a half months, I'm sure.

The love of a (grand)child

My mom's reaction to my being pregnant has been slightly unexpected and extremely wonderful. She's had three grandkids, so I wasn't sure another one would be all that exciting for her. But I have felt blessed and overwhelmed at how thrilled and connected she's been to the whole experience.

From the start, she's wanted frequent updates, and has been anxious to hear about every doctor appointment, kick, even the aches and pains of pregnancy.

I must admit she's vying for a little girl, and it has been killing her to not know the gender yet. She's been chomping at the bit to buy a few things for the little muffin. I haven't been very congenial, not really wanting to give in to all the "must haves" of a new baby. But there's one thing I wanted, and it's a fabulous glider chair. So she just bought us this one. We're so excited! In the picture, you can really see the gliding action at the bottom, but in real life, it looks like a sleek simple chair.

But the glider just wasn't enough for mom. She also broke down and bought some adorable paper doll material to make a little blanket, with chocolate brown and white polka dot fabric for trim and super soft pink fabric for the lining. It cracked me up! But it's so cute that of course I didn't protest.

While I was at her house for Thanksgiving, she spent a lot of time rubbing and talking to my belly. "Hey little muffin, this is Dee Dee!" And little muffin obliged, kicking a couple of times that mom got to feel. It was incredibly special. There's nothing like your husband and mom yelling at your belly and then getting a reaction to get you a little misty.

Speaking of misty, I have found my emotions are running a little high this week. Today in yoga, we were supposed to put one hand on our heart and one on our belly and send loving thoughts to our baby. Am I the only one in class that got totally choked up? Everyone keeps telling me this will change my life, but the truth is, it already has. From the start, I've loved this little baby so much, and I can only imagine the feeling once it actually arrives! Although I have literally bought not one thing for it (nor outfitted a nursery), I can't wait!

PS My mom and dad were talking, and she told him she just can't wait for the baby. And my dad agreed, saying he couldn't either. Having people love the baby before it's born as much as you do is the very definition of blessed.

Seven month ultrasound - Crazy!!

This was an unscheduled ultrasound, but there was a professor in my doctor's office that needed a guinea pig. I mean, HELLO, bonus ultrasound! Kirk had wanted a 3D one, but I think they are creepy. Well will you look at this little muffin??? It's the least creepy one I've ever seen!! People in the ultrasound room think the baby's nose and mouth look like mine, and I said that's ok as long as it has Kirk's demeaner!!

A couple points: 1) The left side of the face is NOT deformed - those are its fingers up to the face, like with the elbow out; 2) that is NOT hair - supposedly it's just a shadow, so there is hope for getting the Wescott hair gene yet! :); 3) I'm not sure what to say about its little nose, or shall I say PRONOUNCED nose?! That is Definitely a Wescott thing, so we shall see.

Seven months and one week!

Six months and one week - can you even get over it?

Amazing day with our little mover and shaker!

I've been feeling the little muffin move for a couple of weeks now. What an amazing experience!

But I've been sad that Kirk hasn't been able to share in it. The few times I've felt him/her kick, it's been so sporadic that by the time Kirk gets his hand on my belly, it's gone.

This morning was a big show! Feeling movement, I quietly reached over and put Kirk's hand on my stomach, not even telling him to shut his eyes and concentrate (as usual). And within moments, he felt it!

Kirk's reaction to things like this has to be one of my favorite parts of being pregnant. It's all in his eyeballs. They get so big when he's excited, and he was very, very excited this morning.

Here comes mama bear!

I had the most interesting experience today. I've been having back pain, so I went to see a chiropractor. I asked her all sorts of questions about her experience with pregnant women. But when she went to "adjust" me, she had me kind of hunched over, and I felt like she was going to sort of shove my abdomen into the table.

That did it. I started crying. I said I didn't want her to do anything anywhere near the baby and that I would live with the pain, but please don't do anything that might hurt my baby. A few weeks ago, I was on a plane that had hydraulics trouble, and that had been the first time I felt like my reaction to something was totally different, knowing I had a baby inside me.

Now there on that table, I couldn't stand thinking anything might harm my baby. I was ready to put up with whatever it took to ensure this.

Maybe I have more maternal instincts than I knew.