Making it work when it all seems like it might fall apart...

My husband has to go to LA for work, there's no way around it and I could have this baby any day now. I'm terrified that I'll go into labor with him in So. Cal and that he won't be back in time or that I'll have to labor a long time without him. So....I'm packing my hospital bag and a few essentials and going with him. If CC chooses to come out and play, he'll be an L.A. baby....

To be continued

Our trip to LA was eventful :-) J is working is butt off trying to keep clients happy and quiet which can be impossible.  We were able to grab some couple time at the W and then some good food around LA but it could never compare to SF for me :-) 

The photo above is from the Getty museum which is absolutely beautiful.  I would definitely reccommend it and would have liked to spend more time there but CC started acting up.  We saw a great photog exhibit and a nice section on impressionists, including my fav, Monet, which is always exciting.

 No baby news during the trip although there have definitely been some wierd sensations that signal we're in a whole new stage now...I'll keep you posted.  The hospital bags are packed!

The Last Meal vs. The First Meal :-)

I love to eavesdrop on random conversations on topics including what people would choose for their hypothetical "last meal".  Lately the preggie boards are booming with what people will choose to drink as their "first drink" alcoholic of course, post baby.  I find myself day dreaming about the first meal...especially since I learned that the hospital starves you during labor.  I know...starves sounds dramatic.  They don't want you to puke or have any problems if they have to put you under in an emergency...therefore clear fluids only.

I could barely get myself out to walk  tonight but convinced myself to do laps around the farmer's market downtown.  It was there that I discovered VANILLA MOON BAKERY.  

How could I have not known about this place? It's a tiny little bakery that resembles a family owned "citizen cake" with a bazillion different delicious cupcakes...so many that I couldn't decide! I think post baby it should be an auto order of 2 doz mix!  My entree would be a toss up between Refuge's cheeseburger and Town's flank steak Mmmm.  To drink you ask?  My old standby, a malibu and coke...but there is that stigma about hard alcohol and breastfeeding.  I'd probably have to go with a glass of percico, a sparkling wine that Jose and I recently discovered...similar to a champagne but so much better!

Any Day Now...

I love that everyone (including complete strangers) likes to comment on how CC could make his arrival "any day now"....if I only had a dollar for every time I heard that one - CC's college fund would be nice and fat.

The general discomfort, emotional bouts, and crankiness have set in with 38 days to go.  Most of my friends are saying "it's about time", J I think is just proud I've made it this far.  I'm ready to reclaim my body and hormones or at least get that process started. Today is officially my 1st week at my new position - Domestic Affairs CEO.  (J likes to note that he is CIO :-) I don't know quite what to do with myself. My to do list is long and yet a nap always sounds like a good idea these days.

This week is again full of appointments including the car seat fitting inspection at LPCH, a *free* infant/child cpr class I found through my preggie fitness class and trying to nail down a time to meet our pediatrician who is pretty booked.  Friday we go back to the OB and will see if she will clear me to fly with J in his upcoming trip - as of last week CC is head down but no other progress indicators.  She likes to comment on what a big baby he is becoming which is getting annoying - I explained to her that most of my siblings and I were 8-9lbs (I was 9 lb 8 oz) to which  she just says - you don't want a 9lb baby, maybe he'll come a couple of weeks early. Sounds good to me :-)

7 weeks / 2 days to go

But who's counting? It seems as if summer is flying by with or without me and yet I'm anxious to hold my baby boy. J and I barely had time to breathe in June with all the events and (his) travel. I'm happy we're into July with a slower pace now. J and I spent the 4th putting together what we could in Charlie's room and setting up things like the diaper genie so it's less of a cluster when we first come home. Don't get me wrong - I expect a full cluster - just trying to prep a few things to make it easier on ourselves. I think a sign of strength in a marriage is whether or not you can effectively put together a bunch of stuff with picture instructions and a gazillion parts without having someone sleep on the couch afterwards :-) Normally I would find something else to do in another room but J and I did so well this time around and that makes me feel proud, that's right, I don't mind saying it!

On Sunday we ventured into the city to twin peaks and fort point (under the golden gate). Twin Peaks boasts almost panoramic views of SF and I HIGHLY reccommend it - never even heard about it before this weekend! Fort point was amazing and scary and beautiful - it brought a whole new perspective. In the park shop we stopped for lunch and Jose discovered several children's books that we decided CC MUST have. Not only am I anxious to meet this baby but I am soooo anxious for him to know his Daddy who I love more than anything in this world.

31 Weeks

According to fitpregnancy.com we have 10 weeks/0 days to go...
You 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. Some care providers suggest keeping a "kick chart" by writing down how many kicks you feel in an hour, so that you are aware if there's a decrease in activity. Other care providers may advise that as long as it feels like the baby's active, there's no need to keep notes. If you do sense a decrease in activity, try drinking a large glass of juice. If that doesn't make the baby energized, or makes her less energized than she usually would be, call your care provider.

By now your sleep is likely compromised, big-time: You probably need to go to the bathroom several times a night and you're also having trouble sleeping because there isn't a comfortable position that works. The "nesting" instinct is likely to kick in soon, if it hasn't already, as you attempt to get everything done while you still can, from tying up loose ends at work and reorganizing closets to baking cookies and sorting socks. Take advantage of your pregnant form and get others to pitch in.
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Last night CC started "thunder kicks" which feel more like a small earthquake then the teenie kicks we started with or the more recent olympic kicks. I don't know if he's rolling around or what is going on in there but I think he's pretending he's on the show "Prison Break".

J and I both like our new OB and we're getting comfortable with the idea of delivering at our neighborhood hospital. We had our gestational diabetes test so keep your fingers crossed for us - otherwise all is normal and healthy. The gross sugar solution was torture enough! Someone should tell you that it might make you sick...I felt like I needed someone to drive me home.

I'm a crazy nester now and frantic about having EVERYTHING the baby could need. I'm trying to finely focus on the absolute necessities but let's face it my mind is a-boggle.

Father's Day & New OB

Happy Belated Father's day to all of you. J and I celebrated yesterday quietly after we got home t after spending a full weekend with family. Unfortunately I have a really bad head cold so I wasn't able to treat J as much as I would have liked to :-( CC and I gave the expectant father a new - super tool set so that he can be Mr. Fix It and Mr. Put it together. He tore it apart and put it all back together like a kid at xmas and I loved every minute!

Last week we met our new OB so we can officially change over and deliver at Sequoia Hospital. We both really like our new doc and will miss our old team but we're making good changes.

Summer school has started today and J is uber busy at work so we're just trying to keep up for now. More soon...

The Update - 29 Weeks Pregnant

12 weeks & 0 days to go!
Oh Baby CC- how I love you already my little Alien friend. I can't wait to hold you...

For weeks I have been reading that babies during this time period develop their own active/resting cycles and Charlie certainly has his. He thinks it's quite funny to be active (roll and kick) at my bedtime (9-11ish pm) and again at 4:00 in the morning every day now. When J has his arm around me he gets kicked too which I think is only fair :-) CC goes to sleep usually by 5:30 and wakes around the time that I'm instructing my students which creates a lot of laughter as I have to ask them to read back to me what I just said. While we don't see footprints yet you can definitely "see" his kicks through my stomach wall which is a trip.

As far as the "how are you feeling question"... I'm slowing down a bit, definitely more tired and emotional with the end of the school year. I'm hoping a week off and the start of summer school will give me a fresh focus. I'm really looking forward to our baby shower

P.S. We're going to see a new OB next week so we can deliver at our choice hospital - keep your fingers crossed for us!