La La Land

I decided last night I needed chicken wings after seeing mention of buffalo chicken somewhere (this happens all the time - someone will mention a food and I HAVE TO EAT IT). I called in the order, picked up The Husband and went to retrieve the spicy goodness. Upon arriving, I argued over a 50 cent discrepancy in the bill for a good five minutes. There were tons of people in line. They were busy but I had a problem! When it was all said and done and I got my receipt fixed (I still don't think that they saw the error - they just wanted to shut me up), I felt so guilty that I tipped the guy a dollar.

The Husband stood there stoically the entire time. "But they were ripping us off!" I tried to explain. He just shook his head. The wife he knew and loved has vacated to La La Land.

Down the Road

For nearly the entire two and a half years that I worked as a legal secretary for a personal injury firm, I sat near Sandy. Sandy taught me vernacular specific to "Da Parish" and kept me laughing daily. She wanted to do her job the best that she could and to return to school and get her law degree. I believed that one day she would. Sandy had more clothes than anyone that I knew. She could pull of the craziest outfits. Sandy made work bearable in that office. I called her last Halloween from my new job because we had so much fun the year before with our Batman theme. She dressed up as Poison Ivy and I was Cat Woman.



Sandy was struck today by a train. She leaves behind three kids whom she loved very much.

I'm so sorry. I'll see you down the road.

Big Dork

Ok, remember when I said that I wasn't that into SciFi? Well, that was a slight overstatement since I am sooooooo excited about THIS! The Husband has even agreed to forgo The Bar tomorrow night (the girl in the photo, that's Kate - she knew I was pregnant before any of our friends did - we're very close to our bartenders here in New Orleans). I cannot WAIT to see this film.

I had Japanese for lunch today sans raw fish. I also had a Frappucino Blended Creme in order to be extra late and avoid the entire luncheon at work in honor of my department. I avoided said luncheon because I generally dislike my lot in life ... not that's not true. I avoided it because I can't stand to be condescend to and to paraphrase Mr. Caulfield, "phonies suck ass." I am terribly disinterested in my workplace. This is due to being pregnant and also being underutilized. It's hard to separate the hormones from actual disenfranchisement. If I were not pregnant, I would be looking for another job... or would I?

But wait! This too shall pass.

Fun things about pregnancy:

1. Errant soy sauce that doesn't land on my breasts gets caught on my belly
2. I've declared ladders off limits and do not have to paint our tenant's ceiling
3. I can pretty much declare anything off limits
4. Buying enough Rice Krispies and marshmallows for six batches of Rice Krispie treats seems very practical
5. Everyone looks pregnant to me including our 65 year old male custodian
6. I can wear a tight shirt and blame the baby for my unattractive stomach

Verdi Rock Fest

Twenty-six weeks today!

The Baby rocked and rolled during the entire chorus practice last night. We are singing The Verdi Requiem which I grow to enjoy more and more each rehearsal. It's really a beautiful piece of music and enjoyable to sing especially because Verdi uses the entire range of each part which means that as an alto, I get to sing higher than an octave above Middle C.

I'm familiar with strange pregnancy dreams but the last three mornings have been something else. I've been in a bad mood when woken up each day. Twice it was because I resented The Husband for waking me up before concluding the dream and then this morning I was grumpy because The Husband was a jerk in the dream itself. Let me state that I am so spoiled that I no longer have to be awoken by an alarm but rather by my husband who says sweetly, "honey, time to wake up." This is because he gets up much earlier than I do to go to work. For me to wake up grumpy is a severe injustice to him and I will try to do better. Regardless, those dreams are crazy.

I'm fretting my glucose test daily. I take it on the 5th. I know that there's nothing that can be done about it if I am positive and it's just something to deal with but I'd really like to remain in my "low risk" category. I'm terrified of unnecessary medical interventions and I'm terrified of making the wrong decision for myself and my child. There, it's said.

Baby BBQ

A co-worker made scones today for the office. I have been eating more than my fair share. They're so tasty.

:: ::: ::
I've been changing my registry almost daily. I'm trying to find the right balance between what we need and what we should wait on. I'm staying away from registering for clothes and blankets as I expect to receive plenty with the exception of cloth diapers which I will be registering for in large numbers. There are some things that we just aren't going to need. A baby monitor for example would be worthless in our small shotgun house. We rarely use the yard so it would be of no use there. By registering for an Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper we are eliminating the need for a changing table and play pen and we are already receiving a hand-me-down crib with drawers. Let's see, what else... nursery themed curtains and quilts are pretty much useless in our situation and baby bath tubs take up valuable space.

I've been thinking more and more about a co-ed shower to include The Husband and exclude any baby games. This will be less of a shower than a typical get-together including beer and lots of food. Making it different than the normal fests will be the stipulation that we will be eating nothing fried nor boiled. I've been craving grilled chicken for months. Also marking the difference will be the invite only aspect barring strange drunks and felons from attending. Only the drunks I love will be there.

Meanwhile, I welcome all registry advice.

(Water)Melons

WARNING: Mammary talk. I think that my breasts have gotten bigger within the past few days. They were monstrous to begin with. Due to their increasing size, it is uncomfortable to wear a bra and it's uncomfortable to not wear a bra. The bottom line is that I need new bras. I wore a tank top to our preggo class last night which didn't give that much support but I figured that all of the men there had their own big breasted broads to look at.

Speaking of men and our preggo class. The boys were very badly behaved last night. The Husband was proofreading a Motion or something work related during the movie. Another husband fell asleep during a relaxation exercise after he tried to get our substitute instructor to end class early.

Our substitute provides birthing pools for home and hospital use. I'm not interested in getting one but she brought a video of a home water birth and that was pretty cool. What was different about this video was that the tape didn't end right after the baby came out, you actually got to see the mother and father bonding with the baby while everyone ran around doing their own jobs. We talked about those moments after birth when the baby opens its eyes and looks at the mother and then follows Dad's voice to look at him. Our instructor said that's when the father gets hooked and there's no turning back.

After returning home from Vermont and starting to put away all of the baby clothes received over the weekend, it is apparent that at 25 weeks and 5 days gestation, Baby needs her own house.

Guess what I got for an early birthday present! I tried to take a "belly shot" but there is just NO good angle. I'll have the husband do a photo shoot some day soon.



Me in what is currently the bedroom but will one day be the nursery/computer room.
Hey, you do what you have to with 850 square feet!

Boudreaux a.k.a. Bootie, Boosie, Princess Anna and Demon Spawn,
looking well mannered and attentive.
Looks are deceiving.

Thibodaux a.k.a. TT, Mrs. T, Natasha and Attention Whore,
telling me to put down the camera and pet her.

P.S. When my cousin (the one with the peeing dog) told her six year old daughter that I was coming for a visit, said daughter asked, "is she bringing the baby?"

P.P.S. Word on the street is that my parents do NOT love me more than my brother but 9 out of 10 dentists still agree that I am more fun to be around.

Laaaaaaid Back

Vacation is going swimmingly. I'm not much help but my mom assures me that keeping her company is a good thing as she continues to pack up the rest of the house. They've lived in this house for nearly twenty years. I don't have much emotional attachment to it - in fact there's probably more memories here that I'd like to forget. Those memories include talking on the phone for hours as a teen to boys, pining away for boys on the back porch and the first time my heart really broke by a boy and the crying the ensued. I'm glad I'm not her anymore.

I now have new heart breaks to look forward to like the first day of kindergarten.

I've been showing off my belly to anyone who cares to see it. I still don't look ALL that pregnant but it changes from outfit to outfit. I've been spoiled by friends and relatives and I will not have to buy clothes for this baby for the next couple of years.

Other eventful things ... I've been relegated to eBay duty - posting items of dubious value for the family, I got fantastic birthday presents but more about that later, my cousin's dog peed on me and my mom let me drive her car.

Poop and Other Stuff

Ok, I have been scouring the internet all morning looking for the best places to buy cloth diapers. I have read eight million opinions and probably know as much as I will ever know until I take the leap of faith and commit to this system. It's the Vermont Hippy in me that came out when I decided to try cloth diapers. Not to mention, my total inexperience with this diaper thing probably makes me a little more open minded.

I've decided on Fuzzi Bunz and maybe some pre-folds or disposables in the early days. I'm having a hard time deciding on the amount to register for. Not to mention, who to buy them from. Mother of Eve has answered my questions promptly in the past unlike Cotton Babies but does not have customer friendly registry. Royal Majesty Ware offers a "Baker's Dozen" package - thirteen for the same price as twelve diapers at other sites and EMBROIDERY. Oh, decisions, decisions, decisions.

Has anyone out there dealt with any of these companies?

While I'm making please to the internet, has anyone found any onsies, receiving blankets, crib sheets, etc. in bright colors? I'm afraid that the amount of pastels available are making me nauseous. I'm certain that The Baby doesn't care one way or another but Mama will be happier if she doesn't have to look at pale yellows, baby blues and pinks for the next year. And hey, why do the boys get the brightest colors and "transportation" themed items?

:: ::: ::
My mom just called to ask what type of milk, cereal and fruit I wanted waiting for me when I visit. My mom rocks! Oh, and she also told me that she loves me more than my brother who is unable to visit this weekend because he has to go to Miami to go eat Matzah.

Heartache

How do you explain the ache in your heart when a fellow blogger loses their baby?

Is it time to go home?

Oooh, ooh! I found yet another blog to whittle away my days with. If you have not yet ventured over to Chez Miscarriage, start here. I wish I were that witty. Is anyone really that witty?

Snips and snails, and Puppy Dog Tails

We visited my co-worker over the weekend who just gave birth to a healthy baby boy. We've been acquaintances of theirs for years - long before a I started working here. I dragged The Husband along and I think it was good for both husbands to shake hands, grunt and do whatever it is that men do. I held the baby while we were there and he slept the entire time. He was very squirmy and I couldn't help but imagine that his jerky movements were the same types of movements that I feel in my belly. I tried to keep the visit brief. I got the birth story: an emergency cesarean with general anesthesia which must have been terrifying for both of them.

Last night during our weekly Bradley class I kept obsessing over the fact that I MUST make them dinner one night.

:: ::: ::
I like our weekly classes if only because it's a time for me to unapologetically immerse The Husband into baby stuff for at least two hours. We only have three more classes to go. I'm going to miss our instructor and the cookies.

The more videos I see of childbirth, the more I wonder how it's physically possible. I'm starting to think that a scheduled cesarean might not be so bad after all! Just knock me out and wake me a few hours later.

:: ::: ::
I'm counting down the hours until I get to fly above the Mason Dixon. I'm going to eat loads of Cabot cheese, Ben & Jerry's ice cream and clams.

:: ::: ::
Dog Update:
I couldn't stop myself from going to the LA/SPCA website the other day to see if Bertha is up for adoption. She is and because I didn't list her given name on the form, they've re-named her. She looks very happy and healthy.

"Hi, my name is Shorty. I'm a 1-year-old, female, Terrier/Lab mix. I'm a very gentle dog and I was brought in as a stray. I have a microchip, but my previous owner never registered it, so they can't find me (ed. note: yeah, whatever). I'm great on a leash and I'm very calm. I would be a great addition to any home."

Delirium

I've started re-reading American Gods by Neil Gaimen. I'm about to make a big geek confession right now. I've never been into comic books nor science fiction. However, for a time I was a HUGE Toris Amos fan. I bought a few too many b-sides and read too much about her. When I heard that there was a comic book character loosely based on her, I just HAD to read the comic. I marched my way into the local comic book store and prodded the clerk for information. Thank goodness he was kind and did not laugh at me. He pointed me to Delirium from Sandman.

My love affair with the Sandman comic series started there and finally I knew what Tori meant when she sang, "If you need me, me and Neil'll be hangin' out with the Dream King". I still don't know what Charles Manson's favorite ice-cream is however.

Once the Sandman series ended, I moved on to Gaimen's children's books and then onto my first novel, American Gods. I loved the book if only because he has pieced together so many different parts of this country and he mentions pasties ... no, not THOSE pasties. I'm just very excited to be reading it again - there are so many tasty allusions and treasures hidden in the text.

:: ::: ::
I sent The Husband out on an ice-cream run last night. He started it by asking for chocolate. He came home beaming with pride and four pints of Bluebell ice-cream. It was on sale after all. It was tasty but if the Rite Aid does not replenish their stock of Ben & Jerry's I'm going to throw a fit.

:: ::: ::
I wish that I had more to report on the baby front. I have very few symptoms and those that I do have are mild (except for the moodswings!). I'm trying to drink my daily required ounces of water. The Baby is just hanging out and getting fatter. I can feel jabs higher up than before but nothing that feels like a rib has broken.

Potty Mouth

In my Bradley class we talked about how we react to pain and illness. Do I retreat into solitude or like to be waited on? Do I run to the medicine cabinet or take a nap? It occurred to me yesterday that if I am in a lot of pain I usually howl a string of expletives. I'm not sure that the nurses will appreciate my cursing nor would it be appropriate to yell out, "f*ckmebitchwhoremotherf*cker" as I am delivering my baby. Fortunately I've been told that during the most painful contractions, I won't be able to speak. This might be nature's way.

:: ::: ::
On my way out of the office last night I ran into my other pregnant co-worker (in the bathroom of all places - how appropriate!). We had a nice little chat, I vented a little and she told me to hang in there and I feel 100% better today.

I've apparently "popped". I'm glad that people are noticing since my uterus is supposed to be the size of a soccer ball. I've been feeling higher kicks as well as some low ones which give me a glimpse into just how uncomfortable I'm going to be in a month or two.

:: ::: ::
I have a sneaking suspicion that I was stung on my knee by yet another caterpillar and yet I don't know how or when.

New Rule

The hardest thing for me about being pregnant so far is that I have a hard time remembering the following rule:

When you find yourself being grumpy and feeling the the whole world is evil, eat something before it gets to the point that your co-workers/husband/cats run and hide from you.

Just a thought.

The world always looks better after a turkey and bacon bagel sandwich, lots of root beer and good company.

:: ::: ::
I get to do artsy craftsy stuff today. I really excel in this area. Give me a stapler, colored paper and some tongue depressors and I can build whatever you want.

Get a Job

I've been brainstorming jobs that I could work in the middle of the night or EARLY in the morning. This is what I've come up with:

9-1-1 Operator
Hotel Night Auditor
Fisherman

Job Update

I didn't get the new position. I'm disappointed because the money would have come in handy and the flexible hours would have been nice with an infant. However, the job duties did not appeal to me so it's a relief in that sense. I'm also disappointed that these are my co-workers that do not want to work with me. That's hard not to take personally. Finally, I believe in this organization and I would have liked to grow with it.

I don't mind sounding arrogant when I say that I will be missed in this office when I do move on. I don't say that about many jobs.

This Exciting Life I Lead

During lunch the other day, I endured one co-worker who had recently given birth tell another co-worker who recently found out that she was unable to give birth, that the latter co-worker was lucky. I could not believe the insensitivity coming out of this woman's mouth. Because they are social outside of work, I stayed out of the conversation but I was tempted to pull the first co-worker aside and give her a lesson in conception etiquette. To say that someone who desperately wants a child of their own and has been trying for years to conceive is LUCKY because they won't have to endure labor is atrocious.

The Husband and I got our grown-up bed on Saturday. It's so exciting. It's the first bed that we've bought on our own and wasn't a hand-me-down. We're still using the old mattress but we're on our way. The cats are very excited about it too. I'm not sure how we are going to move it into another room when do the BIG SWITCH before the baby comes but we'll figure it out.
Not quite our bed, but close.

Despite the fact that there were two festivals this weekend, we stayed home. I had a hormonal melt-down on Friday night. It was pretty bad but after some screaming I placated myself with yes, a chocolate peanut-butter milkshake. Saturday I pretty much parked myself in front of the TV and folded laundry. There were two young gentlemen who decided that they were going to practice their brass instruments in the middle of the street. At first I was happy that they were not out shooting people. After the second hour of hearing the same six notes played at varying intervals (I am NOT exaggerating), I started wondering where I could acquire a gun.

They are now on THE LIST:
Person who honks car horn at 5:45 AM
People who don't care for their dogs
Anyone who throws trash out of their car at red lights
Boys with trombones

After two hours of torture, I thought I would abuse The Husband by dragging him to Babies "R" Us. I hadn't been yet and since that's where I'm registered, I wanted to check it out. They did not have a full size Co-Sleeper on display, only the mini. We were pretty overwhelmed by the whole thing. However, I felt good knowing that compared to all of the crazy baby stuff out there, I'm registered for very little - or at least that's what I kept telling The Husband.

Sunday was a little more productive. I went to a meeting for the New Orleans Symphony Chorus then returned home. While The Husband was at work, I moved all of the yard sale stuff next door to the empty apartment because I was sick of looking at it. Got stung my my first caterpillar for the year (at least I was wearing shoes this time). THEN I did some major rearranging that doesn't look like much to the untrained eye but at least I can rest easy knowing that all of my books are in alphabetical order by author then title.

Sunday also brings our weekly Bradley class. We watched a video last night of a Bradley birth. As I watched the head crown, I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps a c-section would be a better choice. The Husband, although skeptical of the propaganda, is slowly starting to understand why I pushed for us to attend classes and why I want to go natural. He's also very cute when I asks me if I've been eating my protein.

VACATION!

I have felt a lot of guilt using a Blogger template as the design of this site. It was quick and it was easy. So, I have now at least changed the colors around so that it's a little more individualized. Enjoy.

:: ::: ::
My parents are selling their house in Vermont. Over the past couple of years I have been moving stuff from my old room there to my new house in New Orleans. It's been a long, slow process.

They now have a buyer and the closing date is in early May. I knew that if I bugged my mom enough, they would find my help invaluable and would just HAVE to fly me up there to assist in the packing. Plus I bribed her with the ability to touch my belly. I will be leaving April 20th and returning April 24th. I'M SO EXCITED. In addition, I am serving an ulterior motive by being out of the office for a luncheon that honors my department and falls conspicuously close to Secretary's Day. It's my co-workers way of saying, "we complain about you guys all the time because we can't get our act together. We'll continue to complain about you but here's a sandwich." I'd rather not be involved this year.

Now we just have to convince my brother that he needs to leave D.C. for the weekend and get my husband to take some days off.

New Arrivals

I was rearranging my registry yesterday and noticed that someone had bought the infant car seat. I couldn't imagine who. When I returned home, a note was left on our door by UPS saying that they had a package for us. I called my mother - they hadn't bought anything. I was perplexed so I did what any inquisitive mind would do. I arranged to pick up the item from UPS at 8PM in a part of town that I don't like to be in even when it's day time.

I picked up the car seat and immediately ripped open the invoice to see who it was from. It was sent by our friends in Los Angeles. I was so touched and surprised that we called them immediately. They have a new arrival too and I'm glad that I can take the opportunity to post a picture of the cutest dog EVER (don't tell Rocky).

There Goes the Neighborhood

Twenty-Three Weeks Today!

Our neighbor, Harry, got out of jail some time between last night and this morning. I know this because he was sitting with Jamie (a.k.a. "Crip" - from his limp, a side effect of 17 bullet wounds) on Jamie's porch. They were there at 6AM when I returned from bringing The Husband to work and again at 8AM when I left for work. They both waved and said "hello" and were probably already drunk. They'll nap in the afternoon and be in good spirits for this evening. I'm not sure exactly what Harry did to go back into jail to begin with but he's mostly harmless. The Husband and I were enjoying the quiet street life without him. Ghettolicious.

Appointment #5 - Downward Dog

It's reading posts like this that make me anxious to give birth the the alien inside me.

:: ::: ::
My doctor's appointment went well yesterday. I've only gained about four pounds which is ok I guess since the doctor didn't say anything. Given my beginning weight, I'm not supposed to gain much at all. So, I'll keep walking and hope for the best. I think that the biggest blessing concerning nutrition and pregnancy is that fried foods have made me puke since December. Just in case you wanted to know.

The nurse handed me my glucose drink for the next visit. I'm concerned about gestational diabetes more than anything. Diabetes is not something that runs strong in my family, I'm just nervous that all of that sweet-tea will one day catch up with me. Besides, gestational diabetes means pitocin and induction which raises the chances of an epidural which brings me closer to a cesarean... ugh. Then again, since it will only affect 4% of us, I'm wondering why they test at all.

:: ::: ::
I received my pre-natal yoga DVD in the mail yesterday. It only took thirty seconds for me to realize just how inflexible I am. You see, yoga had crossed my mind but when the ladies in the birthing class started talking about their classes, I simply HAD to partake. Knowing that I lack the self-discipline to commit to a weekly class, I thought that the video would be an economical solution. It's ok. With practice I will of course do better. I'm just wondering if I will want to strangle the instructor by the fifth viewing.

The best part of the yoga experience was that I did not have to do it alone. Our cats participated as well. Thibodaux paced and instructed me with gentle nudges. Boudreaux enjoyed the poses that allowed her to lie flat on her back with her paws up in the air.

:: ::: ::
I've had a preliminary interview here at work for the new position. I have a second one later this week. I have no idea why I need to interview TWICE for a company that I already work for but that's ok. It's giving me time to think. This time that I have to think is telling me that I REALLY don't want to consider day care and I haven't even "bonded" yet. It'll work out. It always does.

My Milkshake Brings All the Boys to the Yard

On Friday, The Husband and I were on our way to help a friend in crisis. The crisis involved a 26 foot moving truck and some 350 year old crepe myrtles that lost some limbs due to negligent driving of said 26 foot truck. However, no crisis is so important that I could be steered from a milkshake at Baskin Robins (we bought Crisis Boy one too). When I gave my debit card to the cashier to pay for the three shakes, she turned to me and said, "it's denied." I knew there was money in the account and replied, "it shouldn't be." Then the cashier laughed and said, "April Fool!" Then she laughed some more. THEN she continued to mimic my reply. She thought she was so funny. Not funny. Don't mess with pregnant women and their milkshakes.

The last time I was in there I was charged thirty dollars for a shake. I can't give up the milkshakes so I'm going to Häagen-Dazs from now on.

I Got Love for all My Baby Mamas

The Baby has been moving frequently and it's now a nightly ritual for The Husband to lay his hand on my belly before going to sleep. Aaaah. How cute! We don't have any pet names for the baby like "Sweet Pea" so lately we've been calling The Baby whatever name we like that day or a combination of several. Although we've had the ultrasound, I hate to assign a gender in case the technician was wrong. So, that leaves us with strange names that my husband comes up with including, "truck" and "bike". Last night I suggested "Fluffy" and "Mittens". Given the increasing kick frequency, I'm now leaning towards "Beckham".

in just

Since I first heard this poem, if I had twin girls I was going to name them Betty and Isbel. No, I'm not expecting twins but I thought that I'd share the poem since it is April and the northern part of the country is starting to thaw.

in just-

in Just-


spring when the world is mud-


luscious the little


lame balloonman

whistles far and wee

and eddieandbill come


running from marbles and

piracies and it's


spring

when the world is puddle-wonderful

the queer


old balloonman whistles


far and wee


and bettyandisbel come dancing

from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

it's


spring


and


the

goat-footed

balloonMan whistles


far


and


wee

e.e. cummings

The Husband felt The Baby last night.