No Rest For the Pregnant.

I've got a full weekend ahead of me:

Friday night - Remove the television from the wall in media room, so Dave can sheetrock/spackle the hole that was once a window.  Remove most of the furniture in preparation for painting.  Vacuum floor and organize furniture where possible.

Saturday - Clean media room (we call it that for lack of a better word) by pulling everything off the walls and moving the furniture out. Yes, I'm aware that I can't move furniture, but I can help with other stuff.   Paint media room with Killz undercoat, and then with Forest Green paint (it's non-VOC and the room is well ventilated, so I can help).  Yup.  It will be a green room (all the theatre folks LOL).  Prepare for a visit from S, by planning meals and setting up a corner bed.

Sunday - S arrives with crib for us.  Entertain her as much as possible without a media room. 

Monday - S goes home, D and I go to work.  Leave work early to meet the carpeters at 3:00.  While D stays with carpeters, throw Squirt into a cat carrier to go to her vet appointment at 5:00.  Help D move all the stuff back into the media room. 

At the end of all of this, we should have a lovely, clean, green, carpeted media room with baby-safe cabinets. 

*collapse*

Book list

According to my coworkers, I'm reading more about pregnancy than they ever did during their own pregnancies.  I hate to admit to them that I'm reading out of anxiety.  I want to make myself aware of most of the potential complications so I have Plans B, C, D, E and OH F in place before my "time" comes. 

Books I'm dragging around with me:

What to Expect When You're Expecting 4th Ed. (of course)
- This book is practically written in bullet point style.  It's ridiculously easy to follow.  I especially like how it details all of the pregnancy symptoms by month.  On more than one occasion, I'll read about a "weird" symptom I thought I had, and it turns out to be harmless and normal.  My friend K loaned me a hardcopy, but I've got it on my Kindle as well, for quick reference.

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
- I've only just started this one.  So far, it's all real stories from women about their actual birthing expieriences.  There stories range from joyous to horrific. 

Active Childbirth by Janet Balaskas
- Haven't started this one yet, but it's supposed to have exercises that will help during natural childbirth. 

It's Not You, It's Me.

My obstetrician, whom I've grown attached to to in the past few months has decided to retire from obstetrics and has taken a position over at the local University. 

I got a heads-up about it from D, who used to work at the university's health department fixing their computers, and still has little birds over there.  But I didn't want to believe it when he told me.  She's my doctor.  She's helped me understand this crazy biological journey I'm making, and made me laugh about it when I was genuinely scared.  I don't want her to go.

When she broke the news to us, she did it in a very quick, matter-of-fact, but friendly way, a ripping-off-a-band-aid technique, if you will.  D chatted with her about people he knows where she'd going, while I sat on the examining perch and cried like a jilted teenager.  She gave me quick hug and referred me to a midwife she thinks I'll like.  Unless she breaks up with me too.

In other news, this baby will not stop kicking me.  It kicks in the front, in the back, and on the sides.  We've got a soccer player, a percussionist, or perhaps a Rockette. 

Interactions

Setting: Husband and I are lying in bed. I'm reading my Kindle, he's on his tablet.  Suddenly, I look up.

Me: "Here. It's kicking."  (I grab his hand and put it on my stomach.)
Him: "There it is. There it is again.  Wow, it's kicking really hard."
Me: "That's your child."
Him: "It sure is."
Me: "Kicking the crap out me." 
Him: (Affectionately) "Yeah."

Setting: I'm in my chair, reading my Kindle, and bawling my eyes out.  Husband enters the room and sees me sobbing.

Him: "Sweetie, what's the matter?"
Me: (still sobbing) "Nothing.  I'm fine."
Him: "What are you reading?"
Me: "Shogun."
Him: "Oh, is it a romantic part?"
Me: "No, I'm reading about the fuedal lords who are trying to out-manuever each other militarily in order to gain political strength."
Him: "...and that's making you cry?"
Me: "I don't know why the hell I'm crying."
Him: "Oh. Well, let me know if there's anything I can do to help, okay?"
Me: "'Kay. Thanks, sweetie."

Blogger's Block

I've been having a bit of trouble trying to write the next post.  This should be easy.  I think I'm making it harder than it should be.  I wrote a whole post about how I was annoyed at someone who made some stupid comment about me not wearing a wedding ring.  As it turns out, I don't really care what they think.  The end. 

Anyway.  I guess I'll just post a bullet point list of stuff that's been going on in and around my life:

- The carpet situation is not resolved.  The bedroom is done, but not in the color we wanted.  The front room still has it's old carpet. Our belongings are still in boxes.  The whole experience has been an epic pain the neck, and we're trying to get it worked out with Costco. I'll make sure to post a very long yelp review documenting the entire thing, but I'd really rather not do it here. 

 - I've been swimming in the pool at my gym.  It's done wonders for my aching joints and ligaments.  Also, I bought a maternity swimsuit from Old Navy, as my old swimsuit was becoming nigh indecent. 

- I heard that UCSC had hired a doctor.  My obstetrician.  I don't know if this is a fact, at this point it's only a rumor.  But I'm supposed to have an appointment with her on Thursday, so I will ask her about it then.  This causes me some anxiety. I may have some unresolved abandonment issues.

- I am officially fat with baby.  Here.  See.

 

As stupid selfies aren't really my thing, I'm looking for a photographer, amateur or professional, who might be able to take some nicer pictures of me while I'm still prenatal.  As much as I love my husband, I'd rather he not do it.  So if you guys know anybody, ping me with their name and I'll get it touch.  Thanks!