Hello little one! You’re still my little one, but you’re getting bigger all the time. We got to see you again yesterday in an ultrasound, and you’ve grown so much your whole head doesn’t even fit into the photo! The sonographer thinks you’re about 4 pounds and 4 ounces of squirming baby girl, and we were very happy to see you and to hear that you still seem healthy.
I was also happy to find out which of your body parts has been poking me in the belly button over the last few days. You must’ve switched positions recently, because all of the sudden, some sharp limb of yours began waving around my belly button. I was right – it’s your elbow! I just love it, because you’ll stick your elbow up and I’ll give it a little squeeze or a rub and you’ll wiggle it all around. Watching your elbow move is different from watching your earlier rolls and kicks. It’s just so well-defined, and so alive! And you seem to have a direct response most of the time when I play with your elbow, and I like imagining you’re aware someone is out there connecting with you. Who knows, maybe it gets on your nerves – but maybe you like the contact as much as I do.
You’ve also been getting the hiccups a lot more lately, sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. I’ve read that fetal hiccups aren’t painful like adult hiccups – but I wonder, how does anyone really know? I just hope you’re still comfortable and that the hiccups aren’t bothering you too much. Your daddy feels sorry for you every time you get them, but the doctor assured us it’s actually a good sign that you have hiccups, so we feel a little better.
Could you sense all the love being sent your way this weekend? Those voices you heard were some of the people who love you already. They got together to give you all kinds of great presents, and to let your dad and me know how special you are. Everyone is very excited to meet you, and you were a sweet girl and said hello to your Aunt Erin and Anna when they wanted to feel you kick.
Your daddy and I also bought your rocking chair this weekend. It’s so cute and comfortable, and I can’t wait to rock you in it. Your dad and I both take turns sitting in it and rocking, just dreaming about you. Except I’m lucky, because when I rock, I’m already rocking you.
Time for bed. I’m looking forward to propping myself up with a bunch of pillows to get comfortable, and playing with your elbow again before we go to sleep. Remember, you are loved!
I felt a warmth all weekend that had nothing to do with the 99 degree weather. It’s the feeling that comes from looking around and seeing nearly all the people who are most important to you gathered together to help you celebrate something special.
The fun began when my mom came into town to spend a week together before last weekend’s baby shower, eating good food, shopping, enjoying the beach and the good company. Then Friday, the fun continued when I got quite a surprise.
Lee had asked me to have lunch with him at one of our favorite downtown cafes. I met him outside, and as we strolled in together he led me toward a corner table. Where someone was already sitting. It took a second for my brain to register what was going on. Anna had flown in from Portland that morning to surprise me for the baby shower, and I had NO IDEA.
I was so excited. I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do more – look at her, hug her, or cry. So I did all three. It had been more than a year since we’d seen each other, and I was thrilled. Shocked, but thrilled. I missed her very much, and was so touched she made the trip.
My dad came into town that night, and we all enjoyed some good Mexican food and raucous karaoke (a new treat we found as part of our digital cable package).
Saturday morning, more friends and family poured in. My brother and Michelle from Atlanta. Dave and Erin from Miami. Alva from Fitzgerald. My Aunts Carol and Mary from Macon. It was so good to see them all.
We headed to one of my favorite restaurants in town, Elizabeth on 37th Street, where Nikki was throwing us a baby shower.
Nikki hosted a WONDERFUL shower and is such a good friend. The whole event meant so much to me. I looked at her several times during the shower and wondered how I’d gotten so lucky to be the recipient of all her kindness. The location was perfect – beautiful, intimate, and classy. The food was excellent and the games were fun. And we got so many great gifts – some that I know will be treasured heirlooms in our family.
But most of all, I felt so honored to look around at all the people who came to help us welcome our baby. I am so fortunate – so happy to be having this baby, and so thankful for friends and family like these.
Little by little, they all had to go home. Mom and Dad had to leave, then Jeff and Michelle and Alva. I snapped this picture Sunday before Dave and Erin left for Miami.
Sunday night and Monday I spent with Anna. It was wonderful, and reminded me how much I miss having her in town. And the fact that she flew all the way across the country for my baby shower let me know that she missed me too.
This morning, I dreaded hearing my alarm clock, but not because it rang so early. I dreaded it because I had to take Anna to the airport for her trip home. After I dropped her off and pulled away from the curb, it began to rain – a fitting match for my feelings. I hated to see her go. I hated to see everyone go.
But today’s gloom does nothing to diminish the brightness of the weekend. I knew my family cared. I knew my friends cared. But this weekend they proved it over and over. The thank you notes I’m going to write just won’t be enough, because the gifts they gave were so much greater than the cute baby things I opened at the shower. I know I’m a very lucky girl.
For some people, summer begins on Memorial Day. Others mark the start of the season at the June solstice. But for me, summer began today, when I cut open my first watermelon of the year. And the first bite nearly made me weak in the knees.
My love affair with watermelon has been well documented. I have craved watermelon ever since I can remember, salivating at the sight of a green-striped rind.
About a week and a half ago, I woke up in the middle of the night and thought, “I really, really want some good watermelon.” This would seem like one of those sudden pregnancy cravings, except I feel this way every year.
Soon after, we went to a party at the home of some acquaintances. As we were being shown around their house, I spied watermelon in the kitchen and pointed it out to Lee.
He said, “You’re not going to embarrass me, are you?”
I could make no promises, but told him, “I’ll try not to.” But I already had visions of swiping the bowl and hiding in the corner with it, threatening anyone who tried to come near. Like Millie when she gets an especially good treat.
But for the sake of appearances, I merely tasted a few bites and tried not to break out into hives because I couldn’t have more.
Today, we went to the grocery store and I picked out my very own watermelon from the big box in the produce section. When I got it home and sliced it open, I was not disappointed. A beautiful red color. A nice, firm texture. And sweet. So sweet. As I cut it into pieces, I think 2 went into my mouth for every one in the bowl.
No watermelon will ever taste as good as the ones we ate straight off the ground at my grandparents’ farm. But this one – chilling in the fridge – will definitely hit the spot on a hot Savannah afternoon.
Hello little one! Are you enjoying your nap? I think you might be sleeping right now, after being wide awake for the last couple of hours. Your daddy and I went to see the X-Men movie tonight. The movie was okay, but it was very, very LOUD! I could only imagine what you thought of the whole thing. Everything I read says your sense of hearing is likely quite good and you probably pick up on a lot of outside sounds. From the first preview, you were kicking and rolling. During the really loud parts, I caught myself covering my belly with my hands, as if I could offer you some earmuffs just in case you were frightened. I know, I know, your mama is silly. Maybe you liked the movie and found the extra noise entertaining. I found you entertaining, that’s for sure.
You also entertained me earlier today during a conference. I was wearing a name badge on a lanyard, and it was just the right length that when I sat down, the badge rested on top of my belly. You were kicking and squirming, and quite often, kicked directly at the badge so that it would hop a little. I thought I was the only one enjoying the show, but afterward a co-worker came over and said, “She’s an active little baby, isn’t she?” And I’m so glad.
Today, our pregnancy hits the 31 week mark. I like this week because from now on, our due date countdown is in the single digits. 9 weeks! This weekend, your daddy really kicked the preparations into high gear. He finished painting your room, and it looks beautiful. Then he put together your crib!
I just love it! We had a hard time picking one out, because there are so many different styles and so many factors to consider. Did we want a drop side crib? A double drop side? A single hand drop side? A stationary side? A convertible crib? What color? White? Dark wood? Did we need one with a built-in plastic protector on the edges because some babies chew on their cribs?
But now that it’s assembled in your room, I think your crib is perfect. I love the color and the texture, and it seems safe and easy to operate. The dark wood looks nice against the light, lavendar walls. I can’t wait to see it with your bedding, but most of all, I can’t wait to see it with you in it. We stood in your nursery for a while yesterday, just looking around and marveling at it all. There is still a lot to do, but it’s unmistakably your room now. Your daddy got one of my stuffed animals out of the attic this weekend, and I put it in your crib. Fiesta the horse is going to hold down the fort until you’re ready to sleep in your new bed.
I stuck my head in your room a couple of times today just to make sure everything was still there and still real. Now that your crib is ready, I’m starting to get a little more impatient about your arrival. And a friend of mine went into the hospital tonight to have her baby – and while I’m very glad for her it makes me think about our birthday even more. But at the same time, I’ve so enjoyed having you with me all the time, and every now and then I get a little nostalgic. I know once you’re born, I’ll miss playing with you during meetings and taking you with me everywhere I go. But I’m very excited about all the new things we’ll share once you’re born – so keep baking in there for a few more weeks and we’ll make this transition together. Besides, I know lots of people are ready to meet you (especially your daddy), so I can’t be selfish and keep you all to myself.
So for now, sleep well, because I have another meeting tomorrow. I look forward to playing together then! Remember, you are loved very, very much.
I love taking pictures, but lately that hobby had become more of a burden – both financially and in the literal sense. When I was in college, I sprang for a Canon SLR. It was probably the single largest purchase I’d ever made on my own at the time, and I never once regretted it. The pictures were always clear and crisp, the color amazing, and the manual features let me be more creative. Later, Lee got me another lens which let me zoom in so much further to capture close-ups of animals and such.
The camera served me very well in Europe, Alaska, Virginia, and on several trips to the zoo. But there were 2 downsides. # 1 – I photograph everything in sight at least 50 times. If there is a pigeon, I will take its picture. And I’ll take it again. And again. The camera wasn’t digital, so every attempt at the perfect shot used another bit of film. Developing the pictures began to get expensive, because we’d have 46 pictures of one sea gull because I was trying to get the perfect angle with sun and sea, and have to pay for all of them. # 2 – Lee had a great digital camera too, and I also like getting video. That meant when we traveled, we carried my SLR, two lenses, film and batteries, Lee’s digital camera, and my video camera. I’d like to get a macro lens eventually, but I’m afraid that would’ve pushed us over the edge and we’d have to bring a pack mule on all outings just for our photography equipment.
But a few weeks ago, Lee surprised me with an early anniversary gift – a DIGITAL SLR. It’s a Canon, and very similar to the camera I’ve been schlepping around for years. My lenses fit on it perfectly, and I am so excited! The new camera takes wonderful pictures, and I have thoroughly enjoyed snapping away without worrying about “wasting” film. We’re going to sell his older digital camera, and now when we travel, we’ll have one less camera weighing us down.
Take tonight for example. The weather is beautiful, so Lee and I decided to have a picnic in Forsyth Park. I brought along the new camera, and the two of us managed to take 37 pictures. In digital-land, that’s no problem. If that had been flim, I’d have been in trouble.
We got this fun one of our food – I like the color contrast:
A shot of Millie asking “is there any more?” We don’t usually let her lick our plates, but we didn’t want to put chicken-coated plates back in our bag, so she cleaned them up for us with a quickness:
And I love this photo of Lee and Millie rolling in the grass:
I just adore this camera, and I’m also very glad Lee got it for me before our child arrives, because I know she’s going to be very extensively photographed. And in digital-land, that’s just fine.
Hello sweet girl! Just look at how big you’re getting! We went to the doctor yesterday to get more pictures of you, and it was so much fun. They say you weigh just over 3 pounds, and that’s wonderful to hear. As much as I want to see you, I know you need to hang out in my belly for several more weeks. But if something happened and you needed to be born sooner, it’s a relief to know you are already 3 pounds of squirming baby girl.
The ultrasound was also fun because I got to see how you are positioned. I’d been feeling something hard at the top of my belly for a few days, and I wondered what it was (sorry about all those times I’d poke at you, I can’t help myself). Turns out, it’s your backside! Your head is down and the sonographer says you’ve folded yourself in half, with your little feet up by your head. You may flip several times before you’re born, so who knows what you’re up to now. But it was neat to get a peek.
And you did such a funny thing during the ultrasound. She was getting a closeup profile shot of your face (a lot like the picture above with your nose, mouth, and little hand), and you started opening and closing your mouth. Then you stuck out your tongue. But this was no simple gesture – you kept it out and waved it around for a while like the world’s cutest lizard. Your daddy and I are still laughing about it.
I was looking at some of our earlier pictures of you tonight, and it’s amazing how much you’ve grown. And I’m so glad. And you’re still wiggling a lot, which makes me happy. I had to sit through two meetings today, and I’m sure everyone around me probably thought I was depressed or asleep because I kept my head down so much. But I was actually watching you every chance I got – watching you squirm from one side to the other, then give me a kick or two.
Your daddy has been working so hard on your nursery. It used to be his office, and getting all of the office stuff out of there was a big job. Then he cleaned the room, and he’s going to paint it next week. I hope you like the color – it’s called Lovely Lavender, and I think it’s nice and calming. We also bought your crib, and I can’t wait to see it assembled in your room. Then I can’t wait to see you sleeping in it.
Speaking of sleep – that’s something you don’t like to do at night right now. Your daddy tells me that as soon as I fall asleep (which is pretty quickly), you start dancing and doing your acrobatics. He stays up with you for a while for some daddy-daughter time, and I somehow sleep through it all.
I’m so thankful for you, little one. I hope you have a good night with sweet lizard dreams. I love you very much.
Several months ago, visitors were on their way to our house, and as usual I’d put off at least some aspect of cleaning until the last minute. This time, I’d waited to clean up the dog and cat hair. I usually make vacuuming the very last thing I do before company arrives, because virtually the second all the pet hair gets sucked up, more rains down to replace it immediately. The hardwood floors don’t lie, and it’s not pleasant to be entertaining guests as dust bunnies roll across their feet like tumbleweed.
So I was frantically running the vacuum across the floor when it unexpectedly quit. In a panic, I unplugged it and plugged it back in. I kicked it. I cursed at it. It did not care.
It was an old vacuum, so I can’t say I was surprised. The timing was just really bad. I grabbed my broom, but I detest sweeping up animal hair. I feel like sweeping merely sends the hair flying into the air and swirling around. And it takes longer.
I was only half finished with the sweeping when the company knocked on the door. After offering a brief welcome, Lee took over the entertaining while I slipped upstairs to finish sweeping.
For a while, we tried to get by without a vacuum. But I found sweeping to be so useless, I did it less and less often. But the animals weren’t shedding any less, and the hairball problem was out of control. Not only do we hate living among the furry pet-offspring, I can’t imagine bringing a baby home to the house of hair. Surely DFACS would take her away before she could begin crawling on the pet-fur carpet.
So we started researching vacuums, and one brand kept coming up: Dyson. But the price tag was, to me, nearly unthinkable. I hate the hair balls so much I was willing to consider paying hundreds for the mother-of-all-vacuums, but just for a minute.
Tonight, we found a compromise, and purchased a much more reasonably priced Bissell. Lee put it together, and we vacuumed 2 rooms. So far, it seems to be working very well (much better than our old one even before it choked and died), so we’re happy. I’m looking forward to tackling the rest of the rooms tomorrow, and having a hair-free house – at least for a minute or two.
But one member of our family is very unhappy:
As soon as Lee opened the box, before he’d really begun assembling the vacuum, Millie started going crazy. She barked and barked at the vacuum as if it were surely about to consume us all. She used to do this with our old vacuum too. You wouldn’t have to turn it on – just the mere sight of it sent her into fits. I really think she hates vacuums more than just about anything else in the world. The whole time we vacuumed tonight, she followed a step or two behind, barking incessantly. It was as if her once vanquished foe had found a way to be reborn, and its sole purpose was to terrorize her once more.
Oh well – it’s worth it to have a cleaner house. Now I just need to invest in some quality ear plugs.
Pregnancy makes people do strange things. Not just the pregnant people, but all the people around them, too. There is a large segment of the population that seems to believe pregnant people have no need for personal space, and their body parts are open for discussion. Especially in mixed company.
Most of the time, I find all of this very amusing. Although occasionally, a comment will catch me off guard and I’ll stew about it for a few hours until I realize it’s not worth the energy.
In the last two months or so, people have begun to reach out and touch my belly. I call it “rubbing the buddha.” Some just go straight for it. Others reach halfway, then remember that the belly is still part of my body and not just an accessory, and ask permission. Others talk about how much they love to touch pregnant bellies, fishing for an invitation. The good thing is, none of this bothers me. I happen to think my belly is adorable, and I can’t keep my own hands off of it. I can see why more modest people might be frustrated by all this, but I like the attention and I’m glad people are excited about our baby.
Most people have been exeptionally complimentary as well, and for that I am grateful. But I’m still amazed by what some people will say. It’s as if, when you’re pregnant, you must not care about how you look. Therefore, people are free to say whatever they want about whatever body part they choose, and you shouldn’t get upset.
The day we found out we were having a girl, a co-worker asked me about it at the start of a meeting. When I told her the great news, she exclaimed, “I knew it! I was telling everyone I thought it was a girl because you’re just plumping up all over! Especially your boobs!”
Gee, thanks.
People walk by my office sometimes and poke their heads in because they want to see how big I’m getting. One recently asked me to stand up so she could get a good look. I obliged. Then she said, “Now turn around.”
Instead of protesting (which is what any dignified person should do), I turned around so she could get a look at my butt. She didn’t say anything. How can you ask someone to turn around and not at least say what the verdict is? She left, and I felt dirty.
I was in the elevator with 2 other coworkers, and one complimented me by saying, “You’re just getting big in the belly, the rest of you has stayed small!”
But the other coworker felt it was necessary to add, “But your feet are starting to swell.”
As if the pregnant lady didn’t know this already. So that’s why my shoes are feeling a bit snug! Thanks so much for pointing that out!
But today was one of the worst. I ran into some former coworkers I haven’t seen in nearly a year. One beckoned me over so he could see my belly, and reached out to give it a pat. Then he said, for everyone to hear, “Wow, you’re really getting pregnant all over.” Then he puffed out his cheeks and pointed to them, as if I didn’t understand the first time and needed sign language to help me out.
There are lots of things I should’ve said. For starters, I should have called him several nasty words. I should have told him that was rude. I should have asked him to try to grow a baby and maintain his girlish figure. I should have kicked him between the legs.
But instead, I just stared at him and stuttered a bit. Then I walked away and moped about it for a few hours.
The thing is, I get complimented every day on how great I look, how I glow, how cute my belly is, etc. Most people have been very flattering. So why is that it’s so much harder to ignore the negative comments and focus on the positive? And if I had to gain 100 pounds to have this baby, it would be worth it and I would do it. But I’m astounded when people say things like that – as if it were ever okay to say something like that.
I’ve recovered though. When I look in the mirror, I see a very lucky pregnant lady with the super cute baby belly I’ve wanted for a long time. And that’s what matters.
Hello little one! I’m so proud of you – today we’ve passed another major milestone. It’s the first day of our third trimester. Sometime in the next 12 or so weeks, we’ll get to see each other for the first time. Your daddy and I are getting very excited. I get nervous sometimes too – what do I know about caring for a baby? I can’t promise I’ll know what to do every time you cry, but I promise to love you and to try and be a good mom.
In the last 2 days, you’ve become very squirmy, which I adore. You still kick, but now you also roll around. Last night your daddy and I could barely sleep because as soon as I laid down, you started wiggling. When we put our palms on my belly, we could feel you flipping. You must know I’m thinking about you because you just did it again! I haven’t gotten tired of it yet, and I can’t imagine I ever will. Each wiggle makes me feel you’re okay.
In fact, I’m just so happy that you’re still growing and thriving, that I can’t be upset about some of the pains of pregnancy. My lungs are feeling a little crowded, most of my maternity clothes are getting too small, and I had a terrible leg cramp the other night. But all of those things are normal and mean you’re getting bigger and bigger, so in a weird way they make me happy.
Today, your daddy spent a long time rearranging our bedroom to make room for his desk and office stuff. That’s because his current office will soon be your nursery, and we need to start getting it ready for you. We also need a place to store all the fun things people gave you over the weekend. Nana and Granddaddy’s church held a baby shower for us, and people we don’t even know came to give you presents and tell us how happy they are that you’re coming. You are going to be one well-dressed little girl!
The baby shower experience seemed so surreal. I’ve been to, and hosted, several – but was overwhelmed to be the guest of honor at your shower. When it was over, and we were looking at all the baby gifts, it was hard to believe all these little things were going to be in our house. I guess through the whole pregnancy, there’s a part of me that has wondered if this can all really be happening. But those presents stacked up my dining room are real, and I could just sit and look at it all for hours.
Do you know who else loves you? Your grandparents. We had fun with them all weekend. Here’s your Grammy holding some of your clothes and imaging you wearing them:
We took a very pretty drive over English Mountain, and stopped on top for a photo. Here’s your Nana and Granddaddy and Daddy and me – they all had to have a hand on you so you wouldn’t be left out:
I’m going to get us ready for bed now. Happy third trimester day! I can’t believe the next milestone we mark will be your birthday. I love you, and I’ll see you soon.
I love my car.
When we bought it, I considered several different cars before finally deciding the Volvo was the one. I liked the style, the comfort, the way it drove, and I also liked that it seemed just a little… different. I liked having a car that was, at least to me, unique.
Over the past year and a half, I’ve tried to baby my car. I take her for all her scheduled services. I get her washed. I try to keep the inside mostly clutter-free, which is a big change from my previous car. I keep leather cleaning wipes in my trunk just in case I get her dirty. I cover the backseat with a blanket when Millie rides so she doesn’t scratch the interior. My hope is that she’ll continue to baby me for many, many years as well.
She proved this to be true last Friday, and reminded me of one of the ways Volvo is just a little different. Lee had to travel to Metter, and borrowed my car. On the way back, one of my tires blew. So there was my poor husband, on the side of I-16, alone, with a shredded tire.
We hadn’t changed a tire on this car before. So Lee got out the instructions, but was a bit surprised when he read one of the first lines. “Remove the white gloves and place them on your hands.”
Oh yes, my Volvo comes with white cotton gloves. We can’t have the soccer moms and yuppies getting dirty!
And according to Lee, the gloves really were a welcome addition to the tire changing kit. They’re black and dirty now, but when Lee was done changing the tire he was able to slip them off and drive back home without feeling filthy or greasing my steering wheel. I think it’s hilarious. But I also find it to be satisfying proof that my Volvo is indeed unique. Over the top, maybe. Out of control, perhaps. But unique, yes.
