A Letter to My Son

Hey Buddy,

Yes, you have a name, but your Dad and I have decided not to share it until you make your big debut. We're expecting you any day now and my emotions have run the gamut from nervous and anxious-- will you and I both make it through labor and delivery healthy and safe? will I be up to the demands of caring for a newborn around the clock? will I be a good mom?-- to happy, excited, and curious about who you are and who you will become.

From the looks of the ultrasounds pictures (and I have many, which I've put into an album for you to enjoy one day), I think you take after your Dad in the looks department. You appear to have his profile, cheeks, and chin. It will be interesting to see if this proves true once we really meet you. I'm also very excited to get to know you and learn your little personality. You've been very chill and laid back to date. During my ultrasounds, the technician usually has to jiggle my belly with the ultrasound wand to get you to move. We joke that you love to sleep (like your Mom) and I hope this is truly the case!

Your Dad and I both have many hopes and dreams for you. We talk all the time about the trips we want to take with you, the skills and activities we want to teach you, and all of the exciting things in this big world that we want to share with you. I know your Dad is excited to introduce you to his love of tennis and soccer (you already have a little soccer onesie ready for watching Saturday morning games with him), and I can't wait to take you camping, swimming, and hiking like I did with my family as a child. But, most of all, we just want to support and nurture you as you grow into the person you are uniquely meant to be. We will be your biggest fans and cheerleaders, and we can't wait to experience this lifelong journey we are about to take with you. There will be many ups and downs, but through it all, know that our love for you is unconditional and unending. We are privileged to have the honor of welcoming you into this world and raising you, and we cannot wait to meet you.

All my love,

Momma

P.S. Go easy on me!

Week 39

January 20, 2012

Best Moment: Here we are in the final stretch! This week I finished up my job. My company is consolidating most of its positions at the headquarters in Atlanta, so our Austin office is actually closing. This has been a long time coming and wasn't exactly surprising, although I had hoped to return to work in some capacity after my maternity leave. Instead, I'll be able to enjoy a longer than planned "maternity leave" and then later this year I'll start thinking about the next steps in my career. Wrapping up work was a little bittersweet because I enjoyed working with many of my colleagues, but it feels good now to be done. This week I also enjoyed a little pre-baby pampering, including a luxurious pedicure and some eyebrow grooming. I'll be ready for those glamour shots in the delivery room! Haha. I'm still working on sewing an elephant themed mobile for the nursery, but other than that, his room is prepped, our bags are packed, and the house is pretty much spotless. I think we're ready.

Symptoms: I'm feeling all kinds of cramps and twinges in my belly. Some of them are Braxton-Hicks, some of them are indigestion, and some of them are legitimate contractions. Last weekend, I had a bout of contractions every 9 or 10 minutes for over an hour and we were convinced it was go-time. We hadn't even packed our bags at that point, so we spent that hour running around trying to gather everything together. Then the contractions just stopped. Since then, I've had a few minor ones, but nothing consistent. In the last few days, I've also started feeling a lot of pressure and soreness behind my pubic bone. I'm hoping this means the baby's head has dropped.

Cravings/Aversions: Out of the blue, I've started having massive Thai food cravings. In Seattle, there is a Thai restaurant on every street corner (almost literally), and I used to love eating it all the time. In Austin, we've been hard pressed to find a good Thai restaurant, but recently found Titaya's on North Lamar and I was able to indulge in some delicious red curry last night.

What I Miss: Oh, the list is long... But I'm so close to the finish now that it doesn't even matter. I'm just happy to have made it this far with a healthy baby.

What I Can't Wait For: I can't wait to meet him! And I'm looking forward to not being pregnant anymore. I can't even really remember what it feels like to not be pregnant. It will be so strange not to feel him squirming around, to sleep on my stomach, and to just be able to move around without all this extra weight. Who knows? Maybe I'll miss being pregnant.

Milestones: As of my appointment this week, the Bean is now expected to weigh in at just over 7 pounds. He is still piling on body fat to help him regulate his temperature outside the womb and the outer layer of his skin is sloughing off as new skin forms.

5 Signs it's Time For This Baby to Arrive

5.) Freezer: stocked. Multiple servings of tomato soup, leek chickpea soup, and chicken pot pie stew; chili (both turkey and beef); stock; three different types of casseroles (lasagna x2, chicken florentine, and chicken tamale); garlic bread; three loaves of pumpkin bread; frozen burritos and a few other Amy's entrees; and a container of frozen yogurt for good measure. I think we're covered.

4.) I cannot sit on a chair to put my shoes on because the belly doesn't allow me to lean over far enough. So instead I have to sit on the floor to put on shoes or socks. Except then I require assistance to get back up.

3.) I have been wearing the same pair of my husband's grey sweatpants for the past three days. They are just the only thing that is roomy enough and comfortable enough to make it through the day. I actually went with him to Nordstrom dressed like this. Not OK. Except that I just can't muster the energy to care.

2.) My husband has called me from work to see if I've passed my mucous plug. TMI? Most definitely. But this from a guy who used to be squeamish about just attending my doctor's appointments with me. Now he throws around terms like "mucous plug" and "perineal massage" like he's discussing the NFL playoffs with his buddies.

1.) Last week I managed to rip two different pairs of pants in one day. People tell me I'm all belly (thank you, I'll take the compliment), but the pair of pajama pants-- that ripped wide open in the butt when I sat down on the couch-- and the pair of GAP maternity jeans-- that ripped open across the top of my thigh when I put them on out of the dryer-- beg to differ.

It's time. It is definitely time.

Weeks 37 and 38

January 13, 2011

Best Moment: The theme of the past two weeks has just been the waiting game. We've been patiently wrapping up projects around the house and at work, while trying to squeeze in some fun while we can. We've had two different couples over for dinner, went out to see Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, polished off almost three seasons of Breaking Bad on Netflix, and had one final nice dinner out at Foreign & Domestic. On a totally unrelated note, at my 37 week doctor's appointment, I got the good news that I am already 1.5 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I realize I could just hang out like this for another few weeks, but my doctor also said he wouldn't be surprised if the baby makes his appearance sooner rather than later. Fingers crossed!

Symptoms: Sleep has become a serious challenge. Most nights I am up 3-4 times, and it often takes me 45 minutes to an hour to get back to sleep. Not fun. But I guess this is just nature's way of preparing me for what's to come. Overall, I'm just really tired... I'm sure my poor sleep contributes to it, but I definitely notice my energy flagging during the day. I just can't seem to get more than a few little things done each day. Fortunately, I'm close to wrapping up work.

Cravings/Aversions: Not too much new to report here. My weight gain has really tapered off. I snack pretty frequently, but can't eat too much at one sitting. (Although I did manage to polish off half of a roasted carrot appetizer, most of my Wagyu beef entree, and an entire cranberry chocolate bread pudding dessert at Foreign & Domestic. Totally worth it.)

What I Miss: Comfortable sleep.

What I Can't Wait For: I am just ready to meet this little guy!

Milestones: As of week 37, baby boy is officially considered full term. As of 38 weeks, he is approximately 19.5 inches long-- the size of a leek-- and pushing 7 pounds.

Week 36

December 30, 2011

Best Moment: Christmas fell at the beginning of week 36, which we celebrated in Portland with my family. On the 27th, we headed back to Austin and then spent the remainder of the week between Christmas and New Year's lazing around the house because both of our offices were closed. We had some unseasonably warm weather (even for Austin-- hence the sleeveless tunic) and took advantage of it with a few walks around Town Lake and a date night on Garrido's back patio, followed by a viewing of The Descendants at the Violet Crown. Jason has always wanted to take a photo in front of this famous Austin sign, so we took a few shots there (although they are kind of far away and don't show off the bump too well.) But you get the picture-- it's big and getting bigger everyday.

Symptoms: Increasing Braxton Hicks contractions and a few real contractions as well. Sleep continues to be poor, but since I was off work, I managed to catch an afternoon nap almost every day. At this point, I actually think I sleep better during naps than I do at night.

Cravings/Aversions: I should probably just delete this category all together since I don't really have cravings anymore and it's been months since I've had a real food aversion. But for consistency's sake, I'll report that while I am still sporting a pretty serious sweet tooth, I just don't have as much of an appetite as I did earlier in the pregnancy. My meals are actually smaller at this point than they were pre-pregnancy. There's just no room in there for food!

What I Miss: Same old, same old... sleep, energy, moving around without pain. Not too much longer now...

What I Can't Wait For: We made some big progress on the nursery this week, so I'm looking forward to adding the final touches and then sharing some photos. It's simple, but looking pretty cute!

Milestones: Baby boy is tipping the scales at approximately 6 lbs. 3 oz. (confirmed by my latest ultrasound). He's packing on the pounds at the rate of an ounce a day and will continue to do so for the remainder of the pregnancy.

Weeks 34 and 35

Christmas, New Year's, work, travel, baby prep... it's been a fun and exciting (and busy!) past few weeks. I'm way behind on my weekly pregnancy posts (as well as any other kind of post-- although, let's be honest... my life at this point is pretty much entirely consumed with the final weeks of this pregnancy and baby's imminent arrival), but I am going to go ahead and try to get caught up just so I can remember these last few weeks.

December 16, 2011

December 25, 2011 (35 weeks, 2 days)

Best Moment(s): During week 34, I attended my baby shower in Portland, hosted by my best friend from high school. In addition to seeing several of my friends and family members in Portland, I got to catch up with a few good friends from Seattle, who made the drive down. During week 35, we completed our "baby MBA" with a two-day, intensive labor, delivery, and baby care class hosted at our hospital. I had already done a lot of reading, so most of it wasn't exactly new news to me, but it was reassuring to go over everything and helpful for J and I to both learn Lamaze and relaxation/massage techniques to use during labor. Then, at the end of week 35, we headed back to Portland to spend Christmas with my family.

Symptoms: Overall, I've been feeling pretty decent throughout the third trimester, but my hip pain has been increasing (and is now in both sides-- not just the right side), and around 35 weeks, sleep started becoming a nightly battle. Pregnancy mandated side sleeping combined with the hip pain means I am rotating myself like a rotisserie chicken on a spit all night long. And each time I flip over, I have to rearrange the four pillows required each night to prop me up and keep me comfortable-ish. And then there are all the bathroom breaks... So, sleep is kind of hit or miss. But I am told to enjoy the sleep I'm getting now because I will remember this time period fondly once the baby actually arrives.

Cravings/Aversions: I think my stomach has actually shrunk. That, or baby is just taking up all the room in my abdomen, making enjoying a big meal a thing of the past. Either way, my appetite has actually decreased considerably over the past few weeks, and my weight gain has slowed down as a result.

What I Miss: Comfortable sleep, easy mobility, and my energy.

What I Can't Wait For: I'm really looking forward to seeing what our little guy looks like, and figuring out his personality. Who will he look like? Who will he take after? He's been a pretty chill little fetus, but it will be interesting to see what he's like in the real world.

Milestones: At 35 weeks, the Bean weighed in at over 5 pounds and started gaining weight at the rate of about a half pound a week. He's about the size of a honeydew melon. His kidneys are fully developed now and his liver is processing waste.

Holiday 2011 Recap

I'm a little (OK, a lot) behind, but wanted to catch up with a quick post on the holidays. With the doctor's approval, we flew back to Portland and spent Christmas with my side of the family. It was a fun few days with lots of time spent visiting and catching up with family.

On the 23rd of December, my grandmother organized a "ladies luncheon" for all of the aunts and cousins at a club in downtown Portland. Here we all are before lunch:

We spent a quiet Christmas Eve at home with my immediate family, including my sister and brother-in-law down from Seattle, and my brother and sister-in-law who live in Portland, as well as my other grandparents, who were up from Coos Bay (a small town on the southern Oregon coast.) Our traditional Christmas Eve dinner is always a big pot of Swiss cheese fondue and a fresh salad. It was as delicious as usual.

On Christmas morning, a few of us attended a 7:30am Christmas Mass (and, yes, that was a little painfully early), and then came home to open gifts beneath the tree and eat brunch. Later in the day, we had a few visitors over for cocktails and appetizers, and then enjoyed Christmas dinner.

(J and I in front of the Christmas carnage tree. And yes, that black dress is officially the MVP of my maternity wardrobe.)

The day after Christmas, J's parents drove down from Seattle to spend the day with us. We opened a few more gifts with them (and were completely spoiled), enjoyed a nice lunch out, and then they came back to my parents' house for cookies and coffee before hitting the road back to Seattle. It was a quick trip for them, and a lot of driving for a 24 hour period, but so nice to see them and catch up in person before the baby arrives.

Jason and I headed back to Austin on the 27th, and were both lucky enough to have the week between Christmas and New Year's off of work. We spent the rest of that week laying around watching movies, doing some housework and final baby prep, and just enjoying the quiet before our lives change in a few weeks.

We rang in 2012 at our friends' house-- miraculously, I made it to midnight-- and now here we are in the final countdown to baby: less than 3 weeks to go! 2012 will be a wild ride, and nothing short of amazing, I'm sure.