Since the midwife informed us that our baby is practicing gymnastics and soccer in my womb with fantastic ferocity I have been trying really hard to feel the baby. At my stage and weight I knew that it was possible, so I felt like I just really needed to "listen." Every night I place my hands on my tummy and breathe deeply, trying to quiet my body and listen only to baby. I've been so disappointed because I haven't felt a thing. I thought that if I concentrated hard enough then my womanly powers would come through and help connect me to our child!
Then, yesterday morning, there was something new: I had just gotten into the shower and was standing there trying to defrost when I felt a flicker. That's all it was, and that's the only way to describe it. Just a little flicker in my tummy, and then it was gone and I was left wondering if I had actually felt anything at all. Of course it would happen when I'm not even concentrating! Even though I'm skeptical, Travis has no doubt in his mind that it was our baby. Travis has much more faith our ability to connect with our baby than I do! Last night Travis was resting his head on my stomach and humming a song to the baby and he insisted that he could "hear" the baby in my tummy. We used to spend a lot of time in the grass at the horse stable with his head on my stomach looking up at the sky, and he insists that he's never heard anything similar to the ruckus inside my tummy now!
So, we'll see. I do feel somewhat strongly that yesterday marks the first time that the baby connected to the outside world, but I think it will take more time and experience before I can be sure of where my body stops and our baby begins.
Next Comes 5!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Countdown to Closing!
Last night Travis and I met met with the mortgage broker (again) to continue slogging through all of the paperwork that needs to be done. Things are picking up speed now, and we're finding ourselves meeting or otherwise communicating with crowds of home-ownership related people every day! If it's not a meeting with the mortgage broker than it's emails with the realtor or phone calls to homeowners insurance agents or the appraiser or the inspectortheelectriciantheplumber...the list goes on and on! And hopefully soon we'll be shaking hands with our neighbors-to-be! (The plan is to try to meet them before it's too late to back out of buying the house...just in case they're ax murderers!). Just kidding...I know they're not ax murderers because I've already looked up the crime stats and registered sex offenders in our new neighborhood! :)
We LOVE this house. It's funny because I fell in love with this house the same way that I fell in love with Charlie...Like Charlie, I saw the picture and just felt my heart skip a beat (kind of like the first time I saw Travis down the aisle of the horse stable, for that matter!). Then we "met" the house and everything seemed like a perfect fit, but also a work in progress (a lot like Charlie!). We love the house because it's a good size, it's a block away from the daycare we're signed up for, and it's close enough for me to walk to work every day. It's in an older neighborhood with big, beautiful trees and it's a quiet part of town and it's close to the river (but not in the flood plain!) and close to downtown and the grocery store. We are IN LOVE with the house because it's still got a lot of it's 1950's charm...original hardwood floors, cute ranch style and adorable nooks, built in cabinets, etc. And we are in love with the house for all of its modern updating...such as a dishwasher and central air conditioning! But, the moment that we knew this house is the perfect one for us was the moment that we saw the nursery! Right next to the master bedroom is a nursery that is decorated with the jungle theme that Travis and I were interested in! We couldn't believe it!
Of course, there are some things that need work. We need to shore up the firewall in the garage and do some landscaping around the house to make sure that water doesn't ever come into the basement (a common problem here in below-sea-level-land). We need to put batteries in the smoke detectors and replace/re-glaze some windows. We need to caulk the downstairs bathtub and fix a shoddy door in the breezeway. There are loads of little projects! But, that's kind of how we operate (if you know Charlie then you know the truth of this!). We fall in love and then we get to work! So, as we go through this complicated closing process keep your fingers crossed for us...at this point Feb. 1st is our move-in date! Yay!
We LOVE this house. It's funny because I fell in love with this house the same way that I fell in love with Charlie...Like Charlie, I saw the picture and just felt my heart skip a beat (kind of like the first time I saw Travis down the aisle of the horse stable, for that matter!). Then we "met" the house and everything seemed like a perfect fit, but also a work in progress (a lot like Charlie!). We love the house because it's a good size, it's a block away from the daycare we're signed up for, and it's close enough for me to walk to work every day. It's in an older neighborhood with big, beautiful trees and it's a quiet part of town and it's close to the river (but not in the flood plain!) and close to downtown and the grocery store. We are IN LOVE with the house because it's still got a lot of it's 1950's charm...original hardwood floors, cute ranch style and adorable nooks, built in cabinets, etc. And we are in love with the house for all of its modern updating...such as a dishwasher and central air conditioning! But, the moment that we knew this house is the perfect one for us was the moment that we saw the nursery! Right next to the master bedroom is a nursery that is decorated with the jungle theme that Travis and I were interested in! We couldn't believe it!
Of course, there are some things that need work. We need to shore up the firewall in the garage and do some landscaping around the house to make sure that water doesn't ever come into the basement (a common problem here in below-sea-level-land). We need to put batteries in the smoke detectors and replace/re-glaze some windows. We need to caulk the downstairs bathtub and fix a shoddy door in the breezeway. There are loads of little projects! But, that's kind of how we operate (if you know Charlie then you know the truth of this!). We fall in love and then we get to work! So, as we go through this complicated closing process keep your fingers crossed for us...at this point Feb. 1st is our move-in date! Yay!
Close to Having a Home!
This is the house!
The top picture is of the front, then there's the backyard (which is now completely fenced with a beautiful, wooden privacy fence) and then the downstairs den, master bedroom, and upstairs living room! We can't wait to move in! February 1st is the magic day!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Yeah for baby!
I finally can accept and revel in the fact that I am really and truly pregnant! Travis and I had an appt with our midwife yesterday, and--for the first time--we were able to hear our baby's heartbeat! It was such a magical moment. Travis held my hand and I cried while the midwife laughed as he moved the dopplar all around my stomach trying to keep track of our little wiggler! Our baby has a very good, strong heartbeat that's 148 beats per minute (nearly 3 times my own, which is 58 bpm!). The midwife also seemed impressed by how much our baby moves around! Apparently in 6 weeks I won't be getting much sleep. :) I also check out as very healthy, with a good weight and low blood pressure. Although, the midwife did threaten to send a note to my boss if I keep working through my lunches! I guess I better learn to take it easy. Right now I'm feeling pretty good--not as tired as I was a couple of weeks ago and slightly more emotionally stable. My tummy is bulging out a tiny bit (despite having lost 5 pounds since my last dr. appt.!) and I am thirsty all the time! Other than that, I hardly notice the little tyke! Travis and I are so elated, and spent a lot of time last night talking about our dreams for our baby, our hopes for our own abilities as parents, and what a miracle it truly is that we have played a (large) part in the creation of a new person. It is the most incredible feeling.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Musings
Since only Ruth and I read this and it's sort of like a journal (for now) I thought I'd jot a couple of quick things down.
I always thought that, in pregnancy, I would finally be motivated to do all the healthy things that I've always wanted to do. Here is a list of all the ways I've disappointed myself so far:
1. I am NOT eating healthy!
A. I just ate my 3rd candy cane today! I just can't stop eating sweets and snacks!
B. I am not throwing all of my resources and energy into eating a complex vegetarian diet (I still live off of pasta and pizza and other easy junk!)
C. I still over-eat when I'm bored.
2. I am NOT exercising!
A. I'm actually working out LESS than pre-pregnancy! In the last week I've even stopped my morning walk! Since I have a desk job I virtually experience NO physical activity throughout my day!
3. I'm NOT meditating!
4. I'm NOT doing yoga!
5. I'm not even taking the baby classes, even though--as I'm about to enter my 2nd trimester--I'm finally eligible!
Ok, a lot of this has to do with my living situation. But, being pregnant should elevate me above all that! I should be overcoming ALL obstacles in order to provide the best environment for my baby!
This is it. The final sign that nothing other than my own will can motivate me to take care of myself. Sigh. I think it's time to throw out all those size 2 clothes that I haven't worn since sophomore year of college! (You know, the one time when I actually got really skinny...for reasons other than my own will-power!)
:)
This is kind of a depressing entry, but I think about this a lot. Pregnancy was supposed to be a transformative experience! The universe in order! Everything balanced perfectly! Wow, I wonder what child-rearing (surely the most perfect and transformative experience!) will be like? ;)
I always thought that, in pregnancy, I would finally be motivated to do all the healthy things that I've always wanted to do. Here is a list of all the ways I've disappointed myself so far:
1. I am NOT eating healthy!
A. I just ate my 3rd candy cane today! I just can't stop eating sweets and snacks!
B. I am not throwing all of my resources and energy into eating a complex vegetarian diet (I still live off of pasta and pizza and other easy junk!)
C. I still over-eat when I'm bored.
2. I am NOT exercising!
A. I'm actually working out LESS than pre-pregnancy! In the last week I've even stopped my morning walk! Since I have a desk job I virtually experience NO physical activity throughout my day!
3. I'm NOT meditating!
4. I'm NOT doing yoga!
5. I'm not even taking the baby classes, even though--as I'm about to enter my 2nd trimester--I'm finally eligible!
Ok, a lot of this has to do with my living situation. But, being pregnant should elevate me above all that! I should be overcoming ALL obstacles in order to provide the best environment for my baby!
This is it. The final sign that nothing other than my own will can motivate me to take care of myself. Sigh. I think it's time to throw out all those size 2 clothes that I haven't worn since sophomore year of college! (You know, the one time when I actually got really skinny...for reasons other than my own will-power!)
:)
This is kind of a depressing entry, but I think about this a lot. Pregnancy was supposed to be a transformative experience! The universe in order! Everything balanced perfectly! Wow, I wonder what child-rearing (surely the most perfect and transformative experience!) will be like? ;)
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