Loosy Goosy. 11-1-11

I got home, and it was 8pm. My massage therapist is a couple of minutes from my house. I left a few minutes before 6pm. Yep, she worked on me for 2 solid hours, but I was only scheduled for one hour. I must have distracted her by talking, and I had some pretty good knots in my back. At one point, I looked at the clock, and it was 7pm. I just figured the clock was wrong. Well, needless to say, my muscles feel pretty relaxed. I'm going to miss this health benefit when they discontinue it this summer... Hopefully, I'll sleep well tonight. I was so exhausted from working hard to prepare for class yesterday. I've been awake since about 4am.
Being stressed takes it toll after a while. In this last trimester, I feel the need to get more rest. Fortunately, I've been fairly productive at work and may have figured out a result this afternoon for a manuscript that's been sitting on my desk for nearly 2 years. Having things out of the way will help me to feel a bit more control in the coming months. I still have many remodeling projects and am slowly making progress. Hopefully, my life will be a bit more settled when Boop makes her debut. And then, there will be a baby to feed and diapers to change that will occupy much time.

Halloween. 10-31-11

I started with a bowl of chili about 5:30pm. I couldn't find my spider rings and pencils to give away with the candy, but at least, I did have a bag with 70 pieces of candy. I tried to find other things in case I ran out of candy. At some point this year, I had bought some little bottles of bubbles and figured I could give them out if I got in a candy pinch. Then, I put Winnie's pumpkin costume on her. At 6pm, I started my second bowl of chili, and each bite was punctuated by trick-or-treaters.

Winnie was loving all of the little ones coming to our kitchen French doors. With no steps, Winnie could walk right out to the ledge and was the same height, if not taller, than some of the trick-or-treaters. The kids, for the most part, loved it too. Her pumpkin outfit was a hit. Best count, I had 65 trick-or-treaters in 1.5 hours. About half of those gave Winnie a little pat. This was a bit slow compared to last year. I figure the cold, dark, and light rain kept a lot of trick-or-treaters home--or at least encouraged them to wrap up a bit earlier. Lots of princesses, fairies, zombies, and action figures. Mom has been working on Boop's outfit for next Halloween for about the last couple of months. I bet she'll have something for Boop come this weekend.

I dressed Boop like a lobster, but perhaps not convincingly. I was dressed in black, and folks may not have realized I was pregnant. Unfortunately, my outdoor stairs aren't finished for my kitchen, which caused a couple of problems. For one, the trick-or-treaters kept going to the other door. For another, it was tricky getting the candy into the bags of some of the little ones. Some of the toddlers didn't understand to lift up or open up their bags; so I was trying to squat down to reach them. Pregnant woman trying to stoop and lean without toppling over. It wasn't pretty. But one good thing: it was nice in that Winnie could go right up to the kids and get lots of attention.

Taking Stock at Week 28. 10-31-11

Here's what's happening at Week 28:

• No gestational diabetes :) That's a huge relief! Well, that was the good news that the midwife started her call with. The bad news: anemia. I can deal. I should be able to manage with 2 iron pills a day. I dread having to go back on colace, but it's WAY better than having to stick myself 4 times a day to monitor glucose. The anemia explains plenty: my perpetual craving for red meat, fatigue, etc.
• Otherwise, not a lot of new stuff. The pregnancy sites mostly say that Boop is gaining weight and getting longer. Her lungs should be able to breathe with a little assistance. Basically, she's got a pretty good shot of making it :) She's certainly a strong kicker, with much endurance!
• Uncomfortable. I have trouble getting situated. And I just want to eat and eat and eat, but then my tummy doesn't feel quite right. I'm tired. I hope I don't have to stay up late to manage class prep and trick-or-treaters. I haven't decided if I'm going dress my bump. Maybe I should have a little nap?
• Slight nose bleeds. I suspect that it's just a bit too dry for me. My skin is always dry. I love having the fireplace going, but I probably should compensate for the dryness in the air. I guess the dryness won't hurt Boop, and I can't really blame it for the anemia.

I Started It. 10-30-11

Of course, I had to go and show my mom what I bought for Boop. She saw the little chubby cheeked cherub who was modeling Boop's red beanie. And then she had a good look at the website. She was ooing and ahhing. I had sent her the link for Zulily long ago when they had some adorable pink cowboy boots, but she said she didn't bother looking at the time. She didn't want to deal with the password issue. In retrospect, that was a good thing. At least craigslist requires a bit more thought and planning. Being able to point and click is dangerous!
So the next morning after I bought goodies for Boop, I got a call from Mom. "Take a look at these clogs, and tell me what you think." I figured it was something for Boop, but it turns out it was for Boop's momma (me). I tried to talk her out of it <okay, so it was a very weak attempt.>, but she explained that Christmas was right around the corner. And, after all, I would get the $15 giftcard for my next purchase. She saw a few things for Boop, too, but they were a bit too old for her yet. We reasoned that in 2 years, some of the things would be a bit out of style.
And so it begins, and I know I started it. Mom had mentioned that she had talked to Aunt D and had showed her the photo on the website. Aunt D was already well aware ;) Apparently, she's been doing a bit of online shopping for our own little Boop herself, and Mom hinted that Aunt D had found a few things... How spoiled our little Boop will be! I cautioned Mom that Boop could turn out to be a tomboy and not care so much about tutus, bows and frilly dresses and that we would have to accept it. She didn't think that was possible.

Snow. 10-29-11

Boop's first snow. I don't know if it will accumulate, but it's pretty to watch falling. It's not even Halloween, yet, and there are still plenty of leaves on the trees. I'm nice and cozy on the couch, watching the news with the big snows in the mountains, the gas fireplace is going steady, and I'm sipping cocoa. They haven't told me I have gestational diabetes; so, I'm just going to assume it's okay. After all, Boop needs the calcium ;) And she sure gets busy when she gets something to eat. The midwife said, "You know, activity in the womb is predictive of activity after their born." Um, yeah. In spite of my arthritis and age, I'll manage. I smiled and said, "Well, I guess it's better than the alternative. I'd be most concerned if she wasn't active. In genetic counseling, that wasn't a good sign." She agreed.
About a half hour from here, they're expecting 6-8 inches. It cracks me up that they refer to the area just east of here as "the mountain counties." Well, what do you call the place where I live? Granted, my lot is one of the flattest in town, but the whole place is in the mountains! I'm certainly nervous about folks coming through the mountains in January for little Boop. Let's just hope the interstates stay in good condition.
For the most part, I'm hoping that I can just relax at home this weekend after my last 2 crazy weekends. On the agenda, a trip to the grocery and Lowe's, a big pot of chili, work on the stairs and drywall, and pumpkin bread-making with friends.

A Bad, Bad Thing. 10-28-11

I did a bad, bad thing. I shopped. For Boop. I bought clothes. I kind of feel like God might strike me down... or something might happen to Boop. You know what happens to people who are too prideful, assuming they can control the future. Well, I'm just working with probabilities. Hopefully, everything will work out. There's another issue with me buying clothes: baby showers. Heaven knows, I've gotten some lovely things already, and it's likely that Boop will get some more adorable clothes in the future. My family has shown amazing self-restraint so far. I got a little pink beanie from my aunt D, and my mom got a Grandma onesie from my cousins when they 1st heard I was pregnant.
I had been so good with Zulily. I would look and not buy. But today, I saw an adorable black and white sleeper that I couldn't resist.

If only I had stopped at that. I had to get myself the shirt to match. And then there were the beanies. Boop had to have the beanie to match. As much as Mom was worried by my lack of hair as an infant, I will be able to save her the concern by keeping Boop's head covered and assuring her there is hair underneath :) And then I decided, that yes, beanies were a very good idea, and they had one with an adorable red flower.

Of course, I had to have one of those, too. And then there was an outfit with a pink puffer jacket and a matching pink tutu. And I'm hoping that Boop will be able to wear them and imagining what she may look like in my mind. I got a pretty good look at her in the ultrasound a few weeks ago. But I have no idea about the status of her hair.

Cold Days. 10-28-11

I finally got a chance to send my friend M a quick email yesterday. Another package!! :) Bless her heart. I've missed my friend, M, and I'm so glad that we're back in touch <and not just for all of the great baby stuff.> She sent the crib 'aquarium' that plays music that I sent to little H when he was a baby. Her daughter, E, got some use out of it, too, I think :) I'm glad they enjoyed it. I think Boop will too.
M and I must be on the same wave length... keeping Boop warm. It was 38F this morning when I got up. And they are expecting 1-4 inches of snow tonight. Little Boop will experience a mountain winter very early in her life, being expected in January. Hopefully, it will help her to cope a bit better with weather extremes; although our winters aren't too bad. And so the box from M was full of nice sweaters and cozy things. There was an adorable crocheted sweater and also a Bundle Me, which she explained was good for travel in a car seat. Of course, it's pink ;) Boop will be so warm and cuddly!

There was also a little bathing suit. Perhaps I'll dress her in the bathing suit and the sweater. That way she could look like something out of Jersey Shore, or such. Um, no. Assuming Boop is plugging along as she should, she will have plenty of time to enjoy her attire in the appropriate season. And we'll enjoy all of our goodies from M!