My Husband Rocks

Tonight he cut & filed my toe nails for me because I can't do it myself. (33 weeks pregnant.) I am so grateful for him.

Preparing for the Move

It's been a busy weekend. We are moving next weekend, and have taken on the job of painting our new abode in the meantime. My husband has finished painting the living room. It looks great. I'm a little concerned about the short timeline for him to finish the rest of the house. It took about 2 full days of work to do the living room. He has 2 bedrooms & the hallway left to start & complete by Sunday. Though I am supportive of his efforts, it's really hard not to prod him forward. He has a tendency to get stuck on the little details - the touch-up work from one room instead of the primer for the next. I love this about him. I am concerned, however, that he won't have time to do the rest of the job. In fact, I can be honest here and say that I can't imagine how he's going to do it. I don't think it's possible. If he had people scheduled to help him each day this week, I think that it could work out. But since he has only one person lined up for 4pm tomorrow - and his Dad's scheduled to come over for dinner at about 6pm...

So, I am packing up the house to free his time up for him to do paying work and for him to eradicate the brown that currently pervades the walls of our new home. (Who would paint shady bedrooms dark brown?) This is a bit harder than it may seem on the surface. I am 33 weeks pregnant as of tomorrow. I could be giving birth in as little as 5 weeks. My belly is now an obstacle that I move around when bending over. And my energy level isn't what it once was. I can't lift boxes once they are packed, so I have to hop-scotch around the house leaving a parcel here-and-there as I go, until D is able to move them for me. I'm making progress, but it feels slow. I just paused a moment to count how many boxes I've packed today. SEVEN. Though I wish it were more, the truth is that I couldn't have done more.

Today I:
Woke up
Made breakfast
Called the moving company re: details of the move
Groomed myself
Walked to the grocery store
Bought supplies for deviled eggs, as well as a few necessities pre-move
Walked home - carrying above groceries
Cleaned the kitchen
Boiled eggs for deviled eggs
Left them to cool in an ice bath
Walked to the children's clothing store down the street to get a last minute addition to our baby shower gift
Walked home
Wrapped baby shower gift
Coiffed myself
Went to baby shower
Came home with about 20 boxes - the hosts of the shower just moved
Packed 7 boxes
Made dinner
Ate dinner
Cleaned the kitchen
Blogging

I've got 8 weeks and I still have a ton on my list too.

• In Process - Make arrangements for maternity leave with my clients
• DONE! - Finalize the registry
• DONE! - Choose music to put on the shower favor music CD
  
• Go to my shower
• Buy whatever is left after the shower
• DONE! - Find a bigger apartment (we live in a 1 bedroom)
• DONE! - Pick paint colors
• DONE! - Prep rooms to paint
  
• In Process - Pack
• Move
• Unpack
• Nest
• DONE! - Buy car seat
  
• Install car seat
  
• In Process - Make a packing list for the hospital
• Wash baby clothes/blankets (NOTE - an experienced mom told me not to wash everything you get. You might not use it all and if the tags are attached you can exchange the clothes for something you'll use.)
  
• Pack for the hospital
• DONE! - Go to second "Preparing for Child Birth Class"
  
• Go to Breast Feeding class
• In Process - Read Nursing Mother's Companion
• Go to "Caring for a Newborn" class
• DONE! - Do kick counts per doctor's request (Doctor excused me from continuing since my kid is off the charts!)
  
• Watch video - Happiest Baby on the Block
• DONE! - Watch video from my doula - What Babies Want
• Second meeting with doula
• Third meeting with doula
• Get my hair done
• Get a pedicure (I still can't see my toes and I have ingrowns)
• Do KEGELS
• Send thank you cards for gifts from shower
• Pre-order birth announcements
• Address envelopes for birth announcements (they pre-send them with order)
• Buy nursing bras
• Buy menstrual pads
• Go on pediatric department tour
• Pre-register with the hospital
• Ongoing! - Make love with my husband
• Ongoing! - Sleep as much as possible
• Increase life insurance policy for my husband and myself
• Designate a guardian for baby in case something happens to us both
• In Process - Socialize with my girlfriends one-on-one (I've seen: Candy, Liz, Andrea, talked with my sister, Heather, & Courntey)
  
• In Process - Finish covering the dining room chairs (we've done 2 of 3)

Who are You?

Hit forward and place an X by all the things you've done and
remove the X From the ones you have not. Answer the 30
questions at the end and send it to your friends (including
me). This is for your entire life!


(x) Gone on a blind date

(x) Skipped school

(x) Watched someone die

(x) Been to Canada

(x) Been to Mexico

( ) Been to Florida

(x) Been on a plane

(x) Been lost

(x) Been on the opposite side of the country

( ) Gone to Washington , DC

(x) Swam in the ocean

(x) Cried yourself to sleep

( ) Played cops and robbers

( ) Recently colored with crayons

(x) Sang Karaoke

(x) Paid for a meal with coins only

(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't ...hahahha!

(x) Made prank phone calls

(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose

(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue

(x) Danced in the rain....well, played in the rain

( ) Written a letter to Santa

( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe

(x) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about

(x) Blown bubbles

(x) Gone ice-skating

(x) Been skinny dipping outdoors

(x) Gone to the movies


1. Any nickname? Maddie, Maddy, many others...

2. Mother's name: Judith

3. Favorite drink? Pregnant = limeaid, Normally = mojito

5. Body Piercings? Ear lobes, left ear cuff, belly button

6. How much do you love your job? Bookkeeping? Are you kidding?

7. Birthplace? Long Beach, CA

8. Favorite vacation spot? Crete

9. Ever been to Africa? Nope

10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Not that I can remember

11. Ever been on TV? Yes, a couple of times. Once with Jamba Juice serving smoothies to Oprah's audience. The daily spots showed me looking like a smoothie-wench. Second time was on an info-mercial for skin care with Kathy Lee Gifford.

12. Ever steal any traffic signs? I was an accomplice. I never kept one.

13. Ever been in a car accident? Yes, more than one. I wasn't generally driving in them though.

14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4

15. Favorite salad dressing? It depends on the salad. I like to make my own...

16. Favorite pie? Lemon merigne (I've been craving it for months. Dustin's planning on making one for me - such a good guy!)

17. Favorite number? 9

18. Favorite movie? The Ghost & Mr. Chicken

19. Favorite holiday? All of them now that I'll have a little boy to share them with.

20. Favorite dessert? GOOD pie - not Safeway pie - GOOD pie. Cherry, apple, strawberry rhubarb, blueberry, peach...make it into a pie and I'll love it.

21. Favorite food? I'm pregnant! It depends on the day.

22. Favorite day of the week? Sunday

23. Favorite brand of body wash? I like hand-milled soaps in yummy scents.

24. Favorite toothpaste? Anti-plaque Crest...especially when used with our electric toothbrush. CLEAN!

25. Favorite smell? Cinnamon

26. What do you do to relax? Photograph flowers.

27. How do you see yourself in 10 years? Good question. I'd like to be a home owner. It's hard to imagine 10 years from now. My baby is going to be born in 2 months. I can't imagine the world without imagining him in it, but I haven't met him yet, so I'm at a loss with this question.

28. Furthest place you will send this message? So. Cal. unless someone is traveling and I don't know it.

In case there is any doubt, I am the author of the following Craigslist post. See the response from someone below.

BART Rider

---

Reply to: pers-645287829@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-04-16, 8:23PM PDT


If you ride BART, please be mindful of those in need of a seat. I am nearly 8 months pregnant, and on my train home several people averted their eyes instead of offering me a seat. These were able-bodied people, not elderly or disabled folks. In fact, even when seats became available, people quickly nabbed them instead of offering them to the lady with a visible baby bump.

I was a little surprised that no one offered their seat. But I was even more aghast that no one on the train asked those seated to do the right thing. All it takes is one courteous person to make a significant difference to someone in need.

Thanks for reading my post.

Response received by email:

Subject:	BART Rider
Date:	Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:47:11 -0700

Hi,

I am sorry to hear that no one let you sit down on BART today. On a positive note, though, you sound like a wonderful future mother.

Robert

REVISED TO DO

I've got 9 weeks and I have a ton on my list too.

• Make arrangements for maternity leave with my clients
• DONE! - Finalize the registry
• Choose music to put on the shower favor music CD
  
• Go to my shower
• Buy whatever is left after the shower
• DONE! - Find a bigger apartment (we live in a 1 bedroom)
• Pack
• Move
• Unpack
• Nest
• DONE! - Buy car seat
  
• Install car seat
  
• In Process - Make a packing list for the hospital
• Wash baby clothes/blankets (NOTE - an experienced mom told me not to wash everything you get. You might not use it all and if the tags are attached you can exchange the clothes for something you'll use.)
  
• Pack for the hospital
• DONE! - Go to second "Preparing for Child Birth Class"
  
• Go to Breast Feeding class
• In Process - Read Nursing Mother's Companion
• Go to "Caring for a Newborn" class
• DONE! - Do kick counts per doctor's request (Doctor excused me from continuing since my kid is off the charts!)
  
• Watch video - Happiest Baby on the Block
• DONE! - Watch video from my doula - What Babies Want
• Second meeting with doula
• Third meeting with doula
• Get my hair done
• Get a pedicure (I can't see my toes and I have ingrowns)
• Do KEGELS
• Send thank you cards for gifts from shower
• Pre-order birth announcements
• Address envelopes for birth announcements (they pre-send them with order)
• Buy nursing bras
• Buy menstrual pads
• Go on pediatric department tour
• Pre-register with the hospital
• Ongoing! - Make love with my husband
• Ongoing! - Sleep as much as possible
• Increase life insurance policy for my husband and myself
• Designate a guardian for baby in case something happens to us both
• Socialize with my girlfriends one-on-one
• Finish covering the dining room chairs (we've done 1 of 3)

Below is a TO DO list that I was inspired to write by a post on Cafe Mom inquiring what we have left to do before the baby comes. I was started Week 30 yesterday. Tristan could come in the next 2 to 2 1/2 months.

You wrote on Apr. 8, 2008 at 4:01 PM

I've got 10 weeks and I have a ton on my list too.

• Make arrangements for maternity leave with my clients
• Finalize the registry
• Choose music to put on the shower favor music CD
  
• Go to my shower
• Buy whatever is left after the shower
• Find a bigger apartment (we live in a 1 bedroom)
• Pack
• Move
• Unpack
• Nest
• Buy car seat & install
• Make a packing list for the hospital
• Wash baby clothes/blankets (NOTE - an experienced mom told me not to wash everything you get. You might not use it all and if the tags are attached you can exchange the clothes for something you'll use.)
  
• Pack for the hospital
• Go to second "Preparing for Child Birth Class"
  
• Go to Breast Feeding class
• Read Nursing Mother's Companion
• Go to "Caring for a Newborn" class
• Do kick counts per doctor's request
  
• Watch video - Happiest Baby on the Block
• Watch video from my doula - What Babies Want
• Second meeting with doula
• Third meeting with doula
• Get my hair done
• Get a pedicure (I can't see my toes and I have ingrowns)
• Do KEGELS
• Send thank you cards for gifts from shower
• Pre-order birth announcements
• Address envelopes for birth announcements (they pre-send them with order)
• Buy nursing bras
• Buy menstrual pads
• Go on pediatric department tour
• Pre-register with the hospital
• Make love with my husband
• Sleep as much as possible
• Increase life insurance policy for my husband and myself
• Designate a guardian for baby in case something happens to us both
• Socialize with my girlfriends one-on-one
• Finish covering the dining room chairs (we've done 1 of 3)

I wrote this the other day on my way into work.

4/4/8 10:37am

On BART, heading in to San Francisco to work a few hours at K&P. I just secured my ear phones in and started BT's This Binary Universe in an attempt to drown out the voice of a fat, old lawyer advising his client on his cell phone. (I would like to note that he was about 1/2 a car away and was talking in a manner that was almost a yell.) BT's music turns my routine into a movie as I watch the urban metropolis slide by to this soundtrack.

These moments that I walk through are fleeting. I look at my hands and I see the fingers of a strong, young woman adorned with the glitter of my wedding ring. Though I expect to look at my hand 1,000 times and recognize the symbol of our love there, the fact that our vow is so fresh and our love still blossoming into the full comfort of a seasoned marriage makes this time special. Couple that awareness with the feeling of our growing baby kicking from inside my womb makes this short time before everything changes even more sweet.

Even as I write this I am struck by the realization that my wonder will continue as our son is born, he grows to see so many firsts, we finally find and purchase our first home, and we all grow as individuals and into a close-knit, loving family. Truly, this is what I have always wanted, always been a little scared to wish for because it is so far away from my roots.

So imagine yourself here with me, riding a train, dressed up for work, watching the world moving quickly by, but feeling completely suspended in this amazing moment when I can totally feel myself in exactly the life I always wanted as a child. I feel so blessed that I have a little tear in my right eye.

I love you baby. You are the culmination of a dream coming true.

I haven't written in a long time. I've been growing a baby. I've also moved two offices, looked for a new place to live, worked with our accountant on filing an extension, had a major fallout with two family members, recovered from that, read a lot about baby products and childbirth, engaged a doula, and exercised.

Despite that, I've been thinking of writing for the last few days. And though I feel the need to log off and get to bed, I decided that now's the time to make an entry. If I'm going to get into the habit, I need to start.

I have recently joined a website called CafeMom. This is basically a posting forum for mothers of all description to network. I have signed on to several groups: Breastfeeding Moms; Cloth Diapering; Deals & Steals; Due in June 2008; First Time Mamas; Organic, Natural, & Simple Living; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Knowledge; and my most recent addition, Love Your Husband!

After being accepted into the 'Love Your Husband!' group I posted to the first string I saw. This is my Top 10 Reasons I Love My Husband list.

Apr. 5, 2008 at 10:38 PM
1. He's caring. When I just had a major acid reflux attack (week 29) he walked into the bathroom and rubbed my back as I heaved.

2. He's domestic. He washes the laundry while I'm at work. He cooks dinner. He takes out the trash. He vacuums. He cleans the bathroom. He makes the bed. I never have to ask him to do these things. He just does them.

3. He's disciplined. He is physically active every day. He goes to a trainer 2x a week. But he also rides his bike, runs, lifts weights, does sit ups, & yoga at home. All because he's made a schedule for himself and he keeps to it.

4. He's an entrepreneur. He is a working freelance writer who really hustles to make ends meet. His success is really inspiring to me.

5. He's supportive of me. If I have to work late, he picks me up and makes dinner. When I talk about changing jobs, he encourages me to do what I love. He's gone to every prenatal visit. And he totally participated in our "Preparing for Childbirth Class" today.

6. He loves his family. Crazy though they are, he is close with them.

7. He's funny. I don't always laugh at his jokes, but he's cracking them anyway. Right now he's singing a song, "I am the task completer. If you are a task, I'll complete you. Do-do-do-do...."

8. He's healthy. We both are. I thought I ate well before we were together. I've gotten even more into fruits & veggies since he's been around.

9. He's stylish. He has a personal style all his own & it's sexy as hell.

10. He's a nerd. He reads sci-fi and plays video games and dreams of making robots. Without these things, he wouldn't be him.