Vivienne's Birth Story

I went to bed on Thursday, December 19 knowing that I would be having a baby the next morning.  This was a big change from the surprise of Madeline's birth, but being induced helped simplify the logistics of what to do with our toddler during the whole process.  We also successfully avoided a Christmas spent gathered around my sitz bath.  I think that was in everyone's best interests.

Knowing what was about to come made me anxious.  Madeline's birth had been so easy that I was sure I was in for a difficult labor this time.   Eric and I both slept terribly on Thursday night despite knowing it would be our last chance for a peaceful slumber for quite some time.  

We woke up very early on Friday morning and drove Madeline to daycare in the dark.  Her eyes brimmed over with quiet tears when we dropped her off, and she gave us a nervous wave.  I resisted the urge to sob into her red curls, and instead smiled widely at her as we left.    

At first, getting ready to be induced felt very much like any ordinary appointment.  I undressed, they started the fetal monitors, nurses came and went, Eric and I watched the morning news.   

About twenty minutes after arriving, the doctor broke my water, and the nurse began administering the drugs to make my contractions start.  My body didn't take long to take the hint.  The contractions began to intensify quickly.  Eric offered his hand.  I squeezed it tightly, and I breathed deeply.

Our nurse joked about how quickly I was progressing, and called the anesthesiologist to administer my epidural.  People squirm over the thought of needles entering one's spine.  In fact, Eric took a walk so he wouldn't have to witness what they were doing to me.  However, I must say that while the procedure isn't exactly pleasant, it was a lot more enjoyable than the contractions I was trying to breath through at the same time.  I was eager for the relief.  

I could feel the cold flowing down my back, and my legs began to tingle slightly, but ten minutes later, I could still feel my contractions.  The epidural was not working as well as I remembered it with Madeline.  We waited a bit longer for the drugs to take affect, and eventually they did, except for one section of my abdomen.  In my lower right side I could still feel everything, and the contractions were certainly getting worse.

I continued to try to breath through each contraction, determined to not moo like a cow, but I now squeezed my bed rails until my knuckles were white.  I greatly admire women who give birth without any drugs.  I don't know how they do it.

The nurse turned me on my side to let gravity help the drugs flow through my body.  A second anesthesiologist arrived to give me an extra boost of the good stuff.  He told me that if that didn't work, they'd have to start a new epidural.  The nurse told me that we wouldn't have time for a second one as I was progressing too quickly.  I rolled my eyes and hoped the drugs would kick in.

They did.  I could still feel the contractions, but the drugs took enough of the edge off that I could relax and start to smile and joke with Eric again.

At that point, the nurse checked my progress.  "Keep your legs closed, or you're going to have the baby," she laughed as she went to find the doctor.

The doctor came in shortly after 11 am and told me to push through the next contraction.  Two big pushes and several minutes later, Vivienne was born at 11:10 am.  She was 7 lbs 11 oz. and 20.5 inches long.  

She came into this world wailing loudly, and she didn't stop crying for the next hour.  Madeline was silent and wide-eyed when she was born, but Vivienne's eyes remained squeezed shut as she voiced her displeasure.

I marvelled at how tiny she was.  We cooed and talked to her gently.  We checked her hair color.  It was brown.  Eric got his way after all.

After the initial shock of birth, she grew calm.  She wiggled and squirmed on my chest and began to nurse as if she'd done it already 100 times.  Eric and I laughed in surprise.  It had taken us days to get Madeline to latch.   Our girls may be from the same stock, but from the very beginning, they appear to be two completely different people.

Vivienne stayed with us for about an hour before they brought her to the nursery to be cleaned up and checked out.  My parents came in to visit while she was gone.  Eric and I ordered lunch.

By 2 pm, the drugs had worn off enough to move me to maternity.  All the L&D nurses laughed about our brief stay as they wheeled me past.  Our nurse told us that most inductions take a full day at least, so getting us out before her lunch break was pretty unusual.

We settled in to our new room, and they brought Vivienne back shortly thereafter.  She was wearing a handmade knit cap that looked like a Christmas tree.  We kissed her chubby cheeks, pet her soft hair, and giggled over her lack of a chin.

Madeline came to visit her baby sister for the first time with my parents.  She wasn't at all impressed or interested in the baby.  Eric's parents arrived with a present for Madeline.  She was impressed and interested in that.

Vivienne continued to nurse easily.  She made soft growling sounds as she slept, and although she came into the world loudly, she didn't cry the rest of the night.  We watched It's a Wonderful Life and tried to squeeze in as much sleep as we could between pokings and proddings from well-meaning medical professionals.  

In spite of the free desserts the hospital kept offering me, and the wonder of my perineal ice pack, by the second day, I was missing Madeline and ready to go home with our new bundle of joy.

I've been lucky to have two easy labors.  And I'm lucky to have two beautiful, sweet, healthy girls.  And Vivienne really is a bundle of pure joy.

Meet Vivienne: One Week

I can't believe it's only been one week since the littlest member of our family made her entrance into this world. It seems impossible to pack so many life changes into just seven days.

After a week of life with little Vivi, here's what we know about her:

• She has light brown hair.
• She has steel blue eyes, but they are quickly darkening.
• Baby girl eats A LOT.
• She has jaundice.
• She is very laid back and calm.
• She doesn't cry when the doctors prick her heel to test her bilirubins, but she wails loudly when we change her diaper.
• She gets revenge for changing her diaper by pooping all over the changing table...especially when Dada does it.
• She growls when mad.
• She likes sleeping with her arms over her head.
• She seems very serious.
• Girl eats A LOT!
• She tries very hard to sit up and look around when she's awake.
• She gets the hiccups all the time.
• She has an outie belly button and has already lost her cord stump.
• Girl eats A LOT! She's cluster feeding like whoa!
• We're pretty sure she's already surpassed her birthweight, but we'll know for sure after her second check-up next week.

We love you, Vivienne, and we're so happy you've joined our family!

For a comparison of what Madeline was like at one week, click HERE.  Spoiler alert:  Vivi is a lot bigger.

Welcome Vivienne

Vivienne is here! After a short and easy labor, she was born at 11:10 AM on Friday morning.

She is absolutely beautiful and is mastering the art of being a newborn quite well.

There will be more on Vivienne, her birth, and her introduction to Madeline soon. In the meantime, here are some photos!

Final Pregnancy Update: 39 Weeks

How far along? 39 weeks, and if all is going according to plan, I am currently in the hospital being induced as this is being published.  

Total weight gain/loss: Just over 30, which is about the same amount I gained with Madeline even though I feel like I gained so much more when I was pregnant with her.  I was so huge and bloated last time.  This time I was still huge...but mostly due to the belly.  

Maternity Clothes:  I'll probably actually end up missing these clothes since I'm about to head into the awkward stage where NOTHING fits over my flabby stomach and gigantic chest.  

Sleep: I slept well this week!  Lots of naps.  

Best Moments this Week: Decorating Christmas cookies with Madeline and snuggling with her on the couch.    

Movement: Baby girl was quiet the last few days, which made me nervous.  I've been poking the poor girl a lot.  She's probably just like, "Ugh, you again!  Let me sleep, woman!"  

Food Cravings: No

Food Aversions: No

Gender: Baby Sister! 

Labor Signs: I'm honestly shocked I made it to 39 weeks.  Three weeks ago when I was having contractions a lot and found out I was 2-3 cm dilated, I thought for sure the end was nigh.  Every few days I have strong cramps and contractions, but they always end up going away.  I think baby girl knows it's cold out and just wants to cuddle up as long as possible.  

Pregnancy Symptoms:  Huge-ass belly, heartburn, and general uncomfortableness.   

Belly Button In or Out? Gone.  

What I am Looking Forward to: Having a baby tomorrow!  OMG!  I can't wait to meet her!  

Upcoming Appointments/ Events: They are inducing me tomorrow morning.  It's such a strange feeling to be induced.  It's like I have a dentist appointment scheduled except I get to take home a baby instead of a new toothbrush. On one hand, I feel a bit bad kicking baby girl out before she wants to come.  She must be happy in there.  On the other hand, it's a bit of a relief knowing when this will all go down.  It makes planning so much easier, especially while juggling a three-year-old Maddie Bear.

At the same time, because it's so planned, I'm more anxious.  Madeline's birth was such a surprise.  Once my adrenaline kicked in, I had no choice but to put on a smiley face and push out a baby.  It sounds nuts, but I was just so, so happy and excited that whole morning.  This time I've had more of a chance to think about everything that's about to happen, and it's a little nerve wracking.  I've heard great things about inductions, and I've heard the horror stories.  Everyone likes to share their birthing horror stories with people who are about to pop out a baby, don't they?    

Oh well.  Whatever will be will be.  I'm ready.  

Current Food Comparison? A watermelon.  That sounds just about right.  

Meanwhile, I'm the size of...

So long, belly bump.  I will miss you.  

Dear Madeline: December, 2013

Dear Maddie Bear,

At this time tomorrow, Mumma and Dada will be at the hospital waiting for baby sister to arrive.  Therefore, today is your last day as an only child.

I have so many conflicting emotions about the big changes coming to our family.  Mostly I'm excited.  I think you'll love having a little sister.  Maybe not always, but most of the time.  Yet, I'm also a little sad in a way because it's the end of an era.  You've been the only star in our sky for the past three years, and I know bringing a new baby into the mix will be a huge adjustment for all of us.

Dada has been putting you to bed a few nights a week recently to give me a chance to rest.  At first you put up with the change in the routine a little begrudgingly.  Except for the rare occasion, I've always been the one to read you stories, tuck you in, and turn out your light.

Then a few nights ago when I tried to bring you upstairs, you started crying for Dada instead.  Dada's eyes lit up over the prospect of finally being the chosen parent, but my heart sank a little as you clawed your way into his arms and cuddled against him.  You must have sensed my sadness because you turned to me and said reassuringly, "I love you still, Mumma.  I love you," and you gave me a last hug and kiss before going upstairs with Dada.  

Of course I'm happy that you want to spend more time with Dada, but it's hard realizing you don't need me as much now that you're getting older.  Besides, very soon I'll be splitting my attention between you and baby sister, and you'll need to rely on Dada more and more when I can't be there at a moment's notice.

Still, I want you to know that even though my lap may be full with another baby, I'll always make time for you.  That's why I have two arms.  The better to hug you and baby sister with, my dear.

Even though you're getting so, so big, you'll always be our baby.  When we tell you this you usually giggle and say, "Noooo, I'm not a baby!" but Mumma and Dada shake our heads. "Nope, you'll always be our baby...even when we're old and gray," we reply.

Testing out the baby toys!

In non baby sister related news, you're quite the handful, Ms. Madeline.  You have many wonderful qualities.  You are sweet. (Most of the time.)  You are ridiculously smart.  (I know all parents say that, but with you, it's true.) You are musical. (I love listening to you sing around the house!)  But since nobody is perfect, certainly not three-year-old Maddie Bears, you also have your fair share of flaws.  Your biggest flaws, little one, seem to be that you are stubborn and sneaky.

Last week, your teacher asked if we've been having trouble getting you to clean up after yourself at home.  Um, YES?!  We have to lecture, coerce, plead and threaten to get you to pick up those toys.  (Damn you, Legos! So many little parts!) Yet, since you sing the "Clean-up" song from school so often, I was under the very false impression that you were at least doing your share there.

From what I gather, you have two strategies during clean-up time at school.  The first is to dawdle until the Type A children have cleaned up for you. (Smarty pants.)  The second is to disappear.  The teacher overheard you saying, "Quick, let's hide!" to two of your buddies when he announced it was time to clean up the other day.  So not only are you a sneaky mcsneakerson, but you're also trying to drag your friends into these hair brained schemes as well.  I hope this doesn't mean that you're going to be the kid to convince your friends to skip gym class to go smoke weed in the woods instead...

Luckily, we seem to have had a breaktrhough with the cleaning issue.  We spent a few days stressing the importance of helping one's friends and listening to the teacher.  It seems to have worked as you're now taking part in clean-up.   You also put all your toys away last night without a trace of whining or resistance.  You like to make people happy, thankfully, and if we show you how happy it makes us when you clean up, you jump right in.

As for the sneakiness...That's still something we're working.  You were denied a candy cane at 4 am yesterday morning after you woke up and refused to go back to sleep.  "Madeline, where are you going with that?" I asked you as you tried to casually slip under the table with the candy cane behind your back.  "I just have to go over here," you replied as you quickened your pace.

I waited a moment, and sure enough, there came the sound of plastic wrapping being ripped from the candy cane.  I peeked under the table at you, and you threw the candy cane aside innocently, hoping I'd think it just happened to be lying there beside you.

You're a funny one, Maddie Bear, but I guess it's all part of being three.

In spite of these flaws, mostly you're just so awesome that I have a hard time understanding how we got so lucky to have you as a daughter.  Some evidence of your awesomeness?  You made two dinosaurs out of Lego's the other day, and they really did look like dinosaurs.  You wasted no time in throwing yourself into the snow to make snow angels after last week's storm.  You snuck up behind Dada holding the nativity Jesus whispering, "Here comes Creepy Jesus..."  You know most of the lyrics from the Frozen soundtrack even though we only saw the movie once and have listened to the songs just a few times.  You know what an octagon is.  You hug my belly and whisper, "Come out, baby sister."  You asked for a TV in your room even though you're only three.  You announced, "When I get big, I'm going to be a doctor!"  And there are a million other tiny things that you do on a daily basis that make us smile and laugh.

We love you so, so much Madeline Lee.  And we are so, so proud of you.






Love,
Mumma

The Joys of Christmas Shopping While Pregnant

If Ebenezer Scrooge were nine months pregnant, he'd probably write a a blog post just like this one.  So before I even begin, please forgive me my rant.  I'm not sure what it is about not being able to see one's toes, but there seems to be a direct correlation between that and one's mood.

Christmas shopping while this pregnant is a bad idea.  A very bad idea.  I highly recommend that all pregnant ladies rely heavily on the Amazon Gods to play Santa this year.  Yet, logical thinking is not always the pregnant person's strong suit.  Although I knew ahead of time that venturing to the mall was probably the worst idea ever in the history of ideas, I did it anyway.

And so, while fighting the crowds at Barnes and Nobles yesterday morning, I was visited by the Three Ghosts of Christmas Shopping Annoyances.

First, I was visited by the ghost of Christmas Shopping Future.  I was standing there minding my own business, browsing through some overpriced flash cards guaranteed to make my daughter a genius, when a sweet old lady shuffled beside me and coughed in my face.  I'm sorry the poor woman is sick, but there was no attempt to turn her head or cover her mouth whatsoever.  All I got was a mixture of sweet breath and spit particles directly to the side of my face.  My unborn child's weakened immune system will no doubt appreciate the Depression Era germs that are now coursing through my body, but it's common courtesy to not cough on strangers.  To add insult to injury, I feel bad even calling this woman out because someday I will be old, shuffling through the store to buy presents for great grandchildren who don't appreciate me, coughing on young people just to get someone to notice I exist.

Next, there was the man standing behind me in line who was convinced that if he stood as close to me as possible and sighed loudly that everything would move faster.  We'll call him the Ghost of Christmas Shopping Present.  I understand his annoyance, and desire to speed up time.  Standing in long lines sucks.  But there's something to be said for personal space, and having a strange bearded man in a leather jacket pressed up against my pregnant backside just gives me the heebie jeebies.  Trust me, buddy, you don't want to be that close.  First, there's a strong possibility that I could start leaking amniotic fluid at any moment.  Secondly, an old lady just coughed on me, and I could be carrying a deadly communicable disease.  My husband doesn't even want to stand that closely to me these days.

Finally, free from the wheezers and close-standers, I waddled over piles of ice and snow to get back to my car, which was parked a good half-mile away form the store's entrance.  And what to my wondrous eyes should appear?  A truck with a snowplow attached to the front of it had backed into the spot next to mine, leaving the front of the plow to block in my car.  I thank you, Ghost of Christmas Shopping Past, for plowing the roads when I needed you two days ago.  I guess your service to mankind means you are justified in parking like a complete d-bag.  Thankfully, the car parked on the other side of me was leaving too.  So with a few wiggles of the wheel and thrusts in reverse, careful to not hit any of the cars prowling desperately for their own parking spots, I was able to slip past the truck.    

Bah Humbug, ladies and gentleman.  Bah Humbug!  Today, I stay home and eat chocolate.

What We've Been Up To

We were snowed in for most of the weekend, which was actually really nice seeing as it was our last weekend as a family of three.  By this time next week, baby sister will be here!

On Friday afternoon, Eric took Madeline shopping for snow boots.  Madeline is the luckiest girl in the world when it comes to Dadas because he bought her these:

I am a mean Mumma, so I probably wouldn't have even let her see those sitting on the shelf.  I would have found something plain and sturdy. But Madeline loved them so much that she didn't want to take them off in the store, so Eric scooped them right up.  Their best feature is that they light up when she walks.

What turned me in favor of the boots was how happy it made Eric to buy them for her.  As soon as they got home, he had her try them on for me.  Those two are the cutest.

We spent the rest of the weekend lounging around playing Santa...

 And watching The Polar Express for the first time.

We have the book, but I was worried that Madeline might be a little scared of the movie since it has some creepy parts.  She didn't blink through the entire film.  It was a major hit.

By the time it was over, she was completely amped up for Santa to visit our house.  It's hard to convince her that he's not coming until Christmas Eve.  Whenever we try to explain that concept to her, she argues, "But it's the Christmas season now."

We did some quick and easy "baking" projects.  Madeline made Reindeer Food (trail mix).  This was a great project for her because she could scoop all the ingredients into the big bowl herself.  It can get a little chaotic and frustrating cooking with Maddie Bear.  Madeline likes to dig right in and start pouring all the stuff into the bowl even if the recipe doesn't call for two cups of salt.  Then she gets mad if I try to limit her creative process.  Usually I end up giving her a separate set of spoons and some fake ingredients and let her have at it.  Reindeer Food was a success because I just sat back and let her do her thing.

We also made some chocolate turtles.  Nom.  Cookies are on the agenda for later this week!

We finally wrote Madeline's letter to Santa.  I wanted to list the reasons why she's been a good girl this year, so I asked Madeline, "What do you do to help Mumma and Dada?" She thought a moment and answered, "Um, eat candy canes???"  Of course when I asked her, "What toys would you like Santa to bring you this year?" she had no problem at all answering, "Frozen dollies and Ariel Legos."

We had about a foot of snow fall through the night into Sunday morning.  When Eric went out to shovel, Madeline wasted no time putting her new boots to the test.  I did not go out into the cold with them, but I had a fun time watching Madeline make snow angels from the window.  She's been obsessed with trying to eat snow.  If we don't watch her carefully, she tries to scoop it up in the grossest of places...like parking lots.  Since this was new snow, and there was a lot of it, Madeline finally got her fix of snow eating.

We spent the rest of Sunday afternoon in our PJs.

Until cabin fever started to set in...

Pregnancy Updates: 38 Weeks

How far along? 38

Total weight gain/loss: 30 lbs. and climbing by the minute.

Maternity Clothes:  My maternity shirts are barely covering this epic bump.  Time to come out, baby girl.   

Sleep: I've slept well this week except for one night of insomnia.  I was snoozing by 8:30 last night.  Glorious.   

Best Moments this Week: Getting the Christmas decorations up. There's going to be a baby under our tree this year!  Plus today is my last day of work until next September.  It feels really good to be done, so I can focus on home.  It also feels strange to be leaving for so long though...

Movement: She's pretty cramped in there, but she can still pack a punch. 

Food Cravings: No

Food Aversions: No

Gender: She's just a girl in the world...

Labor Signs: Still having contractions, and I'm still dilated. 

Pregnancy Symptoms:  Most of them have calmed down except for the giant belly.  The baby is so low in my pelvis that I fully expect her to simply fall out when I walk across the room.   

Belly Button In or Out? I don't even have one anymore.  Stretched to capacity... 

What I am Looking Forward to: Having a baby!  We're getting a big snowstorm this weekend.  I'm looking forward to snuggling with my loves and watching the snow fall.  But, I'm also keeping my fingers tightly crossed that I don't end up giving birth by the side of the road during a blizzard. 

Upcoming Appointments/ Events: I have an induction scheduled for the 20th!!!  If baby doesn't come on her own, she will be here a week from today!
 My doctor said it was prudent to get the baby out before 40 weeks due to my history. My cynical side says that they are trying to clear the schedule for Christmas. Still, it works for me. I don't want to spend the holidays in the hospital either!  

Current Food Comparison? A leek...hmmm. That doesn't sound right!

Meanwhile, I'm the size of...

I don't have any comparisons from last time.  I've never been 38 weeks pregnant before.  From here on out, this is all new territory. 

Fa La La La La

Tis the season to be fat and jolly.  If you're wondering why Rudolph is looking a little bloated beside Santa in the pictures below, it's because that's not Rudolph...it's a very pregnant me.  I'm so round and jolly at this point that I'm surprised little children didn't try to climb into my lap to tell me that they'd been good all year.

I got the house decorated for Christmas over the weekend.  I fa-la-la-la-laaed every corner of this place.  I set up our little Christmas village.  I put candles in the windows, hung snowflakes from the ceiling, draped stockings from the banister, and sung every carol I know...including "D*ck in a Box."  

Madeline came running over yesterday shouting, "I found Jesus!" with the Little People Baby Jesus in hand.  Praise be, my daughter has found the Lord.  Of course, she also pointed to our light-up Baby Jesus and said suspiciously, "Hey, that creepy thing is over there."  So maybe she won't be a nun.  

We decorated our tree.  Correction: I decorated the tree.  Madeline and Eric both got bored and gave up about ten minutes into the process.  Madeline is very impressed with the finished product though.  She runs downstairs to look at the ornaments every morning, curious to see if Santa has come yet.

And most importantly, we went to visit Santa.  We go see the same Santa every year at a local garden center.  It's a free event without the crowds of the mall.  Plus, he's a great Santa.  The real deal.  My parents and sister's family came too.

Madeline, as in years past, would not go near Santa on her own.  Therefore, we're on year three of a family photo with Santa.  She basically played Possum the whole time.  She froze herself against my chest with a half-smile, half gaze of terror on her face until it was over.  My niece was a little hesitant at first too, but she warmed up more than Maddie did and had a nice conversation with Santa.

I can't wait till Christmas morning this year!  Madeline is getting so excited about the whole thing.  We read our Christmas books each night, and she talks about Santa all the time.  It's so exciting having little kids around!

Pregnancy Updates: 37 Weeks

How far along? 37

Total weight gain/loss: 30 lbs.  Woof.

Maternity Clothes:  I just want to wear my over sized old-lady bathrobe everywhere.  

Sleep:  I've spent a lot of time up in the middle of the night again this week.  Grumble...

Best Moments this Week: Baby was very kicky last night, and I could see her little arms, legs, and feet flailing all around like she was directing traffic on the tarmac.  I kept grabbing what I think was her foot, she'd pull away, and then kick me again.  It felt like we were playing a game.    

Movement: Again, see above.  She's a very active baby...much more active than Madeline was.  I also felt her get the hiccups this week.  I've read about women experiencing that, but I'd never felt it before.  It was so strange, but cool at the same time.  

Food Cravings: Not particularly... 

Food Aversions: But it's not like I'm passing on the food either.  

Gender: Girl, look what you've done to me.  To me, and my whole world...

Labor Signs:  Oh my.  At my check-in on Tuesday, my doctor said I am 2-3 cm. dilated, and the non stress test showed more contractions.  I'm starting to really feel the contractions when I get them now, but they are still all over the place.  It's funny how different this experience is from last time.  I didn't feel a single contraction with Madeline until about 40 minutes after my water broke. I feel like this pregnancy is coming to a close soon, but again, I could be wrong.  The doctor said I could stay this way for weeks.  

Pregnancy Symptoms: This morning I had a crying fit because I walked into our bed frame which spiraled into more sobs over the fact that one of Eric's brake lights is out.  Hormones and lack of sleep, man.  

Belly Button In or Out? So odd looking.  It looks like some beast creature's nose.  

What I Miss: I've said this before, but seriously...tying my shoes.  

What I am Looking Forward to: Having a baby and getting in the Christmas spirit.

Upcoming Appointments/ Events: I have another non stress test this afternoon.  

Current Food Comparison? Swiss Chard, which is almost as bad as kale...time to come out, baby girl, before some hippie tries to make a smoothie or cupcakes out of you.   

Meanwhile, I'm the size of...

I wasn't kidding about the bathrobe.  


I don't have a picture of my belly from last time because Madeline was born 37 weeks on the nose.  So instead, I have a picture of me holding a freshly baked Maddie Bear. See it HERE!  

Tick Tock

I feel like a ticking time bomb of amniotic fluid. I will have a baby by the end of the month, I just don't know when she'll choose to make her entrance. It could happen tonight, or it could happen three weeks from now. The suspense is starting to build. Tick, tick, tick, tick.

At home, we've even taken up a game called, "Is My Water Breaking?"  It consists of me freaking out Eric by gasping, "Oh, did my water just break?!"  This round is quickly followed by disgust as I sigh, "Nope, sorry..." before waddling off toward the bathroom. (Don't act like you've never been there, ladies.) The game will end when I actually go into labor. The winner gets a baby.

The waiting game puts everyone a bit on edge. Eric checks on me in the middle of the night as soon as he hears me stirring even though he's usually a sound sleeper.  People at work are genuinely surprised to see that I'm still there.  My students are becoming increasingly awkward in their attempts to not stare at my belly.  The first thing Madeline said to me when she woke up this morning was, "Baby sister wants to come out and play with me!"  Meanwhile, I'm filled with a compulsive desire to tidy up my entire house, which is extremely out of character for me. Tick, tick, tick, tick.

On one hand, I can't wait to meet baby girl.  Sometimes, when I have to literally roll like a turtle on its back to get off the couch, I'm all, "Omigod, get this baby OUT!"  On the other hand, I'm enjoying these last few weeks.  I like being pregnant, and this will probably be my last time...which is a little bit sad.  Plus, we could use another week or two to get Christmas decorations up and papers graded.  So really, Baby Girl, we're ready whenever you are. 

Just please, for the love of all that is holy, don't let it happen in school. That is one life lesson I'm not ready to share with my students. Plus, I will probably end up like this poor woman... I share a lot on the Internet, but me mooing like a cow while my students grin on in glee is not something anyone should ever see. 

Pregnancy Updates: 36 Weeks

How far along? 36

Total weight gain/loss: Over 25 lbs

Maternity Clothes:  I wore the stretchiest pants I own to Thanksgiving yesterday, and today I wore sweats (but fancy sweats) out in public.  

Sleep: Lots of insomnia this week.  I got a good chunk of Christmas shopping done between the hours of 2 am and 4:30 am this morning.  

Best Moments this Week: Thanksgiving with my family.  Seeing baby's face in 3D during today's ultrasound.  I debated whether or not I should put the picture up here cause 3D baby images are pretty much the stuff nightmares are born from, but it's my blog, and I'll do what I want.  

I showed Madeline the pictures.  She studied them with raised eyebrows for a few minutes before tossing them on the floor.  "I'm all done," she stated before walking away.  Hmmm.  

Movement: On my way to my non stress this morning, baby was kicking up a storm.  When they hooked me up to the monitors, her heart rate was really high.  Too high.  At my test on Tuesday, her heart was around 130 BPM.  Today, it came in at over 200 BPM.  I was told that everything between 120 to 180 is considered normal.  It started to fall as baby calmed down, but was still high, so they did an ultrasound.  Everything looked great, and when they performed a second non stress test, her heart rate was back to the normal 140s.  I did have some leftover pie for breakfast this morning....so I 'm wondering if she was having a sugar high.  I guess that means more leftover pie for Eric!  

Food Cravings:  I finally got my gravy fix!  About to do leftovers in a few minutes too.  Yum! 

Food Aversions: As if you have to ask...

Gender: Baby girl!

Labor Signs:  As I mentioned the other day, I'm having contractions.  I was really crampy the past few days, but today I felt normal again.  

Pregnancy Symptoms: Heartburn like whoa.  

Belly Button In or Out? Out

What I Miss: Nothing really.  I'm trying to enjoy these last few weeks.  

What I am Looking Forward to: Having a baby!

Upcoming Appointments/ Events: I have my next non stress test on Tuesday.  I'm looking forward to it after today's little hiccup.  Let's keep an eye on this somersault-performing little lady.  

Current Food Comparison? A crenshaw melon.  Whatever that means... 

Meanwhile, I'm the size of...

And here's what I looked like at 36 weeks last time! 

Things You Should Not Say to Your Pregnant, Redheaded Wife

There are probably many things men should not say to the pregnant women in their lives.  Things like, “You’re overreacting,” or “You have no idea how tired I am today,” or “Did you just eat another slice of pie?” 

Luckily, although I sometimes catch Eric giving me the side eye as I struggle to get into my pants, he’s very sympathetic toward my swollen state.  He doesn’t judge the amount of pie I eat.  In fact, he even brings home cake on occasion.  Still, he’s not a perfect human being, and sometimes, he says stupid things. 

Over the weekend, I was lounging on the couch like a much cuter version ofJabba the Hut, daydreaming aloud about what baby girl might look like when Eric piped up with the following:  

"Groan. I hope we don't have another redhead. We've had enough."

I blinked…twice…and resisted the urge to slap him. (Mostly because slapping him would require getting up, and by the time I waddled his way, he'd have had plenty of time to duck anyway.) 

In a tone that I hoped communicated that he was treading in very dangerous waters, I reminded him that his two favorite people are redheads and that he should count himself very lucky. 

Besides, what did he mean by, "We’ve had enough?" Enough what?  Enough awesome?  I know he didn't mean enough sunscreen.

He tried to explain himself while I glared across the room.  He wants baby girl to be special, he argued.  He doesn’t want just another redhead thrown into the mix. 

I was unconvinced.  “Redheads are special!” I cried. 

Later that night, after eating some cheesecake that I refused to share with my own child, I began to process what he said, and now I think I get it.  He loves Madeline, but he doesn’t want our second child to be a carbon copy of her. She already has to use Madeline’s old toys and wear Madeline’s old clothes, so he wants her to have something that’s her own.  Red hair might be considered rare, but when your mother and older sister are already redheads, it’s not really special anymore.  She’d be more unique with brown hair. 

Of course, if he had phrased it that way instead of groaning about the abundance of redheads in his life, I probably would have been more forgiving.  Then again, maybe not.  I hate to be a walking stereotype, but the redheaded temper, lack of patience, and stubborn tendency to be right are all qualities I possess.  Madeline is quicklyfollowing in my footsteps, so it can’t be easy for Eric to live a peaceful existence amid all those gingery emotions. 

As it is, I can't wait to meet this new little lady no matter what her hair color may be, and I know Eric feels the same way. It's going to be fascinating observing the similarities between her and Madeline, but it will be equally interesting to discover their differences.  One would think that the same set of parents would produce similar offspring, but we all know that’s not the case.  Siblings can be drastically different both in looks and personality. 

Personally, while I was open to any hair color before, I’m now routing for another redhead simply to annoy my husband.  

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