Nursery

For any of you curious enough to get a video tour of the nursery... here it is! (Along with a great clip of Chris Thile music.)

37 Weeks

This is what 37 weeks pregnant looks like -- at least on me.

I'm also standing in Ciaran's nursery which, incidentally, is DONE!

You'll also notice that my hair is also nearly gone, which feels oh-so-good in the hot weather, and takes about 2.2 seconds to "do."

We went to the doctor, and Ciaran is still head-down, but not engaged (meaning that his head still float when the doctor checks my cervix). And there's absolutely no indication whatsoever that he wants to come out of my uterus any time soon. Being that I'm officially "full term," this is a little disconcerting for me, as I get more unwieldy and uncomfortable by the day. But as long as he's happy, I'm happy (with the possible exception of last night, when he was happily kicking me in the ribs while I was trying to get to sleep!).

Ah, the joys of pregnancy.

My Little Acrobat

Well, it's happened again... Ciaran flipped back to head-down!  We're very relieved, and pleased with the apparent acrobatic ability of our son. Today during the ultrasound he grabbed his foot, as if to show it off to the camera -- very cute. And we got good head shots for the first time too!  

According to the measurements (which are notoriously off, but still...) he is 6 pounds 12 ounces and is measuring a week ahead. If he makes it to term, we're looking at a solid 8-9 pound kid. Yikes.  And, being that there is no dilation as of yet, it looks like making it to term is a decent bet!

In other good, but completely unrelated, news: we got our first fresh-from-the-farm produce delivery today! Tons of strawberries, a pint each of bing cherries and blackberries, some pickling cucumbers, and a bunch of zucchini and summer squash... yum.  If you see me in the next two days, my hands and all around my face will likely be stained a beautiful, bright red.

A Wrench in the Works

Another week, another appointment with the doctor. This time the news wasn't so good: Ciaran went transverse -- his feet are down, and his butt and head are horizontal (and pretty high) in my belly. At least his latest position explains why I've been more uncomfortable the past few days. So there is a chance that he'll go back head-down, but there's also a chance he won't. So we're back to the uncertainty of what kind of delivery we'll have.

I have to admit, I got my hopes up that we could have a normal delivery -- we were getting well-versed on pain management techniques and childbirth options. Now I don't know what to do -- except wait. We have another scan in a week or so, and we'll know more then.

The good news: he looks very healthy and well, and that is, of course, the most important thing!

The Number 1 Thing You Didn't Know About Chocolate Chip Cookies

They are, in fact, younger than presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain.  For more on this topic, see thingsyoungerthanmccain.com. No, I'm not kidding.

The Woes of Nursery Furniture

I was so hoping for a finished nursery this week. We have everything we need -- diapers, clothes, toys, books, even furniture. No -- scratch that last one. Yesterday I opened the box and took out the crib components, only to find that two of the pieces were damaged. It took the wind out of my sails, and I left the nursery alone. Today SO'B and I boldly opened the changing table box. This time there were three damaged parts. 

So, we're waiting for new pieces to arrive for the crib (end of next week) and for a whole new changing table -- which is out of stock.  It "should" come in by the end of next week, and there are no extra charges, but the nursery remains in chaos for another week... at least. Do you know what that does to a nesting mom-to-be??? 

Head-Down

Me at 31 1/2 weeks:

This just in: I have one smart, acrobatic kid living in my belly: Ciaran turned head-down! That means, despite my uterine anomalies (which I get to read on my file each and every visit), I will likely have a normal delivery! YAY!

It also means that I have to pee more, but that's a small price to pay for not getting cut open.

Now, let mental preparations (and Kegels) for a vaginal delivery commence. The pain won't be so bad, right?