Saturday Round-Up

I didn't get around to updating quite as much as I would have liked this week, so here's a whole mess of Thirty-Second Week of Pregnancy stuff:

• I've gained 2.5 pounds in the last two weeks, which means pre-dawn feedings are working. Hurrah.
• Pokey's gained 2.5 cm, approximately, according to the midwife. I will have an ultrasound in two weeks to allay any worries about her being 'too small' or having low amniotic fluid levels. I'm really not worried about it. I was born at 6 lbs 15 oz; my sister was 6 lbs 8 oz; and DH was 7 lbs. Small babies. Plus, I'm 5'2"; I don't think I'm supposed to carry a baby much bigger than I am.
• The back pain and rib pain have abated, but I become winded very easily. I get winded sitting down. The upward expansion of my uterus is definitely impacting my lung capacity. It's a good thing the zoo we went to on my birthday had benches every twenty feet or so; I'm certain I sat on them all.
• I really, really liked the doula I interviewed a week ago. I had the oddest moment of deja vu when I opened my door to her--she's precisely my height with my hair and my glasses. It was like opening the door to myself. I took that as a good sign. She is bright, energetic, and positive; but most importantly, experienced and knowledgeable. It felt like a good fit. I can't wait until both DH and I have our first appointment with her.
• I've been reading a lot. My sister gave me Baby 411 for Christmas, and I've finally cracked the spine. Also spent time with: Spiritual Midwifery, by Ina May Gaskin; Baby Magic for Your Magic Baby, by Jill Diana Chasse; The Birth Partner, by Penny Simkin; and The Happiest Baby on the Block, by Harvey Karp, MD. The plan is to get Baby Bargains sometime this week--I've had several mommy friends recommend it as 'required reading.'
• I interviewed a pediatrician I like. She's older, perhaps a little more traditional, but approaches the parent-doctor relationship like a teacher and a guide rather than the fount of all knowledge, so I felt really comfortable chatting with her. My midwife likes her, too. So I think we've found a keeper.
• I bought my first nursing bra, with two more on order. Thank you, Medela. They're not pretty, but they are comfortable. So nice to have a bra that fits, doesn't hurt, or make me want to walk around with my fingers shoved beneath the underwires all day. Because that's really, really not an attractive look.
• The diaper changing area in my bathroom is coming together. I've bought several new baskets wicker baskets to put in an upright chrome stand-alone shelf we had in our beach house but held onto; and I've been slowly accumulating the necessary toiletries and first-aid necessities to fill them up. Now all we need is a changing table and we'll be all set.
• My sister's adorable invitation to my baby shower arrived this week. Best part about them: NO PINK. :) Thanks, kiddo!

Here's what I'm reading/listening to this morning:

• From Salon: My Life in Baseball (Opening Day is this upcoming week! Let's go Rays!)
• From This American Life: Episode #403: NUMMI
• From Slate: Preschoolers Know All About Brands
• From The New York Times: Growth of Unpaid Internships May Be Illegal

And that's about all thus far. It's supposed to be in the upper 70s-low 80s today, and I have flower-shopping and potting to attend to. Most of my day will be spent in a bikini and sarong, toddling around the back yard pulling weeds and making things pretty. Not a terrible way to pass an early April Saturday in Florida, I'd say. The beaches will be overrun with tourists, Spring Breakers and locals alike. I'd rather stay closer to home.

Saturday Round-Up

It's been a low-key week round these here parts. Health Care (err...Insurance, rather) Reform passed, and then it passed again. Duke is in the Elite Eight (about which I care not a lick, but DH does, and there's just that much less swearing, which keeps things pleasant for everyone involved). I had a ridiculous consultation with a pediatrician--He was terrible. I will write about it when I have my next consultation with a different pediatrician later this week. The house is tidy and clean. The weather is gorgeous. And I am interviewing a doula in about an hour.

No trip to Disney this past week to ride the Haunted Mansion infinity times--DH worked and is still working today. First day off is tomorrow, and with so many schools around the country hitting Spring Break this weekend, I can assure you we will be no where near the theme parks for at least a couple of weeks. It looks like we'll go to The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens for the big 3-5 instead, provided the weather cooperates.

And speaking of my birthday, DH has been singing Steve Martin's "The Thermos Song," from The Jerk for the last few days. It's become something of an ear worm, and I feel compelled to share. You're welcome.


What I'm reading this morning:

• From Salon.com: What the healthcare reform bill means for abortion. (I am a particular fan of Katha Pollit's sentiments.)
• She's Only Two from Mommy Drinks Because You Cry.
• Whence the Hatred II from Peter Sagal's blog.
• The New York Times Book Review for The History of White People.
• Also from NY Times: Artists Mine Scientific Clues to Paint Intricate Portraits of the Past.
• And some local news: A Man Spends Hours in a Stranger's Tub in Killer Whale Protest.

Saturday Round-Up

I enjoyed a tradition at T is for Teacher every Saturday when I would post all sorts of goodies non-work related that made my Big Day Off most enjoyable, whether it be podcasts to which I listened during the day, articles I'd read, activities in which I'd participated, travel destinations to which I aspired, or things I loved and wanted to share. I'd like to reinstate that tradition here, even though my days blend together more homogeneously than they had when I was working.

• I listened to Episode 402 of This American Life: Save the Day. It's a good one.
• Aveda's Foot Relief was a spendy indulgence I bought a few weeks ago, when the relaxin hormone kicked in and made my non-existent arches ache like they hadn't ached since I was a ten-year old gymnast pounding the hell out of the floor with my handsprings and tucks. My feet are tingling as I type.
• I read this article from Salon.com this morning: Unsettled: Why Israel and liberal American Jews are drifting apart.
• I posted this link to PolitiFact.com on my Facebook page: Top 10 facts to know about health care reform. It does a nice, summative, non-partisan job of breaking down the what Health Care Reform will and won't do. I doubt many who fall Right of Center really cares to know the true details of reform--far better to deliver a staggering defeat to Speaker Pelosi and President Obama than impress stewardship for health and happiness upon The American People.
• If you send a gift for Pokey, chances are you will receive an adorable thank you note card from a great stationery designer I found on Etsy.com: Perideau Designs. She's changed her shop name since I first found her as well as her business model, but her stuff just keeps getting better. I'm all for promoting handmade. And I'm a stationery addict.
• I will ride the Haunted Mansion, my favorite of all Disney rides, as many times as I want in honor of my 35th birthday. It looks as if we may visit the Magic Kingdom sometime this upcoming week since my birthday falls on a blackout day...which, as former cast member, I can tell you pretty much guarantees crowds I won't want to be anywhere near. I will also eat a giant turkey leg, buy a giant lollipop, and generally act like I'm 34 going on 5. I want a balloon, too. And Mickey Ears with my name embroidered on the back.
• And finally, for now, I am researching Honolulu. Not for vacation, though. We may move. It would be a massive undertaking at a time when we have an infant in tow; when the housing market guarantees a substantial loss on our investment; but I can't help but be really excited at the prospect of living in Hawaii. What an adventure. More to come on that topic, I'm sure.