Getting Ready

We saw Dr. Polon this morning. My weight has gone up a total of 28 pounds, and I am certain that at least 4 of those are from fluid in my feet because my ankles look like tree trunks! Capri pants are definitely out for me right now. But my blood pressure is still 100/60, and Dr. P said the swelling is nothing to worry about. I have been drinking tons of water and trying to elevate my legs throughout the day. Maybe I will try swimming this week if I can figure out something to wear in the pool.

As for the baby... his or her little heart rate was faster today and in the 150s. He or she was squirming during the exam. Dr. P felt my belly to check the baby's position, and assured us that he or she is head-down. Its little bum is the thing that has been jabbing my diaphragm, and the little feet and knees are what are always sticking out on my left side. He said there is no way to tell when the baby will come... it's up to the baby. He or she is the one who initiates the hormonal changes that trigger labor. We have exactly 3 weeks until the due date and begin seeing Dr. P every week. Next week he will check my cervix to see if there is any sign that labor is beginning. So now we (patiently) wait!

Tons of Fun

What a great weekend we had! Our good friends Cory & Jennifer (from Dallas/Ft. Worth) and Mick & Tricia (from Kansas City) came to Austin for a visit. It was fun to spend the weekend with them. So much has changed since the guys graduated last May. Cory & Jennifer bought a house in the mid-cities area and have been very busy renovating it. Cory works for a major airline so they are also planning a fun international trip. Tricia & Mick bought a house in KC, and are having a baby boy in June so we had a lot to talk about. All six of us had a great time visiting favorite Austin hangouts. We spent our Saturday night out to dinner and watching Texas beat Kansas (men’s basketball). The girls went home for sleep while our guys stayed out until 4am Sunday morning drinking beers, seeing an ‘80s hair band and eating late-night bites at Magnolia. After walking over to Quacks to rev up with some coffee and breakfast treats, we spent the day in the beautiful Austin weather at The Salt Lick and Mozart’s before everyone had to go home. It was so great to see them. We are all planning to get together again over Labor Day weekend in Kansas City.

I have had a few sporadic dull aches in my midsection that kind of feel like big cramps, but after a minute or so they go away. Hopefully it is just my way of getting ready. Other than that I have had no signs that baby is coming anytime soon. He/she is still squirming in there. Other than feeling like I have a bowling ball belly, I still feel great, pretty comfortable and haven’t had any other “side effects”. Drew calls me Tons of Fun which I find quite funny. He is great at rubbing my feet and tying my shoes. He makes me feel very cared for, that's for sure.

Right now I am listening to a CD of my favorite local Austin singer/songwriter, Matt the Electrician. He has this song called “$100 Bill” and I love this line he sings about his young son riding in the car:

My boy
Sleeping in his seat
I thought
I have never seen
A little light like that

We see Dr. P tomorrow so will update the blog then.

The Baby Marathon

This weekend we are going to an Austin Freescale Marathon party. Hard to believe that a year ago I was running that race. This year at 8½ months pregnant, I will gladly be drinking hot tea and cheering on other runners. This year it looks like 50 degrees and rain, so all those crazy people who have been training all year will need all the support they can get.

We are now in the home stretch of our own marathon. Only 5 weeks to go until March 22. We have been taking care of all the final details before our little baby arrives. We are interviewing some pediatricians next week. We have been cleaning, sterilizing bottles, packing hospital bags, posting emergency numbers, choosing baby names and freezing casseroles. We have been busy bees so we can chill those final few weeks.

We have both been reading lots of baby books. Drew’s reading about being a good birth partner. He is learning a lot about labor stages and relaxation techniques. I will need to read that book when he's finished! Meanhile I’m reading about the Babywise feeding and sleep schedule method that promises to have our baby sleeping through the night by the time my maternity leave is over. Even though I don’t agree with everything it suggests, most of the information seems to make sense.

We saw Dr. Polon today. Everything is still looking great. BP was normal, and the fundus has grown to 35 centimeters to match the 35 weeks gestation. I weigh 149 pounds, up 2 pounds from my last appointment. So now I’ve gained 23 pounds total. It feels like I am wearing a 23-pound belt buckle! It is cumbersome to climb out of the car. Drew asks me if I need a jack, which really would be handy. I am walking, stretching and doing yoga poses and kegels most every day, and so far this has kept away back pain and physical discomfort. Dr. P did the strep test which we have no reason to believe would be positive. We go back in two weeks when he will check the baby's position. He can tell just by feeling my belly. I think the baby is already head-down based on the fact that little baby feet are constantly jabbing my diaphragm. He will not check my cervix until week 38 unless I start having contractions. So for now, 5 weeks and counting...

The Readers Have Spoken

Many of you have requested more pictures of Catherine. Now, I know that there are some Drew fans out there too, but so far the Catherine fans have been the most vocal. So in order to appease the masses, I’ve put together some photos:

Belly Shots:


Rub-a-dub:



During Cat’s pregnancy we stumbled upon the greatest pizza joint. It has become a weekly tradition. If you come and visit us in Austin and we feel that you are worthy we’ll take you to Home Slice.


Below is the happy couple in the pseudo-nursery. It's getting close to "go-time" so we're spending a lot of time on preparations.

Fuzzi Bunz

Let me start off by telling ya’ll that Catherine looks great. Her belly is growing bigger every day. It’s very cute. We are now able to see the baby’s feet and arms push around on her belly. What an active little baby. The nervousness is starting to set in for me. Catherine is completely relaxed. I’m excited but nervous of the unexpected. It should be a fun ride.

It has been a big week as far as baby gear goes. We recently purchased our new baby car. As you can see, Abby thinks the car is hers.

We haven’t broken it to her yet that she is going to be stuck in the back from now on. Needless to say, the purchase experience was not exactly pleasurable but we’re glad to have a new baby car.

The Fuzzi Bunz have arrived! As you may or may not know, Catherine and I have decided to go with “cloth” diapers. We’re not sure what we are getting into but we thought we would give it a try. Fuzzi Bunz are fleece diapers with snaps. They are the Cadillac of diapers. Our baby will be pooping in style.

The biggest news was the completion of our baby’s new nightlight. Catherine saw a nightlight in a magazine that she wanted but instead of just buying it, she decided we could make it. I did the grunt work and Catherine did the creative work. It should make all of the other babies jealous.

Finally, I’ve decided that working out is a waste of time. If I just buy smaller t-shirts, my muscles will look bigger. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I can find shirts any smaller than this.