1...2...3...break!

I am an unabashed fan of what I will call the "spirit huddle." You know the drill: circle up, everyone puts a hand in the middle, pulsing the hands down while chanting "One...two...three...break!" On the "Break!", hands go up and out of the circle, and everyone is on their way.



Last night, Smileycue and I were on the couch but needed to go to bed. I convened a spirit huddle on her belly so BabyCue could participate, too. With hands on the belly, we chanted "One...two...three...break!" A moment later, BabyCue gave a wiggle where are hands had been. Coincidence?

We spirit huddled again. "One...two..three...break!" Again, a moment later, another wiggle by Babycue. I tempted fate by trying a third time. BabyCue delivered.

Yes, BabyCue is my child. My nerdy, spirit huddle-participating child. Woot woot! Go team. One...two...three...break!

not reassuring

Yesterday was yet another uneventful OB appointment. We talked about pain management and doulas, birth plans and Dr. B's son teaching him songs from daycare (where I teach music). Then Dr. B took a look at the calendar. "Oh," he says, "you're due date is coming up soon." Then, "oh, I will be on vacation not long after your due date. Don't worry. The baby will come before I go..." and he lets that sentence trail off. Sure, Dr. B, that is reassuring.

On Wednesday my mom came and brought all the baby stuff she had worked on so far. She made a few surprises she didn't tell me about (even wrapped for the shower that was planned in Ohio, and now isn't), and she found my baby book. Q and I have had fun reading about little me. Now, if only we could find a baby book we like for Babycue...

Mom also helped with some stuff around the house, and we figured out how to put the crib together, and then that there are a couple of parts missing. So, we got online and found the company and they actually sell individual parts, so we should be all set as long as we order soon.

We've almost figured out when Q's family will come. Q's brother is going to spend a couple of weeks (we're all excited about this, even though some of us won't admit it), so Q's mom will bring him and stay a couple of days, then leave and Q's dad will pick him up a couple of weeks later.

My belly button is almost gone. Yesterday I found the bottom of it. I didn't know there was a bottom, but now I do. There are a couple of funny pictures of it, and maybe they will get posted soon.

I think it is time to make some brownies, then take a nap before working a junior high dance tonight. This week I have been extra exhausted, which I am tired of hearing that I should just get used to. And, Babycue has been extra active, especially when I try to sleep.

I've got hygiene, how about you?

As I type this, Q is cutting my toenails because I can't see them, nor contort myself to trim them myself. But my fingernails are long and strong...And then I realized that I can't see my belly button either. I hope there isn't fuzz inside. Oh wait, there isn't really much inside for there to be fuzz in. And speaking of fuzz, why is my head hair growing like crazy, but my leg hair is barely growing at all? My belly is hairy, and the hairs on the scars on my hands? They are twice as long as usual.

I have also discovered that I really like soaping up my belly. It is fun to go round and round. I probably clean it way more than necessary, which makes up for the feet I can't quite get to.

My skin is very clear, and I love to feel my inside out belly button. So smooth.

It is a very good thing Q is around to help with some of these issues.

with today being the exception

In the spring of 2003, I realized I was having out of control mood swings just prior to that time of the month. I went to this really nice Mormon doctor, who prescribed Sarafem, a very mild version of Zoloft. It didn't really help. It made me sleep a lot (more than usual, for those of you who know about me and my sleeping habits) and gain weight even though I was not eating. I went back and the nice Mormon doctor diagnosed me with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). He had done some research, and I definitely fit all of the symptoms (this was before it was a popular diagnosis). He told me the only way to really fix it was to be pregnant or in menopause. So he put me on the pill and sent me on my way.

The pill helped some, but Q will tell you not enough. And now Q comments on how even-tempered I am, how calmly I handle things, and how mostly on top of things I am. And I remind him what the Mormon doctor said. It seems he was onto something. *I remember his being Mormon but not his name...

Of course, today was a rough day at school, and I am thankful to the poor stranger who happened upon me standing next to the stuck-in-the-snow car (for the second time today) holding a shovel and bawling...

Six months without brownies

After six months without brownies, I have finally made it to a Trader Joe's and stocked up on some of my favorites. As it turns out, No Pudge! Brownie mix is totally and completely chemical free! I can eat it. I got to eat not just brownies, but my favorite kind.

We had an OB appointment this week, and I must say that besides learning that I have to take 4 iron pills every day, it was a boring appointment. Dr. B didn't have much to say, and we had nothing to report. He gave me some swollen leg advice (keep my feet up and drink more water), and we left. However, today I got the bill for ultrasound #1...ouch. A bit painful.

Finally, while driving through Indianapolis in heavy fog and being cut off by someone driving like they should have been at the Brickyard driving a race car, I realized that my version of "swearing" at other cars will have to change. While I don't call bad drivers bad things necessarily (like the alternate name for a donkey), I will not want Babycue running around calling real people those things. I need new words, that aren't bad, but get the point across while driving. Any suggestions?

organic poptarts

I have to give props to Trader Joe's for carrying some amazing organic poptarts. We originally found them at Giant Eagle, in cherry pomegranate flavor, and TJ had them too. Poptarts were previously high on the things Smileycue's eats list, and now then can return.

Christmas and New Year celebrations were a whirlwind for us, both in Iowa and Ohio, and now that we are home (to an unshoveled back sidewalk), we have both crashed. We got to see a lot of people and friends, and toddlers and babies, and experienced some serious generosity. Thanks to all.

Tomorrow is our return to reality, despite Q's cold and my just wanting to sleep a few more hours. Back to the grind...