Bun's growing bigger
The belly keeps expanding
Soon so will with fam'
Mom supposed to crave
Fruit and veggies on her mind
The chocolate's Dad's
Baby stuff on porch
Must be brought in within weeks
Outdoor cribs frowned on
Bun's one for nighttime
Moving and shaking at dusk
Rumbles in belly
A house sans diapers
You say changing them not bad
Then first blowout's yours
Parenting seems neat
Easy to say when not one
Where is the guide book?
Dad's used to children
Whine and bicker all day long
These born 'lection day
Sweet little baby
Excitement trumps nervousness
Get sleep while you can
Wife's very pregnant
Tells me next time it's your turn
Epidural now
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Nesting and nest building
I might as well come right out with it: We've been nesting as frenetically as squirrels store nuts when greeted by the first fall frost.
I had heard about the whole nesting phenomenon, of course, but now I understand it. And I see how expectant parents are hard-wired to nest in anticipation of a child's arrival.
There's the practical, logical stuff. You know, hunkering down, getting ready, making lists both mental and written, deciding what's left to do.
Stockpiling meals is part of that. We decided that we -- well, mostly Anni -- would make those first few weeks and months of parenting a bit easier by stashing home-cooked meals in our freezer. They will serve as a quick meal after a long day, a dinner in a pinch, a bite to eat in between a diaper change and a feeding.
So, to her credit, Anni's been churning out batches of soup and other easy-freeze items. She's split recipes, putting portions on our dinner plates and the rest in the freezer. I have a grand plan -- it's on one of those lists mentioned earlier -- to whip up a few of my favorite recipes and freeze them as well. (Although, when Anni asked to hear those items, I could only think of two.)
Anyway, nesting certainly isn't limited to food prep. Anni's going to take a few days off soon to get things ready around the house, tie up loose ends, take care of everything I haven't thought of and hopefully get some much-deserved time to relax.
There are other nesting tasks. Thanks to Laura and Jim, we've got a crib and a dresser/changing table to assemble and locate. I decided we should reorganize kitchen cupboards and dedicate one cupboard or drawer to baby stuff. We need to make room in the bathroom closet for other baby stuff. I walk around the house now thinking, “That cabinet's going to need to be baby-proofed sometime,” “I wonder on which side of the table we'll put the high chair,” and “Soon I'll have to stop leaving tools on the floor, especially the sharp ones.”
---
So there's the practical elements of nesting. But then there are the not-so-practical, maybe even irrational, nesting habits. What's on that list? Well, it includes cleaning things I haven't cleaned in months, if ever, for no other reason than I think that given the coming events I won't get around to cleaning those things again for months or longer. (Next up are those wooden grates on the cold-air return ducts. The ones nobody notices.)
Another item on the list? Packing overnight bags and a small cooler to bring to the hospital. Pack clothes? Maybe. Pack crackers and sodas at this point? That can wait.
---
There's nest building under way, too. I'd post a photo of the progress I've made on the remodeling upstairs, but you'd question my use of the word "progress." Perhaps I'll wait until it's insulated to provide another photo update. (No, it's not insulated yet. Yes, I know it's January.)
Still, progress is being made. For instance, the ceiling is reinforced, the closets larger, the walls sturdier. And I'm looking forward to when Anni can stack her children's books on the built-in bookshelf I'm attempting to build in the nursery.
The nest building continues. It's enjoyable work.
---
The irony in nesting, though, is that it is peripheral preparation.
For instance, we'll have a place to change diapers, but when it comes time to change that first diaper, will I know what to do? Maybe. (Just recently I learned of the term "blowout.")
We'll have baby food stocked, but do I know how frequently a baby needs to be fed and what's best for a baby's diet? Nope. (How soon can it eat ice cream with Dad?)
We've got a kit of medical stuff for newborns, but do I know how to detect an infant ear infection? Nope.
We know where the baby will be delivered, but do I know what I'm going to do the moment the nest expands from two occupants to three? Nope.
I hope that just as the hard-wired nesting instincts kicked in, whatever child-rearing intuition I have will do the same.
I had heard about the whole nesting phenomenon, of course, but now I understand it. And I see how expectant parents are hard-wired to nest in anticipation of a child's arrival.
There's the practical, logical stuff. You know, hunkering down, getting ready, making lists both mental and written, deciding what's left to do.
Stockpiling meals is part of that. We decided that we -- well, mostly Anni -- would make those first few weeks and months of parenting a bit easier by stashing home-cooked meals in our freezer. They will serve as a quick meal after a long day, a dinner in a pinch, a bite to eat in between a diaper change and a feeding.
So, to her credit, Anni's been churning out batches of soup and other easy-freeze items. She's split recipes, putting portions on our dinner plates and the rest in the freezer. I have a grand plan -- it's on one of those lists mentioned earlier -- to whip up a few of my favorite recipes and freeze them as well. (Although, when Anni asked to hear those items, I could only think of two.)
Anyway, nesting certainly isn't limited to food prep. Anni's going to take a few days off soon to get things ready around the house, tie up loose ends, take care of everything I haven't thought of and hopefully get some much-deserved time to relax.
There are other nesting tasks. Thanks to Laura and Jim, we've got a crib and a dresser/changing table to assemble and locate. I decided we should reorganize kitchen cupboards and dedicate one cupboard or drawer to baby stuff. We need to make room in the bathroom closet for other baby stuff. I walk around the house now thinking, “That cabinet's going to need to be baby-proofed sometime,” “I wonder on which side of the table we'll put the high chair,” and “Soon I'll have to stop leaving tools on the floor, especially the sharp ones.”
---
So there's the practical elements of nesting. But then there are the not-so-practical, maybe even irrational, nesting habits. What's on that list? Well, it includes cleaning things I haven't cleaned in months, if ever, for no other reason than I think that given the coming events I won't get around to cleaning those things again for months or longer. (Next up are those wooden grates on the cold-air return ducts. The ones nobody notices.)
Another item on the list? Packing overnight bags and a small cooler to bring to the hospital. Pack clothes? Maybe. Pack crackers and sodas at this point? That can wait.
---
There's nest building under way, too. I'd post a photo of the progress I've made on the remodeling upstairs, but you'd question my use of the word "progress." Perhaps I'll wait until it's insulated to provide another photo update. (No, it's not insulated yet. Yes, I know it's January.)
Still, progress is being made. For instance, the ceiling is reinforced, the closets larger, the walls sturdier. And I'm looking forward to when Anni can stack her children's books on the built-in bookshelf I'm attempting to build in the nursery.
The nest building continues. It's enjoyable work.
---
The irony in nesting, though, is that it is peripheral preparation.
For instance, we'll have a place to change diapers, but when it comes time to change that first diaper, will I know what to do? Maybe. (Just recently I learned of the term "blowout.")
We'll have baby food stocked, but do I know how frequently a baby needs to be fed and what's best for a baby's diet? Nope. (How soon can it eat ice cream with Dad?)
We've got a kit of medical stuff for newborns, but do I know how to detect an infant ear infection? Nope.
We know where the baby will be delivered, but do I know what I'm going to do the moment the nest expands from two occupants to three? Nope.
I hope that just as the hard-wired nesting instincts kicked in, whatever child-rearing intuition I have will do the same.
Monday, January 19, 2009
By the numbers
Anni had a doctor's appointment today -- I guess a 35-week, 6-day check-up.
The appointments are occurring frequently -- another sign we're getting closer. She's got another one in two weeks and after that it's once a week.
In summary, all's well.
In detail, the doc said everything appears as it should be at this point. Anni's blood pressure's just fine and her belly has grown about 37 cm. I was expecting some high-tech measuring system. There isn't one. I could have brought a tape measure from home and it would have worked just as well as the doctor's tape.
"You've gotten bigger," the doc said, looking at Anni's belly, "but not too big."
She liked the last part of that observation.
We heard Bun's heartbeat, which, while it's not a new sound anymore, it still sounds good. And, for those of you still trying to predict the gender -- I gave up weeks ago -- this could challenge your old wives' tale: Bun's heart rate was 153.
"That's going to throw everybody off because it's been so low," Anni said.
Remember, the heart rate was 137 at the last check-up.
We've been talking lately about the due date -- we thought it was Feb. 27, but the clinic's records show Feb. 24 -- and reminding ourselves it's only an estimate. The doc said that based on all the signs -- belly size, weight gain and maybe even a shake of the Magic 8 ball -- he thinks Anni's on pace to deliver right around the due date.
So, if that's the case, she could deliver on Feb. 24 and, a day later, we'll celebrate our wedding anniversary over a nice hospital meal of chicken and Jell-O.
It won't taste like we're eating at a nice restaurant, but I'll bet the prices are the same.
The appointments are occurring frequently -- another sign we're getting closer. She's got another one in two weeks and after that it's once a week.
In summary, all's well.
In detail, the doc said everything appears as it should be at this point. Anni's blood pressure's just fine and her belly has grown about 37 cm. I was expecting some high-tech measuring system. There isn't one. I could have brought a tape measure from home and it would have worked just as well as the doctor's tape.
"You've gotten bigger," the doc said, looking at Anni's belly, "but not too big."
She liked the last part of that observation.
We heard Bun's heartbeat, which, while it's not a new sound anymore, it still sounds good. And, for those of you still trying to predict the gender -- I gave up weeks ago -- this could challenge your old wives' tale: Bun's heart rate was 153.
"That's going to throw everybody off because it's been so low," Anni said.
Remember, the heart rate was 137 at the last check-up.
We've been talking lately about the due date -- we thought it was Feb. 27, but the clinic's records show Feb. 24 -- and reminding ourselves it's only an estimate. The doc said that based on all the signs -- belly size, weight gain and maybe even a shake of the Magic 8 ball -- he thinks Anni's on pace to deliver right around the due date.
So, if that's the case, she could deliver on Feb. 24 and, a day later, we'll celebrate our wedding anniversary over a nice hospital meal of chicken and Jell-O.
It won't taste like we're eating at a nice restaurant, but I'll bet the prices are the same.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Call me Coach
Next weekend we sharpen our pencils, get our textbooks and head to class.
Actually, I think Anni will be encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and I'll prepare to breathe.
We enrolled in a birthing class at the hospital. The doctor suggested it and while I've talked to a few parents lately who say the class was useless, I figure it can't hurt. (It's also the hospital's first dip into our pocketbook. You'd think this would be a package deal -- classes, delivery, medical booties, etc. Nope.)
Because of my unpredictable schedule, we decided to do the "drive-thru" class -- Friday evening and most of Saturday.
"Is 8 1/2 hours enough time to learn how to be a parent?" I asked Anni.
Actually, I think Anni will be encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and I'll prepare to breathe.
We enrolled in a birthing class at the hospital. The doctor suggested it and while I've talked to a few parents lately who say the class was useless, I figure it can't hurt. (It's also the hospital's first dip into our pocketbook. You'd think this would be a package deal -- classes, delivery, medical booties, etc. Nope.)
Because of my unpredictable schedule, we decided to do the "drive-thru" class -- Friday evening and most of Saturday.
"Is 8 1/2 hours enough time to learn how to be a parent?" I asked Anni.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Bottom's up
Anni had a check-up today. Everything looks good. Upside down, but good.
The doc put her at 33 weeks, 6 days. That's about where we thought she was, but when you hear that -- no, when I hear that -- things start to sink in. We're only about seven weeks away. The doc reminded Anni she could deliver up to two weeks before or two weeks after the Feb. 27 delivery date.
Hearing that, I started counting backward. Let's see, two weeks earlier, well, that's about Feb. 13, and that's, well, that's only about a month and a week away and, well, heck, that's only about five weekends away and, well, SAY WHAT?!
It's just as likely she'll be two weeks late, which I'd favor. Of course, I can still see my belly button when I look down, so easy for me to say.
Anni told the doc that she was born a month late. Yes, a month. (Photos of her that I've seen show a cute baby with a full head a full head of hair and maybe, just maybe, a full set of teeth.)
"That can cause problems," the doctor said of the the extra 30 days of incubation.
"Well, I turned out OK -- I think," Anni replied.
Everything seems to be hummin' right along inside that ever-expanding belly, though. (Yes, "hummin' right along" is a medical term.) Bun's heart rate clocked in at 138. As I've said before, that's an indication of nothing but a steady, healthy ticker. Don't give me that old wives' tale about gender.
We've been wondering how Bun is positioned, and today the doc said it's now head down, legs up. That explains why Anni's been getting booted in the ribs more often.
I take Bun's positioning to be another sign that the birth is getting closer. You know, now the baby's facing in the right direction, getting lined up.
The delivery is no longer some distant event months and months down the road.
Bun is bottom's up and on the way.
The doc put her at 33 weeks, 6 days. That's about where we thought she was, but when you hear that -- no, when I hear that -- things start to sink in. We're only about seven weeks away. The doc reminded Anni she could deliver up to two weeks before or two weeks after the Feb. 27 delivery date.
Hearing that, I started counting backward. Let's see, two weeks earlier, well, that's about Feb. 13, and that's, well, that's only about a month and a week away and, well, heck, that's only about five weekends away and, well, SAY WHAT?!
It's just as likely she'll be two weeks late, which I'd favor. Of course, I can still see my belly button when I look down, so easy for me to say.
Anni told the doc that she was born a month late. Yes, a month. (Photos of her that I've seen show a cute baby with a full head a full head of hair and maybe, just maybe, a full set of teeth.)
"That can cause problems," the doctor said of the the extra 30 days of incubation.
"Well, I turned out OK -- I think," Anni replied.
Everything seems to be hummin' right along inside that ever-expanding belly, though. (Yes, "hummin' right along" is a medical term.) Bun's heart rate clocked in at 138. As I've said before, that's an indication of nothing but a steady, healthy ticker. Don't give me that old wives' tale about gender.
We've been wondering how Bun is positioned, and today the doc said it's now head down, legs up. That explains why Anni's been getting booted in the ribs more often.
I take Bun's positioning to be another sign that the birth is getting closer. You know, now the baby's facing in the right direction, getting lined up.
The delivery is no longer some distant event months and months down the road.
Bun is bottom's up and on the way.
Here's a name
We're still struggling with names.
I told Anni I had a new one we should consider. It's a bit unconventional, but I thought of it because of what I'm spending all my time on at work. The name is ... Ballot.
Think about that. Ballot could be a boy or a girl.
Not a good idea? Well, OK.
I told Anni I had a new one we should consider. It's a bit unconventional, but I thought of it because of what I'm spending all my time on at work. The name is ... Ballot.
Think about that. Ballot could be a boy or a girl.
Not a good idea? Well, OK.
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