Today was a special day. A milestone for all 4 of us. We went to our local public elementary school and began the process of enrolling Alexander in kindergarten by attending the "round-up" - a short presentation of what the school has to offer and a tour. After watching the PTA video highlights of the activities and special events the school does and visiting each kindergarten classroom, Alex said it looked like a lot fun and seemed excited. However, he was also relieved when we told him that we still had lots of days of preschool left. Of course, I was also reminding myself of the same as I was telling him (and feeling in myself a longing for the innocence, purity, and comfort of preschool). We, as parents, are growing along with our Blueberry and Olive.
from the archives (3/18/2010): you're mine polka-dot cow!
3 down. 7 to go.
for those of you followong along at home, we had an uncomfortable night last night as contractions finally kicked in.this morning we had our regularly scheduled appointment with the doctor. we are now about 3 cm and about 60% effaced (referring to the thining of the cervix). the doctor said she expects to hear from us in the next 24 - 36 hours!
so, we've reiterated to him that we'd prefer him to come after thanksgiving, but, it's up to him.
I'll do my best to keep posting here, but as we get closer, obviously it'll get harder.
no sleep till brooklyn, er mission hospital
last night was the first really rough night. after having minor, erratic contractions earlier in the evening, we were awakened around 1:30 am to an ongoing barage of somewhat random and short contractions until around 6 am. based on everything we know at this point we're on track and with this being the 37th week, this is probably to be expected. but man am I tired.
we have a drs appointment this morning anyway so we'll do that and then who knows. blueberry may be crashing thanksgiving, as Lawrence suggested.
37
everything is ready. packed, organized and washed. now we're just waiting. the last few days the aches and pains have continued to grow and false labor continues to remind us we're close. we have another appointment tomorrow so i'm sure we'll get a better read on our progress.
party
last night we went to a surprise party for Dina's uncle. great time was had - including a little bit of dancing to help the progress along. snapped this picture while we were sitting (it's the only one i got clearance to post)
holy braxton hicks batman!
For those of you not in the know, false/practice labor - called Braxton Hicks - is common as you approach the deliver date. Well, Dina got her first taste this week. Just a couple of occurrences so far, but from Dina's expressions while they're practice, they clearly feel pretty real. And reminds us we're close!
cm
had our first weekly appointment today. best part of the appointment. we're at 1 cm.
wait. who am i kidding. i'm not anything. she's at 1 cm. i'm just standing around like a goof.
anyway - it's early still. but it's good to know we're progressing.
b-day† is around the corner.
In other news, pre-registration is complete and the dr has alerted the hospital to our impending arrival (impending being a loose term here since there's no schedule) and we have a car seat that installs and works.
so, i'd say we're just about ready.
wait. who am i kidding.
† b-day, or 'blueberry day' is the day when he'll arrive.
last page
depending on which schedule you look at we're at 4 weeks or less. either way, I turned the page to the last on Dina's pregnancy calendar this morning. i guess it's any day now! preparations continue. major home projects are done - new flooring upstairs and some plumbing work in the kitchen. the kid's room is nearly complete - mostly putting stuff away, washing clothes and getting organized. pack and play assembled and swing chair assembled. you can see the new addition to my office:
we spent Sunday at Target and Babys R Us getting the rest of the necessities.
this week we have a doctor appointment followed by a pediatrician interview that we've gotten some good reviews on. only the best for blueberry!
not a ton left to do but wait...
showered. the third.
It's been a busy week here as we get ready! Last night we finished up our final class, exiting with a certification in CPR and AED (automatic external defibrillator) for adults, kids and infants. It's a great skill to learn and nice to know we're prepared should there be a serious emergency. Most of the people in class were soon to be parents and one couple in particular were about to have their baby any moment - she was in 'prelabor' already - the nurses thought she'd be in the delivery ward by Friday!
This weekend we finish our last big project, replacing the carpet upstairs and installing wood flooring.
And today Dina's office threw us a great shower. Good food and awesome generosity helped fill out most of blueberry's remaining needs. It was awesome and we're grateful for everyone's generosity! You can click the cake to see images from the event.
showered, part 2
We had another wonderful experience with family in California. More generosity and love put us further along with preparation for blueberry's arrival. Click the cake to see the photos.
35 down
so today is the unofficial beginning of the 35th week. depending on the pregnancy math you use which, apparently, is hard - like linear algebra hard. so while we have 35 starting today, other calculations have it starting in two days. plus or minus two days is a level of uncertainty i suppose i can live with. suffice to say it's close. i changed the countdown timer and we're now looking at 37 days - makes 5 weeks seem like nothing.
progress continues apace. the kid has become more aggressive recently - using dina's inside as his own private aerobics studio, complete with a speed bag. all in an effort, i'm sure, to be ready to come out and start laying waste to his daddy's nice electronics.
we started our last class last night - TotSaver - where we learn basic first aid and specifics to infant/child safety as well as become certified in pediatric/adult CPR. we finish this up next week and have nothing left to do after, but the final trip to the hospital.
showered
Had an awesome time with the family in Arizona. Everyone was generous and helped us get ready for the kid's arrival. Click on the bear for more images!
all quiet
just realized it has been almost two weeks since an update. hard to update when it's really really quiet (aside from the kid moving constantly!). we've been lucky and have had a really uncomplicated, quiet pregnancy with little to no problems. doctor appointments that are shorter then the wait to see the doctor and almost nothing to talk to her about. we rack our brains to come up with something to tell her, but usually don't have anything.
which is great. the more boring the better, is what i hear.
doctor's appointments are now every other week - our last was last thursday. our pre-birth class finishes tomorrow night and a new class (baby care) the following monday. the final class (totsaver) starts the week after that. around the house, the room is basically done (minus a few additions to come) and the last major home activity before the birth has been scheduled.
dina's got a few images to post yet, but i won't ruin the surprise.
reality check
dina just scheduled the remaining dr appointments through the due date. reducing the expected amount of time between now and the potential birth date to 6 appointments makes it clear exactly how long we have to go. really clear.
suddenly it really feels like there's no time left.
ready room
As promised a few images of the room. Most everything is done, minus some minor organizing (see shelves not in shelving unit) and activities like preparing the bed and hanging some artwork/wall decorations (Spirit poster drawn by Uncle Lawrence).
There are other activities we'd love to do in other areas of the house (new flooring anyone?) but we'll see how the schedule goes. No one is really in a hurry here.
preparation for birth
The hospital blueberry will be born in offers a bunch of classes in preparation for the arrival. Tonight we had our first class, the first in a series of three called Preparation for Birth. Sort of a hybrid education class about the birthing process, Lamaze and everything else that could happen at delivery, the class covers a ton of stuff. Tonight we did the basic overview of labor, phases and physiology of it all. Frankly, pretty interesting. Then we watched the movie everyone talks about. Now, while the actual images were "wow" inducing, it didn't help that it was on a VHS tape, in a player that needs some cleaning of the heads and played on an elderly tv, with production quality that would make any 80's producer proud. Actually, it reminded me of two things: science movies we saw on the reel-to-reel film projectors in elementary school and old Wild Kingdom episodes. Not terrifying and slightly amusing in the presentation but completely engrossing and informative.
I didn't faint, get nauseous or have to leave the room (he knows who he is, if he's reading this).
We followed up the a/v presentations with some introductory relaxation breathing and massage.
We have two more of these classes as well as numerous others over the next few weeks. With 9 weeks or so to go till the final date, there isn't much to do or prepare and I'd say we're almost completely ready.
That doesn't mean he can come early. I'd like to finish these classes first.
At least that's what I tell him every night. I'm sure he's already practicing the 'ignoring the old man' trick and will do as he pleases.
Kids these days!
go lil bears!
Die hard Cal fans, we attend a number of football home games every year. With our schedule getting things ready for the baby, the pregnancy classes and more, it was tough getting one in, but we did. The outcome isn't important, what is important is what we bought! We bought some great Cal wear for the guy and his Abuelita Chavarela got him a rugby jersey to match his dad's. The kid is ready!
furnished
the furniture arrived today! from left to right we have - lifetime crib/bed (assembly required - it would be weird and useless if it was that thin), dresser (in back), glider w/ ottoman (in front, assembly also required) and drawer set. The bookcase in this picture is moving, but he'll have one in there as well.
next up. carpet. and we're just about done!
blue and gold
In what will probably be the first of many, many blue and gold outfits the kid will proudly wear, I was able to coerce Dina into buying this awesome number, sized appropriately to wear during the 2010 season (to compliment his other yet to be purchased, but extensive Cal wear).
Gambling a little that the kid will be on time and not late, Dina had to pull the trigger on these holiday booties:
