35 weeks down, 5 to go

It's hard to believe, but only five more weeks to go! Here is a new picture of the belly - taken today. I'm still feeling pretty good....considering the extra 20 pounds of weight I'm lugging around. It's hard to find comfortable sleeping positions and the ligaments in my pelvis hurt, but all in all I'm doing well. I had horrible heartburn for about 2 days last week before realizing it was probably the half gallon of apple juice I was drinking a day. Once I cut that out I've been just fine! We have our last ultrasound next week and hopefully will get some good pictures to share.

Wild Weather - part deux

Another night of wild weather in Savannah! Following the storm systems that hit Atlanta yesterday, we were ready for the possibility that they might be headed our way. For most of the day it looked like they would miss us to the north but we still kept getting severe storm warnings for most of the evening. Then, at about 10 pm, our power went out. We had our candles and flashlights ready but fully expected the power to come back on fairly quickly, as it usually does. But the minutes and hours ticked by and all that happened was a spectacular light show and an increase in wind. The lightening was pretty much constant which was fun to watch. The wind was eerie, however, since it is hardly ever windy at all here.

At a little after midnight we could hear sirens in the distance and figured that those were the tornado sirens so we got into our closet (the only room in the house with all interior walls). Wilbur was not happy with this arrangement, but eventually decided to lay right on top of Brett's shoes. We called Mom to see if she could look online and see if there were any weather service warnings...and sure enough, a tornado had been spotted in Effingham county which is probably less than 5 miles away. Luckily the storm was fast moving and by 1 am there wasn't any danger. Our power came on a little after 2 am.

This morning we found out that the power outage had affected the entire city and was a result of a tornado hitting one of the major power stations in Effingham county. Additionally, the news is reporting at least 12 homes damaged or destroyed. Meanwhile, all the St. Patrick's Day celebrations had to be shut down after it was evident that the power would not be coming back on any time soon. Imagine 100,000 drunk partiers having to be funneled out of little downtown Savannah - I'm so glad we weren't down there!!

The strangest part was when we actually heard the warning sirens since neither one of us has every heard them before and you know that when you hear them, there is actually a tornado nearby - not just a warning or a watch. We were really kicking ourselves that we never bought a weather radio - something we will definitely need to get! But, all's well that ends well. Today the sun is shining and it is going to be 80 degrees. What a change from last night!

34 Weeks - The Countdown Begins

Only six more weeks to go! (Or thereabouts.)

We had our check-up at the doctor's office today and everything baby related is fine.

However, I am feeling increasingly less enthusiastic about delivering this baby at the hospital. From the very beginning I expressed a preference for delivering at a birthing center but have been swayed towards the point of view of those who think a hospital is the best option. Since I've never given birth before and don't know what to expect, I let go of the idea of an alternative birth place. Now as the time gets nearer, I feel less assured that my voice will be heard in the midst of the cacophony of "hospital policy," choruses of "that's just how it's done," and refrains of "it's the best for the baby." In my opinion there does not need to be a trade-off between safety and alternative birthing methods. Yet, when confronted with an argument from the MD I find it very difficult to articulately express this concept. I've found this [not listening to a patient and assuming that they know best] to be a problem consistent to many MDs which frustrates me to tears. So that's where I am at today. Frustrated to the point of tears and feeling mute.

Of course I am quite cognizant of the fact that all of the above may become a completely moot point once I go into labor and decide to hell with my plan, give me all the medical interventions you can. Regardless, I still feel that I should walk away from a doctor's appointment feeling confident that my concerns were listened to, validated, and will be respected.

Bottom line is that the baby is fine. At this point, that's the most important thing. I can get busy reforming the medical system later.

March Madness....at least the weather

I've gotten some emails about the crazy weather that's happening down in this neck of the woods, so I thought I'd give an update. We were supposed to have a big storm come through on Tuesday from the west, but it missed us. Today we had a tornado warning for a couple hours this morning and apparently a little one did touch down about 20 miles from here...but no damage. It rained for awhile, but nothing serious. It's supposed to be rainy and windy tonight, but it doesn't seem like anything in comparison to the storms we had last summer!

Otherwise all is well here in Savannah. The town in gearing up for the big St. Patrick's Day celebration which begins next Friday. The city goes completely nuts and is host to one of the largest parties in the country. The festivities for us begin tomorrow when Brett has to spend the day at the LITTLE MISS ST. PATRICK'S DAY PAGEANT. (It's a Clear Channel sponsored event.) Oh my goodness...all I can imagine is Little Miss Sunshine and spray-tanned JonBenet's and an audience full of creepy older men who have no legitimate reason to be there. As far as next week's festivities go, I think I'll watch from afar...like from my couch. I have no interest in trying to maneuver my big belly through the swarms of drunken Southerners wearing all green outfits and Mardi Gras beads. Anyway, the parade's on TV.

Cheers!

(Old) Ultrasound Pictures

Here are a couple old ultrasound pictures for those of you who haven't seen them. The first one is Henry with his arms crossed in front of his body (what looks like an 'x') with his feet to the left and head to the right as you look at it. The second one is his foot.

Next ultrasound is in four weeks - hopefully we'll get some more good pictures then!

Presidential Politics

I know I said I was going to try and keep this baby-centric...but Henry would be disappointed in me if I didn't make a few observations about this year's candidates.

Ralph Nader is indeed going to run again! This is great news, as far as I am concerned.

Don't you get sick and tired of only having apples to choose from in the great grocery store of presidential candidates? Sure, you might have golden delicious or gala or jonagold to choose from but they're still all just apples. Don't you just want a pear or an orange or a strawberry sometimes?? We need more variety in our political diets than the Democrats or Republicans can offer. To prove this point, here's a list of twelve areas that a Nader candidacy will address that, left to their own devices, neither the Dems or Repubs would.

Adopt single payer national health insurance
Nader: On the table
Obama/Clinton: Off the table
McCain: Off the table
Cut the huge, bloated, wasteful military budget
Nader: On the table
Obama/Clinton: Off the table
McCain: Off the table
No to nuclear power, solar energy first
Nader: On the table
Obama/Clinton: Off the table
McCain: Off the table
Aggressive crackdown on corporate crime and corporate welfare
Nader: On the table
Obama/Clinton: Off the table
McCain: Off the table
Open up the Presidential debates
Nader: On the table
Obama/Clinton: Off the table
McCain: Off the table
Adopt a carbon pollution tax
Nader: On the table
Obama/Clinton: Off the table
McCain: Off the table
Reverse U.S. policy in the Middle East
Nader: On the table
Obama/Clinton Off the table
McCain: Off the table
Impeach Bush/Cheney
Nader: On the table
Obama/Clinton: Off the table
McCain: Off the table
Repeal the Taft-Hartley anti-union law
Nader: On the table
Obama/Clinton: Off the table
McCain: Off the table
Adopt a Wall Street securities speculation tax
Nader: On the table
Obama/Clinton: Off the table
McCain: Off the table
Put an end to ballot access obstructionism
Nader: On the table
Obama/Clinton: Off the table
McCain: Off the table
Work to end corporate personhood
Nader: On the table
Obama/Clinton: Off the table
McCain: Off the table

For those people who are worried that a Nader campaign will hinder the Dems ascension to the White House...no one on the Nader campaign is delusional. While it would be ultimately fantastic, no one expects Ralph to end up residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Instead, a Nader campaign will force Obama (or Clinton) to address problems that cry out for a progressive approach, such as those listed above. Furthermore, a Nader candidacy can actually help Obama as it will "insulate the Democrat from charges from the right that he's a radical leftist and will position him in the middle."

More voices, more choices!

Portland Visit and Baby Shower

Just returned from a whirlwind trip to PDX complete with an amazing baby shower! So many people came who I had not seen in years - it was such a wonderful chance to visit with everyone...although I wish I'd had more time to chat with people!

Thank you to my dearest friends - the best friends I could ever imagine - Kati and Kristine, and to my aunt Joan and cousin Jan for throwing the shower. It was exactly what I'd hoped for! And, of course, to my mom for not only hosting the shower but hosting me for my trip! :)

As I write, Henry is rolling around inside my uterus - it must be a signal to thank everyone for their very generous gifts. He will truly be the best outfitted baby this side of the Mississippi!

We had a doctor's visit yesterday and all is well. He is head down - thank goodness! The nurse practitioner doesn't think it's likely that he'll change positions, so keep your fingers crossed. I am still measuring a week ahead of schedule...I think it's just 'cause he's going to be a big baby but we won't really know for 4 more weeks when we have the last ultrasound.

Congratulations to Molly and Jeff Hubbs on the birth of their daughter, Anna Elizabeth, on February 22nd! Seven pounds, six ounces and 20 inches long. I got a chance to meet her on her third day and she is beautiful - dark, dark hair and super cute.