Nursery!

Culture Immersion

I realized from the first few people I told about being pregnant that I had joined a club of sorts. The Mommy Club, I guess. Especially now that the belly is prominent, random folks will ask me about when I'm due, what I'm having, where I'm having him, am I ready?, am I excited? (really people? the sarcastic mommy wants to say, "Not really"), etc.
It's a little odd, because somehow, despite my best efforts to appear friendly, folks generally don't strike up random conversations with me. Until now.
I kind of like it. And I'm sure once the little guy gets here, it will increase (just don't ask to hold him if you're a stranger...ain't happenin'). I have talked with ladies at the dentist office, folks in Target, a girl at the greek fast-food place, etc. Everyone has a nugget of advice, precaution--or a story (or horror story--thanks!). It seems that most are excited for me and my forthcoming initiation into their club.
It's all very comforting and exciting (mostly--did I tell you about the hygenist from hell? trapped in her chair while she told me all about how pregnancy almost killed her twice? yeah, that was awesome). But it's nice to feel like you belong and to think that there's a community of people rooting for you--those you know and those you'll meet in the check-out line at the grocery store. Despite the fact that I know nothing of their culture yet, they are ready to help me ease into the culture shock.
I can't speak to diaper brands, sleep techniques, Yo Gabba Gabba, or poop color yet. I don't know the lingo and haven't experience projectile vomiting. I haven't held my little guy and looked into his eyes and seen his dad or counted his toes and fingers...but I sure am excited about learning this culture!
40 days 'til due date. We can't wait to meet you, baby boy!

45 days and counting

...wow. Check out my cute little countdown at the top right...Getting my list together for the hospital-bag-packing. Toothbrush and some socks should about do it, right?
Will post both of my shower pictures and new ultrasounds very soon!
We got to see his little chubby cheeks (frontside) yesterday. What a beautiful blessing.

Working 9-5, what a way to make a livin'...

...Barely gettin' by. It's all takin' and no givin'...

I learned this Dolly Parton classic for a 2nd grade talent show. I could sing the heck out of it for an 8-year-old. And I chickened out before I could take it to the stage. I think they were calling my name, and I was NOT going UP THERE! Boy, how things have changed. These days I find myself fairly comfortable on a stage.

But the song...

I enjoy being a productive member of society. I quite thrive on having a schedule, deadlines, expectations. I'm not sure I know how to live in a world where those three things don't exist. And here I am...facing it. I'm really trying to get a handle on the abrupt changes that are about to come my way. After I get the little guy here, I won't have time to even recover before he starts making inarticulate demands that I probably won't know how to respond to at first. It will be a great adventure...and I will have help...and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm so thankful for the timing, that my sweet tall dude will be around all summer to help! He's such a help all the time. Part of me is a little excited about having a free-flowing schedule with my only attentions being on the little guy and getting to know this whole new human, welcoming him into the world, taking walks, watching fireflies, eating and feeding and changing diapers, and trying to catch a zzz here and there.

And just as quickly as he comes and I get used to that rhythm, I will return to the 9 to 5 (or 8:30 to 5) and join the ranks of working moms. We visited our intended childcare situation this week, so I could see where little guy was going to be rocked and fed while I'm at work. The room was sweet and music played softly. One of the little ones in a bumbo seat practiced her wave on us while two others broke out into tears at the STRANGERS who dared enter their sanctum. I feel as good as I can about sending him there . This decision hasn't been easy; but in the long run, we feel it's best for our family right now. That has been the liberating factor. It's for right now. Not forever. At any point, I can reevaluate, situations can change. We'll see how it goes through Christmas and monitor and adjust accordingly.

I'm giving myself a lot of leeway to learn as I go and to ease into this vast unknown. I won't have annual evaluations or incident reports for parenting. I will have lots of love to give, a great partner to help me, and a "village" of folks surrounding me...as well as a super-supportive workplace just four miles away from childcare. This can be done. As many folks who have encouraged me to be a stay-at-home mom...just as many have encouraged me that working and parenting can be fulfilling in its own way too.