New Parenthood & Sanity

Failure?

We had our 40 week appointment yesterday.  Yep, due date was yesterday.  I'm still pregnant.  And the baby shows no signs of leaving any time soon.

We scheduled an induction for 9:30 AM on July 16th.  A part of me is sad that we're choosing her birthday (if she doesn't come on her own sooner), but a bigger, more vocal part of me doesn't want to be pregnant any more and wants to meet my daughter.

The symptom that is the most difficult for me right now is the carpal tunnel syndrome that has been caused by the swelling.  Our OB said that almost everyone gets it to some degree or another.  Mine is pretty bad... at least to me.  I can't feel the tips of my middle or ring finger in my right hand.  I can't knit (sob).  If I grab something the wrong way I get a shock-like feeling.  Typing is hit-or-miss.

Obviously, I also would love to start exercising again as I've gotten way bigger than I wanted to.  I also just want to MEET my daughter... the girl who will have the most impact in my life, the one person whom I will have to consider for the majority of all decisions I make from here on out.

At least there's an end in sight...

Knitting

I've rediscovered knitting.  Which is really fabulous because I have carpal tunnel from being overly pregnant and can't feel my fingertips AND get this really cool "oh, sh*t, I just touched a powerline" feeling if I move me hand wrong.

I was able to knit for about 15 minutes last night.  Felt good.

I also discovered Ravelry.  This will easily become my newest obsession.  If you happen to be on there, my id is daphneg.

Good Idea

When parents forget baby in a hot car

Which is why, to this day, I put my phone in my cupholder so it's handy, but my purse goes on the floor below the car seat. I never leave the car without my purse (or my baby!)

Getting ready for Baby

Today I think we can say we're officially ready for Alix's birth. 

1.  We went shopping today and stocked the kitchen.  Those who know us know that we very, very rarely eat at home: by the time we're done with work, we're both so zoned we'd just rather find a restaurant and have someone serve us.  Now our kitchen is stocked with milk & cereal (my comfort foods), frozen burritos, some frozen meals (we were realistic and decided we probably won't cook until we have a rhythm with the baby), some fresh fruit and veggies (for snacking), some gelato (for my sweet tooth... best to not ignore that... I'd hate to suddenly have a craving for something sweet when the baby is having a bad day and I'm not coping well) and some mac and cheese.

2.  Also went to Target and got some last-minute essentials. 

3.  My diaper bag is packed.  Why?  No idea.  Just felt good.  Also got Frank's uber-cool skeleton diaper bag baby-ized.

4.  Got the pumping bag packed.  I won't be pumping for a few weeks until we establish good nursing, but, again, felt good to get that ready.

5.  Pumping/milk storage stuff is ready to be cleaned for first use.

I really can't think of anything that isn't ready.  Except, of course, for the baby.

Three more weeks

Three more weeks.  Well, 3 weeks and 2 days.  That's how long it is until my due date.

I'm 31.  Very happily married.  I have a solid full-time job with a company that has never had a massive layoff.  I actually love my job.  And our apartment. 

We have everything we need for the baby.  She has a bed, diapers, more clothes than I do, food... she's all set.

Still, I'm petrified.  I guess that means I'm human, huh?