First Sunday Mass

Little Michael attended his first Sunday Mass and he did spectacularly!! He stayed in his car seat for a few minutes, then started to stir, and Michael picked him up and held him the rest of the Mass. Michael Jr. didn't make a peep and just crashed out on Daddy's shoulder the entire time. It was awesome!

I was so concerned about having to nurse him in the middle of Mass. No doubt something I'll have to deal with at one time or another, but at least not this time. I fed him an hour before Mass, a pretty decent sized feeding, and fortunately, that seemed to satisfy him until we returned home.

We had a late night last night, so going to a morning Mass wasn't really on the table. In fact, it worked out really well that way because we wanted to limit little Michael's exposure to people as much as possible this early on in his development...and having lots of people come up to see him because we attended a Mass where we knew lots of people wasn't a desirable option. However, going to a Mass we never go to, 5pm on Sunday, we could largely avoid that issue.

We decided to go straight to the Mother's Chapel, largely because I was worried about needing to feed him in the middle of Mass and wanting as small a crowd around us as possible if that were the case.

However, this was probably a mistake and likely the last time we sit in the Mother's Chapel again. Of course, we will probably go to the Mother's Chapel on occasion when he is being fussy, or as he gets older, needs to be less of a distraction to others, but we will probably never again make this our first choice, for several reasons:

1) The sounds system is not very good. We had a terrible time hearing what was going on. Not just because of the noise in the chapel, but also because the sound system was not loud enough. The readings were lost upon us, we had to strain to hear anything the priest said, and when the cantor didn't sing directly into the microphone because it was the congregations's turn to respond or sing, we couldn't hear anything! And of course, no one was singing or responding in the Mother's Chapel except for my mom, Michael and me, and for a person with a less-than-stellar voice, I don't want to sing a solo everytime we are supposed to sing.

2) There are two parts to the Mother's Chapel at Good Shepherd. The part that sort of jets out into the sanctuary area, and then a back part with toys, tables, chairs and a little TV that "broadcasts" Mass for those who are in that little room. In theory, a good idea, so there is a "quiet" Mother's Chapel, and then a not so quiet one for really loud children.

However, they may as well call that little room the Romper Room because it is nothing like a room in a Church at all!! Kids are SCREAMING, playing, yelling, and parents are just letting it happen. There is no effort on behalf of anyone in the Romper Room to keep a prayerful atmosphere. I mean, great you are going to Mass, and it's nice that at least they can watch what is going on in Mass through the TV, but it's basically just an excuse to let the kids run wild and play, and not try to encourage them to pay any attention at all. And most of the parents in that room seem content to just sit there while their kids treat it like a playground!

The worst part about it is, that the "quiet" part of the Mother's Chapel (and it actually was pretty quiet) was that it was separated from the Romper Room by a thin wall, which did not keep any noise out, and a door that everyone just kept open all the time. On several occasions, Michael went over to close the door, and the parents inside seemed apathetic to do their part to keep the noise contained. Finally, Michael walked over and said somewhat forcefully to the man sitting right next to the door, "This door needs to stay closed!" There seemed to be less of a problem after that. But it still didn't contain the noise going on inside.

With a few exceptions, almost all the parents in the quiet part of the Mother's Chapel were attentive, and tried to have their children as quiet as possible. There was one or two that let their kids play with a loud toy or jump on the chairs, but by and large, everyone seemed to putting forth an effort to focus on Mass. It was way better than I expected in that regard. I expected the whole room to be like a circus.

Don't get me wrong, I am just beginning this whole parenting thing, and I have no pretensions that Michael will always be an angel. But there is a difference between kids being a little rambunctious and parents trying to corral them to some form of behavior...and parents who just let the misbehavior go unchecked. The problem isn't that kids are loud and make noise, it is just frustrating when the parents don't seem to bothered by it. Not only for the sake of teaching children good Mass behavior, but also for the sake of other people trying to participate in Mass.

One thing we discussed on the way home was wanting to make sure Michael Jr is in a position to see other people practice good Mass behavior. If we constantly keep going to the Mother's Chapel, he will observe how other children behave and assume that is an OK standard. If we start out in the main sanctuary, and then go to the Mother's Chapel when it is necessary to not distract others, then we are limiting his exposure to the non-participation, and yelling and screaming of the Mother's Chapel, and encouraging him to want to behave like the general congregation.

I don't mean to be a snob. Again, I can't reiterate enough the fact that I know we will have our struggles. It's just part of forming his behavior. iThis experience was just a little illuminating for me, and makes me want to do whatever we can do to limit our time in there as much as possible. But not all of it is the fault of the parents who use the Chapel. Like I said, most of them really helped keep a quiet atmosphere. And I think more can be done to help encourage a quieter environment: 1) the sound system needs adjustment 2) the fact that there are no books or music to sing from 3) no one came in with a collection basket. It's almost like we weren't there! Maybe if there is a little more done to help make participation in Mass easier, it will encourage attentiveness and good behavior.

So, that was our Sunday Mass experience. The first of many! Thank the Lord this one went well!

A Visit from a few Aunties

Yesterday was an especially fun day for us...we got a special visit from some of Michael's sisters: Noree', Tracee, and Marita.....we had a blast!

They brought down some lunch, diapers, wipes, and PJs...and then got to indulge in a hefty dose of baby lovin'!

Little Michael was passed from one to the other to the other for several rounds (time was carefully kept so no one got short-changed) and he handled it very well. He loved being cuddled and kissed!

Here are a few pictures:

Tomorrow we go down to see Kathy and the kids so the cousins get to meet for the first time... I can't wait!! It seems like it has been forever since I've seen them...especially the three boys, and though being a mom is great, it doesn't make me miss my darling nephews any less!!

Thanks so much for coming down....we loved seeing you!!

Visit with Fr. Michael

On Wednesday, Michael Jr. had his first non-family vistor: Fr. Michael.

Michael Jr. was on his very best behavior for our pastor, and was as calm as could be when he was being held.

Michael (Daddy Michael--I have to clarify because between Fr. Michael, Michael and Baby Michael, my mom and I were pretty outnumbered with people who celebrate their feast day on September 29th)...Michael reminded us of a beautiful and profound truth:

By virtue of his ministerial priesthood, and his ability to communicate the sacraments, which give Christians supernatural life and configure them more perfectly to Christ, priests are "fathers" to us in the real sense of the word "Father." In that regard, people like Fr. Peter and Fr. Michael are even more of a Father to Baby Michael than Daddy Michael is, because Michael gave natural to Baby Michael, but priests give supernatural, eternal life.

What a gift the priesthood is to us!! A great reminder to pray in thanksgiving for the men who have been called and live their calling faithfully.

Feeding Frenzy

Michael Jr. was born weighing a hefty 8lbs 11oz. However, all babies go through a weight-loss period where their weight drops dramatically after birth. This has to do with a loss of fluid from birth and their getting sustenance from their reserves while their mother's milk comes in.

However, not long after, their weight should start to increase steadily until they reach, once again, their birth weight, and ultimately surpass it.

Michael was weighed 3 days after birth and weighed only 8lbs, and the nurses were hinting at needing to keep a close eye on it, because while babies are suposed to lose weight, any more than losing 10% is cause for concern, and Michael was heading in the direction of losing that 10%

...Until Tuesday....

On Tuesday, Michael went to the doctor to check his weight and he weighed 8 lb 4oz...the doctor furrowed his brow a little and thought maybe there was some discrepancies between scales because 4 oz is a lot to gain in a 24 period of time...there must be some issues with the equipment (it was at this point I informed Dr. Delgado about my sister's and my long-standing theory about fat scales and thin scales in his office.)

So we made our appointment, somewhat skeptical that he was doing as well the scales indicated.

....Until Wednesday....

On the next day, we dutifully came in for our next appointment to weigh him again on the same scale. As we took off his clothes and diaper and put him on the scale, we were pretty surprised at the nurse's response.

"8 lbs, 9 ounces" she announced.

So he gained five ounces in less than 24 hours?! Yes...this is not a matter of "fat scales" or any equipment problem. This kid is just growing. I was proud of our growing little boy, who seemed to be able to eat a healthy, but normal amount and yet put on a surprising amount of weight quickly. Yes, he was eating a normal amount...

...Until Thursday...

At which point Michael Jr. went on a feeding frenzy. Feeding frenzy, I tell you, where, aside from a period of time after his Daddy got home when he was on his lap for a few hours, Michael Jr. was eating, and eating and eating and eating and eating.

He would feed for about 25-30 minutes, then get burped. Then get changed, then go back to eat. Then get burped, then get changed out of his outfit which he moistened with one type of substance or another..then eat more. Repeat cycle until the wee hours of the morning.

No. Seriously. The longest sretch of time he went without feeding was about 30 minutes.

Otherwise from 7:30 pm to 3 am, he just ate and burped and needed diaper changes.

So when he got on the scale today he weighed 8 lbs 14 oz...our little butterbal keeps growing big and healthy!

In honor of this, I decided to construct a little storyboard of the past 24 hours.

________________________________________________

"Hey you!"

"Yeah...I'm talking to you!"
"Listen! I'm starving here!"

"I need you to do sumthin' about it! I'm hungry!"

"I'm not talking about a baby-size hunger."

"Or a medium-size hunger"

"Or even a large-size hunger"

"But a HUGE hunger."

"So what are you going to do about it, eh?"

"Wait...now here comes Daddy. Can he help me?"

"See, Daddy, I need to eat...you know...the stuff that goes in your mouth? Yeah, that's right...in your mouth."

"I need it to grow up big. So I can flex my muscles like this...."

"....and like that."

"You gettin' all this?"

"Now, can you please go get mommy? She's over there."

"Thank you!!"

Tummy Time

Here is Michael Jrs first go at Tummy Time, which he needs to do to build up leg and neck muscles. It made him a little mad, but even when mad, the little grub is sure cute!!

Also, I uploaded more pictures on Flickr.

And here's just one more video for your enjoyment.

More Pictures

I am quickly becoming one of those people who take a gazillion photos of their baby....and most of them look the same. Well, I hate to apologize, because I firmly intend to keep doing it...

Here is a website where I have been uploading them. If you feel like browsing, help yourself....but you've been warned!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/barberpics/

Time at the Hospital

Well, we are home from the hospital...we got home yesterday evening, and it is sure nice to be here and beginning our life as a family the way life is going to be like, not just life in the hospital with people coming in and out all the time.

Everyone at the hospital was absolutely great. The doctors, the nurses, and even the food wasn't half bad!

Here is a little glimpse of our time there.

First:

The bed, or as I call it "the Nest"

It is where I spent nearly all the time. I had to keep piling pillows to prop up the baby to nurse them, and the pillows kept losing their "spring" so much that I needed to keep getting more and more. The problem is that after a C-section, a simple task like organizing pillows and sitting up in the right position to feed the baby is a huge one!

I was so happy to leave my little nest. While it was nice to have a bed that adjusts and has railings, there is nothing quite like being able to leave the place where you are confined.

Second:

A snuggly baby who loves to be near people.

Much like his father, we predict baby Michael will be highly sociable and great with people. Michael does not like to be alone, and just wants to be near people. He wants to snuggle, he likes to cuddle, and he likes to be kissed and hugged. In fact, as endearing as these qualities are, it becomes a little bit of an obstacle when it comes time to getting the baby to sleep. He likes being around people so much, he doesn't like to be alone in his bassinet!

So in order to calm a crying little baby, Michael and I just keep him with us when all his other needs of changing and feeding are satisfied but he just won't sleep...we hold him as much as we can. Even it just means having him next to us, he is more content that way than to be alone in his crib.

Here is a picture of me and my buddy next to me in the bed.

Third:

His amazing Daddy.

Michael is one amazing man. From his constant care and coaching and prayer in labor, to his round the clock attention in recovery, Michael has shown us so much love and care. He really is the "priest" of the family...laying his life as a sacrifice for those under his care. He never complained, never slacked off, never made an excuse, was ever short-tempered..just steadfast and attentive.

In return for his care and love, Little Michael has bestowed on his daddy the coveted "Favorite Person" award. No one can calm the baby like Michael. No one can more quickly turn a cry into quiet. No one can capture his attention, no one get him to make cute faces like his daddy.

The only time I have anything close to him is when the baby is hungry: an unfair advantage I have as the materfamilias.

Having a baby has multiplied love in our home in unexpected ways: First, of course having a new person to love, and be loved by. But in addition to that, the love that has multiplied between me and Michael is so profound. From pregnancy to labor and delivery to recovery to home...our love and marriage has been so blessed in countless ways by God's grace of our baby.

So, these are just some reflections onour life for the past few days.

He's Here!

I'll post more details later...I'm off to get some sleep, but Baby Michael was born this morning (the 18th) at 4:53am. He's a wonderful, snuggly little baby who we just love love love to pieces!!





I stole this picture from our cousin Beau's facebook, and I"m posting it here because it is a great picture of him!





Enjoy!

Love,

Michael, Kim and Michael Jr.

The Decision: Evacuation

Michael and I went to our 40+5 doctor's appointment yesterday, and after determining that my body was still not progressing past a snail's pace on its own, we will be inducing labor imminently.

Tonight, I go in for them to give me some medicine to help encourage my body to be more receptive to the Pitocin, the medicine they will give me to induce labor contractions and hopefully get this little guy out.

We're not super-thrilled with the outcome....of course, we much would have preferred to go into labor on my own, and the doctor was willing to do let us do it, even waiting until 42 weeks. But he thinks this baby is way too darn big and will just keep getting bigger. His primary strategy is avoiding a C-section, which, with a big baby who will just keep getting bigger, and a relatively small body structure like mine, he thinks it's best to hedge our bets and try to get him out sooner than later.

Of course, we are excited about having the baby, God willing by the end of the weekend, but we know it is going to be a long process that doesn't guarantee a regular birth. We may still be looking at a C-section in the end....but given what we know (the relative size of the baby, my lack of progress on my own, and the fact that at a certain point, the womb is not as safe of a place for the baby as the outside world), we want to do what's best for him. As the doctor put it, C-section is actually safest for the baby.

So, while God has chosen to answer our prayers that we go into labor naturally with an apparent "I have different plans" (well, there's still 12 hours before I go in) please, please pray that I can deliver without a C-section. Even that is not the worst thing in the world, but I would really, really prefer to not go that route. But, even that, we've accepted with a "It's not so bad, and we still get a baby out of it."

Of course, after the somewhat long road of waiting, the disappointments of not going into labor naturally, trying every method we can think of do induce labor on our own, and the long road we will probably be headed down these next couple of days, it's easy to miss the point of it all, which is, barring some tragedy (which I won't even think about), in a few days at the most our little baby Michael will be in our arms!!!

We can't wait to smother him with hugs and kisses....to pat his little diapered bottom....to snuggle his little chubby cheeks....to touch his soft baby hair....to identify what features look like which person....ah...it's almost like there's been this fog hovering over us that has kept us from truly looking forward to the grandest of prizes: our little baby!!!

In a few days, we'll get to hear him cry for the first time....we'll actually get to look into his eyes, and this person, all his own person, will look back at us for the first time!! He'll see the faces of the voices that have been his companions these 9.5 months...he'll get passed around from family member to family member and friend to friend as he gets introduced to the network of people who already love him. He'll get to meet Jack and Thomas and Peelo for the first time.....his future best friends and lifelong playmates.

It's true....this last part is a trial...it has been a trial waiting...it has been a trial being helpless to do much about getting him out...and the labor and delivery will be a trial. But at the end of the trial is life. Little Michael's life, and the redefinition of life that will affect us by his being here. All things will be made new again. Things in this world which are old and commonplace to us now, will once again will be riddled with newness as little Michael experiences them for the first time. Bedtime stories, imagination, baseball games, reading, speaking, walking....all things will be "firsts" for us too.

I can say this as an aunt, everytime Jack or Thomas does something that they weren't able to do before, I marvel....every funny thing that comes out of their mouths, or expression on their face, or new ability...I want to share it with everyone...because it's new. I love telling people what funny thing they said or did. Children make things new...what a blessing to be a part of it!

Here's to the end of our old life and the beginning of our new one....see you on the flip side!!!

40 Weeks + 4 Days

Just a little update...we're still waiting!

In the mean time, Michael is taking EXCELLENT care of me and being a good coach, getting me up and walking around to help encourage little Michael to make his way in the world.

We're doing well, but still trying to pray about which decisions we should be making this week.

Thanks for your prayers. Keep them coming!

-love, Kim, Michael and Baby Michael.

A Pleasant Distraction

As Kathy posted on her blog, I had a fun morning, which provided a nice break from waiting. There is nothing like three nephews to take one's mind off being restless, and also to provide something to look forward to...a fun little boy that will grow up, hopefully to be as fun, cute, and well-behaved as the Campbell kids.

Jack and Thomas were very good in the dr's office, quietly observing the other children, even being enthralled when a couple of them walked in with super techno-savvy toys. In fact, at one point, Jack and Thomas stared at a little boy with some noise-making gadget, and even though all they did was smile brightly and stare curiously, a few times they looked at each other almost with the idea, "We could take him."

But as the waiting room continued to get crowded, without any toys provided by the doctors to entertain the kids waiting, it was clear that restless would soon give way to impatience. The boys had their motorcycles, but even those required some space to really play with them, space that was running out quickly!

So, Jack, Thomas and I decided a walk might be a great way to kill time, burn energy and get out of that crowded room. We went for a walk trying to find tanks to shoot down, but soon I discovered that climbing two flights of stairs was WAY more fun to them than even finding the tanks. Even Thomas with his little legs kept asking for the stairs. After the second flight of stairs, the second time, I could see his little legs shaking a bit as he was getting tired, but he still pressed on, triumphant when he reached the top.

We went to a courtyard outside, and that was a quick way to burn energy and let the boys be loud, using their "outside voices." They ran around and around and around the courtyard. It was also SO cute when Jack was running around a square design in the brickwork in the courtyard yelling "I'm a Dodger! I'm running around the bases!" Well done, Kathy and David. You are teaching them well!

We floated in and out of the building, each time checking to see if Kathy and Peelo were done yet, and each time they were still not back in the waiting room, they asked to go back out for a walk. No whining, no complaining, no getting impatient. Just content to keep climbing stairs, searching for tanks, and running around outside.

So, we had a great day!! As Kathy mentioned, this was followed by going to the park and watching the kids giggle and laugh while they fed the ducks. It was hard to say goodbye, and I wish I could have spent the whole day just hanging out. But soon enough, I will have my own tyke to contribute to the mix and once Peter and Michael get big enough to contribute their antics, ideas, and comments, it will be twice the fun!!

Yay for boys!!

Pregnancy Elapsed Time=Twice as Long

Yesterday was Baby Michael's due date. I've been preparing myself these past few months to go past this date. Michael doesn't have a calendar in there, he doesn't know what day it is, and 40 weeks on the dot means nothing to him. He's just hanging out in there until something, which is not even something he can control, tells my body that he's ready.

BUT....


All this knowledge doesn't change the fact that now I'm considered "overdue." As much as I can remind myself over and over that this is perfectly normal, it doesn't change the sensation that the clock has stopped ticking on the bomb, and the silence of when the actual detonation will take place is deafening.

In fact, I noticed today that days seem to pass by twice as slowly. If someone were to ask me today "When are you due?" My first reaction would be "two days ago." When in fact, it is only yesterday. But in my mind, it feel like two whole days have elapsed in the time that only one has. Being overdue by one week, I imagine, must feel like being overdue for at least weeks, or maybe it goes exponentially and it feels like it has been a month!

I had my 40+1day doctor's appointment today and it went well. Baby Michael is healthy and content and my weight hasn't gone up too much from last time (it was +2 lbs, but I also was retaining a ton of water today...my leg was much more swollen than it was last week).

The doctor wanted to know what I wanted to do. He commented, "This baby is a big guy." And reminded me that the longer we waited, the chance of a normal delivery goes down and the chance of C-section goes up simply because he may be too big to get through. Yet, he still is willing to be patient as I requested to wait until at leat 41 weeks.

The option Michael and I have to consider is: do we induce labor or keep waiting. If we keep waiting, the baby will get bigger and bigger, further increasing a chance of a C-section. Whereas, if we induce sooner, we may catch the baby while he is still small enough to delivery normally.

However, if we attempt an induction and my body just isn't ready yet, we are then ensuring a C-section. I can be induced and get to a certain point in labor and then just stall out, and as they constantly reminded us in our Baby class, "a failed induction is ALWAYS a C-section." Past a certain point, they have to get the baby out...


So, trying to navigate the narrow path between a possible C-section and a possible C-section is not so easy. Of course, induction isn't absolutely a C-section...but it's a risk. And it's also a lot more uncomfortable of a labor than regular labor. Contractions are typically much harder, and the medicine has to fight against a body that just wasn't ready to deliver yet.

So many questions...so many things to consider, all which can prevented if BABY MICHAEL JUST COMES....SOON!!

Michael and I have agreed to wait until Thursday, 41 weeks, and not feel rushed to make any decisions until then. Just let him come. Give it a good wait, and then see what our options are.

So, not much more to say than that! We're still waiting...trying to be patient, and walking like crazy to encourage the baby to come, which is pretty much all I can do right now.

Please pray!!

Continuing List of Pregnant Woman Etiquette

I am adding on items to my list:

1. Always say they look good. Even if it isn't true...it's the best feeling to hear it.

2. Never comment how big they are getting. Unless you are under 5 and one of my nephews, and even he will follow-up quickly with, "Baby Michael is getting big" as he recognizes that my growing big is a consequence of the baby getting big. Not that bowl of ice cream I just ate.

3. Always call the ever-expanding tummy "cute" or something like that. "Big" never works.

4. When the mama's belly is about to explode, and she's so pregnant that it really literally looks like she has a basketball or watermelon (or as Thomas pronounces it "waller-mello") stuffed under her shirt...DON'T state or ask "Oh! No baby yet?" When encountering a pregnant woman in this condition, please refer to Etiquette rule #1.

5. Never...and I mean NEVER ask a pregnant woman "Are you having twins?!" and CERTAINLY never say it matter-of-factly "Oh, wow! You must be having twins." What are these people thinking?!

6. It's a nice thing to ask a pregnant woman how she's feeling. It shows courtesy, and gives her a chance to communicate a need without complaining. For instance:

"How are you feeling?"

"Oh, pretty well, except my legs are a little swollen."

"Oh, in that case, why don't you have a seat" or "Let's get you taken care of so you can get off your feet."

This is very well received by pregnant ladies, since it allows her to avoid having to say tiredly, "I need to sit down...my legs are swollen." We don't want to feel like a weakling, but still, we may need to move, sit, or get going because of some discomfort.

Better yet, do a combo and combine this rule with Etiquette rule #1:

"You look good! How are you feeling?"

Wow, that has major brownie-point power to it! This approach will always make a tired pregnant lady perk up. "Oh...I look good? Wow, maybe they didn't notice the circles under my eyes because my baby decided nighttime was the time to practice his favorite new move I like to call the "Bicycle."

No, hun, they noticed those circles...and they also noticed the fact that your maternity shirt is increasingly becoming too short, but you refuse to go buy new maternity clothes, so you keep tugging at them to prevent the belly from creeping out from below like a man with a huge beer belly

...and they also noticed that your shoes are either loosely tied or not tied at all because you can no longer tie them yourself but have too much dignity to ask a co-worker to tie them...

and the astute observer probably caught on to the fact that when you walk, your belly has a momentum and a sway on a totally different wavelength from your own, leading you to walk somewhat lopsided (maybe that really is a beer belly)...

...they're just practicing good etiquette!


And that works for me!

What Day will his birthday be?

It's so interesting thinking about "the date" that Michael will be born. That will be his very special day for his whole life! Which date will it be? It won't be the 8th--unless and whirlwind labor ensues...like NOW!...


....


.....


...nope....



but it could be any other day afterwards....what will his number be? 7-9-08? Will he be a 7-11 boy? What date is going to be here on after labeled "Michael's birthday"? Only time will tell!

Apparently, Michael was tempted with 7-8, but thought twice about it and changed his mind. He just didn't like the feel of it, I suppose. He tried the idea on for size for a few hours last night, as he sent his mother through a series of pretty intense contractions. So much so, that I decided to throw some last minute things into the suitcase, because I was becoming increasingly convinced that the "last minute" was soon approaching. Strong, discernable contractions, lots of pressure, like the feel of a baby trying to get out, all last for a couple of hours.

But alas...he tried on the date for size and thought that he prefers other numbers to be inscribed on his birth certificate, birthday bulletin board at school, driver's license, passport, and college and job applications. After all that, the contractions subsided and I woke up this morning with a tranquil tummy. Oh well.

So, we wait some more and see what happens tonight! At least one thing is for sure...like any muscle, the more I get a workout, hopefully, the smoother real labor will go. As psychologically unsettling these series of contractions can be, hopefully they'll pay off in the end!

Until tomorrow!

--Kim.

My Baby the Tease

I know everyone's labor story is a little different, but these past two days have been kind of a roller-coaster ride.

It began Saturday evening after dinner. I started experiencing some weird feelings that were like contractions that I had been having, except they were all over. It was like a warm sensation that was not indigestion, but not regular enough to be contractions.

This continued all through Saturday night, and into Sunday morning all throughout Mass, when these sensations did take on more of a labor-like pattern, with peaks and rest periods.

These even continued after Mass until about 1 in the afternoon. Now, they were not fulfilling the requirement of "longer, stronger, and closer together" which would indicate labor, but they were enough for me to think pretty confidently, "Hey, we may be looking at delivery either today or tomorrow because this has kept up for hours and hours!!"

Wouldn't you know it, but they stopped around 2 pm. Here we were, starting to get all excited that this may be "it" and it was just that false labor stuff again.

See, this is why we won't be calling anyone until the contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute for at least an hour. Because the last thing I want is droves of family, excitedly coming down, only for these silly things to stop and everyone gets to turn around and go back home.

So, Baby Michael seemed like he was wanting to come this weekend, but alas, he must have changed his mind. What a tease!!!

In the mean time, I am almost displaying first-trimester degrees of tiredness!! I have just been sleeping all the time...in fact, last night I went to bed at 9:30 and didn't wake up until 7:30 this morning! Maybe that is a sign that I am getting close and my body is accruing sleep for the "the Big Day."

I am just trying to keep patient but it is so hard to do when every person I see at Church asks "When is the baby coming?" "Not here yet?" "When are you due?" "Oh, he is still really high up..." or if I come in to work a little later than normal because of a doctor's appointment, an explosion of "Oh! I thought you weren't coming in because you had the baby..."

It's like being under a microscope!! I am really working hard to be as patient as can be, and trying to be especially aware that this might be going on for two more weeks! As the tabloids dub it for the celebs, this "Womb Watch 2008" from Church is not making it any easier! phew!

I am totally loving Michael's response to it all: "Oh!! The baby hasn't come yet?" and Michael says to them, "Well, he did, but we put him back. We saw the hospital bills and decided to put him on lay-away till we could afford him better."

Awesome, honey, awesome! It's a great response to all the Captain Obviouses out there! It keeps a smile on the face while communicating, with the same degree of satisfaction, what pointing to my stomach and announcing "Duh!" would do...without the bite, which would no doubt be received as "Oh, she's just in a bad mood because she's 9.5 months pregnant...you know how those hormones can be...."

One good thing can come of this...I have learned from first-hand experience several important lessons on etiquette to a pregnant lady:

1. Always say they look good. Even if it isn't true...it's the best feeling to hear it.
2. Never comment how big they are getting. Unless you are under 5 and one of my nephews, and even he will follow-up quickly with, "Baby Michael is getting big" as he recognizes that my growing big is a consequence of the baby getting big. Not that bowl of ice cream I just ate.
3. Always call the ever-expanding tummy "cute" or something like that. "Big" never works.
4. When the mama's belly is about to explode, and she's so pregnant that it really literally looks like she has a basketball or watermelon (or as Thomas pronounces it "waller-mello") stuffed under her shirt...DON'T state or ask "Oh! No baby yet?" When encountering a pregnant woman in this condition, please refer to Etiquette rule #1.

As this goes on...I may add a few more things to my Pregnant Etiquette list.

A Weight Loss Miracle

Today, I had my 39th-week appointment (yes...that is 39 out of the average 40 weeks, which means as the ticker indicates...ONLY ONE MORE WEEK 'TIL THE DUE DATE!!!).

Everything went really well and as I stepped on the scale, I discovered it actually went down from last week!! Yeah!!!

Now, I'm not sure how that is possible, either I've lost weight myself (we know Baby Michael hasn't lost an ounce!) or the scales are just a little off from one room to another, a theory held by both me and Kathy as we have discovered the joy of the light scales and the curse of the "fat scales" at the doctor's office. The latter theory about the scales being slightly off, is probably the more tenable one.

But hey, whatever way, on my chart it says that I lost weight. I did get a little pat-on-the-back from the doctor with a "your weight looks good" which was a little anti-climactic compared to the great sense of victory I was experiencing inside, but hey, I'll take it!

He listened to the heartbeat and everything was looking good there. I asked him if he could tell how the baby was positioned because I couldn't really tell...other than the fact that I know where his feet are almost all the time. He felt around my belly a while, but concluded that he couldn't really tell his orientation, but did confirm, "He's a big baby. Your looking at probably 8 lbs. at least."

But wait, doctor...last week you told me 7 lbs...and in that time, I actually lost a pound. How does that work out?

Anyways, he inquired about how many C-sections women in my family have had to have...and he just sort of gave a worrisome "uh-huh" when I told him there have been several C-sections in my family history.

He asked, "Does your family have a history of big babies?"

"Yes." I replied while baby pictures of my sister, me, and my nephews. culminating with an image of a very smiley, yet big-headed Thomas played in PowerPoint-type-fashion in my head.

"Well Ok." He said matter-of-factly, in his normal matter-of-fact style. "It's good to know."

So, now I'm a little more worried than I was before I got there. So everyone...please pray for a regular childbirth. I would definitely prefer not to have a C-section! Of course, my mom and sister handled it like champs, so it's not the end of the world...but it would be oh-so-nice to just go the normal way.

And, the sooner Baby Michael comes, the greater the chances of that happening are! Come on, Baby Michael! We're at the finish line...your family is cheering you on! You can do it!!