The big day

Our baby girl was born on April 27 2008. Everyone is home from the hospital now. We are exhausted and happy. I will be able to write more once our new daily routine has sorted itself out.

A bit of sewing

I was able to construct a side reinforcing piece to add to the bassinet today, using some heavy fabric left over from a tripod bag, and a sewing machine helpfully loaned by T's mom. I was actually surprised that I managed to thread it without referring to instructions. My sewing job wasn't so neat that I was inspired to take a photo, though, so no illustration for today. In other news, there is no other news. But all the preparations are done now, so there's no point in waiting to come out... hey in there, yes, I'm talking to you...

ADDENDUM: apparently this worked. Labor started 3 hours after I made this post and she was born later that day.

Another day, another checkup

Another checkup today, and I learned a little bit about the fetal monitor sensors: they use a doppler ultrasound to get fetal heartrate, and a spring-loaded pressure sensor to measure abdominal tension (= contractions). All indications remain good. I had not planned to perform tonight, but one of the dancers in the group was running a fever, so I filled in. I figured I could always run home if there was an urgent call, but it all worked out. So- back to waiting.

Getting the lead out (or not)

After carefully collecting some paint chips from the nursery, leaching in white vinegar for 24 hours, and applying the indicator fluid per instructions, the home lead test kit indicates... that it is pretty much worthless. Paint results were negative (clear), but even the solution extracted from solder shavings of 40% lead by weight was only a faint smoggy yellow. The test solution (sodium sulfide, I'd guess by the smell) is supposed to turn brown or black with strong lead contamination. Well, so much for that idea.

So close, and yet so far

As T walked past me in the waiting room, she made an small gasp and her eyes went wide. She snatched up the magazine on the table with trembling hands. It featured a larger than life image of "Double Berry Pancakes" oozing with fresh fruit, butter and syrup, alluring in a way that only glossy magazine covers can be. Sitting beside me she could hardly contain herself as she turned to the recipe. Then came a cry of outrage and despair- all that remained of p.90-97 were a few ragged edges of paper, the merest hints of long-lost breakfast secrets.

At any rate, a "non-stress test" concluded all is well on the inside, and we got another (grainy and cryptic) peek via ultrasound. Dr. S says if there was an effective natural labor-inducer, he'd be selling it- so the waiting continues. Next checkup is this Friday.

And let us know if you have an intact copy of "Sunset Magazine", Jan. 2005. UPDATE: Found! Thanks LM40s!

On tiptoe

Today brought another walk, and some video viewing. Who might have expected a single piece of fabric (a baby sling) to come with a 1-hour instructional video?

The aforementioned pink foot balloon is now poised delicately on one toe in the living room, with occasional graceful hops and pirouettes as we walk by. Perhaps she will be a dancer.

A walk in the park

We went on two walks today; one to the post office, and then later another one in the park. T has a lot more energy now than she did three months ago, when even one block was fatiguing, so that is encouraging. We'll see if all the walking helps things along.

The pink balloon has now reached neutral buoyancy and was hovering about in the nursery when we looked in on it. A few minutes later, T noticed the balloon bobbing into the living room on its own! There was no noticeable draft, but Ms Baby Foot Balloon made it out the nursery door, down the hallway, and turned again through another doorway into the living room, giving us quite a surprise.

When the balloon drops...?

At her baby shower at work a month ago today, T's co-workers presented us with a number of presents. Included was a large pink mylar balloon in the shape of a foot, which came home with the other items. It has remained floating for a surprisingly long time- at first it clung flat against the ceiling, then the toes pointed gradually downwards. It is still floating up there tonight, but only... just... barely.

Stocking Up

T's due date is today, though there is no particular sign of it. A checkup at the doctor indicates all is well. We have another checkup scheduled for next Wednesday, assuming nothing happens before then. T has some guilty pleasures* she's been exercising great willpower to resist until after the baby arrives. We put one in the refrigerator today for consumption at the appointed time.

*for some definition of "guilt"... I think she overdoes that a bit, but that's just me.

Many Inquiries

At dinner with T's mother this evening, she advised us that she was constantly fielding inquiries, and that we should send out details as soon as available, since there were some 40 or more people she knew who were eagerly awaiting news of the (yet-to-be) birth. Perhaps it is just my inward and/or inanimate focus, but I had not realized what a social event these occasions are! Anyway it is good to hear that Baby B will have so many well-wishers.

Easier said than done.

Another day notable chiefly in the fact that it was not THE day. She felt something that might have been "real" contractions around 3 am, but they were apparently more of the same Braxton-Hicks type and subsequently faded away.

Once all the preparations are made, the universal advice is to get lots of rest ahead of time. That, of course, is sometimes easier said than done. T can't seem to get comfortable in any position for very long, and sleep is elusive. (At least for her... to add insult to injury, I'm still sleeping like a log.)

Real Soon Now

With T expecting Real Soon Now, it's hard to make definite plans that require me to be somewhere at a particular time. Of course, apart from that it's been smooth sailing for me, and she's had to put up with all the issues and inconveniences of pregnancy. Not much longer now!