Tacoma Hibernates

From today (Sunday, December 21), the first day of Winter.

And today is also Ron's (aka Charlie by his family) birthday- Happy Birthday Dad! Another year younger but as wise and funny as ever. I'm such a lucky daughter-in-law.

Inside the house, staying warm are Kevin, Crystal, Baby Green, Ginger and Bailey. And I'm typing away at this overdue post in the freezing office on the second floor.

SNOW:
We've had snow off and on all week, the last bit accumulated last night, a good 2-4 inches. It's hard to tell how much of it is new snow and how much of it was existing. Nice work if you can get it, as long as you don't have to go anywhere. Except for the treks to Safeway on foot, we haven't. The car hasn't left the garage in days.

CRYSTAL:

Momma's been under the weather all week and has been recuperating in her warm feather-bed with lots of sleep, in addition to Kevin's diligent nursing. It's been a good few weeks in the making with late nights, a ridiculous work schedule, not enough sleep, and far too much stress. Her poor body put Crystal in detention for not taking care of herself well enough and lapsed into the flu. She was supposed to go to the doctor on Thursday, but the doctor's office called to cancel- they closed because of the snow! Goodness. The rest, as well as the absence of stress, fluids and meals prepped by Kevin have done wonders. She's sick of her bed though.

Now I'm going to stop talking about myself in the third person because I've already annoyed myself.

KEVIN:

Kevin has been working from home since Wednesday which has been a wonderful and unexpected boon to our household because now the house is completely clean from top to bottom. Isn't he wonderful? And he does all this in the evenings after he puts in an 8 or 9 hour day at the computer. Not having a commute seems to make a difference in his energy levels. Even I have to admit there are times when I'd love to work from home or at least in the same zip code.

Kevin has accomplished more alone in the last few days than the two of us have accomplished in a month of weekends.

Christmas tree decorated-check
Lights up - check
Bathrooms cleaned- check
Kitchen organized and cleaned- check and check
Closets organized- check
Dishes washed daily- check
Food made daily- check
TV stand painted white- check
Dresser, three coats of polycrylic- check
Christmas boxes put away- check
Drawer pulls purchased and put on the baby's dresser-check
Realized we didn't buy enough drawer pulls so back to Home Depot for more- check
3 Movies rented and watched- check, check, check
Bills paid- check (Okay I did this one)
Guest bedroom readied for any winter visitors- check
Multiple-multiple loads of laundry accomplished-check
3 trips to Safeway for lunches/dinners- check, check, check
Path for the dogs shoveled in the backyard- check
Hooked up the cable box and DVD Player- check (after three months of waiting all I can say is thank god)
Dogs snuggled, cuddled, petted, played with, fed, pottied, watered- check all the above

Left on my honey-do list:
Three pictures hung on the wall
Floors cleaned
Wash, fold and pack old clothes/drop off at donation center
Trace the quote on the nursery wall and outline with paint

I'm feeling grateful.

BABY:

I'm sure folks are wondering how the baby is doing. It's a jazz musician (moves to jazz, utilizing those baby jazz hands), a soccer player and a sprinter. Very physically talented. Very kick-y. Very mobile. Doesn't let me sleep, sit, walk, bathe or stand comfortably but the movement is reassuring. Baby woke Momma up in the middle of the night using the uterus as its personal drum set. Boom-boom boom-boom boom-boom boom-boom in rapid succession. Definitely enough to wake a body up. Baby likes it when Momma reads aloud James Herriot's collected stories at night and frankly, so does Kevin. I wonder if I'm allowed to share that last piece of information?

NURSERY:

The baby's room is getting closer and closer to being done. The next paycheck will allow us to purchase the bookcase, the shelf, the ceiling light and a lamp. We've been pretty determined not to spend much on the nursery and have been very budget conscious. If there's a way we can do it cheaper, we do. Having most of the furniture purchased second-hand, lent to us, re purposed from existing furniture we already had, purchased for us by the folks, not to mention having talented family members who make the bedding, paint the walls and trim, as well as paint a mural... all of this has made a huge difference in our ability to make the nursery exactly the way we want it. We couldn't have done it without everyone pitching in and we know how lucky/blessed we are to have many hands welcome this baby into the world.

Steal of the month- my sister found a hanging bird nest for 3 dollars at Pottery Barn Kids. Imagine?! Three dollars! It's going to look great suspended in the corner above the chair against the backdrop of the tree mural. Now I need to figure out what to put in it.

MATERNITY CLOTHES:

Okay I gave in. I went to Goodwill and bought a pair of maternity jeans and black non-maternity stretchy leggings that set me back only 13 dollars for the two items. Not bad. I've made it to 31 weeks without maternity clothes. Most of my clothes are pretty maternity-friendly and have worked overtime to keep me dressed. But some cannot stretch any further and most of my pants have become uncomfortable in the extreme.

WEIGHT GAIN:

I haven't gained very much weight yet at this point. Although my belly is HUGE. Next person to ask me if I'm sure I'm not having twins is going to get special treatment ha. Although I have my moments of worrying the exact same thought myself.

The first trimester I lost a good 10-12 pounds and it took the entire second trimester to most of that back. Going into my third trimester I was still a couple pounds under my pre-pregnancy weight. But I should be steadily gaining from this point on- under strict orders to gain at "least 10 more pounds" from the doctor. I think the first trimester nausea coupled with a pregnancy-developed abhorrence of meat definitely played a role.

But the doctor isn't overly concerned because the baby is gaining weight and every time I get my fundus/uterus measured (they use a fabric measuring tape on my belly) she always says "Oh my goodness!" Which is annoying in the extreme because that's not what you want the doctor to exclaim, however sweetly she exclaims it. She is very sweet, I have to admit.

The measurements should equal the number of weeks along- 29 weeks = 29 centimeters and so on. The last three visits I have consistently measured 3-4 centimeters more than expected. Which is the equivalent of 3-4 weeks ahead of schedule. So the baby is growing big and growing fast. To reassure me she says "we will let you deliver vaginally up to 12 pounds." I'm hoping it just means I'm further along than estimated.

THE TWELVE POUND EFFECT:

You know what gets my goat and gives me multiple pauses about the whole natural birth thing? The whole "we'll let you deliver vaginally as long as it's not more than 12 pounds." I'm stunned by this. Maybe even a little bit horrified. That's the benchmark?! I don't think so! I'm all for a natural birth (vaginal, no drugs) and plan to have one (keeping my birthplan extremely flexible however). A 10+ pounder is enough to give me second thoughts and reconsider a C-section or at least lots of drugs.

THE BIRTH PLAN:

I should save this mammoth post for several smaller entries- but knowing myself, I might never get around to it.

As I've mentioned, the birth plan is in a state of flux and very simple, in other words: flexible. It goes a little like this.

Crystal, having never done this before, would like to have a go at it naturally. You know. No drugs. Vaginal. Very heroic-like. This will be her first attempt at super-mom/womanhood.

But if Crystal asks for drugs, please give them to her. She's allowed to change her mind.

In the room- terps and Kevin for sure. We'll add to the guest list as we go. Read above clause- she's allowed to change her mind and kick out or welcome anyone she pleases. Don't get pissed or bring it up at Christmas next year.

Crystal has every intention of using the jacuzzi and shower. Because she is a freak for warm water. Do not deny her water privileges or it will get ugly.

OVER AND OUT:

Kevin just stopped by to ask if I was writing a novel... which means I've been punching the keyboard too long. So to save your eyes and to save a little something for next time- have a great week everyone! Stay warm and safe!