another day, another list of mundane pre baby chores...

Midwife appointment - All is well. Baby is still head down, in a Right Occipito-Anterior position (ROA). That means he is kind of facing backward, which you want, but his back is curled more to right, against my belly/side. Ideally, he would be curled up nice and straight, with his back in line with my belly button, my midline. But most babies aren't straight on like that until they start to come out, if then. The thing we want to avoid is Occipito-Posterior (OP, i.e. his occiput, or the back of his head, is facing backward). More simply put, he is facing forward, his spine to my spine. Apparently that makes for some extra unpleasant, although still manageable, labor. The exercises I do are supposed to help keep him in this more OA position. Plus, I'm starting to talk to him and let him know that he needs to get in line. Literally.

His heart beat was in the 140s. Good sound heart beat. My blood pressure was more in the normal range than the last two visits (I'm convinced it was because I saw my midwife instead of her assistant). I was 98/68 or thereabouts. I measured at 39 weeks (39 cm belly) but from feeling around on my belly she thinks he is not that large. She guessed he is in the 6 lb range at this point - again according to her magic touch of just palpating him. The measurement has more to do with how he is lying and distending my belly. I had only gained a pound which prompted her to ask if I was eating enough. I think over the last few weeks, my weight gain has tapered (despite a LOT of thanksgiving pie?). It is probably because I am more active now than I was there for a spell.

She answered some more questions for us. She said they usually stay about 2-3 hours after the baby comes to make sure we are all doing well. They take cord blood right away for lab tests, to check the baby's blood type and do a basic panel. They will make sure I get help nursing right away. They will stay until I have a meal :) They will make up the bed and tidy things. I think that is about it. I see her again in a week if I don't have the baby before then!

Baby briefcase - I found this great organizer for baby records. It is dedicated storage so that it all stays in order, which makes me happy. But the thing is $30 for a case and some nice file folders, albeit preprinted. I love the idea and it would make a nice gift but I couldn't bear to spend so much on something so simple. We went to Staples and made my own version for far less than $20. And that was with splurging on the REALLY nice folders :) I WILL have to struggle with labeling the folders myself...I think I am up to the task. It functions as a little briefcase with dividers and all for folders. Plus there is a handy expandable side pocket with zippered mesh pouch! I'm pleased with my substitute. It's better looking, too.



Baby binder - I finally gathered all of the little keepsakes we have had along the way and made up a binder. I'm not exactly a scrapbooker, so this will have to do. All of his ultrasound photos, the cards from his shower, the mementos from our babymoon in Williamsburg and a few other things...collected in one binder for him to be bored with later in life.

Sleeper with crib sheet- We've had this for awhile and I think I posted about it when we first bought it. But here is a little snapshot of his sleeper all set up in our room, with the crib sheet I made awhile ago. That is his sleep sheep, which makes soothing noises. Like whale sounds (I'm not sure I find that one soothing, actually.) I love that thing. We will also have a crib set up in his nursery for naps and such, but this will be for night time for the first few months. The open side pulls up against the bed, next to me, so I can nurse easily at night but so that he isn't actually sleeping the bed. We picked this up on craigslist and it was such a find. They don't make them like this anymore - it is all wood and really simple. The new ones are froofy and fabric and incredibly ugly. It turns into a crib with the addition of the side, and then with some more hardware it turns into a desk. But that's later. For now, it is just waiting for him.



Washing the dog - He was washed. Finally. You can all thank us when you come to visit.

Hypnobirthing - As required, I listened to the daily suggestions and visualizations and relaxation sessions. Very soothing and yes, I fell asleep in the enchanted forest section again. I don't know what it is about that forest. Hehe. Donavon has been very dedicated to helping with his part, too.

Cat - Here is proof that the cat needs no invitation to make himself comfortable. Once he climbs up, which I do kind of help with at a point, so I am not shredded by claws, he is on his own. He has learned how to be like one of those monkeys, just adjusting himself on my shoulder whether I assist. It's impressive but if I am not wearing a good thick sweater, it IS painful.



Tested the BabyTV babycam - For a while, there has been that link on the left advertising BabyTV. It is a teaser since we don't have an actual baby to broadcast, yet. Inspired by the now famous shiba inu puppy cam, Donavon set up a Ustream account for our baby. We got the webcam today and set it up for a few test runs. Both Grandma and Aunt Kristen were our remote testers and I am pleased to report that it was a success! The channel will be password protected, since it broadcasts to a website. We will primarily use it as a video baby monitor - with the camera on him while sleeping - accesible from any computer instead of just a monitor. Most of the time, it won't be interesting to anyone but us, unless you like to watch a baby sleep. But on occasion we will let people know when we will have him on there in a funny outfit or just to say hi. BabyTV. Stay tuned for schedule information.

I wanted to finish the curtains I started last night, but I am way too tired. I'm off to bed at 10:30 and will listen to CDs to relax myself to sleep.