Good Bye

My blogging days are now over! I'm out and discovering new things daily. If you still care, check out my mom's blog...http://afro-mama.blogspot.com/ for up to date info on me!

My First Photo Shoot

Mommy set me up with Karen to take newborn photos. I wasn't very cooperative. I would have been if someone had asked me when I wanted to be photographed. But no, I was not consulted and thus the time fell during the 15 hours or so of the day when I want to be nursed. Still Karen managed to get a few pics of me. Here's one!

My Birthday! May 22nd!

I was born on May 22nd, my due date.

My mom had planned on going to yoga that morning and working on her long "pre-baby" to do list. My dad had planned on sleeping in for the first time in weeks. But I had other plans.

So at 6:30 am my aqua environment sprang a leak and I started on my path to delivery. When mom realized that her water was breaking, she became really upset. This was not how she envisioned labor starting. In fact, this was what all the websites and books said was the worst (and least likely) thing to happen. When one's water breaks before contractions begin, then you could have a situation where the baby ends up in distress and labor has to start artificially. Mom called the hospital and was told to go to the nearest OTHER hospital because mom's hospital was full. But that's also not what mom planned. This made her more anxious. She knew many of the doctors at her hospital and she had gone over the birth plan with them. They had labor, deliver, and recuperation in the same room. They had 24 visitation policy and a bed for Dad. At a military hospital she was already set in the system for her insurance and the pediatrcian was already on call.

Anyways, after a quick deliberation, mom and adad went to Inova Fairfax. When she arrived at labor and delivery she was told to go back to the front desk and check in. Ugh! Then back up to labor and delivery (leaking, I might add) and eventually she was put in a triage room. Later a doctor confirmed that mom's water had broke and that there was not much left (I could have told them that). They monitored my heart rate for a while. The doctor checked and mom was 0 centimeters dilated and only 50% effaced at 10 am. Not good. Mom said, " You're going to give me Pitocin and then that's going to make my contractions horrible and then I'll get an epidural and then I'll have ineffective pushing and then the baby's rate rate will drop and then I'll have an emergency C-section!" Doctor told mom to calm down and that they wouldn't give her pitocin yet. But they did plan on giving mom Cervidil (cream that helps "ripein the Cervix). Mom checked in to her room with her birth plan, birth ball, rice socks, labor music, all of these items to help her get through the contractions but she had none. After hours of no pain and only an occasional contraction, the doctor returned to the room (around 2pm or so) and they checked mom again. This time she was only 1 centimeter dilated.

Doctor's said, "Mom wasn't going to have me until the next day." So mom watched "Baby Mama" (one of the movies she brought to watch at the hospital to distract her), kept walking up and down the steps (which she later learned was against hospital rules), taking showers, and did some yoga (mostly squats). Eventually contractions started to kick in and went from 12 to 9 to 3 minutes apart. When they were 3 minutes apart, Mom was in pain but hoping by the time the doctor's came back at 8:30 pm she would be dilated to 5 or 6 centimeters, helping reduce the chance of a non-natural birth. Suddenly the pain went from 3 minutes apart to one minute to 30 seconds. Mom says it was the worst pain she has ever experienced in life. She was screaming uncontrollably. Half kneeling and half laying on the floor in the bathroom. She tried getting back in the shower with dad (he bought his swimsuit) but the pain was so unbearable Mom said she couldn't stand. The worst part was she couldn't believe she was going to feel this kind of pain all night long. Doctor's said she would not have the baby until the next morning. So that would mean almost 8 hours of this kind of pain. How is that possible? Mom tried searching her memory of all the books she read and the doula she met with. Wasn't 30 seconds apart the last stage? Mom told Dad to tell the nurses the baby is coming. I would like to add here that this was no walk in the park for me. I was quite comfortable and then all of a sudden there were all these waves pushing me around forcing me through tight spaces.

She felt down below and felt what she thought was the head. One nurse came in and was on the phone with someone and we could hear the sarcasm in her voice when she said, "Yes, she thinks she feels the head." A resident came by and took a look and said, "She's Crowning!!!" Then there was a flurry of people about ...trying to get Mom to lay down and push. Mom said, "I can't push yet, I'm not dilated." LOL! Then she realized, "no wait this is really happening, Right now."

I was born 15 mins before the doctor arrived to check to see if mom was dilated and probably to let her know that they would have to introduce some medical interventions.

Nursery Update!

So the countdown to my arrival is on. I'm technically fully developed and could pop on the scene any day now. Mommy and Daddy have just about finished the nursery. The crib is made, the mural is done, the other walls are decorated and Mommy managed (mostly) to still keep part of the room for craft work. Mommy still wants to make or buy curtains and put up a mirror near the makeshift changing table, so I can watch myself while she changes my diaper.

Naked in the Woods

Mommy hired a photographer to take pictures of her while pregnant AND the same person will take pictures of me after birth and again when I'm six months. Here's a link to Mommy's picture lady: http://www.karenleonardphotography.com/.

So the first day of shooting Mommy and Karen were outside in the hood. Thanks for Auntie Jackie Mommy decided to use her wedding dress in the shoot. But instead of pulling it up she pulled it down to expose my big belly hideout spot. I think the pictures will turn out nice. Luckily the shoot is over, because Mommy was entertaining the whole neighboorhood being half naked in the side of the road in the SE marsh hideout.

Labor Day Play List

Since mommy and daddy are doing natural labor, they decided to put together a playlist of songs to help motivate them. First mommy searched the web for music other women used. But unfortunately, it seems like many women would prefer to hear Celine Dion in labor instead of Salt and Pepper "Push It." So mommy made her own list. Check it out and let us know if you have other ideas.... http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewIMix?id=369604612

My Party

Mommy's friends threw me a party. I heard that it was really nice and meshed well with my parent's personalities...organic/green restaurant with Latin inspired food (both), tons of activities pumped in to a couple of hours (Daddy), henna (Daddy, you know he loves getting painted with earth dyes), jewelry making competition (Mommy), onsie making competition (Mommy...though the winning onsie had pictures of an owl and the phrase "Woos your daddy?"), slide show of pictures of mommy and daddy from when they were kids, to dating, marriage, pregnancy and there were even some ultrasound pics of me, lastly my favorite part was the roast.

While Dziadek (Polish for "grandfather" pronounced JAH-jah, yes that's correct) saved Ojciec (polish for father, pronounced) from embarrassment.

Grand-ma-ma (still not sure what to call her) gave a 15 min soliloquy about mom. Oh, the stories I learned. First apparently, mom did cartwheels in stores. And she talked back to a preacher, and yelled "Time to go" when the service was too long. Funny story to all but mom who was a bit embarrassed and said, "Baby RadJo won't do that. Quiet time." Then there were other stories that implied that mom was SO bossy that they called her "Mama Jay" at the nursery. Having Dad hear this was great. As I can already tell he won't be the enforcer. He's talking about letting me cross the street when it's clear (but says "don't walk") and not wearing shoes. Mommy has rules for everything. Daddy can't wait to take me in the ocean and let me learn from my mistakes. Mommy wants to put up gates and outlet protectors now.

I'm sure her creative spirit and desire to breast feed as often as I want will lull me into her arms, but I'm happy that Daddy has some leverage on her now. I mean, Grand ma-ma did a good job raising Mommy. She turned out ok, by most standards. So a little back talk and gymnastics in public places never hurt anyone.

Melon Baby

I'm a little over four pounds and about the size of a cantaloupe. Mom's waddling around and bumping into things. She has to push off daddy to get out of bed and all of her maternity clothes look like there's no room left. I think it's all the cheese she eats. She thinks it's me. Come on, I'm only four pounds plus or minus some pounds for fluid, placenta, umbilical cord etc.

At 33 weeks I should make my appearance anywhere between five and nine weeks.

Mommy and Daddy have a competition among their friends and family. Whoever can guess my birth date (within four hours) and sex will have a say in naming me. I guess they either have faith in you all or they believe no one will guess correctly. Right now about 5 people say boy and six say girl. The earliest due date is May 10 and the latest is May 30.

What's your guess?

No Pain, No Gain?

So apparently there's some pain during child birth. As one of Mommy's friends once described it: "It's like squeezing a watermelon through a quarter sized whole." Some other people talk about the fact that sometimes there's a tear between the one hole and the other one. Some emphasize that its not just about the area down below; it's about the whole body experience. That your back aches, you don't get to eat for hours, you are sweating, losing consciousness etc. Sometimes, I hear, there are also complications. Like some babies are shy and nervous and decide they want to come out feet first and others try to push the placenta out before they come out.

For these various reasons and others, mothers today have a variety of pain medications they can use during labor and delivery. Some medications can be given intravenously (that means through the veins), others are given through the/ around the spinal cord.

Some of these medications cause labor to slow down because women can't feel anything so the urge to push is not as strong, others cause drowsiness and nausea. Some women feel itchy and others have headaches. Mommy's not sure how she would react to the medicine. The effect of these medicines on the baby are in some instances known and others unknown. At Mommy's old hospital she was told that 95% of women get epidurals (that's the one that goes in the spine). So it's pretty common these days to get drugs to assist. Doctors at the hospital, people on line, others in books laugh and say, most women who go in "saying no drugs" come out with an assisted labor. After all, that's what medical science has done for us.

Still Mommy's not convinced. She and Daddy went to a natural labor video presentation that showed all kinds of women in San Francisco having babies in tubs of water or on their bamboo floors without drugs and they didn't die from pain. Mommy's got bamboo floors. Daddy could grow a goatee. Auntie Wendy gave Mommy a book called "Active Labor" it talks about women using their various natural techniques to have drug free pregnancies. They did it.

So because so many people seem to be able to have babies without drugs (like women in over half of the world), then why can't Mommy?

On top of the potential reactions Mommy could have or I could have to the drugs and the fact that other people can do it, there's a principal here: Why take a tram to the top of the mountain if you can hike? When you get to the top of a hike you feel the pride of accomplishment of the hike plus the wonder of nature. If you take a helicopter to the top and arrive under a drug haze, can you really experience the magic of being on the top of the mountain?

So no drugs it is. The only exception Mommy is willing to make is if the drugs are needed to save Mommy's or my life. Otherwise, let it rip! We got this far for a purpose; we're not sleeping yet!

The Most Exciting Part of the Baby Moon

The rest of the Baby Moon was fun. They had great food and made new friends. Mommy and Daddy walked to the top of a large hill to see a lighthouse. Being the adventurous bunch that they are they snorkeled in a rocky spot called Shark's Cove. That was fun. Mommy floated in water (in between rocks) looking at fish. I thought I was going to be born in Hawaii a few times esp. when she almost fell a few times trying to get out of the water. It's not easy, they say, to walk on slippery rocks with snorkeling fins and a 7th month pregnant belly.

But the best part of the trip was the Polynesian Cultural Center. Mommy and Daddy went (on the only day of their trip to be slightly cold and rainy) to the PCC to learn more about eight different Polynesian cultures/islands and to enjoy a luau and a show called "Ha, the Breath of Life." There's a picture of the pig (poor thing) that was cooked in an under ground pit for the luau and a video on Ha. The Ha story was about a baby (like me) being born and his journey through life. They had pretty women dancing, guys doing all kinds of things with fire, and lots of singing. But the part that I was awake for was the drumming. When the drummers were drumming I was kicking hard and fast as I could. It was fun. I think I need a drum set.

Owls and Birds have Arrived

My big day is two months away and Mommy and Daddy are back from their Hawaiian vacation. They are working on getting my room done before my arrival. Mommy originally said before the "baby celebration party" (also known as the non-baby shower) but that's not going to happen. Still I'm excited to see some more progress as the owls and birds have joined the mural! Still to come carpet, refurbishing the rocking chair, window treatments (mommy's still convinced she can sew curtains) and incorporating the craft area! Oh, and at some point I will need a crib. :)

Oh My God, She's Pregnant (Diamond Head Crater)

On day two of the Baby Moon (yesterday) Mommy and Daddy went on a hike. Mommy is almost 7 months pregnant. Daddy said the hike was probably more like a walk and it was only 3/4 of a mile. Mommy forgot one of the cardinal rules when doing anything with Daddy (do your own research). How hard could it be? There were several touristy people around with flip flops and street clothes? (Mommy forgot the second cardinal rule, don't judge the trail by what the tourists have on.) Certain tourists from certain countries will hike in flip flops and carry large cameras regardless. The trail started out rather simple. It was a long and flat paved road. A woman passed Mommy and Daddy and told Daddy "You might need to carry her part of the way." Hah Hah Hah.

Soon they were off the paved wide road and on a dirt path. Mommy had water and they stopped here and there. Then the switchbacks started and the trail started on a ever increasing upwards slope (in fact later Mommy learned that the trail clims 560 feet). The trail was packed with people. Behind Mommy and Daddy was a group of Japanese high school age teens. Mommy called them the "Alohas." The group of 50-70 kids said "Aloha" to each person that walked by them. Each of them said it, every time. So you heard a chorus of "Aloha, aloha, aloha, indescript Japanese.... aloha, giggle giggle, more indescript Japanese." The train soon turned to a steep stair way of 74 concrete steps. The "light" at the end of that tunnel was a 225 foot long narrow tunnel. By this point, due to water breaks, the "Aholas" had caught up with Mommy and Daddy. So they walked through the dark tunnel (which didn't have much air) with the sound of "Aloha, aloha, aloha, indescript Japanese.... aloha, giggle giggle, more indescript Japanese."

In addition to the Alohas, Mommy also started to hear people talking about her. Now after the tunnel Mommy and Daddy were on the second "stairway" which was 99 steeps steps. People were now saying, "Oh my God, she's pregnant." Every once in a while the on lookers who were panting and complaining about the summit would stop and talk to Mommy. One person said, "You must be in really great shape." Mommy replied "Yes, that or I'm just stupid." Another group coming down from the hike yelled to Mommy, "Wow, that baby is going to come out running a marathon!" Other people would just utter things like"that's amazing" and "Are you going ALL the way to the top?" "yes, but I'll take breaks Mommy said." At some point (in fairness to Daddy) he did say, you know if you want you could just wait here and I'll go up and come back down." Mommy quipped back, "Oh yeah I'd love to sit in the sun and wait for you to come back. No, I'm here now. I'm going to finish this too." Daddy said something about Mommy needing to think smarter and Mommy said something like "Well maybe you shouldn't have said this was easy and 3/4 a mile." Daddy then replied, "I never said it was 3/4 a mile. I said it was .8 a mile. Plus there's the incline." That would have gone on more if Mommy (after realizing she was becoming a side show star) hadn't decided to bask in the "did you see there's a pregnant woman coming up?". Then there were more spiral steps and followed by the last set of metal stairs. The top was beautiful. As always, the hike up is hard but the end product makes it worth it (that's Mommy's justification for natural birth). On the way down, there were more people who shamelessly stopped complaining about the uphill when they saw Mommy coming down. At the exit of the park, Mommy and Daddy took a picture by the Diamond Head Crater sign. The girl that took the picture said, "Did you go up ALL the way to the top? " "Yes." "But really the WHOLE way."

This is what Mommy says happened, I don't really know. The sun and constant rocking motion put me to sleep. But Mommy was comforted when I started to move and kick after she drank a smoothie.

Air Plane Drama

Mommy and Daddy are on the Baby Moon in Hawaii. Mommy arrived Thursday night (Hawaii time). The plane ride was LONG. She flew from DC to Cali and then Cali to Honolulu. The overall trip was ok. The first leg was in "regular" class and the second was in first class (thank God for upgrades!!). The two parts couldn't have been more different. On her first leg Mommy was beside a man who kept coughing and had a weird random skin disease. Parts of his hand arm and neck were ruby red and purple and parts were flaking. Did I mention he was coughing too? So Mommy being paranoid and slightly hypochondrictic went through her mental rolodex of diseases to figure out what was wrong with the poor soul beside her. Could it be (unfortunately) Kaposi sarcoma, or something as simple as a birth mark or burns from him heroically saving a baby cat from a burning barn? But what if it was Impetigo or scabies???

But Mommy had even bigger things to worry about on the flight. Pregnant woman are more susceptible to getting deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is when (after improper circulation) a blood clot forms and then that clot can travel to your heart and cause a pulmonary embolism. Yes, I know big words for a baby but Mommy reads lots of medical literature and other random books on health. So the doctor (and all the websites that Mommy checked) said she make sure to walk around the plane (so blood doesn't pool in her legs) EVERY hour. Yes, every hour Mommy was instructed to walk around the plane EVERY hour.

Buy how could she? How could she get up from the window seat with Mr. Purple Arm Cough A lot and the woman (didn't even get to her, she was old and had on a neck brace) in the aisle seat? Mommy hoped the pair would have to go to the bathroom frequently. But a las they appeared to have 5 gallon size bladders. They never had to pee. Mommy watched as other people milled about the plane, stretching their legs, using the bathroom at will, and enjoying life.

So after almost two and half hours, Mommy had to do something (she could feel her legs getting heavy despite all the yoga feet exercised she was doing) and she woke up Mr. Purple Arm Cough A lot and told him and Mrs. Older Neck Brace she had to use the bathroom. Rather begrudgingly the pair got up and let Mommy out. Yes, she was up! Now she wanted to walk around. Unfortunately the bathroom was two rows in front of Mommy and Mrs. Older Neck Brace didn't sit back down. Instead of taking her seat and finishing her crossword puzzle, she strangely waited (watching Mommy) for Mommy to come back and take her seat. Dag-Nab-It. Mommy had no choice bu to use the bathroom and then come back (like a good girl) and sit down.

An hour later (nervously checking her watch) Mommy knew she needed to get up. She was trying to drink as much water as possible to stay hydrated. Maybe her blood wouldn't coagulate if she was hydrated? When she was approaching two hours (again) she asked the pair to get up so she could go to the bathroom. She asked nicely in her softer high pitched voice (the voice she uses when she calls someone for the first time). The man rolled his eyes and huffed and puffed. What! Are you serious! Mommy was mad. Not only did she wait for a long time to get up again but she was pregnant. So Mommy said to the pair (this time with her Petersburg/SE DC/no me moleste voice), "I'm pregnant. I need to pee. The baby sits on my bladder. That's what pregnant women do, we pee."

The second leg of the flight was much different. People asked smiled at Mommy's big belly and asked her questions about being pregnant, men helped her with her suitcase, she had lunch and later they served cookies and milk. What's most importantly, on a six hour flight, Mommy got up seven times!!!!

Forest done!

Mommy worked on the nursery over the weekend. She painted the first part of the forest mural, the trees and the grass (yes, that's grass not little green mountains). At one point she was going to paint the animals of the forest too but as she is not a real live artist, she decided to purchase vinyl wall art. She hopes to have the owls, birds, and squirrel up on the wall soon. Then the other wall will be painted blue and a vinyl tree with an owl will be added. Finishing touches include a rug that looks like green grass and reupholstering the rocking chair. Oh, there's also trying to add in the years of creative supplies (beads, batik making items (mom wanted to start her own fabric decorating hustle at one point, scrapbook supplies, paint, and other items that responded to a moment of creativity) into the "Owls in the Forest" theme.

Seriously?

We are in our third trimester!   Helpful and loving people have been getting more and more involved.  Everyone has an idea of what Mommy shouldn't be doing.  Just today a coworker told Mommy she couldn't move a chair from one office to another (it was light made of particle wood not like some type of African Ebony wood).  Um... Over the weekend when Mommy's mom, aunt, and cousins visited we learned tons of new things.  Like Mommy shouldn't pick up the cat.  She shouldn't even be petting the cat.  Who knows what kinds of diseases she'll pick up?  She shouldn't sweep the floor.   She shouldn't cook dinner.  She shouldn't wash clothes (definitely shouldn't carry the clothes between the floors).  Why was she out of breath from walking up the steps?  Maybe she should just stay on one floor in the house (there are three). Um...but the bedrooms (including Nursery) are on one floor, kitchen and entries to house on another, and the laundry and TV room are on another floor.   She also shouldn't walk the dog.  Oh, no, what will Mommy due when Daddy goes out of town for a few days.  Perhaps everyone should call her every day to check on her.  Daddy is better but not too much.  He told Mommy to ask the OBGYN to put her on bed rest.  Yes, bed rest at 27 weeks.  That way Mommy can rest more.  Seriously?  Come on people!  Women all around the world have babies every day.  And plus Hyenas get pregnant and still run away from lions and search for food.  

Finally some progress!

I'm happy to announce there has been some progress on a couple of outstanding BabyRadJo issues.  Mommy and Daddy have a car seat!  They also have a Pack N' Play which has a bassinet for me to sleep in when I first come home from the hospital.  I believe the plan is to have me sleep in the same room with Mommy and Daddy for the first month or so and then slowly move me to my own room.  I'm sure this has nothing to due with me and  all to do with the fact that the nursery needs more time.  Mom has organized the nursery, sorta. But Daddy called it "move and hide."  Basically instead of getting rid of a room of scrapbook, batik, beads, and other items to make room for me, Mom reorganized those things and put some under beds and in other closets.  But have no fear, at least the theme has been selected:  Owls, squirrels, and trees.  The colors are baby blue, forest green, cozy brown trees, with a touch of something  (either purple, yellow, or orange).  Mommy and Daddy also have some clothes for the baby.  And drum roll..... although there's no crib, car seat hasn't been installed, not quite sure what to call me when I come out...Mommy and Daddy have found time to plan a Baby Moon.  What's a Baby Moon you ask?  Could it be that you do not know the latest gimmick to make expectant parents pay for something else?  It's the last vacation a couple takes together (alone) before the baby is born.  So they are scheduled to go to Hawaii in a couple of weeks!  Oh yeah!  (yes read a little sarcasm) 

My latest photo!

This was taken about a month ago at my "old" OBGYN.  Yes, I have changed.  I changed from Georgetown University to Bethesda Naval Medical Center (the President's hospital, nuff said right?).  It's not that GU was bad.  They were fine and close to shopping and food. But there are tons of hidden fees (with insurance) with giving birth at a civilian hospital.  The care is probably great a both and both are in bad spots for traffic....but in the end the prospects of paying $5,000 to $10,000 out of pocket helped my parents make the decision.

A Baby Shower?

So mommy says that we're having a party for me. :)  I'm pretty excited.  I'm very happy that mommy's friends and family convinced her to do this.  Cause mommy was anti-shower at first.  Sure hanging with your favorite friends and fam is cool but not a baby shower....mommy doesn't mind the games so much as the gifts.  First, mommy and daddy want to only buy me exactly what I need and try to make the rest (ok so may that's what mommy wants).  Second, mommy and daddy would like to reuse as much as possible from friends and family.  Let's face it despite all efforts, mommy and daddy already have lots of stuff.  A baby (any baby, it's not my fault) brings in tons of other stuff.  Did you know the average baby gets their diaper changed over 2,000 times in the first year!  Imagine how many diapers, wipes, shorts etc that could be?!?!?! Plus there's all that other stuff, baby wash clothes, baby soap, baby wipe warmers, baby lamps for the baby's room, clothes, shoes, and not to mention baby toys, all those toys!   Lastly, the good friends and family a year ago were buying wedding gifts for mommy and daddy.   Is it really fair to get so much love?  Yes, I say!  

So we are having a party but there are some ground rules:  

1.  It's a celebration of my coming out.

2.  No games!  

3.  Unisex--all are welcomed.

4.  Gifts are appreciated but not needed.  In fact, gifts won't be opened at the party.

5.   Come, mingle, eat, and rub the belly.

To reduce waste it's probably a good idea to talk about gift ideas.  Remember number 4, you don't have to bring a gift.  It won't be opened at the party so no one will know if you didn't bring one.  :)  If you want, mommy has finally registered at Babies R Us for a few items that I need.  You can also bring something used!  The only things mommy and daddy prefer to buy new are the crib, car seat, and the Pack N Play.  Other than that, used is preferred.  Mommy has been gifted 6 large trash bags of baby clothes.  So there's no need to buy NEW clothes.  But we will probably need crib sheets, diapers, baby books, baby toiletries etc.  Mommy didn't' register for those things because they are pretty easy to pick up from anywhere.  Lastly, organic, BPA free, flea and tick free, flame resistant, etc options are probably the best bet.

I hope to see you at the shower on March 28!

Waddle With It

The craziest thing that has happened to mommy is that more men seem to be attracted to her pregnancy body.  

Yes, the "hey girl can I talk to you?" could be a product of the neighborhood.  But she's even had someone say this to her in Georgetown:

Random man: "Excuse me, can I talk to you or get your number and call you"

Mommy: "I'm married and pregnant."

Random man: "I don't care about you being pregnant.  I'll raise another man's child.  But I won't talk to you since you are married.  I wouldn't want someone to do that to my wife."

Yes, that's what he said.  It appears that despite size of her stomach the increase of other body parts seems to be motivating certain people.

Mom decided to write  a song about it.  It's called, "Waddle With it." She is going to get a Dirty South (Atlanta area) producer and have very pregnant women dancing in the background.

Come on pregnant girl Go Head and Waddle With it

You got a big stomach Go Head and Waddle With it

Can't touch your toes

But you can Waddle with It

You wearing maternity clothes

Go head and waddle with it

and so on

The Things People Say!

We have received the general pregnant pleasantries of "When are you do?" "What are you having?"  "Is this your first?"  But people say crazy things to expecting parents.   Here are some things people have said to Mommy and Daddy:

1.  The first person will be named.  Grandma (or whatever name I end up giving Mommy's mom) said (when seeing Mommy for the first time since early December), "You are going to be in soooo much pain!  Oh my God, you are so huge already!"

2.  "You don't look like you are five months."   ((this person thought mommy was more like 3 months))

3.  Several random people have said (after Mommy or Daddy say they are waiting to find out if I am a girl or boy) "But what do you REALLY want to have?"

4.  "Are you sure you are only five months?"  ((this person thought mommy was more like seven months))

5.  A co-worker of Mommy's said, "You must have a weak bladder [when Mommy walked by his desk to go to the bathroom again].  What are you going to do in the last trimester, sit on the toilet all day?"

6.  "You are having a boy because you are all butt and stomach."

7.  "You are having a boy because it's hanging low."

8.  "Your having a girl because you are having an easy pregnancy."

9.  "You look better now since you are pregnant.  Now you don't have the sunken in look."

And more!

5 fingers on two hands; 5 toes on two feet

So far so good.  I had my five month checkup and all is well.  Mommy and Daddy closed their eyes when I opened my legs.  So nobody knows!  I'm now the size of a spaghetti squash and at least 1 pound.  Mommy can feel me moving around better.  At one point I was just a flutter here and a flutter there, but now I feel like a breakdancing, popcorn popping, here and now there, bubble. Once when I was pop-lockin and busting my grove Mommy's badge jumped!  Speaking of Mommy...she has gained anywhere from 20 to 30 pounds depends on whose counting!  She also pees all the time and can't sleep that well at night anymore.  I say, "Four more months go and let's let the party continue!"

Decorate my Room Already!

Mommy and Daddy don't seem to get it.  I'm coming in four months!  Mommy and Daddy have purchase ZERO stuff.  Mommy and Daddy have taken ZERO classes.  Most importantly they haven't started my room.  Baby RadJo room still looks like the cat room mixed with an explosion of beads, scrapbook materials, collectibles, and lumberjack clothes.  Mom has discussed moving Choco-P (the cat) somewhere and moving Dad's winter clothes elsewhere.  Then there's the matter of all of those craft supplies.  The compromise is making the nursery double as a craft room.  Um...Ok I'm cool with Mom hanging out with me all day and then toiling away at crafts while I sleep stopping them as soon as I cry out (I'm hungry, I'm tired, My diapers wet!, It's cold!, It's Hot! I'm Thirsty! I want to be Picked up).  But I still want to make sure there's enough room for me.  All the books say I need a rocker, a crib, a dresser, and somewhere to put all my stuff.  Then there's the place to store all my diapers, clothes, a soft carpet, etc.  

Here are mom's ideas so far:

The Moroccan Souk

Owls in Forests (but not scary owls but happy ones)

Birds, Flowers, and Trees

Butterflies, Fields, and Flowers

Mountains

So yeah no Winnie the Pooh here.  Mom does have a plan.  She says she'll paint a mural and paint all the furniture etc etc.   She's supposed to make the curtains and design something to keep Choco-P out of the crib.

I'm excited but it would be nice to get it going!