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!"