OK. So perhaps not the most flattering picture of me, but a picture finally taken at the request of our friend, Paul, who is living in Nova Scotia so can't see me in person. And really, why not share it with the rest of you who can't be with us and see my belly growing? Haven't y'all been curious?A comment about the pregnancy clothes. The shirt is borrowed from my sister and VERY comfortable, and the pants are black corduroy maternity pants. I bought them a bit larger than I probably needed, but that just means they're extra comfy, and the fact they're corduroy means they're WARM as the days in Newfoundland get chillier. If any of my co-workers are reading this, thank you all for not mentioning the fact that I've started wearing these pants EVERY DAY. They're just so comfy!
So, it's 30 weeks and counting! I had a bit of a freak-out on Friday when I ran into someone from work while shopping for Halloween costumes (I'm going to be a pregnant Catholic school girl :-) ). She said something along the lines of, "Oh! 30 weeks? That means you can start counting backward... That means you've only got 10 weeks to go!" I wonder if she saw the look of panic enter my eyes! 10 weeks is not that long. Especially as I'd like to get my work "all wrapped up" in preparation for maternity, and we haven't gotten the baby's dresser and bookcase picked up from Sears yet!
Other things that have been happening lately... There are a lot of job postings here at Memorial University, and because I'm on contract I've applied for a couple. However, with the new University Librarian (she'll have been here a year as of Nov. 1) there's a LOT of shifting around of positions and moving people from contracts to permanent positions. In order to make all these moves, there are currently 7 positions being posted - which means that all the librarians here are applying for the positions, serving on search committees for the positions, or BOTH. I'm one of the lucky "both" category people. It's added a lot of extra work (and stress) to the past couple months - not to mention that September/October is Library Instruction season, and there are several other things on the go... Biggest question for me, however, is will I have a new permanent job before the baby is born?
But enough of my excuses why I haven't posted a message in over a month! Let's get back to talking about baby and pregnancy!!!
We've now had our first visit with the obstetrician. I/we will be seeing her every two weeks now until the baby is born. We also - just last night - attended our first of five PRENATAL CLASSES. In addition to the regular prenatal classes, there is also a one-night class on breastfeeding I want to attend, and a one-night class on "baby's first week". Although I'll be very happy to have Mom and Brenda with me when the baby is first born, I'm really interested in the second optional class to find out what the heck to do with our screaming (possibly) bundle of joy when it first comes home.
For some odd reason, I was expecting the prenatal class to make us feel more at ease... We were loaded down with booklets and information, and warned to go pack our bag for the hospital now, as you never know when you'll be going into labor... Demonstrations of how the baby fits through the pelvis... and a video of a woman going through the first stages of labor and then giving birth. The woman giving the prenatal class said, "You all must have seen tons of these watching those birthing shows on television." Actually, I've been trying to AVOID watching those shows...
Apparently, I'm supposed to keep reminding myself that this is a totally natural process. I've been doing that since the class last night, but it hasn't really helped...
I guess the problem is that I'm a natural procrastinator. One of the great things about having the baby due January 5th is that I keep thinking, "Oh, I don't have to worry about giving birth until NEXT year." I know, it's silly - not to mention completely false logic. Last night was the first time it was really driven home to me that because this is my first pregnancy, the baby will most likely come EARLY. This baby might be born in 2008. That's this year - not next year.
Eep!
But no worries. I also know that this baby will come whenever it's ready. There will be 14 or so hours of labor, Michael and I will get through it, and everything and everyone will be settled, happy, and into a good routine by the time February comes around... Right?
