Baby Furniture Debacle

Nick and I were advised by several new parents to do as much planning as we could while I still feel good, aka in the 2nd trimester. So, in the spirit of that suggestion, and after much internet research we settled on some furniture for our nursery. In case the title didn't give it away, this has not gone exactly as planned. It was supposed to be delivered from Babies R Us by UPS on June 12. Well, the UPS man obviously couldn't be bothered to get the building address or even our apartment number correct, and he delivered a crib and dresser to the wrong condo. He just left it on this man's doorstep. Well, of course our neighboring building opens up to the outside and this was the weekend of the major storms in Birmingham. When we finally got them, the boxes were wet and the contents were in a less than desirable condition. So, my husband after 2 hours on the phone worked it out for them to be picked up and for us to have a new crib and dresser shipped and a 10% discount. Fair enough.

Well, 1 week later, same incompetent UPS man comes to our door at 6:45 in the evening saying he has our 120 pound packages but that we wouldn't want them, to which Nick says "you're kidding, right." Apparently, Nick thinks the UPS man has a sense of humor. The boxes were all open and the pieces were visibly broken. The UPS guy tells us that this kindof thing is really not meant to go through UPS, and that he needs to get back to the office by 7:00, or he's going to be in trouble. That whole thing was ridiculous, but anyway, after another hour on the phone, we have been given a 40% discount and 2nd day air shipping and the furniture arrives today. If it doesn't, Lord help me, my husband may lose his patience (a RARE sight for him).

I think the worst part about all of this is that Nick has been so excited about receiving this furniture since we first began looking at it. In the true nature of anxious anticipation, he has gotten one disappointment after another. All I can say is that I'm glad we took that advice and started this early.

Other 2nd trimester projects that we are accomplishing: Childbirth/Nursing class, meeting with pediatricians, finding a nanny, practicing with other newborns (okay, that's just fun), reading tons of baby books, and spending time together before Baby G takes over.

Oh Boy!

Good practice, that's what Nick and I thought we would be getting by spending the weekend with Baby Adam. It turns out I got a whole lot more than I bargained for. What is it about newborns that just draws you in?

When we first arrived, we definitely had a "holy crap, how are we ever going to do this" moment. But, by the end we actually were starting to have the opposite feeling. We were relieved and realizing that this was something that could be done. Yes, it's a lot of work, and yes, sometimes you might get peed on or you might spend 10 minutes changing the diaper only to find that he's pooped again. But when that baby looks into your eyes putting his trust in you that you will take care of him and you look back and see innocence in its purest form, you realize that is what life is all about. You wonder what must be going through his sweet little head, and you realize that you would do anything in the world to keep this child from having one moment of pain. To say that I was overcome with emotion would probably be an understatement.

This baby in particular was so sweet and calm, and when he was fed and changed, he was content and ready to see and be seen. With each interaction I fell more and more in love with him. I'm sure my pregnancy hormones have a little to do with this overwhelming emotional attachment, but it was there nonetheless, and I am a little happier for having it.

He's Here!

No, not Baby G, but his cousin, Adam McCuiston (I'm tossing around the idea of calling him Adam Mac, probably should run that one by the baby mama first, because you know how those things go) came into this world yesterday at 9:14 in the a.m. I wasn't there for the blessed event, but I have pictures!

Surprises

As I pulled into my parking spot at home this afternoon, I realized that today, my day off, was filled with some let's say, unexpected moments. Some of these moments were pleasant some more unpleasant. Let's start at the beginning.

I was proud of myself for finding my way to my doctor's appointment. This was the first time I had to navigate that crazy place with out my directionally stable husband... pleasant. I got to hear Baby G's little heartbeat, which was very strong... pleasant. My doctor told me to schedule my next 2 appointments including my third trimester ultrasound. I walked out to schedule and the receptionist tells me they no longer do ultrasounds on Fridays, to which I responded, "Ever?!" And, she just looked at me like, no, and how dare you question me... extremely unpleasant.

Next, I head to the mall, a place of general pleasantries as far as I'm concerned. Today, it was particularly pleasant for 2 reasons. First, there was a great shoe sale at Gus Mayer, and second, today I discovered the double doozey from Great American Cookie... very very pleasant. The trip was not without some unpleasant encounters. In short, an unnecessarily lengthy conversation with the saleswoman at Motherhood... maybe not unpleasant, but certainly unfortunate.

Last but not least, I headed to the car dealership for a service appointment. I arrive on time a little disappointed that I forgot my book, but I had a magazine to help pass the time. I thought maybe there will be something interesting on TV. It was on Fox News... unpleasant (for me). But, my magazine was good, and I actually managed to sleep in the chair for about 45 minutes... pleasant, but my total wait time was 2 hours and my ipod was dead... unpleasant unpleasant. To top the whole day off, their car wash machine was broken... I think you see the pattern here.

Needless to say, it offered me some material for my blog, and kindof makes me think life is probably just a series of pleasant and not-so-pleasant events. But, it's always better emphasize the positive and remember your blessings. For me, I will be focusing on the deliciousness of the aforementioned gooey cookie filled with icing...

Getting a Clue

Can you feel him move yet? That has been the big question of the second trimester, and according to the books, my answer should be a resounding "yes!". And yet, I am finding myself filled with uncertainty in regards to this question. In my defense, pregnancy has been closely coupled with strange abdominal sensations. I won't go into detail, but suffice it to say, I don't know what's happening in there from one moment to the next. I suppose that's part of the wonder and mystery of it all. So, about the tenth time someone asked me if I could feel him move yet, I decided it was time to take control of this situation. Enter Nicholas. So, lying very still I asked him to put his hand on my belly for a minute and see if he could feel anything. Lo and behold, not indigestion, baby movement! I'm not sure who was more surprised, him or me! That moment was a revelation for me, because now I know what I'm supposed to be feeling. And much to my delight, I have realized that he is actually quite active. As a side note, he must have gotten that from his daddy, because his mama tends toward the lazier side of life.
Now his movement has become constant entertainment for me, because I find myself picturing him doing fancy acrobatics and stretching his arms and legs out to get comfortable in there. Not only is this exciting, but also it is a pretty significant milestone for me, because for the first time in this pregnancy, I feel like I am getting a clue about what's going on inside my body.