36 weeks (and 1 day)

Compared to last time around I think it's pretty much equally sized, and reading posts from my pregnancy with Freddie, apparently I was feeling pretty rough, but I honestly don't remember it being this difficult.  I mean that smile in the 36 weeks post in 2009 looks pretty genuine.  Today's smile?  Not so much.

A little of what's going on:

• When I lie down my limbs go numb.  My arms and hands are affected more than my legs.  It is very painful upon waking up, and although it does get better as I move them around, I never fully regain complete strength in my hands.  I have difficulty lifting things and opening bottles and jars.  My grasp is generally weak.
• If it weren't for the painful hands thing I would very much like to lie down 24 hours a day.  Doing anything makes me winded and light headed.  
• I'm not exercising, and that upsets me.  Exercise does a lot for my positive mental attitude.  I just cannot seem to make it happen.  If it is going to happen at all it needs to be as soon as I wake up.  By the time I get everything set for Freddie and I to leave the house in the morning I am ready rest again.
• As much as I try to remind myself how much I'll miss feeling a baby move inside my belly, I wish this kid would quit kicking.  I swear he doesn't sleep.  I know Freddie didn't move this much.  I thought by this point in the game he'd be wedged in there so tight there'd be no movement.  He's constantly causing bulges in my belly, often on both sides at the same time.  
• Charlie's really great.  I know he is gritting his teeth and smiling as I whine, and he looks so cute doing it.  Just the other day he smiled, and raised his eyebrows, as he read over my list of things to do before the baby arrives.  
• Charlie got out my bag to be packed for the hospital.  I am having a hard time remembering what really needs to be in it.
• I did get a nightshirt to wear in the hospital.  I wanted one last time but stayed in my hospital gown the entire stay.  Man, I wish I would have put on something else and a little lip gloss.  Someone change my clothes for me this go round.  Or remind me that my roommate can see my rear end when I walk to the bathroom in the hospital gown.
• Yes, you read that correctly.  I will be having a ROOMMATE in the hospital.  Private postpartum rooms are not standard in New York City.  While they are available for an extra fee, I could have a 3 day spa trip for half the price.
• Where is all of this stuff going to go?  I am slowly purging and reorganizing, but not having any storage space is really a drag.  We looked into renting a storage closet in the basement, but $1000 yearly for a tiny closet?  Ugh.

Supper Serenade

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, 27 months

Part Deux Update

At 35 weeks 2 days:

Blood pressure:  120/80 (a bit high for me, but overall ok)
Fundal height:  36-37
Weight gain:  +3, +25 overall
PD heart rate: 165

Fundal height is measuring a little big. Maybe he's a big guy, or maybe he just wants to stay as high in the uterus as possible.

Ultrasound today to confirm he's head down and he is indeed head down.  Dr. H said he definitely felt his head but did an ultrasound for me to check it out as well.  He let me watch for a while as PD was wiggling around causing some waves on my tummy.  So neat to see the screen and feel those movements.

I gave him my biggest complaint:  Appendages falling asleep when I lie down on my back or on either side.  He said it is due to swelling.  I'm not "that swollen" to be concerned.

No internal checks today.  Whew. He said he'd start checking my cervix if I wanted, but didn't think any dilation or effacement, or lack of, was any indication of when labor would begin.  Maybe we'll check around 38 or 39 weeks. 

Group B strep swab performed today.  I was negative with Freddie so don't anticipate a positive culture.

Scheduled section has been pushed back one day:  Thursday, June 23rd, 10am, arrive at hospital at 8am

Next appointments:  We're weekly from here on out... June 2nd at 8.30am, June 14th at 8.30am

Oh, and sorry about the lack of a 34 week belly picture.  36 week picture will arrive on Sunday.

Our Family Genius

 

I'm very proud of Charlie.  Not just proud of him for cranking out a dissertation, having PhD behind his name, or getting mail addressed to Dr. Charlie but proud of him for pursuing what he loves.  I'm proud he loves science and the art of problem solving despite the lack of glamour and fortune.  And I am especially proud that he manages to put our family above all else regardless of the demands on a Genius.  I love you, Charlie.  Congratulations. 

Until Next Time, New Orleans

Goodbye playing with cousins.
Goodbye streetcar rides.
Goodbye cherry snowballs.
Goodbye duckies at Audubon Park.
Goodbye Target and Walmart.
Goodbye warm weather and mosquitos.
Goodbye beignets.
Goodbye poboys.
Goodbye boiled crawfish.
Goodbye playing in sprinklers.
Goodbye music on the streets.
Goodbye Aquarium and Zoo.
Goodbye Who Dats and fellow Yats.
Goodbye oaks, dripping in moss.
Goodbye cracked sidewalks and potholed streets.

We'll be back, before you know it.

Commencement

 

Charlie defended his dissertation in August, and his degree was conferred in December, but there was this little matter of commencement.  Commencement occurred this past week, and Charlie was present.  It was a big moment for him that I thought he shouldn't miss.  He did earn a PhD, after all.  He was game since it meant a few calorie packed days in New Orleans, his home for the past 13 years.

Charlie and Dr. H, his mentor

I know graduations are boring. Just ask Freddie...

Watching a movie on his ipod

But I think there are a few folks out there who didn't make it but may be interested in some of photos.

Charlie getting "hooded"

The entire Health Sciences Center in New Orleans graduated.  That's 600+ doctors, dentists, nurses, researchers.  It was a long morning.

I kept telling Freddie to listen for Dada's name and asked if he knew what Dada's name was, and sure enough he said "St....," Charlie's last name.  

Charlie smiled and didn't trip as he walked across the stage.  He represented well.  

Meeting Baby Joe

Freddie got to have a peek at Baby Joe, who is now a month old.  He kept saying "so tiny," which definitely describes Joe.  Joe must have made quite the impression on Freddie because I heard him saying to his dolls today "Awww, so sweet.  Baby Joe so tiny," and when I ask about Joe he says "bring Baby Joe toys."

Hoping to get Baby Joe and Part Deux together soon!

Cool Zoo

**Note:  This post originally published on May 11th but was lost when Blogger was having some issues.  Although Blogger seemed to be restoring lost posts, this post never made it back up, leaving me wondering about whether I need to find a new server as well as a means of regularly backing up the blog.  Any suggestions welcome.

Freddie and I are *so* thankful for the NOLA heat and humidity on this visit.  I appreciate the sweat beading up on my forehead and back more than I thought possible.  With the temperatures being the warmest they've been since our arrival last week it was a perfect day to spend at Cool Zoo, Audubon Zoo's version of a small "splash park."

The boys, Papi included, had no idea what they were getting into.  Mama had done her research, of course, so I figured this would be a good way to spend the morning before the crowds arrived.  I also knew once we were here there would be no turning back to visit any of the animals, which was perfectly fine.  We'll check in on the animals on another visit.

The park consists of sprinklers shooting from the ground as well as several overhead "buckets" dumping water.  There is also a giant white alligator in the center with slides wrapping around him.  The alligator's mouth fills with water and every few minutes is heavy enough to dump the full bucket on everyone below.  I thought Freddie could have easily been knocked off his feet by the blast of water but he managed to remain standing or get quickly out of the way each time.

Ian on the other hand reveled in the deluge.

Papi took the kids to "wait" for the bucket to dump.

This stunt reminded me of his climbing into the Zephyr Roller Coaster car at Pontchartrain Beach with Christian and me when we were kids but quickly hopped out as the roller coaster was inching off, sending us on our first Zephyr ride solo.  Same old tricks.

 Freddie was a too timid to climb the stairs to go down the slides but was more than happy running around and around and around, literally non stop for three hours.  He probably would have made the trek up had I held his hand and gone down with him, but that wasn't in the cards this trip.  Ian, being a grown up three and a half, did go up a few times, but I think he was more content running through the spray with Freddie.

Freddie had a smile on his face the entire three hours we were there.  I loved seeing him have so much fun.  He also slept more than he's ever slept.  I had to wake him from a 3+ hour nap and he was obviously still tired and not ready to get up.  Bedtime came quickly and he was out without issue for 12 hours.  I may love that even more than the big grin he had for the 3 hours at Cool Zoo. 

 

This was a great morning.  We're looking forward to the next visit.

A few details:

• Cool Zoo admission is an additional $5 on top of zoo admission ($15/adult, $10/child 2-12 years), or $4 for members
• Everyone entering Cool Zoo must pay admission, even if you are just sitting on the sidelines
• Supposedly no snacks are allowed, but lots of mamas had their bags packed with goodies and treats
• Concession stand had the usual hot dogs, corn dogs, french fry fare.  We had $2 fries, $2 kids soda which included a refill, and $1 bag of cheetos (which Freddie inhaled).  None of the prices were terribly outrageous and seemed in line with what I expected to pay.
• Bring a towel.  Lots of mamas seemed to be in their swimsuits and cover ups parked at the tables for the day.  Freddie could have stayed longer than the three hours we were there and probably wouldn't have even noticed if I'd left.
• We were there for 10 am and the crowd was thin.  It picked up some as we were leaving a bit passed 1, but was not crowded.  I imagine the crowds will be heavier during the summer and on weekends.
• A great addition to the Audubon Zoo.  I would be here quite a bit with Freddie if we were still in the neighborhood.

City Park's Carousel Gardens

Fire Engine in Storyland

We spent a morning at Carousel Gardens in City Park, riding the rides and wandering Storyland with Papi and Aunt Lizzie.

The train ride through the park was probably the biggest hit with Freddie.  Spotting Papi waiting for us was a pretty big deal too.

And he enjoyed the ferris wheel more than Mama, that's for sure.

I'm not sure what's with that look after getting of the ferris wheel.

The carousel at City Park is beautiful.  It was built in 1906 and has fully been restored.  It onyl has three "menagerie animals" and the rest are horses.  Freddie started out atop a horse but wanted to switch to one of the two chariots not long after we were in motion.

Freddie was on the small side for most of the rides, but loved wandering Storyland.  Our last visit was a while ago, but we'll be back sooner than later this time.  I have some childhood memories here and really would like Freddie to have the same.

Aquarium Visit

We're making all the usual kid friendly stops while in town.  Although Freddie's already been to the Aquarium a handful of times, I don't think he ever tires of it.  With a bit of rain in the forecast we decided it was a good day to spend indoors checking out the fish.  Unfortunately it was a popular day for school field trips so it was packed with kids.  We didn't wander as much as we would have liked, but Freddie and Ian did get to check a few things out. 

As soon as we entered, Ian declared he wanted to see the sharks.

The aquarium does have a new exhibit, Parakeet Pointe.  Thankfully, for us and the birdies, school groups weren't allowed into the exhibit so we were able to spend some time in here without the crush of people.

The exhibit is pretty much a large open "cage" filled with parakeets.  Feed sticks are available to $1 and I imagine these are some pretty well fed parakeets.  Parakeets are everywhere and are pretty easy to entice onto a feedstick or your finger.  

Papi, the Parakeet Whisperer

Freddie warmed up pretty quickly to the birds, and even was game for letting them crawl on his finger and arm.

Ian wasn't so sure about the birds and wasn't into the parkeets moving anywhere beyond the feed sticks.

Another nice morning, but I hope Freddie doesn't ever get any ideas about ever having a bird for a pet. 

Simple *Suburban* Pleasures

At Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Bruno's house

• Standing in the yard with the hose to water the garden
• Freddie running through the sprinkler in his undies
• Watermelons for less than $10
• Trips to Target with a 15 minute drive and ample free parking
• Sitting on the porch swing
• Green lawns
• Neighborhood birthday parties with kiddie pools and face painting
• Backyard gardens
• Beers and crawfish on the patio
• A load of laundry a day a few steps from the kitchen
• Cars in driveways rather than parking garages

Blogger Issues

Blogger has been working out some kinks, as I understand.  I am hoping my Cool Zoo post gets republished in the next 24 hours, but if not I'll work to recreate it as well as get up some additional posts. 

Jazzfest Mama

Freddie, the belly, and I headed out on Sunday for the final day of Jazzfest 2011, smiling at the smart asses who asked if I was trying to induce labor by being out there...Unfortunately not considering I have 7 more weeks to go and will only get much, much bigger.  I tried to take a few photos but it was difficult to snap pictures while keeping up with Freddie and trying to take everything in.  It made me happy to be there with my boy, but we both missed having The Daddy there to share the experience (and his food!)

No better gift for Mothers' Day than my baby boy eating the legs off my soft shell crab poboy.

He followed it up with beignets for dessert...and powdered sugar entertainment.

We sat and listened to The Lost Bayou Ramblers and Henry Butler and were able to catch a few minutes of so many other sounds as we wandered The Fairgrounds as any two year old boy loves to do. 

He heard the drum circle and immediately asked, "Music class?"  And probably could have stayed here for much of the afternoon watching and listening.

After taking in some shade at the kids tent we popped into the children's area where Freddie "caught" some crabs and crawfish which he appropriately named and handed to me in a pot to eat.  Thank goodness he's got that down.

 

It was definitely a slower pace compared to previous years, and I only lasted about 4 hours before I thought I was going to go into labor or pass out, but I couldn't have been more thankful to groom this Louisiana boy on the finer things in life this Mothers' Day.