Addendum to yesterday's post

Don't worry; this baby will not be naked. I took care of that yesterday after my semi-panicked post. Can I just say how much I love online shopping? Especially clearance online shopping? Pajamas for two dollars--need I say more?

Oh, yes. I just heard from the hospital, and we now have a target date. How does January 27 sound for a birthday?

Our Christmas Story

Merry Christmas to all. We did take pictures, but since getting those pictures off the camera would take moving, and effort, they are going to stay where they are. I promise pictures soon. We also took video of Christmas morning. And we caught the whole thing, from Nathan's first-thing tantrum when he got his nose wiped then went back into his bedroom and started throwing things and yelling, to the very-last-gift opening. It's quite a video, I'm sure. You're welcome to come watch the lengthy saga unfold if you think you've the stamina. But I'll just tell you about my favorite part. After we got him calmed down, he walked down the stairs, peeked around the corner, and said "Boo" to the Christmas tree.

The rest of Christmas was also wonderful. I left the house, and got to see both sides of the family. We all got way more presents than we deserved, of course, and now have to decide where to store all of the new toys. Nathan got some blocks, which have been thrown only a few times (he loves to throw things) since it's far more fun to load them into one of the three dump trucks he got for Christmas. He loves them all, though, since they're all different sizes. Then, once the dump truck is full, you can dump them out and say "Crash!"

Grownup Christmas is not as much fun as kid Christmas. But we are excited about our new campchef, and are planning all the ways we'll put it to use this summer. No more trying to cook pancakes over charcoal briquets for us (it didn't go well, by the way).

And, owing to certain conversations, I've been reminded of my soon-to-be reality. I've been so focused on getting through this pregnancy that I kind of forgotten that the end result will be a baby. Ergo, I am nowhere near ready. And try getting ready for a baby while laying on the couch. Most of the shopping I've done has been buying warm-weather clothes on clearance (clearance deals are the best!) so this baby will be well dressed this summer. Until then, though, she may be naked. Thank goodness for online shopping.

We're planning on a c-section in about four weeks, when I'm 37 weeks. Anytime after 34 weeks, though, if anything happens they'll just go ahead and deliver. So, I'm 33 weeks tomorrow...the end is suddenly upon us. Now if I can only decide on a name.

Update

Nothing new. No news is good news, right? I'm hanging out, doing nothing. But I'm home doing nothing, and that makes all the difference. So we're doing good, although I appreciate all the lending of books and movies. I also appreciate all phone calls, visits, etc.

We're anticipating that if nothing changes, we're in a holding pattern for the next six to eight weeks. I see my doctor and have an ultrasound next week, and then we might know more. They will schedule a c-section as things progress, at the very latest a couple of weeks before my due date. So for sure there will be a new little niece to welcome Uncle Steven home for his visit in February.

I'm just glad to be home for Christmas. That is the only present I need. Thanks to everyone for your help and prayers.

Book List

A while ago my sister, always on the lookout for new books, asked me to post a list of books that I liked. And so I am, although I realize I am at once too early and too late to be posting this now. Early, because in the week before Christmas, I realize none of you have the time to run out and start reading these; late, because in the week before Christmas, it's too late to give my husband any idea of what to give me for Christmas.

I pulled up my reading history to help me remember what books I've liked, and here are a few generalizations from that list: Mo Willems (children's), Agatha Christie, Barbara Kingsolver, Gail Carson Levine (children/young adult girl). You can't go wrong with any of those authors. At least according to me. But here's a more specific list.

• Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez. An American woman travels to Kabul after the fall of the Taliban to open a beauty school and enable Afghan women to run their own businesses.
  
• Memoirs of an Unexpected Life. Written by Queen Noor, an American who married the King of Jordan. Very interesting and gave a different viewpoint on the situation in the Middle East.
• Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. I would not have picked this up. I kept seeing it on the bestseller list and figured it was some new-agey book that would drive me nuts. Actually about a mountain climber who ends up spending his life building schools in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. It was excellent, although I don't think I'll make it to book club to tell everyone so. I think they'll agree, though.
• Mockingbird, a Portrait of Harper Lee by Charles Shields. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all-time favorite books, so I loved reading about the shy, unpretentious, one-time author. Too bad she never wrote any more books.
  
• In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. I never had any desire to read this until I read the book above and learned about the not-so-good friend of Harper Lee that was Truman Capote and how she helped him write this book, and then how he didn't give her any credit and what a snothead he was. This is the story of a quadruple homicide in a quiet Kansas town, and how the killers were caught and brought to justice. It was actually quite good. But don't read this, Linnell. You'd hate it. I also enjoyed Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's.
• The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver. This is her latest book, and I loved it. It's about writing your own stories, and why those stories matter. It also features historical figures Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Leo Trotsky. And how could a book with two eccentric artists and an assassinated communist leader be bad? I have loved every Kingsolver book I've read. Her writing is just so good, and makes you feel better about the dignity and worth of the individual.

Well, that's a starter. I've just noticed that all but the last are nonfiction. So if you hate nonfiction, sorry. I read mostly nonfiction because it causes me to neglect my family less. I can put it down and put it out of my mind. But at the same time, it makes you think. And since when is thinking a bad thing?

And sorry, you can't borrow any of these, since I don't own them. But they're all available at your local library, if your local library is the same as mine. Maybe another time I'll make a list of the favorite books that I own, and you're all more than welcome to borrow those. Or just come over and peruse my bookshelves. I have several.

I'm home!

I got to come home today. As I left the hospital, all the nurses said they didn't want to see me back for a long time. And, I can't lie, the feeling is mutual. I got really tired of strangers poking their head in my room, every twelve hours acquainting someone new with my condition. It got old. Though I can't say I won't miss the room service.

So I'm home, and I'm pretty motivated to do what I need to so I can stay here as long as possible. Which means I need to do nothing... it's surprisingly hard. Luckily I have a great husband who helps out and now questions me when I decide to get up and cross the room. "Are you sure you should....?"

Today we transitioned Nathan to a toddler bed so I wouldn't have to lift him out. The first couple of hours have been uneventful, so hopefully it will be good. Fingers crossed.

Well, that's all for now. Hopefully our news will continue boringly for the next month or so.

I'm home!

Adjusting to Life on the Inside

Well, here I am. Things are looking up now that I have a laptop and some Internets. Also since I got transferred from the room with the "window" that provided a lovely view of the hallway. Now I get to look at the half-empty duck pond, cars driving by, and mountains. The mountain is my favorite.

For those of you who haven't heard, I have placenta previa, where the placenta is sitting directly over my cervix. So early Monday morning when I started bleeding I followed instructions and headed to the hospital, where I have been ever since.

So it's a possibility that I may come home, although I will be on bed rest for the rest of this pregnancy, however long that is. It seems sort of unreal to think that I have a major complication that could have life-threatening consequences. So I'm being good, laying around, and taking care of myself and this baby.

But I'm keeping busy. I'm brushing up on my crocheting skills, am going to re-learn how to knit, watching a lot of tv and going through books at an alarming rate. Providentially, I was able to check my e-mail the other night and so was able to line up an editing job for the next couple of weeks. Keeping busy helps me to keep a positive attitude. And I can't deny it's a little bit nice to take a break from cooking and cleaning (Jon, don't read that last sentence since you'll be tempted to twit me on my "vacation" once again).

Last night Nathan was able to come visit. Although I'm only allowed three visitors, my mom was able to take me for a wheelchair ride out of the wing, where they have areas that we "undelivered" moms can go spend some time with our kids. There's I think four of us right now, just hanging out, not having babies. Nathan especially liked helping to push the wheelchair. He would have done it all by himself, if only he were tall enough to reach the handles.

Thanks to everyone for your help and prayers. I feel really blessed to be surrounded by people who are so willing to take over parenting duties for me. Not having to worry about Nathan has made this a lot easier. I really feel that although this is not a pleasant experience, everything will work out.

I'll keep you all updated as I know more.