2 Steps Back

So I went from 1 cm dilated to totally closed cervix this week. Interesting.

We are scheduled for cervidil next Wednesday. Followed by the pitocin on Thursday if the cervidil doesn't do the trick. At least I have a known last-possible-date. So, the baby has one week before we evict.

Doctor says baby sounds fine. Doula says not to be frustrated. My brain says to just eat and sleep all day. Osa says I sould be chasing squirrels.

My Little Loiterer

Still here in one piece that should be two. I am amazed that I can actually feel a little less comfortable each day, but at least I am uncomfortable on my couch and in my bed. So far we have tried lots of walking, some swimming, yoga, sleeping all day, spicy food, and some various other methods.

My second favorite attempt was to laugh the baby out by seeing Tropic Thunder on Saturday. I laughed a lot, but the baby apparently loves being jiggled up-and-down while listening to huge explosions, automatic weapons, and Robert Downey Jr.'s jive.

Would REALLY Like To Meet The Baby

No baby yet. I am so ready. Packed. Tired. Mentally Prepared. Rick is ready. Heck, even Osa seems ready (based on her demonstrating how to nap all day).
My mantra: today is a good day to be born.

That said Rick, Meghan (29 weeks pregnant), and I had a very nice dinner of Chinese take-out at the marina last night. We were treated to a beautiful sunset as you can see.

If baby has not been born by next Wednesday then my OB will schedule an induction. It would be sitcom appropriate if I gave birth on Labor Day, but I doubt they will let me wait that long.

Strictly Adult Entertainment

For the past few months I have enjoyed only adult-themed entertainment (not pron, but decidedly R-rated material). Whether it is Netflix watch instantly 'Law and Order SVU' (can't get enough of dramatized sex crimes), Showtime's 'Dead Like Me', or the current book I am reading: Mary Roach's 'Stiff: The Curious Lives Of Human Cadavers' (I do highly recommend this book, but only if you can find humor in the extremely grotesque).

Rick is at a loss. He refuses to watch anymore SVU with me as the rape and pedophilia turn his stomach. And I am convinced he thinks I am already scarring our child. I am also convinced that this is a not-well-disguised attempt to maintain my adult identity and not succumb to constant reading of 'Ferdinand' and 'The Little Engine That Could.' Excellent books, but they don't really pack the punch of 'Dexter' or 'The L Word', my latest tv addiction.

How This Recession Has Changed My Habits

Yesterday after a $ grocery trip I started to think about the ways Rick and I have been consciously and subconsciously saving money both due to the arrival of our baby and our country's continuing financial distress. Said grocery trip was actually a little less than we usually spend per week, but I would love to spend even less, while still eating well. I am nervous this post will come off sounding like "o poor me and my loss of bourgeois luxuries", but I agree with my good friend Dredmon:

"Who, outside of the Rockefeller's, thinks back to their grandparents and waxes about their wasteful ways? I don't remember hearing stories of how Mamamaw and Papapaw rushed down to the superstore every weekend to buy disposable products they could quickly use up and throw away during World War II rationing. Would the "Greatest Generation" look fondly upon our need to get a new cell phone every 10 months?"

The constant news stories of people making-due (or not making-due) with less has made me examine the small things. So, here is my list of small changes we have made:

* How I Drive: Rick has always driven with fuel-economy in mind. In the past I have pretended I drive with fuel economy in mind. Well, now I do. I drive slower, I accelerate slowly, I look down the road further, and coast whenever it makes sense. We are getting 50mpg consistently from our diesel car, and 34mpg from our gas.
* Air conditioning: I am using our ceiling fans religiously. Virginia weather almost requires air-conditioning for most people, and Rick and I set our home temp at 79 degrees, and I keep the ceiling fans on in whatever room I am in.
* Energy Audit: We had an energy audit done on our house last week. We are still awaiting the results and recommendations, but we look forward to hearing how we can improve our home's efficiency.
* Groceries: I have stopped buying bagged lettuce (ah, this is where you say "oh, call the whambulance you whiny richie rich"), but I have bought silly bagged lettuce and spinach for years, even though I own a nice salad spinner. Mysteriously I have started receiving 'Good Housekeeping' magazine. I blame either my OB's or our new pediatrician's office. If I get a magazine I tend to read it. The latest issue had a one page spread on "What Convenience Costs"
> head of romaine lettuce: $.25 per serving
> bagged cut romaine (not even organic): $.97 per serving.
And the list went on, biggest savings they report is on regular raw rice, vs. quick-cook or microwave rice bags. ($.19 per serving vs. $1.10 per serving).
* Library: We almost exclusively use our library for reading material (except magazines).

Rick and I live a life of luxury. Hell, I got a mani-pedi a few weeks ago and my haircut at the Colonial Williamsburg Spa last weekend. But, I can't help but think there are more and better ways to save our money while not even noticing a difference. Anyone have any good tips?

How To Feel Even Larger While Pregnant

This morning I brought my breakfast out to the patio. The temperature was a comfortable 80 degrees, the air was clear, and I had a new magazine to read. I then went to sit down on our patio chair and managed to rip through the seat. Granted these chairs are 10-year-old hand-me-downs, but come-on. I am not that large even with only 15 days left till my due date.

9 cm's left

Progress Has Been Made:
* Had our final doula planning meeting to go over all labor information.
* Baby names for either sex have settled.
* I am 1 cm dilated! (Doesn't mean anything in terms of imminent labor, but at least is a step in the right direction).
* 4 more days of work remaining.
* Chinese food I was craving has been eaten.
* Baby bath tub purchased.

Just have an infant care class this Thursday and I think the pre-baby lists will be complete. I just want 1 week of swimming, walking, watching movies on the couch and then I will officially be ready.