False Alarms...

Tomorrow morning, we will be 39 weeks along. We finally registered at Babies 'R' Us this weekend, and I packed a little diaper bag for Bar-El to have at the hospital so he would feel prepared. Last week, I moved some furniture, and began making space in the baby's room for the baby's things. I thought I was making real progress.
I don't feel especially anxious to have the baby come, though. If we have spoken at all recently, you know that I would like the baby to wait until the afternoon of the 20th to decide to make any moves so I don't have to leave work before Winter Break. However, everyone seems to be an expert, and I get lots of advice about how "the baby will come when he/she wants to" (we still don't know, or even want to know, what our little person will be), and I can just forget about any kind of plan, etc. I certainly understand the unpredictability of having a baby, and I'm okay with that. But today, because everyone is so spooky about just how unpredictable babies can be, I actually checked myself into the hospital at 6:15 p.m., thinking my water broken while visiting with a co-worker in the hall after school.
So, in the middle of the fabulous snowstorm that we are having here in Denver, I drove from work to Rose Medical Center--after checking in with my doctor on the phone first, of course. On the way, I stopped to text Bar-El what was (or more likely wasn't) going on, and he called right away to make sure I was okay. Mostly, he called to make fun of the fact that I had probably just peed my pants--AGAIN.
When I got to the hospital, I was checked in, gave a urine sample (after nine months of these, I still can't aim just right), and waited patiently to be examined. The nurses monitored the baby the entire time, which was kind-of fun because I got to listen to his/her heartbeat for over an hour, and hear how it changed when the baby was doing the nightly Bas Rutten heavy bag workout. I took a nap. The baby took a 20-minute nap. I watched an episode of Deal or No Deal. I got to wear a very stylish hospital gown and equally-chic hospital bracelet. Then I got the exam, and the nurse confirmed that, yes, I did only pee my pants. Then, I got dressed and came home.
My fabulous trip to the hospital did remind me that I need to be a little more prepared. I am going to pack my overnight bag tonight. I am going to pack Bar-El's bag, as well. I suppose I need to, at least, seem like I am ready to go back to Rose at any time. I will keep everyone posted...but don't expect a major update until December 20th or later. :)

Birfin' Classes

So, last night, we went to our second session of the birthing classes we are taking at Rose, and came to the conclusion that neither of us is capable of being serious in such a setting. It seems that everything--from breathing, to walking, discussions of comfort techniques--makes us giggle. On the bright side, I guess that means that we're a good match: we both instantly have the same silly thoughts! I don't know if our instructor thinks it is such a great match-up for class, but...

Next week, we take a tour of the birthing unit at the hospital, and the rest of class is dedicated to "medical pain management," ie: epidurals and the like. As far as I am aware, I will not be utilizing any such methods, but by tomorrow afternoon (at my next doctor appointment), I should know for sure if it is even an option. They should have the films from my spine surgery, which will help them determine if they can administer an epidural at all. It is my preference to go "au naturale," so I am almost hoping that they say it is not a possibility. Why? Because I am a Bad Mutha...

Bar-El is making great progress on house repairs. Last night, just before dinner, he installed a new timer light switch in the dining room, and he is in the last three or four days worth of work on our bathroom remodel. I am such a lucky girl to have such an awesome Doop.

Babies 'R' Us

Today, while Bar-El was working on remodeling our bathroom, I went with Brittany, Ella, Shannon, Heather and Connor to Babies 'R' Us for the first time. The girls and babies seemed right at home, but I found myself very overwhelmed. I can't imagine having a real need for even half of the items in there...what does one do with all that stuff, and where does one store all of that stuff once it is in the house?! I was literally more afraid of buying too much baby stuff than I have been of almost anything else during my entire pregnancy.
All I purchased was a single serving of a chocolate pregnancy/nursing protein shake.
This evening, after Bar-El cleaned up the construction mess and I finished lesson planning for the month, he and I worked on our homework for the birthing class we are taking at Rose Medical Center, where we will deliver the baby. What did people do with themselves before such classes were an option? I haven't been terribly surprised about anything presented so far, but Bar-El seems completely astounded by some of the information presented. I suppose I have an advantage, as I both grew up with babies in the house and have friends who have recently given birth. I keep telling him to just relax--he can't possibly mess up at the birth since there will be doctors and nurses all over the place, and once the baby comes home, it will all settle in and work itself out. He doesn't seem very reassured.
Next steps at La Casa Leffler:

• Finish the bathroom remodel
• move spare room downstairs and make space for baby in upstairs bedroom
  
• Early Parenting Classes at Rose
• Registry (I have to go back to that wacky Babies 'R' Us?!?)