Baby Progress

Water broke, 4:20 am. Still here, waiting...just a few crampy contractions now and again. Midwife says take a nap. Ha! It's beautiful sunny day for a birth-day. Blessed be and we'll see...

'Snow Baby yet

Get it? (S)No(w) baby just yet... Nope. Maybe soon. Hoping soon.



We did get snow, though... maybe baby is waiting for spring, thinking that it's not time quite yet. Actually, the panel picture is from this morning (when the snow reminded me of the icing on cheap storebought oatmeal cookies; remember those?).


The next pic was from this afternoon, which really warmed up with the sun.



The chickens have been enjoying the doorstep garden as a dustbath... not my first choice of location for them to engage in this mite-smothering orgy, but it's the warmest, dryest spot for now, and sometimes I just have to pick my battles.

WF did put up the rhubarb cage, though, to protect the greenest shoots in the yard. Looks like we're maybe a little behind last year in growth? And by May, it was quite springy here... we'll see what this year brings. Or will I be too preoccupied to care about spring milestones? We'll see... let's all think good baby-welcoming thoughts. We'll keep you posted!

Nesting, quietly

I'm still here, still very much "expecting"! It was a busy week; work has not let up and I still seem pushed by some internal energy to GET STUFF DONE at home, so was not resting or relaxing very much. I've gotten a stern talking-to by my midwife and others... my blood pressure was creeping up and my legs are a fright; very swollen.

So. Time to rest. And drink more water, eat more protein, and other good nutritional/herbal things. The last BP check on Friday showed a much better reading. I'm letting go of many things on my list, taking it easy this weekend.


That means testing out the new glider, and finally finishing the VERY FIRST sweater I have ever knit. Schroeder was happy to help anchor me while I sat. I am not a prolific knitter, and thought a baby sweater would be good start. 4 months later, it's finished! And cute... It was a good, simple pattern that made me practice a few things I've never really done; seaming, button holes, more increases and decreases. A good project.


And in a nod to "Grandma's" interest in Beatrix Potter, a Peter Rabbit button...


So, one more thing done before baby... he or she could come at any time. Due date is still a few days away... we'll try to update to keep you posted! Feeling good, trying to fathom this new adventure. Wish us luck!

House glimpse

Ok, time to get caught up on some house projects updates.

Remember this? And here's what our living room often looked like on a regular basis. Ahem.


It's looking considerably better now. WF and a coworker did the tile flooring, an immense improvement over painted OSB. It doesn't feel too cold; even my mother approved! I think we got the color right. Wish it was a bit darker for solar gain, but the room is so dark already...

I did buy ONE new piece of furniture, a glider, after months of searching thrift shops and missing any deals. But other improvements are just from a slipcover and a better arrangement, plus a little clutter control. It feels like a room I'd want to hang out in, now. Ahhh!



I'm also feeling pretty ready in the baby-room. This room has had a long journey, from crap-catcher to empty shell, to cozy little room with "accidental" but cute matchiness. The only new purchase in this room was a wool rug, which Lutsen is doing her best to make look not-new. All other items came from thrift shops or friends/neighbors, with the exception of the lovely quilt on the changing table. That was made by "Grandma," a new way of describing my own mother that will take some getting used to! We don't plan to use the crib much, at least at first, but it's part of the "scene" for the room, right?



We spent the snow day yesterday setting up the surprisingly complex co-sleeper, which doesn't fit in our room all that well, but might be manageable. We'll see.

I even have pics from the bathroom's transformation from an ill-advised 80's sponge painting experiment to a lovely calming plain blue, but I'll save that for later. This has been a LONG extended period of nesting that included paint and curtains and all sorts of shopping-related things, but the house is feeling much more MINE and comfortable, now. I thank baby-to-be for offering so much good inspiration!

Spring? Ha!

We are currently hunkered down. Power, phone and computer are fine here in our off-grid world. Not so sure about the larger town; my work computer and phones seem to be down. Some "real" spring will be nice one of these days... Perhaps more posts later today as we figure out work and play! I'd love to be able to see the Lake waves, but the only webcam that would show that is out right now; blown away?

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

...BLIZZARD CONDITIONS NEAR LAKE SUPERIOR THROUGH TONIGHT...
...DANGEROUS SNOW STORM ELSEWHERE ACROSS THE NORTHLAND...

.A VIGOROUS WINTER STORM EVENT WILL CONTINUE TO AFFECT NORTHEAST
MINNESOTA AND NORTHWEST WISCONSIN TODAY AND TONIGHT. INTENSE
WINDS...SNOWFALL RATES OF UP TO 1 INCH AN HOUR...AND NEAR ZERO
VISIBILITIES AT TIMES. A BLIZZARD NEAR LAKE SUPERIOR...WITH WHITE-
OUT CONDITIONS...AT TIMES WELL INLAND. WINDS OF UP TO 60 MPH ARE
EXPECTED NEAR THE LAKE. TRAVELERS ARE URGED TO USE CAUTION.

Packing

It feels just a tiny bit surreal to be packing a suitcase half filled with clothing and items for a person who isn't here yet. He or she is "with me" in a very visible sense (Frequent conversation right now: Yes, I am enormous, thank you for noticing. Nope, not expecting twins...), baby-to-be doesn't require diapers or hats or blankets just yet.

I'm feeling a little stressed that baby will arrive before I'm ready (is anyone ever really ready?) but starting to pack my "going to town" bag has helped me feel a bit more prepared. We have decided to have the birth at my doula's home in town; she's offering to do laundry and have food for us, and is closer to "modern" medical locations if needed. I feel very comfortable with this decision and happy that it is an option. She would like to start a birth center in her home, our town's first alternative birthing option.

Ah... if only I could focus just on birth and baby stuff right now. Work has been crazy, and certain government agencies are madly throwing money at me, money that has to be quickly spent and accounted for in formal ways. Why do grant applications sound like a good idea at the time, but then... one wonders. Especially when it's time for reports and reimbursements and blah!

Baby, please stay put for just a little while longer so this mama-to-be can focus solely on you and not on in-kind hours and budget narratives in between feedings. Fingers crossed, breathe deep, productivity!