long overdue update...

For those of you who haven't heard, I've been on modified bedrest for the past week. The doctor had me get a blood pressure cuff and I had hoped to return to work tomorrow (April 21). Not happening. My readings have been too erratic so she wants me to hold out a couple more days at least.

Sigh. I am trying to embrace it, but my house screams for cleaning, the piles of baby stuff scream for a place to be truly put away and I need some external stimulation. I am learning that perhaps I shouldn't grouse about my job so much...I kind of like being out in the world every day and I love interacting with people. My boss has been just incredible which has alleviated some of my stress. Many blessings to her--I feel incredibly lucky to be so supported.

G has been incredible. Supportive. Doing everything. Indulgent. This is the worst possible time of the year for me to be completely incapacitated, yet he's just so very, very understanding. He's going to make a wonderful dad.

The good news is that, other than elevated blood pressure, I'm showing no signs of pre-eclampsia. My blood and urine tests came back showing my kidneys functioning fine and no excess protein leaving my body. I'm not unduly swollen. So, in the grand scheme of things, I'm doing just fine. Just a little frustrated. If putting up with bedrest makes a healthy baby and me, avoids the hospital and keeps any further complications from developing, I can do it.

Did I mention I have to consume 100 grams of protein and 1 gallon of water per day? I think I may be a vegetarian, maybe even a vegan, when this is all done. For a girl who loves good food, I am living in a new world. Food has become soley a source of fuel. I see why the Atkin's Diet works for people--eating so much protein makes it nearly impossible to consume much else. I feel full all the time. Food sounds positively gross. Oy vey.

The other good news is that the baby has checked out just fine at all the various visits to the doctor in the past couple of weeks--excellent heartbeat, lots of movement, growth on-track...so, again, in perspective, all is well. He seems to break dance when I eat, particularly cold things.

The Fairy Godmothers got together to throw us a shower almost two weeks ago--it was lovely, lots of wonderful wishes for Sprout, some beautiful pages for a baby book, and a kite to decorate the wall of his room with wishes attached to the tail. We got some lovely gifts and we have the $$$ stashed for a breast pump purchase once Sprout arrives and we figure out what's going to work for me best (the lactation consultant has different models that I can actually try out and see how they suit me).

Sunday while I snoozed on the couch the dog alarm sounded. I figured deer or wild turkeys must be prancing around the field across the road. Wrong. At first I thought I was dreaming, but D, my friend K's partner, stood at the door. (They live in CA--so I was a bit bewildered. Turns out they've been in MO for a while.) So the two of them roll in with literally armloads of things...K told me she loves to shop for babies. It was incredibly sweet and overwhelming and just so kind. It makes me cry to write about it now. I don't know how I came to be as blessed with good friends in this life, but I am certainly thankful. I only hope that all the love and kindness folks have shown us comes back to them tenfold and then some.

Up until the last month or so, I've been reluctant to do much shopping. Almost like superstition...a little afraid to get too excited. I got over it. I started digging around on Ebay a few weeks back and got several items like a crib quilt, a little soft dangly toy that can be attached to a crib or carseat, an organizer, and various clothes. Did you know there's an entire Carter's line (now discontinued) of baby stuff based on drawings and a book done by John Lennon? I also discovered Children's Orchard, a resale shop for kid stuff that absolutely rocks. I've picked up several cute little outfits and baby hats for next to nothing. I even found the ever-elusive Baby Bjorn there (a front carrier that comes highly recommended) and picked up two for half of what one costs (one for G, one for me).

So...feeling the reality accelerating. I had hoped Sprout would come on-time or maybe even a little late, just to have time to get ready. Now I'm thinking early would be good. (It's the only "cure" for the blood pressure thing.) But, as long as he's healthy and I'm healthy, I guess I just have to sit with it and see what happens.

So, that's all the news that's fit to print.