pictures...at last!

We finally have some photos posted...look for more soon: http://www.flickr.com/photos/milesjasper/

drum roll, please...

Guy and I will be blogging together more about the first week, the birth, etc., but for inquiring minds, we have settled on a name: Miles Jasper Jordan. He will have his dad's last name. As I type, my son, just 9 days old, sleeps peacefully. Cliches become cliches for a reason...he looks like an angel to me, completely pure, soft, new...I can't stop gazing at this child. I am so excited to see who he will be...what likes, doesn't like, how he learns about the world, what makes him dance...everything...what a journey we're beginning! I think Guy and I may have a lot of fun being parents--I know it's work and sacrifice, too--but, wow, what an amazing thing to tend a new soul as he enters the world and discovers it. What a blessing...

the moment of truth

Labor began at 7:18 p.m., progressed rapidly, labored in the tub, on the toilet, on the floor and in the bed. Started pushing at 2:20 a.m. At 3:30 a.m. baby's head emerged; the doctor said the next push would bring his shoulders out, she turned her head for a moment, one push and he squirted out into and across the warm pool like a minnow. From water to water. Time of birth: 3:34 a.m. He looks a bit yellow in the photo because he still had a fine coat of vernix on him--he has since been wiped clean and looks pink.

,Mom labored heroically. Dad anchored, breathed and watched in awe; if it were easy, men would do it. Those present at the birth included Dr. Laurel Walter; Kim James, midwife; Dee Dee Farris-Folkerts and Sarah Kohl, doulas; Victoria Day energy worker and friend; and Saxon Brown, super-teen and support goddess; M.R. Bear, supervisor; Lester Pootlepuss Cat, cooking consultant; with visits from Django and Spaulding, felines at large.

Baby weighed in at 7 pounds, 4 ounces; 19 inches and some change long. Placenta was delivered well and will be planted with a tree in celebration of our son's birthday.

He fed once and has slept for the past 12 hours. Mom, baby and Dad are tired but jubilant.

Cats, dogs, parents and baby plan to sleep for the next few days. Name combinations are under consideration, but we're waiting for him to give a clue as to what might suit him. More to come soon with links to pictures.

late Friday afternoon update

Feeling a little bit of crampiness and what might've been a very mild Braxton-Hicks contraction. Nothing to get too excited about yet; it could be days...certainly nothing resembling a real contraction on a regular schedule. I'll spare you some of the other details that might be too much information but, suffice it to say, not many signs of impending labor yet.

everyone's healthy...he's still cooking...

Saw the doctor, all is well, healthy baby--growth on track, good vitals and movement, healthy mom--blood pressure good and gall bladder cooperating for the most part...but no signs of labor.

This could go on until June 27...once we hit the two weeks over mark, then we may need to consider helping the process along. If we get antsy before, we have a number of options for natural induction before resulting to more intense methods.

Since baby and mom are okay and it's not uncommon for first-time moms to be up to two weeks overdue...we figure there must be a reason he's taking his sweet time...so we wait...

status quo

Tired, achey, a little blissy/spacey, still watching my belly move...we'll keep y'all posted...

mid-day update

(Lisa here) Feeling much better today. Without oversharing, some of the physical discomfort of the last part of pregnancy has passed and that has helped tremendously. Thanks, everyone, for the good thoughts, prayers, Reiki, etc. It's working quite well! I am blessed and our little boy is blessed to be entering a world of so much love and support.

Having said that, he's still cozy as a little clam in my belly. No signs of labor yet.

I slept crazy-late today--11 a.m. which is unreal for me. I've been doing a little laundry, working on a project from the office, and trying to create a list of things I'd like to accomplish before the baby comes. I'm remarkably chilled out about it all. Well, about the nesting. I'm a bit terrified about the actual birthing process.

Full to bursting

It's 11 p.m. and we find our parents-to-be tucked into bed, freshly washed dogs at their feet, air conditioner on (steamy day in Missouri and the promise of more rain tonight)and Lisa nervously tapping away at the computer. (Now Guy taps away...)

We've come to the "end" of our journey and yet find there is still distance to travel. Clouds in the night sky, flashes of light, the boom of thunder, a sliver of moon flashing between clouds, this ceaseless motion around a center of stillness. Forty weeks is a long time to flash by so instantaneously. Sprout dancing across his Mother's stomach like a mole across the yard. We wait and wonder and quake with fear and expectation and excitement.

It really is a wonderous thing to see Sprout's motions distending and rippling so clearly on Lisa's stomach. He is getting big and strong but continues patiently gestating. "Not ready yet, but soon I'm gonna bust outta here!"

(Back to Lisa) Perhaps, we should say, "Soon I'm gonna gently glide out of here, easily and blissfully." Ahem.

So, as in so many other posts, we're still gestating. More updates as they come...

late Sunday, almost Monday, nothing yet...

Still no signs of labor. I'm okay with that--I have some more organizational stuff that I'd like to do. I got a bit of inspiration, looked at some stuff I have sitting around and think I can solve several baby needs in a few rearrrangements, etc. Don't worry, all, I've been taking it very easy. I do little bouts of work while sitting. Most of the real groundwork for this happened before I got sick again.

Diogenes has definitely fallen in love with my Snoogle pregnancy pillow. It's actually worked out better for him than me. No reselling it on Ebay now. When I'm not using it, he curls up and kind of straddles it, much like a human using it is supposed to do. It's very cute. What can I do? I'm in the process of trying to fashion him a nice, cozy bed until I can afford a more orthopaedic one. We won't totally banish critters from the bed when the baby comes, however, I think our queen-sized bed can't handle a 50 pound dog, a 90 pound dog, two adults, a baby, and miscellaneous cats (generally of less than 10 pounds, although Sophia and Lester both tip past the 15 pound mark).

sympathetic magic...

We just put together the co-sleeper...correction...Guy just put it together and I watched. I thought if we have everything waiting perhaps that would encourage the-as-yet-unnamed(-but-the-list-of-names-is-shorter)-baby to make an appearance. You know, sympathetic magic, set the stage and it will happen...of course it could work in the opposite. (Anyone with Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper experience--we can't get the middle bar on the bed side to lock. Any ideas?)

I re-read the "Signs of Labor" handout again last night just in case I might've missed something. Nope. I know the signs. I haven't experienced them, but I know what they are.

So we approach the due date of our little boy...that still feels weird to write and say...and, given both of our tendencies to be late it would seem karmically appropriate that he makes us wait past his targeted arrival time.

Nope. No baby yet. Got sprung from the hospital late yesterday, have been able to keep down food (rice and broth with pureed veggies straight from our gardens--kind of like healthy, tasty baby food for grown-ups) and the blood pressure has been okay. I'm really tired so I'm taking it easy. I didn't realize how much the gall bladder thing took it out of me.

I've been in a bit of a foul mood but it seems to be subsiding...a good friend stopped by on her way through town and it was wonderful to see her even for just a few minutes. AND she brought a gift from her partner that just made my day...a beautiful, handmade baby quilt. It's absolutely lovely. I'll try to post a picture.

Anyway, it's a stormy Saturday afternoon, I have my puppies "guarding" me on the bed, my little lover tuxedo cat Django snoozing beside me and it's cool and dark in the bedroom--a good time to rest and repose.

the gall....

Still gestating. Have been in the hospital since Tuesday with gall bladder again. Details later. Hopefully am getting out today. Not dilated or effaced at all. I'm waiting for the second bout of rounds today...I'm hoping the doctor walks in the door and springs me from this place since I've managed to successfully eat...(drumroll please)...chicken broth, jello and apple sauce. Life is good. And I'm actually hungry. Really hungry and anxious to get home and get out some higher quality organic, fat and sodium free broth that can be doctored with a bit of fresh produce. I also want my puppies, kitties, bed, tub, music, etc. I just want to go home and nest and rest and wait for this little one to show up.

Yesterday I was not dilated or effaced at all, so it wouldn't be surprising if this took another week or so. I can manage the wait.

Good thoughts for a calm, quiet gall bladder and normal blood pressure would be much appreciated. More details to come....

nope, no baby yet

It's just past 9 a.m. on Monday morning. As you can see by the ticker above, we have a week to go. No baby yet. No real contractions or other signs. We did more nest-preparation over the weekend, so now we have a window air conditioner in the bedroom. Woohoo. It's supposed to be near 90 degrees during the day this week.

I do go through periods where I feel out-of-it and kind of spacey and stoned. I think perhaps we're getting ready to go but then I snap out of it. (There's kind of an altered state I've heard several women describe when they're in labor. I've also read about it in multiple books.)

I picked up a copy of "What to Expect in the First Year". I'm not sure it's the best book available, but when I was feeling ill-prepared, frantic and worried the other day, it seemed to be a good option. I think it's a good starting point. We also have a DVD from the birth center about what babies want. I can't help but imagine Stewie from "Family Guy" or that baby from the Quiznos ads talking to the camera... :)

yep...still pregnant...

It's just before 4 a.m. and I can't sleep--yet I'm exhausted.

Still. Gestating. Nine days to go...give or take. No signs of labor yet. To use an Aunt Charlene-ism (which is kind of an extension of my mom), I'm as crabby as an old bear. (And if you know my old bear, M.R., you know just how crabby that can be...)

I've been feeling rather lonely and hormonal of late. I am so not built for too many days at home in my own head. Even though G is here, he's working all the time. Too much time to myself tends to bring out the moody, depressed part of me. I'm sure some of it also owes to the tremendous things going on inside my body right now.

I vascillate between awed and excited and downright terrified and overwhelmed. I'm not one of those people who always planned on this, knew I'd be a mom, etc. I'm entering the Mommy Realm with slightly more trepidation. I know I'll be fine and expect I'll take to it, but it doesn't allay the fears that I've taken a wrong turn and misjudged myself. Having said that, after watching two hours of birthing films last night and bawling through the whole thing, I definitely do have some maternal instinct. I found myself awed and drawn to the tiny souls, fresh and new, just entering this world.

So. I wait. And worry because it is my nature. And find amazement in the experience. And marvel that my feet can really swell *that* much.

And at this moment, I sit here with my grouchy Mama Bear self trying to decide what to do--go back to bed, do some tidying and cleaning, go arrange flowers for the market, read...I think I'll try bed first. Maybe even the hammock in the backyard--it's that warm here.

Sorry to be such a grump. Oh, hormones. Oh, cranky Virgo. Oh, Goddess, can you please give me a little shot of upbeat, positive ju-ju? Not that "it's all good" thing, but the honest-to-goodness-feel-the-good-stuff-in-my-bones-awe? I don't want to miss the joy of the experience. I just need a little boost right now.

Blessed be.

the waiting is the hardest part

If I were a bird I would be upside down, rump in the air, beak tucked under the egg, feathers rumpled, searching for a comfortable position. Physically I'm REALLY ready to give brith. However, no signs of labor yet. Other than I'm puffed up a bit like a marshmallow. Waiting, waiting, waiting...

Outside I hear J singing from time to time...this is the same J who played with the Klezmer band at our wedding. He plays the accordion (and every other instrument on earth) and works on the farm. It's quite lovely. Saturday at the market he played the song he played for our wedding processional. The baby liked it. I could feel him moving. Perhaps I'm breeding Klezmer musician?

Had a lovely visit with T & S and their charming ten-month-old G. What a great baby. It was so good to see them all...and it was also good to see such a happy, easygoing baby. I am much less terrified of parenthood now. (Side note: I could swear I found notes in Lester's handwriting about the baby's dimensions and herbs Lester would use for stew--we must watch that nefarious tomcat. I suspect the worst of him when it comes to babies.)

Very little else to report. G's aunt got us a groovy, nice diaper bag, I hit the overstock store and picked up a few more odds and ends (a psychedelic-looking Gund cow for the baby to lay on; an alligator rattle, some hooded towels...), work is picking up a bit which means I'm getting paid and not losing leave right now.

Life is good. But I'd like to have my feet back to normal size, thanks. My big, loose shoes leave marks. Oy. BP is still good; gall bladder calm.

So...really the story hasn't changed.

Still gestating!