37 Weeks: Testing the baby waters…

John and Grace's baby -- created at our baby shower. I like the tail.

Neither Ted nor I have much experience with babies. Erin brought over his 10-week-old daughter, Violet, yesterday and I was on baby duty for about 90 minutes while Erin and Ted worked on a project. She began crying after being in our house for 2 minutes and cried the whole time! I tried a diaper change, I tried feeding her, we did bouncing and swishing and swaddling and shhhing, I pulled out the boppy, the rattle, the wool blanket which I bought after some hippie website told me how comforting wool is to babies. All were no good. Carrying her up and down the stairs seemed to be the best trick, but as soon as I paused the crying began again. So we walked up and down the stairs continually for half an hour. The cats were totally disturbed and could not figure it out. They kept trying new positions on the bed to get comfortable again and couldn’t understand why their discomfort wouldn’t go away. Finally they left the room – except for Little Boots who followed us and remained curious about the noise making creature destroying her peaceful cat haven.  As soon as Erin and Violet stepped out of our house to go home she got quiet again. It was exhausting and nerve wracking and I have to admit, a little demoralizing. I relished our quiet and still home once she had left. She had required every moment of my attention and I felt so tired and worn out. Ted and I sat looking at each other thinking, “What are we getting ourselves into?” — at that moment, parenthood really didn’t sound too great.

My body went into some kind of baby response as well and I began having contractions which went on for the rest of the evening (through an entire Super Bowl party) and have continued this morning. There’s been a couple of times over the past few weeks where I thought “hmm, maybe this is a contraction” but not having ever had one before, I just don’t know. I knew if they were contractions, they were Braxton-Hicks contractions and nothing to be worried about. After last night I felt sure that yes, these indeed are contractions (neat!). I already had an appointment scheduled with my midwife this morning, and she confirmed that all is well (just to verify — they are still just Braxton-Hicks or “practice” contractions – I’m NOT in labor). I still feel so tired and worn out today, either from the contractions or Violet or just being a pregnant lady, I’m not sure.  I’m staying home from work today and savoring some quiet and restful time in bed with unperturbed cats.

This morning I got a comment on the blog from Juliet, an old friend from college who I haven’t spoken to since she graduated (over 10 years ago… wow). She was a few years older than me and was my R.A. when I was a freshman. I looked up to her a lot – she was so cheerful and positive and creative and nurturing. Anyway, after years of no contact Juliet wrote me this wonderful blog comment and she shared how much she is enjoying being a mom (she has two daughters) and how being a mom just gets better and better – it came at the right time! I was needing the reassurance to know that this will be a joyful experience… despite the crying.

PS: You may be admiring the beautiful red and green baby above! Ted’s parents, Leo and Missy (soon to be known as Popsie and Mimi to our son, they have decided), threw an awesome baby shower for us a couple of weeks ago. Missy has many wonderful pictures that I need to get from her so I can share with you. But she introduced the best baby shower game in the world: Everyone pairs up with someone to create a baby (out of play-doh)! Ted and I then judged — I can’t remember what we were judging, I guess which baby we liked the best or which baby we supposed to look the most like our own. It was a very hard decision, more photos to come one of these days.

And on the photo tip, I can’t help but show off Violet, who we adore… despite her crying!

Erin and his daughter Violet when she first came home from the hospital in November

Violet at 2 months - adorable!