Need Help from Chi-town Peeps

I have a friend due around the same time as me who is having trouble finding a nanny or small daycare in Chicago. If you have any recs for agencies or specific people, please let me know!

Well, I am sure now that I have felt both hiccups and Braxton-Hicks contractions since I last mentioned them. The hiccups felt like my belly had it's own pulse- very weird.

I am in a bit of denial about the 3rd trimester and my limitations. I would love to keep up the energy and activity of just a few weeks ago, but it is fast becoming obvious that I cannot. My feet, knees and hands swell if I spend too much time on my feet. But I have not been able to determine what is "too much time" yet. I did join the ywca pool and I'm hoping that it will help with the swelling and that activity will keep my energy up a little.

For the past few nights I have been on evening nap duty with the neighbors' daughter, born in October. They have company coming this weekend and they have their hands full with two very active older daughters. So I have happily provided and lap and shoulder for a sleeping baby each night after dinner. It's nice to interact with adults, too. Alas, this little routine will not be necessary starting tomorrow.

There's not much news to report baby-wise. Charlie is getting bigger for sure. He still enjoys hearing his daddy's voice every day. He seems to be bringing out a maternal, or at least more friendly, side of Sid. She's been far less neurotic lately and has even let visitors pet her! My doctor told me last week that Charlie is a happy baby. I like this doctor.

I didn't get any pictures of my belly at the shower, so I have not been able to post any yet. But I promise I will when I have a chance.

Spoiled Rotten!

We had a very busy weekend!

Saturday was the Mother-Daughter Luncheon at our church and I took Mama for her birthday. We had a wonderful time, as usual. Good food, good company, and a nice fashion show.

Later that afternoon, Aunt Evy, Uncle Gerry, and cousins William and Kaleigh arrived. We caught up, ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant, and turned in early from a l-o-n-g day.

Sunday was the baby shower, hosted by Lovey (that's Kerry). Big Daddy, Mama, and Heidi helped with decorations and food, too. We had a lot of fun. The men and kids played in the backyard and enjoyed a fire in the pit. The girls played games and gabbed. There were so many great gifts for Charlie that I still have not put everything away! He is quite a lucky boy.

After the shower, family stuck around and we had a nice evening together. I am always so pleased with how well Ted's family meshes with mine. Lovey got to feel Charlie kicking while he listened to Ted's recordings. Sunday night I finally felt hiccups!

Monday morning, the Pennsylvania family hit the road again and I stopped in to visit Lovey and her kids. It was Mama's birthday, so I thought she might get home from work early. That didn't quite happen, but I did manage to stay there and have dinner with everyone.

Tuesday, after Mothers' Morning Out, I took a very long nap!

Now things are getting back to normal. I did some major shopping today and took care of some projects around the house. I even got some Mary Kay work taken care of :) The next few days should be pretty relaxed, and I am hoping to do some more finishing touches at home.

Funny baby story- On Monday Charlie was feeling particularly heavy. Some days he seems to get lost in my belly, others he makes his presence known. I said something about how hard he felt near my ribs. Kerry said, "Ooh! I bet that's Braxton-Hicks. Let me feel!" She put her hand on him and I could tell she was thinking "practice contraction," but when she moved her hand to a different, squishy part of my belly she nodded and said, "Nope, that's a baby."

I can't believe we get to meet him in 2 months!!

Where does the time go?

I've been told that this is the time to get in some me time, to relax and sleep as much as possible. I've been lied to. There is always something that needs to be done- baby related or not. And Charlie has started a new trick of waking me up early in the morning and not letting me fall asleep again. Now, normally I can sleep like a champ, but I guess someone is trying to train me for the rigors of motherhood. Thanks, pal.

Since he responds so well to Ted's voice, Ted recorded some messages to Charlie before he left. In typical Ted fashion there are no stories or mushy moments. It's mostly just Ted driving and talking. Charlie particularly enjoys it when Ted talks about "the Lep" and he also seems to approve of Ozzy on the radio. I enjoy hearing him talk about food- pizza, subs, and fajitas from Pappasito's.

The diapers are all cut and the sewing has begun. I have just a few finishing touches to do to have a prototype for Violet to try this weekend. Cross your fingers for a big success!

I'd like to report on my belly size, but I am getting conflicting reports. Some say that I am small. Others gasp at how big I've gotten. I don't feel like I'm that big but I'm also looking from a different angle. It will be interesting to see how much stretching will happen. There will be lots of people around this weekend, so I'll try to get a picture and let you decide for yourselves.

3rd Trimester Weirdness

I had a dream the other night about shopping at a regular store like Express or the Limited. I don't normally shop at those stores, so I thought it was really funny. All these pregnant girls I know are having erotic dreams and I'm dreaming of shopping.

The tiredness of third trimester is setting in. I like a good nap sometime during the day, although I rarely take one. I have been letting myself sleep in when my morning schedule is clear, so there's one more good thing about my life :)

The diapers are almost all cut and they are so freaking cute I could just squeal! Once I have one totally finished, I will post a picture. If only a photo could show how soft the insides are...

I still haven't felt hiccups I don't think. I've heard that you can really tell a difference but I don't know. I did, however, nearly drop the phone last night laughing. Charlie was tickling me near where my appendix used to be. Even though I am fairly certain those are his feet, it really felt like little hands wiggling. Coochie, coochie coo!

He's a Genius!

Using the yes/no question system, Charlie, again, accurately predicted the Giants' win over the Pats in the Superbowl last night. In the last two minutes I thought he might be wrong, but then Eli and the boys pulled it off. My neighbors now want us to ask for lottery numbers.

Charlie enjoyed the halftime show. He danced through "American Girl." Maybe he recognizes it as it is one of the songs Ted and I sing together in the car. (On a side note, Tom Petty looked better last night that I have ever seen him. Still ugly but very healthy.)

I doubt Charlie will ever believe how many hours have already been spent trying to come up with a middle name for him. His first name was so easy for us to choose, but the middle is quite a task. He may end up with no middle name or not having one picked until after he is born.