It's No Go Time...Still

How nice that even my baby ticker stops at 40 weeks! ---insert sarcasm--- Don't the designers of these things realize that women who go "over" don't need any more reminders that the baby is theoretically (although not necessarily technically) overstaying his welcome in the womb?! :)

In lieu of a) staying sane and b) laughing in the face of all things widget- and countdown-related, I give you my latest optimistic thoughts:

The Top Ten Awesomist* Things About Still Being Pregnant

10. No extra carseat to lug around when we go out. (and just being able to still go out without all the extra planning and preparation!)
9. Caitlin resting her arm on my belly when we sit down to read together (and then how she'll look at my belly when she feels it move--she might finally be starting to comprehend the concept of a baby in there!)
8. My belly is the perfect height/shape to sop up any water resting on the edge of the kitchen counter (particularly in front of the sink)--and I don't even have to try! (so admittedly it's convenient so to say, but not the best feeling to suddenly have a wet shirt, especially on the underside of the belly where I can't immediately assess the damage.)
7. My legs/feet tingle if I've been on them too long--a reminder to sit down and put them up. Aaah relaxation.
6. In my heightened emotional/hormonal state, Caitlin is turning out to be the cutest, sweetest, silliest, funnest, most adorable little girl and I am overflowing with love for her! (thank you oxytocin...)
5. Full nights of sleep. (or more technically: only being awakened by a full bladder which is quickly remedied and not necessarily requiring full consciousness!)
4. Only having one kid to think about/schedule for--when she naps so do I!
3. Having a belly that randomly moves independently--definitely still weird at times but I know I'll miss it when it's gone.
3a. Not having to worry about the "post baby pooch" yet--my "abs" are as firm as ever and I don't even work out-! (haha)
2. Have such a limited wardrobe to choose from means I'm not overwhelmed by deciding what to wear each morning.
2a. If I "feel" like eating or drinking something specific it must be the baby who wants it and who am I to deny him? :)
1. Who doesn't love an outie? (and an obvious one at that!)
1a. The spurts of extra energy and motivation to cook and clean are wonderful!

*this is so a word

Ignorance Can Be Annoying

Y'know what I think the hardest part about planning a natural childbirth is?

It's not gathering the supplies, or setting up the bed, or sorting through all the baby clothes to find the neutral ones...

It's not organizing for people to bring meals by afterward, or reading all the right information, or being sure to find time to talk with Grady about our expectations for the labor and delivery...

It's not even the increasing weight needing to be carried around as this baby grows larger with each passing day making me increasingly slower while trying to effectively mother a toddler who is becoming increasingly faster...

No no no. None of those things are the hardest.

It's the not knowing!! The "waiting on the baby's timing" thing. The, "ooh this contraction is a bit uncomfortable, maybe it's the beginning of labor!" thoughts that seem to never pan out. The, "do I even make fun plans for this weekend? I'd hate to miss out on them if he did come before then," wonderings. The, "I've stopped being productive in every way, shape or form and it'd sure be nice to be able to choose from more than my two pairs of pants and three shirts that still fit!" hopes.

I could get all philosophical here (well, I kinda did last time)--and it is interesting to think about the general "unable to be planned to a tee"-ness of the whole natural birth process. But I won't--mostly because if I stop here I can still get a nap in while Caitlin snoozes too. How classy am I! (ha.)

Anyway, I know many of you can't wait to hear the big news--just know I'm right there with you-!

(but for the record I am enjoying the full nights of sleep that are still available for the taking!)

Give Me Your Best Guess!

Well now it's your turn to reveal if maybe you know something we don't! Leave a comment with your best guesses. It's always fun to look back after and see who ended up being right!

1. What day will the baby be born?
2. How much will he weigh? And how long will he be?
3. Will I be able to stay at home for everything as planned? Or do you think I'll have to transport to the hospital for some reason?
4. How long do you think my labor will be?
5. Birthing in water (as planned) or on "land"?
6. How long will it take us to name him? (for the record we have a list of about ten possibilities at the moment...)
7. Will he actually turn out to be a girl instead? (always a possibility!)
8. Will he have hair (what color?) or be bald?

Aaaaand.....GO! :)

39 Weeks and Still Going Strong

Wow, almost there! The picture is from today after I had my weekly visit with our midwife. Everything is looking fabulous and I can't complain either, he's definitely growing but my body is somehow much more capable of handling the extra weight/shape than last time 'round. I'm still reasonably "moveable" although I'll let Caitlin or others pick stuff up off the floor for me any chance I get! We're getting close but please for my sanity's sake don't keep asking me if I've had the baby yet, etc etc. (many thanks in advance!) Rest assured there'll be plenty of pics and details right here when the big event does happen, I promise I won't go weeks without reporting! :) I think for the benefit of everybody let's just all plan to meet the new Mr. Maass sometime around mid-February, and if he shows up early then we'll all be surprised!

"I Don't Need These Glasses..."

This commercial cracks me up!

Family Center

Well we didn't *quite* make it, but the point of this photo was to have our family "centered" under the sign...haHAhaha....(we are so funny and we know it.) :)My parents left yesterday after a wonderful ten-day visit. We've really been missing them around here--the house is just so, empty!

Some highlights were the multiple barbecued steak dinners, watching them interact with Caitlin, completing some much needed home improvement projects, playing guitars together (with Caitlin strumming a few chords too), and celebrating my dad's 55th birthday at a local hamburger joint downtown with double chocolate cake to follow. It was especially cute to hear Caitlin make her attempt at saying, "Happy Birthday Dzadiu!" (which was actually fairly understandable!)

Caitlin helping Grandma sew

And now life resumes a little farther than where we left off, and the challenge now is to stay sane and busy enough until the baby comes! Despite my dad's numerous attempts to somehow induce my labor as to share a birthday with his grandson, I am still "with child." I hear the next date to shoot for is Feb 10th, although that sounds a bit too far away and I'm just going to apologize now to my late grandfather Frank for not delivering on his birthday either! (although watch, now that I've mentioned it I'll end up going the full two weeks over and delivering then...ha! yeah the joke would totally be on me then...)

Caitlin is continuing to amaze us all with her ever increasing repertoire of skills--she has picked up about five more signs (words in sign language, bringing her to about 25 now) in the last week or so and now says the words as she signs them too. Not to mention that her words are much more clear and understandable in general, and when we ask her to repeat us it actually sounds like she is now (instead of just mumbling incoherently!). She is becoming a champ at first time obedience, coming, not touching, putting things back and toys away, etc, when we instruct. She's also got the hang of using "pleeeeease" when she's asking for something, yippee! Her silly streak is becoming more predominant too and she's always up for some kind of game, be it tickling, flirting, poking, peekaboo or teasing, even initiating at times. I am so glad she's becoming more independent and is definitely seeming more of the "big sister" type, which couldn't come at a better time!!

Warm Wishes

...to you and your family this holiday season! My parents are here visiting (aka "spoiling the granddaughter") until the 7th and it's been nice to have them here since we are banned from traveling too far this year. We are drawing ever nearer to the inevitable addition of our second child and although we are dreading the busyness that will follow (translation: sleep deprivation!) we are looking forward to meeting this little guy who feels like such an intricate part of our family already. Hope your 2009 is off to a promising start! a glimpse of our Christmas card this year