Introducing...

I'll leave it to the new mom and dad to post more information about the little one, but here are some pictures until they're able to post more details. Everyone is doing well and the baby couldn't be sweeter. -Aunty K


this is him moments after the birth

Swaddled and adored

He has such long fingers and toes!

Loving parents

Grandparents get their first look

A little push...

Despite my somewhat regular, yet unpainful, contractions and cramping, no dialation progress was evident at my doctor's appointment on Tuesday. So, today Lyman, my sister Kelly and I followed urban legend to Studio City where the Caioti Pizza Cafe serves The The Salad (TM) which is supposed to bring on labor within 48 hours for those expectant moms near or past their due dates. The salad has romaine, watercress and walnuts, but the magic is in the balsamic vinagrette, which is also sold separately by the bottle. Lyman and Kelly also loved their salads and pizza; I'm sure we'll go back with our little guy in his stroller like the many other moms crusing the neighborhood. They, no doubt, found the charm of this area of LA in their quests for labor.

Any time now...

I saw my doctor for my 38 (of 40) week appointment today. Despite the stronger braxton-hicks contractions that I have several times a day, there was no dialation taking place with my cervix. I know that doesn't mean anything. I know you can dialate up to the pushing stage all in one 12 hour (or less) period, but I was wishing there would be some development. So, I go back next Tuesday, unless something happens before. Thankfully, I have started my leave from my teaching job, so I have lots of time to run errands, clean the house, organize the baby's closet, repack my hospital suitcase, bug Lyman to do things around the house, take naps and wonder if today will be the day.

Lyman's friend, Vinnie, took this photo of us a few weeks ago. He has a wonderful talent. I am so glad I have this picture to remember how I felt and what I looked like as I starred at my belly for what equals many, many hours the last few months. If I can't take my eyes off my belly at night when I'm trying to guess foot from knee, how will I ever take my eyes off my son after he's born?

Last bell...

Yesterday was my last day teaching for the semester. I was too exhausted last night to appreciate it, but I am feeling it now after a night's sleep! At 38 weeks (of 40), being on my feet and teaching five classes of eighth graders was tough work- talk about hormone overload in the room!

You know my staff is generous from my previous post about the shower, but my students really blew me away this week. Two groups of kids organized "showers" with cake, hot cheetos, doritos, soda and some of their music either on CD or with an Ipod or phone with music downloads in every pocket. There were gifts and more gifts! I thought this group was tougher this year in everyway adolecence can be, but maybe it was just me . I'll never know. I know yesterday their looks of saddness and pleas for me not to go were genuine. If this was to be my last year as a classroom teacher (hoping I get a counselor position next fall) I am satisfied with my curtain call.

Neti Pots- Who knew?

I have really enjoyed being pregnant and the whole life creation business, but it's rough being sick and unable to take drugs. Now, there may be some of you out there who took medicine or heard you could take certain medicines, but not if you're prone to guilt and worry like me. I am taking antibiotics, I took tylenol when my fever was over 100 and I use this saline nasal rinse bottle twice a day. When I mentioned the rinse, neti pots came up with Kelly and Cousin Kathy.

Here's one. It's like my squirt bottle, but it's a little tea pot thing you pour through your nose. Who knew? Well, Kathy's friends knew, and a yoga teacher Kelly encountered once knew. Now we all know, FYI.

Sick!

Here I am three weeks to my due date, and I am so sick! I almost made it, but I am out of commission with a nasty sinus infection. I saw the doctor today who gave me some amoxicillin, and Tylenol is keeping my fever down. As for all the other nasty symptoms which you lucky people get to take NyQuil and Theraflu, I get to do saline nasal washes and blow and blow my nose! On the sunny side, at least this will have run its course, and I'll be healthy by the time I need to breathe through my nose to push this kid out in a few weeks.