12:50 p.m. - 2006-09-07
FAQ's
Because it's all about me, always... answers to your most burning, frequently asked questions lately:
1.) How are you feeling?
Physically, pretty good. I feel big, and that makes it hard to get around much, or even sleep, for that matter, making this a no-win situation. I'm also pretty damn tired lately. Some heartburn, some belly itching (from the skin all stretching out), some headaches. And a bit of cramping and what I assume are some mild contractions.
Mentally, I've been better. I'm more anxious than I've been in a long while. Whenever people say, "You must be so excited!" I always feel compelled to add, "And terrified!" To which people feel the need to tell me not to worry, labor won't be that bad. I know this. I don't know how to tell people that it's not labor I fear -- it's everything after that. It's looking at this tiny baby and realizing that I'm her MOTHER, forever, no matter what. It's being discharged from the hospital and going home with this helpless infant that is entirely my responsibility. And it's knowing that her life for the next 18 years, and ultimately the way her entire future is shaped, is all predicated upon the way I raise her. I'm beginning to get some idea of how my parents must have felt when I told them for the first time that I was seeing a psychiatrist.
2.) How far along are you/how much time is left?
I'm 34 weeks today, making my due date, october 19, in exactly 6 weeks. However, if you get a chance to talk to this baby in-utero, please encourage her to come a week or two early -- no more, no less. Maybe she'll be more likely to take an impartial outsider's advice.
3.) Do you have a name picked out?
Yes.
4.) What is it?
JonBenet.
5.) Is the nursery done?
Depends on your definition of "done." The room is painted, and there is furniture set up. There are approximately 8 million stuffed animals, rattles and blankets strewn all over the place, as well as an ironing board and Joe's shoes, because I took all the closet space in the master bedroom for myself. There is, at least, somewhere for this kid to sleep, as soon as we move Ginger out of the bottom of the bassinet, her newest favorite nap location.
