In our family...

...this is just the way we work!

Dave's office was really nice and threw him a little baby shower on Friday. It was the same day his coworker Olga was leaving before she moved back to Russia. A cube neighbor stopped by and said, "Dave, we're doing a little thing for Olga in the break room; join us." He joined the crowd and melted into the back of the room while they all looked at him and said, "Hey, surprise, this party is for you! You really couldn't tell? There's a stork on the cake!"

To which he replied, "I thought that was some strange Russian bird!"

Practice

For the past several days I have had Braxton Hicks contractions a lot. Continuously, but not consistently. As in, for an hour I will be cramping, then nothing for awhile. Kind of painful already.

Will I just be practicing labor for the next month? I used to practice for a week before my period, so maybe this is a similar process. Which doesn't sound like a lot of fun to me. I'd rather just get it started already!

I am officially less than a month until my due date. Exactly 28 days. Will these days go by slowly? Will he ever get here? Will he be early? Will he be late? Will he come out a boy still? What will he look like?

We finished putting together all our baby gear today. We're pretty ready, though Dave miming how to take care of the baby reminds me that he hasn't had the childcare experience I have. It's going to be really fun teaching him! Bring it on, baby! Let's get this party started!

Intersections

Sometimes there is just beauty in the world that hits you in a strange way. It's not your typical beauty, but it's something striking that sits there with you longer than you expect it to.

At the intersection of Ponce & Briarcliff, there is an older, African American gentleman who stands at the corner with a cane in biking shorts & a tshirt. He does not want money. He is just standing there. I'm not sure why; I've never spoken to him. But he is there a lot. Yesterday I saw him, backpack on, ready for the heat, looking at his watch and then contentedly remaining there. He's such a fixture that at one point Emory students made a street sign with a silhouette of a man with a cane.

Maybe one day I will ask him why he likes to spend his time hanging out on the corner of a busy intersection, or maybe I will just let him remain one of Atlanta's mysterious, interesting, and beautiful fixtures.

Summer Bug Songs

Today is the last day I'll ever be 27. Am I officially in my late twenties already, or does it start tomorrow?

I love the sounds of summer. You can hear the heat, and in Georgia the bugs remind you it's almost August with their constant music... much better heard from inside, especially since they love to bite me. As a child I used to be covered in mosquito bites all summer long. Yesterday when I was weeding the garden, I used bug spray, and they managed to find the only spot I hadn't slathered myself: my forehead!

And delightfully I was reminded recently of the torture of bee stings (hadn't gotten one in 15 years or so). I'm not really sure how it happened, but I guess when I let my mother in the house the other day, a yellow jacket (and I'm a Yellow Jacket alumnus!) flew up my pant leg. I felt some tickling, smashed down my pant leg, felt a painful sensation, lifted up my pant leg and saw none other than Mr. Bee. My mother said she had never seen someone take off their pants so quickly! My reaction (giant red line and lots of swelling) makes me think I might be getting allergic in my old age. Hopefully I won't have to experience that again for another 15+ years to find out. I'll be middle aged at that point! Dave had to endure a wasp sting on his nose a few weeks ago. I'd say we should spray for bees around our house, but I don't know if it's just us or the lovely Southern summer we're having.

Happy Birthday to me, tomorrow!

  Besides the summer bug songs, this is my other favorite thing about Atlanta summers!

Weird Pregnant Dreams

The other night I dreamed the baby came out with a head shaped shockingly similar to Stewie on Family Guy, he had red hair, and we called him Simon. At least he didn't turn out to be a cat by the end of the dream, which is how many of my baby dreams have ended. Kittens everywhere!

Even though I feel him moving around all the time, sometimes I just cannot believe there is a little baby boy inside of me!

Showering the Baby

My aunt (my mom's youngest sister) threw the most beautiful baby shower for me this Sunday. In the midst of my cousin's wedding preparations, my aunt put a lot of thought and effort into making a splendid event for me (and my friends and family). I know baby showers aren't always the most fun, but I had fun! We played a couple games (the non-mommies beat the mommies in baby trivia!), one of which was guessing how big my belly is. Thank goodness I'm pregnant or that wouldn't have been a fun game! The food was delicious and all hand prepared by my aunt and my cousin, whom I think was her happy little helper for the weekend. And so many people showed up and sent gifts to celebrate little baby Johnston! It was truly amazing, and I feel blessed to have such people in my life. This is more of a gushing post, but I just can't help it.

Look at that loot!

Third Trimester Morning Sickness?

I never thought about how interesting it would be to have a stomach virus with a large, moving baby in my belly too. He wouldn't stop moving all night I was throwing up, and I'm not sure he understood he wasn't helping any. After the past few days of being sick (where did I get this?) he's finally quieted down today. He must be exhausted from mommy's roller coaster stomach and lack of nutrition (I've been trying my hardest to eat & drink just for him). And tomorrow is my baby shower. Hopefully it won't come back, even though I already relapsed, and I had to miss most of one of my best friend's bachelorette party today. Boo.

I'm looking forward to a nice, calm stomach tomorrow and an enjoyable afternoon with my girlfriends & family. Please!

Summer Garden Thanksgiving

I like Thanksgiving dinner as much as the next person, but there is something special about Summer Thanksgiving. It's a dinner of such a variety that it seems like a Thanksgiving meal, but it's not quite as heavy a fare.

Last night Dave and I drove to Anniston, AL to spend the night with his aunt and cousins. It was very relaxing, and I really enjoyed the king size bed. I love cuddling my husband, but a king bed is glorious! And he didn't want 5 of the 6 pillows, so I was in a feathery, luxurious cocoon the whole night. Me and baby boy loved it! That must be why I dreamed my labor was so short I didn't have time to even call my doula to join us... but then baby turned into a cat. And I was worried the cat was an adult and not a kitten!

Dinner was deliciously homegrown: tomatoes, peppers, corn, potatoes, squash casserole, ham, chicken, green beans... was that it? And then an Edy's fruit popsicle of only 25 calories!

Then we got showered with baby gifts. Some new, some used... we're very lucky to have family who have had boys and no longer need their baby stuff! Anniston is a very peaceful place to be. And not that long a drive. I think we will be returning often so scooter can spend time with his family and older cousins (two boys ages 2 and 6 mo.)

Busy Busy Busy

This has been a very physically exhausting week, but very fun too!

The 43rd Peachtree Road Race was on a very beautiful morning. It's such a fun race. They really pump you up: lots of DJs, bands, fans cheering you on, costumes, etc... A great Atlanta tradition. It just feels so wonderful to be a part of the fun. Dave and I decided in March (when you put your names in for the lottery) that we would get me a number and finalize closer to race day if I would actually participate. I have to say, I'm glad I accomplished that goal. However, I don't think I'll be walking the Peachtree 7+ months pregnant again. The first 5 miles were a breeze (and there was a nice breeze!) but that last 1.2 was really trying. I was cramping a lot with a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions, probably more than is good for you. I felt a little dizzy until I ate a peanut/fruit bar. I'm not sure I could have ingested more water along the way (though why were there no water stands after mile 5???). The greatest part was the support I got throughout the race. Dave made a sign to put on my back that said "Baby on Board! 7 months along & 6.2 miles to go!" and at least 100 people must have come up to us saying congrats and asking about the baby! Dave said he was going to ask all those people to come by the labor room to help us get to the finish line there too! It took us 2 hours 18 minutes to finish. Definitely not a PR, but something to be proud of. At least we weren't last. Close to it though!

Maybe it would have been an easier race if we hadn't gone tubing on Sunday. My annual tubing adventure (year 8!) was wonderful, but also exhausting. The water was low so there was a lot of maneuvering around rocks and such. It was as hot as the dickens out there (thank goodness we were in deliciously cool water). But the river and company were as beautiful as always, and Dave and I thought about what it would be like to bring baby in a few years with us. It's so exciting to know we'll be sharing our lives with a little one (who won't be little for long). I am positive that our adventures won't stop once scooter gets here. I don't want to be one of those couples who thinks of "the good ole days" pre-baby. Life just isn't like that.

Congrats, little boy, on your first Peachtree race (you'll be much faster outside the womb), your first tubing adventure, and all your other firsts!