Feeling good, and that's not just the coffee talking

With my new work schedule, the hump of my week seems to be Monday. If I can get through my only 8 hour work day, the rest is smooth cruising. Granted, I'm saying this on Tuesday morning, after showing up late (thanks to a no-show plumber), so of course the worst seems over. I guess last Thursday was pretty rough. Oh well.

Anyway, I have warm coffee in my mug, I rode my bike, and expect to leave the office around 3:30 when the sun is out, ambient temperatures are peaking around 57-degrees Eff, and Wednesday is not yet a thought. Tonight our friend Liz is throwing C a one-on-one baby shower and my heart is warmed just at the thought of that. The nursery, thanks to our generous and awesome family, is looking like a livable situation. Oh, and my latest kale seeds have started to germinate and some were poking through the potting soil this morning!

I keep thinking of great, small things that are adding up in my life that are making me happy.

This week: full moon, fools day

This week presents a few challenges:
A full moon tomorrow which, if you are superstitious, could trigger the birth of Ms. Baby

Also, April Fool's Day on Thursday, which at the very least will mean C will call me to say she's going into labor and even if it's true I will think she's lying

Protection

Bought this fender at the local bike shop. It came recommended by the shop owner and I expect to be pleased. Apex Designs front fender, $12, installed on the rear so as to not repeat the soggy butt I was sporting yesterday whilst riding in the rain.

All good + Census?

All is well according to our doctor who was super nice and reassuring today and complemented C on her "perfect baby bump." In fact, the news was great. Even C's blood pressure measured high at first, but at the end of the appointment it was back down to normal--she was stressed about nothing! In the cervical exam, still no dilation but the doctor felt Ms. Baby's head! Say wha?!
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Anyway, the 2010 Census form has been sitting on our desk at home, waiting to be filled out. The question remains: how many people will be living in our home on April 1st? Problem is, we don't know yet! I'm pretty sure it will still be 2, but can't know exactly. So, I want to get that mailed back--and let me just say, I was pretty disappointed with the Census; I thought it was going to ask cool questions like How many times do you bike each week? Do you smoke drugs? What's the craziest thing you've ever done? or What do you want your government to do for you?--but I feel like I should wait until next week.
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Still no name...

T minus 3 weeks

We are well into 37 weeks and the pressure is on; mostly pressure on your mom's back and feet, but also the pressure of finding a pediatrician, looking further into daycare options, and, lastly, deciding on a name for you, Ms. Baby.
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As a point of reference, in the timetable of our own pregnancy, my cousin Emily would have already given birth to her daughter Audrey by now. The pregnancy calendar we follow online says that Ms. Baby can do everything a "newborn" can and that all the extra time spent in the womb is allowing her brain to develop some awesome stuff. Pretty amazing.

I am pretty close to start packing a bag. Also, I decided today that I would go ahead and put our car seat bases in our two cars, just to be a little bit more prepared in the event of "Here we go!"

Sleep

(I'm relaying this story at C's request)

Let me be the first to admit, based on the accounts told to me, I have a habit of talking in my sleep.  It's not gibberish, but coherent if not ridiculous words, strung together in sentences, and usually in response to something very real. Last night was one of those occasions. I guess my latest instances of talking in my sleep have been to "shush" anyone or thing making noise. At some point, after being awake for over an hour in the middle of the night, C coughed, and I instantly let out a prolonged "Shhhhhhhhhh." She laughed, and as I moved to reorient myself in bed, I responded "Thanks a lot for waking me up." C called me a jerk, to which I continued "No, seriously: thanks for waking me up." At this point I was partially awake, since I remember saying "No, that's not what I mean" but then go on to say something about the paint in the room, according to C.

Anyway, C keeps bringing this up, and we have been laughing about the fact I might have a lot of trouble trying to wake up for Baby Girl. I can just imagine her crying and me saying "Shhhhhhhhhh."

In other sleep news, C has been consistently waking up at 3am and staying awake until around 5... she has been painfully annoyed during those sleepless hours but admits she hasn't been suffering with fatigue during the day.
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Weather has been amazing, recently, and we're trying to get so much stuff done, especially doing stuff outside, including walking Alden. Today on a walk we connected with a neighbor who just had a baby girl in November. I'm excited about having another young new parent on the block and hope we can get together soon.

Friday

Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint on it you can.
Danny Kaye US actor & singer (1913 - 1987)
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No plans this weekend, so hopefully getting some good stuff done around the house, inside and out. Hopefully coffee, skateboarding,and Einstein Bros Bagels. If you live near one you gotta try the "Rachel": pastrami, swiss cheese, coleslaw, and thousand island dressing on rye bread = perfect sandwich.

ESPN: Motorist v. Bikes Controversy

This is spreading like wildfire through cycling forums, blogs, etc. ESPN radio talk show host, Tony Kornheiser, recently directed motorists to run into cyclists on the road when reacting to new cycling lane in Washington. His argument is based on ignorance of cyclists' right to the road. Lance Armstrong has been the most vocal of protesters, eliciting a personal apology from Kornheiser and an invitation to serve as a guest on his show. Unfortunately, like in other cases like this, the damage is nearly irreparable; the best he can do is retract his statements and hopefully educate some listeners about his mistake. But what about those who heard his original statement but will never hear his apology?

The controversial words are spoken here:


(Found at Bike Jerks)