BABY JARCY SAYS--

"Oh hello!  I have arrived!  I showed up on the scene a little after midnight on February 1 and my mommy and daddy have been busy bees ever since.  Aren't I just the cutest thing you've ever seen?  Well I am.  And I love my friend Pacifier...every nurse and pediatrician at the hospital thought I was a good candidate for it or else I would nurse all day long.  Tough life for me, I know.  Anyway, my mom will post more in the future if and when I decide to nap somewhere besides her lap.  Toodles!"  

No Pressure

My mother's is not the only request I have fielded to have Baby J before the end of this week.  My father has also now put in a bid so that he can win the "Bassinet Derby" amongst his friends.  

These two are already quite the colorful grandparents, don't you think?  

Womb Mates

Still pregnant.  Makes sense as the baby's estimated date is February 8.  I, of course, cling to the notion he will be coming sooner.  (One must cling to whatever one can while in this state.)

My mother informed me last night that she too is clinging to the idea Baby J will arrive this week.  Anytime this week is good for her, she says.  Work is going to be ever so crazy the remainder of the year so if he can get a move on and come this week it would tie into her schedule really well.  She is hilarious and let's see if he was listening.  

Until that time, my crazy cat, Creepy, is going to continue bonding with Baby in her own way...she drapes herself across my belly as I lay on my side and purrs on top of him.  In return, Baby J kicks the crap out of her.  And, surprisingly, she doesn't seem bothered by it.  They're communicating in their own way and I can't help but think this is adorable.  We'll see how much Creepy enjoys him when he's no longer in utero though and crawling after her with mischief in mind!  

I Am A Retention Pond With All This Swelling

Whoever said the 9th month of pregnancy is easy was sorely mistaken.  Oh wait, nobody has ever said that.  In fact, they've only declared the opposite.  I've already told Mr. Jarcy that in the event I decide I want more children, he is to refuse and buy me a pony instead.  I'm not sure I can hold him to this but we'll see.  

I feel kind of guilty saying the above as I can't wait to meet my little dude.  I feel very lucky to be so close to mommyhood but, good lord, it has been a bumpy road.  It doesn't help that it's been one of the coldest/snowiest/iciest winters on record.  Our heat won't rise above 64...grrrr.

Alright, me and my support hose are going to bed.

Getting A Little Desperate

So we're still humming along here in super duper huge pregnancy mode.  Last night I went to a family dinner at Blackbird which is a very nice restaurant here in Chicago.  We were all concerned the sitting might be too uncomfortable for my sausage leg and camper-sized belly but I still went.  And we were right, it was too much and I was extremely uncomfortable.  I'm still glad I went though.  At least I was until I met a staff member there who is due Feb. 27 and barely looked like one with child.  AHHH!  She had no sausage legs whatsoever.  In fact, her feet were in fun heeled boots.  And her belly showed little signs of her third trimester status--she just looked like Blackbird fed her a big meal for lunch.  Oh well, we can't all make pregnancy look this extreme, now can we?   

Then I came home and took some Sudafed for my never-ending preggo congestion.  And guess what?  I had an allergic reaction to it.  I sat up until 4am and itched all over.  And since I didn't realize the Sudafed and itching were related, I took another one at 7am.  Idiot!  Yes, itching commenced once again only this time I was wise enough to put two and two together.  We can now cross Sudafed off the list of congestion busters.  As a result, I've slept very little (and getting quite good at it).  The only thing that works is Afrin nasal spray but you can't take it for more than 3 days.  Now I feel like I'm in rehab for my dependency on it and think about it all the time.  Ah, sweet little Afrin bottle!  Maybe just one little spritz in the nostril won't hurt!  I won't tell Mr. Jarcy if you won't, it can be our secret...  

The Director Needs To Yell, "That's A Wrap."

I've lost something extremely valuable:  I've lost the pregnancy glow.    

It doesn't matter who you are, all preggies are cute--no, adorable!--early on.  I just saw a picture online of a friend who is newly pregnant and, boy oh boy, does she look wonderful.  First of all, her clothes fit.  Secondly, they are truly her clothes and not her husband's oversize shirts, pants and socks.  And lastly, she's got this yum yum little bump in the front unlike me who's sporting a belly the size of a Winnebago camper.  Oh and lastly lastly--but perhaps most importantly--she looks rested.  No wait, lastly lastly lastly--and also importantly--she is out enjoying interaction with others because her body girth/pain doesn't inhibit her ability to navigate the world!    

What a hooker.  I'm missing those days terribly!  

My only consolation is that I'm on the tail end of this affliction (er, I mean condition) and soon will be wrapping this journey up.  That's what folks keep telling me anyway.  For all I know I could be stuck in some Hitchcock movie where one NEVER gives birth, only expands as the child matures within the womb.  14 years from now I'll really be the size of that Winnebago and toting my teenager to pre-calculus (which would suck because math is not my forte).  

Reading over the above, it's clear I'm a little delirious from sleep deprivation.     

Sausage Leg Part 2

I went to the Dr's office.  They're concerned because what once was my right leg now resembles an elephant's limb.  Or a big sausage like I mentioned earlier...a kielbasa maybe.  So I have to go back tomorrow and get an ultrasound done on said elephant limb to make sure there's not a blood clot.  There's a good chance it's not as I have swelling all over.  

So yeah, definitely no more pictures of Mrs. Jarcy until after a baby is born.  Yes, vanity has to kick in on some level here.  I'm dealing with all this stuff, the least I can do is be a little vain...or insecure!  Luckily I just laughed my ass off about all this stuff and I have to just keep that up as best I can.  Laugh with me, please!