35 weeks and 5 days…
We went back to the midwives today and all appears well. Bump is head down, right where they want him to be. His feet have a preference for my right side, where they can occasionally be seen sticking out. The movement of my belly is cool, amazing, and (to be frank) still a little freaky every time. Perhaps this is because I saw Spaceballs one too many times in my youth. You have to love Mel Brooks…
“Oh no… not again!”
.
.
.
(Although if Bump could perform a little dance with a top hat and cane right after he came out, that would be pretty awesome!)
Handiwork – Mom made…
Somehow I had imagined that by this stage in the game I would have whipped up dozens of baby items for Bump. In fact, I have completed 2 sweaters and 2 hats. Unfortunately one sweater and one hat were for another baby. So at this point I have a sweater for the little guy and a hat, which is currently serving as a “hand-me-up” for Sam.* There is another sweater in the works that hasn’t been touched since the beginning of December. This will only be completed if I manage to get a few days off between my last day of school and actual labor and delivery.
*Fun fact: Sam, at seven months, is the only one aside from Calle to hear Bump’s potential name.
Below is a slightly fuzzy picture of the sweater I made. I’ll try to take one on a different backdrop later. When the other hat comes back from Sam I’ll put up a pic of that as well.
Grey... as one can never have too many grey sweaters.
Handiwork – Taggie
As promised, here are some more examples of the wonderful handiwork done for Bump…
I had never heard of a Taggie until KTB showed us the one in the works for Bump. In retrospect I may have seen one, but I had to look up “Taggie” online to see what the appeal might be for a little one. Here’s a link for those who might be wondering as well.
Puppy Taggie, by KTB
Thank you, KTB! For those of you who know KTB, rest assured that the other side of the blanket is purple. 
Pregnancy Stereotypes
Today there has been:
– a pregnant waddle
– difficulty getting out of chairs
– a few complaints that won’t make it onto this page (TMI)
– more Braxton Hicks…
Welcome to the final 4 (weeks or so) countdown!
Calle’s Favorite…
Calle knows that there is something big going on. She has been far more protective of me since I became pregnant and now she is interested in sniffing everything new we have around the house. We left the car seat in the living room for a while so she could get used to it and the transfer to the back of the car will happen shortly. I’m sure Calle will not be a big fan of giving up the extra space in the back seat, but at least she now thinks the car seat is a normal part of “our stuff.”
Future parents out there: Did you know that your local police or fire station will help you install your car seat? We are going to take a stab at it, but it is nice to know that there are people trained in the installation if you’re feeling a little uncertain. Thanks to Alicia and Lesley for the heads-up on this one!
I’m still working on all the thank you notes for HMS, but Calle would like to weigh in on the gift she likes the best as illustrated here:
And the puppies choose: Dinosaur Feet!
Calle would also like to ask Jennifer P if Negrita had any say in the choice of booties. They are incredibly soft and incredibly cute!
Please note Calle is merely sniffing, not actually eating the booties… although she won’t swear that the thought hadn’t crossed her mind. 😛
Thank you Jennifer!!!
Jeremy, Kate, Calle & “Bump”
Week 35 Bump Update
Today marks the start of visiting the midwives every week. We have had a wonderful experience so far with the midwives at Mt. Auburn Hospital (MaMAH). They are friendly, humorous, and have given really good care and advice thus far.
At our visit Bump once again hit the nail on the head with a 35 cm fundal height measurement to match our 35 weeks of pregnancy. Siri (midwife in training – not the iPhone Siri!) and Phyllis confirm his previously blogged about squirminess, so it’s medically official now. Bump’s fundal measurements and some pretty intensive poking and prodding put him in the 5 lb. range, give or take half of a pound. That’s quite fine with me – no need for 9 pound babies here! He has plenty of time to hit that milestone in the outside world. But if course, if that is what will happen… So be it. Happy and healthy is our real goal.
About Bump
Yesterday I promised more about Bump info, but got a little distracted by the wonderful shower at HMS.
Here’s a list of qualities that have already been ascribed to Bump. Time will tell if they are accurate.
– He is a squirmer: this one doesn’t need time. It is definitely accurate right now.
– He will be a a good soccer player/rock climber/dancer. The accuracy of his shots to my liver and the uncanny ability to get body parts into my rib cage speak to the first two. A future grandparent suggested the third option and we hope he inherits his grandpa’s fancy moves!
– Alice has immediate control over his behavior. Ok, so this on the surface appears to be about Alice, but EVERY time he is engaging in en-utero hijinx and Alice comes to feel what all the commotion is about he stops. Every time. We plan on taking advantage of this magic touch. Alice – be forewarned!
When not to use technology…
Here’s a little reminder from our friends Trevor and Alia about when NOT to use technology.
Thanks you guys!
Since we are on the theme of onsies...
Wearable Art
In the first of many posts illustrating the creativity and generosity of the staff at HMS, here are some of the beautiful “onesies” decorated by my coworkers. There are more to come apparently? It rocks that we will be able to dress Bump for some time without having to do laundry!
PS – I don’t have all the names associated with each onesie yet. Some of you signed the back, but I have yet to bring them home so this is all off memory and a few iPhone shots. Please help me out if you are the artist or know who is!
By Hai and Rosalia
Beth - go Boston! and Fiona - go STEM skills!
The brain is by Lynne B, right? Kristin did the "Mom & Dad."
Nancy's spots and Elsa's Balloons
Rumor has it Angela made the apple and Lynne B says, "feed me!"
By Alice and Jennifer
By Steve and Laurie, respectively.
Thank you!!!!
Thanks of this magnitude require more than a little blog post, but we wanted to express as soon as possible how overwhelmed we are by the incredible generosity of the Horace Mann community. Jeremy & I are so blessed to have you all in our lives and we can’t wait to introduce you to “Bump” when he finally makes his appearance.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!
Love,
Kate, Jeremy, & “Bump”