Last Night

Not as in the night before last, but the very last night before I can claim to have made it all the way to that goal of 36 weeks. Although I am technically on bedrest until my next OB appointment (on Wednesday) at least I am now at the point where nobody seems especially alarmed about earliness. Now, every few days means more brain development, less chance of any breathing difficulties and increased ability to regulate body temperature. All of which are good, so I do hope the little mister won't pop out the minute I hoist myself of off the couch. Still, having been told back on January 10th that I'd be lucky to keep him in long enough for the betamethasone injections to affect his lungs, I am starting to feel like I have been waiting for a looooong time for this kid to get out of me!

The sweet thing that happened this week is that my cousin-in-law (is that a real thing? My cousin's wife?) announced that she is expecting again. She has had several early miscarriages, although that's about all I know. She hasn't wanted to talk about it, which is fine. But she called me to say that since she is having a girl she would be happy to send me all of her son's baby clothes and various boy-ish things. I'm not sure if she realizes how much of a relief it is to have a big box of newborn things just sent to my door. All of the things I have been dragging my heels about buying, just in case something happens in the next few weeks. I mean, I have a few things but nothing like the amount of clothing and blankets that a spitty, poopy newborn needs. So it was a true gift, not just of things but help of a practical nature.

Today my bassinetty thing also arrived, along with some bra pads and new havaianas. I guess that about sums up my actual needs - somewhere to stash the baby while he sleeps and a way to keep milk from dripping on everything - and flip flops, because even though my hospital is literally brand new, I just can't cope with the idea of showering there in bare feet. So, at this point everything else is extra. And it's not like I don't like the extras, it's just that I feel okay about not having them all right here at once. The good news is, I might actually be able to go out in the world and get those extra things myself. Otherwise, I could be the only finally-pregnant lady who hasn't set foot in a BRU or a Target - kinda weird, right?

In the meantime, get ready for a whole other set of posts - non-baby questions about how you organize your kitchen and what you REALLY keep in your coat closet. Now that I am moving to a house that has more than three cabinets I am flummoxed about how to separate all of the things that are usually stacked precariously on top of each other and behind other things to the extent that only I know where everything is. Like, if someone wants to sew a button on they really would have to know to look behind the stack of dishtowels (in front, because they're in heavy rotation) in the red plaid tin box under the "scratch paper" basket. Because that's where all the thread and needles and those spare buttons that come in the little paper envelopes attached to the side seam of clothes are all kept. I mean, it works for me - maybe having more cabinets will just be incredibly confusing...