Thank You Note Confessions

After writing 60 baby shower thank you notes I've realized I have some idiosyncrasies (which btw, is a hard word to spell!).

• Even though people will probably never compare their thank you notes I cannot write the same thing in each note. I have to figure out a different way to phrase the note and make each one unique. I found this is especially difficult for a group gift with 10 people to thank for the same items.
  
• I really prefer to mail thank you notes vs. hand deliver - who knows why.
• I have to check addresses at the USPS web site and it bothers me not to have the entire extended zip code.
• I feel weird thanking someone for an item I intend to return. It's not that I'm not grateful - I just feel like I'm being dishonest since I'm not keeping it.
  

36 Week Appointment

I had my 36 week appointment this past Wednesday and thought I would post some highlights. I changed to a midwife at my 34 week appointment and have been very pleased. I had interviewed her around 16 weeks but shortly after that appointment found out about the previa and possible kidney issues so Graham and I decided to hold off on transferring until I was in the clear in case I did need a C-Section. We just decided there was no point in transferring if I might have to transfer back.

• She's still head down with her rump on my left and her feet on my right.
• Her heart was beating very strongly and therefore was echoing all around. She had a hard time finding a place to put the doppler where it wouldn't echo.
• I was told I have had an ideal weight gain. I personally feel huge but I have noticed in the past few weeks I've pretty much leveled out which from I read is normal. Gone are the weeks of gaining a pound or two each week.
• I'm measuring perfectly for the week I'm in.
• I'm Group B Strep Negative. (I wasn't really worried about this but it's nice to know I don't have to take antiobiotics before delivery.)
• Last but not least, insurance is going to pay 80% not the 60% we were previously quoted. This is a huge blessing and although we could have paid 40% it's nice not to.

Tomorrow we go to the first of two Childbirth classes. We also have an interview set up with the pediatrician on the 27th. I tried to get in earlier but they were booked solid for parent interviews until then.

Caring for your baby class. . .

Funniest line from the class:

• "When changing a little boy make sure to point"it" down when you get done, not up. If you point "it" up he'll pee out of his diaper every time."
  

I have to be honest I had never thought about that part of changing boys.

Other interesting tidbits

• Our practice doll looked possessed.
• During the bath video the child they were washing that was supposed to represent a baby who was just beyond the umbilical cord falling off looked to be about 2 years old. The baby barely fit in the little tub they were using. I think people were paying more attention to how big the baby was and not how to bathe the baby.
• We had a local celebrity attend our class. I had heard one of the local newscasters was having a baby and the rumor was true because she was there with her mom.
• They only had 1 bathroom for about 15 pregnant women and their 3rd trimester. That is incredibly poor planning. Thankfully I sat near the door so I was able to get out quickly during the break.
• I felt very young in this class. There were several couples our age but there were quite a few who were knocking on 40 and all the couples in this class were having their first baby.
  

It's official

After two showers the baby now has a bigger and better wardrobe than I do.

I also discovered the George baby line at Walmart has REALLY cute outfits. I never even considered Walmart for baby clothes but I received several outfits and they are adorable. I'll try to post a few pictures once I get the clothes laundered and hung up.

In other news I have had a bad cold since Wednesday. It's a strange cold. Some days I feel better and think I am getting over it and the next I feel worse.

Tonight we will attend a "Caring for your Baby" class to learn all those things you need to know like diapering, umbilical cord cleaning, bathing etc. I feel fairly confident in my own skills in most baby care areas but a refresher is always good. Also, Graham hasn't been around many newborns so this class will be especially beneficial for him.

Saturday we attend the first of two childbirth classes. I'm praying the baby decides to stay inside until the second one is over. :-)

The Name Game

Because I've been asked this question a lot, I'm putting the answer to Jen's question as a separate post, rather than a comment.

We haven't chosen a name yet. To be honest, we really haven't talked about it that much. Occasionally we'll bat names around (generally while laying in bed right before we fall asleep). It's not because we fight about it (as does one couple in our SS class) - it's mainly because we both have a hard time pinning down a name without seeing her. I think we are pretty settled on a first name but that could change once she arrives. We haven't really told any of the names on our list - mainly to keep the peanut gallery quiet. It's been nice not having to fend off hideous names. Once people find out we aren't telling anything they stop volunteering.

As for what we call her right now - it's very original - "the baby". :-)