Wednesday, February 16, 2005
This is the weekend (?)
"I wouldn't be surprised if it happened this weekend." -- Dr. Carper, during today's appointment, referring to the birth of our new little girl.
Well, on the one hand, no duh. The due date is either Feb. 19 or Feb. 21, so this weekend for the arrival -- that's a pretty safe bet. On the other hand, hearing him say that sure made my stomach due a somersault. Not quite as bad as Monday night, when I got off the phone and Nicola says "I've had a few contractions." That threw me for a loop -- you say you are ready, but when it starts, all the planning and thinking and everything goes right out the window. So Monday, when I thought it was starting...I was excited and anxious and emotional. And then it was nothing.
So I'll just plan for this weekend, and man, is Ella excited. I talked to her tonight and she told me she bought an outfit (with Michelle's help) for her little sister. How great is that. I told her Lindsay could be coming this weekend, and Ella literally shrieked. "I am so excited!!" she says. God, that's a great feeling, and I know she's going to be a super big sister.
I took a few days off -- enjoying our final baby-less days and also getting creamed at work. Big web site launch this week, so I ended up working some over the weekend and at night. I don't mind the busyness, because I'm fortunate to be working at a place (and for a boss) who is so flexible and accommodating. I told her I needed to work from home today -- THE DAY OF THE WEB SITE LAUNCH -- and she said no problem. Wow. I've really landed at a great organization that is a good fit for me. My eight months in advertising purgatory were a worthwhile diversion for me to have this opportunity. Thank you Sharon Moran, the AAO recruiter who remembered me when this job came open. Best of luck to you back in Ireland, lassie!
Still haven't made the phone call to Bruce about the IRA account. To my credit, I have tackled a few of the undesirable chores, like talking to the credit card companies and dealing with the Boise fallout (hotel, tickets, airline, etc.). I might even make a few bucks on the NCAA tickets...perhaps enough to get myself an I-Pod? Hmm?
We had a nice Valentine's day this week -- quiet, with fresh roses, a home-cooked meal, sparkling (baby-friendly) cider and good conversation. The simple pleasures of talking to Nicola, lying next to her in bed, holding her hand as we walk around the block or sit on the couch...I never get tired of those, and they are a clue as to why the sacrifices to get to this point are worth it. I had this moment Saturday morning -- we woke up early, like 7 a.m. (early for a pre-baby weekend), and decided to go to breakfast. I threw on a t-shirt and my Carolina zip-up sweatshirt (prized Xmas gift) and a baseball hat, and I looked in the mirror in the bathroom, and, well, I was kind of glowing or something. I mean, I looked in my own eyes, and I looked so happy! A big smile (smirk?) on my face, a feeling of peace inside, a sparkle in the eye...things just felt perfect, and all I was doing was getting ready to go eat an omlette with my girl. I'm right where I'm supposed to be.
Other random thoughts for future days:
Being OK with not buying a house (no, really -- I'm OK renting)
me vs. ants and mystery bugs (Alameda is crawling with them)
final thoughts before Lindsay arrives
(I haven't felt too inspired lately -- I need to get into the habit of being more observational or contemplative or something. Or maybe just try to stick to the habit of writing each night...not get lazy about it.)
Well, on the one hand, no duh. The due date is either Feb. 19 or Feb. 21, so this weekend for the arrival -- that's a pretty safe bet. On the other hand, hearing him say that sure made my stomach due a somersault. Not quite as bad as Monday night, when I got off the phone and Nicola says "I've had a few contractions." That threw me for a loop -- you say you are ready, but when it starts, all the planning and thinking and everything goes right out the window. So Monday, when I thought it was starting...I was excited and anxious and emotional. And then it was nothing.
So I'll just plan for this weekend, and man, is Ella excited. I talked to her tonight and she told me she bought an outfit (with Michelle's help) for her little sister. How great is that. I told her Lindsay could be coming this weekend, and Ella literally shrieked. "I am so excited!!" she says. God, that's a great feeling, and I know she's going to be a super big sister.
I took a few days off -- enjoying our final baby-less days and also getting creamed at work. Big web site launch this week, so I ended up working some over the weekend and at night. I don't mind the busyness, because I'm fortunate to be working at a place (and for a boss) who is so flexible and accommodating. I told her I needed to work from home today -- THE DAY OF THE WEB SITE LAUNCH -- and she said no problem. Wow. I've really landed at a great organization that is a good fit for me. My eight months in advertising purgatory were a worthwhile diversion for me to have this opportunity. Thank you Sharon Moran, the AAO recruiter who remembered me when this job came open. Best of luck to you back in Ireland, lassie!
Still haven't made the phone call to Bruce about the IRA account. To my credit, I have tackled a few of the undesirable chores, like talking to the credit card companies and dealing with the Boise fallout (hotel, tickets, airline, etc.). I might even make a few bucks on the NCAA tickets...perhaps enough to get myself an I-Pod? Hmm?
We had a nice Valentine's day this week -- quiet, with fresh roses, a home-cooked meal, sparkling (baby-friendly) cider and good conversation. The simple pleasures of talking to Nicola, lying next to her in bed, holding her hand as we walk around the block or sit on the couch...I never get tired of those, and they are a clue as to why the sacrifices to get to this point are worth it. I had this moment Saturday morning -- we woke up early, like 7 a.m. (early for a pre-baby weekend), and decided to go to breakfast. I threw on a t-shirt and my Carolina zip-up sweatshirt (prized Xmas gift) and a baseball hat, and I looked in the mirror in the bathroom, and, well, I was kind of glowing or something. I mean, I looked in my own eyes, and I looked so happy! A big smile (smirk?) on my face, a feeling of peace inside, a sparkle in the eye...things just felt perfect, and all I was doing was getting ready to go eat an omlette with my girl. I'm right where I'm supposed to be.
Other random thoughts for future days:
Being OK with not buying a house (no, really -- I'm OK renting)
me vs. ants and mystery bugs (Alameda is crawling with them)
final thoughts before Lindsay arrives
(I haven't felt too inspired lately -- I need to get into the habit of being more observational or contemplative or something. Or maybe just try to stick to the habit of writing each night...not get lazy about it.)
// posted by Bill @ 10:14 PM 
