38 WEEKS AND COUNTING

I am officially full term with my due date just two weeks away.  The count down is on.  It is strange to think I can have our little bell pepper any day now.   I went to the doctor today and so far there has been no labor progress, however the head is down and in position and the heart beat looks strong.  I am still feeling good though there is certainly no denying that I am a very pregnant woman.  Almost daily strangers tell me congratulations in the subway and last night I had a man yell across the street "you're having a boy!"  Wrong, but I do find it quite interesting to see what people feel inclined to tell you when you are extremely preggers.   Anyway, it is supposed to be a beautiful weekend in the city.   I hoping to spend a lot of time outside enjoying the sunshine.  Have a great one!

CONEY ISLAND

On Saturday we took a morning trip to Coney Island to check the scene and try out our new camera.  It is was definitely still off season, but looks like the carnies are gearing up for summer!

BABYSITTERS CLUB REVISITED

Yesterday I arrived home from work to find a surprise package waiting for me from an old family friend, Alison Ledterman (now Maitlen).  I tore open the package to find a hard cover copy of The Summer Before (the Babysitters Club) by Ann Martin.  Ann managed to pump out a prequel to her beloved Babysitter's Club series almost 25 years after she published her first Babysitter's Club book!  I was instantly brought back those pre-teen years, where Alison and I would eagerly await for the next book to come out.  We would both bring our copies of the latest on our family trips to Mammoth and would spend hours reading, brainstorming scenarios of what could possibly happen next, and chatting about our favorite characters.  Eventually we grew out of the Babysitter's Club, but the series holds a special place in our hearts.

Not to miss out on what happened the summer before the BSC, I eagerly opened my new copy of the prequel and was shocked to see how big the type was.  Was it always like that?  Quite possibly considering the series is targeted at 10-12 year olds.  I still have my collection of pastel colored paperbacks in my closet at my parent's house.  I will have to check it out next time I am home.  That said I would love to recommend to Ann that she come out with an additional book of life AFTER the Babysitter's Club.  Considering her original readers are now 30+ it would be interesting to see what became of Kristy, Mary Ann, Claudia, Stacey and Dawn.  Did Kristy ever grow out of her tomboy ways or did she become a lesbian?  Did Mary Ann eventually marry Logan?  Did Claudia become a famous artist?  Is Stacey still boy crazy?  Ann, your readers want to know!

MPP

At my prenatal yoga class last night I was the M.P.P. – Most Pregnant Person. At a little over 36 weeks I was struggling to transition from my downward dogs and back to standing with my big belly in the way. I remember being in my class at just 14 weeks and thinking that the girls that were in week 30 were almost there – ready to pop – about to have a major life change. Some of these “yoga friends” suddenly just stop coming to class, a sheer sign that they had delivered and are now new moms. Some of those “yoga friends” I wish I had exchanged phone numbers with before their last class. Funny how the “we should hang out after we have our babies” never quite makes it into the conversation. Or, I just thought there will be one more class where I would still have the opportunity to ask the question. It is sort of like new mom dating – Do I ask for her number? What if she doesn’t want to hang out? Will she call? Such anxiety. Now that I am in the final stretch (literally) I wonder how many more weeks of yoga class I have left depending on if our girl comes early or late? 2 classes? 5? Rather than sit back and hope that these “yoga friends” come to mommy and me yoga after their births, I vow at my next class to make the first move to make tentative future plans with these future mommies. It is tough making the first move in mommy dating, but someone’s got to do it!

In the mean time Nathan and I are starting to cross some of the final elements off our Baby Ellis To-Do List:

• Pack my hospital bag – ½ done
• Interview Pediatricians – scheduled for next Tuesday
• Develop my birth plan – done, do I have to write it down?
• Pick out a coming home outfit for the baby – done (I think)
• Wash all the baby clothes – maybe next week?
• Clean out the fridge – done
• Cook meals to freeze – ½ done
• Tackle my thank you notes – they are trickling out slowly
• Read, read, read

It is all seeming so real now, yet surreal at the same time. At this point I can’t imagine not coming to work. I continue to go to the office everyday and plunge full throttle into my projects and crisis of the day. I continue to plan 2011 as if I will be here to execute it all, and can’t imagine the Styling team moving on without me – though I am sure they will have no problem! At night I attempt to elevate my cankles and then build a pillow fort around my body at bedtime to support my legs, belly and head. So soon life will be so different.

That said, our now weekly doctor’s appointments have been going well. The baby (and me!) continue to gain weight. The doctor predicts she is now over 6 lbs and is about size of a crenshaw melon which is bigger than a honeydew.  Here is the latest pic of my progress…

MOTHERS

Yesterday was Mother's Day.  Happy belated Mother's Day to all of the beautiful mamas out there who have inspired, loved and helped mold who we are.  Sending extra hugs and kisses to my own beautiful mom - can't wait to see you in few weeks!

BABY HUNTER

Last night my brother, Jamie and his girlfriend, Katherine welcomed to the world a beautiful son, Hunter Thomas Bell.  He looks absolutely precious and his auntie can't wait to meet him! Congratulations to the new family!

 

Proud father and son

  I love this shot of my dad - looks like Grandpa John was excited too!

CATCHING UP

The past two weeks have been a whirl wind of activity with a trip to Southern Cal, a trip to Northern Cal, a three-day management skills training, a highly anticipated doctor’s appointment, and finally our first newborn care class.  With each of these events came a multitude of emotions that have left me quite introspective and excited for what’s to come.

In California, I felt eternally lucky when spending time with my family, which reminded me of what is truly important in life.  I felt tremendous gratitude for good friends who showered our baby girl with their best wishes and love at my baby shower. I experienced pride and happiness in seeing my little brother prepare for the birth of his son and how his life has transformed so much in the last year.   I cherished the familiarity of the California sun that warms the soul and makes life feel lighter.  I enjoyed exhilaration of deep belly-jiggling laughter when spending time with my sister.  I slipped easily back into comforts of easy conversation and connectedness with my best girlfriends in our trip North. 

Then, it was back to New York.  At our doctor’s appointment on Monday we learned that my previa condition has corrected itself, allowing me to have a traditional birth at the 40-week mark if all goes well.  The ultra sound technician took a liking to the baby girl on the screen and took a whole slew of photos.  In the first shots she had her eyes open.  In the following shots she closed her eyes and developed a pout – she may be a little camera shy. It was fun to see how much she has changed in just a month.  For one, she has developed some serious cheeks and now weighs just under 5 lbs.  We can’t wait to meet her in real life. 

Despite a relaxing time in California, I am physically feeling more and more tired everyday.  The books warned me this might happen in the late third trimester.  Part may be from anticipation and also from a little bit of stress in getting prepared at work for my maternity leave.  The count down is on, just 6 ½ more weeks… yikes.  Here are the latest photos of our girl…I promise to post some of the Cali pics as well as soon as I can get them downloaded.

LEMONADE & PIE

Today feels like Friday, though it is definitely Wednesday.  This afternoon wrapped up our third straight day of 2011 Business Plan presentations, which is a huge sigh of relief.  Weeks of planning, budgeting,  PowerPointing and overall anticipation have finally paid off and I can now scratch this major to-do off my list.  I am ready to close up shop for the evening and go outside to enjoy what remains of the sunshine.  Today was 85 degrees in NYC, which is quite strange for the beginning of April - but no complaints here!  Loving the warmth and this preview to summer.  Let's have lemonade and pie.

SPRING IN THE AIR

Enjoy the weekend.  It is going to be beautiful.