Happy Halloween

Despite being barely able to contain himself when the little kids come to the door (leading to being "leashed" to our coffee table), My Bologna certainly enjoys dressing up. Here are some shots of him as Muslim My Bologna and Darth My Bologna.

Riley has a sister!!!

My sister Katie gave birth at 8:04 this morning to a healthy 9lb 1oz girl named Teagan Elizabeth Rose Dougherty. Congratulations to Riley on her new baby sister and to my sister and her husband, Sean. We are thrilled for you and look forward to meeting Teagan.

Practice Session

We imagine it will be a bit more difficult with a squirmier and heavier baby but we were thrilled to have figured out how to wrap the Moby with our test model, Nic.

Where It Falls Is Where It Stays

In addition to getting increasingly clumsy (my fat sausage fingers now ache at the joints and my balance changes everyday), my belly has become a real burden when it comes to mobility. I no longer even try to pick up anything I have dropped. I figure if someone really needs it, they can pick it up themselves. Otherwise, I'm just kicking it out of my way.

First Friends as 7 Month Hotties

Madoka and I were best friends in childhood. Our birthdays are only a few weeks apart. We did all the things that early friends do: we dressed up, "ran away" to each others' houses, told each other our deepest hopes, fears, and secrets. She taught me how to say curse words in Japanese. As we grew up and our lives became increasingly mobile, we lost touch. So it was wonderful to reconnect recently and learn that we both are pregnant with our first child (due within 10 days of each other), happily partnered with sweet and supportive bad-ass guitar players, and still as funny as ever. Ben and I had a fabulous weekend when Madoka and Dave came to visit (Dave was playing at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago). Dave and Ben talked fretless guitar, jazz, and chicken-pickin' while Madoka and I shared family updates, memories, and the "joys" of pregnancy. Lots of laughs all around. Thanks for thinking of taking photos, Madoka! Hang in there - we're getting close!

I See Where I Get It

My poor mother has been trying to access this blog for a month with no luck - keep trying, Mom! We're all rooting for you! XO Jiffy

Motherhood Ambivalence Dreams

These two dreams took place on the same night:

Dream #1: Ben and I were walking down the center strip of a mall holding hands. I felt a little tug on the back of my pants and looked back to see a small boy of about 3 or 4 latching himself to my pants with a mountain climbing hook and rope. As Ben and I kept walking it began to get more and more difficult for me to move forward. I turned to look behind me and saw about a dozen small children hooked to each other in a row behind me.

Me to Ben: I can't take this. They're pulling me down. I can't move forward. I have to let them go.

Ben to me: You can't leave them unattended.

Me to Ben: Watch me.

At which point I unlatched the hook from the back of my pants and immediately felt lightfooted. I started skipping forward.

Me to Ben: I feel so free!

Dream #2: Ben and I were sitting by the creek where we sometimes take My Bologna to play. A little boy and girl of about 3 or 4 came out of the creek naked and shivering. They came up to us and said, "We're looking for our mommy". I said to them, "Well, I'm not her so keep it moving." Ben said to me, "You have to dry them off, they'll get cold!" I said to Ben, "Why are you trying to make this my problem?"

Great Expectations or My Worst Nightmare?

Ben and I attended the labor and delivery class at the hospital this weekend. I had been dreading this day ever since 5th grade when I saw a birth video in health class and decided then and there that I would never endure such an awful experience. Over the past 30 years or so I had managed to avoid another such viewing and, thanks to denial, gradually became "OK" over the past few months with the idea of giving birth. I knew that this labor and delivery class was going to set me back. That I would be exposed to images and sounds that would send me back to my OB begging to be made unconscious as she pulled the bundle from my uterus any way she chose (Yes, I'm a feminist - I just believe that women should have choices about how actively they want to participate - or not - in baby birthing). The fact that the class was called "Great Expectations" only made me angry and resentful of society imposing maternal standards on my emotions - I had no great expectations about going through labor and delivery. Rather , it was my worst nightmare. Well, the day I had been dreading finally did come and, not only did I survive, I actually felt so much better afterward. The outcome of this process (a little baby!) finally felt very real and exciting, seeing the hospital and talking with the nurses made me feel comfortable that I would be in good hands, and learning about pain management options was a relief. Only one image sent me running for reassurance from my OB that this kid, despite how strong its kicks feel, will not be able to kick its way out of my body.

Ace is the place!

Who knew contact paper had become so scarce? In our efforts to find plain white contact paper to cover the paneling and paint animals on in the bundle's room we spent what felt like endless weeks and countless gallons of gas searching every home improvement, decorating, and craft store in the Chicagoland area. Yesterday I had the bright idea to check our local Ace Hardware and, lo and behold, got my hot little hands on the evasive contact paper! From now on, Ace will be the first place I look for anything. Lesson learned.