nearing confinement

I went to the doctor this weekend. Apparently, Saturday is a routine day to schedule a baby check up:) Did I tell you that I changed doctors? I did. I changed to a hospital that has an "executive" wing. And even though we'll have to pay a little more out of pocket for a private room and nicer delivery area, I'm feeling much better about the decision.

Here are a few interesting observations I made in the waiting room.

1. I walked into the waiting area to find every seat taken. Someone brought in an extra chair for me. I thought I would be there for hours. I was out within 45 minutes. Why? Because only about 10% of the people in that waiting area were actually pregnant moms. I'm pretty sure one lady was there with her husband, dad, and 2 sisters. I was asked by 3 different nurses if I was there by myself. I think you're supposed to bring the family with you to the doctor here.

2. I was recently informed that after childbirth, women are especially fragile. In order to prevent a cold, I should wear a knitted ear warmer like piece around my ears and head. It will be 110 degrees here after I deliver.

In walked a new momma. It was around 90 outside. She had a head warmer tied tightly in place. Her mother followed closely behind with a very swaddled new born. The a/c was going in the waiting room. (For which I was profoundly grateful.) So as soon as her mother sat down, she draped a shawl over the new mother and tucked it 'round her. Apparently to prevent a chill.

In other recent preggo news:

a. I was stopped on the stairs the other day by a neighbor who asked me "if I should be doing that." She was referring to my climbing the stairs. I live on the 2nd floor.

b. My other neighbor asked me when my mother was coming. I told her March and knowing that they are all quite worried over my lack of live-in help said "She's staying for a whole month!" Which, to me, seems like an amazing sacrifice of time. My neighbor frowned and said "so short?!?" I tried to explain that my mom has a job, etc and a month is all that could be spared. It didn't really compute. She still looked concerned.

....and since I didn't take any great photos this weekend, here's one post-New Year's parade before we returned Jude's costume. We rented a banana suit. The asians all informed us he was actually a mango. Anyways, he was a cute piece of fruit.