Irritable and Tired

5 weeks to go until baby arrives. 7 more days of working. It's a constant countdown now. We've started attending classes like infant care and childbirth preparation, we're going to see movies in the theatre like Gran Turino, we're researching childcare and pediatricians, and taking hospital tours. You could say that we have ramped up our baby preparation efforts.

It is getting tougher to get around and sleep is sometimes good and sometimes bad. That makes me a little more irritable and tired. I think that it's either to prepare for some future sleepless nights or to get me to start feeling like I would like to have this baby come out. I can see why the home stretch can be agonizing for some pregnant women. I've been pretty lucky. I haven't had bad morning sickness or gestational diabetes, so if this is the worst it gets, it's not too bad. Mostly uncomfortable.

This week was rather historic with the inaugeration of Barack Obama. I've never really been interested in politics. I'm still not that interested, but I did vote for Obama because he seemed different than most politicians and I think he will be an inspirational leader. I have voted in past elections, but this is the first time that I watched the inaugeration. There seems to be excitement and hope with this new president that I have never seen before. I like that he promotes volunteerism and change. I also like that he seems to garner a respect from other countries that we have not had in a long time. Most other presidents I would feel embarassed that we chose them because they seem to perpetuate the stupid American persona. Though Obama flubbed his oath, I think that it is interesting that people seem more forgiving of his blunders. If Bush had flubbed his oath, people would have made fun of him and thought "how typical." For some reason, Obama's temporary memory lapse makes him seem more endearing and human. Even those that did not vote for him have to admit that he does seem eager to make changes, that he is able to motivate people, and inspires hope for country that is in need of it.

After New Year's, there was a shooting at the BART station near our house. The BART police shot a man that was on the floor with his hands behind his back. (He was in some kind of altercation and was trying to calm his friend when he was shot.) I dropped off Edwin at the station the next morning without even knowing about it. We saw TV cameras there, but didn't know why they were there. A few days later, there were riots in Oakland. There were also peaceful protests, but the riots I think are more a result of the economic times and for people who want an excuse to justify violence. With this new leader, I hope that it ends that negativity and helps people to move in a more positive and constructive manner with their restless energy. For too long, I think that the people of this country have been irritable and tired.

Get What You Really Wanted

After Christmas, I saw so many stores advertising this slogan "Get What You Really Wanted." That statement just hit me the wrong way. It implies that you shouldn't be happy with what you have. There are so many people out there that are having financial difficulties or are just depressed over things that are happening in the world. It's such a negative message when people just don't need it. I saw this slogan while I was shopping (I don't remember the store) then I got an email from ebay, and then I think that I saw it on some ad. I'm in advertising and it pisses me off.

I think people have a hard enough time just being satisfied or thankful for the things that they have. As I get closer to becoming a mother, this is something that I hope to teach my children. Believe me, I am not the best example. I know I am always striving for more and better, but I would like to think that I am getting better at being happy with my current situation. It helps that I have a baby on the way and that I am going to stop working in 3 weeks. So what do I really want? Stuff that money can't buy- an easy delivery and a happy, healthy baby.

I am now 33 weeks pregnant. Baby is kicking me everyday (right now!) after I eat and when I am getting ready to sleep. I think that my pregnancy has been pretty easy for me until the last 2 weeks or so. I'm starting to have some really weird aches and pains. For some reason, my right thumb is swollen and sometimes gives me a shooting pain. I have heard of swollen feet, but just my right thumb? No other fingers, just the thumb. Weird. I've also started having more trouble sleeping. Anyone who knows me well is that I am always able to sleep- anywhere, anytime. Since my first trimester, I've been waking up once a night to go to the bathroom. It never really bothered me before and I would just go back to sleep no problem. But in the last few weeks, it's been harder for me to fall back asleep. I don't really know why. Then, on New Year's Eve, I got sick. Not vomitting sick, but we went over to Michelle and Mike's and when we arrived, I just felt sick to my stomach. A few people thought I might be delivering the baby that night, but I didn't think so. I spent most of the night sleeping in their guest bed and I woke up at 11:45PM to ring in the new year. I recovered over the next few days, but I can't explain why I got sick. I would normally blame food, but Edwin ate the same thing I did that day, so I blame it on the pregnancy.

We have started getting ready for the baby. Edwin painted the trim in the baby's room. We removed the bed and cleaned the room. Do we have a crib? Not yet, but we have been researching cribs, pack and plays, and car seats. Of the 3, the only thing I think we have to get soon is a car seat. I'm told that we can't take the baby home from the hospital without one. We have a ton of baby clothes from friends who have had baby boys and from Freeman, Edwin's nephew who is now 6 months old. We have diapers. We're starting to take our baby classes next week. We still have 7 weeks, right?