Week 39

Its almost surreal to even be writing week 39 down, I have one week left (technically..) I can't believe I'm at this point, I must say that a lot but its really crazy to think I could have a newborn any minute (I am exaggerating, since theres no sign of the baby really coming any time soon)! We are beyond prepared, except for giving the house a good cleaning and sterilizing bottle and pump parts but I still feel strange. I am caught between the anxiety of the unknown and just being so, so extremely exhausted. I really do want to meet the littlest one on the outside and cuddle her delicate and new little body, but I know its not going to be a cake walk and that every experience is different. I also realize that the due date signifies that I will be having a baby but also that I need to get that baby out and that is not something I have prepared for, in fact I think I am denial as to how the baby will actually get here.
I have taken no classes and my plan is to try to work within the moment, from the moment it hits. I don't even know what the docs protocol is, I could try calling the office and not get anyone..I don't know. With my first baby, it started in the morning, so the office was open, my husband was home and I didn't have a toddler that needed to be tended to but this time, I have been getting contractions at night (like at this moment..), they say its faster the second time and we will have to get the little one to my moms or sisters house. I just really hope it all goes smoothly..I like the idea of action..but not too much, I don't want to overwhelm my little girl, she's very sensitive to things and is already quite nervous about me being away, so much so I am thinking of letting her stay in the hospital with me after the birth or going home early if they'll let it.

As far as my physical state, I am quite uncomfortable at night, the carpel tunnel is now in both arms, my hip gets sore and certainly moving or flipping in bed is a chore. I have been having some Braxton hicks which are pretty strong when they hit, its a wonder I haven't jumped the gun a few times and called the doctor. If this were my first baby, I'd have been a real pain in the 'you know what' because the BH contractions feel real but I don't know if they are doing anything. Walking is a challenge but I think thats good because at least it could mean that the baby is no longer floating and may be locked into position for good (no more breech flips)!

I have no other real signs of labor..it would be nice to go slightly early (or on time) but thats just not my luck, I'm aiming for July 1st at the earliest which is fine (in one week) but if I go past that date then I may just have to consider alternative techniques to get her out before 4th of July, I wish I just weren't so uncomfortable because quite honestly, I was content with being pregnant until last week or so when the pain just really became unbearable. I actually feel the nesting urge..I want to clean up the house but the thought of spending even a couple of hours dusting, mopping etc makes me tired; I want to walk several miles everyday but I don't have the energy, I want to play with my little girl but I'm exhausted. I don't remember being this tired the first time around. I wonder who these women are that work until their due dates..or until they are ready to go into labor, what do they do for a living? I could not imagine having to catch the train right now and walking a few blocks to work..I would need a nap as soon as I got in. Onto week 40..hope its good!

#9: Macarons (not to be confused with macaroons)

Cakes: Sweet Bloom Cakes

What can I say, these macarons look absolutely delicious..and I know that I'll only have these cravings for a few more days after which I hope to return to my normal, paranoid, calorie counting..not pregnant 'self' who does not have an appreciation for sweets at all. I would love to have these delivered to the hospital for the nurses (and myself of course) as a token of my appreciation assuming all goes well...or as a bribe depending on the situation. We had to practically bribe the nurses at Phelps with tons of coffee grounds and doughnuts when Arie was born because we were so tired that we wanted her to stay in the nursery for the night but they wanted her in the room with us, we could hardly change her diaper, swaddle her, she would not stop crying..it was a tough learning curve but I love every moment when I look at her now..

Excerpt from http://www.seriouseats.com/2007/10/introduction-to-french-macarons.html:

The macaron's origin isn't clear, but it may have been brought to France from Italy as early as 1533 by Catherine di Medici and her pastry chefs. Macarons gained fame in 1792 when two Carmelite nuns seeking asylum in Nancy during the French Revolution baked and sold macarons in order to support themselves, thus becoming known as "the macaron sisters." The macarons they made were a simple combination of ground almonds, egg whites, and sugar. No special flavors. No filling. Just 100% cookie.

It wasn't until the 1900s that Pierre Desfontaines of Parisian pastry shop and café Ladurée decided to take two cookies and fill them with ganache. Today Ladurée continues to be one of the first stops for macaron-crazed fans in Paris. No longer a humble almond cookie, the macaron turned into a versatilely flavored treat with a thin, light crust briefly giving way to a layer of moist almond meringue following by a center of silky smooth filling.

The basic equation for a macaron reads like so:

1 part cookie [ground almonds + egg white + sugar] +

1 part filling [buttercream, ganache, jam] +

1 part cookie [ground almonds + egg white + sugar] =

1 complete macaron [happiness]

#10: Who is Braxton Hicks anyway?

John Braxton Hicks
(23 February 1823 – 28 August 1897)
was a 19th century English doctor who
specialised in obstetrics.

Last night at about 11:00pm I got a contraction, I didn't think much of it because I get these 'false contractions' quite a bit and they don't really mean much. After about 20 minutes, I got another but I thought it was just a coincidence, maybe my body was tired from the day, I had been outside in 98 degree weather all day but once I got another one 20 miuntes later, it got my attention. Since I was up watching a show I liked I thought I would casually watch the clock and time them until the show ended. I did continue to get a few more at about 15-20 minute intervals then they stopped!..WHAT..what happened? well turns out, the only explanation for this comes from this sly man below..Braxton Hicks!

Braxton P. Hartnabrig

In honor of my current state, I decided to find out more about the quaint fellow who coined the term "Braxton Hicks" contractions. It no surprise that his name is John "Braxton Hicks" but funny because the only other Braxton I know is from the Jamie Fox show.."break yourself fool"..! I digress. Anyway, apparently this guy Hicks was the first physician to describe the bipolar and other methods of the versions of a fetus. In 1872, he described the uterine contractions not resulting in childbirth now known as Braxton Hicks contractions. 

Why would he name this after himself? They are basically the most frustrating things ever, they can feel like real contraction but they do nothing except get a woman's hopes up and then fade. Some suggest that they actual prepare your body for whats to come but I don't think so. luckily, I am not one of those women who is on the edge of the cliff (at least not yet)..ready to end this process. I still feel relatively good, I feel like I look horrible but thats another topic. My doctors also do not seem to subscribe to style of obstetrics which encourage constantly checking a woman to see her "progress" weeks before her due date, so I haven't been checked at all, that combined with my knowledge of my previous experience (she was an entire week late) I'm pretty sure I'm in for a long ride. 

#11: Summer Solistice

Source: http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/06/21/6909897-tranquility-in-the-city-times-square-yoga-fest-honors-solstice?lite

Today is the first day of summer..and in NYC its almost 100 degrees...this was the scene in Times Square! Only in NY right..thousands of Yoga enthusiasts practice...pretty awesome, if I hadn't been in week 39 I would have joined them..ok maybe not but my alter ego feel like she would have.