32 weeks: baby jeff?

Jeff and I started our Bradley Method birthing class on Sunday. We really liked it. Of course, I am the one that got a massage out it. Jeff, though, was happy to oblige. For our homework this week he is to give me a massage every day. Unfortunately for me and our studies, Jeff is in Munich most of this week. So that's not going to happen short of him hiring someone to do it. Hmm, that might be an idea. He did say he'd make it up to me and my aching muscles.

Truthfully, I haven't started all of the serious aches and pains associated with the last trimester. I've also been able to sleep well despite the shrinking real estate held by my bladder. I don't get up to go to the bathroom more than once in the night!

I am having increasing ergonomic problems, however. My recent challenges: putting on pants and shoes, and fast paced walking. I've also developed the pregnancy waddle.

Jeff's Mom sent me some baby pictures of him! I really got a kick out of them as they are the first I've seen of him so little. He is really cute. Look at those chubby little arms! Is this a preview of what our little man will look like?

How about an experiment? Here's a picture of me when I was little...
And then, here is what our little boy could potentially look like...
Poor little guy. We'll at least give him a haircut.

31 weeks: aunt colleen

This past week I lost my aunt Colleen. She was also my Godmother. She had a playful spirit and a lot of energy. No one was expecting it, so her death came as a big shock to the family. My cousin said that Colleen was really looking forward to meeting our baby. I wish he could have known her too. She never failed to make me laugh, and I will miss her always.

31 weeks: tom, dick or harry?

Jeff here and we had so many great girl names. Really cute ones. Can't tell you them. They've been put on ice, in case we need them next time.

Boy names are tough. I feel the need to avoid the newer, trendier names for boys. They end up too cutesy and effeminate. Parker, Forrest, Cole, River. They sound like characters from a soap opera. My sister recommended Quinn and Gray. I reminded her it's a boy.

Crazier than the soap opera names are the Hollywood names. Apple, Suri, Pilot Inspektor (Jason Lee's kid), Rebel, Rocket and Racer (Robert Rodriguez's boys). Stars seem to need their children to be different and special. After all, they're a reflection of their different, special parents.

Names like Jack and Max are good. Maybe too good for their own good. So popular, soon there'll be ten Jacks in every class. And people are naming their dogs Max at this point.

I like more traditional names. Problem with them is that you probably already know someone who has that name. I like Ben but Theresa doesn't, all because she knew a Ben in Junior High who was a jerk. See what I mean?
I like Hank, but I have a nephew named Henry. He's not a jerk, but you can't pile up names in the family.
I love Will, but my brother Ken hogged that name too. He's always had good taste.
We like Sid, but we have a niece named Sydney.
I really like Sam, but Theresa's best friend's husband is named Sam. Not sure why that dumps it out. He's not in our family. But it does.

Naming our son after a favorite artist, writer or historical figure is appealing too. Pablo Picasso, Gustav Klimt, Vincent Van Gogh, Henri Matisse (curse you, Ken!), Dashiell Hammett, Jimmy Stewart. Franklin, Abraham, Thomas, Benjamin. Ernest is good. Ernest would give us Hemingway, Guevera, and the Ernies from Sesame Street AND It's a Wonderful Life! A lot of power in Ernie.

I like one-syllable names that end in K for some reason. Nick, Jake, Mac, Hank, Luke. A pleasant harshness in that quick, hard K.
Jake Jarka would be good. Sounds so improbable, like a fictional character.
Nick Jarka sounds like a 1930's gumshoe. But in a good way. Nick Jarka... gun for hire. Then, if he's a senator, he can be Nicholas Jarka. The name works with either profession. If my boy becomes a private detective or a US senator, he's covered.

The double J sound is intriguing too. Jake Jarka. Django Jarka. Jack Jarka. Gene Jarka. Jim Jarka. John Jarka.

This poor kid. We'll do better with his sister.

30 weeks: getting serious

Scary! I'm well into the third trimester already! Where has the time gone? Am I ready for labor? Why did I get myself into this? Things are becoming all too real now. I am going to pass an 8 pound creature from my body. Can you really be prepared for that? Kristen gave me a series of meditation CD's that guide you to relax during labor. I'm giving it my best effort, but I'm not convinced that strategy will work for me.


To the left of my big belly you'll see a picture of my mom when she was pregnant with me. My mom went through 5 hours of labor with my sister, and only 3 hours with me! Wasn't I considerate? I am hoping that since I've taken after my mom with the extreme pregnancy sickness, that I will take after her in the duration of labor. One can hope.

So now that I am getting bigger and bigger, I've noticed a pattern. I am getting lots of compliments on my wedding ring lately. Hmm, why would that be? People see my swollen belly and then straight away check to see if I am married. Those nosy, meddlesome people. I should go out without my ring and see what kind of reactions I get. A public stoning, I imagine.

Well, the Argentina trip was cancelled for me. Jeff cut his trip short as a result. He went to his meetings in Buenos Aires and headed home on an overnight flight, only to go straight to work the next day! He's a hard worker. He was ready to head out on another road trip this weekend, but I've forced him to relax so he can catch up on his sleep.

We were able to get away for a mini vacation in Madison the weekend before Argentina. We also stopped in Janesville for a big birthday party. Kristen's son, Zach, turned one. He's so well behaved. He didn't even want to make a mess with his cake. It took him nearly a half an hour to dig into it.

We've been given so much baby stuff recently. My cousin Kendra gave me a swing, bouncy seat, bassinet and many other things. Also, my cousin Chris gave me a bunch of onesies and pajamas. My sister has also been sending me lots of clothes. Thanks everyone!

28 weeks: grounded

Jeff here and Theresa surprised me with an early birthday.
My birthday is really Monday but I'm going to be in Argentina for work. Theresa was planning on joining me... until she went to the doctor Wednesday.

When she goes for prenatal visits, she sees one of a cluster of doctors at the hospital. A previous doctor thought it was no problem for her to travel. Then Wednesday, she mentions it in passing to the next doc in the rotation and he says forget it, flight's too long. One day we'll tell our son how he prevented his mom from going to Buenos Aires.

This birthday is a landmark. 40! Theresa was thoughtful enough to get me a sympathy card. She also got me my favorite: Portillo's chocolate cake, and she even drew my face on it with frosting. For those of you back east, Portillo's is a Chicago legend for hotdogs and hamburgers, but their cake is really amazing. She also got me a stack of great books. Thanks, baby.

In other news, Theresa is doing great and she looks more beautiful every day. She's sleeping lots and eating right.

We're in the home stretch. Won't be long now. Love you, baby.