Week 37 - BM thoughts

It's official, she's technically full term now. Last week AG and I had Patrick Roddy memoralize my pregnancy. It wasn't our best day since we were both completely exhausted from work, but there are some good shots nonetheless.

The belly has gotten bigger, even this last week. I've been walking around today running errands and everyone has been stopping me to ask whether I'm going to have this baby any minute. You can't tell in these pictures, but I think recently she's dropped lower. Last Saturday for my birthday day, AG took me and the girls out to hike 4 miles up Mt. Tam. It felt so good to get out and move my body. Of course on the way down, I felt lots of contractions. I had forgotten that you can start labor early if you walk alot. I'm not ready to have her yet. This is my first week off and I've so much to do before I can really enjoy it all. I'm getting a little done on the list every day, but doing a lot of resting in between as well and enjoying her movements.


We met up with Amy our doula on Sunday and hammered out some more details about how I'd like this birth to proceed. Yes, I'm going for it naturally. Of course, if something comes up that requires us to do something different, we will, but I really have some intentions on going as natural as possible. When I first learned I was pregnant, I had thought of taking all the drugs - I didn't want to feel anything. However, the journey of discovering childbirth has completely changed my views. Not only will AG support me during labor (which was not part of my initial thoughts), but we have a birth team as well. I almost sound crunchy. But really, if you do the research, natural is always the best way. The body is such a delicate balance of chemicals, any intervention will off-balance it.


And I started thinking about what a spiritual journey this could be. It's going to be difficult, I don't expect it to be easy - but looking back, I realize that all the difficult experiences in my life has allowed me to discover the strengths within me and made me the person I am. I'm not as fearful of it as before. I tread with caution and some anxiety, but I'm actually looking forward to it, weird as it may seem.
I also realized, this isn't just my journey, it's AG's as well. We're doing this together, and he will be a huge part of this process. I can't wait to share it with him - even though there are some parts where it will be just me.
We hope she'll stay in for another couple of weeks. All of our friends are at BM or heading there - and they specifically instructed Martini not to make an entrance until they've returned.
Last night there was a lunar eclipse which must have been dazzling on the playa. A meteor shower also occurs this week with the full moon. How exciting.

I spent yesterday afternoon hanging out with Shelaine while they packed their truck for their journey. Then later at night, Margo came over - she leaves tomorrow. This morning - I hung out with Rachel for a bit as she was running errands for BM. Both AG and I are feeling a little sad, that feeling of being left behind. But our friends will burn one down for us Saturday night - and we have the best excuse in the world for missing this burn. It'll make next year's burn all the brighter.

I'm thinking of the friends who are there now, hearing the howls as the sun comes down and they are running around preparing dinner and choosing their outfits for the evening before the last rays require the use of headlamps. Big Sigh...

AG and I start some packing this weekend, preparing for Martini. We'll be head up Saturday to Healdsburg and wine country to toast our friends Sarah and Dan at their wedding. AG thinks/hopes that Martini will arrive on the 9th of September. Me, I'm hoping it will be a little later. But I'm fine with the 9th. I know she'll come out when she's good and ready. So have we thought of names? We've been making a short list and here they are: (1) Riyah (meaning - Friend); (2) Maysun (Arabic for beautiful); (3) Kiarra - (Irish for Dark and Beautiful). Any thoughts? We are leaning towards Riyah Maysun Gluck or Riyah Martini Gluck or Riyah M. Gluck (AG's grandmother Marie, I think). Both my parents are looking at Vietnamese names, which will not be on her birth certificate.

Happy Birthday XT - Virgo - extraordinaire

Today is a special day - birthday of our special Virgo extraordinaire - XT. Amazing woman who has gone through huge transitions this year. She's found herself and in turn found her life partner and her path in this world. Love and miss her very much.

Even as we speak, she is doing her work at Omega institute - taking a chance, going off the beaten path - of which we all admire so much. She's a woman full of heart and lots of soul - deep and warm and always there when in need. Someday, she's gonna make a great momma - look at her with all these babies!
Thinking of you XT on your special day... wishing you were here, but feeling your presence always.

Spontaneous birthday dinner

Rachel, XT, Smesh, KT and Elaine spontaneously got together to take me out for my birthday last night to OSHA Thai. It's getting more difficult to get together spontaneously as we get older and our priorities shift and change. It's definitely not Sex in the City for us anymore, but I can't imagine my life without these women.

It was perfect, mellow, sweet and we were all in great spirits and talking about the good old days. Life is changing for all of us, as life does - and more and more, these dinners and get togethers have more significance in my life. I treasure my friendships, and the times we all put together for each other. I know I'll always make time for these women. We were truly missing a huge piece last night - as we all left XT messages on her phone - her birthday is in 2 days!

I reflect on my life today - and can't believe how fortunate I've been to have met all these women who are now such an integral part of my life. It's difficult to imagine who I'd be without them. I have such a charmed life, good friends, a great partner, and now this little girl coming into our lives. I've had my share of challenges, but they don't seem so bad when you have great friends to share the burden and the joys. Life is damn good.

Martini was a sport and showed off her knees and elbows to all who would touch the belly. I think they are still in shock that I'm the first to have a baby. Even I am surprised myself. Life has an interesting way of changing things on you, especially to a planner like me.

Contractions

Friday night Shelaine came over and we had filet mignon and jumbo prawns. It was delicious and grilled to perfection by Elaine. We got up early Saturday morning to attend our Leaps online seminar. That was very interesting, we've been waiting for such a long time.

Met some interesting people at our options seminar in SF on Sunday and got some great information from a guy who's been managing portfolios for a long time. All good news. Last night I felt contractions for the very first time... meaning I really felt them. It does feel like cramps and even though I slept fitfully last night, I was glad to know what the can feel like. Not knowing is more difficult for me. At least I have a pain guage now. There are some other signs that she may decide to come out earlier than I would like. I'm hoping she'll make it past Sarah's wedding. But I guess she will come when she wants....

The things you do for your child

All us mothers to be get tested for GBS between weeks 35 and 37. If you are GBS positive, your Midwife/OB will likely talk to you about antibiotics through an IV in labor. Antibiotics are administered through an IV every four hours starting when you hit active labor or when your waters release. 1 in 4 women are carriers of GBS at the time of birth. Approximately one of every 200 babies whose mothers carry GBS develop signs and symptoms of GBS disease. Of these, one of every 20 babies with GBS disease dies from infection. Babies that survive, particularly those who have meningitis, may have long-term problems, such as hearing or vision loss or learning disabilities. (GBS very rarely infect an average birth weight baby born at term. The risks are higher in the case of a premature or low weight newborn baby.)

So what's the natural way to prevent GBS besides being stuck with a needle and IV therefore limiting your movements during labor? I kid you not, this is my world. It freaks AG out to no end because it IS weird. Garlic or IV? hrm....

Garlic Protocol for Knocking Out GBS

Determine when you will be tested for Group B Strep by your care provider. Starting 8 days before that time, follow the following protocol each evening and morning:

w Each evening peel a whole garlic clove, do not puncture the clove if possible
w Insert clove into your vagina, pushing it up toward your cervix as best you can* (partners are good for this)
w Each morning, remove the clove of garlic (it will often exit quite easily as you sit on the toilet and give a little push with your kegel muscles)

Continue this until the morning of your test.

You may taste garlic in your mouth, so that’s why it is easier to do this overnight than during the day. The taste and smell typically slowly clears in the morning.

*If you are concerned about the garlic “getting lost”, remember, there’s nowhere for it to go. However, you may also pierce the clove with a thin needle and knot a piece of thread around it for easier removal. (Tampon style.)

Do not wear thong panties. Avoid wearing mini pads. Eat lots of yogurt with live acidophilous cultures.

Martini's Baby Shower

This first picture of the Godmother is classic - I love it that Elaine is undisputably regal having her cigarette, a glass of champagne, and looking like the strong gorgeous Godmother who (along with the inconquerable Rachel) threw this amazing Baby Shower for Martini on Sunday.

The details were fabulous - there were little piglets everywhere; piglet cookies, soap and (for the gifts), even the wrapping papers had little piglets everywhere. I was completely touched by the amount of work and energy Rachel and Elaine put into this shower. I took a bunch of pictures but haven't been able to download them just yet. These pictures are from KC and Noi who gave me some beautiful Japanese clothes and bedding. I was completely ovewhelmed and touched by all the women who showed up and the advice they wrote for Martini in her Auntie Advice book (which I'm re-reading and treasuring).

An awesome surprise visit from Karina, Jet and Syrus.

After the shower, I came home and opened up the beautiful presents that were lovingly wrapped by their aunties. These women have great taste. I laid awake until late thinking of each one of them, how I met them and how important they are to my life. The thread that connects us all - is that each one of these women are strong individuals with a unique approach to life. I can't believe I have such a wonderful group of community in these women and that Martini gets a head start in life by having them as role models and adoring aunts. She is already loved by so many people.


There are additional pictures posted at http://www.flickr.com/photos/miboni/.

Full of Ocytocin today

The hormone - ocytocin has become a well known little joke between us. Its other name is the "love hormone" and is produced in high quantities to start the birthing process and completes the process right after the baby is born by creating the bond between mother and baby.

Last of couple of days, I must be full of this hormone because I've been giddy and overflowing with love looking at Martini's pictures. It's finally hitting me - this little person that we've created together. Smesh always makes fun of me that I react a lot like a guy. More often than not, it takes a while for my emotions to catch up with my head. I need time to figure out my emotions whenever something happens and I guess that's very much a male trait. I'm terrible at showing vulnerability, even now when I'm almost 9 months pregnant. Thank god AG's feminine side is strong and allows me to be the man ;) - I told him next life, we go back to our previous gender roles - it's obvious someone was trying to teach me a lesson in this life time.

Last night I woke up at 3am and couldn't fall back asleep. I wasn't sure if I was having Braxton-Hicks contractions or whether Martini was just squirming around. I could almost tell the difference and I really thought last night that they were BH contractions. This morning, it felt like a dream, so I'm feeling unsure about it. It's normal to have these contractions as early as week 32 and I'm into my 35th week already. I am hoping she doesn't come too early since we have plans to attend Sara and Dan's wedding. I'd be so bummed to miss that - and to enjoy 3 nights in Healdsburg at a beautiful house with AG - our last little get away before our life is completely changed forever.

Both AG and I got our hair cut yesterday - and my mind is completely wandering all over the place instead of focusing on work. 2 1/2 more weeks before I am on maternity leave and I can't wait - to allow myself the ability to sit and enjoy being pregnant before it's all over. Today I'm in a constant state of bliss - floating above reality. I hope I'm this full of ocytocin when i start contractions - what a high!

Week 34 hello Martini

Friday night Grandma K came down from Humboldt and we went for Vietnamese and opened more gifts for Martini - clothes galore.

Saturday morning we made breakfast, ran to Costco and then met up with Grandparents Al and Chris. They got us a Zooper Stroller - deluxe. It's beautiful with lots of awesome gadgets including a snappable sleeping bag and a matching red diaper bag for AG. I've never seen him so excited about baby stuff, but I guess it's a little high tech. He even read the directions, which amazed me to no end.



Afterwards, we all took a drive to South SF for our 3D-4D ultrasound to meet Martini. And here she is. She has a heart shaped face like mine and possibly my nose, and a full set up beautiful lips. AG is questioning where the Gluck gene pool will show up. Still lots of up in the air, such as her coloring, hair, eyebrows etc. But this gives us a good starting point of what she looks like. I had a sneaking suspicion her face shape would be like mine from the first ultrasound, and now it's confirmed. I do know that chin she's got denotes strength of character and willpower. The nose could go either way - it's a little smushed in the ultrasound - and it's part of the body that continues to grow as we age - so who knows. We had a great group of rowdy commentators including: Smesh, Rachel & CC, Elida, Shelaine and the grandparents. I wished we could have recorded the comments as they were the highlight of the event.

We had a rocking BBQ afterwards at our place and I stayed up with Manisha until 1:30 catching up. Sunday was dreary and gray, but we made the most of it by meeting the parents at Philz and back to our place for breakfast. AG and Grandpa Al made breakfast for the ladies. AG, the pups, and I took a much needed nap from 3-6pm before meeting up with the grandparents for dinner in the Castro. We also did a show and tell of Martini's stuff. She has enough clothes to last her for 3 months - just in time to wear a new outfit a day before she outgrows them all. She's going to be one cute and well dressed little girl.

I'm just thrilled about seeing her and can't believe she looks so much like me already. It's trippy seeing characteristics of yourself in this little person you've created. Nature is awe-mazing.