Remember? I’m having a baby. A bullet post for your reading pleasure.
- It hit me (again) the other day that I’m having a boy. Obvious differences aside, I’ve started evaluating what that’s going to mean on a more general level, not just in terms of how he will act. But, also, in terms of how it will change the kind of mother I am. I’m wondering how many of the changes will be fair, and how many of them will be prompted by pure sexism.
- I am nowhere near as prepared for this baby’s arrival as I was for N. I still have to wash and fold clothes. Assemble a crib. Buy a few things. Pack a hospital bag. Arrange the room where he will sleep. And you’d think that this laundry list of items would create a sense of urgency. But, no. It simply makes me want to take a nap.
- Braxton Hicks. Also known as false labor? Also known as, “Oh, great, as if it’s not going to be enough to actually have to go through the real thing. Let’s practice for what seems like fifty times a day.”
- My SIL’s baby shower is in four weeks at my place. Is it wrong that my only goal right now is not to have this baby before then?
- I feel huge. I can’t get up without grunting. And, yes, I know I’m pregnant and blah, blah, blah. But, I’ve always held this irrational belief that when you start to have to grunt when you get up, it’s the same as saying goodbye to the last vestiges of your youth.
- I keep waking up every two to three hours. And I can’t get to sleep. The fact that my body seems to be undergoing preparation for the fact that I won’t be getting a full night sleep for the next several months is fairly miraculous. And extremely annoying.
- And, like last time, in classic NYCWD and LeSombre style, this last bullet is for the next person that says, “Oh, just five weeks? That’s right around the corner, isn’t it?”
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Hilly Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 7:00 am
Hrmmm, I don’t think I said “right around the corner” as much as going into a diatribe of how quickly time passes without us recognizing it. Thank you for not smacking me.
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
@Hilly, Heh… that is TOTALLY different.
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HoosierGirl Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 7:27 am
Can’t sleep but need to sleep. That was the part I couldn’t understand. At a time when you need to be as well rested as possible, your body won’t let you.
No pictures?
J.
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
@HoosierGirl, I hate having my picture taken when I’m this big. I promise I’ll post at least one.
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Miss Britt Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 8:56 am
My kids leave July 10th. Any baby preparations that need to be made after that point, I will gladly help with.
I’ll even fold.
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
@Miss Britt, You’re the best.
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B.E. Earl Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 9:05 am
Braxton Hicks would be a great name for a baby. Or a character in a cheap paperback.
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
@B.E. Earl, Admit it. You wrote “porno” before adjusting that comment to read “paperback” didn’t you?
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SciFi Dad Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 9:13 am
What? You’re STILL pregnant? I thought you would have had that baby by now.
(How many bullets does that get me?)
In all seriousness, try to remind yourself this: in eight weeks or so, neither you, nor Tariq, nor the baby will remember that the room wasn’t arranged, or the laundry wasn’t perfect or whatever.
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
@SciFi Dad, Yeah, that’s true. Except for this little girl that lives with us who is all, “You need to do my brother’s laundry, mama.” She’s a slave driver.
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Karen Sugarpants Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 9:17 am
Just remember who did this to you.
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
@Karen Sugarpants, Hahaha, I know, right? I’m starting to feel bad for him, though. Yesterday, I couldn’t find my keys and I screamed “Where-did-you-put-my-keys-I-can-never-find-anything-around-here-because-you’re-so-disorganized-and-I-just-give up!!” Five minutes later? Keys. In. My. Pocket.
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SteF Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 9:53 am
Hope it all works out as for the timing, but round 2 more often than not, comes early…. Better get your butt in gear. Easier said than done @ 35wks, I know BUT…. 2nd for me: water broke at 3am 3 1/2 weeks early & same as you, I was NOT at all excited about crossing off any items on the “Get Ready For Baby List of To-Dos”
Can’t wait for you to experience BOY! As for sexism, whatever works!
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
@SteF, Was that supposed to make me feel better??!!
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Sheila (Charm School Reject) Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 10:01 am
The tricks our bodies like to play on us in the weeks before the birthing process begins is the worst part of pregnancy.
I can handle the puking and cramps, just let me sleep kid!
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
@Sheila (Charm School Reject), Exaaactly.
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Finn Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 10:14 am
“I’m wondering how many of the changes will be fair, and how many of them will be prompted by pure sexism.”
Funny that no matter how we recognize these things, we still fall back on them from time to time.
Try to look at the five weeks this way: You have 7x more of the pregnancy behind you than you have ahead of you.
That didn’t help, did it?
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
@Finn, Actually, that was sort of helpful. But, technically? It was another way of saying, “it’s just around the corner.”
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NYCWD Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 11:27 am
My SIL’s baby shower is in four weeks at my place. Is it wrong that my only goal right now is not to have this baby before then?
It’s absolutely not wrong. And just in case something happens that threatens this I have two words for you:
Duct Tape
That stuff works wonders!!!
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
@NYCWD, I’m sensing a vast duct tape conspiracy on the Internet. This is the second time in a week someone has promoted duct tape to me on my blog.
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Becky Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 11:51 am
I swear the last 6 weeks of pregnancy is a form of torture.
Being the mom of both a boy and a girl, I know that there are differences in my mothering. I try to be aware of it and to question myself as to “why”, but it isn’t always that easy. I also have 10 years between my children, and I’m sure that makes a difference.
As far as making that sound when you get up…I make it when I plop on the couch when I get home from work
I wish you a calm and comfortable next 5 weeks.
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
@Becky, Thanks for the calm and comfortable wishes… so sweet.
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Kris Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
You know, I suggested duct tape yesterday for a different reason, but Dawg’s on the right track!
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
@Kris, Ha! I just replied to Dawg that I thought there was some kind of conspiracy as duct tape as already been promoted once this past week!
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Crys Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
please don’t duct tape your danger zone. imagine how hard it will be to take it off!
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
@Crys, Hmmm. $5.00 roll of duct tape versus $90 Brazillian wax… I think we may be onto something here…
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Coal Miner's Granddaughter Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
Having a boy isn’t going to change what kind of mother you are unless you count the fact that you will love both of them even more than you thought possible.
And you’ll just have to get used to dinosaurs, cars, and trains in about a year. 
That and the little boys like jumping head-first off the couch, front porch, stairs, deck, and on, and on, and on. So, yeah, I’d start a payment plan with your local hospital. 
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
@Coal Miner’s Granddaughter, Heh. Yeah I remember my brother spending a lot of time in the ER.
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Avitable Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
@Coal Miner’s Granddaughter, I never went to the ER as a kid.
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Coal Miner's Granddaughter Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
@Avitable, Which confirms that you? Are a girl.
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Avitable Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
@Coal Miner’s Granddaughter, Pfft. My vagina would beg to differ. Umm, I mean penis.
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Karl Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 3:44 pm
Aw, and I still need to meet Baby #1! One of these days.
And hey, not like you’re busy or anything, so can I count you in on the Summer of Love guest posting extravaganza?
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
@Karl, I just got the e-mail yesterday. Was I second tier or something?
I think I can work you in.
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Karl Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
@Faiqa, Second Tier? You’re the GOLD tier, baby. I sent you an email 3 times over the last 10 days or so. Maybe you’ve got me set to filter right into your spam folder.
Just sent out the schedule but I’ll get you in there.
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Avitable Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
I’ll help with anything, too. Want me to babysit N for a while?
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
@Avitable, Hmmmm. Actually, I bet you’re a stellar babysitter. And given both your and Nuha’s shared love for making sure that everything is done exactly the way it *should* be … you would get along famously. What are you doing on Friday night?
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Avitable Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
@Faiqa, Friday is “Make fun of Homeless People Night” and Nuha would be more than welcome to join me.
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
@Avitable, Wow. I thought we were the only ones that did that. It’s so wonderful that basically we’re all the same on the inside. You know, exclusionary and elitest.
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Avitable Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
@Faiqa, yeah, but you guys call it “Make fun of Stupid White People Night”.
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Faiqa Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
@Avitable, I have no idea what you’re talking about.
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hello haha narf Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 8:31 pm
oh how i wish i could come down and steal n. for a bit. while i am not much for all that other getting ready for a baby crap, i am all about hanging out with that precious little girl.
faiqa, you are one of the most physically beautiful women i have ever seen. i can’t imagine you feeling huge. and honestly, i would love to see a picture of you pregnant. i bet you are stunning.
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Sybil Law Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 8:40 pm
You know I would be down there, folding and cleaning and making crafts with N!
Also, I saw a picture and you ARE beautiful!
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Poppy Said,
June 30, 2009 @ 10:45 pm
BROTHER FOR THE SISTER! How KIND of you!
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RebTurtle Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 3:53 am
So the question we all want to know is…… does hor hospital have Wi-Fi? After all this buildup, we’ll be expecting Tweets, pics, and some YouTube clips, of course. Is Tariq ready for all of this?
Oh, and late-term maternity meltdowns? Yeah, my wife is all over that. *Sigh*
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RebTurtle Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 3:54 am
@RebTurtle, your hospital. Jeez, you’d think I had baby on the brain!
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Traci Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 7:44 am
My response to each bullet:
-That’s one of the main reasons I didn’t find out the gender, so I could hold off my own (fearfully) and society’s need to place a preordained role on my child.
- I love how we have the same stress response!
-WHAT?!?! I thought you just got those things maybe once or twice during your whole pregnancy…repeatedly?!-that ain’t cool, that ain’t cool.
-Don’t stress we can always reroute the party to my Mom’s house, if need be. I think you are in the process of nesting for my child instead of your own through the baby shower, very sweet, only you would do such a thing. I love it though and I’m not questioning you at all!!! Translation- (I remember your comment about bodily harm if I said anything again).
-I’m 26 weeks and I started grunting 2 weeks ago on all movements:getting up, bending down, and even turning over.
-Amen sister, I’ve been up since 4 am, which is really good for me usually it’s 2 or 3 am. It’s now 6:30 am -perfect go back to sleep time but never a minute sooner.
-My lips are sealed.
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kezz Said,
July 1, 2009 @ 8:13 am
HaHa..I grunt when I try to get up too,although I am not pregnant..just have shonky knees. In a few weeks it will be all worthwhile. Keep smiling.
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