fancy-schmancy arty photography

Posted by: Cal

Today Stacia and I played out our own episode of America's Next Top Model--pregnant lady edition. Here's the results...

Progress

I suppose I should also add a note regarding Phyllis' readiness to enter the world. As of today we are a mere twelve days away from the due date. Apparently less than 5% of babies are actually born on their due date. I'm not sure what percentage of babies come earlier vs. later. Probably a more interesting statistic to know at this point. I'll look that up.

I can feel that I'm getting closer, but I don't think Phyllis is in a rush. If I had to guess today, I'd lean toward me going over-time vs. an early arrival. We'll keep you posted.

Phyllis - a green bough

Early Wednesday morning (around 3am or so) I had an intense dream where all the names Cal and I have considered for baby were on a ballot - and I had to vote for the appropriate first/middle combo. On the ballot was a new name for middle-name consideration. Phyllis. This is not a name I find particularly attractive, and I don't know where I might have encountered it recently, but it pervaded the remainder of my dreams until I awoke that morning. I jumped out of bed and went to the baby name book to find the meaning, "Green bough". Cute enough. Once Cal awoke, I told him I was pretty sure our baby's middle name needed to be Phyllis. He immediately gagged and told me the name was awful. So, I guess Phyllis will not be a part of TamDam's future. Except that I now feel compelled to use Phyllis in place of TamDam as my new fetus name. Feel free to refer to baby as Phyllis until we actually pick a name.

On another note, I completely neglected to blog about my awesome baby shower experiences here at home. My friends Dana and Margaret threw Cal and I a wonderful baby shower where we enjoyed time with friends and received some great things for baby. Thanks so much!

Also, a belated shout out to my incredible team at Microsoft who celebrated with all three of us prego's on the team. Yes, three ladies on one team - all due within days of each other. Must be all the Talking Rain.

Transition. Not the labor kind.

This last week has been full of many changes in the Ledbetter household. Leif has moved out, making way for TamDam, and we've completely rearranged our house to accommodate the wee one. While on one hand this has been exciting, it's also been a sad and emotional time.

Leif had lived with us for more than a year, and was a better roommate than we could have hoped for. His presence in the house always felt like family. His dry humor and creative talents will be sorely missed.

Once Leif had moved on, we spent the weekend in a home renovation project of sorts. We shampooed all the carpets in our apartment, and completely rearranged the furniture in every room. We also finally put together the crib.

During crib construction, I unexpectedly burst into tears. Putting the crib together added a reality to our situation that for some reason hit home closer than the kicks to my rib cage and frequent indigestion:

I'm pregnant and we're going to have a baby.

Not only am I pregnant and going to go through labor and birth, but then we are going to bring baby home to live with us. Baby is going to share our home for at least 18 years. Baby will influence the movies we watch, the places we live, the furniture we choose and the directions of our careers. Baby will affect our marriage, our friendships and our family. This is heady stuff.

While all of these things can be pondered (worried about) in advance, my goal through the rest of my pregnancy is to focus only on the day at hand, trusting that each day will take care of itself.

On a different note, I think Dan is having a nervous breakdown. After Leif left, he wandered around the house with a confused look. Once we started moving the furniture, and brought in a very loud carpet shampooer, he looked positively terrified. He has since spent his time following me around the house so closely that I have nearly tripped over him multiple times. This is not cute or acceptable.

Dan, here's the straight talk you're craving:

"Stop following me around the house. If you make me trip and squish baby, I will kick you. That's right. I said it. I will kick you.

And then I'll feel guilty because I know it's probably my fault that you follow me around like you're blind and I'm the light. But really Dan, it's time for you to get your own life. This baby is really going to mess with your game, and I'd hate for you to be a baby naysayer. You're an important member of our family, and I hope you can pull yourself together and be a part of the team. We'll all be happier if you can get your neuroses under control. And I love you. Your dog smell is pleasant and I enjoy rubbing your belly - when it hasn't recently been under my feet. So calm down."

Thanks

posted by: Cal

Guess what time it is? It's time for a similblog! What's a similblog, you ask. Well, it's when two or more different people blog about the same thing at the same time, but from different perspectives.
Today Stacia and I will be blogging about our Baby Party.
Stacia and I drove out to the Tri-Cities on Friday evening to land at my parents' house to have enough time to head to bed to prepare for the next day.
I woke up bright and early and headed to the grocery store. Six dozen eggs later, and I'm in the kitchen cooking.
As guests arrive, my dad and I are scrambling eggs, frying sausage, restocking champagne, and baking biscuits, which we do for most of the morning (thanks for the help, Dad!).
I couldn't believe the turn-out!
Guests sipped on mimosas and ate brunch while milling about my parents' back lawn.
The morning was tormented by the chance of rain, but some quick tarp-stapling by my dad and Casey, and that was that. Of course, Stacia and I aren't going to let a little rain affect things (plus, please, we're from Seattle, and what was happening I can barely call rain).
Anyway, the sun came out right in time, and we enjoyed lovely Tri-Cities weather.
It was so great to see friends and family. And we're so glad you came.
And thank you for all the nice gifts you gave us and our baby. We appreciate it so much.

Stuff is good.

Cal and I are back after visiting the Tri-Cities for our first Baby Party this weekend. We had an awesome time with our oldest friends and family, celebrating the impending arrival of TamDam.

As an unexpected side-effect of all this partying, my nesting instinct has officially arrived. As I was tearing paper on the first gift, I felt a strange sensation of greed mixed with the desire to hoard/hide all the gifts. I don't consider myself to be a materialistic person, but it felt strangely like what I imagine that characteristic to be. Apparently my nesting instinct wasn't absent, as I had previously suspected, but was merely hiding itself until the day I had something to nest with. After the gifts were open, I wanted to immediately leave for home to fold, examine, touch and enjoy them - while safely placing them in wait for baby inside my house.

On the positive side, I'm sure this behaviour is hormone induced, and not an indication of an unhealthy attachment to material goods that may continue into my future. So I'll relax, and enjoy trying out all of baby's blankets in advance, smelling the soaps and folding and refolding the onsies to my heart's content.

I really want to thank everyone who made it to the shower. Cal and I enjoyed seeing you all so much and really appreciate the support and love! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Only a few days

Posted by: Cal

It's only a few days away till Stacia and I come home to the Tri-Cities to celebrate the forthcoming TamDam with our families and friends. Man I'm excited, and here's why: I love parties. I LOVE them. But moreso, I love parties like these.
With most parties, you invite some friends, you have some food, you have some drinks, you listen to music, etc. etc. And usually these friends are friends you see enough to entail being invited to your party.
But special events like this one (and weddings, etc.) are great, because you get the chance to see people you haven't seen in a long time, and the people at the party get a chance to see people they haven't seen in a long time, or to meet new people.
Sometimes merging your friends can be bad news (my hippie friends don't always get along with my hipster friends, which is funny because those two words or so similar). But in cases like this people do get along. Maybe it's because you aren't just eating, drinking, and being merry; you're celebrating something. And I'm looking forward to celebrating with you.
I'm looking forward to seeing my family, Stacia's family, my friends, and Stacia's friends all come together in one place. It's going to be a fun day, and I can't wait.

So here's some reminders/notes about this party:
1) Brunch will be served, no need to bring anything edible.
2) Please bring a bottle of champagne, if you'd like, to throw into the memosa mix
3) There will also be kid friendly/non-drinker beverages
4) Kids are welcome to come.
5) This is a Co-Ed party, so Greg, Wayne, etc., don't be scared to attend. The Ledbetter brothers, as well as many other men will be there, so don't be nervous that you'll be the only dude, 'cause you won't.
6) Baby Ledbetter is registered at Target.
7) The address on the invite is residential, so look for the house with the balloons out front.

See ya there!