New pics of Jack

Clare sent a bunch, but these two are definitely my favorites:

Jack and Dad

What a difference a month makes!

Here is a shot of Clare, as of January 1, 2006:




And here are Clare and Jackson (the baby formerly known as Bucky), as seen on February 1, 2006:

Bucky's birth day

January 15, 2006

4:00 AM

Dear Bucky,

My water just broke (and me, all along saying it wouldn't break . . . your Daddy knew better). I guess this means the end of the Bucky show.

I'm not quite ready for you to leave me yet. I was just getting used to this pregnancy thing. I thought I had more time . . . at least two more weeks (guess Ross was correct again on that one as well). I'm going to miss you, and your kicks, and your hiccups, and talking with you.

I don't know if I'm ready to meet you in person . . . to actually be your Mom, not just your "Bucky holder." Are you going to like us? Can we really do this?

But, the doctor just called us back. To the hospital we go . . . I guess today is really the day. Ready or not, here you come . . .

***

5:00 AM

Ross and I arrive at the hospital and get taken to the assessment room. All the tests they do to prove my water broke come up negative, but since my story is "convincing" they decide to bring out the ultrasound equipment and double check.

Nearly all my amniotic fluid is gone, just a little bit left by Bucky's feet . . . baby will be here within 24 hours. I'm confined to bed so as to avoid any infections. Off to the labor and delivery room we go!

"Ross, we're going to have a baby today!"

"I know . . . it's so crazy."

***

8:00 AM

My sister, who just happens to be in town, arrives at the hospital. I've been put on pitocin to get my contractions going and to make sure Bucky arrives within the allotted 24 hr window. I'm very nervous about this since they say contractions are like climbing a mountain, but with pitocin it's like climbing a cliff. Since I haven't been having painful contractions, I figure I won't know the difference in the end . . .

***

Between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM

Our local friends stop by the room for pre-delivery visits. They bring Ross and Anna food (the kind that doesn't smell so I don't get angry with them for eating since I am no longer allowed food, just ice chips!!!) and we all laughed about how the night before none of us expected THIS!

On the pain chart I was now feeling like a 3 out of 10.

There are too many people in the delivery room, and our friends are all kicked out by the new nurse on call.

***

3:00 PM

We're now at a 6 on the pain chart. Things are progressing nicely, and the doctors will check my in another hour or two.

***

5:00 PM

Holy cow, the contractions are starting to really bear down. The first year resident says it's time to check me out. His assessment is that I've done really well: 8 cm dilated and about 80% effaced, and baby is in minus 1 stage (just above the pelvic bone. The pelvic bone equals 0 stage). Realizing I had yet to receive any drugs at this time he says I need to make a decision soon about getting an epidural. I think to myself, 'the contractions I can handle, but I bet getting a baby out will be worse than that painful exam . . . what to do.' Then the delivering OB comes in to just take a look herself, and it's revealed that I'm ONLY 4cm dilated, but 100% effaced and baby is in plus 2 stage (past the pelvic bone and into the birth canal).

I lose it, thinking that was the cruelest joke to ever play on a woman in labor and have no qualms about deciding I'm getting that epidural---my energy just flew out the window with the truth of the situation.

***

5:30 PM

9! 9! 9! I've hit the cliff wall. Contractions are tremendous. No wonder people never want to do this again.

The anesthesiologist arrives and I can't even pay attention to his "risks involved" speech.

JUST GIVE ME THE SHOT!

Which he does.

Luckily the doctor allows Ross to stay in the room and I hold on to his arm with both hands. Squeezing one hand for contractions, and one hand for the epidural discomfort.

***

6:00 PM

And then a calm. My lower half is numb. I can not control my legs and it's an eye opening experience . . . My mind uses this new situation help comfort me; to remind me that there are people in this world who live more challenging lives than I do, who have a great deal more strength than I do, and that I'm just trying to deliver a baby. It was a strange correlation to make in the midst of things, but it added beauty and serenity to the situation, and humbled me.

***

6:45 to 9:45 PM

It's time to push. My sister and the nurse hold my legs. Ross counts for me through the contractions. We all actually laugh and joke throughout the hours of delivery.

Somewhere along the road "c-section" floats out of the lips of the resident . . . it inspires me to push harder (and the nurse reassures Ross that we're not even close to making that decision).

Towards the end a different decision has to be made, to use a vacuum or see if I can do it on my own. Bucky is face up, making passing his head through the last bit very difficult as it's the hard part of the skull, not the soft spot that is presented on face down babies. I push a few more times and we make the decision to use the vacuum. I'm tiring out, Bucky is kicking me (seriously) and getting a little stressed . . . it's time to receive a little help.

***

9:46 PM

With one last push and a pull with the vacuum, a feeling of relief comes over me . . .

***

9:47 PM

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!

Tears all round . . . it's very overwhelming, we're in disbelief . . . we're parents!

They put Baby Boy Swanes to my chest and Ross and I gaze at our newborn son. New Aunt Anna cuts the umbilical cord. . .

"What's his name?"

"We don't know," I cry. . .

***

10:30ish PM

Dear Jackson Henry,

Welcome to the world! We've been waiting for you!

Do you like your name? Besides our love, it's the very first gift we give to you on your birth day.

We can't believe you're here! You're just so beautiful, so perfect. Our hearts are bursting!

You're worth every moment of pregnancy, every push in delivery . . . I'd do it all over again, again and again, just for you.

And, as passed down from generation to generation on your Daddy's side, to you we quote Rudyard Kipling's IF:

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!


With so much love, we couldn't even have imagined it,
we are so overjoyed that you're here,
and we are so proud to be your
Mom & Dad

Here he is!

It's Bucky! Er, Jackson. After all these months we finally get to see him. He's such a cutie! Look at those pink cheeks. Cute, cute, cute!




Here's a shot of Jackson, the new momma, and Aunt Anna.

Thanks to Mary for the photos.

Bucky's new name

He's not just Bucky anymore -- he's now officially Jackson Henry. Clare says that he weighs seven pounds and twelve ounces, and is 19 3/4 inches long.

A photo should be coming soon!

Bucky has arrived!

Ross called me just after 7:00 pm (PST) to tell me that he is a dad. He said he has a son and that both Clare and the baby were doing great, though everyone seemed a little bit exhausted.

Clare said she was going on adrenaline, and she expected that as soon as they took Bucky to the nursery she would fall asleep instantly. She sounded happy and very emotional as she told me how loud Bucky was when he made his big entrance. While we talked on the phone she was holding him. He wasn't crying -- she said he was just looking at her, scoping out the situation.

We all have to keep waiting for a name. Ross said they're still discussing it and Clare said she wanted some time to look at him and figure out who he is. Like it or not, this kid is going to be known by "Bucky" for at least a little bit longer. Some of us might have troubles switching to anything else, anyway.

I was so excited that I forgot to ask anything about how much Bucky weighs or how big he is. After a long day of nervous waiting, I was just thrilled to hear that he made it, and preoccupied with the sound of awe in Clare's voice. I hope it's not too long before I get to see Bucky and his parents in person.

Progress Report

I spoke with Clare around 11:30 am (PST), when she was having fairly strong contractions. It sounded like it hurt and she described it as feeling like really harsh cramps.

Ross just called to say that the doctors have given Clare an epidural. The contractions were getting very painful and more frequent and he said Clare is super tough, but he thought she held out longer than she needed to. Now they're working on taking it easy and trying to rest before the big action hits. Clare is five centimeters dilated and fully effaced.

Ross also said that Bucky is doing great. Bucky's heart rate is at normal levels and the baby is in the right place in the birth canal. Right now, the doctors are expecting Bucky to make an appearance any time between 8:00 pm and midnight, EST.

Breaking news: Bucky on the way!

Clare called me from the hospital this morning, just before 6:00 am (PST). She said that she had gotten out of bed a little before 5:00 am (EST) to go to the bathroom, but just as she made it into the bathroom her water broke. It's fifteen days before Bucky's due date, but many of us had suspected that Bucky would show up a little early.

Clare and Ross are pretty much hanging out, waiting. Her body is not quite ready to actually have the baby yet, but they wanted her to wait at hospital since there is less chance of infection there. She said they have her in bed and all is well.

As the day wears on, I'll update The Bucky Blog with any news I get. I'll also be racing to post back blog entries that haven't made it up, yet.

Get ready world! Here comes Bucky!

Always dreaming

"Nearly every night I have baby dreams. These ones aren't as exciting as my crazy early pregnancy dreams. I actually have multiple dreams each night, given to the fact that I'm waking up at least two times a night (getting ready for those midnight feedings, maybe). The good thing is that when I return to bed I pretty much fall right back to sleep. I do find that I'm falling asleep a lot faster now that I'm pregnant than I ever have before. I guess my body is just making sure I get enough rest.

My dreams are very realistic, yet somewhat unmemorable. Usually it's just interacting with the baby, who is completely genderless. I think since we really have no idea if the baby is going to be a boy or a girl, my subconscious doesn't even try to guess any more. I'm sorry there won't be any more entertaining pregnancy dreams for The Bucky Blog. But, that's alright by me, some of them really stressed me out."
--Clare, 1/9/06

The latest dream

"This one is short: I was playing soccer when I had to deliver the baby. The doctors (who just happen to be on the field) delivered the baby a la C-section, slowly going through the layers and pulling out the head, the shoulders and then the whole baby. But, the baby boy was delivered from my head!!!!

Once I had him in my arms, I couldn't stop crying. I was a little confused as to how he came out of my head, a little scared that I now had a boy, and very happy that my baby was healthy and beautiful.

I think my babies in my dream are still 50/50 as far as gender... old wives tales aren't helping me there."
--Clare, 11/20/05

Mary's dream

"I think our friend Mary's dream is better:

'Okay, so I'm in Boston this weekend crashing on my friends couch and I had a dream about Bucky last night... there were a lot of other things going on, but basically you were pregnant and found out that you were going to have a girl when you had your ultrasound. The amazing thing was that the ultrasound was not the typical black and white thing, it was a color picture of a nine month old, and your baby had the curliest red (I mean bright Irish red) hair and was pale with freckles... not what I was expecting with the combination of you and Ross!'

I am Irish (well, like 1/16th) and I do have redheads in my family (but all are in-laws). As for curly hair, that's next to impossible. So really, this dream is as close to a pale curly red-head as we're going to get, unless Ross's family isn't telling me something."
--Clare, 10/20/05

Delivery dreams

"Awhile back I had a very realistic dream, to a point, about the upcoming delivery. I think as the day draws nearer my dreams will focus more on delivery than on the actual baby, as my other dreams have.

This one was in current time. I was six months pregnant but delivering early. We were at the hospital and it was the most painful thing to me. I actually remember the pain. I tried and tired to push, but there seemed to be a point where no matter what I did I just couldn't push hard enough for delivery to begin.

All the doctors and Ross wanted to me to get an epidural (the drug given to women in labor, via a shot in the lower back) to ease my pain. I objected at first but finally gave in. As soon as the drug was administered, my head grew all swimmy and I felt sick, but the pain subsided. It seemed to have done the trick, however, because I then delivered twin girls (I can't get away from multiples in my dreams). In the dream they had names, but when I woke up I couldn't remember them.

Seeing as we weren't prepared for twins, much less having our babies three months early, we didn't have anything. No cribs, no car seats, no strollers. Either they let us leave the hospital with the babies or the hospital had a store in it, because the next part of the dream had us shopping for car seats and baby carriers. Also by this time there was on only one baby girl, so I'm not sure what happened to the other.

We found a great seat that was the baby-carrier version of those old yellow and red plastic cars kids would play in at Spicers or at a five and dime store -- red car, doors that open, yellow bubbly roof -- you know the one. However, this carrier was pink and purple, and for some reason we were thrilled with it, plastic-ness and all.

I think my subconscious realized that a pink and purple plastic baby carrier was just wrong and to prevent me from buying any other great finds. I woke up."
--Clare. 10/20/05

Syrupy sweet

"I had my doctors appointment to check for gestational diabetes. This is done by drinking an ultrasweet, not quite carbonated, orange soda-like drink. Then one hour later blood is taken to see what the blood glucose level is.

The first sip isn't bad. I thought, what's the deal with everyone complaining about this test? Then you have to keep drinking, and with every sip the syrupy-liquid gets harder and harder to take. A slight residue and aftertaste form, which gave me a little bit of a headache. Plus, it ended up being more carbonated than I thought and made me really burpy. To pass the hour I had to wait after drinking the stuff, I had my regular doctors appointment.

My weight and Bucky's growth were approved at this appointment -- all is going well. The funny thing was that Bucky was being so active that the doctor had a hard time getting a good heartbeat measurement. Bucky finally stopped rolling around long enough for her to determine that everything looked good. She also remarked, 'That is one active baby!' This appointment also marked the beginning of the regular two week visits (versus the once a month visits that I had been having up until now).

My glucose results arrived the next day: normal. Phew! However, I apparently have mild anemia. To combat this I have to take another once-a-day pill, Vitron C, along with my prenatal vitamins. It's nothing to get excited about, and now that I'm taking the pills and going to the doctor every two weeks it will be looked after properly. I think we've started the end of this journey just fine. There's still more to come, including life with a newborn, but for now, all is on target."
--Clare, 11/10/05

Useful trivia from birthing class

"Well, it's here. The third trimester. Twelve weeks to go, three months, 80 some-odd days. To celebrate the occasion Ross and I attended the child birthing classes our hospital provides.

On both Saturday and Sunday we, along with a number of other expectant parents -- some expecting any day, others like us with a few months to go -- learned all about labor, delivery, breathing and relaxing techniques (which were very close to those I've learned in yoga class), infant CPR, childcare (such as bathing and swaddling), a breastfeeding class for me, and a fatherhood class for Ross.

There were many interesting things that we learned, too many to share, but here are a few that I thought others would find useful little tidbits of knowledge (in case it comes up in pregnancy Trivial Pursuit or something):

Hemorrhoids are actually varicose veins.

Smoking crack will cause the placenta to separate from the uterus before the baby is born and will result in an emergency C-section (with hopefully a healthy baby).

Milk proteins do not break down in the mothers body, thus it is best to not over do it on dairy (specifically milk) when breastfeeding.

It takes only five minutes to extract a baby by C-section, but 45 minutes to stitch mom up (five layers of tissue/muscles), and 6 weeks for the wound to heal. Ouch!

An epidural can actually slow down a delivery.

A woman in labor is allowed only clear liquids like ice chips, popsicles, juices, and sometimes soda."
--Clare, 11/10/06

The third trimester gets rough

"Many 'problems' return with the third trimester: pressure on the bladder, the need for smaller and more frequent meals, difficult sleeping... plus some new issues arise. This is from Babyfit.com:

'Once you are in your third trimester, even if you were a marathon runner and in the best cardio shape of your life, you may experience some shortness of breath after taking only a couple of steps. Stay calm -- even the fittest women feel this symptom of pregnancy and it is not due to what kind of shape you are in. It is a fact that by the time you reach your 36th week, your uterus has expanded to about 1,000 times its normal size. Logically, this gives the rest of your organs, including your lungs, less room to move. So the shortness of breath you may be experiencing is likely due to the overcrowded conditions inside your body. The best you can do is to maintain good posture and know that some relief will come when the baby drops down into the birth canal.'

Now I have been experiencing this shortness of breath for a few weeks, and it's not a whole lot of fun. The worst is when I'm trying to tell a story I'm excited about, which really takes my breath away from me. My co-worker noticed it and said, 'The first thing I noticed after my daughter was born was that I could breathe deeply. I didn't realize how restricted my breathing had gotten until the pressure was gone.' And she ran everyday until the birth of her first child!

Also, they say 'relief will come when the baby drops' and so I asked my mom when my siblings and I dropped before birth. 'You all didn't drop,' was the response I got. Oh, no! I wonder if that tendency has been passed on to me as well as the lack of stretch marks?"
--Clare, 12/12/05

Editor's note: I've been posting some backed-up blog entries from Clare. Bucky did drop earlier this week.

Well, that's handy

From WhattoExpectWhenYoureExpecting.com:

"Did you know that the measurement in centimeters from the top of your pubic bone to the top of your uterus is roughly equivalent to the number of weeks of pregnancy? It's an easy way to remember how far along you are (as if you'd ever lose track)."

The first of many fun games with Aunt Anna

"The last visit to my family didn't allow for a lot of bonding time with my sister (she had to study for her med school exams), so Christmas allowed us to spend some quality time -- just the 2.5 of us.

The best part of that time was the new game Anna played with Bucky: find the foot. Quite simple really, where is Bucky's foot now, and what is it doing? Since Bucky is head down, we pretty much know the feet and legs are located under (or on) my right lung, but the fun part of the game was to see if she could get Bucky to react to her pressing in that general area.

Anna: Press, press, pause with hand on belly.

Bucky: Kick, kick, kick. Sometimes a big round-house leg sweep, even!

Sometimes Bucky would start the game, poking his/her little foot out until Anna would pat it and push it back in.

What a fun game! I just sat back and let myself be prodded because I loved having my sister play with Bucky. It means a lot to me to have her so interested and involved in this little one, even before he/she's here with us in the outside world."
--Clare, 12/29/05

That light is getting brighter

"The one at the end of this pregnancy tunnel that is. Seventeen days to go, and here is the latest from yesterday's doctors visit:

I am still measuring on target. When I say measuring, I mean literally. They're not sure who figured it out, but a pregnant woman's belly measurement in centimeters corresponds to her weeks of gestation. Pretty convenient. I was measuring around 37/38 centimeters... right on target. My doctor also said that we would be having a "nice sized baby." I'm assuming this means over eight pounds, since most of what I read indicates that the current acceptable average weight of a baby is 7.5 to eight pounds. Let's hope Bucky isn't too much bigger than that!

I've dropped. Yesterday my co-worker followed me into my office after I passed hers and said, "I think you've dropped. You walked by and I thought, whoa... that's different. Yup, I think you've dropped." The word made it's way around the office, and most of the mothers in my office agreed -- I've dropped. This was then confirmed by my doctor who said, "Yes, the head is MUCH lower now, you're 80 percent effaced."

When a woman delivers she has to be 100 percent effaced, meaning the cervix is completely thinned out, but being 100 percent doesn't mean one is going into labor. One needs to be dilated AND effaced. A woman can go into labor at any percentage of effacement, but need 100 percent for the baby to exit the womb. However, the lower percentage means a more likelihood that you will have to be induced. One can be four centimeters dilated but only 50 percent effaced and, depending on how far past her due date, might be induced.

I wasn't too pleased to learn that my health care provider tends to induce women only one week after her due date, as opposed to the typical two weeks that most doctors and health providers allow after the due date. But maybe my high percentage means I will deliver early (or on time) and naturally.

It seems that each visit almost serves as a premonition. After the last two visits, the doctor I've seen will ask a question to which the answer is no. Then, as soon as I leave whatever was asked comes to pass. This time it was about my contractions. Though still of the Braxton Hicks variety they are no longer painless. Humph. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. I have been one lucky woman with this pregnancy!

I'm not sure if I'm ready for this change, though Ross is very ready for baby to arrive. He spoke with Bucky the other day saying, 'You can come out now, I want to hold you.' Again, I can't wait for the arrival, but I'm not sure I'll be ready until maybe the middle of next week... but that light, the light is getting brighter!"
--Clare, 1/13/06

What can Brown do for you?

"Brown can put a smile on my face.

Ross received a package yesterday. I was home to sign for it. When I opened the door, the UPS driver exclaimed, 'Whoa!'

'Yes . . .' I replied with a slight smirk, waiting to see where this was going to go.

'When are you due?' He asked very kindly.

'Two weeks.'

'I don't know if you'll last that long. My wife delivered a month early, and well, you know how prepared we were for THAT!' he chuckled good-naturedly.

After I signed for the package, he wouldn't let me take it from him. Instead he said, 'Oh, no. I've got it. It's a little heavy.' And brought it into the house for me, bid me farewell and good luck, and left me smiling. What a nice guy! Thank you Mr. UPS Man, kindness does make the world a happier place."
--Clare, 1/13/06

The airport: a breeding ground for pregnancy comments

"Ross and I have made our final airplane trip of the pregnancy. Ross is relieved. He is convinced this baby is going to come early. I, on the other hand, still think it's going to be a late delivery. Regardless, all flights went well; Bucky didn't have any bad reactions to the cabin pressure.

When one is pregnant, one should be expected for random comments about one's growing belly, due date, how one is carrying, etc. I didn't expect the majority of these comments to come from airport and airline employees!

Encounter 1: I went to find a cheesy magazine to keep my mind occupied during the flight out for Thanksgiving. I'm standing a few feet from the magazine racks because a woman is replacing the depleted supplies. She turns around, almost directly into me, and stops. With eyes lit up, she asks 'When are you due?' AND POKES BUCKY! Yes, she actually poked me in the belly. But what was really weird about it is that it was such a kind poke, if there ever could be one.

It took me a second to gather my wits, and when I said the end of January, her reply was 'Oh, how wonderful!' Then she gave me a big smile and went about the rest of her job. I was so dumbfounded I left without getting myself a magazine.

Encounter 2: On the flight out for Thanksgiving, not the hours after the poking incident, I received my second comment. This one was on the more obnoxious side.

Pregnant women are more prone to dry skin, and with the expanding of the belly skin there is more itching than normal. I keep well moisturized, but some shirts that I wear just irritate my belly anyway. I happened to be wearing one such shirt on this flight.

I'm innocently scratching my belly (over the shirt, I am in public after all) when the flight attendant leans down and hoarsely rasps, 'Scratching will give you stretch marks!' and walks off. I was shocked! This encounter was startling, and her tone was quite reprimanding.

I thought to myself, 'I'll have you know, Ms. Flight Attendant, that I do NOT have any stretch marks. And I'll thank you to keep your advice to yourself!'

Encounter 3: Going through the security screening for the flight for my cousin's wedding I was asked by the gentleman on the other side of the metal detector. 'When are you due?' His voice sounded very concerned.

When I mentioned the end of January, he seemed quite relieved and replied with, 'That's wonderful, congratulations.'

I'm not sure if he asked because of airport regulations on how late a pregnant woman can travel, or if he thought I was really big and was hoping that I wasn't only six months along or something."
--Clare, 12/29/05

An unscientific, but interesting, study

"As I prepare for the upcoming labor, delivery, parenting, and nurturing of another human, I thought it would be interesting to learn a little from my friends who have recently gone through this experience. I sent out an email to my new-mom friends containing three questions. The questions, and my friends responses, are listed below.

1. In the womb vs now: Did your baby's activity in the womb give an accurate portrayal of their natural temperament? As in, the baby who kicked a lot is now a very active child, and the baby who only fluttered about is mild mannered...

Dorothy, mother of Katie, July 30, 2004: 'One woman I know who has an absolute whirlwind of a child (girl), reports that her baby was never still in utero. She says it felt as if the baby was doing laps. And now, this child is never still. As for Katie, she didn't move that much, and she is very mild-mannered, easy and sweet. So I think there may be some correlation.'

Cece, mother of Memphis, Apr 1, 2002; Pregnant again due Feb 14 2006: 'Memphis was VERY active in utero and continues to be very active! She also had a tendency to wake up and move around at 2 am while I was pregnant, and this behavior continues. She would wake up every morning at 2 am to nurse (that lasted about a year) and will still (at age three-and-a-half!) get out of her bed and come into our room around the same time. I'm anticipating that Grayson's current in utero activity will be indicative of his post-delivery schedule (mother's intuition).'

Nichole, mother of Sophie, Jan 2004: 'Not sure since I don't have much to compare her to. Sophie was probably pretty laid back in the womb and definitely is now. She would wake me up in the middle of the night with her kicks, which she continues to do!'

Maija, mother of Boden, Sept, 2005: 'Boden was very much like he is now -- very restful sometimes, and then very active. He is never really in the middle.'


2. Are delivery dates hereditary: Did you deliver early, late or on your actual due date? Did this follow the trend your own mother had with her children? Would you suspect if you are/were to have more children that you would again deliver early, late, on time?

Dorothy: 'I can't answer that fully. We were all early. Sean and his sister were both pretty close to their due dates. Katie was nine days late. Our childbirth class teacher says that first pregnancies are typically 41 weeks long. Subsequent ones are a little shorter.'

Cece: 'Memphis was born exactly two weeks before her due date (April 1 vs. April 15). However, when I did my own calculations, I was pretty sure the doctor was off and that she would be born closer to the end of March. I was right (mother's intuition, again). However, I don't think this was hereditary. I was overdue, and I believe Rohrk was right on time. I anticipate that Grayson will be born right on time.'

Nichole: 'We were two weeks early, and our doc had warned us about a month or month and a half before that that we'd probably be early. I'm guessing I'll be early next time too. My mom was right on time or a little late with all three of us, I think. She was induced with my sister Heidi, but Anja and I started the process on our own.'

Maija: 'My sister and mom both delivered before their due dates, not late. I was two weeks late and had to be induced. The next time they won't let me go past my due date because Boden was so big.'


3. Gender trends: Of the people you know who are pregnant now, do you suspect they will have boys or girls (or did you suspect correctly before they found out via ultrasound)? Was your intuition correct about the gender of your own child? Is there a way you can explain what made you think the baby was one gender or another (even if you ended up being wrong)?

Dorothy: 'I had a feeling it would be a boy. It may be because I was hoping ever so slightly for a girl, so I was thinking "boy" so I would be prepared. I know I would have loved a boy just as much. Sean always thought we were having a girl. I've never had much intuition about what other people were having. One [high school] classmate at my reunion told me she was sure I would have a boy, and she said she's never been wrong. A coworker who has also never been wrong thought I would have a girl. Based on how I was carrying, I thought boy. However, my friend who was pregnant at the same time I was, who had her baby two weeks before I did, also had a girl, and we couldn't have looked more different when we were pregnant.'

Cece: 'I have been accurate on all accounts when guessing the gender of other people's babies, as well as my own! I think I even told you that I guessed Britney Spears would have a boy, and she did, and I don't even know her. I get a "vibe" from the pregnant women around me -- and I envision the mother and baby in my head. Honestly, I haven't been wrong yet! (Clare, I always envision you with a boy!) I had dreams about the gender of both my babies. I was convinced and prepared to have a girl with Memphis, and when I found out (at seven months) that she was a girl, I wasn't at all surprised. With this baby, I dreamt right away (even before it was confirmed that I was pregnant) that I had a baby boy, and that was confirmed my ultrasound, too. Mother's intuition, yet again!'

Nichole: 'When I was pregnant, there were seven of us [at work] expecting, and one of my co-workers guessed the gender of six of us correctly. She based it on the heartbeat. And the one she got wrong she guessed was a girl, but the heartbeat reading she had was earlier than you usually get those, so that's what she claims threw her off. She said lower than 120 means boy, over 160 means girl and 140 it's anybody's guess. We asked our doc and he said that using that method, you have a 51 percent chance of guessing right. So that's better than 50/50! I thought Sophie was a girl right up until the day we were going in to find out. Then, looking back, I think I might have been trying to prepare myself so I wouldn't be disappointed if it was a boy. I've never really been around little boys, so I was scared of having a boy.'

Maija: 'I felt all along that it was going to be a boy -- I've thought since I was about ten that I would have two boys -- we'll see on the next one. I just felt like I was meant to have a boy. It wasn't necessarily how I felt while I was pregnant -- just what I felt on intuition. If I had to guess what you will have Clare, I would guess that it's going to be a girl.'


I found these replies to be incredibly interesting. If I were to base our future on them I can only confidently say that I know that Bucky will be a very active child.

As I've mentioned before Ross and I think differently about when Bucky will arrive, and I guess we'll just have to wait and see on that one.

And as far as if Bucky will be a boy or girl, I originally thought girl, then decided to think boy so I would be prepared for either. Ross and I refer to Bucky as 'he,' but Ross thinks we're actually going to have a girl.Of our friends and co-workers, it's pretty much split down the middle as to Bucky's gender.

What do you all think, dear readers? We'd love to hear. My proposed due date is January 30, my mom delivered late with all of us (two girls, one boy) and Ross's mom delivered early with all of hers (two boys, one girl). What day you think Bucky will arrive, and will we have a Buck or Buckette?!

Grand Prize will be the glory of knowing you were right... isn't that enough?"
--Clare, 1/3/06

The ninth month

"So far it's come on like a Mac Truck.

I'm much more tired. If I don't rest for most of the day I have a terrible night's sleep. And it's only the fifth day of this month.

My feet began to swell a little a few weeks ago (nothing noticeable to the public, but I can feel the difference and my doctors can see a slight difference). Now my hands have joined in the "fun." I do not think it's fun. The joints of my fingers and knuckles ache. My rings are extremely tight, so much so that I'm in the process of trying to pry them off my fingers. I'm down to one ring, my wedding band, but I think I have to give that finger a little break before I pry it off. Despite all the cold water and soap I'm using to shrink and slime it up, I think it was abused too much by my attempts to get my engagement ring off. It took about ten minutes. Seriously. Others may not notice the difference (I have little hands) but I sure do...

There will be lots of other exciting changes coming on this month, too, like contractions -- false or of the actual labor variety. The end is near!"
--Clare, 1/5/06