Some FAQ for that bombshell [sprog]

[mizarchivist]

I know a number greater than zero is somewhat surprised by yesterday's news. So, here we go.

1. Wait, what? 
Yeah, I know. I've never shown too many signs of kid-interest, but the gauge of interest in procreation has been slowly ticking to the tipping point. It tipped the day I got jealous of my parents watching their neighbors' twins. Oh, I said. I guess that's a thing. Meeting the House of Monkeys and primal_pastry  & all their kids- there was some major resonance there. Ah, I said. This? I think I can do this. Also, when missionista  and dr_memory  joined the parental ranks I realized even if these two rockin' anti-establishment beings of awesome could take this on, then it seemed like something I might be able to do, too. I've slowly been letting people in to the then-secret and I was astonished by how much support and excitement I was getting. Knowing that I have such a strong tribe who'll make sure I'm no-really-NOT-alone makes it a reasonable kind of scary.

2. How's your household doing with this change?
quiet_elegance  has been insanely supportive and 100% positive. I warned him sometime in March that this was the year. We had til after Italy, and then after the wine-fest, we'd start trying. With the slow lead in and the years of warning that it was going to be a thing, he's gone from wholly freaked out and not entirely convinced to still nervous but very happy. Be sure to check in with him sometimes if you think of it.
purple_terror dubbed the alien Crime Fighter, which is the middle name of Penn Gillette's kid. One of the coolest middle names ever. He's very sweet and zen.

3. Actually wasn't 2 supposed to be how are you feeling?
Right. I'm starting to feel a bit more normal. Loud noises are more bothersome than they used to be. Food has been weird, but not impossible. I'm sick to death of ginger. I'm currently anti-ginger on principle. I'm one of the mutants who hasn't been violently ill. It was part of why I really wasn't believing this to be true for several weeks. But queasy, dizzy, and exhausted. All 3 are receding.  I seem to be gaining some extra curves in the upper torso region. I think I can see a difference in the belly pooch. It's a little lower and rounder, but my pants are not terribly tight except the ones that were already too tight. They've been put on hiatus til sometime next year or later. Tight jeans are made of evil.

4. Who's your doctor? Midwife? Doula?
Doc is through Beth Israel. I've had him for almost 10 years and he's gotten me through surgery cleanly. I like him very well. I don't have any other medical professionals at this stage. I dunno if I want more.

5. Books...stuff
I have listened to ricevermicelli  and I'm avoiding most pregnancy books. I did get one on managing morning sickness, but now regret it, since I looked at it once and just kept coping just fine without it. I now have a packet of stuff from my OB and the Dana Farber site that breaks down week by week has been nice and useful. Friends have been useful, too. If people are feeling very keen and chatty, ping my mom via FB to give her suggestions of Things Babies Need. She wants to buy a snuggie sort of thing, stat. Hi, only kid, probably only grandchild. You get the picture. Her latest observation is to get the good/quality w/out being too consumery. She's is an original hippie after all.

6. House?
Yeah. We are definitely moving. Hopefully by April. Still want to move to E. Arlington in a stand-alone/no share house near the bike path with a garage and 2 bathrooms and a non-crappy landlord (no not buying. Baby's enough to deal with for major responsibilities, thanks). The list is much longer than that for what we want but that's the big picture.
eta: Oh, and of course purple_terror  is moving with us.

7. Wait! When are you due?! (eta: how far along are you?)
August 17. Yeah I know that's the middle of summer. I really didn't think this would happen so fast. I'll be fine. 
That makes me at just 9 weeks today.

8. Work?
Yep. The things we're planning and this baby thing seem to be coalescing nicely. If things go well, they'll make me the Head Archivist who does more big picture stuff and they'll get a replacement to do the lionshare of the processing, and keep having a student assistant. They're serious about making the archive stuff the focus of the organization. I will have 3 months paid time off, 3 months unpaid, but can take off. If all goes like I want, I'll scale my hours back from 40 to something less than 40 but more than 20. [eta: way after the fact, 8/16/11: will be going back full time] In the meantime, I'm doing everything I can to reduce my debt and SAVE like a mo'fo'. But yes. I want to keep working. I like my job. I like my coworkers . I know I'll love being a mom, but I will do everything I can to maintain some sort of balance and not JUST be that chick who's Crime Fighter's mom.

9. Going to find out the gender?
Q_E wants to know. I was ambivalent about knowing, but since he's keen, I'm happy to oblige. I am sad that he's pretty much helpless in so much of this process til Crime Fighter arrives. I want to enable him to be as involved as possible.

10. Name?
Too soon. I have notions, but Q_E and I haven't started discussing it. I plan on taking a middling route and not go with weird spellings that will make Kindergarten that much harder. I'll find other ways to complicate its life.

 

OK. I think that sort of covers most of it.

Comments

[gilana]

Wow, I somehow missed the announcement. ZOMG!!! Mazel tov.

[mizarchivist]

:)

[asciikitty.livejournal.com]

<3

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

::still dancing from excitement::

I'd sent a link to your announcement post with the subject line, 'HOLEE CRAP!' to sunspiral, who read it to roozle, who then said exactly what I'd said.

Soooo COOL. Looking forward to giving lots of gentle hugs (if you're up for them) this weekend.

[missionista.livejournal.com]

Dude, don't blame me for this! I was across the country and have witnesses to prove it. :)

[mizarchivist]

I'm pretty sure I'd notice if you'd gotten me pregnant, darling.
But, really, you did help take some of the negative spin off it.

[dr-memory.livejournal.com]

Wow. (A) Thank you, seriously, and (B) please don't curse our names when the Crime Fighter pukes all over its crib at 3am.

[mizarchivist]

A) ^_^
B) Naw, we won't blame one of the catalysts. Are there coherent thoughts at 3am? I doubt it.

[missionista.livejournal.com]

Also, if you want a bit of balance, I can talk about some of the frustrating stuff to you directly. I tend to put the good stuff on LJ, but there are certainly middle-of-the-night wakings and fear for her life (OMG, she's eating electrical cords again!) and stuff like that. Comes with the territory I guess.

ps.

[dr-memory.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure I'd notice if you'd gotten me pregnant, darling.

...I'll be in my bunk.

[curly-chick.livejournal.com]

I knew it had been on your brain and I am so thrilled for you!

[beowabbit]

You are going to be such an awesome parent! That’s one lucky superhero!

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Adding another vuvuzela!

[docorion.livejournal.com]

w00t! Congratulations, and you'll (all) be awesome parents.

[kermit arm flail]

Yippee!

[kebbykate.livejournal.com]

I'm so very happy for you! Parenthood is the best thing I've ever done, bar none. I think you'll be fabulous at it and enjoy it, too.

I assume you plan to breastfeed and I want to let you know that while it can be hard to get going at first it is so worth it for many, many reasons and _can_ be done while working. I also have advice of the pros and cons sort about childcare when you're ready for it.

Good idea to avoid the pregnancy books.

[keyne.livejournal.com]

If you change your mind about labor support or books, let me know -- I can point you to any kind of resources you like. (And my site should be up and functioning within a month, with thousands of pointers on all sorts of pregnancy/childbirth/postpartum topics.)

I'm happy to answer any questions you, q_e, or p_t have at almost any time, too. :) Just drop a line or call.

[mizarchivist]

I'm looking forward to talk to you about stuff, for sure.

Congratulations!

[first-clark.livejournal.com]

Hope to see you soon!

[minkrose]

Man, the things that happen when I get behind on LJ!
Congrats!!! I look forward to giving you gentle, gentle hugs tomorrow. :)

[mizarchivist]

You wouldn't have known before Wednesday evening, fwiw. See you soon!

[dani-namaste.livejournal.com]

YAY! I'm sure you'll be great parents, and raise entirely non-sucky kids. Congratulations!

Of course you know...

[drwex]

this means wa... oh, wait, no. Hold on.

who'll make sure I'm no-really-NOT-alone

Any time of day or night. Seriously.

Re: Of course you know...

[mizarchivist]

Thank you