Hiccups

hiccups from Mandy on Vimeo.

Sleepy baby.

:)

Here's a video of Pema, thanks to Eclipse!!!

Baby Pema

HEY! We got a baby!

I wish I had some pictures but we can't get them from the camera onto the computer just yet!
But, here, let me tell you what she looks like:
CUTEST BABY IN THE WHOLE WORLD

Mom, Dad, and I went to the hospital earlier to visit Mandy, Jay and Pema. They all looked tired and happy. Pema was dozing next to Mandy for most of our visit; Mom got to hold her for a little bit. She didn't really fuss at all, she mostly just looked really cute and made cute little faces and sometimes was extremely cute. Mandy's staying in the hospital until Saturday -- everyone up there is taking really good care of her and the baby!

Mandy and Pema Awesome Show: Great Job!

[I also just got really excited when I realized I get to see this baby ALL the time! Sorry, suckers! ...you can come visit, though.]

Happy Birthday

Pema Jean Durham was born today at 1something AM -- she weighs 7 pounds, 4.2 ounces.

I wish I had something better to say, but I honestly have no words right now to describe my experience.

I love you, Sister.

Look for pictures...soon?

Still Waiting...

No Pema yet! We're hoping she'll appear sometime this weekend. Otherwise I'm scheduled for an induction Wednesday morning at 6 am...

Quick Update

Baby clothes continue to be washed in Dreft -- I folded a tiny pair of pants today and it made me giggle.

We have been watching videos on breathing techniques, the different stages of labor, etc. These have been helpful for me because they actually explain what REAL labor is like, not like in the movies. I'm afraid that the number of Hollywood labor stories I have witnessed outnumber the real ones though, so every time Mandy gets up to go to the bathroom, I am always half-expecting her to come back into the room with that look on her face (like they make in the movies) and say all dramatic-like, "...it's time." I highly doubt that's going to happen. I don't think Mandy would allow it.

I think everyone is prettty, pretty, prettyy...pretty excited.
Right now it feels like waiting for Christmas, combined with...waiting for a doctor's visit?
Like...going to see Santa at the hospital. Or, well, no, that's not it all.

It's like waiting for my sister to have a baby. I guess is the only way to describe it.



Holy crap.

The Panda in P's Room

Turkey Love

Wow. We LOVE turkey. These pictures make me laugh. The top one is Dad and Jay right after they took the bird out of the oven. It was kind of an ordeal. They love the turkey, though. Then Joy and I look equally excited. Joy wants to kiss it, gross.

We a great weekend hanging out with Mom, Dad and Granny. We just ate and talked and got beat by Granny at Cranium. It was great. I feel very thankful to have the family that I do.

Photo credits go to Mom.

Threat Level: Midnight

Okay people. If you hadn't already heard, the official baby alert level has been raised from HIGH (high risk of baby being born) to SEVERE (a baby will be here ANY DAY NOW!). We are 10 days away from December 6th, well within the window of birthitude. You may be asking yourself, "But what can I do to prepare myself for this baby?" Here are some tips:

• Make sure you have no leftover baby gifts lying around the house -- infant diapers will do this baby no good if you find them shoved in the back of a closet a year later. If you feel the urge to buy Mandy more baby gifts, be sure to check with her first because this baby already has more tiny, matching outfits than any normal person should have.

• Establish a baby preparedness kit: Spit-proof outfit (preferably something like a rain slicker, rain boots, etc.), camera, funny faces, high-pitched baby talkin' voice...maybe some snacks for when you get hungry.

• Carry your cell phone with you at all times for up-to-the-minute birth and baby updates!

• If your name is Mandy, take lots of naps! Practice your breathing techniques! Make me run errands for you and take out the trash! Sit and look beautiful while I paint your portrait!

All Americans should remain vigilant and report any suspicious baby-related activity to...someone important, immediately.

Lightening

Pema's head is now officially in my pelvis, according to the doc. I knew something was different a few days ago- I started having to pee every 5 minutes instead of every 10, and all of a sudden it looked like I was hiding a bowling ball under my shirt. Not that I didn't look pregnant before, but now people at the grocery store are starting to smile at me and say stuff like, "Not much longer, huh?"

P's room is pretty much ready to go. I have a few things I'd like to make for wall hangings, but that's about it. I told Mom I needed her to do a once-over of the nursery when the fam comes up for Thanksgiving. I keep going in there and just standing, like maybe that will help me think of the one really obvious and crucial baby item I neglected to purchase. I think I just need to face the possibility that I'm actually... ready.

Victory Party

Here's me and Lucinda Wheels with our sweet custom Dreadnought Dorothy bassinettes from Eclipse and the girls. Sarah P&B had us over on Saturday for our "Back 2 Back" victory party. Wheels made a tiny DD outfit for Pema, complete with stripey legwarmers. Pema will probably wear it more than she wants to. I have to take advantage of the brief period of time when she can't argue with me. No offense to Wheels' baby, but right now, if my unborn baby fought her unborn baby, my unborn baby would totally win.

Shower of Power

Brooke and Sister threw me an awesome baby shower! A bunch of people I love were there! They gave me presents all over the place! Here is a pic of some cake and another pic with me and part of Joy's face hanging out! I think the back of Brooke's head took that picture! Pema is due 3 weeks from today! I have more pics to post and will do so very soon!

Spring (Fall) Cleaning

Fall is finally here. The air feels cooler and cleaner, and the warmth and light of sunshine is something I suddenly feel most grateful for. My summer lethargy has dissipated with the falling leaves, replaced with an excited energy I've never encountered before...I know I'm not the pregnant one, but I think I've been experiencing some of the the nesting instinct. I want things to be completely organized, super clean and...out of the way? It's true -- open spaces, clean countertops and surfaces, shiny windows and fixtures just feel better, like that's somehow going to help me be more prepared to welcome a teeny, tiny baby into our home.

This weekend we've all been getting ready. Mom and Dad drove up from Tulsa and all five of us took a trip to Babies 'R Us. Dad assembled the changing table, and Mom painted Pema's room. Mandy and I spent some time rearranging the living room, getting rid of the TV completely and reinstating the nap corner. The crib is in pieces, waiting to be put together.

I don't know why exactly, but looking outside at the leaves on the ground makes me feel a sense of urgency, like a reminder that the days are passing and she's on her way, whether we are ready or not...

I'm going to have a niecelet. :)

Coincidence?

I took this picture on March 4th while talking on the phone to my sister to prove that I had indeed shaved my head and pierced my lip the night before. I remember my head had felt hot and itchy all day, like I was wearing some awful polyester hat that had somehow adhered itself to my scalp. I went through half a bag of Lady Bics that night...

Readers will please note that March 4th is suspiciously 9 months before my due date.

One More Look

I was measuring a little small at my last visit to the clinic so they sent me back for another ultrasound. Everything looks fine- I just have a lot of room in there! According to the scan Pema weighs about 5 lbs, 5 oz and she's upside down like she should be. If you look closely you can see her profile and her tiny hand. I am almost 8 months pregnant.

Magic Belly

Howdy!

It's the Pemablog! Jay, Joy and I will be posting pictures and blurbs to keep you updated on all things Pema...