Feb
3
Your Baby’s Development at Week 39 of Pregnancy: You may notice that your baby is not moving around very much — he or she is in cramped quarters at this point!
Well, part of that statement is a big old no-shitter, but apparently Smalltopus has not been doing his Required BabyCenter.com Reading, or maybe he’s gotten wind of this whole cutting-into-the-belly-with-sharp-objects business that’s supposed to happen tomorrow and he figures his best bet for a safe exit is to simply mosh-pit his way out of there. I have grave concerns about this child’s ability to sleep for more than a few minutes at a time, based solely on his fetal activity level, which I would describe as “excruciatingly energetic”.
I am having a very hard time wrapping my head around the fact that this baby is going to be on the outside of my body tomorrow. I mean, I am more than ready to make good on his eviction notice because DUDE, human beings just shouldn’t get this pregnant, we should eject the babies when they’re about the size of a grapefruit and then keep them in fur-lined pouches or some such thing, but I can hardly believe that I’m going to meet my youngest son in a matter of hours, and that he will have a tiny little face that I will be able to look at.
Will he look just like Riley did? Or completely different? What if he looks like Trogdor — coupla beefy arms, consummate Vs? What if the ultrasound tech got her anatomy screwed up and STP is actually a girl, which would be fine, except the whole coming-home outfit would be ALL WRONG.
I am awash in anticipation. Also: fear. Also: chocolate peanut butter ice cream.
We go to the hospital tomorrow at 6 AM, and I’ll need to spend a few hours on some medication (NOT magnesium, thank god) before going into surgery. My guess is that they will stash us in some room where JB and I will languish for the entire morning until someone remembers we exist and whisks me into the OR. During that time, I imagine I will be oscillating between a full-body freakout and mind-numbing boredom, so I’m hoping you might indulge me with some bloggy entertainment.
I know lots of you have already sent your good wishes and I sure appreciate that. Here’s what I’m thinking: if you’re up for it and you read this in time, will you hit the comments box sometime between now and Monday afternoon and tell me a little bit about yourself? I’ll be able to read your comments from my phone, and it seems like a fun, distracting thing to do while cooling my jets in a depressing hospital room.
I have a little questionnaire in mind:
1. Your name (you can stay anonymous if you like)
2. Your age (you can lie about this if you like)
3. Your life in a nutshell: who you live with, what you do for work (category includes raising children and going to school, obvs.)
4. How long have you been reading this blog, and what keeps you coming back?
Oh, I know, I know. That last question is so lame, sorry. What can I say, I’d love to know your answers.
At some point tomorrow I think one of us should be able to update this site with some baby stats, otherwise check in with my Flickr page. Will there be at least one crappy newborn photo taken with a cameraphone? You bet.
All right, friends. I’ll see you on the flip side.
Comments
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My product review site:
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My name is Ann and I’m 28 – I live with my husband and our bunny in a Philadelphia suburb. We both work in HR consulting, specializing in personality profiling and assessment. It sounds much more interesting than it actually is. I’m also in school, finishing up my MBA in August.
Since I’ve never commented, I’m reluctant to admit that I’ve read your blog for at least 2 years. Your writing style and humor keep me coming back but the biggest reason that I read your blog is because you are willing, and very capable of, writing what others are thinking but don’t say. You don’t sugar coat parenting to be one big sunny, puppy-filled box of rainbows and instead show each of us the reality of being a parent – that you can love your child completely yet still occasionally want to boot him off the planet.
Good luck today – my husband and I will be thinking of you!
1. Alli which is short for Alicia (Ah-lee-see-uh)
2. 31, except my three year old keeps telling me I am 2.
3. I live in Chattanooga, TN with my husband of 8 years, our 3 year old son, and our two dogs. I quit working soon after my son turned two and before I overdosed or slit my wrists because my job sucked that much. Now I enjoy the hectic lifestyle of the SAHM and am gearing up for a lifestyle of being a homeschooling mom.
4. I’ve been reading you since you were on Diaryland. (I was SillyRed then.) I keep coming back because you are funny, tell a good story, and I like your take on parenting.
Can’t wait to meet the new guy. I am praying you have a very quick time in the hospital and quick recovery.
1. Beth
2. 33
3. I live in SC with my husband, daughter (born in August 2005), two cats, and a fetus due in March. I do Web stuff for an insurance company. Outside of work, I like to read, sew, knit, run and watch that Sarah Silverman/Matt Damon video.
4. I can’t remember when I started reading your blog–before Riley, I know. I keep reading because I love your way with words, and it’s refreshing to read an honest take on raising a child, the joys and the mind-numbing boredom alike. It’s something I wish I had the guts to do on my own blog, but alas, all the grandparents read it.
Can’t wait to hear all about the new arrival! Best wishes!
1. Kizz
2. Just turned 39 last month.
3. Living in an apartment in Brooklyn, NY with my 13-year-old dog and 2 7-year-old cats. I make my mortgage payments by being a secretary for 2 rich old dudes and I make my sanity by acting, writing, and singing. As a matter of fact I’ve got a show coming up in a couple of weeks.
4. You know, I can’t remember how I got over here to Sundrymourning but I’ve been reading since before it was on this domain. Probably I was scrolling through people’s entries about an event or something and wound up here. Once I get somewhere I usually stay and I like it here, it’s warm and sunny and there’s a cute dog and an evil cat, it feels like home!
Fingers crossed for less fear and boredom and more action!
1. John Stanley, known as Stan.
2. 52. Closer to 80 than 20 – how sad!!
3. I live on the north side of Belfast, Northern Ireland with May (my wife of 38 years), Jonathan (my 20-year-old son, who is studying Electronic and Software Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast) and Matthew (my 17-year-old son, who is wheelchair-bound and still at school).
I work in government computing for the Department of Health (and have done since I left university).
My life outside family and work centres around the church and sport (just watching now!)
4. I have been reading you since July 2005, just after you had moved from diaryland. I found you through diaryland, really because of photos you had posted of Seattle and Tokyo, both places I had visited. I read back through all your entries and kept on reading because I enjoyed your humour, your insightfulness (if there’s such a word!!)
I guess I keep reading just to see what happens next, a bit like following a soap opera, but more in a reality TV kind of way rather than with contrived and over-dramatic situations.
(Although I’m sure today will be a pretty dramatic day for you. I hope (if you ever get round to reading this far down) that all has gone well and you are a proud and happy mother of two. I look forward to reading into the future).
1. Jessica
2. 28
3. I live with my husband, 16 month old son, Dylan, and our three dogs. We live in Michigan. I have my BA in Accounting, and my MBA. I work in an accounting firm, and my husband runs a business out of our house. When I’m not working, I’m constantly running after our toddler, and picking up this mess of a house umpteen times a day.
4. I’ve been reading this blog for about three weeks now, and absolutely love the humor that you have when you write.
Good luck tomorrow!
Hi! I don’t ever comment here, mainly because I am painfully shy (yeah, even on the internet. Sad.)
1. Erin
2. 25
3. I live in MS with my husband and my dog (a black lab.) I work in the marketing department of an aviation company, coordinating tradeshows and creating marketing materials, and zzzz…Yeah, I am boring.
I am constantly dodging the “So, when are you going to have kids?” question, because why GOD why would you think I am capable of being responsible for another human being at this point in my life? (happy for you though! I swear!)
4. I have been reading your blog since I was in college (probably around ’02 or ’03) back when diaryland was my guilty pleasure, so you know I wasn’t just drawn in by the cute baby pictures (but they are a nice bonus.) I keep coming back because you make me laugh.
Name: Christina
Age: 25
I have a little house and live by myself in suburban Detroit – although my boyfriend (also 25, we went to high school together, but didn’t start dating until after college) is around a lot, and stays here probably half the time. I am a sales and marketing coordinator for an engineering firm (making excellent use of my Psychology/Crime and Justice degree, no doubt). I often dream about quitting my job, falling into a pit of money, and being able to pay my mortgage while going to pastry school. And then I’ll open a bakery and make wedding cakes and cupcakes and all kinds of yummy shit.
I have no idea how I first came here, but I’ve been reading since shortly before Riley turned one. I keep coming back because you write so well, you crack my ass up, and I can’t get enough of Riley and his unending suspicion. And obviously, I am dying to “meet” Smalltopus.
Best of luck today!! :)
1. Erica Anderson
2. I’ll hit the big 3 – 0 in August.
3. I live in Tennessee, basically in the same town I’ve lived in my whole life. My husband Joe and I will celebrate our 11th anniversary in July – yes, we married at the ripe old age of 18 (high school sweethearts – awwww). We have two daughters whom we adopted from foster care over the last five years: Stephanie is almost 16, and Katie just turned 9. We have two dogs and the world’s stupidest cat. I work part time as an office manager for a psychologist and teach one day a week at my church’s preschool, but when I grow up I want to be a photographer. We are currently trying for our our first biological child and I am so excited/scared/freaked out that I don’t know what to do with myself.
4. I’ve been reading forever. I don’t even know when. A LONG time before Riley. I just like your writing: you seem real, are very funny, and talk about things most people don’t. Also you take really fantastic pictures.
Best of luck today. I am going to say a little prayer for you and your beautiful little family this morning.
Do you know, I woke up at 3:00 this morning and thought, “SUNDRY BABY TODAY!!!!”
My name is Swistle, and I’m 34.
I live with my 34-year-old husband, three aging cats, and five offspring: a third-grader, a first-grader, twin toddlers, and an infant. I’d like to have just one more baby. We live in a raised ranch. I stay at home with the kids, and Paul goes out to work. I blog.
I’m not sure when I started reading your blog, but I remember how I got here: I followed a link from http://www.bobofett.com/index.html, which was, I think, the first blog I ever read. (I didn’t even know what blogs WERE then. I think she linked to your post about eating the placenta? And I laughed and laughed and laughed. And I checked your blog periodically for awhile, then got really hooked and went back and read all your archives from the beginning (it was so fun reading about your pre-child worries and your pregnancy worries, knowing that Riley was already born and that it had worked out great. It was like being psychic!).
I keep reading because you’re funny and you’re cool and you hit that perfect combination of “kids make me crazy / kids are so awesome” (Jonniker mentioned this on her blog, and I totally agree). Also, now that I’ve been reading a long time, I, um….*lowers voice, embarrassed*…you know. Care about you. Like, I find your posts highly entertaining, but also I like to know what you’re up to and how you’re feeling and what kinds of things you’re thinking about and buying and so forth. I feel like you’re a neat and interesting person and I always want to know more. There. How’s that?
1. Sarah. Or Biatch. I answer to both.
2. 26. Or 27. I can never remember. OH, Lord, I just did the math. I very well may be 28.
3. I just had my first child in December (half the reason I can’t remember simple things anymore, such as age). I work at an engineering firm, but I abhor engineers. (I handle all of the creative stuff that goes beyond shoes with laces.) I am married to a man who is an ovary away from being a woman, and we both do local theatre together. I also am lusting over a Superhero Designs necklace, thank you very much for indulging.
4. I read this blog because it’s honest. Our little southern metro has quite a few bloggers, but they’re all sunshine-and-unicorns-fly-out-of-my-arse, as southerners are supposed to be. I wrote a very honest journal about my pregnancy, and it was nice to read yours with Smalltopus and hear the same things I said. You’re a real woman, with real issues, and a real(ly) good sense of humor. I’m sending VERY good vibes your way and hope to hear great news about your new delivery!
1. Becky
2. 42
3. I’m a systems analyst, married for 10 years and have a 9 year old son and 6 year old daughter and a cat.
4. I have been reading for several years, probably from the very beginning. I love your humor, you let us know what movies we can wait for video, and you seem like an actual friend.
1. Caley (Pronounced kay-lee; My mom named me this before it was popular and will swear to anyone that she, in fact, actually INVENTED the name.)
2. 27
3. I live in the Northern VA, just outside DC, with my husband of almost 4 years and our sons, Ethan, 2.5, and Oliver, 6 weeks. I stay at home with the boys, and I wish my answer to this question was more interesting! But there it is.
4. I’ve been reading your blog for maybe a year and a half to two years, and have commented only once or twice in that time! There’s something intimidating about leaving a comment on a post that already has 86 of them- what could I say that hasn’t been said already? (That’s my excuse.) Our kids are very close in age so I relate to a lot of what you write about. I keep coming back because you are so, so funny, and you write the things that I only THINK about parenting and life (and you write them funnier than I even think them).
I wish you guys ALL the best and more and can’t wait to see pictures, crappy cell phone or not. Good luck!!
This is one of the few times I feel like a comment in the 200s will actually get read!
I’m Heather, I’m 43 and I live in Manhattan (on Park Avenue, actually if you want to sound snooty about it!) with my husband and my two kids. I’m ‘retired’. I was in the jewelry business until my oldest was born (he’s 13 — yikes!). So I have a 13 year old son and an almost 8 year old daughter. My primary occupations/distractions these days is volunteering at the kids’ private school and trying to keep my house from going to hell in a handbasket. Oh, and my son will be having his Bar Mitzvah shortly so I’m planning a little shindig for 250 of our nearest and dearest!
I can’t recall how I found your blog but I’ve been reading it for nearly two years — maybe a bit longer. You are a wonderful writer (I read all your sites) and I revel in how people from different points in their lives and from different parts of the country can think and feel so many of the same things. When you post your “does your toddler ever…?” questions, I so often feel the need to jump to respond but I wonder if you will roll my eyes if I say “Yes, yes, my 2 1/2 year old did that….TEN YEARS AGO!” But he did, and sometimes, he still does! I feel about boys the way that bond trader joke works — what is the difference between a bond and a bond trader? A bond eventually matures. Boys? Not so sure….
I already have your Flickr page opened and shrunk to an icon on my screen. I’ll be checking it feverishly. Believe me, my second child was just about the best thing that ever happened to my first child (not to mention to her father and me). Riley’s life will expand 10-fold by having a sibling. Its all good.
1. Your name Jennifer
2. Your age 25
3. Your life in a nutshell: I live with my husband of almost 5 yrs (Valentines Day) in crappy TN where I am getting my Master’s degree in school counseling. I am quickly discovering that school counseling is not my passion but I don’t know what is. As far as work goes, I am a student assistant at a library on campus working in digital archiving where for the past month I have been transcribing Civil War letter. It is a wicked cool job. Oh, and I’m a Veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. I was active duty for 5 years and lived in New Orleans and Cape Cod (where I will be moving back to if I ever graduate.)
4. How long have you been reading this blog, and what keeps you coming back? I’ve been reading this blog since I moved to TN back in June and I keep coming back because it keeps me laughing and I really need that.
I am jac and I’m 32. I live in Melbourne, Australia and work for a honkingly large company. Sorry for lack of details but THE INTERNET, it has EYES. And, as I understand it, TUBES.
I have been reading you for over five years, which makes me feel icky and compels me to comment. I drifted away from most interesting-blogs-which-slowly-became-mommy-blogs over that five year period, because I get a bit bored with babies, but I think you retained your voice and your self. Also I like Riley, really. He’s very cute.
Also I posted a cryptic Xerxes comment and I feel bad about it; even though I’m sure your internet knowledge is such that you would have understood, I feel compelled to post the Flickr link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarfreak/1715199256/
kthxbye
Hi Sundry,
I go by Books on the internets, from my blog title, booksunread.
I’m 32 years old and am currently 16 weeks pregnant with my first. I live in the Ohio with my husband and very spoiled dog and do PR for industrial and high tech manufacturing firms. I work with such fascinating titles as Elevator World and Occupational Health and Safety, taking pictures of widgets and wingdings and than writing scintillating copy about them.
I have probably been reading your blog for about 2 years now, although I don’t comment much. My sister is the one who turned me onto your blog, and like the anal retentive freak that I am, I had to go back to the beginning of your archives and read the whole thing so I’d have all the very necessary context for future reading. (So I’m that stalker that kept accessing your archives for like a week straight.) I did that and continue reading because I love your writing, your descriptions are always so vivid, spot on, and usually hilarious. Plus, I’m a total voyeur (bit of a Harriet the Spy gene) and I love to see other peoples live’s and relationships spilled out on the internet.
Good luck today!
Hi Sundry,
My name is Valerie and I’m 35. Currently I’m a full time stay at home Mom to my 8 1/2 month old daughter. I also work part time from home as well. I’ve been reading your site for about 6 years now and just lurking happily all of that time. Best of luck to you, JB,and Riley. I can’t wait to see the new baby. My husband and I are also expecting our second child. Yep, they will be about 16 months apart and yes, we are crazy.
I read often but don’t comment much, but wanted to wish you a happy and healthy delivery for you and baby!
And since you have 216 other comments to read, why not one more?
1. AndreAnna (“on-dray-on-na” in case you were just DYING to know the correct pronunciation.)
2. 27 o
3. I run around like a headless chicken trying to keep up with my job in publishing, my small demon spawn of a 20 month old, my forgetful but wonderful husband, endless house projects (I know you know how fun those are), an insane family, all while being pregnant with Spawn Part Deux (SPD to us).
4. I guess I’ve been reading about a year now, since my kid as old enough to play on her own and I needed to find something to do where I could be close to her on the days I wasn’t in the office. So I found this blog world on my laptop and got sucked right the hell in. I come back because you write like you think, an art form I think is lost these days — too many people trying to “be” something else.
Ok, good luck again!
Name: Kristen
Age: 20
Life in Shell: I’m a college student. I will graduate next summer and then hopefully will be going to law school.
Reading this blog: Not sure how long I have been reading it. I don’t comment much but I read it a lot. I will definately keep reading as lon as you keep writing. You’re very interesting. :)
1) Grace
2) 30 in June
3) Live in GA with husband, Bryan (33) and children Drew (4) and Malyn (2). I stay at home with the kids but often lust for something besides Mommy/house chores. Was an elementary school teacher–will probably go back to that eventually.
4) I’ve been reading you for one or two years now, I think–possibly longer? But I am a HUGE DORK and I read all your archived posts–even from Diaryland (?). I keep reading because we seem pretty similar in attitude, JB seems a lot like my husband (and I have a tiny crush on him–strictly because he reminds me SO much of Bryan–outdoorsy, athletic, witty and genuinely in love with his family) and you often reflect my feelings about parenting, work, life, marriage, etc. (Except you write about it much more eloquently than I can even think about it…) And, of course, because you are so utterly hilarious it makes my brain hurt.
Good luck today. You’ll adjust to having two kids–you don’t really have a choice–except possibly a firehouse “safe drop zone”.
Hello lady, so excited for you. Hope the delivery goes smoothly.
1. Tess
2. closing in on 27
3. life in a nutshell: bored housewife trying to lose the flabby bits while saving money to immigrate & go to school for holistic nutrition, hypnotherapy and that other hippie stuff. 3 cats, 1 hubby, 1 IT company, 2 blogs.
4. I’ve been reading your blog for years… many years, it seems like forever. I know so much about you but am such a big weenie lurker! I come back because you are open and honest, funny, witty and your family is just so adorable!
Plus, you drive a VW and we can’t underestimate the importance of vehicular choices. VW is the best!
Name: Kerry
Age: 29
Life: I’m a law student and paralegal in NJ. I am currently trying to conceive but no luck so far (then again, it’s only been 2 months, I guess I should be patient). I have been reading your blog for about a year because I think your writing is funny and clever. I also like SundryBuzz a lot. Good luck today!!!!
Erin
30, but 31 this Friday.
I work full-time as a state wildlife biologist, have two boys (ages 2 & 6 months), live with them, my husband, and two dogs.
I’ve been reading for 2 years now, since my oldest was a baby and I was home on maternity leave LOSING MY DAMN MIND. Your blog was the first “blog” I ever read. I found sanity and reassurance here, your writing is so honest and funny.
Good luck today! I’m thinking about you!
My name is Susan. I am 36. I live with my husband of 13 years and our 9 and 4 year old daughters. I am a former elementary school teacher, current stay at home mom. I found your blog about a month or two ago through Swistle. I’ve been checking it daily since. I keep coming back because I like your writing style. Good luck with your delivery and being the mom of 2!
1.) Jennifer
2.) I’ll be 33 in May
3.) I live in Atlanta with my husband the Walrus and our two pets (cat/dog). We got married in October after being together for six years. No kids as of yet, but we’re officially starting soon (HOLYFUCKINGSHIT).
I’m a network news producer and that’s what brought me to the ATL. I keep myself busy by knitting, reading and doing volunteer work. Getting my fat ass off the couch and getting some exercise should also be on that list – I’m working on that one!
4.) I’ve been reading your blog for several years now and yours is one of only a tiny handful that I check every day. You write so very well and I love all of your pictures!
I come back because you are someone I would like to be friends with if, you know, we lived in the same city and actually knew one another. Many of your entries have left me nodding my head and saying, “I feel that way too!”
Good luck today! I’ll be thinking of you all!
Best of luck today!!
1. el-e-e (Lee)
2. 33
3. Married, working mom, with 3-y-o boy and 2nd one due the 24th. I project manage in the website design/content field.
4. Not sure how long I’ve been reading, but I read you everywhere and just love your style. Plus, I want to be one of the cool people by association.
My name is Julie, I’m a 35 year mother of 2 (Piper is 5 and Noah is 2). I live with my husband in the outskirts of Phoenix, Arizona. I’m a work at home mom (I’m a family historian and freelance so I’m able to do all my work at home). I’m also currently doing a good 50% of my husband’s homework so he can finish his MBA (I hate business classes!)
I think your blog was one of the first I found when I started reading blogs 2 year ago when my son was going through some medical problems. I thought and DO think that your blog is hilarious and the problems/ joys you have with Riley are similar to the problems and joys I have with Noah (Piper’s as well, but she has new problems and joys since she’s 5 (God, how’d that happen!)).
I do wish you the best on your delivery! My delivery with Piper sucked but with Noah, I checked us both out of the hospital the next day and went home! Hope yours goes just as well!
Hi. I’m Cass. I’m 28 and my life is going through the big change of going from zero babies to one baby in July. I would say 90% of my energy is being expended worrying about having an actual human being in me and then having that same human being try to get out of me, that last 10% is consumed with what exactly I should eat to get the absolute most out of this pregnancy. Oh that and I work. I am an Internet Marketing Program Director for the big consulting company that uses Tiger as a spokesperson. I really do enjoy my job which is mostly fun and always challenging. My husband is known on my blog as the FH – which he believes means Fantastic Husband….which it does…most of the time. We started a business when we graduated from college which consumes all of his time…he works in Basketball. Division 1 and NBA and he developed and sells a series of products that these teams use. This basically means that there is always a game on at my house which I find pretty annoying as I don’t like to watch anything where I find myself NEEDING to give direction to players and referees and they can’t hear me. I do like going to a lot of the games live. I’m a big Giants fan and I am shocked and so excited that they won the superbowl last night. The last question, well I started reading your blog in early May…I really enjoy what you have to say and how you say it…I followed you over to your other spots too and often wanted to stand up and have your back to people on ParentDish who left you nasty comments. Who do they THINK they are? I’m wishing you luck from the other coast today and can’t wait to find out what the D stands for. Thanks for sharing your life with me…with all of us.
1. Jack
2. 23
3. Student, studying psychology.
4. Have been reading for just over a year. Keep coming back because I love your writing style. It’s a bit weird but every time I visit it’s like the next episode of some really intense Truman Show.
Good luck!
Melissa, 29. I live in NE Ohio with my husband and 18-month old son. I’m a RN (just working part time these days), although it’s not fulfilling to me and I’m trying to figure out what else I want to do with my life. I’ve been reading since the last few months of your pregnancy with Riley. Your blog is a favorite of mine for the same basic reasons everyone else listed: you’re honest about life, marriage, and motherhood; you have a great sense of humor; and your writing is amazing. Love your photos too!
Hi, Linda… My name is Christy, I’m 35 (gulp) and a mom to a boy just about Riley’s age. At present, I live in New England with my husband. I moved here 5 years ago after we met online (craziness, I tell you!). A move back to Texas, where I’m from, is imminent and way overdue, if you ask me. I am a labor and delivery nurse and love my job.
I only recently discovered your blog since you started posting on ParentDish and have become a faithful reader since. I think your writing is some of the best in the blogosphere, and enjoy reading your witty anecdotes. Look forward to hearing about life with a 2 year old and a newborn.
Good luck with your surgery. I hope you’re not sitting there starving for too long. In my experience, a scheduled c-section results in an easier (hopefully!) recovery. Congratulations on the new baby boy!
1. Ellen
2. 23
3. I live in New York City with my two roommates (a friend from a previous job and a grad student we found on Craigslist). I’m a digital media assistant, travel blogger and very-part-time book critic.
4. I think I’ve been reading your blog regularly for about a year. I think you’re really funny, and although I feel a little odd reading about someone else’s kid, I just enjoy the way you tell it. And to go into cheesefest, you’re a cool mom, and I want to be a cool mom. (I don’t know any iPhone-toting tattoo-having thrash-listening moms.)
And for the record, I think those people on ParentDish who think everything you do is wrong? Are bonkers.
Hi, Linda! This is all so exciting. I am sure you are a bundle of nerves at the moment and the last thing you feel like reading is ten million comments! But, just in case you are really bored….
1. Katie
2. 32
3. Nutshell: have a 2 year old. Would like to have number 2 in the near future. Live with husband and daughter in Maryland. I am a full time mom, but kind of wish I were working as I don’t really think I’m cut out for this stay at home shit and my kid probably watches way too much TV.
4. I found you through Amalah years ago (you were newly pregnant with Riley). I laughed out loud at your pregnancy descriptions (I was pregnant too) and have been back every day since. You are hilarious. You are a gifted writer. I love the way you manage to balance the TRUTH (about how shitty toddlers can be) with the beauty in it all. I don’t seem able to do that myself. I end up just bitching. So, I really admire that. I feel like I know you (which is really weird, I know)!
Happy Birthday to STP, today! I will be checking nonstop looking for photos! There is something so amazing about that first glimpse of a new baby. I’m so excited for your family (and also a little curious about how it will be to have two, so I’ll be reading closely!)
1.) Leah
2.) 28
3.) I’m staying at home with my 18 month old. I like photography (very amateur, of course),cooking, and homebrewing.
4.) I love your writing, of course, but I also feel very invested in your family at this point. it’s like how I like to know what my friends are up to – even though we’ve never met. Creepy? Why, yes, a little… Sorry about that.
I’m Heather, I’m 32, and I’m newly relocated to the St. Louis area with my husband and 2 kids; a four and a half year old daughter and my son who is just a month younger than Riley. I only got plugged into the blog world about a year and a half ago, when we moved across the country away from most of our friends and family. Two moves in one year actually. So I’m made many new friends through blogging, but also of course have my favorite reads whom I will probably never meet… i.e. YOU! I probably have never left a comment here, but I’ve been reading for a while, chuckling along with Riley’s antics that I know oh so well from my own lovely two year old. Also, we are from the NW, so reading and recognizing things in your stories and pics from that area are always fun!!
Best wishes today! Can’t wait to meet your newest baby boy!!
1. Your name: Frank
2. Your age: 56
3. Your life in a nutshell: I live with my wife and two minature schnauzers. The kids (3 of them) are grown, employed and are out on their own. My job consists of buying missiles for the air side of the Navy.
4. How long have you been reading this blog, and what keeps you coming back? I’ve been reading for a few years now. Cerainly pre-Riley. I like the way you write. You’re funny. The fact that you’re also cute is just icing.
My name is Daren. I am 29 (for another 4 months!) I live with my husband of four years, our two daughters, two out of three of his sons, two dogs and some fish.
Some days, I have four kids. Other days, I have three husbands. It’s…um…interesting.
What I do? Officially, I’m a stay at homer who does the kids, laundry, cooking thing. Optimistically, I’d like to find a job that will pay me but let me still be at home with the girls.
I’ve been reading you since I was pregnant with Annie in 2005. Back then, the internet knew everything about being pregnant and what on earth I was supposed to be doing with the little grapefruit. Now I know the truth. Internets know all, from every angle.
I keep reading you because you are the real deal, it seems like. You have no idea what you’re doing most days, but it’s okay. You know you’ll get through it, and end up with a great person on the other end. Almost exactly like me. You don’t sweat the small stuff, you’re just not always sure what the small stuff is.
Also, as a recovered (recovering) addict, I enjoy knowing that if you can overcome alcoholism and have this terrific (usually) life, then my life is not some undeserved carrot on a stick that will be whisked away.
In short, I keep reading you because you inspire me. You make me laugh. You make me cry. You are a friend who’s never heard of me but still manages to be there.
Good luck getting Smalltopus into the world! I can’t wait for squishy newborn photos!
1)beebop
2)29
3)mama to 20 month old girl,preggo & due on her 2nd bday in 4 more months…work part time as financial analyst, have blonde hair, blue eyes, 5’10, size 8.5 shoe, size im not telling you pants, favorite feature? my dimples on my cheeks, (on my face).
4)been a reader for nearly 3 years now, cant wait to read about your new journeys as mama to 2, while still maintaining some sass! good luck, & congratulations!
Thanks for asking!
Kim Fanning
38
I live with my husband of eight years and dog of seven years in Columbia, South Carolina. I work at the University of South Carolina in the Center for Child and Family Studies with social workers – we provide training classes for Dept. of Social Services staff. I like my job. If my job was professional Reader of books and Watcher of movies, I’d like my job even more.
I’ve been reading you since sometime in 2003, when my sister’s brother-in-law told us about you. I’ve never looked back since – you were my first blog! You are still my favorite blog.
I hope today is amazing for you.
oh shit, forgot…am from cleveland!
Best wishes today!! Hope all goes well and can’t wait to see that crappy cameraphone pic! :)
1. Name: Sarah
2. Age: 26
3. My Life: Wonderful! Wife to a great husband. Mommy to a beautiful 8 week old little girl. Also, mommy to two crazy cats. Accounting tech at large university.
4. How long and why I’m still here: I started reading when I became pregnant (approx. 8 months + 8 weeks). A coworker recommended your site and that I read the older entries about your pregnancy with Riley. Well, I did and loved it. You have an amazing talent that keeps me coming back for more. So I read all of your old entries until I got caught up and now I’m all subscribed and stuff so I can keep up on the regular. Thanks for doing what you do – you keep writing, I’ll keep reading. Deal?
Hello,
My name is Lisa. I am 42, married 21 years, with two children. One daughter, almost 15 and one adopted son who just turned 5. I have read your blog for a very long time and I enjoy most your honest approach to everyday lfe. I wish you the best today and know that everything will be fine.
I’m Kara Marie. I turn 27 this month. I live in Iowa with my husband, two eighty pound mutts, two ridiculous cats, and a betta. I work as a design consultant, designing and coordinating bathrooms and kitchens, mostly. I’m also (primarily, in my head) a painter, and work on my art at night and on weekends.
I think I started sticking around back at Dland because of things like the unicorn drawing, and of course, Cat. I keep coming back because of your honesty. And maybe because I like when we get glimpses of Cat. Just maybe.
Best wishes, we’re all looking forward to meeting the new member of your family. Also, if he looks like Trogdor, you should win some sort of award.
Alishia, 33, Phoenix, AZ.
I raise my two daughters. The second was a planned c-section so I know the feelings that you’re describing. But I also had a lot of feelings of being a big loser because so many of my friends were natural child-birthers. To that I say, “Yeah? Well, you didn’t go under the knife!” Touche.
I just started reading as a result of Swistle posting that you’re pregnant. I come back for baby news, but I like your stuff so I’ll probably come back anyway. And I used to live in Seattle. Queen Anne, baby.
1. Your name (you can stay anonymous if you like): Claire; there’s no point in anonymity anymore
2. Your age (you can lie about this if you like): almost 29
3. Your life in a nutshell: who you live with, what you do for work (category includes raising children and going to school, obvs.): Work for a University, husband works for DOT, have one son, Elliot, who is 5 months old.
4. How long have you been reading this blog, and what keeps you coming back? : I started reading back in November of 2006 and we were starting to think about children. Then I got pregnant in December and I kept coming back for all your sage advice! Ok, your very down to earth take on parenting, really.
Hi — and good luck!
I’m Scott, from Indianapolis, Indiana. I’m 34 years old and am living single (imagine Queen Latifah singing that). But I’m thinking about getting a rabbit.
I work as a fundraiser for a church in Indy, and I’ve been visiting your site for a while now — found it as a link from FishSuit.com when I was googling old high school classmates.
If you’re REALLY bored this morning, you can click over to my blog and read my liveblog of the 5 hours before the super-boring Super Bowl half-time show last night.
PS — I share your zombie apprehension.
I am Melanie 37 live in Kansas with my two 15 and 16 year old work in IT at a bank.
I started reading you about two years ago and I keep coming back because you are so funny.
Good luck today.
Hi I’m Jeanette I haven’t read through all of the comments (who has time, jeez!) but I’m guessing that I’m the oldest reader so far at 51 years old. Anyway, I live in Michigan with my husband of 31 years. We have two grown children Christopher and Shauna and a beautiful daughter-in-law Marissa. We also live with 6 cats! I work as a secretary in the pathology department of a large hospital. I have been reading your blog for approximately a year before you got pregnant with Riley. I think he’s the cutest little boy ever. Hope all goes well for you!