We have about 4 more weeks until the “planned” arrival of young Snakeye, Jr… and don’t ask, we still have no clue what the name will be. Maybe I oughta just name him “Boss” or “Chief.” That’d make it really easy for me. Anyway, we found out at an appointment yesterday that Pam was dilated ½ cm. To the happily ignorant (like me), that really means jack and shit (where’d Jack go?…) in terms of narrowing down the birth-window. It does let us know that everything is progressing though, because it signifies that the kid is starting to position himself to go down the human waterslide soon. Apparently the magic number is 4 cm: once Pam hits that one, both parties (Pam and the kid) are in for the ride of their lives, while I’ll be concentrating hard on not looking uncomfortable by her side. So really, I guess ½ cm is kinda like thunder in the distance. We don’t know when the storm is coming, but we know it will be soon! With that, the household has moved from BirthCon 5 to BirthCon 4: normal readiness with strengthened measures – the hospital overnight bag has been packed.
On another note, Pam’s had the summer off with a lot of time on her hands. I guess that “nesting instinct” women can get is for real. She’s been going nuts with craft-stores, online searching and ideas to create some semblance of a nursery for the kid. Since the Air Force has been playing the “extending” game lately and we’re going to be here longer than we planned, nest away!
Decorating is Pam’s gig… if it were up to me, I’d just as soon put newspaper down over one of the dog beds and call it good. So Pam’s set up camp in the nursery (formerly known as the guest bedroom – don’t worry, any visitors are likely to get the Master Bedroom, banishing Pam and me to the nursery for a sleepless night). I think Pam gets frustrated with me when she asks what I think of this or that and my response is “yes.” So she has kinda quit asking me and just keeps me in the loop with what she’s doing: good enough for me! Last weekend I took a day to assemble all of the baby furniture we bought and put it in the room for Pam to arrange. Other than that, every once in a while I’ll be summoned to move a picture or hang something from the ceiling. And since we’re in this house for a little while, I gave Pam the thumbs-up to paint the room if she wants (as long as it’s a “sellable” color when it comes time to put it on the market). The only caveat is that she’s doing it herself; I have a slew of TDYs that I’ll be gone for, right up until the birth date (although I’m calling “uncle” a week prior to the due-date to ensure I’m around).
Other than the paint, Pam has the nursery complete. Even though I haven’t been the best opinion-giver throughout the process, I did tell her that I think it looks really good when she showed me the finished product (again, minus any painting). The panorama of it is below (click for the larger-than-your-screen version).
The nursery looks great. Love the quilt and the airplane moble. Pam, looks like the baby is still riding high. Hopefully the baby will drop into position soon. You will know when that happens. Looking forward to seeing you and the baby. We probably will come down a few days after labor day, It’s my holiday to work and I cant get off. I’ll let you know when the schedule comes out.
Wow Pam!!!! The nursery looks fabulous, I should hire you to do some work on Levi’s nursery!!!! Enjoy the nesting and getting ready :) We’re so excited for you guys!
You are smart to just stay out of the way of a woman on a decorating binge. Give her the money and let her go to town. If she asks your opinion on something, it doesn’t really matter. Women are hard wired to ask your opinion on decorating issues, then do whatever they want even though you may have said different. .5 cm already – you are on your way!
Don’t go to the hospital until contractions are under 10 minutes apart or you will get to do the walk of shame back home without baby – something we avoided. Even waiting until that time period my wife was still in there grunting and groaning for six stinking hours with each of my kids.
BTW, I would recommend the name Daniel.
I LOVE the room – it looks great, but with the wide angle lens, I’m a little distorted on what is in the middle!! Is that the bed you’d sleep on if you had visitor(s)??? At first I thought Avalon was laying in the sun and that the lens made the line dividing sun from non-sun made it look raised! Your rocking chair is inviting!!
Time is really flying :) I can remember when the news came out, and soon BirthCon 1 will be here!!! Keep us posted on progress!! .5 cm is good for now!!!
Pam, just a hint. Switch the hamper and the diaper pail. You really want that pail close to his rear end without too much reaching or walking away! But seriously, it looks great!
Wow the room looks awesome. I would have to agree, the panorama is a bit confusing, but since we slept in that room, I think I remember. BTW – I am so flattered to see my contribution to your unnamed baby~ ;) The stained glass looks great where it is, and I think whether you paint or not, the rooms looks terrific! Great job! I was never told at a prenatal appt that I was dilated, and in a sense I am glad, be/c it makes you all the more anxious than your due date alone makes you! Hang in there, though, there will be no confusing when the time is. I agree with “dfm”, wait as LONG as you can before hitting the road.
It looks great Pam! We are so excited for you guys!