I've got that tingling feeling

The "nursery" post-painting, pre-border... and yes, dad, we took a risk and went with baby blue...

Guess what?? Still pregnant! No signs of any real contractions, despite my encouraging words to baby that it's about time to come on out and greet the world.

However, pregnant life has been spiced up a bit with the introduction about a week ago of carpal tunnel syndrome! Woo hoo!!! Nothing better than the constant tingling feeling in both of my hands, which is (thankfully!) topped off by a stinging, stabbing sensation in at least one hand all night long. Allows me to fall into a deep, restful sleep for about all of ten minutes, and gives me plenty of time to sit upright in bed during the night to ponder the many wonders of the world.

The midwife assures me that carpal tunnel syndrome is quite common in pregnant women, and that it will probably go away a few weeks after baby arrives. In the meantime, I'm probably going to see a therapist who will build some wrist splints for my sleeping pleasure.

OK, enough of my petty complaining. This morning I had the pleasure of buying my first cup of tea at the "Kids Coffee House". I can highly recommend the coffee house to anyone looking for a cheap, excellent cup of coffee or tea. It is run by a group of highly talented first-graders (including one I just happen to know), and is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from the first bell until 9:00. The class is saving up to buy a fish tank (and accompanying fish, I assume. Would be kind of strange otherwise... or would it?). I think this is a very innovative, impressive way of raising the money, especially the considering the chaos that I generally envision when thinking of a first-grade classroom. So come one, come all!!!

The boys and I took some photos of ourselves last night -- here they are. Enjoy your day!

The blush gives him away

What can make a self-reliant, confident nine-year old turn suddenly all mushy? Furthermore, what can make his ears and cheeks turn a bright pink?

A girl, of course... one of his classmates. We passed her on the street after school yesterday and one look at my "little" boy told me that he is crazy for this girl. I looked at him and said "Matthew, what's wrong?" "Oh mom, she makes me so nervous when she's near me!" The beauty of first love.

As I was waiting for Matthew yesterday at the school, a young girl came up to me and said "Are you going to have a baby?". This happens to me often when I'm dropping off or picking up Lucas -- his classmates seem fascinated by my continually growing tummy. They're probably wondering when the balloon is going to pop and whether it will make a huge noise when it does. (For my part, I'm just glad they don't think the growing belly is the result of overeating!) This little girl I hadn't met before though.

"Yes, I am. In about a week or so."

"Does it kick?"

"Yes, but I think he's sleeping now".

"Can I feel your tummy?", she says, and I let her. Then I ask her if she has any little brothers or sisters, and I get the heartbreaking reply:

"No brothers, no sisters, and no mommy either. She died when I was five."

I bent over to give this beautiful creature a hug, tell her that I think she is very brave and beautiful despite such a sad event in her life, and we spend the next five minutes chatting about her playmates outside. Food for thought for this pregnant woman...

My wonderful husband spent most of his weekend painting the "nursery". I'm so excited! We never had a nursery before. I'll have to post some photos as things progress.

The voting continues (see link on the left)! T-minus 6 days until due-date and a maximum of 20 days until the baby must arrive!!!!

The news of the day

Woohoo!!!!

The washing machine is fixed, after a 10-day wait for a technician.

The culprit? A baby sock stuck in the filter.

The end of innocence

VOTE NOW!

What date and time do you think the baby will arrive?

Email your guess or post it in a comment here in the blog.

Check the votes using the "Votes to date" link to the left.

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Midwife visit: September 17, 2007 (14 days until due date)

Baby is now officially full-term (i.e. has reached 38 weeks) and ready

Baby’s heart rate at 153, and he insisted on kicking the midwife repeatedly whenever she tried to check his positioning or keep him still to monitor his heart rate

Head is down and fixed

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Well, the midwife visit was uneventful, although positive. After I learned on Monday that the head was fixed, I was sure I would deliver in the next day or two... Here's what it says in What to Expect about the "engagement" of the head: "This milestone is rarely reached in second or later births until labor is about to commence." Ha! Guess the baby forgot to read the book!

Anyway, the kids have been behaving so sweetly the past two weeks, getting up easily in the morning, being (relatively) nice to each other, and even listening to their parents once in a while. Quite a pleasant change from the first two weeks back at school, when they were contrary and, at times, downright rude. They have also been coming up with creative names for the baby, which they are taking freely from Pokemon, Digimon, etc. Names such as Tarcheck and Gromon.

Matthew is going to have a very interesting week. He has been asked to audition for a new educational TV show for children, which is being produced by the Swedish Educational Broadcasting Authority. The audition is Thursday, so keep your fingers crossed. He's very excited and he really hopes he gets the job.

About ten days ago, Lucas's class met for the first time this year with their "mentors" from grade 4 (Matthew's class). Lucas has been assigned to a girl from that class, as his mentor from last year has unfortunately changed schools.

This girl and Lucas had not previously spoken to each other, and their first interaction was not a happy one. Although he told me about the meeting on the day it took place, I didn't realize how much it had affected him until he sat crying on my lap for half an hour last Wednesday.

This sweet fourth grader sat down with Lucas and, in her wise worldliness -- and I am quite sure without malice or the intent to hurt him in any way -- proceeded to tell him that the tooth fairy is no one other than one's parents. I know this might not seem like a big deal to most of us adults and to most children in fourth grade, but for Lucas this was a crushing blow to his vision of the world and to his fantasy. I know also that he would have learned the truth soon enough, but I would have preferred he learn it from someone he knew well and on his own time. Lucas is now scared of what else she'll tell him and what other beliefs she might accidentally wipe out.

I think the mentoring program is a great idea. At the same time, though, it gives the fourth graders an awful lot of responsibility towards the first graders. They have a lot of power over those younger minds and something so simple really affects some children (like Lucas).

And you call that thing a hot dog??

Sweden, with all of its idiosincracies and trends, will never cease to amaze me. By far, one of the most interesting things about Sweden is its food. Don't get me wrong, I love my Swedish meatballs with lingonberry jam as much as the next person. But I recently noticed that one of the most popular things Swedes buy at the hot dog stand is the following concoction:

2 hot dogs with mashed potatoes and shrimp salad (complete with mayo!), all rolled up in a kind of bread wrap called "tunnbröd".

I tried to find a photo on the net, but without luck. Yum yum. Doesn't that sound lovely??? Want one for dinner?

I'll stick to my Chicago-style hot dogs, thank you very much.

Anyway, just back from a lecture at the hospital on a new project they're running. The objective is to help women give birth within 12 hours of their arriving at the hospital, assuming that the woman is in active labor. To some, 12 hours may seem like an awful long time... but to my ears, after having gone through 33 hours of labor with Matthew and 18 with Lucas, 12 hours sounds like a blessing. So I'm going to try to get myself into the project when labor starts... We'll see how it goes.

20 days until the due date.

And here's a little moment of silence in remembrance of today's events six years ago.

The ups and downs

Midwife visit: September 3, 2007
Sugar, iron, blood pressure all normal
She said if the baby is born now it would weigh about 2.5 kg, which would probably be fine.
Baby’s heart rate at 142, although it went up to 150 when she put the monitor on… I don’t think he likes the invasion of his space.
I have gained 10 kg in total.

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I have found myself on an emotional roller coaster. Sure, I know it’s probably due to the pregnancy hormones that are raging through my body… and yes, I also know that I tend to be an emotional person, pregnancy or no pregnancy. But still one moment I find myself filled with joyful anticipation about the coming of the baby, and at others I wonder about who this little person is – will he be healthy, will he be an “easy” baby, will I get enough sleep, will Matthew and Lucas cope well with the addition of another child to the family, do I have the stamina and patience to handle another little one????

And my thoughts wander to the news we have received in the past week or two. Steen’s uncle, who was diagnosed with lung cancer several months ago, has been told that the treatments have failed and that the cancer has spread. My heart sinks and another series of questions fills my mind… most of them starting with Why???? Steen’s grandmother has been hospitalized for several weeks now and is receiving regular blood transfusions, but the doctors don’t seem to know what is affecting her so. And again, why???? So our thoughts are often elsewhere than just within these walls. And I feel so bad that Steen can’t leave right now to visit his family, to be by their side when they need him the most.

I read on CNN this morning that Pavarotti has died. Granted, I am far from a major opera fan. In fact, I have never in all my life been to the opera, although every year I swear I’m going to buy a subscription for a season. But I do have some of the “Three Tenors” CD’s and I always found his voice – and his personality – enthralling. The world has lost an amazing voice.

So, to cheer myself up, and you as well now that I have dragged you down the hill of my emotional rollercoaster, I’ll post some photos below. Also, I am proud to announce that yesterday Lucas’s class won the “Golden Shoe” at the annual Haga Day running race (his class had to run 2 km). And Matthew was the second in his class to complete his Haga Day race (his class had to run 4 km). They are both very, very proud of themselves. When I pick them up today, I will get to see the Golden Shoe!!!

By the way, I have started a gift registry (at the request of some of you) at babiesrus. If you happen to order something, you’ll notice that we ask that everything be delivered to mom and dad’s. That’s because we have to pay import tax on just about anything shipped directly to Sweden. Mom and Dad will be coming here in mid-October. However, please remember that we need nothing more than your love and prayers.

Matthew hanging out in Stockholm

Emma and Michelle

The Pedersens on a Stockholm boat trip

Lucas and Emma

Matthew on his first day of fourth grade

Lucas all set for first grade