Have you gotten any baby things so far?

"Yes. Most of what we have has been given to us by family and friends. Little sleepers, blankets, tees, onesies, a book, and stuffed animals. Our trip to Babies R Us also got us started with the "gear." With the holidays I think our supply will grow greatly. Baby stuff is just too cute to pass up.

Speaking of cute, Ross bought some new born diapers, just to be prepared. The package is the size of a large loaf of bread, but it contains 40 diapers. They're so tiny! However that's probably only a four day supply."
--Clare 10/27/05

Adventures at Babies R Us

"For my birthday a friend sent me some Babies R Us coupons to help get us started in our baby-gear buying. There are so many things we could buy: crib, changing table, dresser, rocking chair/glider, travel play yard, activity mat, bouncy seat, baby carrier, stroller, car seat, sling, diaper bag, clothing, bedding, towels, blankets, diapers, baby wipes, baby wipe warmer... the list is literally endless. Anything you can think of is available for purchase, and in the end you probably only need a fifth of it.

It was recommended to us that we "try not to go crazy in Babies R Us. Do not buy everything in sight. Try to leave after an hour. Do not stay past two hours. You will have a meltdown." I think this advice was right on the money.

We innocently walked into the store, oohing and ahhing over the new babies out shopping with their parents, and at the other parents-to-be perusing the aisles. There is a lot of hand-holding and a lot of wistful looks going on in this store. What a happy place to be! Until you begin the searching process. We were not prepared; we had not done our homework.

Clothing was in the center, surrounded on either side by furniture pieces and toys. We were there to purchase furniture items, and decided to stay on that side of the store only. Maija, Jeremy, and Baby Boden are coming out for a visit late November and we wanted to provide some sleeping and playing things so they wouldn't have to bring so much out with them.

There were so many brands to look at and pick between: Graco, Britax, Maclaren, Peg Perego, EvenFlow, FisherPrice... and that's just skimming the surface. We really must have looked like deer in headlights, because a very kindhearted mother of two stopped us. "I don't mean to intrude but can I offer you some advice?" she sweetly asked.

It was then that we got our first on-site tutorial in baby item shopping. 1) Play with everything. Take it off the shelf and see what it does. Abuse it because that's the type of punishment it's going to get. 2) Use your children as guinea pigs (she correctly gathered that this was our first so this advice didn't really help us this time around, but is good advice none-the-less). 3) Think realistically about what you really need because you won't use half the gadgets you come home with after the first few months.

She was very helpful, and I wish I had gotten her name and address so I could send her a card telling her so. Her advice also scored me some points with Ross because she reiterated, more clearly, some of the thoughts I had brought up to him about what we'll need or not need. Ross scored some points as well, by picking out a very cool bouncer that this woman said was the best of the bunch. If only we'd have a little helper like this woman with us all the time, we'd feel like the smartest parents-to-be ever!

We left the store with lots of ideas, a few items to be tested out by Boden during his visit, and a discounted price thanks to the coupons. It was grueling, and I'm nervous about looking for the bigger ticket items (cribs and such) but next time we'll do our homework and will be more eager to tap veteran parents on the shoulder for some advice."
--Clare, 10/25/05

Catching up

Here's a posting that Clare wrote after her birthday, in early October:

"I am another year older.

When I was a little girl I didn't dream of my wedding, I dreamt of the kids I would have. I thought I would be having them sooner, but life has a funny way of unfolding before you exactly how it's supposed to. I'm very happy that I'm going to be a mother now, and not at a younger age.

This, my last non-mom birthday, was wonderful. My mom and Jim were in town for a conference so I was able to celebrate with them, as well as with my local friends and loving husband. It's so much fun being showered with love, by those whom you love. Just when I thought it couldn't be any better, I received a birthday surprise.

The phones at work went out unexpectedly, resulting in a small gathering at the front office. Just then, a delivery happened to arrive -- for me! I blushed, and excitedly opened the box in front of everyone.

Inside was a little bonsai plant in a very cool planter. The surprise got even better when I read the card:

"Happy Birthday. -- Bucky."

This child is amazing! Ordering a gift for me while still in the womb is a feat beyond comparison."

Busy week for Bucky

Here's what Babyfit.com says that Bucky and Clare are working on this week:

"From this point on your baby has the level of development necessary to survive outside the womb. The baby's eyes are opening and closing in conjunction with its activity and resting periods. The eyes are nearly fully developed but will require a few weeks exposure to light to complete the pigmentation process. Over the final weeks of pregnancy, in anticipation of blood loss with the birthing process, your blood volume will add 2-4 pounds of weight to your body.

Other changes that are happening:
The baby is developing its own immune system to fight mild infections.
The baby's fingernails will reach the end of the finger tips this week.

Baby's Size and Weight this week:
Size: 12.75 inches (head to rump)
19.75 inches (head to toes)
Weight: 5 lbs"

Hefty baby

"Someone recently asked me if Bucky feels heavy.

Well, no, not exactly. The only times I really notice the belly weight is when 1) I'm getting out of bed (or switching the side I'm sleeping on) and 2) getting out of the pool.

Bucky is a little over three pounds now and happily floating around in amniotic fluid. (Ross likes to sing songs about it to Bucky, and Bucky flutters in reply, thus my belief that the floating is indeed happy.)

When I'm standing or sitting I don't really notice the extra front weight that my back and legs are supporting. But when I get off the bed, and step onto the floor putting that weight back onto my back and legs again, it is a bit of a rude awakening. Especially if I'm still really tired. It does go away once my stiff joints work themselves out.

Lisa and I have found that while our pool time is still completely enjoyable, (as we walked pool side in our matching suits, someone even asked us if we planned to both get pregnant at the same time) we fear getting out of of the water. Water is wonderful, gives you the feeling of weightlessness that just soothes aching muscles and joints. That first step onto the ladder, however, feels like you've gained 75 pounds all at once. Our poor legs, already weak with all the kicking, shake under the weight until we sit down to dry off and replenish our fluids.

The one thing that might make it seem like pregnant women feel the weight of their baby is that, as Lisa put it during one yoga class, our bodies are no longer ours. These are not the bodies we once had that could bend over, reach up, climb stairs, stand up, sit down, fight! fight! fight! with ease. They've become foreign to us. And sometimes our brains forget that fact. Getting up off the couch to walk up the stairs has me puffing by the time I reach the second floor, not because of the weight, but because my body takes longer to realign itself and there are aching muscles I didn't know existed.

In addition, hips and ligaments loosen up during pregnancy, so we pregnant ladies tend to walk funny as well. We do feel weightier in general, but I would say that I don't feel Bucky any more than I do the rest of my body's weight."
--Clare, 12/2/05

Clare on December 1

It was actually December 2, but close enough. December 1 was the "T minus 60 days" mark for Clare and Bucky:



The Bucky Blog suffered a bit due to finals, but watch this space for many postings in the coming days!