Family Files!

Today, December 30th, 2005, was my last day at work at The Atlantic Monthly. After nearly 150 years in Boston, the magazine is moving to Washington, DC. Even if it weren’t, I doubt I could have worked much beyond today anyway. The sadness of not seeing all the wonderful folks I worked with on a regular basis won’t hit me for a few months when I’m finished with my “maternity leave” and starting to think about working again. I wish all of them the best in their new endeavors, and hope we will be able to keep in touch!

Today I met with Dr. Newman — Dr. B was on Labor and Delivery duty. My belly is measuring exactly 38 centimeters, and since I am 38 weeks along, the baby’s growth is just where it should be. Right now the baby should be between 6 and 7 1/2 pounds and between 19 and 20 inches long.

Dr. Newman gave me an indication on how big the baby might be at birth, but I won’t say in case anyone still wants to post a guess on the BABY PREDICTIONS entry below (just click the COMMENTS link under the entry to do so). DEADLINE TO SUBMIT GUESSES WILL BE 1/11/06 (they day before my due date). Today I also found out that I am 1 centimeter dilated, which means things are starting to get ready for the delivery. Just about 12 more days to go to my due date of January 12th!

Julia and Ethan came over for Christmas Dinner. Marty made a traditional Thanksgiving meal (his favorite) and Julia made chocolate souffle for dessert. The turkey was missing the tip of its wing, and although it looked a little funny, everyone said it tasted delicious. Julia and I got to wear our sweatpants all day and couldn’t have been happier!

Everything checked out at the doctor’s today again–the baby’s heart beat is strong, it is growing on schedule, its head is facing down, and my weight gain is within range. I asked Dr. B when she could guess how big the baby was going to be, and she said she can guess better as I get closer, but she’s sure it isn’t a small baby — and thinks it will be a big baby — but hopes not too big. Yikes! Right now it should be a little over 6 pounds and measure between 19 and 20 inches, head to heel.

Okay, so maybe it wasn’t the pants! I’m always amazed at just how big a belly can get!

Yvonne and Elizabeth threw a joint baby shower for me and Julia (my “partner in crime” — she’s due 9 days after me) at Yvonne’s house. Almost all of The Atlantic girls were there and boy did they spoil us with the sweetest gifts! And of course the potluck dishes and desserts were divine. Thanks to all for sharing this special day!

Yesterday, I was listening to a CD our friend Jon Dilley burned for me. Not surprising, the first song is “Amie” by Pure Prairie League (yes, I had to google that). I was tapping my belly along to the song, and baby tapped back! A little in utero dancing perhaps?

Today, I had another OB appointment. The nurse thinks I am having a girl! Everything with the pregnancy and the baby are right on track. Initially, my weight gain was accelerated, plateaued during the middle, and ended up a little accelerated this past visit (I swear half the time it’s those scales!) — but overall, I’m still within normal range. And as long as I don’t keep an accelerated pace going forward … In any event, it’s still a lot of extra weight to be lugging around, and I swear almost all of it is in my belly!

At this stage, the baby is about 5 pounds and just over 18 inches long. He/she fits snugly in my womb, but still kicks and punches like a champ!