37 weeks! (post by jessi)

BGJ is a Scorpio!  After our appointment with Maternal Fetal Medicine on September 2^nd we knew that if she showed signs of distress at any of the weekly checkups, Maggie could be induced right there on the spot.  I worried for Maggie having to experience an emergency birth and I worried for BGJ being born too soon.  As each week passed, we got closer and closer to full term – 37 weeks.  Ironically, yesterday also marked the start of what will be BGJs astrological sign, Scorpio.

See, I have a weird thing with Scorpios.  I’m not sure if it’s that there’s an unusually high number of Scorpios who’ve had a significant impact on me or if it’s a combination of coincidence and a Scorpio’s general nature that draws me to them.  But I love my Scorpios.  So, without further ado, here’s a list of my favorite Scorpios:

1.       Maggie Van Duyn, 10/30.  BFF for 20 years!

2.       Kate Jerman, 11/1.  BFF for 24 years!

3.       Colleen Boyd, 11/10.  BFF for 27 years!

4.       Jay Fish, 10/29.  My one and only totally awesome sister-in-law!

5.       Benny Jacobs, 11/20.  My love, my life, my one and only!

6.       Baby Girl Jacobs, TBD.  OMG, it’s destiny!

And a special shout out to all of my other favorite Scorpios – Jenifoo, Nurse Mo, Mini Mi Kacie, Katarina, Jeannine, Kare-bear, Dwade, Reyvan, Jenny, Baby Celia, Baby Hebert, Lori, Jim, Uncle Danny, Uncle Timmy & Alexa!    

 

Musings of a First Time Expectant Mom via Gestational Surrogacy with a BFF (post by jessi)

• In contrast to Maggie’s previous post about whittling down the unused belongings in her house, my house has exploded with baby paraphernalia.  I had no idea there was so much gear associated with childrearing.  Actually, I knew there was a lot of baby stuff out there but I thought I’d be that thrifty minimalist mom who’d immediately identify an item as frivolous versus the absolutely essential.  NEWS FLASH from the Department of DUH:  We have no idea what we’re doing.  If a friend offers us something, we’re taking it unless we already have something similar.  I would hate to have to buy something later that a friend offered us for free now.  So yeah, our basement is full of random things BGJ will most likely use at some point in her early years. Here's to hoping the wolf spiders don't nest in any of it.  

[Off topic rant - in the fall of last year I grabbed a coat from the basement closet because it was a little cool that morning.  Then, as I was driving 75 mph on the interstate, a GIANT wolf spider crawled out from under my sleeve and onto my hand.  It's nothing short of a miracle that I'm alive to tell you the story today.]

• We’re also in a hand-me-down train with my dear friend Erin who has two daughters, one who was born in November last year.  Every time I see her she shoves a bag of clothes in my face.  I can tell that this arrangement is going to work out well for both of us. 
• Does anyone actually fold newborn clothes?  I tried for half a second and then realized it's a futile effort.  They're now shoved in the drawers of the changing table.  Don't judge.  Also, those itty bitty socks are already driving me nuts.  Babe's going to wear mismatched socks until she's 5.
• Speaking of baby clothes, I never really noticed how cute and adorable they are until I started envisioning my own child in them.  At my baby shower, I was schooled on Dreft.  How is it that I’ve never even heard of it before?  Anyway, the Seventh Generation Free and Clear soap was cheaper so I went with that.  I’ve washed all of the clothes, sheets, blankets, etc.  You guys, even the lint is adorable!
• Our days of keeping the house at a cool 62 degrees and sleeping with the bedroom window open in the dead of winter will soon be over.  I tried explaining this to Benny a few nights ago and he pretended to be asleep.  Jokes on you, sucka!  You're going to pretend to sleep for the unforeseeable future.
• Last night I got this.  

I quickly took this picture, sent it to Maggie and then haphazardly taped it to the fridge. I woke this morning to a reply from her that said “That is amazing! You should save it forever.” So naturally, I marched right over to the fridge, carefully peeled it off and proceeded to laminate it before I even started the coffee machine. I then realized that for the rest of my life, I will do whatever Maggie says. Let’s all hope she uses her power for good, not evil.
• I tried on the Boba wrap this week.  The picture on the box is a lie. 

NAILED IT! 

Nesting for the Surrogate

About a month and a half ago I decided that for Zoey's birthday we would redo her bedroom to make it more organized and complete. I perused Pinterest for good ideas for small spaces, I searched for new rugs and we painted a bed frame we acquired from our neighbors. It was very important that this project be complete and perfect. I even attempted to instruct all of the grandparents to only buy her presents for her bedroom for her birthday. They all ignored me.

That's when I realized what was happening. I was nesting. It occurred to me that this "non-baby nesting" could be super beneficial for my family. Jim was already working on the kitchen, which has been in various states of disrepair since June and I really couldn't help with that, so I moved on to all of the other rooms in the house. Jim has been thrilled!

I totally reorganized the playroom and threw out all of the broken toys, the toys that were missing pieces, costumes that don't fit, and things that I hate. I have to say, the kids haven't noticed and the feeling of getting rid of things has been exhilarating! Less is definitely more. We even have decided to tell the grandparents that for Christmas we only want them to get the kids gift certificates for activities instead of toys. (I wonder if they'll listen to me this time!)

I went through about 15 bins in the attic and separated the Good Will from the Sell to Once Upon a Child from the hand-me-downs for all of the adorable new babies in my life. I've offered every single unused piece of furniture in the attic to friends and family. If I could lift more things, my attic would probably be empty.

I utilized my friends to move my furniture around and plan to get rid of one of the couches we have to swap it for a chaise lounge that I have yet to find. I bought a house plant. I made a list of easy projects for me to complete while I'm on medical leave. I'm basically about to become a DIY queen. Those six weeks are going to change my home! It's going to be like a "While You Were Out" episode for Jim every day!

I'm actually really enjoying putting this much energy into my home. I'm feeling positive about the purging of belongings. I've never been sentimental about stuff and honestly I would prefer to have very little. The more I get rid of the more I want to get rid of. I just want things I love! Convincing my family to adopt this attitude is a little bit harder. We still have tons of stuff and piles of junk that I'm slowly sorting through, but I believe that I will get through it!  And when I do, my house will look clean and organized and Pinterest perfect!