Week 35

HER PERSPECTIVES

Best Moments: This week we were the guests of honor at a shower hosted by my colleagues. I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by such supportive and compassionate men and women.

And we had a very productive weekend, thanks to help from my sister and her boyfriend. We washed and folded baby clothes and blankets. We sewed pillows for the nursery. We assembled shelves and organized the garage. The boys even found time to brew a batch of beer and play two rounds of frisbee golf. Just three more weekends until Peanut is due to arrive!

Symptoms: The nesting instinct is in full effect. And I’m not just talking about stacking diapers and hanging art in the nursery. I have also found the desire to re-arrange our cookbooks, alphabetize our spices, print and frame art for our office. Am I crazy?

Cravings: Speaking of nesting, I finally discarded several dozen old magazines — after I ripped out my favorite pages and organized them into a binder, of course. Tabs include: recipes, home, holidays, travel. Not surprising that the recipes section is the thickest. Flipping through it has me craving pan-roasted chicken thighs, beef empanadas, and cherry clafouti.

What I Miss: Painting my toenails and shaving my legs. It’s become quite challenging to do both.

What I Can’t Wait For: To finish our to-do list. This may or may not happen before Peanut arrives. And I know I have to be OK with that.

Milestones: Peanut got the hiccups this week. It was entertaining to watch my belly jump, but we felt sorry for the little guy/gal. And while we’re talking about my belly jumping, there was one night that we really thought Peanut was going to escape. I don’t know if it was a foot or a knee or a little booty, but it was pushing hard and continuously. I think he/she is as excited to meet us as we are to meet him/her!

HIS PERSPECTIVES

Best Moment: Two best moments this week: (1) The baby shower from the wonderful folks at WPSU — thank you! I had a lot of fun meeting the people that Emily works with and some of the voices that I hear on the radio. (2) Apparently 80 percent of car seats are secured improperly in vehicles; however, after taking ours to get inspected at the PA State Troopers office, I got an A+!

Symptoms: My pregnant wife has more energy this week than I do. This nesting phase is exhausting me.

Cravings: Pumpkin ale and football season. Only a few more weeks until I have 5 gallons of home brew! Thanks, Stephen, for the help.

Milestones: Peanut’s little kidneys and liver are fully developed and starting to process waste. Oh, how I dread the first meconium black tar poop! I’ve read about it, and it’s scary.