Friday, August 2, 2013

Playing the Calendar Game

Welcome to the Three Month Countdown. I am about to admit something embarrassing to you guys. In the past few weeks I have started playing this compulsive game with myself. It's called Calendar-Checking. Calendar-Checking is a really fun game and so easy to learn. All you do is grab a smart phone, open your calendar App, and gaze at the next three months. Really, you don't do much more than that. You just...look. You may "check" to confirm that such-and-such event is still securely planned for the 24th, or that this or that is definitely happening on the 15th. Or, you might engage in the most fun behavior of all...staring at the 31st of October, trying to imagine how you'll be feeling when that day arrives. If played correctly, this game induces a trance-like state of daydreaming and imagination. But frankly, it's just weird.

Let me tell you what I'm staring at.

August - Event-Packed Month. I may have bit off more than I can chew for the month of August. I am six months pregnant and you really can't tell from looking at my social calendar. Aside from the ongoing dog chemo appointments, midwife appts, dentist appts, Intro to Hypnobirthing, and little things like that, we have a few major things going on this month.

First, next weekend we are making a five hour drive up to Sacramento just for a quick weekend trip. Everyone keeps telling me I'm crazy. Drive five hours one way just for the weekend? But I have four really good friends who live up there (two couples) and I've been meaning to go up and visit them for a long time. I am not the best at maintaining long distance friendships and these are really important to me, so I'm making an effort. I figure it's only going to get harder after baby comes.

Then, on the 15th, we have our appointment with the Perinatalogist. This isn't like a big "event" in that it takes a lot of time or planning, but I am SO excited for it so it deserves mentioning. With the switch to the midwives, we don't get ultrasounds at appointments anymore, so I haven't seen Baby since he was 19 weeks. This time he will be 29 weeks. I know the purpose of the appointment is to find out if my placenta has risen up and I am somewhat anxious about that (but feeling positive and hopeful/excited to get good news), but really I am just so psyched to see how much he's grown and hopefully get a good 3D pic.

On the 24th, we have our Baby Shower. This merits a whole post of its own regarding the planning process, etc. But, long story short, I am really excited about it. We are doing a low-key, co-ed Shower with no baby games or baby decorations. Just a lot of people sitting outside at a park enjoying food, alcohol, and each other's company. Oh, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to the gifts!

Labor Day Weekend. Now this is another thing that you might think we're crazy about. But if you've been reading this blog you will know that I have been less than satisfied with living in LA lately and, on top of that, I am someone who loves to dream about the future. After our recent trip home to Montana, we started to dream more and more about relocating. So, over Labor Day, we are going to throw the dog in the car and hit the road to drive up North to Napa/Sonoma/Santa Rosa area and just...explore. We will have NO agenda, NO hotel bookings, and NO idea where we'll end up. We just want to explore and dream a little. I am so excited. But...really....a five day road trip at seven months pregnant? Oh, and no hotel reservations? Over Labor Day? With a dog?? Yep. Crazy. I can't wait.

September - Preparation Month . In the month of September, we have no crazy road trips planned. I promise. Instead, it will be devoted to two main things to prep for baby. First, we have classes, classes, and more classes. Every Saturday for the whole month we are attending a Childbirthing class put on by our clinic. Then, we have Breastfeeding, Childcare and possibly Hypnobirthing to fit in (still not sure if we'll do the whole Hypnobirthing series). Oh, and I want to also register for an Infant CPR class. I am going to be super-educated and prepared.

The other main preparation project for September is the Nursery. We will see what we got at the Shower and then purchase whatever is left on the Registry/whatever crazy things I decide we need last minute. We'll put the nursery together (can't wait!) and start on prepping the entire house. By that I mean, last minute projects like clearing out the closet in the nursery, sweeping dust out of places that have been dusted in years, finding a place in the kitchen for bottles and baby stuff, and just completing last minute stuff.

October - Waiting Month. I want to have everything done before October hits. We'll see if that happens, but I really just want to be ready. Not for any paranoid reason like he may come early or whatever, but I just want to feel - done and ready. Then I can use the month to just sit, wait, and psychologically prepare (aka freak out). I will leave work two weeks before the official due date and just focus on relaxing and giving myself some down time.

So that's it. Guess what? If you read through all of this, you unwittingly played the Calendar-Checking Game with me. Fun, isn't it? No? Hmm. Maybe you have to be six months pregnant and a bit anxiety-driven to fully appreciate it.

Tell me, what are YOUR plans for the next three months? Or, if you're pregnant, what are your plans prior to baby's arrival? Does anyone else play their own version of the Calendar Game or are you just more of a take-it-as-it-comes kinda gal? Come on...share!

18 comments:

  1. I don't really look at my calendar so much as compulsively count the weeks until my due date. Oh, it's still 12, just like when I counted yesterday? Who would have guessed!

    Right now I'm counting down the days until the new school year starts, hoping I'll finish my backyard project in that time. We have a wedding in the middle of this month and then that is really it for us for big, fun events. I'm trying to get 10 dates in with my husband before the baby comes. Tonight we had our first, a quick dinner at an old favorite of ours.

    Once school starts the weeks will fly by really quickly. I'll have a lot of planning and paper grading to do, plus getting ready for maternity leave. I am trying out hynobabies so I really have to get started on that. I have a feeling most of September and all of October will be really crazy and intense, even without any fun stuff going on. And then, this baby will be here. I just hope he comes safe and sound, the rest of it is just noise, you know?

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    1. I really do love your 10 dates in 12 weeks idea. It's a really great idea. Are you working right up until your due date? So sorry you have to go back to work right before, but you're right, at least it will go quickly!

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  2. It must be so exciting to be in the final stage! I hope you post pictures of the nursery!!

    I am going to be starting IUIs again in early September, and I am kinda dreading the next 5 months of trying to conceive. Somehow I just really don't think it's going to work... We want to go on a vacation for the month of December, but if we are going to adopt we need to save all our money for that. I guess those are the things on my mind when I play the calendar game.

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    1. I'll be posting nursery pics as we go. Right now it is utter chaos. I'm not really a decorator....

      You have a lot on your plate coming up. If possible, you should definitely at least try to slip in a short vacation. As you know, I'm a huge advocate for travel. You know we'll all be supporting you through the next five months!

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  3. I've got the weeks numbered in iCal, so I like to open that to see how far along I'll be when X happens. Mainly I want to go to the state fair this year, and I'll be thirty-three weeks at that point. It's only four weeks away -- it's hard to imagine feeling like I can't manage it!

    I've got my shower the weekend before yours, on the 17th. Looking forward to that! Hopefully there won't be too much going on in September except buying the last odds and ends and getting cloth diapers ready, etc. And then Baby M will arrive exactly on her due date -- she'll just slip right out!

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    1. Ohhh maybe I need to number the weeks in iCal! As it is, I have an app with a calendar and each day is numbered. But that makes my calendar game awkward cus I have to switch back and forth ;)

      I hope you make it to the state fair. Just take it slowly. Take lots of breaks and drink lots of water and you should be ok. And of COURSE Baby M will arrive nicely on time and slip right out like no big deal at all ;)

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  4. hmmm, seems I am the 'take it as it comes' type... I know I am 23 weeks, but I haven't really added up how long til my due date (well, 17 weeks, even I can do those sums) but I haven't really thought of it in those terms. November still seems SO FAR away, I've not really done anything. We're hoping to move house in October, so I'm not doing any shopping til then, but all our classes (childbirth, hospital tour, breastfeeding) are in September, so I think it'll probably feel more imminent then.

    After doing so much in July/the last few days, I am ready to just start hibernating (house moving aside.) Only current plan for August? A certain baby shower on the 24th. Can't wait! x

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    1. You're so much calmer than me. I envy you. You need to pass some of that off to me. How is the house wait list going? Any news? I'm sure once you hit September and start the classes, your clock will start ticking.

      And, hey, I like your August plans!!

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  5. I haven't started this game yet, but at 20 weeks pregnant, I sense it's not far off in my future! Excited to hear about your baby shower items as I'm just now putting together a registry list... it turns out that babies need quite a bit of stuff *panic ensues*.

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    1. Let me know if you need tips on this ultra-intense game. I'm a pro. I think my registry is mostly done. At least, I'm not planning on putting more on it at this point. I figure, we'll see what we get from the shower and then regroup and see what we still need to buy in September. I am encouraging people to buy off the registry if they want, because I think people who are already parents probably know better than I do as to what I really need.

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  6. I totally see myself playing this game. How fun... settting up the nursery, baby shower, and travel. I don't think you are crazy at all. And, if at any time you need to take it easy / go on a slower pace, I am sure you will adapt. Yay! Baby almost here!

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    1. Yay! I love your enthusiasm and optimism! I'm going with it.

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  7. My shower is August 24, too! Also, coed, but probably not low key. My aunt is hosting and she is ridiculously excited about these babies so I don't think I could stop her from going overboard even if I tried. Oh well. Then September will be buying the stuff we didn't get at the shower and getting the nursery together. I feel like there is so much to do and hopefully we can have it all done before October so I can just relax for a little bit. Oh, and I have to fit in all the childbirth/parenting classes and a hospital tour in September.
    I went on a 4 hour road trip last weekend. You aren't crazy. The biggest problem is having to stop so often to pee. It can really sow you down.

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    1. Wow we are living in parallel worlds. I'm worried my shower may not end up being "low-key" either, just because of the girl who has "taken charge." So we'll see.

      But how funny that our schedules are so totally similar. When you get back to LA, let me know, we should consider meeting up!

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    2. I would love to meet up. I get back August 17. 10 days. (Not that I am counting) I am in the Melrose/Grove area. Email me at overworkedovaries@gmail.com and we'll figure something out - either pre- or post- babies. :)

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  8. Today, I have 9 weeks until I hit 36 weeks. With my BP slowly rising and my risk of pre-eclampsia rising with it, I'm trying to give myself plenty of time to have everything ready. So 36 weeks is my end date for having the nursery done and everything in place.

    Right now, with everything going on with the girls, I'm not in panic mode. I'll probably hit that when we find out if Pepper is staying or not. I have made progress though! I cleaned out K's office and I even ordered a crib and thought of a good theme. I'll take that for now!

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  9. I am not playing the Calendar Game yet but instead anxiously await each Wednesday when I can say that I am one week further along in my pregnancy! Maybe I will get into the Calendar Game when I get closer to the 3rd trimester.

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  10. I have the exact same schedule as you!! August is just insanity - I'm not actually at home for any weekend this summer, at all, because I'm running around to destination weddings, cottages, etc. Just got back from a trip to Nova Scotia (at 7 mths pregnant) that involved a lot of walking, dancing and a mix of amazingness and fuck-my-stomach-is-starting-to-ache feelings. September is also when we're doing prenatal classes, and I'll also be cramming as much last-minute work into the picture as I can. And I am really REALLY hoping to be able to chill a bit in October and just focus on finishing up the nursery.

    In the back of my mind, though, I keep thinking of all the women who go into labour months before they're scheduled to and that has me panicked... this baby can NOT come early because NOTHING will be ready!

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