Update

It has been cloudy and overcast the past few days, so no pictures to show of the baby quilt, mobile or other finished items.  The quilt top is done, and I'm hoping to get it basted and at least partly quilted tonight.  Hopefully pictures to follow soon.

We're going to a pig roast tomorrow.  Diego and Al are very excited.  I'm a little grossed out.  Plus I've been joking around about not being in any condition to be seen in public, but it's not really a joke at this point.  I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror at the kids' pediatrician's office today and... well lets just say it's not pretty.

Penelope pinched a binky from her friend Rosie's house last week.  Who knew a 2-year old could develop an attachment to a binky so late in life.  She asks for it all the time.  So far we are trying to enforce a 'bedtime only' rule for the thing.  She also wakes up in the middle of the night because she can't find it.  And she holds it in her mouth and mumbles and drools around it.  All the reasons I don't like binkies and never gave either kid one to begin with.  Guess it's just another lesson in "I'm not in control."

Oh, and I found a small turd on the dining room table last night.  So far no one is taking credit for it, but I have my suspicions.

Pregnancy brain

Okay, turn the camera on.  That helps get the pictures on to the computer... Still can't figure out how to get the pix arranged as I want, so they're not in order.  Oh well.

Mom and I all dolled up for my birthday brunch at the 4 seasons.  Miss P thought she might be coming along.  Not in that outfit she's not!



Taking her new baby for a walk in its new pram in her new tutu. Aren't birthdays great.
Note the beautiful birthday dress.  Ahem. Homemade.
Happy birthday P!  She had her first cake from Rachel's and it was absolutely beautiful and delicious.  Hopefully the first of many.

Diego and Grandpa driving us back across the bay.



Did I mention we had a great time on Fire Island?  
This is the baby doll I made her for her b-day.  Complete with diaper and real baby socks.  She said "I dike dis baby."

Even more exciting pictures of crafts to follow.

J

So there's good news and bad news...

The bad news is I'm out of a job.  Chestnut Hill Hospital is closing its ob department November 4th.  Of course I'll be leaving before then as this baby is due sooner than that.  The bad news is also that Chestnut Hill was the last community hospital providing ob care in the city.  It was also the only hospital where CNM's providing homebirth could get back up and admitting privileges.  And one of only a few that still offered VBAC's.  The hospital is owned by a for- profit organization, and of course, ob isn't profitable.  Why should the health of mothers and babies matter enough to be profitable.  Bitter much?  Yeah.  I heard they're going to be replacing us with a bariatric surgery department.  

The hospital is giving everyone an incredibly crappy severance package.  Unfortunately neither the nurses nor the midwives have ever had employment contracts so no basis for negotiation.  A lot of the nurses have worked at CHH for 10 15 or 20 years and are now facing having to find employment elsewhere.

Anyway, on a personal level the timing couldn't really be better.  I'm not going to have to deal with the question of when to go back to work.  I will get my crappy little severance package which will help cover my maternity leave.  And hopefully Al will have a full time job by the time our benefits run out (at the end of November--generous of them, wasn't it).  I'm looking forward to being home with the kids for a while.  At least a year, I'm thinking.  Even though it might seem like indecision to work for a year, stay home for a year, work for a year as I have been doing since D was born, I think it has more to do with the reality of having young kids and also being committed to having a career.  Different stages in my life and the kids' lives and our family seem to dictate different job arrangements.  I feel really fortunate to have a career that doesn't punish me for taking time to be home with my family--unlike so many other professions.  

The kids are doing well.  I locked Penelope in the car last Saturday, but she weathered it well.  Lucky for her I turned the car and the a/c on before locking and shutting all the doors (hello pregnancy brain). The police came and called a nice man from a tow company who was able to break into the car without doing any damage.  

The kids are both back at school.  Diego is thrilled to be back with his little pack of wild boys (I pity their teacher).  Penelope had been doing well--happy to go in etc, but this week she has cried both days during the drop-off.   My poor girl.

I am way behind on posting pictures.  I have a bunch from our Fire Island trip, Penelope's birthday and the kids' first week of school to post.  Plus I've been doing a lot of crafty baby-preparations.  Do you believe me when I say a lot?  I mean it.  Unfortunately I am still getting the hang of this computer and I'm not sure how to get the pictures off my camera and onto here...

More soon, hopefully.

Jessi