Sunday, December 23, 2012

Welcome to the Enchanted Forest..


We're like, 95% done.  We still need a dresser, a rocking chair/glider, to put up the valances, a few pictures, shelves, and decorations and we're done.  The hard part is finally over!  All hand-painted with the exception of some appliqué's.

The baby-hoarders piles have now left my office and are the baby's problem now.
I hope the baby won't be freaked out, I made the owl's eyes glow!
 Hoo's watching you?
I pretty much based the whole room on the nursery set we bought.
Things without a place: we still have to install the shelf for the lamp.
The day bed, for whoever wants to sleep in the baby's room.
Yes, that's the moon, and it's freakin' awesome!!!
The coolest nightlight ever!
The shimmering pond (in progress).  I have no concept of perspective, but then again - I'm not much of an artist.  I don't think the baby will care.
The shimmering pond (completed).  In the dark, you can see moonlight on the water.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

32 Week Scan

Our latest scan came Tuesday morning - a few days earlier than expected!


All is well, and the spine is still there.  :-)  I was traveling when it came, but it was a nice surprise at breakfast.  (And iMessage is so handy!)

Baby is measuring about a week behind (consistent with prior scan), about 3.75 pounds, and already head down!

Yay!

Monday, December 17, 2012

The Pediatrician

Last Wednesday, we had a great visit with Baby's future pediatrician.

Honestly, until Morgan started talking to some of his co-workers, we didn't even know this was a thing - don't you just take your baby in when he/she is sick???  But apparently, there's a whole protocol here - who knew!
We live in a more rural part of Massachusetts (the whole state isn't Boston, ya know!) - so of our few close-by choices, we can go one town over to see the ONLY pediatrician in that town (who everyone loves, but who is swamped and the only pediatrician in his practice), or go one town over from that and be in a practice with several pediatricians who all cover for each other (read:  if you need it, you'll get an appointment, even if it's not YOUR child's doctor).  That one was a winner for us!  So we picked one of the doctors whose bio just seemed to resonate with us, and off we went.

Obviously, the questions you ask are very specific to what concerns you personally and fits your (and your baby's) situation.  For example, we've already decided against circumcision (if a boy) - she asked this, but we didn't bring it up.  The topic of vaccines is also very personal depending on your own beliefs on the subject - we discussed, but were on the same page as the dctor.

So we trolled Google for good questions (links below) and settled on these:


1.  Tell us a little about yourself, and why you became a pediatrician.  Do you have children yourself?

2.  What are your office hours/days, and what is your coverage if we want to be seen on a day/time you're not available?  How do we contact you for questions?  Is there urgent care available?  Do you recommend a specific hospital/urgent care?

3.  Through what age do you usually treat?

4.  Do you recommend...  a specific formula?

5.  When do you typically want to see a child during its first year (related to: what is the typical vaccine schedule for the first year)?

6.  Do you have other patients with same-sex parents?

She was a kind and upfront woman with good experience, and we felt comfortable with her.  She took her time and didn't rush us (though this was a pro bono visit).  And she actually answered most of the questions (and many others) as she talked, so it was really more conversational.  And that, honestly, was one of the big things I was looking for - can we have a conversation with her?  (And I will say - having solid experience giving job interviews really came in handy here too!!)

Morgan thought she was more business-like than he was imagining - but really didn't know what to expect.  But in the end, we didn't think she would just be gushing over our baby (particularly with no actual baby in hand), and we're rather happy at that - we want a doctor who can think clearly (one who cares, but isn't so emotional that they forget they're actually the one with the medical degree in the room).

Our questions were a splattering from these sites:


(Now, if you're really paying attention, you'll notice that these are the first three links when you Google "Questions to Ask a Pediatrician" - so yes, I was a bit lazy.  But hey, I just saved you about 10 whole seconds finding the info yourself!)

Friday, December 7, 2012

Flurry of Activity

The clock is just moving faster and faster, and things are just going nuts!


In just the past couple days:
  • We booked our flights.  We decided to just book flights in advance both directions and just hope timing works out!  We can always rebook (with fees), but we'll be arriving in Delhi very very early on Friday January 25th!
  • We reserved our hotel.  We're at the Svelte - it's a bit more than I was planning, but it's probably the best option for us overall.
  • We reached out to the Embassy.  Karin supplied a wealth of info, and gave me a whole new set of To Dos!!  :-)
  • We arranged for the DNA test.  We went with Chromosomal Labs, which so many of you recommended - Morgan will get his test done later this month.
  • The crib arrived.  Of course, we put it together even though the nursery isn't QUITE done - just couldn't resist!
  • We found a pediatrician.  We meet with her for just an informational chat next week.
  • And probably a hundred other things - if the task is checked off, then I don't care!
Already got our visas a month or so ago.  Just need to finish the work around the house, buy a few more baby necessities, and start planning for the actual trip and our very own Operation Exit India!

More to come this week!!!  Hooray!