Waiting for Soapy

We have painted the nursery - six "paintstaking" coats of three shades of brown 'til it was just right for Soapy.

We have unpacked and (sort of) decoded the car seat (sorry, the travel system).

We have attended six birthing, breastfeeding, babying classes. It turns out kids do come with owner's manuals and they are terrifying (the owner's manuals, not the kids).

We have pre-registered at the hospital, and kept a hard copy of our paperwork because the web site gives no confirmation that the hospital received our registration.

We have toured said hospital, gotten a glimpse of the "birthing rooms," the "Mother/Infant rooms," and the almost-empty "nursery," a room that is apparently a thing of the past at many new hospitals being built without them. 

We have trained the cat to sleep everywhere but with us or in the crib, except last night, when we accidentally made her spend the entire night in Steve's closet. She purred when we let her out this morning. We must be forgiven.

We have kept all our Dr's appointments, even added a few for excitement lately, like when we thought my water had broken, and when Soapy took a 4-hour nap during his/her normal active playtime and the lack of kicking sent me right back to the reassuring squeak, squeak of the fetal heart rate monitors.

We have attended a partner-assisted birthing stretching class, taught by my prenatal yoga instructor, and I have attended more than a dozen prenatal yoga sessions, where the support of other mothers-to-be has given me new courage and perspective on birth.

I have read none of the "required" reading, like "What to Expect When You're Expecting," opting instead for books by midwives, doulas, and holistic health practitioners. Some of my selections have caused my Doctor to raise an eyebrow or two at me, but that only reinforces my sense that these are the right sources of information. Steve has read two books for expectant fathers and could probably soon write his own.

We have washed the tiny laundry and marveled at each little sock or shirt as we put it away in the dresser drawers.

We have even replaced the roof over Soapy's head.

Along the way, we have laughed, cried, argued, faced our fears and each other's, worried, negotiated, and partnered to complete this pregnancy. Suddenly we find ourselves with few to-do's and lots of to-learn's. Our childbirth instructor assured us last night that even in the scariest, most tenuous birth situations, there are remarkable stories of love and tenderness that build strong, healthy families. This insight gives me hope that all our work so far has started to turn us, two mere mortals, into that magical species known as "parents."

Comments

[Dad]

Marti,
Am so excited for you and Steve! To be able to face the most exciting time of your life(and your new life!)and be so prepared, wow! Soapy won't be so happy to get here at first, but after a while that will change, what a life all of you are going to have!! Much love to you all.- Later

[Tonia Wales]

Well, Soapy turned out to be Marisen Rachel! And a lovely little bundle she is. It was a privilege to get to meet her at age one hour - thanks for letting Rachel and me share in the moment. Great job Marti! You too, Steve - you both looked SO happy (albeit exhausted). I wonder if we will ever call her Soapy - what do you think?

Hugs to you all!

Mom (aka Tonia)