A full Weekend

It is the start of a new week, and Chris and I had an eventful weekend. On Saturday, we attended the first of two all-day Childbirth Classes. There were 5 couples in the class, and three of us sitting in a row were all having boys, due May 3rd, 4th, and 5th! We learned about the stages of labor, and practiced some basic breathing techniques with our spouses. Chris and I were a little amazed at the other men in the class. One announced during the introductions that he was going to be running out, taking calls for work on his cell phone as needed, since it was a busy day for his business. When it came to the "coaching" part, the men hemmed and hawed about having to do breathing exercises while holding their wives in supportive postures to practice dealing with contractions. ('Isn't she the one having the baby?") On the other hand, Chris was in his element...good at taking the lead in the dance; he had no problem setting the pace and watching out for my cues. I know he is going to be a great coach, and I feel more confident that we will be able to manage as a team.

Yesterday, we were invited to a baby shower for one of Chris' co-workers. Camille is having a boy, due May 6th. (Seriously, what was in the air back in July and August??) We played lots of shower games, and ate delicious cakes and treats. There were several daughters attending, varying in ages from 7-10. They helped orchestrate the shower games for the grown-ups. These girls really reminded me of some of my piano students in Boston, and how much I miss seeing them every week. (I guess it is a good thing we are having a family, because I really enjoy having children around in my day.) Chris was the only guy who came, but since I had never met the guest of honor before the party, it would have been more awkward for me to attend alone. He and I both had fun, and he was able to commiserate about work-related events outside of the office...which he sometimes needs and never gets the opportunity to do.

This baby is getting more powerful every day! I am right on the edge of kicks taking my breath away. All of those limbs are poking out front, as if to make the space larger as he is feeling cramped. Chris gasped with delight last night when he could feel a little hand pushing out behind my bellybutton. -When I was still feeling that and more 5 hours later, my gasps were less delight motivated...but I am glad the baby is moving about, and seeing how things work!

I have a general query. We occasionally get phone calls from people looking for one of the women who lives in the apartment downstairs. When they ask for her (her name is similar to mine) I tell them there is no one here by that name. Then they read my phone number to me, which obviously is the one they dialed because I'm on the phone with them...and then I have to assure them that I am not the woman they are trying to speak with. Usually what follows is, "But you know her, right?" (I think that is the strangest part of all!) I say I don't. Do I know of her existence? Yes. Do I know her, or see or talk with her? No...our only relationship is through these bizarre phone calls from sales people/telemarketers/bounty hunters(?) One man was incredulous that I denied being her or knowing her. What is this about? Should I say she lives downstairs? These people are not identifying themselves or what they are calling in regards to, so I don't volunteer any information, be it mine or anyone else's. I do find it odd. Makes me long for the simple old days, when we just had a nationally advertised Catholic prayer hot line as our home phone number...it was very straightforward, just needing to pray for the people who called.