Baby Signs...In More Ways than One

Well, I have hit the 9 month mark - 36 weeks! Time has flown by so fast, but something tells me that these last few weeks are going to drag on and on. Went to a bridal shower over the weekend and when I came home, Brad had set up Maya's beautiful crib, and Grandma Betty had hung the curtains and valences in her nursery. It made me realize how far we have come in one year. Last year we were wedding planning, and this year, we are Maya planning. There are baby signs everywhere in our home.
Sunday (9/23) was rather interesting as I started cramping and feeling what seemed like contractions. I got really nervous and kept telling Brad that I was not ready for the pain. He is such a rock on this matter and he comforts me and keeps things light. He has taken on a lot of the load in preparing for Maya, in addition to all the stuff he does around the house. Bless his heart, I think he is as ready for this to be over, as I am.
On Monday (9/24) night, we took the grandmas and went to the Baby Signs class. For those of you with infants out there, I really recommend this program. Baby Signs is a way for parents to communicate with their infants using sign language. It doesn't interfere with their ability to speak, but it makes it easier to understand what they might be trying to say, pre-speech. We learned some basic signs for food, drink, milk, Mummy, Daddy, dog, etc. Then we learned how to incorporate these signs when reading to Maya and when singing to her. Brad and I have been practicing our signing and are getting better at it.
Tuesday (9/25) night was our second Lamaze class. It was a great class that went through early labor, active labor, and the delivery of the placenta. If any 12 year old (thinking of having a baby) out there saw the video that we saw, we would have a significant decrease in the number of teenage pregnancies. The teachers in these classes don't sugar coat the pain factor...pain is definitely a strong component of childbirth and these classes are great in teaching us how to deal with it. We learned more breathing, touching, and massage techniques, and at the end of the class, all coaches were given massages by their wives.
From my doctor's appointment this morning (Wednesday, 9/26), I have learned that my cramps over the weekend were the result of Maya dropping significantly. Her head is in the downward position which is great. As for her due date, well, that may have changed a bit. Dr. Kahen says that my pregnancy will not go past the 38th week due to any stress on Maya caused by my sugar levels. This speeds things up just a bit, so I drove to work this morning with a totally different sense of excitement. Will keep you all updated as to what progresses.

Reality is Setting In

Mother and Child-Gustave Klimt, 1905
Well, it really is setting in, the reality of being a Mom in a few weeks. There are days when I go through the really happy emotions, literally floating on cloud nine. Then, there are the days when my heart fills with fear...the fear of being a good Mom, the fear of holding Maya too tight, the fear of dropping her, the fear of her not loving me, and most of all, the fear of making every mistake that I am trying my best not to make.
The Lamaze Technique is a prepared childbirth technique developed in the 1940s by French obstetrician Dr. Fernand Lamaze as an alternative to the use of medical intervention during labor. Dr. Lamaze was influenced by Soviet childbirth practices, which involved breathing and relaxation techniques under the supervision of a "monitrice" or midwife. (www.wikipedia.com)
On Monday Brad and I went to our first Lamaze class. There were about ten other couples, some of whom we had met in our prior classes. The purpose of this class was to educate us on and ease our fears of the delivery process. My biggest fear is the length of labor and the pain associated with it. I keep hearing about epidurals and how they ease the process; alongside with that I hear about how the epidural can cause the baby to become dopey and non responsive. So many views, so many options, and so many decisions to make. We learned about signs of false labor vs. true labor, how to breathe and relax, and the art of touching. Everyone in the class is at the same point...nervous and yearning for anything that might alleviate the fear of the unknown. One of the things that Tarzana Regional Medical Center provides is great teachers. Wendy was our coach last night and she was very realistic, yet very reassuring.
Maya is still moving around frequently...a sign that she is still in her holding pattern. My sugar levels are holding steady. I now awake every two hours to make a pit stop. And, the heaviness of my body has become more evident. I am moving on all cylinders right now when it comes to being stressed out. The nursery can't be completed fast enough, my bag can't be packed fast enough, the due date can't get here fast enough...Hope that this adrenaline keeps me going when it comes to that final push.

Maya's First Baby Shower

Today was our first baby shower thrown by my Mum. It included so many friends that I have known from the time I was a teenager. These friends have seen me grow and been a part of the important milestones in my life. It was great seeing everyone and feeling like a very special Mom-to-Be. Besides the house being beautifully decorated (with the solitary Feliz Batismo balloon - my Mom's idea of a joke), the food was great, the cake was to die for, and the presents were so many. Maya's cup does runneth over.
My Dad carved a cradle out of a watermelon and filled it with a fruit salad. My Mum made a lovely chicken and rice casserole and couscous. Marlon helped out with all the decorating, eventhough he had to rush to work that morning. Grandma Betty made her famous punch and green salad, and Auntie Vivian made spicy corn fritters. The cake was from Plusco's and it was a yummy white cake filled with a champagne custard. Maria was in charge of the games and boy were they fun. My stomach was measured, very twisted motherly advice was shared, and the guests' memory was tested. When it came time to open the presents, I was excited to see what pretty gifts Maya had got. Onesies, a Taiwanese traditional silk two-piece, a pram, a bouncy chair, lots and lots of clothes, a "silver" spoon from Grandma Betty, great reading for us padres, accessories for her nursery, and last, but not least, gifts for her Mommy too. Maya's extended family has once again showered us with love. All her aunties have already begun to spoil her.
I know that my Mom is thrilled to be having a grandchild and that this shower is just one of the many ways that she has showered Maya, Brad and I with her love! As for my Dad, the watermelon cradle says it all. Friends, love, and support...Maya, Brad, and I are so lucky to have these and more in our lives.

The Learning Process (Phase One)

Breastfeeding Mother (Pablo Picasso)
“There are three reasons for breast-feeding: the milk is always at the right temperature; it comes in attractive containers; and the cat can't get it.” - Irena Chalmers
Brad and I finished our first two classes in a series of childbirth classes and boy do we have a lot to learn. In our Newborn Care class, we learned the basics of holding, feeding, bathing, diapering, and basically catering to every newborn need. What I am looking forward too is holding Maya, holding her close to my chest and feeling her little heart beating. In the Breastfeeding class, we learned the different techniques of feeding, along with the many benefits that breastfeeding has over formula feeding. Besides the nutritional value, the emotional benefits that Maya and I will share are indescribable. I pray that Maya responds to my want to feed her. My head tells me to be strong about the possibility that Maya will not want to feed from me, but my heart is a whole different story.
The key phrase that keeps popping up in these classes in "on demand". Can you believe that a newborn baby will want to feed every two hours? I guess the sporadic sleep pattern that I have developed as the result of constant latrine visits is in preparation for what's to come. One of the highlights of our newborn class was that Bo Brady (for all of you Days of Our Lives fans) was in our class. Besides that, it's nice to meet other couples who are in the same waiting game as we are. Women with backs aching as bad as mine, swollen feet, changed sleep patterns, and the general desire to want to have the baby now!
So what have we learned so far? We have learned about developing a strong sense of trust between Maya and us...we are her lifesource and as long as she knows that she can depend on us for that, the rest will fall into place. Next week we start our Lamaze class and have our first Baby Signs class...we can't wait!

Getting Away from Baby Prep and Coming Right Back to It

Brad and I took a mini break up to San Simeon for Labor Day weekend. It was going to be hotter than hell in the Valley so we decided to go up the central Californian coast. Hearst Castle is one of the few sites that Brad has not seen, so it was a treat that I got to take him there and show him what I loved about it. We got an early start on Friday morning and made it up there in about two and half hours. After checking into our hotel, we drove up to Hearst Castle. Our tour was the Experience Tour, recommended for first-time visitors. The tour covered Casa Grande, the Neptune and Roman pools, Casa del Sol, the Esplanade, and some of the gardens. Mr. Hearst was quite the dreamer and he made many of his dreams a reality. Opulence was the order of the day with richly draped walls, themed rooms with art to match, exquisitely crafted furniture, and views of the Pacific that were breathtaking. It was a little challenging keeping up with the group because it was hot (up on the hill) and I needed frequent restroom breaks. The guide was most accommodating. After the tour, we saw a National Geographic movie called Building a Dream. Brad was quite impressed with the house and the grounds and saw much of what he had seen in his travels to Europe, reflected in the decor. After resting up at our hotel we ventured into Cambria for dinner. Cambria is quite the quaint town. Main Street is about two blocks long and boasts novelty store, galleries, and realty offices. We walked around a bit and then drove past Main Street to Burton Street where there were many stores and restaurants. Robin's was our restaurant of choice. It was an old house converted into a restaurant, providing a really cozy atmosphere. Brad ordered Kobe flank steak and I ordered an Indian lamb dish. The food was well cooked and the service excellent.
On Saturday, we searched for a quaint breakfast spot, but there was a Labor Day parade in Cambria, so breakfast at the Motel 6 restaurant was our only alternative. It was horrible...terrible service, and mediocre food. We had a 10:40 a.m. Garden Tour up at Hearst Castle and when we got to the top it was about 90 degrees. The tour was wonderful and we got to see sections of the property that we had not seen in the earlier tour. On our way down, the temperature kept dropping and by the time we found a secluded beach, it was beautiful. We played in the water for a bit and made a video for Maya. After stopping by Cambria for a quick lunch, we headed home.
Sunday and Monday were horrible in the Valley - temperatures over 105. Brad did the back-breaking work of cleaning out the nursery and organizing our new office space. In instance like this, I provide refreshment and food. Maya's nursery is a blank slate, except for the beautiful chest of drawers. Now, all that's left is for us to furnish it.

Prepping for a Girl

Has anybody looked at little girls' clothes recently? They are absolutely adorable. Little pink onesies with sayings like "Mommy's Little Angel", "Daddy's Little Princess"; purple and white pajamas with butterflies and flowers; pink and brown winter outfits; pink and gray plaid school-girl pinafores. The choices are endless. I was in Babies 'r Us recently and couldn't resist picking up some pretty, girlie outfits. I find myself looking a outfits for when she gets older. As long as she can't argue with me about the clothes she wears, then I might as well take some advantage of having her wear what I think she looks cute it.
Brad has been tirelessly working on Maya's chest of drawers. It's a hand-me-down from his grandmother and needs some updating. We decided on painting it crisp white with pink accents. He is painting the scroll work by hand with a delicate paintbrush and the love he is putting into it is so obvious. The drawer knobs will be porcelain white with little pink roses and a gold border. I am trying not to get too cheesy with the rose theme, but sometimes I can't help myself. In fact, I found a beautiful tea set in pearlized china, with pink roses. Every little girl needs a real tea set. Today, we are moving all the "grown up" stuff out of Maya's nursery and this will give us a nice, blank slate to work with. Her nursery is a bright room with two windows facing the backyard. The room gets lots of light. Furniture will be minimal, surrounding only the perimeter of the room. We are going to get her a crib, and there is a book shelf, a corner shelf, the chest of drawers (which will double as a changing table) and hopefully a nice armchair in which I can nurse. I want the middle to be a free space so that she doesn't experience any clutter. There is a nice closet in which we can store any baby supplies.
Things are slowly coming together and I would like to get things sorted out before I am too tired to do anything. On Monday, September 3, I will be entering my 8th month...tick-tock-tick-tock.

Why Maya Rose?

If it was a little boy, his name would have been Alexander Logan Smith; however, since we are being blessed with a little girl, Maya Rose seemed most appropriate. It's simple, easy to spell, doesn't offend any family member because we have chosen no family members' names, and is exotic. Maya is a name found in Hindi, as well as English, and Hebrew.
According to http://www.babynamesworld.com/meaning_of_Maya.html:
Maya is mostly taken in English-speaking countries as a variant of the mythological name Maia, usage influenced by the common English word and name "May". It is also the Spanish form of the name, and a common pet form of Amalia. The name occurs in Japanese as well, with various combinations of meaning, such as for example truth and everlasting."Maya;" means "illusion" or "enchantment" in Sanskrit. Maya is the phenomenal world of separate objects and people, which creates for some the illusion that it is the only reality. In Hindu mythology, Maya is the name of the goddess Devi, the consort of Shiva. In Buddhist myth, Queen Maya was the birth mother of the historical Buddha. It is also used on males. Maya is also a modern Hebrew name, probably also a variant of Greek Maia, but maybe related to Maayan (spring) and to the Aramaic word for “water”. This name can also be given in reference to a pre-Columbian civilization in southern Mexico and Latin America.
In choosing names for our little girl, we also put on our middle school student hats and what we decided that the worst fun that kids could make of Maya's name was "Maya, Maya, pants on fire!"
So, Maya Rose it is...and from what I've seen of her, I think the name suits her just fine.