Wow

Moo
August 11, 2006
9:35pm 7lb 7.4oz 20"

Wow, just about sums up life since my birthday. If you haven't guessed by the change in ticker at the top of the blog, our baby daughter is here. In fact, she made her appearance the day after my birthday! Pretty much I headed to the clinic as usual for my weekly check-ups, but when the midwife examined me to see how my cervix was progressing, she looked up with a shocked expression and said, "I just don't quite know how you're keeping this baby inside. You're 5-6cm dilated. Are you sure you're not feeling any pain." Now remember, the maximum is 10. I was already pretty much half way to delivering the baby and no contractions. The staff at the clinic were in shock, and so were the nurses at the Women's Center at the hospital when I walked up to the ward and checked myself in.

By the time J got there with my hospital bag there was still no action, so I told him to go home, get a shower, change out of his work clothes and I'd call him when my midwife came and broke my water to speed things along. We timed it right and he got back at around 5-ish just when she was ready to get started. The contractions started soon after she broke my water, but they were bearable. So to speed things along J and I trooped up and down the hallways. We made the nurses happy because I agreed to test out their new telemetry system for monitoring labour progress. By 7:00pm the contractions had really started to wring me out so I gave in and asked for some pain meds. I was too far along and expected to delivery too quickly to get an epidural. Instead, I got a very nice cocktail of 3 different narcotics. After that the catch phrase was "pleasant"... well, at least until the contractions stepped it up again and I said, "Okay, that's not pleasant."

Now this might gross some of you out but the best thing I heard in the labour room was one of the nurses saying, "No you can't go and poo, we don't want the baby's first swimming lesson to be in the toilet." If I hadn't been feeling another cramp at that moment I would've rolled off the bed laughing. Pretty much, that meant it was time to push! All in all, I can't complain. I got the order to start pushing at 9:20pm and Moo was born a scant 15 minutes later. Afterwards one of the nurses commented, "Wow, you sure must have a guardian angel up there." My reply, "Actually, yes I do." Thanks Moms.

So for now, J and I are here adjusting to life with a newborn in the house. He goes back to work tomorrow, and Moo has an appointment with the pediatrician, so it will be a day of firsts for both of us. For more pictures of our bundle of joy, click the Pictures link to the right. Ciao.

Interesting... I wonder where Jamaicans would rank

Unfortunately, Jamaican men probably weren't considered in this poll because I'm sure the outcome would be quite interesting!

Koreans do it more, Brazil digs variety, but Italy rings bells

AFP , LONDON Thursday, Aug 10, 2006
South Korean men are having sex more times a week than anyone else in the world, though Brazilian men are at it with a wider range of women, suggests an international survey published on Monday.

The poll of 40,000 men for Men's Health magazine found that Britons spent the most time on foreplay but flopped when it came to endurance, with Mexicans coming first for stamina in the bedroom.

On average, South Koreans said they were having sex at least four times a week, while Filipinos said they masturbated almost six times a week, the most of any nationality.
Brazilians topped two categories, with 19 percent saying they had had a threesome, which might help account for them having clocked up the most lovers (11), according to the internationally published fitness magazine.

Polish and German men were found to be the most faithful, with 62 percent having never cheated on their partner, followed by Australians (60 percent) and Dutchmen (59 percent).
British men spend -- or claim to spend -- an average of 17.44 minutes on foreplay per sex session, longer than Australians (17.2 minutes), Germans (16.92 minutes) and Mexicans (16.91 minutes).

But British men last only 18.64 minutes from foreplay to climax, far behind the Mexicans (23.17 minutes) and the Dutch (22.42 minutes), while 60 percent of Italian men said they made their partner climax every time.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/
archives/2006/08/10/2003322566

• Mood: calm and happy - advancing in age does have that effect I suppose
• Music: the hum of the A/C

Not so slowly... but definitely surely

Time operates in such a weird way. While last week felt like it too forever, this week has gone by in a blur. Still everything seems to be going slowly in terms of our pregnancy. But then not really because we can actually see Mae's due date as its circled on our calendar. I can't explain it. If you're confused by what I'm trying to say, just chalk it up to a 'placenta' moment. Which according to one of the midwives is the whole forgetfulness and spaciness that some pregnant women go through. (That's the card I got to hand in at the hospital, so rather than the person on call from the clinic, I can have one of the midwives at my labour and delivery.)

Anyway, we had another OB appointment today. J was able to get off work for a bit to come with me, which I really love since he wasn't able to be there for the first seven or so months because he was here and I was in JA. (He's been having fun assembling baby things, like the bassinet we were given - thanks EP!) I've gained more weight, - nothing out of control - and my blood pressure is low, but still okay for a pregnant woman. The great news is that Mae's getting ready to come out! (If you don't understand preggo-jargon, skip the rest of this paragraph lol) I'm already 3cm dilated, there's 80% effacement or thinning of the cervix and the midwife could feel her head. I didn't know whether to freak out or smile when she said the part about the head, but when I glanced over at J he was so pale that I couldn't help but smile.

Other than that I'm realising how much I'll miss my cousin and her friend when they leave in about a week. It's been so nice having the two of them here, not just to help with the unpacking, cooking and cleaning, but to have someone to talk to during the day. You wouldn't believe how alone you can feel when you go from a job where you're always talking and interacting with a lot of people to being by yourself at home all day. I think back and maybe that's why the first couple months of our marriage were so rocky. I'd just left college where I lived in a house with ten or so people, went to classes with at least 20 other students and ate meals in a dining hall that could hold hundreds. At least I know what to look out for this time around so there'll be no need for the severe crankiness :-)