Waiting for the baby to come. Change your bets!!

I sort of officially went on maternity leave this weekend. Even though I wrote "Vegas for the Holidays!" that had a good run on the L.A. Times home page. And I'm still writing a few Web Buzz articles to tie me over for a couple of weeks. But not waking up to blog is an interesting shift. I'm weaning by still waking up and turning on the computer. Passing blog leads, twittering. Can't help it, it's a part of me - but rest assured I do it from bed.

Advice

Sleep. I think the most frequent advice I've received is sleep! I try, but I don't really know how to sleep more. I go to bed between 9:30-10pm and wake up naturally. Sometimes that's 6am, sometimes it's 7:30am, but usually it's right around 6:30. I wake up rested 96% of the time even if I've gotten up 5-6x to go to the bathroom. I think I'm blessed with the ability to go back to sleep easily, but that may soon change. Right now I'm fine with how much I'm sleeping and even took a nap in the afternoon the other day.

Be good to yourself. I also get a lot of advice to indulge. As if I were one to hold back on treats for myself, I'm doing this, too. But one's definition of treat, might be my definition for routine maintenance. Get your hair cut and colored—check. Get a mani-pedi—check. Go the movies—triple check! Yesterday I did feel spoiled. I went to lunch and the nail salon while the cleaners were at our house preparing the castle. Today I will go see Australia -  but only when I finish a Web Buzz column.

Waiting for the baby to come

Stocked. I think we're set. Our generous friends have given us three showers and we're loaded up with cute clothes, practical items like diapers, wipes, shampoos, soaps, lotions, breast feeding pillows, receiving blankets, breast pumps, soothing seats, play mats,  diaper bags, carriers, baby books, slings and one kick ass Orbit stroller. The baby's room is not decorated yet because we're waiting on the dresser, but it'll be ready this weekend. Jason, my brother, has been sanding and painting my dad's dresser so we can have a piece of him around here, and its already transformed after primer + the first coat. My friend Heather is handing down her daughter's crib and glider - so that'll be next for Unlce Jason to set up after the dresser. She will sleep in a bassinet in our room in the beginning anyhow.

Help is on its way. Susan is coming down for at least a week to help us out. Leigh is coming for an overnight. And I've got two good friends who are planning on coming down later as needed when we'll need a break. Our friends Phil and Barb gave us the name of their doula and she's already been terrific over the phone. She's set to come over for the first overnight plus some day time hours in the first week.

Time to change your bets

When will she come? Some of you have been turning in dates on when you think the sweet little girl will be born. But it's only fair to tell you - we need you to change your bets. We went to the doc's the other day and were given two choices. Induce or have a c-section. He of course didn't say it that bluntly - but it had a lot to do with the fact that they think she's already 8 lbs, 10 oz and there's a 13 cm fibroid in there, that while out of the way, still didn't shrink. With a Dec. 6 due date, she'd just get bigger and the likelihood of having a c-section increases. Our doc knows I want to have a vaginal birth so we opted for inducing to try our best to go that route and give me the experience I want. Yes, I know what will happen in labor could be anything from what I would want or expect - so I'm doing my best to keep an open mind. We don't really have a birth plan other than to get her out safely. And yes, I'll be having an epidural - it's the right choice for me.

Think of us during turkey dinner. We're checking into the hospital at 5 p.m. Thanksgiving night. I will get a little something something to help me become "favorable" and sleep there over night. Then, in the morning, they break the water and start the potocin.

The X-factor. It is also only fair that I tell you betting fools that I'm getting a pre-natal massage today at 10:30am. She's a certified this and that, teaches pre-natal massage, has some holistic taglines and also knows the pressure points to push for getting the body ready to go into labor. I've given her the thumbs up to touch me in those places as I think it can only help with tomorrow night's efforts. She came recommended by a friend.

Bring on the betting

What time will she come? So now, your bets of which day are shot. Now you have to renew your bet with what time will she come. I've disclosed everything I know. Will labor start Thursday night or before, what time will she come Friday. Will the suppository not work Thursday night and will they give me another one? Will labor take 20+ hours like it did for my mom and will we go into Saturday?

**Whomever comes the closest without going over will get our favorite party gift - the smoking donkey.

Ok, that's it. Put your time slots in the comments and sign up or check Twitter.com/jenleo for updates. Just don't drop your phone in the sweet potatoes!

And thanks for all your love and support. We do appreciate it.

Comments

[@Wickedbecool]

Nov. 29
7:07 am (because you got married on 777)

[Falstaff]

8:55PM Friday 11/28

[beans]

11:38pm Friday 11/28

[change100]

11/28. 4:20 p.m. Duh!

Will be thinking of all three of you this weekend. Safe journey into the world little ScheckLeo!

[Dan]

Nov 27
ii:27pm

I don't buy it. If this girl has any Leo in her, she won't do things the way she's supposed to. When she realizes all the fuss being made, she'll be like "Just get it over with already" and come on out. She'll cry, open her eyes, and then start a blog.

[Tea]

No bets for me (you know I'm not the gambling type:-), but sending all best wishes. I'll be thinking of you guys and sending love!

[Hamm]

7:47. She'll do things quickly, like her mom.
Then she'll be ready to take off!

[Hamm]

that's 7:47 a.m.

[Susan Brady]

I'm going with the 28th at 4:47 pm - same time my daughter was born, and we know she's a keeper!

[Don P.]

Friday - 4:32 pm. I wish it could be sooner but that's the best I can do. Remember breathe and breathe. You do it too Jen. Much love.

[Andrew]

12:42 pm Fri. Take care + enjoy the holidays!

[mike]

3:57 p.m. Friday. We'll be thinking of you!

[Pauly]

4:20am Friday.

[sirfwalgman]

Hot Post! I am turned on does that make me a sicko? Hey you brought up the massage!!! Good luck to you! Babies are awesome!!!! I am going to say lunch time! Whee.

[Cotie]

Hmmm, I think the mystery named girl will show up at 10.40am. Easy Breezy! XOXO

[Sally]

I'm going to say 9:16 PM on 11/28. Molly was born 12/28/07 at that time. We've had some cool synergies in the past, so maybe our girls will be born exactly 11 months apart, too! Lots of love to all of you!

[Otis]

You really plan to Twitter the birth?
Lemme go on record as saying that if you actually do, I'm going to ask my wife why she puked on me during the birth of our first.

Oh, and 8:44am Friday.

[harold]

5:01pm Thursday

[Jess]

Scottie and I are thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way!

[jen Leo]

thx friends! I'm giving updates at http://Twitter.com/jenleo

No sign up required.

Talk to you on the other side.

Jen

[Bali Blog]

Waiting for the baby to come just making my head swinging...

[Ameda Ultra]

This is cool.