The Transformation

I have never been one of those people who goes gah gah over every baby they meet. I've never been one to volunteer to hold a baby. As a teenager, I never thought babysitting was a good or fun option for making extra money. Instead, I opted to work fast food. I always thought that my life would be just fine if I never had any children at all. After all, I had my cats. Don't get me wrong, I've always liked children, but from a comfortable distance.

All of that has changed. Shortly after marriage, I found myself actually wanting to have a child. During my pregnancy, I felt myself falling in love with the little being moving inside of me, but nothing prepared me for the love I felt once I saw her. In an instant, I was transformed into a mother. All the emotions I had heard about came pouring out from inside of me as I looked into my daughters eyes. My first words to her were "you're beautiful" as she was placed on my chest. I felt an immediate need to protect her and make sure she knew she was loved for the rest of her life.

So, I am a mother. And I probably will go gah gah over every baby I see from here on out. I am fully transformed.

PS: I'm posting a picture of my precious Charlotte, like a typical mother.

Our Little Burrito

I just love this picture of Charlotte. When we were still in the hospital, I asked one of the nurses to show me how to swaddle her with her blanket. After she showed me, I thought "Oh,it's just like wrapping a burrito." Since then, we affectionately call Charlotte "Our Little Burrito" when she's swaddled. We also ask her if she wants to be swaddled burrito style. She seems to like it.

Charlotte Annalise Vila

Born June 20, 2006 at 3:23 a.m.
7 lbs, 20 inches long

Here are a few pictures of our gorgeous baby girl!

For All You Cat Lovers

First, let me just admit that I'm getting a bit restless waiting for this baby to come. I am easily annoyed, and can easily burst into tears or laughter. I guess it's normal. Just thought I'd confess on my blog and publicly apologize to Eric. It's a good thing he's such a patient and loving husband.

There is something that I heard about that I think is just too cute to not share - a reality show that features cats. Yes, it's true. Meow Mix has come up with what is basically Survivor/Big Brother for shelter kitties. Ten cats have been selected from all over the country to move to New York and live in a fabulous cat crib together. They will compete in kitty contests (who can purr the loudest, clean the longest, etc.) and then be evaluated by judges. Every day, one cat will be eliminated from the home. The good news is that every cat who is eliminated will go to a new, hopefully loving home and get a year supply of Meow Mix. The winner gets to work for Meow Mix as a taste tester, in addition to getting a new home.

The best part is that if you are in New York, you can go by the cat crib and see the kitties in action. If you are so inclined, the address is 435 Madison Ave., between 48th and 49th. I think I may just have to take a trip into the city if I get the chance. You can also visit www.meowmixhouse.com and read bios on the kitties, or see them live via the webcam (although I'm sure they're sleeping most of the time). The show airs this Friday night at 9:10 p.m. on Animal Planet. I'll most likely be watching.

The Final Countdown

Only five days until my due date. That means ... absolutely nothing really, but I have to have something to focus on. So, Saturday it is. If she decides to come late, as most first babies do, then I'll have even longer to wait. Since I'm no longer working, I have much more time on my hands, which is good, and bad. It's good because I may not have this kind of alone time for many years, and I've always loved my alone time. It's bad because I have a hard time thinking about anything other than the delivery of this baby.

For the past two nights, I've had semi-regular contractions that really got me and Eric excited, but then they just stopped. I wonder if every night is going to be like this until the real thing. Part of me wonders how I will know the real thing, but I guess it will be pretty obvious. The pain factor will likely kick in and I'll just know. That's what I'm counting on anyway.

So, I'm spending my days working on little projects - mainly cleaning and organizing projects. They say the nesting instinct gets very strong in the days leading up to delivery, and I'm certainly living up to that. I still could use some ideas for how to spend my days, so if you have any ideas, please pass it along. There's only so much cleaning and organizing that can be done in a one bedroom apartment.

Last Day of Work

Today is my last day of work at the Manhattan Church of Christ. It has been wonderful working here, and I am grateful for the opportunity in so many ways. Before I started here, I was waiting tables at Planet Hollywood in midtown Manhattan and trying to get a job in musical theatre. I hated working at Planet Hollywood and expressed my hatred of it whenever I had the chance. Then, I found out from Larry Mudd, our Music Minister, that someone was needed in the church office and that the hours were pretty flexible. I jumped at the opportunity and never looked back.

That was around April of 2002, and I've been here every since, well, almost. I took about a year and a half off to work at the Carousel Dinner Theatre and then for the national tour of the Music Man. When I came back to town, I still had a job. Once again - grateful.

So, I"m a bit sad about leaving here, but I know it is time. I'm ready for a new chapter in my life, and having a baby certainly qualifies as a new chapter. I will miss everyone I work with and I'm sure I'll never again experience such a pleasant work environment. It's been great, but I must say "adios".

Weight Gain, Part II

I recently filled out all the pre-registration forms for admission to the hospital for the delivery of our baby girl. One of the forms was for her birth certificate. It was really cool to fill out her name and see it on paper. It looked so official. I was, however, a bit surprised at some of the other questions they wanted to know about me and Eric.

I expect them to want to know our race, but why don't they have "Hispanic/Latino" as a main category. I had to check "White" because it was the most accurate and then specify "Mexican" in the ancestry section. That was weird.

What was even stranger (and why I've titled this post "Weight Gain, Part II") is that it asked what my pre-pregnancy weight was and what my current weight is. Why is this relevant? I certainly hope this won't be printed on her birth certificate. I'm sure it's just for statistics, but can't they get that information from doctors? And, what makes them so sure that women are going to tell the truth? I admit that I was tempted to fudge a little, but decided against it because if they are compiling statistics, I would like them to be accurate.

Anyway, just a random thought. I'm really not as concerned about my weight gain as I may seem, especially now that I have just 2 weeks to go. What's done is done and the most important thing is that I have a healthy daughter to hold in my arms. She's been very dramatic in her movements lately, which I'm interpreting as "it's getting crowded in here, I want to come out." Soon little girl, soon.

Weight Gain

On Saturday, I will officially be 38 weeks pregnant. At 37 weeks, a baby is considered to be full term and can arrive at any times. I'm trying not to think that our baby will arrive earlier than 40 weeks, but a part of me hopes. It's been a nice pregnancy, but I'm ready for it to be over and for the mothering to begin.

I will be going to the doctor every week now until the baby is born. I can't say 'my' doctor because I'm being rotated among the other doctors in the practice just in case my doctor is not on call when I deliver (which will most likely be the case). So far, I have liked every doctor I've met, but I have noticed a small difference in male verses female doctors. All the male doctors (with the exception of mine) want to bring up the issue of weight gain, and that I'm a little over what is recommended. The female doctor I saw today told me that my weight gain was "fine" (without any prompting) and more importantly, that the baby's size is good for where I am. She estimates that the baby will be born somewhere within the 7 lb. range, which sounds good to me. Delivery will be tough either way, but it's gotta be somewhat easier to deliver a 7 lb. baby than a 9 pounder.

Anyway, I'm digressing from my main point. Why are the male doctors so concerned about weight gain? Is a female doctor more sympathetic to the stresses of pregnancy on a body and to a woman's view of her body during pregnancy? After all, I don't need anyone else verifying what I already know - that I've put on a lot of weight.