A.B. Kagledom

Dear Little George,

Maybe it was a fluke but we explained the sleep problem to your brother before he went to bed last night, we taped a new sleep chart with drawings of treats to his door, and we waited for the crying. It came, as usual, but it lasted no more than a few minutes and ONLY ONE TIME! We didn't have to go in to make it stop. He even slept in an extra hour this morning before we went into his room with much fanfare and sticker choices. I think we'll keep him.

Simon doesn't care about stickers (he wouldn't even make the selection for his chart) but he understands that stickers lead to sweets. Sweets are the only incentives that work for Simon.

What will you like?

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 02:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

You are still inside. You don't move much. I'm still really uncomfortable. This is why I haven't written. Nothing terribly interesting is happening.

Simon hasn't been sleeping well - as a newborn you'll do better - and we've decided to either put him up for adoption or MAKE IT STOP. So we aren't sleeping because we will no longer go in to comfort him at the usual 11 pm, midnight, 2 am, 4 am hours. I'm sure, once he goes to college, he'll figure out that sleep can be good.

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 08:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Simon and Matthew were in the local paper last week...

Posted by kagledom at 09:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Dear Little George,

This is the point in my pregnancy with Simon where the doctor stopped telling me how large I was. She isn't afraid this time because we heavily suspect your largeness is your height and not your girth. She did, of course, measure your head last week and I bet that was to make sure you can exit. Your head circumference is average; you won't be induced because of your size. Alas, there is nowhere I can look on the web to tell you how large you are. You're probably over eight pounds.

I promised yesterday not to complain so I'll try to make this next section as factual as possible. I don't fit into clothes well and sometimes it actually hurts to sit in pants. I have developed a pinched nerve or something next to my right knee which prevents me from kneeling or putting all of my weight on my knee - something I now know I do ALL THE TIME. I itch and no amount of lotion on my belly seems to solve the problem. I'm usually hot. And sometimes? Sometimes I get winded getting up and walking from my cube over to the water cooler. It all feels a bit ridiculous. I never ever ever want to be fat again. EVER. I can't wait to be in control.

Anxiously awaiting your departure/arrival,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 09:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

I haven't taken a single hour off since June (I'm saving all of my time for maternity leave) so I was really looking forward to this four day weekend. All I expected out of it was some good food, relaxation, and time to bond with Simon. Lately it seems I never have enough time with him - two hours after work each day isn't enough.

On those grounds this was a very successful four-day weekend. We had a relaxing Thanksgiving dinner at home with the Feefadders. Saturday we actually got out a bit for a trip on the CalTrain up to the mall to buy Simon some Hanukkah gifts at Barnes and Noble. Today Simon and I went to see a movie in the theater (the one about the magic toy store). Sadly, he burst into tears from exhaustion at the very end and cried more in the parking lot because we don't drive a sports car (he was asleep a few minutes later).

Simon and I have slept together, sat on our arses together, and snuggled more than ever before. Unfortunately, we have also have been having fevers together, a hard time breathing, coughing all night long, and emptying nearly all of the tissue boxes in the house together.

But bonded? Yes we are.

What I'm most thankful for this holiday is that you stayed inside. I've been pretty desperate to evict you (I'm incredibly uncomfortable) but since you stayed in during this bad cold, you deserve at least a week of no complaints.

Love,

Mama

P.S. Sorry for the coughing. I know you don't like it.

Posted by kagledom at 06:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

It looks like we're in it for the long haul. I am still 1 cm dilated and not effaced which means we haven't made any progress in the past two weeks.

We did get to see parts of you in an ultrasound today. You are in the correct position for labor and, although you are measuring as a 40 week fetus, your head and femur are right on target for this point in pregnancy. I take this to mean that you are EXACTLY like your brother - the extra 4 weeks in size is all height and your height is all in your torso. It is a relief to know you are not chubby and that you don't have a huge head.

We didn't get a look at your face but we did confirm that you are a boy and your back is what is pushing so hard against my right side.

Simon was particularly excited to see you and kept repeating "Baby brother is coming SOON!"

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 03:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Dear Little George,

Your brother has been acting very strange for the past week. He's been hugging you a lot and kissing you and telling you he loves you (by the way, I'm shielding you from his REALLY cold hands). He has been asking how I'm doing and telling me he luuuuuvs me over and over and over while hugging me or caressing my face. A few days ago he even started doing the entire toilet routine ON HIS OWN - totally skipping past the part where he is supposed to tell us he needs to go and then we take him. Hooray for strange.

Yesterday he told me he wants to be in my tummy. He said he wants to be a baby. This morning he woke up a bit earlier than usual, turned on the light in the hallway and went to the bathroom completely on his own. When Matthew groaned because of the light, Simon called back "I'm sorry Daddy, that wasn't considerate of your feelings."

Holy cow.

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 09:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

I'm not even going to guess at how large you are right now. On Wednesday we have our 36 week appointment and the doctor will reveal if you are measuring ahead 2, 3, or 4 weeks. If I had to guess, I'd guess you were measuring as a 40 week fetus. I do have some evidence to back this up. People at work who don't know me are starting to say things like "you poor thing!" as I pass in the halls. Those who don't say anything have a clear expression of terror when I come lumbering at them. I am THE GIANT PREGNANT MONSTER COMING TO GET YOU WITH MY DETACHABLE STRETCH MARKS! After my massage yesterday I saw my pregnant self in a full-length mirror naked for the first time and let's just say that I had the same terrified expression on my face. Seriously.

You are REALLY REALLY BIG.

On the positive side, I feel better than I look. My back hasn't had any problems and my feet are not swelling. I don't have trouble walking after a few minutes on my feet. I haven't had any leg cramps and I haven't gained too much weight. I do have some trouble standing up in the middle of the night. Turning myself over is becoming a chore and I'm currently wearing one of Daddy's dress shirts because mine are no longer long enough to keep you covered.

Overall, this has been a great pregnancy but, after my four-days-off-in-a-row this week, I'll be ready to carry you in my arms instead of in my gut.

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 01:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

We're running low on baby free weekends and we decided to spend this one with friends. Friends and a short trip to the ocean. As soon as we walked over to the water a rogue wave came up over the sea wall and hit Simon right in the head. He didn't mind but he sure wanted Daddy to share the experience...

(Daddy never did get wet.)

Today I had my last prenatal massage ever. I only wish it could have lasted longer or that I could have stayed on the table and slept all day once it was over. We did spend the rest of the day relaxing and playing at the park with friends. I kept falling asleep on the couch which has Daddy slightly concerned that something is happening. The day before Simon came out, I slept on and off the whole day.

Are you coming?

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 08:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

Your Daddy and I were making your bed the other night when we turned on your mobile. Simon ran into the room and, while he jumped to see over the crib bumper and get a good look, he asked excitedly, "Is he here yet?!?!?!?!"

Not yet.

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

If you are still measuring 3 weeks ahead you weigh about 6.8 pounds and are over 19 1/2 inches long. You've completely dropped which looks really funny and seems like it would be a very uncomfortable place to be. Your head is pushing directly on my cervix which sends me sharp stabbing pains whenever you move. We're supposed to have an ultrasound next week to check your position. I'm looking forward to seeing your squished face but it isn't necessary. Your hiccups pinpoint your location very well.

If I were not working, this experience would be less embarrassing - standing still all of a sudden and waiting for your movement to cease before continuing, making sure that my pants are in fact covering the essential areas whenever I stand, lumbering around like Frankenstein when I first get up from a long period of sitting. Alas, it is probably the work that is keeping me sane. I find that I can't draw and focus on your imminent arrival at the same time. Deadlines loom in front of me like chocolate carrots. If I can just make this next one. OK, one more! Maybe I'll get to the end of this project (due in mid December) and maybe I won't.

The distraction is nice even if it doesn't last long. You have a way of making yourself known and, really, I like knowing you are around.

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 09:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

Since you didn't make it out this weekend, I took a picture of the Kagle Cousins for you...

Brad (8), Jeff (5), Simon (3), Andy (almost 2)

Besides having fun hanging out with the Bellevue and San Francisco Kagles, we did get a few things done for you this weekend. We washed your blankets, burp cloths, and clothes in baby detergent, we opened up boxes of new things, and looked at the manual for your new car seat (a step on the way to installation). I also ordered a few of the remaining important things we need - things like diapers. We will need to buy you some clothes but now we are conflicted about size - newborn or 0-3 months? At 9 lbs and 22 inches long, Simon never fit into newborn clothes and fit into 0-3 months for about 5 minutes; if you are born early you will and if you are born on time you won't either. I think we're following the plan that you can just swim in your clothes for the first month if necessary. We also don't remember how many outfits a newborn needs per day. I remember the spit up and the poop explosions, I just can't translate that into a formula for total number of outfits required. We have around 7 little outfits. Is that enough?

In any case, by the end of this week we should be prepared for your arrival - guaranteeing that you won't make an appearance until mid December.

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 09:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

On our way home from San Francisco this evening, I was complaining that I have never felt you have the hiccups. As a fetus, Simon used to have them all the time and I wondered why you don't. Thirty minutes later there you were, in my pelvis, having a case of the hiccups. You are such a good listener.

The past 24 hours have produced more evidence that you are ready to make your appearance. I'll spare the internet the details. Of course, it is still impossible to know for sure but none of these things occurred until the week before Simon was born.

So now we wait. Instead of expecting you to be late and huge, we now hope you will hold off at least a week and be healthy. We really don't want to leave you behind at the hospital.

Grow, little George, grow!

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 09:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

I just scratched my belly to find the culprit of my itchiness - a plastic princess sticker.

This morning Simon picked the sticker up from the floor and said "I want to give this to baby brother" while he stuck it to my belly.

I had forgotten.

I think he is a little disappointed that you didn't come out last night.

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 01:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

You and I are at work today - as usual. Per the doctor's advice, I'm making sure to drink a lot more to keep the contractions at bay and will be taking the elevators instead of the stairs - at least for the next week or so.

The six Kagle boys are currently in town. Maybe you wanted to show yourself as the lucky seventh while they are here? Really, baby A.B., you will have another chance...

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

I've just come back from the hospital where I spent over three hours hooked up to monitors. Around noon today I thought my water might have leaked (it hadn't) and two hours later I started having regular contractions. They were (and remain) about five minutes apart but they are not particularly painful. I am 1cm dilated which the doctor said could be totally normal for me at this stage and I didn't advance in the two hours they waited to check me a second time. So, really, no one knows if I'm in preterm labor or false labor. I guess we'll find out in a day or two. They'd like you to stay in for another week and a half but won't stop you from coming out if you are determined.

We'll see....

In the mean time, Mama and Daddy need to actually prepare - something we haven't done.

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 09:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Dear Little George,

Last night I had to remove my wedding ring. My fingers are getting puffy and, by puffy, I mean fat. Don't worry, Mama isn't going to be having any trysts in the next month or so. No, while I have more conversations at work with women I've never talked with, the men at work stay absolutely, respectfully, politely, clear of me. It's actually kind of a fun power to have. I work in the physical presence of seven other designers and have never had a reason to talk with anyone in the office outside of my group (we work on completely different projects). These new women in my life are very nice. And the men? Well, it's like wherever I go, the sea of software developing men scatters. Daddy thinks there might be some concern that my condition will happen to the women in their lives if they get too close. My theory is that they see me THIS BIG and expect that my water might gush forth in their presence and, because they are responsible and kind, they will actually have to help me out.

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

Last night was Simon's first swim lesson with an instructor. He'll be going to these lessons twice a week and, since no one else signed up, he has the teacher all to himself. We couldn't find the camera before the class so Daddy took a blurry cell phone photo instead. Simon did really well and, more importantly, he had a great time.

On the way to the class and during the class you tried to make an escape. You're getting better at figuring out the correct way of escaping which has me a little worried that you might succeed one of these days. I mean, I WANT you to eventually succeed but give it another month, ok?

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 08:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

You weigh approximately 6 1/3 pounds and are probably a bit over 19 inches long. You haven't hurt me in a while but I do feel your head grinding against my pelvis now and then which is odd and uncomfortable. I'll take discomfort to pain so please don't think I'm complaining.

You are accumulating a number of really adorable outfits thanks to Grammy and Simon (your brother likes to choose things when we find ourselves near baby clothing). Simon and Daddy and I all agree that you should come home in the outfit with a rocket ship/alien pattern.

We're sort of ready for your arrival. I still have some maternity leave paperwork to sign and deliver and we'll need to buy newborn diapers and wipes at some point and wash your new clothes. We're a bit nervous for your arrival so we have no great desire for you to make an early appearance. Simon is thrilled by the idea of you at this point but we know all too well what is about to befall us: sleeplessness, non-stop nursing, sleeplessness, loose rolls of fat, sleeplessness, frustration, sleeplessness...

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 09:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

It has been another impressively full weekend, which is good because if I'm not required to move, I don't.

Friday, after Matthew and Simon picked me up from work per our usual routine; we ordered a pizza and prepared to watch a movie. Simon became so hungry while waiting for the pizza that I had to feed him. He ate half of a box of mac and cheese, an apple, and a hard boiled egg. A few minutes later, when Daddy came back with the pizza, we settled on the floor for a picnic and Simon ate two and a quarter slices of the LARGE pizza before stopping for a bit of cake and a lot of ice cream. Here is where I point out that THAT is more than Daddy and I ate - maybe even more than we ate combined. What will we do when you are both teenagers? How much food will we need to prepare? The thought is a little daunting.

We tried to find a "Play it Now" family movie on Netflix but after tolerating 13 minutes of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, we switched to something called "Doggy Poo" which is, in fact, about a sad dog poop that can not move or do anything else. The movie is intended to be a serious piece about having a purpose in life. We watched completely mesmerized but we won't be showing you that movie. Ever.

Saturday we had planned a party to see some not-often-seen-friends before you arrive. Truthfully, as the week progressed, we thought we might just cancel it but I was too lazy to even do that much so Saturday afternoon we decided to purchase some food and beverages and put together some small form of entertainment: leftover Halloween candy sculpturing. I'll post the results to Flickr soon.

It turned out to be really fun, at least for us, and it was great to see people who knew us pre-babies. One friend didn't even know were going to have a second child until he walked in the door. That blame belongs with your father.

Sunday morning your Feefadders arrived with Great Aunt Sandy. She is from Michigan so, of course, we had to show off our 80* November day by taking her to the Mountain View Farmer's Market and for an outdoor meal at the Lakeside Cafe at Shoreline Park. Simon and Aunt Sandy hit it off immediately. I bet you'll like her too.

After your extended family left, Simon and I (and you, of course) did a lot of yard work and outdoor cleaning while Daddy prepared for his new teaching job; he starts this week. Simon can be entertained for hours with a hose so I had him wash down the sidewalks and the outside of the house as well as water the plants and clean the wading pool. He was more than happy to oblige.

And now? Back to sitting on my bum all day for five days in a row.

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 07:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

Today is my thirty-fourth birthday. The Feefadders graciously offered to baby-sit this evening so your Dad and I could go out on the town. And then I thought:

"Self? If you could be anywhere doing anything on your thirty-fourth birthday what would you do and where would you be?"

And my nearly thirty-four week pregnant self replied:

"You know, what I REALLY want? A good pizza, a chocolate cake decorated by Simon Lucas Kagle, and some mint ice cream made by Matthew. Oh, and self? I want the house to magically clean itself spotless AND maybe we can sit still on the couch ALL EVENING - even if we have to watch The Land Before Time Part NINE from Netflix to make that happen."

And so that is what we will do. Special thanks to the Feefadders for the gift of a cleaning service, The Man for making me cake and ice cream from scratch, and The Boy for the sprinkles.

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 01:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Little George,

I have so many things stored up that I could tell you - about the really fun Las Madres Halloween party, about your brother having a great time trick-or-treating in the day time at businesses but not really being interested by the evening, about his first day of full time school and how he loved every minute (he'll now go twice a week for 7 hours), and how you wake me up full of energy and hungry as a horse at 4 am EVERY DAY. Alas, by my non-working hours I'm exhausted and can't bring myself to write. Maybe tomorrow will be better. At least I'll be a year older.

Pictures of Halloween are now on Flickr (click the link at the top of the page or the moving photo thing on the left).

Love,

Mama

Posted by kagledom at 09:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)