Worried Husband

Last night I was having contractions and they were many and painful. But, they weren't any worse than some I've had and I wasn't particularly concerned. John, however, started packing some food and stuff for him that he'd put off. After an hour or so, he started wondering and giving me concerned looks, but I was still fairly confident that I was NOT in labor. To comfort him, I decided to call my sister about how you can differentiate Braxton-Hicks contractions from the real thing. My brother-in-law Troy answered and we discussed the matter. He reminded me that though they have 4 children, my sister never went into labor spontaneously. One was 5 weeks early and had to be induced, one was 2 weeks late and my sister scheduled the induction herself. The last two were induced out of scheduling convenience. So, fat lot of help she would be. But Troy, in all of his obstetrical knowledge and expertise, told me that he understood that if the contractions are still "in front" and haven't progressed to your lower back, then you're not in full-blown labor. I wasn't and am not, so maybe he's right. Anyone who has more experience with this, MARY, feel free to put in your two cents. I'm only nervous about having time to get John home from work and Annika to her babysitter. And maybe, a Big Mac on the way. (Just kidding. My doctor said she has patients deliver practically in the car or the hospital hallway because they went to Costco or McDonalds on the way to the hospital.)

Anyway, nothing yet and I'm content with that.

Annika update: She is just barely starting to put two or more words together and picks up most words now after only hearing it once or just a few times. She dances and dances and dances with everyone on Sesame Street and, if given her choice, she would name this child Elmo. She likes to sit on John's back while he does push-ups and he said that a week or so ago, she had a book and was happily sitting on his back, reading her book, while he did push-ups. Cute.
She still does not like her hair combed or done, so she often looks a bit wild. Quite wild. Really wild. I feel bad, but its literally a chase and wrestle experience and I'm not very limber right now.
She loves fish. I don't mean eating fish, except for Goldfish crackers, but pictures, cartoons, fish on tv and fish in tanks. She is starting to get the "f" sound, but often it sounds like "shish." I think this deep love comes from Dorothy, Elmo's pet goldfish. (This info sounds familiar. I may have already written this. Either way, she still likes fish.)
Annika is starting to exert her independence a little more and be a tiny bit cheeky, but not in a spiteful way. She likes to drip her water bottle on the table, sofa, floor, etc. and look furtively to see if we're watching, which she hopes we are. I take it away for a while and give it back later. She drops the cereal canister hard on the table and the cereal spills and she looks bashful, but impishly, to see what kind of reaction she'll get. I don't get too riled, I just take it away. I only jump in quickly and loudly if it has anything to do with her safety and then she looks quite startled. She's also learned to go "boneless", especially when its time to get into her carseat or the grocery cart.
We've been using our new webcam, thanks Gran and Gramps, to talk to both our families and Annika is really having fun with that. Especially when the dogs come onto the screen. She was petting the screen last time we spoke with John's family and she was very disappointed when the dog moved on. I think she was waiting for a dog to show up when we were talking to my family, but, luckily, my brothers put on a good show instead. She was a good sport.

I can't think of anything else, so here are some pictures. Of "old" baby.








Stay tuned for pictures of the latest model.