Meet Absurdist Baby!

Here he is, this baby I'm totally in love with. You can see he is just kicking back, taking a little doze. He loves having his arms over his head when he sleeps. He is also just the most peaceful sweet thing in the world when he sleeps. Holding him gives me a high, which should make him a controlled substance. I just adore him.

I've also learned a lot about myself through the whole experience -- such as that I'm very proud and that I'm not good at relaxing. I started off at the birth center and ended up having a c-section at a hospital, exactly the scenario I most feared. But it was okay, a disappointment, of course, but it could've been worse. And most important, the baby is healthy and happy.

Mmmm. Don't you just want to kick back on some blankets and snuggle with him? Or is it just me?

Absurdist Baby or Little Eng?

Or Wee Eng? Anyway, he was born Wednesday, Oct 22 at 5:44am. I went into labor at 9pm on Monday. C-section. Yes, there's a story there. Later.

He's adorable. Pics are forthcoming, but he's asleep in my arms right now, and it's amazing I've managed this much. Also, we're in the hospital, and I'm tired. More soon, I hope.

Still Pregnant

What else is there to say? Doesn't the little bugger know that 19 is a very good number??? My body tricked me this morning when these hard contractions woke me up. It's a very strange thing to be anxiously awaiting pain! All through the breathing, I was hoping, hoping, hoping that today would be the day. Nope. I did, however, ask my subs to take over my classes. I need to not worry about school right now. Of course, I also need to worry about the job market. Sigh.

I hope to have good news soon, my friends.

Waiting Game Stats

• 3 job applications out
• 0 baby arrived
• 4 days overdue
• 2 friends of friends given birth on or since my due date
• 2 feet of unusual size
• 2 medical practitioners telling me to be very careful about what I eat because I wouldn't want the baby to get huge while I'm overdue
• not anywhere near enough contractions
• not 1, but 2 giant stacks of paper to grade not to mention the little stacks that students would really like to get back asap
  
• 1 grumpy absent-minded pregnant lady who feels like a pink hippopotamus: you know, sorta cute, but in an ungainly dorky way
  

Not Loralei Lee, But the Real Marilyn! (Oh Norma Jean!)

It's a bit scary how accurate this is, though maybe I'm just tired and feeling especially vulnerable. As seen at Maude's place:

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz ...

You Are a Marilyn!

You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

How to Get Along with Me

• Be direct and clear
• Listen to me carefully
• Don't judge me for my anxiety
• Work things through with me
• Reassure me that everything is OK between us
• Laugh and make jokes with me
• Gently push me toward new experiences
• Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

• being committed and faithful to family and friends
• being responsible and hardworking
• being compassionate toward others
• having intellect and wit
• being a nonconformist
• confronting danger bravely
• being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

• the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind
• procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself
• fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of
• exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger
• wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right
• being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often

• are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn
• are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger
• form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent
• look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel
• are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Marilyns as Parents

• are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty
• are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence
• worry more than most that their children will get hurt
• sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

Still Here, Still Pregnant, Still with Elephant Feet

I know I should be updating the world -- especially about how I have these fabulous friends in Grad City who totally surprised me by loading two boxes full of stuff that I then got to open at my shower, some 1,800 miles away. They are so sweet. As is One Tired Ema, who sent me a wonderful package as well. I, however, am not sweet. I am big and pregnant and grumpy. I am sick of myself and of being the hugest person alive. I just sent Absurdist Lover for chocolate -- no better direction than that. I don't know what I hope he'll bring back really, except that it should be chocolate and there should be a lot of it. According to the midwife, I'm due a week from today and look like I will go to term. I'm also uninducable at this point, at least as of Wednesday. I get non-stress tests all the time now and checked every five or so days. I'm ready to be done. I also spent a big part of the day in Grading Jail. Waaaaaaa. I'm just too grumpy to post right now. Did I mention that I'm also preparing job materials? Teaching two classes of unmotivated students who think they are still in high school? See why I don't post more often? I hope I'll have something nicer to say soon. Until then, I should probably only talk to the two people who can deal with me right now. Absurdist Lover will soon lose his patience. And I can't blame him. I'm awful.