I’m sure you’ve seen these videos before like I have, but I hadn’t seen them put together into one. Women and Men. Born this way. Too funny.

Contractions start early, but I didn’t know this early. I’m at week 30 and wasn’t expecting the practice contractions called “braxton hicks” to start up until the last few weeks of pregnancy.  Which, is amazing isn’t it?  Not that I was having contractions, but that the body has it’s own ‘contraction practice sessions’ to get ready for the big day.  The body is a fascinating piece of work.

For the last two days I had cramps like I was getting my period.  And really bad period-like-crampy-back-aches.  They were so strong, I couldn’t sleep well.  So I thought I’d better let the Dr. know.  Better safe than sorry.  She asked when was the soonest I could come in so they could check me for pre-term labor.  WHAT? Well THAT just couldn’t be the case.  I wouldn’t allow for it.  He’s not due for 10 more weeks.  He has to stay inside and bake for at LEAST another month!

I went in and they strapped two belts across me.  One to read the baby’s heartbeat and one to read if I had any contractions.  I was sure there wouldn’t be any contractions.  Wouldn’t I have FELT them?  Wouldn’t I KNOW if I was having contractions?

The nurse hooked me up and as she left he room said “If the numbers hit 50, that’s a contraction.”  And yup, there I was, sitting there having contractions.  When the numbers would hit around 50, my belly would lift up in the middle.  Without this machine telling me it was a contraction, I would have just thought it was the baby pushing up.  It didn’t hurt at all.

So, I was wrong.  Apparently I WOULDN’T know if I was having a contraction.  Which is amazing isn’t it? Not that I was having contractions, but that the body can create its own agenda and the brain isn’t invited to the meetings.

But all is OK.  The ultra sound and lab test were negative on the pre-term labor scare, so it’s just my body preparing and practicing early, which I guess makes sense since I tend to do that.  I seem to be geekly hardwired to prepare, organize and plan for things waaaaay too far in advance.

I’m not that into Valentine’s Day.  Really.  I’ve told you before how I’m sort of an 80 year old man in ways and I guess this is one of them.  I do however want the day at least acknowledged.

Joe and I have agreed that neither of us are that into celebrating a big, typical Valentine’s Day, but I’ve realized that he can translate that to mean “completely ignore the day”.  And even though I think I’m all that and don’t care about it, I admit I find myself in tears if the whole day goes by with not so much as a “Happy Valentine’s Day” and a hug.  So, I’ve had to clarify:

I don’t really want gifts or a some silly Valentine Day Dinner Special.  In fact, I would think you are a bit foolish (and so would he) if you bought into the whole commercialism of the day and spent a lot of money. But definitely, DO NOT completely ignore the day like it doesn’t exist either. I need to at least hear “Happy Valentine’s Day!”  And who doesn’t?  (So, Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!  xo)

This year Joe wrote me a beautiful Valentine’s letter, which is waaay better than any store bought card with generic, banal scribble.

And, since we are celebrating with 3 (can’t exactly get a sitter when he’s tucked in my belly) and he’s going on 30 weeks, we scheduled a 4D Ultra Sound for this afternoon.  Here’s a older photo from a routine ultra sound when he was roughly 19 weeks:

Maybe a 4D Ultra Sound’s is silly, but if I had video and photos of me from when I was in my mother’s womb, I would think it was pretty cool. So I guess this is our Valentine’s Day gift to our son this year, more than it is for us.