The Skinny

I am keeping a journal as best I can but I know that people are on tenterhooks waiting for the news of Clara's birth so I thought I would touch base with ya'll (I can say that officially since I am in Texas now, right?) to let everybody know how things are going down here in the Lone Star State.  First and foremost, although Kayli had some contractions or at least a contraction early last week, Clara has decided that she wants to stay cozy a little while longer.  The midwife told us at Kayli's appointment yesterday that she thinks that Clara is going to wait for her due date (Friday the 13th) and possibly a little bit longer, but that everything is looking good and her heartbeat sounds good. 

Texas is HOT.  And humid.  Yowza.  The midwife suggested walking as a way of helping things progress for Kayli and I was thinking "seriously?  where?  you do realize it feels like 100 degrees out there, right?"  And Kayli says that it doesn't really even cool down at night.  But we are thinking of maybe going to the airconditioned haven of a large mall for a stroll that won't leave us sweating like we just finished a marathon. 

Yesterday Kayli and I went to a spa and I had a facial and brow wax while Kayli got a prenatal massage.  I fell asleep with a mentha smelling mask on my face and cold compresses on my eyelids.  It was divine. 

I also got to meet Mimi last night - the birth father's grandma.  Kayli and I drove to Garland where Mimi lives to pick her up because she doesn't drive at night.  Mimi is 82 and fabulous.  While we were driving back to Kayli's house for dinner, Mimi told us in her sweet Texas drawl that she doesn't think she has ever met a stranger in her life and that she is a hugger and everybody around her just better get used to that.  At one point in the conversation she used the phrase "oh merciful lord" in a twangy exclamation of surprise and my heart smiled as I pocketed that memory away and practiced Mimi's exact way of saying it so I can share it with Clara someday along with the beautiful letter of love and counsel that Mimi wrote to her first great-grandchild. 

I sank into bed last night exhausted and happy after talking with Paul on the phone and telling him all about our day.  Paul told me that he had dinner of lasagna and green beans from work (his law firm provides dinner on a nightly basis for anyone who is there until 7:00), which made me glad to know that he is being well-fed while I am gone. 

Paul and I have received a number of inquiries about how and when and if we will be letting people know about Clara's birth.  The answer is: through Facebook, once she is born, and yes.  Facebook is probably the first and fastest method of communication that we will utilize because I don't really text.  Mom, you will get a phone call, of course.  But it looks like we have just a little bit of a wait still.  In the meantime, Kayli and I plan to have some Texas-sized fun.