Tight squeeze

My never-ending parade of appointments continues. Yesterday after swim lessons, I put Q down for a nap and was hoping to relax for a little while until I had to get ready for work. I heard a knock at the door and seriously considered ignoring it. I finally opened the door, and there was Q's Early Intervention Specialist for an unexpected appointment. I really think she got the date wrong, but there she was. I had to go wake Q up from a nap and skip my own. My eyelids were actually getting heavy as she was talking to me.

This morning, I had a prenatal appointment and then an early interview for a story at work. Q had to accompany me to all of them. I got him out of the car and went to retrieve his stroller. But, the trunk was empty. T must have taken it out. I no longer had a restraint system so Q was going to be a free-range baby.

Inside the waiting room, I tried to distract him with the books and toys provided. That lasted about 30 seconds and then he started wandering the place, laughing and running away when I tried to call him back.

A heavily pregnant woman came in with two small girls. They all sat quietly together reading a book, as I looked on enviously. Are girls just quieter and calmer? Are boys just more rambunctious? If so, that is not good news, as I am just months away from being the mother of two little boys.

At the doctor's office they measured cervical length and did a fetal fibronectin test. Everything checked out fine. But, I have been having constant contractions. My whole abdomen just squeezes tightly every few minutes. Most women have these very occasionally and later in the pregnancy. They don't hurt necessarily, but they are sort of uncomfortable and unnerving. My doctor says there is no way of knowing for sure, but there is a chance that could mean my body is gearing up for labor even earlier than 34 weeks, when I had Q. She started me on a medication to ease the contractions and try to make the pregnancy last to at least 36 weeks. She said there was the possibility the medicine would make the baby smaller. That's a bit disconcerting I think, but I guess it it is better than a very early baby.

Anyway, tomorrow only has one appointment, and it is for a manicure, so I am hoping Q and I can get a little rest.

On the dachshund front, Ruby had peed outside twice. Progress! I dragged her outside into the freezing temperatures tonight, she shivered in her little sweater and looked up at me forlornly. I waited for awhile, encouraging her to do her business. After a few minutes, we returned to the warm indoors so she could poop on the carpet.

--MM