36 Weeks, Maris the Whale and Prozac

So yesterday marked 36 weeks pregnant. My office celebrated by throwing me a baby shower (my first 'shower' ever). I generally dread events revolving around the opening of baby themed gifts, the sniffing of melted chocolates in diapers, and the identification of un-labeled baby food jars; but the ladies from my office did a very nice job - so nice in fact, that I cried. I have only cried in public two other times - our wedding rehersal and rehersal dinner, and our wedding. I think I find it so touching when people do things for me like this that I just get overwhelmed. Thank God none of the men from my office were there, and thank you to the two ladies who came that do not have children - I appreciate how attentive you were through the 'motherly advice' portion. We recieved lots of nice gifts for the baby, I am so grateful that people care so much about us.

On a completely unrelated note, I learned from NPR the other morning that  Maris the Beluga Whale at the Atlanta Aquarium is also pregnant. Congratulations Maris! Apparently this is a rare event because 'beluga whales seldom procreate under captivity '.  Shocking. What warm blooded mammal wouldn't want to mate behind glass with thousands of eyes watching you, children tapping on the glass and keepers throwing in buckets of dead fish? Poor Maris. Anyways, I digress. Come to find out Maris the Whale will gestate for a comfortable 14-15 months before giving birth. That's right! 4-5 months longer than me. I will keep this in mind when I get to 40 weeks and labor has not begun. I wonder if Maris has to deliver in front of  all of those people as well? Speaking of starting labor, according to my midwife at our appointment today and countless pregnancy books, one excellent way to induce labor is intimacy with your partner. There is no aphrodisiac like having an adult conversation between you, your midwife who is around your mother's age and your husband about proper positioning, sensitivity, etc. At least Dave can relate to how Maris the Whale's baby-daddy must have felt.

One exciting development. After years of following our dog saga with Neeko, the veterinarian seconded our motion to start the crazy ******* on Prozac. Come to find out Prozac is cheaper than Skittles at Wal-Mart, costing only $10.00 for a three month supply - no wonder this country has problems. Birth control - maybe but with a copay - Prozac - practically free. We give it to him in the mornings wrapped in bread. So far, we are not seeing much in the way of results, but it takes a bit to build up in their system, so we're going to give it another week before asking for a higher dose. It's not like we want him laying sideways on the floor drooling, but a little less enthusiasm (about feeding, company, walking, trees, squirrels, people walking by, doorbells, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, thunder etc.) would be fantastic. We have developed something of a stress test for the dog. We stand at the front door and ring the doorbell - with the door wide open - over and over again pausing for a few seconds in between. So far, he reacts every time - with multiple alarm barks - even though he can see that there is no one there. We did this roughly 40 times the other night just to see if he is really as spastic as we thought, and yes, he is completely spastic.

Some other major news. We're meeting with our attorney next week to sign the operating agreement for my business (Mandel Design, LLC!). My snazzy new blue (thanks wonderful husband for painting - I know it wasn't on the list) home office now contains a computer, printer, desk and chair that I love. I am slowly clearing out the office at my workplace which is very strange and exciting. Thank you baby for motivating me to take this big step! You're already impacting my life in wonderful ways! Can't wait to meet you in just a few short weeks!