Happy Saturday!

Ok...I'm not really that chipper...just trying to pretend so maybe I'll get some energy. Mom's supposed to be coming today to help finish up some of the redecorating. I'm excited and dreading it all at the same time.

I just got an e-mail from my dad. My uncle fell yesterday and broke his hip. He's having surgery this morning. Any extra ~ma floating around could go to Alabama. That would be fabulous.

Timelies, everyone. Today involves housework and a haircut.

I can't believe that I'll be in St. Louis in less than three weeks.

Meep!

Wow, Anne! That's just crazy. I'm gonna miss having you "so close." But, so exciting!

Are you doing anything fun with your hair, or just getting a trim?

Just a trim for now. When I get to STL, I'll be having an appointment with my mom's stylist, to see what she suggests.

Oooo...that'll be fun, Anne! Gives you something else to look forward to in St. Louis.

I keep poking myself with the needle as I'm finishing up these curtains. Little drops of blood on the lining shows they're made with love, right?

I just got off the phone with DH. A few weeks ago, he mentioned wanting someone from his family to come out here for the baby's birth. He said he thought he needed support and he was really nervous about birth. I told him that a) no one else is going to be at the hospital but him and my mom (and her only because she's flying in in case DH doesn't make it) and b) there's no room at our house and even if there was, he has less than 14 days with his daughter and I don't want him running off to get the guests coffee or donuts or something. So the bottom line was, I really didn't want anyone else flying out to visit us while he was here.

Just now he suggested perhaps instead of a family member (because his family visiting is always stressful) that maybe one of his (older) female friends could come instead. WTF??? I don't get where this is coming from. The absolute last thing I want is some person I don't know that well flying in to "support" him while I'm in labor. It seems so strange to me and his reasons (I'm there to support you but there's no one there to support me) just don't make sense.

[Just re-read my post. This wasn't intended so much to be bitching about my husband as it was a plea to help me understand where he's coming from]

Oh, sweetie! I just responded in your LJ, but I wanted to give you hugs here too.

Oh dear, {{Stephanie}} {{DH}}. I certainly can't speak from the viewpoint of your DH because I have only been on your side of the event. He is clearly experiencing anxiety over the process. This has to be made worse by his inability to be there for more time. (for both of you of course)

Can you express to him that you are there for him just as he is there for you? How is his relationship with your mother? Might she be able to relieve his concerns?

How is his relationship with your mother? Might she be able to relieve his concerns?

He and my mom actually get along really well. One of the reasons I still want her to come to the hospital (even if Joe is there) is that I think the two of them will really benefit from having each other there.

Stephanie, I agree that this could be male anxiety over birth stuff and he's looking for another female (that's connected to him) to maybe help relieve that anxiety. He may simply be worried that he won't be able to cope (or get there) and that having another person there as his surrogate/support will ease some of his guilt over that. Pluse there's all the worry about your safety, as well as the baby stuff.

I think it's probably common and understandable.

I had both my twin sister and DH in the L&D room with me. And Christopher's the type of guy who can't even buy tampons in the store--so he was more than a little freaked out by all the birth stuff. I was surprised at how quickly he got over it though.

I'd explain that you're both in it together and he's the person you feel most comfortable with and want to be there. It's not about finding another woman that might be able to be there to support you. Hopefully, he'll be able to work past the anxiety. Once the baby gets there, it's easy to let the rest of the world fall away and just concentrate on the three of you.