Amy and Jess -- that's good to know! The other thing about the cramps I've been having is that they don't seem to have a real specific beginning and end, so I don't feel like I can count them or time them -- I just feel crampy for a while, and then eventually the feeling lessens. Would you say actual contractions are easier to tell when they start and end?

(I'm suddenly reminded of when I was maybe 13 or 14 and intensely curious about what an orgasm felt like, but all the definitions/descriptions I could find were frustratingly unhelpful. It's just your muscles releasing? Really? But it feels like waves? Or warmth? Then I finally had one and, whoa, okay, now I understand!)

It's hard to say, Kate -- when I had B-H, it felt like my whole belly tightened up like a drum. And sometimes it was pretty uncomfortable, especially the later in the pregnancy it was.

With actual labor, you could be having preliminary contractions and not really feel them at all -- with Ben and Sara, I didn't get that I was in labor until almost transition time, at which point contractions = OUCH MOTHERFUCKER MAKE IT STOP. (For me, anyway.) It is easier to know when they start and stop, though, at that point.

Call the nurse at the doctor's office if you're at all concerned, really. They know the deal, and they also get how hard it is to know precisely what your body is doing when you haven't been through it before.

Our CIO is asking us to wear "proper" business attire 3 days next week. I will certainly be working from home one of those days. We just had a "proper" day a couple months ago, and enough people made enough noise about my outfit that I certainly can't repeat it. How many does she think I have?

I'm not a guy. Switching ties won't work. And I'm not sure all these guys have three different ties anyway. But I'm sure most of them can get away with wearing a tie they wore last time.

There is one dashing gentleman who still wears a tie now that we're more casual--he'll wear a tie with a fancy belt buckle and jeans, and I've told him I'm going to wear a tie because I consider him my mentor.

I just haven't decided on one yet. Ties are *hard*.

Yeah, I was on the brink of calling the midwives last night, but then the feeling was easing, and I feel fine today. I'll feel better when M comes home on Sunday, though -- I'm a little uneasier than I thought I'd be about him being away this weekend.

What are Braxton-Hicks contractions? Sure I could look it up but Wikipedia won't give me anecdotes.

There's a green silk tie on eBay that has a tiny Meerschaum pipe and deerstalker pattern, and I want it. If only I wore ties.

They're also called false labor - they're sort of practice contractions that you get in the 3rd trimester as your body is prepping to get the baby out.

If only I wore ties.

All you have to do to wear ties is wear ties. Well, I suppose, a shirt that's reasonable to wear ties with is good too. I mean, I don't wear ties now, but once I start, that's done with!

Man, I'm so glad Community is back.

mac has slept over at the grandparents for 2 nights in a row, unplanned, and without me. First time this has happened EVER. So proud of him. Really hope this means I can take some weekend trips at some point (New Orleans, Austin, Las Cruces - I am looking at you all).

Work is pretty empty today and I am trying to take advantage of it, but doing some filing and supply cabinet reorganization/consolidation. I managed to clean out five file drawers thus far.

All you have to do to wear ties is wear ties.

True, but also of, say, fluffy ruffles, or miniskirts, which I also don't wear. I could wear them, but I feel like I look silly in them.

Granted, I was a lot more bold in my sartorial choices when I was thin. Now I feel like I look silly in anything except a black t-shirt and jeans.