Thursday, August 14, 2014

Etc.

Instead of moving, now I am painting.  Somehow this seemed like a good idea.  Actually, scratch that: it seemed like something that would NEVER EVER happen if I, personally, had to move all the furniture, which I physically can't do, whereas now, we have basically no furniture.  Also, flat paint + children = instantly grubby hallways. I just can't.

The number of people who have freaked out over Pregnant Lady Painting is astonishing.  For one, I am using a zero-VOC latex; for two, I am standing on a four-legged kitchen chair and painting eight-foot ceilings.  I don't even have to reach up very far.  I am not going to fall.  I am also not getting up 15 feet in the air to edge the entryway.  That would be crazy.  For three, I have a PhD in biochemistry and have worked with radiation, phenol, and volatile solvents (safely) while pregnant.  Don't drink the P-32, that's all.

Bug is insane.  Tatoe is getting his two-year molars.  I am buying All The Things despite the fact that, as Dr. S puts it, I have an allergy to spending money.  This causes FEELINGS.  However, I am too busy looking at literally two hundred rugs online to think about FEELINGS.

During the past week, I also thought maybe I was feeling the baby less.  Although it's completely irrational -low-risk third pregnancy, first two delivered at 40-week full term, no preterm labor ever- I was a little freaked out.  No, actually, I was a lot freaked out.  Eventually I poked the baby so much that she did a hard somersault around (ow) and has been kicking me a great deal.  Phew.  (Right before I broke down and called the midwives.)  I think she was just rolled around backwards or something.  A little learning is a dangerous thing.

7 comments:

  1. My current PI freaked out when I told him that a reagent I was using was pretty toxic. Note: I don't drink it, huff it, or touch it without proper PPE. I have my PhD. I'm fairly intelligent.

    Also, I almost called my OB on Tuesday when Kidlet did the same thing yours did. A little learning, indeed.

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    1. May our unborn children stop frightening us. I'm only 20.5 weeks, so also... what were they going to do about it? A lot of learning isn't much better sometimes.

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  2. I think I painted while pregnant with both children. The only people I talked to at that time were Chem and Biochem grad students, and my family. I'll never forget what my mom said, "Why do people think a pregnant woman is going to break? I was fine! I picked cucumbers for a pickle company for extra money when I was 6 months pregnant (while working as an accountant)."

    Also, I entirely agree that flat paint is a Horrible idea when there are children involved.

    I'm glad she decided to wake up a bit when you poked her. It's possible she's just way more laid back than either of your boys. My mom said she worried about me a lot when I was in utero. My (active) brother kicked her in the ribs all the time, and I pretty much slept all the time. Did I mention I was a very easy, happy baby who slept a lot? Also, sugar didn't make me crazy as a child.

    Here's hoping the quiet baby is a good indicator of future easy little girl.

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    1. She hasn't stopped kicking since; I feel perhaps it was an aberration. ALAS. More like Tatoe: fearless and with formidable oomph.

      Flat paint... when is it ever a good idea, I ask you?

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  3. Phew. I'm glad she moved after all. (And I totally know the feeling of "well, at 20w, what would they do anyway".)
    I'm participating in a study of when/how toxins are transferred from mom to baby. But in the interview they weren't interested in EtBr or acrylamide - just in non-stick pans, paint etc.

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    1. Not much, right? Very unfortunately.

      Non stick pans seem an odd choice - I thought they mostly didn't off-gas until they were practically on fire? - but whatever.

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  4. People freak out so bad, but that also doesn't even mean they know how to take the right precautions. Around here, I couldn't walk past a "wet floor" sign (which is big and yellow and my employment here does indicate basic literacy) without at least three people telling me to be careful. But, when a room was filled with harmful dust and everybody inside it was wearing masks? They called me out there without warning me, and I had to walk all the way across the room to get one of said masks for myself. Go team.

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