Baby baby

It is about time for an official update on Baby Vasilaki.  First of all, I am happy to announce that her name is not, actually, Baby.  In fact, it is

MARIA DANESE VASILAKI

We have known her name for months, and it took absolutely no brainstorming, debate, or drama.  Maria is Christos' mother's name.  Greek tradition is for the first child always to be named after the father's mother or father, depending on the gender.  Of course, this is a tradition not a mandate, so many adhere to it and some do not.  Around here, the baby name can cause a lot of talk and speculation and, sometimes, scandal.  Luckily for us, we were happy to name our baby Maria, and knowing ahead of time what her name would probably be made it all very easy.  Danese is my middle name, my mother's maiden middle name, and her mother's good friend's last name, da Nese; it is Italian.  So, the names are family all around.  And we are really happy with them.

So, things are all coming together.  We have an awful lot of things like this around our house these days.

We like to take them out, look at them, play with them, pet them (they are all so soft,) say cute things about them, and then (I) fold them and put them all away again.

We had a doctor's appointment today.  I will be 36 weeks in 2 days, and this is the first appointment we have had in 30 days, so I was anxious to see what was happening.  I have felt fairly certain for the past couple of weeks that I would not make it all the way to my due date.  I am happy to say that the doctor agreed with me.  He said he did not think there was any way I would go all the way to 40 weeks.  Rather, the thinks around 38.  That sounds good to me!!!!

The doctor was very happy with everything today.  Baby Maria has assumed her launch position.  She is healthy, head down, face backwards, and preparing for her big day.    

Our next step is to talk to the midwife from the clinic where we will deliver.  This one lady basically runs the place, assists in every labor and delivery, and actually meets with you a few times before the birth for some sort of information/ lessons and a tour of the clinic. 


Speaking of steps, I have maintained a daily walking regimen throughout my pregnancy.  I feel pretty confident that this has assisted me in steering clear of many common pregnancy complaints and aches and pains.  All in all, I have had a very comfortable pregnancy and have avoided a lot of the bad stuff I have heard/ read about.  I realize, for medical reasons, not everyone can maintain such an active lifestyle when they are pregnant, but I am so glad that I could.  I honestly believe it has helped me a lot.  My doctor has been really happy with mine and the baby's health all along the way, and he told me today to increase my walking to 2 hours every day!!!!  I think every old Greek woman on this island (who would all like to see me prostrate 24 hours a day eating mass quantities of meat) would fall out on the floor if they heard that!   He said it will keep things moving along. 

One other thing I thought I would address today is CRAVINGS.  This seems to be a favorite question for everyone to ask pregnant women (or ask me at least,) so I thought I would give a great big, if disappointing, answer today.  I have really not had any cravings.  I had a couple in the beginning, and I have actually craved meatballs again two times, but that is about all.  I get "cravings" like that when I am not pregnant, so I am not even sure if they could be classified as pregnancy cravings.  I will say that I ate A LOT of Butter Pecan icecream while back in the States, and it tasted ridiculously good.

 Since we have been back on Corfu, I have eaten a lot of yogurt (pictured above, pineapple and lemon are my favs) and cashews and juice (mostly pineapple and orange,) but these are all things that I love and eat a lot of anyway.  So, sad but true, I have not asked Christos to make a single Cheetos and watermelon late night run. 

One other very happy bit of news at the Vasilakis house today.  After 10, count them, 10 months of waiting patiently, waiting not so patiently, having scary and sad withdrawal symptoms, and "casually" dropping by the rental place to check in, Season Six (yes, we realize we are behind, but, again, we live on an island) of 24 has finally has arrived on Corfu!!!!  Whaaaahooooo!!!!  The lady at the dvd place called Christos on his cell phone while we were waiting at the doctor this morning to tell us that it has, at last, arrived (and, therefore, we could stop badgering her.)  So, if you are looking for us between 6 and 11 pm for, oh, say about the next 10 days or so, we will be hanging with our man Jack Bauer.  

PS   The picture of us above was just a few minutes ago....we had a small photo shoot for some baby in the belly shots...which we don't actually have many of at all.  Christos is in his pajamas, and my leggings are already off....but that is okay.  Okay, time for Jack now!!!!!