We came up to San Diego on Tuesday, June 30 to be near the birth center before my due date of July 1 or 2. Those first few days were spent settling on the boat, stocking up with groceries and running a few last minute errands. July 3 rolled around and we were all ready for her to come. Mike's parents visited us on Habanero to celebrate his birthday, hoping to celebrate two birthdays in one visit. That didn't happen.
On the Fourth we celebrated with just the four of us. We launched the dinghy just in time to catch the annual dinghy parade through Shelter Island. Mike has a theory about high-speed dinghy rides inducing labor and preventing future sea sickness in children. So we went on our ceremonial high-speed dinghy ride with lots of jolts and bumps through San Diego harbor. No change. Later in the afternoon we picked up ice cream sandwiches from Habanero and headed over to a nearby beach. Fisher took his surfboard, actually a small kick board, in the water with him. When he got out so deep he could no longer touch I ran out to help. Even the quick swim and brisk water didn't get things going.
The Fifth we decided to head home since we hadn't seen any action in the baby department. We cleaned the boat, packed up the hospital bag, emptied the trash, etc. and packed up the car. About 10 miles into our drive contractions started! Mike pulled off the freeway and drove in circles for a while waiting. They continued, about eight minutes apart. This was hopeful! The boys were sleeping in their car seats so all was quiet and the contractions kept coming. We headed back toward the boat, deciding to stay in San Diego overnight. Thankfully, my parents were happy to keep the boys overnight. After dropping them off we went to the sportfishing landing and walked the docks. The contractions were becoming strong and regular. It was time to call the birth center and let them know we'd be coming in tonight. I didn't want to stop walking, afraid something might change, but Mike was ready for change of scenery, surprisingly, who would ever think he'd want to leave a fishing boat dock. After a stop at Starbucks to satisfy my craving for a decaf latte everything came to a screeching halt. No more contractions, no more pressure, no more hope of this baby being born tonight. Called the birth center to let them know contractions had slowed and we would not be coming in tonight.
A few early morning contractions left me hopefuly that Monday the sixth could be her bithday. Off and on there were a few irregular contractions, but nothings as strong as the day before. Mike and I enjoyed peaceful day together while the boys had fun playing with Gee Gee and Pa. Later that afternoon I met them at Mission Beach where Hunter was digging in the sand and Fisher played in the surf. Back to the boat for another quiet, restful night.
Tuesday Mike decided to head home to El Centro to catch up at the office after being gone for a whole week. Thanks Mike for the unplanned vacation! The boys and I spent the day walking the dock, watching divers clean boat bottoms, playing at the playground then running around town with Gee Gee to take care of a few more errands. We stopped by Habanero to pick up my hospital bag and let the boys play in an inflatable swimming pool set up in the cockpit. Tonight is the full moon and my mom is convinced this should be the night. No activity yet. I'm not quite as hopefuly. Anyway, if she's born tomorrow she'll have the cool birthdate of 7.8.9.
On the Fourth we celebrated with just the four of us. We launched the dinghy just in time to catch the annual dinghy parade through Shelter Island. Mike has a theory about high-speed dinghy rides inducing labor and preventing future sea sickness in children. So we went on our ceremonial high-speed dinghy ride with lots of jolts and bumps through San Diego harbor. No change. Later in the afternoon we picked up ice cream sandwiches from Habanero and headed over to a nearby beach. Fisher took his surfboard, actually a small kick board, in the water with him. When he got out so deep he could no longer touch I ran out to help. Even the quick swim and brisk water didn't get things going.
The Fifth we decided to head home since we hadn't seen any action in the baby department. We cleaned the boat, packed up the hospital bag, emptied the trash, etc. and packed up the car. About 10 miles into our drive contractions started! Mike pulled off the freeway and drove in circles for a while waiting. They continued, about eight minutes apart. This was hopeful! The boys were sleeping in their car seats so all was quiet and the contractions kept coming. We headed back toward the boat, deciding to stay in San Diego overnight. Thankfully, my parents were happy to keep the boys overnight. After dropping them off we went to the sportfishing landing and walked the docks. The contractions were becoming strong and regular. It was time to call the birth center and let them know we'd be coming in tonight. I didn't want to stop walking, afraid something might change, but Mike was ready for change of scenery, surprisingly, who would ever think he'd want to leave a fishing boat dock. After a stop at Starbucks to satisfy my craving for a decaf latte everything came to a screeching halt. No more contractions, no more pressure, no more hope of this baby being born tonight. Called the birth center to let them know contractions had slowed and we would not be coming in tonight.
A few early morning contractions left me hopefuly that Monday the sixth could be her bithday. Off and on there were a few irregular contractions, but nothings as strong as the day before. Mike and I enjoyed peaceful day together while the boys had fun playing with Gee Gee and Pa. Later that afternoon I met them at Mission Beach where Hunter was digging in the sand and Fisher played in the surf. Back to the boat for another quiet, restful night.
Tuesday Mike decided to head home to El Centro to catch up at the office after being gone for a whole week. Thanks Mike for the unplanned vacation! The boys and I spent the day walking the dock, watching divers clean boat bottoms, playing at the playground then running around town with Gee Gee to take care of a few more errands. We stopped by Habanero to pick up my hospital bag and let the boys play in an inflatable swimming pool set up in the cockpit. Tonight is the full moon and my mom is convinced this should be the night. No activity yet. I'm not quite as hopefuly. Anyway, if she's born tomorrow she'll have the cool birthdate of 7.8.9.
p.s. See the ladder behind my head in the photo above? The boys race each other up it to play in the flybridge. It nearly gives me a heart attack every time They just love being up there pretending to captain the boat.
1 comment:
Hi Saad Family,
Congratulations!!!What a pretty girl. Of course, you two make cute babies. We can't wait to meet her. We need to plan a trip to see you guys. It's great that Sailor is finally here!!!
The McNultys
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