All caught up

I think I've managed to capture the significant points of the process so far. Since the grand announcement in mid-March, a few additional notable things have happened:

• K is now "showing" - this is very exciting indeed, and the transition to maternity clothing is nearly complete (although a "belly band" allows existing wardrobe to stay in the rotation a bit longer).
  
• People have given us stuff. So far, we've been given clothes and a crib. We are not too proud to accept stuff, in fact we positively embrace the concept. Baby stuff is used for such a short period of time, and generally stays in pretty good condition, so if we can cut down on consumption (something we strive for everyday anyway) then that's a good thing. We'd rather spend money on things like a 529 account for the kid's college education, or saving for a downpayment on a house.
• K has had a cold for the last ten days. Since cold medication is not allowed for the pregnant laydeez, she's having difficulty getting rid of it. The weakened immune system that comes with pregnancy also doesn't help. So the best she can do is fill a bowl with boiling water and menthol or peppermint and breathe in the steam with a towel over her head.
• We've booked two evening classes that cover pain management. They're free from Alta Bates hospital in Berkeley. Hopefully they'll help guide us as to what kind of birth to go for. Right now, a natural, non-anaesthetized birth in a hospital is the front-runner.
• Names are being discussed, but won't be shared with anyone. Although the biggest issue is the last name since neither of us changed that when we got hitched last year.
• We had brunch with some good friends who have a 3-month-old. They gave us loads of amazing advice, but we learned that it is easy to get overwhelmed when those who have gone through the process try to share info with you.
• Our friends C&C had their baby, a lovely little girl. Everything went smoothly and they're well into the rhythm of looking after a newborn now. She was born at 3am on a Sunday, and we swung by to give them a little support at 5am. All was quiet and serene and they were seemed to be a mixture of overjoyed, content, exhausted and bemused. It was a really interesting process to be a part of and a kind of preview too.
  

That's it! From this point forwards, posts will be "as they happen" as opposed to retrospective.