Not to get all political, but ...

Over the last several months, I've been pretty focused on being pregnant -- eating right, exercising (or at least making intentions to do so!), resting, staying relaxed, etc. I finally bought the book "What to Expect the First Year" a few weeks ago as I've been trying to prepare for what life will be like once this comparatively short time of pregnancy is over. There are the issues of feeding, diapers, crying and sleeping, among other things.

But, J gave me a birthday card last week that reminded me, in an odd way, that the responsibility of parenting goes far beyond the bare necessities. The card has a goofy cut-out picture of George W. Bush and reads:

You're not getting older ...
You're getting more distinguishabler.
Happy Birthday

...and more wiserer.
(on the back)

While I, of course, thought the card was hilarious as I am constantly enjoying jokes about our president's intelligence, or apparent lack thereof. But, it really made me think in a more serious way about what kind of world we are bringing this child into. After the laughter fades about W's silly grammar and annoying bravado, we face the sobering reality that many of the decisions he is making (or should I say that Cheney & Co. are making) may have a very negative impact on the lives of our children.

This administration has been dubbed the most secretive in history, we're approaching year three in the Iraq war, and it seems that there are endless efforts to curtail civil liberties. Not to mention the negative attitude with which this administration seems to view the environment, the declining interest in international issues (unless it means finger-pointing or name-calling), the rising cost of healthcare, and the mounting federal deficit that Tater and his/her friends and children will likely be paying for.

It just all makes me wonder what kind of world we're bringing this baby into and what kind of world we will leave for him/her. I know it's not WWIII, but it's far from ideal.

I'm about halfway through Orwell's 1984 right now, and with each page I am astonished at the similarities between Oceania's paranoid and controlling Party and W's crew. I can only hope that Orwell envisioned a happy ending -- maybe there's hope after all. :-p (Don't tell me; I need to finish this book!)

Perhaps our parents and our parents' parents were just as afraid when they were raising children. In any case, the deed is done. I guess the best thing we can do at this point is pray, vote, and try to inform/educate our offspring the best that we can.

Meanwhile, it looks like a little baby bomb has exploded in our house. We're trying to be organized, but the collection of onesies, little socks and baby gear seems to have taken on a life of its own! Several times during this pregnancy, I've thought about how much safer the baby would be -- physically and socially -- if Tater could just stay in his/her comfy little home. But, that feeling is withering away as the eagerness to meet this baby is taking over!!

Week 37 developments:

Baby's Age: 35 Weeks
Baby's Weight: 6 to 7 pounds
Baby's Length: 16 ½ to 19 ½ inches

By this time, the baby has developed a very firm grasp. The baby now automatically turns toward a source of light and its body is fuller and rounder as the body fat continues to rise. It's getting pretty cramped in the womb; when the baby turns we can often see the arms and legs pressing up against my belly.

Even though Tater is considered full term, it is still better in most situations for the baby to remain in the womb until s/he signals that it's time to come out.