Sweet baby James

Hello all:)
For those who don't already know, Jess and I have decided on the first name of James for the baby. This was my grandpa Hubbard's name, and is also the name of Jess's grandpa and his brother, and his father's middle name. James's last name will be Born, like Jesse. The middle name, however, is still a point of debate. Jess likes Braeburn. I like Patterson, Michael, and Jonathan. My guess is we will go with none of those, but who knows. I figure James can tell us what he likes best when he comes out to meet us:)
My first voice teacher, Debbie Wahlberg, threw me a baby shower in Ironwood last weekend. It was apple themed, because Jess works for apple and I'm a teacher so I have my own apple career affiliations! They made a macbook cake, and one of the shower games was to unscramble names of apples. A grand time was had by all (I think... although if that's not the case, I choose to ignore the facts!) I know there are some Chicago-area folks looking for updates to my list of recieved items, so please check my previous post, entitled "about the registry" for the new scoop. As I looked at my pile of beautiful baby gifts, I think the reality of this little guy in my belly as a PERSON hit me full force for the first time... I mean, I had thought about that he would be a BABY, and then I thought about that he would be a BOY, but it hadn't truly registered that he's going to be a whole PERSON... a MAN even, eventually. Madness. I'm growing a man in my belly. Nature is a strange and tempermental beast. It makes me sleepy. Or perhaps that's James sapping me of all my energy. 7.5 weeks and counting. I need a nap.
Love,
a very sleepy, very round version of the lady previously known as leanne

coming into the home stretch

hehehe. 31 weeks here. I have had a busy couple of weeks, as I have finally started subbing in the Madison public schools. It's a far cry from Winnetka, and several students have already addressed me in a way that prompted me to put the fear of God into their hearts by using pregnancy-induced outbursts to my best advantage. Amazing how terrifying a pregnant woman can be! :) Unfortunately, I am not always able to channel my new hormones for good. Jess continues to be an excellent sport as I grumble about my aches, pains, and fatness. I do my best not to get too grumpy when he teases me, since he DOES manage to cater to my every need and spoil me whenever possible.... but sometimes I am just downright mean despite my best intentions. I'm grateful that he is the forgiving sort.
Tomorrow we're going to go to a Madison store called "Happy bambino" to check out birth and parenting classes we might want to take. Goodness knows it wouldn't hurt for us to be armed with a little more information before this guy emerges from my belly and demands that we have some clue what we're doing!
Happy day-after-the-holiday-i-usually-completely-ignore-but-this-year-enjoyed-because-my-family-rocks!
~Leanne and co.

I heart my macbook

Hello all:)
I would like to give full credit to Steve Jobs for this photograph. I took it myself using Photobooth on my Mac! Anyway, week 29 is treating me well. I had my first appointment with my new care provider today, and she says everything about the pregnancy is right on track. No gestational diabetes or anemia in sight. She commented that I "must have a spectacular diet!" I decided that it was best not to mention the cheese puffs and diet coke I had for lunch... it occurred to me that our definitions of "spectacular" might not line up exactly! Joking aside, I have mostly been taking really good care of myself, so I was relieved to see it showing in my lab work today. In other health news, I will be giving birth at Meriter Hospital, under the care of the UW Midwives. Jess and I get to take a tour of the birth facilities tomorrow, but all the literature shows it to be a really nice place. (this is the address for a virtual tour:
http://www.meriter.com/about/tours/index.asp?v=14 ) And best of all, the insurance company has assured me that all of my care will be covered in full. Hoorah!
Aside from that, not much to report. Still settling into our new life and trying to find ways to get connected with the community without spending much money. I think that part will be easier once the weather starts to shape up. Jess and I went to the zoo yesterday (Madison has a neat free zoo!), and I may have imagined it, but I thought the polar bear looked a little chilled!
Much love!
~the Bornselhofts:)