Normal pregnancies, last 40 weeks.  I decided I wanted to get all I could out of that placenta and took almost 42.  Here are some memorable dates.....

September 21, 2001:  Julie flies into Vancouver, Julie and Andrew haven't seen each other for 4 weeks.  Julie misses Andrew.  Andrew misses Julie.  Julie misses pills.  I'm not quite sure what happened here, but I think I'll find out in 18 years..

October 11, 2001:  Julie complains of fatigue.  Andrew also complains of fatigue.  Andrew figures it's because he's post call and the basement apartment may have some carbon monoxide leaking.  Andrew leaves to get some fresh air, and to possibly buy a carbon monoxide detector.  Julie tells her mom that she is really tired and that there may be carbon monoxide in the apartment.  Andrew finds that pregancy tests (ClearBlue) are cheaper than carbon monoxide detectors, and instead gets one of these.

The line turns blue.

Julie's mom, Carolyn, continues to worry about the Carbon Monoxide levels in the apartment until Dec. 25, when she is told the news.

November:  Julie is in Sault Ste Marie, about 6 weeks pregnant when she goes to go to a psychic with a couple of friends.  During the session, the psychic tells Julie that she is pregnant, will have a boy, and that it will be two weeks early.  What do psychics know?

December:  Julie and Andrew tell each of their families.  I didn't know Andrew could get so nervous.  Visions of Steve sitting on the Connolly porch with a shotgun were quickly determined to be not warranted.

June:  After months of getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger, I'm making mom put on lots of fluid and get carpal tunnel syndrome (And they thought the sleepless nights would be after I'm born).  My due date comes and goes, I guess I wanted to make sure I was a Cancer.  Julie and I are both convinced that I'm not heading out the regular direction.

June 25:  I'm now officially 10 days overdue.  There's no way I want to go out that pelvis.  Mom gets an outpatient induction started and proceeds to sleep in the car (while having painful Q3min contractions), and then in the cafeteria (having painless Narcotic induced sleep, no contractions).  Nothing happens and they go back to Low.  I'm introduced to the great health care system my folks work in.

June 26:  Oxytocin is started (they're still trying to get me to go out that way! fools!!!).  The epidural reduces mom's pain somewhat, but I decide to face up on my way out and make everything more painful.  Daddy just sort of runs around, not quite sure what to do, and not able to make mom feel any better.  He gives up and sleeps.

June 27:  After a long, non-progressing labour, the obstetrician tells my mom that there are two choices.  A C-section, or a 4th degree tear (ie deliver through the rectum).  Mom opts for the C-section (wisely) and I get evicted after 91/2 months in my place.  Mom is happy to have me out, especially happy when she gets the ketamine, fentanyl, and versed.  Dad holds me like a football. 

June 30:  I go up to the farm and meet the Connolly/McCrank Clan.