spring fever

so spring is finally here. this has been the most perfect week - 9 inches of snow and then 80 degree weather to melt it all away. unfortunately it will be cold again the end of the week - but having the windows open has been so nice the past few days.
jack and i were driving home from my parents the other nite when we saw the white goat! the white goat is a richmond legend - he was once a pet of a family that lived in my neighborhood on the river and when they didn't want him anymore, they just set him free. people have been seeing him hanging out on the cliff near the river (actually at the very end of my street), but he's never been caught. years ago, i used to drive home over the powhite bridge and would see him hanging out on the side of the river. but i hadn't seen him in awhile and thought maybe he had died. and then...there he was - hanging out on the side of the hill! Jack had never seen him and frankly didn't believe me. so when we passed, of course jack missed it - i gt off the exit, back on the powhite and proved it - that goat is real! i wish i had a picture.
my ultrasound appointment got moved up, so we'll find out the health and sex of the baby on wed! i'm so excited! it will be nice to focus and not just imagine some blob hanging out in my uterus.
i've had a couple of interesting conversations about the way we're having the baby (no hospital, midwife, etc.). i guess since i'm usually surrounded by people who have either been through it, or know about it i haven't really had to explain or defend my position. its interesting b/c to some, this subject is almost as touchy as a religion discussion. and i'm happy to do it - b/c it is such an important decision and so many are not informed, its nice to be able to expose others. and i like Shawn's questions best.
we went to see a birthing movie last week, the orgasmic birth. at first i thought it would be similar to the business of being born (and it ended up being similar - even a little more factual), but i found out the basis is women who have actual orgasms while having babies. right. i'm sorry, i can see where you may want to have a more pleasurable than painful experience but i NEVER want to associate the two. i know i know, thats exactly where babies come from. but its not what should happen when the babies come. no judgements, just not my thing. anyway, the opening scene was a little...sensual. then the movie got good - showing different labors, a c-section, and various expert interviews (including one from the former director of the women and children's health section of the WHO, marsden wagner who was great). the last girl, autumn, was way too much to handle - a little creepy and way too excited about the orgasms she had during her birth. so besides the first and last scene a really great movie, if you like that kind of thing.
and its official - i am now in maternity jeans. as much as i hate to admit it - they're really comfortable and i just pull them on and off - no buttons, no zippers. sweet.