Where have I been for the past month? I wish I could say writing and revising my way through the final months of my pregnancy, but alas fate had other ideas. At the end of March, my husband and I closed on our new apartment and Brooklyn. It is an amazing space with a room for our soon-to-be born son in a very kid-friendly building. And it was a great deal, mainly because it needed some work. Nothing major, but enough that we enlisted the help of a local Brooklyn handyman to help us paint, redo and add moldings and change light fixtures. All of this would have gone smoothly if the building itself had not been under construction.
Before closing, we learned that our new building needed a new roof among other things to fix some leaking issues. Sadly, this meant that the terrace we were so looking forward to using was now home to scaffolding. Ok, we thought, it is only for a few months. We can live without a terrace, especially since we’ll have a newborn to occupy our time this summer. So our handyman set to work and we scheduled our big move for April 21st. Plenty of time to paint and whatnot, or so we thought.
Then we got the call.
The building needed to perform work inside our unit, specifically in our bedroom. They needed to build a wall through the middle of our bedroom to protect our unit from the dust as they drilled inside our new home. In a matter of weeks, we had lost access to our terrace and the master bedroom.
Still, we moved our belongings and our cat to the new apartment. We threw the mattress down on the floor in the almost-finished nursery and waited for the wall to come down so that our handyman could finish his work.
And then, just as one would expect in a book or a movie, my water broke.
At 35 weeks pregnant, I got off the subway in midtown Manhattan this past Monday and just like that it happened. Stunned, I waddled as fast as I could through the pouring rain to the nearest Starbucks. All the while, I was thinking: this can’t be happening. It’s too soon and we’re not ready.
I called my husband from the Starbucks bathroom and then our midwife, who assured me that yes, it was happening, and yes, I needed to go to the hospital. Immediately. My husband abandoned his business dinner, hailed a cab, and came to pick me up on the corner of 51st and Broadway.
Thankfully, my baby and my midwife decided it would be best for the baby to stay inside for as long as possible. So here I am, at the hospital on bed rest. Waiting. I have been told multiple times that I will not be heading home until I have the baby, which will likely happen in the next week or so. He will be full term (37 weeks) on May 9th, which also happens to be my 30th birthday.
In the meantime, my husband has been doing his best to get our home ready for our baby. He demanded the building finish our unit and take the wall down. My mother flew up and washed the baby clothes for me. My mother-in-law arrived from the west coast to help set up our home. And our handyman, bless him, has been working around the clock to finish the apartment. His name is Stephen Kitts, the Park Slope Handyman in case anyone in the Brooklyn area ever needs his services. I can’t recommend him enough. He was at our home until 1am last night painting so that my friends and family could set up our furniture today. Thanks to my husband, Stephen, my family and friends, my baby will have a nursery, complete with a crib, when he comes home from the hospital.
So that was my April. Hopefully May will be smooth sailing once the baby arrives and I will be back to blogging and to my guest appearance series-I haven’t forgotten about it, just had to put it on hold a bit! And of course, back to writing. I had just started a new manuscript and another round of revisions for Courting Scandal when April began.
Happy May Day everyone! And if you have any great reading suggestions, please send them my way. I might be lying here for another week.
Sarah, what an amazing story. I hope everything comes together on your new apartment thanks to the many people working to get your place ready. How exciting that your son is so eager to arrive. Looks like he wanted to be sure to get here in time for your first Mother’s Day. I look forward to another post once he’s here.
Sarah, you failed to mention that not only will you be full term on May 9, which is also your 30th birthday, but it’s also Mother’s Day! How fantastic would that be to have him on Mother’s Day?? I’m so glad he stayed in to cook a little longer, and how great to have so many people there to help with the apartment! I’ll be thinking of you, and I hope all goes well with the delivery!
Omgosh! I thought I’d check in to see if you had the baby and…wow! Good luck with everything, take care and let me know when I can babysit
Hi Sarah–We were thinking of you and speaking of you at the May brunch at Kennedy’s–perhaps your ears were burning?! I sat next to Dr. Tanya, and we discussed how the new addition (edition?) couldn’t be inside a better incubator than you yourself provide for him. I’m looking forward to being a chapter “aunt.” Best regards, Elizabeth
Oh, so exciting! Can’t wait to hear an update to this story. All the best to you and your family!
Wow! I’m glad you and the baby are okay. What a terrific story. I hope all goes well with your son’s delivery and that you all enjoy your new home.
Now all you need is to get ‘that’ call that your manuscript sold.
I’m glad you and the baby are okay and it sounds as if you have a wonderful group of people surrounding you. I can’t imagine my water breaking in NY. It was bad enough in Kansas.
Congratulations and I’ll pray for a safe and quick delivery.
Goodness, what a story! I was wondering how you were doing since I hadn’t heard from you in a while and thinking…the baby was due in May, maybe she’s had it…
Sounds like your family and friends really stepped up to bat when needed and lucky you found such a dedicated handyman to save the day.
Soon, you’ll be home with your baby boy and he’ll be able to sleep in his nice new nursery.
Have a happy delivery, Mother’s day would be fantastic, specially if it’s your birthday. Can’t think of a better gift.
Keep us informed. Hugs!
Talk about an challenging month! Wow, Sarah, you sound remarkably centered considering all that’s been going on. I’m glad you posted; I’ve been wondering if you’ve had the baby. Let us know when the big event happens, and a picture would be nice!
oh! I just heard. Congratulations!!!! I hope he’s doing well. post pictures!! It seems to be baby season, my friend just had a daughter
hmmm good reads..in between feedings and elusive sleep..you can read:
Promise Me Tonight by Sara Lindsey
A Lady’s Guide to Improper Behavior by Suzanne Enoch
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
Well, I’ve been checking back here each day hoping to hear news. It seems that it’s happened. So happy for you!!!
Congratulations, Sarah! I wish you a speedy recovery and a lifetime full of happy moments with you baby boy. Hugs!
What an amazing woman you are! And what a fabulous family you have. Blessings to you all!
Sarah,
Congratulations. He’s beautiful and I’m so happy you now have him in your arms.
Tanya
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