The Waiting Game
13. Feb, 2010 
37 Comments
I’m writing this at 3 AM, wondering why no one warns you that you begin to lose sleep months before the baby comes. The waiting is almost over though, as I’m just two weeks away from my due date. I just got my latest “No baby yet?” email (everyone has been asking me this), so I thought I’d make it official: baby is not here… yet. Which means I’ve just jinxed it because secretly… I’m in no rush. I kind of like being forced to slow down. It’s quiet here, I’m working on projects, taking long naps everyday and while I’ve already begun cutting back my working hours, my income has stayed the same. It seems benign neglect has been good for me. Maybe Tim Ferriss has something with The 4-Hour Workweek after all. The key is to become extremely pregnant so that you can’t possibly work more than an hour without taking a break, laying down for a bit or having a snack. (To anyone who has emailed me in the past 2 months, you know this is true).
So what have I been working on?
A New Ebook: It’s about digital nomading, specifically the tricky little piece about earning money. It’ll be launching sometime in March/April, and as always the ebook will be free for subscribers (for the first month).
The big move (again!): Since I returned to the US to take advantage of my health insurance and to have a baby in a place where I won’t have to have the word PUSH translated for me, we now have to recreate the Great Atlantic Crossing with the husband, two slightly fatter Labrador retrievers and now one 2-3 month old baby.
Bulgaria, Greece, Morocco, Tunisia: Given the realities of traveling with a little one and two dogs, we’re planning all of our travel in 3 month intervals… quite slower than we’ve been used to over the past two years. I’m interested in the more off-beat areas around the Mediterranean, but we haven’t set anything in stone.
The Sailing Experiment: Wouldn’t it be cool to sail around the world? It seems like it, except that one little detail: learning how to sail. Oh and making money. So the hubby and I are planning on taking some sailing courses this year to test out the theory: is travel by sea compatible with nomad life? Will someone finally invent a worldwide satellite internet device that will work anywhere and costs less than $1000/mo? And finally, what exactly will salt water do to my laptop?
Perfecting my breast stroke: I’ve been swimming… a lot. I go to a community pool during the day with the gray haired little old ladies and in the locker room they talk about their aches and pains and I think, “I hear ya sister!”. Then I waddle my butt out to the pool, make a big production out of lowering myself into the water and finally, thanks to the miracle of buoyancy, feel like a human being again for about 60 minutes. Sometimes on the way home I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror and wonder when that woman is due. Oh that’s me!
Oh yes, perhaps a guest post or two
I don’t usually have a ton of people writing here, besides myself, but I am looking for kick-ass, on topic (travel, digital nomad related) and incredibly useful articles. If you have one, send me an email at christine.gilbert@gmail.com (subject line: guest post) <– if you don’t use that subject line I won’t read your email.
Free Book Friday returning soon!
It’s on hiatus for the moment, but expect it back by April! In the interim, if you have a book you’d like to suggest for an upcoming review and giveaway or if you’re an editor or publisher that would like to send me a free copy (or two) send me an email at christine.gilbert@gmail.com (subject line: book reviews) <– and again, if you don’t use that subject line I won’t read your email.
Boring Baby Stuff
Finally, a little promise to the readers out there that aren’t very baby-crazy at the moment. There are over 4 million babies born in the US every year. It’s actually not that big of a deal (unless it’s you, then it’s the biggest deal). I get that and I haven’t forgotten my 32 years of pre-baby life. So I won’t be doing love letters to my son or any kind of updates on his pooping or lack there of (that’s what Facebook is for, right?). So while I’ll announce the birth, that will be the end of the baby updates (unless the little tyke has some particularly keen insights into the finer points of travel, working abroad or living a nomad lifestyle, which let’s just say it, it’s probably going to take at least 6 months to get him up to speed).
So what are you waiting for?
Good grief. And this is *slow*? I hope there are fire extinguishers handy when you hit “fast”.
2 weeks. Eeeya.
I spent some of my early years growing up in Cyprus, and all my earliest, most formative memories are sun-kissed. Just to warn you. You’re setting a high standard, and when your young’un is a stroppy teen and you’re travelling somewhere colder and rainier, they’re going to whinge at you the same way I whinged at my parents.
(That’s a personal recommendation for the Mediterranean, by the way).
Mikeachim´s last blog ..Cobweb 2.0: How Spiders Catch The Rain
That’s beautiful! I think it’s so very important to allow children to have global experiences. Your kid is going to be a cultural millionaire! My wife and I still have a few years before we’ll be ready for where you’re at, but it’s so inspiring to hear your tales.
blake / backpackerdaily.com
Blakesjourney´s last blog ..Our Anniversary in Paris
Great to hear – good luck! It’s nice to see adding to the family won’t alter your travel passion too much. I’m waiting for October – when I make the switch you did two years ago. I suppose it’s a kind of metaphorical pregnancy
Traveling Savage´s last blog ..The Age of (Self) Discovery
You’re story is so inspiring. I just found your site a few weeks ago and have been enjoying going through the archives. How exciting that you’re planning to travel with the little one – so many parents stop traveling when they have children, and it’s inspiring to read about someone who is not planning to stop.
Heather Rae´s last blog ..A Quick Update
The first time I left the continent was in college- I think it is so wonderful that your baby will be so cultured. And, sailing around the world is something I’ve always dreamed about, I can’t wait to see how your sailing courses go.
Susan´s last blog ..winter olympics
I love the idea of sailing round the world – I started learning to sail (in a TINY boat) last summer, and am looking forwards to doing some more once it warms up a bit.
Rachel Cotterill´s last blog ..A Sweet Deal
You’ve got some exciting plans there! If you do go to morocco i promise you won’t regret it, ot’s an amazing (but a bit crazy) country, just avoid the tourst trap Agadir.
Looking forward to read the new ebook!
Sofia´s last blog ..Why & How To Be Vegetarian On Your Travels
Hi Christine!
I’m so glad things are going good for you! That is just fantastic! I was just thinking of you the other day and wondering (like everyone else) if the little guy had made his arrival yet. I also think it is awesome that you are still going to travel with the little tike. My parents did that with me and my sisters and we have so many awesome memories. Beware though – You will give that kid the travel bug early on life!!
We’re definitely thinking into the guest posting as well. I already have Randy on task for thinking of some ideas and then we’ll email you.
Thanks for the update and be well – good luck!!! – Beth
Bethany´s last blog ..Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How To Vacation In A War Zone. Part four of a five part series.
Oh yeah, I had the sailboat idea too and bought a sailboat last year.
If I can give you one tip – learn how to sail on a smaller boat first. I had a lot of boating experience (but not sailboat related) and a sailboat is about 100x’s different than a motor boat. They just don’t react like motor boats do so you really have to think of things ahead of time. I thought initially we would learn to sail and then bring it to the gulf and sail around central/south America. After a million near misses I have realized that sailing is waaaay harder than I ever thought. However it is awesome and my only real regret is that I didn’t learn when I was much younger – you know before the frontal lobe was completely developed. Now I’m old enough to realize ‘Hey we could die here’ and it’s not a good thought. I have now sworn to myself when I have a kid I will teach them early on so they do not have the same fear. Looks like your little guy is going to get that lucky break! If you need any help with it don’t hesitate to ask me. I’m no pro but I can tell you what not to do.
Another great tip – Going in reverse on a sailboat engine is worthless. Just remember that and it will help out greatly.
Bethany´s last blog ..Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How To Vacation In A War Zone. Part four of a five part series.
I would love it if you included a few tips/stories/lessons learned about travelling with your little one occassionaly. I have an almost two year old and will hopefully get pregnant this year with #2. We are exploring the possibilities of living a nomadic-type lifestyle and I wonder how it will be with the kiddos. I love your blog. I’ve been reading through the archives since I found you on new years eve (I think I’m up to last summer). Thanks for sharing your adventures!!
Oh ya….I HIGHLY recommend getting a high-quality baby carrier like the Ergo or Beco baby carrier….it is THE best thing when you are travelling!!
Hi Christine, You obviously have A LOT to look forward to this year. And yes, sailing around the world would be really cool. All the best with everything!
Erica´s last blog ..Led by Destiny: Hitchhiking Around the World
Hi Christine,
I am a mother of a 3-year-old girl (plus another girl coming March 2010 – soon!). Yes, you begin to lose sleep months before you give birth…and I think that’s nature’s way of preparing our bodies for the tormentous first few months of motherhood! I promise, though, that life gets easier after the first 3 months. Generally speaking. But of course, I didn’t win the baby lottery with my first one. I only had 2-hour sleep intervals for the first 6 months of her life (I was going insane with lack of sleep). I breastfed her 12 times every 24-hour period. That means, one feeding every 2 hours (30-45 mins feed, 20-30 mins to burp, another 10 min. to change, etc.). That left me about 30-45 minutes after every feeding to sleep / eat / bathe / blog / live. I didn’t get my first 4-hour sleep until she was 7 months. And I got my first 6-hour sleep when she was 8 months and we brought her to Greece! I hope that you have a better experience. BUT, it is all worth it!!!
P.S. We’ve brought our Bugaboo stroller and MacLaren stroller during our family trips – Italy, Greece, Cuba, NYC, Morocco – the MacLaren Quest stroller is THE BEST for travelling, although the roads in Marrakech almost incapacitated it. It survived, though! And is still working! We also brought along a Baby Bjorn carrier when she was an infant – our photos say it all. She was comfortably asleep in the carrier most of the time.
Oh I remember that wait and lack of sleep well. I was almost 32 when I had my daughter and determined that my life wouldn’t change that much. It didn’t but there were lots of adjustments! I’m glad that you’re giving in to your urges and napping and resting, I was too stubborn to do that but I do regret it. You’ll have a wonderful, extra insight- filled Mediterranean journey with your new baby. I’m waiting for March and April so that I can resume my travels. I don’t travel during brutal Chicago winters so I’m itchy to start traveling when the weather breaks.
Fly Girl´s last blog ..In Tribute to Clyde Bertrand and Airline Service that Excels
Despite your last paragraph, I predict that baby tales will start to creep into your writing – it’s hard to resist when something so all-absorbing comes into your life.
Heather on her travels´s last blog ..6. Weekend in London at the Mandarin Oriental – Podcast
Congratulations on your upcoming joy. You are setting your son up to be an amazing person one day – he will be so blessed to get to see so much of the world as he grows up.
Pond Jumpers: Croatia´s last blog ..Croatia’s Museum Night
Hi there! I have recently come across your blog and I love it! I am very excited for you and for all the adventures you will have with your family! How fun! I wish I could have traveled more when I was younger.. but there’s no time like the present! What a lucky child you will have! Good luck on the birth and learning how to sail! (Wonder which is more difficult? ha).
All the best!
Kelly ´s last blog ..Day Trip: Niteroi
Hi Christine,
My due date is just one week, and I agree…I have kind enjoyed the slowness that I must take life these days. Good luck, and I look forward to hearing more about sailing. If I didnt get dreadfully seasick, I would love something like that. But, I suppose I need o stick with land based travels.
I am fairly new to your blog too. So first, congratulations on being pregnant. I am a little late on getting that news looks like. I will have to reserve the welcome little one till later
You have a LOT on your plate. So many irons in the fire. All best to you.
Arlene´s last blog ..Travel Tip of the Week – Don’t Drink the Water!!!
I recently came across your site and I think it’s great that you’re planning to travel with the little one when he arrives. I wish you all the best and I’ll be following along on your adventures. Someday I hope to do the same. Cheers!
Laura´s last blog ..Mexico City Welcomes Us to the Neighborhood
Do you travel with your labradors abroad, always? We’re about to get a pooch and I was wondering about the implications of traveling with them. Best of luck with your little one.
Carolina´s last blog ..Love the One You’re With
check out get lost on purpose. They are sailing around the world and could help.
nomadic matt´s last blog ..Great Reasons to Visit New Zealand
Love checking in with your blog and am eager to hear about your nomad lifestyle with kids. I am recently back in the States after living in Spain, and traveling the Mediterranean, with our two daughters, 6 and 10 for a year. (Highly reco Turkey, Greece and Morocco.)
I debate the nomadic lifestyle with myself now that our kids are in school. I totally think extended travel trips of 3-6 months doable; I’m wondering about it continuously though given the needs of school and peers. Homeschooling works for short bits of time for us, but I don’t think as a long-term solution. Enjoy this while yours is portable and can’t talk back! =)
I too can’t wait to hear how the sailing experiment goes! I hope to sail around the world within the next few years, but definitely don’t want to do it without being able to blog about it along the way.
Have you been reading about Jessica Watson? She’s trying to become the youngest person to sail around the world solo & unassisted. I think she’s been blogging & posting video updates really frequently… http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/
Bo´s last blog ..The end of a chapter.
I anticipate some groundbreaking articles on traveling with babies. Setting by example again how an untethered life is not just an option for childless couples, but a graspable reality for families.
You strike me a someone who will recover from labor quickly and get on with things.
I’m debating a sailing arc to my trip as well. Good luck with the courses!
Nomadic Chick´s last blog ..Gypsy Wednesday – GRRRL Traveler
You are so busy in your “down” time! Wishing you the best as you wait for your little bundle!!!
Hi Christine, I like getting your newsletter, so I can keep up to date. I see you`re working on a new E-book. Can`t wait to read it! Good luck and may you have a beautiful travel future ahead of you together with your family!
IsabellesTravel´s last blog ..San Juan Shore Excursions
What is this sleep thing you speak of?
A.J.´s last blog ..Shall We Rock?
Oh, in case you’re looking for some gear tips with the kiddo, we’re just putting this page together but maybe there’s something of use for you here (tip: you don’t need that much): http://www.kickassadventuringwithkids.com/gear-reviews/
We enjoy the blog Christine.
I really need that ebook, so looking forward to it!
and sailing across the world sounds just fantastic!
Oh I’m sure you’ll have a lot to share about traveling with an infant! I’m excited to hear updates about how you’ve adapted.
Courtney Baker´s last blog ..Is Picnik Worth It?
Hope the birth goes well and it will be interesting to see how the next year plays out! You may completely live up to plan but I agree with Heather on her Travels that it will be practically impossible to not blog about the new little one – but not in a bad way
And I will be very impressed if you manage to do that much traveling with a newborn! If he’s an easy baby, you will. If he screams and you don’t sleep for 6 months, don’t be hard on yourself. I will say though that (with 2 kids now ages 3 and 5) being on a boat with a small child is one of the most stressful things I can think of…either do it before he’s mobile, or wait until he’s, oh, 10. If you aren’t already following them, soultravelers and familyonbikes are great examples of nomadic families. Best of luck!
Madeline´s last blog ..Access My Little Black Book of Italy Tourism
Madeline-
It will not be hard at all to not talk about the little one! There’s something about writing about parenting that makes every single parent want to give you advice. If I write about hiking the amazon, no one writes, “Well we’ll see how that works out”. If I write about my intentions to cosleep, I get all kinds of comments warning me “it doesn’t work for everyone”. I don’t know how anyone can be a mommy blogger, it’s like a daily onslaught of advice from your MIL.
Plus, I like the idea of NOT shilling my child for the internet. I’d like to keep him all to myself.
Hope everything goes well. While I completely respect your privacy and the sensitivity of a new baby while living an online life, as a traveler I would be interested in your tips on how to travel with a child. This is something that I’ve been brainstorming and I’d love to hear from someone how to do it, and to remember that it can be done! I think that it is something vastly missing from the nomad lifestyle conversation. Again, good luck.
I love how you are doing this while pregnant. I’ve always been scared about the prospect of having kids as I thought it would mean the end of my travels. Hearing about someone who is living proof that you can do it makes me a feel so much better and confident that I can have both (although i’m not planning on the baby part for quite a while yet!)
Jane´s last blog ..Photo of The Week – Brisbane
Jane- I would say you define the life you will lead, both before you have children and afterward. There is no mold but the ones we accept for ourselves. If you choose to you can continue to travel and kickass with kids
AJ´s last blog ..Who’s Watching?
…that was nice and smart…ill wish the best of luck..and deserve rest after the borning stuff…:)