Ripenning...

This is so completely fascinating...

God is pretty darn cool! This will be short and all you veteran moms out there who have gone full term in pregnancy will probably get a kick out of my "virgin version" of this but I just can't help but blog about it...

For the past 3 days now (including today) I have been getting very strong contractions/pre-labor pains/braxton hicks/false labor. LOL I use all those terms cause that's the various ways different folks describe it. Anyways, the reason its so cool is because I can literally watch my entire belly tighten immensely as if I were flexing (like I could do THAT at this point!). It gets so tight in fact that you can see a fairly detailed outline of Reesor.

Its only painful if it happens while I'm standing or walking so I'm making a point these days to stay seated or lying down quite a bit. I know this can go on for weeks but I'm just fascinated by how God set everything up to prepare both my body and the baby for the miracle of birth. Nifty!

Maybe my next post will include a picture of my child (not in-utero) :) Meanwhile, unless you are super easily offended, check out this cute cartoon:

Confesions of a First-Time-Mommy-Over-Achiever

I have recently diagnosed myself with what I'm calling "First-Time-Mommy-Over-Achiever Syndrome". It is exactly what it sounds like: the first-timers who feel the need to go above and beyond what is necessary to prepare for the arrival of the peanut.

I blame this on two things:
First, a veteran mom doing this for the 2nd or more time already has other little feet to chase around and can't dedicate as much time over-thinking every insignificant detail. Plus she knows how to do most of it already and doesn't need to spend hours researching all the how-to's.

Secondly, my deep deep DEEP need to be prepared for every possible and unlikely situation and scenario and the need for each of those unlikely situations and scenarios to end up perfect and well-managed. :) I tell others I'm just trying to be responsible and then I go off in a corner and roll my eyes at myself because I know I'm a planner to the core. haha

So here's what's on the list of over-achieving things I have done to prepare for Reesor:
1. His room is done and has been mostly done for quite some time (I still have a supposed 4 weeks to go). I ordered his crib when I was like 20 wks prego and we had it assembled and ready by 24.

2. All of his clothes have been laundered for weeks now and are organized and ready for use.

3. Part of my workout/yoga routine is "meditating" on all the possible outcomes for my labor and delivery process. This includes but isn't limited to water birth, early labor, late labor, short labor, long labor, un-medicated labor, c-section, early induction and blablablablabla. My need to be emotionally and mentally prepared for each one is high on my list of priorities. Sick, I know.

4. And here's the winner folks: I went to my local fire department and did a one-on-one with an instructor on how to properly install the car seat we bought Reesor (which we also bought like 3 months ago). Now you may laugh at me for doing the consult but I learned a lot! I feel like Reesor is going to be as safe as can be no matter what vehicle he's riding in. As a warning to all my friends and family who's vehicles will one day carry Reesor, you can expect a full "talkin-to" regarding his safety when the time comes.

So there ya have it. This has been Confesions of a First-Time-Mommy-Over-Achiever Syndrome and you can look forward to more reflections on the matter.

My choice, or is it?

In a quick update it seems that I have started to have false labor at night. AKA Braxton Hicks or pre-labor pains. It is quite interesting and uncomfortable but I'm always reminding myself "its not as bad as the real deal so suck it up!" heehee Aaron and I are finishing up the nursery with some last-minute wall decor and we are headed for a little "babymoon" next weekend to a lake house for one last no-baby getaway. After that there will be nothing left to do except attend my weekly Dr. apts and try and relax.

As I finish up this phenomenon called pregnancy I'm fascinated (and disturbed) by some of the things I'm dealing with. Namely, the reactions to our decisions in the medical realm. I've been shopping for a pediatrician and think it sad that there are so many out there who will flat out refuse to see you if you don't vaccinate. I'm not here to argue as to why we are choosing to not vaccinate so please, lets not ruffle the feathers with this blog. But I do think that if we have done our research, our due diligence, and have come to the educated and personal decision of not vaccinating that our wishes should be respected and that we shouldn't be refused medical care. I did find a Doc that will take care of our little guy but not before being told by a different Doc NO! Interesting.


Another interesting and VERY TOUCHY subject amongst doctor's and my peers is the idea of a natural or un-medicated birth. When I was about 15 weeks pregnant I made the decision that I would like to plan for a natural birth. Notice I said PLAN. I'm very aware of the fact that situations arise and circumstances happen where this may be an impossibility. But just as some women plan for an epidural and then can't get one because they progress too quickly, I'm planning on NOT getting one and then going with the flow. Whatever the outcome ends up being for me I find it fascinating to see people's reaction when they find out I'm not planning to have any medical interventions. Even better...ready?....we're planning a water birth! Common responses I have gotten have been "Good luck with that!" or "Famous last words." or "We'll see about that when that first contraction hits!" Now I'm thick skinned and pretty much roll my eyes at the negative comments but I would like to point out that this is MY choice and I certainly don't sit around criticizing people for their decisions. If a person has researched thoroughly and comes to a certain conclusion for them self then who am I to question that?


(trust me, you don't want to see the other Google images out there for water birth) heehee

There are exceptions to all these rules. If I were making plans that would blatantly harm myself or my child then I can see where a Doc might refuse service or why a friend would be critical. But that is not the case. We are simply making decisions that best suit our family. I'm loving that ole saying right about now:

If you don't have anything nice (or encouraging) to say, then don't say anything at all!"