Babies Galore!

Brandy: This was a pretty eventful weekend. Friday, while at work, I got an email that a friend had gone into labor. I was so excited for her! I didn't hear any news Friday night, so I went to bed. I got up early for prenatal yoga, which is at my midwife's office/birthing center. We had just started yoga class when Dinah, my midwife, walked through the front door with a couple. The woman was very obviously in labor. They hurried past us into one of the birthing rooms. A few minutes later, Dinah's assistant arrived and joined the laboring couple. Within moments, we began to hear screams coming from the back room. They were deep, heart wrenching screams of labor pain. The screams would come every few minutes, and I am quite sure my eyes bulged larger with each one. There were five of us in class, plus the instructor. She talked to us about how yoga can prepare you to concentrate and breathe through distractions when we go into labor. Yes, concentrate through the distractions... wait there was another scream. Wow, this is hard! I knew that right down the hall there was a woman and a man who were about to welcome a precious little life into the world. It made me stop and think how real everything was... that I would be welcoming a life into the world in just a few months. Could this be real? Another scream... yes, this is REAL. This pattern continues for the entire class. Towards the end of class, I could hear encouraging words coming from the back room. I think she is pushing! A few poses later, a tiny cry wafts down the hall to my ears. I turn to look at the lady next to me in excitement. We had both heard it! The new life was here, and I was trying to fight back tears of joy. It seems we were the only 2 people who had heard the tiny cry, since we were in the back closest to the birthing room. A few moments later, our instructor asked if that had been the baby crying? Yes it was! The entire yoga class beamed from ear to ear. Okay, now class is almost over. We just have some breathing exercises and resting position. As I lay on my left side with my eyes closed, the tiny cry emerged again. A couple of tears slid silently across my face. I did not know this couple, but I was so HAPPY for them. Just then, my baby started moving around inside my belly. I placed my hand on top of the movement and laid there smiling, eyes closed and watery. I was no longer scared of the pain... just knowing what comes at the end of it all will be worth it. As class was over, our instructor told us she was going to peek in on the birthing room to check if we could see the new arrival. Mother said yes! We all crept very quietly into the birthing room, where mom was wrapped in sheets on the bed, with a tiny little person laying on her chest. She pulled back the towel to reveal a tiny little back and head. She then pulled it back a little more to reveal a naked little baby butt! We all simultaneously said "Ahhhhh". Dinah picked the baby up , who we discovered was a boy, and brought him closer to us. He was perfect! We all said our congratulations to mom and dad, and left the room so they could enjoy their new son. This was by far the best yoga class EVER! Later that day, Brian and I were shopping when I got a call that my friend had indeed had her baby. I listened intently as she told me her birth story, amazed at her strength. She had succeeded in a natural birth. Wow, two in one day! I can do this too! Congratulations to the couple at the birthing center, and congratulations to Teresha and Damon. Welcome to the world little baby boy, and welcome to the world Marlie!

La Leche Meeting

Brandy: Last night I went to my first meeting of La Leche League. I had heard about them before, but Dinah (my midwife) urged me to start attending meetings now to help make breastfeeding more successful. I was a little nervous, because I did not know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. It was a nice forum to discuss questions and concerns about breastfeeding. It was a room of moms and soon-to-be moms who were all there to support each other. My biggest concerns are having experienced women around to help get me successfully started, and how to continue to be successful once I have to go back to work. I think the work thing has me more stressed out than anything else. They gave me some good options and ideas to work with. It is nice to know I have people to ask questions who have already been through it. There were also two women at the meeting who had babies with Dinah. They also LOVE her! I think it is very important for me to surround myself with people who understand my decision to birth naturally and out of a hospital, as well as breastfeed my baby. I believe these are some of the greatest gifts I can give to my baby. I love this child so much already, and I would do anything for my baby. I can't wait for that love to grow once he/she is here.

Child Care Solution - DONE!

Brandy: So if you read my prior blogs on childcare, I have been waiting to see if I there will be a place open at the home day care (run by Chantell) our neighbor uses for their little girl. I found out yesterday that we are in! This is great, only a few children in her home (more attention/less germs), licensed with the state, no violations at inspections, she will pick up our child during the school year (after she drops her own daughter off at school across the street... Yay! This is a big load off my mind! I also set up backup childcare in case Chantell is sick or closed for the day. We are using another home day care near us... This is the lady named Elvira I mentioned in my previous post. I am dropping paperwork and registration checks off to both of them when I leave work today. I am happy that this is finally taken care of and that Chantell had a place for us!

Random Ramblings

Brandy: So life has been fun lately. Brian and I have been doing lots of things to prepare for the baby. Also, there has been a lot more movement. I consistently feel our little one throughout the day. I started writing down times, and it seems like the baby is moving and shaking every 3 1/2 to 4 hours. I have felt the movement from the outside as well, but Brian hasn't yet. He tried to a couple of times, but the baby got shy and he got bored waiting. It will happen soon enough! Monday will be 22 weeks. The baby will be around 1 pound, and nearly 11 inches long from crown to heel. It is kind of scary how quickly this pregnancy is flying by.

Other updates... well my prenatal yoga class used to be at a baby boutique near work every other Saturday. Starting tomorrow, they are moving class to my midwife's office every Saturday. I am super excited. I hope I get to meet some other women who are seeing Dinah as well.

This morning I woke up and for the first time felt like my baby bump looked really big. I know it will only get bigger... Up until now, it has been there, noticeable, but not the center of attention. I think now the race has begun for lots and lots of growth! I have started to notice that my bump is starting to get in the way ever so slightly. For instance, when I am laying down, it is hard to sit straight up. Instead, I have to roll to one side, and get up that way. It is also getting a bit more difficult to shave my legs. Don't get me wrong, I am NOT complaining!!! I know I have it easy now compared to the end of pregnancy. It just happens to be what I am going through, and since I am sharing my experiences on this blog, you get to hear about it!

My belly button has not "popped" out yet, but I can tell it is getting larger. I kind if hope it does pop... I think it is cute when that happens! Plus, it will go back to normal after the baby is born anyway. I won't have an outie forever!

Don't forget that there are 2 baby showers coming up shortly! My Houston shower is Saturday, September 26th, and the Dallas shower is Saturday, October 10th. I can't wait to see everyone! It seems like FOREVER since I have made it to Houston! Well, that is about it for now. I think I have rambled on enough for one day... Happy Friday!