After reading Leo's birth story, some might wonder why a woman would choose to give birth without drugs. I cannot speak for all women, but I can give my personal reasons.
I should start by saying I'm allergic to -caine drugs, the most common local anesthesia, and so an epidural has never been an option for me. Even if that weren't the case, my low blood pressure would possibly make the epidural unwise, since it can further lower blood pressure. My fast labours also make it a non-option for me, as it can't be placed until a woman is dilated 4cm, and when I reach that stage, I'm in transition and soon to give birth. But even if those things weren't true, I wouldn't want the epidural. In the majority of cases, it confines the woman to bed, instead of allowing freedom of movement. I know for me being confined to bed isn't ideal. It also necessitates an IV and continuous monitoring, further limiting mobility. While few studies have compared those who receive epidural a with those who go natural, there are indications that the epidural may negatively impact early breastfeeding, which means it also affects overall breastfeeding success. Breastfeeding is extremely important to me, so I don't want to jeopardize that. It also increases chances of instrumental delivery.
Ok, so the epidural is out, but what about opioids that are either injected or placed in an IV? For one, it can lead to a similar problem with early breastfeeding, since it can make the newborn tired at birth. I know from experience that such drugs are highly effective with surgical pain, but the pain of labour is not at all like surgical pain, not even during the raw, primal pain of transition. But I also know from experience that receiving those drugs in labour didn't lead to decreased pain. An outside observer wouldn't realise that, though, as it gives the appearance of decreased pain and of being calmer; in reality, I was simply unable to respond to the pain, while still acutely feeling everything. My friends who had opioids in labour have reported the same feeling. It's anecdotal, I know, but it's enough for me to decline such drugs in labour again.
Then there are things like gas and air (sadly not widely available in the US). I personally didn't like it in labour, as it made me feel nauseated (I take pain over nausea), which is a common side effect. I say "sadly" in regards to its being unavailable, though, because any effects are short-lived and it doesn't adversely affect the baby, to my knowledge. I did like having it for getting stitched up after birthing Kieran, though. Thankfully I've not required stitches after the others.
My main reasons for going natural? The ability to move as I wish and the absolute euphoria after birth. The birth isn't a haze, but is something I experience completely, not just feeling the pain but the endorphins. Baby and I are both alert after, so the baby can breastfeed immediately before we both sleep. It's an amazing thing. I will say, though, that it doesn't just happen. But how to accomplish it is another post.
30 October 2012
28 October 2012
Sunday Snippets - a Catholic Carnival
My posts this week:
- Book Nook
- On Voting My Conscience
- Leo's birth story
Be sure to go to RAnn's for the rest of the carnival.
- Book Nook
- On Voting My Conscience
- Leo's birth story
Be sure to go to RAnn's for the rest of the carnival.
Crazy Intense Birth
You know those birth stories where the mother speaks of a peaceful birth wherein she breathed her baby out? This isn't one of them. (if any reading are pregnant with the first, note that most don't have such fast labours!)
On Thursday, I was exactly 38 weeks pregnant and had a midwife appointment. I'd been having more Braxton-Hicks, and the midwife actually saw one, but nothing more. Baby was lower, but not engaged, and all was well. I told her I'd see her next week.
When I got home, I started having niggly contractions that didn't go away with activity, but also weren't really painful. I installed the car seat, filled a Doomoo seat (they really need to sell those things in the US), and was happy my birth kit had finally arrived. The contractions stopped by evening, and I figured it would be at least a few more days, minimum. My husband and I hung out a bit after the other kids were in bed, then I decided to try to sleep.
As usual, I was up and down in the night, moving to the couch at one point. I'd wake periodically with back pain, change position, and go back to sleep. By 6.25, it finally dawned on me that the back pain was back labour, and I decided to take a shower for relief. I had to step around Cosmo, which should've been another clue, as he watches over me when in labour.
The shower helped, and I was convinced I was in early labour. My husband was awake by the time I got out, so I told him I thought it was baby day. Charlotte wanted to snuggle, so we did, and then went up for breakfast. Strangely for me, I wasn't very hungry, and just had some Weetabix and sat on the birthing ball. I also decided to start timing things and found they were 10-15 minutes apart, lasting 30-45 seconds. I could easily breathe through them, though counter-pressure helped.
Knowing this was likely it, I told my mom she needed to cancel her lunch plans so she could take the kids for us. I also told the kids they'd get to spend the day with Grammy and PowPow. Charlotte seemed concerned and wanted to be held, and I actually ended up leaning into her for a few contractions. I was starting to vocalize, softly. Kieran asked me what I was doing and I explained that I was in labour. His eyes got huge and he said "you mean we're getting a baby?!". It was precious. He also tried showing me a book, but I was getting in the zone. I was also getting annoyed with noises, so I asked my parents to take the kids. I hugged them and they left. It was 10.00.
My contractions were then 5-7 minutes apart, lasting 50-70 seconds. I wondered if the jacuzzi would feel good, so I asked Bart to check on it while I phoned the midwives, as Ashley, knowing my history of fast labours, had given strict instructions to phone when they came at 6 minutes or less. There was soap residue, so he set about cleaning that, which further irritated me and made my contractions slow a little. The receptionist phoned and said I needed to come into the birth center, which meant I was even more annoyed (if two women are in labour at once, you have to go to the birth center). We got things in the car and went, and my labour, predictably, stalled.
Upon arriving, Ashley greeted me and apologised for making me come in. The other lady had given birth, but would be there another hour or so, and Ashley wasn't comfortable telling me to wait that long (it was 11.00) - she was right. She checked me and got me in he room, and I requested a bath. The hot water was nice, but after 30-45 minutes, I'd had enough and wanted the birthing ball. Shortly after that, the larger room was available, and we moved in there. My contractions were getting more intense, my vocalizing less controlled, all with my wonderful husband providing counter pressure each time. Ashley requested that I get on the bed, so I alternately leaned on the headboard and went on all fours.
It was around noon, and I was definitely in transition. I couldn't help screaming, roaring even, declaring "I can't!", and crying in pain. Sometimes I'd notice my crucifix and miraculous medal and try to focus, remembering that I was offering the pain up for some friends who were in emotional pain. After a couple of those, my body started bearing down, but there was no relief from the raw agony of transition like my other births. Because I was bearing down, Ashley requested to check me: 8cm (which I knew because I'd seen the second bloody show), and baby was still high.
Another contraction took me as I got back on all fours. My body was bearing down with everything I had, while I continued to scream. I knew things were close, but wasn't expecting to feel the "ring of fire" right then! Baby was crowning! Ashley asked if I wanted to go onto my side, and I said no, so she just asked me to go slow. On the next contraction, the head was nearly out, and Ashley thought baby was posterior. She had me flip over real quick, and the labour assistant helped hold my leg while I pushed him out in one or two pushes, roaring all the while.
Immediately there was relief and euphoria, as my son, Leo Vianney, was handed to me. It was 12.34. The labour had been intense, but the euphoria was equally intense, and the tears were now tears of elation. I was, and am, overwhelmed with love. I stayed like that, holding him and nursing him, for an hour or two. The cord wasn't cut until the placenta was birthed, and, even though he had a nuchal hand, I had no tearing! I sipped coconut water and took in my son and thanked my wonderful husband and the midwife. It was amazing. Once Leo unlatched, I showered and dressed, and all the checks were done before we headed home. It may not have been the home birth I'd planned, but it was perfect.
On Thursday, I was exactly 38 weeks pregnant and had a midwife appointment. I'd been having more Braxton-Hicks, and the midwife actually saw one, but nothing more. Baby was lower, but not engaged, and all was well. I told her I'd see her next week.
When I got home, I started having niggly contractions that didn't go away with activity, but also weren't really painful. I installed the car seat, filled a Doomoo seat (they really need to sell those things in the US), and was happy my birth kit had finally arrived. The contractions stopped by evening, and I figured it would be at least a few more days, minimum. My husband and I hung out a bit after the other kids were in bed, then I decided to try to sleep.
As usual, I was up and down in the night, moving to the couch at one point. I'd wake periodically with back pain, change position, and go back to sleep. By 6.25, it finally dawned on me that the back pain was back labour, and I decided to take a shower for relief. I had to step around Cosmo, which should've been another clue, as he watches over me when in labour.
The shower helped, and I was convinced I was in early labour. My husband was awake by the time I got out, so I told him I thought it was baby day. Charlotte wanted to snuggle, so we did, and then went up for breakfast. Strangely for me, I wasn't very hungry, and just had some Weetabix and sat on the birthing ball. I also decided to start timing things and found they were 10-15 minutes apart, lasting 30-45 seconds. I could easily breathe through them, though counter-pressure helped.
Knowing this was likely it, I told my mom she needed to cancel her lunch plans so she could take the kids for us. I also told the kids they'd get to spend the day with Grammy and PowPow. Charlotte seemed concerned and wanted to be held, and I actually ended up leaning into her for a few contractions. I was starting to vocalize, softly. Kieran asked me what I was doing and I explained that I was in labour. His eyes got huge and he said "you mean we're getting a baby?!". It was precious. He also tried showing me a book, but I was getting in the zone. I was also getting annoyed with noises, so I asked my parents to take the kids. I hugged them and they left. It was 10.00.
My contractions were then 5-7 minutes apart, lasting 50-70 seconds. I wondered if the jacuzzi would feel good, so I asked Bart to check on it while I phoned the midwives, as Ashley, knowing my history of fast labours, had given strict instructions to phone when they came at 6 minutes or less. There was soap residue, so he set about cleaning that, which further irritated me and made my contractions slow a little. The receptionist phoned and said I needed to come into the birth center, which meant I was even more annoyed (if two women are in labour at once, you have to go to the birth center). We got things in the car and went, and my labour, predictably, stalled.
Upon arriving, Ashley greeted me and apologised for making me come in. The other lady had given birth, but would be there another hour or so, and Ashley wasn't comfortable telling me to wait that long (it was 11.00) - she was right. She checked me and got me in he room, and I requested a bath. The hot water was nice, but after 30-45 minutes, I'd had enough and wanted the birthing ball. Shortly after that, the larger room was available, and we moved in there. My contractions were getting more intense, my vocalizing less controlled, all with my wonderful husband providing counter pressure each time. Ashley requested that I get on the bed, so I alternately leaned on the headboard and went on all fours.
It was around noon, and I was definitely in transition. I couldn't help screaming, roaring even, declaring "I can't!", and crying in pain. Sometimes I'd notice my crucifix and miraculous medal and try to focus, remembering that I was offering the pain up for some friends who were in emotional pain. After a couple of those, my body started bearing down, but there was no relief from the raw agony of transition like my other births. Because I was bearing down, Ashley requested to check me: 8cm (which I knew because I'd seen the second bloody show), and baby was still high.
Another contraction took me as I got back on all fours. My body was bearing down with everything I had, while I continued to scream. I knew things were close, but wasn't expecting to feel the "ring of fire" right then! Baby was crowning! Ashley asked if I wanted to go onto my side, and I said no, so she just asked me to go slow. On the next contraction, the head was nearly out, and Ashley thought baby was posterior. She had me flip over real quick, and the labour assistant helped hold my leg while I pushed him out in one or two pushes, roaring all the while.
23 October 2012
On Voting My Conscience
I cannot wait for the election to be over! I have long been tired of the political adverts. Part of my frustration, though, comes from the difficulty in voting my conscience. I am absolutely pro-life, meaning I am against abortion (no exceptions), for programmes that support pregnant women and help with after the birth, against the death penalty, against torture, for affordable health care (minus coverage for abortion, contraceptives [which are potentially abortifacient], and IVF), against embryonic stem cell research, etc. Finding a candidate that fits that bill is nigh impossible, it seems.
Even so, many tell me I must vote "the lesser of two evils" and therefore must perpetuate the two-party system. In fact, I was convinced to do just that in the last presidential election, since I live in a swing state; this is a decision I've regretted every day since then. See, my one vote doesn't make a huge difference in a national election, but it does affect me.
This is why, this time, I insist on voting my conscience. I need to vote in a way I can live, both in protest of the system and for my own soul. I'm tired of candidates promising to let us live our faith and then reversing once we get them in office, too.
So what will I do? Well, I am heartened in reading the USCCB's guide "Faithful Citizenship". Paragraph 36 states, "36. When all candidates hold a position in favor of an intrinsic evil, the conscientious voter faces a dilemma. The voter may decide to take the extraordinary step of not voting for any candidate or, after careful deliberation, may decide to vote for the candidate deemed less likely to advance such a morally flawed position and more likely to pursue other authentic human goods "
I personally don't like or trust either Obama or Romney, and so will not vote for either of them. I know no candidate is perfect, but I don't think Romney's record matches his current promises, and cannot in good conscience vote for him. I will continue looking at third party candidates to see if there is one I can live with. While I am not a single-issue voter, I do hold abortion and embryonic stem cell research at he top, for if we do not protect the most vulnerable among us, little else matters. That being said, I'd love to find someone who also holds the other views I do, but that is unlikely. If I cannot find an acceptable candidate, it is possible I will abstain from voting for president, though I will more likely write someone in instead of doing that, if none of the other candidates is acceptable. I do not see such an action as throwing away my vote, or an implicit vote for either Obama or Romney, but as a vote for that candidate. And yes, it is also a protest of the system, which is in need of changing. Most of all, however I vote must be compatible with my conscience.
Even so, many tell me I must vote "the lesser of two evils" and therefore must perpetuate the two-party system. In fact, I was convinced to do just that in the last presidential election, since I live in a swing state; this is a decision I've regretted every day since then. See, my one vote doesn't make a huge difference in a national election, but it does affect me.
This is why, this time, I insist on voting my conscience. I need to vote in a way I can live, both in protest of the system and for my own soul. I'm tired of candidates promising to let us live our faith and then reversing once we get them in office, too.
So what will I do? Well, I am heartened in reading the USCCB's guide "Faithful Citizenship". Paragraph 36 states, "36. When all candidates hold a position in favor of an intrinsic evil, the conscientious voter faces a dilemma. The voter may decide to take the extraordinary step of not voting for any candidate or, after careful deliberation, may decide to vote for the candidate deemed less likely to advance such a morally flawed position and more likely to pursue other authentic human goods "
I personally don't like or trust either Obama or Romney, and so will not vote for either of them. I know no candidate is perfect, but I don't think Romney's record matches his current promises, and cannot in good conscience vote for him. I will continue looking at third party candidates to see if there is one I can live with. While I am not a single-issue voter, I do hold abortion and embryonic stem cell research at he top, for if we do not protect the most vulnerable among us, little else matters. That being said, I'd love to find someone who also holds the other views I do, but that is unlikely. If I cannot find an acceptable candidate, it is possible I will abstain from voting for president, though I will more likely write someone in instead of doing that, if none of the other candidates is acceptable. I do not see such an action as throwing away my vote, or an implicit vote for either Obama or Romney, but as a vote for that candidate. And yes, it is also a protest of the system, which is in need of changing. Most of all, however I vote must be compatible with my conscience.
22 October 2012
Book Nook
Today we have another Julia Donaldson classic! When my parents returned from a recent trip, they brought my children the book Room on the Broom, which we'd seen but hadn't read. As with her other books, this one was an instant hit with the kids and with us. It tells the story of a witch who takes in various animals, who in turn help her. With Hallowe'en coming up, you should pick up this book immediately!
21 October 2012
Sunday Snippets - a Catholic Carnival
Posts of the week:
- a children's book incorporating Renaissance art
- a brief post on St Ignatius of Antioch
- a look at our latest butterflies
- my latest crafting, complete with photos
Be sure to check out the rest of the carnival a RAnn's blog.
- a children's book incorporating Renaissance art
- a brief post on St Ignatius of Antioch
- a look at our latest butterflies
- my latest crafting, complete with photos
Be sure to check out the rest of the carnival a RAnn's blog.
18 October 2012
Crafty Thursday
17 October 2012
Butterflies!
Ignatius of Antioch
"Let me be food for the wild beasts, for they are my way to God. I am God’s wheat and shall be ground by their teeth so that I may become Christ’s pure bread." From Ignatius' letter to the Romans
Because St Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and martyr, is my patron Saint for the year, and today is his feast day, I thought I'd post a little something about him. Tradition holds that he is one of the children whom Jesus blessed. On his way to his martyrdom, he penned several letters which show his amazing faith and also reveal much about the beliefs and practices of the early Church. I recommend reading more.
Because St Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and martyr, is my patron Saint for the year, and today is his feast day, I thought I'd post a little something about him. Tradition holds that he is one of the children whom Jesus blessed. On his way to his martyrdom, he penned several letters which show his amazing faith and also reveal much about the beliefs and practices of the early Church. I recommend reading more.
15 October 2012
Book Nook
14 October 2012
Sunday Snippets - a Catholic Carnival
After a blogging break last week, I've been back to blogging this week. First off are my standard posts of the Book Nook and Crafty Thursday. I also wrote about how one shouldn't assume all pregnant women are miserable, followed another homeschooling post and the best pumpkin pie ever. I hope everyone has a wonderful week, and be sure to check out the rest of the carnival at RAnn's blog.
12 October 2012
Crafty Thursday - a Day Late
36 weeks and nesting is in high gear. Consequently, I didn't get around to taking photos of all my craftiness by last night (still haven't). But I've certainly been busy. I've made more diapers, as well as cloth pads for postpartum, and breast pads. Thus far, the breast pads have all been made out of scraps. Waste not, and all that. I made one set with darts for shaping, but then decided that wasn't necessary, so the rest have just been circular. I never knew I'd become quite so crunchy, or crafty.
10 October 2012
Best Pumpkin Pie Ever
When we loved in Liverpool, I didn't know where to find canned pumpkin, but I did manage to find a sugar pumpkin at the farmer's market. So I asked my sister-in-law what to do, and she helped me. It was delicious.
Now that I'm back in the US, I can get canned pumpkin, but I'd rather not. When shopping the other day, Kieran spotted the pie pumpkins and asked to get one, so we did. However, I'd forgotten exactly what my sister-in-law said to do, so I did a search and found this. I found the suggestion of scooping out the seeds with an ice cream scoop to be ingenious! It works so well, and I wonder why I didn't think of it before. I chose to cook he pumpkin in the oven (I think I steamed it last time); while this takes longer, it's incredibly easy.
Once it's cooked, the flesh literally falls out of the skin, so I just plop it in the blender. From there, I followed the recipe on that link. It tasted good, but I found it to be too clove-y, so I've now altered it to use 1/2 tsp cloves and a dash or two of nutmeg. I also used 1c whole milk instead of evaporated milk, as I forgot to buy any. And it's absolutely perfect like that. As for the crust, I take the easy, and delicious, way out and used Penzey's no–roll pie crust. If you haven't made a pumpkin pie from scratch before, don't be intimidated. I really is easy, and it's easy for kids to help.
Now that I'm back in the US, I can get canned pumpkin, but I'd rather not. When shopping the other day, Kieran spotted the pie pumpkins and asked to get one, so we did. However, I'd forgotten exactly what my sister-in-law said to do, so I did a search and found this. I found the suggestion of scooping out the seeds with an ice cream scoop to be ingenious! It works so well, and I wonder why I didn't think of it before. I chose to cook he pumpkin in the oven (I think I steamed it last time); while this takes longer, it's incredibly easy.
Once it's cooked, the flesh literally falls out of the skin, so I just plop it in the blender. From there, I followed the recipe on that link. It tasted good, but I found it to be too clove-y, so I've now altered it to use 1/2 tsp cloves and a dash or two of nutmeg. I also used 1c whole milk instead of evaporated milk, as I forgot to buy any. And it's absolutely perfect like that. As for the crust, I take the easy, and delicious, way out and used Penzey's no–roll pie crust. If you haven't made a pumpkin pie from scratch before, don't be intimidated. I really is easy, and it's easy for kids to help.
Myth of the Truant Homeschooler
Of all the myths of homeschooling, the most infuriating and scary, for me, is the myth of the truant homeschooler. What I mean by that is the myth of parents claiming to educate their children at home but in reality neglecting the child's education, or, even worse, neglecting, exploiting, or abusing the child. This myth is used to paint all homeschoolers in the same light, even when it is acknowledged that the vast majority of homeschoolers do not fall into this category, by requiring registration and/or evaluation of all homeschoolers.
Some may question why registering or testing is a problem, since most parents have nothing to hide. The problem, though, is that it presumes that all homeschoolers are guilty until proven otherwise, when we should have the right to be presumed innocent, regardless of choosing an educational model that is in the minority.
Exceptional cases, such as that of Khrya Ishaq, as then used to bolster such attempts at mandatory registration, despite the fact that she was in fact registered, and the proper authorities were notified of the neglect and abuse while she was still enrolled in school. Such cases cannot be used to condemn those who home educate. In fact, such cases show that being enrolled in school is not a safeguard for the child. This is something I know firsthand from my time as a teacher in a public school, in fact. Just as the educational choice of the parents is not relevant to the abuse of a child in public school, it also isn't relevant in the case of the homeschooled child, since the incidences in the media are not related to actual home education.
I have issues with how many standardised tests are designed and used, in and out of the schools, as well. It also places a burden on homeschoolers that is not placed on those in private schools, who are exempt from state testing. It especially becomes a burden when the parents choose to follow an educational model that isn't "traditional", even though they'd encounter no such problem if they enrolled the child in a Montessori school.
Homeschoolers have the luxury of being able to tailor the education to the child, instead of the other way around. This means that a child educated at home may in fact span a few different grade levels in different subjects, which would make accurate testing more difficult. That's not to say that all evaluation is bad, but that the tests may not be the best tool for that, and of course I question the need for the state to control that.
I think it's easy to see why I said this myth infuriates me, but why does I scare me? I scares me because stories such as Khyra's become ingrained in the public image and conflated with your typical homeschooler. It scares me because you then end up with innocent parents being reported to the authorities because their children happen to be educated at home. This fear isn't unique to me, but is in act shared by other homeschooling families I know. Some even go so far as to purchase school uniforms for their children to avoid arousing suspicions lest another be tempted to report them, even though they are doing nothing wrong. This is why this myth must end. Somehow.
Some may question why registering or testing is a problem, since most parents have nothing to hide. The problem, though, is that it presumes that all homeschoolers are guilty until proven otherwise, when we should have the right to be presumed innocent, regardless of choosing an educational model that is in the minority.
Exceptional cases, such as that of Khrya Ishaq, as then used to bolster such attempts at mandatory registration, despite the fact that she was in fact registered, and the proper authorities were notified of the neglect and abuse while she was still enrolled in school. Such cases cannot be used to condemn those who home educate. In fact, such cases show that being enrolled in school is not a safeguard for the child. This is something I know firsthand from my time as a teacher in a public school, in fact. Just as the educational choice of the parents is not relevant to the abuse of a child in public school, it also isn't relevant in the case of the homeschooled child, since the incidences in the media are not related to actual home education.
I have issues with how many standardised tests are designed and used, in and out of the schools, as well. It also places a burden on homeschoolers that is not placed on those in private schools, who are exempt from state testing. It especially becomes a burden when the parents choose to follow an educational model that isn't "traditional", even though they'd encounter no such problem if they enrolled the child in a Montessori school.
Homeschoolers have the luxury of being able to tailor the education to the child, instead of the other way around. This means that a child educated at home may in fact span a few different grade levels in different subjects, which would make accurate testing more difficult. That's not to say that all evaluation is bad, but that the tests may not be the best tool for that, and of course I question the need for the state to control that.
I think it's easy to see why I said this myth infuriates me, but why does I scare me? I scares me because stories such as Khyra's become ingrained in the public image and conflated with your typical homeschooler. It scares me because you then end up with innocent parents being reported to the authorities because their children happen to be educated at home. This fear isn't unique to me, but is in act shared by other homeschooling families I know. Some even go so far as to purchase school uniforms for their children to avoid arousing suspicions lest another be tempted to report them, even though they are doing nothing wrong. This is why this myth must end. Somehow.
9 October 2012
Miserable? Hardly!
I'm nearly 36 weeks into my third pregnancy, and the comments I get are interesting at times. I seems people expect me to be miserable and ready for the baby to be born, but I'm not. Don't get me wrong - I understand feeling that way, as I was miserable with Charlotte (even subclinical hyperemesis gravidarum is miserable), though I still didn't want her to be born early.
But surely I'm not the only pregnant woman who isn't miserable or ready to have the baby a full month before the due date?! I enjoy the baby kicks, though I sometimes ask baby to move a little. Sure, I could do without the indigestion, heartburn, and inability to sleep, but I feel pretty good overall. I know the baby needs more time, and, honestly, I need more time to get organized! I'm excited to get to meet the baby I feel I already know in many ways, but I'm content to wait a bit longer. So please, random people I meet, don't assume I'm miserable, need pity, or wish to give birth early. I promise I'm fine with waiting.
But surely I'm not the only pregnant woman who isn't miserable or ready to have the baby a full month before the due date?! I enjoy the baby kicks, though I sometimes ask baby to move a little. Sure, I could do without the indigestion, heartburn, and inability to sleep, but I feel pretty good overall. I know the baby needs more time, and, honestly, I need more time to get organized! I'm excited to get to meet the baby I feel I already know in many ways, but I'm content to wait a bit longer. So please, random people I meet, don't assume I'm miserable, need pity, or wish to give birth early. I promise I'm fine with waiting.
8 October 2012
Book Nook
Even better than library day is being given a bunch of books! A lady at our parish went to a library sale and brought us some books, so the kids and I excitedly picked through them after Mass and came back with a backpack full of books. One of the books was Zack's Alligator by Shirley Mozelle. In the story, Zack receives a tiny alligator in the mail from his uncle in Florida. The alligator grows and grows, and causes some funny scenes as Zack takes her with him wherever he goes. The kids love this cute book, and it's fun for us to read, too, so it meets my approval.
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