If you're a bird, I'm a bird

I haven't blogged in a while so I thought I would give an update. Body: Stomach doesn't seem like it is getting bigger, but I'm sure it is and I just don't notice it. Breasts are still about the same size. Still leaking colostrum at night when I sleep, which is the nutrients from the breasts that the newborn drinks the first couple days after it is born. Nipples are sensitive. Body acne comes and goes and occasionally I remember to wear cocoa butter on my chest and belly for stretch marks. Fingernails and hair grows nice and strong these days. I've had one hemmorhoid and thankfully, it went away quickly. I no longer can bend at my waist so I must squat at my knees. Driving is uncomfortable because my pants' waistband and the seat belt push on my bladder. I sometimes find it hard to breath when I wear a bra or lay on my back. You can visuably see Linclon thump around in my stomach. He is most active in the evenings and when I lay on my side. Sleeping is still c

As expecting parents we have so many decisions to make. Who do we let watch him while we are working? Which Douala should we hire? Do we have him circumcised? What products do we purchase? Who will be his pediatrician? Should we have him immunized? These are topics we are talking about currently.   Thankfully, we have our instructor and midwives who are on the same page as us and can give advice and things to think about. We are doing things a little nontraditional so to some we may seem strange. However, it is odd that the natural way is considered nontraditional when you would think it would be the other way around. Our second HypnoBirthing class was Monday evening in our home. Our relationship with the instructor is warmer the more time we spend together. We watched a short movie about the importance of bonding with your child when they are born by allowing them that skin-to-skin contact for at least the first hour of their life before the cord is clipped and they are whisked away

I trust my body to know what to do and I follow its lead. My cervix opens and allows my baby to ease downward. I put all fear aside as I prepare for the birth of my baby. I am happy and relaxed that my baby is finally coming to me. I'm focused on a smooth, easy birth. My body and baby know how to work in harmony. Each surge in my body brings my baby closer to me. My baby's birth will be easy because I'm so relaxed and confident.

A lot of the medical terminology has negative connotation so I have to learn the HypnoBirthing vocabulary that is more positive. Negative                                                             HypnoBirthing hurt/pain                                                              Sensation/pressure water breaks                                                       membranes release coach                                                                  birth companion delivery                                                               birthing mucous plug                                                        uterine seal dialation                                                              opening transition                                                             near completion catch the baby                                                     release the baby contraction                                                          uterine surge or wave birth canal  

The first class started at 6:30 in our home. We are the only couple that signed up for this session so we get private lessons. The instructors name is Lucia Massey. She has been a midwife for over 30 years and is a certified HypnoBirthing instructor, one of two in our area. I located her through Full Bloom, our early pregnancy center here in Athens. Joe and I read 80-pages of our book in order to prepare for the class. We have a lot more to read! We told the instructor a little about us-work, stress level, birthing preferences (water birth in Toccoa), our 3 midwives, and our plan to hire a douala. We learned to breath last night using our diaphrams, which I will have to practice. My diaphram is compromised with a baby taking up some room. =) Anyways, I have to be able to inhale for 4 seconds and exhale for 8 seconds. I will do that when I have a uterine surge (also known as a contraction). That makes my uterus expand giving the baby room to move around and down. She said a surge ca

On Memorial Day, Joe and I didn't have any plans. Right before lunch we decided to go on a road trip. Literally, we didn't know where our destination would be right away. We were thinking about going to a state park, Decatur, and ended up visiting a small town of Greensboro, GA. The population is a little over 3,000 people. Joe said that Lake Oconee was there so we were going to see it while we were there. We went in a 2-story antique store and stayed for about an hour. The only thing we walked out with was this tea strainer marked at $9.95, but we paid $6 something. Then we walked down to a veggie and fruit stand. We bought strawberry preserves, peach syrup, ice cream, and something to drink. It was HOT! We drove by the lake and headed back to Athens because Joe had to pick up something for dinner and we bought two new dog beds at Academy. For dinner we had homemade potato salad, pork chops, and asparagus. Regarding my body, I've noticed the body acne clearing up because o

Your Body Hair growth during pregnancy is another one of those wacky symptoms you didn't expect. And though you may be wondering who's slipping Rogaine into your shampoo bottle, if you're among the lucky ones, you're relishing your new, flowing locks. It's the hair everywhere else that's a little troublesome. You can thank your pregnancy hormones for your suddenly thick crowning glory. During pregnancy your hair's natural grow-shed cycle slows, leaving you with more hairs on your head at any given time. Now might be a good time to try out for one of those orgasm-in-the-shower shampoo commercials. Unfortunately, all that hair growth isn't limited to your head. You may start to notice a random hair (or 47) anywhere from your cheeks, back, and belly to your upper lip and chin. If anyone dares to call you Black Beard, they'll totally deserve whatever's coming to them. The good news is, tweezing, waxing and electrolysis are all generally accep