Labor Class

Today Zack and I took our labor class at the hospital I'll be delivering at. Well, actually it was more than a labor class. That was just the morning stuff! More on the afternoon stuff later. Our instuctor was one of the birthing nurses. She has been a nurse for over 30 years and has always helped with deliveries. The first thing we went over was the stages of labor and what to expect during each of them. Then we got to watch a wonderful video! For trying to make us feel more informed and less scared of labor, it sure was an eye opener on just how intense it can get.

Next we learned relaxation and breathing techniques. This is when my dear husband learned that there is going to be more to his job than he at first thought. But I'm confident that he will be the best birthing coach ever! For the next couple of months we will practice working together more as a team. It seems, that once I'm in active labor I'm not going to be able to tell him what I need anymore and he needs to know exactly what it is. Am I right in thinking this is one of the ways a couple truly bonds and become one?

After lunch a lady came to speak to us about Colorado Right Start, a state wide program to help new parents become the best they can be. Her talk was very interesting, though most of the information was stuff we already knew.

Next we learned about C-sections in general, and this hospital's policies on C-sections. It was nice to hear that they really don't like to do them unless it's absolutely necessary. Just the same, I'm glad I'll be under the care of a mid-wife. I hope I never have the need to deliver through C-section, espcially after watching the video.

The rest of the class was on taking care of our newborn. From breastfeeding and diapering, to safety measures to take at home. All that stuff you need to know about babies!

I'm very glad we took the class. Though I must say it doesn't take all the fears out of wondering what it will be like, and how well I'll handle it. I suppose every mother-to-be for the first time wonders that. I'm so grateful to God that I'll have such a wonderful support group around me when the time comes. Mothers and mothers-in-law are truly one of His greatest creations. Not to mention extraordinary husbands. ;-)

Stuff for Baby!

A friend of ours offered Zack and I a couple baby items a couple weeks ago. He didn't know what kind of condition they'd be in, but said we could do whatever we wanted with them. We were so grateful! It was especially fun to see Guinivere getting herself acquainted with them. :-D

"What in the world could this be? I think I'd better make a thorough inspection."

"Defense system online..."

"Hmm, it doesn't look like it's going to bite me."

"I'd better make absolutely sure."

The walker seems to be in wonderful condition and I especially love that there are only a couple toys attached to it. I'm of the mindset that less is better than more when it comes to things like this.
____________________

"Now, what could this one possibly be?"

Unfortunately, one of the bars across the top was broken, and didn't appear to be fixable. So we are still looking for a Pack-n-Play.

In other news my mother-in-law just brought over the bassinet that Zack's little brothers used!!! Things are coming together for little Baby Lawrence. :-D

Wonderful, Wonderful!

Today I had the most wonderful opportunity to get a 2nd ultrasound. Baby is now almost 20 weeks along! It was the most incredible thing in the world for Zack and I to see our little GIRL on the screen! God is so wonderful. I just don't know how to thank Him enough for this precious gift.

She is quite an active little one too, making it difficult for the ultrasound technician to take her measurements. It was so encouraging to see that, as I still have not been able to feel her. And believe me, I was having a hard time not getting worried. Turns out though, that the reason I haven't been able to feel Baby yet is because the placenta formed over my belly, putting a lot of extra thickness between me and her. Apparently, this is not at all uncommon, it just depends on where the baby implants in the uterus.

Sweetest of all was to see that Baby Lawrence is a thumb sucker already! And even spent most of the ultrasound sucking away, not letting us see her face. Silly little girl! :-D

Oh little one, we can't wait to meet you!

Bug problems

After arriving home from the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival earlier this week I discovered that my sage had an insect problem. When Zack and I went shopping on Wednesday I looked for an indoor insecticide that was not harmful to pets and found nothing. (The sage and mint are in the house for the winter)

So on Thursday I started searching the web for a homemade insecticide, and I found this very helpful website on making all kinds of different ones. However, since I still didn't know exactly what kind of bug I was dealing with I wasn't sure what kind to use, and decided on the alcohol spray. It seemed to work pretty well, but I still wasn't satisfied that it was the right approach.

So on Friday I did some more research and discovered the insects in question are spider mites. The article says they are very resistant to insecticides, so now I'm wondering if my alcohol spray might not work in the long run. What do you think? I would greatly appreciate any advice or helpful hints. :-)

Leave a comment below if you can think of something. And thanks already!!!

Week 16

Just wanted to post some fun facts about week 16. ^_^

Baby's Length: 4.5-5 in

Baby's Weight: 2.5- 3 oz..

Baby's Size: Rubber Ducky

From now on, your baby may start to get the hiccups every once in a while, triggered by the involuntary movements of his diaphragm. (In adults, this is followed by the quick closure of our vocal cords, which is what makes that familiar "hic" sound.) But because your baby's trachea is filled with fluid instead of air, his fetal hiccups don't make a sound. By the sixth month, you'll actually be able to feel your baby's hiccups as they happen. They'll make your belly jump, which is so fun to see and feel!

And your little guy -- now about 4 ounces and over 4-1/2 inches long -- is becoming quite expressive these days. His facial muscles are sophisticated enough for him to squint, frown, or smirk -- although these motions aren't actually linked to any internal emotions he's feeling. By the way, if you're having a girl, hundreds of thousands of eggs are forming in her ovaries this week -- your future grandchildren!

All these facts come from Parents.com. Hope you enjoyed them as much as I did!

Harvesting the Mint

Well, I didn't harvest my mint "tomorrow", but I did the day after! :-P This time I remembered to take a before picture:

And of course, an "after" one as well.

It sure looks like a lot on the plate!

All washed and ready to ready to be put together.

I actually had enough to make a 3rd smaller bunch, but that one had to hang on the next shelf door over. It sure is going to be interesting how much dried mint I end up with after all is said and done.

I can't wait to make mint tea with my very own mint! :-D

Harvesting Sage

I just finally remembered to harvest my sage today before it freezes. It's so fun growing herbs! Tomorrow I'm going to harvest my mint. Next year I hope to add some more to my collection. Though I suppose it will kind of depend on how well the sage and mint do this winter. You see it gets way too cold here to leave them outside, which means finding somewhere to store them in our already crowded laundry room.


Here's what the sage looked like after I was done. I only took the larger and some of the medium sized leaves. It looks nice and neat now, too bad all that new growth is going to freeze off. :-(

In other news, I've been fighting a nasty flu bug the last few days. That would explain my punctuated sentences. The bug itself seems to be going away finally, but not before majorly aggravating my asthma. It's been steadily getting worse all year, and this must have been the breaking point. The worst part about it is that I can't go to a wonderful woman's conference with some of the the ladies in my church. We were supposed to leave tomorrow, and what with my horrible cough, and nearly out of control asthma, I can't go.