June 24th Midwife Visit

I saw Sue yesterday and everything is great! My glucose is at 89, which means I don't have to go in for the 3-hour gestational diabetes test! Wooooo hoooo! D.L.'s heartrate is good. All my vitals are good. Everything is wonderfully normal!

Sue said that by measuring my belly, looking at his growth rate, and comparing it all to the ultrasound we had, she thinks that he'll arrive sometime in August, not September as originally thought. Hmmm... grandma Cindy has been saying that the whole time. I wonder if she's right? We'll see!

I got some information on an ultrasound school where I can get a free one. I'm curious to see what position he's in. Sue and her assistant can't quite tell, but I've either got his head or butt right under my right rib cage. If they can't tell the difference, it seems he's going to have a huge head! :)

Shower Booty!

I think this kid has enough clothes to last him at least through the first year of his life! He's got both disposable and cloth diapers, wipes, pacifiers, bottles, grooming stuff, bathtub, towels, washcloths, blankets, burp cloths, bassinet, swing, car seat, diaper bag, baby monitor... the list goes on and on...
I cannot believe how much stuff we have now! It seems that we have everything we need except for a stroller and Boppy pillow, which I can pick up with the gift certificates and checks we got.
Thank you Danielle and John for opening your home to everyone. Danielle took on everything from beautifully wrapping all the sent gifts to putting together such a nice party complete with blue decorations, food, and cupcakes. She also did a wonderful job as the official photographer!
Thank you to everyone for surrounding us with love and showering us with all the gifts that will make our lives easier with our new baby. We had such a good time and really felt the love and energy everyone brought!

Here's the gift table full of stuff that was sent through the mail from out-of-towners. Once people started showing up, we had so many gifts that we had to start a pile on the floor!


Cupcakes!


It was Cam's job to keep track of who gave us what...not an easy task! Good job Cam!


I even got a nursing gown!


Here Cam, your turn to open a gift. Hmmmmm... what is it?



Nursing pads! hahaha!

My favorite moment was seeing the look on Cam's face, when he opened a pair of preciously small newborn sneakers. "They're so tiny!" he said...


Who knew reusable diapers could bring so much happiness...


With a little help from Krew...



Overalls that say "Daddy's Caddy" How appropriate!


The Finch crew...


Good looks courtesy of mom... I dunno about that... check out the sweat I've worked up from opening so many packages!


Charm courtesy of dad...

If you think I'm extreme, check this out!....

I came across a documentary the other night on Discovery Health Channel. It was about a movement called "freebirthing." Basically, its when a woman makes the decision to give birth unassisted by a professional. Quite amazing really. These women are the bravest of the brave when it comes to birthing. They take charge more than anyone else I've seen and the awareness that they have of their own bodies is astounding.

This movement is mostly underground because of the scrutiny it faces from critics and by the fact that its illegal in certain countries. Surprisingly, its seems to be technically legal in the U.S., but not socially accepted. The following video is an example of freebirthing where only the woman and her husband were present. No drugs, medical staff standing by, or even a midwife. The lack of pain and presence of joy gives much hope for us all.

Monthly midwife visits are over!

Yep! That's right, now I get to see her every couple weeks! Our visit yesterday was really good. She drew my blood for the glucose challenge test and I'll hear back about it next time. My blood pressure is fine, but still could be a little lower. The swelling in my legs and feet continue, but isn't anything I can't figure out with exercise and nutrition.

Sue sent me home with information on preventing toxemia. One of the things I did right away was make some homemade raw beet juice. Just 4 ounces a day helps to balance the sodium and potassium ratio in my blood. Its also one of the fastest ways to help the body access and absorb calcium. The taste is very earthy and takes some getting used to, but after I take a swig, I feel instantly energized!

I also got a chance to listen to D.L.'s heartbeat in different positions. First, I laid on my back, then my left side, then I sat up on the couch. Each position created a different heart rate in him, which shows good responsive variation ranging from 130-140 beats per minute.

While listening to his heart, I heard him move around as I felt him from inside. It was good for me to once again make the mental and emotional connection of what his movements feel like as I heard them. Sue suggested that I feel and record kick counts so we can make sure he moves around about 10 times in an hour that he's awake. It'll be good for me to get my mind in to the mode of quantifying his movements into numbers so I have an easier way of communicating about what's going on with him.

I came home and told Cam all about how his son is healthy inside of me. He cracked me up a few minutes later when he went to look at himself in the bathroom mirror. He said he had a sudden moment of fear and realization come over him.
"I'm going to be a dad!" he said.
I laughed and gave him a great big hug. I suddenly felt inspired and asked him to take a picture of both of us with my growing belly.

Thanks Grandma Linda!

One of those lovely flat rate packages came from my mom yesterday afternoon. It was stuffed full of goodies for her grandson.
"What was in that special box?" you ask...
Well, let's just say, my mom has officially gone garaaaaaage-saaaaaaling! If there's one title to describe her, its Wheeler-Dealer-Garage-Sale-Treasure-Acquisitioner. (Try saying that three times fast!) It almost never fails...She gets what she wants and wheels and deals her way to a happy transaction.
Among other gifts, D.L. now has an additional 25 outfits, a hat, and a bib to add to his growing wardrobe. My favorite outfit is this funky onesie that cost 25 cents...

Hello Third Trimester!

27 Weeks Pregnant

This marks the official beginning of the final stretch! In more ways than one really. We've got about three months left and I'm starting to notice those pesky stretch marks around my belly. I'm sure I'll get plenty more where those came from now that he'll be growing really fast. Oh well, Nothing a little exercise, olive oil, and Burt's Bees belly butter won't take care of!

My last day of work for the school year was on May 21st so I've been enjoying some time off and making the most of every minute. I'm so grateful to have this time to get physically and mentally prepared for the home birth. I spend my days nesting and getting our home ready for the big day. I make most of our food from scratch, which is really fun since I love to cook so much. I get to do yoga, read, write, and work on art every day.

I signed a contract to go back to work next school year, but we're making the money from Cam's job stretch really well so far. I hope to keep it up so I don't have to go back to work. We already have medical coverage for D.L. and me through AHCCCS and I'm waiting to hear back on approval for Cam's coverage.

The WIC helps some with food, but I also went ahead and applied for food stamps too. I was raised to believe that people who get help from the state are just lazy and "working the system" so its been one emotional hurdle after another to accept that there are many reasons why people get help. Now, I can see that this help makes it possible for me to stay home and have the JOB of loving and nurturing my baby.

Of course I have my doubts and fears that come up from time to time, but that is completely natural in the process of coming to the realization that I've got the most challenging and satisfying job of my life waiting for me just around the corner. Just three more months...

Ring of Fire... finished

I started this piece when I had a couple of days where I wasn't feeling D.L. move around as much as I thought I should. As I started to feel him more, I was able to create more and added to it as his movements picked up and started to match the pace and schedule I remember. Now that I feel connected to him again, I've been able to see this art through to completion with his help. Its our first collaborative effort.

Ring of Fire... second stage