Our friend and neighbor is due to have a baby any day now. Tonight at dinner Bennett wanted to know how the baby was going to get out, "there's no door!" Her vagina, I told him. The same way it got in, said Adam. Cue confused look from Bennett. A man's penis, Adam clarified. Oh sure, like that's going to clarify. "A male and a female are required ( Read more... )

I birthed a little girl into the world last night. It was short, intense, just under 6 hours from start to finish. We got our home birth. Astrid was born at 00:19 on Feb 15th, 7 lbs even, and super calm. The birth was very intense for me, but according to the midwife, very peaceful for Astrid. She is nursing like a champ.

Will write more later.

Adam pointed out to me today that I have been looking for a short cut to healing since my fever went away on Sunday. But, alas, there isn't one. I am sick and it's taking longer to heal because I'm pregnant and there it is. I remain on bedrest. And so.... I surrender. I will stay in bed until I am better or I go into labor, which ever comes first ( Read more... )

Yesterday was a long looked for day, a day Adam and I had been holding out for with prayers and strength of will. February 7th marked 37 weeks gestation, meaning the midwives would feel 100% fine about assisting a homebirth and the baby would be considered full term. Full term! I have a full term baby in my uterus! This is very exciting. The ( Read more... )

A friend of mind, nosce, just had her baby, 4 days ago. She has a blog elsewhere where she chronicles her life with photos (she's an incredible photographer) and she posted her birth story. She had one of her friends take photos of her labor and birth, a professional photographer, and the photos are..... spectacular. Raw. Intimate. They capture the joy ( Read more... )

Being housebound finally caught up with me. Friday morning was spectacularly beautiful - the glowing crescent moon and the morning star hanging in the sky. It made me want to run out and lie in a field somewhere (there is one directly across the street from me, but this pregnant lady isn't climbing over any fences. Plus, I'd probably freak the ( Read more... )

It's been a roller coaster lately. Mostly good, and the dips I blame mainly on the intermittent insomnia. Every great night of sleep seems to be sandwiched by miserable nights which leaves me never fully caught up. There's not been much to report: I've started back in with school work. I eased myself in gently by reading more of a general reader ( Read more... )

Today has been such a hard day. My night was miserable, but I rallied for the morning. I felt soft and bleary but didn't let my attitude get cranky. I had a great morning with Bennett: he played a lot by himself, we had some fun together, we read books. But in the afternoons he really needs vigorous play. Afternoons are generally 'my time' with B. ( Read more... )

I am awake at 2.30am. Tired of tossing and turning, besides it's hard to do while fully pregnant. Oddly, I must have been dreaming about Celine Dion, because I woke thinking about her, her husband, and her twins. WTH?

The moon is beautifully full and reflecting off the snow. Our house is cold. All is well. But I need sleep.

The last few days I've woken up irritable and mildly cranky, only to find my attitude improving as the day wears on. Today was has been the reverse. It all started to crumble when I went to the post office to mail the package of presents to my sister. I have shopped carefully, frugally, choosing only a few items that will travel well and not weigh ( Read more... )