A couple of days ago I finished Henci Goer's A Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth. I would definitely recommend this book, or something like it, to every pregnant woman whether it's her first or her fifth pregnancy. Unabashedly (sp?) pro-natural childbirth, the author systematically reviews the medical literature and the pros and cons of almost every childbirth intervention from C-sections to IV's. While I really wasn't suprised by the information given in this book, it was a little sickening at how nonchalantly the majority of OB/GYN's handle the complications of their own interventions. Also, I truly cannot complain about the OB/GYN's I've seen in the past. Both of my prior pregnancy/childbirth experiences were very positive, but I could see a clear difference between the OB's and the one midwife at the practice, and I strongly preferred the midwife. I understand the differences between the obstetric model and the midwifery model better now. I firmly agree with the midwifery philosophy that childbirth is not a hazard to my health or a medical disaster waiting to happen, rather, that it is a natural process that my body was specifically designed for.
I'm still not 100% convinced I can do it without an epidural though! :-) I know the potential complications of epidurals, but I also know I couldn't handle labor without them the first two times. However, because my labor stopped and Josiah's heartrate immediately dropped as soon as I got my epidural with him, I've decided that if I'm already 8 or 9cm dilated when I get to the hospital this time I'm doing without. I've told Keith, my mom, and both of the midwives I'm seeing now the same thing, so they can remind me what I said when I'm writhing in pain!
Couple exciting things for Isaac...he pooped on the potty all by himself on Monday! He got 10 Smarties and a juice box, and we called daddy, Wella, Pappy, and GaGa to tell them right away. Of course, he hasn't done it again since, but I believe in him! Also, he slept in his toddler bed for the first time last night and did great! He slept all by himself all night long!
We finally sold all of the furniture we wanted to sell, and had the yard sale we needed to have, so our house is less cluttered now and we're better prepared to get Josiah's new bedroom ready and make room for baby #3! We also bought new dining room furniture (table, chairs, buffet and hutch) and new kitchen table and chairs. I can't wait to have them delivered! This will be the first time I've ever had nice, new, matching dining room and kitchen furniture!
Josiah is as wonderful as ever, waving bye-bye, clapping, blowing kisses, saying "uh oh," and doing "so big!" He'll have his one-year pictures taken next week at Penny's, followed by his first haircut! He's so adorable. Also, I finally got his medical records transferred from his old pediatrician to a new one, and we just made his one-year well-baby appointment with the new one today! I was so worried the old pediatrician wrote something bad about me in his chart so that no one else would ever see Josiah! That relationship definitely spiralled downward fast. I'm so relieved.
Keith had his yearly review last week, and came home with good news, ok news, and bad news. The good news was that he had an excellent review and got another raise. Yay! The ok news was that he will not be travelling to China in October (when I'm due to give birth). The bad news is he does have to go to China for two weeks in September AND December! One week in Japan was a little tough, two weeks in China in the final weeks of my pregnancy when I will be largest and most uncomfortable, then again when the baby is only about 6-8 weeks old will be a whole new ballgame. But I'm up for the challenge!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Book #10 and the Toy Rotation System
One of the books Mary Pride referenced a lot in All the Way Home was The Truth About Diet and Drugs During Pregnancy: What Every Pregnant Woman Should Know by Gail Sforza Brewer and Thomas Brewer, MD. For me, this was more of a historical look at how doctors used to manage swelling during pregnancy. I really don't think anyone prescribes low-salt, 1000-calorie diets anymore for pregnant women who gain more than 24 lb. Apparently, however, this was quite a common practice, along with prescribing diet pills, diuretics, and blood pressure medications for what we today term pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, as recently as the 1980's. The original copyright for this book is 1977, revised in 1985. Its aim is to enlighten women and encourage them to educate themselves on pregnancy nutrition and not blindly follow the doctor's every recommendation. It also highlights the fact that physicians need not take a course in nutrition to graduate from medical school; a fact that, sadly, is still true today I'm afraid.
While this book was interesting, because I do not believe such things are common medical practice anymore, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to another mom-to-be. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me most people, men and women, physicans and non-medical people alike, know that a pregnant woman needs a balanced diet including all of the food groups, a prenatal vitamin, and should not be on any kind of calorie-controlled diet, or taking any diet pills.
Now, for the best idea I've had all year...the toy rotation system! The clutter of toys in our house was getting out of control. It was absurd. Yet, I didn't have the heart to throw away or donate any toys yet. I guess I want my kids to be old enough to decide which toys they're ready to part with, without me forcing them to part with something. They actually do play with just about everything they have. So, I decided to just keep out a few toys in the family room, and put the rest away where they can't see them. This idea actually stemmed from something I read in the Duggar's Twenty and Counting book. We have a rubbermaid container that's functioning as a toy box in the family room right now. I chose a few (probably about 4-5) toys for each of them to keep in that rubbermaid container, plus 1 "big" toy for each of them (Isaac's tool bench and Josiah's Laugh & Learn Home). I also left out Josiah's Retro Rocket (something he can ride on), and Isaac's weedwacker. Those would be medium-sized toys. The rest of the toys (the giant blow-up thing filled with balls, the Thomas the Train tent, all of the cars/trucks/buses/fire engines, etc. are currently hiding in the spare room. The boys haven't even noticed I put anything away. Well, Isaac hasn't said anything at least. They're perfectly happy to play with what I've left out and my family room isn't a disaster zone at the end of the day. My plan is to rotate toys about once a week so that they don't get bored playing with same things, nor do they "miss" any of their other favorites. They still each have toys in their bedrooms too. I am not depriving them in any way. Just keeping my sanity.
While this book was interesting, because I do not believe such things are common medical practice anymore, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to another mom-to-be. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me most people, men and women, physicans and non-medical people alike, know that a pregnant woman needs a balanced diet including all of the food groups, a prenatal vitamin, and should not be on any kind of calorie-controlled diet, or taking any diet pills.
Now, for the best idea I've had all year...the toy rotation system! The clutter of toys in our house was getting out of control. It was absurd. Yet, I didn't have the heart to throw away or donate any toys yet. I guess I want my kids to be old enough to decide which toys they're ready to part with, without me forcing them to part with something. They actually do play with just about everything they have. So, I decided to just keep out a few toys in the family room, and put the rest away where they can't see them. This idea actually stemmed from something I read in the Duggar's Twenty and Counting book. We have a rubbermaid container that's functioning as a toy box in the family room right now. I chose a few (probably about 4-5) toys for each of them to keep in that rubbermaid container, plus 1 "big" toy for each of them (Isaac's tool bench and Josiah's Laugh & Learn Home). I also left out Josiah's Retro Rocket (something he can ride on), and Isaac's weedwacker. Those would be medium-sized toys. The rest of the toys (the giant blow-up thing filled with balls, the Thomas the Train tent, all of the cars/trucks/buses/fire engines, etc. are currently hiding in the spare room. The boys haven't even noticed I put anything away. Well, Isaac hasn't said anything at least. They're perfectly happy to play with what I've left out and my family room isn't a disaster zone at the end of the day. My plan is to rotate toys about once a week so that they don't get bored playing with same things, nor do they "miss" any of their other favorites. They still each have toys in their bedrooms too. I am not depriving them in any way. Just keeping my sanity.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Book #9 and A New Pregnancy Symptom
Just finished All the Way Home by Mary Pride last night. It was a fantastic read about every aspect of being a family. I got Keith to start reading it. She's a big homeschooling author too. This is another oldie but goodie, copyright 1989. Some of the info in the chapter on childbirth is a little outdated, but for the most part is remains relevant. This is a great book not just for stay-at-home moms but for fathers too!
I never realized how many feminist notions had gotten into my head before reading these last two books!
And the new pregnancy symptom is that I cannot drink any caffeinated beverage without experiencing very painful cramps. This is disturbing because sometimes I would just about kill for unsweetened ice tea. Plus monthly mochas are such a treat. It's milk, water, and juice for me from now on.
I never realized how many feminist notions had gotten into my head before reading these last two books!
And the new pregnancy symptom is that I cannot drink any caffeinated beverage without experiencing very painful cramps. This is disturbing because sometimes I would just about kill for unsweetened ice tea. Plus monthly mochas are such a treat. It's milk, water, and juice for me from now on.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Go See Star Trek!
Keith and I went to the movies last night for a belated anniversary date. We saw Star Trek and it was AWESOME! I have never seen a single episode of Star Trek, the series, but the trailers for this movie looked cool and I knew Keith liked Star Trek. I highly recommend seeing this movie. I didn't feel "lost" at all because of never watching Star Trek on TV. It was one of the fastest two hours I've ever spent in a movie theater.
Just don't see it in IMAX without taking Dramamine first. As soon as we walked into the theater I was dizzy. Within a half an hour after that I thought for sure I wouldn't make it to the end of the movie without vomiting. It was such a good movie, though, that I endured to the very end! And then I was sick for the rest of the night. Oh well. I'd still say it was worth it!
Just don't see it in IMAX without taking Dramamine first. As soon as we walked into the theater I was dizzy. Within a half an hour after that I thought for sure I wouldn't make it to the end of the movie without vomiting. It was such a good movie, though, that I endured to the very end! And then I was sick for the rest of the night. Oh well. I'd still say it was worth it!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Book #8
It's only taken me a month, but I finally finished What's a Smart Woman like you doing At Home? As I've mentioned before, there are so many quotes I want to take from this book. It was a real encouragement reading it. I never even realized that I may have been apologizing for being a stay-at-home mom when people have asked me what I do in the past. Never again. I feel that in the future I will have such solid responses to inquiries like that.
It's an old publication, copyright 1986, but if you can find it in a bookstore or library, or if you see it at a garage sale, pick it up! It's worth it!
Next will be either Mary Pride's All the Way Home or Susan Richman's Writing From Home.
By the way-Keith came back home safe and sound! But he brought foreign germs home with him and now me and the boys are sick as dogs!
It's an old publication, copyright 1986, but if you can find it in a bookstore or library, or if you see it at a garage sale, pick it up! It's worth it!
Next will be either Mary Pride's All the Way Home or Susan Richman's Writing From Home.
By the way-Keith came back home safe and sound! But he brought foreign germs home with him and now me and the boys are sick as dogs!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Thank God For the Internet
Keith has been in Japan since Saturday. I was teary-eyed and miserable for two days, but the internet has been such a wonderful blessing. I never thought much of it until this trip. However, not only have Keith and I been able to send instant messages to one another, but we can also turn on our webcams and see each other, AND we can call each other's computers and HEAR each other! While we're looking at each other! This is all new for me. I know this technology has been around for a long time, but this is the first time I've had any use for it. It has also been great for Keith to be able to see and hear the boys, and vice versa. We are picking him up from the airport tomorrow-and not a minute too soon. I can't wait to see him again.
Mother's Day (which also happened to be our 3 year anniversary) was good and miserable. Keith took care of me before he left by sending me 2 dozen multi-color roses (beautiful!) and a new fancy-schmancy camera! It's one of those semi-pro ones. I had been complaining of the poor quality of our 5 or 6 megapixel cameras and said someday I wanted to splurge on one of those really nice ones. Well, Keith surprised me with just such a camera on Friday before he left. Now I just need to learn how to use it to the best of its ability.
Otherwise we've been doing well here. I finally found a dress for me and an outfit for Isaac for a wedding in 2-3 weeks that we're in. It's tough finding nice dress pants/shirts/ties for a 2 year old. Basically no one carries them. Not even JCPenney or Macy's. The outfit I found was at Sears, on clearance, but the tie didn't match the colors of the wedding. So I found a black tie on clearance at Penney's, and then dress shoes and socks at Payless. All in all, his outfit cost about $50, which is still more than half of what mine cost! I found a cute black maternity dress on clearance for $19.99! Of course, I'll spend a lot more than that getting my hair and nails done. Oh well.
My reading is very slow-going. I'm not sure why. I have been working on the Bible study we're doing in moms group called The Power of a Woman's Words. My moms group breaks for the summer though, so maybe my reading will pick up then. I'm still working on What's a Smart Woman Like You Doing at Home? There are so many quotes I want to take from this book. I do recommend any woman who stays at home with her children in any capacity, even if only part-time, read this book. It's an old publication, from the '80's. Hopefully it's still in print though, or can be found at a library. It's been very encouraging.
Almost forgot-Keith and I are selling our living room furniture. We just never use it, and we're going to convert the living room into a library/study instead to make better use of the space. So, if anyone is looking, or knows someone who is looking, let me know! The furniture is only about 4 years old I think, and barely used. The fabric is ivory/light beige in color, the wood is like a light oak, and I'd say antique in style. We are selling a couch (seats 3), chaise lounge, square end table, coffee table with glass center, and hemispherical end table, including a matching table lamp. Again, if you know anyone who is interested, pass the info along, or let me know. We are willing to be flexible on the price too. We just want to get rid of it.
Mother's Day (which also happened to be our 3 year anniversary) was good and miserable. Keith took care of me before he left by sending me 2 dozen multi-color roses (beautiful!) and a new fancy-schmancy camera! It's one of those semi-pro ones. I had been complaining of the poor quality of our 5 or 6 megapixel cameras and said someday I wanted to splurge on one of those really nice ones. Well, Keith surprised me with just such a camera on Friday before he left. Now I just need to learn how to use it to the best of its ability.
Otherwise we've been doing well here. I finally found a dress for me and an outfit for Isaac for a wedding in 2-3 weeks that we're in. It's tough finding nice dress pants/shirts/ties for a 2 year old. Basically no one carries them. Not even JCPenney or Macy's. The outfit I found was at Sears, on clearance, but the tie didn't match the colors of the wedding. So I found a black tie on clearance at Penney's, and then dress shoes and socks at Payless. All in all, his outfit cost about $50, which is still more than half of what mine cost! I found a cute black maternity dress on clearance for $19.99! Of course, I'll spend a lot more than that getting my hair and nails done. Oh well.
My reading is very slow-going. I'm not sure why. I have been working on the Bible study we're doing in moms group called The Power of a Woman's Words. My moms group breaks for the summer though, so maybe my reading will pick up then. I'm still working on What's a Smart Woman Like You Doing at Home? There are so many quotes I want to take from this book. I do recommend any woman who stays at home with her children in any capacity, even if only part-time, read this book. It's an old publication, from the '80's. Hopefully it's still in print though, or can be found at a library. It's been very encouraging.
Almost forgot-Keith and I are selling our living room furniture. We just never use it, and we're going to convert the living room into a library/study instead to make better use of the space. So, if anyone is looking, or knows someone who is looking, let me know! The furniture is only about 4 years old I think, and barely used. The fabric is ivory/light beige in color, the wood is like a light oak, and I'd say antique in style. We are selling a couch (seats 3), chaise lounge, square end table, coffee table with glass center, and hemispherical end table, including a matching table lamp. Again, if you know anyone who is interested, pass the info along, or let me know. We are willing to be flexible on the price too. We just want to get rid of it.
Friday, May 1, 2009
17 Weeks & My Jeans Are Pretty Tight!
I don't think I'll be able to wear non-maternity jeans much longer! The couple pairs I wore the last few days were pretty snug, and downright uncomfortable when I sat down! It seems my little baby bump has popped out overnight! Oh well. I'm now 17 weeks along in my third pregnancy and everything is going great. I feel wonderful! I do love being pregnant after the first trimester. I've heard the baby's heartbeat twice now and it's beautiful. My 20 week ultrasound is scheduled. I'm not even tempted to find out the gender!
Interestingly, I am experiencing symptoms with this pregnancy that I never have before. The first is faintness in the mornings. It's happened at least three times now where I've felt light-headed, gotten tunnel-vision, and could hear my own heartbeat. I haven't passed out, I always catch it in time to sit down with a glass of ice tea or something. It's just weird. I've never been that kind of person who gets even a little bit faint. The second is headaches! They're very manageable though, and probably have more to do with my back and neck than with pregnancy. If I just exercise at least every other day, I don't get them! I also don't get back or neck pain when I exercise. The last is called chloasma, which are brown spots across your face. They're supposed to go away after birth, and I hope that they do. They're pretty subtle, but I notice them.
Keith is doing wonderfully. He leaves for Japan soon for almost a whole week, so I will miss him a great deal. I'm not stressing out about it, though, because he told me he has to go to China for like a month at the end of the year. That will suck. So I'm using the Japan trip to try and prepare myself.
Isaac continues to be a very skillful singer of songs. He also loves to pray before naptime and bedtime, as well as before, during, and after meals. He's got the Lord's prayer memorized, but he'll never recite it on command. You just have to be lucky and catch him saying it while he's playing. He is beginning to recognize some letters, I think, and he definitely knows the difference between letters and numbers. Colors and shapes continue to be hit or miss. I think he just doesn't care about them.
Josiah is going to walk any day now. He is 11 months old now and we've caught him on several occassions taking a step or two from one piece of furniture to another. The trick is to put things in his hands so that he can't hold on. Yesterday he had a Nilla wafer in each hand when he did it. He also waves "hi" and "bye," which is adorable! He eats mostly regular food now and very little baby food. Still hates bottles. I'm still trying to get him used to sippy cups. I'm also weaning him off of the pacifier for sleep. For right now I've just stopped giving it to him at night. I still let him have it for naps.
Up until a few days ago it's been unseasonably warm here in the 'Burgh. We (the boys and I) have spent a lot of time outside playing in the yard and going for walks. Keith has done a bit of yard work. I did pull weeds once. The last few days have been very rainy though. The next time we get one of those beautiful days again I am taking the boys to the zoo.
Right now I'm reading a book called What's a Smart Woman Like You Doing at Home? It's been encouraging for me as a stay-at-home mom. It's pretty old though, copyright 1986. It was loaned to me by the wife of someone Keith works with who has 8 kids, and she homeschools them all. Well, the oldest two are in college, so I guess she's homeschooling the remaining 6 now. After I finish the books she loaned me I hope to read some books on childrearing like Shepherding a Child's Heart and maybe a Dobson book like Bringing Up Boys.
Interestingly, I am experiencing symptoms with this pregnancy that I never have before. The first is faintness in the mornings. It's happened at least three times now where I've felt light-headed, gotten tunnel-vision, and could hear my own heartbeat. I haven't passed out, I always catch it in time to sit down with a glass of ice tea or something. It's just weird. I've never been that kind of person who gets even a little bit faint. The second is headaches! They're very manageable though, and probably have more to do with my back and neck than with pregnancy. If I just exercise at least every other day, I don't get them! I also don't get back or neck pain when I exercise. The last is called chloasma, which are brown spots across your face. They're supposed to go away after birth, and I hope that they do. They're pretty subtle, but I notice them.
Keith is doing wonderfully. He leaves for Japan soon for almost a whole week, so I will miss him a great deal. I'm not stressing out about it, though, because he told me he has to go to China for like a month at the end of the year. That will suck. So I'm using the Japan trip to try and prepare myself.
Isaac continues to be a very skillful singer of songs. He also loves to pray before naptime and bedtime, as well as before, during, and after meals. He's got the Lord's prayer memorized, but he'll never recite it on command. You just have to be lucky and catch him saying it while he's playing. He is beginning to recognize some letters, I think, and he definitely knows the difference between letters and numbers. Colors and shapes continue to be hit or miss. I think he just doesn't care about them.
Josiah is going to walk any day now. He is 11 months old now and we've caught him on several occassions taking a step or two from one piece of furniture to another. The trick is to put things in his hands so that he can't hold on. Yesterday he had a Nilla wafer in each hand when he did it. He also waves "hi" and "bye," which is adorable! He eats mostly regular food now and very little baby food. Still hates bottles. I'm still trying to get him used to sippy cups. I'm also weaning him off of the pacifier for sleep. For right now I've just stopped giving it to him at night. I still let him have it for naps.
Up until a few days ago it's been unseasonably warm here in the 'Burgh. We (the boys and I) have spent a lot of time outside playing in the yard and going for walks. Keith has done a bit of yard work. I did pull weeds once. The last few days have been very rainy though. The next time we get one of those beautiful days again I am taking the boys to the zoo.
Right now I'm reading a book called What's a Smart Woman Like You Doing at Home? It's been encouraging for me as a stay-at-home mom. It's pretty old though, copyright 1986. It was loaned to me by the wife of someone Keith works with who has 8 kids, and she homeschools them all. Well, the oldest two are in college, so I guess she's homeschooling the remaining 6 now. After I finish the books she loaned me I hope to read some books on childrearing like Shepherding a Child's Heart and maybe a Dobson book like Bringing Up Boys.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
