Learning to Birth?

Nate and I, after much thought, had decided to sign up for birthing classes put on through Torrance Memorial Hospital. For me it was not so much to "learn" about the birthing process
(I grew up with childbirth classes happening in my living room, and remember playing with the fake pelvis my Mum had lol) but to get to know my hospital's policies and procedures, and what their views were on delivery and care. Last night was the first class, and I was happy to find out some new policies the hospital had put in place just recently, such as the "golden hour" (no longer whisking the baby away after birth...but leaving him/her with the parents for a whole hour with no interruption) and the "skin to skin" policy. The teacher is also a huge advocate of breast feeding and told us that formula has been mostly removed from the hospital as an offer to newborns.

I am also keen to let Nate get some education on all things related to pregnancy and birth...although the video we watched was challenging in some areas lol!
Although I am observing everything, I am also very guarded on what to take on as the "right way." I just wanted to go to a class that was open to all aspects, including pain medication, which I am planning on using. All in all it was good...I just can't wait to get to the epidural part of the class ha ha ;)

In other news, my OB appointment went well, but I had to have an RH factor shot....in my BUTT lol! It wasn't bad, just a new "experience" for me. Also my blood results came back, and they show I am anemic...so I have to take extra iron pills. Caden is still head down (it must be his favorite spot - he's been the same for weeks and weeks) and enjoys kicking me in the ribs now. In two weeks is my final ultrasound to measure him and guesstimate size - and coming up on Monday is my baby shower - how exciting!!! Maybe I'll see you then?

3rd Trimester

Wow it's here already - the third and final trimester! And I awoke this morning to some adorable hiccups from inside my belly. This week Caden has been in some sort of position that has made me very uncomfortable...but I guess it could be worse...and I have now gained about 13 pounds and it seems to be piling on now lol.

On Thursday I finally had my glucose test done, which wasn't too bad just kinda gross, and on Monday is my next check up and such.

Just 12 more weeks to go!

Happy Birthday Baby Bro!

Today is the day my little brother was FINALLY welcomed into the world! His due date was Oct 15th, and over a week later the hospital broke Diana's (my Dad's wife's) bag of water to try to induced labor. She refused any pain medication and labored for over a day before being prepped for a C-Section. She had only gone to 4 cm dialated, and it's sad because I know she really wanted to go all natural this time...but she was almost preeclamptic. Her last baby (my sister Estelle) was 17 days past due before being born by C-section...poor thing!

I totally predicted this baby was going to be a 9 pounder...and he was! Born at 3am today, weighing 9.2 pounds!

Name has not been determined yet...but my Dad is set on naming him "Rock." Him and Caden will grow up together...12 weeks apart....crazy huh?

WARNING: The baby is nude (duh)! Myspace deleted some of the pictures lol.

My Dad with his son.

4D Ultrasound

Today was our 4D ultrasound - and it was amazing! He is so cute...he even smiled! He kept putting his hands in front of his face so we tried to wiggle my belly to get him to lower them lol.

First here is a pic of my belly at 27 weeks...then some of the 4D pictures. I will try to upload the video when I can figure out how ;)

In Memory

I have some belly pics and other things to post, but I think I'll wait until tomorrow when I get my 4D ultrasound.

I just wanted to dedicated this one to some friends of ours in Colorado - a young couple named Matt and Tiffany who have I have just heard lost their little daughter in a tragic complication.
Baby Eliana was born on Oct 8th in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. Though every effort was made to remove it in time, the staff at the hospital just couldn't revive her.
I ask for prayer for this family in this hard time. They are awesome people, always serving the Lord, and have a great musical ministry together.
This is a section from her obituary:

"Eliana loved to tap-dance on her mama’s bladder, do somersaults while mama tried to sleep, receive kisses from her brother on mama’s belly, and to be rubbed and sung to by her mama and daddy.
Though we long to hold her in our arms and watch her grow, we take comfort that this world is not our home and we will be with Eliana again in heaven."

This tragedy really hits close to home for me, a baby that for all other reasons was completely healthy. I wish I could do more for them, but I know all I can do is pray for peace and comfort.

26 weeks!

Gettin' bigger! Not much to report since last week. We went to my OB appointment on Monday and got a quick ultrasound to see the heartbeat, which was cool. And now in this upcoming week I have to go in to take a glucose test (where I have to drink a sugary concoction of some kind and then wait an hour before getting my blood drawn). This tests for gestational diabetes, and I will also be tested for anemia and cystic fibrosis.







You can tell I work with dogs...look at my arm! lol.

25 weeks

Well today I am 25 weeks along, and Caden sure likes to move a lot these days. He even gets startled sometimes at loud noises, like last week at youth when a video came on very loudly and he started kicking furiously. I can feel him growing stronger and becoming more coordinated in his movements. It's hard to describe to someone unless they have been pregnant before.

My belly is growing a little more each day, with the baby gaining 1/2 pound a week. To date I have gained about 9 pounds so far this pregnancy...and my appetite is very healthy lol.

On Monday is my next OB appointment, and after that they will be every two weeks instead of every four. Also, in just over two weeks I have my 4D ultrasound booked, and I am so excited to see his little face!