Delightful, Remarkable...Chill

On our most recent trip to Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas last spring we were touring through the lobbies of the Ballagio. We saw a couple with a young baby in a stroller and I commented that I didn't think it would be very enjoyable to have a baby on a trip to Sin City. Jim asked why not, afterall, "babies just chill." Even the three other guys we were with on the trip laughed in his face.

Guess what Lucy Lynn does? She chills. Guess how many times a day I have to hear that babies "just chill?" As many times as diapers I change in a day. Lucy is remarkable. Not only I am astonished by the fact that this perfect little human grew inside me, created from love, but she is absolutely delightful. She has two major dislikes that we can figure out. Wet diapers are not her thing and she does not like to be too hot or too cold. She gives has clear communication for all of her needs, though. She has a rumbly belly face, a wet diaper whimper, a hunger snarf and a content sigh. The three of us are learning about this new communication and every day we learn something new about one another. She is amazing. She is changing and growing and amazing us every minute of every day.

So far Lucy has been a busy girl. She has had a million firsts and I am amazed by her adaptability. Lucy has been, first of all, born into the world. She had her first car ride home with a very nervous and protective mommy. She has been out for sushi (which I have been craving and craving). Lucy Lou has ventured into Target (which put Mommy right over the edge) and she had a successful visit to the pediatrician. We have had a string of lucky warm(ish) days and have taken her for two stroller walks and two strapped-to-daddy in the front carrier walks. I even got up the courage to leave the house today for an hour and half without her (the longest her and I have been apart EVER) and she spent some nice time with daddy.

Some of Lucy's favorite things are sunbathing and coconut oil massages. When/if the sun comes in the back windows, I lay her on the bath sponge and rub her gently with coconut oil. She is definitely in reptilian molting phase after going from a wet to a dry environment. I am just surmising, but I would think all of the flaky skin must be a bit uncomfortable. Of course, her bodily functions do not cease simply because she is taking a naked sunbathe, so I have learned to be prepared for anything! She also loves to listen to her daddy bear read poetry to her, which is not surprising considering he did this for her in utero, as well. She likes to sit in her swing, but doesn't seem that interested in actually swinging and loves to suckle a pinky finger when she is having trouble to getting to eat. Of course, her all time favorite activity is nursing and she is a champion eater. We are enjoying watching her little thigh rolls fill in a little more every day.

Besides my bewilderment at this little girl, I have to say that I am dumbfounded by the biology of a womans body (specifically mine at this time, as the world seems small and centered around the three of us currently).  Not only did I grow a human INSIDE my uterus, but I grew a disposable organ to sustain her life. Then, I gave birth to her. And to top that off I continue to sustain her life with breast milk. Then there are all the hormones that make sure I feel connected to this little lady to ensure her safety and her ability to thrive. One of Jim's favorite things to say now is, "the prolactin is strong with this one." I had a time letting him push the stroller outside of our neighborhood today. And god help the poor sole who attempts to lift the flap on her car seat cover.

As a family we have gotten into a better night time routine. The first two night Jim and I were sure she was too hot...no too cold...not, definitely to warm! We were also terrified of SIDS and I couldn't get comfortable breast feeding. Thankfully our Doula, Kate, was here this past Monday and helped to calm us down. We did research on SIDS and realize that she is really not in danger of this in our current set-up. We have her sleeping in a fleece sleep sack and I keep a hat by the bed in case I feel cold. Clearly, if I am cold she is, too :-). Lucy and I are a lot more comfortable with each other while she is nursing and nursing in bed has become much easier. Kate recommended mixing sweet orange with coconut oil and rubbing that on gassy belly. This has worked for Lucy on a couple of different occasions. Have I mentioned how grateful we are for the opportunity to have had two doula's for this experience?

A few things that I have already learned if there is a next time:

• When buying maternity clothing, try to buy tops that can also act as nursing tops. 
• Hire a doula. Try to get Kate Dimfle or Erin Kerr. Priceless. 
• Be prepared to sore as your organs reorganize. 
• Don't be a freak about SIDS.
• Take the nursing pillow into the hospital. Don't leave it in the car the whole time you are there and make your back ache trying to get comfortable in a hospital bed with hospital pillows.
• Be easy on yourself. Hormones are wild. WILD.
• Labor and delivery are your and your partners experience. Make sure that you are clear about what you want before hand and stick to that. 
• Having a Moby Wrap and and an Ergo Carrier is beneficial. Both serve different baby wearing purposes. 
• Hire a doula. 
• Figure out low-light camera settings before labor and delivery. 
• Take video of the first 10-30 minutes that baby is on mom/dad's chest. 
• Waiting to work out again is difficult, especially when your body feels ready. You will get there. Be patient and enjoy every second with the sweet little one that your body made and now needs to recover from. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

OVERDUE! But not really....

 For memories sake, here is a timeline of the past week or so (that I am adding to throughout the day today, December 17).

1. Smidgey is definitely headed south. There is much less pressure on my ribs. Still feeling great.
2. Mucus plug came out on the night of Sunday evening, December 14.
3. We received a call that our doula has had a death in the family. This means we now have the back-up doula, Kate. We had interviewed her originally and had a VERY difficult time deciding who to go with. They are two amazing women. We met with Kate yesterday, December 16, and are feeling great about having her with us for this part of the adventure. 
4. I may be leaking "waters" as of Wednesday morning, December 17.
5. 1:30 p.m. midwife appointment today for a non-stress test to monitor's the baby's heart rate and check the blood flow to the placenta and the level of amniotic fluid.
6. 11:00 a.m.: Just called Jim to tell him that I am feeling infrequent, but consistent low cramping. He is planning to come home at lunch at see how things are going. I am feeling really calm and happy. I am grateful to be at home in a comfortable, calm environment. 

(POST SCRIPT: What I didn't know while I was typing this was that I was in early labor. The low cramping was most definitely contractions. The next post will describe what followed after this post. It will probably take me some time to get it all down. On to the next adventure!)

A rant about induction, women's rights and waivers:

I would like to say the OBGYN Associates of Ithaca have a hang up about 41 weeks of pregnancy. Unfortunately it seems like this entire country has this road block. From my research, stories of other moms and our doula I have learned that most first time moms go over their due date. Keep in mind that the due date is ESTIMATED. In fact, at our 20 week ultrasound the midwife said that it seemed like Smidgey was probably 7 days younger than originally ESTIMATED. They did not move the due date, which at the time was a comfort to me. I was not interested in having a week of progress "taken away." If only I had know what a difference a week would make. 

Now Jim and I are being asked to sign a waiver that says we understand the increased risks of going past 41 weeks without an induction. See form below for risks. Yes, if put increased risk of stillbirth on a piece of paper and put it in front of a new mom, I can completely understand why she would say, "Induce me now!!!!" Note that this waiver does not actually give evidence to support these risks making it difficult to feel that we can make an informed decision. We have decided to sign the waiver (which doesn't seem like it would ever hold up in court) and speak with the midwife about reviewing the 20 ultrasound data to consider moving our due date. We have a 1:30 appointment today so they can complete a non-stress test. 

What I think we should be giving a waiver for is the increased risks with an induction. Although this pregnancy has been maybe the most wonderful experience of my life, I have felt surprised all along at the amount of things that are simply done to me/us. There is very little conversation and I surmise that there would be even less if we were seeing OB's and not midwives or if we lived in a place that was just a hippie village wearing the disguise of a university town. The entire system is broken and this is coming from a woman who has had an overall positive experience and is looking forward to labor and delivery. The science of babies is inexact. I get that. I don't even mind the more close monitoring of the baby as we go past the ESTIMATED 40 week mark. What I do not like is that lack of information and resources that has been provided to us. I can see why 1/3 births in this country are by Cesarean Section. Anxious doctors, old habits and synthetic chemicals that increase stress in a mama who is working to remain calm, release oxytocin and soak up every last ounce of this beautiful process. 

Cozy & Content

Gram brought us some of my baby clothing.
It was so special to go through it with her.

Although our due date has come and gone, the three of us are all cozy and content. We got a pretty good snow over the past two days and it has been the perfect time to relax and enjoy every last moment I have of being pregnant. Pretty soon little Smidgey will be here with us and I will miss feeling her from inside. Jim and I are both looking forward to meeting her, though, and finding out who this little girl is.

40 Weeks...will this be the last?

Smidgey let Daddy Bear keep his birthday.

She still seems to be sitting pretty high, although she is definitely on a downward journey at this point. This week's doctor's appointment showed all signs of a healthy mom and baby. Smidgey's heart sounds strong and I am feeling great. This week has included lots of swimming, squatting, lifting and walking with a nice long massage somewhere in the middle. The chiropractic care I have been receiving throughout my entire pregnancy has also been crucial. Everyone has a different experience, but I highly recommend activity, massage and chiropractics for pregnancy. I think the combination of those with an amazingly supportive husband and family have made this past 10 months some of the best I can every remember. I can only imagine what how splendid life will be when we are really a family of three.

This past week has given me a lot of time to get the rest of my job transitioned to the interim employee who will be/has taken over for me. She has been wonderful and the extra time has allowed the two of us to get many hours of training completed. This has all helped in keeping me calm, cool and collected. Although I spent most of the day on Tuesday in the office, I think I will work from home until she arrives. At this point I can be on paid leave with PTO until March 18. The longer she cooks, the further out I can push that leave time.

My sister, who has a super busy life, sent us a box of goodies, many items that were familiar to me that I had once sent to my nieces. She even found a "classic" toy that I had when I was little. It was really fun to go through each item with her on Facetime. We are so lucky to have that technology available to us to help decrease the miles in between our families.