Bee the Betty

Isn't she a gem?

Glow

So people always talk about that pregnancy "glow". What is that? The only glow I seem to get is my big ass dumb smile. My hair doesn't flourish with pregnancy - in fact it's the opposite. It falls out. Seriously! After a shower when styling this mane, my hairs comes out so easily. What the heck.

The only thing that really seems to flourish during pregnancy is my finger nails. They're normally just weak things but add a little pregnancy hormone and I have talons. Super strong and they just grow and grow. So weird.

Pregnancy is so weird.

Stinx & Bee

Stinx giving Bee some doucies. This was seriously so cute. He kept wanting to "feed" her.

Then a little snuggle on the couch.

Planning for a VBAC

So as my due date comes closer I am thinking more about this upcoming birth. I am trying to focus on how it can be a more positive experience than the first. Not depending on which way baby arrives, VBAC vs C-Birth, but how it can be better. Of course, my goal is to have a natural VBAC, but what matters the most is that baby arrives safely and that I feel informed and in control of the experience.

Let's say for example, baby is breech, I will probably have to have a c-birth. That doesn't mean history has to repeat itself. In some ways, planned c-birth's are easy to prepare for. You are expecting it. But in the case I might need another emergency c-birth, it doesn't have to be a repeat of Stinx birth. Things I want to do differently, should a c-birth be necessary? I want to hold my baby and not let go after a few minutes. I want to nurse my baby right away, as soon as possible. If for some reason I can't hold the baby, baby must stay with Dad. I would want less pain medication so I'm not high as a kite! I'd never leave baby out of Dad's or mines vision. This baby would be with all the time, not off in the nursery waiting to be bathed. And not really super important but one regret I have, I want to see my placenta.

That said, I am not planning for a c-birth. That is just my emergency back up plan. If a c-birth is necessary, I do believe it can be an entirely different experience this time around. Partly because I feel I will be doing everything humanly possible to avoid one, meaning that if one is required, it will be needed. I won't be left wondering if it was needed or not.

So coming back to the VBAC. I've picked out an awesome doula with lots of VBAC experience. Her resume is seriously impressive. I feel that with her by Dad and I's side, she will be a huge support. I know I will be able to ask her questions and get an unbiased answer. From what I read, having a doula at a VBAC is the #1 best thing you can do to prepare - even more so than a good doctor or midwife. I've also signed up for a VBAC class with the local health region. I haven't talked to anyone who's taken the class so I am interested in seeing how it goes. It will be two evenings in the fall.

Anti-Kels and I went to a LLL meeting on Monday and while I was there I browsed their library. I was sooo happy to find they had The VBAC Companion book. I have looked high and low for this book. It's a bit pricey to buy on-line so I was hoping to find a copy locally. My doula has a copy but I am not sure when I will be able to borrow it. So I started reading that this week as well. I've also got a copy of Birthing From Within (that I totally scored at Goodwill!) and I read through bit's of Ina May's book too. So I am trying to fill myself with as much knowledge as possible.

Our local VBAC group isn't running currently so I am trying to organize a Mom's Night Out or Playdate with the VBAC mama's in my local attachment parenting playgroup. I am really looking forward to hearing all of their first hand experience and advice. I can read tons of info on-line but there's something reassuring about talking to people who have really experienced something.

I can do it. At this moment, there is no reason why I won't be able to have this baby girl naturally. I can do it. My body was designed to do this.

Potty Learning

Stinx has been making good progress in his potty learning. I have finally worked up the guts to take him out in public without a diaper on. I was so nervous about this - but it's been working out pretty well so far. He's been very co-operative about going potty before we leave the house and while we're out. I feel like he could be potty trained before the baby comes. And then of course I will expect a regression after the baby comes. But I still think it's better to teach him now than after. We bring the little potty with us everywhere. This has helped a lot. He's not really scared of big toilets but he doesn't want to use them most of the time. So the little potty has come in very handy.

I also have to say that I love my diaper sprayer. Not only is it great for when I used it to clean poopy cloth diapers, but it's wonderful to use to spray out the potty. Such a genius invention.

I also really want to try Elimination Communication with the next baby. I don't know how soon I'd start but I'd like to start a regular potty time first thing in the morning once she's able to sit up. I think I will experiment before then but it probably won't be consistent.

It looks like my new year's goals just might be met.

Public Doucies

Today Stinx and I went looking for training pants. I realized the other day that most of his current trainers are too small, aka difficult to pull up and down (a concept he hasn't mastered), like size 18 months (he is almost 30 months). So I am currently on the hunt.

While hunting in Army & Navy I passed a woman sitting on a bench in front of the change rooms. There she sat nursing her toddler. He was probably 18 months old. I was so impressed. She wasn't the *typical* extended breastfeeding mother I see on occasion (aka a hippy). She was of an ethnic minority and dressed in her culturally traditional clothing.

I turned to her and said, "It's so nice to see people breastfeeding in public! It makes me happy". I then smiled and walked away. She just smiled back.

She probably thought I was crazy. Haha. I just wanted to say something encouraging. It really was nice to see.

Getting back to routine

I have been attempting to get Stinx and myself back into a routine now that I am feeling better. Some of it is going well. He's been watching a lot less TV, eating at the table more, but the nap... That just might have been wishful thinking. I think the nap really is on the way out. It worked the first couple days but after that it wasn't working. And I definitely tried. I think he will still nap every few days (If I put my effort into it) but realistically, the nap is on the way out. I guess he's just getting older.

We've also been getting out a lot more. I think this has helped tremendously! Activities are always nice... Even if it is a trip to the dentist.

Yesterday Stinx had his 2nd visit. This dentist was way better than the first I took him to. Stinx still got upset and cried when the dentist looked in his mouth. Afterwards the dentist asked me how Stinx does getting his hair cut and or seeing the doctor. I mentioned that he's done really well, but now that he pointed it out, Stinx is very cautious in new surroundings. DUH! I don't know why I didn't think of it before. He does well at the doctor because he's seen her since he was a tiny baby. The hair dresser - he's a little reluctant, acts very shy, but doesn't cry. But it totally makes sense with the dentist. When the assistant brought us to the back Stinx was nervous. I got him to sit in my lap and after awhile, maybe 5 minutes, he warmed up to her. He was looking around at the other kid next to him, asking what the assistant was doing etc. He just needed time to get comfortable. Then the dentist comes in and introduces himself. He was very quiet and gentle but after a minute he wants Stinx to lay his head on a pillow in his lap and open his mouth wide. DUH, he's scared, he doesn't know you at all. So yeah, at the next appointment I am going to ask that the dentist hang out with us for like 5 minutes before starting the open mouth exam stuff. I have a feeling it will go much better. Stinx is just a cautious little guy. He doesn't jump into things.

So back to activities! I have signed Stinx up for his very first swimming lessons and a dance class. Both classes are parented and 30 minutes long. Swimming will be on Mondays and dance will be on Thursdays. I think this will help us get out of the house more in the fall. Although, I am nervous about the dance class... what if I can't keep up? I'll be 7-8 months along by then. LOL.