BOY!
Baby Peter* was born at home Sunday, December 30, 2007 at 2:24 am. He weighed in at 9 lbs. 8 oz. and was 21 inches long–the same as his sister “Wendy” who is now 2.5 years old. I’m working on the birth story so check back for more. For now, here are some pics. The last two are of an amazing knot in his cord.
*Peter is a pseudonym
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I’m in my 39th week. I’m not surprised at all that I’m still pregnant, although I thought it was possible I was in early labor last night. I kept having lots of pressure waves, but I could tell they weren’t working my cervix like when I’m in labor. I wasn’t thirsty (I’d drank a quart of Red Raspberry/Spearmint tea only a few hours earlier). I could have been the weather (it’d been windy most of the day and then a huge snow storm hit in the evening), or my body was just gearing up for the birth soon. I didn’t feel well when I woke up around 2 am, but after taking some raw vinegar and honey for my indigestion (yes, it really works!), I sat up and began reading Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth again. I needed to read some of the birth stories to help me feel better about my upcoming birth. I’m not quite prepared for this baby yet. I keep visualizing Christmas night. The baby is going to be born close to Christmas anyway, why not have it on Christmas? :D
I’m excited, but I have a few last minute things that I believe are helping to keep me from giving birth yet. I still need to finish up Christmas shopping and baby shopping. I need to get the kids Christmas Eve p.j.’s (my family tradition) and a few things for the stockings still. I have no idea what to get my dad or my in-laws either. I have many gifts already for the kids, I just need to wrap them now. I also want to buy myself a nice gown or top for my birthing time. I got $30 for my Birthday last month that I’ll use for that.
I don’t have newborn diapers yet and socks for this little one coming next week (yes, it will be next week!). I’m also at a loss for clothes because I don’t know what gender the baby is and it’s my first Winter baby so I don’t even have clothes from my other children for this little one. All my other babies were Spring babies. I have a few essentials like a few nightgowns, sleepers, and onesies though. I even have a mint green bunting (although I’d consider it more of a boy color than a girl, it would work). I have several slings that I can use, although I want to make myself a wrap. I think I’ll shop for the fabric after the baby is born though. David bought a very large stocking to take a picture of the baby in for Christmas (our babies always come in large sizes). I thought it was cute.
My most recent prenatal on Wednesday went well. Everything is looking great. My blood pressure is in a very good range, and I’ve been drinking more so the strip looked good too. I’m measuring 43.5 cm at 39 weeks–totally normal for me though. David keeps joking about having more than one in there, but I’d be so much bigger.
Anyway, I have things I need to finish up today. I’ll write later…
My SIL’s wedding quilt is done! It’s complete! I’m so pleased with it, especially since it’s only my second one. I didn’t do the quilting, just the embroidery, piecing, and binding. Here are some of the pictures with details of the quilt. To read a little more about the quilt, here are some of the other posts about it:
Pride and Prejudice and Quilting
The Wedding Quilt and Blessings
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I’ve been preparing the program for our Liberty Girls group Family Night this coming Monday. As part of the program, the girls will be singing Amazing Grace as the closing song. My dh had been singing it this evening, and brought up a video of it. I’d forgotten she sang it, but I do like this version of the song. Enjoy!
Well, I’m measuring large as usual. I’ve grown 1.5 cm since my last appointment two weeks ago. I’m measuring 37.5 cm at 33.5 weeks. My bloodpressure is fine (lower than normal for me), and the baby’s heartbeat is 140′s-150′s. The baby is very active, especially in the evenings. It’s fun to watch the baby move when I’m leaning back. I can feel a foot or knee from time to time. I’m excited to meet this little one. Finding a name for the baby has been a problem, but I’ll come up with something I’m sure. I am considering a girl’s name, but I’m not set on it yet. As for a boys name, I haven’t picked one. So, since last time I had a boys name picked, and I ended up having a girl maybe that means I’ll have a boy since I don’t have a name for a boy. :)
My midwife, Cathy, gave a wonderful gathering for her clients this last Saturday. It was so nice to meet other moms (many outside of my friendship circle) that were not only homebirthing, but using the same midwife as I am. Cathy was a student midwife when I had baby Wendy in 2005. (She passed tests and became a CPM later that year.) I felt more connected with her than with my previous midwife, although I still love my first midwife as well. It took a couple prenatals to warm up to Cathy, although maybe it was the other way around. After that, I totally loved her! Cathy seems more spiritually connected with me somehow. She seems to know what I want without me having to tell her, and she listens to all my concerns and seems to know just what to say to make me feel better. She announced at the gathering that she was leaving the practice she’s at and beginning her own. She had talked to my husband a couple weeks before about it for a reference to an attorney to help her. After Saturday’s gathering, I am confident that she will have no problem finding and keeping clients. The other women there seemed to be connected with her as well. One sweet mom was due anytime, and was quite emotional although it was a happy emotional. She’s been waiting so long for this baby, and we all couldn’t help but want to hug her.
Pregnancy and birth is a wonderful time. I’m focusing on the baby coming after Christmas (I’m technically due Christmas Eve). Cathy said she thinks Christmas night would be good. I could actually handle that, assuming my dh is willing to help get the Christmas mess cleaned up. :) Maybe I’ll have that strong nesting instinct and help clean up, although I really should save some of that energy for the birth. I keep telling myself and the baby that Christmas night is a good time to have a baby. Can you imagine the Christmas tree lit, the smells of Christmas surrounding you, and birthing your baby in that environment? I love the Christmas atmosphere already, but to have a baby at the same time, oh, that would be wonderful!
