Backtracking…
Last time I left off without talking about Kansas. We went to Kansas for my Grandma’s 93rd birthday (the famous “Clara” of Kayci Clara). My mom rode with us. The doctor had no problem with us traveling, and just warned us to stop every 60 or 90 minutes and walk 10 minutes. Okay, I just erased about 15 minutes of writing about the trip, about how uncomfortable the traveling was. It was uncomfortable, I don’t recommend traveling this late in pregnancy to anyone, and I have a new set of varicose veins because of it. We’ll leave it at that. As for the weekend itself, it was great to see all of my family. We had a great visit, and my Grandma was in good health and good spirits so she had a good time, too. It was really important to me that we go this time (even though we couldn’t really afford it, I was way too tired, and we should have been moving out of our house!) because I wanted to see my Grandma. It’s hard knowing that I won’t be able to see her again until September. But, what a great time we’ll have to look forward to—I’ve prayed for years that Grandma would live to see my baby, and knowing that she’ll be holding Kayci Clara soon is such a blessing (and an answered prayer!).
Last time I left off without talking about Kansas. We went to Kansas for my Grandma’s 93rd birthday (the famous “Clara” of Kayci Clara). My mom rode with us. The doctor had no problem with us traveling, and just warned us to stop every 60 or 90 minutes and walk 10 minutes. Okay, I just erased about 15 minutes of writing about the trip, about how uncomfortable the traveling was. It was uncomfortable, I don’t recommend traveling this late in pregnancy to anyone, and I have a new set of varicose veins because of it. We’ll leave it at that. As for the weekend itself, it was great to see all of my family. We had a great visit, and my Grandma was in good health and good spirits so she had a good time, too. It was really important to me that we go this time (even though we couldn’t really afford it, I was way too tired, and we should have been moving out of our house!) because I wanted to see my Grandma. It’s hard knowing that I won’t be able to see her again until September. But, what a great time we’ll have to look forward to—I’ve prayed for years that Grandma would live to see my baby, and knowing that she’ll be holding Kayci Clara soon is such a blessing (and an answered prayer!).
Childbirth Class
Our “Preparing for Childbirth” class has really brought it home—we’re not just pregnant; we’re getting a BABY. It’s really made it all real. And those labor & birth videos are not for the weak at heart, let me tell you. I’ve really enjoyed the classes, and I think it was money well spent because I feel like I know 300% more about labor than when we started. The breathing and relaxation things we’ll do in labor aren’t that far from my yoga practice, so I feel like I can DO this. My goal is to go without an epidural (only because I had a spinal tap a few years ago and have absolutely no desire to ever repeat the process of somebody sticking a needle into my spine, not because I think I’m strong or anything). So, that makes it very important that we’re a team going into this and that James will help me breathe and relax, and basically get through it. We have a lot of decisions to make pretty quick—how long & hard do I labor before I’ll accept an epidural, forceps or cesarean if it comes down to it, if James will be the only person in the room with me…tough stuff. James has a lot more fears about labor & delivery than I do. At this point, I’m not even not trying to think about stuff—I’m just focusing on getting through it and getting a baby. I hate that he’s going to have to watch me be in pain; I know that feeling helpless to help me will be terrible for him. That’s why I’m excited about what we’re learning in class, because James has a VERY important job as my labor coach, and he’ll have to focus on keeping me going if it’s going to work. He’s not “just” a daddy waiting to see a baby; he’s the guy that’s got to keep us on track and in the zone. I think he’s going to be great! :)
Our “Preparing for Childbirth” class has really brought it home—we’re not just pregnant; we’re getting a BABY. It’s really made it all real. And those labor & birth videos are not for the weak at heart, let me tell you. I’ve really enjoyed the classes, and I think it was money well spent because I feel like I know 300% more about labor than when we started. The breathing and relaxation things we’ll do in labor aren’t that far from my yoga practice, so I feel like I can DO this. My goal is to go without an epidural (only because I had a spinal tap a few years ago and have absolutely no desire to ever repeat the process of somebody sticking a needle into my spine, not because I think I’m strong or anything). So, that makes it very important that we’re a team going into this and that James will help me breathe and relax, and basically get through it. We have a lot of decisions to make pretty quick—how long & hard do I labor before I’ll accept an epidural, forceps or cesarean if it comes down to it, if James will be the only person in the room with me…tough stuff. James has a lot more fears about labor & delivery than I do. At this point, I’m not even not trying to think about stuff—I’m just focusing on getting through it and getting a baby. I hate that he’s going to have to watch me be in pain; I know that feeling helpless to help me will be terrible for him. That’s why I’m excited about what we’re learning in class, because James has a VERY important job as my labor coach, and he’ll have to focus on keeping me going if it’s going to work. He’s not “just” a daddy waiting to see a baby; he’s the guy that’s got to keep us on track and in the zone. I think he’s going to be great! :)
EXCEPT for one little thing…James was too excited to sleep after our first class, and he had a really rough night. He was READY for a baby! So, week 2 comes and he’s pretty jazzed up again after watching the videos. At the end of the class the instructor has us get on the floor to practice some relaxation techniques. As we’re getting the mat set up, James says “Man, I’m not going to be able to sleep again tonight!” He sits down, we get ready and as soon as Shirley (the instructor) starts the exercise, I notice that his breathing slows down and becomes very even (usually he SUCKS at breathing, so I was very impressed). I’m focusing on breathing and following her directions, and the next thing I know something plops down on my head. Yep, it was James’ head. He fell asleep 30 seconds into the exercise and slept the ENTIRE time. He denies it, of course, but I’ve had to tell a few people. It wouldn’t have been so funny if not for his declaration right before we started. And for the record, he slept fine—even after the excitement of his class AND his 20 minute nap.
Showers of Love
Backtracking again…when we got married 5 years ago, I wouldn’t let anyone throw us a shower. I just wasn’t comfortable with being the center of attention and having people bring us gifts for the sake of GIVING us stuff. Let me say that I LOVE showers, love to go to them, love to give them. But I just didn’t know how to be the “shower-ee”. So, when Kayci came around, some of my friends insisted on giving us showers. I couldn’t say no for lots of reasons:
Backtracking again…when we got married 5 years ago, I wouldn’t let anyone throw us a shower. I just wasn’t comfortable with being the center of attention and having people bring us gifts for the sake of GIVING us stuff. Let me say that I LOVE showers, love to go to them, love to give them. But I just didn’t know how to be the “shower-ee”. So, when Kayci came around, some of my friends insisted on giving us showers. I couldn’t say no for lots of reasons:
1. I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.
2. I want people to be able to celebrate Kayci with us.
3. Frankly, we’re poor and we need all the help we can get.
2. I want people to be able to celebrate Kayci with us.
3. Frankly, we’re poor and we need all the help we can get.
So, it turns out that we’ll be having several Kayci showers. Our first was this weekend. You can go to the PHOTOS page to see pictures. The people that hosted it are Teresa & LeAnn, friends from when I worked at Havard, and Lauren, another Havard friend who is also Kayci’s godmother. Lots of people were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts, but we had a pretty good crowd. I think there were about 25 people, maybe more if you count babies & kiddos. It was a great shower—it was perfect for us, very laid-back and comfortable. People brought their kids. Some people hung out in the backyard and watched the kids play with bubbles and stuff, and some stayed in and just visited. All in all, it was a fun evening. It started at 4:30, and I was surprised that we still had company after 8. I think people just had fun visiting and hanging out, which is what we hope for when people come over to our house. Coincidentally, this was also the first time we had people over to our house on Laguna (no pressure, we just gave ourselves 3 weeks to get totally moved in AND party-ready. No pressure at all…). I wasn’t as uncomfortable as I thought I’d be; I was kind of awed by the fact that so many people love this little one so much already (and us, too). Kayci is very blessed! Kayci’s nursery is in good shape, thanks to our friends! We are very grateful for everything Kayci received, as well as the thought that went into each gift.
The Home Stretch
We’ve been sooooo busy since we decided to move. First it was the stress of buying a house. Then it was the stress of moving out of our house, and into the new one (and squeezing in a trip to Kansas). Once we moved in completely (4/30), we had to work HARD to get everything ready for the shower on May 17th. It took us to the very last second (we had floor to ceiling boxes in the guest room Wednesday, picked up the furniture from Mom & Dad’s on Friday, and had a complete guest room—pictures and all—by 1:00 pm on Saturday the 17th). But it was all worth it, because now our house is as done as it’s going to be until we get a lot more time, money, and energy J. Kayci could come any day now and we’d have a HOME to take her to, not just a house. So after pushing so hard for so long to get things done, you can imagine how TIRED we all are. We’ll make it through, but I’m wanting another burst of energy like I had in months 4-7 of this pregnancy. Right now I just feel LAZY.
We’ve been sooooo busy since we decided to move. First it was the stress of buying a house. Then it was the stress of moving out of our house, and into the new one (and squeezing in a trip to Kansas). Once we moved in completely (4/30), we had to work HARD to get everything ready for the shower on May 17th. It took us to the very last second (we had floor to ceiling boxes in the guest room Wednesday, picked up the furniture from Mom & Dad’s on Friday, and had a complete guest room—pictures and all—by 1:00 pm on Saturday the 17th). But it was all worth it, because now our house is as done as it’s going to be until we get a lot more time, money, and energy J. Kayci could come any day now and we’d have a HOME to take her to, not just a house. So after pushing so hard for so long to get things done, you can imagine how TIRED we all are. We’ll make it through, but I’m wanting another burst of energy like I had in months 4-7 of this pregnancy. Right now I just feel LAZY.
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