What a Year!

Last year I write an elaborate and extensive "2011 - Year in Review" post.

I can't believe we are getting ready to ring in 2013.  Part of me feels like I was just sitting down to write my elaborate and extensive "2011 Year in Review."

These days especially, elaborate and extensive don't really fall into my time constraints.  A sleeping Camden is now a ticking time bomb and will be ready to eat very shortly.  

I can feel it.  Literally.

 This was our year:

- In April we found out we were expecting and I began entertaining you with all things pregnancy.   

*Apparently nothing note-worthy happened between January and April?

- I graduated from my internship program in June and accepted a new job.

- My baby sister graduated from UW.

- We got a belated anniversary gift in August when we were told we were expecting a baby boy.

- I traveled much less this year for work.  Much less is an understatement considering one trip versus the seven I took last year.

- September was filled with baby showers and a surprise visit from my best friend, Becky.

- We took a family trip to Destin, Florida to celebrate my mother-in-law's retirement.  Southwest Airlines lost (without actually losing) our luggage and we met our nephew, Liam, for the first time.

- I turned 27.  Wah wah.

- I completed two more semesters of my graduate program.  One more to go, people.

- I went into preterm labor at 33 weeks.  Ryan and I then sat on pins and needles through November and into December.

- We got off the pins and needles when we welcomed Camden James Peters on 12/11/12 at 11:06am.

What. A. Year.  In 2012 we became a family.

I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store for us.

Happy New Year!

Take Luck,

LP

More Lately

Lately...

- There's been a new man in my life.  And he rules it.

- I get very excited about 4 consecutive hours of sleep.

- It's a good day when I get to shower.

- Double bonus points are awarded if Ryan gets to shower, too.

- I give pep talks to my boobs.

- Hugs, kisses, and snuggly time with Ryan feel extra, extra special.

- Blogging and reading my favorite blogs have taken the backseat in the 18-passenger van of my life.

Until next time.

Take Luck,

LP

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Take Luck,

LP

Camden's Birth Story

Even though I know that giving birth to Camden is something that I will never forget, I wanted to write it down so years down the road - I can look back and remember the small details.

I went into preterm labor at 33 weeks, so each week that he stayed put was truly a blessing.  At first we were thankful for each day, and just trying to hold on until 36 weeks.  Days turned into weeks and eventually we hit 39.  It felt a little magical.

I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions all day, every day since Halloween.  Even though they weren't the real thing, they still took a toll on me mentally and physically.  My doctors assured me that when real contractions and real labor began - I would know.

Saturday, December 8th, the real contractions started.  They certainly felt different and a few even stopped me in my tracks, requiring me to consciously breathe through them.  Although irregular, I knew that the big showdown was not far away.  The contractions continued throughout the day and night and into Sunday. Sleeping wasn't happening due to the fact that the contractions would come, wake me up, I'd breathe through them, consider timing them, and then wait for the next.

After the previous two days/nights, I decided to work from home on Monday.  If Monday was going to be anything like the weekend, there was no way I needed to be at work. I had a scheduled weekly appointment with my OB and was anxious to hear a hoo-ha status.  At that point, I had never been so excited for a hoo-ha status.

She checked me and I was 1 1/2 cm dilated and 85% effaced.  At the advice of our doula, I asked her about sweeping my membranes in hopes of getting things moving along.  She was hesitant, but I think the exhausted look on my face and the telepathic pleading I was sending her worked.  Even though she assured me that the sweep may not do a darn thing - I didn't care and was feeling somewhat rejuvenated.

I came home and continued working.  The contractions were getting stronger and showing signs of regularity.  At that point I could walk/pace them off in the living room, as well as breathe and talk through them.  

My Daddio came over in the early afternoon and we went on a brisk 3 mile walk together.  After the walk and a shower, my contractions seemed to almost stop.  My immediate thought was, "Oh, hell no."  I laid down and it didn't even take a full hour for the contractions to come back with a vengeance and for things really started moving along.

4pm came and so did active labor.  Ryan had come home early from work and we were watching Game of Thrones while I went in and out of contractions.  It was a nice distraction at first, but then every 4-5 minutes I was down on the floor in child's pose and completely oblivious to anything and everything going on around me.

I labored at home until 7pm when my contractions were consistently four minutes apart.  Our doula, Laura, came over and discussed with us the hospital's procedure and treatment of women in active labor.  I was in a lot of pain and unable to do anything to help ease  the contractions, so I decided it was best we head for the hospital.

While in the triage area, I was checked.  2 cm dilated and 90% effaced.  I was happy that all this work and pain was doing something, but I needed to get to 3 cm before they would admit me.  I was in serious pain and the thought of being sent home to labor triggered another, "Oh, hell no."

After an hour of breathing, lunges, squats, and "other activities," I made it to a 3 1/2 cm.

Halle-frigging-lujah.

We were admitted and moved to another room.  My contractions were coming fast and strong.  They were peaking and re-peaking two or three times before dying down.  Needless to say that after two nights of no sleep and the general exhaustion that was setting in from laboring - this Mama was dog tired and ready for an epidural.

My platelets needed to be checked before an epidural could be administered and I swear the lab people were trying to kill me with how long they took to return the results.  I was in the clear, and at 4 cm dilated, got my epidural - which wasn't nearly as bad or painful as I expected it to be.

I'm not sure exactly when it started happening but baby was having decels (decelerated heart rate) around this time.  The nurses were keeping a very close eye on him, moving me into various positions to try and get his heart rate to go back up, and trying not to alarm me.  But alarmed I was.  They were able to get his heart rate back up and figured he was probably just grabbing onto the umbilical cord.

The epidural made me about 1,000,000 times more comfortable.  I didn't like the heaviness in my legs, but when considering the alternative - I decided I could live with it.  While the epidural made me more comfortable, it also slowed my labor down.  They gave me some pitocin to try and kick things up.

Have I mentioned that this labor was not going exactly as I had planned or thought?

A very long and sleepless night (if you lost count - that 's three in a row) later, I made it to 5m and then 6 1/2 cm.  At around 7:30am, my OB came in and broke my water.

I'm not kidding when I say that 30 minutes later, I was at 10 cm dilated, 100% effaced, and ready. to. go.

The nurse said that my OB was next door with another patient who was ready to push.  It was up to me to wait until she was done or start pushing and have the baby delivered by a hospital laborist.  I really wanted the baby to be delivered by my OB.  I wasn't feeling any urge to push just yet, and Laura suggested that letting baby's head rest down in that position for a period of time would help stretch things out in preparation for birth.  So, we waited.

During the hour we waited, Laura told me to practice pushing while I had contractions, and reminded me to push through my bottom like I was having a bowel movement.  It was then that I panicked and realized that at that very moment, I didn't know how to have a bowel movement.  I had no idea how to push through my bottom.  I even think I said out loud, "I've been having bowel movements my entire life and at this moment, I am completely clueless." 

Perfect.

After several awkward attempts - I remembered.  Pushing started and I swear I've never felt more discouraged in my life.  I felt like I was working harder than I ever have and yet was making absolutely no progress.  I remember enjoying (or something like that) a nice combination of Ryan's encouragement (as well as having my Momma, Rachel, and Laura there too!), oxygen, a wet wash cloth on my forehead, and water in between contractions.  I also remember saying, "I can't do this," about 100 times.

The progress came.  I could feel the baby moving down and getting closer to making his debut.  When the nurse said my OB was coming in it gave me a huge boost and confirmed for me that all my hard work was actually working.

He crowned and I felt his little head.  I pushed a little more and felt even more.  I think it was two pushes after that and he literally shot out.

When my OB held him up with his lower half still yet to come out and told me to take him, I couldn't help but feel like Kourtney Kardashian as I pulled him onto my chest.

At that moment I realize I had done it.  We had done it.  It wasn't at all as I had planned or expected, but in the end - I did what I felt was best for me and us and I have no regrets.

I had initially planned on only having Ryan and Laura in the room with me, but after having my Mom and Rachel in the room throughout all the laboring - I knew I wanted them in there too.  

Lots of tears were shed by all as we welcomed Camden into the world.

Take Luck,
LP

Camden James

My absence should tell you one thing.  Camden James is here.

He became a part of our family at 11:06am on 12/11/12, weighing in at 7lbs 9oz, 19 3/4 inches long, and looking just like his Daddy.

We are getting settled and loving our little man.

Take Luck,

LP

Waiting

It feels like all we've been doing since Halloween is waiting. November was a very hard month for Ryan and I - mentally, physically, and emotionally.  December has proven (so far) to be a much better month - but now we are just ready to get the show on the road.

Today marks the 10-day countdown to our due date.  That means tomorrow will be 9 days. As in single digits, people.

Things (with my bod) are happening and changing around here, so if I had to guess - it won't take until our due date for this baby boy to make his debut.  With that said, I've never done this before and have absolutely no idea.  So, hopefully I didn't just jinx us/myself.

'Cuz did I mention that we are ready to get the show on the road?

Ryan and I are truly blessed to have a huge support system around us - family, friends, and co-workers, who are all very excited and waiting impatiently for this babe to make his entrance.

- My Momma and little sister frequently call to check in to see how I'm doing (as if I would intentionally not let them know if something big was happening)

- My dad has been keeping track of how many weeks I am for some time (and gets very excited when he knows that Sunday's are the days that we bump up one).  

- At the news that certain things were happening, my brother got Christmas-morning-excited and declared that he would not be going to work so he could wait in the waiting room.  I assured him that he needed to calm down.  

- There is officially no topic that is off the table between my sister-in-laws and I.  Body parts, bodily functions - you name it and we've now discussed it.  Something tells me these conversations are only the beginning of over-sharing (in a good way, of course).

It's an amazing feeling to know that not only are Ryan and I excited to meet our baby boy, but we are surrounded by people who are just as excited... And tired of the waiting.

He is so loved.  And doesn't even know it yet.

Now, come on baby!

Take Luck,

LP

This Weekend...

A tad late, but here I am nonetheless.

This weekend we got a gas insert installed to our previously super-crummy fireplace.  You bet your booty that I broke out in a very-pregnant-lady happy dance.  The puppies were looking at both me and the fireplace with serious concern.

This weekend I got Brock in the Christmas spirit.  Against his will.

This weekend we spent 30 minutes picking out the perfect Christmas tree.  And I had on flip flops.  Not the brightest idea I've had.

This weekend I decorated our tree with direction from Clark, who kept insisting that I put more ornaments on the tree and even suggested we run out for some tinsel.  This man has the fever.  I draw the line at tinsel.

This weekend my favorite newly-engaged-world-travelers came over and shot some video for our pregnancy video.

This weekend we went and saw the production of Annie at a local community theater.  There was one actress that Rachel and I completely agreed was a Brittany S. Pierce doppelganger... Just not as fortunate in the dancing or coordination department.

This weekend I hit 38 weeks in my pregnancy.  Less than two weeks to go, people!  I cannot wait to meet this baby boy.  And decide on his name.

Take Luck,

LP

I Married Clark Griswold

I married Clark Griswold.

Well, that's not entirely true.  I married Ryan, who this year is getting in touch with his inner-Clark.

I swear this man has continually called for more lights and more decorations on several occasions. And it's only December 1st.

We have browsed the fabulously clearanced (thank you, sweet baby Jesus) holiday section at Kohl's several times, each time needing to go back and retrieve a cart before making our way to the checkout counter.

 Ornaments, stockings, Santa Clause's, village collection pieces, lights, garland, and tinsel.  You name it and he has probably told me that we need it... Or more of it.

I'm not sure what has caused this year's surge in the holiday decor department of the Peters house but I am certainly not complaining.  It's been a lot of fun (not to mention entertaining) to have him be so excited to deck our halls and get ready for the holiday.

Take Luck,

LP

Thankful

Like last year, we have a lot to be thankful and grateful for this Thanksgiving.

I'm thankful for Ryan, who does not realize how strong he is and how much joy/happiness he brings to my life.

I'm thankful for this dance-partying baby boy that is still cooking in my belly.  If my belly button was any indication - it'd be telling you this little turkey is done.

I'm beyond thankful for our families and their love and support.

I'm thankful for friends who are family.

I'm thankful for our health and the continued health of our family and friends.

I'm thankful for our two sweet and crazy pups.

I'm thankful for the walls of our home and the security of our jobs.

I'm thankful that the end of my graduate program is coming closer into view.

and last but certainly not least, I'm thankful for the new adventures and challenges that will soon be upon us.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Take Luck,

LP

A Good Day

Today has been a good day.

- Ryan called me at work just to say, "I love you."

- Carter's is having a 50% off EVERYTHING sale.  This is dangerous for this Mama-to-be.

Source

-  I impressed myself by managing to pee whilst simultaneously having a contraction

- I passed a little toot while sitting in my cubicle.  And I didn't even care.

- I had numerous engaging, technical, and "I actually know what the hell I'm talking about conversations" at work (luckily not while tooting in my cubicle)

- The Christmas tree lot where we will purchase our Christmas tree is now up and ready for fresh stock of wonderfully odiferous goodness

- I got to talk to my best friend for 45 minutes this afternoon.  It was absolutely refreshing and wonderful. 

Can't wait to share what I'm thankful for this year.

Take Luck,

LP

Art of Getting By

For the past two weeks I feel like we've been practicing the art of getting by.

We've been back to Labor and Delivery three times since our Halloween pre-labor fiasco.  All of these trips were after I had been having contractions that were 2-3 or 3-4 minutes apart - but luckily all of these contractions were considered Braxton Hicks and not the real deal.  I say "luckily" but it has been a very frustrating and emotional experience.

It's safe to say that Ryan and I are both over the fuss of this business and just ready for the real deal now that we are so close to being full term.

Or maybe that's just me?

I have heavy cramping and/or contractions all day, every day.  I'm continually reassured by my doctor, our doula, and my prenatal yoga instructor that all this "work" (cramping and contracting) is not for nothing and that it will help when we reach active labor - so I try to keep that in mind.

I also keep in mind that my body has been doing this excessive amount of work for over two weeks now and I wonder if this baby will just fall out one day as I'm walking down the hallway.

Too much?  Sorry.

I'm ready to meet this baby boy and move onto the next phase of this adventure.  We know that he could come anytime, but also know that he could very well stay put until our due date.  Which is exactly one month from today.

I'm ready!

Take Luck,

LP

Hello, Preterm Labor

We had an eventful Halloween... To say the least.

On Monday I noticed that I was having Braxton Hicks contractions.  I guess I'd describe them as menstrual-like cramps that would come and go without any rhyme or rhythm.

Tuesday.  I noticed the cramping was a little more intense.  After a quick email to our doula, she confirmed what I had thought - Braxton Hicks.  She assured that it was normal and that the "work" being done was all in preparation for the big day.

Wednesday.  Again, I noticed the cramping was intensifying and in the early afternoon, developing a pattern.  I decided to head home early, put my feet up, and rest.

Once home, it didn't take long for these bouts of cramping to take on a wave - the wave I've heard about when someone is describing what real contractions feel like.

Super.

I turned on my Kick/Contraction Counter app and found that my minute (or longer) contractions were about 4 minutes apart.

Double super.

Did I mention that as of Wednesday I was only at 33 1/2 weeks gestation?

Even more super.

After talking to my mom, OB's nurse, sister-in-law, and our doula, we decided that it would be best to head to Labor & Delivery and at least get checked out.  There was certainly no harm is getting monitored and seeing what was going on in there.

Monitoring contractions and baby's heart rate

I was indeed having contractions that soon were 2-3 minutes apart and gaining intensity.  Other "changes" were taking place (I'll just leave it at that...) and IV fluids were not helping slow things down.

This began our unplanned, overnight stay in Labor & Delivery and welcomed us into the world of preterm labor. 

Our plan of the day/night

It took awhile, but magnesium sulfate was able to make the contractions stop - all the while making me feel absolutely terrible.  I felt like I was battling the flu (feverish/flushing but freezing, rapid pulse/heart rate, drowsy/aloofness, headache) while trying to get through these contractions at the same time.

While we were waiting to see if the magical magnesium concoction would work, I got a shot of steroid (in my bum, no less) to help make sure baby boy's lungs were as mature as possible if we ended up having to deliver.  With him being just under 34 weeks, lung development and his ability to breathe (even with help) was a primary concern.

A very long night and long story short - the doctor and nurses were able to stop the labor.  I got pumped full of juice/drugs to make it happen, but when considering the alternative - it was worth it.

Ryan was a rock.  It was taking what energy I had left to stay calm and relaxed through all this unexpected chaos.  If he was nervous or scared (which I know he was), he was keeping it all on the inside and really was amazing.  I told him he went up to a whole new level of soulmateness.

My parents and doula, Laura, were there through all this as well, so there was no shortage of support.  I know my parents really liked that Laura was there to help explain certain things and just provide extra comfort in a stressful situation.

We were discharged early Thursday morning after I got my second bum-shot of steroid for baby's lungs.  Now, if he were to decide to come prematurely, he will be as equipped and ready for the outside world as possible.

I was not put on bed rest (hallelujah), but just told to take it easy and come back if I was experiencing anything similar to what I already had been.

Well, Thursday afternoon the cramping came back, and early Friday morning the contractions came back, too.  Labor & Delivery, here we come.

They were able to stop (or slow, rather) the contractions with much less intervention this time - but without much explanation as to why this was continuing to happen.  We were discharged again, about four hours after we checked in, with a prescription for a medication to be taken every eight hours to keep contractions away.

Here we are, on Monday (34 weeks and 1 day!), and I'm happy to say that baby is still cooking... Er, gestating.

I wish I could say that my diligence in taking my medicine has completely eliminated my cramping and contractions, but it hasn't.  Instead, I am trying not to have a panic attack every time I have one - which seems to be about 3 or 4 an hour.

I go back to my OB tomorrow for my weekly check-up (we went ahead and skipped the two-week visits and went straight to weekly from all this) and I'm very anxious to hear what she has to say and what her "plan forward" is.

Whether he comes in 3 weeks or 6, he'll be here soon.

For now we are considering each day (and week) that he's in there to be a blessing.

Take Luck,

LP

More Lately

Lately...

- I've been consumed with midterms.  Consumed, I tell ya.

- I've developed a "negativity not welcome" attitude.  I truly do not care if you don't like our potential baby names, our birth plan, or if you think prenatal yoga is a joke.  If you are going to be critical of whatever I say - why even ask the question?  I also do not want to hear about your horrific labor, birth and breastfeeding experiences without me even asking about your experiences.  Mmkay?

- I've been kicking the crap out of my Christmas shopping list.

- When getting out of bed in the morning, I feel like a turtle that's stuck on it's back.  I have experienced some separation of my top abs and have been encouraged to literally roll off the bed when getting up.  This would normally be fine, but only problem is - my lower back locks up and I have to quickly and repeatedly roll from side-to-side and gain some momentum before being capable of rolling off the bed.

Source

 

 

 

- We went to a local pumpkin patch and bought pumpkins last weekend.  I am sad to report that they remain un-carved on our kitchen counter.

- I've been working extra long days at work.  I do not like this.

- Momma and I have been having Saturday shopping dates that include a salad bar lunch at Roundtable.  This, I do like.

Take Luck,

LP

Things My Husband Says

Ryan has said a few things lately that warranted a look and a, "Did you really just say that to your pregnant wife?"

The first was when I offered him a second helping of dinner.  I figured after a long 12 hours at work, he might want some extra grub.

He responded by saying, "No, thanks.  I'm trying to watch what I eat."

Hmm.  Noted.

And just last night he was admiring himself in the mirror when he said aloud, "I'm amazed I haven't worked out in a month and I still look like this."

Yes.  It is truly amazing.  Ya a-hole.

It's a good thing he's cute.

**Update: I would like to stress that this was meant to be silly and funny.  Yes, Ryan said these things but my feelings were not hurt at all by any of it.  We laughed about his comments together.  He has been nothing but supportive and encouraging throughout this pregnancy - especially to the changes that are happening to the old bod.

Take Luck,

LP

Today I'm 27

Today I'm 27.

So, happy birthday to me!

Here's a fun fact: I share this day with my nephew, Liam and my second-cousin, Ara.  I'm pretty sure that by some point in the day, I will also share it with my friend Jayme's new baby boy, Coy.

It's weird to think that I am inching closer and closer to my 30's and further and further away from my 20's, but it doesn't really bother me.  This birthday is actually pretty special for two reasons.

[1] It's my last birthday as a non-Mama*.

*Some may argue that being pregnant makes me a Mama already, but for arguments sake - let's just go with it.

[2] I am turning the same age that my mom was when she had me.

Momma - Pregnant with me in 1985; Lou - Pregnant with baby boy in 2012

Pretty special, eh?

Mom put a sweet little diddy on Facebook about us being the same age with our first babies (amongst other wonderful things) and failed to warn me of it's tear-inducing contents.

Thanks, Mom.

I hope my 27th year will be as special as I think - full of love, laughter, new experiences (and challenges), and a deeper appreciation for the little things.

Take Luck,

LP

Family & Maternity Photos

On our family vacay to Destin, Florida (now over a month ago!) my sister-in-law had the brilliant idea to get some family photos taken as a retirement gift for my mother-in-law.  Then she suggested we get some maternity shots, too and I was even more on board.

Just Wright Photos out of Pensacola met us at a local state park/beach near Destin and did a fantastic job.  It was quick and fun... Except for the biting dog flies.  No joke - these things were biting my booty through my dress.

Here are my favorites.  Enjoy.

Take Luck,

LP

This Weekend...

Linking up with Sar and Syndal for This Weekend I...

This weekend I got an extra day off of work for Columbus Day.  Glorious.

This weekend I plowed through my financial management project that isn't due until finals week in December.  I decided I just couldn't have that hanging over my head any longer.

This weekend I (OK, we) hung the rest of the decor in the nursery.  There is just one piece left that can't go up until we decide on this little dude's name.

This weekend I discovered that our sweet neighbor leaves treats for Brock and Sonny in her newspaper mailbox.

This weekend I hit the 30 week mark in my pregnancy.  Time is flying.  For reals.

This weekend I officially started Christmas shopping.  Like my semester project, I just can't let things like this hang over my head as we get closer and closer to baby time.

Take Luck,

LP

Thursday Thoughts

Linking up with Sar for Thursday Thoughts!

[1] Remember when you would play Monopoly and you would get the Community Chest Card: "Bank Error in Your Favor - Collect $200"?  Well, that sort of happened to me today in the form of "Babies R Us Error in Your Favor - Collect Baby Monitor."  It was sort of awesome.

Source

[2] There is a disturbing sign in a stall of the women's bathroom at work - a vertical banner with the ABC's for Success.  It is totally awkward and I intentionally avoid this stall at all costs so I don't have to read "R - Relax and go with the flow" while trying to pee.  #strangebathroomhumor

  [3] I feel my sleep habits changing and I don't like it. Normally, I fall asleep instantly (anytime and anywhere) and sleep like a rock.  But in the past few weeks I have found myself unable to get comfortable and my mind is just racing.  Racing about school, racing about baby preparation, and racing about the need to stop racing and sleep.  Something tells me this is all just going to get worse.

[4] I have a cruddy cold and am ready for it to vacate.  My attempt to drowned it with lemon ginger tea was a failure.

[5] Not only do I love October for the onset of crisp, fall weather, but it's also the start of MLB postseason play.  The St. Louis Cardinals are in it again this year and I am super pumped about that.  However, I may or may not be ready for some other channel to be displayed on our television.  Really, anything other than MLB Network will do.

Take Luck,

LP  

Doula

Several months ago, we decided to hire a doula to assist us in the labor and delivery of this baby boy.

After talking with a girlfriend who hired a doula for the birth of her second child, I was convinced that it was something I was interested in.  The challenging part would be A) convincing Ryan to jump on board and then B) finding someone who fit well with us and what we wanted out of this experience.  If Ryan had said, "No," then I would have accepted that and moved on, but I was happy when he said we could look into it.

So, who would we bestow this blessed responsibility on?

I take a weekly prenatal yoga class (more on that later) that is taught by a women who is also a doula.  I like her a lot, she is extremely knowledgeable, and while in yoga - there is no topic that is off the table.  I immediately thought about her first, but the more I thought about it - I didn't think it would be the best fit.

At my first prenatal chiropractic appointment, our chiropractor asked if we had considered a doula and offered her "doula services" to us.  I thanked her for the offer and said it was something we were thinking about.  I love my chiropractor and have known her for a long time.  I'm sure she would be an excellent doula, but again, I just didn't think it would be the best fit.

Around this time, a long-time friend of mine, Laura, contacted me over Facebook.  She congratulated us on the pregnancy and asked if I wanted to get together to chat.  I love catching up with old girlfriends, so of course I agreed.

We got together one day after work and just started chatting away like no time had passed.  We weren't even BFF status way back when, but we really and truly clicked while catching up.  She happens to be a doula (and a mama to two wee babes), and we talked a little bit about her services and experiences so far.  I felt no pressure or awkwardness in listening and talking to her, but totally interested and had a feeling of, "This is who I would want and need in there with us."

I told her I would talk to Ryan about our meeting and be in touch.  I did as promised and he agreed to meet with her so he could ask some questions he had.  After our meeting, the deal was sealed.

So, what sealed the deal for us?

[1] Neither of us have done this before.  We need all the help/support/guidance we can get.

[2] Laura is going to help/guide Ryan to maximize the support he gives me during labor and delivery.  She really is there to support us both - not just me.

[3] Her presence will allow Ryan and I to keep our roles as husband/wife and daddy-to-be/mama-to-be instead of birth coach/crazy-in-pain-mama-to-be.  Well, the pain part will probably still hold true.

[4] Obviously, Ryan and I have an intimate relationship.  Laura and I do not.  My hope is that instead of giving into the coddling and insistence for an epidural I will likely get from Ryan when in pain, Laura will firmly remind me that I can do this.  Even though we've known each other for a long time - there isn't an emotional attachment.

[5] Laura will be able to tell me if I reach a point where pain medicine/epidural is necessary for my sanity and the progress of labor.

[6] She's pretty much awesome and we love her.

So far, she's been a wonderful resource for questions and things to think about.  She sat on our couch one night and gave Ryan and I both a lot to think about regarding labor and delivery - a lot of great things to consider and things we may or may not have thought of without her.

My hope is to have a natural child birth.  

However.  And this is a big however.  I am not at all firmly rooted in this hope.  If it gets to the point where I'm over it and just want the juice - I'll take the juice.  The fact that my dear Momma was in labor with me for almost 48 hours keeps flashing in my brain.

I am confident that between spending my entire life in athletics and pushing through physically demanding situations, staying active through my pregnancy, the techniques I've learned in prenatal yoga, and my mental game in general (again, thanks to sports) - I can do it.

On the other hand, I have absolutely no idea what to expect.  So, I may talk a big game and end up crumbling like a blue cheese.

 

Only time (and not much of it!) will tell. 

Take Luck,

LP