30 Weeks

      This past weekend, Dave and I went to an amazing birth class by Pam England, author of Birthing from Within.  It was a nice intimate class at her home and of the 4 couples present, 3 were emergency medicine residents and all live within shouting distance from our house!  The soon to be moms Amber and May will surely be my saving graces once our little baby is born.
       The class was really touching for me because Pam put to words the power of the process of birth in a way many books do not.  She offered the Dad's concrete ways to support and be an integral part of the birth, describing their roles as "Birth Bouncers" (keeping a close watch on mom's emotional needs, keeping the room peaceful and as nurturing as possible, being a first line of contact for all the medical processes that can take mom out of the birthing mentality and into fear, and on and on).
       Dave and I are also in the process of finding a doula (birth coach) to be at the birth to support both of us as I have set my intention to have a medicine free birth.  I know things could change, but for now, that's what I am working towards and visualizing each day.
       We have also had two completely wonderful and amazing Baby Showers, one in New Hampshire at the farm and one here in Albuquerque with all of our new friends.  We have filled the nursery with a beautiful crib and dresser and have been painting the walls and furniture to all match the cute little room!  I snuck home from work yesterday to do some painting and felt so blessed and content just sitting and preparing this new room for the baby.

Oh my poor neglected blog.  I will tell you what happened.  I started feeling so strong and energetic again.  I am out and about around town sporting my 26 week old belly and loving life.  It's big and round and hard and so special and so all this living hasn't lead me to writing.

I need to document that our little baby KICKS all the time!  Especially when its time for mom to go to sleep, that's when the craziest, strongest kicks start flying.  I am often startled and say "Oh!" in response.  I am constantly encouraging my friends to feel the kicks.  These signals let me know, yeah, I am not just physically extending, its for a reason, my new son or daughter is inside of me growing strong and preparing for the world!  It's still quite hard to wrap my mind around this but I know its true.

Next week Dave and I head to New Hampshire for the baby's big baby shower.  Everyone has been getting prepared and I am thrilled to be able to celebrate this new life with all our loved ones.  And my little nieces will be there, I just ADORE those little cuties!

I am adding a photo from 25 weeks with my new neighbor Amber, who is due 6 weeks before me with a little boy!

Sex of baby prediction quiz:

I have taken TWO quizzes to find out if we are having a boy or a girl based on Old Wives Tales. How high are you carrying your baby, what do you crave, how fast is your leg hair growing, did you conceive on an odd or even month, etc? And I took a one question quiz based on the heart rate of the baby.

What did all three say we are having????

A BOY!

"Congratulations! According to the Old Wives it's a boy!"

Guess we will have to wait till the day the baby is born to find out. I spoke with Lindley and my friends Allison and Lexi tonight. Lindley waited to find out with her first baby and found out on the second one, so I believe that she has both perspectives to share. She strongly encouraged me to not find out and then Allison added that "DO NOT FIND OUT, BEST SURPRISE OF YOUR LIFE!" I love strong opinions.

Lexi also spoke to the amazing experience of being surprised and added: "You can't go wrong either way."

18 hours later, Tuesday April 3, 2012:

My plan now is to firmly wait. My only fear is that David will figure out the sex of the baby tomorrow on the ultra sound screen. Our clinic is so nice they even put the image up on a flat screen television! Which makes spotting a little boy even easier......too easy.

The kicks have begun!

Well Little Baby Riss, you let me know you are there at 18 weeks 6 days! Today is 19 weeks 5 days and I am so happy to feel you more and more everyday. I must say its very distracting to be at work, focusing on what a client is saying and then "Whack, whack" from my belly. I am used to telling Dave about every kick and I have to hold myself back and send you a "hello" and then return to my day. But when I am with friends, I love to share the baby communication kicks and shoves. This is the most fun part yet! I adore feeling the baby being active and moving around.

Today its warm enough to ride my bike around town and all the fresh air and new spring growth is so heavenly. I am officially loving pregnancy!

Working Hard to Encourage the Pregnancy Glow: No Success Quite Yet

Went to the Baby Doctor today

This morning Dave and I rode down to our baby's doctor and learned that everything is on track! He measured my belly and said its just the size they expect it to be. We also heard the baby's rapid little heart beat. And our doctor is the sweetest man who makes me laugh and feel so at ease. He recommended some doulas that he has worked with so soon I will contact them to set up some meetings. Can't wait to find just the right type of support/ birthing coach to compliment our hospital, our doctor, and of course Dave! Doulas are there for Dad's too!

17 weeks 4 days

Here are some photos from today after I walked the dogs. Just trying to keep people in the loop. Friends love to ask for photos!