Reactions and Showers

I've been taking note of folks' reactions to the belly for the last couple of months. At over 7 months pregnant, people can definitely tell my "condition" from a ways off. I have noticed the warmth that other mamas and older women immediately show me, it's in those soft smiles of understanding. I have noticed that the college-aged young women tend to look uncomfortable - perhaps its a reminder of pregnancy scares, inevitable weight gain, or future responsibility for this demographic. Men are a mixed bag - some are very chivalrous, some avoid eye contact (maybe its that future responsibility bit again), some are just a little more kind. And, for both genders, I do love the talkers/advice givers; they ask about Baby T's due date, Baby T's gender, my readiness for parenthood, their own experience with pregnancy and childbirth. Children always have something candid and honest to say about Baby T - usually adorable. Pregnancy is really a whole different type of connection to the world around you; it evokes varied, but typically very happy, feelings for people. For this reason it is interesting being in my shoes - just to see other's react to Aaron and my decision start a family and to the huge step in life we are about to take.

In party news, we've been showered. A couple o' times. Some friends from my ward threw a baby shower for Aaron and I in mid-June, which was fabulous. In my hastiness to get ready, I forgot to plan for picture-taking, and, alas, I have no pictures (save for the awesome and artful cake Carolyn made)! It was really fun to hang out with good friends and start the Baby T collection of goods.















Aaron and I also hopped off to a recent family reunion (my Mom's side) in the Georgia mountains. It was great to get away to the small Bavarian-style village, hike to waterfalls, visit with family, eat eat eat, and, of course, gets lots of belly pats. My sweet aunts (with help of cousins) threw Aaron and I a surprise baby shower. Woohoo! Again, it was great to feel supported in this big step and get help with Baby T items.

See my basketball?


Both Aaron's and my work groups have also wanted to be involved. My work group took another pregnant work colleague and myself to dinner and got us a super-sweet baby gift. Aaron's work group is planning a small shower in a few weeks.

The generosity is amazing! Thank you to everyone who has helped us get ready for little T in some way. :)

Preggo update: 33 weeks, less than 50 days until Operation Stork. Baby T is moving all the time (or, I feel it all the time now). I am feeling great still, have not reached the dreaded 3rd Tri discomfort stage yet. I did my last pregnancy jog on Saturday (I had been slowing down and spacing out jogs since the end of 2nd Tri) - and paid for it the whole day! I could barely move from ligament pain. So, now just low impact aerobics are in order. Aaron is getting more excited as the time draws near. He just melts my heart when he talks to little T every night. T loves it too - I can tell from the kicking.

Operation Stork

A few updates on Operation Stork, as planned by the Towers. We have switched to a local midwives practice, which Aaron and I are pretty excited about. We felt that midwives would be more supportive of the natural, med-free birth we're hoping for and more likely to delay medical interventions. The switch was a little tough, mostly due to my worry that I would be making the decision based on overanalyzing/overworrying and since I had never gotten ObGyn care from anyone other than a MD. The midwives at this practice are more relaxed/warmer than doctors I've had, and though that is great, it is also unusual for me. We also looked into the local midwife-staffed birthing center, but it was full. Our practice is a bit of a compromise, since the midwives deliver in a tertiary care-level hospital, but only have a 10% C-section rate. We can breathe a little easier now. We developed our birth plan (never thought I'd be doing that!). We're taking Bradley classes (aka Husband-coached childbirth with emphasis on natural birth) through a childbirth instructor we really like-- Aaron has been great, btw. We decided we couldn't afford to pay for doula services, but we are planning on having a local volunteer doula attend our birth. We registered (ack, stressful!), including for cloth diapers (will update you once we start that adventure), and we are filling our tiny home with baby things. It's real, folks. Now, we are hurrying to finish preparations and waiting on that stork. Just two more months!

Rwandan Health Care

Lessons from and obstacles for Rwanda, one of Africa's poorest nations.

This article really struck me today - 1) it made me miss studying/working on international public health issues, 2) it got me thinking about the new US healthcare plan, and 3) it makes me appreciative that I have health care and am a healthy person/ponder my role in making the world healthier.

When I was a little kid, I used to answer "What do you want to be when you grow up?" with "First, a scientist. Second, I want to go around changing the world." I've been thinking about my mark on the world thus far and how I will show my child this by example. Have I accomplished anything with that second goal? Of course, raising a child well is one of the most important and most impactual ways to change your world. What about beyond that? Are Aaron and I really stretching ourselves?

Nip It and Flip It

Aar and I have exchanged many emails about toxic chemicals in the past few months. We have exchanged many emails about the dangers of giving birth in pitocin-happy hospitals. Frankly, we are becoming parents, and parents worry. So, when I happened upon this blog post, it rang quite true. The author's motto: Nip It and Flip It. Translation: Eliminate “the bad” and support “the good.” Please read this post if you need a reality check like us! :) Quote I liked:

“When you’re afraid of the dark, turn on the light. Instead of focusing on all the bad stuff in the world, flip your attention to the good stuff. Start a new flow of information that’s positive and hope inducing instead of negative and fear inducing. Focus on ways we’re making the world a healthier, cleaner, better place; on people cleaning up the oil spill, running greener factories, and helping people live better. There’s a whole lot more good in the world than bad, more kindness than hostility, more beauty than pollution. They just don’t make the headlines.”

Crafty Baby

I've been inspired by lots of folks in the blogosphere lately. My blog followings continue to turn in the "crafts for baby" direction, so I admire others' craftiness and dream of how domestic I will one day be. Ok, well, maybe not. But a girl can dream....

Here are some examples of my favorites:
Homemade Playdough
Washcloth Ducks
Tie-Dyed Onesie
Edible Flowers
Baby Blanket
Baby Sunsuit
Fruity Baby Hats
Lamb Pillows

If only I had a sewing machine. And more free time. And such talent.