Week 27

Exactly 3 months from today or 13 weeks from now, is Baby Grover’s estimated due date. The thought that she could even be here sooner than that is a little stressful, since we have so much preparation to do still, but we are very excited. Time is sure flying by.

Baby Grover weighs just about 2 pounds right now, and if she stretched her body all the way out, she’d measure almost 14.5 inches long. Her eyes, which have been closed for the last few months, should begin to open any day now and her eyelashes are forming. She continues to gain layers of baby fat and her lungs are capable of functioning now, should she be born prematurely. This girl likes to move around a lot! She gets more and more active each day!

And, I’m starting to feel more and more pregnant as the weeks go by. I walk much slower these days, and don’t even bother trying to catch the train when I can see it’s arriving in just one minute. Last night I had to take off my wedding rings because my fingers are getting a little swollen. I also noticed my shoes were extra snug this morning, so my feet must be swelling up as well. When I put my rings away, I came across a ring my mom gave me a long time ago. She said she used to wear it when she was pregnant with me. The ring is usually a little big on me, but fits me just fine now. And I think it’s only fitting that I wear it while I’m pregnant with my first daughter.

I can’t believe we start our childbirth class two weeks from today!

Thoughts on Child Birth

So many people ask if I'm going to go for the drugs during labor. I've been really hesitant to make a decision either way. It's so intimidating - not only do I have NO idea what to expect, I don't want to feel like I've failed before I even start being a mom. But I feel like I know what direction I want to go in.

This weekend I finished reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. It was a fabulously enlightening book, and incidently, the same book the Lieutenant Commander on the Metro recommended to me ages ago. The first half is a ton of birth stories from women who had natural childbirths. The second is more informative, talking about how deep the connection between the mind and body is during labor, what happens during childbirth and labor, how to cope, and the differences between medical/technological care and midwifery care. I highly recommend it.

While most stories you hear about child birth are these horrific and terrifying war stories, all the stories in this book were very positive and encouraging. Don't get be wrong, these ladies weren't saying it was easy breezy, but they were definitely more in tune with their bodies and how to respond.

I also just saw this documentary today called The Business of Being Born. I was a little nervous to watch it because it's about the pros of at home births and produced by Ricki Lake. I was sort of expecting a sensationalized expose on the absolute horrors of hospital births. But it was actually quite balanced while showing numerous home births (including Ricki Lake's which was a little weird).

Ina May was interviewed in this film, she wrote the book I just finished, and she's on the board of Birth Works, the child birth class Lane and I just registered for.

Basically, the philosophy is belief that the woman's body instinctively knows what to do. They focus on building confidence and providing tools and resources to use during childbirth, without prescribing a certain way to give birth (natural or not) because they believe every birth experience is unique. I am really excited about it.

I guess after all this, I'm finally ready to say that I want to try the natural childbirth experience. I want to believe in my body's ability to guide this baby into the world. I'll have some challenges I think by doing this in the hospital, but I'm willing to give it a go.

I am pretty much decided about next time already. Next time I'll go to a midwife and have the baby at a birth center.

Wish me luck as I try to prepare myself for this!

Week 26

Baby Grover is just about 14 inches long now. The nerve pathways in her ears are finishing developing, which means she should be increasingly more responsive to sounds. Her eyes are almost fully formed, her lungs continue to develop and she’s working on strengthening her spine. What a busy little bee!

I’m finally starting to feel like a pregnant lady. Actually, I feel more like my body is broken. I have some lower back pain, and am not able to move around as quickly as before.

On Thursday I started my prenatal yoga class which I found to be relaxing and helpful at the same time. Our class ranges from people who are 8 weeks Prego to about 36 weeks! Today I registered for May’s prenatal yoga class, in addition to a child birth class for the Birth Works childbirth method that starts at the end of this month. I’m reading Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth and getting bigger by the moment.

The third trimester is just around the corner!

Belly Love from the Grovers

Less than 100 days to go!

I can't believe how quickly time is passing by with this pregnancy. I'm starting to get nervous I won't have enough time to do all that needs to be done.

Right now I'm trying to get registered for a child birth class, find the right pediatrician, research day care centers, schedule a tour of the hospital, get my Family Medical Leave Act paperwork taken care of, find local La Leche League meetings, read, read, and read some more, and lots other things!!

In fun news, I got lots of baby stuff at this Junior League sale that was in the Crystal City Underground right next to my apartment. I got 2 sleeper gowns, 1 sleeper, 2 pairs of pants, 1 sweater, 1 outfit, 3 pairs of tights, 7 pairs of socks and 2 board books - all for $21!! I love good deals!

Lane, my loving and attentive, faithful back rubber, and dependable photographer of a husband is finally in some pictures with me and my big belly.

Baby Grover must have been a good girl...

Because she has been getting presents left and right!!! A woman who volunteers at my work hand knit two bibs and a burp cloth for Baby Grover. They are very sweet and will definitely come in handy. Betsy has these labels she sews into the items that say "Handknit by Grandma Betsy".

Ian & Adrienne and Claire & Natalie got some of the sweetest baby girl outfits around and a mermaid and fairy book for Baby Grover. Then, they read her the stories all week long.

And just yesterday, we got a lovely Hawaiian gift package from Andrew & Malia that included a onesie that says butterfly in Hawaiian, a book about the Hawaiian seashore and, get ready for it ... a HULA OUTFIT!!! I can't wait to take a photo of Baby Grover sporting her hula outfit and showing off her hula moves.

We are so lucky that everyone has been so generous and loving to Baby Grover already!! Muchas Gracias!

Week 25

Baby Grover is so flexible. She can touch and hold onto her little feet. Her nostrils have just opened up and she's moving around all the time.

She was lucky enough to meet two of her cousins this week, Claire & Natalie. They are such loving cousins. They read Baby Grover stories, talk about her all the time, and kiss my belly. They have also come up with lots of ideas for her name.