Conversations I'd rather not have, #1

G: IS that a COOKIE?

Me: NO. No, G. THAT is not a cookie. Now get out of the bath tub so I can clean it.

Lesson learned: Never make your son laugh hysterically while taking a bath. Save the good jokes for before or after, when they've got a diaper on.

Chivalry is not dead

Me: G, will you be a big help and pick up that Cheerio and put it in the trash, please?

G (staring at the Cheerio): What Cheerio?

Me: The one, right in front of you, on the floor. Please pick it up and throw it in the trash.

G: Okay. Sure. I'd love. (stammering a bit) I'd love to help you Mama.

No joke. That is what he said.

I had a dream that baby #2 was a boy. I wonder if I am destined to be surrounded by men.

Pigs and pregnancy

The past few weeks my belly has really begun to grow and my choice of pants to wear has dwindled from MANY to five. I had to buy a few longer shirts to accomodate the growth as well. At 27 weeks along, most people tell me, "Oh, you look so petite or small." But I feel quite big and cumbersome.

Thursday night B was out playing basketball for the evening. As I squatted down to wipe G's face after dinner he immediately ran behind me, threw his arms around my neck and climbed up on my back saying,

"Mama, I want to ride you like a pig."

Now, I don't usually think of myself as being sensitive about the weight gain, but I've gotta admit my first thought was, "My 2 year old is calling me fat."

My second thought was, "What is he talking about, people don't ride PIGS."

I had to share this with someone and B was out for the night, so I called my sister.

It was only in the retelling of the story that I realized what G was talking about.

He wanted a piggy back ride........

Wishing.......

I had the answer. Or even just a relatively strong gut feeling.

For the past two months I have been consumed with the pursuit of natural childbirth after a C-Section. I am determined to push this little human growing inside of me out of my body by myself, without the aide of pitocin, a vaccum, forceps or a knife. It has become my latest obsession. I have read incessantly, talked with everyone I can think of and read numerous blogs and mothering forums.

We interviewed four doulas and chose the best one for us. She has been wonderful so far with advice on books, finding the right care provider and just plain supportive of any random question I might have.

I've decided to leave the midwife practice I've been seeing ever since I was pregnant with G because they feel much more medical minded than I am comfortable with. They think like OB's and deliver at the hospital with the highest c-section rate in Rhode Island.

In the pursuit of a new health care provider, I have interviewed another midwife practice that delivers at a different hospital, a homebirth midwife and a family physician/OB. The OB has been ruled out.

My gut says my best chances for a natural birth are at home but my brain is worried about the one trillionth chance of complications and the fact that I won't technically have any connection to a liscenced health care professional. The homebirth midwife IS a professional, and in my opinion has more experience (27 years) than anyone I've interviewed, BUT she is a CPM (not a CNM) and RI does not recognize them, so she can not write perscriptions or even legally deliver a baby in the state.

I am so torn and eager to make the decision. I would like to go back to focusing on other topics in my life, such as making some art before #2 arrives or maybe just planning dinner.

I have given myself until tomorrow to decide. It's just getting that ridiculous and I am 26 weeks along now so I feel the urge to have this nailed down.

What do I do about the fact that neither option feels perfect?

Awesome Stuff!

I stumbled upon this book during a late night (9pm) trip to Urban Outfitters with two of my gal pals, after a lovely evening of dinner and an art show.

After briefly flipping through the illustrations in the store, I sensed there was something special about the book, but decided not to buy it because I have a constant and at times debilitating fear of buyers remorse. But anyways.

When I got home from Urban Outfitters, that night, I did a search for it on the web , found the website and decided I had to buy it.

This book really is awesome! The first time I read it to G, I teared up.

You should check it out.