Monday, June 29, 2009
Lunatic
I have to say- the last couple days have made me feel like a lunatic! I keep thinking that labor might actually be starting... and it doesn't. I start to worry about when I last felt the baby move... and then he moves (thank goodness). I keep "noticing" things that are possibly bad signs... and google it, which only worries me more. Then luckily I call my friend Kimberly, a doula and a "birth veteran" (my term) and feel a little bit better. I worry about when to call my midwife... it just never ends! Please reassure me I am just being a typical, worrisome, clueless first-time birher!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Lifelong Learning
As most of you have probably seen, there are many "Top 5" lists going around on Facebook- top 5 celebrity crushes, top 5 movies, etc. Well, my boss did one that really made me think, so I decided to do it. It was "Top 5 things I'd go back to school to study if money and time were no object." While I loved studying English Literature, I decided on other subjects.
The first one was gender studies. I took a gender studies class last fall and LOVED it. Of course, it was called a GS class but it was so much more. We also looked at race and class among other things. I have been amazed how much of it I have been able to apply to other things. Such as my pregnancy, for example. Until the 20th century, birth was solely a female affair. While I am glad aspects of that have changed (husbands being allowed in the room), I have come to believe that many male doctors are allowing women to lose faith in themselves and in their innately female ability to give birth. Anyways...
The next subject I picked was political studies. I just got so interested in politics this last presidental election. And that interest has not abated yet.
For obvious reasons, the fourth and fifth subjects I picked were child development and midwifery. I have really enjoyed experiencing the process of pregnancy and would love to help others through it, and I would love to learn about child development to aid in being a good parent.
The third subject I chose was civil rights in America. Luckily, as with many topics, I do not have to return to school to learn about this. In fact, I've already started. About a month ago, I started losing interest in books. I would start them but not be able to get more than 10 pages in. I'm sure some of it was just taking a break because of being finally done with school. The rest of it was preoccupation with all the things going on in my life- moving and preparing for the baby. Well, I was at work checking in one day and I checked in a book called Why We Can't Wait by Martin Luther King, Jr. It was on hold for someone, so I couldn't check it out then. I put it on hold myself and got it last week. Oh my gosh...his eloquence and power with words will NEVER cease to astound me. The book is specifically about the summer of 1963 and all the demonstrations that took place in Birmingham, Alabama. I have a hard time believing he accomplished so much good in his short life, and I just have to wonder how much more he could have done had his life not been ended prematurely. It was sad to see how much of what he wrote in that book could still be true today. This was one of my favorite quotes:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.” (65)
I also enjoyed the story he shared of a cook during the bus boycotts: "During the Montgomery bus boycott, a white family summoned their Negro cook and asked her if she supported the terrible things the Negroes were doing, boycotting buses and demanding jobs. "Oh no, ma'am, I won't have anything to do with that boycott thing," the cook said. "I am just going to stay away from the buses as long as that trouble is going on." No doubt she left a satisfied audience. But as she walked home from her job, on feet already weary from a full day's work, she walked proudly, knowing that she was marching with a movement that would bring into being nonsegregated bus travel in Montgomery." (14-15)
I'm glad I actually finished a book in June that was not related to pregnancy or birth, and I'm glad I took advantage of the opportunity to learn. Schools and teachers are amazing, but so are books and the internet.
The first one was gender studies. I took a gender studies class last fall and LOVED it. Of course, it was called a GS class but it was so much more. We also looked at race and class among other things. I have been amazed how much of it I have been able to apply to other things. Such as my pregnancy, for example. Until the 20th century, birth was solely a female affair. While I am glad aspects of that have changed (husbands being allowed in the room), I have come to believe that many male doctors are allowing women to lose faith in themselves and in their innately female ability to give birth. Anyways...
The next subject I picked was political studies. I just got so interested in politics this last presidental election. And that interest has not abated yet.
For obvious reasons, the fourth and fifth subjects I picked were child development and midwifery. I have really enjoyed experiencing the process of pregnancy and would love to help others through it, and I would love to learn about child development to aid in being a good parent.
The third subject I chose was civil rights in America. Luckily, as with many topics, I do not have to return to school to learn about this. In fact, I've already started. About a month ago, I started losing interest in books. I would start them but not be able to get more than 10 pages in. I'm sure some of it was just taking a break because of being finally done with school. The rest of it was preoccupation with all the things going on in my life- moving and preparing for the baby. Well, I was at work checking in one day and I checked in a book called Why We Can't Wait by Martin Luther King, Jr. It was on hold for someone, so I couldn't check it out then. I put it on hold myself and got it last week. Oh my gosh...his eloquence and power with words will NEVER cease to astound me. The book is specifically about the summer of 1963 and all the demonstrations that took place in Birmingham, Alabama. I have a hard time believing he accomplished so much good in his short life, and I just have to wonder how much more he could have done had his life not been ended prematurely. It was sad to see how much of what he wrote in that book could still be true today. This was one of my favorite quotes:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.” (65)
I also enjoyed the story he shared of a cook during the bus boycotts: "During the Montgomery bus boycott, a white family summoned their Negro cook and asked her if she supported the terrible things the Negroes were doing, boycotting buses and demanding jobs. "Oh no, ma'am, I won't have anything to do with that boycott thing," the cook said. "I am just going to stay away from the buses as long as that trouble is going on." No doubt she left a satisfied audience. But as she walked home from her job, on feet already weary from a full day's work, she walked proudly, knowing that she was marching with a movement that would bring into being nonsegregated bus travel in Montgomery." (14-15)
I'm glad I actually finished a book in June that was not related to pregnancy or birth, and I'm glad I took advantage of the opportunity to learn. Schools and teachers are amazing, but so are books and the internet.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Baby Bishop's Room
Now...we probably won't decide on his name for sure until after he is born, but at least his room is finished and ready for whenever (hopefully soon) he decides to make his arrival. Here are some pictures:
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Showered
My post title works in two ways.
First off, I know others are complaining about the rain and wishing for more summer-like weather. Not me! It's been nice to have cooler temperatures during these last few weeks.
Secondly, had two amazing showers thrown for me this weekend. On Friday, my work had a shower for me after we closed the library. M work has been so accomadating. This last week was my last full week. I'll be working as I wish up until the birth, but at most two days a week. I'm so grateful to my co-workers for being so kind, and I am extremely thankful for how well things have worked out with insurance and taking my leave. On Saturday, my Mom and my sister threw a shower for me. They worked so hard on it. They've been amazingly supportive my whole pregnancy. It was so nice to see so many of my family and friends.
Now that the two straight weekends of childbirth classes and showers are over, I can finally get the baby's room together, as well as everything else I need to do such as finishing up my birth plan, installing the car seat, packing for the hospital, and maybe even finally deciding on a name! especially since my midwife says there is a chance (not sharing the reasoning behind it-TMI) I could have him in June, which would be a week early. I'm trying to not get too excited, because I could of course still go past my due date, but it would be nice to have him a little early.
First off, I know others are complaining about the rain and wishing for more summer-like weather. Not me! It's been nice to have cooler temperatures during these last few weeks.
Secondly, had two amazing showers thrown for me this weekend. On Friday, my work had a shower for me after we closed the library. M work has been so accomadating. This last week was my last full week. I'll be working as I wish up until the birth, but at most two days a week. I'm so grateful to my co-workers for being so kind, and I am extremely thankful for how well things have worked out with insurance and taking my leave. On Saturday, my Mom and my sister threw a shower for me. They worked so hard on it. They've been amazingly supportive my whole pregnancy. It was so nice to see so many of my family and friends.
Now that the two straight weekends of childbirth classes and showers are over, I can finally get the baby's room together, as well as everything else I need to do such as finishing up my birth plan, installing the car seat, packing for the hospital, and maybe even finally deciding on a name! especially since my midwife says there is a chance (not sharing the reasoning behind it-TMI) I could have him in June, which would be a week early. I'm trying to not get too excited, because I could of course still go past my due date, but it would be nice to have him a little early.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Flashback to the 90s
Totally awesome! No, seriously, this was so fun to watch. I especially loved the "time outs" and the huge cell phone. And of course the clothes! I swear...this show took up my afternoons more times than I could count.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Random baby post
1- We took our childbirth prep class this weekend. There was some good info, and I loved the massage stuff. At the same time, however, I somewhat agree with a quote the teacher actually had one of us read out loud that said something to the effect of how silly it is we read all these books and do all these things (which would technically include her class) to prepare for natural childbirth. It actually makes sense. I've read tons of books, gone to the class, watched a video, discussed it all with my midwife, but when it comes down to it...hopefully my body just knows what to do and what it and the baby needs. Women have been giving birth forever, so I realize I just need to trust in my body and my female strength.
2- The baby's room got painted today! It needs a little touch-up apparently, but tomorrow or Tuesday we can start moving stuff in and getting it ready. Woohoo!
3- I had a stranger (one of my sister's coworkers) touch my belly for the first time. Just as awkward as everyone warned me! Hopefully it doesn't happen again before I have the baby...only a month left!
2- The baby's room got painted today! It needs a little touch-up apparently, but tomorrow or Tuesday we can start moving stuff in and getting it ready. Woohoo!
3- I had a stranger (one of my sister's coworkers) touch my belly for the first time. Just as awkward as everyone warned me! Hopefully it doesn't happen again before I have the baby...only a month left!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
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