Still here!

Here's another blog for the brave. Be warned. Body things are discussed here. Today my midwife examined me & the first thing she said was, "OH, honey! Your hemorrhoids!" (Thanks.) She continued to tell me which one(s) were worse. (Thanks, again.) I really do love this woman. I hope that she is there when little Zora comes into the world. And I do appreciate her sympathy. It's just painful to my pride that I look so wounded pre-labor. Post-labor, one can only expect to be a train wreck (I remember that even after a "good" labor with L, I felt like I had been in a car wreck the following day(s)). Still, I was about 4 cm dilated & 80%, if not more, effaced. So I said, "How in the world can I get this kid out without drugs?" She laughed and offered, "The same thing that got you in this mess will get you out! Only that's like gymnastics at this point, right? Sorry!" (Yea, me, too!) We discussed the option of breaking my water & then using the breastpump (if things aren't progressing). Although she thought that since small girl dropped even lower this week (my tummy is lying on my lap as I type), she'll come on with a tiny bit of aide. I am SO torn about it all. I do not want any drugs, so I'm against hooking myself up to the dreaded pit drip or whatever else, but I remember what it was like to walk, sit, & lie down semi-comfortably...it was nice. Well, Monday was the chosen day for the water breaking, so we'll see what happens. Thoughts and prayers, loved ones!

Chain, chain, chain...

Paper chain! We know that Langston "got in" to the WIU pre-school program for the summer! Hooray! He's been on the waiting list for many months. (Close to a year?) He'll go only part-time, so it won't be too strange or tough for any of us. We really like his teacher & the program, so we're all excited for all he'll learn & do. He & I made a paper chain to "count down" the days till class begins. He has really enjoyed cutting off the "days..." and not to worry, the paper is going in our "recycle craft" box. ;)

we "heart" our Early Beginnings playgroup!

We really do love our EB playgroup. There are crafts, songs, books,...not to mention tons of toys. Langston calls it the "sandtable playgroup" because that is there, too. Here are a few of the most recent pix there. We do a good-bye song that includes the line, "shake your fingers, shake your toes, shake your bottom, shake your nose." L. gets down on it for the "shake your bottom" line. I always try to capture the little jig, but alas!...I am too late. I must bring a video camera! ;)

"spring" time in Macomb

Today is a "blustery sort of day," as Pooh might say. We are still awaiting the arrival of both spring & our baby girl. (Maybe she's waiting on spring? Our Southern boy doesn't dig Midwest winters, either, Zora.) Anyway, here are a few pix of an attempt at post-supper ice cream on the porch. It got a little chilly, as shown by L's clutching his jacket closed.

Peas, please!

This installment is especially for women, moms, & men who can "handle" pre-labor/post-labor talk. Just a warning. My 37+ week appt. with my OB was yesterday. I was dilated to a 2-3 and effaced 80% (good guessing, Mel, on the "I'll bet she's so low that she's thinned you out."). Wonderful news!! (Except to my hubby, who freaked out...asking "what does that mean!?" In his defense, he's been hanging out w. L. while I have appointments, etc. And he plans to take a month off work, so he's trying to "get things done" before child #2 arrives.)
Come on, baby girl! I have had the most difficult time sleeping off & on for the past few weeks. This child is low...as in when my midwife tried to find her heartbeat last week, she said, "woa...this isn't bad, but her heart beat is inches lower than it 'should be' for this week! Fast labor! Don't wait to call me & then come in." Okay, fast labor sounds good. Especially since I still want to go without drugs. The faster, the sooner it's over...no matter if it is super tough (as some women have said of their quick labors).
I will say that the low-lying little girl is driving me nuts hanging out on my nerve, sometimes pressing so that I can't stand or walk well. Ouch. And lately...hemorrhoids. (Hence the title of the post...and the warning.) About 4 weeks after L. things were healing beautifully...except those jokers. Of course, they never completely go away (one could have surgery, so I've been told). But this kid & her pressure down low is giving me the post-birth kind already. Needless to say, I'm sitting on peas, warm heating pads, in a bath, using meds (I'm suppose to get a prescription one today), but alas, nothing helps for long. She's so low that hiccups vibrate my butt. Seriously, that's not funny. So, for the love of this mama...come on, little Zora bean!! **All prayers & petitions on behalf of a quick & wonderful labor, producing one healthy little girl coming soon are greatly appreciated! :)
ps) one of these pix could be titled, "Langston, could you touch mama's belly softly?" He was being funny. Ha, ha, kid. These pix took over an hour.

Langston's part of the photo session

L. is a ham for the camera, so here are some of his photos from sweet Bill's work. (Sweet Bill wouldn't accept any payment for his time with us. God bless Bill!)

Belly Pix by Bill

Here are just a few pictures from our "session" yesterday. Bill took around 150. These are a few of my favs. I haven't "played" with any of them yet, but I think these are okay for now. I was pretty happy with the results. Enjoy the biiiig belly!! (And now Zora may come out, come out anytime!)