Random Thoughts

We have 6 weeks of this pregnancy left (that’s 42 days), though I am mentally only counting on 4.  For some reason, I’m thinking I will just want to lay around and moan in utter misery those last 2 weeks so I’m putting a little pressure on myself and David to have all the furniture moved and ready-to-go by November 22nd.  Lowell will turn 21 weeks old that day and it’s also exactly 2 weeks before our due date, the first day of Thanksgiving break, and 4 weeks from today.

David will be working insane hours (for a middle school teacher!!) for the next few weeks, so be praying for all of us.  He’s especially busy between November 4-22nd with High School marching band stuff, other schools’ concerts, district, region, area tryouts at both levels (middle school and high school) and I won’t have him for a free Saturday until the 22nd.  Five days a week alone with the boys are hard enough.  I am not looking forward to 4 weeks of six-day work weeks in a row in the last month(ish) of being pregnant.  He also did not get a “long term sub” so he will be returning to work the day after (or the next Monday after) this baby is born.  He technically gets tons of vacation time (and especially so because he never uses them and 5 of them roll over every year – I think he has enough to take over a whole month off) but doesn’t use it.  I know this is complaining.  Wah.  On the bright side, since he never had taken any time off for any of the births, that meant I have had to suck it up and figure it out on my own from the beginning which really does make it easier to adjust.  There’s really only one adjustment this way than making the adjustment twice after having him home for a week or two.  But, man.  Just. So. Tired. after the birth…

I was in the shower this morning thinking about the birth (since the last thing I read last night was that Misty was headed to the hospital to have Micah) and I was overwhelmed with the memory of Lowell’s birth and how full of love, gentleness, and utter respect for baby Lowell that the entire experience was filled with.  The midwives and RN’s were awesomely attentive and so full of love.  Everyone took their time and moved quietly and carefully and we had their undivided attention, being only one of two moms there that evening.  At the hospital with James, we were just one of, like 40 women in the postpartum rooms.  Herded around and treated fairly but not lovingly.  Our concerns were listened to but not heard (or perhaps they were heard but not addressed).  Our nurse’s attention was present but not undivided.  James was treated like a patient not like a delicate precious new life.  We were left alone quite a bit.  And I understand that those experiences are heads-and-tails above what they could have been… until I had Lowell.  Then I discovered what the whole experience could have been like in the other direction and I am left speechless.  We are so so so so so so blessed to live in one of the very few cities in the US that has a stand-alone birthing center as excellent as the Austin Area Birthing Center.  I’m constantly amazed to hear from friends in other cities that birthing centers just don’t exist where they live… and it saddens me.

For me, the whole thing is no longer about the drug issue.  It’s become an issue of love, gentleness, and respect.  I get that at AABC.  I know I could demand it at a hospital, but why should I have to?  I’ve found something so much better.  And I’m looking forward to it.  Yes.  The crazy Jen is looking forward to labor and birth.  Bring it on!

I have taken enough time out of my morning rambling on… I need to finish the sleeves on the sweater I’m making for a 5 year old.  :-)  The last of 3 sweaters and my goal is to complete it this week.  Eek.  Knitting needs to become a priority once again.  Making that puzzle ball was a nice distraction, though.