...I sat in the Target restroom, staring in disbelief at a positive pregnancy test. I was shocked, and couldn't imagine the look on my husband's face when I told him the surprising news.
This morning, I lay on a blanket near the river, nursing my sweet surprise. A lot can happen in 365 days.
A whole lot of cooing, squishy, yummy smelling, wonderfulness.
Fun before and after pictures taken with my midwives Dzhan and Laurie.
Sylvan (Dzhan's baby boy) and Ian were born 27 hours apart! Laurie attended 5 women in 4 days. It was a crazy week for her--none of us were wise to it. She is amazing, always making you feel as if you are the only mama she is caring for.
I went to dinner with my midwife Laurie (center) after my 6 wk appointment a few weeks ago. I tearfully gushed on and on about how much she meant to me, and how grateful I was to her for affording me the opportunity to give birth in my own way, in my own home. It was so important to me that my daughters be witness to the beauty that natural birth is. I couldn't have done it without her supporting and loving me.
When I finished with my affirmations, she shared with me something that she learned in Midwifery School. She said, "My mentors taught me that when people begin falling in love with me (because of how I care for them in pregnancy and birth), I should always remember that it really isn't about ME as a person, as a hero. It is midwifery. People are actually in love with midwifery. We are just the vessel."
Isn't that great? I love her even more.
Ian is one month old. Time has both whizzed by, and seemed to stretch on forever.
I thought that I would have a better handle on things by now...but sheesh, 4 kids is really kicking my butt! It is all good, really, really, good. Just a lot. A LOT!
I don't have a very high level of tolerance for chaos, so the postpartum period for me is always an exercise in chilling out. I am thankful to that I always bounce back from pregnancy and birth so quickly, however, this makes it hard to sit still. I wish I was better at sitting still. Nursing is a good remedy for that! I have to choose/make myself go easy. The messy bedrooms, dishes piled high, sticky floors, and heaps of laundry-- they just have to wait. I have to be okay with that.
Ian is okay with that too.
Other random thoughts:
*For anyone who is considering cloth diapering a newborn, x-small Fuzzi Bunz is where it's at! I am also using prefolds with this cover and this one too.
*It was a nice thought, but Ian doesn't really like his SpaBaby tub yet. He prefers the kitchen sink (which is a great motivator for me to keep the dirty dishes out of it).
*The Moby has literally saved my life at least 103 times since Ian has been born. He loves it!
*Scouting out good deals on one of these BOB strollers. Slightly obsessed with procuring one.
*No more babies for us. Carl had a vasectomy last week-- a completely hilarious process. For me at least. Frozen peas, lots of ibuprofen, and a great BIG baby! Good thing I'm the one who did all the childbearing! He's back to his old self now, thankfully.
*Ian looks identical to his older sister Laurel. Carl and I have both caught ourselves calling him a "her" or "she". Gotta get that worked out right away!
*The weather has been drizzly, windy, cold and cloudy. Perfect for snuggling a new babe. The girls have been so great at entertaining themselves inside. Hooray for fun/educational iphone apps, good books, puzzles, UNO, and quick trips to the library.
*I love this blanket, Ian LOVES this blanket. You should all love this blanket. Ian is used to sleeping right next to me in bed at night...so during the day for naps it helps keep him safely snuggled up tight.
Okay, that is all I can think of for now, I'd love to be back soon. Bare with me!