an amazing birthday gift!

I don't know if it's just me, but doesn't he look older than 5 days? Literally every time I feed him, his looks have changed. He is all sweetness and nice, and really is an extremely mellow baby. He slept through part of his first bath. I didn't think that was possible. He slept for a 4 hour stretch last night, and went right back to sleep after feeding, for another 3 1/2 hours. And he's already 2 oz heavier than his birth weight.

I know I haven't mentioned P much; he's also not in any photos yet because he's had a cold and we haven't been letting him get too close to his brother. Which must be hard to understand when you're two. But he is fantastic, as well.

In case you're curious, I didn't get my VBAC after all, but I am totally okay with it. I might post some more details later, but suffice it to say that after almost four days of labour with very little progress and learning that there's a 30 degree difference in part of my pelvis vs 'the norm', I really think that the doctor and I did everything that we could have to give a valiant effort at the VBAC. After the initial disappointment, I am really, truly, okay with how things went. Of course, the end result is fantastic, and I am feeling really good. Things went so much better than they did with P's birth, I can't even begin to bore you with the details. The best part was that Adam and T stayed with me in the OR and recovery room and T was nursing as soon as I was put back together. And I remember all of the details. For which I am very thankful.

Oh, and happy birthday to me! I am one lucky gal.

Photo courtesy of Adam, of course.

here he is!

Thomas
March 25, 2010
9 lbs 9 oz

As I knew it would be, it was all worth it. He's a fantastic eater and sleeper. We arrived home today, and both boys napped at the same time (and so did we). I'm feeling great, and all is well.

update (still no baby)

Sunrise, Thursday morning. Phillip has said all along that his brother would arrive on the 25th. He might be right. Had a very long, not-restful night. Went in to the hospital again last night when contractions were a couple of minutes apart (did I say 'again'? this is getting a bit ridiculous), was checked, and nothing. Son #2 is still waaaay high up, just like P was, and even though my body has been trying to get things going in a rather intense way, it's looking like that just might not happen on its own. So I may not get my VBAC after all, but I'm determined to get this baby out while he's still healthy and wiggly (which he is, yay!) and before it's an emergency situation. I'm headed in to the clinic this morning for a regular appointment and for him to be monitored. Meanwhile, the contractions continue. (I've had about 6 since beginning to type.) Good grief - I'm going to plan on having happy news in my next update!

another no-news-yet early morning update

After another long night with lots of irregular (by no means mild) contractions, I am still at home, and hoping that today is this little guy's birthday. March 24, doesn't that sound nice? Really, my body is starting to get tired - my legs ache (I'm sure it has a lot to do with the extra fifty pounds or so that I'm hefting around and all of the walking and being upright I've been doing) and it's hard to get comfortable. Trying to get some sleep lying down is tricky; waking up in the throes of a contraction doesn't allow for the freedom of movement to get up, and I find it's much easier to breathe through if I'm standing and holding or pushing against something. I'm also happy to update people in between, but feeling kind of silly that it's the same news since Sunday night.

But. My body is made to do this. This happening on its own is exactly what I want, and is so much better than having the forced contractions I did last time, from being induced. I am certainly not the first one to do this, and I won't be the last. People go through much worse every day, and they don't even get to cuddle a sweet new baby in the end. I really have so, so much to be thankful for.

I just breathed through another contraction, one more step closer!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

labor mate

This app is amazing. We made good use of it all night last night, at home and at the hospital - my contractions were two minutes apart for quite awhile, at which point I called the hospital and they said to come right in. The nurses were impressed with the features of the app, and it's just so easy to use! The contractions slowed waaay down around four this morning.

Luckily, we live very close to the hospital, so the doctor sent me home this morning. I'm having the odd one every half hour or so (and yes, they're painful, real contractions!) and am hoping that things pick up soon.

But for now, no news yet!

a little less conversation, a little more action, please

Things seem to be moving along in babyville - I had contractions last night for quite awhile, so things are getting ready, yipee! And I went for a beautiful, sunny, long walk this afternoon.

If I could have a soundtrack running in the background for the rest of my life, it would be this (just click play - I couldn't find a place to play the whole song). We watched Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid in one of my university film classes way back when, and I really, really liked it. And completely fell in love with the instrumental main theme. It's on my iPod, and as I listened to it a few times over on my walk, decided that it would be a good soundtrack to live to.

soap

I've been making some fun batches of soap lately, including this batch, which I made especially with my wee ones in mind. It's made with olive and avocado oils, natural beeswax from a beekeeper we know in New Brunswick, and chamomile extract. I can't think of many nicer things to wash up a wee one with! I just cut it this morning, and am excited for it to cure.

I hadn't made an Island Coconut Salt Bar batch in ages (the humidity here doesn't cooperate well with the whole salt bar thing). But I had a no-hurry custom request, so I whipped up a batch a couple of weeks ago. They turned out perfectly. See how the texture is slightly grainy? That's from a pile of salt that's added in. But it's still smooth, and kind of polishes as it's used. It's lovely, really.
And a few French Clay Olive Oil bars I have on hand. They just looked so cute and green, all lined up.

I took P for a long-ish walk this morning, and am tuckered out! It seemed to take forever to get anywhere. I'm accustomed to being a fast walker, but that's just not happening these days. I'm hoping that the walking might encourage this little one to make his debut sooner rather than later. 12 days until d-day!

4:51 a.m.

Well, it's 4:51 and I'm wide awake. This (thankfully) hasn't happened in awhile. And nope, no contractions or immediately impending baby - I'm just awake. Since I'm up, I thought I would share this amazingly perfect bathroom (maybe minus the topiary thing by the lower window), from Design Sponge and found via The Honey Locust.

Oh! I forgot to mention that I dropped off a pile of soaps at Yarmouth Natural last week. When I was at the store yesterday, Sue mentioned that they've been selling like hotcakes, so if you think you might end up in a Birch Bark soap-less conundrum, best get yourself down there while there's still a bit of a selection.

in which I ramble on about several things and there's a cute picture of P

P and I made these cookies this morning. (Thanks for the picture, Adam!) He was so excited to help. And to use a couple of them as part of an ice cream sandwiches after lunch. (We're going to make the filling after he wakes up, which should be any minute. Must type quickly.) What a treat! The cookies are the perfect texture next to the ice cream.
We had a delicious dinner last night. (Again, thanks for the picture, Adam!) Some Everyday Food recipes, of course. This fantastic chicken with a mustard cream sauce, along with some perfect roasted asparagus. (I need a bumper sticker that says "I heart asparagus." I ate about a pound of it. I'm lucky that A & P aren't as big fans as I am. More for me!) Oh, and the best rice technique, ever? Right here - it's baked and has never turned out sticky. I used to wrinkle my nose at rice, and always ended up with gooey brown mess, but this has been the ticket.) Yum.

Adam woke up yesterday with the idea that there must be an iPhone app for timing and keeping track of labour contractions. He thinks that it came to him in a dream. Seriously. Well, he was right - there are lots available. He picked this one. I hope it comes in handy, and sooner rather than later!

Re: March 30. Due date; full moon; my birthday. Maybe he'll hang on until then. Speaking of my birthday...

I looooove these ceramic garden stakes. (Have I mentioned that my birthday is coming up, wink wink? Lavender, Oregano, Parsley and Thyme, please.) I think that tucked in the pots of some indoor herbs in the kitchen would be adorable. Speaking of which, I need to get mine started! There are plenty of other beautiful things (like these amazing pendant lights) over at Pigeon Toe Ceramics, too - have fun browsing. And lookee - they have an Etsy shop, too.

And speaking of babies, I can't neglect to mention that a loyal local reader, who was due three days before me, had a beautiful baby boy on Friday. Congratulations a million times over, and I'm so glad that you're home and well!

Have a great rest of your weekend!

daylight savings time

Tonight, my friends! Spring ahead! And officially Spring next weekend!

No babe yet. I'm continuing to feel really good, the house is (mostly) tidy, and there's some food in the freezer. This little guy is welcome any time at all.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend, too.

and another...

because I can't get enough!

on sunshine and snowdrops

It has been sunny here for a few days, and it looks like it will continue! P and I went out into the yard this morning and looked for snowdrops. We found some as-of-yet-unopened crocuses which have braved the cold and should open soon. Yay!

P said the funniest thing last night as we were eating supper, which happened to be salmon. He said "We should play "salmon says"!" and then laughed hysterically. I don't think he really understands why it's as good a pun as it is (the 'Simon' and 'salmon' sounding so much alike) - he just thinks its hilarious to pick a random word and stick it in where it's not expected. We do a lot of playing with words around here.

blooms and homemade jelly

If you come into my house, this will be one of the first things that you'll see. (Shhhhh - it doesn't know that it's not Christmas and that this is the third time it's bloomed since November!)

Have I mentioned that I love bartering? We have an arrangement with our friend, a hair stylist, that we swap soap for haircuts. It works out beautifully - she even comes to our house, which is awesome. After running out of jam a few weeks ago (aaaaaahhhh, I knew I should have made more last summer!) I mentioned it to one of the other moms I know. She made plenty last summer, and we agreed on a little swap of some soap for jam (or in this case, wild apple mint jelly, with some raspberry on the way). Yum. I am so excited to try it on toast! And isn't that a gorgeous colour?

Thanks for the encouragement on the last post. One of the things that the doctor mentioned to me yesterday was that daily walks might help to get things going, so we went for a walk this afternoon in some amazing almost-Spring weather. Speaking of which, daylight savings time is next weekend, and Spring officially begins the next weekend! Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

birthdays

After some confusion and discussion, my due date has been moved back to the original - March 30. This also happens to be my birthday - I've always thought that it's a great time of year to have a birthday. I had a great appointment this afternoon with my obstetrician, whom I love, and everything is looking great.

I know that babies aren't usually born on their dates, and that really, due dates are not usually that important. But having had a previous c-section, dates take on a new importance. Especially when the 'deadline' of a week after the due date is when another surgery will take place, if this little guy doesn't make his appearance 'on time'.

So. With a few weeks left to go, this little guy is in the perfect position, my blood pressure has been steadfast (110/60 at my appointment this afternoon!) and everything looks good for a VBAC. Which is all I want for my birthday (other than a DQ ice cream cake). It is also what I'm hoping for with every fibre of my being, and even as I'm typing this, I'm realizing how disappointed I will be if another c-section takes place. (Especially since I've been reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth as of late - that's a topic for another post.) So please send some positive thoughts to this little guy encouraging a timely appearance (there's still plenty of time), and over the next few weeks I'll do whatever sensible things I can to help encourage things to get started on their own. I have a few *ahem* ideas... do you have any suggestions to share?

this too shall pass

'This too shall pass' is a phrase I've been repeating to myself lately, with some unpleasant toilet training incidents at our house. Ugh. So I keep thinking of this fantastic song, which I love enough with this video I saw for the first time a few months ago:

OK Go - This Too Shall Pass from OK Go on Vimeo.

But if you haven't seen it already, check out this video for the same song (it's worth at leasta couple of listens), which was released the other day - it's mesmerizing! I love it when people have a great idea and execute it well.


I love their sound, and the videos just make it that much better. ('The treadmill video' is over here - it was the first one of theirs I saw.) You can check out OK Go's site, here.

Happy Wednesday! I hope that yours is free of messy toddler 'accidents'!

c'est moi!

Adam took these pictures of me last week. And for those of you interested in a belly shot and some pasty, pale wintry arms:
Happy Monday!