We left the house!

So, we made it out of the house. Wednesday we went to a homeschool park day where they had organized an Olympic Games. I was only brave enough to attempt it because my mom was going too, and my brother also ended up coming. Henry was a real champ. He slept in the sling and nursed and then slept in the sling again. When we showed up we got a rock star reception (Henry did, anyway) which was nice, and it was nice to see our friends.

Thursday I took Zibby and Henry to the cafe to meet friends for lunch. Again, Henry was very accomodating and slept in his sling until I gave him to Tina to hold so I could eat Zibby has been such an amazing helper and dotes on her baby brother. Henry (knock on wood) doesnt hate the car/carseat with a passion, like his sister. So, car rides are not a source of fear

He sleeps a lot, which is nice, since I get a chance to sit and stare at the sworls of hair on his shoulders. He also likes to eat. I think he probably has gained two pounds or more since he was born. He is so much fun!

Nana left today. She flew to Las Vegas to help my sister drive back to Indiana. It was nice to have her here helping all week. It was a real gift She took Zibby to the park almost every day and even cleaned our shower curtain. LOL.

Henry is 9 days old

Its been so cool to get emails and comments from everyone! Thanks! Back atcha!

Things are going great. Buzz got to be home for Henry’s first week in the world, which was awesome for Zibby…she sure does love her Papa. They both took good care of me and baby. My mom will be here this week helping out, and Buzz will be back at work. Then we are on our own! YIKES.

So, breastfeeding started off a little rough, most likely due to the fact that Henry had to be suctioned alot to get going. The first few days he didnt want to put his tongue down, or open his mouth wide, and it was tough to get him latched on. My milk came in on the second day and I was VERY uncomfortable for the next day or so, but as Henry got better at latching and Zibby helped relieve engorgement, I was feeling better. Now, into our second week, I think bf-ing is going pretty well. We can even nurse lying down in bed! And he is sleeping alot, and hardly fusses. He is a very laid back little guy so far.

We’ve also been doing some Elimination Communication with him, and its been amazing! I am “catching” probably half his poos and pees. I just hold him over the potty or sink and he goes. I take him as soon as he wakes up from sleeping, and anytime he seems to signal he has to go. His signal so far is squirming. It is like a whole new layer of understaning his needs, a whole new language we can speak together. And its kind of fun

Well, Nana just arrived, so I have to run.

The story of Henry’s Birth

Thursday I was supposed to have a m/w appt but when I got there, I discovered it had been canceled because the m/w had been at a birth that day. I was disappointed because I really wanted to hear the baby’s heartbeat and see if the exam would shed any light on when to expect my baby! It was our day to be at Jackie’s house, so I headed back there for the rest of the afternoon.

We had a really yummy dinner of shepherd’s pie, and then Zibby and I went home (Buzz had to work late so he didnt make it over to dinner). The evening proceeded as normal, Zibby went to bed, and I tackled some condo association business. Around midnight I was heading to bed when I heard Zibby fussing. I went in and nursed her a little, and noticed that I was having some contractions. But, I’d been having them on and off for 3 weeks, so….I laid down, and was dozing, but also kind of aware that these were regular, getting stronger, and then I had a contraction and felt my water break. I got out of bed, not quite sure if it was really my water. It was 12:43 when I got up.

I made some toast and decided to watch a little tv. About a half hour later I was pretty convinced that I was in active labor and I couldnt watch tv anymore and needed Buzz to get up. He got up, but was kind of groggy for a bit. I called my friend Tina, who was my doula, and told her I thought this was it. She said I sounded too calm to be in labor, and we decided I’d call the m/w and let her know what was up, and then call her back.

The m/w said that everything sounded good, and to call her when I thought they should come over. Tina called back and we talked and decided Buzz would go get her. I called my friend Jackie and asked if she could come over and bring her birth ball and stay while Buzz was gone. She arrived alittle before 2 am. Buzz left to get Tina.

I sat on the birth ball and leaned over the arm of a chair, and during the ctx, Jackie would press down on my back. It was just exactly what I needed. By 2:30 however, we realized things were going very quickly and that we ought to get the pool started. I called the m/w back and asked her to come over. Jackie got the pool going, stopping every 2minutes to help me thru a ctx. I was now in the second bedroom, where we were putting the pool, kneeling on the futon sofa, leaning over the back of it.

By 3 am, Buzz and Tina got back, and Buzz immediately started filling the pool with water. Ctx were extremely intense at this point, and I was making it thru with counterpressure on my back from Jackie and/or Tina and making low moaning sounds. The mood was good, Jackie and Tina were joking and keeping me focused. The m/w and her assistant arrived around this time and started getting their goodies out. As soon as the pool was filled enough, I got in, probably around 3:15. The pool was an amazing relief. Again, the best position was for me to be on my knees, leaning over the edge. Tina was sitting on the floor in front of me holding my hands, and Jackie was pressing down on my back. I was surprised that I was already feeling the need to push. Everyone assured me everything was good and I started pushing.

It was a struggle to keep on top of the pressure, but everyone was so good and kept me focused and encouraged and I was able to get his head out in a couple of pushes. The baby gave me a little break at that point until the next ctx, so I got some good breaths in, and then two more pushes to get him born. I scooped him out of the water and brought him onto my chest. Zibby had been asleep until she heard me yelling while pushing him out. She came in and after he was born, she came over and kissed both of us. I told her she was officially a big sister now.

Jennifer, the m/w, needed to suction him and give him some oxygen to get him going, so I was just holding him for while and rubbing him until he started making some good noises. After the cord stopped pulsing, Tina cut it, and Buzz took our new son Henry while I got out of the pool. After I got into bed Buzz handed Henry back and I held him again. It wasnt too long before the placenta was born. (Zibby asked later what had been in that big bowl. I said, the placenta. She said, Mama, that was EEEWWWEEE)

Henry was 8 lbs and 20 inches long. At the 2 day follow up check, he was at 7 lbs 14 oz, and doing well. Nursing is a little challenging, but we are getting the hang of each other and he is so far a very sweet and peaceful little guy. Zibby is thrilled with him and is being a big help to us. Buzz is taking good care of all three of us, too

I am so grateful that Buzz trusted my choice to have a home birth. I am grateful to my midwives, Jewel and Jennifer for everything they did for us. I am totally indebted to Tina and Jackie who were both indispensable and shared their love and support with me and our family. I am so proud to be the mama of two beautiful and amazing children. This whole pregnancy and birth were really wonderful and I just feel so blessed.

Welcome Henry!

John, Nancy and Zibby are excited to announce the birth of Henry Ian

Sept 14, 2007 at 3:41 am (after 41 weeks and 1 day gestation!)
He is 8 lbs and 20 inches, and has some blondish hair

I had a fabulous home birth, and Henry is doing great. I had a wonderful support team, a fast and intense labor, and now we have our beautiful baby boy. I’ll send pics later, or check our blog or flickr site

Love and Joy,

The Four of Us!

waiting

still waiting. today is 41 weeks, and my mw appt was cancelled because someone *else* was having their baby. the nerve! lol

life goes on, zibby and I have plans to go to the La Leche cafe friday am, and there is plenty of stuff to do this weekend. baby has the hiccups as I type, so I know he’s hanging in there, too.

ya’ll will get updates as warranted

body art

zibby drew a picture of brother on my leg

The Mean Kitty Song

Buzz sent me this. hilarious!!!

mean kitty song

40 weeks and 2 days

I am still pregnant.
Just in case you were checking here to find out.
I did have a dream a while back that the baby was born Sept 16th, but ahhh, thats so far away!
I’ve been having contractions on and off for the last 3 weeks, and there have been a couple days where I really thought “this might be it!” but…obviously not.

So, I will post again later…

september? wha? how?

I just realized that its really September already. Of course, its still disgustingly hot and humid, so you cant tell by the weather, but the calendar seems pretty clear. I keep reading on all these blogs about people heading off the the Live and Learn unschooling conference in NC and I am feeling very wistful about it, and remembering how fun and special it was for us to go last year. Of course, being 40 weeks pregnant is a very good excuse to not be going…but still. I suppose it will be fun next year, to go with a 4.5 and 1 yo

I’ve asked Zibby when Brother was going to be born and she told me to A. be patient, and B. that brother is coming the day that we fill up the birth pool and I start yelling.

I am sure she is right. on both counts.