Baby Decalla

She’s here.  Mom’s tired but doing well nursing 5 days later.  Dad is the bomb!!  Burpmaster Stu the Diaper Wonder is making big things happen!

Thanks to all our fam & friends for your support.  here’s a photo…

Contraction haiku

Menstrual cramp/gas pain
Bubbling low in my belly
Whoa! Is this labor?

so labor has begun…slow to start.  contractions that i could sleep through on friday night.  not so much last night.  they wake me up but i fall right back to sleep.  i’ve been clocking them…between 12 and 60 min.  no regular pattern, but they are getting more intense!  as of yesterday, my cervix was 1cm dilated.

wow! there's a full size person in there... (photo by Renee Zarlow)

so this baby is on her/his way.  no rush.  no resistance.  already the baby & i are cooperating.  i asked her/him to wait until after i finished my novel.  sent it out friday to the agent & contractions started later that night.  give thanks:)

So this is the birth tub. My partner wants to have a water birth. I have to confess I am a little concerned (Ok a lot scared). But we are committed to this course as we have been working with a midwife for the duration of this pregnancy.

Birth Tub Inflated in our living room

Birth Tub inside especially the seat

So I have to say a baby shower is a fun event.  We had it at Aya’s StepDad’s house and it was wonderful. Everyone was generous and there were a lot of kids. I mean a lot. If I am not ready for this child I think after the shower I was.

Family and friends smiling and cheering.

Friends surround us we are truly blessed

I can't believe she is wearing that tshirt

we are all hugging. its a little too lovey dovey but I am hanging.

We are close to having baby born. We had a meeting with our midwife and most of my partner’s family with my sister also being in attendance. It was interesting to think that most women don’t get to have this around the birth. where there are people asking about how it will go what their roles are.

Doula meeting