Checkup went well. I really want Hope to be the MW on call when Nathan comes. I just feel like we click more than Sharon. Had a great chat with her this morning about when to call and what all happens during my stay. Told her I would pay for the big tub if there are 2 of us in labor =)
Still head down but not engaged. He's a little further down before but not all the way. had his hand by his head and pushed her away while she was feeling his head. We'll have to have a talk about moving that hand. Not so comfy for mommy to have him come out that way... All tests ok. Told her about the 10 minute apart BH and I had several while I was talking with her. She felt my belly and said its not BH. They are real ones! But, since they arent getting stronger or closer together, they may or may not mean anything. drats, foiled again! So they are "pre-labor" ctx. Whatever =)
We meet with Heather, the doula, tonight to discuss the impending activities. Set up the co-sleeper last night in our room. Not so sure how I am supposed to get out of bed with this thing right up next to me but we'll figure it out.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
38 weeks and counting
Had the car seat checked this morning. Passed =) She said she could tell I had done my homework. Well duh silly lady!
Last night I had time-able BH Contractions for over an hour. Right at 10 minutes apart. What does that mean you ask? A whole lotta nada. My uterus is practicing. Great then. Until he engages, its not going anywhere. I went to bed and woke up with ctx quite a few times but since I cant see the clock I have no idea if they were regular. They weren't real ones so I wasn't going to grab my glasses and look. Started visualizations of him dropping into position. My mind wanders so much though. I'm not sure how effective it will be. Cant hurt right?
Had a little mini melt down this morning while I was doing my hair. OK, get your laughing out now about me doing my hair. This is actually a style I can handle. She cut it much shorter in the back and I can make it look like she did. Anyway, back to my melt down. While I was putting the paste in my hands and in my hair (yes, I even used product!) it hit me again that I cant feel texture. I cant feel the paste on my hands to tell if I have washed it off. You know that slick feeling when all the soap isn't off? I can't feel that right now. So then I started thinking about touching Nathan's face and all when he is born and how I won't be able to feel how soft he is. Ok, my pinky can feel him. So I sat down on my bathroom floor and had a pitiful little cry/pout. I know there isn't anything I can do about it but it doesn't make it suck any less. I should be able to feel my baby and that won't happen for who knows how long. I chalked it up to hormones but it still sucks.
Last night I had time-able BH Contractions for over an hour. Right at 10 minutes apart. What does that mean you ask? A whole lotta nada. My uterus is practicing. Great then. Until he engages, its not going anywhere. I went to bed and woke up with ctx quite a few times but since I cant see the clock I have no idea if they were regular. They weren't real ones so I wasn't going to grab my glasses and look. Started visualizations of him dropping into position. My mind wanders so much though. I'm not sure how effective it will be. Cant hurt right?
Had a little mini melt down this morning while I was doing my hair. OK, get your laughing out now about me doing my hair. This is actually a style I can handle. She cut it much shorter in the back and I can make it look like she did. Anyway, back to my melt down. While I was putting the paste in my hands and in my hair (yes, I even used product!) it hit me again that I cant feel texture. I cant feel the paste on my hands to tell if I have washed it off. You know that slick feeling when all the soap isn't off? I can't feel that right now. So then I started thinking about touching Nathan's face and all when he is born and how I won't be able to feel how soft he is. Ok, my pinky can feel him. So I sat down on my bathroom floor and had a pitiful little cry/pout. I know there isn't anything I can do about it but it doesn't make it suck any less. I should be able to feel my baby and that won't happen for who knows how long. I chalked it up to hormones but it still sucks.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
37 weeks
These were taken Monday at 37 weeks. Had my check up today and nothing new to report. Still head down and not engaged. He flipped from being on my left side to being on my right though. That means nothing haha My tests are all normal. No protein in urine etc. I am up 5 pounds from last week though so I think I have to lay off the pizza! They noticed my feet for the first time this week too. Not bad enough to mean anything though. Group B Strep came back negative. wahoo, no IV for me!I talked to Sharon about natural means of encouraging him to move along and she basically told me to suck it up. The carpal tunnel is "normal" and although I am numb all the time, it is not an indicator of permanent damage. Great. She just said that he will come when he is damn well ready and that if I am truly miserable, i have to consult with their back up OB for a pitocin induction in the hospital. Guess I just tough it out. I got a massage but it did not help. it wasn't even relaxing b/c she was working the muscles so deeply to get them to release.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Blood boiling
A connection at work sent me this letter about her experience last weekend. She had a home birth with the birth center and we have talked a bit about breastfeeding and whatnot. I am outraged at this. I have taken her name out for her privacy. She was far nicer than I would have been! I encouraged her to send copies to LLL (La Leche League) and Healthy Moms Healthy Babies here in Jax. I would be all up in the newspaper too. What an asshat!!!!
July 20, 2008
City of Jacksonville
Parks Department
220 E Bay Street
Jacksonville Florida 32202
Re: Harassed for breastfeeding at a city park
Dear Director:
I am a 31-year-old mother of three who lives, works and plays in Jacksonville, Florida. I have chosen to breastfeed each of my children as I believe that the health and emotional benefits far outweigh any perceived inconvenience. My youngest child, S, is 5 months old. Family economics required that I return to work when she was only 2 months old. Although it has been challenging to continue to breastfeed while working full-time, it has been well worth every effort. The wonderful people that I work with have been flexible and understanding of my needs to express milk during the workday and to take an extended lunch hour in order to nurse S midday. I have accepted these challenges with open arms, unlike the unexpected challenge that I encountered yesterday at a city park.
On Saturday, July 19th, I took my 3 children for an outing to the Kids Kampus at Metropolitan Park. They were very excited to play in the water area. We arrived early in order to avoid most of the crowds. I had decided that my 2 older children would play in the water while myself and S watched them from the benches in the roped off area that was labeled “adult section.” This “adult section” of the water playground is separated from the water portion and provides a cool, dry place to sit and supervise.
Initially, S was sitting in her stroller, content to watch the children play. Eventually, she became restless and hungry. I discreetly nursed her. I am a modest person and can say with confidence that no-one saw any portion of my breast during this process. I covered myself very thoroughly with a towel. While nursing, I was approached by a young man who told me that S must remain in the stroller at all times unless she was wearing a “Little Swimmer” diaper. At this point, I was not willing to force S to quit nursing until she was finished or to leave my other 2 children unattended in order to nurse her elsewhere. Unwilling to argue with the young man, and knowing that S would soon be finished, I simply acknowledged the young man’s request and told him that we would not be getting in the water at all. As stated, S and I were not in contact with the water at all. Both of us were thoroughly dressed, not in swimwear, and sitting on a bench in the roped-off sitting section. It would be ridiculous for me to go to the expense of purchasing “Huggies Little Swimmers” diapers in order that I might hold my infant while sitting on a bench at the park. I find it somewhat amusing that the park employees seem to think that by requiring infants to wear the Huggies Little Swimmers brand of diapers they are somehow guaranteeing that no urine or feces will escape into the water.
S finished nursing within minutes of the young man approaching me, so I put her in her stroller as I had been asked. Although I adamantly disliked and disagreed with the rule, I didn’t feel at that point that it was worth conflicting over. I was then approached by another park employee, who I assumed was a manager, by the name of Tom Wright. Mr. Wright began to inform me that I could not breast-feed my daughter at this park due to the hazardous nature of breast milk as a bodily fluid. He informed me that I could be potentially exposing other children to disease while nursing my child. (As a reminder, I was not in the water or in contact with the water. I was sitting on a bench, covered with a towel while nursing, and not within 10 feet of anyone else.) I felt very humiliated as Mr. Wright also sought to educate me on the high rate of HIV transfer from a mother to an infant. I was speechless. Obviously, I cannot pass a disease onto other people who are around me by breastfeeding my infant. If this was the case, I suppose that breastfeeding mothers should be banned from all public areas at all times, whether in the process of nursing or not, due to the possibility of this hazardous substance leaking onto our shirts or some other ridiculous nonsense. How can Mr. Wright guarantee that a child who is drinking a bottle is not also drinking expressed breast milk in that bottle? In regards to Mr. Wright’s lecture regarding HIV transfer, I am not HIV positive and certainly would not be breastfeeding if I was. His information regarding HIV presence in breast-milk was irrelevant to the situation and something he had no business discussing with me.
There were several infants in the water, wearing “Little Swimmers” and playing with their parents. I doubt Mr. Wright has the time or ability to micromanage the possibility of one of these infants spitting up in the water or urinating. As a parent, I am aware of the fact that other children are in the water with my child and may be doing any number of things and yet I still choose to allow my children to play in the water. There is an inherit risk in all activities. The fact that I was breastfeeding on a bench posed no threat at all.
If this would have been the end of the matter, I probably would not be writing this letter. Mr. Wright was apparently not satisfied that I understood the severity of the situation. Later that morning, while my children and I were at the bike riding portion of the park, I was once again approached by Mr. Wright. I was not breastfeeding at the time. He brought to me an internet print-out regarding the high rate of HIV transfer between mothers and infants. He attempted to engage in a discussion regarding the hazardous nature of breast-milk and strongly urged me to read the article. I stopped him in mid-sentence and stated that I did not wish to discuss it with him and I also let him know that he had thoroughly embarrassed me. I do not understand what point he was trying to make. As stated, I do not have HIV. Even if I did, it still would be none of his business. I was highly annoyed that he had sought me out in a different area of the park in order to further harass me.
In conclusion, I felt harassed and embarrassed by Mr. Wright. He was overstepping his duties as a park employee in his attempts to educate me on a subject on which I am already thoroughly educated. As a tax paying citizen, I have the right to enjoy the parks our city has to offer. The city should take steps to ensure that their employees are properly informed regarding breastfeeding and the Florida law. The Florida law protects my right as a mother to breastfeed my infant anywhere. Increasing breastfeeding rates is an international, national and state health priority and should not be hindered by city employees like Mr. Wright who seek to discourage it.
CC: Councilman Daniel Davis
117 West Duval St., Suite 425
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Anyway, If this pisses you off as much as it does me, please post a comment so she knows she has some support. I am floored at the whole thing and hope she gets a response from the city.
July 20, 2008
City of Jacksonville
Parks Department
220 E Bay Street
Jacksonville Florida 32202
Re: Harassed for breastfeeding at a city park
Dear Director:
I am a 31-year-old mother of three who lives, works and plays in Jacksonville, Florida. I have chosen to breastfeed each of my children as I believe that the health and emotional benefits far outweigh any perceived inconvenience. My youngest child, S, is 5 months old. Family economics required that I return to work when she was only 2 months old. Although it has been challenging to continue to breastfeed while working full-time, it has been well worth every effort. The wonderful people that I work with have been flexible and understanding of my needs to express milk during the workday and to take an extended lunch hour in order to nurse S midday. I have accepted these challenges with open arms, unlike the unexpected challenge that I encountered yesterday at a city park.
On Saturday, July 19th, I took my 3 children for an outing to the Kids Kampus at Metropolitan Park. They were very excited to play in the water area. We arrived early in order to avoid most of the crowds. I had decided that my 2 older children would play in the water while myself and S watched them from the benches in the roped off area that was labeled “adult section.” This “adult section” of the water playground is separated from the water portion and provides a cool, dry place to sit and supervise.
Initially, S was sitting in her stroller, content to watch the children play. Eventually, she became restless and hungry. I discreetly nursed her. I am a modest person and can say with confidence that no-one saw any portion of my breast during this process. I covered myself very thoroughly with a towel. While nursing, I was approached by a young man who told me that S must remain in the stroller at all times unless she was wearing a “Little Swimmer” diaper. At this point, I was not willing to force S to quit nursing until she was finished or to leave my other 2 children unattended in order to nurse her elsewhere. Unwilling to argue with the young man, and knowing that S would soon be finished, I simply acknowledged the young man’s request and told him that we would not be getting in the water at all. As stated, S and I were not in contact with the water at all. Both of us were thoroughly dressed, not in swimwear, and sitting on a bench in the roped-off sitting section. It would be ridiculous for me to go to the expense of purchasing “Huggies Little Swimmers” diapers in order that I might hold my infant while sitting on a bench at the park. I find it somewhat amusing that the park employees seem to think that by requiring infants to wear the Huggies Little Swimmers brand of diapers they are somehow guaranteeing that no urine or feces will escape into the water.
S finished nursing within minutes of the young man approaching me, so I put her in her stroller as I had been asked. Although I adamantly disliked and disagreed with the rule, I didn’t feel at that point that it was worth conflicting over. I was then approached by another park employee, who I assumed was a manager, by the name of Tom Wright. Mr. Wright began to inform me that I could not breast-feed my daughter at this park due to the hazardous nature of breast milk as a bodily fluid. He informed me that I could be potentially exposing other children to disease while nursing my child. (As a reminder, I was not in the water or in contact with the water. I was sitting on a bench, covered with a towel while nursing, and not within 10 feet of anyone else.) I felt very humiliated as Mr. Wright also sought to educate me on the high rate of HIV transfer from a mother to an infant. I was speechless. Obviously, I cannot pass a disease onto other people who are around me by breastfeeding my infant. If this was the case, I suppose that breastfeeding mothers should be banned from all public areas at all times, whether in the process of nursing or not, due to the possibility of this hazardous substance leaking onto our shirts or some other ridiculous nonsense. How can Mr. Wright guarantee that a child who is drinking a bottle is not also drinking expressed breast milk in that bottle? In regards to Mr. Wright’s lecture regarding HIV transfer, I am not HIV positive and certainly would not be breastfeeding if I was. His information regarding HIV presence in breast-milk was irrelevant to the situation and something he had no business discussing with me.
There were several infants in the water, wearing “Little Swimmers” and playing with their parents. I doubt Mr. Wright has the time or ability to micromanage the possibility of one of these infants spitting up in the water or urinating. As a parent, I am aware of the fact that other children are in the water with my child and may be doing any number of things and yet I still choose to allow my children to play in the water. There is an inherit risk in all activities. The fact that I was breastfeeding on a bench posed no threat at all.
If this would have been the end of the matter, I probably would not be writing this letter. Mr. Wright was apparently not satisfied that I understood the severity of the situation. Later that morning, while my children and I were at the bike riding portion of the park, I was once again approached by Mr. Wright. I was not breastfeeding at the time. He brought to me an internet print-out regarding the high rate of HIV transfer between mothers and infants. He attempted to engage in a discussion regarding the hazardous nature of breast-milk and strongly urged me to read the article. I stopped him in mid-sentence and stated that I did not wish to discuss it with him and I also let him know that he had thoroughly embarrassed me. I do not understand what point he was trying to make. As stated, I do not have HIV. Even if I did, it still would be none of his business. I was highly annoyed that he had sought me out in a different area of the park in order to further harass me.
In conclusion, I felt harassed and embarrassed by Mr. Wright. He was overstepping his duties as a park employee in his attempts to educate me on a subject on which I am already thoroughly educated. As a tax paying citizen, I have the right to enjoy the parks our city has to offer. The city should take steps to ensure that their employees are properly informed regarding breastfeeding and the Florida law. The Florida law protects my right as a mother to breastfeed my infant anywhere. Increasing breastfeeding rates is an international, national and state health priority and should not be hindered by city employees like Mr. Wright who seek to discourage it.
CC: Councilman Daniel Davis
117 West Duval St., Suite 425
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Anyway, If this pisses you off as much as it does me, please post a comment so she knows she has some support. I am floored at the whole thing and hope she gets a response from the city.
Daycare: check!
I dropped off the wait list form and payment to Primrose this morning. One more thing off the list. They seem to think January will be a go. Depending on when he comes, I may have to beg for December but I'm hoping not. We'll have to see. I feel good about him going there if I have to send him someplace. The director approved the wet bag (misnomer since its a dry bag but for wet/dirty dipes) instead of using individual plastic bags. Fabulous!
Next item to be done: breast pump. I've been putting it off to help extend the warranty period as long as I can. Its one year from purchase so buying it 3 months out would have been a waste. The time is here now though I suppose. I have a list of sites that carry the one I want (Ameda Purely Yours) so I just need to go comparison shop to see who is running the best deal.
I think that should be the last of the big things for a while. Once he grows we will have to get a new car seat but hopefully that won't be soon.
Next item to be done: breast pump. I've been putting it off to help extend the warranty period as long as I can. Its one year from purchase so buying it 3 months out would have been a waste. The time is here now though I suppose. I have a list of sites that carry the one I want (Ameda Purely Yours) so I just need to go comparison shop to see who is running the best deal.
I think that should be the last of the big things for a while. Once he grows we will have to get a new car seat but hopefully that won't be soon.
In his defense...
In Jeremy's defense, here are the pictures of his "prey". See the giant nest in the trees? 
This one is a little closer up. Its a good size nest. Im glad the neighbor decided not to bust out the gasoline filled super soaker to be honest. Now the challenge comes with finding who owns the preserve land to try to get it down. We dont have the rights to go on the land but neither the county or the HOA is being helpful at figuring out who does. Shocking right?
Here are the little beasts he killed last weekend. What I thought was the stinger isn't really the stinger but still. The stinger doesn't look like it would be all that comfortable to get cozy with.
There you have it. Somehow I don't see us having these prizes stuffed and mounted but it makes me feel better to know they aren't stalking my patio anymore!
This one is a little closer up. Its a good size nest. Im glad the neighbor decided not to bust out the gasoline filled super soaker to be honest. Now the challenge comes with finding who owns the preserve land to try to get it down. We dont have the rights to go on the land but neither the county or the HOA is being helpful at figuring out who does. Shocking right?
Here are the little beasts he killed last weekend. What I thought was the stinger isn't really the stinger but still. The stinger doesn't look like it would be all that comfortable to get cozy with.
There you have it. Somehow I don't see us having these prizes stuffed and mounted but it makes me feel better to know they aren't stalking my patio anymore!Monday, July 21, 2008
Thanks N!!
N, known to some of you as my mommy mentor, called a little while ago to tell me about a sale at Cottonbabies.com. These are the folks that make BumGenius diapers. They are probably among the most popular of pocket diapers and seem to fit most babies well. While I have been collecting a few other types to try, I have been leaning this direction. Normally their 3.0 version is about $18 each and their AIO OS (All in One, One Size....tutorial to come later) runs about $25 b/c its also organic. Its a bit pricey for me. Well, tonight they were selling seconds for $12 and $17 respectively. I'll have to buy some inserts for the pocket style but those wont be bad and still make the sale worth while. PLUS, we had no tax, no shipping and I had a 5% coupon code. In all, even counting $3 a piece for inserts (which I think I can get for less) I still saved $70 on 12 diapers. I am very pleased with that. I have no hesitation over seconds as the ones from Kissaluvs were great. And, knowing how picky Cottonbabies is when it comes to their used items, which I have as well, I can't imagine them selling something that truly sucks.
Plus, if I hate the AIO's, I can sell them for about what I paid and be out nothing. Works for me!
SO, thanks again N for calling me!! You know I love a bargain hahaha
Plus, if I hate the AIO's, I can sell them for about what I paid and be out nothing. Works for me!
SO, thanks again N for calling me!! You know I love a bargain hahaha
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