Bleh

I'm sick. I don't remember being this nauseous with Aengus, but perhaps I am remembering his pregnancy with rose-colored glasses. I wake up at 3am every night feeling like death warmed over. Eating makes it worse. Not eating makes it worse. I am miserable. And, that is my bitch for the day. I'm off to be more positive now.

Women Deserve Better...

The 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade is tomorrow. As a pro-choice, pro-woman, pro-child mother of one (and one growing) I am thankful for this court case. To best explain my reasoning, please enjoy the below video of Sonya Renee's spoken word "What Women Deserve". It may be the pregnancy hormones talking, but I cried watching this. Then again, I almost always cry when I watch it.

Decisions Made

Well, I made an appointment with an OB for next week. I should be 6.5 weeks-ish at that point. Will and I have pretty much decided on a hospital birth with this pregnancy, and although I was not thrilled at first, I'm coming to peace with the decision. I have a weird feeling about this pregnancy and have dreamed about being in the hospital twice, so I'm just going with it.

Now to get excited about an OB/GYN appointment...hmmm...

Birth Plans for Tadpole?

I gave birth to my son at home with a wonderful midwife last year. Every memory I have of his birth makes me happy-even the more difficult parts. Will and I still speak of certain parts and laugh or smile.

With this pregnancy, I'm unsure of what to do. We were planning on moving in May, with me working a job and Will staying home, but I can't work for 4 months and then take maternity leave. Well, I guess I could, but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. So, I guess we'll wait until September or October to move and have the tadpole here. I would love to use our midwife again, but we have to pay out of pocket, and with the move and me not working past May, I'm not sure if we can do it. I mean, we could, but I don't know how financially strapped I want to be.

The other option is to give birth in the hospital (which freaks me out, but I hear one is not bad) with a doula or 2 for support and have the whole thing covered by insurance. I just have to find an OB that I like. I have 2 or so recommendations, so that shouldn't be difficult. I just hate the idea of not remembering tadpole's birth as fondly as Aengus's.

Of course, I have this weird feeling that I'm having twins because I'm still breastfeeding, and if so, I can't give birth at home anyhow.

Cravings

They have begun. And, of course it isn't anything normal. I want vinegar. Apple cider vinegar, to be exact. I want to drink it. I want to get a bowl of apple cider vinegar and dip french bread into it. Just thinking about it is making my mouth water. This is going to be a strange pregnancy.

It's official

I'm gravid again. Looks like we're starting this journey all over again.

Sometime in mid-September, 2011 the tadpole will arrive.

Infant/Toddler Creativity

Cottonbabies (makers of bumgenius diapers) ask:

How do you encourage a creative, artistic spirit in your baby, toddler or young child?

We have a 7 month old, so getting his creativity flowing might seem to be a bigger challenge than for a toddler or older child, but not necessarily. We just try to appeal to all his senses. See examples below of how to get your baby to explore his or her creative side:

Taste: We practice baby-led solids, so we try to get lots of different flavors and textures of food. Just this week Aengus has tried onion, hummus, sushi (cooked-not raw), cheese, BBQ, and ravioli for the first time.

Smell: different foods, letting him smell unlit candles or air fresheners while shopping, coffee beans or vanilla

Sound: Aengus loves music-so we try to vary the types. Anything from AC/DC (obviously), to Pavarotti, to They Might Be Giants!

Sight: Babies' developing brains love patterns and colors, depending on age. We love books, pictures, and even an occasional video.

Touch: This is the fun one in my opinion. Having a time to touch textures-sand, water, fur (from our dog), silk, wood, wool, etc.