Birth Plans

Birth Plans. Seldom does a birth go as planned. Is it even worth it to have a plan? I don't really have the answer but reading Girl's Gone Child today got me thinking about my plan.

I had a plan. Not a written plan, because I'm not that organized, but a plan. Mike and I thoroughly discussed the plan. So thoroughly that he wished many times that I would stop discussing it! I knew that I probably wouldn't be able to advocate for myself in the thick of labor and it was important that he be able to do so.

It went something like this:

No induction.
No drugs.
Freedom to move around during labor - birth ball, rocking chair, tub, shower, just walking around.
Baby on my chest right after birth.
Breastfeed as soon as possible.

One thing was written down. A few years ago I labored with a friend during the birth of her youngest son. This friend had no intention of going drug free but every time the nurses came in the room they asked "ready for drugs?". I knew that if I was doubting my ability to labor without drugs and was asked that, it would make me doubt myself even more. So at my pre-admission visit to the hospital I asked that they write on my chart "do not ask about pain meds, please". No one asked and I made it through with out the meds.

I should say that I made it to the point where they had to stitch me up with out drugs. At that point I needed some drugs! That's a story for another day.

Happy Mother's Day!

Today is my second Mother's day as a mother. It amazes me the changes that a year has brought.

Last year Sweet Pea was almost 4 weeks old. She slept a lot and loved to snuggle with us. She nursed all the time and I hadn't ever left her with anyone else.

This year Sweet Pea is almost 13 months old. She hates to sleep we think she is afraid she will miss something interesting. She only loves to snuggle when she is sleepy or nervous about her surroundings. She only nurses 5-6 times a day and eats "real" food like a champ. She loves daycare and going places with her Papi.

Today we didn't do much. I got to take a nap, always appreciated since Sweet Pea is still not sleeping through the night! Yesterday was our main celebration. We took Sweet Pea to City Market for the first time. She enjoyed watching the people and investigating the booths. We picked up some flowers for the front yard. Then we headed to Christoper Elbow for some amazing chocolate for me.

Then home so I could work in the yard. It was hard work but needed to be done. Last year I completely neglected the spring clean up. The fence line in the back was a disaster! It isn't as bad now but will need another day of work. My friend Dawn removed some tiger lilies and irises from her yard and I planted some in the front bed. I'm not sure that they will survive the transplanting but if they do they will be a welcome addition to my meager plantings.

Happy Mother's day to any mothers reading this.

First Post

My Blog.

I've been talking about starting a blog for at least a year. I am such a procrastinator that I am just finally getting around to starting this.

I hope this will be a place where I can figure out my crazy life, share stories about my amazing daughter, and occasionally share projects I am working on.