June 30, 2008
Triple Digits and a Ready Baby
Today makes triple triple digit day. The third day in a row of triple digit temps here in Boise. I had a midwife appt this morning and didn't get out early enough to water the veggies beforehand so I was out doing that in the middle of the day and managed to way overdo it. I should have just set the water running & left it, but of course I had to weed and prune, too. I'm not the brightest star sometimes. I got dizzy, was literally dripping w/sweat and shaking. It wasn't so worrisome except that I blacked out a little trying to walk inside. I got in the house slowly but safely, drank, ate grapes and cheese and sat for fifteen minutes. That and an ice cold Izze on my head helped a lot. Saturday I looked down and realized my feet and legs looked like slightly filled water balloons. Swelling is a new symptom for me. Not so bad if it takes 106 degree weather to do that. Not only so but I'd been cooking for six hours that day. I did another six hours of cooking Sunday and we're halfway through all the schtuff I want to freeze. I just want to finish all this cooking before Baby arrives. Good ol' Andy's done most of the chopping, all the cheese grating and most of the cleaning. He's the best of men, but those of you who know us already know that, eh? I've loved spending the time with him doing this.
So this morning was my latest midwife appt. As I'd suspected Baby's turned just enough to be well placed, back facing my left side. I went to an acupuncturist a couple days ago and while I was laying for thirty minutes, Baby kept doing major movements. Gentle, but major. My back ache's been a good bit better since then and while I got acupuncture for pain relief, I was hoping the immediate ease in low back pain was due to all that movement Baby did. We went over technical stuff today like eye drops or no, vitamin K shots or no & PKU etc testing or no. No to the first two and yes to the last if you were wondering. If you want to know why, the eye drops are for preventing problems caused by STDs I don't have. Recent studies are showing what some have suspected about the vitamin K drops - they don't really seem to make a difference in what they're supposed to help. Not only so but I have this innate faith that if God wanted my newborn to have more vitamin K at birth he'd put it in the breast milk. He must have a reason we just don't know about yet. And we're getting the testing b/c it gives pretty reliable results to some serious issues Baby might have that if gone undetected could cause brain damage or worse but can be well managed if caught in time. Worth the pin prick. So yet again Baby and I are doing great plus a fabulous position. The midwives keep marveling at my great blood pressure considering the three little guys and pregnancy that are my daily life. I tell them it's cause I know how incredibly blessed I am. Before I left the midwife said, "Well, I guess you're at the spot where you could go any time now." Are we already at that point? I'm not ready yet. I want to finish cooking and stinkin' pack birth center bags! Not only so but I find myself deeply savoring the last of this pregnancy, wondering if this may be the last for us, for my back. More babies perhaps but we just don't know if my body can do more pregnancies. We'll keep you updated if things go beyond these random annoying and strong prelabor contractions that keep interrupting my daily activities. I guess somebody'll have a good ripe cervix when the time comes. I'm just sayin'.
June 26, 2008
David Sedaris
I made the reading last night & was giddy to find he sounded exactly the same live as he does on radio. Go figure. I got to jump to the head of the book signing line b/c my eight and a half month belly made the folks around me nervous. That was extremely nice b/c the line looked like it was going to be going all night and I'd had a couple contractions waiting for just the half hour I had and my back hurt pretty bad. He signed my book but refused to sign my belly and I joyfully spent time at a Mexican restaurant eating alone and reading his new book. *sigh* I love his stuff and love to hear him read his own work. Enjoy.
June 25, 2008
Mothball Taste
This pregnancy has brought on a new symptom for this fourth-timer: mothball & cauliflower taste in my mouth. It doesn't seem to be a breath thing so much as a taste issue. Wierd. It's been going on since very early in this pregnancy and I've been meaning to share this but, hey, I remembered before New Baby got here.
On another note I seem to be nesting. Two of my pregnancies didn't bring this on majorly. One I was washing walls. Mm-hmm. Mind you the laundry was still just as piled as ever but I was washing those walls down, top to bottom. I've gone through all the boys clothes, sorted and boxed them. They're labeled and ready for Andy to store them for me. I've planted no less than ten plants in the last week. This time I've cooked and frozen two chicken pot pies. I've chopped and frozen 32 cups of rhubarb (cause that's incredibly practical). I've gotten almost violently insistent on keeping kitchen counters and the table clean. I've got my list of meals and ingredients ready and I'm shopping tonight after going to a David Sedaris book signing (WOO-HOO!!!). I've got two spotless tubs, sparkling toilets and hand-scrubbed floors (we'll not talk about the urine odor that seems to have just seeped into the pores around the bathroom). Problem is my back freakin' hurts, I'm exhausted and it's just not so easy to ever finish anything with three little boys around to "help". So I start all these projects and poor Andy ends up doing things like digging a third of the holes for my plants, lugging around the heavy boxes, watching the boys while I book-sign, and massaging my back at night while I moan & groan. I love that man.
June 18, 2008
Occiput Posterior
So, really, Baby, is this necessary? Sweet Thing's turned head down from transverse, thank you very much, but apparently now finds it quite comfy to have the little head up against my back bone. This explains the painful sacroiliac joints I mentioned a few days ago. OP makes back labor much more likely as well as usually making labor longer, esp the pushing stage. Seeing as how I've had some back labor a couple times already I'd really rather not do that again. Difference is I had some good breaks b/twn contractions most of the time w/the other labors and I hear OP sometimes doesn't give you a break b/twn. What scares me are quotes like this: Nothing can prepare a mother for the severe unremitting pain that accompanies labor when the baby is in a posterior position. I know it's not feeling so hot right now. BUT, here's the thing. Just like vertex babies, OP babies often turn. So, turn my love, turn already! Okay, so stop whining, Lynn. All that labor ball stuff, pelvic tilts and other things are great tools. I'm under orders from midwife to be on all fours as much as possible and live to do pelvic tilts. Baby's probably going to turn soon and if not there are much worse things in life than a long back labor. Like back labor without the huge birthing tubs my midwives have. Or not being blessed with another baby. And really, let's be honest, was I expecting my back to feel good anyway? I mean, has there been anything normal about my back and any of my pregnancies? So, despite all this melodramatic whining, I really am grateful Baby's head down, grateful for my straight-from-heaven birthing ball and grateful for way cool midwives, birthing tubs and a way cool birth center situation (which, Mom, is soon moving from seven blocks away from the hospital to one block away).
June 17, 2008
Training in Trash Talk
Gideon has found himself rooting for the Lakers recently. Andy has been a Celtics fan since boyhood and I am thus both amused and well pleased with my son. You must recognize that my late elementary, jr high and early high school years were the only true fan training I've had, and that was at the hands of my oldest, dearest friend, Karen. You will understand why tears filled my eyes at Gid's decision knowing that Karen was a tried and true Lakers fan back in the '80s when the Lakers and Celtics were first battling it out. Now, those of you who know my oldest son may suspect as I do that those beautiful purple and golden uniforms weigh more than slightly in his leaning towards Lakers. Seeing my lack of true sportsman passion, knowledge and experience I turned to the only reasonable person to train and grow Gideon in his newborn fanship. With absolutely no permission whatsoever I now share the correspondence b/twn said Lakers mentor and myself.
My plea:Andy's a Celtics fan and despite this Gid feels pretty sure he'd rather have the Lakers win. I'm not going to directly attribute this to the team colors but I can't say there's any other reason. . . Gid's very polite about getting happy when the Laker's do well and looking sidelong at Andy when the Celtics are up. I feel some official lessons in trash talk are now in order. He needs a mentor and there is no one else in the world to whom I would turn to flame my son's burgeoning Lakers spark than you. Politeness is all good & well and as such we encourage it in our children but basketball fanship is no place for politeness. My boy must learn some key elements of trash talk before this Sunday. A phone call is probably in order and I would exhort you to even perhaps create a brochure he could study between now and the game. I'll put it next to his Bible.
With all due gratitude,
Lynn
Her response:
My apologies. I was out of town for Bryan's wedding, and I've only just received this cry for help. In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that lately I've had my head buried in the sand where the NBA is concerned mainly due to the sad state of hedonistic thuggery into which the league has recently descended. Too many fights, too many corrupt referees, too many grillz, too much attitude...the Lakers being a huge part of the problem. So, I've found myself drifting away from the NBA and focusing more on the purity of college sports, where at least they pretend to be different. Their signing bonuses only pay for tuition... and Hummers.
However, this is not to say that I've abandonded the Lakers entirely, and it certainly doesn't devalue the absolute necessity of hard core Trash Talk in any given situation, or my ability to deliver and teach it.
Gideon, I'll begin with you:
Congratulations on choosing to be a fan of one of the most consistent winners in NBA history. You will enjoy your life. I can remember back to the glory days when the Celtics and the Lakers played in the finals in the '80s. In fact, if I look deep enough in my closet, I could probably find one of the games on an old VHS tape smashed between a couple of Peter Cetera music videos (which I'm not ashamed of), and I'm sure the magic of those wins would be as thrilling now as they were back then. Speaking of Magic, don't believe the rumors... But I digress. The Lakers seem to have pulled out a victory on Sunday, despite almost certain elimination (and without my help), so you must be doing something right. However, high quality Trash Talk is not just about sending good karma through the TV to your team, its primary function is for the benefit (read: devaluing) of others in the room. In fact, when properly applied, Trash Talk can make mere kittens out of any unfortunate soul who would dare oppose you, despite the outcome of any game.
Here are a few things to remember:
- Your team does nothing bad, and their team does nothing good.
- Stats are not always necessary. In fact, make up a few, and shout them loudly. Very effective.
- If you are losing, revert to ridicule of appearance, behavior, personal hygiene, criminal record, etc. If you actually lose the game, use your best Yo Momma, and remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible.
- Always exercise denial.
- Check with your parents before the use of any hand gestures.
There are others, but that's a start. I'm sorry to hear that Georgia Tech squished your father's brain and he's not as clear-headed in his choices as you seem to be, but you can work with him. Just be sure to do it gently so that when you take over his company someday, you can still be friends. Disclaimer: if it is true that your fascination with sparkly colors is the only reason you've selected this team, we need to have a talk of a different kind. Game coverage starts at 8:30 eastern, and it's do or die, so get ready.
Lynn: Awesome. Truly awesome.
Andy: It's not over, yankee.
I am soon to share this wisdom with Gideon and we will see how things fare tonight as the Lakers play on the Celtics' home court.
June 11, 2008
Oh for the Love of a Birth Ball!
One guess what came from the UPS man today. Mmm-hmm. Sooooo comfortable and helpful for my back now. So comfy and helpful in labor.
Oh, and I do look this good on my ball, too.
June 10, 2008
Before Baby To-Do List
I've always been a bit flutter-brained but pregnancy makes my mind like a sieve. One with very large holes. Let me know if I'm missing anything obvious, will ya?
-Shop for, cook & freeze meals (hurray for our new freezer in the garage!!!)
-Sort through many boxes & bags of clothes; separate into Gid & Ike summer, Phin summer, all winter & baby 0-6 & 6-12 months
-Find crib sheets, receiving blankets, spit-up clothes & newborn sized diaper covers
-Get video camera and infant car seat from Chelsea
-Make a labor mix cd.
-Confirm labor plan w/Zach, Dani, Amy & Amy's mom; confirm back-up plan w/Chelsea
-Pack a labor bag for Gid: new Thomas track & road rug, cars & trains, disposable camera(s), markers & paper, books, videos, granola bars, trail mix, graham crackers & bottled juice, night time underwear.
-Pack a labor bag for Andy & me: lavender, rosemary, honey, dried fruits, lemonade mix, Nalgene bottle, straws, cd mix, cd player and speakers, extra batteries & adapter, cell phone chargers, bathing suit(s).
-Pack overnight bag for Andy, Baby & me: toothbrushes & paste, hair brush & bands, change of clothes for A & L each, nightgown for L, girl & boy outfits incl hats, socks & receiving blankets, presents for the older kids: marble builder set, wooden builder set, new wooden cars & new wooden car track.
-Buy more lavender!
-Sleep. . . !??!?
More on Food Prices & Frugality
Here's a link to an article my father-in-law sent me since I'm apparently still having trouble receiving all my comments. The community gardens mentioned in the article are managed by my mother-in-law, Joan. It mentions the issues of juggling full-time work w/the lifestyle changes to save money. It also talks about the need for discipline and the struggle that is. Thanks for the article, Dana.
June 9, 2008
My Pregnant Skeletal System
I think my skin may be the only thing holding my hip/pelvic area together. Almost at the end of the eighth month of the fourth pregnancy, folks!
"Oh, my achin' sacroiliac joints!"
June 4, 2008
June 2, 2008
A Deeper Explanation in Response to Katiek's Comment
Katiek commented on yesterday's post:
Maybe I'm just foggy with pregnancy hormones, but I don't quite get it. New City gives my folks a turkey every year, sometimes two! So I might need some further breaking down of what "free" Thanksgiving means. When I'm still the non-hostess, I really don't buy that much more anyway. Is that just lame? But I want to up front about this in a practical way because I can listen to NPR until my brain bleeds with all the things wrong with the world, but I need to know what is wise and smart and from God and not just a global panicky fad. Not that fuel and food are entirely, but you know what I mean. I was worried when I started reading your post, but then was quickly comforted that Tri IS wise and his ideas ARE wonderful. Just 'splain more please?I responded:
Yeah, the food shortage isn't something that looks like Americans are actually going to be short on food. There are areas (developing countries) where there have already been riots for certain grain items and where they're rationing food. What it looks like in the U.S. is higher food prices. With gas prices so high it's being reflected in the cost of pretty much everything food wise cause our farms are run on fuel. Our church has already seen a significant rise in families coming to our food bank and health clinic (the only requirement for the free health clinic is that you have no insurance). It isn't a rise in what we think of as the stereotypical homeless, druggie, whatever type in need. These are a lot of folks who've been laid off, or who were scraping by before and now are hurting b/c of rise in costs, & folks in the construction & home industries hit by the downfall in the market. Tri wants us as a church to esp focus on young families who need $$ solutions right now, but also on all of us developing long-term habits that make sure our priorities are in order and make the most of the resources God has given us. For instance you (Katie) are pretty stinking good at finding awesome stuff at thrift stores b/c your priorities are such that you know you don't have to have brand new stuff and you don't buy blindly into what pop culture says you "need". If Andy gets laid off we should have an emergency fund but having a garden, knowing how to can, raising chickens & being hooked up to an active co-op/bartering system would help that emergency fund go much further. The goal of a free Thanksgiving is $$ saving in itself but it also jump starts habits that we'd like to develop and forces us into creating bartering skills and relationships that will serve us well all the time. For instance Andy and I are going to talk to our aunt & uncle about raising a turkey for us. They have the land and skills for this that we don't, and they're already raising about a dozen chickens. We'll provide not only our turkey but a turkey for them in addition to providing the supplies if they do the grunt work. We all know I've got an overabundance of pumpkins each fall so I can deal in advance to trade some of those out for things like potatoes, butter, corn & other stuff friends of mine grow but we don't. I think it's gonna be a lot of fun and save us a lot of money.
June 1, 2008
We're Back and I Love My Church
So we're back and getting back into the normal swing of things. I'm so grateful for my friends (who seem strangely tired now - hmm) who sacrificed so Andy and I could have that time together. *sigh* Sometimes Andy and I are so overwhelmed at how God chooses to crazy bless us. I mean four days kidless at a Disney resort? Isn't that a little over the top, God?
And now for the I love our church part. Tonight we had a special meeting discussing the rising fuel prices, food shortage and whatnot. Our pastor called us to rise to this occasion by becoming more what God called church to actually be and strengthen our community. So we have various things going on this summer like camping in a field at our church so as to not have to drive the 8 mile a gallon SUV out for that experience. We're doing first Friday movie nights outside at the church to save $ and have fun that way. Our church garden (which entirely rocks) issued a call for folks to come to them if they want to garden but need tutoring. The women's ministry is putting together Titus type classes for older women w/dying skills like canning, sewing & cooking from scratch to teach others the skills. I'm excited cause last year we didn't can and a good bit of food from our garden ended up as compost. There were a lot more things discussed (ooh - a church farmers market this summer and putting together a co-op/goods trade system within the church) but my favorite challenge was Pastor Tri's call to us to see who could have a free Thanksgiving. Hmm. Andy and I love this. So we're gonna take the challenge and pass it on. Are you up to it? Maybe do a potluck free Thanksgiving so you only have to barter and grow so many things while friends or family work on growing/raising/bartering other aspects of the meal. You'd have to start the planning now (esp cause you'll probably need to grow a good bit of it) but how awesome! Katie, how much art and cute baby shoes could you trade for a turkey? I know Christina has grain and bread skills. Betsy, you could totally have so much fun rising to this occasion. Jeannette, you've got tons of skills you could use for bartering. Amy, Katie, Jeff, y'all could pull CF together on this one. Budge & Julie, Matt & Cheryl, Papa & Oma we're officially issuing a Perkins family challenge for this. Ooh, is there anyone else I haven't called out?