Just 6 Weeks to Go...

Last time I published a blog post, I was 28 weeks. Now, I'm 35! Wow, I really should be more consistent. 

I have really been thinking about and learning a LOT in the past few weeks. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I have been really enjoying and benefiting a lot from Every Child Succeeds, and am really thankful to be a part of that program. We have also been taking some parenting classes through PregnancyCare of Cincinnati. Those have been both informative and helpful as well. Topics in that class included labor and delivery, breastfeeding, SIDS, post partum depression, shaken baby syndrome, infant massage, and car seat safety. Dan and I have been going through those classes together, which has also been a great bonding experience for the two of us in preparation for the little one. 

We also took a childbirth education class through Good Sam. That was really informative and helped ease my nerves about something that was going to happen to me that I knew VERY little about. I find that so interesting. It seems like since our society doesnt really live in community anymore, a lot of things that would have been normal and part of life for our ancestors has to be taught and learned because we have little to no exposure to it. I find that to be true with most baby topics--breastfeeding and labor/delivery especially. At least for me its true. 

I'm getting so excited to meet our little Geoffrey! I had an ultrasound on October 17 which confirmed I no longer had placenta previa and am able to have a vaginal birth. I was so thrilled with that news! If I have to have an emergency c-section thats one thing, but I'm happy it doesnt have to be scheduled. Anyway, at the ultrasound, it showed he was developing right on track and had some hair floating around. (Which I only noticed because the tech told me what it was). He was also kinda interacting with the machine on my stonach. The tech would move it around on my belly and again, after the tech pointed it out, we could see his little hands pushing up on the wall of my uterus, almost like he was saying, "Get off!" It was really cute to see that. :) Its really fun to imagine who hes going to resemble or what his personality will be like.

I had all my baby showers and was completely overwhelmed with appreciation and thankfulness I can hardly describe it. Everyone was so generous and I did not get anything I didnt need...or didnt want. Everything is useful! One of the biggest surprises was getting our travel system--an infant car seat/stroller combo! A bunch of friends all chipped in, and I was not expecting that at all. What a blessing. It matches our diaper bag too! 

In the coming weeks, I hope to read some more and get more information about natural childbirth, completing a birth plan, and gearing up for the huge life changes we are about to endure. I'm excited for this next chapter and am really thankful for all the family and friends who have supported us through it all so far. We are blessed, and God is good.

Until next time...peace be with you. 

Interesting Information

I am 28 Weeks---into the Third trimester! I can't believe it!

So, I have had the opportunity to be a part of a great program, Every Child Succeeds. Its a program for new moms with limited income to ensure they are taking care of themselves and educating themselves throughout pregnancy, and it continues for both mom and baby through the early years of the child's life. I have learned so much already and my anxiety about the unknown has really subsided since I started.

A couple of really cool things I've learned:


How to introduce pets (particularly dogs) to the baby. Seems logical, but I never thought about it. I mean, I was worried how our little pistols were going to react to Geoffrey, but I now have a introduction strategy for them. We are going to wrap the baby in a specific receiving blanket for 24 hrs once he's born. Then, we are going to have Dan take the blanket home and have Janie and Chance sniff the blanket to get his scent. That way, they have a bit of it before hes actually there. Then, when we are ready to come home, I will enter the house by myself and have the dogs greet me and get out their excitement from not seeing me for a few days. Then, Dan will bring the baby in to introduce him to each dog individually. All with calm, soothing voices so they dont get overexcited or crazy. If you know my dogs, this is entirely possible. :) This may seem a bit overboard or unnecessary, but I think it will be good to do with our dogs. They are very territorial and as Dachshunds, they are have a strong Napoleonic complex, lol!

Prenatal Stimulation. I'm sure most of you have heard about singing, talking, and interacting with the baby before birth. I have too. But, again, I have not really thought about what it is I'm saying or HOW I'm interacting with him. There are a couple things I've been trying since hearing about this concept in more detail. 1.) If you have a rocking chair or glider, its good to start using it now. Its a soothing/rocking motion and its possible that if it calms him now, it is likely to be familiar and calm him at 2am when he needs to be comforted.
2.) If you feel him kick in a certain spot, push back at him in the same place. He may respond and do it again. Also, if you are a bit further along, you can shine a flashlight on your tummy and see if there is any reaction to the light he sees.
3.) Massage. If you feel a back, foot, butt, head, etc...gently rub your stomach over that body part. Even if he goes away from you, your touch and reaction to him is still stimulating his brain and even in the smallest amount--helping him learn "what happens if I do this..." or to start learning the different parts of their body. If you are lucky, if you are able to massage his back or a particular body part in the womb to calm or soothe him, you might be able to try the same technique outside when he needs it. All trying to give him a sense of familiarity and comfort in the big new world.

I will try some of the prenatal stimulation things as the pregnancy progresses and report if I notice anything exiting or cool!

Last time I mentioned something about eating healthy and choosing good foods. I have to make a conscious effort to get enough protein in each day, so my breakfast was a good one--eggs, cheese, beans and rice. Presentation=0, but protein content and taste=perfect 10! I coupled that with two large glasses of 1% milk. I hope I can continue being intentional about the foods I'm eating and providing for my child.

The next best thing I will do for myself---exercises and stretches. :)

Old News, New News

Old News:
Dan and I found out I was pregnant with our first child this past May!

Im currently unemployed, Dan is now working full-time as an Apprentice Electrician.

We found out we're having a boy and have decided to name him Geoffrey David Wanat. His names mean "Gift of peace" and "beloved/friend" respectively.

New News:
Nothing quite as exciting as the old news, but Im trying to bring my life up to speed so I can post new info about life from here on out. :)

I fear a lot of my posts will be about the little man, my prego emotions/thoughts, and adjustment to parenthood. Sounds delightful, huh? ;)

Anyway, tomorrow is another day, and Im going to deliberately make the choice to ask myself, "whats the next best thing..." When deciding what to eat. Healthy nutrition is one of the most important choices a mom can make...

Until next time...

Ash Wednesday and Lent

Went to the Ash Wednesday service at First UCC, the church I grew up in, last night. We sang hymns, got the ash cross on our foreheads, and joined together in communion. We also received a slip of paper with this paragraph:

Lent is a call to weep for what we could have been and are not. Lent is the grace to grieve for what we should have done and did not. Lent is the opportunity to change what we ought to change but have not. Lent is not about penance. Lent is about becoming, doing and changing whatever it is that is blocking the fullness of life in us right now. Amen Sister Joan.

As I am now into the Lenten season, I would like to, "change whatever it is that is blocking the fullness of life in me right now." And that, my friends, is the theme of my current struggle with food and weight loss. I am a broken person who by the grace of God has a great support system in my friends and family.

I am sacrificing pop in my life until Easter. This might not sound like a huge deal. But its surrendering something that is such a temptation and something that has a real stronghold in my life. I want to cling to Christ in times of temptation and be FULLY and TRULY reminded that He is there, and has the power over sin.

I am choosing the next BEST thing. Asking myself, "Am I really hungry?" "Is this a good choice?" And ultimately asking, "God please help me!"

I'm excited for the weeks ahead. I am already making huge strides in my quest for balance and health in all areas of my life...with God in FIRST place.