My brother's son

I was told today by my Dad that my nephew was just diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Wow, that is such a horrible diagnosis. I did a lot of research and found there are many "guesses" as to what may cause this. One is that if a mom eats lots of tubers- potatoes, beets, etc while pregnant, the toxin in these can cause damage to the fetal pancreas. Another thing is giving cereal to babies under 7 months. A biggie seems to be giving pasteurized dairy products to babies, specifically under 9 months. Oh- and vaccines can contain a virus that initiates the response for diabetes to begin. Yikes!

My nephew was a twin and so far his sister is ok. I did find that red hot chile peppers (capsicum) is proving to reduce insulin dependence.

I feel sad for my brother and his family. That's such a heavy thing to hear right after Christmas. I'll be sure to pass on the word about stevia and birch tree sugar. Right now, I'm going to be sure to avoid tubers for the rest of my pregnancy. (I just had baked potatoes two nights in a row!)

The baby can smile!

How amazing that a little 3 and 1/2 inch baby is practicing smiling, frowning and squinting! I wish I could peak in and watch. My belly is getting much bigger. I'm about 31 inches around the belly. I don't have a scale but I guess I weigh about 118lbs. My breasts are growing, too. It's nice to wear a bra that doesn't wrinkle! My left breast has been very tender to touch for about 3 weeks now. I am assuming it's pregnancy related. I know each pregnancy is different. I know my breasts were both tender with Trish but with the others I was nursing so I'm sure things are different. We are all still so excited. I'm finally back to eating more leafy greens. There was a week there that it just seemed like too much trouble to chew! I was eating softer foods. My teeth didn't hurt, but maybe it had to do with digestion. Who knows? I also had an incredible salt craving the other day. I'm sure I need to drink more water. I'm going to start with my hypnobabies. I'm really looking forward to that!

Danny told his brother and sis in law

Well, actually, Danny's father told them. They were happy for us. I could hear Danny's side of the conversation and he said, "she's happiest when she's pregnant" which he said with such pride I felt amazing. I guess I really don't complain when I'm pregnant. I'm too full of awe.

Dad comes to town!

Dad came to visit! It was great seeing him! My house wasn't spotless and the dishes piled up but Dad never complains about that! He had a horrible cough and almost didn't come. I'm so glad he did. It's been since springtime since I saw him. I wish I could have stayed up and talked with him later in the night as the children were asleep but I was just too tired to stay awake. I miss our chats. I miss him. He told me he's still waiting for the call from me to ask him to fly out and drive me "home" in the RV. I'm waiting for that, too. It would be easier if I could see him more often. I am glad I get to talk on the phone and send emails. It could be worse, I guess. Leaving is always hard. Roman was giving me a hard time about crying- "you always torture us by crying whenever someone in your family leaves!" he said honestly but without thinking of my feelings. I cried anyway. I really didn't want the time to end. But it did. Perhaps by the next time I see him my belly will be totally full of baby. Or he might just wait to come out when the baby is born. Either way, I just can't wait to hug him again!

I wore maternity clothes

My Dad came to town (yipppee) and he brought with him some maternity clothes from my sister. I wore them and they felt nice and loose and comfortable. A little big, but just what I wanted!! I'm so glad she sent them. I looked so fashionable in her clothes! I had maternity clothes that I had made with the boys. It was summer so I wore jumpers that were great because they didn't have any elastic or anything on my stomach. I can't stand that. But now that it's cool, I can't wear those. So my sister sent me some maternity jeans and capris. They are ok over my stomach. Not so bad so far.

I keep thinking I feel this little one moving. Usually after dinner. Hmmmm, I'm sure there's not too much longer to start feeling that one of a kind feeling- I can't wait!

Amazing!

I was just reading that the baby at this age is using his or her hands to explore. The baby loves to touch his or her little face, exploring the mouth, too! How amazing! I still look in the mirror and wonder how it's getting along in there. It's about the size of a plum. Wow. I am thrilled that things are going so well. I really think I ought to get a measuring tape and see how big around I am. I think that would help me see that there is plenty of room in there. I tried to listen with the fetascope today. I couldn't hear anything. I thought perhaps...? but it's just too tiny. I remember my midwife with Roman telling me that she wanted to "confirm" my pregnancy by listening with the doppler. I told her no. I didn't want those waves in this tiny baby's body. Can't you "confirm" it other ways??? She honored that, of course, and didn't use the doppler. She would try with the fetascope every visit until she could finally hear it. She did the same with Gino. With Gabriel I had a different midwife but she also honored my request. Now both made me agree that when I was in "labor" that I allow them to use the doppler. I said ok. But I only let her use it with Roman and Gino twice. It was never used with Gabriel- no time!!! Of course, with Trisha, I used the doppler. It wasn't until about my 7th month with her when I started taking Bradley classes that I even know there could be problems. I asked my midwife about it and she said that she didn't even own a fetascope. Oh, well. I didn't push it at that time in my life. Now I get totally amazed that so many people get a "routine" sonogram and even get the 4d sonograms by non-professionals. Heck, Tom Cruise even bought a sonogram machine when his wife was pregnant! I am amazed that generally no one is concerned about how that effects the unborn. I think a skilled midwife can figure out any physical abnormalities and then take it to the next level if necessary. But perhaps midwives rely too much on "modern" machinery to listen to instinct. Hopefully I'll find one here that does. In the mean time, I feel confident that all is well and that there's nothing I would do to "deal with" any abnormalities anyway. You know, my aunt was told twice that her babies were going to born with down syndrome. Twice they offered abortion. Twice she refused and twice perfectly healthy babies were born.

Midwife

I still haven't found the motivation to look for a midwife. There are several that are in the area and highly recommended. I called one who said she would be in town at the end of June and another never returned my phone call. I really don't want to go to an "office" for my visits. I've probably written about this already, but I'm working through this. I really like having a midwife. I know I can birth on my own without any problems but I really like the support of a woman there, too. She can be there any time of day or night bringing necessary herbs or homeopathics. She can birth a breech or help give ideas to flip a posterior one. She is full of knowledge that is gained just as those supportive women had centuries ago. That's a great thing to have that security. I know Danny would be able to be a great support and he even said we "didn't need anyone the next time"! But my concern is what if the kids are demanding or if one is sick or needs a heiny wipe? Also, I really like the prenatal visits. I like the bond that is created between the midwife and I. I like hearing about other birthings and feeling the passion about births that she shares. I really hope to find that person. I miss Liz and Gail. They were so great. I just want to find someone who trusts that I know what to do when it comes time to birthing. That I know my body. That I know that I need to lean forward to birth. That respects me as a women and a mom who has given birth 4 times before. I don't want a director or someone to count while I breathe. I want an advisor. I'm certain I'll find the right person. I just need to get the urge to start looking.

Getting ready for Christmas

I love Christmas. I love buying gifts for those I love and thinking of how I can make each day of Christmas feel special and exciting for the children. They love to decorate and do little things like a Christmas puppet show or write Christmas poems. Trisha filled up our 25 days countdown with some great ideas.

I love thinking that this time next year I'll have a little 6 month old enjoying the lights and spirit as much as the others. Wow- I'm so lucky!!

Feeling good

I really must say how great I feel being pregnant. I feel lots of energy, happiness and more organized thoughts. I still have over 200 days to go but it really seems to be going so well. I went to see Dr. Rhobirds and he said the baby is "happy, healthy and excited to be here". I can feel that, too. Dr. Rhobirds does energy work and is also a chiropractor. He is really an interesting fellow and says some amazing things. He also said that my body loves to be pregnant and that this is going to be the best and easiest pregnancy and birth of all of them. I still need to find a midwife. There are several to choose from. I just have to find someone who really fits with me. I don't want someone who is over commited, either. I still have plenty of time.

Gabriel sat with me the other day and watched some births. I put the sound on mute but the births were home and birthing center births so they were nice to watch. He liked it. He still says he is going to "catch" the baby. That would be awesome!