Mike felt her move for the first time - finally!
I wasn't feeling well today and so stayed home sick. I was on the couch about 15 min before Mike got home from work and she started moving around a lot (which is kind of weird because it's not usually an active time for her). Unfortunately, it only went on for about 5 minutes or so and then she calmed down. I was like, "Darn it, why couldn't she have waited 15-20 minutes?"
Then as I heard Mike unlocking the door, she kicked again - just once and was calm again. I thought, "are you kidding? She must be playing games with us." I told Mike about it when he came inside and he just laughed and said, "She's stubborn and doesn't want me to feel her yet." And he went into the kitchen to get lunch.
About 5 minutes later, she started kicking a lot again, so I told Mike to come in and look (like I have done so many times before in the last month and a half). He reluctantly came in (expecting to be dissappointed as usual) and then she did a quick soft kick. I said, "did you see that?" and he said no.
So, I made him put his face right next to mine so that he could get the same view as me. We waited a second and she kicked again. He saw it that time and had a big grin on his face and quickly moved his hand to my belly. A few seconds later she kicked again - finally he felt it for himself. We both laughed and you could tell he was happy that she finally let him in on what had previously been just a "girl thing". (I say just a girl thing, because both my mom and my sister felt and saw her move when I was in Fort Bragg this weekend.)
I think I was actually a little more excited then Mike because I had been looking forward so much to sharing the experience with him. Although, now that I think about it, it may just be that I showed my excitement more than he did (as is the case with most emotions). lol. Anyway, a very exciting day for us!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
November 9, 2010 - 2nd Child Birth Class - 29 Weeks
We went to our 2nd Child Birth Class today. At the beginning of class, the teacher talked about the two things that can signal the start of labor: contractions or your water breaking, and how each of those experiences can go. Next she told us about the different stages of labor and how that can go.
And then we (mom's and dad's) got on the floor and did some yoga exercises and practiced breathing techniques, as well as practicing things the dad's can do to help the mom's feel more comfortable during labor. She talks a lot about how the dad needs to be there for the mom and try to anticipate her needs so that she doesn't have to ask for anything. That sounded pretty good to me :)
At one point the teacher had us mom's lay on the floor on our side with a pillow and practice some guided relaxation while the dad's sat next to us. She told the dad's to do things that made the mom's know that they were there for us and she made some suggestions of what they might do. Mike was gently rubbing my stomach and back and doing great until she suggested that the guy's may want to caress their partners face and neck. Unfortunately, when Mike tried this it tickled and I busted up laughing - kind of the opposite of relaxation. lol. Then she made that suggestion again and unfortunately Mike listened and it happened again - I started laughing. I had to whisper to him, "do not do that again". He started to do it at her suggestion a third time and I had to give him a look. Thankfully he understood my facial expression and didn't do it again. :) Anyway, after that, Mike and I realized that what is good for one person may not be good for all and we have a bit to talk about to make sure we're on the same page about what things are comforting and relaxing to me and what things aren't.
Anyway, the class was really informative and made me feel a bit more prepared for what's going to happen in just 11 short weeks!
And then we (mom's and dad's) got on the floor and did some yoga exercises and practiced breathing techniques, as well as practicing things the dad's can do to help the mom's feel more comfortable during labor. She talks a lot about how the dad needs to be there for the mom and try to anticipate her needs so that she doesn't have to ask for anything. That sounded pretty good to me :)
At one point the teacher had us mom's lay on the floor on our side with a pillow and practice some guided relaxation while the dad's sat next to us. She told the dad's to do things that made the mom's know that they were there for us and she made some suggestions of what they might do. Mike was gently rubbing my stomach and back and doing great until she suggested that the guy's may want to caress their partners face and neck. Unfortunately, when Mike tried this it tickled and I busted up laughing - kind of the opposite of relaxation. lol. Then she made that suggestion again and unfortunately Mike listened and it happened again - I started laughing. I had to whisper to him, "do not do that again". He started to do it at her suggestion a third time and I had to give him a look. Thankfully he understood my facial expression and didn't do it again. :) Anyway, after that, Mike and I realized that what is good for one person may not be good for all and we have a bit to talk about to make sure we're on the same page about what things are comforting and relaxing to me and what things aren't.
Anyway, the class was really informative and made me feel a bit more prepared for what's going to happen in just 11 short weeks!
November 6, 2010 - First Baby Shower - 28 1/2 weeks
I had my first baby shower today at Coni's house in Fort Bragg and had a great time! Thank you to everyone who could attend - it was great seeing you. To those of you who couldn't make it, you were missed and I know you were there in spirit. There was yummy snacks and cake, good conversation and some fun baby games. The games got a little competitive - I didn't realize how many songs had the word "Baby" in the title, or how many baby related words you could come up with using the letters from her name (Alexia Joy Dell Stuckey). I could only come up with a few (and it was kind of a stretch to call them baby related). It was no surprise to me that Aunt Beth won that game though - she's the Boggle Queen!
The gifts were wonderful - everyone was too generous and we really appreciate it. We now need to find room for the bouncer/vibrating seat, the high chair, the swing (that will be coming soon) and all the clothes, bedding and other items. We have some major organizing to do in the nursery! But I'm looking forward to getting it all set up.
Again, thank you all for making the shower such a great experience and for helping us prepare for Alexia's arrival!
The gifts were wonderful - everyone was too generous and we really appreciate it. We now need to find room for the bouncer/vibrating seat, the high chair, the swing (that will be coming soon) and all the clothes, bedding and other items. We have some major organizing to do in the nursery! But I'm looking forward to getting it all set up.
Again, thank you all for making the shower such a great experience and for helping us prepare for Alexia's arrival!
November 2, 2010 - First Child Birth Class - 28 Weeks
We went to the first in a series of 6 Child Birth Classes tonight. It's through the hospital on Tuesday nights from 6:30 - 8:30pm. There were about 10 other couples and we all introduced ourselves and spoke a little bit about our pregnancy experiences so far. Then the rest was pretty much just an overview of what we would be doing in the remaining 5 classes, as well as a brief overview of what happens during labor and delivery.
We watched a video about labor and delivery too. Parts of it were pretty cool - there was a simulation of what it looks like inside as the baby moves from the uterus, through the birth canal and out into the world. Of course, then they showed an actual view of a mom in delivery and the baby coming out - that was not quite as "cool". I really had to resist the urge to look away, but I hung in there and watched the whole thing. OMG - I do not want to go through that. Can't I just skip ahead to February and have her be here already :)
Anyway, I'm glad we're taking these classes so that I can learn about all of my options and figure out how I would want to handle various situations should they arise. As some of you know, I like to be in control and plan ahead and can have a difficult time being flexible and going with the flow at first. It usually takes me a little bit of time to get used to a new idea and be ok with it - obviously time is not a luxury I will have while giving birth, so... I figure the best thing I can do is prepare for as many different situations as possible and make sure my doctor, the staff, and Mike know how I would want to handle the different possibilities and then try to let go - I mean that is as "in control" as I'm going to get to have, so I might as well start coming to terms with it now :)
We watched a video about labor and delivery too. Parts of it were pretty cool - there was a simulation of what it looks like inside as the baby moves from the uterus, through the birth canal and out into the world. Of course, then they showed an actual view of a mom in delivery and the baby coming out - that was not quite as "cool". I really had to resist the urge to look away, but I hung in there and watched the whole thing. OMG - I do not want to go through that. Can't I just skip ahead to February and have her be here already :)
Anyway, I'm glad we're taking these classes so that I can learn about all of my options and figure out how I would want to handle various situations should they arise. As some of you know, I like to be in control and plan ahead and can have a difficult time being flexible and going with the flow at first. It usually takes me a little bit of time to get used to a new idea and be ok with it - obviously time is not a luxury I will have while giving birth, so... I figure the best thing I can do is prepare for as many different situations as possible and make sure my doctor, the staff, and Mike know how I would want to handle the different possibilities and then try to let go - I mean that is as "in control" as I'm going to get to have, so I might as well start coming to terms with it now :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)