A new baby

Last night I had a dream that Phil and Teresa had a baby and announced the name was Valarie. I jokingly said "that is a funny name for a boy" and Bryce said "Well, that is what they chose." I had thought I was making a joke because it was a girl. Today they called and announced they are pregnant. I told them about the dream and they said they were just recently looking at names from 90 years ago and many of the boys names are now girls.
They are due a week after us. There are going to be a lot of July birthday babies. I guess we all find October the relaxing time to get it on.

This week

We took the day off on Tuesday for our first doctor visit and I am a bit more reassured about having a hospital birth. I totally loved our nurse. Our baby seems to be a two days before the holiday baby. Announcing herself two days before Halloween, 1st appointment two days before Thanksgiving, next appointment two days before Christmas.
The nurse asked me if I had thrown up, which I proudly reported I had not and then the next day I did. I am now in the worse part of pregnancy and all my resources say it may be three weeks before I get rid of this "flu." I hate it soooo much.
Thanksgiving was hard with all the smells. In front of everyone except Bryce my mom joked "You're pregnant," which made me really mad because what a way to ruin any announcement. I am pretty sure most of my family knows from my sickness all week, but we still aren't officially announcing it yet.
My hormones must be at an ultimate high because I am hating everyone lately, most especially the people I love the most.

First Appointment

I had my first appointment, but it was more like a welcome to the family and here is all the stuff we want you to read. The ultrasound for the heartbeat and such will be at 12 weeks in December.
We loved our nurse thought. She was great and I am feeling better about the hospital, but I will talk to Kim. Thanks Jazz (I think that was you, your profile says me).

Today I fell

Today I read all about enhanced clumsiness and a sense of balance being off, but that isn't until you are four months or so. Then while helping clean the Opera House I fell on those big grand stairs and landed in the corner of the door going outside. I'm glad we have an appointment on Tuesday because I am worried about the baby although I never landed on my stomach and I feel no discomfort. What does feel uncomfortable is the side of my face, my wrist, and my shoulder which are all swelling. I thought I had broken my glasses because I smashed the side of my face into the corner of the door and they fell off but just the frame is gently scuffed. Err. I feel so dumb. I should have turned the lights on.

Searching for birth options

So today while googling for birth options in classes in Iowa, I got mixed results as to whether or not home birth is illegal in Iowa. Or if it is but midwifes are not legal? I am confused and if that is the case, how awful? I feel like my rights are being taken away from me. What if I just refuse to go to the hospital. How will they deny my home birth than?

Today I am also a little panicky about being pregnant. I thought it would be great, but thus far I am just tired and sick. It is like a ride that I can not get off and on again. Someone help I am stuck on this roller coaster for almost 200 more days.

Oh my God

I was looking up Fun Baby Clothes and this is what I find!?!?

http://www.bigbabyfun.com/

Spirit of Pregnancy Assignment 11

In what ways has your relationship to children and babies changed? What places or landscapes are you consciously and unconsciously taking your baby in utero? Why?

My relationship to children has changed that when I see a baby I am more drawn to it, although I do not see many. Teenagers seem younger to me than ever before. I am taking my baby to holiday parties and activities, but we mostly like to stay home and grow. In my mind we are already in school, already being born. Why? Because those are the areas where I still haven't prepared myself. How do I want to deliver this child? How do I want to teach this child? These questions I have not made up my mind about and fear I will not be able to before the moment comes. Plus I am worried that the wrong mistake in this area could lead to problems for another life other than my own that I am truley responsible for.

I want to deliver a natural birth in the comfort of my own home, with my husband leading the way, but I am afraid we are too far from a hospital that delivers in case I need help. But I do not want to go to a hospital and have them give me a cesarian because it is easier and I am overweight. Never before has my weight bothered me in this way and now I am not in the right condition to lose it.

As with education, I want my child to have a great education that encourages, such as a montessori or waldorf, but there are not schools close by. I want to homeschool, but I do not want my child to resent the lost social interactions. Also, what will my child think seeing the children walk by daily as we live next door to the public school.

Spirit of Pregnancy Assignment 10

What feels sensual and sexual to you pregnant? What aspects of our relationship to men has changed? How is "mother-energy" manifesting in your life?

I have always had a good sex drive. One that Bryce hasn't even been able to keep up with at times. Being pregnant I have not lost it, but it is weaker, mostly because of sickness and tiredness, not because the urge is not there. I feel more in love with Bryce now than a month ago. I have always been attracted to other men and women, but it hasn't increased like stories say. I suppose it will later on. The mother energy is only telling me to slow down.

Snorkel and abs

Now you look like a seahorse little one. I think those are little nostrels forming at the end of your snout and you must have grown another internal organ because you look like you have washboard abs. Love you.

Thoughts at week seven

I just caught up on reading everything Shannon has written because I have wanted to write some myself. (Her last line made me realized I have put it off.)

I am so looking forward to this child. I feel like Shannon and I have a lot of love to offer since we have so much love for each other. No matter what fears we might have, we know that s/he will not lack love. That's important.

I need to be reading the same books that Shannon is so we can talk about things and be on the same wavelength. Shannon justly made fun of my brother Phil a little for referring to baby books all the time, but those were mostly practical things he was referencing. I want to do everything we can to make the baby's transition into the world go well - but I also don't want to overthink it and make things more stressful.

Next week is our first doctor's appointment. I'm looking forward to it. I'm kind of expecting the doctor to just tell us everything that Shannon's already figured out from reading about pregnancy.

I can't wait till we get to tell all our family and friends. I can't wait seven more months!

Spirit of Pregnancy Assignment 9

How has the being inside you called to you? How have you called back? What are you doing "just in case" for the sake of this being? What are the difficult or challenging emotions you are coping with regarding sharing your body with this being? When did you find yourself hopelessly in love or totally committed to the baby?

My little one called to me by coming during a time of great love and compassion Bryce and I had. The soul chose us when I was starting to feel hopeless. I have called back with gratitude and by immersing myself in the process. I love holding my husband at night and realizing there are three of us together. I love thinking about doing things with the baby with me. Sometimes I don't like sharing my body because I don't like the constant feeling of discomfort. It is like a sickness which I may have for 9 months. I hope the ill feelings top before then. I am not yet hopelessly in love with the baby, but I am in love with the soul that lies in there. I am just sad Bryce is not being more involved with the process.

Spirit of Pregnancy Assignment 8

What does naming mean to you? Reflect on your own name.

I don't name many things. Some of my friends name everything that has character, I only name things that have breath. Bryce and I both enjoy our names, they are unique enough that not everyone has them, but they are not out of the ordinary. One thing I like about both of our names is that they were first names of natural wonders, Bryce Canyon and the Shannon River. It would be nice to continue this pattern, but I am not sure we will. I like thinking of names because it almost like an art project. Names can be tricky because they can sometimes cause negative effects. Because I was never able to successfully nick name myself from my name I like names that have nick names. I also like names that unite siblings, names that reflect our families, names that reflect our interests, names that are of the earth, names that relate to a middle name. Bryce and I already have favorites for our child. For years we have been set on Lincoln (Link) for a boy, and this year we have leaned torward Willamina (Willa) after my dad, for a girl, although we do like some other names. I am still glad we still like Link because we had Liz and Lewis rename there dog when they took our idea and applied it to the little pup. I want to have a name ready that is non gendered in case we have a child with both genders. I know it seems ridiculous, but I have a strong place in my heart for mixed gendered people and their struggle. If it happened to us, which it does to one in every 22,000, I want to be prepared. Another thing that I have thought about is naming the child in a Native American fashion, either adding or naming the child when they are ready, something that describes them. It is somewhat silly to name something before it tells you its name, but that is also sometimes hard for many people to understand.

Morning has broken

Knock on wood I have been less sick these three days. Less pulling at the abs. This little one has just grown hands and he or she already knows how to grab my ab muscles and pull them hard.
Other body talk that I am not sure if it is related to pregnancy is increased allergies, and very dry nose, mouth, etc.

this was the night

big beard in the sunset, originally uploaded by Shannon Marye.

This is what we looked like the night you were conceived.

Spill the beans

I have got to stop reading all this pregnancy stuff because it is all I can talk about. Tonight my mom came and without telling her I was pregnant we talked about breast feeding, doctors, nutrition, and me wanting out of my job and her doing daycare. Ahhh, I am coming way to close. Why can't I keep anything a secret.

Spirit of Pregnancy Assignment 7

How have you been affected by remembrances and anticipation in your life? Has pregnancy changed or enhanced how you deal with past, present, and future, or how you hope to teach your baby to do it?

I have a lot of anticipation in my life. I feel like I am lazy or I am just putting to much energy into a life I don't want. I want to be an artist, but I feel like I have no time. If I feel like I have no time, how is that going to change when I have a child and how will I teach them to value the arts when my sculptures have changes to house decorations.

I would like to work at a job where I am busy just on the weekends or a few weekends. I would like to have all day to work on what I want and spend time with my child. I need to become a photographer or a dj or something. I worked hard to get Bryce into a job similar to this. One that he can work from home on and on his own time, but I kind of ignored myself to do it. Not that I am a huge self sacrificer, but what will this teach my baby?

I have a high hopes for parenting that I feel is going to be crushed by the life I have now. My own hopes for life, traveling, making art, directing plays are all crushed with my lifestyle now. I haven't been able to travel for more than three days in a year. How will I be able to spend as much time with my child and be involved like this. Grrr, I need a life change.

Secret Cravings

Well it isn't really a secret but I am craving salty meat more than anything else. Sausage, eggs, goose liver, etc. But one secret it that I already bought pregnancy pants. I am sure people don't start wearing them until month 5 or something but I am so bloated I don't want to walk around with my unbuttoned pants all day. I don't have sweats and no "husband pants" are going to fit me. So there.

Spirit of Pregnancy Assignment 6

Are you aware of any way your identity as a woman feels different now that you're pregnant? How is your relationship to other women changing? How do you respond to being given advice about pregnancy? Is it different from how you respond to advice in general? What words of advice would you secretly like to hear? If you could look down on yourself "like an owl" what would you see?

I no longer feel like a young women, I feel like I am slowly turning into all those other people I see. I feel like I will be talking more with other mom's in the neighborhood, as if my childlessness has separated me thus far. (Even though almost all of my female friends around here have at least one child.) The women at work are treating me different, giving me advice and blaming a lot of things on the pregnancy, which I don't really like. This is normally how I respond. There are certain people I like to hear things from. People I admire and trust. One of the things I like about them is the willingness to give minimal advice unless asked, yet they are willing to share their stories. It is nice. I also feel like every woman knows. Like Leslie realizing I wasn't drinking alcohol or caffine. The words I would secretly like to hear is that my child will be fine and everything I do is fine. I don't need to worry about miscarriage or letting people know that I am pregnant. I can have a home birth without a problem, I don't have to go to a hospital. I will be an excellent mom, cool and yet still myself. I want to be more inspired as an artist. If I could look down on myself I would see a tired person who wants a vacation.

Spirit of Pregnancy Assignment 5

Make up a song or chant for you and your baby. In it, give yourself and your baby special names of epithets.

I opened the door to welcome you and you entered in
I chose the place and you chose the time
I built you a nest and in it you lie, warm and soft in your egg

You are Link, the special bond connecting me and him
You are Ruby, the precious gem I keep hidden in a safe place
You are Willa, Oliver, Eve
Jasper, Oak, Cloud and Sky
Child of the Earth, Moon, and Stars
You are mine, the Creators, One with those that created me

TODAY ON THE TICKER

Today on the Ticker, Week 6, you grew hands and feet. You no longer look like a terd, as your dad says, but more like a dolphin. You are making me very sick. I just want to lie down all the time. I have no energy for anything and no appetite yet I feel light headed every mealtime so I know you are hungry.

Spirit of Pregnancy Assignment 4

In the first trimester when it isn't certain if the pregnancy will hold, we celebrate how this presence had already altered our lives and identities forever. Right now, how are you already "forever with child"?

This question scares me because in the back of my mind I am always thinking you are gone. For three days I haven't had a bowel movement and you use to make me run to the bathroom every day. I am peeing often but not in large quantities. My boobs don't hurt today. So either my body is adjusting or you aren't collecting from me anymore?

However, I will be forever with child because you our the first and you were made with such love. I will always remember the way I felt when I first found out, the excitement I still having bubbling in me, the love I have for my husband, and the body movements you make. I am so excited to welcome you to the world and hear your heart beat in two weeks. Yay!

Spirit of PRegnancy Assignment 3

What promises have you already made to the baby-to-be? What promises have you already broken or anticipated breaking> Describe a scene you imagine in the future with you baby. What scene or aspect of mothering do you feel difficult to imagine?

I have promised to make sure he/she always feels beautiful and loved. I have made a pledge to try to be carefree and let the child develop without pressure to be who he/she is not. The promises I will probably break are being completely understanding. I fear I will think my mom was right and lose the thoughts and empathy I have for teenagers.
I imagine going sledding and playing in the basement. I can not see myself (though I know it will happen) saying "Find someone else to do that with you" and "Go play in the basement."

Today I asked the baby to be born with Bryce's toes.

Spirit of Pregnancy Assignment 2

What do you dream at night? Has your sense of time changed? Reflect on ways you feel invaded by pregnancy and ways you feel protective toward the presence of life forming? What about food? What were your former and pregnant relations to it. How do you speak in ways that nourish yourself and others?

Wow, this one has a lot of questions. Yes I dream a lot at night now, and mostly about sex. My sense of time has changed to when the weeks use to fly by the days seems to take forever now and I am so tired at around 2 or 3. I am done for the day. I also wake up a tad bit earlier. Makes me feel like moving our open hours from 9-5 might have been a mistake. My pregnancy does not feel like and invasion but a welcome happening. Although I would like to be able to not feel like I need to crap my pants every day and then when I am on the toilet I feel like I am going to hurl into my lap. I feel very protective of the life forming because it is in such a fragile time. I could have a miscarriage and all this hope would fly out the window. I am trying to spend less time in front of my computer, avoiding alcohol, smoke, and caffine, taking vitamins, and praying every minute. Food for me is a difficult thing. I am starting this pregnancy overweight and know this puts me at higher risk. I made a check list of foods I need to include every day, like an orange or broccoli, things that help the baby. As time moves on maybe I will go into a more restrictive diet, but for me that is hard. My former relationship with food always hangs the cloud of past anorexia over my head. When I met Bryce I has only been three years out of it and not I am over ten, however it still lingers. "If you put restictions on your eating you will fall into the trap again," "If you diet it says you don't like the way you look." I am hoping to get past this soon. I am trying to speak to myself in loving ways by encouraging myself to continue exercise and certain foods for the child. I also am letting myself go to bed when my body feels like it, or I am trying at least.

The Spirit of Pregnancy Assignment 1

Describe when you realized you were pregnant. What where you in the middle of? What did you want one more year for?

It was October 28, a Tuesday, and Bryce and I had come home from work exhausted. We had put in a full Monday 8am-12pm after returning home from Paducah to celebrate PaPa's 90th birthday, meet our new nephew Mason, and go to a halloween party. When we got home we took about a two hour nap. I watched a couple of episodes of The Office and then I went to the bathroom. Because I had not gotten my period yet I knew I needed medication to start it and a pregnancy test before I started it. However when I took the test it was positive.

There is nothing I want one more year for. I want to travel more, but I am still under the belief that can be done with child in tow. I guess we shall find out.

You are already loved.

Presidential Election

While still in the womb you were able to be present at your first election where we voted for the nations first black President. It is an amazing feeling. Obama is so full of promise and a healer to a nation that has been broken.

Spirations

Today the women of spirations were told of your upcoming birth. Twenty some wise women drummed on their self made elk skin drums softly and whispered words of inspiration and hope to you. "You are loved" "You have chosen wisely" "You are a gift of the universe" etc. I was so nervous telling anyone because I was afraid you would leave. What a wonderful gift to have so many beautiful women praying for you. They were the ones who first told me I had to be patient and let you choose me. Now you're here and I need to remind myself to patient. Your development process is a gift.