Hypnobirthing Birth

As I prepare for the future arrival of our new baby I realized I need to start preparing for the labor and delivery that will naturally precede it. I have been talking with a friend, who's baby is due a couple of months before mine and is terrified, about the class I took in preparation for Morgan's birth and I thought I should share my feelings with others as well.

Just months before Morgan was born I enrolled in a Hypnobirthing class, graciously paid for by my sister who believes very firmly in it, and recognize it as one of the most effective classes to prepare for labor. David and I went once a week for several weeks and the information we learned was invaluable as I was able to use the knowledge I learned there to ease my nerves regarding childbirth. So often you hear people tell you how unbearably painful labor is, but how can that be when before epidural or other modern drugs became available women bearably bore multiple children? Hynobirthing opened our eyes to just that.

At the beginning of the course we learned the just how exactly the female body responds to labor - what is going on in there. It was such an eye-opener when we discovered the powerful influence relaxation could have during the responses. Everything made sense. Your body is stressed. What do you do when you are in stress? Relax. But no, it is not that easy if you are not prepared. This class taught me how to relax (yes, it takes practice - teach it to your kids!) so that during the periods when my body was in stress during labor I could ease the tension and pressure. There really is no need to be scared when approaching childbirth. It is what our bodies are made to do. It can be the most beautiful, spiritual experience of your life. Don't let yourself be so scared of the "pain" that you miss the opportunity to enjoy the birth of your baby and the start of your new life. This Hypnobirthing class helped me do just that.

in need of a hobby

As my final class... ever... came to a close I didn't really think much would change once I was "free". During my last year as a student my classes were really spread out to accommodate Morgan so I didn't think graduating would really be much different. I was wrong. Now I have so much time and I feel like I don't make good use of it. Some might disagree because Morgan and I play and I keep my house clean, for the most part, but at the end of the day I have nothing to show for my time. Being a mom and housewife has always been my true passion in life and now that I can do it full-time I don't think I'm doing a very good job. Dinner is sad. Crafts are undone. The cold keeps us indoors. When David and I were dating and I had to go to work David would always ask what he was supposed to do while I was gone; I'd tell him "Get a Hobby!" I'm afraid I haven't taken my own advice. With this time I've only recognized my shortcomings as a mom and as a wife.

On a more upbeat note, Morgan is a smarty pants! She knows where her nose, ears, and teeth are and tries to "honk" when she squeezes either her nose or ours. If you ask her where the baby is she will point to herself more often than not. I hope we don't have problems when the new baby comes. She is saying more and more words: baby, teeth, ear, bath (which is actually more of a "ba"), duck, and of course the usually mom, daddy, hi, and bye. She loves peanut butter and the moment she sees me pull it out she gets very excited - must be my daughter! She is now tall enough to see out the window in the living room and open the microwave, which she really only cares about when we're warming up her milk. She has mastered the stairs and with that came mastering how to get on and off the couch and bed. If you tell her she has a stinky diaper she will go get the wipes and a diaper for you to change it (hopefully that is an indication of early potty training?). She already flushes the toilet. She understands what most things are and if you ask where it is she is find it for you - a certain toy, book, keys, phone, blanket, water, etc. We are so blessed to have such a remarkable daughter.

Christmas Day

Miscellaneous Morgan

Yes, our child consumes us so our blog posts are pretty much all her.

We got a swing and bouncer from someone for the new
baby and Morgan just crawled in to "chill"

She is so tech savvy and proud of it

Rockin' in the swing!

Birthday Girl

For Morgan's birthday we had a great turn out of people to celebrate with us. We had pizza for lunch and then cut the cake. I made a book cake titled "My 1st Year By: Morgan".

Morgan did NOT want to be in the highchair.

She was dissecting the cake - still unsure of it

"Oh this is yummy"

"SOOOO GOOOOD"