Week 36: Great Guttery GIRL News and Our Birthing Class.

So much fun this week.

First of all, it's finally out in the open, DANICA AND BRENNON ARE PREGNANT!
and not only that, they are having a GIRL!

Love this picture, so priceless. I'm so incredibly happy for them. Our kiddos will be so close in age and Liam can look out for Little Gertrude...I'm assuming that's what they'll be naming her. #badjoke

Danica, with all her headbands and cutesy crafts, she's going to have hay day! That's going to be the cutest dressed baby girl around ( and cutest in general) And I cannot wait to see Brennon as a girl-dad! They're both going to be amazing!

On Friday Chad and I helped our friends, Trent and Chelsea with her school musical she was in charge of. those kids were hilarious and we had such a good time getting into the spirit of the season with these beautiful children, singing Christmas songs and reciting their lines. Chelsea did such a great job leading and teaching them and the parents loved it!

Saturday Chad and I had the awesome opportunity f attending a birthing class. Most classes consist of 4-5 Saturday nights lessons that last an hour or so but I'm 36 weeks....its Christmas time. Ain't no body got time for that.

We did an all day 9am-5pm all inclusive class. We learned everything from pre-labor symptoms, relaxation techniques, counter pressure, medications used in labor, natural verse epidural. hypno-birthing benefits, what the hospital offers, exercises, recovery, baby care, pediatrician selections, a tour of the hospital and the rooms we'd be staying in and so so so much more!
To be honest it was a little more than I could handle...which is why I was so glad to have Chad there to help me out! He was a little weirded out when he saw the pads on the floor, he's not a very cross-your-legs, deep breath, "zen" kinda guy but all the exercises were really normal and I did most of the laying down. By the 3rd or fourth hour, Chad really had gotten used to the relaxed environment of the class.

Not all the relaxation techniques worked for me, in fact, a majority of them did nothing for me but I learn a solid three techniques that I'll for sure be using. One of the things we will NOT be using is story telling. I asked Chad to tell me a story with a relaxing, safe comfortable setting so here's what he said to me (in a very safe, soft, sing-songy voice).

C: "Kayla imagine your on a beach and you can feel the warm sand between your toes with each step.
the salty warm breeze in on your face and through your hair.
Now your walking along and suddenly you step on something warm and smooth
 its squishes between your toes.
It's the neighbors dog's poop. "
K: Chad that's disgusting!
C: Just wait it gets better. 
" You wash off your foot in the water and decide to swim in the ocean.
K: "I know me, I wouldn't wanna swim in the water I just washed my poopy foot in."
C: "Who's telling the story Kayla?!"
K:"Sorry, I'll contract, you relax."
C: "Your lying on your back in the water, feeling each wave rush over you. You dive into a wave and are greeted by many little fish. You find that you can breath under water so you follow the fish. The fish are so nice to you!"
K: (laugh) *I could tell he was running out of material
C: "But then you can't breath under the water anymore so you have to leave...but your still "safe" and "relaxed".
K: "This really isn't working babe"

Long, weird story short, it wasn't the most effective technique for us. But there were so many others that we found helpful and that I think Chad will really rock at in the Labor room. We learned a lot of exercises and pain coping techniques for the first 4 or 5 centimeters of dilation that I feel super confident about and Chads even a little excited about coaching me through it!

Later in the day, we watched a video on epidurals verse natural births and it got "REAL". They showed us a couple coping without an epidural and the different techniques they used and what their experience was like, then they showed a couple with get an epidural and explain the risks involved with both cases. It as extremely informative, So informative that I found myself wishing that I knew LESS after it was over. about half way through this little 20 minute movie, my eyes started widening and watering with fear. luckily the lights were out and no one could see, but Chad was a little shocked too so he looked over to check on me. Upon seeing the water filled eyes, he rubbed my back and whispered, "Kayla, look how happy they are, they're really enjoying this experience and the doctors stepping them through everything! Isn't that great!?"

Chad gets me! He's going to be the best birthing coach i could ask for. He knows how easily I get spooked and that all i need is his trusted voice to keep me calm and relaxed. The video, while informative and thorough, was not nearly as reassuring as Chad was. thanks hunnie.

Next, we went on a tour of the hospital.
It. Is. Amazing!
We're so excited to have Liam in this hospital, they KNOW how to deliver (in every sense of the word) by the time we got to the exam room i had calmed down a little from the video and was getting excited again about everything. That's when I heard it. A blood-curdling scream coming from a few doors down. I thought I was just hearing things until it happened again a few seconds later, and this time even louder and longer. our instructor was talking but i totally asked, full volume, "did anybody else just hear that woman screaming?!"
(Yes, I"M that person that causes the panic)
Everyone listened and we all heard her again. Shortly after she stopped screaming we heard the first verse of 'Rock-a-bye Baby' play in the halls. She was pushing out a baby! and i guess the maternity floor plays that song every time a baby is born.
(I'd hate so hear what they play when someone dies....#secondbadjoke)

By the end of the day we decided a few things...
-We're SO glad we took the class! It was so great for Chad to get involved and excited about his involvement, and for us to learn so skills to work on in the next few weeks.
-We now have questions for our doctor! Now that we know our options and what goes on at every stage of labor and post-birth, we have more to ask him and get squared away.
-We will be doing an epidural if its possible. I'm glad Chad and I went in with an open mind and prepared ourselves in case its not possible but we also agree that it's the right option for us :)
-We are SO ready for this! I know people say that "your never ready to have a baby" but we can feel ready, and I'm sure there will be hiccups but we're more prepared for that now and excited for everything to come in the next few weeks!

Week:36

 Total Weight Gain: 31 pounds up from my pre-pregnancy weight.

Stretch Marks: My stinkin belly button wont "pop" so I'm getting stretch marks just above my belly button now..yay.

Best Moment This Week: Visiting the hospital where Liam will be born!

Missing: being able to do ANYTHING for longer than 2 hours. I used to be able to sit in my office chair and get stuff done but now I've got to get up and move around or my ankles will explode or my back will ache.

Movement: Lower! I'm feeling him in much...lower places more recently.
Symptoms: Heartburn, back pains and discomfort. Also heat, I'm a human heater.

Food Cravings: Frozen Lemonade. I'm getting into the ice chip stage. 

Causing Nausea: nothing in particular

Labor Signs: none

Belly Button: Very tight 

Wedding ring:  Off

Moods:I'm forcing myself to be relaxed....whoooosa!

Next Doctor's Appointment: The 19th of December

Looking Forward to: Asking my doctor all the burning questions we gained from our birthing class

Baby Facts: His skin is getting smooth and soft and his gums are rigid. His liver and kidneys are in working order. Circulation and immune systems are basically good to go, too.

   He's as big as a Honeydew!