This past weekend, Anthony and I took part in an all-day childbirth class, fittingly called "A Labor of Love". It was facilitated by Laura Horan, a Nurse Practitioner for Women's Healthcare Specialists in King of Prussia, PA. Our Obstetricians recommended it to us and we recommend it as well (that is, if you are planning to deliver at Bryn Mawr Hospital). It was very informative and the all-day format worked well. It finished nicely with a tour of the hospital, including the all important explanation of the parking/drop-off situation for when it's "go time".
She recommended that you take this class about 1-2 months before your due date, but with our crazy schedules, this was the only Saturday class offered between now and our due date that we could make work. I'm happy we took it when we did because it gave us some more time to follow-up on some suggestions she had and prepare a bit more, not that we will ever be prepared enough for what's in store for us! I'm sure we'll forget a lot of the stuff we went through, but I was the only nerd in the class taking notes, so we should be good! Lol!
The class also had some interesting videos that we honestly weren't prepared for. I looked over at Anthony a few times to see him grimacing a bit, as was I for several of the parts. Well hopefully now he won't be completely shocked during the real deal and his chances for passing out will be signficantly reduced! What did I learn from the videos? Well, for one, I'm all for the epidural drip! It's admirable still I suppose for those that choose the "natural" route, but give me the drugs! When I was first looking into childbirth class offerings, I mistakenly reached out to a birth doula who was all about the natural birth approach. Her philosophy: "My view is Zen...pain may be present, but suffering is optional". Yes, there is something to be said about the ol' "no pain, no gain" and "mind over matter" concepts, blah, blah, blah, but my view is, why put yourself through so much pain when science and medicine have evolved to not have to endure that!
In the last section of the class, we got to the relaxation/lamaze exercises that I'm sure many of you are familiar with. Since I was sitting closest to the instructor, I was asked to help demonstrate some of the relaxation/massage techniques with her for the rest of the class. This is supposed to be something our partners are to practice to help us get through the pain, which I hope is significantly reduced for me with the blessed meds!
I was happy to get the free massage from the instructor! The girl sitting behind us in this pic has only a little more than a month to go until her due date; I technically have 3. Could you tell she was further along than me? Yea, I didn't think so. And I think I actually looked a bit bigger! In fact, all the other expectant mothers there had due dates much earlier than me and I looked the same if not bigger than all of them.
Anthony's Dad recently revealed that he was a 10 lb, 2 oz baby and Anthony was between 8-9 lbs, so possibly more evidence that our little one may not be so little when he enters this world. I'm happy to report that I passed my glucose test, so that rules out gestational diabetes as a possible reason for potentially having a bigger baby. Again, we'll hopefully know more after our ultrasound this Thursday. Can't wait to see Baby M again!
We start the 3rd trimester technically this weekend (or was it last weekend since you can't divide 40 evenly by 3?), so we are on the home stretch! I'm trying to take advantage of my energy level now so am constantly "feathering my nest"! I have a slight obsession with picture frames these days and guess I'm preparing to be surrounded by things that make me happy and comfortable when I'm home on maternity leave. And I'm happy and relieved that we made good progress on the nursery before I get even bigger and less energetic. For those that know me well, you can be assured that I have several craft projects up my sleeve for this room, including paintings and some other fun DIY projects. So fun! I've also been perusing Etsy a lot and was happy to come across this cute mobile...one of a few things that will be hanging from the ceiling in the nursery.
Here are some other sneak peaks of the nursery we've been busy working on. First, let's see the evolution of the room that will soon become the nursery...
It evolved a little bit over the next few years, becoming a multi-purpose room for art supplies and MBA stuff. After meeting Anthony, a seemingly simple conversion of the room to an office turned into an extensive project due to structural/mold issues we exposed in the ceiling near the chimney...thanks goodness his Dad, a general contractor, was there! Not sure what we would have done without him!
When the office was finished, Anthony and I looked at each other and both agreed this would make a nice nursery someday, but, at that time, we had no idea where in the world we would end up living! So, we put that thought aside. Now, ~2 yrs later, it's time to turn that office into a nursery!
More pics to come when it's all pulled together!
Daddy also made a special purchase this week...Baby M's first pair of Air Jordans. How cute are these?!
Tomorrow not only is Anthony's bday, but it is also the 3 yr anniversary of the day we met! A lot sure has happened in 3 yrs and we feel very blessed.
And Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone...one of my favorite holidays. XOXO
Love,
Ulana & Anthony
She recommended that you take this class about 1-2 months before your due date, but with our crazy schedules, this was the only Saturday class offered between now and our due date that we could make work. I'm happy we took it when we did because it gave us some more time to follow-up on some suggestions she had and prepare a bit more, not that we will ever be prepared enough for what's in store for us! I'm sure we'll forget a lot of the stuff we went through, but I was the only nerd in the class taking notes, so we should be good! Lol!
The class also had some interesting videos that we honestly weren't prepared for. I looked over at Anthony a few times to see him grimacing a bit, as was I for several of the parts. Well hopefully now he won't be completely shocked during the real deal and his chances for passing out will be signficantly reduced! What did I learn from the videos? Well, for one, I'm all for the epidural drip! It's admirable still I suppose for those that choose the "natural" route, but give me the drugs! When I was first looking into childbirth class offerings, I mistakenly reached out to a birth doula who was all about the natural birth approach. Her philosophy: "My view is Zen...pain may be present, but suffering is optional". Yes, there is something to be said about the ol' "no pain, no gain" and "mind over matter" concepts, blah, blah, blah, but my view is, why put yourself through so much pain when science and medicine have evolved to not have to endure that!
In the last section of the class, we got to the relaxation/lamaze exercises that I'm sure many of you are familiar with. Since I was sitting closest to the instructor, I was asked to help demonstrate some of the relaxation/massage techniques with her for the rest of the class. This is supposed to be something our partners are to practice to help us get through the pain, which I hope is significantly reduced for me with the blessed meds!
I was happy to get the free massage from the instructor! The girl sitting behind us in this pic has only a little more than a month to go until her due date; I technically have 3. Could you tell she was further along than me? Yea, I didn't think so. And I think I actually looked a bit bigger! In fact, all the other expectant mothers there had due dates much earlier than me and I looked the same if not bigger than all of them.
Anthony's Dad recently revealed that he was a 10 lb, 2 oz baby and Anthony was between 8-9 lbs, so possibly more evidence that our little one may not be so little when he enters this world. I'm happy to report that I passed my glucose test, so that rules out gestational diabetes as a possible reason for potentially having a bigger baby. Again, we'll hopefully know more after our ultrasound this Thursday. Can't wait to see Baby M again!
We start the 3rd trimester technically this weekend (or was it last weekend since you can't divide 40 evenly by 3?), so we are on the home stretch! I'm trying to take advantage of my energy level now so am constantly "feathering my nest"! I have a slight obsession with picture frames these days and guess I'm preparing to be surrounded by things that make me happy and comfortable when I'm home on maternity leave. And I'm happy and relieved that we made good progress on the nursery before I get even bigger and less energetic. For those that know me well, you can be assured that I have several craft projects up my sleeve for this room, including paintings and some other fun DIY projects. So fun! I've also been perusing Etsy a lot and was happy to come across this cute mobile...one of a few things that will be hanging from the ceiling in the nursery.
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| One-of-a-kind handmade mobile by lollipopmoon on Etsy! This will be hanging over the changing table. |
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| The room in Oct 2006 during the home inspection; ~2.5 yrs before I'd meet the one who would turn this house into a home. Lovely color, huh? |
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| In the summer of 2010, Anthony, his Dad, and his friend Robby helped to convert the room into an office. I just had to show the boys how to do a thing or two. Lol! |
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| Anthony and his first tool belt. |
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| Anthony and the soon to be Papa. |
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| our first project! |
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| The finished office (well a corner of it) and the awesome bed my Dad made! |
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| @ ~26 wks |
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| A sneak peak at part of the nursery...before the fun of finishing touches began! Stay tuned... |
Daddy also made a special purchase this week...Baby M's first pair of Air Jordans. How cute are these?!
Tomorrow not only is Anthony's bday, but it is also the 3 yr anniversary of the day we met! A lot sure has happened in 3 yrs and we feel very blessed.
And Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone...one of my favorite holidays. XOXO
Love,
Ulana & Anthony
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