There's No Place Like Home

Have you ever had that feeling of just boiling over with excitement about something? Where your whole body sizzles with an idea and you feel like you're on fire with passion for it.

That is what I'm feeling right now regarding home birth.

NOT a home birth. A good one (thought slightly frustrating), but NOT a home birth. 

Weird thing to get all excited over, but I am really, REALLY excited by the idea.

It's...what I want.

And I know a big part of this excitement has to do with the fact that I am currently having humongous amounts of baby fever. And another part is the fact that I'm currently reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and am loving the birth stories (which are making me ball in the middle of the teachers' room at work). But, I think this is genuine excitement fueled by a genuine desire to do something good for myself, my future child, and my family.

This is something I think I can do and I know I want to do.

Of course, in order for one to have a home birth, one needs to be pregnant (which I'm most definitely not), but...but...that could be happening at some point. Soon. Ish. (Or several months from now.) Kind of.

But, regardless of my fetus status, I can't quite get over how enthused I am about home birth. I know I need to do more research. I know I need to make sure DOH is completely on board (I've all ready run it by him, and while he thinks I'm nuts, he's basically said that if it's what I want, then that's what we'll do). I also need to know if it's even financially feasible. BUT, the benefit of not being pregnant right now (and not running the risk of being pregnant any time soon), is that I've got plenty of time to research. And obsess. And enthuse. And blog about it.

:-)

On Whales and Major Surgery

What? A vaguely timely project update? It couldn't be!

Ah, but it is. 

Project Baby is well underway. In my last update, I talked about how I'm feeling a wee bit...whale-ish. Well, I weighed myself this morning and I've lost two pounds in the last week. *Pats self on back*

Hey, it's a start, right? 

Now, on to something new. 

While labor and delivery are way, way, way, way off into the future, Adriel on Mommyhood Memos (wicked awesome/sweet blog that you should check out) has posted a video on "natural cesarean sections." While my end goal, besides delivering and raising a healthy and happy baby/child, is to have a natural birth, preferably at a birth center (versus the hospital)....or maybe....just maybe....at home? (I don't know if it's a wise/responsible idea to go from having a c-section to giving birth at home, but it's a thought, right?)

Anyway, because anything can happen and a c-section may become necessary, finding this video made me feel loads and loads better about the idea of possibly having another c-section. I did not have a traumatizing experience previously. I had a really great experience, actually, but it still wasn't what I wanted. And I want what I want this next time around, but things happen, plans change, and we have to make accommodations. As much as I don't want to prep my brain for a c-section (because I feel as though that will make the likelihood of having one that much greater), I receive some comfort from this alternative. The video is below and is totally fascinating (though, be warned, the show a c-section being performed, so if you're squeamish, you may want to skip that part).

I Promise I Haven't Abandoned Ship

Okay, so a little while ago, I did say I would be updating on a couple of projects I have going (Pioneer and Baby related). I  have updated on the Pioneer Project (and will be doing so again this evening), but I haven't had a chance to mention the whole baby thing. Mostly because I'm trying to keep my head above water with work and it's overwhelming and I don't have time for anything and it's frustrating, yet satisfying because I love my job...but...none of that matters.

Because I'm here now.

Hi.

Okay, so my first project update is this:

See this adorable young woman? That is what I looked like prior to children. 

This is what I look like now:

Obviously not my best angle, but you get the picture. I've gained a little weight since having my daughter. 

One of my biggest obstacles between myself and a normal, healthy pregnancy that will hopefully end without surgery is to lose some weight. 

A lot of weight. 

Problem? I am completely and totally unmotivated. 

Well, that's not entirely true. I do want to lose weight, and I have great reasons (besides wanting to get pregnant). 

I just can't seem to muster the will power to help me through this, to put me on the path to a healthier lifestyle. 

So this is what I'm battling right now (in addition to making sure I take my prenatals). I'm hoping I'll have some sort of epiphany over the weekend and come Monday I'll be on board with some sort of weight-loss program. 

Wish me luck, right?

Next update: Pioneer Project

Cooking/Baking - This part is way easy to nail. Right now I've got a Sweet Potato Dinner going in the oven, which will be followed up by a custard dish, with most of the ingredients coming locally. (Maybe it's all this good food that's thwarting my weight-loss?)

Homesteading - Major gardening project (well, we'll see how major it is, but I'm hoping for a huge transformation) starts tomorrow. My mom and I are looking to make some changes to the garden just in front of our porch in the morning. I will definitely try to remember to take some before and after pictures. I can't wait to get started!

Technology - I don't have time for technology any more... Other than a little bit of T.V. each night, I haven't had much time with my laptop or iPad. I'm almost sad about this. 

Spirituality - We might go to church on Sunday? (I'm trying, I promise.) 

Family - Major fail this week. Epic freaking fail. 

Let's hope for fewer fails this week. (And, again, let's have more pictures next time, kay?)

Project Buttons!

I love buttons, especially now that I've learned how to  make my own! If you're interested in following along and doing your own versions of Project Baby or the Pioneer Project, grab a button and go! Tune in this Friday for a Pioneer Project update and next Monday for Project Baby.


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