We found a midwife/doula!! 187 days!

Last time I posted, I mentioned that I would write about the research I had planned for this month: midwife/doula, labor techniques and baby gear.
We found a midwife who is willing to fill the doula role. A doula is someone that "mothers the mother." She is one of the best midwifes in NWA and I'm so excited to have her be a part of our experience. The funny thing is, is that she lives on the street right next to us! We had an amazing conversation and our first appointment with her is on the 21st. Her services include: attending childbirth classes with us in order to get to know us and bond, help us with the birth plan and be our advocate in the hospital so that it gets followed, help me labor at home as long as possible, support me in the labor techniques I've learned, support both Blake and I in the delivery room, and breastfeeding support.
Blake will be an awesome labor coach. He is already doing his part! We will both be grateful for an experienced person to guide both of us.
The labor techniques are still being worked out. We'll take a class in Rogers, and I'll find out more about that in our meeting with the midwife. I'm not sure if we will take the class at the hospital too. I think that meets for four weeks and the class in Rogers is a six week class.
Now, my favorite, baby gear!! Baby clothes and baby things are so adorable. I've practiced self-control though and haven't bought anything except diapers. Consumer Reports had an issue last year on car seats. So far, that's all I can find that they have tested. I know they have a book on baby products tested so I will go to Barnes and Noble and take some notes.
I'm ready to go shopping at Babies R Us!!

12 week appointment was successful!

My appointment went really well today! I love my doctor and it's really nice to hear that we agree on everything regarding the type of birthing process we want. He is even pro-home birth!!!! He told us that based on our philosophy and low risk that it would be fine for us if we wanted to consider it. It was funny because I didn't bring up the home birth subject--he did. Blake and I have talked about a home birth, but have decided to have this one in the hospital. I have done hours of research on home and hospital births so it's not something that I would do uniformed. Because of our doctor's support of the natural process I feel confident we can have the experience we want. Praying that we don't need a C-section (his percentages are lower than the national average), but in the end, a healthy baby is all that matters!
Blake got to hear the heartbeat, which was exciting, and we got to ask the questions we've been thinking about. Example: What is his C-section rate, episiotomy rate (very low), SSMH policies, labor & delivery room questions, natural methods to relieve pain, how long can I labor at home, how do I reach you in an emergency..etc. It was a very informative meeting!!
My next appt is May 5th and they will do blood work (not an amnio) to assess the risk for Down Syndrome and other genetic abnormalities. Then, 8 weeks from now we get to have the biggie appointment where they do a full scan of all the organs, and we find out if we're having a boy or a girl.
I told him about the cough I've had for 12 weeks now and he said that pregnancy can cause things that I'm already prone to, to be exaggerated, like allergies. He's going to keep an eye on it-- so far he's not concerned.
I watched an awesome movie today, "The Business of Being Born." It inspired and motivated me. I told Blake that he shouldn't watch it or he'd change his mind about home birthing! Definitely worth checking out whether you are expecting or not.
I'll post more about this month's research this weekend.

Doctor Appointment Tomorrow!

Tomorrow we go in for the 12 week appointment. I'm excited and ready to see another ultrasound. It will be the first time Blake gets to hear the heartbeat.
For those of you who have asked us what name we have picked out for a girl, we are going to wait and see what we're having before we announce it. Even though I'm convinced it's a girl it might not be.
We're still working on coming up with a boy's name. So far, just a couple that we like, but nothing that we really, really like.
My nausea is getting better, but I'm still really tired. That could be the benadryll that I'm taking to keep my congestion down.
I will update after our appointment tomorrow afternoon!

199 days to go!

Nothing too new to report on the baby front. Everything still looks good on the ultrasounds. Strong heartbeat and lil' whippersnapper likes to move around a lot.
Yesterday I slept for 16 hours combined during the day and at night! I haven't done that since I came back from camp in 6th grade. Ha! Hopefully, just one more week of tired and then I will be energized :) That's what all the books say.
I got spoiled last week when Gary stayed with us for Spring Break. He did the dishes every night and helped out around the house. Blake has been helping me cook and clean too.
Since the weather is improving I've been outside more and that has energized me. In a couple weeks I'll start my new walking schedule and hopefully be able to get in one last half-marathon before the baby gets here! That might be a little ambitious so I'm going to play it by ear. When I taught pre-school one of the mom's had run a marathon a month before giving birth!
Thanks to my cousin Megan who gave me an awesome baby journal!! The great thing about this book is that for every day it gives a new description of how the baby is growing. "Your baby's intestines are now in the abdomen. Over the next two days, the muscles in the walls of your baby's digestive tract will become functional..." I read the day's excerpt out loud every night before we go to bed.
Things I'll be researching this month: midwife/doula, labor techniques, and baby gear!

What's in a name?

We think we have decided on a name for a girl. Boys names seem to be more difficult for us. I really like the name Blake but that's already taken. ha! There will be no Blake Jr. in our house. We want a name that's unique, not plain, but not too off-the-wall either.
Can anyone recommend any good baby name books? How did you come up with your name for your baby?

Where has the energy gone??

Straight to the baby!!!! Seriously, I haven't been this tired or energy deprived in my life. Usually, I bounce around all day and now....Whew. I'm not sleepy just fatigued. It's as if I can feel my muscles and the cells draining away. I've been trying to walk for exercise, but I get so tired after a mile that I stop. Hopefully, in four weeks, I'll be back to my energetic and non-nauseated self!!! The meds have stopped working so I'm going to call the doctor tomorrow to see if I can try Zofran.
Blake has been taking care of me wonderfully. In the middle of the night or early morning when I feel pukey he has been making me a plain waffle in the toaster or getting me ginger ale. I couldn't ask for a better husband!!! I try not to wake him when I'm awake from 3:30am until 5:30. Since I haven't been sleeping well, neither has he. This is all in preparedness for the baby, who I'm sure, will be a night owl.
Off to eat. Which is something I used to enjoy--I'm hoping this comes back with the energy!!

The News

It's been so much fun telling people we're having a baby. We have had a lot of excited and funny responses. The top prize goes to my grandma who, after I told her we were having a baby, said, "A baby WHAT"? I said, A human baby?! Ha!
The doctor has given me some medication to help with the sickness, but it makes me tired and groggy. At least it helps though!