The Family Bed

One thing that M and I have discussed during this pregnancy is the idea of cosleeping. Do it, not do it? Advantages, disadvantages. So on and so forth; books of epic porportions have been written on this very subject.

At first I wasn't a big fan of the idea of cosleeping - I'll admit that. I really can't explain why, because I'm not SURE why. I think it was mostly not being informed. However, the more I continued to read about it and the benefits it provides, the more I warmed up to the idea.

Let me do a little run-down:

Benefits
*Increases family bonding
*Ease of breastfeeding
*Decreases chance of SIDS
*MORE SLEEP FOR NEW MAMAS!
*Less laundry
*I can simply turn over and poke The Frog when I'm wondering if it's breathing or not, instead of having to RUSH to another room and stand over a crib. *smile*

Disadvantages:

*None, for us.

Of course, there ARE disadvantages to cosleeping for some people - read the aforementioned epics to find them. For us though, it seems like a pretty groovy idea.

And anyway, we're used to the family bed! :



And one more - a close up of the cutest dog you will probably ever see:

Meanderings

Just back from our 36 1/2 week check up with the midwife!

The report:

Bloodpressure A-OK.
No protein in urine.
NEGATIVE STREP-B!!!!! *YESSSS*
Frog's heartrate 150-160, just like always.

Partner also got checked today for the first time, since Joanna will be out of town for the upcoming week. Everything was tight as a drum - doesn't look like kiddo will be going anywhere anytime soon, which we're EXTREMELY thankful for!

We also printed out a picture of the birth pool (with dimensions!) for Joanna to take to the nurses at the hospital. Apparantly they're having minor seizures over the fact that we're planning on having a waterbirth (the FIRST waterbirth at our bith center, might I add). We thought if we showed them that the pool wasn't anything terrifyingly large or scary that it might help. Joanna told us the pool isn't too big for the labor rooms, so the only thing we have left to do is to run down to the birthing center later today to make sure our hose adapter fits on the faucets.

*EEP*

GO, BABY, GO!

And just because we all need a little direction.....

Randomness

Not a peep outta me for a while, huh?

Things on this end are going VERY well. Not much complaining to do, other than the small 'heat wave' we had a couple weeks back (around 104 heat index). Not having an air conditioner can really make such temperatures unbearable. We made it through though, no blood shed and no one melted. Good times.

Partner did however have a little 'episode'. We went to bed one night, then the next morning her hands and feet had suddenly swollen up like the Stay Puff Marshmellow Man. We went to the Midwife who told us that everything was A-OK; bloodpressure good (100/50 - REALLY good), baby active, no protein in her urine. That trip brought us peace of mind and it brought Meags 48 hours of bedrest. Which, by the way, totally cleared up the evil edema problem.

I got approved for my 14 days of leave after the baby is born *yes* . Annnnnd, guess who's workplace is looking into domestic partner benefits? Yep, that'd be mine. I'm quite enthralled with the idea. I'll keep you posted.

I'll leave you with a tidbit of trivia I heard on NPR the other morning - did you know that if you go buy fast-food french fries, only TWO CENTS of that purchase (regardless of size) will go toward a potato farmer. Horrible. The moral of this story is this:

If you have a hankerin' for french fries, drive down to your local co-op and buy some locally grown potatos. Cut them up and bake them; they're better for you that way and you'll be supporting a farmer...it's a win/win situation.

Innocent Victim

It's almost 10 pm.

Partner is asleep. The dogs are asleep. Me, not so lucky.

I sit before you; a victim of a Mint Mocha MooLatte, half of which was ingested around 8 pm. The other half is banned to my freezer.

I've cleaned all the animals.
I've medicated the Dachshund's abcessed spay incision (which, I may add, looks MUCH better).
I've picked up the house.

AND I'M STILL WIRED.

I knew better. My body doesn't do coffee or coffee drink - caffeine well. Soda caffeine I can tolerate.

I need to cut this nasty crap out for good.

My insomnia tonight is just practice, right?

That's what I'm telling myself, anyway...