Learning the Art of Labor

Brendan and I started our childbirth class this weekend. It's a two day long class at Reston hospital. At the first class we learned about the different signs of labor, when we should head to the hospital or call our midwife, and a general overview of the different stages of labor and delivery. We also saw two videos - one of a vaginal birth and the other of a c-section. Yikes. If those videos don't make an expectant mother cringe, she's got a cervix of steel. Although the end result got us all teary and made the previous scenes seem somehow not so bad. It's hard to imagine that will us in just seven weeks.

I hadn't really thought too much about the actual birth process until now. I mean, I've thought about my birth plan, if I want an epidural or not, who I want to be in the room with me, and what kind of pain management technique I want to use; but I hadn't really thought about what it would FEEL like. Well, after that first class, I've thought of little else all week. I'm starting to get really nervous and scared. I have always wanted to have a really natural labor and delivery, with as few drugs as possible, and I think I'm a pretty tough girl, but now that I'm getting closer to the big day, I'm starting to wimp out! What if I can't handle the pain?

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

We had a great Fathers day, we finished la Maze class, went to our last 3D/4D to see our little princess and then Brendan and I cooked flank steak, tomatoes and mozarella and spinach per Dads request, for fathers day.

It was a nice day and we enjoyed the pool and being around family.

We also found out baby girl Hickey turned and is no longer breeched, for now. she even opened her eyes during the ultrasound. She was curled in her favorite position, with toes in her mouth, until the doctor got her moving. We then got some great shots. What a great Fathers day!

My First Baby Shower

Yesterday Kathy Shea, Colleen, Christina and Kellie threw me a baby shower at Kathy and Kevins house, it was so much fun! About 20 friends and family came, there was tons of yummy food, and I got a bunch of great gifts. A pregnant woman's dream come true! I can not thank them enough for the time and effort they put into it, they truly outdid themselves.


Baby Girl Hickey is going to be one spoiled child with all the cool gifts I got at the shower - bath, car seat, pack and play, pink video monitor, adorable outfits, hats, stuffed animals, etc.

I want to thank everyone that came and brought a gift for our little princess.

One of my favorites, was the Juicy MacLaren stroller from Kathy, Kevin and Colleen---it is soo adorable, words dont describe.


Mom showed up with a box full of outfits she either smocked or saved from when I was a baby---29 years ago....it was soo sweet. They are all still soo adorable and definitely back in style. Of course they were all ironed and hung!

Brendans 96 year old Grandmother, Monty croqueted us a blanket, see below. This might be one of the last thigns we get from her and it is soo beautiful!

I also want to thank Kellie who wrote down all the gifts, and "hurried" this process along, as I know it is the most boring.

Here is the DELICIOUS cake that Kathy got and how creative...here is to a flat belly!