You're Having Your Baby WHERE???

So when it comes time for you to deliver your baby, there are basically 3 different options for you: a hospital (duh), a birthing center or at home.  Of course there are the non-planned Burger King bathroom babies that tend to befall the women who don't even know they're pregnant (don't even get me started on how you could miss that once 9 months rolls around) or the inside of a car, which almost happened to me since Selah decided she was not keen on prolonging the whole labor thing.  I appreciate the short labor...but not so much almost having the valet guy at the hospital be the first one to see if she had brown or blonde hair.  The hospital I delivered Selah at is great in that they offer midwives in addition to the regular ol' OB/GYN's.  I decided to go with the midwives because I wanted a more natural, motherly approach to delivery.  My hospital is also the only one in the state of Colorado that does water births.  Not that I even got to use that as an option but they do offer it.  They do also offer private suites with king size beds and private chefs that I joked about booking but let's face it...I was sorta serious too.

Birthing centers are sort of a mix between hospital and home that strictly deal with midwives and natural deliveries.  While I was gung-ho about getting a midwife with Selah, I wasn't quite ready to leave the 'comforts' of the hospital for delivering.  And then you have home births which are done with usually 1 or 2 midwives, and just you popping the baby out wherever you darn well choose in your house.  Ask me if I would deliver a baby at home when I was pregnant with Selah and the answer was a resounding heck freaking no!  My reasons: hospitals are safer, I don't want to deal with the mess and my dogs would probably annoy the bejeezus out of me.  I'd say the latter is the only one that still holds up to this day as a viable reason considering they tend to annoy me on a daily basis as it is.  

So with all that being said, I decided long ago that our next kiddo would be delivered at home.  Aaand cue the crickets and raised eyebrows.  Yes, really...I plan on delivering this baby in the comforts of my home and no, I'm not so weirdo dreaded hippie who plans on Kumbaya-ing in the backyard while the neighbors are watching.  That has HOA complaint letter written all over it.   So how exactly did I come to this decision?  Since you asked... :)

First off, no I do not hate western medicine, hospitals and all that it entails.  It has saved my life on a couple of occasions (hello asthma attacks in backwoods Pennsylvania!) and very much has a deserved place.  There are a few reasons why I decided that future kiddos would be born at home if I was deemed a low risk patient, a couple of these being major reasons.

• Reason numero uno: going through transition labor with no break in contractions while in the front seat of a Tahoe and giving my husband directions to the hospital that was a half hour away.  Oh, and oh so glamorously barfing into and all over Target bags (and myself...let's just be honest).  That really should be reason enough right there.  Add in a husband that wouldn't let me ride without a seat belt on so I could get comfortable (what a buzz kill ;) ).  I've said it a thousand times and I'll say it again; I would rather deliver triplets naturally than relive that car ride all over again.  MISERABLE.
• Number two: my insanely high hospital bill for not having much done.  Being self-employed business owners, you don't get as good of insurance if you're employed by a company so that means you really get it handed to you when the bills roll out.  I'm talking a 5 digit bill for delivering a baby in a glorified broom closet without even being admitted yet.  No thank you.  I know I'm going to get a better and much more personal quality of care with a midwife, it will be cheaper and it's going to be all paid for before the baby even gets here!  Bam!  
• Reason number three: going back to those people who have their babies in a car on the side of the road...that was almost me with Selah.  First time labors average about 12 hours long.  Selah was 2 hours.  The kid was popping out to say hello as we flew up to the hospital valet!  And since 2nd labors are usually shorter than 1st deliveries...you do the math.  I'd barely make it out to the garage.  Combining reasons 1 and 2 were really the main reasons why I decided to deliver at home.  While there is a hospital closer to us, I wouldn't recommend that place to anyone and we're now farther away from the hospital I delivered Selah at so unless I want to be part of the 5 o'clock news blip, hospital birth ain't happnin'!    

I know that delivering a baby without meds is certainly not for everyone.  Heck I had moments with Selah that I, a) said I was done and didn't want to do it anymore and b) wanted a general anesthetic and for them to just get her out by whatever means necessary (that was an inside thought thankfully). It's hard work, it hurts and it's hard work.  Did I mention that it's hard work?  Probably why they call it labor and not cocktail hour.  But for me, delivering naturally is best.  I felt great afterwards and from what I've read and been told by midwives, you don't get that awesome rush of oxytocin (the 'love' hormone) if you've had drugs.  I have a high pain tolerance and I know I can handle it, barfing and all.  And can you think of any better place to be than in your home surrounded by your stuff, your comfy pillows and not the sugar-crazed 5 year old from the room next door screaming because dad won't let him raid the patient snack room anymore?  I'll give you a second to ponder that one.

I am more than satisfied with the answers my midwife has in regards to various health issues that could pop up.  We're not being stupid or careless with mine or the baby's health and safety and yes, the husband has long been on board with this decision.  I don't think he wants to relive that car ride again either...yeesh.  Traumatic for all involved.

So hopefully you don't think I'm some complete wacko but if you do, that's okay because I'm more than okay with my decision and I know it will make for some great photos when that time rolls around in a few months! :)

14 Weeks

How Far Along: 14 weeks (still a week behind so I'm really 15 weeks today) but I'm now in the 2nd trimester...whoop whoop!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Still at 5 pounds which I am totally attributing to Selah's birthday cake because I haven't gained a single pound since I finally shipped the remainder off with Dan to take to work and get out of the house before the poundage hit double digits.
Maternity Clothes: Still fitting in regular clothes but I did wear some maternity shorts recently because they're seriously cute and I don't have any distressed denim shorts so there ya go. 
Stretch Marks: Still none...fingers crossed.
Symptoms: Morning sickness has pretty much left the building...just a sour stomach here and there.
Sleep: Nasal congestion in combo with the ridiculous allergies I get every year...not stellar.
Best Moment This Week: Brief cooler temps outside.  I'm not a fan of heat...like at all.
Have You Told Friends & Family: Yup.
Miss Anything: Breathing through my nose at night.
Movement: This baby has brief dance parties inside.
Food Cravings: I love Panera's mac 'n cheese.  We don't have one even remotely close to us so I just dream about it until I'm actually near one.
Anything Make You Queasy or Sick: The smell of the beef & broccoli I made for dinner last night was iffy...cleaning it up out of the crock pot was more than enough for me to handle this morning.
Have You Started to Show Yet: Yes...still could be a food baby on some days.
Baby Is A: Not sure yet!
Wedding Rings On or Off: Still on.  Although I have my bigger fake wedding band in the ready for when my fingers get too sausagey to wear the real deal.
Belly Button In or Out: Still in but looking odd.
Happy or Moody: Pretty happy...except for the day earlier this week that Selah decided to play Godzilla throughout the entire house all by 9am.
Looking Forward To: Fall!  Is it fall yet? ;)

13 Weeks

And thus begins the weekly baby updates!  I didn't really do this with Selah and wish I had so I could have something to look back on.  Or, possibly look back and feel sorry for myself that I'm bigger this time around?!?  Anyway...

How Far Along: 13 Weeks (This is a few days behind so I'm actually at 14 weeks today.)
Total Weight Gain/Loss: 5 pounds.  Yikes.  Although I think 4 of that is from all the cake from Selah's birthday.
Maternity Clothes: Not yet.  Still comfy in my regular clothes.
Stretch Marks: Nope.  I didn't have any with Selah so I'm hoping that holds true this time around too.
Symptoms: Just tired.  Running around after a toddler (and growing a person) probably adds to that!
Sleep: Pregnancy nasal congestion...'nuff said.
Best Moment This Week: Selah's birthday.  Can't believe she's 2!
Have You Told Friends & Family: Yes
Miss Anything: I'd kill for a turkey Subway sandwich right about now.
Movement: There's definitely a mover in there!  I felt Selah at 12 weeks and this one is following suit.
Food Cravings: Nothing weird and I'm usually satisfied with having it once.
Anything Make You Queasy or Sick: Tossed food in the trash can.  Hello K9 Unit nose!
Have You Started to Show Yet: I'm showing way earlier than I did with Selah.  Still looking like I just pigged out on a few too many burgers though.
Baby Is A: Don't know yet!
Wedding Rings On or Off: Still on.
Belly Button In or Out: Still in but seems like it's fighting that lately.
Happy or Moody: Pretty good for the most part...although temperamental toddlers can test that at times ;)
Looking Forward To: Finding out what this little one is next month!

eBay Fashion...Toddler Addition Part I

eBay.  Pretty much everybody knows what it is but there's not many people who really know all the awesomeness it has to offer.  I consider myself somewhat of an eBay fiend.  eBay isn't just used stuff!  Although I will be the first to admit I am not too good to buy a pair of gently used 7 For All Mankind Dojo wide leg jeans.  Still one of my favorite purchases four years later.  No, eBay is full of brand new things!  There are a lot of eBay stores that sell brand new things and usually at much cheaper than in a store.  I like myself and my little 2 year old sidekick to look nice (that's not a crime) but I also don't want to break the bank on something that's going to get avocado or peanut butter on it within 5 minutes so I usually head over to eBay to see what I can dress the little miss in.  So sit back, check out these awesome finds and then bust out your wallet because I guarantee you're not going to want to let these go!

Granted it's now the wrong season for these first finds but these were some of my favorite cool weather pants for Selah.

These leggings come in sets of 3 and there are so many color options!  They're also really thick and almost woolen and perfect for those colder months.

I bought these boots for Selah and they are soooo adorable!  Purple, fringe, boots...triple threat!

Now, I know a lot of people steer away from items that are being shipped straight from somewhere in Asia but lemme be the first to tell you, give it a chance.  I've found some amazing finds on eBay that have come from Asia that are much cheaper and if you're willing to wait a little longer, it's well worth it.  How cute are these leggings?  Pretty dang cute.

 And this dress!  For $14...I think you can wait a couple weeks.  Am I right???

So run, don't walk to your nearest computer and get goin'.  You can thank me later :)

2...really???

**I was planning on posting this yesterday but instead was dealing with the misery of pregnancy-induced lactose intolerance.  I can't say no to mac 'n cheese.

Two years ago today at 2:34pm (thank you for giving me a time I can easily remember), we were blessed with the arrival of one Miss Selah McGinn Brown.

Granted we weren't expecting her for another 5 weeks and certainly didn't entertain the idea of me delivering her in triage on a stretcher because someone was not waiting one more second to get here but I digress!  She has been such a delight to parent.  Well, we know that's not true all the time; rewind to this morning when she got into my MAC eyeshadow compact and decided to finger paint herself and our carpet in a lovely dark purple.  But 99% of the time, I'm loving being her mama.  Slowing myself down to see the world through her eyes and what gets her excited is humbling.  If you think work is too important, stop and watch to see what a 2 year old thinks is awesome and you might think twice about things.  I love my polite little lady, 'pease' and 'kank you Mom'.  I love how she comes up to me, arms stretched out asking, 'hold you?'  Um yes, of course I'll hold you because I know there's going to come a day when she's too cool for boring old Mom and won't want to be held.

I don't know why this birthday is making me a little sad more than her 1st birthday did.  Maybe it's because she's definitely not a baby anymore and she's speaking in sentences and very clear about what she does (and certainly doesn't) want.  This past week I've been watching (and rewatching) old videos I have of her on my phone that I still can't seem to delete to make room even though they're backed up on the computer and on 2 hard drives.

In the meantime, I hope that her little 2 year old self feels all the love we have for her on her special day!

Oops We Did It Again!

So now that you have the awesome 90's Britney Spears hit stuck in your head (you're welcome), it does look like we will be adding another little bambino to the Brown clan in 2014.  We found out the night before my birthday so I'll just say it was on my birthday because, ya know.  I'd been having a couple symptoms that led me to believe that just maybe somethin' may be going on in the baby oven.  Symptoms that I didn't have with Selah until well into the pregnancy but apparently they decided to grace me with their presence nice and early.  Things like being awake in the middle of the night for no earthly reason and not even Pinterest or Facebook will put you back to sleep.  Or the complete eruption of pimples on my chin so awful I could feel them coming days beforehand.  You know the ones...the kind you accidentally bump and they bring tears to your eyes.  Hello 15 year old me all over again! 

So the night before my birthday, I was at an appointment about 45 minutes away and on my way back I realized that no I could not wait until the morning to find out whether or not I was preggo but also that I didn't want to drive 10 miles out of the way to the grocery store to pick up a test.  So I did what any sane and completely rational woman would do...I stopped at the 7-11 near my house.  I'm 34 years old for crying out loud and I was so nervous to walk up to the counter and pay for the stupid thing.  I stood in the aisle for way too long, contemplating whether or not I should make some witty remark about my purchase or point out that I had a ring on and was in fact married.  Thankfully some shred of common sense smacked me upside the head and I said nothing other than 'thank you' and 'good night'.  I get home and Dan had no idea that I had a pregnancy test stuffed in my pocket.  Why didn't I tell him what I was doing?  Well, I'm apparently super immature at 34 but I've also taken my fair share of tests in a moment of panic since Selah's been born that I wanted to make sure this wasn't another waste of $8 before I said something.  I hadn't even flushed the toilet and that bad boy was positive for shore. 

 

 I was excited coupled with OMG I'm gonna have 2 kids and we're not just trying anymore.   We told a couple close friends right away that we see frequently and might be wondering why I wasn't paying attention to their conversation and instead talking myself through not barfing all over them.  Morning sickness with your first child and morning sickness with your 2nd are totally different.  With Selah, I worked from home so I could sleep my nausea and exhaustion away.  With this one, you don't really get that luxury when you have a toddler getting into every possible thing in the house and inhaling animal cookies like they're going out of style. There may have been more than one occasion of head against the shower wall, praying to God to just get me through that day.  And thankfully I'm on the other side of the death warmed over days.  While I'd had something more elaborate planned when it came to the baby announcement via the Internet (because you know you can't have some lame-o announcement to your friends and 'friends'), we decided to go with this announcement that I came up with while Selah and I were in California recently.  And I think it's way better than what I had planned.

 

So let the fun begin again!