head turns -- birth stories -- classes

Head Turns. So it seems baby and I are starting to make some heads turn. As I make the long walk from my desk - across the factory - to the bathroom, I've begun to notice people looking at me in a different way... Some stare, some smile, but most just look at the obvious baby bump protruding from my abdomen. I think I may be waddling just a tad, too. My back sure does hurt, I can tell you that. Sometimes my walk is a little more frisk and fast-paced than other times (hmm, I wonder why, baby...?), but none-the-less, they are watching. Kinda creepy.

Birth Stories. Yesterday I had the pleasure of talking with a women as I helped label boards for the factory. There were three women and one man/boy all interested in asking me baby questions. Of course the one women who has two boys of her own was the one who chose to tell me everything I ever needed to know about her births...not that I was asking. I just smiled, nodded, and tried to look interested as the man/boy warned this woman to not scare me with her stories. I was hoping, a little, that she would oblige by his advise, but she went on as if she never heard him. I guess women, in general, simply enjoy telling everyone about our own experiences. I'm sure someday I will do the same, but I really hope to avoid from doing so with a total stranger. I'm no expert - they're no expert - I have no PhD - they have no PhD. I much prefer to heed the advice and enjoy stories from my own trusted family and friends - people I know. Should any of my loyal handful of readers feel the urge to share your stories with me, I love you and welcome you to do so.

Classes. Tom and I are now signed up for three baby classes before baby arrives. The first class is Sunday, October 5th -- CPR. This is a very important subject to learn. The last thing I want to happen is see my precious baby's face turn blue and not know what to do. I should ask my mother and mother-in-law to sign up as well since this class is open to families and they will be watching my precious when I go back to work. The second class is Mon. Nov 10th -- Breastfeeding. Yes, the dad's are encouraged to come to this class. We will learn lots about boobs we never knew, and the lactation consultants will teach us something to do before birth to prepare the ducts. Ooo joy! The third and final class is the Birth Preparation. Since this class is otherwise a 1 night a week for 4 weeks class, and Tom works 2nd shift, we are taking on the 1-day Saturday express class on Nov. 15th. This class also includes a tour of the birth center; however, since we could not get in the class at the hospital we will be delivering, Theda Clark, we are taking this class at AMC. We have no interest in touring their birth center, so I called my friend who is a baby nurse at Theda and she will be giving us a personal tour this Sunday! Yes, THIS Sunday! I'm really looking forward to this tour!!