A weekend of BABY

This past weekend we spent a lot of time on BABY, for BABY, and about BABY!

Saturday was our full day class for Birth Preparation. We learned a great deal about how babies are born, the stages of labor, and much more about after baby is born. I'm so glad we did this class because I feel like I have a better understanding of my body and what might be going on to tell me when I'm starting labor. We learned different positions to help overcome pains and help open the space for baby to decend. Yes, I've heard other's birth stories and what contractions felt like to them, but honestly, until you really feel it yourself, it's hard to grasp what those feelings will be like to you. We are hoping baby will come naturally, but if cesarean is necessary, that is ok too. What I really like about what our hospital is doing now is once baby is born, he is placed on mommy's chest to be wiped off, then he goes straight to skin-on-skin for 2 hours before bath, measure, etc.. They've found in doing this that babies are responding so much better to their adjustment into the world, and instinctively are looking for the breast to feed. In addition, while they are in the womb, their body temp is controlled by mom's body, but once they make their entrance into the world, it's all-systems-go and their little body's have to adjust. By placing baby skin-to-skin on mommy's chest for those first 2 hours, mom's breasts naturally will help to adjust baby's temp giving him more heat or less heat to help him learn how to control his body. I just think this is so amazing, it's natural raw-ness, and exactly what God intended when He created us. I can't wait for this first bonding time for our new little family!!

Sunday we had fun doing maternity pictures! My friend Pahla takes her family to The Picture People and I always love her results. Once I found out how totally reasonably priced they were, I made the appointment. Of course we had to leave the house in the middle of the 4th qtr of the Packer/Bear game, but Tom survived! Luckily the Packers were already killing the Bears, so all was safe ;) Here are a few pictures from our session:

The last picture is the one pose that I requested. You may remember me in this kind of pose when I had Tom stand on our stoop and I was wearing the teal colored top. The photographer was showing everyone this picture and they all loved it. They can't wait to share the pose with other couples. I hope it turns out as good for them as it did for me! The only thing I had them change was to edit out my necklace pendant. I didn't like it -- looks like it's coming out of my chin. All-in-all, I am very happy with the pictures and the fact that we walked out the door with them in hand! How cool you don't have to wait a month to pick up your pictures! Next will be baby newborn pics! I will be doing birth announcement pics incorporated with our Christmas cards. So depending on exactly when baby comes, Christmas cards may be late, but it will have to do!

Love,
Roxanne :)
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