Hello Belly!!

16 Weeks!!!

Just a quick illustration of why this is the first belly picture I've gotten in four months of pregnancy! (Oh and excuse the rats nest of what is my hair. I took these today just after we got back from a picnic in the park with our lovely friends the Longs. And anything outdoors always involves a whole lotta' running around after Levi!).

Anyway, Photo one...starting off well, a semi-acceptable belly shot in some good light. Photo two...wow, even a front shot, I'm on a roll today! And finally, photo three...the reason why hardly any belly pictures happen this pregnancy...a two and four year old at my feet!

I have gotten a couple of cute shots earlier on this pregnancy, but seriously, in every one there's either Levi's head, Dakota's finger in my belly button, or a vital body part cut off.

This belly popped out literally over night. I've had a little bump since about 12 weeks, but from the beginning of 15 weeks to the end of the week, I would have to say it went from barely noticeable to a beautiful, full moon round belly! This is my third pregnancy and every single time I am astonished at how quickly this happens. Over the weekend I got my first and second, "When are you due?" questions. And my first, "You're glowing!" compliment. That is always music to a mama's ears. Especially coming out of a horrifically hard first trimester when I only felt like I looked like death itself and felt physically even worse.

The really awesome part of this time of pregnancy; the movements! I've been feeling this baby since 10.5 weeks. Just like my son. And just like my son, this one is a very calm mover. I feel him or her maybe once or twice a day and most everytime they are very quiet, fluid movements. Whenever he or she moves, it reminds me of a ballet dancer; soft and gentle. Completely unlike my daughter who was a major squirmer from the beginning!

I commemorated the "arrival of the belly" with something that always makes my heart sing...a shopping trip to Anthropologie!!! And I've got to say, I am thoroughly enjoying dressing this belly up. I consider this era the "fun part" of pregnancy. Not so little that no one knows you're pregnant, but not so big that you can barely fit through the door! Just right.

Intact is "In"

Yaaay!!! Intactivists and newborn American males rejoice! The latest findings from the CDC conclude that U.S. circumcision rates have seen a sharp decline this decade.

CDC Reports Steep Decline in U.S. Circumcision Rates

"The CDC has reported that circumcision rates in the US have fallen sharply
over the last decade—from 56% of newborn boys circumcised in 2006, to 33% in
2009. Declines are being attributed to the American Academy of Pediatrics
statement in 1999 that "existing data [was] not sufficient to recommend routine
newborn male circumcision" and reduced insurance coverage of the surgery—among
other factors."

This is AWESOME news for our baby boys. But it also brings a lot of interesting thoughts to mind for me...

The one that stood out most in my mind when I read the percentages...from 56% in 2006 to 33% in 2009 was this....Thirty-three percent. That means that the number of intact males has now surpassed the number of circumcised males. To me, that's a big deal for our society because it means that the main argument I've heard from mostly all parents I've talked to about circumcision...is no longer valid. Most parents start by explaining that it's healthier, cleaner, etc. But when slightly challenged on those views back away from them quickly because there is really no valid evidence to support them. The next reason most parents site for circumcising their son (sadly) is so that he doesn't look "different". Different from his father, different from other boys, different from society.

If our circumcision rates have fallen to 33%, this means that circumcised penis' have now become the "different". Which is really the way it's always been (speaking in a worldwide sense). Only now, it's right in our backyard.

There's a HUGE delusion in our society that an intact penis is strange, or different, or the "other". It's a completely false assumption. An assumption that has developed here in the U.S. when it was true back in the 50's and 60's, and unfortunately has lingered on into present day. Now, I'm hopeful and confident that that assumption will begin to dissipate with the CDC's new findings, and more and more of our baby boys will be keeping the vital body parts they were born with.

Toddlers at Birth...Awesome or Insane?

Ummm...has it really been almost 6 months since I posted on here? *Oi*! That's pretty bad. Actually, it's not so bad. I've spent the better portion of this year totally revamping my and my kids life; putting things in perspective, ordering priorities, etc. I set aside what was on it's way to becoming a pretty lucrative photography business. It was completely necessary for me to do if I wanted to FULLY embrace my kids childhood while it is still here. I also have been researching and debating over homeschooling/private schooling like a MAD WOMAN. And....something I've wanted to share with the beloved birth community out here....we're expecting baby #3!!! I'm almost 13 weeks and due in the middle of February :D We're super stoked. And so is Dakota. Levi has no idea what's going on. I guess a two year old boy doesn't usually "get" things of this calibre.

My first prenatal appointment was on Wednesday and it was the longest appointment of my life. Three hours. I'm not kidding. Lots of paperwork and LOTS of giggling and fun. I took my very dear friend, Rochelle, with me and she always makes for a good time like that. But also just spending time bonding with my midwife, Lori, and her apprentice, Becky. I will never tire of saying it, I LOVE MY MIDWIFE!

It's looking as though this may be our first birth center birth. Something different after having our first two at home. We're in the process of selling our house and I'm pretty sure we'll be right smack in the middle of moving when this baby is born. I feel blessed to have the option of a birth center. Our midwife just moved into a new, HUGE birth center and it's great! So I'm comfortable with the idea.

Now for the question I would love to hear all of your input on...for those of you who have had birth center births, or even homebirths, did you bring your other children for the birth? Or, did you opt to leave them at home or in the care of others?

What was your experience like either way?

I've watched many natural births on youtube, and seen a lot of births where the other toddlers are present, and mostly all of the mama's are so peaceful and serene with their kids being...well, kids. Hmmm. Am I the only one who thinks my kids might really bug me during birth??? I guess "bug me" isn't really the right phraseology. What I mean is, will I be okay mentally with the little things that toddlers normally do...cry, play, laugh, make noises. I mean, I'm not even taking them to my prenatal appointments. I feel like I want to enjoy this time with this new baby and listen to what my midwife is talking about and be able to concentrate. If I feel that way about appointments, I'm thinking that's a pretty big sign as to whether I should have my kids at the birth or not. But at the same time, I feel like we're a family. Families stick together no matter how young or old and I really feel strange excluding my own children.

Here are a few key points I've been pondering...

*How will my kids react/feel to seeing me in obvious and varrying states of pain/discomfort at times.
*Will my husband be able to be fully present for the birth if our two and four year old are present (even considering grandma will be there to tend to them).
*Would I rather have grandma tending to the kids? Or to me?

Anyway, back to the question. I would love to hear all of your experiences!! Hearing other women's testimonies and stories is the oldest and wisest method of learning when it comes to childbirth!