TheLionRampant.net

Well after simulataneously lying head down on a propped up ironing board and taking pulsatilla (a homeopathic herb that is supposed to help the baby turn) a few times a day, I think our baby has turned more or less head down. But I also think that he still must have plenty of room as my conjectures regarding if he is head up or down continually change. I think I’m causing Bryce too much stress in that department. I am very much the type of person who likes to be in control of things and so when I can’t be, I find it quite difficult to let go (or I continue to do everything in my power to affect change). I guess even small things, like breech babies, help me to see that in actuality, I am very much dependent on God (or should be) rather than myself.

The pregnancy continues to go well and I’ve stopped getting round ligament pain, which means now I can walk more than 20 minutes at a time without my hips aching. I’m dealing alright with the heat here in southern California by taking lukewarm baths and trying to get my new ice cream maker to successfully produce ice cream (Bryce bought me one for our anniversary to keep his pregnant wife cool and happy, and to get her proper intake of calcium! wink, wink).

My days are generally spent doing a few things around the house, taking the dog on walks and to the dog park, and trying to get some PhD work in. I should of course already have another chapter written, but it’s a bit slow-going at present. I find the heat makes my brain rather lethargic, so I need to work in the early mornings when it’s still cool.

Things feel very much in transition for us. I keep thinking haven’t the last three years all felt like one big transition? Shouldn’t we be feeling more settled now, being back in our “native land”? But I guess living abroad changes you because Pasadena feels pretty provincial now and it’s sort of boring to only be surrounded by Americans. I’ve come to grasp that being “settled” probably isn’t how life is meant to be for us. Thankfully I’ve also come to grasp that I don’t want the white picket fence (although a yard would be great for Francis to run around in) and I’m actually wanting a change already after having only been back in Pasadena for a year. So it’s all very interesting and I guess we’ll just continue to wait and see what happens!

…at 31 weeks pregnant when we go out of town today to The Standard in downtown LA. Apparently it’s where people go to be seen; I’m all into posh hotels for celebrating but when I’m not so svelt, it’s a bit different. I am excited, though, that there is a rooftop pool and bar (virgin drinks!), so that will be very nice.

Speaking of “posh”, Becks and Posh bought a loft in downtown LA, so that is very cool. I’m sure they’ll buy some beachfront property somewhere, too, but at least they seem to want to live in the city.

So, the reason for our venture is that today is our 5-year anniversary and in just a few short months, a week or so after our baby is born, we’ll have dated for 10 years. Wow, a decade. That’s nuts. Toodles!

So we found out that our baby boy likes the head-up position today when the doctor found his heartbeat up high by my ribs. He doesn’t seem worried as 25% of babies are breech at this point while only 3-4% are at birth. However, I’d really like to avoid a c-section and so am looking into turning techniques to do at home. I don’t relish doing handstands but that is one technique. So is playing an iPod by my pelvis (so baby will come towards the noise) or using cold and heat to try to get him to turn. Besides those, it’s making sure I’m not too recumbant (hence I’m typing while sitting cross-legged on the floor rather than sitting on the couch), walking regularly (helps open up the pelvis), and some slightly uncomfortable positioning to encourage turning.

Anyone have any suggestions or experience with this?

Here’s my 30-week belly shot, in the pool in Palm Desert:

Here’s Bryce’s flotation device he made out of noodles:

Here’s the fam:

And just for fun, here’s our cute dog:

As Bryce is off at the PCA’s General Assembly, I’m trying to stave off ‘pathetic wife syndrome’ and I think that after the first night, I’ve been pretty successful. It’s pretty amazing when you are used to spending every day with another person how much their absence can be difficult to bare. It’s that or it’s pregnancy hormones that make me more emotional than my usual stable self.

Our dog has brilliantly behaved and I’m glad to have another living creature around even if he can’t speak. Also, our crib arrived today! Granted, it’s just a big, heavy box, but I’m looking forward to Bryce getting home and unpacking it and putting it together. The baby has been doing gyrations in my belly most of the day so that when he moves suddenly one side of my belly pokes out; it’s pretty funny to watch.

Tomorrow afternoon, Francis and I are off to my parents’ house until Friday. Hopefully he doesn’t go nuts sniffing where their cat has been. Then when Bryce returns on Friday we’re off with my parents to Palm Desert where I plan to sit in the sun and shade and sit in the pool most of the weekend. It’ll be lovely. I really should do more concerted work on my dissertation chapter to warrant such a holiday.

Later this week I’ll be 30 weeks pregnant, which means only 10 weeks left. Wow! I’m handling the heat well so far. Walking slower but still very mobile and as long as the weight doesn’t pile on in the next few months, I should do just fine. We’re getting pretty excited to meet our son and see what he looks like. Okay, no more prattling about my in-utero child…

We’ll be back next week and will post pics then!

I’m leaving today to go to Memphis until Friday for the PCA General Assembly. So, my posting may be a bit light this week. *rimshock*

Peace.