40+ weeks....

I'd probably add crying for random reasons and fielding questions from strangers. 

I've been super "uncomfortable" for weeks now. I say uncomfortable because painful doesn't quite describe it. Those of you who are interested (TMI alert), I'm 3 cm already but not in active labor. Just several weeks of small, mild contractions. It's draining to say the least. My back hurts and I'm pretty sure my pelvis is going to split in two. He's got to come out at some point, right? But at least "things" are happening.  It took me 15 hours of active labor to get to 3 cm with Luke. When real labor actually starts I'll be that much closer.

A little pregnancy humor for your enjoyment:

Homebirth

Baby Luke

We've chosen a homebirth  for this baby which is either met by fear from those who love us, negative judgment from those who think we are ignorant, or solidarity from those within the natural birthing community. Either way there are lots of strong options on how one should have a baby. Conventional opinion is that it be done in a hospital with an OB. However, when in a hospital you loose autonomy. Even if you want to have a unmediated birth you will face hospital policies and several interventions that you'd have to fight when in a very valuable position.

Most hospitals require continuous fetal monitoring (belt strapped around you), an IV, frequent cervical checks (very uncomfortable), use of labor augmentation tools if labor is not progressing at one centimeter per hour (Pitocin, breaking water, etc), and not much choice when it comes to what positions you labor in (mostly on your back in bed). You will also most likely get an episiotomy. When these interventions are "offered" it goes some thing like this: While in the middle of a contraction the Dr. says "I'm going to give you a little episiotomy". Notice how they don't ask but just tell you. That is their idea of informed consent. Been there, done that.

With these interventions, I'm at a much increased risk of c-section and infection. Not to mention the crazy long list of epidural risks (including maternal or fetal death). This is not to say that homebirth doesn't have risks. I don't have an OR in my house in case of emergency. But I do live within 1 mile of a hospital and have a very experienced midwife that is not afraid to transfer me if any warning signs should pop up. My midwife can also stop hemorrhages and is trained in infant resuscitation. She carries oxygen, pitocin, and bunch of other medications in case of emergency. She carries a doppler and monitors the baby closely during labor. I have a lot of faith that I can do this and that it is natural to labor and birth without intervention however, I wouldn't rely on faith to make medical decisions as they come up.

Ideally, I image that I go into labor at my home. It will probably be cold and rainy outside and warm and cozy inside. Alan and Luke will be here. I won't have to worry about getting in the car to get to the hospital. I can freely wander my house, get in and out of the shower, eat and drink when I want to, and get into what ever position is comfortable. There won't be any strangers telling me what to do. I will be safe and free to be vulnerable because my team knows and supports me.

Leavenworth

These are from September but I wanted to get them up. We go to Leavenworth at least once a year. There was a big fire this year that made the air quality pretty poor but we went anyway. This year we took a group picture in Bavarian wear.

I dressed as a man in my lederhosen. I was hoping the pregnant belly would look like a beer belly.

Not sure what that face is?

We also went tubing. The river was pretty low  this year. The frisbees are paddles.

All the kids

Jordan, Justin, Alan, and Luke at the Munchin Haus (brats and beer)

Halloween

 I love me some Halloween and have always wanted to have pregnant belly to dress up some how. My zoombie baby ripping from my stomach (which I wore all day) caused a lot of double takes, looks of disgust, and a few chuckles. People need to get a sense of humor! I did end up adding more blood to the final look.

 Luke opted for Superman, again, which he got to wear to preschool. Aren't they cute?!

 Alan's Ron Swanson Bacon pumpkin.

 He's got a splitting headache. 

Trick or treating. We were spared from rain, thankfully. Luke was super excited and more one than once said "halloween is awesome!". Yes, yes it is.

On a side note our cat Motors disappeared for almost two weeks. I totally thought he was dead. He's old... about 14 years old. I had read that sometimes older pets leave their families to die. We put up posters and even got a phone call from someone saying they saw him on a trail near by. He came back a few pounds lighter but otherwise just as healthy on Halloween.

Road Trip

Last month we drove to Northern California for my cousin's wedding. It's about 18 hours away so we drove down over two days (same on the way back). The first night we stayed in a hotel made up of tree houses. It was one of the coolest places I've ever been. It's in southern Oregon and was a bit like fancy camping. The tree houses were outfitted with electricity, heaters, mini fridges and beds. Some have running water and bathrooms. We stayed in some of the low laying tree houses since small children don't often do as they are told, but some were several stories up.

This is the center of the park. Every night they have a big bon fire for roasting marshmallows. 

 View from our tree house

 There were lots of horses on the property. We feed them carrots.

Luke and Aliya  having a juice break. They also had a Frisbee golf coarse, zip line, and rope swings

 Luke on the rope swing

 Aliya swinging

 Tracy's turn

 Craig and Bradley

 Not so graceful 32 weeks prego

 Inside our tree house. Luke slept in a loft area

 Saloon doors of our tree house

Me, Grandma, and Tracy

We finally made it into town with 2 hours to spare before the wedding to get ready and head to the marina where the wedding would take place on a boat folded by a harbor cruise.

Very tired and will not attempt a road trip being that pregnant again.

My cousin Megan's baby girl Ellie

Luke entertaining Ellie

My cousin Lauren and my Uncle Richard. She made that dress, isn't it beautiful?!

The Brides :) Lauren and April

Uncle Richard with his grand daughter

I wish I could rotate pictures once I upload them and I'm too lazy to redo it. Anywho... sideways view of the Golden Gate bridge at night. Our short cruise of the harbor took us underneath the bridge and around Alcatraz.

Out on top of the boat with Luke and Aliya watching everything

On our way back  to Washington we stopped by the Trees of Mystery were Paul Bunyan and babe the big blue Ox live.

 We stayed one night on the Oregon coast and visited the Sea Caves where hundreds of seal lions live. When we were there most of the seals were out hunting in the water so just three sat on the rocks inside. We took a long elevator ride down into the caves.

 Close up of the other side of the cave. "The Goonies" was filmed in a similar cave in a near by town but you can get the same feeling from this one.

 Seal skeleton

It was a fun trip but jam packed as usual. I was glad to sleep in my own bed when we were done :)

Pumpkin Patch

 Boy is it tricky to get Luke to smile AND look and the camera

 35 weeks