Natural Birth

I have a question for moms out there...  I have decided that I am going to have a natural birth with my second baby.  I realize that a lot of people think that I am crazy.  However, let me tell you essentially how everything went with the delivery of Isabela.  My doctor started me about 8am.  I was fine, walking around, until about noon.  Then I decided to get into bed, when it really hurt. I couldn't talk or concentrate on anything during contractions, but the pain was definitely still bearable. 


Just before 1pm the doctor asked if I wanted an epidural.  It was a Saturday and the anesthesiologist was on call, so it would be about 45min before he could arrive and give me one.  I was in a lot of pain by that time, but it was definitely still bearable.  (Even considering people always tell me that with pitocin, the pain is SO much worse.)  So I said yes.  Just so happens, the anesthesiologist had already been called in by somebody else, so I got my epidural within about 15min.  I still don't think I was quite ready for it - I wanted to see how much my body could handle.  That probably just before 1:30pm when he actually got the epidural in.  Isabela was born just under two hours later.  My delivery was painless and perfect, but I always have wondered how that last little bit would have been had I not had the epidural.

So, now my question...  any advice on natural births?  which techniques/methods did you use?  what was the most/least beneficial?  I am researching a little, just evaluating my options.  What should I know or be able to tell my doctor/nurses when I am delivering?  My doctor told me to at least look into hypnobirthing.  So far, I think it looks interesting and beneficial (I just don't know if I can come up with the extra money at this point to take classes for this one).  Whether or not I completely go that route or not, I have definitely benefited from it already.  The Bradley Method is also another option, which my sister used, but I haven't had quite as much information on that yet.  It mostly deals with how to cope with pain and having your husband/partner help you through it, as far as I can tell so far.  This is essential, since I believe Brandon should have just as big a role/responsibility during this time as I do. : D

So, any good advice?

A mixalota

 I asked Isabela where the baby was the other day... she pointed to my tummy.  Then I put her doll under my shirt.  She laughed and laughed.  Then, of course, she had to have the baby in her tummy...  Her expression is about how I feel sometimes :D

 The little Mona (Monkey).  Good thing she still didn't care to go out and get candy.  The little bit we did get made me sick.

 The monkey with Grandma.

Go BRONCOS! Too bad we're having such a crappy year.  Good thing this little fan stays loyal!

...you are fat!

So yesterday at work, we crossed paths with the of the ladies I used to work with. She is an older Japanese woman. She glanced inside of the truck where I was sitting, then looked at me kind of funny. She hesitated..., "Are you...?" Then before I could answer, she said, "Well, I guess if you're not, I'm telling you that you are fat." Completely monotone. Completely serious. No joke whatsoever. I started laughing so hard! I said, "Yes, I am pregnant." But she was just so matter-of-fact. I guess if you're not pregnant, you are fat. I am not that big. We joked about it all night and everyone kept calling me fat no matter what I did. Good thing I am pregnant! :D













Oh, yeah, and it's a BOY!!!!

Cooking Potatoes!

I am really excited for Isabela to get a lot older.
So get this... every time I put anything on the stove, get out a knife, or do anything that involves food, Isabela wants to be there helping. (Of course, I am sure this is some stage that all children go through.)

Her favorite thing to do is watch things cook on the stove. Maybe I am a bad parent, but I let her. So far she hasn't gotten burned. I usually hold her, but sometimes she stands on a chair next to me. I put her hand close one time so she could feel the heat, and she has never tried to touch it again. Thank heavens for at least one child not having to learn from experience.... for now.

However, she does see me take the lids off of pans and thinks she can do it, too. The other day I was frying potatoes. I just put them on so the stove wasn't hot yet. Isabela took the lid of the pan, set it on the burner next to it, waved and smiled at the potatoes, then lifted the lid and covered the potatoes again. She then proceeded to clap and shout, "Yeah! Yeah!" She repeated the process, removing, waving, replacing, clapping/shouting multiple times before I set her down. She cried. Poor girl. But it was so funny. I have never seen a little kid cheer like that before because she could wave at the food. Bonding with her food... what's next? Imaginary friends?