Go Natural!

Bekah did it! No drugs! Just say no! Seriously, all went well. Here's a video.

Daddy's last nap?

It's been a wonderful morning. Travis was supposed to be reffing some soccer games, but there was a schedule mishap so he got sent home. I've grown weary of being in the house, so we ventured out to City Park. We took a really long walk around, passing by a high school cross country meet, the children's playground (we'll be hanging out there soon), and sat on a bench by the bayou, watching teenagers canoe by. The fall weather here is a treat. It's beautiful outside. Soon after lunch, I found Travis knocked out on the couch...perhaps he is catching his last zzz's before the big adventure?I am feeling pretty well, although pain and pressure in my hips and pelvis is definitely increasing. I may be having some mild contractions, but they aren't too consistent or painful. I'm kind of ready to get this show on the road, and hoping our daughter makes her debut this weekend. But the quiet is nice. I know our lives will never be quite the same. But I am ready for the change and can't wait to experience all the new things having a child will bring.

Bekah gets a gold star

At our last Dr's appointment, the doc said Bekah should get an award for being the happiest 9-month preggers lady in the house.

Family fun

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

37 week belly pic

The site that does the slideshow above is undergoing maintenance (what timing) and so I have posted a 37-week picture below.

We are home now and trying not to stress about Ike too much yet...although if he keeps his path it looks like we'll be leaving again!!! Darn!

What a week

Well, we are leaving Arkansas tomorrow for phase three of our hurricane evacuation. Hopefully, this will be the last phase, but we really don't know. We first left Baton Rouge (phase one) last Thursday and stayed there for two nights. We wanted to see where the storm was going, and because it looked like it would affect both BR and Lake Charles, we decided it was best to go north. We did avoid a lot of traffic by taking this route and leaving early, but it was a far drive. We've been here in Russellville (phase two) since Saturday. We have watched a lot transpire from our post here. First, the mass evacuation from SE Louisiana. Then, everyone waited anxiously as the storm approached, then spared New Orleans - but not Baton Rouge - and barely skirted Lake Charles. The most nerve-wracking moment was when the water started going over the Industrial Canal, but luckily that wasn't as serious of a problem as it could have been. The hours after the storm passed were anxiety-ridden, as it was during those hours that the city had flooded post-K. But we were in the clear and soon the RNC was taking over the news channels, Jim Cantore tooks off his parka and swim goggles, and people started chomping at the bit to go home. It was about this time that I was able to focus on some work, which was nice. I have spent most of the day's hours, however, listening to WWL, which provides a wealth of information for residents hour after hour after hour.

And, all the while, this beautiful girl continues to grow in my belly. I hate to admit that I have not been focusing on her as much this week. It breaks my heart. There are so many things going on, and we are not at all in our comfort-zone, so it's hard to continue preparing mentally for her arrival. Tomorrow we head home, or closer to home at least, and I plan to refocus my energy on the center of my being, my pregnant belly...and then on our beautiful girl (whose name will not be Hanna or Josephine).


For anyone that's ever been nine-months pregnant, you know that all you want is to be home. I just want to be comfortable, eating my own food, sitting in the empty nursery dreaming of our little girl, walking around naked because my clothes no longer fit (even the maternity ones), cramming in those last few chapters of the baby books even though nothing I read will prepare me, spending special time with Travis and my friends.


Travis and I were going to go on a date to celebrate 36 weeks of pregnancy, full term. However, we were in Baton Rouge, already evacuated. We'll have to do that for 37 weeks, or 38 maybe. Whenever we can get home.

I just want to close by saying how absolutely amazing pregnancy is. I'm not saying amazing in a "oh my gosh, I love it" way, but in the fact that I am amazed that the human body is capable of this. Just when I thought I couldn't get any huger, I do. I don't feel that there is any more room in there for her, but I continue to grow. And when she's born, I will produce food for her. That is beyond words...and I can't wait.

We haven't been at home to take a normal belly picture, so here is one from our fishing trip this week. Time to go to bed now - long drive tomorrow.

Gustav

Well, the last and most important lesson I took away from our last childbirth class on Wednesday was simple, "Be flexible." Our childbirth educator passed on that advice from a friend of hers who had her baby in a hotel during her Katrina evacuation. We had learned that day that Gustav might be headed to New Orleans and that we might have to evacuate. As we now know, and as I sit in my mom's kitchen in Arkansas, those are both truths.

Gustav has thrown a nasty wrench into my birth planning. I am nine hours away from my home, my doctor, and my friends. We have spent the past nine months or so building a wonderful relationship with our doctor and discussing how we would like to birth our baby. Now, there is a possibility that I could have our baby away from home, and that is hard to accept. I like to be in control of the situation, and although birth is an unpredictable event, I could never have imagined these circumstances. Sure, I knew it could happen when I found out we were pregnant back in January, but I could never really visualize it. But now I'm living it. One of my biggest fears about the birth is for doctors/nurses to promote interventions that I don't need. I trust that my doctor would not do that - I don't know what kinds of doctors I will encounter if I give birth elsewhere, and that scares me.

Sounds like a sob story so far - but there are many positives. I was able to leave early to avoid traffic, and I have a place to stay with family during this evacuation. My family is together - Travis, Same and me - and that is amazing. One friend of mine had to leave her husband behind because he is essential medical personnel. I cannot imagine being away from Travis during this time. So far, I have had a very healthy pregnancy, and hopefully the birth will be healthy as well - leaving little need for intervention. And I just found out today that my friend who lives near here works at a hospital - labor and delivery is right down the hall from her office. It always helps to know someone on the inside.

Last but not least, whereever it happens, our little girl will be born soon! YAY!

For the time being, we are trying to relax. We know the next days will bring mountains of anxiety and stress. We only hope that the damage from Gustav is minimal and that we can go home...and soon.