sh*t I shouldn't have to deal with

Unfortunately, I had a mix-up at the pharmacy recently, resulting in being given and taking the wrong medication.  Christian and I dealt with it today, getting a check-up on the baby, speaking with many health professionals about potential side-effects, speaking with even more professionals regarding how to properly report the problem.  We are emotionally exhausted, but grateful to have had such a caring team and social network.  We are now confident that Chio is OK, but the few hours that we were suspicious of her well-being were absolute torture.  The thought that she could be hurting or suffering at all killed me.   It was shock I doubt I'll ever recover from.

Blissful Bestie Weekend

I was soooooo happy to have my girl Kandi here this weekend.  Not only was it great to see her, it was fun being pregnant together.  This is her second time around and she is a relaxed, common-sense, awesome mommy.  Christian took full advantage of her expertise and started interviewing her from the moment she got here.  Here is a pic of her teaching him the various options for cloth diapering on our stuffed dog:

We talked a lot about baby equipment.  They both thought I was a little nutty for being interested in a baby-wearing class taught by the fabulous Gillian Foreman, but when we started looking around for a baby carrier we realized how much there is to know!  It's amazing!  Especially when I see women from Africa carry babies on their backs like it's nothin.  Back in my Nanny days, Bianca really liked this kangaroo pouch thingy that was a sling. It seems to have gone out business, but I have fond memories of putting Zephyr to sleep just by walking around the block in it.  Kandi and Aaron used the Moby for a while and also recommended the Bjorn and a sturdier back-pack style for when Chio is older.  Here is Christian trying on the Ergo (which I already know from baby-sitting experience does terrible things to my back and shoulders):

I lucked out today and bought a used Babyhawk Mei Tai-style carrier from the list-serve.  We are thinking I'll be more comfortable in that while Christian uses the Bjorn.

In addition to all this baby research, Christian had a lot of questions for Kandi about buying a house, living in Olympia, taxes, etc.  We are looking forward to, one day, being closer to her family.  We miss them so much.

On Saturday night, Kandi and I met up with some coworkers of mine and saw a screening of SISTER, a documentary about health care workers that are trying to help pregnant women in three of the most devastated countries in the world.  Though we all appreciated the intent behind the film, this was NOT the best free-time activity choice for two happy pregnant ladies.  Thank God my coworkers knew how to even out the mood with some after-film tacos, funny conversation and positive energy.  I am thinking this is one of the skills we learn working in the Bronx.  Our hearts are both broken and lifted daily by the women we work with.  I couldn't be more happy to have these fabulous midwives (Rosanne, Sharwon and Annie to name a few) bear the weight with me and keep me sane.

Another amazing thing that happened this weekend was my shower!!!  As soon as I upload photos I'll tell you all about it!

On my feet too much

Evidenced by gross edema on my legs. Yuck.

Gotta elevate my feet to reduce it.

Birth Prep Week

Ok, busy busy week here.   I had a wonderful Saturday with many lovely women including a joint baby shower with my coworker, Danielle.

 Started Sunday with our regular Bradley Class, followed by a 5 hour (!) Rebozo class.  Read all about it here:  Birth Focus

Tonight we saw a screening of Birth Story.  Tomorrow we have a Breastfeeding Prep class at Tribeca Parenting.

My good friend (comadre, goddess, awesome mommy) Kandi comes into town tomorrow night.  So excited to see her!

Sunday will be another baby shower.

I'm exhausted...but happy:)

Thank you Aunties: Erika, Jenna, Pearl and Sara!!!

I had made an appointment to get my hair done today because I wanted to feel pretty....Instead  my morning coffee turned out to be a surprise breakfast with four lovely ladies and the result was: I felt LOVED.  So so much better than feeling pretty.  I cancelled my hair appointment just to soak it in.  Chio is so lucky to be growing up with so many awesome, loving Aunties!

Me and Auntie Erika (the rest of the Aunties are camera shy!)

Vaccine musings

We had an interview with our likely pediatrician today.  Supposedly it was an "interview" but she talked most of the time.  I didn't mind, it was just interesting.  The first thing she did was ask if we'd both had the flu vaccine.  Of course I have.  Christian, on the other hand, never takes my warning seriously on that front.  This is a particularly bad flu season in NYC, especially for children.  She scared him into getting the vaccine before Chio comes.

On the vaccine issue:  There are so many things to consider.  The connection between vaccinations and autism has been sufficiently disproved (dispelled?) in my eyes, but I can't get over the feeling that the 25 vaccines recommended in the first 15 months of life is over-kill.  Our Pediatrician-to-be is completely unwilling to take us as patients if we are not 100% in line with the schedule.  Whoa.  Wake-up call.  As a health care provider myself I am, of course, aware of the risks of NOT vaccinating for things like pertussis, polio, measles, etc.  However, I survived until nursing school without getting the Hep B vaccine.  There is still a lot that I don't know about things like Rotavirus, and none of us had the Varicella vaccine growing up!

Here is a handy Chart of all that Chio has to look forward to.

Here is my vaccine record (crazy but true):

You will see that 6 of my vaccines were after I was 18 yo and they were required for college.  From this card, it looks like only 10 vaccines were required for me to start school in 1980s Oregon.

When I asked Christian about his Immunizations his response was "I have no idea.  I'd have to call my grandma."

New York State Requirements (not that she'll be going to school here).

All of this stuff was easy to find.  However, less easy to find are statistics proving that our children are healthier or safer since these new requirements came into play, that there are not risks to these increased amounts of vaccines.  What I'll never have: some sort of guarantee that I will feel better about my child having them, that I'm making the right decision by sticking to the recommended schedule.

Officially Really Pregnant

Dear Chio at 32 weeks,

You are getting so strong!  I can feel you moving 90% of the time, you don’t seem to sit still.  Yesterday your Daddy and I went for a walk.  We can’t stop thinking about you or talking about you. We can’t wait to meet you (but hope you’ll stay in for a few more weeks!). 

Here’s what we know about you so far:

 You are ACTIVE!

  You don’t like it when I sit or lie down for too long.  You get punchy and I think you must like me to be up all the time.

 You get the hiccups in the early morning.

 You also get punchy when you’re hungry. 

You like the excitement of birth! You move like crazy when I’m pushing with a patient.

 You want to be involved in conversations: you move more when loud voices are around.

 You think it’s fun to press on my bladder. 

Your legs are long.  They get tangled and you move wildly to untangle them.  I can actually see it happening from the outside.  Also, my ribs are suffering because of it. Sometimes you simultaneously push on my right side ribs and my bladder and I have to jump out of my chair not to go crazy. 

We can’t wait to find out more about you!