Getting Ready

Here's my grandbaby-to-be's picture, taken right before I got to see her mom and dad at Thanksgiving. That's when we found out for sure that Kelly was having a baby girl. I had a dream of seeing the ultrasound, quite some time before it was actually done. It was clear to me that she was a girl. Kelly was sure she was having a girl too! In fact, right before the ultrasound she bought a couple of girl outfits.

When I first saw Eleanor's picture I said, "her head looks just like ours!" The boys scoffed, wondering how I could tell that from looking at an ultrasound image. I think it's a woman thing, because Kelly agreed. And Barb said she has a cute nose and Jill is sure she has red hair like me. It will be so exciting to meet her. I know she'll be beautiful!

Well, Eleanor sure is going to be a well dressed little one for the first few months. She already had quite a few little outfits when Kelly got an unexpectedly big box of girly baby clothes from eBay just yesterday. She was soooooo excited!! That didn't stop me from dropping by Goodwill on the way home from the chiro, after a quick lunch with Gene at Ray's pizza, and picking up Hanna Andersson wiggle pants (size 70). I couldn't pass them up for $1.60! (I love a good deal!!) If Kelly doesn't need them she could sell them on eBay.

BABY PROJECTS

I'm pretty close to finishing up the rag lap quilt. I've completed the quilting and I'm now snipping all the seam allowances so it can fray in the wash. I should have a picture up tomorrow. (I'm a bit concerned about washing it at home because of all the scare stories saying the excess lint can clog the line ...)

I've grouped together some flannel patches on the wall in front of my computer and after looking at them for a week or so have decided on four different patterns that work together. I'll cut out some more patches and see how they look made into a simple, soft blankie.

LABOR STUFF

Today I read an interesting article that hit home for me at MidwiferyToday.com, The "Rule of 10" Versus Women's Primal Wisdom. It discusses whether it's really necessary for a woman to be dilated to 10 centimeters before pushing. After giving birth to Matt I wondered that myself. With Matt my labor progressed very quickly and I had the urge to push. I wasn't completely dilated and I had a cervical lip. My midwife instructed me not to push, warning that I might tear. My urge to push was so overwhelming that frankly I didn't care what happened; I was PUSHING NOW! And Matt was promptly born and there was no tearing of any sort. This article is a reminder to me how important it is to listen to your body!