Growing ...

Here's Ms. Eleanor (and mommy) about a week ago. Eleanor has grown a lot in the past month! Her kicks are strong and Kelly is feeling a lot of action around her ribs since Eleanor is already head down.

Kelly and I emailed this morning about the interesting MidwiferyToday.com article I posted yesterday, questioning whether or not 10 is the magic number for full dilation. Kelly wisely said, "I’m confident that the body knows best what to do" during labor. It reminded me of just how ready she is to give birth, especially compared to me when I was almost the same age and getting ready to give birth to Josh. I didn't trust my body then, and as Nancy Wainer quoted midwife Valerie El Halta as saying (in my article, The Power of Giving Birth), "If you buy the hospital ticket, you are going to go on the hospital ride." Well, I definitely took the hospital ride! Kelly has set up her first birth so instead of doctors being in control, she will be in a place where she can let go and surrender to birth. I'm amazed by Kelly's strength and I am honored (AND THRILLED) to be invited to her birth! (And though all the attention during pregnancy generally goes to the mom, I have to say how wonderful, and rare, it is to see a dad-to-be as excited and prepared as Clint is!)

BABY PROJECTS








I finished the rag quilted lap pad yesterday. It's so soft.













I also finished these two reversible bibs!




I've started putting together a flannel quilt and so far the color choices are making me happy. After I get a few blocks done I'll take a picture of it.