Some January pictures

 

It's been a while since I've (1) taken any pictures and (2) been on here. Mostly because not much has been happening, and once all my reports for school are typed and up and filed (or I'm done procrastinating for the night) and Henri's gone to bed, I've crashed. I'm not one to fall asleep on the couch, or while watching tv, or while playing with my daughter, but lately I've been doing all of that. Fortunately 2nd trimester has arrived this week (helloooo, so happy to see you!!!) and since my appetite has returned, I expect energy to soon follow.

 

Clinicals are starting to pick up more hours as I have a few more midwives that have kindly filled out the piles and piles of paperwork necessary for me to be allowed to work with them. In addition to my regular clinic stuff I've attended two gatherings for families of the birth center in the past two weeks, and it's been really fun getting to know all these folks. Everyone has been really excited that I'm training to be a midwife, and I had three women come up at the end of a meet and greet session and ask how they could be sure I'd be present at their birth. What a gift! I was not that welcoming of students when I was a new mom, and I realize now how dumb I was. Being a student means that I get to give you 100% of my attention. There might be a ton of stuff going on, but I'm going to get to just stay with you and be the continuous support that's been proven to be so effective in positive birth outcomes. I can point to a birth I attended just last week. If I had not been there, she would have gotten her epidural and who knows how the birth would have gone. Not that I discouraged her from getting one, in fact I asked her a couple of times if she was ready for it since she'd made it very clear she wanted one, but each time she said my support was enough and she was handling the contractions OK if I stayed there and kept up the hydrotherapy. Well, if given a choice I think anyone in their right mind would chose a comforting person pouring wonderful water over their tummy over a huge needle with awful side effects in their back, and I was thrilled she was comfortable with this route. She had a beautiful 2 hour labor and a gorgeous little undrugged baby. She was so proud of herself, and I could see her utilizing this new-found strength even in the next day and as she started to deal with some tricky social situations. Anyway, my nights aren't always like that, and more often than not I'm rounding on a family who had a drugged up birth and are questioning every little decision they make and are completely unable to take ownership of anything. And those visits are tough and frustrating and so many times I've wanted to pop the baby on my own breast so he can have a quick nurse that's calm and unstressed and fulfilling. But then I remember how long and hard Henri and I struggled, and that we finally got it, and that these diads will eventually as well. So, that's a quick summation (for those that wanted to know) of what my L+D experiences have been like so far. Truthfully, I still prefer the gyn side of things, but this might change around as I get up my birth numbers.

 

So, sorry to ramble. Henri continues to do well in school (she was so excited to go this morning she packed her own school bag AND lunch bag...pretty cute to see her take ownership), and is just a general pleasure. I know life is not all roses and rainbows and I don't want this blog to come across as life is always grand, but at the moment we're all in a good place. There are fits (especially when food is delayed even a second in reaching her mouth) and we're still stumped as to how to get her to just say "sorry" for a bad behavior and move on (because WOW is she stubborn about admitting guilt) but in general I love having her around to chat with and miss her like crazy when she's gone. We'll be heading to VT for a very fast 24 hour trip to finally meet Dustin the end of this week. Henri identifies him easily in all the pictures, so we'll see what she thinks of him in person. I expect indifference and then insane jealousy if her Papa dares hold him in her presence. I've started daydreaming/planning an overnight trip for Steve and I to celebrate the end of clinicals/little babymoon the beginning of May. And it's about time to plot out my garden, though after last year I'm thinking it will be much more economical to just hit up Russo's for my veggies and can those. I'll still plant a few tomatoes and onions for Henri to root around in.

 

And as for pictures, well, here's what was lingering on my camera and phone (in no particular order):



 

 

 

2nd Christmas in VT.

She loooooves snow (especially to eat)

Steve's new Catan game. I've yet to win so I still don't think it as fun as some of the others ;)

Getting the mail in style

Playing with her sushi set. She has it out every day

New "social" smile

Hm, out of order, but back in VT

Finally got a hair cut! Trimmed up the scragglies in the back. Unfortunately they also trimmed the bangs :(

She loves church

Becoming very conscious of how she looks, likes to add stuff to her wardrobe that she's convinced looks great (like cat hats...)

Listening to sermons together. Forgive the bangs, I've been keeping them pulled back in a little ponytail.

I head back in tonight and am hoping for a few labors, or nothing at all so I can sleep (the oncall bed is sooooooo comfy!). And then H and I go grocery shopping tomorrow! I know, too exciting, but we split a donut and she keeps a better mental list than my written of what we need to get, so it's fun to have her call out the stuff as she sees it :)