So — I'm fully into my third trimester. I can't believe how fast pregnancy goes when you already have a child. I'm not sure if it's the child or just having a faster-paced life in general. I'm sure the child contributes.
I feel this baby move — flop, shudder, kick, turn — so often now. Sam says he hopes it's not claustrophobic. Heh.
I'm really looking forward to meeting this active little one. I keep imagining it's a girl. Sam says it kicks just like Mikko, so he pictures a boy. I had this vision the other day that we had a boy and I was so surprised. Either will be fine, I've discovered — emotionally speaking, I mean.
My bellybutton's getting flatter, a sure sign that I've popped. Here are a couple bad mirror photos to prove the point:
Around 26 and 28 weeks; the second was on my way to a tea party — an actual tea party. Like, with tea and scones. So I wore pink with sparkles.
I pee all the time. All. The. Time. The baby seems to love using my bladder as a kickboxing bag, and I swear — well, I just don't have the reflexes I had before my last vaginal birth. I'm lucky I haven't peed myself yet. Yet.
I've been practicing my Hypnobabies again, and two things are interesting the second time around:
- It's easier, because it all comes back to me like a muscle memory. The fingerdrop, the release, the anesthesia flowing like a light.
- It's harder, because my meditative calm is punctuated: "What's that in your ears, Mama? … Oh. Can I wear headphones? … What's your special music, Mama? I can't hear it. … Turn it up, Mama. I can't hear it. … Nummies, Mama!"
What was I doing here again? Oh, right. Links:
- "Circumcision Flow Chart — Should I Circumcise My Newborn Son?" from Escaping To My Happy Place: Comprehensive resource to work through all the options as you're making the decision. Seriously, go take a peek. (Via, I believe, Heather @ The Bee in Your Bonnet.)
- "Seeking Submissions for the March Carnival of Breastfeeding: On Breastfeeding & Race" from Blacktating:
"The theme for the March Carnival of Breastfeeding is breastfeeding and race. This month, we'd especially love to hear from moms of color about your breastfeeding experience and what role you think your race played in shaping that experience."
Submissions due tomorrow, March 7.
- "Families, Create! Challenge — March Call for Submissions" from living peacefully with children: Next Families, Create! carnival details — Animals! And see the links that have been added to the end of my February contribution, "Space-Alien Hot-Dog Monster & Silly Guy" to check out more heroes & heroines.
- "Nursing in Captivity: On Bethenny, Gorillas, and Why It Really Does Take a Village" from Dou-la-la: I've loved this story of human mothers showing breastfeeding to a gorilla who couldn't figure it out:
"The zoo contacted the local chapter of La Leche League and had some members start going to the zoo with their babies, feeding them in front of the gestating gorilla so she could see how fellow primates did it. And when her baby was born, she ultimately was able to nurse. Even when she stumbled a bit at first, the LLL taught her by example, and she prevailed. It wasn't by convincing her with studies on the benefits of gorilla milk. It wasn't through guilt or judgement. It was just by example."
The line on "convincing her with studies on the benefits of gorilla milk" had me laughing even as it struck me as so insightful. Promoting breastfeeding for a society needs to be something that's modeled, not just a matter of teaching or guilt trips.
I also appreciated this point, that a culture of breastfeeding-as-norm would end the breast vs. formula wars:
"…it would be understood that if a mother was not nursing, she had a good reason for it, and that mother would be treated with respect and compassion."
(Via Blacktating.)
- I like this eating plan suggested to me in the comments on my pregnancy and weight post: "My New Diet" from not so secret life.
- Along the same lines: "Does a Baby's Birth Weight Correspond With A Mother's Weight Gain?" from Laura's Blog: Very interesting results that might surprise you. Let Laura know you want to see more analyses! She's got more of these astonishingly in-depth posts planned on fetal macrosomia and gestational diabetes.
- "A March of Kindness" from Code Name: Mama: Practice kindness every day, and report back about what you're doing! Here are "155 Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness" to get you started.
- I love this coordinated Wordless Wednesday series on "The Real Housewives" as seen here at Adventures in Mommyhood: It's so refreshing to see other non-perfect housekeepers! Phew. And the point from this is that we still have happy children, despite it all. (More at "Imperfectly Perfect" at My Postpartum Voice in the comments.)
- "Covering Up is a Feminist Issue" from PhD in Parenting:
- Check back Tuesday for this month's Carnival of Natural Parenting! It's a good month — a slew of interesting Top 10 lists on all things parenting-related. We have an astonishing 71 entries this month! So clear your schedule for the week so you have time to read a few…
- A few posts from Natural Parents Network, in a week on Natural Birth:
- "Yoga for Labor and Birth" from Acacia of Fingerpaint & Superheroes: I think I'm just proud that I'd done these moves the day before reading this post. Made me feel all prepared and stuff. (I guess I should keep doing them…)
- "When It Takes Time For a Reason" from Arpita of Up, Down & Natural: I think it's so cool to hear someone speak about a long time spent trying to conceive in a positive light. Also? Arpita supplied my baby with a fluff stash, so I am a huge devotee. My new cloth diapers are now stacked prettily on our wardrobe shelf, awaiting the little one.
- "Spiced Raspberry Leaf Tea" from Beth: I've been drinking a lot of raspberry leaf tea to tone my uterus in preparation for childbirth. (Easy internal exercise, I think of it as, whether accurately or not.) One of the teas I've been drinking, incidentally, is Matri from Sacred Rose; you have a chance to win the delicious Morning Blossom from Sacred Rose in a giveaway now (see more details below) and Matri in a future giveaway.
- Giveaways, including a new one at the end of the list you're sure to enjoy!
You can find more shared items during the week at my public Google Reader recommendations feed.
Check out Authentic Parenting, Baby Dust Diaries, Navelgazing, Momma Jorje, Enjoy Birth, A Domesticated Woman's Adventures (various), Kelly Hogaboom (Fridays), The Parent Vortex, Hippie Housewife (Saturdays), Multiple Musings, Motherhood Moments, Mama and Baby Love, and A Little Bit of All of It for more Sunday Surfing! (If you also participate in a regular link list, whether on Sunday or not, let me know and I'll add your link.)
Feel free to add your recommendations in the comments. Happy reading!
I'm Lauren Wayne, writer and natural parent. I embrace attached parenting with an emphasis toward green living. 
4 comments:
There is so much great stuff here! I have enjoyed seeing your links throughout the week in my reader as well. Loved the Nursing in Captivity article, in particular.
I did my first Sunday Surf this week, too, and I plan to continue. I love the excuse to review what I learned and found inspiring throughout the week.
You are super cute.
After three pregnancies I must say I really really really enjoy long pees. If I hadn't bounced someone's cranium around on top of my bladder for any amount of time, I think I'd take long pees for granted.
Be well!
Your new diet is just like mine! Everything in moderation, even moderation.
You look SO SO beautiful!! Love that baby belly :)
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