8 months!

Today I'm 8 months.   Getting closer!!!!   I met with my midwife April last week  and I must say I really like her.  She was really personable.  I actually felt the baby's head when she examined me!  She explained so much to me.  She gave me homework too which I love.  I have to write down everything I eat for a week.   I brought home an excel sheet and a list of foods which I should be eating. I love it!   I'm reading a lot of books.   Right now I'm reading Gentle Birth Choices, by Barbara Harper.  I just came back from a vaccination class.   I've been to 2 different vaccine classes.  One class suggests vaccination and the other one doesn't advise vaccination.  Totally polar opposites.  I need to do my own research.   The speaker tonight said something very interesting to me.  He said,  "People do more research on what car to buy than what they put into their newborns."   That totally struck a chord with me.   He gave me some websites to check out and some books to read.   More reading for me!   My husband gets home next Monday.  I can't wait.  I'm over being alone, I'm ready for someone to take care of me.  There is still so much to do.  We have to start taking our Lamaze classes,   find a pediatrician,  start fixing the baby room.   I finally put away all the gifts I got from the shower.  My BFF gave me 3 huuuuge bags of clothes.  So grateful for that.   As I was folding all the little clothes I couldn't believe that there was going to be a little baby inside of it!  WIERD!!!

Showered with Love

My amazing Mommy and Sister

Inae Joe my childhood BFF since 13 years old

My Family

Ivan flew in on tour for just the day!

The amazing cake!

All my gifts actually fit in the truck!

Last weekend my Mom, Sister and BFF since jr. high threw me and my husband the most amazing shower.  It was filled with friends and family I had not seen in such a long time.  The food (thanks Mommy), the cake (thanks sister) and the decorations (thanks Inae)  were so great.  The weather was perfect, the sun was out, not too hot but just right.  I was totally overwhelmed with all the people who showed up and how thoughtful and giving everyone was.  It really made me miss living close to the people I love so much.  I love my friends and family in L.A. and I only wish I could work and live closer to them.   I feel really lucky to have such an amazing circle of friends and family there.  I am thankful that my son will also have the same circle of love surrounding him.  Thank you everyone for making that day so memorable for us.  I am truly grateful for you all and so thankful that you will be a part of Baby Delaforce's life!

Journey to Baby Delaforce

I made this 4 minute movie as a present for my husbands 40th.  It's just a few pictures and our 30 week ultrasound!  Enjoy!

dannyfinnerty

Hard Rock 07' Ivan playing drums

Today is my husbands 40th birthday and I can't think of better way to celebrate it than going to see his best friends band tomorrow, The Dan Band.  (even though Ivan will be on Stomp tour) Eye and Danny have been friends since 1995 when they joined Stomp.  They were touring buddies and when I joined Stomp in 1996  I believe it was Eye who said to Danny when he first saw me,  "Keep me away from her, she's trouble."   Anyways if you haven't seen The Dan Band and your in the L.A. area tomorrow, go check them out at the Avalon.   I am dying to see Danny's rendition of "Single Ladies", tomorrow.  Also I gotta check up on my choreography too....ahem.   Yea, I helped him with Dontcha and Humps.  I actually didn't do much cuz' Dan does so much of his own choreography.  This will probably be the last time I see them before I give birth.  I can't wait to hang out with my BFF tomorrow too.  I'm so excited!!!!!!   Little Dannyfinnerty Delaforce....hmmmmmmmmmmm

My Birth Day

Today is my birthday. I am the thirty six, the same age my mother had my oldest brother.   Now that I am pregnant the word birthday means something totally different.  Usually I heard the word "birthday" and visions of  cake, ice cream, candles, cards, presents etc. pop into my head.   But now I hear the word different.  "Birth"- "Day"   It was the day of your birth.  The day you mother labored in pain and pushed you out.    Today I didn't think about my candles, ice cream, cards or presents. I thought about my beautiful mother in the hospital in labor.  The tremendous amount of work she had to do to bring me in this word.  I think about my baby in my belly  and wonder when his birth day will be.  Is he going to come early or late?  What will his day of birth bring?  How am I going to handle the labor?   Those are the thoughts today, on my day of birth.   I realized for the first time in 36 years that today is not about me, it is about my courageous, wonderful, strong mother.  Thank you Mommy for bringing me into this world.  

30 Weeks

I am 30 weeks already!  I can't believe it.  I'm reading a lot.  Just read Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Karp,  The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer and now I'm reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.  I really like Ina May's book.  There are so many stories  of home births.  It's very inspiring.  It makes me feel like I can do it too.   Today is St. Patty's Day and I'm going to spend a nice relaxing day by the pool then shop with Birdie.  I started to warm up the pool yesterday.   Water!!!!  Yea, it's been so long.  I wanted to go swimming on my birthday tomorrow since it's going to be 83 degrees!  I'm going to see my huzzzband on Sunday in L.A.   I am soooooo excited.   My sister is throwing me a baby shower in L.A. and Ivan is flying in for just the day.  I miss him a lot.  It's getting harder now.  I'm done being alone.  I can't wait for this weekend!  Friends, family and my honey!!!

Breathe

I am definitely breathing differently.  I am feeling more out of breath when I take my walks or even just walking upstairs.  I guess I am feeling my extra 20 pounds and the extra blood I am producing.  I am back to needing an hour nap a day, or laying down and taking a break from the nesting that has begun.   I'm trying practice taking in deep long inhales and exhales.  Like right now.  I just did it.  Inhaaaale....exhaaaale.  Everytime I start thinking a about giving birth, about the unknown...I feel my breath getting shorter so I try and take a loooong inhale and exhale.   Inhale...exhale.

In The Blood

I finally had the home birth conversation with my parents and it didn't go how pictured it all.  It exceeded my expectations!!!   I spent the weekend in Bakersfield to help my parents pack their stuff since they are moving in with us at the end of March.  Last night at dinner I asked my Dad if he was born at home.  He said, "of course we were and your Auntie Esther delivered your Uncle Eddie."  Auntie Ester was a nurse.  He then proceeded to tell me that my Grandma Luisa was a nurse and delivered all the babies in  the barrio!!!   He told me that he came from a poor town and that doctors wouldn't come to the barrios, so my Grandma delivered them all.  THEN, my Mom starts telling me how my Grandpa Lucio was a doctor and he delivered all the babies in her town!  She said Grandpa was  the doctor of the poor.  Mom told me that the people often couldn't pay for their services so they would offer their chicken, carabao, pigs etc.   My Grandpa would graciously accept and say that he would pick it up at a later time but he never would collect.   My Mom told me that she was there when her youngest brother was born and that Grandpa wouldn't let my Grandma sit down.  She had to stand or squat.   I think that scarred her so she said to me, "I don't want to be there and listen to you scream.  I'm going to the movie."   LOL  I told her that was totally fine with me.  Then I asked my Dad if he wanted to be there.  I totally expected him to say no since he wasn't there for any of our births.  But then he said "Of course!"  Then my Mom said,  "HUH?  You left me at the hospital and you say yes to your daughter?"  LOL!   Well after our conversation I finally felt that a home birth was the right choice for me.   As corny as it may sound I feel like my Grandpa and my Grandma will be there with me, watching over me.  Sigh....I feel good,  I feel confident in saying that I am going for a home birth.   I feel like I have the support of my family and the support of my ancestors.   I'm going to go for it!!!

90%

Yesterday I had an appointment with my OB.  I've gained 20 pounds total, which is totally normal.  He said I'll probably gain about 10 more pounds which puts me at the normal gain weight in pregnancy.  Must say I'm happy about that!  I really like my OB, he's very cool.  He's actually delivered two of my friend's babies.  One was emergency cesarean and one was natural.   I asked him a bunch of questions which, which he answered in a way that I thought he would.  "Only if baby or Mom is in danger then  (fill in the blank)"  Then the big questions was "How do you feel about home births?"    Don don daaaaa.  He responded, "Birth is a natural process, and if that's the route you want to go then there's no point in seeing me."    Whhhheeewww.  The key sentence for me was, "Birth is a natural process."  I was so happy he said that. I was totally afraid he was going to try and steer me away from having a home birth.  For me that was kinda my blessing from him.  I knew I liked him for a reason.  I then asked him if I did go with a home birth and I needed to transfer to the hospital, could he still be my doctor.  Unfortunately I knew the answer would be "No", due to liability.  Which makes me sad, but I understand.   If I do have to transfer then I know I will be fine because I will have my midwife, doula, and my husband.  I'm totally fine with the transfer if I have to.  I'm open to whatever needs to happen.   So I am pretty much 90% water birth.  Since my parents will be actually living with us now, I have to talk to them about it.  My Dad was never at the hospital for any of our births.  He just dropped my Mom off, went to work and came back to see the baby. I know he's not going to want to be around for my birth.   Sigh...so that's the next big conversation I need to have.   Wish me luck!!!!!!!

7 Months!!!

I'm 7 months and 1 day today!  Where did the time fly?  I just finished a industrial gig for Remax at the MGM Grand Garden.  I was in charge of rounding up percussionist and I played a little tamborine also.  It felt great working and actually making a paycheck.  (I could have done without the 6AM call time though)  My honey has been gone a week and a day and I have to say that I'm doing pretty good.  I miss him a lot.  Thank goodness I have my two chihuahuas to keep me warm at night.   Can I just tell you that video chat is a life saver!!!  I love just having it on for hours and watching TV or eating together.  It sounds silly but it really helps the loneliness.  I'm taking a road trip to Bakersfield to help my parents pack.  It will be nice to spend sometime with them.  I have another OB appointment this Thursday.  I'm a little nervous because I am going to tell him that we have been thinking a lot about having a home birth.  Sigh.  I'm not looking forward to hearing what he has to say.  Hey, maybe he'll be like, "You know, go for it.  Your healthy and in shape, I give you my full support!"   Yea right.   Well...we'll see.   Tonight I'm taking a vaccine class at my new favorite place called Well Rounded Momma with my friend Lisa who is 5 months preggers.   More updates to come!  :)