28 weeks

How your baby's growing: By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

two books every mom or mom-to-be should read

I recently finished reading Birth and am now reading Pushed. I think every woman who plans to have children should read these books. They have me pretty fired up right now about obstetrical practices in our country and how they are affecting women and babies. I think I will probably write a more in-depth post about my feelings later, but for now I want to HIGHLY recommend these books. Go to your library and check these out! They are both written by female journalists who did extensive research. They will open your eyes to maternity care in the US and seriously make you think.

Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born
(the link takes you to Amazon, which has a good review)

This book is a well-research history of birth practices beginning with the evolution of human pelvises and head size and covering every fad and medical "advance" to help women give birth. The author, Tina Cassidy, a former journalist for the Boston Globe, set out to research the history of birth after the unplanned cesarean of her first son. The book is quick read as it flows very nicely from topic to topic and is full of meaningful anecdotes as well as study-based findings.

Here is a link to Tina Cassidy's blog.

Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care

As the title suggests, this book is much more focused on modern maternity practices. I am about half-way through it, and the more I read the more fired-up I get. Jennifer Block, also a journalist, did exhaustive research to write this. She cites hundreds of studies and talked to many, many medical professionals and mothers about the birth experience in the US. Did you know that some women are so traumatized by their birth experience they get Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the same disorder that soldiers in war and victims of extreme violence are diagnosed with?

Here is the book info from Jennifer Block's blog:

In Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care (Da Capo, 2007), Block reports on the current state of maternity care across the country, from inside the operating room of a hospital with a 44% cesarean rate to the living room floor of a woman who gives birth in a kiddie pool with an illegal midwife. Pushed is not a pregnancy guide, but rather a narrative investigation of modern American childbirth.

Do routine inductions, C-sections, and epidurals equal medical progress? Why are home-birth midwives illegal in 11 states? Why are physicians and hospitals denying women vaginal births after cesarean? Can breech babies be born vaginally? How did episiotomies become routine? Where does Pitocin come from? Should midwives go to jail? Is home birth safe? Are women really requesting unnecessary C-sections? Is normal birth the next “woman’s right to choose”? Pushed tackles all these questions and more.

I have a lot I want to say, but I'm going to say it later. I just can't emphasize strongly enough that I think these books are well worth your time if you ever plan on giving birth.

election day in north carolina

If you live in North Carolina (or Indiana) go vote today!!! Even though I think this primary season has lasted too long, it is really fun that my vote here in NC is counting for something. Jared and I actually voted on Saturday, the last day of early voting. There were a lot of people there. Voter turnout is expected to be at a record high this year.

27 weeks

How your baby's growing: This week your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14.4 inches long with his legs extended. He can now open and close his eyes, and he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to him, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. Wonder what he's thinking?

Asher is due in less than three months now! Wahoo! Here is the picture of the week. For some reason I look a bit drugged. Don't know why.

the big cut

Here I am in the chair as she's putting in the pony tails. I look nervous, but I actually wasn't.

Measuring the ponytails to make sure they were all at least 10 inches. I'm pretty sure they were close to 12.

Making the cut. She had to work hard to get her shears through my hair.

Bye-bye first ponytail.The raw cut and the ponytails.

Now to make it pretty.
She ended up using the thinning shears a lot. My hair is thick! I didn't even realize how thick it is since I haven't ever had it this short. Plus, it's thicker now since I'm pregnant.My final haircut (with unruly bangs) and the hair I gave away.
This haircut took forever! We were there for 2 hours!

Back at home...
Here is the back of my hair.

And here is the front. I might cut my bangs a little shorter, but I'm very happy with it.

It actually doesn't even feel that weird to have my hair so short, even though it is the shortest I've ever had it. I think it's because I've been mentally prepared for months, since I decided to do this a year ago. It will be so nice not to have all that long hair during the hot North Carolina summer.

so long hair so long

Please bid a fond farewell to these long, long locks.
Today is the day they will chopped off and shipped to Locks of Love.
I hope some little red haired girl who lost her hair will enjoy these years of growth.
I blow dried and straightened my hair today for the occasion.
It takes WAY too long with this much hair.

I was quite shocked when I saw this photo.
I honestly didn't realize how long my hair is!
I don't usually get to see the back view.

I will look like a new woman tonight!

newsflash

Could someone please tell me why I was not informed that Grey's Anatomy went back on the air last week?!!! How was I not made aware of this? There is another new episode tomorrow night and you can bet I'll be getting online to catch up on last week's episode. Um, yeah I don't remember at all what's going on at Seattle Grace after all these months.

updates

Work has been busy this week, hence the lack of postage here. I do have a few updates however.

Isaac went back to the doctor yesterday and his platelet count was at 400,000! That is on the high end of normal, so we are very glad. If you recall he was only at 7,000 a week ago. Thank you everyone once again who prayed for him!

We ended up not making it to the Obama rally Monday night. I was too tired to stay up that late and deal with all the hassle it would have involved. Plus, some friends we were going with had their baby that morning! So of course they couldn't make it, and I just wasn't motivated enough to stay up that late. Pregnant ladies need their rest!

For anyone who still cares what my pregnant belly is looking like week to week, I added a photo yesterday to Sunday's post. I didn't think I was bigger than last week, but maybe I am after all. The kid just keeps on growing--as he should. :-)

26 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber), from head to heel. The nerve pathways in his ears are developing, which means his response to sounds is growing more consistent. His lungs are developing now, too, as he continues to take small breaths of amniotic fluid — good practice for when he's born and takes that first breath of air. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

We haven't taken a photo yet this week. But I think I'm about the same as last week. I had my doctor's appointment last week and I have now gained 12 pounds total. I thought it was going to be more honestly. Everything is still looking good. I have to get the glucose screening test in a couple weeks. Not looking forward to drinking the nasty sugar drink. Asher is still quite the mover and as he gets bigger, so do those kicks and rolls or whatever it is he's doing in there! It's really crazy to watch my belly move up and down and all over as he moves.

*Photo added Tuesday, April 29*

obama's coming to UNC

Barack Obama is having a rally at UNC on Monday night! I have tickets for Jared and me (they are free). I know it will be crazy, but I think it would be really cool to go. Definitely an historic thing. This guy could very likely be our next President. Hopefully I'll be able to stay up late enough. The rally isn't until 9:30 pm! And we'll have to be there uber early just to get in.