Our Mac Pac: A Really Fun Couple Weeks

To say that this has been a fun couple weeks would be an understatement. We've honestly had so many fun and different things go on.

We started our birthing class with some other couples delivering around the same time we are. Four of the couples have birthed with our midwives before and there are 5 of us first timers. It's great to have the couples who have birthed with them before share their stories, but it's also fun to be around others who don't know what to expect. We've learned a lot about how we see the birth and how we want the atmosphere to be in our home during the birth. We are definitely looking forward to the growth we'll have together during this experience. The only thing that is freaking out Shani a bit is that one of the couples went 2 weeks over her due date with her first baby. Although we both know the "due date" is an estimate that we shouldn't hold as truth...2 weeks over does not sound pleasant. To compensate, we are trying to mentally push back our due date by 2 weeks just in case...but it's not working!

We also had our 34 week appointment last week. Everything continues to look really good. Shani's blood pressure is good, baby's heart rate is good, Shani's belly is measuring 33cm which is good, everything is really...good! John's mom joined us for this visit which was neat. Our son was quite active when Shani first laid down for the midwives to palpate and measure. He was stretching his legs out to the right as he frequently does. A midwife apprentice was there and she said it made it really easy to see exactly how he is positioned because she could see feet going one direction and his butt moving the other. Shani is happy with his position. When we were at a chiropractic seminar for Shani a couple weekends ago, she noticed the baby flipped to her right side. She told him that he needs to go back to the left because that's the best position and if he doesn't he's in trouble. The next morning he was still on the right side. John said that the first day he didn't know better, but when we gave him a chance to move and he didn't, he's now disobeying. Later on that day he flipped back to the left making both his mom and dad very happy :-) He's been behaving well and has continued to stay on Shani's left side. What a good son!

This past weekend Shani's family threw her a baby shower. The sister-in-laws (Kim and Kathryn) and grandmas (Lorna and Donna) did an amazing job. Everything looked perfect. The theme was nature/birds-- appropriate since Shani told John about becoming a Dad with a bird book, John loves birding, and the baby's room is nature themed. Shani had an absolute blast and felt so loved and spoiled by everyone who attended. We had friends and family travel from southern California, Pleasanton, San Francisco, and Colorado, not to mention those closer to home who took the time to be here for Shani's special day. We are truly blessed by those in our life! John also enjoyed the day as he got to hang out with one of his best friends and go birding while all the girlie stuff was going on. Here are some great pictures from the shower!