Pictures from Hans' Birth

We Labored at home in hopes of a homebirth. Contractions started getting somewhat regular (between 2-20 minutes apart) early Saturday (May 9th) morning. The Midwife Cheryl Gates and her assistant Melanie Brindle came to our house to help us birth. By Monday morning May, 11th we were very tired, Dr. Plumb came twice to offer some hypnosis to help me rest. Dr. Belt also came and performed acupuncture to move things along. However, after almost 3 days without sleep I was worn out and we transferred to the hospital. At the hospital, I was able to get pain relief which allowed me to rest before the big event.

Hans Thomas was born at 10:17 PM on May 11, 2009. He was 7lbs 13oz and had red hair!

Last Belly Pictures before Hans' Birth

Rocky Theme Song and Door-to-door Organics

Baby and I have been listening to the Rocky Theme Song ("Gonna Fly Now")--hope it gives him courage! The lyrics crack me up:

Trying hard now
it's so hard now
trying hard now

Getting strong now
won't be long now
getting strong now

Gonna fly now
flying high now
gonna fly, fly, fly...

I decided to try Door-to-door Organics that Marcela recommended. It will be nice to have organic fruits and veggies delivered to our door.
http://www.doortodoororganics.com/

Hearing Baby's Heartbeat

We had a midwife appointment today and as always listened for baby's heartbeat (I can never hear it on the stethoscope). The midwife showed Jon how to listen to baby's heartbeat by putting his ear in just the right spot on my belly. His eyes really lit up when he heard it--so sweet! Cheryl is really good at boosting our confidence and telling us that we are going to have a great birth. She took an hour with us as always and took the time to answer questions from belly buttons to homeschooling. I'm really glad that we went with her.

Baby has been slipping up and down my pelvis. I think that he was really low yesterday--I felt like I had just been horseback riding for hours. I may have even been walking like a cowboy. Today I feel today back to normal. Maybe he just practicing.

Waist Size

Sissy asked on the phone what my waist size is...well...I measured it...I'm 42 inches! That's one big beer belly. Right now I weigh 184, which is 31 pound weight gain. Cheryl said to gain between 35-45, so looks like I'll make it. Haha! Actually with breastfeeding and eating well both Harpo and I will be healthy and happy.

When Mom was visiting during her Easter Vacation, we had a last minute 3D ultrasound. Ollie and Lonnie also came to see one last look at our baby in utero. Harpo can be seen here smiling.

Here he is pouting...
Opening his eyes... Mom and Blondie in the car...
Ladies in Red. We had a nice walk at Shawnee Mission Park during a nice sunny day.

Picture update of belly!

Blondie inspecting our progress...this may be Week 35?

Pants are so eight months! Week 37...

Front shot...Week 38...

Back shot...who's 9 months pregnant?

Up close belly picture...