Training in the Pews

I don't normally blog on Sundays, but as a mommy who just had a very challenging morning, it was such a blessing to see this on my blogroll when I came home from church today.

What is Jodi Interested In? or Subjects Men Aren't Interested In

Some of you may know that one of my big interests in life is pregnancy and birth. I discovered this when I was just starting my career in the Air Force, and I can't specifically say how or why it started. All I know is that I was on the internet one day (shocking, I know) and for a couple of weeks after that day I was reading everything I could get my hands on about birth and pregnancy. I was absolutely enthralled with what I was reading, because I thought that having babies meant hospital, epidural, probably c-section and the term "home birth" seemed quite radical. At the time I was all of 20 years old, not married, no prospects of having children any time soon, and I was completely committed to a career in the Air Force as a linguist for the next five years of my life. I was honestly sort of frustrated that God led me to all this information about natural birth, doulas and midwifery and there I was in a great position to do nothing about it for several years. I was ready to go to midwifery school right that very day if I could have. However, in His infinite wisdom He's given me a lot of time to think about where exactly I want to go with this "career" and I don't think it will lead to me being a midwife. It might, but I think I may be more of a doula-type person. And since I will have a few littles around for the foreseeable future I don't think I will really branch out into anything that requires being on call 24/7 for anyone but my family for a few years.

I'm about this >< close to being certified as a childbirth educator (I probably would have been done with my certification by now, but Ethan's little brother has affected my productivity somewhat). I will probably start a separate blog about pregnancy, birth and my classes sometime in the near future, because there are a lot of topics that I want to blog about in that area that I just don't want to put here, since this is more of a "keeping up with our family" blog. The reason I haven't created the blog yet is because I haven't found a definite idea of where I want it to go or what I really want it to be about (sort of like this post, har har). In the meantime, here are a few articles that I've been saving on my bookmarks list for awhile!

Home Birth Reference Site (UK)
Industrial Childbirth
A Healthy Baby Isn't All that Matters (may be sensitive for those who've had traumatic c-sections)
Medical Indications for Induction
Prevent Pre-Eclampsia or Pregnany Induced Hypertension with diet?
Optimal Fetal Positioning

For what it is worth, while I am an advocate of natural birth, I am not against necessary medical interventions. I know that cesarean sections are sometimes necessary. I know that induction is sometimes necessary. I do feel that they are used way too often, and that obstetrics is a rare medical specialty where evidence based medicine is not always practiced, due to many factors including litigation and insurance issues. All that being said, I think the best way for women to have the best care possible during their pregnancy, labor and birth is to educate themselves. Women should be making educated decisions about their care based on research, and not on what their midwives or doctors will "allow" them to do.

So that's all that I will put about this stuff in this blog. When I get some classes started up, I'll probably start the other blog and put my ramblings about pregnancy and birth over there where no one has to see it. :)

"That Book Doesn't Talk"

Recently while watching TV, I saw a commercial for the following product. The talking book is tested by a line of kids who really enjoy the neato gadget that talks to them in character voices when they point a magic wand device at words on a page. They are testing this alongside a "regular" book of the non-speaking variety. The company mascot (a cheerful frog) asks the final kid, who is looking at the regular book with a dismayed look on his face, if he is missing something. The boy says, "That book doesn't talk!"

This commercial disturbs me on so many levels. I never really had a problem with talking books until I saw this ad, but I am now boycotting all books that so much as utter a squeak at my child.

I want to teach my children that books do talk. The don't talk in character voices and they don't tell stories about Sponge Bob or Dora. They tell stories about Prince Caspian, Achilles, and tortises and hares. My kids will learn that they get to make up the voices, and the characters and the landscapes all on their own (did I just say I want voices in my kids' heads?).

I'm not saying that I want my kid to sit through The Illiad at age 3 and understand it all. I'm all for finding children's versions of the great books and starting my kids on those. Starting them with picture books and simple words. I want them to be read aloud to at the youngest age, hearing the stories told by Tolkein and Lewis and learning to use their imaginations.

I don't ever want to hear my kids complain that their books don't talk.

You May Have Noticed..

That my blog has recently taken on a blue-ish hue.

That's because we found out today that Ethan is going to have a little brother!

I really thought that this baby might be a girl since my pregnancy has been significantly different than last time. But I am super glad, since they are so close together, that they are going to be brothers!

And, you know, this saves me the money that I might have spent on a pink shopping spree!

The only downside is that Steve and I have the toughest time with boy names. But I'm sure we can come up with something both of us like in the next 5 months, right?

At the Pumpkin Patch

At the pumpkin patch
Originally uploaded by Steve Bremer

Ethan really enjoyed our time at the pumpkin patch on Saturday. He went on his very first hay ride, and helped us pick out a good pumpkin for carving. He spent a lot of time playing in front of this old wagon. He kept looking into the center part of the wheel (where his hand is) to see what was in there.

Also, I have the best husband ever! I had the absolute worst craving for a Big Mac tonight. I know it's not healthy, I know it is full of fat and stuff that I shouldn't eat, and I don't normally get pregnancy cravings, but here it is. He's out right now getting me a Big Mac. I told him to feel free to get himself an ice cream sundae for his trouble. :)

Reunited Again!

Well, I'm behind on posting (what else is new?), but my wonderful husband is home from his far off travels and our family is together again! Not 48 hours after his return to Washington, we were on our way to California for my friend Melanie's wedding, which is where the above picture was taken. It was so beautiful and such a nice time for the three of us to reconnect as a family! As a bonus my mom came along to nanny for Ethan while I did all the girly bridesmaid/wedding things. Melanie was a gorgeous bride and I'm so happy for her and her new hubby! Newlyweds make my heart happy!

Ethan also got a haircut while we were in California, and not a moment too soon. I love his long hair and curls, but he is such a little man now! I cried a little when his dad brought him back from the barber.

The pregnancy is going well! I'm almost halfway and still feeling pretty small. I'm enjoying feeling small while I can though, because I know in a couple months I will feel anything BUT small. I've been feeling the baby move for a little over a week now, so that is nice. It's just reassuring to get a little thump now and again so that I know all is still good in there. Our "big" ultrasound is on the 28th and all indications are that we will be finding out the flavor this time around. That decision, however, is completely up to my dear husband. I will keep everyone updated!

Birthday Boy!

One
Originally uploaded by jodisue

I am a week late crafting this post, but we have been busy with family in town to celebrate this milestone, so here it is today!

I cannot believe Ethan is one year old. I can remember so vividly the day I met him. It was a day of hard work, but oh so worth it. We waited two years for God to bless us with a baby, and then all of a sudden, 9 months later he was in my arms. It was unbelievable. I still marvel at how God

My Sweet Bud, my long-awaited babe, I pray for you every day, that you will grow to love the Lord with all your heart. I cannot wait for you to meet your little brother or sister and become fast friends. You are so silly and funny already; I can't wait to see more and more of your personality.

I can't wait until you are old enough to sing with me, the song we have heard together every Sunday since you were one week old:

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Here is the year in (a few) photos:

Just born:

First smile on camera:

The famous Flat Smile:

Eating birthday cake on Saturday:

More birthday photos are here!