It's time for another Snapshots!!

I'm over here at the Donaldson's today, participating in another terrific Snapshots from a Sunday hosted by the talented Cari!

Give It Your Best Shot!

Really!

Baby #7 (shhhhhh! It's a boy!) is scheduled to arrive in less than 3 weeks! As with all of my other children, I'd like to mark his arrival with something unique and special. With each child, we've added on to the traditions that initiate a new member of our family, and I've run out of unique ideas (Give me a break! My brain has been doubly-fried by pregnancy AND bed rest!). I need your help!

As I just mentioned, we try to keep doing the already-established traditions, but add on a new one for each baby. So, here is the list:

Baby #1: We sang him "Happy Birthday" when he was born.

Baby #2: "Happy Birthday", plus we made sure to have a Baby Book ready and waiting to mark those first, few special days.

Baby #3: "Happy Birthday", Baby Book, and her brothers presented her with a special toy that they had shopped for and purchased just for her.

Baby #4: "Happy Birthday", Baby Book, Siblings' Gift, Special Homecoming outfit.

Baby #5: "Happy Birthday", Baby Book, Siblings' Gift, Special Homecoming outfit, Patron Saint medal.

Baby #6: "Happy Birthday", Baby Book, Siblings' Gift, Special Homecoming outfit, Patron Saint medal, Personalized baby blanket.


SO! What are some special "new baby" traditions are particular to your family? Have you heard of one that you'd like to try, but haven't gotten around to it yet?

What I like about our traditions is that they are nice mix of "things" and "actions", making them even more memorable. What are some easy ways that your family celebrates your bundles of joy?

I can't wait to hear your answers... and, HURRY!!! 

The One Where I Am Once Again Enlightened to My Opression

Not that I haven't been down this road a MILLION times before, but I had to have the "talk" with my OB on Wed. Here's how it went (slightly paraphrased, but not much cuz I'm still riled):

Dr: "I know I've asked you this before, but I just wanted to make sure.... you are NOT interested in a tubal ligation, right?"
Me: "That's correct."
Dr: "Is this because of a religious thing, or????"
Me: "You could say it stems from that."
Dr: "Because you can go to your priest or minister and tell them it's for medical reasons, and then we can do it."
Me: "If a Catholic priest is giving "permission" for things that the Catholic CHurch teaches are ALWAYS morally wrong, then he's a liar and a really bad Catholic, to boot. Priests are people, they are imperfect. That's why I always verify my facts with the source I know to be correct."
Dr: "OK, it's just that this is sooooo dangerous."
Me:" Let me ask you this... Have I come across as uneducated, ignorant, or fanatical in any way during this entire pregnancy? Have I not asked some very educated questions and discussed things with you calmly and rationally?"
Dr: "Oh, yes! Yes! You're very competent!"
Me: "Have I also not made it clear that my husband and I totally understand the risks involved and that WE stand the most to lose if something goes wrong?"
Dr: "Yes."
Me: "And, knowing all of these things about me and knowing that I know how frightening this can be, don't you think that if I disagreed with Natural Law and the teachings of my faith OR if I felt there was a loophole somewhere, I would be exploring it? Wouldn't I be the FIRST to try that? It just so happens that I AGREE with the reason for "why not". I understand that you are concerned for my physical health, but I have to be worried about so much more than just that."
Dr: "OK, OK. It's just that, by law, I'm required to ask."
Me: "Really? By LAW? I've had other health care providers that never asked, so either they were skirting the law or that's not really true."
Dr: "Well, what I mean is that you'd have to make that decision NOW, legally, and not wait any longer."
Me: "Well, that's a completely different thing, isn't it? And, I think I was pretty clear back in September when I said that it was something I would never, under ANY circumstances consider. There are very few things in life that I can say are 100% no-going-back-on decisions, but this is one of them. Sorry that the law made us waste your time like this." (I did say this with a wink and a grin, but still...).


This is a conversation that I've had in several other pregnancies with various providers (OBs and NPs). To me, it represents how stereotyping happens even in the most professional of circles (maybe ESPECIALLY there) and how even when you present yourself as lucid, well-informed, easy-to-dialogue-with, and reasonable, people STILL cannot use one iota of their imagination to try and understand what you are saying.

And, I was wearing make-up and nice clothes, too!


*This is for my good buddy, Dwija!

I'm visiting the Donaldsons today!

You guessed it: I fit right in!

I'm over here today hanging out with some very cool bloggers!












Actually, I'm just glad they let me hang out with them at all!


Happy Gobble-Gobble from my family to yours!

Who wants to participate in Snapshots from a Sunday this week?

It's time for another awesome Snapshots from a Sunday with Cari over at Clan Donaldson! Cari still has a few open slots for anyone who is interested being a part of this very fun (and easy!) "effort"! Click the Snapshots link above and everything you need to know is RIGHT THERE! (The World Wide Web is truly magical, my friends!)

So, come on and join me this Sunday! OK? I promise my feelings will not be hurt if you don't join in. Really.


OK, maybe those pesky hormonal feelings will be hurt a teensy-weensy bit.....

Snapshots from a Sunday!

Today I'm over here at Clan Donaldson participating in a very fun across-the-blogosphere activity! Check it out and join us!

And, here I sit...

I have always said that each pregnancy is as different as the baby it births, and this pregnancy is certainly no exception. 

Since I was 5 weeks along, I have been on "modified" bed rest. "What's 'modified' bed rest?", you ask? Well, I'd like to know that answer to that, too. As best as I can determine, it means that I'm not supposed to push, pull or lift heavy things (toddler children, included), rest "as much as possible" (um, does anyone realize that I have SIX other children?), don't walk/stand around for very long, and drink a lot of water (kinda counteracts the "resting" eventually, doncha think?). 

All of the above directions are somewhat relative depending on who is interpreting them. While my doctor might be envisioning me lying on the couch, with a glass of ice water in my hand, whilst I doze on and off, my interpretation (my REALITY) is vastly different. I really do sit as much as possible (feeling like a lazy jerk the entire time) and when my older kids are home it's much easier because they can let the dog in and out the door, play with younger siblings, etc. But, when it's just me (and the younger 1 or 2 kiddos), I really can't ignore the dog's barking, or the toddler table-dancing in a shower of iodized salt, or my hunger. 

Truly, it would be easier (in a sense) if my doctor told me, "Don't move your pregnant posterior out of bed unless the house is on fire.". In that case, I'd be able to drop most of the guilt and stay put. In that case, my husband wouldn't look at me and say, "Well, maybe you could walk with us to the park???". In that case, I would be able to clearly explain to others why sometimes I feel like I can get away with a short, small trip to the grocery store or 45 minutes in the Adoration Chapel, while other times, I feel like driving to my kids' school to drop them off is "too risky".

You see, this vagueness leaves me with an odd combination of feeling overly guilty while also feeling overly angry with people who just "don't get it" why I'm "lazing around so much". 

As is looks now, my doctor feels pretty sure that as we get further along into the 2nd trimester, I'll be on "full" bed rest, perhaps even in the hospital. I really hope there's a pamphlet with definitive guidelines on the Dos and Don'ts of "full" bed rest.