Sebastian Grey Harrison
Born Saturday 25 September, 2010
8lbs 12oz & 21 inches @ 1:03pm
WaterBirth using HypnoBirthing @ Best Start Birth Center
Welcome little man. We love you !
Potty training.. not something I have been looking forward to. I don't mind changing diapers. In fact, for me it's a lot easier not having to rush to the bathroom when we get to a store or race across the store in hopes we can make it on time. Plus, with a new baby coming we weren't sure if it was a good idea to start potty training. What if he regresses with the potty? Could I handle having accidents and a newborn? What did I get myself into?
Well, the main reason why we decided to start potty training was because he was ready and willing. We wanted to make sure it was because he was ready, not because we wanted him to potty train. We had gotten a potty chair for him over a year ago and he's been going pee before bath and bedtime every night since then. Now to step it up...
Big boy undees and a potty book! We thought it would be good for him to have a potty book to help him understand the process etc of going potty and being a big boy. Since Xander LOVES to read books it was a great idea! We also started telling him that babies wear diapers and big boys wear underwear. So I hear him every so often telling his stuffed animals that "babies wear diapers" and he informs me of that now all the time.
There have been a few accidents, mainly him freaking out and not pooping in the toilet/potty chair. So it's been pretty frustrating to have him KNOW what he has to go poop, tell us he does.. then to go in his underwear. Bribery is my best friend and I never thought I'd like Dora the Explorer as much as I do.
Cameron and Xander had a successful accident last weekend... and Xander got to have 2 pieces of candy and watch an episode of Dora on Netflix. Woot! Woot! to on demand programs.. thanks Netflix! Cam made a huge deal of it, they called me to tell me AND Xander got lots of stars on his potty chart. Now to keep it up. This kid will hold it all day long until he has a diaper on for nap or bedtime then poop. So this was a HUGE deal!
Today, I am very proud to announce that Xander has been able to watch 2 episodes of Dora! He went in both times, all by himself and went! Now to get him to wipe his bum....
I have aprox 2 more weeks until this kid is born. I'm really hoping he comes early though because I'm just done cookin' already! Xander was about 10 days before his guess date so I'm really hoping this one follow suit. But with my luck, hahaha, he wont. I guess that's okay because we haven't finished cleaning the carpets and we don't have the cradle yet either.
This pregnancy has been so much different than the last, he still moves a TON like his brother did but I haven't been sick like I was last time. Less sickness and less hurting of the joints. Yeah, I'll take that any day. We also haven't had the tragedies and bad news like we did last time so the stress and grieving hasn't been there. It has been a relatively stress-free pregnancy :)
We are also birthing differently this time. How you ask? Isn't a birth a birth? This time we have chosen to go a completely natural route. [I'd give birth at home but I'd be to focused on things not being picked up or the neighbors being -well- my typical loud cursing neighbors.....] So we have chosen to birth with no pitocin, no epidural and no doctors. But before you get all worried hear me out... We're giving birth at Best Start Birth Center in Hillcrest. There are certified Midwives that attend and help with the birth. Plus if there is an issue that needs to be attended to by a doctor [which is very unlikely] there is UCSD very close by that we can be transferred to. Best Start is an accredited birthing center and one of the only ones that has water births. THIS is the most exciting part for me.. a water birth! Not only do I get to labor in the jacuzzi tub [that is big enough to party in] I get to also birth in the tub as well. Most hospitals that allow laboring in the water wont allow you to birth in the water. We also have our trusty Doula and friend, Care Messer. She was also our HypnoBorthing Instructor. So between HypnoBirthing, our Doula and certified midwives this is going to be an amazing celebration of life and labor! I have been so excited that my bag has been packed for a month already and I really am looking forward to labor. We also have a photographer to -tastefully- photograph the birth story.
We wanted to bring our baby into this crazy hectic world through natural, calm means. We feel it is what birthing should be like. No doctors and nurses trying scare me that the "pain" is going to be too much and you'll be screaming for an epidural. Which, even with too high of pitocin cranked into my body, I still did not scream for an epidural, thank you but no thanks lady! No doctor coming in and telling me that I need a c-section [more for his convenience than mine.. guess he had a golf game he needed to get to after his shift...And heaven forbid a woman want to birth without drugs and intervention]. Heavenly Father made our bodies to work properly.. So why do we, as women, think that they wont? When given a chance they will, especially if you are calm, relaxed and are aware of what is happening. I'm not saying that intervention shouldn't happen for a small percentage of women because thank goodness that we do have the knowledge and tools to help with those births! I'm saying that far too many women go the way of intervention instead of trusting the amazing body God gave them. And that is something I personally do not want to squander.
Calm, peaceful, natural. This is what I am so excited about.
