{posterior baby}

So for two weeks now baby #4 has been laying in my belly in a posterior position.  When I was in with the midwife at 31 weeks with cramping they did an ultrasound and saw the baby's sunny-side up position.  I didn't' worry about it since I was 'only' 31 weeks along.  I have just been telling myself to be more consistent in doing my pelvic rock exercises (recommended in Bradley Birthing Class).

But when I went to my Hudson physician on Thursday (got to meet one of the midwives there) and she said the baby was posterior but told me that wasn't a problem, it got me thinking I better be more proactive about this!

So after a little research and a message left for my good friend (who happens to be my chiropractor too!), I spent the evening with Garett and Alivia  (Eli and Gregg had a father-son Twin's game outing last night) watching Land Before Time in a 'playful puppy' position!  Livi thought it was really fun.  Then after a little bit became a little mommy asking me if I was okay and rubbing my back!  Then back playful Livi who decided she should climb on my back and try to ride me like a horse...which hysterically ended up as more of a mommy slide since the point of the position is to have your head down and your butt in the air! 

And for those of you who maybe wondering why I care as long as the baby is head down.  Here is why.  A posterior baby usually has a harder time tucking her chin into her chest as she is coming down the birth canal.  This causes the head to present in a way that has a much larger circumference than need be.  And since my babies have been on the larger side in the past :

• Garett : 8 lb 3 oz
• Elijah : 9 lb 8 oz
• Alivia: 9 lb 6 oz

I really want the head to present in the smallest way possible :)

So, 33 weeks along today, and it looks like some more fun nights of goofy positions.  I have an appointment with my midwife at Mayo on Monday!

P.S.  One suggestion I found suggested scrubbing your floor on your hand and knees.  I am into multi-tasking, but I think that one must have been written by a man!

Excepting another decade...even if I'm a year late!

I'm thirty-one today.  Last year I tried to stay twenty-nine.  I still to this day remember my sweet grandma always saying she was twenty-nine and a half, so I figured I could stay there too! Garett (5 at the time) said if I wasn't having a birthday, then I couldn't have cake.  I told him that was just fine :)  I wasn't completely bothered by the number 30 or anything, but just the concept of it in my head.  The thought that I had years back.  The thought that told me that my twenties were for learning and making mistakes and that when I was thirty I would have life figured out and under control!
But when I turned thirty, I was not to the place in my life.  In fact, I was farther from it than when I was 21 and graduating college and starting a great job at IBM and marring a great man with tons of potential!  I was laid off from my "great job", just had my third baby, and my hubby was still trying to find the right niche for him in his business.  I desperately wanted to stay home with my kids but my husband didn't yet have the income to support our growing family.  So I was job hunting and trying to be a great mom and feeling like I was failing at both.  On top of moving into a new house and trying to find a new place for everything.  Pampered Chef was still going swimmingly, except for the one problem of a recruit who also happened to be babysitting the kids while I was job hunting was robbing us blind little by little.  All in all, I just didn't feel like I had my life figured out, and therefore wasn't ready for a milestone birthday. 

Perhaps the comment this year from my six year old, Garett, was payback.  Payback for when I was a little myself and told Grandma that she must have been born on leap year since that was the only way she could be only 29 1/2!  I think Garett was a bit harsher though when he talked about my birthday and I again said I wasn't having one.  He said, "Mom, face it, you are going to be THRITY-ONE!"  I wasn't sure if I should laugh out loud or send him to his room for his choice of words!  But maybe that six year-old little has a point.  Maybe I need to embrace my thirties and make them great!  So, in looking back over those past three decades are definitely things I have learned and reasons I'm glad to be in my thirties! 

Things I have learned:

I have learned that family is everything, they should be put first and not be taken for granted!


I have learned that even though I think putting on make-up everyday is a waste of time, putting on a little lipstick and fixing the bags under my eyes does make me smile when I catch a glimpse of my face throughout the day.

I have learned there are women out there that are not catty and mean but wonderful.  Ones that truly care about me and my husband and my littles.  Ones who are cheering for you to succeed.  Ones who aren't childish and competitive.  And I am lucky to call some of those women my friends!

I have learned that taking time for a bath or a foot soak is so worth it!


I have learned that taking time to cuddle and watch a movie with my hubby is something we need to do more! 

I have learned that negative feelings never help or fix a situation, looking for the good in things does!

I have learned that you cannot change or redo your past, but you definitely control your present and write your future!

I have learned that 'stuff' isn't important and just clutters your house.  My family is happy just being together.

I have learned eating healthy maybe more expensive, but everyone is so much happier when you fuel your body the best you can!

I have learned that I enjoy photography, pictures and creating with them. 


I have learned that an "I love you" or unprompted hug from my children in mid-day can make my heart melt and make me cry. 

I have learned a positive attitude is the key to good days!

...and I think I will stop teasing my six year-old about being only 29 and finally except that I am today, 31!