Getting Ready...
Look what arrived yesterday! Our rental birth tub. All set up and ready to go. Yesterday was our official "good to go for a homebirth" day. I swear our babe must have heard this too, because sure enough, we spent 4 hours last night with our midwife here trying to slow my constant contractions via every herbal, homeopathic and superstitious method we knew. Blessedly, something worked (I think it was the crampbark) and they went away. I'm only 35 weeks (full term pregnancy being 40), and it's oh-so-early for little lungs to be out in the world. I'd love to make it another week or so (Cal and Ez were both born at exactly 36 weeks), to get this babe a bit bigger and stronger, and me a bit more ready of course. This weekend will be full of more baby and homebirth preparations - getting piles of sheets and towels sterilized and piled up, baby clothes and diapers ready to go, and the house as near clean as I can manage, or rather--as clean as Steve can manage. Gotta love the "doctor's orders" of rest, rest rest.
And since I'm a sentimental fool, I begged the rental company to find us the exact tub that Ezra was born in. All the birthed babies names are written on the inside--so sweet. And so fabulous to look at now that it's filled up with names in the two and a half years since Ez was born. Nothing like a bunch of homebirthin' freaks (a term of endearment, of course!) to come up with some cool ass names. ;) Perhaps we'll be inspired to finally come up with a boys name for THIS baby.....
Oooooh! I'm getting nervous! Every time I see you have a new post through Bloglines I think "oh my, I wonder if this is it?" :D I love that you got the same birthing tub! Very sweet!
Posted by: Cassi | August 19, 2005 at 11:37 PM
Amanda~ It's such a privilege to joyfully anticipate the birth of your child with you. Thank you.
Posted by: Gemma Grace | August 20, 2005 at 12:04 AM
Wow, it really is so close now. Hope you're able to rest up and relax a bit this week! xo
Posted by: Fiona | August 20, 2005 at 01:28 AM
Oh my! It's almost time! That means my time isn't too far away either!!! I have so much to do! I almost had a home birth last time (in the UK) and would have loved to have had one this time but it's not so popular here in Australia and can be quite expensive hiring your own midwife. I hope everything goes smoothly, GOOD LUCK!!
Posted by: Nichola | August 20, 2005 at 01:57 AM
Can't be much longer now. I hope you are able to hang in there for another week! I am jealous though - my first was a 41 weeker, and my second was born spot on 40 weeks. I was so ready at that 36 week mark, too! Just imagine, another whole month of pregnancy. So excited for you!
Posted by: amanda8 | August 20, 2005 at 08:09 AM
Oh my gosh I crying here looking at the babies names in the tub, what an amazing idea!! how powerful to sit in that tub with the vibes of all the woman that birthed there too. It's like the strength of all the women are there with you.. how wonderful.. *grabbing a tissue*
feeling so sad that we didn't get to use our pool..
Posted by: Sarah | August 20, 2005 at 08:35 AM
I am sitting here covered in goosebumps! I cannot believe that is the exact same tub! What a beautiful thing!
Jean
Posted by: jean lee | August 20, 2005 at 08:46 AM
Crossing my fingers that your Babe holds off just a little bit!
That bag and blanky are sooo cute! LOL
Posted by: jes | August 20, 2005 at 08:52 AM
How exciting. I personally prefer the term "earthy birthy" freaks. ;-)I hope your bebe stays put for at least another week.
Posted by: Dee | August 20, 2005 at 11:27 AM
Wow! I love that the babies names are in the tub and how incredibly wonderful that this new babe will share "his/her" brother's birth place! I'm getting really excited and feel honored that I my actually witness this all first hand! YIPPEE, Soulebaby!
Posted by: bellablue | August 20, 2005 at 11:43 AM
what are some of the names we cant see?
Posted by: k. | August 20, 2005 at 12:36 PM
O.K, Here's my suggestion,
What about Charles ?
I could imagine you all with a little boy called Charlie.
Posted by: lyn | August 20, 2005 at 05:22 PM
I was wondering if we would see a baby after the pool appeared on the screen. the names written on the pool is a great idea. what are your current name choices? do you 'know' if its a boy or a girl or are you just hoping for a girl this time? i hope you and the baby can make it to 40 weeks this time round or at least that extra week. both of mine were 42 weeks - and that was not fun - but they were healthy babies. good luck - will be watching and waiting for that baby to come out.
Posted by: kath | August 20, 2005 at 05:36 PM
Oh I'm so excited for you. You'll be getting tons of hits on your blog everyday
now:-)
Posted by: Kathy | August 20, 2005 at 08:09 PM
Hi Amanda!
Love that you're having a homebirth. The last 2 of my 5 were born at home. I'm completely sold on HB. I wanted a water birth for my 5th, but our life was in such upheavel going through two very hard moves, that I was darn lucky to even secure a midwife!!! Let alone plan and prepare for a WB.
Enjoy nesting! (I think I folded and refolded the baby clothes about 1,000 times!)
Posted by: Toni | August 20, 2005 at 08:46 PM
lovely seeing your baby inspired crafts recently and BEST WISHES!!! I admire what your doing - very different from my childbirth experiences. At least you're all ready to go. My nephew was born at 35 weeks and he's a little trooper and as tough as boots. Good Luck !!!!
Posted by: suburbansider | August 21, 2005 at 08:20 AM
I'm happy for you - you seem to have the luck to live the kind of birth-giving I would have dreamed of.
I wish you joy and a healthy baby. (And you, lttle baby, please, stay a little bit more inside your mother, all right?)
Posted by: filambulle | August 21, 2005 at 10:59 AM
oh my god... i just arrived in michigan and whipped into the house to check your blog to see if there was any news. i'm so excited about this. when will it be?!?!?!?! oh wow!
i will be checking in from chicago all week... best to you & your family!
xox, mav
Posted by: maria | August 21, 2005 at 05:21 PM
I am so excited for you and your family, Amanda! Please email me with your address btw. :) That's so neat that you were able to get the very same tub! I am anxiously awaiting your new arrival!
Posted by: joleen | August 21, 2005 at 06:43 PM
Gasp! That is the most beautiful idea, to have all the names of the babies written on the tub. And how powerful and inspiring for you, when you're in it yourself :)
Posted by: Suse | August 21, 2005 at 10:34 PM
I am so excited for you. My second babe was born in water, and I gotta say, I truly think it was a much more peaceful experience for her than my first child's "land" birth (both at home though). I will sending all my positive vibes your direction. Blessing to you and your family.
Posted by: Aimee | August 23, 2005 at 12:50 AM
so happy for you and your family! I wish I could have used one of this birth tubs, looks wonderful!! wish you all the best, I'm sure your baby will arrive healthy and strong, and beautiful, like you all!
Posted by: patricia | August 24, 2005 at 07:46 AM
Oh, shivers up and down my back! I'm so excited for you, but yes, we must keep the little one in for just a while longer... I'm thinking about you guys!
Posted by: kelly | August 24, 2005 at 11:47 AM
How wonderful! I wish you the very best as you prepare to welcome another member to your family. I think it's so great that you got the same tub as your son was born in. Congratulations and good luck!
Posted by: sedie | August 24, 2005 at 12:56 PM
oh goodness - I've just been reading through your posts and noticed that a friend of mine's baby girl Iris was born in that tub (May 2004)! The world, especially here in Maine, is a small, small place. I am really enjoying reading about your creative adventures and it's leading me to look forward to when I'll have time to sit and create again...
Posted by: Kristen | October 23, 2005 at 12:22 AM