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Week 33 ~ September 5, 2004
~ Preparations for Fall
I saw a different midwife in my group this week, and she asked me about the mish-mash of possible due dates on my chart. When I explained them all, she said, "Why don't we go with the date of conception, since you know it's correct?" Yes, let's do that! So October 28th it is. I feel much more comfortable with that.
I also discussed my low iron with her. She recommended I take a supplement called Floradix that you can find in health food stores. I have picked some up and will start it tomorrow morning. I hope it tastes okay! It's supposed to raise your iron levels fairly quickly, which is what I need. I am at week 33 already!
It has been hot on and off again. I am so ready for fall. I've looked forward this whole pregnancy to being big during the chilly fall months, but I'm not sure how many chilly days we'll really have before baby comes. Usually the weather changes here all of a sudden, but I'd like a gradual change... 70 degrees for a week or two, then 60s, then 50s, etc. I know I will enjoy cuddling with this little one in the wintertime. I will watch the snow fall with my two children. I can hardly believe I'll soon be a mom to two!
We are getting Charon ready for kindergarten. She is very excited, and I am, too. I'm also anxious because I know she will be going through lots of changes this fall and I hope it doesn't all overwhelm her. I am glad Penguin isn't due until October/November, because that will give her some time to adjust to the new school routine first. We went shopping for school supplies this week, and attended a picnic at the school. She loved peeking inside and playing on the playground. Next week we will meet her teacher and see her classroom before she starts.
People have been telling me about the transition from one to two children. Some say their older children had a difficult time with it, and others say it went very smoothly for them. Charon has had us all to herself for so long - five years! I know she is excited to meet Penguin, but I wonder how she'll feel when the baby is here all the time. I am working on ways I will be able to spend some special time with her, coming up with one-handed activities and such. Pete will be home for the first three weeks, which will help give me a bit of alone time with Charon. When Charon was a baby, he used to come home from work and then take her out for a walk, so maybe he can do the same with this little one eventually.
I will be breastfeeding on demand, so baby gets me whenever s/he needs. My sling will be a great help for that, and I am looking at getting another baby carrier to try this time - maybe a Maya Wrap. I also need to come up with some ways that Charon can help me with the baby. Maybe she can be my baby bath partner. I want her to feel helpful and grown-up, but I also want her to know she's still my little one, too.
I should read her some books about how the baby is growing inside me, what to expect from me when I give birth to Penguin, and what life might be like after Penguin's here. I know the Sears' book, Baby on the Way, is a good one to read. I'll have to look around a bit more. Hey, I just looked up Baby on the Way on Amazon, and they have another one: What Baby Needs. Perfect!
We are open to her being at the birth if she wants to be there. I will talk to her about this when the time gets closer. Gramma Charon and Grampa Bill will be with her, and I do want her to be able to be there right after the birth, if possible. But I will not force her to attend this birth if she is worried or even not interested. (I expect she will be more interested in having her grandparents all to herself, but we'll see!) I do want her to be ready for it in case she decides she wants to watch.
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