Birthing classes

So, we started our birthing classes on Tuesday night. It was very interesting...we showed up armed with two pillows, a blanket, and a snack (my leftover burrito from dinner) as instructed and ended up sitting in really uncomfortable chairs all night. The instructor assured us that next week we will be on the floor using our pillows and blankets.

We learned a lot about the woman's pelvis, the hormone relaxin, and how the baby moves into position for delivery. It is so cool how all of that works and it really just happens....or we hope that it all happens as it is supposed to. The most memorable part of the class was watching the videos of three births. None of the women were given any pain medication. They were not trying to make an endorsement for natural child birth, I think that it was just less complicated than getting into the details on medication. Which we will also do in class next week. At this point I am planning to go without medication unless I am truly suffering. But, we will know more next week. Half way through the video I looked at Todd and said "holy shit, that looks awful!" The ladies faces were all swollen and they were moaning and writhing. Woah!! But then I was tearing up as the babies were born. I can't imagine how it will feel to hold our new little baby boy! I can't wait (really, I can wait another 11 weeks. There is a lot to do in that time!!!).

In other news, we have officially hired a dog walker. Not for daily walks, which Todd and I still do religiously. (Mine are a little slower than they used to be!) But for those days when we have to stay in the city later and driving back home is not an option or economical (crossing the bridge a couple of times a day can get pricey). I had my choir concert on Monday, Todd had dinner with our friend Pete and his parents, and then we were at birthing class on Tuesday...so Murphy got the royal treatment. Mary Lyons picked him up and plopped him in the front seat of her car, as were not sure how he would be in the car with other dogs. She then made the rounds to pick up the other dogs and proceeded to the trail for an hour of hiking. Then made her rounds again and dropped everyone off! Murphy got a great report both days. He was a gentleman with all of the other girl dogs and loved hiking...as we already know! He really seemed to love it...Todd said that he could tell Murphy was in a really good mood because of his hike!

30 weeks is fast approaching.....belly pics to come next week!