Birthing class

Tonight was our second birthing class. However, James was not there with me tonight. He is down in California working and visiting family. My Aunt Jane, or "Auntie Gram" is what she'll be for Teagan, came with me for support. If you know her, then you know she love'd to come with me to be apart of this. She is so excited for us, and can't wait! Tonight in class we went through the stages of labor. For the most part I knew what to expect,but it was nice to hear it and to learn a few new things as well. Thanks Aunt Jane for going with me!
There were some new people in our class this week, then last, one couple are very young and are deciding to have an open adoption, and they have a family that has been chosen and the new family has picked out the baby's name. I thought how brave this girl is for going through all this and making the decision to put her baby up for adoption. She is probably no older then 17, and she had her boyfriend on one side of her and her mother on the other side of her. She is lucky to have a good support system! There was another girl there who brought her boyfriend with her, and he is a story all in himself.....totally did not participate, fell asleep during the labor video, was reading a book for "work," and just was not there mentally. I thought "what is the point dude? You clearly will be a great support for your girlfriend...right!"
I feel that I am so lucky to have a great support system with my family and friends! It is very much appreciated and I love you all!
I am looking forward to flying down to California on Friday to see James, who has been gone for a week now. We are having our first baby shower down there at my Grandma's house. It is co-ed and should be fun! I am looking forward to seeing my family and friends from down there! I should have lots of pictures to show when I return! What I am not looking forward to is flying on the airplane with a cold that I have seemed to have picked up. Ya know all the good 'ol recirculated air in the plane! Plus I can't take much in the way of decongestants, when you are pregnant. Yeah for that!

30 Weeks!

Here, I am actually 28wks, but close enough to today.

So today I am officially 30wks! Which means 10 more weeks to go, give or take a few. For those who aren't familiar, a full term pregnancy is classified as 40wks. Now a days they say any where from 37-42wks is full term. My thoughts on this whole thing is that it has flown by, one day I can't believe I am pregnant, to seeing the ultrasound pictures, to finding out "it" is really a "him" to coming up with a name, Teagan Alan. So far so good with the pregnancy. Within the last week and a half I have had some swelling in my right ankle, but I am happy to say that this whole week while walking I have not had shin splints, so that is a plus! Of course I am still nervous, anxious, excited, scared and happy all at the same time, hopefully that is normal. I just can't believe that before you know it I, Laurel, will be having a baby! Crazy!

James and I went last night to our first birthing class, first of six. They are two hours long and so far it was enjoyable. We are they only ones in the class that is having a boy! It is strange to see others who are about as far along as I am or more, and how different they look. Woman who are having girls definitely look different then those who are having boys. I am much more out there, like a basketball, then those having girls carry much more out on there sides and hips. I, however, still have a waist! The class was informational, and we went over some pregnancy vocabulary, like "vagina" which I thought was hilarious, because I would hope that everyone in the class knows what a "vagina" is! haha. Anyway, we had to reach into a bag and pull out an item. We weren't allowed to see into the bag before we took an item so it was a surprise. Then we discussed what each item was an what its purpose was in relation to pregnancy and labor. I pulled out a pedometer, I said it was good to be healthy and exercise during pregnancy, which was mainly right, but the teacher/nurse also added in that the more fit you are they better you will do during labor. (Yeah for me, walking everyday!) James pulled out a scooper for a cat's litter box, and he knew right away, since we have a cat, Meow (yes, that is her name),what is was, and said, "Oh I know what this is, and I already do it!" He knew that pregnant women aren't supposed to clean the cat's litter box ,for their urine can carry Toxoplasmosis, which can be fatal for the baby if it gets into moms bloodstream, it is a virus. Then we watch a video on car seats, interesting and we picked up a few pointers. We are going to have to practice installing it before hand, since we already have our infant car seat, Thanks to Aunt Jackie, and we have our toddler car seat, Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma to-be Sullivan!

Thanks to all our friends and family for your support during this time, we really appreciate it! James and I are looking forward to seeing and meeting Teagan, as all of you are too!