DON'T KNOCK THE AROMA IF YOU HAVEN'T TRIED IT

Brittany is nearing Week 36 of her pregnancy. At Week 37, a baby is considered full-term and even though Britt's due-date is October 29, you never know (well, Gaz kids Britt that the baby will arrive at Thanksgiving.)

I thought now an excellent time to jot down (via this blog post) some random thoughts about Brittany and her pregnancy.

She has been strong and confident with a wonderful sense of humor during these past months. She has worked hard at her job and even earned a promotion. She has cared for the baby in every possible way...diet, rest, exercise, vitamins and just being a lovely and radiant pregnant woman.

During these last few weeks, she has been very attentive to the approaching labor and delivery. Therefore, she has been practicing natural things such as breathing, yoga ball stretches, aromatherapy and overall meditation and relaxation exercises.

She is not planning a natural delivery, just wants to be prepared for the first phase of labor.

Here's another observation of mine. It seems many other women are quick to toss out words of fear instead of words of encouragement. Why is that? Why not words of support?

Brittany fully understands that labor is hard and there will be pain. She also has a level of trust in her health-care providers and the facility she will check into. She also knows knowledge is power and by arming herself with information, she will not enter into labor with undue fear and trepidation.  She has taken advantage of vast amounts of information shared by intelligent women who have given birth.

A recently posted photo of her (not by her) on Facebook was met with an odd assortment of comments, by women. With almost 100% being less than supportive of her meditation and relaxation exercises. Some seemed to be almost scoffing and I wondered why that to be the case. Maybe folks who have (and many who have not) experienced labor and delivery feel entitled to jump in and have a say (even a sort of negative one) about giving birth.

Labor and giving birth? Yep, it can be long. Yep, it is painful. Yep, Brittany can do it!!!

Oh, all those who doubt the positive effects of effective breathing exercises, focusing and aromatherapy? They should try it. It could make them feel much more serene...even when they aren't  pregnant.

Doubters will doubt (can't stop 'em anyway). Keep going with the Yoga ball relaxation, breathing, meditation and the effective aromas for your first phase of labor (they can't give drugs during that time, just in case people have forgotton), Britt.

We didn't invent it, but I am sure grateful that someone did.

BRANDON IS TIED

September is edging toward October and I thought Beach Baby, someday, could have an interest in this snap of her father, looking quite dapper the month before her expected arrival.

Brandon, after a LONG day of lawyering in West Palm Beach, appeared and didn't look any the worse-for-wear (always thought that a peculiar expression).

That is a lawyerly-smile if ever I saw one!! But, he's probably thinking how much fun (and lost sleep) he is going to have when Beach Baby makes her appearance.

A HAND FULL OF MATTRESS

Beach Baby should know her Daddy is a brand-new attorney.

She should also know what that means.

Work. Long hours of work.

However, here he is after a long day of doing lawyer-duty...lugging her brand new LA Baby mattress up the stairs to the nursery.

The nursery is almost complete and Daddy-To-Be, Brandon, does his part!

LESS THAN 50 DAYS TO GO, PREGGERS IN PALM BEACH GARDENS

September has arrived and Brittany looks very beautiful.  These were taken a couple of weeks ago, as Britt and I had a few days of shopping for the nursery.

She is a serene and beautifull (discounting the times she is in her stretchy pajamas) pregnant woman.

Less than 50 days to go.

HIGH CHAIRS AND STEP STOOLS

We know the best people, in the world. We appreciate them, not just because they send Beach Baby great and useful things like this fab high chair. Sent from our dear Minnesota friend, Gretchen, a high chair that transitions as the baby grows.

It is amazing how handy Gaz is transforming a tons of items from a box into a useful and beautiful item.

You gotta have a little step-stool to really pull a room together.  Here is one we used as we worked on the nursery!

AUNTIE AND EINSTEIN

Brandon has a wonderful Aunt. She has ALWAYS been there for him all during his life. Actually, she's been there for me MY whole life. During my pregnancy with Brandon, she was right there, all the way.

When Brandon was born she bought his bassinet and she wanted to something meaningful for, Beach Baby.

So, naturally she peeked into Britt's Baby Registry at Babies 'r Us and look what appeared at the door.

Baby Einstein Jumper! Oh, it does take Einstein, almost, to put it together.

 

No, it was fun!!

 

Thank you, Auntie Barbara! We love you!

GAZ AND THE NURSERY BOOKCASE

The nursery is shaping into a lovely mixture. It is classic. Filled with new items, antique pieces and items from both Brittany and Brandon's childhood. It is a vision of lovliness.

However, it takes time and much effort to create a vision and on Saturday, Gaz pulled bits and pieces from a box and in no time at all a lovely white bookcase was in place and filled with an assortment of items.

He even whistles while he works.

 

Of course, this project probably went by faster for me than for Gaz as I received a text from Brandon (who was hard at work at the law firm) making a special request.

 

Seems Brittany (who had eaten pizza with hot pepper flakes the evening before) was in dire need of Tums for the tummy as she toiled away at Chase Bank.

 

Grandfather-to-Be, Gaz, did a great job and here is the finished product!

 

Gaz, you are the best. The very best!