Falling Apart from the Inside Out

Five months ago I gave birth to our third baby girl (yup, there's been a lot of new babies here at Hippocrates' Housewives). I had often been told that adding number three is the hardest family addition, so I was pretty nervous, but also extremely elated. Somehow I was blessed with yet another "well behaved" baby (I use the quotes because let's be honest, it's impossible for a baby to misbehave). She slept a solid three to four hours between feedings, wasn't colicy, latched well from the get go, and fulfilled all other textbook baby requirements. Not only did my baby come in to this world making things as easy as they possibly can be with a new little one, but her older sisters did great as well! There was no sibling resentment, no potty training or sleeping regressions, no acting out to receive attention, just a whole bunch of love, kisses, cuddling, and playing well on their own.

Things in the home couldn't be doing any better and I was quickly adjusting to life with three kids under the age of four. Sure, it took us longer to get places and we were often running late even later to dance and preschool, but at least we were making it. And okay, so I had over six loads of laundry that were waiting to be folded for a week, but they were clean. Fine, dinner was ordered in or picked-up for the first month (after the two weeks that my mother-in-law was here to cook for me and the meals from friends and neighbors were gone), but my kids were fed. I was handling this pretty dang well. 

Then Dr. Barton hit his two weeks of night float. You know, where he works at the hospital from 6 p.m. to 11:00 a.m., sleeps at the hospital until 5:00 p.m., and then comes home for dinner for thirty minutes before he has to be back to work. We had made it through the first week and while things hadn't been perfect, I was feeling pretty good about what I had accomplished that day. Dr. Barton only had one more night until his weekend off and then we were already half way done with night float. I totally had this in the bag. That was until a few little things all started bubbling up and quickly ended in a large explosion of emotions from both of us. In a huff I put food on the table for my kids, grabbed the baby, turned off my phone, and drove in the peace and quite to pick up some junk food to ease my anger and let things simmer down. I was sure to be home in time for Dr. Barton to not be late for his shift, and again, was feeling pretty okay about the way life was going. I walked in the door cool, collected, and confident. "I called my mom," Dr. Barton said, "she's coming to help you next week."

He did WHAT?!

I was livid. I love my mother-in-law. She is one of the most kind and considerate people I have ever met. She is the first to volunteer when someone is in need and has perfected the art of assessing your needs before you even know that you have them. I actually get along better with my mother-in-law than I do my own mother. However, I was doing FINE! I did not NEED any help. I had everything UNDER CONTROL. And it was infuriating to me that someone, especially Dr. B. would think otherwise. But then she arrived and I realized how wrong I had been. I had been struggling and I didn't even realize it. She provided the help and respite that I needed to get back on my feet. I was okay again.

This was a cycle that happened a few times. Not to the point of the calvary being called into action to save my house and home, but where I would think I was doing well and something extremely minute would cause me to break. I would yet again realize that I wasn't doing as well as I thought I was. One night that hit me particularly hard I had a bit of a revelation; was this the baby blues that I had heard so many people talk about? I wasn't crying at the drop of a hat and I certainly had connected with my baby, so it couldn't possibly be, could it? Then again, when pregnant I don't become overly weepy like so many women do, I become irrationally angry. My kids couldn't so much as ask me a simple question without my annoyance meter starting to rise rapidly. Would my emotions react to baby blues the same way it reacted to pregnancy? It couldn't be. Just days before a friend had told me that I was the mom who always had it together. That couldn't possibly be the

No, what I was dealing with was more than just the blues. I either wasn't sleeping at all (even when baby did) or, even after 11 hours, I wasn't sleeping enough. I didn't feel any resentment towards my baby, but I was experiencing unkind feelings towards my three-year-old for simply wanting to be near me. I finished almost every day with extreme guilt for all the yelling I had done throughout the day and for how mismanaged my home was, yet I couldn't get myself to do anything about it no matter how badly I wanted to. My mind went from feeling sluggish for a week to fidgety the next. I couldn't focus on anything. To be completely honest, there were times my kids went without a meal because I just couldn't make it. My oldest, at three-years-old, was pouring bowls of cereal for her sister and herself because their mommy couldn't do it. According to the PHQ-9 Patient Depression Questionnaire our residency uses to diagnose, I fell into the "moderately severe depression" category. I was surprised, yet at the same time it made so much sense. No one saw how much I was really struggling. Not my friends. Not my Dr. husband. Not even myself. 

What's the point of this post? Partially to say it's okay if you're hurting, I've been there too. Partially as a call to all of us to be more aware of the needs of those who know and love. And partially to maybe help someone who may not yet realize that they're struggling now, as I didn't. It may not come in the traditional way and because of that it might go unnoticed. I suppose the point is whatever you make of this. I guess I needed to say that this was real. I fought, and to a degree am still fighting, postpartum depression.

- Clara B.

Asking for Service

I seem to always get the holiday weeks to post, so I'm grateful for your patience.

Last month I talked about decluttering our space.  In that same vein, we were recently asked by our family, what it was that we wanted or needed for Christmas.  We realized that we really did have everything that we needed, and we didn't have many wants either, but we've got more than 2 people that want to give us something for Christmas.  I remembered something my mother suggested one year.  Service.  Most of our family doesn't live close, so trying to think of service that they could give us from a distance has been challenging.  We really wanted someone to come help us paint our bedroom, but no one's really around soon enough to make that work.

I think in thinking more about what we can do for each other around Christmas and the service that can be given, rather than the gifts, it makes it easier to remember two things.  The ultimate service and sacrifice that Christ gave to us, and one of the great commandments, to love those around us. 

May we all remember and be grateful for what we have and think of some things that we may not need any more that are adding anxiety instead of peace to our lives.  Ask for time with your loved ones.  Items can fade and be broken, but happy memories have a way of sticking around for a long time.  Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the love that comes from Christmas time.

Rachel C. 

Decluttering

Can I use the same title as my last post?  A little busy.  Last month included a baby blessing (read, lots of family coming into town), husband taking his Step 3 the two days after the blessing, and I performed in a concert the day before (meaning extra rehearsal the day before the concert as well). So the weekend was a bit much and needless to say, I didn't write a post.

This week, just a bit better.  And by a bit, I mean much.  Not a whole lot happening this week, outside the normal, scheduled excitement.  But speaking of lots of stuff...

I had to rewrite this post.  It was becoming too cluttered.  I'm not joking.  Here's the scoop, straight and simple.  I recently have turned my attention to decluttering.  It came to the forefront of my mind when I watched some videos about tiny house living and minimalist living.  I realized how much time and energy and money was being wasted living in the house we're in right now.  It's larger than we need because it was the cheapest rent we could find last minute.  I dislike cleaning it, it takes a long time, we have to spend more heating it, getting rugs for the wood floors (which I love, but they're cold in winter).  We have space and we fill it (though we haven't bought much, more like we allow ourselves to keep more).  We are very thrifty when it comes to stuff we do need to fill it, like the rugs and such, many of the pictures and art on the wall were gifts, the rest I made or bought at a discount.  But I feel overwhelmed.

Add into that the fact that we just had our first child, so we just have more stuff (cloth diapers, diaper bag, blankets, burp cloths, nursing pillow, carriers, bassinet, stroller and car seat all joining our things on the first floor alone).  In watching more videos on tiny house living and minimalistic living (neither of which I will ever do in full, but are great guides), I have taken it to heart to get rid of stuff, to help clear up our house and ease our minds.  I feel guilty every time I look in my closet and don't wear a certain shirt that I paid for or a scarf that someone gave me.  I got rid of them so I wouldn't feel that guilt anymore.  I got rid of stockings that I had only worn once and it was for a costume.  I got rid of jackets that were super cute but not what I naturally gravitate to and so they had been unworn for long periods of time.  I realized I didn't need 3 peacoat style jackets.  Yes, most of the things let go have been clothes, so far.  But the kitchen is on my mind - getting rid of 4 of the 6 wooden spoons we have (because I prefer the wooden spatulas), getting rid of the old set of silverware my husband had before we got married.  Little things that make the space feel so much nicer.  

I'm also decluttering my email - unsubscribing from companies I never use, deleting old emails that are unnecessary, sorting emails better so I know where to look for something and am not overwhelmed in my inbox.  I also want to contact the annoying paper mail that comes, all the ads, again for businesses we don't ever use.  It's a waste of paper and it goes straight into the recycling.  We wont be renewing our subscription to the Ensign because we read it online and we have a giant stack of them that I feel bad throwing out (it's like throwing out scriptures.  OK, not that bad, but it's sort of hard for me).  

Life is crazy hectic sometimes as a resident wife.  The schedule is ever-changing, and when my husband is home with me I want to be home, with him.  Not cleaning or sorting or getting frustrated jamming stuff away because it doesn't fit.  I'm trying to take away that hard part of life so I can focus my attention on the important things and people.  Trying to improve my quality of life, which is not found in objects, which I think is actually diminished by too much stuff.  Maybe it's personal opinion.  But it's working for me so far.  Good luck to each of you in figuring out what you have in your life that might be better off gone.  (Right now it's this stomach ache I have, but that's a little different.)

-Rachel C

I Was a Little Busy

My apologies for missing last month's post.  I was a little busy.  I was welcoming our first born into the world.  Life has changed a lot and yet doesn't seem all that different at the same time.  Except that every once in a while I look at this child that I've helped create and get so overwhelmed that I can't express in words my amazement, joy, excitement and giddiness at how blessed I am to have him that I literally squeal and usually wriggle while boxing an imaginary opponent and exclaim "He's just so stinkin' cute!".  

My husband did all the doctor work.  He checked me.  He gave orders for me.  (He did the husband work, too, in making sure I was comfortable and helping me through contractions).  He helped me through the pushing.  He delivered our baby.  He delivered the placenta.  He stitched me up.  He clamped the cord.  (He let my mom cut the cord.  Thanks husband.)  He held our baby and loved it instantly.  It was amazing.

I'm sure not all women would want their husbands doing all that, even if they are fully qualified.  But I loved it.  I loved that once I started pushing it was really the 3 of us, for the most part.  I pushed the baby out while husband coached me and caught the baby.  The 3 of us were working together, our first family activity.  My husband was the first to see that our child had hair (that's from me).  And the first to know and announce that it was a boy (we didn't find out before the birth).  Our child was passed directly from his mother to his father and back to his mother again.  I felt extremely blessed to have a husband who could experience the labor and birth in that way.  I haven't asked him, but I felt like it made him much more involved and helpful in the delivery process and not merely an onlooker who got to hold the baby once everything was over.  I know that the latter is what most men are and I am sure that it is still an amazing experience for them but, knowing how happy and excited my husband was as soon as he could feel and see our baby, I wouldn't want it any other way.

I love our baby.  He continues to be an amazement to me.  I constantly feel blessed and awed by him.  I know residency life may become much harder due to lack of sleep on both my husband's and my part, and due to the different scheduling required by a child.  But on the flip side, for me, it makes days when husband is gone long hours a little more bearable, and for husband, I'm sure it makes coming home that much sweeter.  Our joys really are much higher than our sorrows.  We are blessed.

I love my husband.  And my son.  I love being a mother.

Workaholic

Hi, I'm Clara and my husband is a workaholic. 

Dr. Barton is on another away rotation for pediatrics. This time he's a tad bit closer at only 2.5 hours and only gone for one month instead of the 3.5 hours away he had to do twice during first year. After working 6 days straight of 4-12 pediatric ER shifts he was given two days off. Since he is "close" to home he decided to come see us. He even drove home as soon as shift was over even though that meant that he wasn't getting in until just after 3 AM. 

Well, even though it's his "day off" and he wasn't even supposed to be in town so nobody was expecting him to be there Dr. Barton informed me last night that he wanted to attend a lunch lecture today. These usually only last an hour to an hour and a half and I didn't really have any plans for us other than to run a few errands so that was fine by me. Then, as we say down to breakfast late this morning, he informed me that the clinic was holding a day of sports physicals that he was thinking of going to. Again, nobody was expecting him to be there since he wasn't going to be in town and it's his day off. Well, look what text I received after the 1.5 hour lunch lecture was over 

Luckily, since second year has already been a bit easier (as in he actually had every weekend off last month), I'm not even bugged by it. Okay, maybe just a tiny bit bugged, but I also can't help but shake my head and chuckle to myself. 

That is until 5:00 rolled around and I got another text saying, "I'll be home in 30 more minutes." Yup. My husband is a workaholic. 

- Clara B. 

It's Not All Bad

Let's face it, every job comes with its perks. Teachers get summers off with their kids, athletes are paid millions to play a game that they love, and the President of the United States lives in a mansion and is flown around on a private plane with more rooms than my house. While the medical word comes with a lot of challenges (not saying other professions don't), it also comes with a few bonuses. Here are a few that I have experienced so far: 

• Getting in to see a doctor is easy. Unless you are needing a specialist that is outside your/your spouses field (and even then sometimes), you really don't have to wait weeks or months to get in with a doc. If I have a concern all it takes is a call to the clinic and I'm given an appointment immediately. Technically I could just show up and they would make sure I was seen, but that goes beyond what I'm comfortable with. 

• When you do go in to see a doctor you don't have to wait. Granted, this hasn't always been the case. Even at the clinic Dr. Barton is practicing in I have waited an hour+ two different times. HOWEVER, most of the time, even when it is crazy packed in the lobby, it takes me 30 minutes or less from the time I walk in the doors to the time I'm walking out. It would be super easy for the doctors to have the mentality of "oh, it's Dr. B's wife? She'll understand if I'm running behind and can't get to her right away," and honestly they wouldn't be wrong. It's a lot harder to be annoyed at the time it takes when you know just how hard they are working. But they generally don't do that, and it's really nice. 

• Sometimes you don't even have to "see" a doctor. A few weeks ago Princess came down with a bad case of strep. I took her in to the clinic and we were taken care of immediately. A few days later Monkey caught the strep, but it was a Saturday and the clinic was closed. Obviously Dr. B was able to examin her, but he can't legally write her a prescription, so we called one of the other residents who called one in for us. We've also had residents make house calls for us when I needed one of the girls to be checked out, the clinic wasn't an option (or just super inconvenient at that time), and Dr. Barton was unavailable to help me out. Seriously, this has been such a blessing at the hardest and most needed times. 

• People respect you more even though you aren't the one with the medical degree. Is it kind of ridiculous that people listen to and agree with what I say more now that I am a doctors wife? Yeah, it kind of is. I mean, it's nice that I feel more heard than ever before, but it's not like I didn't have many of these same thoughts and feelings before. Regardless, I can't deny that it is also kind of nice to hold that extra respect. I just hope that I am truly earning it and can live up to the expectations. 

• You are treated to super nice meals on occasion. Dr. Barton is currently attending a conference for the State Medical Board. Basically a bunch of doctor delegates in varying specialties from around the state convene with legislatures to create and change medical law and practice throughout the state. To be honest it's a little over my head, but it's pretty awesome that Dr. Barton was chosen to be the representative for our residency. Anywho.... we were able to come with him as a family and not only is our travel paid for, but various activities while he is in meetings, amazing dinners every night (including a super fancy and expensive presidential dinner that allows me to get all dressed up), a generous allowance for our other meals, and free t-shirts for the whole family to boot. Tonight my dinner plate was three times what I would normally be okay paying for a meal out AND I ordered dessert, all paid for by the Medical Association (and this was the Family Night dinner, the least fancy of the three nights). 

• Sometimes you also to have fun experiences paid for. At this conference we were also invited to attend the local Discovery Museum as a family. Again, this was completely paid for by the Medical Association. For our little family of four this activity normally would have cost us $50, meaning normally we wouldn't go. However, it turned out to be something that our kids absolutely loved even though it's geared towards older children (think 5-12, not 2 and 3). They were so sad that it was time to go after almost two hours of being there. 

At this point in our medical training there are undeniably more hardships than benefits, but that certainly doesn't mean that they aren't there. So for now I am going to enjoy these advantages guilt-free. And maybe even order a second dessert. 

- Clara B. 

Awkward Situation

I feel like this is a story where there is a lesson to be learned, but I haven't quite figured it out yet.  We were in a baby class.  It happened to be the midwives class, but it's not really relevant.  (I actually really enjoyed our first class other than this one thing, but you'll see, it wasn't the class that bugged me).  We were all asked to state our fears about labor and delivery, and support people were asked to state theirs as well.  There were the normal things about pain, endurance, fear of unknown emergencies.  Then there was one husband whose fear was the competence of the staff at the hospital.  He was nervous that he couldn't trust the physicians and nurses to be the best and do the best for his wife and child.  He continued by saying he had heard bad things about the hospital, about people going in for routine surgeries and not making it.  That then provoked 3 other class members to agree and share that they had heard the same thing about the hospital and its workers.  It was then agreed on, however, that the exception to this was the labor and delivery floor, the recovery area, the pediatric staff and the NICU staff.  Those nurses and doctors were very kind and helpful.  Now that I think about it, I don't remember any mention of them being competent, but it's possible they mentioned it.

No one knew my husband was a resident.  We both know want to keep that fact under wraps.  I have 2 reasons.  One, it made me extremely uncomfortable hearing the colleagues of my husband (and my husband as well) doubted and bashed just a little bit.  I had never heard any of this before and I feel like if our hospital wasn't good, 1) my husband wouldn't have wanted to come here and 2) it would have been a topic of conversation with both the residents and their significant others (since the residents are here trying to learn and if they feel like either other residents or attendings aren't doing things properly, it's going to be brought up).  But I am not one to confront people in almost any situation (especially when I haven't prepared myself for it), so I was not ready to challenge 4 people whose opinions were probably fairly rooted and unlikely to change (especially from a residents wife - I'm biased in their eyes).  Two, it may make other people uncomfortable once they find out the opinions they hold are negative towards my husband.  I don't want to make the whole class awkward because I want to continue learning how to best prepare myself for labor and delivery and that is unrelated to what the classes opinions are.

We will not be going on the tour of the labor and delivery floor at the next class.  We don't want to be recognized and labeled as what we are (does that sound horrible?) and I already had the tour with the hospital's class, so I don't think I'll be missing anything.  (Plus my husband has been on OB this last month anyway, so I've been up there visiting him and talking to all the nurses and getting the lay of the land.  I'm feeling pretty confident and comfortable).

Lessons to be learned?

 - When speaking to a group of people that you don't know, at least consider the possibility that what you are about to say could be insulting to them.

 - Take all horror stories (or fabulous stories at that) that you hear from friends or friends of friends with a grain of salt.  I've heard the same experience told by the patient and the doctor and they were very different stories, so whether from ignorance, shame, pride, or other reasons, stories can be altered.

I'm still not sure if we should have said something or not.  I'm scared it's going to be a little harder for me to be completely open in the class and I'm going to be constantly censuring my thoughts and comments.  For me, realizing that not everyone is going to appreciate my husband the way I do and knowing that yes, mistakes are made sometimes because everyone working at the hospital is human, is helpful.  I also have confidence, though, that the hospital does not keep inept employees.  And that's what I think about when I start getting irritated at people's unfounded comments.  

I'm not sure if this post is helpful in any way.  It was more an interesting situation that I was placed in.  And it's quite possible that you may come into a situation like this (whether your spouse or significant other is a doctor/resident/med student or not).  If you know of a better way to approach it, let me know.  For now, I'll keep my thoughts to myself and just focus on the class.

-Rachel C. 

Everybody Needs a Little Time Away (from residency)

As usual, the 4th Monday has come at a crazy time, so I am my usual few days late in posting.  We are in the middle of one of our rare, has been planned out for the last year since we put in our vacation requests, finally a chance to get out of town together and not going to a family gathering, vacation.  And it was very much needed.

 I'd just turned in my take home final for my math class (and decided I didn't want to take any classes this upcoming semester because this last semester I really did not love putting all my time and energy towards math when instead I really just wanted to stare at and hold my belly.  And I assume that I'll be even more attracted to holding and caring for my child once it's actually born, so a math degree is officially on hold.   And I'm very much ok with that).

 My husband had just come off of what seemed like 3 months of crazy hard rotations.  Lots of nights and weird hours, making any conversation or time together either very minimal or filled with charts and checking up on patients.

 With a baby on the way, it seemed a good opportunity to have some time with just the two of us (though some hiking and activities go a little slower because of my 'condition') before most of our attention gets diverted to the beautiful, adorable child that we'll be blessed with.

So we came to Grenada!  That's where my husband did a year of medical school and he couldn't stop talking about it (and after hearing about it, I really wanted to go).  So we scraped together as many vacations days as possible and have an amazing 9 full days and 10 nights in a warm, humid (which I'm really enjoying), beach filled island.  The food is delicious and as a bonus, we got to have our layovers in my hometown, so I got/get to see my parents and get emotional about not living there anymore.

I know things will change once children enter our lives, but I can't recommend enough that you take whatever time you can to be as calm and relaxed and enjoy yourself before something crazy happens ( like your last year of residency and your lack of any definite ideas of where you plan on going in a year and you're about to have your 1st child).  Good luck.  If luck had anything to do with it.

-Rachel C.

When the Husband's Away the Children Will Try to Kill You

**WARNING this has been a rough week and this post is filled with anger, bitterness, and frustration**

Dr. Barton is on his second rotation of pediatrics. Since our location doesn't see enough Peds cases in the hospital, all first year residents spend two months out of the medical year working in a bigger city 3.5 hours away. This kind of really sucks when you have kids because you can't really go with them. To top it off it's one of those rotations where they only have four days off the entire month and they work super long days. This doesn't leave much time for visiting or coming home, especially since instead of two weekends off Dr. Barton was given one day each week. That's not very condusive for a seven hour round trip to see the family. It also makes it *almost* not worth the drive alone with two toddlers and being five months pregnant. (We're expecting baby #3 in September!) 

Anyway... basically life is hard right now and I'm not taking it well. I'm going to partially blame the baby hormones (because I can), but it is a fact that my normally sweet children drastically change their behavior when they don't see Dr. Dad very often. This last week they have really been trying my patience. And well, I just haven't passed the test very well. Here are just a few of the trials they have put me through in the last couple of days

Yes, those are bathtub letters that Monkey threw in the toilet (that had just been used) and yes, Princess did try to help by flushing the potty repeatedly causing it to majorly back up. This happened while I was unloading our car from a weekend trip to see my family. 

Yes, that is half the contents of my silver wear drawer and a broken cup on the floor when both girls decided it was a genius idea to climb on the counter while mom quickly used the restroom. 

Yes, that is practically every toy we own dumped onto the floor not even an hour after I had just organized and cleaned the playroom. 

And I didn't even take pictures of the flowers that were pulled off of their stems just two days after I planted them or the bright blue sharpie that was used to color a mural on my wall. Then of course there is the bedtime problems we've been having since Dr. Dad left for this rotation. You know, the one where three hours after we've gone through the bedtime routine of reading books, brushing teeth, putting on pajamas, singing songs, giving multiple rounds of hugs and kisses, both children are still awake and coming out of their bedroom. 

Basically these past two weeks have been super ridiculously hard. I don't feel like a loving mother because I'm struggling with my patience. I don't feel like a supportive wife because I'm angry that Dr. Barton can't be around to help at all. I don't feel like a good person because I'm frustrated and so focused on getting through my day that I can't really manage to think of anyone else around me. This month is hard and I am barely surviving. 

- Clara B.

On the Road to a Parenting Life

Expecting your first child comes with some fun moments.  Especially when you're husband is a resident.

• Picking an OB: when you're husband has worked with most of them and you'll see them at resident Christmas parties (which mine hosts).  
• Hiding pregnancy symptoms: When you're surrounded by doctors (and mother's who've been through it before).  Luckily, I had close to zero symptoms at the beginning, my belly didn't pop out until 5 months along (which is when we started telling people), my OB is at the hospital, not the clinic, so there weren't any residents to bump into accidentally in the one staircase and hallway, and we were ok lying to people's faces if anyone cared to ask if we were expecting (because we didn't care to tell them yet).
• Picking a regular doctor when your heart starts acting funny at the clinic where all the residents work.  Who are all either husbands of your friends, or your friends.  So I chose a female friend.  Because it would just be weird to have your friend's husband seeing you uncovered in any way.  Otherwise I have no problems with male doctors.
• Talking labor and birth with a bunch of female residents and mothers who explain things in such a clinical way.  Which is a little refreshing after all the wives tales reasonings behind funny pregnancy symptoms.
• Telling the Labor and Delivery nurses that I'd like to try going natural, no epidural.  Some interesting faces were passed around the group.  But they were still nice to me.  We'll see how that plays out in 3 months.
• In general, having men around that know so much about pregnancy.  More than the average father.  It's a little topsy turvy and funny.
• Sometimes when I ask my husband about some symptom I'm feeling and he says 'I don't know, ask your OB'.  What's the benefit of marrying a doctor, then? Besides the fact that I love him and he's super cute.  And he typically does know (or at least has a good idea), he just likes to feign ignorance to get a reaction out of me.  And it works, pretty much every time.  Adorable. 
• Realizing my husband is more prepared for labor than I am.  He's seen it, delivered children, coached women through delivery.  I've only heard him talk about it.

So we're excited to have an addition to our family.  And I really love having a medical man in the house to help me understand what my body is going through and what it has yet to go through.  But I know neither of us is really aware of what's about to happen in 3 months.  And we're stoked to find out!

I love my husband.  

And our little baby.  

Even though it's recently found my ribs.

-Rachel C.