34 Weeks

Thor has a new girlfriend! Her name is Eski & she is really making me want another puppy. We wont get one, but would if we weren't expecting a baby in a few weeks! Thor is so happy & gets such an amazing workout when she's around.  The couple that introduced Ev & I have recently added Eski to their family. If that's not exciting enough, the whole family has moved from California to Arizona! The couple also brought to Arizona this cute lil shirt for Thor to wear-

Thor is a loving puppy that is very personable. He is extremely outgoing and not your standard chihuahua. He doesn't seem to have "little dog syndrome" of only being able to click with one to two people. He attaches himself to everyone and every animal. But something Ev & I want to work on "curing" him of is his fear of children. 

We know it will happen over time, in fact we expect Thor to take a protective role over Lee Ila and our other future children. We picture him taking rides in their car seats and snuggling up besides them in the stroller. It'll happen, not worried about how jealous he might get. He is half me and half of his father... he has no flaws. Haa. 

For those who are curious, Thor has never had a scarring experience with children. He was never beat or hurt physically by them. When he was around 4 months old (and I know not a single statistics but it makes the most sense that at this age even puppies are affected the same as humans are at a young age) Thor had a few scares. My fault, I was trying to socialize him but should have stuck with only adults for a little longer until he was a bit older. The children were acting like children, extremely excited about a puppy. Nothing I would ever complain about. Nothing more than a few yelps like "AAHH THORS' HERE!! ASJKJHHF!!" That was it. That's all it took apparently. Ever since then, hes' kept his distance. 

I have other friends from California, who (crossing my fingers) are currently considering moving to Scottsdale. If they do, YESS! MORE FRIENDS! I met the family in 2007 when I nannied for their 5 children. The family was over today for lunch and as calm and collect the children were, Thor was hiding upstairs underneath Ev's brother's bed the whole visit. 

It's just interesting. Makes me think about how much I want to expose Lee Ila to, what I want to expose her to right away at least. I don't want to shield her from anything but it's those maternal instincts kicking in, big time. 

Ev and I have started our new birthing class BTW! For those that don't know, we started Bradley Method Classes a few weeks back but were shocked at how opinionated it was. Not saying all Bradley Method Classes are like the one that we went to, but the instructor was more of our concern. And since we quit so close to the due date, we couldn't possible pick up a new class and fit in the necessary 12 classes it took to take in all the information. 

We were honest with our Midwife and the Midwife's assistant. Our Midwife suggested we try other options. One of them being a one on one experience (technically one on two) that was taught at OUR home, consisted of only 4 classes, & most importantly it was taught by the midwife's assistant! Ev and I already have an established relationship with the Midwife's assistant and to make it even better, she is going to be at the birth! It's like having cheat notes while testing. YES. 

We are most excited because she is not specifically focusing on any one birth method. She has been licensed to educate students on many multiple birthing methods, in the differnt birthing location options (hospital, birthing center or home.) She allows us to hear our options and choose what sounds best for us. For example, she explained what an episiotomy is and in what situation it would be determined "necessary." Ev and I were then able to discuss our feelings on the incision and the healing process. We liked the first class very much.

Ev and I are thinking (not that this really means anything) that Lee Ila will be here early. It definitely makes sense, my uterus can only stretch so much. Because we're thinking this, we wanted to hear what our options are as far as being able to have Lee Ila at home. Apparently, we are capable (with no complications) of having a natural homebirth as early as 36 weeks. 

GUYS. THAT'S TWO WEEKS AWAY.

I'll leave on that note.