Summer? What Summer?

So far this summer I think we have hit 80 degrees only twice...and it's almost August! I think my short trip to Michigan might be the only warm Summer I actually experience this year. That's okay though. We Northwesterners are accustomed to such craziness. The data collection went quite well and I was able to come home with just enough data to complete my thesis and finally finish my Masters degree. This was the first time I was away from Connor for more than one night and I think it ended up being harder on me than on him. Apparently he had a grand time playing with his Daddy and Oma who kept him very busy.

This particular week marks the 26th week of pregnancy for me and miss baby. She is approximately the length of an english cucumber and by next week her lungs will be developed enough to breath outside of the womb with medical support. Much like Mr. Connor did, our baby girl moves and tumbles around whenever I sit to take a rest. Her favorite time to move is right as I'm trying to fall asleep at night. Unlike my pregnancy with Connor, however, is the fact that I actually look six months pregnant right now! It seems that my body has decided that it already knows what to do so it's getting things done a little earlier this time. This includes the hip pain unfortunately. The more time passes, the more excited this little family of ours is getting. Connor is ecstatic to be having a baby sister and has been oooing and ahhing over all of the baby girls he sees. I think he is going to make a wonderful big brother.

In my research this time around on birthing techniques I have come across something called Hypnobirthing which has caught my attention. Although I was able to birth Connor without the use of any medications or interventions I did experience a significant amount pain throughout the whole process. This particular method of pain management and labor claims that labor pain is more a result of the fear associated with the birthing process and a pain-free or only slightly painful labor and delivery is very possible when in the right state of mind. I am looking forward to reading more about this and see where it takes me.

In other news Darwin has taken to sucking his thumb (paw?) whenever he is taking a nap. We have such strange cats. Cheers!