Brian & Michelle Fuller

     Michelle had another visit yesterday. All was well. The best part is that the baby has turned (in position for delivery). At her last checkup - the baby was either in the breech position (head up) or traverse (sideways).

      In our latest birth class, we took a tour of the hospital so Michelle could visually see where she would be delivering and what was available to her. Grapevine is a fairly nice hospital. They have a very good security system to make sure no babies are shoplifted.

    I want to thank everyone for their generosity in giving to my family. We received more than we expected and have a good start on preparation for Laci's arrival. Michelle had the big shower last Saturday over at Elaina's place. She said she was very encouraged with the number of people and gifts there.
     Yesterday, Michelle drove up to my workplace for another shower. She and I both were amazed at what we received - some of it from co-workers that maybe have met her once or twice. Thank you again for your gifts. It will save me a ton of time in the stores shopping for hours on end.
   

I'm unsure how I'll do in the labor room at the hospital because things like surgery and needles really get to me. Even in the birthing classes we are taking, I sometimes get queasy - not nauseas, but very uncomfortable for sure.

 I recently came up with a birthing plan to easily help my wife through the labor: SHE will have to focus on ME and let ME know I am doing great and I can get through this and remember to breathe, etc....  This will keep her mind off of the pains she will be going through. By failing miserably at my job, I will succeed. That's my best plan right now.

     This is the week of the shower. Email me if you need a phone number and address. (gnslngr45@yahoo.com) It's at 3pm in Bedford,TX this Saturday (Jan 19). We also have another shower here at my work on Monday Jan 21 at 12:30pm.

    We have our next birthing class tonight. We also still have alot of Christmas items to put away. The next 6 weeks are going to be extremely hectic. I guess it's fortunate that the Dallas Cowboys lost this weekend. I'll have more time to prepare things. Nowadays though, it's so easy to go home and eat and then go to sleep. I used to stay up until atleast midnight - now 10pm is late. Of course I used to never get up at 5am either. RIght now, Michelle goes to bed late and gets up several times during the night. That's going to make good practice for her impending job.

     Michelle went on her own to the lastest check-up. I had to work. The only thing that came of the visit is that the baby may still be in breach position (head up). By this time, most babies have turned so that they are upsidedown - ready for delivery. If the baby doesn't turn, then at some point a C-section would be scheduled.
     We also had our first birthing class last night. It was alright. Just enough to make it useful. We have 5 more to attend. The lady teaching the class (seemed late 20's/early 30's) has 2 kids - the first a C-section due to breach and the 2nd a natural birth at home. She gave Michelle several tips on how to correct the breach - from 'home remedies' to chiropractor adjustments.
     Michelle is going to a women's retreat this weekend. I'm going to try to spruce up the baby room while she's gone. I'll get something done so long as it doesn't interfere with the NFL playoffs.

    Michelle had an interview yesterday with an insurance company. Just before she left the house, she strained a muscle in her chest that made it hurt to talk or cough or breathe. So this woman at the company must have had a visible question mark above her head when she first meets Michelle who is 8 months pregnant and can't speak without grimacing. Despite the pregnancy and the muscle strain, Michelle was still on time which I'm sure was noticed by the company.

     The hard part is that the interview actually went very well and Michelle looks to be strongly under consideration. That means we have to decide if it's worth it for her to go back to work for only 7 weeks (or less); needing time off regularly for dr. appointments, and unsure if she wants to return to work before the federal guarantee of 12 weeks off ends. A huge part of that decision is in child care placement and child care costs. It's really hard to find this info online. The prices vary drastically (from word of mouth) and the actual day care facilities don't list their prices. They want you to come in for a tour first. It makes me think of the time share shams where they make you spend a couple hours with them so they have a captive audience to suck in to their schemes.

     Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm not sure I know a single person that uses a daycare. Everyone seems to have one of the spouses at home all the time, or a grand parent that covers during the week, or a friend that watches the kid(s) on some type of part time schedule. Part of the decision doesn't just lie in finances. On paper (atleast on paper that is), we can live right off my salary. That's not to say it won't be tight, but there are other things to consider. When you read online, a big part of the depression that hits moms is from being at home almost all the time, with a baby that just cries and needs care. They don't get to go out alot and spend most of their time away from any social interaction. And the husband comes home from work needed rest and guy time and such which obviously contrasts with the wife's needs.

     So anyways that is what is currently going on with us.