What this Mama is Reading

I've added two new links to blogs I follow and I hope you'll peruse them once in a while as well. Seattle Mama Doc is a pediatrician at Seattle Children's and a mother to young kids. Here's a bit about her blog:

Seattle Mama Doc: A Blog by Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson

This blog caters to one principle I’ve learned along the way: parents just want to do what is right. The desperate love we have for our children can shock us into good and sometimes bad decisions. I believe parents search for and sincerely desire simple answers to the How-What-Why-Who of parenting, the essence of doing right for their children. Often it’s not a simple, isolated situation, or one as complicated as it may feel. And, the abundance of online noise invokes fear in all of us when making decisions for our children. Over time, I hope to illuminate the reality that in pediatrics, doing less is often more. Prevention reigns.

Parents just want to do what is right.

It’s the defining what’s right that, on occasion, remains elusive.

We all want information to facilitate decisions that let us rest easier at night. Having my own two children makes this reach for what is right palpable. I want to help you decipher some of the current medical news I juggle in my life as both a pediatrician and a mother. I will share my stories and tell how it all feels to me. I will ask my colleagues, peers and friends for help, and uncover powerful lessons to share. I’ll offer online helpful resources, and share methods I learn from patients, friends and family, both in and out of the field of medicine, to help me find answers.

Read. Listen. Trust. Speak.

Uncover your instincts.

Do what is right for your children.

Speak up. Keep me posted on what you think.

Brain Rules for Baby

The second blog I'm reading is from :

John Medina, author of "Brain Rules" and "Brain Rules for Baby," is a developmental molecular biologist and research consultant. He is an affiliate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He is also the director of the Brain Center for Applied Learning Research at Seattle Pacific University.

Most importantly, he's also a parent! Here's an excerpt from his book intros:

What’s the single most important thing you can do during pregnancy? What does watching TV do to a child’s brain? What’s the best way to handle temper tantrums? Scientists know.

In his New York Times bestseller Brain Rules, Dr. John Medina showed us how our brains really work—and why we ought to redesign our workplaces and schools. Now, in Brain Rules for Baby, he shares what the latest science says about how to raise smart and happy children from zero to five. This book is destined to revolutionize parenting. Just one of the surprises: The best way to get your children into the college of their choice? Teach them impulse control.

Brain Rules for Baby bridges the gap between what scientists know and what parents practice. Through fascinating and funny stories, Medina, a developmental molecular biologist and dad, unravels how a child’s brain develops – and what you can do to optimize it.

I hope you'll read along with me once in a while and share what you think!

BH2 Updates

Dear BH2,

We've got potentially six more weeks before we get to look into each other's eyes...and I just can't wait.

We "nested" this weekend. That means we spent the weekend getting ready for your big arrival! We took inventory of all the baby gear we have, the clothes, and the necessities. We spent time setting up your room and imagining you in it. We have your car seat ready to go, too (can't wait to bring you home from the hospital)! I forgot how small you're going to be... I was looking at onesies that seemed to fit some of your sister's dolls! I looked for "going home" outfits this weekend, but haven't found anything yet...

I have to admit, while we were sorting through clothes, I kind of wish we knew if you were a boy or a girl. We are stocked to capacity if you're a girl, but we'll be heading to the store quite quickly if you're a boy! Don't worry, your room is pretty neutral (lots of greens & yellow), so I hope you like it. Not to worry, we'll move you into a more boyish/girlish room eventually.

You're womb-home is exercising a lot lately, practicing for your big exit/entrance. I wonder what the contractions feel like to you. I enjoy them because I can really feel your shape and identify bony prominences. I like to trace the outline of your little knees, your back, your head, maybe your arms. As the contraction nears completion, you like to kick or punch your way out and I really look forward to feeling you stretch to make space.

What's different about your pregnancy versus your sister's? You're low...WAY low...to the point where it hurts to even move my legs sometimes. Everything happened much sooner with you than with your sister. I found the best prenatal vitamins this time around and I actually enjoy taking them...yeah, they're gummy prenatals! With your big sister I was rounder, fuller, and fluid overloaded by this point. With you, I'm way out front and again, WAY low. So far, no kankles or carpal tunnel... hopefully I didn't just ask for it. You seem to be a lot more active...but I don't have a great memory for that. I'm a lot more confident, naturally, with you being our second little miracle.

You seem to really like my massage chair. Yeah, it's the iJoy...I know, I can't believe we have one either! It was free, no less. I look forward to sitting in it all day while at work...for the muscle relief and because I know you'll be really active while I sit in it. Your movements have begun to wake me up - you're getting so strong! You've poked up under my ribs a few times while I'm sleeping and it's woken me up with a start - but it's a pleasant start.

Thanksgiving is this week, so I'll be eating a lot. (I know, no surprise there.) So enjoy! There'll be a lot of hustle and bustle as we host 30+ for lunch and dinner.

Your sister saw a 1 week old baby girl at church today and she's paid extra attention to you today. I think she's really excited to meet you. I'm pretty sure she knows it is coming soon. She has bonded with you and I have no doubt you'll be close.

We have a check up on Tuesday this week, then we'll be seeing the doctor every week until you are born!

See you soon little one!
Lots of love,
Mom

November?

November? Where'd you go?

I feel like I just wrote that Trick-or-Treat entry...how on earth is it three weeks later, already?

Well, I suppose we've had a very full month already.

The first weekend of November, the Seattle Halls hopped (two) planes and zipped over to visit the Santa Fe Halls. Originally, Charles and Bella were going to go on their own while I stayed back to work, but I managed to get some (well-deserved) time off. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get on their flights either way; so, between the three (four) of us, we took four planes each way! Yikes! After all the craziness at work, I must admit I was glad to have some quiet time to read and sleep on my flights.

I should also point out that I traveled with a carry on suitcase and the only - the only - person to offer to help me put my luggage up was a former Marine (should've figured it would be a military boy). I had no problem doing it, but still... where's the kindness?

We had a GREAT time in NM with the Halls! We missed the Swansons by hours as they were off on their own adventure to the UAE. Rodger & Barb's new home is stunning, spacious, and comfortable! We enjoyed our time there as we spent time watching Bella with her grandparents, exploring the Natural History Museum with Bella's cousin Abbie, seeing Elisa, David, and Jacob. We managed to squeeze in a surprise breakfast with Aunt Wardie and Bella's Great-Grandma! She was shocked to see us! It was a great, relaxing, long weekend!

Surprising Aunt Wardie & Great Grandma at Breakfast


Sharing a DCCF @ Starbucks with my favorite girl

At the museum with Barnana, Grandpa Hall, and Abbie

Of course, a trip to New Mexico wouldn't be complete without off-roading with Daddy in Grandpa's Jeep

On my last plane to Seattle was where the kind Marine took care of my luggage. He hesitatingly asked when I was due... I told him not until New Year's Eve. Then he proceeded to reassure me that if I were to go in labor, he did deliver a baby in the back of the car during one of his deployments in Iraq... Phew! Good to know...

So, no in flight delivery...

Three more LONG days of work during which I was in the middle of executing my departments first competency and skills week. (I've never told you about my new job...I'll get to that...) Anyway, I am quite proud to have proposed, planned, initiated, coordinated, and taught our first, ever, competency and skills week. The days were long but fulfilling and the feedback was great.

Then, on Thursday I decided to live on the wild side and take another trip to San Fransisco for work! My doctor's official advise was to stay grounded, but I couldn't miss this opportunity for face time with all the hospital's leadership and my boss. And, really, how often does a nurse get to go on business trips?! I was really looking forward to a quiet night in a king size bed with my kindle! The trip was fast & furious, packed full of conferences and on-site visits, though we did kick it off with a trip to the mall to kill time before the hosting group was expecting us. Can we say, exhausting? Looking back, going was probably a mistake as far as going in my 33rd week of pregnancy...I was tired and it was hard to keep up with all the activity. Not to mention I was really uncomfortable on the plane this time.

So, I flew home on Friday night and Charles, Bella, and Jake picked me up on the airport. From there we drove towards Portland, OR with the intention of checking out OSU and U of Oregon for Jake (he's looking at schools though he's pretty set on going to UW). I was pretty exhausted and uncomfortable from the flight, so we didn't make it all the way down. We ended up staying in some small city Quality Inn. The next morning we continued our journey to OSU where - "coincidentally" - the Cougs were playing! We caught the game and had a great time despite the drizzling rain! The COUGS WON!

After the game we headed down to Eugene to U of O where we stayed for the night. We'd been promising Bella some time in the pool, so after dinner, Charles, Bella and I went down to the pool. I wasn't about to get into a whale of a swim suit, so I sat pool side as Bella and Charles got into the ice cold (but indoor) pool.

We weren't there but 15 minutes when we encountered probably the scariest minutes of our parenting lives. (The stitching incident was the hardest, but this was the scariest...)
Bella got out of the pool and took a few steps in my direction (I was only, like, 4 feet away from the pools edge) when she slipped and her feet went out from under her. She landed on her back and it didn't seem like she hit her head that hard. Of course I grabbed her and picked her up when I realized something wasn't right...she hadn't made a noise...she wasn't breathing...she couldn't breathe... her face was contorted as she struggled to get air...

In just seconds Charles was out and holding her as we witnessed her fade in and out of consciousness...her eyes rolled back and her body became limp...Charles was talking to her, begging her to stay awake and answer... I frantically covered them up with towels to keep her/them warm...I called the front desk to call 911...then called Jake to bring down Charles' clothes...Bella, stay awake...Bella, wake up...

In what seemed like an eternity later (but was only probably a minute), Bella slowly, sleepily started answering - mumbling - slurring - answers. Her enunciation slowly improved. Eventually she was able to count to ten, tell us when her birthday was, sing her ABC's...

We called off 911...

That night we kept her awake asking her questions every few minutes to make sure she wasn't more affected by the head injury. She remained groggy, but gave us no cause for concern for the rest of the night.

Seriously - I'm going to bubble wrap this kid.

Sunday we drove back home after walking around U of Oregon and then hanging out in Portland a bit. Then Charles and I launched into another hectic week at work. Our hospital had an unannounced visit from The Joint Commission which put the hospital into a frenzy - it's the regulatory body that could shut a hospital down.... they left today (Thursday), so I'm quite relieved.

For the remainder of the pregnancy we've vowed to stay put and relax, get ready for baby, and spend the last few weeks as a family of three quietly... after our Thanksgiving dinner for 30 next week, that is.