Ultrasound Update

She's going to be a great swimmer!  Just kidding.  Really, though, our little girl is moving around every day, and has decided for now that "head down" is a better position.  I thought this by noticing a more angular part up near the top, then the midwife confirmed it this week.  Time to keep doing those inverted yoga moves (like the Penny Simkin knee-chest one) to keep that baby in a good place.  Less than 10 weeks left - let the countdown begin!

Baby's First In Utero Gator Game

We're both dressed in Gator gear (thanks to Pam for the onesie!)

Sheesh, that shirt is big.  Time to put in some side rouching.

Ancient but New - EC

If you read much or talk to us "alternative" types about pregnancy, birth, and infant ideas, you might come across something called EC, or elimination communication.  Sounds like a technical seminar, right?  Actually, it's a "new" technique of communicating with babies about their urination and bowel movements in order to train them to use a toilet or bowl rather than go in their diapers.  The experts say that babies are born recognizing these urges, but can't communicate them, or get to the toilet.  So, you listen, take them at key times, make a little water tinkling noise, and watch them become accustomed to going in the toilet rather than becoming accustomed to ignoring their urges (and going in their pants).  Interesting concept. 

Now flash back a few thousand years in China, where clothing was plain and cloth used for more important tasks than catching poop.  So even though this is a trend picking up in the US, it's an ancient trend in China, and we saw it all the time while we were there.  I can't vouch for the "signals" that parents should be watching for (a kid peed on my shoe while being held in his grandfather's arms, in the middle of a department store), but most of the other principles are the same.  Most of the news stories and even the website diaperfreebaby.org don't really give enough credit to the cultures of the past that have carried this into the present time.  It details the history of a couple of Western women, but leaves out the hundreds of millions of Chinese parents who practice this every day.  At least get an interview or something - jeez. 

I'm hoping to have communication about lots of things, but I'm not going to name them as such: "lactation communication," "slumberation communication," etc.

Target website problems

Ugh!  If you have attempted to view our registry on Target.com recently, you may have run into problems.  They have decided to update their entire website to look more "Google-like," which means that things are breaking left and right.  Thanks for your patience.