Nature Walk Crock

What a Crock!
It's so obvious how much I love the outdoors and how much I force, er, encourage, my children to do the same. We hit the trails at least twice a week, have a nature table for all of our finds, and even play in the rain.

However, never has nature back stabbed me like it did on Friday.
I took the boys to one of our hiking staples (which, by the way, now charges to park, leading us to have a considerable trek to the trails to avoid the $6 surcharge--crock!) on Friday afternoon. All was well, the steep hills did, in fact, bring on a constant contraction (which was the goal) and the boys were getting the exploration fix.

Saturday morning I arise to an itchy jaw. Hmmn. It's a bit puffy as well.
Saturday becomes Sunday. Jaw continues to itch and in fact become rash-like.
Sunday becomes Monday. Full blown poison oak! All across my jaw, neck, up to my cheeks and behind my ear. Splendid. Just what I wanted to welcome my daughter into the world. A mountainous, itchy, irritable rash!

To top it off, we are expected to have ten days of rain here in the Wind Tunnel. That's a lot of rain. That's a lot of time to be cooped up. But on the lighter side... it sure makes perfect hibernation whether to bring home a newborn, don'tcha think?

Also, thanks for all the birthing/ false labor stories. I was cracking up at those who had been to the hospital multiple times! And very jealous/hopeful at those of you who had speedy labors and deliveries!

Here's to my delivery being far from a crock!

*sidenote: for my crunchy friends.... after googling and trying countless homeopathic remedies, it seems that straight purified and distilled white vinegar is the trick to clearing up this poison oak...note that for future reference!

Newborn Vibes

My buddy Kruz and his family came to visit this weekend, honoring my attempt to make the time go by. Thanks Bankstons for hanging out with us! We love you!
I had to get some snuggles from him as I wanted his newborn scent to somehow telepathically induce Scarlett!
Look at him admire his Mommy.
As if admiration wasn't enough, he chose to wink and flirt... that's what you learn at such a young age when you have two older brothers (and your hair is slightly red)!
Of course I was excited last night when I was getting legitimate contractions (not just Braxton Hicks) for six hours straight. Of course I was beyond disappointed when they failed to continue and now another night of sleeplessness hits the scoreboard.
Yes, I am aware this is God preparing me for a newborn. Does that make it any better? No.
However, I have to say, all my hippy-crunchy-granola birthing books have been making these false labor episodes (oh, there's been more than a few) quite entertaining, when my mom asked me how painful the contractions were...my response..."well, not so much pain, more like an electric wave, starting at the cervix, rolling up my entire uterus, then peaking at the top to just subside--almost enthralling". Aye. Love that Ina May!
So, as I kill the time, do tell me your personal stories of false labor (or if your lucky, lack thereof--you lucky duck)... I'm needing some encouragement!