New Bathtime Fun!

So, I believe I've mentioned that the bathtub is my
favorite babysitter, and lucky for me, Wyatt loves to spend time in there as well. While the watercolor paints are still fun, some of the excitement over his new bathtime activity had worn off. Never Fear, mom's creative ingeniousness to the rescue! A few drops of food coloring, and he didn't want to get out for hours! His new blue water was so exciting! When blue gets old, we have lots of other colors and combos to choose from! And no, it doesn't stain anything... it's too diluted. Just one more success on the ever-growing list of Mom's Sanity Saving Boredom Busters!

BUGS!!!

So, let me preface this post by admitting that we did live on base for 6 years, and thus became accustomed to the benefits of living "in town," including the reduced number of pests. However, I did grow up in the country, so it's not like I'm completely clueless about what to expect. And yet, I was completely unprepared for the plethora of creatures we would share our living space with when we moved out here. We had only been here a few days when I saw a six foot snake slithering across my driveway. It was just the first of many, most of which were thankfully bull snakes, and as large as they were/are, they really don't bother me much (the rattlesnake next to the porch was a different matter!). What I find the most difficult to deal with are the plagues of biblical proportions we have been experiencing!




First came the frogs. Our front yard had hundreds of them, literally. Wyatt and I thought it was fun at first to go and catch them in the afternoons. It quickly became unnerving, however, when we couldn't go anywhere without nearly squishing several frogs with each step we took! Then came the grasshoppers, which are still in abundance. I don't care for those creepy little insects anyway, but when they're large enough to actually take a chunk out of my leg, I have a serious problem. And don't bother arguing that they don't bite... yes they do. I know it.

See? Isn't that terrifyingly disgusting?!!! I HATE GRASSHOPPERS!

Now that we have moved on to flies, I've decided I've got to refocus my scripture reading so that I can prepare for the rest of the plagues from the story of Moses!

Cheap Entertainment

Wyatt has developed an enthrallment with flashlights, and we have been thrilled with his choice of entertainment as it only costs us the occassional battery. He recently developed a new game to occupy his time and include this new found toy, so I thought I would share!

WHAT??!!!

I know it's been awhile, so my blog isn't exactly updated. I promise to get to that ASAP. However, I received an email this morning that left me nearly speechless. Now that I have found the words to describe my appalled outrage, I'm going to share them! :)

So, for those of you who don't know, I am currently pursuing my doula certification. It has been fantastic so far, and I am learning so much! The information is empowering, and I am so excited to begin attending births! Anyway, this current pursuit has lead me to seek out resources and connections with other individuals and organizations with the same interests. In a discussion forum email from my Birth Arts International discussion group (BAI is the program I'm getting my certification from) there was an announcement about a new technology being introduced into labor rooms. The Labor Pro and the Birth Track are two machines (nearly identical) that allow for continuous internal monitoring. While I'm not a fan of continuous monitoring, what appalled me most was the method used.

The company describes the technology as providing a "non-invasive" method of continuous trans-vanginal monitoring. What they consider non-invasive, however, is hysterical! First four small probes are attached to the mother's pelvis (not so bad). Then probes are SCREWED INTO THE CERVIX AND THE BABY'S HEAD! This is for the ENTIRE labor up until delivery!!! I'm wondering what exactly qualifies as invasive?YIKES!!!

There are so many problems with this! Let's name a few... increased pain, increased risk of infection, increased impersonal approach to labor, decreased mobility for mother, and further undermining a woman's ability to give birth on her own!!! AAAHHHH!

Of course, women may "refuse" the use of this technology. Anyone who has ever given birth in a hospital knows how impressionable you become to the hospital's "suggestions." Women shouldn't have to fight off something so horribly unneccessary and INVASIVE!!!

Alright, I'll get off my soapbox.