The lovely transition of doctors...

So, now that we're here and can choose a doctor, here is my dilemma:

I plan to try to do a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). I have only 10 weeks left to get ready for a (let's be honest) somewhat terrifying ordeal, and the past two days have brought some unsettling, yet at times, reassuring information as far as my options here. It's kind of lengthy, but here goes.

Two hospitals to choose from:
Option #1: Offers a higher rate of C-sections (20% above the national average) and the majority of their doctors don't work with VBAC patients. While it's a nice facility, they seem to be more "modern medicine-ized" and less natural in their birthing process. Makes me nervous that my ambitions of a successful VBAC would fly out the window should I go there. I'd then be recovering from major surgery away from family, with two kids to care for and an absent (schooling) husband/father. (Not my first choice.)

Option #2: A hospital where they perform a lot of successful VBAC's! Their C-section rate is several points lower than the national average, and to boot, a lot of our friends work there and can't say enough good about the facility and the overall care/competency of the doctors. So what's my problem?

It's just that this hospital is a university hospital where their patients are seen by a pool of resident doctors, overseen by attending physicians. I mean, yes residents are MD's, and the attending physicians are highly revered - I mean absolutely no disrespect. However, I am REALLY uncomfortable with the idea of not seeing the same doctor throughout my pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Not to mention, being seen by so many different people! I feel like cattle being pushed through whatever system is available!!!! A guinea pig kind of. Anyway, it's enough to make a rock solid woman shrink, let alone an already emotional, 7.5 months pregnant, VBAC seeking woman who fears the process still altogether! I can't tell you how much I cried - sobbed today, unable to decide between two rather uncomfortable/different alternatives. I finally talked to Pace, prayed, and here's what we came up with (for now).

It's important to me to try a VBAC. I have had really good feedback about the university hospital as a whole so why not give this system a try? Who knows, maybe it won't bother me to see different people once I am exposed to the process. And maybe I'll see it as a positive to have so many different people involved in my care (weep, weep). I guess I just need to have a better attitude...

Hair Cut $0

Pace allowed me (after a fervent prayer that he look "decent, if not dashing") to cut his hair myself! Ha! I love his excuse,
"You aren't supposed to smile in the before."

.

Personally I think the face had more to do with the sheer terror he must've been feeling to have me cut his hair before his second day at law school... (first time ever cutting hair for me!) Finally he said,
"Oh what the heck, I can wear a hat for a while."
But I think it turned out great!
So does he, so he says... Good husband. :)



After shot - I caught him with pizza in his mouth...
I love it - he does look dashing! :)

Thanks to the Enrichment Activity just before we left our old ward (Amber, thank you again for teaching it!!) I had written down instructions... Still, it was kind of hard. Took me an hour and a half
I think, but I am quite happy with the outcome...
Hallelujah for saving money, however we can!

Home Sweet Home

Well, we've made it so far... :) After some MAJOR help with loading, unloading, and driving the UHaul (Pace's Dad drove, he is amazing! Along with everyone else who helped, thank you! Seriously, you saved us! Thank you all so much!) By the 4th day Pace and I had worked non-stop to have pictures up on the walls, things put away, the garage organized and cleared out with cars parked in it (what a treat!) and nearly all the boxes emptied. It was tiring, but we felt great to be home and comfortable. Now that I've had Ashleigh here for almost a week! (How awesome has that been!) the kids' rooms are decorated, and I can relax a little and post some pictures. :)

The Family Room
A tuckered out "Nash" lays sleeping :)
(door is to the back yard)





I love the mantle. It's a great place to put
nice things away from little hands :)

(We found Hobby Lobby here - vinyl sayings were 50% off!)



The Master Bedroom
It all fits! We had to combined the den with our room
to make room for baby #2 - Worked out great!







Sydney's favorite areas:
1. The kitchen
(happens to be Pace's favorite too)
We lock the fridge - no raspberry/strawberry incidents here :)



2. Outside
Yeah! Syd has a backyard! And a running Barbie jeep :)
(Pace was more excited about the jeep than Syd at first
A customer gave it to him. Now she loves it!)



3. Her bedroom/playroom
I'll post just this for now, another vinyl saying we fell in love with
I like the Princess theme better with this phrase added to it :)



And lastly... The Nursery :)
(If I can just keep Syd out of Pace Andrew's bed!)

I love how his name turned out.
Ashleigh helped me paint and decorate the letters :)



Aside from getting settled, here are a few small updates:

1. Syd is now full-time in a big girl bed!

2. She said, "Holy crap" yesterday... I had to laugh :)
Guess I'd better start watching my phraseology!

3. Pace made it through 3 intense yet inspiring days of orientation.

He's overwhelmed at times but is loving it so far!

4. I enrolled in 2 classes POS 110 & CIS 105, online at MCC

Gotta take what you can when you can... should be good. :)

5. We've made some neat friends already!
Good people here in Lubbock. :)
Our records were read in the ward on Sunday, I cried. :)

It felt good/ right, like "We're home, for now" :)