Talking

Reed and I sat down a few days ago to list out the some of the words we hear North use. I think that it is so interesting to hear how his sounds are developing within the context of his growing expressive language.

For example, a few days ago he was asking for "wa-wa", yet yesterday and today he asked for a glass of water by saying "na-na". When he says the word fish, he pronounces it "bish". As I look over the list that Reed and I compiled, I see that about many of his words begin with "B". They include: "bird", "Bas" (Basil), "Bru" (Bruin), "buck", and my personal favorite as I hear the request from morning to night, "B-B's" (blueberries!)

In the last week he started to add words together. A few mornings ago I cracked up when North walked into our bedroom after watching Reed go to the bathroom. He looked at me and said, "Dada pee." He will also protest if I turn off the computer before he is done watching You-Tube videos of fish. "More bish!"


Manners are also in a process of developing. For a while now, Reed and I have been modeling saying please and thank you as we hand him food or other items. Yesterday, when he and Reed were in the kitchen he pointed up to the fruit platter and pleaded, "num-nums, nums-nums, peas?"

I can only wonder at the range of his receptive language. He seems to understand so much of what we say to him. I can ask a simple request of him "Please put these clothes on the couch" (He loves helping with the laundry), as long as I am very simple with my words and am sharing an idea he has heard before. However, the other day I asked him to get my new blue shoes from the shoe rack by the front door. I knew he didn't quite get the whole idea because he brought me my black shoes. Oh well, at least he tried!

On a side note

I was going to write of an experience from earlier this week, however Rixa has once again posted a thought-provoking link to a major study.

The Trouble With Repeat Cesareans published by TIME magazine, highlights the corner that our current hospital birthing practices are forcing onto many women and their babies. According to the article, the number of US hospitals not allowing VBAC's has risen from 10% in 2004 to 28% (currently). In addition to that number, an additional 21% of hospitals will allow VBAC's, but have no doctor willing to oversee the delivery. Slightly less then half of all American women who have healthy pregnancies and babies, will be forced to have a major surgery because of a lack of normal pregnancy care.

In this article, reasons given for the decrease of VBAC's range from fear of uterine rupture (in reality occurs in 0.75% of deliveries), increased rules placed on hospitals regarding availability of anesthesiologists on call, and of course! malpractice insurance rates skyrocketing.

This study parallels some thoughts I am having as I re-read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth . Near the end of her book, she describes what happens to women's bodies as synthetic versions of oxytocin ( the contraction hormone) are injected into women's bodies. Common amounts given to laboring women are greater then what the body would normally secrete during a contraction and might also interfere with the flow of oxygen transferring from mother to child. Ina May cites two studies (published in 1999) which found that uterine rupture increased by 28% when Cytotec (also a synthetic labor inducer) was given to women who have had a previous c-section. I think further studies need to be conducted as to safe levels of induction drugs given to women with previous c-sections scars.

On a personal note, based on what I read from this book while pregnant with North; I questioned my doctor about the way my uterus would be sewed up if a C-section was to occur. Many times, doctors will just sew the two layers of muscle together as they close up the uterus, which can cause the uterus to be not as strong during the next labor. I wanted to be prepared and proactive towards my second labor being as normal as possible.

So I wonder, is it our uterus we fear or could it be the medical interventions? Could it be a common mental vision of a uterus blowing up that is causing many women to lose their innate trust in their own body's abilities? Really, the numbers seem to be quite small to justify all that pain, healing, and lost time a Cesarean causes. Please read the end of this article, as it lists all the problems repeat Cesareans can cause. I wonder if all people were better educated towards preventing Cesareans, then maybe we could help future women and their partners chose a healthy birth when their time comes.

A drive to the snow

Our family adventure for today was a trip to the snow. Our favorite spot is about 20 minutes inland. Pre-North, we would go further up the same mountain to sled and hike around, but as the wind was howling today, we opted for a spot right off the lower road.

North was uncertain about the whole experience. In hindsight, I realize that we should have practiced with the bulky layering before bringing him to an alien world of whiteness. He was a bit overwhelmed.

Once out in the snow, he refused to move. If he fell, he would stay laying down. He didn't want to walk in the snow or touch it.

Let me show a close up of a face that sums up his thoughts on the experience today:

However, Reed and I had a great time. Taking the dogs to the snow is always so much fun. Today was Basil's first experience with the cold, white stuff also. With North so young last winter, we just didn't venture out much. Based upon how Basil was jumping and goofing off with Bruin, I think he likes snow much better then North.

Bruin is on the sled with Reed. I tried with Basil, but he wasn't having any of that!

Bruin never poses for family pictures. I think he is camera shy.