The View From 5'5"

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Where I've Been

Pardon the lack of posts lately. I've been busy loving on this little guy, the newest addition to our family. Posts will resume soon after I get into somewhat of a new routine with not 1, not 2 but 3 littles now.

Family Friday - Parenting: 10 Daily Choices

Parenting is a daily activity, which means that each day is a new day to impact your child in a fresh and new way. Here are 10 choices you can make to make a positive influence in the life of your child/children:

Each day I will spend at least as much time with my child as with the TV/computer.
Each day I will share at least one fun-filled learning experience with my child.
Each day I will speak words to my child that will build him/her up as a person.
Each day I will speak well of my spouse in the presence of my child.
Each day I will show physical affection toward my spouse (hug, kiss, hold hands, etc) in the presence of my child.
Each day I will point my child to my Lord Jesus Christ (praising Him, thanking Him, praying to Him, reading something about Him with my child, etc).
Each day I will say "I love you" to my child.
Each day I will pray for/with my child.
Each day I will laugh with my child and let him/her see my silly side.
Each day I will help my child feel the warmth of my physical presence (hug, kiss, snuggle, sitting in my lap, etc).

Pregnancy :: 40 weeks

Mentally

I never thought I would see this day ... my due date! I do admit that I had hoped to be holding a little boy by now, BUT I know for sure now that I have at most 2 weeks left (hopefully just 1) of carrying this wee one (he certainly doesn't feel "wee"). I am starting to have moments almost every day where I feel I am on the verge of insanity - the thoughts of "If I have to sit and feel my stomach sitting on my thighs one more time..." or "If I have to wake up any more to pee ..."

Physically

I feel him bearing down on my hips more and more, causing me to walk very strangely. I have 2 outfits (if you want to call them that) that I can wear, both requiring me to wear some of my husband's clothes (and my stomach is still hanging out the bottom). I can already tell that I am going to have some "nice" stretch marks to remember this pregnancy by. I have yet to feel consistent contractions, but definitely feel lots of pressure and sharp jabs every now and then.

What's Next?

Monday I will be going to the hospital early and bright (6:30am) to get a prostaglandin gel procedure done ... hopefully this will bring labor quicker. Considering my track record (2 gels with my first child, 3 or 4 with my second) I am not expecting to have a baby Monday. I think it will be the end of the week.

the latest pre-birth stats

effacement/thinning out = 0%

dilation = 2-3 cm

as you can see, I have a long way to go

Comparing The Haiti Earthquake & Hurricane Katrina

The Haiti Earthquake (1-12-2010)

7.1 magnitude, nearly obliterating all of Port Au Prince
over 50 aftershocks (as of 1-22-2010) reported after the quake
at least 3 million people affected by the earthquake
100,000-200,000 deaths estimated so far, not counting the injured who cannot get medical care
city of Port Au Prince virtually uninhabitable, citizens sleep outside in makeshift tents
first signs of relief aid arrive about one week after disaster, with a slow trickle of supplies making it to those who need it. Nearly two weeks after the disaster and relief still isn't getting where it needs to be.
overall mood of Haitian people :: patience ... no looting or violent attacks on authorities, everyone is desperate but are waiting for relief

Hurricane Katrina (8-29-2005)

sustained winds of 175 mph
nearly 2,500 confirmed dead or missing
majority of city of New Orleans submerged under water (uninhabitable), citizens flee to higher ground or rooftops
first signs of relief and aid arrive days after hurricane, in under one week
overall mood of Americans/New Orleans citizens :: anger, looting, violence toward authorities as well as fellow citizens

My observations/thoughts

In America, when disaster struck August 29, 2005 people got angry ... help didn't come fast enough. They turned on each other and the authorities that were there to help them and protect them. Presently in Haiti you see people making do with the situation. In both disasters virtually everyone was living under the same conditions as nothing livable was left behind. Why the different reactions?

To me, this is a window into the American mind. Haiti has been dealt a hard hand in life. They are among the poorest of the poor in the Western hemisphere. America, one of the most prosperous nations in the world, doesn't know hardship the way Haiti does. When Hurricane Katrina made landfall, people quickly grew angry because of their circumstances. It was as if their "rights" had been violated and they were personally offended. Haitians have seemed to posses a more humble attitude toward adversity than Americans would in the same situation. We (overall as a country) are prideful, arrogant and feel that we are owed something in life ... that we deserve the best and the finest. I don't get that impression from the Haitian people.

Have you observed this? Perhaps you think differently than me. Let me know what you think.