#10: Who is Braxton Hicks anyway?

John Braxton Hicks
(23 February 1823 – 28 August 1897)
was a 19th century English doctor who
specialised in obstetrics.

Last night at about 11:00pm I got a contraction, I didn't think much of it because I get these 'false contractions' quite a bit and they don't really mean much. After about 20 minutes, I got another but I thought it was just a coincidence, maybe my body was tired from the day, I had been outside in 98 degree weather all day but once I got another one 20 miuntes later, it got my attention. Since I was up watching a show I liked I thought I would casually watch the clock and time them until the show ended. I did continue to get a few more at about 15-20 minute intervals then they stopped!..WHAT..what happened? well turns out, the only explanation for this comes from this sly man below..Braxton Hicks!

Braxton P. Hartnabrig

In honor of my current state, I decided to find out more about the quaint fellow who coined the term "Braxton Hicks" contractions. It no surprise that his name is John "Braxton Hicks" but funny because the only other Braxton I know is from the Jamie Fox show.."break yourself fool"..! I digress. Anyway, apparently this guy Hicks was the first physician to describe the bipolar and other methods of the versions of a fetus. In 1872, he described the uterine contractions not resulting in childbirth now known as Braxton Hicks contractions. 

Why would he name this after himself? They are basically the most frustrating things ever, they can feel like real contraction but they do nothing except get a woman's hopes up and then fade. Some suggest that they actual prepare your body for whats to come but I don't think so. luckily, I am not one of those women who is on the edge of the cliff (at least not yet)..ready to end this process. I still feel relatively good, I feel like I look horrible but thats another topic. My doctors also do not seem to subscribe to style of obstetrics which encourage constantly checking a woman to see her "progress" weeks before her due date, so I haven't been checked at all, that combined with my knowledge of my previous experience (she was an entire week late) I'm pretty sure I'm in for a long ride. 

#11: Summer Solistice

Source: http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/06/21/6909897-tranquility-in-the-city-times-square-yoga-fest-honors-solstice?lite

Today is the first day of summer..and in NYC its almost 100 degrees...this was the scene in Times Square! Only in NY right..thousands of Yoga enthusiasts practice...pretty awesome, if I hadn't been in week 39 I would have joined them..ok maybe not but my alter ego feel like she would have.

#12: Lilies

I knew I was getting to be a bit unsettled last week, I felt the immediate tension in my body when anyone asked me anything. I got angry at a guy in Target, I got frustrated with people driving in front of me, I got aggravated with my little girl and of course my husband as well. Its no excuse but the last few weeks of being with child present a strange challenge with ones self control and it was a bit unexpected. I especially didn't feel like I was being irrational but I was a bit down I guess and I don't know why. Anyway, yesterday when we got home, he was already home getting dinner together, after giving the little one a bath, we came down and I entered our living room to find a nice bouquet of lillies. I thought to myself, if I were to go into labor tonight it would be really great. They really have lifted my spirits, its nice to get flowers just because..

#13: Handmade baby toys

Koukku teethers are a great simple design, utilizing Oko-tex cotton thread crocheted over unfinished maple wood rings to provide both soft and hard surfaces for baby to gnaw on.

Source: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Koukku

This collection of handmade toys are both unique and inspiring, without the need for batteries, these beautiful little artifacts serve as a new breed of toys which are safe for babies and will motivate any toddlers imagination. Ranging from rattles, rings and dolls, each product pays attention to detail, is highly crafted from durable, non-toxic and ecologically friendly materials but also utilize bold forms, bright eye-catching colors and whimsical concepts. These can certainly be appreciated by parents and kids and are beautiful enough to be collectibles and passed on to future generations. 

Source: http://nolinolihandmade.bigcartel.com/product/rattle-003

Noli Noli has an eye for kid’s toys, these handmade objects are exquisitely detailed and whimsical. Find everything from rattles to dolls, toy cars and boats all crafted from solid wood and finished with beeswax and shea butter polish.

Source: http://www.yellowlabeltoys.com/

Tickle your baby with these adorable owl rattles, knitted from organic bamboo yarn, these fun and colorful toys are great first toys to help baby learn to grasp objects but also double as soft teethers when their first teeth begin to appear.