26 weeks here!

Hello!

A quick update:

Ben and I did go to our first doctor's appointment together on my birthday. It was not a success other than Ben finally got to the heart beat. In short, this visit to the OB confirmed our decision for a more natural setting with a midwife & at home birth. We met with a midwife the following Tuesday and absolutely fell in love. Her name is Maria Chowdhury and she's been practicing for over 5 years now. We'll be preparing for a water birth that will take place in a pool that is brought to our home. I'm so excited about our decision! Most of my friends and family have seemed a little concerned with this information so I wanted to post some links about the safety and convenience of an at home birth:

http://www.gentlebirth.org/ronnie/homesafe.html

http://www.homebirth.org.uk/

and also a link to our midwife, Maria Chowdhury
http://www.birthsongmidwifery.org/


A youtube video of a woman and her waterbirth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmaC8yAEibY

If you have any questions or concerns let me know! So glad we have this site to share with you all and keep you posted on everything.

Also- I got a job working at Early Christian Education as a teacher in the infant dorm. I get paid to basically play, soothe, sing, and practice nurturing little ones all day long. (0-6 months) It is an early shift & I've never been an early riser. So getting acclimated to this schedule has been interesting. I have to be in fayetteville by 7:30 a.m and the drive takes me anywhere between 20-30 minutes each way. However, I was grateful that someone wanted to offer me a position being 6 months along in my pregnancy. And as if that wasn't enough, they've offered me a 12 week maternity leave along with discounted childcare when Austyn finally arrives!

Ben and I have been truly blessed with so much already in 2010 and we are confident that things will only continue looking up. Please keep Ben and his practice in your thoughts as well!

OH! And one more thing- Ben's brother, Uncle Dave :) made it to Hollywood recently when auditioning on American Idol season 9, Dallas. You can find him via the web along with his nationally viewed story by searching for "Dave Pittman American Idol". We are so proud of our family and again have God to thank for His many blessings!

Hope everyone is staying warm. Ben and I are about to venture out in the 7+ inches of snow we received in the last 2 days to attempt ice skating at the Jones Center in Springdale!! Wish us luck with few fallings. ;)

Love,

Kelly