I have big bladder envy. So if you have a normal size bladder, I envy you. I woke up every hour last night to use the bathroom. Sorry if tmi, but girls, just giving you a heads up on what to expect when this "Miracle of Life" happens to you. Someone told me that God has a plan for everything and the reason why he planned for women to get up so many times to go to the bathroom in the third trimester is to train her for all the nightly feedings once the baby is born. Yay. I told my mom that I am really tired lately and her reply was, "Oh, this is nothing. It's much worse once the baby is born." Yay, so much for encouraging words.

I've been doing some reading on births around the world and have learned a great deal about childbirth here in the US compared to other places. Here are some anecdotes about birth that I find intesting:

Netsilik Eskimo Birth
"She brings her child into the world while on her knees and alone, without help. If it is winter, she allows the child to glide down into a small hollow in the snow on the platform itself. No skin lining is placed in the hollow for the child, which falls straight into the snow."

A Kung Birth
"A Kung mother takes great pride in self- sufficiency in birth. As soon as her contractions become strong, the mother goes out in the veld. She collects soft grass and piles it into a mound to make a soft landing for her baby. When pushing, she squats over that mound. During the first labor, her mother and other older women assist her. If the first birth goes well, she will give birth to subsequent babies alone. If labor begins at night, she will not wake her sleeping husband as she slips out the door and goes to the veld. Kung mothers have a keen sense of competence and independence. In the morning, the Kung mother, glowing with pride, returns home with her newly born child."

Interesting, no? It's been really eye opening to read about births in other countries and how "natural" childbirth seems to be there compared to the US, where hospitals, drugs, and machines are commonplace.

Oh, Happy belated Valentine's to everyone! Jason and I did nothing out of the ordinary. We just told each other that our gift to each other would come next month, crying, pooing, and spitting, but will be the ultimate gift indeed.