Hypno musings

As I am preparing for the birth of my second child, I am a little anxious about labor and delivery. Calista’s birth was a long and difficult process, and I would like Craig’s to be a little different in a few ways. Some of them are simple: I don’t want my labor augmented or induced with pitocin... unless it’s absolutely necessary. Some things are harder to control: I would prefer not to push for 3.5 hours this time. Some things are a little more abstract: I want to be calm about the process. In my preparation, I am reading a book on hypnobirthing. 

I’m not sure I completely buy into it, but it doesn't hurt to read it and see if anything will help me. As I’m reading it, I have a few thoughts. 

The first one is this: I can do this. I can do hard things. I survived last time, and I can bring a baby into this world. No, last time wasn't the ideal, it wasn't perfect. But the baby girl that I held in my arms, she was perfect. Well, other than her blue hands, but that only lasted a little while. :) Even if it’s hard, I can do it.

On a related note: no matter what happens, he’ll be worth it. If I have a long, difficult, tiring labor, if I throw up repeatedly and push for longer than even my doctor (or midwife, this time) thinks I possibly can, holding that little boy in my arms will make it worth it. No, I won’t forget the difficulties (if they occur), but they will be worth it for the little man growing inside me.

I can read as many books as I can find, or take classes, do yoga, and practice my breathing. These things are good. But more importantly, I need to trust in the Lord. "Father, if thou be willing remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. " Reading up on hypnobirthing and everything else is great, but ultimately it is up to the Lord. 

I never understood the atonement and what the Savior must have felt better than during and after Calista's delivery. The love I felt was so strong that it didn't matter how tired I was, how much I wanted to give up, I couldn't. This little girl needed me.

Her brother will need me just as much. And no matter what happens, I can do it, he’ll be worth it, and the Lord will be there for me.

A picnic in a park

Instead of Memorial Day, Canadians celebrate Victoria Day. It's basically the exact same day if you don't know the significance behind either holiday. It marks the beginning of the summer season, and probably white pants? I don't know. I don't own white pants because they would never stay white for long. I am seven.
For our long weekend, we relaxed a lot, walked to the park close to our house, and on Monday went on a picnic at one of the parks here in Calgary on the river. It was a beautiful day!

We had a ton of fun walking around the park. Calista especially enjoyed the off leash dog area by the rivers. She loved watching the dogs go swimming after a ball! We also let her go into the water a little bit...

She wasn't so sure.

And quickly decided it was "cold."

She took off her hat a couple of times, and would generally put it back on when we asked her to...

...albeit backwards. Such a stylin' kid.

After our picnic dinner, we let her play at the playground equipment. She loved the slide.

She can do it all by herself! Where has my baby gone? Such a big girl!

I hope everyone has a happy Memorial Day this weekend, and that no one gets stains on their white pants.

We're going to the ZOO! How about you?

Last week, I finally bought myself a zoo pass. I did the math: if I go three times in the year, I'll break even. If I go more, well... yay for going to the zoo for free!

So last week and this week, we have gone to the zoo.

And Calista loves it.

She spends a lot of time pointing, like this.

At the bison...

At the heron...

At the penguin...

At the hippo...

At the condor...

If she can point to it, she will.

We are having so much fun going to the zoo and seeing all the animals. Her favorites last week were the bison, giraffes, and penguins. This week, it was the giraffes, elephants, and lions.

She's getting pretty good at saying "giraffe," although her way sounds more like just "affe."

Calista also roars like a lion every time she sees one, real or a picture, or if you say the word.

And elephants... she has started sticking out her tongue. I think it's to be a trunk? She does it every time, so it obviously means something...

The gorillas and peacocks she's not a huge fan of.

While we were watching the gorillas, one came over next to the window where we were, and she backed up and climbed on a bench to get away.

When we encountered a peacock, she wouldn't walk around it or be near it. Instead, she got into the stroller and I was able to protect her.

I'm excited to go to the zoo, hopefully once a week, and let Calista run around, play, explore, and have a good time. And it means I get a bit of a work out, too...!

A mixed pair

I had my anatomy scan ultrasound today, which means we have news...

That's right! End of September/beginning of October, we will officially have "one of each."

Little Boy Rasmussen likes his hands almost as much as his older sister did, it seems.

Study hard, my baby girl!

Calista is studying hard...

because...

 as you can see...

she's going to need the practice!

That's right. Rasmussen baby #2 is on its way!

A new addition

A few weeks ago, our family welcomed a new addition:

This is Maiev (pronounced My-ev). Kyler named her.

She's a curious kitten, wanting to check everything out.

And Calista just loves her!

Sometimes, in fact, Calista loves her too much and we have to separate them.

Maiev is really rather chill about it, though.

When Calista is at her wiggliest and loudest, that's actually when the kitty comes running.

Plus, she likes the food opportunities that Calista represents.

Like licking off Calista's yogurt spoon (and fingers) after she was done.

These two are going to be best of buds, I think.

So much fun and giggles!

Happy Sunday

We busted out the next size dress for Calista today. This particular one my mother bought her, so I wanted to make sure to get pictures for her!

 She insisted on wearing a butterfly in her hair.

 Playing coy.

She was spinning in circles!

The verdict: Cute dress! Cute girl!

We love our little girl.

XIX and getting so grown up

This little miss is now more than 19 months old. It's starting to make sense to refer to her age in years, rather than months! So crazy. 

We actually got her vaccines on her 19-month-day, so I have some stats!

Height: 32 7/8 inches (75 percentile)

Weight: 24 pounds, 7 3/4 ounces (just under 50 percentile)

She is healthy and growing well! The nurse at her vaccines asked about her words (she should be saying at least 10 "words" by now) and was impressed that Calista can point to some - maybe half or more? - of the letters of the alphabet and say either the name of the letter or the sound they make (eeeee for e, but kakaka for k). She is learning so quickly sometimes!

I tried to get a video of her roaring like a lion. It didn't work, but she's still cute.

Calista loves to run around, dance, play, and be silly.

We were playing Duck, Duck, Goose with her stuffed animals until she decided her lunch was ready. Gotta feed the hungry baby, no?

Speaking of babies, her love of them continue.

Hugging the baby before bed...

Giving them bottles in the morning, with the cheesy grin...

She even loves them if they are less than cuddly.

But she tires of that eventually.

The cuddly ones are just... softer!

Yes, she's still enthralled by Spice World.

I hide it so she doesn't watch it every day, and multiple times. If Calista had her way, she would.

She tried on my boots...

...and couldn't even stand up. Silly girl.

But mostly such a happy (and she knows it!) girl.

She loves her daddy, and he loves her right back.

And sometimes, she loves me, too!

Although she doesn't always love what I do to her, like put her hair in a ponytail...

Still, she'll give me a cheesy grin!

Do you see her legs?

She did that while she was sitting on my lap. I was aware of the whole thing, and still let it happen. Good mom or negligent mom? You decide.

She likes to curl up with a blanket.

Especially when she's sick. Poor babe.

Happy 19 months, Calista!