Hi. My name is Kirsty...

... and on Sunday, I'll not only have an induction but also an epidural (if I'm lucky). Double whammy!

I've decided to share this today because, well, I'm so stinking excited about it. I've never been induced before and I hesitate to let you know at all because, let's face it, child birth is no longer an "un-judged" subject. And I live in a city where moms are extremely opinionated on the subject and lean in a very holistic direction for the most part (at least the vocal ones do). So I prefer to stay off the radar and keep my private life private. I don't enjoy these sorts of conversations AT ALL. But my family is thrilled to be counting down the sleeps and it's happening everyone, this weekend! It's just too exciting to keep quiet. In fact, I would climb up on our rooftop and shout it to the neighborhood if I wasn't so clumsy and it wasn't raining right now. (K, maybe not).

My doctor has recommended an induction because of my age and because of the statistics that go along with AMA and I'm 100% fine with it. I know that some of you are super opposed to this sort of thing but I'd rather not hear about it if that's okay with you. I think it's amazing that we can all birth our little ones in a variety of ways. I think home births are wowzers and water births incredibly cool. We have a dear family friend that stood on her bed (gosh, 10-15 years ago?) and screamed those babies out right there (at least that's how I remember the story ;). I love that we can do these things the way we really want to do them, have our own incredible experience just exactly the way it makes us most happy to. Another dear friend prefers C-sections and in her neck of the woods, that seems the way to go. The idea of peeing when you go for a jog or have a good laugh, well, that's not something that's worth the risk in the end. I get it. Ha!

We had friends when we were kids that lived on farms. Some that had chickens and horses and sheep, acres of land and fresh eggs every morning. We thought that was cool. You live on a farm and I live in a busy neighborhood. It's so strange to me that now it's more than that. That shopping at a grocery store, the way we have for decades, is suddenly taboo. Or at the very least, it's kinda judged. I miss the days when we could live a healthy life, eat right, exercise to keep fit and stay in shape and that was that. That was acceptable. Now we're encouraged to be anxious about everything, to let fear drive our life styles. What I do know is that God has known my name from the beginning of time. That He knit me together in my mother's womb. He knows how many hairs are on my head and how many years I will live. He knows the day that I arrive and the day that I leave this earth to be with Him. How will my choice to live off of coconut oil change His divine plan for me? Will it? Why do I need to live with such worry or fear of all those conspiracy theories, the medicines, the pesticides, the antibiotics, the epidurals, the milk at the grocery store. What's the point in the end? Do I want my kids to grow up hearing all of that and being crippled by the fear of it all too?

We tried it for a couple of years. We hoped it would help our little Monty to have a more comfortable, allergy and eczema free life. But it didn't work for him and it was a ridiculously miserable time in my life. He grew out of it and the medicines and blood work that ultimately, truly made a difference to him in the end were life saving for this exhausted mommy.

I'm sure I'll never talk of this again. I really don't like to discuss things that are so controversial. But I'm so happy to see my little one this weekend and this decision will stir up some conversations out there. :) I just know it. I want you mommies to know that I love you all. I love our differences and who we each are ... that we're not all the same. I love the fact that you drink green smoothies OR diet coke for breakfast. That you send your kids to private Christian schools OR public schools OR that you "unschool" them. That you teach them to read when they're 9 months old OR let their teachers do it in Kindergarten. That they take every sport under the sun OR they stay in art classes and music lessons. That you use crib bumpers and let them sleep on their bellies OR you swaddle them on their backs with a monitor to hear if they are still breathing OR keep them in your bed till they're 6. I think it's fabulous that we're all so different, that we're all raising our families in the way that best reflects us and makes us most happy and comfortable. I ask that you try not to judge each other so much. To say things that come across as patronizing and arrogant. Your way is not the only way. It's your opinion and your choice but that doesn't make it the "right" way. Can't we keep our thoughts to ourselves a little more? Especially those that offend or hurt others. This has happened time and time again in these past few months, during this pregnancy and with many of my pregnant friends. I suppose there's much to say in regards to the bump and the big day. I'm thankful for the moms who live their lives to the best of their ability, whatever that means for them, and have humility about it.

So little one, we'll see you very soon. We can't wait for that day and I'm praying that I get those meds to help me get through it! :) Seriously, thank you God for epidurals! But that's just me. :)

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