Certified

May of 2009 seems like a lifetime ago.  I was talking to a friend about how Kyle and I have shared so many big events in the short amount of time we've known each other~graduations, our wedding day, new jobs, travels to various countries, moves in and out of many an apartment/dorm/home park house, and now our baby.  So many wonderful new adventures makes the week that we were wed seem much farther in our past than it really was.  Maybe you get this way too; when we are approaching a special anniversary (our first date, our engagement, wedding), I love to revisit pictures of those seasons.  I'm often surprised by Kyle's hairstyle or find a picture I am positive I've never seen before.  Well, I found a treasure that seemed so relevant to what we were up to today.

Everyone loves to get their marriage license in Marietta where they can also pick up a license for firearms (see door).  Don't be frightened by my face~it was a trial run for bridal make-up.  Kyle was appalled so my look was toned down.  Also, seeing Kyle here reminds me that one friend said he looked like Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley's love child.  I married Albus Severus Potter....

Why would this have anything to do with today?  Well, we received an official document that marks a new Ham fam accomplishment....

The tiny diploma states that we have completed training for childbirth preparation.  This is the face of one proud, sleepy daddy (sadly, when baby and I don't sleep, Kyle can't snooze solo.  Poor fella).

I would have loved to have the gift of prophecy on that day in the court house to tell my groom that exactly 2 years down the road, we'd be 1/3 of a pregnancy away from having a baby boy.  It's better that we didn't have the foreknowledge; that's how a bride gets on the fast track back to being a batchelorette.  Still, I think of the French word impressionnant (impressive/awesome/spectacular) when I reflect on how many wonderful things can happen in such a seemingly short period of time.  I can't fathom the next two years being so action-packed, but time will tell on this matter.

Briefly on the birthing class~ we learned lots of great information about labor and delivery.  Our classmates were friendly and our teacher was great.  At times I was super discouraged by talks of how wonderful epidurals can be and even let fear get the best of me when we discussed emergency C-sections (turns out they use epidurals for this much more than general anesthetics).  All in all, though, I took lots of great notes and have plenty of questions for my physician at my next appointment.  Plus, Kyle and I practiced a lot of relaxation and breathing techniques that involved a good bit of massage (for me!).  I loved all the quality time we got to share preparing for this.  Is it weird that I had a good time?  Perhaps... Would it help you to know that Kyle took me on a lunch date to Fresh Market where we picked out some tasty bread and chicken salad?  We have more for lunch tomorrow!

On a final "soapbox" moment about the class, Kyle and I agreed that for clinical purposes it's important to see a good bit of the female anatomy.  We viewed videos for labor, 2 deliveries, and breastfeeding.  Where we had problems were when it wasn't necessarily a breastfeeding segment, there were topless mamas feeding their wrinkly tots.  I am a super easily embarrassed girl and know I don't want folks being able to see me nurse.  I know all aren't like I am, but I definitely have a problem with Kyle seeing other women nurse (he does too, in case you're wondering).  We have a hard time understanding the lack of modesty~ for me, my body is to be seen by my husband and physicians and me ONLY!  Somehow, we believe the "beauty of childbirth" and the (sometimes militant) views on breastfeeding maybe make it okay to show so much in so many videos.  Am I crazy for thinking it's inappropriate for not wanting to see topless women in any form with my husband by my side?  I can't in my mind make it any different than if it were in a movie or a Victoria's Secret catalogue... Perhaps I'm a jerk, but I'll never be okay with using nursing clips outside of instruction on breastfeeding for women (and maybe for men if they are asked permission in advance if they are comfortable viewing the material). 

Let's end on a lighter note!  Kyle is reading a big book on bread (as seen in his lap in the picture above).  He read about pentosans in rye bread and thought it might not be good for pregnant girls.  He was mixing it up with pitocin, a medicine givien to induce labor. I'm impressed that he got so much new vocab today at class.  I probably don't need to avoid rye breads though....

Un magnifique épi de blé! Translation~ A magnificent ear of wheat!  My husband has some serious baker skills!