Video of Norah's Birth

I finished editing it - and we finally have internet again, so I uploaded it this morning.

~~~ Please be aware that this is an edited video of real natural labor and childbirth (you actually can't see stuff from the clips in the video). If you are weird about birth, breastfeeding, boobs, babies, or similar things, please don't watch it. However, if you would like to see the most beautiful moment of our lives, and see what a calm, natural, home birth looks like... we'd love to share it with you!

Here it is on youtube (make sure and watch it on the highest quality for better viewing): 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnpKBIJuPHM

NORAH HAS ARRIVED!

Our sweet daughter came into this world naturally at home (in our apartment) yesterday at 11:05am. Here are the details:

Thursday, May 9, 2013
Labor started at 1:30am. Surges and nausea woke me up.
I tracked the surges for the first hour and found myself rocking on all fours mostly. More than 8 happened that hour.
I texted Anna at 2:30am, just letting her know what I was feeling. I thought it would go away.
Showered, put in laundry, was able to nap on the floor while "folding laundry", aka trying to breathe.
Woke up, I thought they eased up for 10 minutes or so, which would prove false labor.
Texted my mom at this point, telling her we may be in business today, but not to panic or wake up.
Lol. Boy was I wrong about the false labor thing! Came back double strength.
Woke Johnny up, and told him it was baby time.
Texted Anna that things were definitely happening at 7:00am. Texted my mom again as well.
I was just focused on getting through one surge at a time. Into the hot bath tub I went (and didn't come out until we had her!)
Time was a blur at this point. I was at serious work in the tub. HypnoBirthing tracks were playing, Johnny was helping me come into a relaxed state by pouring water on me, talking me through it, offering affirmations and physical help (massage, shoulder squeezes, etc) during each surge. Could NOT have done it without his encouragement and support.
I remember my mom arriving, although I had no concept of time (by design). Surges were SO close together. Yeah. Changing breaths at this point felt amazing, so I started breathing her down, instead of taking full surge breaths (to enhance them and make each one more effective).
I remember Anna and her assistant, Kristy, walking in, although again I don't know what time without looking it up... Anna arrived at 9:30am and Kristy a little after 10:00am.
I'm pretty sure my body was is serious robot mode at this point. I apparently was in the tub facing outwards when my shower curtain was removed?! Yeah, absolute surprise to find that out later. Didn't notice that at all.

{Everything else up until actually birthing her out was a total blur, so I'm getting help from the midwives' notes now. I will put all of their notes in a post soon... They are awesome.}

I ate some spoonfuls of honey at 10:10am. It was crazy delicious. I had previously eaten oatmeal and an orange.
The desire to push was unreal during surges at this point. I tried to save that energy by breathing her down instead, but I remember some quick pushes every now and then. During one of those, at 10:29am, my bag of water broke. It popped! Was kinda weird.
With a lot of coaxing, I was helped out of the tub at 10:48am. I could feel how potentially close she was and was just scared to move. I am so glad we did. Ended up taking a supported (by Johnny) squat in the living room. I remember thinking to myself as I hobbled in there that it looked like we were having a picnic! -- towels, sheets, plastic stuff, bags, supplies... Everywhere!
Got "comfy" and just had to get her out. Not going to lie, it was the most intense moment of my life in every way. My triceps have never been this sore ... it's all from lifting up my weight onto Johnny and bearing down at the same time. I pushed with surges when I could, but she needed some directed help.
Silly girl emerged head AND hand (crowned at 11:02am), which made it all that much more fun for me. Ring of firrrrre! We tackled it, though.
She was on my belly at 11:05am and let out a cough and lovely cry!
Only one little tear, and it is internal. Not enough to need sutured.

Placenta was HUMUNGOUS, like beyond large. I was carrying two babies basically. It came out quickly and without assistance. Anna said it was the healthiest placenta she had ever seen. Because of this, I apparently was bleeding too much for my body to get it to stop without some help, so immediately after birth, I got a shot of pitocin in both thighs to force clotting. (YUCK! Pitocin! It was a necessity though.)
Not going to lie, it was a little nerve wracking but they are professionals and bring everything needed in case there is a special circumstance.
I need to take it easy, more than most, for the next 2 weeks. Bed rest for 4 days!! They just want to make sure I heal up good and let everything clot up in there.

Most unpleasant part of birth?
The uterus mashing afterwards, which all doctors/nurses are supposed to do to help the excess come out. My WORD... I thought I was going to die. That was after I had just birthed an 8 lb 13 oz baby into this world. Oh, and most epidurals have already worn off in hospitals at that point, so there isn't much escaping it ... Looked this up.

We have had an amazing first day.
The birth was beautiful.
As hard as it was, I would do it again without even hesitating. SO WORTH IT -- and I'm so glad that I could bring her into this world without us being drugged up. She was so alert in the seconds after birth, it was incredible.

Here's our little girl. She is the most beautiful human, but I'm a little biased! ;)

?!

This might be it y'all.
HypnoBirthing techniques are in full swing. Johnny is asleep, I filled him in a little while ago. I've sent my initial update text to Anna. Surges are rhythmic and annoying.
Here we go!

Maybe?!

Hmph!

Why yes, yes I am.

Finishing the belly bowl

See the previous post about the Belly Cast for more on this. Here is how we finished it.

Once the cast was dry and hard (48 hours later), I trimmed the edges with shears to the shape I wanted and then slightly sanded them to make it smoother. Then I went to town with white acrylic Gesso, which primes and thickens. I did two THICK coats to both the inside and outside, letting it dry fully and lightly sanding between coats.

Next was the dark brown acrylic paint, color Raw Umber, which I did at least 2 coats of to both sides. Again, it has to dry completely between coats. I might have done 3 coats, don't remember. I wanted it thick and as smooth as I could make it!

Then the fun part happened! I texturized the outside with a gold colored metallic acrylic paint, using a large sponge. It was fun. It shimmers in the light! :) once that was done and dry, it was time for gloss. I used an acrylic high gloss spray and did two good coats to both sides.

I love what we've created! I can't wait to see Norah lounging in there for newborn pictures, and later as a decoration in our home.

40 weeks!!

Yup, we're still waiting! Continuing on from the last post, I'm hopeful that she will come soon. I got a massage yesterday, acupressure points were engaged, I walked to my parents house after that and definitely started having surges. They started in my back and wrapped around to the front. It felt like I had the flu. And cramps. And it was all of a sudden impossible to walk. It was reassuring. :) After I write this, I'm going to walk again and see what happens... Fingers crossed!

It seems unreal that I've known about this baby since week FOUR. and now it's week FORTY. :)

Okay, updates:
I finally have stretch marks low on the belly. They are the color of my skin, though. I'm so glad they aren't the red kind... Those tend to take a while to "go away". Not a big deal, but they are there. Also, swelling in my hands and feet has gone down a LOT. My rings are actually back on this week, crazy! I'm thankful. Now it looks once again like I'm married, which makes me feel a lot less awkward buying things at the store (and just seeing people in general). I am sort of humongous in the belly region. It may be more than a little obvious that I am pregnant.

We are continuing to get sweet gifts from people, just got 4 more kissaluv newborn fitted cloth diapers (LOVE THEM!) which we are seriously thrilled about. Thank you!

Anna met with me today, and things are good! Norah is bigger and has dropped a lot since last week. This has made sleeping easier for me during these past few nights, we believe. Yay. :) I am only measuring 37cm now, so she is sitting much much lower. Norah's heartbeat, good. Blood pressure, normal. Movement, yes. Feeling pressure, yes. Heartburn, headaches, nausea, new aches/pains, all no.

Can't wait to meet you, baby!

DUE DATE!!!

Ahhhh! Today is May 7th.
It has arrived, and Norah has not. Obviously our kid is chillin in here. It's just a waiting game! I feel like she's close... Considering I had several surges lasting a total of 4 hours yesterday. Spaced out, yes, but still -- they were surges. They count. Met with Anna this afternoon, I'll do another post (40 week update) here in a little bit.

Our countdown:

39 weeks!!

Can someone please explain to me how the time has gone by SO stinkin' quickly!!? I thought time was supposed to drag on and on after 34 weeks... Well that's what I've heard. John and I both don't feel that way for us.

We got to see Anna again yesterday for our 39 week checkup! Can i just say that i LOVE not having to drive anywhere for maternity care/childbirth classes/newborn care?! it has been totally awesome. :) The results for the GBS test came back negative, which is just one less thing to think about. Yay! Norah was a crazy little thing during our time with Anna, which we always get a kick out of (literally?! Lol!). Everything is looking great! The slight swelling in my feet late at night is totally normal, and I can tackle it with ice water soaks and inverting my legs up the wall (viparita karani for you yogis).

I'm sitting/reclining on the couch right now, typing this out on my phone... And Norah is very very busy! It MAY have something to do with the oranges I've had so far today.

Only issues I'm experiencing (besides minor swelling):
- Some serious pelvic joint sensations (I will NOT say the "p" word), which makes standing up/walking/squatting more... Fun. ;)
- A sad, shiny stretch mark just above my belly button. It's the color of my skin, thank goodness, and very lonely. Let's keep it that way! Honestly, it looks more like a stretch PATCH rather than traditional mark. Weird. Only one on the belly, though!

I am about to muster up enough energy to go on a much-needed walk with Shasta. It'll help the both of us immensely, I'm sure of it. Here goes nothin!

Belly cast!

A few things:

-Thank you Jenna and Kevin for getting us the belly casting kit forever ago. Totally awesome. I've been looking forward to using it so much!

-I have the most amazing/artistic belly caster in the world. Special thanks to my sweet hubby.

-If you are ever pregnant and want to do this, DON'T HESITATE. It was beyond easy, quick, and the end result is so awesome!!

Okay, so we decided to go ahead and do the cast last night (considering I'm 38 and 1/2 weeks along!). The Proud Body kit came with everything... clear protective plastic, lubrication for your skin so the dry cast will come off, gloves, and 4 rolls of casting strips (we only needed to use 3). You simply cut the gauze into strips for what sizes you will need, and once everything is ready to go, just dip them one at a time into warm water and place onto the skin! It ends up being about 3-4 layers of casting strips, and it dries super fast. Just have to hold STILL (and BREATHE.. thank you yoga for letting me practice being in uncomfortable situations and tuning in to myself. Holding still and trying to not pass out was definitely the hardest part, lol). Once all the material has been applied, wait about 10 minutes and then gently remove the hardened cast. It's like magic.

We decided to only cast the belly. Some people do the entire chest/belly thing, but for us I just didn't see how that was practical. I would never hang that in our home, so it would just collect dust and break in storage. Instead, I LOVE the idea of a Belly Bowl!! You can take super adorable pictures of your newborn in the bowl and then use it as a home decoration afterwards. I like that better. You can decorate it easily - - simply sand it, trim the edges with scissors to give it the shape you want, paint it, gloss it, add ribbons or jewels, etc. We will paint and gloss it, and keep it neutral.

38 weeks!

Yesterday put us at 38 weeks officially. That is SO hard to believe! Other than this sore throat/congestion junk that is lingering, I feel pretty darn good! Our sweet baby is moving a lot, and I'm starting to feel some focused pressure nice and low.

We are so excited.

I want to say that we are "ready" to just get her here already, but honestly there are a few more things that I would love to get done before she makes her grand entrance. Let's just say that I would feel better if some organization happens in the next 24 hours. We haven't done anything to ease her out yet, besides me taking one primrose oil pill and drinking raspberry leaf tea daily. If I knock some things off my list here soon, I may just feel ready enough to start the acupressure points and other goodies. We will see.

We met with Anna again yesterday. Went well, and everything is still looking great! I loved having her explain all the newborn care that she will do until 28 days after the birth. Makes me happy to know that Norah will be here soon and will be looked after well! Also, I went ahead and did the GBS swab test (the ONLY test I've done since first trimester blood work... Pregnancy is not a disease!) because the % of women who carry it is high. Although this doesn't mean that Norah will catch it, and it would only be an issue if I had a fever during the birth (would be put on simple antibiotics), I went ahead and just did it. I'm more curious to see if I'm part of the % or not.

Only issue I've ran into recently is edema in my hands, only at night. My rings are officially off now, which I'm bummed about, but I'm staying crazy hydrated and doing ice water soaks whenever I notice them start to swell. Hopefully that was a one time thing and it won't happen tonight!

Here we are this week!

SORE THROAT!!

Noooooo!

I am almost out of this pregnancy thing (which I have loved) but what a crappy time to feel this miserable. You never realize how awesome it is to swallow until it becomes your least favorite thing to do, ever. Ouch! (**Okay, reading back over this I sound like a total whimp. But I'm not. I've had both Strep throat and Uvulitis - so bad that the uvula was crazy inflamed and gagging me! Yeah. It's just weird that this is happening to me... I hardly ever get ill anymore.)

So I felt the throat start getting sore yesterday morning, thinking that it was from post nasal drip, sleeping on the couch, etc. Although it really may be caused from something like that, it is much much icky-er in the wee hours of this morning. Seriously, it woke me up (and I could tell that the first swallow was going to feel like sandpaper, so I refused to let my body try it until I had my hot lemon/lime honey water in hand).

Since medication really isn't an option because of de baby, and it's never my first option, here is what I have tried so far.

Yesterday: wasn't hurting too bad, so I had 2 cups of hot raspberry leaf tea, gargled hot salt water before bed.

Today: um, hello sore throat... And it's only 5am! So far, I have slowly sipped my way through a large cup of honey + lime water. Would have used lemon juice, but we honestly don't have any right now. Dumb. This helped TREMENDOUSLY though. While I was sipping on this, I was all over the Internet, looking at what people recommended during pregnancy. Below is what I am open to trying today to help get rid of this thing and/or keep it from getting any worse.

GARGLING (hot water):
more salt water
cayenne and honey water
boiled (and strained) basil leaves in water
apple cider vinegar water - really popular

DRINKING (hot water):
lemon and honey water
ginger, cinnamon and lemon water
turmeric powder and honey in warm milk

My "go to" magical throat healer for a LONG time has been Throat Coat tea. I love and swear by that stuff - it would fix anything from laryngitis, to a simple dry throat, to a painful one, and I used to drink it before almost every audition and performance. Unfortunately, it has an ingredient that is not baby friendly... So now I'm stuck with other natural remedies. If I'm missing something big that'll help me out, TELL ME. I'd appreciate it!

Belly cuddles

The black blob on the left is Shasta.
The grey blob in the middle is me (well, Norah).
The crazy white animal on the right jumped directly on top of the belly while I was laying on my side. This was during my morning cuddle time with Shasta. Bailey, thanks for doing this (several times!) and letting me take pics of it... Gave me a good laugh. Glad I happened to be using my phone at the moment.

This is time #1:

Waiting

Norah,

I bought Evening Primrose Oil at Sprouts just now, which means only one thing... Your eviction notice is coming soon! Your Dad and I will start trying to ease you outta here (naturally, of course) starting Tuesday. As "popular" as Castor Oil is for naturally helping to induce labor, I will never ever ever take it. I've heard it makes mama super sick and turns labor into a disaster. No thank you! We have a LONG list of other ways to get things started. (Think spicy foods, "hugs, not drugs", tea, etc. More on this later.)

We're just so excited for you to be here!!

Love, Mom

P.S. Thanks for trying to kick a hole in my side all day today. I think you're making progress. ;)

37 week photo

Because I'm a little slow on getting it up here.

37 weeks!!

Woo hoo! We made it to the big 37... Norah is officially to term, which is such a huge relief for me. Our goal of having her at home is such an exciting reality now - she is still cooking in there, but is "allowed" to be born here any day now. :) A great friend took some maternity pictures the other day, we had a lot of fun with it. I will put a post up of my favorites soon.

I now am weighing in at 184.0 pounds. 31 pound gain since the beginning. Also, I have had some newer sensations recently. The most memorable one happened a few days ago, Johnny and I went for a pretty long walk with the dog. It was awesome and made me feel so good! The next day, though, my belly was just so SORE!! Like tender to the touch almost right underneath my ribs (worst on left side). Bizarre. Maybe everything was just stretching out a little bit more?? It's gone now. Also, I feel the very noticeable jabbing-like sensation deep in my pelvis when I first wake up. Not a big deal, but it's definitely there in the mornings. If I try and walk, it's a total joke... But I've found that leaning WAYYYY forward with deeply bent knees as I first stand up and travel to the bathroom makes a ginormous difference. A little bit of moving around (and flowing through some Warriors) seems to magically fix whatever goes on in there.

No stretch marks on da belly. SHE IS GETTING MUCH MUCH BIGGER THOUGH. I feel a lot rounder.

Our super midwife, Sherry, broke her ankle/leg a while back as you know. She is healing good so far, but we are coming up on N's Birthday here SOON! ... Sherry recommended that we meet with Anna Catron, CNM who will attend our birth no matter how Sherry's situation goes that day. I got the privilege of meeting with her here at home today AND I LOVE HER. Totally awesome! I seriously have the best midwives EVER in the history of Midwifery. How have I been so blessed?! We are in such great hands, and I feel totally confident in the decisions we have made so far. Thank you Sherry for taking such great care of me and Norah, and for referring us to yet another remarkable, qualified, experienced midwife that we mesh with.

Anna confirmed my belief that Norah is most definitely head down... if for only THIS reason, maintaining my yoga asanas this far into the pregnancy has paid off. I totally believe that posture and exercise can make all the difference. I still refuse to sit in bucket seats!!

Here is more info on the great ladies we have been working with and their businesses:
Sherry Oldfield, CNM (Certified Nurse-Midwife), IBCLC (Lactation Consultant)
www.thoughtfulwoman.com
Anna Catron, CNM (Certified Nurse-Midwife)
www.annasorganicbirth.com
Melissa Prouty, HypnoBirthing Instructor, Certified Birth Doula, ERYT-200 (Yoga Instructor)
www.turiya-yoga.com


So here's the thing guys.
I cannot wait to meet our daughter! I feel so ready for this while birth thing to go down. I LOVE HYPNOBIRTHING, and Melissa is a fantastic instructor/human being. Our 5th course was yesterday, so we are finished with it!! Ah! Norah could be here anywhere between tonight and 3+ weeks from now, but I'm hoping she decides to show up in our 38th week.

I'm teaching Yoga tonight at 8 (and also teach group classes on Thursdays and Saturdays). It's going great. I can't imagine not teaching. It's such a joy.

As of now, I desperately need my afternoon nap.

36 weeks

Norah will be considered "full term" in one week. We will start trying to naturally coax her outta here once we hit 38 weeks. The time has FLOWN by... And I'm sure you all are getting tired of reading that. Seriously though. WHAT!!!!? Thirty SIX weeks.

I still feel great.

No stretch marks, nausea, linea nigra, or headaches. I weigh in at 183.4 pounds, so 30 pound gain since pre baby. I am having practice tightening (especially in the evening), as well as LOADS of pelvic pressure when I try and roll over or move during the night. I swear it feels like she's about to fall out sometimes. When I sit for a while, I feel T12 (floating rib) on both sides get beat up and have a more difficult time breathing. She still gets the hiccups, although not as frequently as a few weeks ago, and I still feel her move several times throughout the day. That pretty much sums it up!

Just excited for her to be here!

You won't believe how much she's grown in just a week:

Letter to Norah

Dear Norah,

This letter is for you only, although I'm sure that many others will read it on this blog of ours. I started a countdown on my phone a few days ago... It says that there are just 17 days and 5 hours until you are full term, or 38 weeks. Thinking of how close we are to meeting you makes my mind race like crazy!! I know the moment you are born will change your Dad and I's lives forever, it's just hard to imagine how we are going to feel in that moment where our eyes meet for the first time. I am definitely beyond excited to see you and hold you. Having you in my belly will always be the biggest, longest, warmest hug I will ever be able to offer you, which is sort of bitter-sweet for me to think about! I have LOVED being pregnant with you, but I know I will love watching you grow and learn about this crazy world much much more. God has blessed my life so much already by sending you to us. Keep growing in there!

Love,
your Mom

35 weeks

Seriously somebody pinch me.
HOW far along are we?!

In all seriousness, I feel maybe 25 weeks pregnant... Physically, mentally, and just based on how quickly the time has gone by. I can't believe we get to meet our daughter so soon! Beyond excited.

I have been feeling super great, as always. SO blessed in that regard. I weigh in at 182 pounds this week, which puts me at a 29 pound gain since pre-baby . No swelling, heartburn, or other issues that I thought I'd be experiencing by now. I got the teeniest of uncomfortable pressure in my low back yesterday, started in the car and continued while I was shopping... Felt similar to cramps, but it totally vanished at some point during my yoga class (I taught). I have been experiencing some practice surges on a pretty regular basis, just mild tightening and pressure. They don't last long and are very spread apart.

We had our 3rd HypnoBirthing session with Melissa on Monday and I met with Sherry yesterday. Both went great! Sherry is recovering well from her broken leg... She is in a boot and uses a knee scooter to maneuver with. Still no weight bearing for, I think it's at least 7 more weeks. We laughed yesterday about how she's going to crawl/fly up the 2 flights of stairs to our third floor apartment where she can again use her "horsey" scooter, I think she'll just be carried. That makes the most sense to me! Either way it will all work out. She has some great birth assistants and there will be plenty of folks to help with things.

Here we are:

31 weeks

How far along: 31 weeks!

Weight: 175 pounds. Pre-pregnancy weight was 153ish.

Size of Baby: Head of Lettuce (19 in, 3.9 lbs)

Midwife Appt: We still need to schedule one with our midwife's assistant, Traci, because Sherry is getting surgery this morning. Hope everything goes well and she recovers quickly!

Stretch marks: Found a new line or two on my chest (like I need any more there!)... No marks on belly, and no new marks anywhere else.

Sleep: Sleep has definitely been interesting. Shasta has been having some tummy troubles, which means some serious bathroom issues. Yuck. When I'm not cleaning up messes, I am up worrying that she's going to need to go again... Every hour! God is definitely helping to prepare us for our little one through these horrendous few days, I know it. Dear friends have often told me to just prepare for no sleep during the next year. Bring it.

Food cravings: none

Symptoms: I got pretty dizzy during a massage session once this week, I think I just needed to eat though. Hmmm, a little heartburn here and there, and the pelvic pain returns sometimes (mostly when I roll in bed... And my pelvic joint pops. Weird!)

Movement: I love this kid's movement. :) there is something surreal about not looking THIS pregnant, but seeing and feeling a large, boney object stick out of your stomach and move around. It's crazy! (When did she grow to be so big?!) Yesterday, I found a really hard lump about 2 inches above my belly button. I realized it was small and hard, so I pushed on it... And then it moved up and to my left side!! Definitely think that was a foot.

Belly button in or out?: Top half sticks out.

Best moment of the week: THIS WEEKEND WAS AWESOME! Had the best 21st birthday anyone could ask for ... And on the same day got surprised with a crazy beautiful baby shower with a ton of friends and family. I honestly had no idea. :) so sweet. Norah is SO loved already. I will put details of this weekend on here as soon as I get a chance to. Also, we are almost finished putting the tree decals up on the Nursery Nook walls. It looks fantastic!!! Jenna and mom are coming to help finish the leaves and birds today. Can't wait. :)

Here's what we have done (thank you Kristin, Johnny, and mom for your huge help so far):

29 weeks.

What. Only 11 more weeks to go until the due date!? Goodness gracious, that's not that much time. I AM SO EXCITED. and nervous. and anxious. and scared... and all those feelings that everyone is telling me will only increase until she arrives. Most of all, I am really looking forward to being a mom (and meeting this wiggly baby)! 

How far along: 29 weeks! 

Weight: 173 pounds. Pre-pregnancy weight was 153ish.

Size of Baby: Butternut Squash (17 in, 3.1 lbs)

Midwife Appt: We will meet every two weeks now, instead of once a month. Next one is in about a week. 

Stretch marks: Nothing new. No marks on belly, and no new marks anywhere else.

Sleep: Lovin' my naps! 

Food cravings: Haven't had any cravings recently.

Symptoms: I honestly don't know what to put here. I just sorta stared at the screen for a while, because I feel great still. I am just still happy and healthy from what we can tell - and that's good enough for me! I'm not experiencing the pelvic pain anymore (woohoo!). Now, I'm fighting with the occasional left hip pain/burning sensation in the middle of the night (only when I'm on my left side). Luckily, I have a massage therapy ball (sorta like a foam roller) that totally takes care of that when it starts acting up, and I try and work it out before I lay in bed now.

Movement: Lots of hiccups. :)

Belly button in or out?: It's kinda flat now most of the time, but sometimes I can see it poke through tighter shirts. 

Best moment of the week: Finalizing what is going on our nursery wall (which is in our bedroom). I LOVE IT SO MUCH. We decided on a vinyl wall decal thing instead of painting. It is beyond adorable... being shipped now! Can't wait to put it up on my birthday weekend (with a little help from loved ones). Also, we got confirmation that the Hypnobirthing course will start on March 20th - we still need to officially register, but everything is working out great with that. 

I thought that I should start including front and side shots now, considering I'm growing pretty quickly these days. :) I may want these at some point in the future.