Birth is only ~19 weeks away

Well the major topic of discussion at our house is birthing. Our current plan is to labor at home as much as possible and then head to the hospital in Eden. I know some people think it is weird to travel 30 mins to a hospital when I have one around the corner but DRMC just ain't a real option. I've heard too many horror stories from ex-staff to trust my newborn to them. Besides the whole giving birth in one room then moving to the next to recover and then moving to your final room is bs. After having a baby I don't think moving from room to room (around sicky to the next sicky) is best thing.
So far I've been very happy with what I've seen at the Eden hospital and many people sing the praises of the staff there. But I can't help but wonder about the idea of giving birth at home. Ray and I both had traumatic births. No staying in the room with mom and being held and cuddled. Both of our moms nearly died after having each of us. Neither one of our moms had envisioned nearly dying rather than holding us but life happens. I know that even with the best made plans, things can go wrong. I do trust that my body will be able to handle getting Bud into the world but at the same time, what if?
Strangely since finding out I am pregnant, I've backed off home birthing and moved more toward the hopsital. Ray has actually moved the other way. He wants to catch Baby Bud. He wants to be the first hands to hold Bud. He wants Bud to be at home. Since we are 19 or so weeks away, it feels like we need to make some decisions. I'm happy with my current plan but what about giving birth at home? Just setting up the birthing tub in the livingroom with a fire going in the fireplace. Ray helping me breath as we have a midwife encourging me all the way. I love that idea. I love the idea of taking Bud to my bed afterward and knowing that I don't have to recover and get out in a day. It will be late December or early January and the height of flu season, doesn't my baby deserve the best birth possible and the warmth of his/her own home?
So much to think about!

Tired is only the start

Well I think I would have an energy surge if I didn't have to work like a dog. I blame Bud for the tiredness but I think Ray is right, I'm just so busy at work that all of my energy is just gone at the end of the day.
It's fun to feel Bud move around. Bud mostly kicks my butt (literally). I'm looking forward to sharing the feeling with Ray. I want him to be able to put his hand on my belly and feel Bud move. I feel like it is difficult to involve him in the pregnancy. I know the ultrasound helps him see the baby but I still want to involve him more. Any ideas?

Baby Bud picture assassin

In our house no one or dog likes to have their picture taken. Apparently, Baby Bud agrees that pictures suck. We had our second and possiblely last ultrasound today. According to Ray just as I turned my head to rest my neck, Baby Bud looked directly at him and as soon as the tech was about to take a 3D pic, Baby Bud turned his/her head! I totally missed the whole thing. After that Bud hid behind the placenta! We could see the little face in 2D but 3D was a no go.
We did have good news today. My weight and blood pressure are right on target. Baby Bud is also right on target. Bud is also breech! The head was in my belly button! It was fun to watch the baby. Because everything is going well we probably won't have another ultrasound, unless Bud doesn't turn.
Hopefully the hard part of work is over. It's been a crazy two weeks. I've been running up and down the stairs and building hooking up computers and fixing other technology issues. I'll be running the whole media center by myself for the next two weeks so I'm nervous but still the teachers know to be nice so I think we'll be okay. I'm also getting better about putting my feet up. I've been having huge sausage toes at the end of the day! We'll see how things go. My next project is to clean the room for Bud!