Our Days in the UK

*Note to the discerning reader: Yes, we did catch Katie before she fell all the way over. The short version: I liked the UK experience waaay more overall. Read on if you're interested in the longer version... I had my first two babies in the States. Justin arrived by c-section after long hours of labor in what was a fairly standard American "cascade of interventions" that ended in an emergency that probably shouldn't have happened. Nonetheless, I am most of all grateful that my Justin arrived safely and is now a happy and healthy almost-11-year-old. Rebecca arrived via unmedicated VBAC and I went home about nine hours after her birth. I felt more in control of that birth experience, mostly because I was more mentally prepared and because I had the support of an amazing doula. I really had to fight for a natural birth, though, as Rebecca arrived two weeks late and my midwife (who I didn't prefer and who I didn't end up having for the actual birth, bu

Our village is completely flooded. You can't get through from one side to the other. So far we can get out the back way but another inch or so and the river will breach the road on that side, too. Then we'll be stuck until it stops raining. Or they decide to open more gates further along the river. Currently the pub is pumping out water from their ground floor. People here seem very matter of fact about, sloshing happily through knee deep water in their wellies to go about their business. Schools are closed, though, and water is expected to rise for another day or two. Our house won't be affected as it's on the high back side of the village, but the old houses along the main road have water lapping at their doorsteps.  Here's hoping Eric can get back home tomorrow from his work trip to Cambridge...

We've been a family of five for almost three months now and I'm just getting around to posting, so that should give you some sense of life with a newborn. Although I honestly anticipated it taking three years, so we'll call it a win :) Anyway, in case you haven't yet, meet Katherine Rose, the newest Chaney. She joined us on August 9 at 4 pm, a good two and a half weeks early. But she was happy and healthy, so I guess she was just eager to arrive and get down to the important business of catching up with her big brother and sister. Given how much she nurses, I'd say it won't be long! Here's the family at the hospital right before we came home. I got to the hospital around 3:30 pm, she was born at 4 pm and we left around 10 pm (mostly due to paperwork) so it was a nice quick stay. It was a sort of crazy birth story (well, they all are, I guess, what with birth being a miracle and all.) This one was crazy in the fast and intense kind of way. The sh