Random again...

I realized today that I am finally okay with and starting to even get excited about this pregnancy.  It's amazing the difference a couple of weeks can make.  I think I might have just maybe felt some movement, which is early for me.  I don't usually feel baby move until closer to 20 weeks.  And I realized that my uterus is growing!  lol.  Silly I know, but it kinda clicked that this is why my coats don't do up anymore and I can't suck my gut in! lol

 ********************

I know it's a little thing but I bought myself a treat today - a copy of Caesar's Way Magazine. I have been working with my dog a lot lately and Caesar is the Dog Whisperer, in case you didn't know. I saw the magazine a couple of weeks ago and didn't buy it then. Today I did. I'm glad I did too. It just reinforces what I'm doing and gives me the encouragement and direction I need to keep going with the training I've been giving our 1.5 year old mixed breed dog, Doc Holiday.

He pulls. I have been working on this for the last couple of weeks. Today he hardly pulled at all. On the way to the dog park he pulled some which is normal for him; we played for about a half hour and then walked to the post office. He did really well after being at the park and then on the way home from the PO, the walk was leisurely and controlled, very little pulling, except for one instance where he lunged toward a truck driving by on the highway! Scary!  I'm going to be working on that now too!

 *******************

 We were watching CSI: Miami with the kids around and there was a sperm donor involved with the crime of the day. Well, until they said this man had over 100 children I didn't have to explain anything... but... I ended up having to explain WHY this man had so many children and why he wasn't actually the dad to all those kids. So this is what I said: There is a liquid inside a man that helps to create babies. This man went to a clinic and gave them that liquid. He got paid for it. Then women came and bought this liquid and used it to make a baby. 

OH BOY! lol.

The kids were like, oh okay.

 *******************

 Today was kinda exciting, I guess.  My bus is on its way to the crushers along with a black side kick type thing that's been in my yard for YEARS! In exchange we received a second Ram Charger. This new Charger is either for parts or something. J mentioned he might sell the two of them as a pair and get a mini-truck (Japanese).  My yard seems empty now without the tall school bus sitting in the middle of it.  I will miss my bus, but at the same time it was very expensive to run - insurance and fuel!

********************

I bought a book about using essential oils during pregnancy and on infants and small children.  Gentle Babies arrived in the mail today.  I love it already.  I can tell that I will be referring to this book on a regular basis just like my reference guide that I use almost daily.  I love knowing that my essential oils are safe for me and for our growing baby, as well as for our other children.

Lately the children have been using the oils for boo-boos - cuts and scrapes.  Lavender on a cut or scrape quickly takes the pain away and starts to heal the injured skin.  They love it.  Kristyn used peppermint on her nose today; yesterday she got hit on the bridge and it was hurting.  She has discovered that peppermint not only warms but also cools the skin / muscles.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Pregnancy…

I am 13 weeks pregnant.. This pregnancy was a surprize; we were / are emotionally and mentally done.  I didn’t want to have any more pregnancies … anymore babies.  I wanted to move on to the next stage of life.  I wanted to start to enjoy my older children more – teaching, guiding, doing fun “grown up” kid stuff.

 

I have really enjoyed the last two babies, despite the fearfulness that lasted the whole of Matthias’ pregnancy.  This first year and a half of his life has been such a joy.  He and Rayna are such great little people.  (Not saying the older children weren’t / aren’t, but all of us have enjoyed them!)

 

I thought that after 7 weeks (found out I was pregnant around 6 weeks) that I would have gotten control of this feeling.  I figured that I’d be okay with being pregnant by now, but I can’t say that I am, not totally anyway.

 

Would I be devastated if this baby died now, before she is born?  (We don’t know gender, but Rayna is positive it is a girl, maybe even twin girls.)  Of course, I would be extremely upset!  But it doesn’t change the fact that I am not emotionally or mentally prepared for this pregnancy or the coming baby.

 

When this baby arrives, I will love and care for her.  I will raise her, see to her education, and be her mom, just as I am to the other children with whom I have been entrusted.  But I’d really like to feel some (more) excitement about this baby throughout the rest of this pregnancy.  I wouldn’t say I’m stressed about it.  I’ve accepted that this is God’s will, that He has chosen to bless us again.  I think “resigned to the fact” is too strong of a phrase, but at the same time, it is not terribly far from the truth.

 

I know I have a friend or two that will say, “well, give the baby to me.  I will love her.”  But I never could do that!  This is MY baby; I want to keep her!  I trust that I will come around to the idea, and enjoy this pregnancy more as time progresses.  (Maybe when I feel sick less often!)

 

What a bundle of mixed emotions I am!!

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Gall bladder issues… Changes to be made.

 

Remember this post, about my prevented trip to emergency??

 

I had another attack.  Longer, but less intense.  Awful, awful pain.  I thought I was having a heart attack.  Nothing helped this time… except maybe the lavender in my bath water, but the help was very limited this time.

 

The pain started about 2AM.  I’d gone to bed around 11:30 but the children were up and other things kept me awake.  I finally got up at 2AM when my chest started to hurt again.  The pain was more gradual, not almost instantaneous like last time.  The pain was similar to contractions, only very high up and no break in between.  I tried warm beverages; I tried hot wheat bags.  Nothing really eased the pain.  Finally, I just went to bed at my husband’s suggestion, as he was staying up with me.  I hate being alone when I’m in that much pain.  It was probably close to 5AM at this point.

 

I didn’t sleep, not really.  I just laid there, got up once to reheat my wheatie.  And waited for morning.  The little ones were up around 8AM and so I got up and moved to the couch.  I called my midwife then.  When I got to talk to her I said my back hurt (because that’s what I was feeling at the time) and I explained to her what had happened both times.  Right away she said, I bet you had a gall bladder attack.

 

Since speaking with her, I have talked to others – nurses and friends – who have had gall bladder issues and they all say the same.  I have done some research and found foods that cause issues.  My diet needs to change a bit.  It will be good for the whole family!  More veggies, less fat.  Fewer red meats, less dairy.  These are all good changes.  And we are looking forward to the new way of eating.  The first immediate change I’ve made is to start my day with a large glass of warm water and half a lemon.  But now I’m nervous to eat… for fear the something I eat will set it off again!

 

I do not want to have surgery.  I need to keep this under control until the baby is born, at the very least.  My mom has had gall bladder issues as well but has prevented surgery by doing a cleanse a couple of times.  I don’t think cleanses are good for pregnant mommas, so I’m holding off on that and hoping that diet changes will make the difference for the time being.

 

I have a book all about essential oils (Reference Guide for Essential Oils), and one oil listed for gall bladder (and expectant mothers) is geranium.  It’s going on my list to be ordered later this month.

 

I’ll keep you posted on how this progresses.

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Just for Fun! Pregnant and Nursing Edition

 

Facts:

• Jason and I have been married for about 10.5 years equalling 128 months.
• We have 7 biological children, 6 of which have been entrusted to us to raise into adulthood, Lord willing.
• I have nursed all our babies, only recently weaning our youngest.

 

So I got thinking one night, in the shower.  I do most of my thinking in the shower and they are great thoughts but all too often my thoughts stay in the shower, going down the drain with the soap and water.  Oh well.  I digress.  Back to my thoughts.  I wondered how much of my married life I’d been pregnant, nursing or both.  So when I got out of the shower, and dried off and dressed :) I made a chart.

 

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

2001

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

N

N

2002

N

N/P

N/P

N/P

N/P

N/P

N/P

N/P

N/P

N/P

N*2

N*2

2003

N

N

N

N

N

N

N/P

N/P

P

P

P

P

2004

P

P

N/P

P

P

P

2005

P

P

P

P

P

N/P

N

N

N

N

N

N

2006

N

N

N

N

N/P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

2007

N/P

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

2008

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

N

N

2009

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

P

2010

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

N

N

N

N

2011

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

 

So, facts from the chart:

• There are 8 months where I was NEITHER pregnant or nursing, meaning that 120 of those months have been spent pregnant or nursing, or both.
• I have been pregnant for 63 months; 48 of those were non-nursing.
• I have been nursing for 73 months; 55 were non-pregnant.
• There are 15 months where I was BOTH pregnant and nursing.
• There are 2 months when I was nursing 2 children.

I’m sure the next question you (my readers, friends and family) are going to have is:

 

ARE YOU DONE YET?

 

The simple answer:

Only God knows.

 

My feelings on the topic:

• I feel like I’m done. 
• I feel like if I was never pregnant again, I’d be okay with that. 
• I am ready to move onto the next stage of life.
• Should we get pregnant again, we would love and care for and raise that child, just as we are these.
• Disclaimer on my feelings: These feelings are not a result of the recent sickness in our home.  I was feeling these specific feelings before all 6 children got sick.  The sickness only encouraged the thoughts that led to the writing of this post. :)
• Second disclaimer on my feelings: These feelings are subject to change at a moments notice. ROFL! However, I waited to write this post until I felt certain that the feelings were not going away.  In the past my feelings on us having more children have been influenced by my dh, and him feeling done, not on my own initiative.  This time is different. :)

 

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Incredible Experience Today

I use Yahoo Messenger daily.  There are people I talk to on IM more than I talk to my IRL friends.  Today I had a really neat experience.

I have my settings so that others online, who are not on my friends' list can contact me.  I don't get too much spam or strange people contacting me, so it has not been an issue.  Today a person popped up on my screen, asking if I was a doula.  I said that I was not.  And the person apologized for bothering me, but I was intrigued.  So I asked a question or two and I got short answers back.  And she apologized at least once more for intruding on my day.  I kept asking questions.  Strange for me really.

As the conversation progressed, she told me that she was in labor, that the contractions were 3 to 4 minutes apart and that she had called her midwife, but she hadn't arrived yet and would I stay on the computer until she arrived.

I gave a couple of pointers and responded to her comments.  I got her to squat and her water broke.  I had her walk around as she could.  She seemed to feel like pushing, so I told her to do so.  By the time her midwife finally arrived, the baby was crowning.

It was the most incredible experience! I haven't heard back from her (I didn't expect to yet) to know how things went; I hope she will contact me again, once she is settled with her new baby.  It is her first child.  I have been praying for her over the course of the rest of the afternoon and evening.

I never would have thought I would have such an opportunity to help someone that I know nothing about!

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Nine Plus Nine

I have slowly been coming to a realization.  After 7 pregnancies.  Adjusting to a new baby takes a long time.

 

An expectant mother is expecting for approximately 9 months.  Her body goes through many many changes – hormonal, emotional, physical, relational, and more.

 

And then there is the labor and delivery.  More changes.

 

The baby arrives and the family changes.  Mom’s body needs to recover from the pregnancy changes; there are many post-partum issues that can possibly arise as well.

 

I never made a connection until the last couple of pregnancies that on average, in my experience, it takes 9  months to make a baby, and 9 months to adjust to that baby after it arrives.  That’s a year and a half of “upheaval” in the life of a family.  The first four pregnancies I experienced were really a blur.  Kristyn and Cora came very close together with Kristyn being only a year old when Cora arrived.  Cora was just barely 8 months old when Harvey was conceived.  And then the years of grief after his death shadowed Marrissa’s birth. 

 

By the time Wyatt was on the way, I was beginning to realize that I needed to give myself time to rest and recover after the birth of a baby.  I remember hardly moving off the couch for the first week or so, after Wyatt’s birth.  After Rayna, I stayed on the couch a little longer.  After Matthias, I spent most of the first 6 weeks on the couch!  I am better for it, I know.

 

Matthias is now almost 8 months old.  I feel my old self coming back.  I have energy again.  I am keeping up better with the house work.  I can’t wait for spring to go walking again.  I am baking bread and looking forward to gardening with Jason and putting that produce away for our family to use come next winter.

 

Yesterday, I made six loaves of bread, kept the dishes caught up, did 5 or 6 loads of laundry, made meals, bathed children, swept up, sorted and folded clean laundry, took the dog out to do his business.  A lot of this is regular day to day stuff and needs to be done regardless of how tired I am.  Until recently, some of these things went undone for days.

 

I am excited to, one, make the connection, and two, be back to myself again!

 

I guess my message to new and expectant moms is give yourselves a break!  And 18 month break.  Live in the season that is this new baby.  Love on your baby.  Allow the siblings to love on the baby.  If you homeschool, relax.  Your children will learn and there is nothing better than learning to be a family!  There is time for all the other stuff later.

Remembering finding out I was Pregnant . . . Seven Times.

 

How many times have you been pregnant?  For me, it’s been 7 times, so far.  This question from BloggyMoms.com has me thinking about each time.  What lead me to think I was pregnant?  When did I know?  How did I feel about being pregnant?  It is so fun to think back and remember.

 

Jason and I knew we’d never wait to have children, like we were advised during our marriage counselling.  We didn’t actively try for a baby but we did nothing to prevent a pregnancy either.  We got pregnant with Kristyn a few short weeks after our wedding.  I was still in college and was a little nervous and a lot sick and always tired.  We were excited though.

 

Baby #2, Cora, was conceived while we were on vacation in Ontario.  We’d gone there for me to meet my in-laws for the first time.  Kristyn was just barely 3 months old.  I didn’t really believe it.  I was under the understanding that nursing prevented a pregnancy.  Again (always) we were excited.  But thoughts like, “two babies in a year?!?” “two in diapers!”

 

Harvey was the only baby that came in “our timing”.  Of  course everything is God’s timing but we planned this baby.  We were super excited.  We had lots of excitement and couldn’t wait for baby’s arrival.  We were hoping for a boy; his name had been picked out since Kristyn’s pregnancy!  Everyone thought we were crazy.  We would have three babies, aged 3 and under.  Sadly, God took our first son back to heaven shortly after his birth.

 

I watched my cycle so carefully after Harvey’s short life.  We didn’t want to get pregnant very quickly this time.  We felt (and others told us the same) that we needed to have some time and some space to grieve and to get over this death.  God had a different plan.  Way before we were ready, I was pregnant again.  Fear.  Excitement.  Sadness.  Regret.  Why now?  Can we do this again?  What if?  Marrissa was born healthy and arrived safely!

 

Soon I was a mom to 3 girls, and I think everyone kind of thought we would be done.  We’d tried for another boy and got a girl so . . . we must be.  However, we were soon pregnant with baby #5 – Wyatt.  I don;t remember how I felt.  I know there were many of the same feelings as Marrissa’s pregnancy; things would never be the same after a loss.

 

Just after Wyatt’s first birthday I became pregnant with baby #6 – Rayna.  People expected this one; it was time.  Jason knew before I did.  After I took the pregnancy test, he said, “I told you so.”  I have almost always been ready for, hoping for, a new baby by the  time I get pregnant.  This time was no different, even if it was accompanied by the now normal fears.

 

I was really ready to be pregnant again when baby #7 was on his way – Matthias.  This one was strange.  I had two friends who knew I was pregnant before I even had any idea.  The one threatened to go buy me a pregnancy test if I didn’t.  I was . . . you guessed it . . . excited to be pregnant yet again!

 

And, if I get pregnant again, I will be excited and nervous.

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Will you have a cup of tea? Earth Mama Angel Baby, Third Trimester Tea

 

As you well know, if you read my blog at all, we have a baby coming very soon (if it’s not here already by the time this posts; I am writing a number of posts and scheduling them to display through out August and September and this is one of those.)

I have been enjoying a sampling of Earth Mama Angel Baby’s Third Trimester Tea over the last few weeks.  It is so yummy!  I wish I would have discovered the site sooner!  Instead of indulging in as much coffee as I had been I now enjoy a cup of this certified organic tea.  This tea is priced very affordably as well.  (I find organic products to usually be a lot more expensive than “normal” products.  I don’t find this to be true in this case.)

Here’s some info from the website where you can also read the ingredients.

 

100% USDA certified organic Third Trimester Tea was formulated as a tonic for mamas who are heading into the home stretch (pardon the pun)! This delicious blend of vitamin and mineral packed herbs was formulated especially to nurture all those mama parts gearing up for the joyous arrival of your angel baby.

Blended with 100% organic herbs, including red raspberry leaf (an all-around great pregnancy herb), iron-rich stinging nettle, calming chamomile and rosehips (both full of vitamins and bioflavonoids), and calcium filled oat straw, Third Trimester Tea is a brilliant blend of Mother Nature's gifts to mamas-in-waiting.

All Earth Mama Angel Baby teas now come in easy to brew tea bags! And there's even more good news: the tea bags are biodegradable, the tea overwrap is compostable and the 100% recycled and recyclable cartons were produced using wind energy. Steep, sip and enjoy, mama!

 

I have mentioned in the past that i prefer to shop Canadian, support Canadian companies and avoid shipping costs from the United States.  So I was so happy to find a link on the main website that says “Canadian Mamas Click Here!”  This link takes you to another site to order products from a place here in Canada!  Thanks, Earth Mama, Angel Baby for this great feature!

You can find other great pregnancy, birth and baby products at Earth Mama, Angel Baby Organics’ website.

AND NOW . . . . WE HAVE A GIVEAWAY!!!!!!

Earth Mama, Angel Baby is offering a box of any USDA Certified 100% Organic Earth Mama Angel Baby tea to one lucky reader (winner’s choice for which tea suits their particular needs).

Earth Mama Angel Baby is the only complete line of safe, zero toxin, hospital recommended, honestly organic and natural herbal products, and USDA Certified 100% Organic teas, specifically formulated to support women throughout the common discomforts of childbirth, from pregnancy through labor, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, baby care and even the loss of a baby. All of Earth Mama Angel Baby® products are made with only pure, plant based, natural, worry-free ingredients. And of course all Earth Mama Angel Baby products are rated 0 for toxins on the respected Skin Deep database. Safe for Pregnancy, Ideal for the Whole Family. 

TO ENTER:  Tell me (in a comment) what stage of “baby” you (or who you would give the tea to) are at:  pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, postpartum, baby care, or baby loss.  Make sure I can contact you via email.

EXTRA ENTRY: Leave a comment telling me your birth preference – home, hospital, medicated, natural (as just a few suggestions).

OPEN TO: US and Canadian residents.

That’s it!  I hope you have fun entering and that the winner enjoys their tea as much as I have enjoyed mine!

Note: I received a box of this tea in exchange for my honest review.

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

6 Tips to a Healthier Pregnancy – a guest post

 

This is a guest post written by Lauren Dzuris. Lauren runs FindMyCarSeat, a website on car seats  which helps soon to be parents find the perfect car seat for their little one to come.

From the moment we find out we’re pregnant, we’re overwhelmed with emotion. We’re excited to tell our significant other, we’re wondering whether it will be a boy or a girl and we’re already thinking of names and how decorate the nursery.

When we’re pregnant we really need to start looking out for the baby right away. Our diet should change to a healthier one and a few things should be avoided. If you’re looking to have the healthiest pregnancy possible, here are some tips to consider!

OB/GYN: You will want to start this by going to the OB/GYN as soon as you find out that you’re pregnant. They will get you on the right path and answer any questions you may have. They will also tell you want to do and what to avoid during your pregnancy, while monitoring you every so often.

Diet: Make sure you eat a healthy diet. They say you should increase your amount of calories by 300-400 each day. Don’t necessarily eat for two, but instead eat better for the both of you. Your baby relies 100% on you, so make good choices!

Exercise: It is important to keep active and keep your body healthy. The more active you are, the easier your labor will be. So, go for light walks and do daily exercises for about 30 minutes each day to keep your body in shape while it’s changing.

Rest: Be sure to get plenty of rest each day. It is said that we should get 7 hours minimum each day, but for someone that is pregnant, you should get even more. The more rest you get, the better you and your baby will do throughout the day.

Avoid stress: Make sure you avoid any stress. It is hard to avoid it completely, but try to avoid situations that will stress you out. Try to have a happy and healthy pregnancy. If you are stressed out, get plenty of rest, spend time with friends and family and exercise it off!

Vitamins: Be sure to take your prenatal vitamin each day! You don’t want to miss this simply because they give your baby what they really need! These are very important and promote a healthier pregnancy by supplying you with things that are easily missed throughout the day!

There are several ways to increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy. If you consider a few of these tips, talk with your doctor openly and avoid the dangerous substances like alcohol and drugs, you will increase your chances tremendously!

Lauren is a stay at home mom that runs FindMyCarSeat.com in her spare time. She enjoys walks around the neighborhood, being a mother and keeping busy.

The ideas presented in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions and beliefs of Just Our Thoughts.

 

Our Newest Addition - His Birth Story

Matthias James Ilmari

EDD: August 18, 2010
Born: Sunday, August 15, 2010 5:24 am

It was Fair Days and the fire department was an active part of the festivities.  Being 39 weeks pregnant I was unsure that I was going to attend but decided to take the children for a couple of hours.  They rode on some of the rides, ate cotton candy, and dunked Daddy in the fire department’s dunk tank.  I had trouble when I wanted to head home.  The children did not want to leave.  It was just after three when we arrived home.  Due to attitudes and being overtired, I sent everyone to their beds for naps.  I usually sit at my computer for some undisturbed time online to work on my blog or something, but this time I chose to lay down in my bed as well (as I had just prior to taking the kids to the fair).  No one napped, nor did they stay in their beds very long, but attitudes were better so I let them up to watch a bit of television.

By 5:30 pm I was having regular contractions (as regular as they got) that were coming every 8 to 20 minutes.  And seriously, that’s as regular as they got.  I called J, who was still at the Fair, to tell him that labor had started, that he didn’t need to rush home, but that he should find someone else to take on his responsibilities for the next day.

We got supper, baths and bedtime done and told the older girls what was going on, so they were prepared if they needed to be moved to my friend’s home in the middle of the night.  They were a little excited but did very well with staying in bed and going to sleep.  The younger two went to sleep well.  I contacted my friend to give her a heads up and we decided that unless someone woke up and needed attention that we would just keep the children here through the night and not disturb them or her.  I would call her in the morning so she could get them for breakfast and take them to church.  I called my midwife, Cathy, to let her know where things were at so we could make a plan for her trip to me.  She had missed the last two births and we didn’t want her to miss this one too.

Because my contractions were still very irregular (certainly not by the book; they were not getting closer together; they were not really getting more intense) we decided to wait about another hour.  At around 9:30, Cathy decided that she would slowly make her way this direction (a two hour drive) and sleep in her car until she was needed.  If things petered out, she’d just return home in the morning.

Jason ended up falling asleep.  I puttered around on the computer and around the house, cleaning things up and getting a few things set up for when they would be needed later.  My contractions were still 10 to 20 minutes apart.  I did try to sleep from time to time but never got very much.  Eventually I moved some small toy boxes and laundry baskets out of the way so I could start getting the camp-bed out.  (NOTE:  Don’t use an air mattress to deliver a baby on!  It’s too bouncy, does not provide support and is not great for recovery either.)

All of a sudden, around 2:30 am, I needed Jason and Cathy NOW!  The contractions were harder and coming a little more often but not more regular.  We got the bed completely set up and showed Cathy where her supplies were that we had collected.

Jason says that for the whole night I wandered around like a sheep looking for a place to give birth.  I guess I was.  Finally, I was convinced to lay down and rest between contractions.  My contractions became less intense but never quit.  We all began to think that maybe we’d have a while to go yet.

During this time, Rayna (22 months) was awake.  We just had her stay awake in her bed.  From where she was she could see us and interact with us.  Eventually, she just lay down and went back to sleep.

All of a sudden, and I mean all. of. a. sudden, I HAD TO get up.  I JUST HAD TO.  I had not vocalized through very many contractions up to this point.  Simple concentration and such had gotten me through each one to this point.  However, during this next contraction, the house sprang into action.  Jason and Cathy were immediately up and ready to help however I needed.  I don’t know for sure what time it was but I’ve been told it was close to 5:00 am.

I started pushing with that contraction.  At 5:11 am my water broke.  I don’t know how many pushes, but at 5:24 am baby was born.

Now for some thoughts, after the fact.

I remember saying, “I’m not ready for this.  It’s happening too fast.”  I remember snapping at Jason because he wouldn’t quit offering me knee pads.  I remember not wanting to tear; I’ve never torn.  I remember having the urge to push but purposely holding back.  Looking back I realize that doing that caused my midwife some concern.

I was facing Jason who was sitting on a chair pushing, and resting.  Cathy tried to get baby’s heart rate and that really frustrated me because the angle was bad; she couldn't get a heart rate and baby was not coming as quickly as she expected.  She became concerned and had Jason help me flip to my back so that she could maneuver baby out.  From the time she started to take the heart rate I felt I’d lost control of my birth.  I was hurt (emotionally) and slightly offended.

However, I have since had a chance to speak with Cathy about it and feel at peace now.  It was a miscommunication.  With my history of shoulder dystocia and “tight” babies I understand her position.  Having done two births unassisted (only Jason was there to help me), having to trust my body and listen intently to it, I didn’t feel the need to communicate what I was doing (not pushing) or why.

Back to the story:

Immediately after his birth, baby was on my chest.  I checked the gender and immediately relaxed.  Jason and Cathy took over; I was so relieved that it was over, that my baby was here, that I’d done it again.  I had another boy.  I didn’t pass out but I was spent.  I had no desire to move and didn’t care how uncomfortable I was.  Thankfully, they took great care of me; soon baby and I were snuggled in and he was nursing vigorously.

Oh, the other children:

Marrissa was awake first and woke the others.  She said, “I heard a squeaky cry and I was scared.”  Matthias does have a very squeaky cry.  Jason kept the girls downstairs for as long as he could but they we awfully excited and wanted to meet  their new baby brother.  About 6:30 am, I texted my friend and she came to get the five of them so Jason, Matthias and I could rest.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

baby arrived this morning

Matthias James Ilmari
9 lbs 5 oz
21 in
5:25ish AM

Momma and baby are doing well.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Supplies We Have On Hand for Our Homebirth – getting ready

 

J and I have been supported and loved by the same midwife for 6 of our 7 pregnancies. We love her to pieces!
I remember when she first handed me this list during K's pregnancy. I was so overwhelmed. Why would I need all of this stuff, just to deliver a baby and how was I going to pay for it? What is all this stuff anyway??? Well, now the list is not so daunting and I really see the need for some of it, and some of it I don’t know that we have ever used!

I'm gonna post it here and explain what and why each item is suggested or needed.

Supplies For A Home Birth

Things To Purchase

• at least 12 disposable incontinence under pads (22 in by 30 in) - These are the blue plastic-y things they put under you in the hospital, although sometimes the hospital ones are washable. I've had both.  This time around we are actually using “pet pads” as the incontinence pads are getting hard to find.  These pet pads are cheaper too.
• overnight Kotex maxi pads or toddler size disposable diapers for mother for first couple of days postpartum. Do not buy Always brand maxi-pads. - Always brand irritates the skin that is already tender from the birth. She said Kotex was a good brand. I’ve used adult diapers before too.  It’s a good thing you don’t have to wear these for long!
• fresh ginger root - this is for a hot poultice. She uses the crock pot, listed below to warm water and the root together. Then as the head is crowning she applies wash clothes dipped in this and I have never torn!!!
• Gatorade (at least 2 liters) - Gotta keep everyone hydrated!!
• K-Y Jelly (small tube, unopened) - to listen to the heartbeat of the baby as contractions hit and such
• 1 bottle hydrogen peroxide - disinfecting things??? lol
• snacks
• boxes of facial tissue (Kleenex)

Things To Gather

Linens - please note that all linens used for under pads should be light colored.  Wash all of the following and place in a large tote or basket.

• 10 large, old bath towels (light in color)
• 4 old, double or queen bed sheets for under pads, fold each one separately and sew, if possible to measure about 36 in by 36 in – J and I had some of these made up for when K was born; they are great to have around for when kids are sick to keep the bed clothes from getting covered or for night time potty training.  We have used these over and over again.  I really should make up some more.
• 4 hand towels for the midwife
• old wash clothes
• 4 flannel sheets or cotton blankets

These need to be washed in hot water (with bleach, optional) and dried in a very hot dryer or hung outside in the bright sunshine.

Clothing

• clean panties, overnight maxi pads, and nursing nightgown for mother; bra if you wish - or whatever clothes mother will be comfortable in after delivery
• clothing for baby, a diaper, and a receiving blanket or two - just to clothe the baby
• pack a separate bag for mom and babe (3 weeks before your due date) in the event of transfer to hospital

Other Essential Items

• 2 packages of disposable painter’s canvas (for bed and floor) - gotta keep the mess contained!
• 1 flat cake pan (9by13) for the placenta; 2 ice cream buckets with lids - something to put the placenta in for examination; to make sure it's all there.
• crock pot or large soup pot - mentioned above
• large garbage pail with 3-4 bags handy - to help contain the mess
• laundry basket - to help contain the mess
• squeeze bottle - for rinsing bottom after birth, as wiping can be painful

Extras

• pillows with old pillowcases - for comfort during labor
• baby powder or oil for massage
• straws that bend - it's hard to drink from a cup when in labor!!!
• ice chips or popsicles made ahead of time from a favorite juice or herbal tea - I've never done this. Just drank the Gatorade or pop from below.
• flat ginger ale with sugar; snacks and juice
• hot water bottle or heating pad - this is nice to have. I might see if I can get a heating pad from a secondhand store, or just use wheat bags (homemade Magic Bags).
• extension cords. - incase outlets aren't handy.

Making The Bed

First put on the sheets for resting after the birth. Have the top sheet and fresh pillowcases handy but not on the bed. Next, securely cover entire mattress with heavy plastic. Finally, place on the bed an old fitted sheet that could be thrown away if needed. Remove your best blankets, but have other blankets handy for the bed during the birth.

Most of the stuff on the list can be collected from friends and family or the second hand store or some place similar.

 

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

EDDs are a Pain In The Butt!

 

Part of me wishes I lived 50 years ago when they didn’t give EDDs (estimated due dates).  I’m not even past my EDD yet and I’m feeling the pressure to have this baby.  What happens if I go past that date?  I have in the past gone as long as 2 weeks past my EDD.  My kids just need to “bake”a little longer.  I guess I should have just set my mind on September 1 to begin with and told everyone (and MYSELF) that date.  If I’d done that I’d be three weeks away still and then if I go early, I can be excited.

 

I think technology is great and we’ve come a long way in our medical understanding of the body and how everything works.  Sometimes, though, I think we need to just leave well enough alone!  On the other hand, I like knowing that my baby has fingers and toes at 12 weeks gestation.  I love marveling at the wonderful works of my Father in Heaven.

 

Tough to find a balance!

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Some Randomness

Here’s the bag I bought with my birthday money.  I searched Etsy long and hard to find what I wanted.  Now that I have it in my possession, I love it even though it’s not exactly what I wanted (could use a couple more pockets).  It is beautiful and I LOVE it!  It is so well made!

I am so glad that I spent the money on this item and that I was able to support a crafty mom.  She has some beautiful bags.  On my wish list from her site is one of her bigger bags (a hobo bag), which I though was going to be too big, but now I think would serve my purposes greatly!  I want to carry only one bag, not my purse and a diaper bag or two.

Oh, my bag is a combo bag.

 

 

 

Last night the children and I watch Alvin and the Chipmunks for Family Movie Night.  Oh. My. Goodness.  What a funny show!  And the harmonies of those squeaky voices!  I love a cappella music and to hear those little ‘munks sing was hilarious and wonderful!  We laughed so hard and NO ONE fell asleep during the movie.  W was tired enough that he should have.  M is usually asleep by “intermission”.  Let’s just say, I’m really enjoying family Movie Night.

 

 

 

I am really feeling my 34 weeks of pregnancy.  I think that baby has dropped again.  Clothing at my waist is so uncomfortable.  The heat makes it tough for me to sleep and move and operate.  Thankfully, we’re not having terribly hot temperatures!!! 

I am hungry all the time, even though I’m eating well (lots of protein).  My feet are swelling by noon each day now.  And I need to organize my supplies for the birth yet.  Maybe that can be tomorrow’s job.  I was going to go shopping for some loose fitting clothing, but I found a couple of wrap around skirts that I’ve made work and my dh’s boxers. 

(Note: if you “popover” for a visit, I will not necessarily be dressed to entertain, so you’ll have to wait while I change or accept the clothing I’m in.  lol.  We are going for comfort at this point.)

Going to put my feet up now.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Pregnancy "Update"

Re-learning how to take it easy.  I know I overdid it today.  I just can't do much for extras.  It's tough because I feel good, strong, capable.  Until evening.  Then it hits.  The Braxton Hicks (or something) hits hard and it's all I can do to get through bedtime routines to my own bedtime; I'm just so tired.  (Yes, my iron is fine; I'm taking a good vitamin.  It's just the stage of the pregnancy, I'm sure.)

It's not all bad or all tough!  Tonight, I took a break for two hours!  I watched Finding Nemo with my kids and ate popcorn and snuggled with some sleepy little ones.  I loved my time this evening.

I have 10 weeks left, 7 until the midwives can deliver.  (If I go into labor before 37 weeks, then I'll have to transfer care to a doctor.)

And I have to look at the good.  I AM feeling well!  I AM looking well.  I DO have energy.  I just have to watch what I expend it on each day.  I am so blessed that Jason is off work (for the most part) right now.  Praise God that the oil field slows down in the summer (this summer at least) and I have day to day help.

I guess that's all I wanted to say.  Except to add this:  Please pray for us, me specifically.  I'm not prepared for this labor and delivery in a number of different ways - mentally, emotionally, spiritually specifically.  I'm getting there; I'm getting closer.

Tomorrow, I take it easy.



Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Our Homebirths - past and upcoming

Almost right from DAY 1 (meaning from before I knew I was pregnant with baby #1) DH wanted us to have homebirths.  He says that hospitals are for the very sick, not for healthy women giving birth to healthy babies.  I wasn't so sure, so when we first got pregnant with K, we did try a doctor.  A female doctor, because DH didn't want another man around that area of me.  Well, our first visit did not go well.  The doctor treated J like crap!  We did make the second appointment but never went to it.  We immediately started the search for a midwife.

This dear dear lady  has been our midwife now for almost 9 years (with a lapse of about a year when we lived in another province).  She has seen us at our worst; she has laughed with us and cried (sobbed) with us.  We don't want anyone else to attend our births.  If I can't have her, I would rather go it alone.

We got pregnant again very quickly after K; she was only 3 months old.  Our little C was breech though and so we had to transfer care to a hospital and a doctor.  C came into this world via c-section.  Even this very very experienced doctor was not going to risk a double-footling breech vaginal delivery.

Sometime later, I became pregnant with our boy Harvey.  He was a homebirth, with our midwife in attendance.  His labor was very long (for me) and looking back there may have been signs that none of us saw.  Harvey lived for 12 days.  Our midwife and her husband were a great support for us through this very tough time.

We moved a few months after Harvey's death to be closer to my husbands family.  Upon arriving we started searching for a midwifery service that would take us on as I was now pregnant with M.  Our little M was born in hospital with a couple of midwives and a  midwifery student in attendance.  We were treated very well by that group of midwives and would have preferred to deliver at home, but our hospital experience was good.

We moved back to Alberta the following winter when M was about 8 months old.  When I became pregnant with Mr. W we again contacted "our" midwife (cuz she's all ours and no one elses, right?).  She was more than happy to add us back into her practice.  Unfortunately when W decided to finally arrive (a full two weeks "late") he came very quickly and our midwife was not in attendance due to stormy January weather!  She arrived around a half an hour after and checked us all out and got us comfortable.  She was sad to have missed the delivery and I was sad she had too.

It wasn't much more than a year later when I called to ask her to do the prenatal for R's pregnancy.  Baby R also arrived before our midwife could get here as well.  Again, it was winter and the roads were icy.  When I called her to get her on her way, I thought she had a lot of time.  Well, Baby R came quicker than anyone expected and J and I were on our own again.  Our midwife arrived not long after (nor more than 20 min) to help get us settled and checked everyone out.

I have been blessed to be able to have a HUGE say in my birthing experiences.  I have almost always been able to birth at home, which is now my first choice.  I am now 21 weeks pregnant with our 7th baby.  "Our" midwife is once again involved but up until today we were unsure how much she was really going to be able to be involved.

The government health care has taken over the paying of the midwives which is great for low income families and in tough economic times.  However, with this financial help comes some not so helpful regulations.  I feel that many of my decisions in my deliveries are no longer mine.  There are more hoops to jump through and more regulations for us all to follow.  Midwifery in Alberta is changing, and not for the better, in my opinion.  Some look at it as having more options, but living in the "boonies" like I do, actually makes it tougher.  If I want a midwife, I have to go to her (generally) because they do not travel this far from where most of their clients live.  That limits my birthing options to hospital or birthing center, in most cases.

However, I have hope and am continuing to pray that this is not going to be the situation for us.  In speaking with my midwife this afternoon, I was told (but not promised) that there is a possibility of being able to deliver at home.  One of the regulations is that there must be two midwives present at the birth.  While my midwife is willing to travel to me, she was having difficulty finding a second midwife to travel with her.  In expanding her own practice, this may have changed!  I am waiting (impatiently) for the decision of the second midwife as to whether or not she will travel, so I can deliver at home!

Pray with me!

You should have heard  my dh's voice and response when I told him.  He doesn't get excited about much, but he was excited about this!  I am doing the happy dance about this situation.

 I have hope!

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
     Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Menu Planning Monday - February 1st

Well, it's been a while. I am trying to blog at least semi-regularly. Sorry readers. Let's start the week off with a menu. Here, in no particular order, are the meals I plan to serve at our evening meals this week.

• a meal from my freezer
• individual meatloaves (may do two "batches" that same day - one to eat, one to freeze)
• hash brown casserole (crockpot, maybe and one for the freezer)
• spaghetti with sauce (we don't do meat in our spaghetti, but I might do meatballs the same day as I do the meatloaf, since I'll be working with the ground meat anyway)
• creamy lemon chicken / pork (depends on what's on sale - both meat work with the sauce)
• baked bean casserole

I am discovering the benefits of having my freezers full of meals ready to pull out! I am loving it. And the best thing is that I haven't done the meals! A friend of mine had / has some time on her hands and has been making them and delivering them! I have given her some chicken now to help her out and she will be bringing me more this week! I can't wait. Now I am going to continue the trend. When I make a meal I know we like, I'm going to make two and put one in a freezer. This will require a little bit of planning - like having extra containers to bake and freeze in and a few extra ingredients.

The other thing I've been doing has been helping us not to waste as much food. Very often my leftovers go to waste because they rot in the fridge. I bought a bunch (and need to by more) three cup Glad snap lid containers. I have been dividing the leftovers into individual meals and freezing them. They will be great for lunches or for when Mommy really can't do much. I can say, supper is - pick a meal from the freezer tonight. Everyone can have whatever they want from the freezer.

The beginning of the pregnancy has been really hard on me; I've been very tired. I am so thankful for my church family who has stepped up (I would name all those that have helped but there are a lot of them! And they know who they are!!) and has been helping out. The pregnancy and the transition of J going back to work to a job that requires him to be away a lot (often a week at a time) has been rough on us all. We are starting to get into a routine now; well, two routines - one when he's here and one when he's gone.

Anyway, on to other things. I hope you enjoyed the menu ideas and other tips. For more great menu ideas, click on the picture above to go to Laura's blog. Laura hosts Menu Planning Monday on her blog - I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

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Join me tomorrow. . .

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Our Baby Arrived Early!!!

Rayna Adeline Harris
9lbs 4oz 19.5in

EDD: November 1, 2008
DOB: October 27, 2008

For about a week prior to her birth I had been having crampy, practice labor – an hour here and there, so when I woke Sunday, October 26th with contractions about 20 minutes apart I was not concerned. I got everyone dressed and we went to church. Through the service and visiting afterward, my contractions spread out to 40 minutes and petered out to nothing through the afternoon. Around 4:30 PM the contractions started again – about 40 minutes apart. I went shopping for a few grocery items that we needed; Jason kept the kids. When I got back I got stuff put away and made mac and cheese for supper.

While doing baths and bed routine I had the girls help get their overnight bags ready and Jason and I started timing contractions. They were odd. I never quite knew when one started or stopped or when they peaked. They varied in length and intensity and frequency – anywhere from 1.5 minutes to 2.5 minutes and 3.5 and 6 minutes apart. Between 9 and 10 PM, I called our midwife to get her input and to give her an update. She agreed that the contractions seemed more like practice than the real thing. She advised that we get some rest as best as possible and to keep in touch.

So I went and took a shower and got ready for bed. I slept fitfully on the couch while Jason watched TV. On one of my many trips downstairs to the bathroom we got the bed prepared for me to sleep there and then he did his evening routine. It was around 1AM. At about 20 after 1 I had a tough contraction that gave a kick or a pop. During this contraction Jason suggested that we do something more to cover the bedding in case my water broke. Well, when I stood to allow him to do so, I found myself standing in a puddle. I guess that pop had a purpose – to kick this lagging labor in the butt!

I called our midwife but got her voice mail 2 or 3 times and I got a little concerned that maybe she’d been called out to another birth or something. But I called her pager and she called back around 1:45AM. I told her that my water had broke and that she should come this way. She had a two hour drive ahead of her. The contractions were more intense, more regular and longer. Because she missed our last birth due to inclement weather and the speed of which he came into this world, she asked if I figured she’d make it. I thought she’d have lots of time; the contractions weren’t “that strong”. (I remember her telling me with my very first pregnancy, to call her when “it wasn’t fun anymore”. I wasn’t to that point yet!)

Well, Jason moved me back to the couch. Our little guy (22 months) wouldn’t stay asleep and wanted nothing to do with Daddy. So we decided we had better call the sitter to come and get all the kids. (Earlier we had discussed just letting them sleep and having the sitter run interference in the morning.) When she arrived the little man was sleeping on my tummy and I was well focused on each contraction. So while Jason and our friend did well collecting kids and paraphernalia I did have to direct traffic a little (well, I probably didn’t have to, but I did). They were gone by 2:30AM and it was just Jason and I again.

He positioned himself to help me and I remember saying to him, “I think I’ve stalled.” I had no contractions, no urges to push, nothing. I was just resting, and relaxed. And then all of a sudden a switch seemed to flip and I went full force into push mode. I continued to sit on the couch and got frustrated as it felt like I was preventing the baby from coming out – pushing baby into the couch cushion. I moved to the floor, kneeling on a blanket for warmth. Jason applied counter pressure with each push. I loved how we communicated. No anger or frustration. Just direction here and there. And questions like “Is that good?’ “Need more?” I was amazed at how quickly this seemed to go.

I was worried about tearing. I didn’t seem to be stretching fast or far enough to accommodate baby’s size or speed of delivery. Jason got hot ginger cloths to help soften and soothe, and we gently stretched the skin around her large noggin! I even asked Jason to check that it really was a head and not a butt coming first, but now we see that her butt is smaller than her head. I remember a couple of times changing position to slow her descent. Not that I tried to push her back in, but I just needed some relief and time to stretch a little more.

Finally baby’s head was completely born but the shoulders and body did not follow with the next couple of pushes. Baby was going a little blue. I changed positions a couple of times and still no change. I wasn’t worried but knew that we had to do something soon. Jason got active and right up in there to give a gentle tug. He must have missed the catch because there she was beside me. (We were expecting a boy; just a gut feeling and the way I was carrying her in pregnancy.) I scooped her up and started rubbing and patting to get her crying and breathing. It was 3:30AM.

She was beautiful pink all over in just a few seconds. Clear soft skin. And lungs! The girl has lungs!

Jason moved the two of us to the couch and started covering us with blankets. He had the temperature so high in the house that he was sweating like crazy but baby and I were so cold. Then the contractions for the placenta hit. OUCH! But no sight of it. Normal for me is within the first half hour, but being that this whole delivery was abnormal, I shouldn’t have been surprised.

Our midwife called from the road about 20 minutes after baby was born. She asked if I was going to wait for her and I had to apologize saying, “I just couldn’t. She wanted to come out so badly!” She was another 20 minutes away yet. I still hadn’t delivered the placenta when they (she’d stopped to pick up a support /backup midwife) arrived. Our midwife had time to deal with the cord before the next contraction came. (Jason had gone outside and really had no interest in cutting the cord; he considered himself “off duty” once they arrived.) With that contraction the placenta arrived all in one piece; it was very large, almost like another baby! In fact, earlier while we were waiting and the contractions were so “brutal” I questioned whether there was another baby in there but after some poking Jason and I decided that we were parents again to only one more baby, not two.

I am so pleased to say that that I did not pass out this time. Not when they moved me to a more comfortable position, nor when I got up (was helped up) to pee in a bucket. And I haven’t since! My body “got it right” this time. Oh, I’m feeling the pain of sore muscles and such of the pregnancy and delivery, but nothing like after the last speedy entry.

I did not know the baby’s name. When the midwife was doing her paperwork and asked, I just looked at Jason. He named her and I am so pleased with what he chose. I got to choose the spelling though and I love the letter Y so of course that went in!

Rayna, Jason and I spent the day on the couch – in and out of sleep, watching TV, phoning family and friends. The other children came home late in the afternoon. Another friend brought supper and bathed all the kids. Then at bedtime a third woman and our sitter came by with gifts and to put the older ones to bed. We have been so blessed.

Baby Rayna is well looked after and loved. A new baby always shows me the older children’s personalities. K(7) is a little momma – holding and changing diapers, bossing the other children. CJ(6) thinks baby is just a live doll whose clothes need changing regularly. M(3.5) just loves to talk about her baby sister but can never remember her name. W(22mon and only boy) pokes and pats and hugs; he’s feeling the pinch of not being the baby anymore; this “baby sissa” is always in the way, in his spot beside or on mommy.

I’ve never gone into labor early, so that was a pleasant surprise. I was very glad I had done as much prep work as I had – packing bags, collecting supplies and buying things for the newborn. I had activities planned for the next couple of weeks to keep us occupied and have had to change those plans, but that’s okay. We are loving on this baby and taking the time needed to recover and adjust to her being with us now. And we are welcoming guests; we are far from bored!