Family time @ Wakulla Springs
Mommy, Hannah, & Mariah
Hannah 'dippin' in
One guess who's not happy?
And why?
Sarah enjoying the flowers
Hannah wanting to dive in!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday Moments
Family time @ Wakulla Springs
One guess who's not happy?
And why?
Sarah enjoying the flowers
Hannah wanting to dive in!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Cloth diaper journey
What was I thinking? Cloth what? Yes, cloth diapers (CDs)! During my pregnancy Leonard & I decided that we would use cloth diapers for baby Maggie to save $$$$ & the environment. I did alot of research online, attended a CD class, and worked with a great local vendor (Jen Starks @ Ecological Babies). My initial stash consisted of several dozen pre-folds with Thirsties Duo covers, 2 bumGenius, a GroBaby starter pack, and one FuzziBunz. Jen suggested that I try out a few different ones so that I can choose which one works best for me & my baby. I am soooo glad that she recommended that. Initially I was sold on the bumGenius and was going to invest in several of those. Nine weeks into using my stash, I have a different opinion.
So, 9wks in & no regrets! Maggie is starting to sleep a little more at night & I'm trying to figure out the best diaper for night time. The jury is still out on my preference for the BEST diaper. Hands down, the pre-fold with cover is the most reliable....no blow outs or leaks yet!
To say the least, this CD journey has not been completely smooth. We've had a couple of bumps in the road. First, Maggie developed a rash at 2wks. The only time I've had to deal with a diaper rash is when Hannah had massive diarrhea when she was about 12mos old. Why did Maggie have one now? So, this was a little discouraging at first. Unlike disposable diapers, common diaper rash ointments/creams cannot be used with CDs because they ruin the diaper. And I did NOT want to have to buy a disposable diaper. I immediately starting using a CD safe ointment called the Magic Stick. However, after a couple of days of using it, the rash appeared worse! I was ready to pull my hair out. I did what I didn't want to do and bought a pack of disposable diapers & Desitin. I continued to change her diaper every 2 hrs around the clock & slather her bottom with Desitin for a few more days with NO improvement. The Ped said it was yeast and prescribed Nyastatin & Triple Butt paste. So, after another week of disposables there was minimal improvement. Then I found a cure in Motherlove's Diaper Rash & Thrush ointment & it was ok to use with CDs! Actually, a friend recommended it & I should have used it from the beginning. It literally worked overnight!
Our second bump was figuring out the best way to wash the CDs. See, we have a front load HE washer that uses cups of water (not gallons) to wash. I knew that breastmilk poop was water soluble & did not have to be removed before washing. Yeah, that's true if you DON'T have a HE washer! I would go to remove the diapers from the washer & ALL of them would be covered in speckles of yellow seedy poop. Now what? I certainly wasn't going to buy another washing machine. The point here was to SAVE $$$! Then I remember one of my baby shower gifts....a bumGenius diaper sprayer. I finally figured out what cycles and how many with what temp to keep our stash "so fresh & so clean clean!"
In short what I have learned thus far:
- U need the RIGHT detergent & the right amount (a very small amt)
- CDs needs to be rinsed thoroughly of ALL detergent (I think this may have been the culprit to our rash)
- Magic Stick is GREAT for preventing rash & treating mild flares
- Motherlove is GREAT for preventing rash & treating aggressive flares
- HE washers don't use enough water to dissolve breastmilk poop
- A fleece liner is amazing at wicking moisture with a pre-fold
So, 9wks in & no regrets! Maggie is starting to sleep a little more at night & I'm trying to figure out the best diaper for night time. The jury is still out on my preference for the BEST diaper. Hands down, the pre-fold with cover is the most reliable....no blow outs or leaks yet!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Maggie's Monday Moments
Napping with Hannah
Big smile for the camera
Dinner with Mommy in
Baby K'tan Carrier
Napping with Sarah
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Why a HomeBirth?
I gave birth to my 3rd child at Home a little over 6wks ago. It was the most amazing experience…one that has changed me forever. With that said many family members, friends & peers question my choice. “Why?” I could simply answer, “why not?” However, I won’t. I want to share my “why.”
So, I choose to give birth to my baby girl at home because……
1. It was BEST for Mariah, me, and our family
(multiple studies have determined that low-risk women who have planned homebirths attended by a Midwife have better maternal & fetal outcomes than delivering in a hospital)
2. I wanted to!!!
3. My Grandmother did it 4 times!
(My Grandmother had 2 hospital births & 4 homebirths. I asked her why did she go to the hospital & she said “cause I didn’t know any better.”)
4. I wanted my girls present & did not want to be separated from them
(they would not have been allowed to spend the night with me in the hospital & Sarah would not have been happy about that! And I was worried that being in a hospital would scare them)
5. It was obviously more convenient for me & Leonard
(no running to the hospital while laboring, no awakening sleeping kids to get to hospital, no need to make arrangements for the kids for our 48hr post partum hospital stay)
6. I wanted to have more control
7. Privacy!
8. I didn’t want to worry about routine hospital policies & procedures
9. I didn’t want to be a L&D nurse having a baby. I wanted to be a woman giving birth to her child
(I found it very difficult to stop being a nurse with my previous births. I wanted to be a “good little” patient for my nurse)
10. I wanted to take back my right to birth how I choose
(I’m NOT saying my previous births were “bad”. It goes back to my control issues)
11. I wanted to sleep in my own bed
(I had the worst backache after my first 2 deliveries and I swear it was due to those uncomfortable hospital beds. I could never get comfortable)
12. I wanted my Baby Girl to sleep with me in our bed
13. I didn’t want to argue with the post partum nurses about co-sleeping and choosing to feed my baby when she wanted to eat
(I don’t wake my babies for feedings. I follow their cues and feed them when they want to eat)
14. I wanted the option to have a water birth
(the hospital has jetted tubs for comfort, but patients are not allowed to deliver in them & the aren’t large enough for my 5’11 frame!)
15. I wanted my girls to know that they too had a choice!
16. I have faith in God & what he created my body to do
17. I believe that birth is natural & doesn’t always require medical intervention
18. I wanted an unmedicated labor/birth
19. I wanted the freedom to do what I wanted when I wanted
20. Why the hell not?
With all that said, I do realize that ALL women should NOT deliver their babies at home. Unfortunately, some pregnancies do cause illness or have complications that medical intervention is necessary for a good outcome. By no means am I knocking my friends & peers who work with me in L&D and Mom-Baby. We are truly privileged to be a part of so many women’s births and have witnessed some amazing women birthing how they choose ("naturally", C-section, VBACs, with IV meds, & epidurals).
We did not make this decision lightly. Leonard & I researched the prospect of a home delivery in great deal before even deciding to have another child. I wanted to be certain of our decision even before needing to make it (again that control stuff). This is a quote I read & it just sums it all up for me. "To women who choose a home birth, it’s a risk worth taking. Birth is a very powerful experience. I felt that being at home allowed that process to unfold in the safest and best way for my body and my baby.”
So, I choose to give birth to my baby girl at home because……
1. It was BEST for Mariah, me, and our family
(multiple studies have determined that low-risk women who have planned homebirths attended by a Midwife have better maternal & fetal outcomes than delivering in a hospital)
2. I wanted to!!!
3. My Grandmother did it 4 times!
(My Grandmother had 2 hospital births & 4 homebirths. I asked her why did she go to the hospital & she said “cause I didn’t know any better.”)
4. I wanted my girls present & did not want to be separated from them
(they would not have been allowed to spend the night with me in the hospital & Sarah would not have been happy about that! And I was worried that being in a hospital would scare them)
5. It was obviously more convenient for me & Leonard
(no running to the hospital while laboring, no awakening sleeping kids to get to hospital, no need to make arrangements for the kids for our 48hr post partum hospital stay)
6. I wanted to have more control
7. Privacy!
8. I didn’t want to worry about routine hospital policies & procedures
9. I didn’t want to be a L&D nurse having a baby. I wanted to be a woman giving birth to her child
(I found it very difficult to stop being a nurse with my previous births. I wanted to be a “good little” patient for my nurse)
10. I wanted to take back my right to birth how I choose
(I’m NOT saying my previous births were “bad”. It goes back to my control issues)
11. I wanted to sleep in my own bed
(I had the worst backache after my first 2 deliveries and I swear it was due to those uncomfortable hospital beds. I could never get comfortable)
12. I wanted my Baby Girl to sleep with me in our bed
13. I didn’t want to argue with the post partum nurses about co-sleeping and choosing to feed my baby when she wanted to eat
(I don’t wake my babies for feedings. I follow their cues and feed them when they want to eat)
14. I wanted the option to have a water birth
(the hospital has jetted tubs for comfort, but patients are not allowed to deliver in them & the aren’t large enough for my 5’11 frame!)
15. I wanted my girls to know that they too had a choice!
16. I have faith in God & what he created my body to do
17. I believe that birth is natural & doesn’t always require medical intervention
18. I wanted an unmedicated labor/birth
19. I wanted the freedom to do what I wanted when I wanted
20. Why the hell not?
With all that said, I do realize that ALL women should NOT deliver their babies at home. Unfortunately, some pregnancies do cause illness or have complications that medical intervention is necessary for a good outcome. By no means am I knocking my friends & peers who work with me in L&D and Mom-Baby. We are truly privileged to be a part of so many women’s births and have witnessed some amazing women birthing how they choose ("naturally", C-section, VBACs, with IV meds, & epidurals).
We did not make this decision lightly. Leonard & I researched the prospect of a home delivery in great deal before even deciding to have another child. I wanted to be certain of our decision even before needing to make it (again that control stuff). This is a quote I read & it just sums it all up for me. "To women who choose a home birth, it’s a risk worth taking. Birth is a very powerful experience. I felt that being at home allowed that process to unfold in the safest and best way for my body and my baby.”
Friday, February 19, 2010
Dr. Seuss for Nursing Moms
I saw this on midwife's Facebook page this morning & fell in love with it. Thought I would share it . I do not know who wrote this but it is cute.....
Dr. Seuss for Nursing Moms
Would you nurse her in the park?
Would you nurse him in the dark?
Would you nurse him with a Boppy?
And when your boobs are feeling floppy?
I would nurse him in the park,
I would nurse her in the dark.
I’d nurse with or without a Boppy.
Floppy boobs will never stop me.
Can you nurse with your seat belt on?
Can you nurse from dusk till dawn?
Though she may pinch me, bite me, pull,
I will nurse her `till she’s full!
Can you nurse and make some soup?
Can you nurse and feed the group?
It makes her healthy strong and smart,
Mommy’s milk is the best start!
Would you nurse him at the game?
Would you nurse her in the rain?
In front of those who dare complain?
I would nurse him at the game.
I would nurse her in the rain.
As for those who protest lactation,
I have the perfect explanation.
Mommy’s milk is tailor made
It’s the perfect food, you need no aid.
Some may scoff and some may wriggle,
Avert their eyes or even giggle.
To those who can be cruel and rude,
Remind them breast’s the perfect food!
I would never scoff or giggle,
Roll my eyes or even wiggle!
I would not be so crass or crude,
I KNOW that this milk’s the perfect food!
We make the amount we need
The perfect temp for every feed.
There’s no compare to milk from breast-
The perfect food, above the rest.
Those sweet nursing smiles are oh so sweet,
Mommy’s milk is such a treat.
Human milk just can’t be beat.
I will nurse, in any case,
On the street or in your face.
I will not let my baby cry,
I’ll meet her needs, I’ll always try.
It’s not about what’s good for you,
It’s best for babies, through and through.
I will nurse her in my home,
I will nurse her when I roam.
Leave me be lads and ma’am.
I will nurse her, Mom I am.
Would you nurse her in the park?
Would you nurse him in the dark?
Would you nurse him with a Boppy?
And when your boobs are feeling floppy?
I would nurse him in the park,
I would nurse her in the dark.
I’d nurse with or without a Boppy.
Floppy boobs will never stop me.
Can you nurse with your seat belt on?
Can you nurse from dusk till dawn?
Though she may pinch me, bite me, pull,
I will nurse her `till she’s full!
Can you nurse and make some soup?
Can you nurse and feed the group?
It makes her healthy strong and smart,
Mommy’s milk is the best start!
Would you nurse him at the game?
Would you nurse her in the rain?
In front of those who dare complain?
I would nurse him at the game.
I would nurse her in the rain.
As for those who protest lactation,
I have the perfect explanation.
Mommy’s milk is tailor made
It’s the perfect food, you need no aid.
Some may scoff and some may wriggle,
Avert their eyes or even giggle.
To those who can be cruel and rude,
Remind them breast’s the perfect food!
I would never scoff or giggle,
Roll my eyes or even wiggle!
I would not be so crass or crude,
I KNOW that this milk’s the perfect food!
We make the amount we need
The perfect temp for every feed.
There’s no compare to milk from breast-
The perfect food, above the rest.
Those sweet nursing smiles are oh so sweet,
Mommy’s milk is such a treat.
Human milk just can’t be beat.
I will nurse, in any case,
On the street or in your face.
I will not let my baby cry,
I’ll meet her needs, I’ll always try.
It’s not about what’s good for you,
It’s best for babies, through and through.
I will nurse her in my home,
I will nurse her when I roam.
Leave me be lads and ma’am.
I will nurse her, Mom I am.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Banana is 9yrs old!
Hannah Banana turned 9yrs old yesterday! I cannot believe how fast these past 9yrs have gone by. When I hold Mariah & look into her little face, I can't help but to remember when Banana was that small. Her & Mariah are similar in some ways already...they both LOVE to nurse!
So, last night we enjoyed a "buffet" of Chinese, cake, & ice cream with the McCoy family at home. Hannah just could not decide on a restaurant. So, take out it was! She was blessed with some great gifts. Seems the Webkinz was the winner this year...she got three of them! She has really gotten into stuffed animals that become virtual pets on-line.
This past year has been quite full for Ms Hannah. She is still attending Imagine (a charter public school), but has already decided to stay home again next Fall! Dance continues to be her favorite after-school activity...Ballet II & Jazz II this year. She joined the school's chorus in the Fall and is still enjoying it. I'm looking forward to their Spring concert. Hopefully before the season is over, I can take her to a FSU women's basketball game. Want her to experience something new & perhaps she may want to play ;) She is already 5ft tall & growing!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Parenting with support....For My Leonard
February 2010: Love and partners: How has a co-parent supported your dedication to natural parenting — or not?
Leonard, I love you!
Support: to sustain (a person, the mind, spirits, courage, etc.) under trial or affliction
To say the least, Leonard has ALWAYS supported me.
He actually was the one who suggested an out-of-hospital birth, no vaccines, co-sleeping, breastfeeding, and cloth diapers with our first daughter, nine years ago. Unfortunately, at the time I was a little more skeptical. Why? 1. My friends weren't doing those things...I didn't want to seem "crazy." 2. I had allowed my nursing training to persuade my decisions. 3. It's just not what my Momma & sisters did either. So, my first two girls were born in a hospital attended by great CNMs. We did co-sleep & my 9 y/o just recently ventured to her own bed. And of course I breastfed my girls. Both self weaned...Hannah at 13mos & Sarah at 16mos.
So, what was different this time around? I embraced what I wanted to do & what I knew was the BEST for me, my baby, & my family. Not only did Leonard continue to support me, but I also had the support of a few good friends....and that made a big difference for me. I wasn't so "crazy" after all.
With all that said...Leonard, I thank you for:
He actually was the one who suggested an out-of-hospital birth, no vaccines, co-sleeping, breastfeeding, and cloth diapers with our first daughter, nine years ago. Unfortunately, at the time I was a little more skeptical. Why? 1. My friends weren't doing those things...I didn't want to seem "crazy." 2. I had allowed my nursing training to persuade my decisions. 3. It's just not what my Momma & sisters did either. So, my first two girls were born in a hospital attended by great CNMs. We did co-sleep & my 9 y/o just recently ventured to her own bed. And of course I breastfed my girls. Both self weaned...Hannah at 13mos & Sarah at 16mos.
So, what was different this time around? I embraced what I wanted to do & what I knew was the BEST for me, my baby, & my family. Not only did Leonard continue to support me, but I also had the support of a few good friends....and that made a big difference for me. I wasn't so "crazy" after all.
With all that said...Leonard, I thank you for:
- Always supporting me & respecting my dreams
- Encouraging me to follow my instincts
- Reading all those Bradley & Hypnobirthing books
- Listening to birthing affirmations with me & allowing me to enjoy my "Peace Sanctuary"
- Attending prenatal appointments with me & participating
- Preparing our home for the birth of our Baby Girl
- Setting up my birth pool & making sure the water was warm enough! ;)
- Attending a cloth diapering class with me
- Allowing Layla to teach you how to use a Maya Sling & letting me take your pic! ;)
- Telling me how strong I was & how much you believed in me
- Loving our girls & family
- Giving up your weekends so that I can be home with our girls all week
- Sharing your knowledge with me & the girls daily
- Accepting my pregnancy & postpartum hormonal roller coasters
- Standing by my side through it all
Leonard, I love you!
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