What I Am Wearing For My Waterbirth

I am not extremely modest, yet I am.  I am very open and honest when discussion come up about the body and I don't mind other people touching my tummy.  In many situations I am quite comfortable showing my belly to other ladies and even have had a photo session in the past for belly shots.  Although, I must admit I have them put away for my viewing only.  I don't have issue with belly shots on the wall it is just that when it came time to hang MY belly on the wall I decided I was content with just having them for a keepsake tucked safely away in their envelope. 

But when it comes time to bare all.... really bare all... I have just not been comfortable with the idea of those present seeing it all for extended periods of time.  With a waterbirth that means there are some limitations on what I can wear.  Most ladies I see in birthing videos seem to go completely nude or wear a sports bra and go nude below the boobs.  That is not gonna be modest enough for me and I have been trying to decide what to do about this.  I was wanting something like a swimsuit, but with longer skirting.  I had considered cutting the panties out of a one piece maternity swimsuit that I have, but a couple of weeks ago we were out of town and I used it in an indoor pool and decided I liked it too much to cut it up.  I also considered wearing my prepregancy swimsuit tank top, but in my present condition it does not quite cover even my belly and therefore, would definitely not cover my "below areas". 

This is NOT what I am wearing, but it is a great sample of the type of thing that would work well in my opinion and is similar to the one I purchased.  Mine has no sequins or beads and is a black and white print.  I thought black was a little dismal for the birth.  I would have preferred a pretty color, but I only had two options in the Motherhood store I was shopping at. 

I can actually get some other use out of my dress as well.  I am not one to wear dresses this short, but I am considering wearing mine around the house for comfort in the coming weeks to get some extra use out of it.  I will use it for my water birth.  And after the fact it is very lightweight and I think it will work well for a classy little sleepdress and be nursing friendly due to the stretchiness of the top.  If you are looking at this type of thing for an option I would recommend you choose one that is lightweight and is stretchy Lycra blend.  Cotton t-shirt material would be too stretchy when wet... and too heavy. 

What Do You Need For The Fifth Child?

.... Just the fifth child!

Really, I had a dear friend who has five of her own an one on the way ask me this recently. Of course, there are always things that you want to change or do differently or just get new. For the most part this baby could be born and male or female we would have everything we have to have. That is a great feeling! Nothing to do but prepare a closet space and wash all the things, clean the carseat, bring out the tiny baby things that are stored away.... there is some work to do, but nothing we HAVE to buy. Well, maybe diapers.... ;)

As I sit here unable to sleep since 2:35 this morning I thought I would tell everyone my thoughts on what I MIGHT do different this time and some of the things I have already done:

• First and foremost, I want to simplify. The month before I got pregnant I actually made the decision to get rid of some things that I would not want whether we had more children or not. We got rid of a lot of toys just for the sake of decluttering. I want to continue to do this once a season, I think. I also got rid of the Jumparoo, exersaucer, walker, and baby swing. I do plan to buy a newer baby swing, but plan to find one secondhand. I don't think I really need the clutter of all those big toys, though. They really make me crazy. I could possibly get a simple exersaucer, but I am going to give serious thought to doing without it for the sake of less clutter.
• With my second child I had a vintage changing table and loved it. For some reason I got rid of it. I am thinking about buying a white changing table... secondhand, also. I have a plastic organization center I have had since my first child and I think a changing table would be more useful and much nicer.
• As far as clothing goes I have kept the nicest of the girl things and all of my boy stuff was loaned to my cousin who has them boxed up at her house. Either way, we have most all we will need. I will probably buy new onesies, etc.. And we always like to make some new baby things.
• I might consider using some cloth diapers this time. I am a big SKEPTIC of the simplicity of these, but I am trying to be openminded. One of my friends had some given to her and decided it was to good a blessing not to attempt to use and was surprised to find she likes them. I am thinking I might, too.
• Sometime today I am supposed to be contacted about a hospital grade doppler heart monitor that I am buying secondhand. I have wanted one for a few years after the loss of my third pregnancy at 20 weeks. Heck, with all these kids it would have been a great investment a few kids back. I think it is a $600 doppler and I am paying $250. And I can use it on my friends, also. ;)
• I am taking chewable vitamins for me this round after reading the Duggar's book.
• I MIGHT considering using a My Brestfriend for holding while nursing and walking around.
• I will making or purchasing a Moby Wrap.
• Blankets.... have a TON. Blankets are the number one gift people give and after four kids even getting rid of some of the blankets I still have and overabundance. I will probably make or buy one or two new ones just because. As for all other linens... overabundance, as well.
• Mostly, it will be about closet preparation and washing everything that I have. I am going to wait until probably the sixth month to do the washing, so it will be fresh.
• I will not be using baby shampoo or baby soap. I have long since found mild soaps that I prefer to the toxic baby stuff. I no longer use baby powder due to the health dangers. In exteme need I now use corn starch straight from the condiments aisle of the grocery store. I use the mildest lotions (or Arbonne) or pure coconut oil now for my babies. And yes, it is the same coconut oil I cook with. Diaper rash ointments used to be something I slathered on. Desitin was my first choice, but mostly I use vaseline now. I have read recently of the dangers of petroleum based products, so I am looking for an alternative and I am thinking that pure lanolin like the stuff I use for breastfeeding will be my new "ointment".

Mostly, we just need the baby~~~!!!

Breastfeeding Cover FREEBIE

Before today I had never heard of this company, but it is the same kind of thing as Hooter Hiders...

www.uddercovers.com

They sell the breastfeeding coverups that are so popular now.

Anyway, I saw this local informational post saying that you could get one free, so I went to the website to chek it out. I was skeptical, but to my surprise it is absolutely free. You do have to pay $9.95 for shipping and handling, which is a bit high. Still you can't beat it if this is the kind of thing you would use or give as a gift to an expecting friend.

The original cost of the Udder Covers are $29.95, so if you had to pay that plus shipping you would normally pay $39.90 ! With this savings code you can get it for just $9.95 !

CODE: cranberry2

I have no idea how long this code is good for, so you might want to hurry. Also, all of the color choices say they are on backorder until September 15th, but that is not big deal to get a bargain, right?! Anything good is worth waiting for!

Food Crisis in America !! MUST SEE TV!!

Saturday on PBS there is a show airing called Food, Inc. (listed as P.O.V.) that is a MUST watch show about the food in America and the dangers we do not even realize. The DVD can be ordered on www.pbs.org .

This show aired last night and I DVRed it and it took my breath away. None of it is a real shocker as individual facts, but as a whole it is mind blowing. I was down to one feeding in weaning my baby this week and today when I went to hand her a sippy cup of milk I felt a tremendous burden just giving it to her. Needless to say, she is grateful I watched the show. She has been nursed twice today due to my guilt! LOL!! But in all seriousness, you MUST watch this or order a copy. The price to order is almost $30, so it is pricey. It is worth buying to learn and educate yourself and the generation of kids we are raising up. Maybe you could go in with a friend and order a shared copy if the price is too much. I have mine on my DVR, so for me it was "free" (not counting the fortune Dish runs each month.... ahem!).

Please, please, please... mark your calendars.... set your TiVo or DVR thingys... You NEED to see it!! It could change your life. And make sure you watch the FULL two hours. At first you think there is nothing you can do because the situation seems hopeless, but there is something. It starts with what we buy and demand to have available. Don't buy the garbage... change a little at a time.... change one thing a week... You will want to have your own farm after you watch this thing!!!


Oh yeah!!! ........ And when you are done with that give your mind time to absorb it a little and then, go read this post http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/the-most-nutritious-sweeteners about the sweeteners that area available. In particular, click on the link that takes you to Dr. Mercola's website about HIGH FRUCTROSE CORN SYRUP and the way it is killing us all.

Now, if you have seen the Food, Inc. movie and read the High Fructose Corn Syrup article then, think on this. Not only is the high level of fructose dangereous for our bodies on epidemic proportions, but it is also being made with this genetically altered corn that is mentioned in the movie. So super scarey!!!

Some things I am doing to change already before this movie aired... some of these have been for allergy purposes and other reasons, but they are working and the go along with this:

• I have been using less REFINED sugar. That means drinking more water and less Sweet Tea and Kool-Aid. My husband drinks Dr. Pepper, but I only allow the kids to about once a week.
• I made banana muffins with honey (for the sugar -- reduce by 1/4 cup per cup) and coconut oil (for the butter -- reduce by half of what you would use of butter).
• We have been using some honey on our pancakes rather than syrup. Syrup is mostly made with high fructose corn syrup unless you use a natural syrup like Pure Maple Syrup or Cane Syrup. READ THE LABELS... make sure there is nothing added to it. Try different types of honey to find one you like. I have three honeys here right now. One is local Wildflower Honey and that is great for allergies, but it is bitter to eat straight. You can not taste that bitterness in muffins, though. I have some honey shipped from Arkansas that was purchased on the Wal-Mart store shelf and it is sweet as corn syrup and has that taste. This one is great for everything, but you are not going to get the allergy benefits with this one. I think this one would even taste good as a drink sweetener (tea, etc.). The other honey is just one I had from travelling that has a great flavor (Sourwood Honey) that we use for whatever we want. The point is that all honey taste different, so if you do not like honey (I don't as much) try different ones, because I am gonna tell you that the Wal-Mart one has the most NON-honey taste to me. It is Great Value Clover Honey from Bentonville, Arkansas. I am not telling you to buy that one.... the best for you is the local honey in your area. One other sweetener that is not mentioned on the Heavenly Homemaker site is Stevia, so you might want to consider that. Anyway, more I am doing... instead of using margarine or butter I am using coconut oil some. NOBODY can tell here!!! Olive oil and other natural oils are a great way to change out your butter/shortening/margarine. Try it! You might like the change! You WILL be better off for it ... and save your kid's lives and your lives!
  

What's Keeping You So Busy?

Nursing the sick (Strep)... Being sick... Auction purchasing (furniture for closet organization)... Picking up auction wins (a lot of stuff... craziness!)... Delivering auction items to share :)... Pumping my way through some breastfeeding problems (arrggghhh!)... Wanting to be travelling... Dreaming of unchartered territories and cooler weather (thinking the Great Lakes)... Refereeing fighting , wild children... Pondering, yet not implementing a behavior/chore system ;( (Yes, I know it won't work if not implemented)... Turning 37... Staying up late to make my kids all matchy bandana clothing for MY birthday... Torturing my sick self on my birthday to have fun (for the kids, of course)... Attempting to reorganize our school supplies and books, our school room, and our MASSIVE family closet (and yes, I am thankful it is massive; otherwise it would not accomodate SIX people)... Observing the growing up of a tiny dark-brown eyed girl, a very stout blue eyed boy, a very vivacious light-brown eyed girl, and an overly relaxed hazel eyed girl (always being amazed that four children that so alike can have four different eye colors).

So, that's what's keeping me so busy (not to mention the normal daily duties). What's keeping you all so busy this summer? Comment here or blog about it. I LOVE to hear about it!

Ready For The Weekend & Camping Unit

Well, I had hoped to accomplish great things this week, but early in the week it became obvious that Sahara was not feeling well. Well, let me just say that I think she has not felt well for a few of weeks. It is teeth sprouting time. She only has two, but her upper gums look like all four are going to sprout at once. Her gums are bulging, but it is not swelling. Her teeth are showing their form on her gums and they look big. Anyway, on Tuesday she spit up a couple of times. I know that babies are supposed to spit up, but she is almost 11 months old and she is kind of past the spit up stage. I thought it was odd, but did not ponder it too much. I just thought she was over-nursing due to teething pain and I was also having a bit of problem that seemed like a clogged duct, but could have been some engorgement... not sure still, but I say that to say that if it was engorgement then she could have been getting an abundance of milk, hence the spit up issue. Okay okay, I forgot to mention that she had a running nose for a couple of days at that point. I awoke to a very warm little body next to me on Wednesday morning.... 102.8.... lucky us... Our kids all run high temps. Rarely do we have one with a temp in 99 range. We always seem to have 102 and higher. Savannah, our oldest, was feeling a little croaky, too. We obviously have a virus of some sort, because Caden has had some nasal issues and coughing. Those two have not had fever, though. Thank you Lord!

In spite of all this we have been getting our school stuff done and trying to manage the other household duties. When I have a little one sick it seems that everything stops, though. I want to hold them and cuddle them. If they are fussing I just want to give them what they want... cuddles and love. So, that has been my primary focus this week. I have thrown together meals on a whim and just kind of gone with the flow of the week.

Meanwhile, our little potty trainer, Caden, has been busy whizzing on everything! He is 2 1/2 and he just does not get it. Much to our amazement he is not really interested in potty training. We can take him potty and put his underwear on, then five minutes later.... whiz!! :O On Monday we put fresh sheets on our bed. On Tuesday Sahara was laying on our bed. Savannah, Sierra, and I were laying around her Oooohing and Ahhhhing at our little one. Along comes Caden who climbs up on the bed and stands there and whizzes all in middle of my bed!!! :O What is going on in the mind of a boy!! Oh! And he has starting swaying from side to side when he stands in front of the toilet to whiz. It is like his own little water gun! He is quite impressed with his ability to spray it in different directions... some of which do not make it into the toilet! We are using a lot of bleach at our house. The same day he whizzed my bed he pooped in his underwear! I just can not be changing poop underwear. By this age my girls would only do that if they had diarrhea. I mean, who wants poop in their pants?! And yes, I realize there is too much poop talk on my blog this week. Sorry... really... very, very sorry!!! Okay, so off that subject. I will give you all a break!

Hmmmm... so one of my main purposes of this blog is to share ideas with others and I have not really done that lately on a little kid level. I am trying to tie my kids school work together with a theme, so that arts/crafts time is unified.... science, also. Kind of like Unit Studies, but much more simplistic. If it has a name, please feel free to share that info with me in the comments. Anyway, Savannah's A Beka Math has camping as the final theme for the workbook pages. Everyday we are trying to focus on camping related things to do. So, this is my "share" on camping ideas. Some things we have done in the last few weeks are:

1. Roasted marshmallows on the grill
2. Had hotdogs for lunch
3. Had Fishy Crackers (Ritz with a squirt of Squeeze Cheese with a Goldfish cracker on top
4. Made fishing poles (Find a stick from outside approx. 2' long. Tie a piece of string or yarn to the end. Make a "hook" using foil that you scrunch up and shape like a hook and tie to the string.)
5. Made fish. (Fold paper plate in half. Make a quarter sized whole through both layers for an eye. Decorate with anything.. markers, crayons, tissue paper bits, bingo markers, paints, whatever you like.)
6. We caught our fish (#5) with our pole (#4). I had the kids "fish" over the edge of their desk and I put the fish on the hook through the eye. Ouch!!
7. We made boats out of a regukar white sheet of paper. Folded origami style... then, they colored their boats.
8. We did a Hidden Picture activity in a book where they had to find all the fish.
9. For science we studied mosquitoes.
10. We observed a dragonfly.
11. We found some lapbooking print-outs that we used to "pack" camping supplies. We cut out camping clipart and glued it in a simple (very simple) booklet.
12. We packed a First Aid Kit.... another lapbooking print-out. We cut out a double side medic bag, folded it in half and taped the sides to for a purse-like pouch. We cut out some more clipart for our First Aid supplies.
13. I checked out some library books that were camping themed for us to read.
14. I thought about pitching the tent in the backyard... Does "thinking about it" count as doing it? ;) We might still do that.
15. Suprisingly some of Sierra's workbook pages were camping themed. And some could be like stars and constellations.

I just worked in what I could... nothing real complex. It may appear complex, but we kept it simple. We will be doing camping as our theme through the end of our school year... a couple more weeks. So, if we walk outside and see June bugs they could easily become part of our camping unit and become a Science project. I still might put some mosquito larvae in a jar with a screen over it and let the kids observe it molt into a mosquito. Our study says they "pop" out one day... Weird! There are so many things that go with camping... studying bears, raccoons, birds, butterflies, and other creatures. Smores would be a good snack! Catching fireflies... or worms for fishing. I think tomorrow we may do leaf rubbings. Maybe we will end our unit willl real camping!! We'll see! I am just trying to learn how the two girls schooling can work together... BECAUSE ONE DAY IT IS GOING TO BE FOUR OF THEM. :o ;)

So, What do you do to unifiy your various age kids schooling? Got a tip to share? Got a wonderful curriculum or other book, etc... I would love any suggestions and tips!! Let's share our ideas to become better homeschoolers!!

A Nurturing Father

Tonight Michelle and her crew came over for a short visit. When we are all together we have four little pairs of kids, plus she has two older boys. The only thing is that one of the pairs includes my little boy, Caden. He just plays right along with those girls and has a great time... most of the time. :)

So, tonight they are playing dolls and we hear some squabbling (nothing major), but it turns out that it is over "babies". I can't count all the baby dolls they have for options, but you know how little ones are. The ONE that is being played with is all they can imagine and they all want the ONE. The others are simply out of sight out of mind. No big deal, so I grab another one from the baby doll pile and hand it to Caden and all is well. They all have a baby of their own. Michelle and I continue talking and then she says, "Look he's feeding his baby!" I look at Caden and my sweet little man has his baby's head pressed into his chest! He is breastfeeding his baby!

Nursing gets Silly

I highly encourage you to nurse your babies beyond the first six weeks.... I have made mention of this in a previous post about breastfeeding. The reason I say this is not to just be a pushy breastfeeding advocate. It is simply because if you do not tough it out you are going to miss the "sillies" . They start out just nursing... just innocently getting nourishment from your tired body. Then, one day they start getting plain silly. One day you might notice they are kicking their little legs as if in some rythym... just from the joy of it. Another day they start to get distracted by you and begin to smile as milk runs out of their tiny little mouths and all over their face. Quite often they jerk their head around to observe the happenings in the room and suddenly their ear is filled with milk and you find yourself laughing out loud at the silliness of it all. On a day like today you are distracted in conversation and you realize after a few moments that your little one is nursing and jibbering, "uhm-uhm-uhm... uhm, uhm, uhm" while kicking her legs in that little rythym... you realize she is seven months old and she is the silliest and sweetest seven month old ever (as they all are). You see if you miss this you are gonna wish you had not... and some of the cutest stuff is yet to come!!

Breastfeeding

Ponderings as I sit here feeding my baby... I do not codemn those who don't do it, by the way. It is difficult to put it mildly. I have nursed all four of mine to approximately one year or so. There are many pros and cons, but I will share with you what it all comes back to for me.... GOD. God designed it! What could be more perfect for their little bodies (and ours) than what God designed!?

As I sit here writing this we are struggling with a thrush issue... most painful for both of us.... complicated by Sahara taking antibiotics for an ear infection... antibiotics make thrush worse. Just last week I had a terrible case of mastitis... fever, chills, too weak to walk...horrible stuff! But it is all a labor of love and I believe God expects us to labor even beyond "labor".

Now I watch her sweetness.... done nursing... dreaming, fluttering her eyes, making silly faces.... snuggling with me.... and I believe simply that God designed it!! Only God can design a system this perfect.

In saying that ... I have four blessings and with EVERY ONE I have had not-so-perfect moments. It balances out over the course of a year (or longer). The first six weeks is the hardest part. I will make a point to blog on this issue periodically! Email me a question, if you want!!