happy friday :)

Happy Friday! This story warms my heart: Bulldog Adopts Litter of Orphaned Kittens

a lovely homebirth story

http://celebritybabies.people.com/2012/08/15/josie-maran-blog-homebirth-backyard/

Check out the link above for a beautiful homebirth story. My favorite part is when she tells how she was wearing her necklace that was made for her by the ladies in her life at her shower. A necklace with blessings for her birth. This is my favorite part of a baby shower :)

Here is how I do it:

-Include a little note in the invitation for each lady to bring a bead of her choice along with a story, prayer or blessing about pregnancy, birth or mothering (or you can specify birth wishes only, its up to you)

-At the shower, gather all the ladies together and go around the room to have each lady present her bead with her story/prayer/blessing to the mother-to-be

-Have someone designated to create the necklace as you go

Voila! A beautiful momento for the mother to take home

a new cousin to love

Today I am reminded of how lucky I am to be part of a such a huge, wonderful family. My cousin gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl this morning, they named her Emma. When my grandparents had 8 children, I am sure they had no idea how much love would come from these little creations. Now we have a family full of love that keeps growing each year. I feel so blessed to be one piece of this puzzle of two hearts that were joined together. Congratulations to my cousins, Katie and Len, on their new bundle of love.

Home Birth Debate goes on

“What we're talking about is felt risk rather than actual risk,” explains Barbara Katz-Rothman, professor of sociology at the City University of New York and author of much scholarship on birth, motherhood, and risk. Take our fear of flying. “Most people understand intellectually that on your standard vacation trip or business trip, the ride to and from the airport is more likely to result in your injury or death than the plane ride itself, but you never see anybody applaud when they reach the airport safely in the car.” The flight feels more risky. Similarly, we can look at data showing our risk of infection skyrockets the second we step in a hospital, “but there's something about the sight of all those gloves and masks that makes you feel safe.”

From the article: How to Scare Women by Jennifer Block

"The midwife considers the miracle of childbirth as normal, and leaves it alone unless there's trouble. The obstetrician normally sees childbirth as trouble: if he leaves it alone, it's a miracle." —Sheila Stubbs

"Pain is good...it lets you know your alive"

I am currently taking anatomy and physiology 2 at a local community college and have "fallen into" a couple of conversations with women in my class that somehow turn into talking about childbirth. Of course I always run with it and ask the women as many questions as I can. One of my classmates, Sue, went into detail about her pregnancy and birthing experience with her 1 and only child. She told me some crazy stories: riding motorcycles, going off roading and just living the way she normally would. When she described her birthing experience, she told me she didn't take any drugs. She said she enjoyed being in control of the situation and participating in the labor. When we talked about the pain, she said "Pain is good....it lets you know your alive." Needless to say, I thought she was a pretty cool chick and appreciated her honesty about her birth experience. She said she wouldn't have had it any other way.

birthing tip of the day

Simple advice from a new mom:

GET A DOULA GET A DOULA GET A DOULA

(I didn't ask her to say this)

What really matters after the birth...

"Write off the six weeks after birth. Don't blame yourself for a single thing and expect nothing of yourself. This is what matters: that the baby is fed somehow, held, kept warm, and that you get enough sleep that you don't go crazy, and that you are both healthy. This is what doesn't matter: anything else - not whether the baby is on a schedule, not what either of you wears, not whether that other woman who was due around the same time is doing better than you are, not whether you love the baby yet, etc." -anonymous

Check your ego at the door

Advice from mommy Sam:

1. Get the puj tub! Nothing has saved my back more, haha. It's this fold up tub that conforms to your sink so you don't have to bend over a newborn in a big tub. Love it.

2. Even if it gets really tough, you have to keep in mind that it will always get easier. My first was so hard, but it did get easier.

3.don't take it personally if you have a tough baby. It's not because you're a bad mother! Babies are born with their own, separate personality and some are just grumpy. Has nothing to do with you and all you can do is ride it out!

4. Check your ego at the door and accept as much help as possible. The beginning can be rough and you need your strength.

tip about sleep(less) shock!

"...biggest shock for me was the sleeplessness and early 5 am wake up calls. I knew about the frequent wake ups in the first 3 month but did not know it would last even till now, 18 months old, even with trying cry it out, it does not work. He periodically sleeps 2-3 weeks through the night, but than has weeks of waking up...i think teething. So I wish someone had told me to expect not to have a child who sleeps through the night. Everyone always asks, how does he sleep? Is he sleeping through the night? I have tried everything the books say and he doesn't. I thought it was me or I did something wrong, but now I think it is all temperment . Most people whose kids sleep did nothing to make it happen. So I wish someone would have told me it's okay if they don't sleep though, it's tough, but there is nothing wrong, it's normal, it's okay and you're okay!"

Motherhood.....a new tip

Motherhood is often described as a selfless job which is definitely true. Changing diapers, feeding an infant and many other things of this nature will become your new routine. My wish for you is that as you enter this selfless time in your life, that you remember to set aside time for yourself. It is the best gift you can give yourself, your baby, and your partner. Do not be afraid to ask for help from family, friends and neighbors because having a baby is not meant to be a walk in the park. Take time for yourself every day, even if it is just to take a shower. I know this seems like a simple tip but it is something I so often see new moms forgetting to do. Take care of yourself so that you can take care of your baby.

tip from a new mom

tip from a new mom

I wish that someone had told me how hard the beginning of motherhood would be. That being a mom was not happy and fun in the beginning at all. It is physically painful and emtotionally tiring and you feel sad for a while. It really takes about 3 months before you start to feel good about the entire thing.

Tips for moms to be

Tips for moms to be from a new mommmy

Here are some things I wish someone had told me:

1. Research and meet up with expectant moms/new moms in your neighborhood BEFORE you give birth. That way you will already have people to support you and compare notes with when the baby arrives.

2. Arrange to have someone very close to you (your mom, mother-in-law, or sister, or hired help) provide ROUND THE CLOCK help during as much of the first month as possible. Especially when your husband/partner has to go back to work. It should be someone you won't feel shy about asking to help you with specific tasks, like making you a meal, taking out the garbage, and doing your laundry.

3. If you plan to breastfeed exclusively, you should try to pump a few feedings early on and have your husband, or other helper give the baby some night feedings so you can get a few long stretches of uninterrupted sleep.

4. It may sound silly, but practice opening and closing your stroller and taking the car seat in and out of the car before the baby comes so you are really familiar with these new tools. It was overwhelming and frustrating to wrestle with them and deal with the baby at the same time.

5. Stock your pantry and freezer with healthy food that is easy to make and eat quickly.

Pregnancy & Postpartum Mood Disorders and Depression

Pregnancy & Postpartum Mood Disorders and Depression HELP IS AVAILABLE 24/7 - call 855-422-2255

The Postpartum Resource Center of New York

Postpartum Progress

Postpartum Support International

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)i am never without it (anywhere i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling) i fear no fate (for you are my fate,my sweet i want no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true) and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide) and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart) e.e.cummings