{this moment}
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
{this moment}
{this moment}
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
{this moment}
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. -Amanda Blake Soule
I don't necessarily plan on doing this every Friday. I know this is probably not attainable for me but when the mood strikes I would like to give it a try.
I don't necessarily plan on doing this every Friday. I know this is probably not attainable for me but when the mood strikes I would like to give it a try.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Theodore's Birth Story
3/31/2011
I woke up in the morning with some bloody show. I was told that usually after this happens the birth will occur within a few days. I went out shopping for some last minute baby supplies I needed before baby came. We went and got a few more diaper covers and a diaper pail. I went to work that night. It was my last night before maternity leave began. Once home I stayed up and waited for Craig to come home at about 11:45 pm.
4/1/11
Craig and I stayed up talking and watched some TV. I commented that I felt a little bit different. I began reading out of a birthing book to know what to look for when labor began.
0130
Craig and I went to bed. I was having some cramping down low. Similar to wear period cramps usually are. I didn't think much of it since it described this in the book, so I thought I was in "pre-labor". I didn't really fall asleep though I tried since I wanted to be rested in case I went into labor the next day. I was up and down to the bathroom. The cramps were becoming more painful but I still didn't think much of it.
0530
I was no longer able to be in bed comfortably so I went in the living room for a little bit and got down on my hands and knees. I went back in the bedroom and was on my hands and knees at the end of the bed. Craig got out of bed at this time. I threw up a couple of times and was feeling fairly nauseous. I decided to hang out in the bathroom mostly.
0810
Craig called my mom and our doula, Raina. My mom works very close so she headed over as soon as she was able. Raina had to drop off the kids she nannies and then was on her way over. At this point Craig had been timing my contractions and they were about 1 minute long and 3-5 minutes apart.
0830
My mom arrives and starts helping me through contractions. I comment, "This isn't even the real thing. It is just pre-labor." My mom replies, "This is the real thing!" Craig begins making phone calls to the midwives and also to our family to let them know I am starting labor.
0900
Raina arrives and begins helping Craig set up the house and our bedroom for labor. I am having contractions while in the bathroom with my mom. My puke bowl by my side since I have been throwing up off and on with contractions. The contractions are not too intense and I still believe I am in pre-labor.
1000
Emily, midwife apprentice arrives to check on me. I am sitting in Gizmoid's room on the rocking chair breathing through contractions. Raina is with me timing contractions based on my breathing patterns. I am able to breath through contractions fairly easily. The contractions pick up in intensity at this point. I even think to myself: I know why women get pain meds. If this is just early labor, I don't know if I can do it!
Raina and Emily try to get me to eat a banana but I have no appetite. I end up throwing up the one bite I do take. They get me drink water and Gatorade instead. I also heard Emily say that I was in active labor but I still did not believe her. I did think I would have the baby within the next day though.
1200
I am back in the bathroom laboring on the toilet. My mom is in the bathroom with me. Craig, Raina, and Emily have been working on getting the birthing tub ready. My contractions got much more intense and I wanted to be in the birthing tub right away. I also had requested my midwives be there and was kind of frustrated that they weren't there yet. At this point I understood that birth was going to happen that day. Most likely sooner than later.
1230
The midwives, Monica and Pamela, arrive. They had to cancel the rest of their appointments for the day. I wanted to get into the birthing tub badly at this point. Monica offered to do a vaginal exam before getting in the tub. If I wanted one later I would have to get out of the tub. I decided to do the vaginal exam because I wanted to know where I was at. I was told not to get discouraged if I wasn't as far along as I thought. I was also told that this doesn't determine how long the rest of my labor will last. Monica performed the vaginal exam and then Pamela asked to check also. They decided I was about 7 cm dilated and 100% effaced. I was told later that I was closer to 8 cm but Pamela was unable to feel behind the baby's head so she was unable to give an accurate measurement. Hearing 7 cm dilated surprised me. Alot.
1300
I am in the tub. The water is kind of cold so the birth team is working on heating up more water on the stove to pour into the pool. I find this a little annoying but am dealing with it. I am on my knees and leaning on the edge of the pool in between contractions and then sit up straighter during contractions. My best friend, Michelle, pours warm water on my back for awhile. Then my mom takes over. I kind of lose track on what is going on around me and who is doing what. I am concentrating on what I am doing. Craig and my mom are sitting at the edge of the pool near my head and talk to me in between contractions. They give me water and gatorade. Craig has some sort of setup so he can put a cold washcloth on my face or neck.
1400
My contractions are now 1-2 minutes long and are occurring every 2-4 min (that is timing from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next one). It is quite intense at this point. The midwives suggested I feel inside. I decided to and I was able to feel the head. Well, actually it was the amniotic sac with the head inside. I am moaning and breathing through my contractions. Inside my head I am counting my breaths to help distract me from the pain. I found it to be the one thing that helps me. This is becoming harder at this point because I am moaning a lot. My mom made the comment, "This mother-song is the most beautiful song that women can sing." Everyone agreed. (This is in my medical records of the birth! I love that!) In between contractions I began talking to the baby. I think this was more of a reassurance to myself that I could do this. I would say things like, "We can do this Gizmoid. Me and you. We can do this. You are doing great, Gizmoid."
1420
I begin bearing down with contractions. I am moaning and I remember thinking that it is time to work to get the baby out. I just knew that it was time. It felt right. It felt like that is what I needed to do. I begin pushing but I am not pushing very hard yet.
1428
I feel a "pop". I let the midwives know and they say it is probably my membranes rupturing (water breaking).
1449
The birth team is able to see the head by placing a mirror in the tub. I never looked into the mirror. I did have my hand down at my vagina supporting my perineum since this is supposed to help prevent tearing. I was able to feel the head myself.
1453
I give one final push and the baby's head is born. I am not sure exactly why, but I almost jump out of the pool. Craig places his hand on my back to keep me in the pool. I think it had to do with the surprise that the head came out. Maybe a reaction to the pain. I caught the baby in my hands. The body was born quickly after that. I think I had to push once more for the baby's body to be born. The umbilical cord was wrapped around the neck so they had to unwrap it. That hurt because my cord was kind of short. I had the baby on my chest for a few minutes while I caught my breath. The baby was crying. I kept kissing the baby's head and saying, "It's okay baby. It's okay baby." Over and over again. Craig said, "It's okay buddy." My mom said, "Do we know if it is a "buddy" yet?" Nope! I didn't want anyone else to find out the sex before Craig and I so Craig encouraged me to look. My response, "I'm too tired."
1456
The midwives have me sit down with my back against the side of the pool. Craig and I get ready to look between baby's legs. Craig is able to see before me and says, "It's a boy." I had to look for myself and say, "We have a boy!?!?" Once I see his little genitalia I begin crying. I was so happy to have a boy. This was the most emotional I was the entire labor. I was hoping for a boy.
Most people think that having a baby at home is crazy. To me it was perfectly natural. Pun intended. I loved being able to get into my own bed afterwards. Nice and comfy. I like having my own food that I liked nearby. I feel that a woman's body is made to have children. That is what our physical attributes are for. I feel that women have been doing it for thousands of years and my body knows what to do. I understood that there were risks involved but I trusted my team to be able to catch things before they went wrong. I understood I might have to go to the hospital. I live minutes away from one so I felt safe. I wanted to trust in my body and let it do what it needed to do. I think this mindset allowed me to have a faster and easier birth. I didn't try to fight what was happening. I understood and excepted that my body was doing things perfectly. I know that a home birth is not for everyone, but I know if I get pregnant again I will be at home. I feel so lucky that I had the exact birth I wanted. I know that lots of women don't. I felt lucky to have a birth team with the same mindset as me and didn't try to rush me or tell me what to do. I wasn't pressured to take pain medication or labor laying on my back. My midwives weren't trying to hurry me up so they could go home. Craig was able to hold him skin to skin. It was just an overall amazing experience.
I woke up in the morning with some bloody show. I was told that usually after this happens the birth will occur within a few days. I went out shopping for some last minute baby supplies I needed before baby came. We went and got a few more diaper covers and a diaper pail. I went to work that night. It was my last night before maternity leave began. Once home I stayed up and waited for Craig to come home at about 11:45 pm.
4/1/11
Craig and I stayed up talking and watched some TV. I commented that I felt a little bit different. I began reading out of a birthing book to know what to look for when labor began.
0130
Craig and I went to bed. I was having some cramping down low. Similar to wear period cramps usually are. I didn't think much of it since it described this in the book, so I thought I was in "pre-labor". I didn't really fall asleep though I tried since I wanted to be rested in case I went into labor the next day. I was up and down to the bathroom. The cramps were becoming more painful but I still didn't think much of it.
0530
I was no longer able to be in bed comfortably so I went in the living room for a little bit and got down on my hands and knees. I went back in the bedroom and was on my hands and knees at the end of the bed. Craig got out of bed at this time. I threw up a couple of times and was feeling fairly nauseous. I decided to hang out in the bathroom mostly.
0810
Craig called my mom and our doula, Raina. My mom works very close so she headed over as soon as she was able. Raina had to drop off the kids she nannies and then was on her way over. At this point Craig had been timing my contractions and they were about 1 minute long and 3-5 minutes apart.
0830
My mom arrives and starts helping me through contractions. I comment, "This isn't even the real thing. It is just pre-labor." My mom replies, "This is the real thing!" Craig begins making phone calls to the midwives and also to our family to let them know I am starting labor.
0900
Raina arrives and begins helping Craig set up the house and our bedroom for labor. I am having contractions while in the bathroom with my mom. My puke bowl by my side since I have been throwing up off and on with contractions. The contractions are not too intense and I still believe I am in pre-labor.
1000
Emily, midwife apprentice arrives to check on me. I am sitting in Gizmoid's room on the rocking chair breathing through contractions. Raina is with me timing contractions based on my breathing patterns. I am able to breath through contractions fairly easily. The contractions pick up in intensity at this point. I even think to myself: I know why women get pain meds. If this is just early labor, I don't know if I can do it!
Raina and Emily try to get me to eat a banana but I have no appetite. I end up throwing up the one bite I do take. They get me drink water and Gatorade instead. I also heard Emily say that I was in active labor but I still did not believe her. I did think I would have the baby within the next day though.
1200
I am back in the bathroom laboring on the toilet. My mom is in the bathroom with me. Craig, Raina, and Emily have been working on getting the birthing tub ready. My contractions got much more intense and I wanted to be in the birthing tub right away. I also had requested my midwives be there and was kind of frustrated that they weren't there yet. At this point I understood that birth was going to happen that day. Most likely sooner than later.
1230
The midwives, Monica and Pamela, arrive. They had to cancel the rest of their appointments for the day. I wanted to get into the birthing tub badly at this point. Monica offered to do a vaginal exam before getting in the tub. If I wanted one later I would have to get out of the tub. I decided to do the vaginal exam because I wanted to know where I was at. I was told not to get discouraged if I wasn't as far along as I thought. I was also told that this doesn't determine how long the rest of my labor will last. Monica performed the vaginal exam and then Pamela asked to check also. They decided I was about 7 cm dilated and 100% effaced. I was told later that I was closer to 8 cm but Pamela was unable to feel behind the baby's head so she was unable to give an accurate measurement. Hearing 7 cm dilated surprised me. Alot.
Monica taking my pulse before I get in the pool. This is also right before I get my vaginal exam.
1300
I am in the tub. The water is kind of cold so the birth team is working on heating up more water on the stove to pour into the pool. I find this a little annoying but am dealing with it. I am on my knees and leaning on the edge of the pool in between contractions and then sit up straighter during contractions. My best friend, Michelle, pours warm water on my back for awhile. Then my mom takes over. I kind of lose track on what is going on around me and who is doing what. I am concentrating on what I am doing. Craig and my mom are sitting at the edge of the pool near my head and talk to me in between contractions. They give me water and gatorade. Craig has some sort of setup so he can put a cold washcloth on my face or neck.
In between contractions. Craig with the puke bowl. My mom pouring warm water on my back. Pamela monitoring me.
Cold clothes to my forehead. Michelle is now helping pour water on my back. Emily is monitoring at the back of the pool.
1400
My contractions are now 1-2 minutes long and are occurring every 2-4 min (that is timing from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next one). It is quite intense at this point. The midwives suggested I feel inside. I decided to and I was able to feel the head. Well, actually it was the amniotic sac with the head inside. I am moaning and breathing through my contractions. Inside my head I am counting my breaths to help distract me from the pain. I found it to be the one thing that helps me. This is becoming harder at this point because I am moaning a lot. My mom made the comment, "This mother-song is the most beautiful song that women can sing." Everyone agreed. (This is in my medical records of the birth! I love that!) In between contractions I began talking to the baby. I think this was more of a reassurance to myself that I could do this. I would say things like, "We can do this Gizmoid. Me and you. We can do this. You are doing great, Gizmoid."
1420
I begin bearing down with contractions. I am moaning and I remember thinking that it is time to work to get the baby out. I just knew that it was time. It felt right. It felt like that is what I needed to do. I begin pushing but I am not pushing very hard yet.
1428
I feel a "pop". I let the midwives know and they say it is probably my membranes rupturing (water breaking).
1449
The birth team is able to see the head by placing a mirror in the tub. I never looked into the mirror. I did have my hand down at my vagina supporting my perineum since this is supposed to help prevent tearing. I was able to feel the head myself.
1453
I give one final push and the baby's head is born. I am not sure exactly why, but I almost jump out of the pool. Craig places his hand on my back to keep me in the pool. I think it had to do with the surprise that the head came out. Maybe a reaction to the pain. I caught the baby in my hands. The body was born quickly after that. I think I had to push once more for the baby's body to be born. The umbilical cord was wrapped around the neck so they had to unwrap it. That hurt because my cord was kind of short. I had the baby on my chest for a few minutes while I caught my breath. The baby was crying. I kept kissing the baby's head and saying, "It's okay baby. It's okay baby." Over and over again. Craig said, "It's okay buddy." My mom said, "Do we know if it is a "buddy" yet?" Nope! I didn't want anyone else to find out the sex before Craig and I so Craig encouraged me to look. My response, "I'm too tired."
1456
The midwives have me sit down with my back against the side of the pool. Craig and I get ready to look between baby's legs. Craig is able to see before me and says, "It's a boy." I had to look for myself and say, "We have a boy!?!?" Once I see his little genitalia I begin crying. I was so happy to have a boy. This was the most emotional I was the entire labor. I was hoping for a boy.
My response when finding out it was a boy!
8 lb. 10 ounces, 20 inches long
Meeting my baby.
Papa time!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
New Edition to the Family!!!
Wow, I can't believe it has been so long since I have written a blog post. Totally my fault. I was so busy finishing up school I put it aside. Then a trip to Europe. Moving. Getting my RN license. Working. Growing a baby. I honestly have been wanting to wait to blog until I could do my graduation blog. But my pictures are on my in-laws computer so I am going to continue on and do that one at a later date.
I feel bad I did absolutely no updates during my pregnancy but oh well. I can't change that. So here goes....
I feel bad I did absolutely no updates during my pregnancy but oh well. I can't change that. So here goes....
1/23/2011 (30 weeks)
2/6/2011 (32 weeks)
2/6/2011 (32 weeks)
Gizmoid the Cheesehead, Superbowl Sunday 2/6/2011 (32 weeks)
2/26/2011 (35 weeks)
3/6/2011 (36 weeks)
3/21/11 (38 weeks)
3/31/11 (40 weeks)(1 day before birth!)
Our birth went wonderful as planned. We were able to have the baby at home as planned. The birth happened in a birthing tub in our bedroom. No pain medication. It was the most wonderful experience I have ever had!
About 1 1/2 hours after birth
In Papa's arms
Raina, our doula and friend
Boy or Girl??? Meet our new son, Theodore!We have been so busy getting to know our little man. Tomorrow he turns 2 months already! I am working on another post with the details of the labor...for those of you interested. I love reading birth stories!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Big News!
Well, I have not been blogging much the last month or so. Mostly for lack of energy. This is to be expected though with my current condition.
The news was pretty unexpected. I have been having some medical problems and we thought it would take us a long time to get pregnant. Nope! My family history of being fertile seems to be strong in me also. We were able to get pregnant the first month we weren't using any protection!
I have not had many side effects yet. I am usually queasy throughout the day and I need to make sure that I eat at regular intervals. I have also been very exhausted. It has been hard to do anything extra that doesn't HAVE to get done. This includes blogging, crafting, and geocaching. I have been wanting to stay on the couch a lot lately. I could probably sleep 15 hours a day or more! I have always liked to sleep but never this much. I have also been having some mood swings or generally have "bitchy" moments really for no reason. I would know I was being irrational but I would still get upset over stupid things. That has been hard for both me and for Craig.
How I found out:
I have been taking medication to give myself a period. I know gross. Before I can take the medication though I have to take a pregnancy test. I can not take the medicine if I am pregnant. I could lose the baby if I did. So it was getting to be time to take the pills. I took a standard pregnancy test and the line was faint...I think I might be pregnant. Of course I had to take another pregnancy test to make sure. I was headed down to an appointment and do some errands in a nearby town. I stopped and got another pregnancy test. This time I picked out a digital test that will say pregnant or not pregnant. Just so I could be 100% sure. I went to my best friend's house and took the test. After about 1 minute, there it was: Pregnant.
I walked out of the bathroom in shock. Of course you could probably tell by the look on my face what the result was. All I could croak out was, "I'm pregnant." So my best friend and her husband were the first people to find out. I called Craig and asked him to come over so I could talk to him since he was in town also. He told me later he could hear the excitement in my voice. He said, "I think I know what you are going to say." He knew I was planning on taking a pregnancy test that morning. "You are pregnant aren't you?", he asked. Yep!
It has been a whirlwind since then. I went to the doctor to have a blood test just to double check. Yep, I am pregnant. We have told our immediate family by this point. I have also waited to tell the blog community and other friends until I have made past some of that scary time.
A lot has happened since I wrote the beginning of this post...we have been looking for midwives and we decided on one. That was stressful and time consuming to find the right person/people since Craig and I are back in school. Busy, busy, busy. This is the practice we decided on: Partera Midwifery. We are planning on having a home birth. I know that is not common practice nowadays but I think it is the best way to give birth.
We have also had an ultrasound:
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I am pregnant!
The news was pretty unexpected. I have been having some medical problems and we thought it would take us a long time to get pregnant. Nope! My family history of being fertile seems to be strong in me also. We were able to get pregnant the first month we weren't using any protection!
I have not had many side effects yet. I am usually queasy throughout the day and I need to make sure that I eat at regular intervals. I have also been very exhausted. It has been hard to do anything extra that doesn't HAVE to get done. This includes blogging, crafting, and geocaching. I have been wanting to stay on the couch a lot lately. I could probably sleep 15 hours a day or more! I have always liked to sleep but never this much. I have also been having some mood swings or generally have "bitchy" moments really for no reason. I would know I was being irrational but I would still get upset over stupid things. That has been hard for both me and for Craig.
How I found out:
I have been taking medication to give myself a period. I know gross. Before I can take the medication though I have to take a pregnancy test. I can not take the medicine if I am pregnant. I could lose the baby if I did. So it was getting to be time to take the pills. I took a standard pregnancy test and the line was faint...I think I might be pregnant. Of course I had to take another pregnancy test to make sure. I was headed down to an appointment and do some errands in a nearby town. I stopped and got another pregnancy test. This time I picked out a digital test that will say pregnant or not pregnant. Just so I could be 100% sure. I went to my best friend's house and took the test. After about 1 minute, there it was: Pregnant.
I walked out of the bathroom in shock. Of course you could probably tell by the look on my face what the result was. All I could croak out was, "I'm pregnant." So my best friend and her husband were the first people to find out. I called Craig and asked him to come over so I could talk to him since he was in town also. He told me later he could hear the excitement in my voice. He said, "I think I know what you are going to say." He knew I was planning on taking a pregnancy test that morning. "You are pregnant aren't you?", he asked. Yep!
It has been a whirlwind since then. I went to the doctor to have a blood test just to double check. Yep, I am pregnant. We have told our immediate family by this point. I have also waited to tell the blog community and other friends until I have made past some of that scary time.
A lot has happened since I wrote the beginning of this post...we have been looking for midwives and we decided on one. That was stressful and time consuming to find the right person/people since Craig and I are back in school. Busy, busy, busy. This is the practice we decided on: Partera Midwifery. We are planning on having a home birth. I know that is not common practice nowadays but I think it is the best way to give birth.
We have also had an ultrasound:
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Profile of Face.
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Front of Face.
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Head at top. Chest and abdomen with spinal column.
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Profile of body. Arm and hand alongside of face.
We have decided not to find out the gender of the baby. We call it, Gizmoid, and no we do not plan on naming the child that! I am feeling back to normal now. I no longer have to eat like a crazy person. I am able to eat like I was prior to becoming pregnant. That is nice. I will try to keep my blog world updated and let me know if you have any questions whatsoever.
Yay for baby Gizmoid!!!!
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