Tuesday, September 15, 2009
A New Project
This is the beginning of my Christmas rag quilt. I started cutting squares yesterday but ran short on fabric, so the finished product will be about 3 rows longer than what you see here. The process of making a rag quilt requires that you leave about a 1" seam allowance around each of the squares, giving it a cute fringed look (like this.) I hear that rag quilts are fairly forgiving, making them good projects for beginning quilters such as myself. I'll post pictures when I am finished.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
A Tribute to Homebirth
About two years ago, while I was pregnant with Kaitlyn, one of my midwives came to me and said she was in the process of writing a book on home birth. As such, she was collecting submissions of women's home birth stories, as well as pictures to accompany them, to include in this book. She asked me if I would submit a story, and this is what I came up with. I have written birth stories for each of my children, but for this particular submission I wanted to focus on the turning point for me between hospital and home births. I hope you enjoy.
From my first time giving birth at age eighteen, I had always held a strong belief in natural labor and childbirth. Birth is a wonderful, empowering event that every woman is capable of experiencing. I would not dream of surrendering this rite of passage to drugs or hospital procedures. Now that I am pregnant with my fourth child, my love for labor and childbirth continues to grow. However, prior to the homebirth of my third child, giving birth outside of a hospital was an unknown realm to me.
While the births of all three of my children have been unique, sacred experiences, I wish to focus on the birth of my third child, Noah, as a way to open the door for women who are considering birthing at home. Noah was born in the water on February 17, 2007 in the comfort of our own bedroom. The first hands to caress his tiny head were mine followed by my husband’s, then my daughter’s. There is something magical about being able to reach down and deliver your own child, and my wish is for every mother to have this opportunity.
In addition to the beauty of the birth itself, laboring in my own home was a comfort unsurpassed by any hospital or birthing center around the world. Aside from the obvious benefits such as not having to deal with hospital staff, infant seats, paperwork, middle-of-the-night visits from nurses and such, being at home enabled my labor to progress in a very comfortable manner. I don’t think I really even realized I was in active labor until I reached the transition phase. Up until that point, I had been listening to relaxing C.D.s, sitting on my birthing ball, visiting with my husband and children, and making phone calls to distant family members. I hope that the smile on my face in these pictures is a telltale sign of the joy and ease I felt bringing Noah into the world!
Finally, there is nothing like having your own bed for your recovery bed. Noah was born at 10:37p.m. and shortly after midnight, the three of us (my husband, myself, and Noah,) were snuggled into bed, the bedroom was clean, laundry was washing, and the midwives were quietly letting themselves out the front door. I will never forget that moment, looking down at Noah while he nursed and my husband as he slept, thinking, “That’s it? I just gave birth two hours ago and now I am left alone with my beautiful, healthy baby boy beside me in my own bed? Wow, that was too easy.” However, maybe ‘natural’ would be a better word to describe the feeling. Yes, after six years and three children, I had finally obtained my ‘natural’ birth.
Words cannot describe the special spirit that permeated our home those first few days after Noah’s birth. I was very protective of my home, a sanctuary for our littlest one. I kept visitors to a minimum, as I did not want any part of the “world” to interrupt these precious first days together. My other two children accepted Noah right away, and the time we spent bonding as a family is very memorable.
Doctors and hospitals have their place, but to every woman who is capable and willing to have her baby at home, I would highly endorse it. I am forever faithful to home birth, and I would never turn back. To any woman who knows what her body can do and is considering home birth, I would say that home birth is birth the way nature intended. It takes childbirth back to its roots. Bringing a child into the world is a sacred experience any way you look at it, but birthing at home enables the child and his or her family to reap all the blessings that come with the miracle of birth.
From my first time giving birth at age eighteen, I had always held a strong belief in natural labor and childbirth. Birth is a wonderful, empowering event that every woman is capable of experiencing. I would not dream of surrendering this rite of passage to drugs or hospital procedures. Now that I am pregnant with my fourth child, my love for labor and childbirth continues to grow. However, prior to the homebirth of my third child, giving birth outside of a hospital was an unknown realm to me.
While the births of all three of my children have been unique, sacred experiences, I wish to focus on the birth of my third child, Noah, as a way to open the door for women who are considering birthing at home. Noah was born in the water on February 17, 2007 in the comfort of our own bedroom. The first hands to caress his tiny head were mine followed by my husband’s, then my daughter’s. There is something magical about being able to reach down and deliver your own child, and my wish is for every mother to have this opportunity.
In addition to the beauty of the birth itself, laboring in my own home was a comfort unsurpassed by any hospital or birthing center around the world. Aside from the obvious benefits such as not having to deal with hospital staff, infant seats, paperwork, middle-of-the-night visits from nurses and such, being at home enabled my labor to progress in a very comfortable manner. I don’t think I really even realized I was in active labor until I reached the transition phase. Up until that point, I had been listening to relaxing C.D.s, sitting on my birthing ball, visiting with my husband and children, and making phone calls to distant family members. I hope that the smile on my face in these pictures is a telltale sign of the joy and ease I felt bringing Noah into the world!
Finally, there is nothing like having your own bed for your recovery bed. Noah was born at 10:37p.m. and shortly after midnight, the three of us (my husband, myself, and Noah,) were snuggled into bed, the bedroom was clean, laundry was washing, and the midwives were quietly letting themselves out the front door. I will never forget that moment, looking down at Noah while he nursed and my husband as he slept, thinking, “That’s it? I just gave birth two hours ago and now I am left alone with my beautiful, healthy baby boy beside me in my own bed? Wow, that was too easy.” However, maybe ‘natural’ would be a better word to describe the feeling. Yes, after six years and three children, I had finally obtained my ‘natural’ birth.
Words cannot describe the special spirit that permeated our home those first few days after Noah’s birth. I was very protective of my home, a sanctuary for our littlest one. I kept visitors to a minimum, as I did not want any part of the “world” to interrupt these precious first days together. My other two children accepted Noah right away, and the time we spent bonding as a family is very memorable.
Doctors and hospitals have their place, but to every woman who is capable and willing to have her baby at home, I would highly endorse it. I am forever faithful to home birth, and I would never turn back. To any woman who knows what her body can do and is considering home birth, I would say that home birth is birth the way nature intended. It takes childbirth back to its roots. Bringing a child into the world is a sacred experience any way you look at it, but birthing at home enables the child and his or her family to reap all the blessings that come with the miracle of birth.
Track Star
Today Ashlee had her first Cross Country meet at Lake Forest Elementary. First off, let me just say I am amazed at what a production these meets are! There were easily two to three hundred kids representing four or so different schools, along with their friends and family. I wasn't quite prepared for the crowd! Ashlee was in with the 9-year-old girls, and was the third group to run. She finished 8th out of 36 girls with a mile time of 8:27! I am so proud of her. They had a cooler full of popsicles waiting for the runners at the finish line, which I thought was a nice reward. She'll get her certificate at practice on Monday. She has three meets to go, with a final competition to be held the first week in October. It was exciting for me to watch her run, and it made me anxious for the day when I can resume training for another 10K. I am glad she inherited some of her mother's blood!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Here We Grow! 15 Weeks.
Today marks the beginning of my 15th week. I absolutely relish in pregnancy, and am grateful to be moving into the second trimester with the growth and returning energy that enable me to enjoy it so much more. The other morning I woke up and was able to feel a definite bulge on my tummy, so I know I'll be starting to pop out pretty soon!
It always fascinates me to track the growth and progress of the baby week by week. At 15 weeks, my baby has already reached the following developmental milestones:
*is 4 inches long and weighs a little over 2 ounces
*has tiny fingers and toes, complete with little nails
*is able to suck, swallow, frown, and grimace
*reacts to outside stimulus
*kicks, squirms, and moves about freely in the womb (although I don't necessarily feel all of it.)
I don't think the excitement of being pregnant ever wears off for me. A new baby is always a miracle, and pregnancy is a time of celebration.
It always fascinates me to track the growth and progress of the baby week by week. At 15 weeks, my baby has already reached the following developmental milestones:
*is 4 inches long and weighs a little over 2 ounces
*has tiny fingers and toes, complete with little nails
*is able to suck, swallow, frown, and grimace
*reacts to outside stimulus
*kicks, squirms, and moves about freely in the womb (although I don't necessarily feel all of it.)
I don't think the excitement of being pregnant ever wears off for me. A new baby is always a miracle, and pregnancy is a time of celebration.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Red Apple Hat from Candy Apple Boutique
I just wanted to share my sister's latest creation in baby hats. Isn't this adorable? It would be perfect for a Fall baby. I very much admire her talent!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
More Projects
I just finished this hat for myself. It is knit from baby alpaca (very soft) on size 10 needles, making it nice and stretchy. The black is very versatile, as well.
Here is a pocket purse I sewed for Ashlee last weekend. It took me all of about 15 minutes. I was originally making it for a friend of hers at school, but Ashlee decided to keep it. I told her that her friend would be none the wiser!
Ashlee's Activity Day project: a fleece tie quilt. She started it at Sister Harris' home this afternoon, and we finished it together this evening.
She'll be sleeping with it tonight.
These projects were super simple, yet very rewarding. I am so happy that Ashlee is getting to the age where we can make things together. She is so good with her hands. Stay tuned for my next feat: knit baby legs and a Christmas rag quilt. I'll keep you posted!
Here is a pocket purse I sewed for Ashlee last weekend. It took me all of about 15 minutes. I was originally making it for a friend of hers at school, but Ashlee decided to keep it. I told her that her friend would be none the wiser!
Ashlee's Activity Day project: a fleece tie quilt. She started it at Sister Harris' home this afternoon, and we finished it together this evening.
She'll be sleeping with it tonight.
These projects were super simple, yet very rewarding. I am so happy that Ashlee is getting to the age where we can make things together. She is so good with her hands. Stay tuned for my next feat: knit baby legs and a Christmas rag quilt. I'll keep you posted!
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