tutus, tulle petticoat, and buckle mei tei

This past week projects:

This coming week is to make a couple of diapers with matching tutus for the congo.

Crockpot Meatloaf

Ingredients:
1 lb of ground beef
1 egg, beaten
1 package of crushed saltine crackers
1/2 cup of milk
Ketchup**
salt & pepper
1/2 small onion chopped

Directions:
Beat egg - add crushed crackers.
Add 1/2 cup of milk to moisten all
Add chopped onion
Add ground beef - squish all together with hands
Season to taste
Place in crockpot, shape to fit and flatten.
Pour ketchup on (enough to cover completely).
Crock on low for 4 hrs.

**Instead of Ketchup use BBQ Sauce.

Enchilda Pie

You'll need:

9 inch pie pan

1 lb of ground beef (chicken, turkey, etc)

1 package taco mix

1 can of Enchilda sauce

1 - 16 oz bag of shredded cheese

1 - 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes, drained

4 - 8 inch tortilla flour soft shells

How to cook:

Brown the 1lb of meat, once brown add the taco mix with 2/3 cup of water, let simmer and thicken.

Light grease pie pan; pre-heat oven at 375 degree

1. Place the first tortilla shell in the bottom of pie pan

2. Pour about 1/8 cup of the enchilda sauce on the top of the tortilla shell, spread evenly

3. Place 2 - 3 scoops of the brown meat, spread evenly

4. About 1/2 cup of shredded cheese spread evenly

5, Then 3 - 4 scoops of the diced tomatoes spread evenly

6. Repeat 1 -5, 2 more times

7. Place the tortilla shell, spread the enchilda sauce, and spread another 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.

8. Cook in the oven for 15 mins at 375 degrees

9. Take out of the oven place the remaining amount of diced tomatoes on the top, let cool for 5 mins and serve with sour cream (if desire).

Website for Truths about Homebirths.

An Awesome Website about the truths of Homebirths and Home Birth After Cesarean (HBAC): http://vbacfacts.com/hbac/

I found this website after seeing a local news broadcast stating that Hospital Births are overall safer than Home Births, which is total crap and people should do their research before making judgment about Home Births. Granted our birth of Scott ended up being unassisted birth (meaning no medical professional present), I felt so much more comfortable and confident about being at home delivering him versus having a constant pressure when I delivered WES and MacKenna.

Scott's Birth Story

The day started as a normal day/normal morning. I woke up around 8:15 am, came downstairs, Bill had already got WES & MacKenna, their breakfasts. I checked my emails and posts on different groups that I’m on, then ate breakfast and drank my coffee. Around 10 am, I went downstairs to the basement to work doing diaper laundry and put snaps into diapers. I did that until 11:15 am when we had to get ready to take Bill to work still feeling fine, just mild irregular contractions like I had been having 2 ½ weeks so, I just chalked it up more prodromal labor no big deal. Got back from taking Bill to work, made sandwiches for MacKenna and I, then about 1:30 or so, I was sitting and rocking on the birthing ball because my back was feeling a little achy. About 2:30, I was ready to get WES from school, the contractions were starting to feel more like the ones that I had last Saturday night/Sunday morning but, still figured it was false alarm and they would go away by the time we went pick up WES. We got to WES’ school, went to his classroom and the contractions were still bearable even though, I was feeling a little off by then. We got home/back in the house around 3:10pm and the contractions were getting a little stronger but, I could still breath through them. By 3:25 pm, they are rolling into each other so, I called Bill and said that I was going to call my mom to go and get him because I wasn’t sure if it was a false alarm or not but, I wanted/needed him to come home. I talked to my mom about 3:30 pm and told her that I needed her to go and get Bill from work because the contractions were 3 -5 minutes apart, she asked if I had called my midwives yet and I said no in that I didn’t know if it was another false alarm or not. My mom told me to please call my step mom (Star) so, I wouldn’t be alone with the kids. I called Star and told her that contractions were 3 -5 mins apart and getting harder/closer together and please hurry meanwhile, I had MacKenna sitting on lower back to give me counter pressure while I was on my knees and upper body leaning over the birthing ball. My 2nd younger sister (Kate), her son (Charlie), and Star walked in about 4:20 pm, Star asked if I called the midwives yet, I said no because I had Bill’s phone didn’t know where the notebook was right then. They found the notebook in the bassinet and called, got the voicemail so, they left a message. About 4:30 pm the contractions were so close together that all I could was lay on the birthing ball and have Kate put counter pressure on my lower back. At 4:37 pm, my midwives called back and Kate was kind of panicking because while she was on the phone with her, I said that I was feeling the urge to push but, Brigette (my midwife) said to tell me not to push and was going to call her assistant and that she would call right back. As soon as Kate got off the phone with Brigette, my water broke, and I kind of cried/said, “I think my water just broke and I really feel like I need to push.” Kate helped get my pants off as I’m still leaning on the birthing ball. The next part was kind of a blur because all I really remember is standing just enough to climb in the birthing tub that had about 2 inches of water in since Star was bathroom holding the hose up the faucet since y-connector was in the kitchen and the hose wasn’t reaching. After I was in the tub, I felt the need to push again so, I gave one hard push and I could feel Scott’s head and shoulders were out, I pushed again and the rest of him came into mine & Kate’s hands. I lifted up my left leg as to turn around so, Scott & I were facing each other and I sit down as well as warm Scott up. At 4:48 pm, Brigette called back and Kate told her that Scott was here and what did she need to do now. Brigette walked her through about checking the cord to ensured that it had stopped pulsating, make sure placenta was delivered, and rub my belly to ensure there no hemorrhaging, which everything was fine. Star called my mom and Bill to see where they were and they were getting on NYS Thurway so unfortunately, Bill missed the birth of our 3rd and last baby. At about 5:20 pm, Brigette and Charity (assistant) arrived and started checking Scott and I over to ensure everyone was ok. Around 5:30 pm, Bill and my mom arrived and then 15 minutes later Bill got to cut the cord, which was a first for him. By 7 pm, everything was cleaned up and Scott was nursing like a champ, and I only had a superficial tear on my outer labia. So, the official stats are: Scott Fredrick was born 4:43 pm, weighed 8 lbs 6 oz, 21 ½ inches, and head cir is 14 inches.

35 weeks, we are definitely gettin' there:

Midwife Appointment 4/29

My appointment went well, Scott is positioned posterior, head down, NOT engaged. Scott has extra fluids in there considering I'm measuring 40 weeks but, they said because he isn't engaged that maybe why he is measuring bigger he really is since there is NO other issues to say otherwise. As it stands right now the goal is to get May 17th (37 week mark since the other two were 37 weekers) OBVIOUSLY, the longer the better and we are just taking small steps now because my personal goal would be to get to his actual due date. And no, I didn't have GBS test nor am I going to have it done since the other two pregnancies it was negative.

Plus, there was a photographer student there today and apparently he is doing a documentary on midwifery/homebirths in this area and since this is my 3rd birth both him and my midwives asked if I would like to participate in it. I course of think it is AWESOME because one it gets the word about midwifery/homebirths, two we get the a full photo documention of Scott's labor/birth, and three we are helping a student in further his education/understanding of natural birth.

Maybe the more that we as family move towards natural "crunchy" living/non-mainstream the more it bothers me that people don't educate themselves about topics in general. I will be the first to say that I don't know everything but, I also feel that it is important to educate myself on all sides before forming an opinion. As most people know we are planning to have a natural birth with absolutely no interventions and minimum assistant from our midwives, which what we want. We are informed and have educated ourselves on the risks and feel that hospital setting is more of risky. Another example would be that we cloth diaper and we love it.

Week Lookout -4/5

The lookout for this week is sewing for the kids and I. I have MacKenna's "Big Girl" quilt pinned and ready to sew together, I bought a couple of patterns and about 4 yds of fabric for me to make twirly skirts, and finally a couple receiving blankets for the baby.
I'm hoping to get Autism Awareness fabric some time this week too so, I start work on a project dealing with Autism Awareness Month (which is April).
This is the twirly skirt that I made yesterday:

Midwife Appointment 3/25

So apparently my uterus is 31 weeks even though, according the counter is saying that I'm 29w3d. Scott is currently posterior, head down and heart rate is 130s. According to lab tests, my glucose test said that my glucose was 94 after an hour so, no diabetes (YAY). Plus, (I can't remember the name right now something about metabolizing sugars and the size of the baby) is 4.8, which means that Scott is average size and my body is metabolizing sugars properly. I'm still a little anemic but, much much better than a few weeks ago. I have gained 21 lbs so far and it is pretty much all baby/boobs.
Picture is from Monday:

3/22

One step forward two steps backward. I have decided this is going be my theme song.

I have started selling my diapers and I'm hoping that I will have a little more successful than I have been online. Even though, a part of me wants to continue to sell online but, it seems like I'm always a step behind in presenting my designs.

Midwife Appointment for 3/10

Our midwife appointment was a good one. My uterus is 28w1d instead of my being 27w2d, which is fine, I have a little extra fluid in there (no worries). I had my glucose testing and should find out those results in two weeks because I have to go back for Rhogram shot. His heartbeat was in the 130s and they are figuring that he is 50 - 60% for size (so average size) plus, he was head down during the appointment. My blood pressure was 112/66, which is awesome and I have gained 19 lbs at this moment (and that never has happened before). As of today, we have 88 days until his estimated due date. This pregnancy seems to flying by so quickly, maybe b/c he has been my easiest pregnancy.

What to do?

Move closer to Bill's job and pay less for rent and/or mortgage BUT, lesser programs for WES?
OR
Stay in the area we are in, pay higher rent/mortgage BUT, have great programs for WES?

WES went to school without an issue this morning, which was awesome and hoping that it continues. MacKenna and I went to a friend's house for a playgroup, which was much needed get together. Came home to find Bill on the couch with another migraine unfortunately for him, I wish I could help him with the fact that he keeps getting them lately. At this point, I want to boycott our local Wal-Mart because it sucks in that I was trying to pay with a check b/c I forgot my wallet (which meant no license) meanwhile WES is telling me that he has to potty. He decided to give me a hard time about not having my license or any other form of ID, I know that he was trying to be funny by saying, "so you ran over here with no license or anything" but, when you have a 4yr old telling you that he has to potty stupid comments like that aren't funny. I ended up walking out and told the guy that I didn't appreciate comment and I will be taking my business elsewhere. Finally was able to migraine medicine for Bill and dinner for the kids/I later than I planned but, it all good. Tomorrow, I have my glucose testing and I have to get my rhogram shot.

One Step Closer

We got the birthing tub and the accessories for it today, which means we are one more step closer to being ready for this baby to arrive. The idea that we have 10 weeks as a minimum (if he is like his siblings) left is very strange and just makes me that more motivated to get things prepared for his arrival. Granted, I have a feeling that he isn't coming until after estimated due date anyways.

3/5

Bill has been home for a few days, which has been helpful especially since I have working on custom diaper order and I get to other household chores done. WES is starting to adjust that Bill takes him to pre-school in the morning and I pick him up in the afternoon. We went and finished the baby registry at Babies-R-Us then came home to have homemade pizza. The baby has been rolling and kicking a lot, which is different than how WES and MacKenna were because seems to be very active during the day but, very quiet at night so, only time will tell.

Mom's At Risk

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/moms-risk-10014105

Finally a mainstream media network is bring to light the risks of having a hospital, YAY!

An interesting article about co-sleeping:

http://neuroanthropology.net/2008/12/21/cosleeping-and-biological-imperatives-why-human-babies-do-not-and-should-not-sleep-alone/

Three out of the four loves of my lives.

Our bubba kissing my belly. He said afterwards, "wake up baby it is time to come out and play with us." I have to keep reminding him that baby S still has a few months to grow in mom before he can come over and play.

Discovery Health 3/4

Watching Discovery Health and saddened that as Americans thinking that hospital are safest place to have to a baby when a mom is low risk.

3/4/10

I'm starting this because it another way to keep people updated of what happening in our lives.