Had to share.....

Thank you to Sisters N Cloth for sharing...

Hilarious <3

Props to all my fellow crunchy moms!!

Here are the rest of the photos I had hoped to share yesterday :P Hope you all had a great 4th! <3

sissy and daddy!

Spiderman and A got to check out the horse barns compliments of auntie Ali!! <3

spiderman turned 5!!! wowwwww....

sandbox fun! (altho I think it's time for a bigger sandbox- hahaha)

NEW season of soccer begins!! woot woot

Share YOUR favorite summer event/memory so far!! <3

PHOTO Fun Update and Attached Family

Hey mamas!

Sick of reading all the hype after the Are You Mom Enough? article? Check out the latest edition of Attached Family instead. FREE for download, compliments of Attachment Parenting International (API) .

Our summer has been eventful thus far! Here's a glimpse into our life ;)

Spiderman and baby A playing in the water table- Spiderman's side looks awfully muddy! LOL 

beach bound!

Spiderman and Baby A runnin free on a not-so-hot day here in Maine! haha!

a long ride is OK when shared with those you LOVE! Sissy and Spiderman chattin it up!

lovin on daddy!

checking out frogs in the pond!

 Sigghhh, I have more... but blogger is having some technical difficulties. I'll post the rest in the am. Hope you all had a great fourth of July and got to spend some much needed quality time with your family! I know I did- and it was so nice to have hubby, sissy, and all the little people home at the same time to snuggle! <3 ahhhh...

No, I am not a perfect parent.... and neither are you.

Parenting is about mistakes. There are some that don't like to admit that.... but those individuals are not being honest with themselves or their kids.

Kids need to know it's ok to make mistakes. They need to know how to handle mistakes. They need to SEE in order to EMULATE how to handle everyday struggles with balance and patience and yes, mistakes.

The theory is that the "better" parents, LEARN from their mistakes, and thus their children and they themselves grow as a result.

Our family has "rules" that all the members (children AND adults) must follow. But our rules do NOT include:

you MUST share
you MUST say please and thank you
you MUST clean your plate
you MUST eat your vegetables
etc

Instead, our "rules" include:

-you MUST speak to each other with respect
-you SHOULD share, knowing that there will be a time when you want to use the others toys as well
-since we treat others with respect, we emulate saying please and thank you and the children generally follow, but we are not creating robots, we are raising children
-eat until your full
-we offer healthy choices and so whatever you eat is fine.

we also have more "regular" rules, like:

no running in the living room
toys stay in the playroom
clean up after yourself
no playing on the stairs

etc.

But we encourage play, we encourage independence, we encourage love, we encourage hugging and snuggling, and we encourage respect.

We also encourage mistakes. Try it for yourself.... tell us why it did/ didn't work...what do you think could help make it work better next time... etc. We encourage discussion and compromise.

baby A, 2012 :)

A child that is independent and can negotiate, does NOT mean they come from a permissive home, or are a result of a "hands-off" parent. It means their parents have RAISED them to be an individual member of society, and not a robot that needs their handler to push the appropriate response button.

Just a thought....

Baby B Birth Story- Totally ROCKED the VBA2C!

Many of you have read Spiderman's birth story and my second, baby A, was also a C section since she was breech. I had thought about a VBAC, but when we found out she was breech (and had remained that way for weeks on end) it seemed more unnatural to try and move her than it did to just have the C section. 

Baby B, on the other hand, was ready and in position since week 25. This time around, pregnancy was rather uneventful. We dealt again with gestational diabetes, and had the unfortunate experience of having to take insulin unlike my previous GD pregnancies. 

Nonetheless, all was calm and pretty low key until Memorial Day weekend. I began having more regular contractions on Saturday and after calling the Doctor on call, went to the hospital to be monitored. Hubby rushed home from work, mom came up to watch the kids, and we packed the car and headed off! 3 days and 3 cm later... we were discharged... withOUT a baby: prodromal labor. Totally lame. 

I was so deflated. And exhausted. And annoyed. 

The next day, I was sure my water had broke. (Probably wishful thinking). Back to the doctor. Nope. Wrong again. Dammit. 

I really wanted to try for a VBAC this time in hopes that my recovery/postpartum would be "easier", but I was now at the point where I just wanted this baby OUT. "You're only 37 weeks", they would say. ONLY 37 weeks?! Have you EVER been pregnant?! Grrr.... 

Having gestational diabetes, they didn't want me going past 39 weeks so the baby wouldn't end up too big- so a C section was scheduled for June 5th. I still was holding hope that she would come on her own before that. 

So a few exhausting days after having been sent home, the contractions came back. They lasted throughout the night, and by the morning were coming about every 7 minutes. However, they were so much less intense, that I sent hubby to work... convinced nothing was going to come of them. They continued throughout the morning, but still refused to increase in intensity. I finally sucked it up and called the doctor's office when some of them were as close as 3 minutes, but they weren't consistent. They suggested I head to the hospital anyway to be monitored. My mom came to bring me, and I told hubby to stay at work since I would probably end up being sent home.

We got there and they checked my cervix, I had gone from 3 cm a few days before.... back to 2 cm. Grrrr.. They would watch me for 2 hours and check me again to determine if I should stay or go back home. Two hours later, I was at 4 cm. They were going to watch me for one more hour. In that hour, suddenly the contractions became far more intense. I can't say they were any more consistent or closer together, but certainly more intense. I wanted to get to a labor and delivery room and out of triage SO badly now. LD rooms had the ball, and the tub- either of which HAD to be more comfortable than lying on my back on a hard bed! 

I tried standing and rocking, which helped... but in triage you're stuck in a hospital johnny in a small room- so there was little room and an even smaller sense of decency. Finally, we were officially admitted and moved to L&D. At this point, the contractions are closer together and uncomfortable enough that I have stopped timing them and am relying on the monitors. I alternate from standing and rocking or bouncing, to sitting on the ball and leaning forward. I am now far more comfortable in my own tank top and underwear versus a hospital johnny, and am anxiously awaiting the tub to be filled. 

I spend as much time as I can while they fill the tub standing and rocking. This baby is coming OUT dammit! As the contractions progress, I move from the tub to the ball and back. I focus on my breathing and listen to my husband as he utters words of encouragement. Finally a birth journey we feel we can experience together. 

mama and daddy several hours after the C section birth of baby A

As I plow through multiple popsicles and several glasses of ice water, I remain as calm and focused as possible during each contraction. Nothing fancy; no hypnosis, no aromatherapy- just breathing and trying to stay in the mindset that despite the fact that my body has been pregnant four times, and delivered two babies only via C section, that it knows what to do! 

Then it happens.... I lose it. I'm in the tub, and I feel a contraction so tight, that it literally wrenches my entire torso! I can't breathe through it. I then feel a searing, burning sensation across my lower abdomen- is it my incision(s)?? As I lay in what was a moment ago a warm and comforting tub- it is now too hot. The cold washcloth on my face now just feels clammy across my eyes. I ask my husband, through gritted teeth, if it appears as though I'm hemorrhaging... I'm convinced my incision has ripped open and I am hemorrhaging and dying.... 

I am not. I am in transition.

But I am convinced I am dying. I can't get my focus back. The tub suddenly feels to hot... menacing... and I am too uncomfortable to get out. Each contraction is coming faster, and literally feels as though someone is taking my torso and wringing it like a wet towel. I have already had an injection of fentanyl- which has done nothing. I was hoping to avoid the epidural, not because I cared to be a martyr, but only because I didn't want to be hooked up to bunch of stuff and stuck in the bed. I know I need to be standing and moving to get this baby out.

At that moment though, I was passed the point of no return. I couldn't re focus. I needed an epidural. 

I was so exhausted. So hot. So weak. My loving husband held me up as I stood and rocked against him while we awaited anesthesia. I still had the piece of mind to remain standing. Now that I've gotten this far, I want this baby OUT ;) 

My cervix is checked once the epidural is in place and I am 9cm. 9cm! I made it almost the WHOLE way by myself!!! But now, am I glad I chose the epidural. I can re focus. I re hydrate and re position as the doctor suddenly contemplates an emergency C section because of a dip in the baby's heart rate- but after some repositioning,  the baby seems much happier. 

There are a few more moments of uncertainty as they place a foley catheter just in case we need to go for the section, and a barrage of nurses prep for both methods of delivery around me. I can still feel the pressure of the contractions, for which I am thankful so I can continue to breathe and still feel in control of at least part of the process. Within a few minutes, I am at 10 cm. It's GO time! 

The doctor explains how pushing works (remember, I've never actually vaginally delivered a baby!), and that with the baby's heart rate dropping with the contractions, I need to make each push count and get this baby out. If there appears to be any more issues, we will head to the OR. 

In my mind I am open to both. I have learned that birth plans are not meant to be carved in stone, but I've made it this far- I am GOING to push this baby out. I can still feel the pressure of the contractions, so I know when to push. After 3 or 4 contractions and 9- 12 pushes later, my doctor preps for a vacuum assist. My husband looks me right in the eye and says, "you have 3 more pushes. Get this baby out or you will regret it".  (What I don't know, is that he can see the table of instruments near the doctor which contains the tools necessary for the vacuum and an episiotomy.)

3 pushes later, baby B has arrived! 

Crying, healthy, and placed directly on my chest. I can see her immediately without needing her held over a curtain. She wriggles on my chest as they suction her and rub her down. 

6 lb 8 oz. 18 and 1/2 inches. 

born at 12:04 am on June 1st. Apparently she did NOT want a May birthday ;) 

VBA2C done. Check ;) 

SOAPBox Moment: Scaring Pregnant Women is NOT ok for Mom OR Baby

We've all heard the warnings:

Don't eat tuna

Watch your peanut butter intake- you know, in case your baby is allergic...

NO sushi for you!

A glass of wine? Guffaw, your child will clearly be born with fetal alcohol syndrome

Don't lift anything over 30 lbs. 

Etc. 

Really?! What did women for the past x-hundred years do?! It just enrages me when pregnant women are made to feel "scared" of everything from mayonnaise to getting fat to touching cat poop and lifting their other kids. 

I am certainly not claiming to be a doctor, but my opinions are based on my own multiple pregnancies, and the backing of my own doctor. Now granted, I also have a history of not enjoying following rules LOL, but I do all of the above. 

I eat tuna (just NOT everyday) 

I eat PB everyday. Multiple times a day. NEITHER of my kids are allergic to nuts. 

I eat sushi (fresh, wonderful sushi. and NOT everyday)

I do occasionally enjoy a glass of organic red wine.

I lift both my other kids daily. I have to. My oldest is now about 46 lbs. I also lift groceries, laundry, and dog food. That's just the way life goes. 

Life as a mom, or preparing for motherhood, requires particular attention to many daily activities we used to take for granted. It's harder to fit your other kids on your lap, you can barely (if at all) reach your legs to shave, everything hurts, it's hard to bend, you can't vacuum or take out the trash without becoming winded, all while most of the time feeling nauseous or puking. 

At the same time, all of your regular responsibilities are still required of you: whether at work, or at home. Other kids still need your attention, your house still needs to be cleaned, your job still needs to get done. The LAST thing pregnant women need are additional scare tactics to make them THAT much more worried about miscarriage, or some horrible birth defect(s) due to what they may or may not be ingesting. 

Ok, off soapbox. :)

11 Things

Ok, so my sister tagged me in her 11 Things post yesterday over at Economical Eater. I hope all of you have as much FUN with this as I did :) Enjoy!!


Here's how it works:
1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions the person who tagged you set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.


 So, here are 11 random things about me:

1. I have always wanted to work with gorillas. Yes, I said gorillas.
2. I was a Deaf studies minor in Undergrad.
3. I eat processed crap that tastes DELICIOUS when no one is looking ;)  (I know, shocking! ;))
4. I am CONVINCED my husband is the sexiest man on the planet. Hands down. And no, you cannot convince me otherwise.
5. I have only ever been to Aerosmith concerts. Ok, one Ricky Martin concert but that doesn't count.
6. I am currently addicted to the show Ink Master
7. I am petrified, yes petrified, of whales. (And no, I have never had a bizarre whale encounter- so I have NO idea where said phobia comes from. )
8. One of my favorite things of all time is the smell of new books. Yes, I am a total dork.
9. My least favorite chore of all time is dishes. I despise loading/ unloading the dishwasher and/or washing dishes. Like, hate, with a passion. Yuck....
10. I have a cloth diaper obsession. Yes, I want one in every style and color. No, I do not have the means to afford such an obsession :) and secretly, I strongly dislike the extra laundry (shhhhh...)
11. When I go shopping, I am still drawn to the clothes/ and am convinced that I still fit in/ look good in the clothes I wore 6 years and 50 pounds ago ;)

 And here are the questions Michelle asked me:

1. Most embarrassing moment?

 In high school, in a lunch room full of HUNDREDS of students, when I was a senior and my brother was a freshman... I walked over to him and asked him about some CD or something he was supposed to burn for me... and he proceeded to stand up really fast (making lots of noise with his chair so EVERYONE looked over) and yell "for the last time! I will NOT go out with you!". Total. utter. embarrassment. :)

2. Favorite movie of all time?

 Lethal Weapon

3. If you could have dinner with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be?

Steven Tyler. (obvi)

4. Your favorite vice?

5. Milk, dark or white chocolate?

Dark.

6. Pancakes or waffles?

Pancakes

7. Place you'd love to travel to?

anyplace WARM. Ahhhhh...

8. If you could be eating anything right now, you'd be eating __________.

lobster. (gimme a break, I know it's only 10 :30 am , but I'm pregnant, ok?!) 

9. Favorite book and/or author?

Favorite book of all time is Reason for Hope by Jane Goodall  

10. Pinterest or Instagram? 

Pinterest.  I am totally obsessed.

11. Favorite part about being a blogger?
 Surfing the internet and being able to tell my husband I'm "working on the blog" ;)

Now, TAG you're it! 

Leslie from Purejoy Parenting, Christy from Instinctual Mamas, Katie from The Sparkle Mama, Miss LR Knost from Little Hearts, Jessica from The Leaky Boob,  my girl Imogen from Alternative Mama, Lorraine from Baby Led Weaning, Keri from Backwoods Mom,  Charise (my fellow New England mama) from I Thought I Knew Mama, our mama friends over at Becoming Crunchy, and Devan from Unspoken Grief. 


Ok ladies, HERE are YOUR questions! I look forward to learning more about everyone! <3 


1. What is your secret not-so-crunchy pleasure?
2. What is your favorite "parenting" book of all time?
3. If you could raise your family anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
4. Best bottle of wine you've ever had?
5. Favorite cookbook.
6. Least favorite "green" product and why.
7. Coffee or tea?
8. What is the one craft or activity that keeps the kids busy the longest?
9. Do you all sit down together most nights to eat dinner as a family? If yes, why is it important to you?
10.  #1 place you buy your diapers?
11. Favorite social media outlet right NOW that you spend the most # of wasted hours ;)

aaaand GO! Don't forget to tag me back so I can read your answers! Let's have some FUN ladies!!