Thomas Growing and Growing

Thomas turned 6 months today!

Now the questions is should we start to feed Thomas solid food or hold off.

Let's start with are the signs for starting solids there:

1. Does he still have the tongue-thrust reflex? I think that maybe slightly but for the most part it is gone!

2. Can he sit up on his on and reach for food? Video below and pictures above to demonstrate

Yes he does. He not only sits up on his own but he has started to scotchs forward, he is moving and grooving. Better start vacuuming my floor much more often otherwise he choke on the popcorn kernels.

3. Eruptions of Teeth?

Yes Thomas has started getting teeth. He has two on the bottom and very much teething with all the drool coming down his face!

Can't believe Thomas is growing so quickly!!! Will we feed Thomas? Still don't know but will update and let you know with the first foods we feed him!

We are ready!!!!!

Yes I said it. I'm ready for this baby to come, WHY!!!

I still have to get to B.J.'s to buy size 1 diapers and Michael isn't completely finished with the mini-van or putting together the car seat but the birth bed no longer has clothes on it and is completely made!!!

The area where all the midwives supplies are waiting!

Towels folded and put away!!! I ROCK!

Clothes folded but still need to be put away be at least they are off the bed!

Daddy working on my mini-van, engine is out, hooray!!!

James helping daddy fix the car :)

Adriana and James love to play in the car while daddy is working!! Not mama's favorite but at least it is on jacks!

And the #1 reason I am ready to have a baby: Fr. Peter came to bless our house!!!

He made us this beautiful plaque with a prayer to the the Sacred Heart. It is so beautiful, thanks Fr. Peter!

House blessing with Adriana and James helping! Fr. Peter blessed the house, mama, the baby, Adriana and James!

Walking through blessing the house kitchen, the birth room, and the living room. He blessed the painting of Mother of Sorrows by Brother Bartholomew of St. Benedict Abbey! He was pleased we had the print.

Thank you Fr. Peter, we were glad you made it!!!!

Swelling?

Who takes pictures of their feet?!?!?!

I am that crazy person. I have to say that I have only had a few day of swelling this summer but those day really did me in. The occasions: getting a pedicure? I question that relaxing day and I don't believe that my feet should have swelled but they did. Maybe it was because of all the itme we journeyed Maine. The second time was after a day of walking at OSV (Old Sturbridge Village). Yes that was a long day and I totally see why my felt like my feet were a ballon and were swore. I am thankful that my feet don't feel this way every day! Thank you Lord!



There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason for the swelling though. I really thought I would have swelling after walking into Breakheart but no my feet were fine. Davis Farmland even after getting stuck there longer then I planned - nothing!! I guess I can't complain and just plain have to be thankful to God that even in this hot summer my feet haven't gotten it to badly!!!

Birth Bed and Laundry

I have been struggling since we got back from Maine to get our laundry folded and put away!!!

Every morning laundry is on my list of things to get done. I may get everything else on my list done but laundry has not happened yet, :(. I'm sure many of you are asking why it matters if I get the laundry finished. What's the pressure? Well look at the picture and the bed. The bed all the laundry is on is the bed I am birthing on. I must get the laundry done!!!! I was able to get the towels and wash clothes folded today before we went to the Wilsons'. Tomorrow it is my hope to get all the laundry folded and put away!!!! I need the Birth bed to be free for me and baby!!!

38.5 Weeks

Belly Bump Today, 38.5 weeks.

I think I look completely tired in these pictures!!

Empowering myself and Telling My Story

I had an amazing visit with my midwives two weeks ago!!! I love knowing that I have nobody breathing down my back to find out when I'm going to have a baby. No one telling me it is safest for me to have a baby in 2 weeks. Stress. Too much stress!! But no stress now!!!

Thanks Kirsten and Joyce for making me feel safe and trusting in my body!!!

I am in search of some empowering VBAC videos. Here are some I found!!

and......

A beautiful totally modest birth expense:

Here is my story and my WHY!!! I hope it inspires someone!!
I know I CAN!!!

It is hard for anyone who has not had a cesarean section (c-section) to know how traumatic it can be on a mother both physically and mentally. There is trauma for baby but right not I am focusing on mama. Most people feel that we should be happy that we have a healthy baby. I did feel this after the birth of my first child, Adriana. After the birth of my son I felt totally different from the birth of my daughter. I felt manipulated, played by my midwives and doctors. I felt like they took all my freedom away and stopped allowing me to make choices for myself. They made it so I only had one choose to make. I felt violated!! Due to my second experience I do not believe it is not fair to make a women feel that she should be happy with the outcome of her birth because the baby is healthy. So often a c-section is not necessary and done out of convince of the doctor! My second c-section was definitely done out of convince for the doctors and hospital and not out of necessity for mama and baby. Here is the journey I have taken with the birth of my two babies.

When I was pregnant with my first baby, Adriana, I read every book that had to do with natural childbirth and breastfeeding. I was well informed and wanted the best start for my baby. I decided to find a midwife to birth with rather than an OB because I wanted higher odds on an unmediated natural birth. The problem was that I have diabetes and not many doctors will work with high risk patients. I was referred to a birth center that would most likely take me on as a client. Everything was great working with my midwives until I go to about 36 - 37 weeks. The midwives informed me that the doctors want to induce me at 38 weeks. CAN YOU SAY "NO!!!" We went over all my options and decided to do non-stress tests (NST) and biophysical ultra sounds once a week. Things were always fine but I began to get stressed as I was told all the things that could go wrong with my baby. They also called my doula to convince her that I needed to be induced. I truly believe that my body didn't feel safe and I was having "performance anxiety," as on of my midwives, Joyce, puts it. At 42 weeks still being pressure I was still pregnant. I agreed to go t the hospital to be induced with cervodil. I was just barely contracting but the nurse said we can't us cervodil l we had to start on pitocin (pit). At that point I realized the nurses were in charge boss and not the midwives I had hired. I was strong armed into the pit, what else could I do that now had me in the hospital. Adriana's heart rate dropped every time they tried to turn the pit up past a two. She was in distress this is common side effect with pit. After trying to increase the pit all night it was decided my body couldn't do the job and Adriana needed to come the exact way we had set out to avoid via c-section. I was so sad and felt like my body had failed me but I had a beautiful baby girl to bring home so it was worth it in the end, right? Nursing and attachment parenting went extremely well and I recovered amazingly fast so after a 2 day stays in the hospital I joyously able to go home!! The fact that I had a healthy baby was all anyone wanted to here. I could not really mourn the loss of the natural birth I so very much wanted. And at times I felt that because it was necessary I was lucky to have a baby!

Three years later I discovered I was excepting baby #2. We were so excited!!! I went back to the same midwives asking all the right questions and accepting different results. I think I figured if I hired a different doula it would be a different birth. Really I should have hired the same doula and different midwives!! Hind sight being what it is I figured that out to late!! The midwives gave me all the right answers so I thought for sure I could work with them again. Unfortunately at 36 weeks problems came about again. This time it was worse!!!! The first scare was that I have too much amniotic fluid. I researched the problem and called another midwife to get a second opinion. My findings, there wasn’t much of an issue. STRESS AGAIN!!!! At that point the midwife was calling me every other day to tell me the worse case scenarios. I knew what they were from my research but I also knew the statics which were always minute. They wanted this baby to come by 38 weeks and I told myself that was possible but we did talk about it not happening because they could not induce labor so it had to happen naturally. They would let me go to 42 weeks but they didn’t want it to happen that way. Here comes the "performance anxiety" again. Yes, again, starting at 36 weeks my body was stressed about having to perform. I was stressed again for a month and a half. Well at the finally hours (41week and 6 days) I decided I better start natural induction with castor oil, yummy!!! I went into labor, contractions really started!!! Timing was pretty much 1 minute apart and the midwives wanted me there!!! They convinced my husband we should go to the hospital and my doula agreed. So we got into the car and went on a long car drive. Again, hind sight being so much clearer, we should have stayed home longer!!! Once we got to the hospital the clock started!!! I was laboring but once I got to the hospital the labor slowed. After about 12 hours I was told if this baby didn't come soon I was going to have to have another c-section. Why? Was there something wrong with me, NO. Was there something wrong with baby, NO! We don't have enough beds and we need yours. Let's try to break your water. Feeling trapped I agreed. Can I take a nap? No, well maybe for 5 minutes, what? I've been up all night and my body needs to rest. Sorry but we need to get you prep’d for a c-section. I wanted to pack up and walk out. They had broken my water could I really leave. I felt manipulate and trapped. Not being able to see any other options they prep'd me for a second c-section :(. As they rolled me into the cold room I was completely out of control. Upset, disappointed I let this happen once again. I couldn't trust anyone!!! They couldn't even advocate for me! Don't touch me, they couldn't. They called in my husband! He prayed with me and settled me down. Thanks Mary, Our Blessed Mother. James Ralph was born shortly after. Things started to go bad again, James blood sugar was low and they wanted to give him formula!!! Wrong! More stress and trauma!! Why did I know more than the nurses? Why did they want me to think they knew more!!! If he doesn't get what he needs he could have a seizure and then you won't be able to nurse, they told me. Why do nurses feel they have to intimate new moms, especially moms who just had a major surgery? Would they treat any other patient that just had abdominal surgery that way, NO!! Very unprofessional! Again the positive note is I was able to leave 2 days later. I did also have a great nurse once I was in the postpartum room.

So often people say to a person who has just had a c-section (that they didn’t choose) at least you have a healthy baby. I know it is out of kindness that people say this but I don’t believe this is very sensitive to the women. Especially when we don’t know the situation!! Many women feel like they are continuing to be manipulated by friends and family. What else could we say? I remember thinking that really it is not much comfort that I have a healthy baby especially knowing that James' c-section wasn't necessary! Yes of course I want a healthy baby but I also want a healthy birth experience. That was taken from me by getting stressed and performance anxiety. Whatever reason a person has an unwanted c-section is valid. We can offer women support by lending them an ear to hear their story. WE can be empathic to their situation. I will say I am lucky to have some friends that listened to my story. I am so grateful to them as I am sure your friends will be grateful to you if you choose to listen. Please listen to your friends and allow them to express their real feeling about their birth.

Why will I have a natural drug free birth!!!

Because I CAN!!!! At this point one of the main reason I will have a natural drug free birth is because my body wants to have this type of birth. I trust my body and have chosen the right support. They also trust my body. It is such a freeing feeling. 37.5 weeks and I have not felt stress. Loving it!!!

Of course I also want a natural child birth for all the same reasons I have always wanted a natural child birth. It is best for mom and baby. It is the better start for breastfeeding. The body knows what to do and we just need to trust it.

I will say that part of this process of empowerment took me to forgiving my old midwives and doctors. That was also very freeing!!!!

Update after birth will be posted!!!! Look for it!!

Moving Baby!

I can honestly say that in the last two babies did not do much moving. This baby does tons of moving and I have been dying to take a video of him/her moving. Finally today I got a great shot. Isn't it the most amazing site in the world!!!

Baby Kisses!

When I was pregnant with James I took a really cute picture of little Adriana hugging and kissing my baby belly. I decided this morning that I would get another picture like that with each and both of the children.

The picture below is my favorite one but they are all cute!!! Enjoy!

One Month Left or so They Say!!!!

I can't believe that my guesstimation date is one month from today. I have been told by many I don't look like I'm due in a month. I guess there is some good in that comment. The negative is I have gone two week over due with both other children so many that goes along with the size of my Baby Belly!!

A Beautiful Catholic Mother's Blessing

A mother's blessing is an Alternative to a Baby Shower. It is great way to prepare mom in a special way for the birth of her new baby!!!

A Mother's Blessing is a celebration of pregnancy and motherhood in preparation of new life. The guests are invited to spend time with the mother-to-be. The tone of the Mother's Blessing is positive - you won't find those horror stories of labors and early parenting that seem to be so common at traditional baby showers!

As a Catholic women, with the vocation of motherhood, it is important to be positive throughout our pregnancies. We should work toward having a positive birth experience also. We want to be good examples like Mary carrying on our pregnancy quietly without complaining. “Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart,” Luke 2:19. We also want to bless other mothers as Mary did for Elizabeth traveling three days to visit her cousin while she was pregnant.

As women we are here to bless Adrianne asking Our Lord, Mary Our Mother, and the saints to be with her now, through her pregnancy, birth, and throughout motherhood. We are celebrating birth and motherhood.

We can only attempt to be like Mary and I can say that I often fail!!! But I am very much working on not complaining about my pregnancy.

We set up the living room as a prayer room with candles and a pictures of Mary. We also had holy water available for blessings.

An added unexpected decoration came from the two Anne's:

Anne DooleyAnne Hougham

Each brought beautiful flowers!! I love fresh cut flowers from garden! The candle holder was the party favor. There were three colors but Adriana choose green!

The Format of the Mother's Blessing was:

Each guest introduced themselves and share a positive part of their pregnancies, birth, or the best memory of motherhood. For single women share your favorite mother/daughter memory we only had one single women, Sarah Rzasa join us. Thanks for coming Sarah!!!

Then we went into prayer.
Our prayers were Litany of Saints, Prayer to Our Lady of La Leche (Prayer for a healthy pregnancy, Prayer for a Safe Delivery – St Gerard, Pray for Mother, Pray to the Holy Family. If you are interested of any of the prayers they are listed below!

We planned to read scripture versus but time did not allow it so had all who were interested light a candle and pray then we went outside (it was a beautiful day) to pampered Adrianne. The pampering consisted of a Foot spa , back rub, and toe nail painting. While the pampering was going on a saint poster was being made. Each guest brought a prayer card with their favorite saint and added to a poster that Adrianne will have in here birth room while in labor!

Saint poster in progress, Anne Hougham adding her saint card and prayer:


Guests also snacked and socialized at this point and more positive birth stories were going around!!

Finally we closed with the Madonna Rosary from Shelia Kipley's book "Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood: God's Plan for You and Your Baby," it is beautiful and perfect for motherhood.

The Madonna Rosary
written by Father Sauppe

1. The Quickening: the Blessed Mother feels Jesus’ first movement in the womb.
2. His First Nursing: the Blessed Mother gives her infant his first nourishment.
3. His First Steps: Jesus takes his first steps toward his destiny
4. His First Words: Jesus speaks for the first time.
5. Jesus is Weaned: the last breast-fed bond between Mother and Son.

Anne Dooley stayed a little later to hang out, chat, and finish my foot pampering (adding two coats of nail polish!!!

Don't my toe nails look great!!!

Great job Anne!

Thanks to Rebecca Urban (Baby #3's Godmother), Anne Dooley (Adriana's God mother), and all my friends who joined us filling our freezer with dinners for after the baby is born!!! It was such a beautiful day!!!

Andrea and I Erin and Zachery, isn't his smile amazing!

The prayers we prayed!

Litany of Saints

God the Father, Creator of all things, hear our prayers and the intercession of your saints for the protection of mothers and their babies during pregnancy and birth.

Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have Mercy on us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
Mary, Our Mother, pray for us.
Our Lady of La Leche, pray for us.
Mary Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Holy Guardian Angel of all families, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, husband of Mary, pray for us.
Saint Anne, mother of Mary, pray for us.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.
Saint Monica, pray for us.
Saint Augustine, pray for us.
Saint Gerard Majella, pray for us.
St. Gianna Beretta Molla, pray for us.
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us.
St Felicity, pray for us.
St. Thomas, pray for us.
St. Philomena, Paton of Adriana, pray for us.
St. Raphael, Patron of James, pray for us.
St. Gabriel, pray for us.
St Michael the Archangel, pray for us.

Let us pray: Grant Adrianne and all expectant mothers a safe delivery, O Lord. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Your mother, and your saints may we attain the joys of eternal life, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF LA LECHE
Prayer for a healthy pregnancy

O Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of Your tender Mother, Our Lady of La Leche, who bore You close to her heart during those long months before Your birth,I place my baby and myself entirely in Your Hands.

Free me, I beseech You, from useless and consuming worry. Accept the sacrifice of my aches and pains, which I unite to Your sufferings on the Cross. Above all, most merciful and loving Jesus, protect this child .

You have given to me from all harm, bestowing the health and vigor every baby needs. Implant in my heart and on my lips the words and prayers of Your Mother and mine, our Lovely Lady of La Leche. All this I ask that my child and I may live to praise forever Your Holy Name.

Amen

Prayer for a Safe Delivery
St. Gerard Pray

O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.

O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you did bear, like your Divine Master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by God as the patron and protector of expectant mothers.

Preserve me from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child which I now carry, that it may see the light of day and receive the purifying and life-giving waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Prayer of Mothers

Father in heaven; grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege— to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son.
Through the intercession of Jesus Your son and Mary His mother I ask your continued blessings on my family.
Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen
Prayer to the Holy Family

Lord Jesus Christ, you were raised by Mary and Joseph within the Holy Family in Nazareth. Your home was humble and holy. Help us discover the holiness in simplicity and obedience to our state of life. Help us to imitate the virtues of the Holy Family as we remain faithful to our daily duties. Please also help us to find ways to seek out solitude even in the midst of our busy lives so that we may unite our hearts with yours, dear Jesus. Please, Blessed Mother Mary and good Saint Joseph pray for us and protect us. Amen