Whirlwind

belli painting at 36 weeks

It's been a wonderful but long day. I'm in my 36th week and having a lot more back pain, pelvic pain and much more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions lately. Loss of appetite, (unless it's fruit or I didn't have to  cook it), extreme exhaustion with hour long afternoon naps instead of prepping dinner, flaking on playdates and appointments because I just don't feel like it but then deciding that a 7pm trip to Target is absolutely necessary because I must have the perfect nursing bra before she arrives. Dangerous online shopping habits have begun and the completion of thank you cards has not.

amazing gifts from the baby shower my church gave me!

Then there are the extreme highs where I nest psychotically pulling weeds, planting flowers, organizing closets, finishing the nursery decor, washing baby's things, convincing my husband that hiking in the hills during the afternoon heat will really be ok for me, grocery shop online, work on an artsy baby project with Aiden, dust my plantation shutters, feeling that it's imperative that I master that lullaby on the piano before she arrives, (even though she can already hear my painful practicing process in the womb) and threaten to mow the lawn myself if my overworked husband doesn't take care of it soon. Got to mail that package to our family in Colorado, solidify a name for baby girl,  need to catch up Aiden on his vaccines, put the hospital bag in the car, complete that blog memory post about how cool Aiden is lately, find a date to do last minute maternity family pictures, make a belli cast, fill out that overdue hospital paperwork, get birth ball blown up, and through everything try to make time every day to spend quality time with my precious son during our last days just him and I. It is a whirlwind game of rushing around to get things accomplished before she arrives and at the same time trying desperately to slow down and throughly enjoy these last few days of our family of three.  I am trying to be more mindful in my parenting with my son these days, taking extra time and savoring more moments than usual trying to keep a strong patience level even though all the discomforts are overwhelming at times. Listening to some of his music from our recent music together class can produce nostalgic tears while I get overly sentimental of the fun times we had together in that class loosing ourselves in the fun together and realizing we don't do that often enough... A drastic change in our family dynamics is upon us soon and it will never be the same again. We are so very excited and so extremely blessed about the upcoming arrival of our little angel joining our family of three making us four. Making us complete. We cannot wait to meet her and love her. And with an incomplete "To Do" list or not, we are ready and waiting.

My Naturally Minded Birth Plan- 2012 Edition

*Disclaimer-  This is a post about birthing which will most likely use words like vagina, nipples, cervix and the rupturing of membranes. It may get ugly. :) If this is not your cup of tea than skip on over to the previous post about toys or perhaps you could browse my right-sidebar index for a yummy recipe? :) I'll see you on the other side. For the rest of you, enjoy as I spew my super duper hippie birthing beliefs on the public. :) Your welcome.


I have developed this plan of how my ideal birth would go based on my previous experience of a drug-free, natural birth. It is also based on my own research on natural birthing, (meaning completely drug-free and vaginal in my mind) through books such as, Ina May's Guide To Childbirth, Birth Matters, and Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin.  I also read and loved Birthing From Within by Pam England CNM, MA and Rob Horowitz PHD. The Birth Book by Dr. Sears was another good one.  Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize opened my eyes to the spiritual side of giving birth and experiencing the promises of God concerning conception and delivery. I watched some eye-opening and extremely informative documentaries such as Pregnant in America, The Business of Being Born, and the new More Business of Being Born. These were just some of my most favorite books and documentaries on the subject of birthing naturally and each one gave me newfound knowledge about my body and more confidence in realizing that I could do this without the use of drugs which would, hands down be the safest way for my child to come into this world. This plan is just a plan though and I am well aware that at any time a medical complication could arise and it could be totally thrown out the window. Or maybe my body will stop progressing the way it's supposed to and I will be forced to re-evaluate my plan.  I am prepping my idealistic mind to be ok with that and in the end just be completely grateful for the safe birth of a healthy baby girl. Some of my requests may seem pretty far out in left field or just plain high-maintenance but let me remind you that while most women in the U.S. choose an epidural, (In 2006 a national survey called, "Listening To Mothers" was conducted and found that 75% of women had epidurals compared to 14% of women who choose an unmedicated birth.) I am planning not to have one due to all the dangers and possible side effects of epidurals. If you haven't already done your own research on epidurals I strongly suggest you explore both sides throughly before going into your own birthing experience. So, in lieu of drugs these natural coping mechanisms are vital to reach my goals in labor.
 My first birthing experience was completely transforming. An extreme rite of passage into the tough but rewarding work of motherhood. I went in with complete confidence and a strong desire to do this without drugs no matter how intense the pain was because I learned that my body was designed to handle it. I went through it in complete shock at how horrifically painful it really was, with questions in my hormonally overloaded mind if I could really and truly come out alive. I came out of it in completely humbled because throughout my labor I prayed for the strength I needed to get though it drug- free and I had actually received it. It was one of the most powerful examples of the ask and you will receive from God that I had ever experienced. I had given myself the reward of knowing I could in fact be strong, truly strong in myself despite other feelings of vulnerability in other areas of life. In the end, the most important goal was met-a healthy baby boy was placed into my arms for me to fall head over heels in love with.
There were, however a few things that made my labor and delivery more difficult than it had to be due to the unnecessary interventions of doctors and nurses. There was an unexplained order for me to begin pushing at only 8 centimeters, (You are only supposed to begin pushing when you are a 10 and/or when your body has the natural urge to bear down and push.) and a scary vacumme suction device used on my Aiden's little head to assist in getting him out of me. I still shudder when I think of that.   In revising my former birth plan from my experience in 2009, I hope to have an even better experience this time around. My plan is based on the positives of my former experience such as learning the powers of my own body while taken into a sacred space in my own strength I never even touched on in the past. It is also based on the negatives of my previous birth such as finding out firsthand how hospital policies and medical procedures can truly disrupt the whole natural process of some of the magical phenomenons of the birthing process. I have learned that one of the most important aspects of achieving a natural birth is trusting your body that God has specifically designed to be perfectly capable of giving birth without the assistance of this culturally- inspired trend of using drugs, IV's, and episiotomies. It is also about honoring your body's natural processes and becoming well versed in them through research though it's sad that some things aren't common knowledge. It is all about realizing that birthing isn't a medical emergency that must always take place in a hospital setting, (Unless you have a high-risk pregnancy or a medical emergency at the time of your birth.) If my own insurance covered me to give birth in a free-standing birthing center with a midwife, that would be my ideal place. And just to dream for a minute, if money were not an issue at all then I would fly to Tennessee to give birth under the care of Ina May Gaskin herself, (the most accomplished midwife in the world with much safer birthing outcomes and statistics than any hospital) at The Farm Midwifery Center where I could labor outside in the forest near a little stream if my heart desired or in a birthing tub where I would be most relaxed. If for example my baby was breech, there would be no insurance/hospital policy saying that I had to have a risky C-Section because the midwives there, (and most midwives anywhere) would know the age-old techniques of delivering a breech baby safely and vaginally. If I wanted to eat or drink during labor, I could without the worrisome hospital nurses giving me reasons why I shouldn't when clearly my body needs the nourishment to get through labor. This is a place where the natural processes of a women's body would be honored and not disrupted by hospital policies.

Back to real life, my Kaiser insurance and onto the realities of hospital birthing. I am hoping that my Doctor, midwife and labor nurses will take some time to read over my wishes and help make this birth the safest for my baby and the most comfortable for myself it can be this time around!

our baby belli's about 2 weeks ago! (Currently I'm 35 weeks pregnant!)

Laura's Plan

   As long as the baby and I are heathy, I would like to go at least 10 to 14 days over my due date before inducing labor.

      I would like to discuss laboring at home as long as possible.

      I trust that my practitioner will seek out my opinion concerning all of the issues directly affecting my birth before deviating from my plan.

      If I go past my due date and the baby and I are fine, I prefer to go into labor naturally rather than be induced.

      During a vaginal exam, I prefer at no time to have my membranes broken unless there is an emergency situation.

      I prefer to have minimal internal exams.

      If I am less than five centimeters dilated, I would like the option of going home.

      If induction becomes necessary, I would like to try natural induction techniques first (with the guidance of my practitioner).

These are the natural induction techniques I would like to try:

      Breast stimulation

      Walking

      Herbs

      Castor oil

      Sexual intercourse

If Medical induction becomes necessary, I prefer to try:

      Rupturing membranes

If my water breaks before I go into labor, I would like to:

      wait 6 hours before being induced.

      Upon arrival at the hospital, I prefer to have my partner with me at all times.

      Please, no residents or students attending my birth.

I request the following people to be present during my labor and/or 2nd stage labor:

      My Partner: Tim Bishop
      Possibly a doula

      I prefer to give birth in a birthing room.

      I prefer to give birth in room with a shower and/or bath.

If birth equipment is available, I would like to use:

      A birthing bed.

      A birthing ball.

      A birthing tub/pool/shower.

      A birthing stool.

Miscellaneous environmental requests:

      I would like to have dimmed lights.
      I would like control over the thermostat in my birthing room. For my last birth I had it at a comfortable 52 degrees no joke. (They don't call it labor for nothing!) Bring your winter coats nurses!
      I will need multiple ice-packs.

      I would like for people entering the room to speak very softly and keep whispering to a minimum as I will need full, undistracted concentration once I have shifted from my logical left-brain into my primitive birthing-brain, (right- brain). Please speak softly to me and slowly, using simple phrases to avoid disrupting my labor-trance and concentration.

      I would like to play music.

      I would like to wear my own clothes during labor and delivery or be naked if I prefer it at the time

      I would like to have my birth photographed.

      I would like to have my birth filmed/videotaped.

      I would like to wear my glasses or contact lenses unless removal becomes medically necessary.

      I would like to have no restrictions on food or fluids during my labor.

      I prefer to have no IV.

      Please do not offer me pain medications. Instead, offer me the encouragement I need to get through this labor drug-free. On that note- I would prefer to only work with labor nurses who themselves have had a drug-free, vaginal birth if they are available at the time. I've found that their labor techniques and assistance are the most helpful to me. 

I am prepared to try to handle pain with these natural and alternative methods:

      Breathing techniques.

      Distraction techniques.

      Hypnotherapy.
      Aromatherapy.

      Massage.

      Deep (or guided) relaxation.

      Water/bath/shower.

Other considerations :

      Ultimately, I want to be able to walk around and move as I wish while in labor.

      Ultimately, I would like to feel unrestricted in accessing any sounds of chanting, grunting, or moaning during labor.

      Please keep my door always closed during labor.
The Big Push:
      Even if I am at 10 cm and the midwife or Dr. feels it is time to start pushing, I prefer to honor the natural signals of my body and wait until I have the natural urge to push. I learned from my previous birth, (which was disrupted by my doctor who forced me to start pushing at only 8 centimeters) that pushing just because you are 10 centimeters, but without the urge to bear down, will be less effective and more tiring. " Without vaginal examinations telling them they should be pushing, women will continue laboring until the urge arises." - Birthing From Within p.139

      If pushing for more than several hours, I am open to medical intervention in 2nd stage labor.

I would like to be encouraged to try the following different positions for labor:

      Squatting.

      Classic semi-recline.

      Hands and knees.

      Standing upright.

      Side Lying.

      Whatever feels right at the time

      I prefer not to have an episiotomy.

To help prevent tearing, my husband or doula may apply olive oil to my perineum and check out this link on giving a proper perineal massage instead of an episiotomy. 

Other labor considerations:

      No stirrups please unless I'm having a medical emergency.

      If intervention is needed for an assisted vaginal birth, I prefer vaccume suction

      I would like my partner to catch my baby, (if he is ready and willing at the time)

      I prefer to have the lights dimmed for delivery or, if it is daylight, to access only natural light.

After Baby is Born:
      Delay cord clamping until it stops pulsing.
       No Vitamin K and Hep B vaccines
       As long as my baby is healthy, I would like my baby placed immediately on my abdomen           following the birth.

      Please put my baby skin-to-skin on my abdomen with a warm blanket over it.

      Please delay all essential routine procedures, (for the first hour) on my baby until after the bonding and breastfeeding period (i.e., bathing).
       I will be bringing a supply of cloth diapers to the hospital with me. Please only use these on my baby from the very first time she is diapered. I also will provide a sanitary wet bag in which to place all the soiled diapers for laundering when we return home. 

      In the event of a medical emergency where a C-Section is necessary:

      My partner(s) is(are) to be present at all times during the c-section.

      Ideally, I would like to remain conscious during the procedure.

      I would like the baby to be shown to me immediately after it's born.

      I would like to have contact with the baby as soon as it is possible in the delivery room.

      We would like to photograph or film the operation as the baby comes out.

      If possible, please discuss anesthesia options with me (including morphine options).

      I prefer a low transverse incision on my abdomen and uterus and the double layer stitching method for stitching me back up. 

Recovery:

      If my baby is healthy, I would like to hold my baby and nurse it immediately in recovery.

      I would like to sign any waivers necessary to permit me to be with my baby in recovery.

      As long as my baby is healthy, I would like my partner to be the babys constant source of attention until I am free to bond with it (i.e., holding, skin-to-skin contact, etc.).

      Please discuss with me what I can expect to feel immediately following the procedure.

      Please discuss my post-operative pain medication options with me before or immediately following the procedure.

      Please allow my partner to cut the umbilical cord if he desires.

Placenta:

      I would prefer for the placenta to be born spontaneously without the use of pitocin, and/or manual extraction and please don't try to show it to me I'm not interested. :)

      If the baby has any problems, I would like my partner to be present with the baby at all times, if possible.

      I would like to have routine newborn procedures delayed until bonding and breastfeeding have occurred.

      I would like all newborn routine procedures to be performed in my presence.

Administration of Eyedrops:

      I would like my baby to be administered eyedrops after the bonding period if necessary.

Immunizations:

      I prefer any immunizations be postponed to a later time.

Bathing Baby:

      Please bathe my baby after we have had time to bond with it.

Circumcision:

      I would like him circumcised.

Other circumcision options:

      Please use a local anesthetic.

PKU:

      Routine PKU Testing right away.

Feedings:

      My baby is to be exclusively breastfed.

      I would like to see a lactation consultant as soon as possible for further recommendations and guidance.

Do not offer my baby the following without my consent:

      Formula.

      Pacifiers.

      Any artificial nipples.

      Sugar water.

If my baby's health is in jeopardy, I would like:

      To be transported with my baby if possible.

      My partner to go with the baby.

      To breastfeed or express my milk for my baby.

      To have no time restrictions with my baby.

      To have as much bodily contact with my baby as possible.

      To be offered a room at the hospital for the duration of my baby's stay (within reason).

I would like my in-hospital routine to be:

      Rooming in with my baby.

Other hospital preferences:

      I prefer a private room.

      I prefer to have my partner stay with me for the duration of my hospital stay.

      I want privacy during my stay and for my guests to limit the time they are visiting me.

Belli Love

It's Happening

28 weeks

Dear Baby girl-

It is a beautiful Saturday at home and your Daddy and I are so excited to be starting on your nursery. Your big brother is spending the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa at the Folsom zoo so we can devote our full attention to all the projects that need to happen in order to make room for you in our house. We decided to move your brother into our room for a while and keep his room as the "baby room" so that we will have all the necessary baby furniture in one place. We've picked out the perfect shade of lavender paint to match your adorable Potterybarn lavender and pink butterfly quilt. While your Daddy is prepping your new room to paint, I am resting on the couch feeling your feisty little kicks and picking out other things for your room like lamps, (I'm planning on making a lampshade myself with lavender rosebuds on it) a chandelier, shelves, curtains, (your multi-talented Daddy is talking about sewing you some himself after we pick the fabric!)

Color on the left is what we chose! - french lilac by Benjamin Moore

I feel like I've waited my whole life for you, as I did also for your big brother. He is a dream come true and you are as well my little love. I have to admit though, I am a TAD bit more excited to be able to decorate a baby girl nursery now. This is something that I've been excited about since I was a little girl, thumbing through the old JC Penny's catalogue heading straight for the baby girl nursery collections. I loved the cribs with canopies, back in the eighties those were really popular. I loved white eyelet lacy fabrics and hardwood floors. I even got excited about how cute those little diaper holders were that matched the crib bedding and how they were filled with the tiniest little newborn diapers. I have visions of those little wall shelves with hooks underneath to hang a ruffled white dress and a matching white bonnet. I absolutely LOVE love love baby girls in bonnets. I hope you'll bear with me as I adorn your little head in these frilly accessories.
As we begin on your room today, everything is becoming more real that soon- (only 11 more weeks!) you will be here snuggled in our arms. We are all so excited for you to come and add a new element of surprise to our family.
Now if we could only decide on your name...:)

Baby Girl

I love love love feeling you kick and move inside my womb. Every time I feel you I am reminded of how blessed I am to have you. I wake up at 4am a lot because I am so hungry. After I eat, I lay back down in my bed and you go wild! I feel your tiny fingers moving inside me. I feel your strong kicks and sometimes it feels like you are turning. You must love that buttered cinnamon-rasin bagel I eat in the early mornings. I love that this is my only time of day to solely focus on you as my hands try to feel you through my belli. During this time I wonder what you'll look like. I wonder how your cry will sound. I wonder about the expression on your big brother's face when he gets to meet you for the very first time. I wonder about the color of your eyes. Your daddy, big brother and I are so very excited to meet you and love you so much already. You will be coming into a home of silliness, laughter, adventures and lots of good food. :) There will be music, nature, family and friends. And there will always be someone there to give you love.
We love you baby girl, we can't wait to hold you in our arms.

26 weeks pregnant

25 weeks 

A Grim Rant on the First Trimester of My Second Pregnancy

11 weeks- baby is lime-sized

I'm so thankful it's over. I'm so thankful that I kept my cool...for the most part. Or maybe I just won't tell you about the time where I wanted to strangle the well-meaning employee at Chipotle for forgetting to put my side order of guacamole, (the only food I could eat that night) into my take-out order and only discovered it after my husband arrived home with our meal. Speaking of food, did you know that in some rare, desperate cases some local restaurants will deliver food to your home even though they don't regularly deliver their food? Thank you MJ's Cafe. You saved my life a few times. (And they even brought me extra pickles God bless their souls) There were many times where I felt like a failure as a mother, spending my days with my son in front of the TV watching endless amounts of movies instead of our normal social or creative activities and feeding him more convenience foods rather than our usual healthy choices. He sometimes ate Ramen Noodles with me. I may as well have measured out one cup of salt and poured it into some boiling water with some noodles because that's exactly what those "foods" consist of.  I was a poster mom of what NOT to do with your child when you stay home.

belli kisses

 I was so constantly nauseous, (it's not morning sickness, it's 24 hour sickness) that I couldn't eat much and what I could eat wasn't sustaining me.  Cooking, the thought of cooking, and any cooking smells in the house make my gag reflex swing into full action.  I lived on Honey Nut Cheerios, grapes, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. So really just loads of processed sugar and maybe some nuts and berries like a savage in the wilderness. I couldn't eat any of my normal, healthy foods that make me feel good. It was an ugly cycle of bad food, leading to extremely low energy, many couch days, lost social outlets, and sleepless nights due to hunger. There were weeks at a time where I didn't leave my house and when people did not show any understanding as to why we missed a holiday event, I was left dumbfounded at their lack of empathy.

Vegetarian minestrone for a quiet Thanksgiving at home

 I wasn't surprised when extreme bouts of depression and anxiety started seeping through the cracks of my mind causing me to feel like I wasn't going to be able to handle keeping it together for my one child, and the thought of another on the way seemed like an insurmountable feat. The, "What did I do?" (completely untrue to my heart's desires) types of thoughts were there. There was lots of late night grocery store runs for my husband because being inside a grocery store with all of it's food smells made me want to hurl. He was doing double duties at home while I lay on the couch in nauseous but hungry pains popping Zofran like they were Skittles. My sweet little son at only 2 and a half years old caught on quick to the drastic change in me. "Mommy, come to the store. Please? It's not scary mommy. Come on!" GUILT. "I'm sorry baby, Mommy doesn't feel good right now. I need to rest,"  I would say. The few times I would leave the couch after my husband was home for the night, Aiden would automatically go get me a pillow, my blanket and my trusty pack of Saltines so they would be nearby. It was the sweetest thing, but again made me feel extremely guilty that he felt the need to help me. I should be helping him, he's the child. Once during a difficult car ride out of town my husband told me that when I got out of the car to use the restroom, Aiden looked at him sadly shaking his head saying, "Mommy is sad, Mommy is not good." That one really killed me. I always tried to hide it as best as I could, but as I always knew and even experienced myself as a child-kids know. They are like miniature, mind-x-ray machines and they always know when you are putting up a front. Hopefully he's young enough to forget the three months I was practically an absent mother. There were however a few...shall I emphasize, FEW times that family and friends were available to help which was really nice. One time a good friend offered to take Aiden on a field trip to a wildlife museum for the whole day with her, ah-em THREE other children under three years old. SHE.IS.A.SUPERMOM. and I will forever be grateful for her kindness that day. I am also very grateful to my husband who never, ever gave me a hard time for being difficult, (like I could help it, see how easily you operate when you can't eat and feel like you're about to hurl 24/7), for having the patience of a saint, and for all the extra things he did to make me as comfortable as possible. I will forever be grateful to you my love.
Like any rough patch in life, it's those closest to you who carry you through. Thank you, I am overjoyed that part is over. I'm going to go eat my three course dinner now because I am so happy I can :)

He learned to make lasagna 

It's A GIRL!!!!!!!!

Halloween

The official announcement:

Our church trunk or treat event:

And some trick or treating with friends:

How Having a Kid Can Turn You From a City Girl Into a Granola Bar in Less than 3 Years!

1. August of 2008 I discovered I was pregnant!

2. The very next day I craved pepperoni pizza but now that I was pregnant, the option of Mountain Mikes suddenly was not good enough for MY baby! OH NO! MY baby needed an organic pizza with fresh basil. To Whole Foods we went and a large pepperoni we bought! YUM

3.  Week 7 of pregnancy the nausea set in so I started taking ginger capsules. Whew!
4. Started researching the dangers of epidurals so Birthing From Within became my new pregnancy bible and What To Expect was tossed aside, mainly used for reference only.

5. I drank more Traditional Medicine's Pregnancy tea than frat boys drink beer. Ok maybe not that much but...

6. I started drawing weird birthing art as taught in my hippie birthing books, chanting mantras, and feeling very drawn to the Redwoods for long afternoon hikes as I felt my baby boy needed me to take him there...

7. To empower myself with the idea that I wouldn't need drugs to birth, I starting watching intense homebirth videos with the birthing tub and all. I read many accounts of women who had birthed at home with midwives or some even unassisted and slowly began to realize how birthing is a natural process with minimal interventions needed. (Except in the case of medical emergencies of course) I felt the pure joy of these women as they brought these angels into the world in their own way and realized the potential that a homebirth had to be a much more intimate and spiritual experience than one in a hospital. I cried happy tears.

8. I brought my own little angel into the world at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek in April of 2009. I pretended I was in the woods the entire time and not in a hospital where some disconnected pushy doctor was trying to rush me along in my labor because she wanted to go out that Friday night! I imagined I had a mother-earth doula with long silver hair by my side the whole time gently whispering in my ear that I was strong and God had already given me the strength to do this on my own. I had a drug free labor and delivery and was transformed into a much stronger woman because of it.

9. After reading more and more books about vaccinations, my husband and I decided we would be delaying all vaccinations until our son was at least 6 months old. Today he is almost caught up and has had no complications at all.
10. A month into battling extremely sore breasts from nursing, I was about to quit. Until I got the advice to keep it up because, "My baby needed this from me." He's almost two years old and we're still at it.
11. Many evenings of my newborn baby crying endlessly had me worried it was colic or something scary. Looked more into attachment parenting, bought a sling, Bijorn and wore him more. The crying stopped.

12. I heard my sister in law was doing cloth diapers. Why in the world would anyone do that to themselves I wondered...until I started researching it for myself. Soon I was a cloth diaper addict, we own 40 of them and I've even taken them on vacations the whole bit! I'll never look back.
13. At 5 months old it was time to start solids. Started reading about all the benefits of making your own babyfood and there I was, knee deep in cloth diaper laundry and now half of my freezer was stocked with endless amounts of little plastic cubes of my homemade babyfood.
14. Well with an almost fully organic, all natural diet then why are we still putting chemicals on our skin I thought? Move over Bath and Body works lotions and potions, hello Alba, Burts Bees, Tom's natural toothpaste, Method cleaning products, Chlorine-Free Seventh Generation maxi pads, ect.... one thing leads to another. Right now we have just began to make friends with veggie burgers and tofu. I make weekly batches of flaxseed granola and have began substituting more whole grains for whites like brown rice flour instead of white flour. Or Quinoa instead of rice and pounding green smoothies like never before :)
And so I wonder, what would have happened if hubby would have just made me eat the Mountain Mikes pizza on that summer's evening early in my pregnancy? :)
Where are you in your journey into hippie-inspired motherhood? 

A Pregnant Tale

When I was pregnant, I was a gyspy wife. I lived in three different cities throughout the duration of my pregnancy. This was due to my husband's job and our quest to find the perfect house during that time. This meant no job for me and lots of spare time simply marinating in all my unrealistic visions of what motherhood would be like. This also meant we were low on the green stuff so I made sure I was resourceful in buying some of my maternity clothes. This lead me to Craigslist, which then lead us to this Vietnamese lady's house one rainy Tuesday night in November. She had used maternity clothes to sell and I was hopefully going to score a great deal. Turned out she didn't have the greatest fashion sense so I ended up only purchasing 3 blah items from her that I ended up only wearing at home and only in front of the cat.
The whole time I was rummaging through her boxes of clothing, we chatted about her baby. "So, is he sleeping now?" I asked seeing no signs of a baby anywhere.  "Oh YES! THANK GOD!" she exclaimed. Sheesh, I thought a little TOO excited her precious angel is asleep I thought not realizing how tired she must be. "You have boy or girl?" she asked. "Boy, " I replied. "OH I PRAY for you, I PRAY for you!" she said dramatically making the sign of the cross like a hard-core Catholic. And then she went on in her broken English "When I first have baby, we come home from hospital and baby don't sleep ALL NIGHT!!! Oh I was SO TIRED and sick!" Well yeah, I thought babies do that right?  " I say to my husband, let's take him BACK to hospital! We take him back" she said with a desperate gleam in her eyes that made me realize she was serious at the time. Oh my gosh, I rolled my eyes at my husband who was trying hard not to laugh. It was hilarious to me but even more so I was so shocked that someone would spill their new mommy wacked-out hormonal thoughts with a complete stranger. (She's the perfect candidate to be a mommy blogger for sure!) She went on, "We take him back, but then I think: there's only ONE PROBLEM..." pausing with the most serious expression I have ever seen from someone contemplating such lunacy, "I HAVE BABY SHOWER! EVERYONE KNOW I HAVE BABY!!!" By this time my husband and I were doing everything we could to keep from rolling on her hardwood floor from laughter! WOW she was really serious! She wasn't messing around!
For the rest of the night we acted out the story, (accent and all) with each other and told our friends. "ONLY ONE PROBLEM...I have baby shower! Everyone know I have baby!" We went on and on and laughed until our cheeks hurt.
It wasn't until one week into Aiden's life at 3am after not sleeping AT ALL since he had been born that I truly understood the meaning of the new mommy wacked-out hormonal thoughts and how they can happen to anyone as I seriously thought about asking my mother in law to move in with us for the first month or so. :) Sure, my thought wasn't as irrational as truly contemplating taking my baby back to the hospital...but it was pretty close! :)
What were some of YOUR most hormonal moments during those first few crazy weeks? I want ALL the dirt! :)

Aiden at around 4 days old

20 Things I Wish I Had Known To Register for

Creating a baby registry for first time parents can be very overwhelming! Babies R Us is GIGANTIC and there are soooo many useful and some not very useful things to choose from. How do you know what you'll REALLY need? Well, you never really do until you establish your "baby lifestyle" which to me means: Stay at home or working momma, mall or outdoor-sy mama, breast or bottle, cloth or disposable, home-made or Gerber baby food, ect. Some of these findings do not become known until after baby is born and you figure out what works best for you and baby. For instance, my MIL was convinced that all babies need a pacifier and so I ended up with hundreds of them, ok not hundreds but you know...Well Aiden only wanted one sometimes, for a few days here and there and then...never again! Now what do I do with all those brightly colored binks? :)
Here is a list of things I wish I had put on our registry instead of all those adorable newborn clothes, some of which never got worn :)

• baby gates (2)
• cool mist humidifier- those things are expensive!
• cloth diapers
• 18 month clothing-the month where he mysteriously ran out of wardrobe!
• sleep sacks in small, medium and large
• wipe warmer
• potty
• non-slip bath mat
• hiker baby carrier
• baby cubes-babyfood storage containers
• Putamayo children's CD collection
• highchair that converts to a travel highchair and one of neutral color 
• reusable wetbag
• cloth swim diaper
• umbrella stroller
• wooden, not plastic toys :)
• The Ergo Baby carrier instead of Bijorn
• The Chariot 
• Music Together class, baby gym membership, ect.
• more 12 month onsies (Carter's 12 mo. onsies lasted from 6-15 months old!!!) 

The Hippie Kick

Ok so it is no secret that I'm on some hippie kick. It all started waaaay back in 2004, when my hippie roommate recycled EVERYTHING! And I mean everything, as in even the toothpaste box. Well, it turned out to be a big influence on me and I went from once throwing away the tiny cardboard or paper items like the toothpaste box to realizing that every bit helps and the guilt set in. I began recycling everything too. Like even the tampon wrappers to the smallest contact lens packaging. Watch out, I was a recycling Queen! If I visited someone's house I would say, "Oh I'll just go put this in your recycling bin..." and if they said they didn't have one or didn't recycle, I ended all contact with them right then and there. Just kidding. I then gave them a very guilt-inducing, "Ooohhhhhh...." but what I was really saying was: "Grab a HINT, you are murdering the EARTH!!!" :) Hippie conversion #1-check!

The next step  into my hippie existence was the year of 2006-07 when I was living in Wyoming. WOW what a bunch of Earth-loving, hippies! These were the true hippies too, the no make-up and beanies, eating spinach salad with flax-seed for lunch, brew your own beer, gut an antelope in your front yard, cross-country SKI TO WORK through the downtown main street, Wal-Mart loathing, making pie crust from scratch, camping and hiking every weekend instead of spending money at the mall and Costco (well there was no mall/Costco in this town), disc- golf fanatical, Nalgene-toting, harmonica playing...well I'm sure by now you get the idea. :) I LOVED the lifestyle! What a refreshing change after well, California-need I say more? So I taught pre-K while living there and one of my co-workers had two recycling bins set up in the classroom that the kids had decorated. One for paper and one for plastic. At the end of each week when it was time to take the recycling out,  it became very clear who's Kirkland plastic water bottles were filling up the bin....ahhh-ehhhhmmmm....My co-worker however had a handy Nalgene bottle from which she drank water everyday and it seemed much easier to get one of those then spend money every two weeks at Costco like a goofball buying all these polluting, energy-consuming plastic water bottles. Hippie conversion #2 completed. :) I had the cutest, pink Camelbak you've ever seen and have never looked back :)

2008 came along and now it was time to get pregnant. Then I began reading all the alternative birthing literature like, Birthing From Within and watching the movie The Business of Being Born and after that decided right then and there I would be birthing drug-free as it is the safest route for your baby. Once I had decided that I was going au natural, I thought that I should be incorporating this ideal into my diet, (eating as organically as possible). I began drinking my hippie prego tea which I proudly displayed on the kitchen counter as if to say, "There IS a pregnant princess in the house!" Then I thought about all the other chemicals we ingest on a daily basis through our skin and I promptly switched my skin care regimen as I read all the natural pregnancy books which stated that the chemicals in some products can be harmful to the fetus. I love the Belli Skin Care line which had something to suit all my needs. I also began listening to my hypno-birthing CD so that I could maintain a calm and confident mindset throughout the pregnancy and birthing process. (And boy did that work!) See, the hippies are on to something. They eat better, take care of the Earth better and are calmer happier people all around. Hippie conversion #3-check, check!

Now that my little angel had arrived, I wanted to continue to do what I thought was best for him. Cloth diapering, baby-wearing, making my own baby-food, the canvas grocery bag is a given ect. Having Aiden around has definitely inspired a new set of hippie conversions which I swear started with the whole cloth-diapering kick. It's like once you do this, than why not do that? Like switching my household cleaners to biodegradable, earth-friendly options like Method and Seventh Generation- (Which I might add I've even switched to Seventh Generation maxi pads so that I don't have to wonder about all the harmful chemicals my whoo-ha is ingesting when that time of the month rolls around) 

Last week I started a compost pile. My husband is all for it except the concern of the smell and bugs but there are neither so far. I'll let you know how that goes. My goal now is to only have one bag of trash a week for the garbage man to pick up. With recycling, composting, and cloth diapers I'd say this is a reasonable goal. (The recycling trash bin is always overflowing!) Last conversion, (for now) are paper towels. Oh how I HATE buying them! What an expensive waste of money! They can't be recycled and they are chemically treated, bleached, and could cost well up to $400 a year! My new plan is to buy these paperless paper towels. Scroll down and read the Top 10 Reasons to Use Reusable Paper Towels article-good one! They are machine washable and dishwasher safe. They have high absorbency and hold up much better when used for scrubbing than regular paper towels. Check 'em out! Hopefully I will never be buying paper towels again! 

That's all for now on the hippie kick! I'll leave you with a picture of an adorable, 4 month old hippie baby and this earthy quote: We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. ~ Native American Proverb

My Birth Plan

If you thrive on having a plan like I do then consider creating a birthing plan a few months before the big event. This will let your doctor and nurses know what your preferences are so that you avoid screaming at them during labor.  :)
I went to Earth Mama Angel Baby, clicked on the "free birth plan" tab at the top and simply filled in the blanks. It was that easy :)
Here is mine. I just retrieved it from my email archives from when I had sent it to my husband. The email read : Please print 10 copies for my birthing staff. (At the time we didn't have a printer at home) Please read carefully. Thanks. The Woman Who's Having Your Child :)




To my Health Care Providers: Thank you for taking the time to work with us and our birth plan. These are our preferences; however we are open and flexible to any medical intervention that may become nessesary in the case of a medical emergency.

My Name:
      Laura Bishop My Due Date: April 12, 2009
My Address: Brentwood, CA  My Doctor: Dr. Walker, Dr. Kasper, Dr. Senior
My Partner: Tim Bishop
      As long as the baby and I are heathy, I would like to go at least 10 to 14 days over my due date before inducing labor.
      I would like to discuss laboring at home as long as possible.
      I trust that my practitioner will seek out my opinion concerning all of the issues directly affecting my birth before deviating from my plan.
      If I go past my due date and the baby and I are fine, I prefer to go into labor naturally rather than be induced.
      During a vaginal exam, I prefer at no time to have my membranes broken unless there is an emergency situation.
      I prefer to have minimal internal exams.
      If I am less than five centimeters dilated, I would like the option of going home.
      If induction becomes necessary, I would like to try natural induction techniques first(with the guidance of my practitioner).
These are the natural induction techniques I would like to try:
      Breast stimulation
      Walking
      Herbs
      Castor oil
      Sexual intercourse
If Medical induction becomes necessary, I prefer to try:
      Rupturing membranes
If my water breaks before I go into labor, I would like to:
      wait 6 hours before being induced.
      Upon arrival at the hospital, I prefer to have my partner with me at all times.
      Please, no residents or students attending my birth.
I request the following people to be present during my labor and/or 2nd stage labor:
      My Partner: Tim Bishop
      My Relatives: Norma Larsen, Neva Bishop
      My Friends: possibly my doula
      My Siblings: Melissa Smith
      I prefer to give birth in a birthing room.
      I prefer to give birth in room with a shower and/or bath.
If birth equipment is available, I would like to use:
      A birthing bed.
      A birthing ball.
      A birthing tub/pool/shower.
      A birthing stool.
Miscellaneous environmental requests:
      I would like to have dimmed lights.
      I would like for people entering the room to speak softly.
      I would like to play music.
      I would like to wear my own clothes during labor and delivery.
      I would like to be reminded to remove my clothing during the actual delivery.
      I would like to wear headsets during my labor and delivery.
      I would like to have my birth photographed.
      I would like to have my birth filmed/videotaped.
      I would like to wear my glasses or contact lenses unless removal becomes medically necessary.
      I would like to have no restrictions on food or fluids during my labor.
      I prefer to have no IV.
      Please do not offer me pain medications. Instead, offer me the encouragement I need to get through this labor drug-free. Bring in a cheer squad if you have to. (ok that last part I just now added) :)
I am prepared to try to handle pain with these natural and alternative methods:
      Breathing techniques.
      Distraction techniques.
      Hypnotherapy.
      Massage.
      Deep (or guided) relaxation.
      Water/bath/shower.
Other considerations :
      Ultimately, I want to be able to walk around and move as I wish while in labor.
      Ultimately, I would like to feel unrestricted in accessing any sounds of chanting, grunting, or moaning during labor.
      Please keep my door always closed during labor.
      If pushing for more than several hours, I am open to medical intervention in 2nd stage labor.
I would like to be encouraged to try the following different positions for labor:
      Squatting.
      Classic semi-recline.
      Hands and knees.
      Standing upright.
      Side Lying.
      Whatever feels right at the time
      I will ask for an enema if I feel that I need one.
      I prefer not to have an episiotomy.
To help prevent tearing, please apply:
Other labor considerations:
      No stirrups please unless I'm having a medical emergency.
      If intervention is needed for an assisted vaginal birth, I prefer vaccume suction
      I would like to view the birth using a mirror.
      I would like my partner to catch my baby, (if he is ready and willing at the time)
      I would like for our baby to hear our voices first.
      I prefer to have the lights dimmed for delivery or, if it is daylight, to access only natural light.
After Baby is Born:
      As long as my baby is healthy, I would like my baby placed immediately on my abdomen following the birth.
      Please put my baby skin-to-skin on my abdomen with a warm blanket over it.
      Please delay all essential routine procedures on my baby until after the bonding and breastfeeding period (i.e., bathing).
      If a C-Section is not an emergency, please give us time alone to think about it before asking for our written consent.
      My partner(s) is(are) to be present at all times during the c-section.
      Ideally, I would like to remain conscious during the procedure.
      I would like the baby to be shown to me immediately after it's born.
      I would like to have contact with the baby as soon as it is possible in the delivery room.
      We would like to photograph or film the operation as the baby comes out.
      If possible, please discuss anesthesia options with me (including morphine options).
      I prefer a low transverse incision on my abdomen and uterus.
Recovery:
      If my baby is healthy, I would like to hold my baby and nurse it immediately in recovery.
      I would like to sign any waivers necessary to permit me to be with my baby in recovery.
      As long as my baby is healthy, I would like my partner to be the babys constant source of attention until I am free to bond with it (i.e., holding, skin-to-skin contact, etc.).
      Please discuss with me what I can expect to feel immediately following the procedure.
      Please discuss my post-operative pain medication options with me before or immediately following the procedure.
      Please allow my partner to cut the umbilical cord.
Placenta:
      I would prefer for the placenta to be born spontaneously without the use of pitocin, and/or manual extraction.
      If the baby has any problems, I would like my partner to be present with the baby at all times, if possible.
      I would like to have routine newborn procedures delayed until bonding and breastfeeding have occurred.
      I would like all newborn routine procedures to be performed in my presence.
Administration of Eyedrops:
      I would like my baby to be administered eyedrops immediately after birth.
Vitamin K:
      I would like my baby to receive a routine injection of vitamin K immediately after birth.
Immunizations:
      I prefer any immunizations be postponed to a later time.
Bathing Baby:
      Please bathe my baby after we have had time to bond with it.
Circumcision:
      I would like him circumcised.
Other circumcision options:
      Please use a local anesthetic.
PKU:
      Routine PKU Testing right away.
Feedings:
      My baby is to be exclusively breastfed.
      I would like to see a lactation consultant as soon as possible for further recommendations and guidance.
Do not offer my baby the following without my consent:
      Formula.
      Pacifiers.
      Any artificial nipples.
      Sugar water.
If my baby's health is in jeopardy, I would like:
      To be transported with my baby if possible.
      My partner to go with the baby.
      To breastfeed or express my milk for my baby.
      To have no time restrictions with my baby.
      To have as much bodily contact with my baby as possible.
      To be offered a room at the hospital for the duration of my baby's stay (within reason).
I would like my in-hospital routine to be:
      Delayed rooming in until I have had time to rest.
Other hospital preferences:
      I prefer a private room.
      I prefer to have my partner stay with me for the duration of my hospital stay.
      I want privacy during my stay and for my guests to limit the time they are visiting me.