Born Mama

The Curse of 7

2012-02-01T17:00:00.000-06:00

Our life is busy, especially since I started working and T started Kindergarten. Three days a week I have to have T to school by 7:30am so that I can get to work by 8:00. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, to do this I need to leave my house by 6:50 so I can get the girls to school by 7:15ish and have T to school by 7:30. So, I wake up between 5:30 and 5:45 so I can be dressed by the time I start to wake the kids up at 6:00. They do not like waking up. T is the only morning person in the whole bunch. There are protests and tears, demands for food and complaints that it's too cold, it's all very dramatic.

Once breakfast is over everyone gets dressed, I do their hair, and then we pick up our lunches from the basement fridge and load into the car. Almost everyday I look at my watch and it's 6:45. Everyone is already dressed and I am making my smoothie, which I will drink in the car. By the time we pull out of the garage it is 7:00.

What happens to those 15 minutes? I wish I knew the answer. Does it really take 15 minutes for all of us to grab our lunches, get in the car, and pull out of the garage? I often feel as though we are sucked into some timeless, spaceless vortex and then spit back out at 7:00. I have tried getting up 30 minutes earlier and getting the kids up earlier, still we can never seem to leave before 7. Thus, I refer to this phenomenon as "The curse of 7."

Agenda-less Saturday

2012-01-28T22:54:00.001-06:00

Today we had nothing on the agenda. Though we had to stay home because our new windows were installed today!! Yay for modern, gas filled windows that are clean, and all have screens! The guys who put them in were awesome and we hardly knew they were here. Other than that the kids and I just took it easy (MA was at work.)

We did a lot of fun stuff! Tristan and I played Super Mario Bros. on his DS. We beat several worlds and we even found some secret worlds.

Before lunch we went outside, because Tristan had decided he wanted to play football. He appointed himself and me to be on a team called The Giants and Emeline and Evelyn were on a team called The Titans. He even invited the guys installing the windows to play. Football lasted about 8 minutes. It was beautiful outside and the temp wasn't too cold, but the wind was brutal. The Giants won though, but who's keeping score?

We decided to hit the backyard, which stays pretty sheltered from the wind. We ended up jumping on the trampoline for about 20 minutes.

This produced lots of static!! The kids had a blast and I got in a decent work out.

I had to get a picture of Emeline's hair and she wanted to make a silly face.

The kids got the trampoline from Nan for Christmas and it has been a HUGE hit!! It is small, but the perfect size for our backyard and for three small kids. I managed to get a picture of Tristan smiling!

Evelyn was checking out the creek on the walk back from playing football.

Evelyn with some static going on.

Such a sweet face. Notice the lipstick all over her face. She and Emeline were playing with Emeline's makeup and Evelyn did her own lipstick. Hopefully she will improve before she actually starts wearing make-up.

We had a fun low-key day that ended with Pumpkin Pancakes and Turkey Bacon for dinner. Then we helped MA out by painting the rest of Nana's birthday present so he can seal it in the morning. The kids loved painting! Then it was bath time followed by bed time. I love days like these!

"We have a few special years with our children when they're the ones who want us around. Then we'll be chasing them for a bit of attention." From the movie Hook

Good Bye 2011

2012-01-07T17:12:00.001-06:00

I have been eagerly anticipating 2012 since 2011 began. 2011 was a year of ups and downs, with the downs seeming to out number the ups. I am not going to depress you with all of the downs of last year, but I will try to be an optimist and hit some of the ups.

Tristan and Emeline went through the whole year with very few illnesses and all three were healthy and growing when they went for their birthday check ups. Of course the kids all had birthdays and are now 6, 4, and 2 1/2. Crazy!! For the first time in over 5 years we have NO kids in diapers!! We are diaper free! My cousin and her husband had a baby adding a new and beautiful addition to our extended family. Also, my sister found out she was expecting their 2nd child in May 2012!!

We sold our house (amazingly fast) to a great family and moved to Greenbrier in February. We became the care takers of Valley View Camp. Our first year here was great. Filled with many challenges, responsibilities, and blessings. We helped add a ropes course and zip lines and that has been SO much fun! It is such a blessing to be able to serve God's kingdom in this way.

Tristan played his first season of soccer and he really enjoyed it!

I graduated with my associated degree in Healthcare Management and passed my CPC coding exam! After months of searching I finally landed two jobs and ended up choosing a part time billing position. I LOVE my job and the flexibility it offers me.

Tristan started Kindergarten at Goodpasture Christian School. How did that happen?? He LOVES it and his teacher has been such a blessing to him. He has also made several good friends there and is READING!!

Evelyn started school part time. She has never been away from me during the day until this year. She had a rough time adjusting, but after a class change she is loving school and she is talking so much more!!
Emeline started dance class which she totally LOVES!! I have never seen her be so into anything. She watches the teacher intently and strives to do her best.

We also went on a family vacation with my side of the family in October to Gatlinburg. There were 12 of us (including kids). It was tons of fun and very interesting!!

We had a great Thanksgiving and Christmas.
All in all our family was very blessed during 2011. Sometimes it's hard to see the good in the midst of ttragedy. But I'm still glad it's history!!

Good riddance 2011!!

Weekly Menu 11/28 - 12/9

2011-11-28T13:54:00.001-06:00

Monday 11/28: Italian Meatload with mashed potatoes and veggies.
Tuesday 11/29: Shrimp Stir Fry with rice and salad
Wednesday 11/30: Breaded Tilapia with rice and veggies
Thursday 12/1: Slow Cooker Bean and Veggie Burritos
Friday 12/2: Chili with Grilled Cheese and Fritos
Saturday 12/3: Chicken Stir Fry
Sunday 12/4: Leftovers
Monday 12/5: Thai Style Chicken Pumpkin Soup (Slow Cooker)
Tuesday 12/6: Fish Tacos with Homemade Verde Salsa and Black Beans and Rice
Wedsnesday 12/7: Pasta with Roasted Broccoli and Garlic
Thursday 12/8: Breakfast for Dinner (Pumpkin pancakes, turkey bacon, and eggs)
Friday 12/9: Zucchini Turkey Burgers with French Fries

For lunches we will have: Corn Chowder and Sandwiches.
I will also be making homemade Oreo truffles for breakfast with Santa on Saturday and maybe eating a few along the way!

Meal Plan for Nov. 14 - 23rd

2011-11-14T21:12:00.000-06:00

I am planning on becoming more active on this blog and I would really like to post meal plans, mainly so I can remember from week to week. I have been trying to plan out meals and shop for a full two weeks. The first couple of times went okay, but I am getting pretty good at it now. So here's the plan for this 2 week period. If people want recipes then I will start to link them, but until then I'm keeping it simple.

Monday 11/14 - Pumpkin Pancakes
Tuesday 11/15 - Chicken Gumbo with Salad and Grilled Cheese for Kids
Wednesday 11/16 - Beef Stroganoff
Thursday 11/17 - Blackened Tilapia Sandwiches with Cilantro Lime Mayo with Asparagus and Sweet Potatoes
Friday 11/18 - Tomatillo Chicken with Black Beans and Rice
Saturday 11/19 - TBD Possible Dinner Guests
Sunday 11/20 - Left Overs
Monday 11/21 - Veggie Penne with Shrimp
Tuesday 11/22 - Chicken Spaghetti
Wednesday 11/23 - Chili

Thursday is Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday) and we will get going to Atlanta to be with my husband's side of the family.

Failure

2011-05-18T23:51:00.000-05:00

I took my CCS-P exam yesterday which began with a traumatic book issue. One of the book requirements was not specific and I almost didn't get to test because I didn't have the right book. After 5 minutes of sweating and breath holding the program coordinator at the testing center gave me special permission to test. There are two parts to the exam: a 90 minute 60 question multiple choice section and a 140 minute free coding section with 16 case studies. You must pass each section independently in order to pass the exam, but you don't find out if you passed until all sections have been completed. After 4 grueling hours of testing I hit submit, exited the testing room, and stepped outside to read the verdict. I failed. By one point. I had to make a 36 out of 50 on the first section and a 222 out of 300 on the second. I made a 35 on the first section and a 246 on the second. I was sick. I still am. One Point. So now I'm on to plan B: pay another $425 and take the CPC exam in June and then pay $300 to retake the CCS-P exam after the 90-day wait period. And of course I am praying for a job in the meantime.
I was so down on myself yesterday and I am still feeling pretty bummed today, but I spoke with my professor and she encouraged me. Actually, everyone around me has been encouraging and I am thankful. One of my best friends called me tonight while I was in church and left me the most encouraging and touching message and for that I am thankful. Somehow she knew just what I needed to hear. So now I'm applying for jobs like crazy and praying hard that God will open doors. I appreciate all of the prayers during my exam and your continued plans. I've decided to have a positive attitude about the whole thing. After all, Michael Jordan didn't make the team the first time, right?

A New Leaf

2011-05-15T20:48:00.000-05:00

Almost two years ago I went back to school to earn my degree in Health Care Management with a concentration in Medical Coding. Last Tuesday my two year journey came to an end as I graduated from NSCC with an AAS in Health Care Management. This Tuesday I will be taking my CCS-P exam which will (if I pass) make me a certified coding specialist. I hope to enter the workforce soon. Due to these life changes I have decided to redirect this blog. It will still be about my life, but it will no longer be focused on birth; though I am sure it will come up as it is still a focus of mine. Now that my free time will no longer be occupied with school I plan to blog more about my life.
My completing this degree is a part of our 10 year plan for me, which began 2 years ago. The next step of the plan is for me to get a job in medical coding and to work in that career until Evelyn is in school. At that point I plan to begin nursing school and after 4 years of school to graduate with my Midwifery Degree and become a Certified Nurse Midwife. So far I am right on track!
I have challenged hubby to figure out his dream so that we can begin planning for his professional future as well. He is still trying to discover his passion and I am praying that God will lead him to find something fulfilling.
Right now I am SUPER stressed about passing my exam on Tuesday. It will help me get a job and is a must if I want to be a coder. If I don't pass the exam I can't take it again for six months and I have to pay the exam fee of $300 all over again. So I am studying and praying really hard!!
I'm looking forward to this exam being over and to taking on a new blogging adventure!

The Speech

2010-07-08T23:06:00.003-05:00

Tonight I was asked to be the guest speaker for a women's administration group at my church about being a doula. All week I struggled with what I was going to say, how I was going to introduce the topic and what information I would cover. Today at 3pm I still had no idea. I sat down and tried to type out some notes, but nothing seemed right. I knew the group was small (15-20 people), the average age was early 60's and the group consisted of several women who have known my grandmother for decades. All of this made me more unsure of what I would say. I was to speak for 30 minutes and at 5:00 I still had nothing prepared! I had been praying hard about it all day and really felt I should tell my story and just let the rest follow, however my fear was that I would offend someone; birth is a touchy subject especially with this particular age group.
At 5:3o I called my mom for a little guidance. I told her I had nothing prepared, but that I wanted to explain what a doula was and to share my passion with these women. She suggested that I share my journey to doula-hood and just let the rest flow from there. She confirmed what I felt I should say. My babysitter arrived and I left the house armed only with my handouts.
At the meeting we ate dinner, had a short devotional and then it was my turn. There was about 16 ladies there, most of whom I recognized. I began by asking who had ever heard of a doula, two hands went up. I wanted them to understand and feel how and why I became a doula. So, I began the story of Tristan's birth; the long version, the one with the feeling of fear when T's heart rate dropped, the way I felt when I heard the words "emergency c-section," the sheer terror my husband felt being left in a room all alone while his wife and child are whisked away to the operating room, the hope I felt as I tried to push my child out one last time, the failure I felt when I couldn't. The story about being separated from my son for 4 hours, his refusal to eat from anything but a syringe for 24 hours, the struggle breastfeeding, the grief, and the guilt over feeling grief, the recovery, the hemorrhage, the improper healing of my scar. The story continued with my discovery of the interventions that contributed to the cesarean becoming necessary, my vow to do things differently the second time. At this point at least two ladies had tears in their eyes and I knew my feelings of that day were valid, I knew I told the story well. Thankfully, there is much more to the story.
I explained how I researched, read and searched for the right doctor; how I went 9 days past my due date during the hottest summer on record. My threat to baby number 2 to drink castor oil if she didn't make an appearance by the next morning, luckily she did. I went into labor on my own and had a beautiful, easy, unmedicated vaginal delivery. The joy I felt holding her and nursing her in the first moments after her birth. Questions began about natural childbirth: how was it? could I tell a difference? was the bonding better? Our preachers mother spoke up and said "Natural is the only way to go." I beamed.
After Emeline's birth I became a doula; I explained what that was and what I do. Then came the story about Evelyn, her surprise conception and her arrival 7 days after my due date. I told about how I caught her and everyone gasped and smiled, they all had questions about this. I answered them. I explained the beauty of her birth and how a doula benefited me.
One woman asked me if I felt more of a bond with my naturally born children then with my son, I said yes. Her eyes stared to well up with tears and she began to tell us the story of her children's births. Baby number one, born a footling breech, and baby number two coming early and spending 2 weeks in the NICU. Two weeks in which this mother was not allowed to even touch her child. She confessed that if she had to wait any longer to touch her she might have abandoned the baby, because she felt no connection. By then I was crying and so were several others. This mother spoke briefly about the importance of bonding and how it affects the maternal child relationship. Another women spoke about the way her three cesareans (classical incisions) permanently damaged her body.
I have to admit I did not expect so much emotion or the telling of birth stories. I wonder how long these women have held these things inside, ashamed to talk about them. At this point I began to talk about God's plan, how he used my son's birth to give me a ministry and a way to connect with women and serve them. How I am passionate about putting God back in birth, where he should be. About God's design for birth and the blessing of being a woman.
More questions followed and when it was all said and done I had spoken for well over 30 minutes without any notes. I know God was with me, guiding my words. I hope I did not offend anyone, but I really feel as though I touched these women. I am so thankful for this opportunity and my prayer is God will continue to bless these women.

I am Proud to Announce...

2010-05-11T23:21:00.003-05:00

The arrival of my new niece, Kate Elaine, born May 8th at 2:00 am after 26 hours of unmedicated labor. She weighed in at 9lbs 2oz and 22in. long. Mom was awesome!! I was blessed to be her doula! Look for a birth story soon!! Congrats!!

Doula Appreciation Month Giveaway!!

2010-04-27T16:19:00.004-05:00

May is Internation Doula Month, a time to raise awareness about who doulas are and what they do. In honor of this my previous mentor and doula at my middle child's birth, is hosting an AWESOME give away. I encourage you all to head over to Bellies and Babies and check it out. If you are interested in anything birth related you should already be reading this blog, it is amazing!! Thanks for being an inspiration and advocate Nicole!!

A Love Letter

2010-04-21T15:00:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I came across this letter that I wrote to Evelyn, our third child, a little over two weeks before she was born. Enjoy!

Dear Evelyn,
I long to hold you against me, skin-to-skin, to see your face and study your features, to nourish you, to touch you, to know you. I so look forward to the journey that we will take to see each other for the first time, I know it will be intense, peaceful, gentle, purposeful and a great way to begin this journey of life.
Our journey began many months ago. We've come so far. The end of this journey will give birth to a new and life long journey and, as with this journey, I will be there to see you through.
With God as our guide we will take the journey one step at a time, not fearing what is ahead and unknown. Our faith is in God and he will guide our steps. I thank God for the blessing that you are to me and for the privilege to carry you in my womb and to bring you into this world. What a magnificent creator! He has created us for each other, he has blessed me by putting you in my life. I am in awe of His love and wisdom. I have been blessed and I am truly humbled.
Love always,
Mom

Membership Drive

2010-03-12T09:37:00.003-06:00

The Nashville Chapter of Birth Network National is having their membership drive. It is open to professionals and consumers. Visit Birth Network National to find a chapter in your area or visit Nashville Birth Network to learn more and to become a member!! You can join anytime, but March 15th is the last day to be entered to win prizes for the membership drive and to be included in the annual printing of the reference guide which is handed out at all our events. Don't forget to tell them Lindsay sent you!!

Surprisingly Positive Article

2010-03-03T15:22:00.003-06:00

This article was on the front page of the Life section of the Tennessean on Monday and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised how positive it was and how much information was presented on VBAC, though I do wish more had been said about the VBAC climate in Tennessee, but hey it's a start!! Check it out!

I'm Back

2010-03-03T15:15:00.003-06:00

I am excited to announce that I am back from my hiatus!! I have begun doula-ing again and plan to begin teaching childbirth education classes in April!! I am also in the process of becoming a certified hypno-doula which I am extremely excited about seeing as how I have a mom due on the 13th and my sister is due in early May and they are both using hypnobabies. I did not use hypnobabies myself, but saw it work beautifully for a mom I attended in December 2008. I have really missed being a doula, even though I did doula for my best friend from high school in November, and I am really excited to be back and to have the opportunity to support women in this way again!!
I am still in school and will be for another year, so doula-ing will once again be part time, though I wish I could devote more time. I hope to be able to find time to post more on this blog, so keep looking for new stuff!!
I'm also really excited about my mama due next week, I had a second prenatal meeting with her and her husband and a doula in training who will be shadowing me and it was great!! I am so excited about attending her and hope to have a story to share in the next two weeks!!

Must Read

2009-09-01T21:56:00.002-05:00

If you are a Mom or planning on becoming one please hop on over to Bellies and Babies to check out the latest way formula companies are undermining breastfeeding. All I can say is WOW!! Please read and pass it along it you are as appalled as I was.

Hiatus

2009-04-28T12:59:00.002-05:00

I wanted to announce that I am going to be taking a year off from doula-ing. I am going to be starting school in June and I need all the time I can get to focus on family and school. I will continue to teach childbirth education classes as needed. I am going to dearly miss attending births, but I know this is the best decision for me and my family. I am going to make an exception for a dear friend who is due with her first baby in November. I will continue to blog and be involved in the Nashville Birth Network and birth related things.

Breastfeeding Trials and Triumphs

2009-04-04T09:26:00.003-05:00

Right now I am surrounded by women who are either new mothers or expectant mothers. As a new mom myself (for the 3rd time) I have experienced breastfeeding challenges and triumphs. Over the course of the last week I have spoken with several new moms about their breastfeeding experiences. One mom I spoke with just had her second baby and she is successfully nursing him, but was unable to be successful with her first child. She has found this nursing relationship to be much easier than the first. Another mom I spoke with has showed amazing commitment and determination. Her and her daughter were having problems getting feeding time started. For several days she would attempt to latch her daughter on and when she was unsuccessful would pump and then give her daughter pumped milk from a bottle. Their nursing relationship is beginning to turn around and mom has not had to supplement any feedings for several days.
Breastfeeding is hard! We all hear this, but many of us, myself included, don't really believe it can be "that hard," but then we have a baby and experience it for ourselves and learn just how difficult it can be. My advice would be to seek help, surround yourself with supportive people and don't give up too soon. For me it always got easier after the end of the second week, or at least it didn't get any worse.
Just because you have more than one child doesn't mean it gets easier, you just have more knowledge about how to deal with those challenges. Looking back on my nursing experiences I believe they have prepared me to raise my children. Each of my children presented their own challenges during the beginning of our nursing relationship and they each pose different challenges to me as they grow up. They are all so different but with each passing day I gain more knowledge about how to guide them as they grow.
I feel it is very important for women who desire to breastfeed to take a breastfeeding class and attend a La Leche League meeting before their baby is born. I know I wish I had before my first child was born. Having a strong support system is key. Check out these resources for more information on breastfeeding! If you have any you would like to add leave a comment and I will add them.

La Leche League
Find an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant)
Breastfeeding Info

Our Newest Blessing

2009-03-16T11:49:00.003-05:00

Evelyn Gael was born on March 8th (exactly 7 days after my due date) at 9:09am after about four and a half hours of active labor, including one hour of pushing. She weighed in at 7lbs 9.5oz and was 20 inches long. She is beautiful (as you can see), she has blue eyes so dark they almost look black, a full head of dark hair and a dark complexion; she looks nothing like our other two. My labor was intense and so was pushing, it was longer than my last baby, but I also felt more present during this birth as I knew what to expect and how my body would feel. My sister videotaped the entire event and as soon as I can edit the video (it spans 3 tapes) I will let you know. God once again blessed us with a beautiful, healthy baby girl and a beautiful, natural birth to bring her into this world. I am blessed beyond measure. Big brother adores her, always wanting to hold her and look at her and even offering her a train to play with. Big sister is still investigating her and cries whenever her little sister does. We are adjusting to life as a family of five. When I have time to actually put my birth story down on paper I will post it. Thanks to all of you who kept us in your prayers and thoughts during my pregnancy, it is greatly appreciated. We are hoping to start a separate blog about our family, so be looking for that in the near future.

Maternity Photos

2009-03-02T21:25:00.003-06:00

An old high school friend, Stella Dolce Photography, did a maternity photo shoot for our family. I think the pictures turned out great so I wanted to share some of them. Enjoy!! Oh, I am 38 weeks pregnant in the pictures, Tristan is 3 and Emeline is 16 1/2 months.

I'm Feeling Blessed

2009-02-08T21:46:00.002-06:00

Today my wonderful Sunday school class, The Upper Room, threw me a baby shower, I had such a great time. The cake and peanut butter balls were amazing and we got most everything we needed. It was so nice to have a baby shower, even though we already have two children, there were still several things we needed. I finally feel like I am ready for this baby to come. I'm 37 weeks pregnant today, so we'll see how much longer she decides to stay in there!

Blessingways

2009-01-10T16:07:00.003-06:00

As I begin to plan for my own birthing time I am becoming increasingly interested in blessingways and how to introduce the idea to family and friends. Then I came across this awesome post by Bellies and Babies. Since this is my third baby in three years I am not expecting a baby shower, but a blessingway would be incredible. I would like to experience one so that I can help plan them for expectant moms.

I believe it would be a birth changing tradition if it was done as frequently as baby showers are. Imagine the impact this small, simple ceremony would have!

Incredible Births

2009-01-01T21:39:00.003-06:00

In the last 2 weeks I have been privileged to attend two incredible births! I am now on "maternity leave" from doula work until after my little one arrives. I could not have attended two more wonderful births before the birth of my baby. I am meeting with both moms next week and hope to be able to post birth stories then. A woman's body is such an amazing thing!! I can't wait to share!

Oh, Happy New Year!!!

December Babies

2008-12-22T10:03:00.003-06:00

After attending a beautiful and inspiring birth last week I was reminded of a story that Bellies and Babies posted last December. I love this story of Mary in labor and giving birth to Jesus. It is kind of long, but worth the time to read it to the end. I hope you enjoy and I hope to have a birth story posted soon!

A (unconventional, probably more accurate than most)Christmas Play

NARRATOR: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Jospeh also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.
(Children sing quietly in background) “Little donkey, little donkey, on the dusty road … ” etc

MARY: Stop! Stop! (Looks around wildly) I need to find a bush!

JOSEPH: I TOLD you to go before we left the house!

MARY: I DID go before we left the house!

JOSEPH: We’ve only been on the road 5 minutes! You must have a bladder the size of a pea!

MARY: Oh yeah? You try riding an ass with rickets over these bumpy roads with a great big full-term baby tap-dancing on your bladder! Maybe it’s YOU that’s got a BRAIN the size of a pea, mister!

NARRATOR: And when he heard this, he was troubled at her saying, and cast in his mind what manner of salutation this should be.

(Mary struggles to dismount and scurries off.)

JOSEPH: Come on, Mary, we’ll get stuck in rush hour!

MARY: I AM hurrying – ow – drat these thorn bushes! – my center of gravity is off!

Pause.

MARY: (anxiously) ummm, Joseph, do you see any good leaves?

(Mary climbs gingerly on donkey.)

MARY: Oooof!

JOSEPH: Think of the benefit to your pelvic floor, sweetie!

(They plod on.)

MARY: Are we there yet?

JOSEPH: (sighs) We’ve only been –

MARY: I know! I know! We’ve only been on the road 5 minutes.

(Joseph looks around.)

JOSEPH: I wonder which way?

MARY: Check the map.

JOSEPH: Maps haven’t been invented yet.

MARY: Ask someone!
JOSEPH: No, no, it must be – this way, I think. (more hesitantly) This can’t be right.

MARY: (climbs down) well, while you’re trying to find out where we are, I’m going to find a bush

….

JOSEPH: (heavenward) God? God? Hey, is this your idea of being funny? Here I am, stuck in the middle of nowhere, going somewhere I’ve never been, with a wife I’m not married to, whose carrying a baby that’s not mine! I sure hope there’s some cosmic purpose in all this!

MARY: Joseeeeeeeph! My bowels are runny and I think I’m losing my mucous plug!

JOSEPH: Great! Thanks for sharing, honey!

MARY: (waddles back looking concerned). Are we th –

JOSEPH: (testily) NO!!!

MARY: All right, all right, keep your cloak on!

(Some time later)

MARY: (irritably) Can’t you shut those children up? (They have been droning an endless loop of “Little Donkey” in the background throughout.)

JOSEPH: Shh! (to children, who stop singing, look disappointed, shrug and leave).

MARY: Ow! Joseph, PLEEEZE drive more smoothly, do you have to hit EVERY pothole and speedbump!

JOSEPH: I’m trying babe, but this donkey has a mind of its own!
Mary groans or catches her breath with each step and stumble the donkey makes.

JOSEPH: Are you OK, babe?

MARY: It’s these Braxton-Hicks contractions. All this bumping and jiggling makes them happen more.

JOSEPH: Braxton and Hicks haven’t been born yet.

MARY: (wails) You NEVER validate anything I say!

(Mary grips donkey’s mane with both hands and look strained, trying not to groan with every footfall.)

JOSEPH: Are you sure you’re OK, babe?

MARY: No, actually, I’m not OK! I’m 9 months pregnant, I’m tired, I’m hungry, I’m thirsty, my back aches, my legs ache, my pants are wet and - (starts crying) – I just want to go home!

(Joseph stops leading the donkey and comes around to hold out his arms to her for a hug. Mary weeps. She starts to breath differently, holding on tight to Joseph.

MARY: Joe, I don’t think that was a Braxton Hicks. That hurt right down low.

(Jospeh looks around, worried.)

JOSEPH: Look, you can already see the lights of Bethlehem. We’re nearly there! Hang in there babe. Do you want to walk for a bit? Come on babe – (he helps her dismount. Mary walks. She stops, breathes, does a little labor dance, waggles her hands to indicate to Joseph to come hold her. She walks more, repeats...)

MARY: Joe, I think walking makes them come more. I think I’d better get back on.
They proceed with Joseph walking beside the donkey trying to support Mary.
They enter Bethlehem. It’s very busy.

JOSEPH: Excuse me! Excuse me please – ah, my wife here is just about ready to have a baby and we’re looking for the Inn –

MAN: There’s no room at the Inn – that was booked out weeks ago!

JOSEPH: Well, is there anywhere else?

MAN: Do you have a reservation?

JOSEPH (blankly) A reservation?

MARY: (Through gritted teeth) I can’t BELIEVE you didn’t make reservations!

(She clambers off the donkey purposefully and leans forward over the donkey’s back, breathing and swaying her hips. The man stares, Joseph looks more concerned. A matronly woman notices Mary’s posture and stops.)

WOMAN: This little lady hasn’t long to go! You can’t be schlepping about all over town trying to find a room! You poor little treasure (kisses and pats Mary) you’re hardly more than a baby yourself! Is it easing now? Good. Come on then. I know a place that will do. It’s not exactly 5 Star – Bring Your Own Star more like it – but it’s shelter and it’s private and you’ll be left in peace at least. That’s right darling, you’re a strong healthy girl, take my arm, hubby’s right there on the other side, we’ll have you sorted out in no time. How far apart now?

NARRATOR: And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

WOMAN: Now it might smell a bit mucky, but the straw’s all clean. Joseph, we’ll need your cloak, that’s right, just lay it down here. Now this milking stool will be perfect! Remember, Mary, the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women, but they are lively and give birth upon the stools! We’ll get gravity on your side!
That’s your heritage darling, a quick easy birth for you, because you are blessed and the fruit of your womb is blessed, that’s the blessing Yahweh gave to Abraham! That’s right, that’s right, settle yourself on the stool, lovely open pelvis, that’s the way. Now Joseph, if you just kneel in front of her, she can lean forward and have a lovely cuddle, that’s the way. And rest. Just rest. Yes. Yes. There you go.

(Mary breathes intently through a contraction and moans at the peak)

WOMAN: All that walking and donkey riding has gotten you well along, you’ve already done most of the work. And you’ve prepared all these nice clean cloths. Perfect. Sensible girl. We’ll put fresh straw in the feeding trough and it will make a perfect little cradle. You’ll be holding him in your arms before you know it. You’re doing perfectly.

JOSEPH: Lord, sorry about before. You’ve worked everything out. (He prays for his wife).

MARY: (starts her breathing only to grunt at the top) UMF! Uh, I think I just pushed. This is what Elizabeth did when I attended her. Johnny was born just a little after that. Joey, I think I am pushing!

(Mary leans forward with the next one, holding Joseph's hands and grunts into it)

JOSEPH: Whoa! There is something down there! It's got hair too!

NARRATOR: And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn.
And it came to pass that verily, Mary was at the end of her tether because the holy infant was screaming its head off.

(Mary is lying down, an exhausted arm flopped over her eyes. Joseph is pacing with the roaring baby, jiggling it. A childish chorus croons “Silent Night” in the background.)

JOSEPH: Maybe he needs changing.

MARY: I just changed him.

JOSEPH: Maybe he needs to nurse.

MARY: I JUST NURSED HIM!!!

(Joseph tries to rock and soothe, to no avail).

MARY: Ei Ei Ei! I need some shepherd's purse and milk thistle to calm my nerves! Can’t you take him outside for a moment so I can at least clean myself up?

JOSEPH: It’s freezing out there!

MARY: Just for 5 minutes? Please? Use the sheepskin!

JOSEPH: Blessed art thou among women? CRANKY art thou among women more like it! (He struggles to wrap the sheepskin around the screaming baby and leaves.)

MARY: Lord, that angel I thought I saw - unless it was just too much falafel – said I was highly favored! I sure don’t feel very favored right now! I’m sore both ends, I’m LEAKING both ends – and if that baby is really your baby then why is he screaming blue bloody murder all the time? Shouldn’t he be meek and mild and QUIET???

NARRATOR: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, not being sure of exactly where to find the new born king, they heard the screaming from afar and drew nigh.

SHEPHERD 1: (a family man, uncertainly) Ummm, is this the kid that’s wrapped in swaddling cloths and sleeps in the feeding trough?

JOSEPH: (sleep-deprived) Huh?

SHEPHERD 2 (a younger man, eyeing the squalling bundle in Joseph’s arms) Man, what’s wrong with him?

JOSEPH: I’d better take him inside before he gets too cold.

SHEPHERD 1: (knowledgeably) No, they don’t like to be cold. Uh – is there a - a manger in there?

JOSEPH: A manger?

(Singing children promptly launch forth into ‘Away In A Manger).

SHEPHERD 3 (a boy) : well, you see these heavenly host dudes were going about a manger, saying it was a sign and all.

JOSEPH: well, yes, there is a manger actually, but we hardly ever use it. He seems to like sleeping next to us where he can smell Mary’s milk. Then she doesn’t have to get up when he wants to feed.
(They go in.)

JOSEPH: Hi honey. There’s some guys here to see the baby.

MARY: (wearily) Do they know how to get him to stop crying?

SHEPHERD 1: Er, well, there is something we do that seems to work well with the lambs. May I?

(He takes the baby and holds him over his shoulder, head down.)

MARY: (startled, starts to get up). What on earth are you doing for heaven’s sake!?

(Baby belches loudly and the crying begins to ease.)

SHEPHERD 1: There you go, it was just a bit of wind. He might have a touch of colic. If the lambs get discomforted like this, we just - (he adjusts the baby so he is “wearing” the baby around his neck) - carry them like this, so their tummy gets a massage. (He bounces gently, with confidence, and the baby settles). Works on my kids, too! I used to walk down the road carrying my second boy like this, to give his mother a break.
Why don’t you two go out for a moment? You could use a break. Even the ewes get stir-crazy if they’re cooped up with their lambs too long. We’ll keep an eye on this little feller.

JOSEPH: Come on babe! (pulls Mary up).

SHEPHERD 1: (to Jesus, as he cradles him in his arms.) So you’re the one who’s going to be the Shepherd of your people Israel! Well, well! (He starts to hum, and begins crooning a lullaby):
“He shall lead His flock like a shepherd. He shall carry the lambs in His arms. And carry them in His bosom. And gently lead those that are with young.”
(Jospeh and Mary see their baby is in good hands and venture outside. They sit down on a hill side and snuggle close because of the cold.)

JOSEPH: Did you ever see such an amazing starry sky? Like you could reach out and touch them.

MARY: Is that a planet? Look at that one! It’s huge! Right above us!

JOSEPH: Maybe it’s the star!

MARY: What star?

JOSEPH: You know. The star you have to bring when you bring your own star.

MARY: God even provided the star. Joseph, do you really think that little baby in there is the son of God?

JOSEPH: (chuckles and cuddles Mary). Look at this way babe. You know how the baby was born, right?

MARY: All too well!

JOSEPH: (Meaningfully) Well, do you have any idea at all how you got pregnant?
(Mary laughs and blushes).

MARY: (musing) A virgin shall bring forth a child. Remember the old prophecy? Joe, don’t you find it strange how these supernatural, miraculous things are all mixed up with such ordinary things? Why would God choose such ordinary people like us, and have his son born in a smelly old shed? I sometimes wonder if I imagined the angel and everything.

JOSEPH: I know for a fact that I didn’t imagine my angel. I was terrified! I didn’t sleep for a week! Did you know those shepherds back there saw a whole sky full of angles? That’s how they knew to come find us!

MARY: (wryly) I thought it was all my yelling.

JOSEPH: Well, that too!

MARY: But you know, Joseph, it hasn’t been easy, it’s not always a smooth ride –

JOSEPH: yeees dear, and you let me know it!

MARY: (playfully thumps Joseph) You have your ornery moments too! But even so, it seems like God has every little detail all worked out, you know, even that long journey helped my labour, and the midwife who just happened to be there, and the shed just happened to have fresh straw –

JOSEPH: And those shepherds sure turned up right when we seriously needed a break!

MARY: That dear little baby! It’s amazing. I can hardly take it all in.

JOSEPH: I guess God likes to use ordinary people and ordinary things so His miracles are all the more special. Just store these things in your heart, Mary. They’ll come back to you like precious jewels in a treasure chest in years to come.

MARY: Yes. I will.

NARRATOR: And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

And The Winner Is...

2008-11-11T22:39:00.002-06:00

I have finally reached a decision regarding who my care provider will be for the remainder of my pregnancy and birth. I have been seeing a group of midwives (CNM) since I found out I was preggers and after attending an intensely wonderful birth last Tuesday under those same midwives my mind was pretty much made up.
Today I had an appointment with them just to ask some questions about their policies. All of my questions were answered to my satisfaction. I have decided to stay with the midwives. I truly believe this is the best decision for this pregnancy and birth. It is such a relief to have this decision behind me.

BTW, I will post a birth story as soon as I get permission from mom and dad, it was an amazing journey!

Remembering

2008-10-23T23:03:00.005-05:00

At almost 22 weeks pregnant I still have not decided on a care provider for the birth of this baby. I am receiving prenatal care, but have not made a final decision. That said, today I had a consult with the final doc on my list. I had heard great things about this doc, that he practices evidenced based medicine, encourages moms to catch their babies, is very hands off during labor, etc. So you can imagine my surprise when, during my consult, words like control, induction, breaking your water, etc. kept coming up.
On the ride home I had a flashback of the practice I choose to have my first child with, chills went down my spine. I remembered my own ignorance and trust in my doctor's opinion. I LET them decide what was best for me and didn't even bother to question anything. I walked blindly into the hospital for my induction, but it was my choice and I will have to live with the consequences of that choice for the rest of my life; it effects me everyday. It never occurred to me that things might not go perfectly, how naive I was and the price I paid for that naivety.
Not again! Never again will I trust a medical professional so fully with my health care. I am responsible for me and the decisions that are made about my health care. How I wish I could teach every woman to trust her intuition and to seek true informed consent.

In Honor Of...

2008-10-03T11:14:00.000-05:00

Emeline's first birthday I thought it would be appropriate to post Emeline's birth story. The first is the short version, written by my doula, and the second, the long version, is my account. I hope you enjoy!!!

L and MA. What a ride, what a journey.

L, the day I ‘met’ you online, I coveted becoming your doula. You were full of passion, a desire for a healing birth, and an aura of strength and wisdom that I did not often see in my mommas.
You had previously had a cesarean with Tri-boy, and were convinced that your body could do it itself. You were heart-set on a healing birth to reclaim your body’s ability and power. You were preparing for a natural birth. I wanted to support you in making it possible. So, I prayed I would be chosen.
When I initially met with you both, I was worried that I would be considered ‘too young’, as often I have been told. I was relieved, when, instead you gave me a call and told me that you would love for me to be your doula.
From that point on, I had the privilege of working with you on your birth plan (you had it in the bag), creating a positive birth story to complete your bad birth dreams, and simply prepare for the birth of your little one.
I was sure that you were going to be in labor on September 22nd. When that day came and went, I was astounded. You had been ‘labor ready’ for a long time by this point. You had a few bouts of start and stop labor, which urged me to recommend that you try the knee to chest position as often as possible. On September 23rd, you had quite a bit of loose stool and cramping. The following day, you had no action; and the next day, still no action.
I was encouraged and believed your baby had turned from a posterior position into an optimal positioning because she was giving you signs of labor and then a rest, a time to regain energy and prepare for birth. This was confirmed when, around 2am on September 26th, you called to let me know that you had been timing contractions and believed them to be the real thing as they were around 10 minutes apart.
I got up and put my doula bag and ball in the car and got myself ready for a nice long labor night. Shortly after your initial phone call, I received a second call from MA that he was up and thought it time I head on over. I met you at your home around 3am. You were on your hands and knees and working with your body by swaying your hips from side to side during contractions, only to sit back on your haunches between them.
Tri-boy was already gone to your grandmothers and MA was brewing coffee. You let me know that you were timing the contractions around 7 minutes apart. You also let me know that you were experiencing quite a bit of back and butt pressure, so I encouraged you to use the birthing ball to support your upper body weight. After watching you through a few contractions, I noted that your contractions were down to around 2-3 minutes apart.
Putting counter-pressure on your sacrum, I encouraged you with verbal affirmations while MA gauged your progress on how soon he wanted us to leave for the hospital.
A little after 4 am, MA and you decided that it was time to move to the hospital. I agreed with your contractions being about 2 minutes apart and your pressure moving lower. We arrived at the hospital around 4:30 and you signed the necessary paperwork while on all fours, leaning over the birthing ball, and vocalizing through contractions. After you were signed in, they checked you in the OR and you were found to be 7cm dilated. With the fetal monitors strapped on, leaning over the birthing ball, on the bed, you worked through your contractions while vocalizing. MA rubbed your back and I continued pressure on your buttocks while sneaking in a few pictures in-between.
You were settled into your room a little after 5am and you soon began to feel slightly pushy. Throughout it all, MA provided verbal encouragement, relieved my hands temporarily from my vigil on your posterior, and provided sips of water and back rubs.
You remained in the all-fours position and were found to be 10cm with only a little lip of cervix left. We alternated knees in a modified asymmetrical positioning to get the lip gone. It only took 2 contractions and soon you were grunty-pushing your baby down. Your body was truly designed for birth as your pushes moved her down so efficiently. Watching you throughout your labor was beautiful. You were so in tune with your body’s cues, doing exactly what it urged you to do, moment by moment.
Doctor Reynolds arrived in time to see baby’s head appearing. She encouraged you to turn around as her fetal heart tones were decreasing and to increase your urges to push her out more efficiently. On turning around into a classic position, you began really bearing down with each contraction, and her head quickly came to crowning. As her heart rate was remaining quite low even between contractions, she recommended an episiotomy. With the very next contraction, her head was born.
Before the next wave came, she began to grimace and cry, and her shoulders slipped free of your body. She had thick meconium at birth, so they whisked your wee one away to the warmers, but she returned to MA’s arms and then yours, in just a few moments.
L - Your body was strong, beautiful, and efficient – working together as a team, your body and your baby brought her into the world. You were right you “could do this” – you had your healing birth and what a beautiful birth it was!

My Account:

I woke up at 1:47am on Wednesday morning with my first contraction, though I had been dreaming about having contractions since I went to bed. I timed them for almost an hour and they were about 18 minutes apart. So around 2:15 I woke MA up and told him I was pretty confident that I was in labor, he suggested we call Nan and our doula, but I insisted that we wait for a little while longer just to make sure this was the real thing.
The next couple of contractions came closer together and were more intense so we decided to call our doula. We decided to wait another half hour before having our doula come to the house. Then next two contractions made me change my mind, they were now almost 10 minutes apart, so we called our doula and told her to come on to the house and then called Nan so she could come get Tristan.
By this time I was no longer comfortable sitting down and was managing my contractions by assuming the hands and knees position. I was trying to busy myself with getting Tristan’s things together. Nan arrived shortly before 3am to pick up a sleeping and confused Tristan. Almost immediately after Nan left my doula arrived to find me on the bedroom floor on my hands and knees in the middle of a contraction, after the contraction I relaxed in child’s pose and told my doula I was experiencing heavy back labor. She suggested that I get in the knee to chest position for as long as it was comfortable. This lasted for about four contractions.
I assumed the hands and knees position once again, but this time I draped my upper body over the birthing ball and my doula began putting counter pressure on my lower back with tennis balls, this helped a lot. After several more contractions my doula informed me that they were fluctuating between three to five minutes apart and lasting for about 45 seconds. By this time I had lost all sense of time and was relying on my doula and MA to keep track of my contractions. Every time I would feel a contraction begin I would close my eyes and moan according to the intensity of what I was feeling. My doula reminded me to keep an open and relaxed jaw; this helped immensely and caused my moans to become deeper. I could feel the baby move down with every contraction.
A little after 4pm MA and I decided we should leave for the hospital as my contractions were about every five minutes and I wanted to experience as few of them in the car as possible. The car ride to the hospital was much easier than I had anticipated. To manage the contractions in the car I leaned over the back seat while sitting on my knees.
MA let my doula and me out at the door while he parked the car. After informing the woman at the front desk that I was in labor she asked me to have a seat, I laughed and then assumed the hands and knees position next to the chairs while my doula informed her that my contractions were 3 minutes apart. I signed all the necessary paper work while draped over the birthing ball.
The woman insisted that I ride in a metal wheelchair to triage; she was running down the hall pushing me while MA and our doula chased after us, this was the most uncomfortable part of my entire labor. Once we arrived in triage I was once again on my hands and knees with the birthing ball on the bed. When the nurse came in my doula informed her that my contractions were 3 min. apart and the nurse said I could stay in this position as long as she could get the baby on the monitor. She checked me and I was almost 8cm. I was so excited to hear this, things were going exactly the way I had hoped they would.
Now it was time to go to the labor/delivery room. I was relieved when the nurse told me I could walk there. It took forever to get there because every couple of minutes I would have to stop and lean over my doula during a contraction. When I got to my room it was back to all fours with the birthing ball on the bed. The nurse hooked me back up to the fetal monitor and began to get my IV ready.
My contractions were getting more intense and I kept feeling like I needed to pee, but I never did. With each contraction I could feel her moving further and further down the birth canal. During contractions I would moan as deeply as possible and I would move backwards as though I was trying to sit on my heels. I was doing everything my body told me to do, I didn’t have a choice.
At 5:50am I felt a pop followed by warm fluid flowing out of me, my water had broken. They checked my cervix and I was 10cm with a little lip of cervix left. My doula suggested that I move my right leg out some and lean towards it during the next contraction, then the left side. Two contractions later I was pushing, still on all fours.
Dr. R arrived and asked me to turn onto my back so she could deliver the baby. When I turned over to my surprise there were about eight more people in the room than I was aware of, it was funny to me that they had been staring at my back end and I had been oblivious.
I began pushing for three counts of ten with every contraction. They gave me some oxygen because the baby’s heart rate was dropping. Soon they moved the mirror over so I could see my progress, her head was right there. Dr. R recommended an episiotomy because the baby’s heart rate was staying low even between contractions, I complied and with the next contraction her head was born. She had some meconium so I stopped pushing so she could be suctioned, with the next contraction her shoulders were out and the rest of her quickly followed. MA cut the cord and she was taken to the warmer to be suctioned. I pushed for about 25 minutes.
After a few minutes she was in my arms looking up at me with her big blue eyes. After they stitched (2 stitches) me up and the placenta was delivered she nursed for over an hour. MA left to take our doula to her car leaving Emeline and me alone to get acquainted. I was still high from the experience and not the least bit tired, I still couldn’t believe I had given birth to her, all I could do was stare at her.
This was by far the most incredible experience of my life. I did it!! I am so proud of myself and MA. I could not have done this without MA and my doula, their positive affirmations kept me going and let me know that my instincts were right and to keep following them.

Emeline Layne was born on September 26, 2007 at 6:22 am after 4 hours and 35 minutes of labor. She weighed 7lbs. 14oz. and was 20inches long.

"Birth"

2008-09-17T11:14:00.002-05:00

"Birth" went off without a hitch. I am so proud to have been a part of such a powerful production. The women who preformed with me are incredible and my life is richer for having known them. Bellies and Babies brought this movement to Nashville and has created a video of the performance. Please check it out!! Enjoy!!

Be BOLD

2008-08-25T14:04:00.004-05:00

Visit BOLD Nashville to learn more or to purchase tickets.

Wonderfully Made Childbirth is proud to be bringing BOLD to Nashville for the very first time. As a whole BOLD is an international effort to celebrate and reflect on woman-centered birth.

As a part of BOLD WMCB is organizing a production of Karen Brody's play Birth at Bongo Java's After-Hours Theatre. Birth tells the story of eight woman and their birth experiences. I am proud to announce that I will be playing the part of Sandy. The play will run Sept. 4-6 with preformances at 7pm each night and a 2pm afternoon preformance on the 6th. To purchase tickets visit BOLD Nashville or contact me. I look forward to seeing you there!

Announcing...

2008-07-31T14:05:00.003-05:00

We are pregnant with baby #3!!!

We are very excited despite the fact that this was a HUGE surprise!! I am due in March and plan on continuing to take clients through the beginning of Feb. I am a little overwhelmed at the thought of having three!

I've Been Tagged!

2008-07-30T14:19:00.003-05:00

I have never been tagged before! Thank you Bellies and Babies for tagging me, I am honored to respond! Here goes...

What were you doing 10 years ago?

I was having an awesome summer. Going on a mission trip to inner city Atlanta and hanging out with my friends at my grandparents pool. I was about to start my Jr. year of high school. What a fun summer!

Five things on my to-do list:

call the insurance company to see which plan is best for us
rehearse my lines for BOLD
make dinner
file the papers on the desk

What snacks do you like?

chips and french onion dip
homemade granola
string cheese
hubby's salsa and chips
yogurt

What would you do if you were a billionaire?

I would donate enough money to Nicole to help her open the birth center in Nashville. I would buy a new to me car and one for hubby. I would put money aside for all the kiddos college fund. I would buy a bigger house or remodel ours. Buy hubby a boat and invest the rest so I have a nice inheritance to leave the kiddos.

Three bad habits:

chronic nail biter
an inability to say "no" to people
giving my opinion too freely

Five places you have lived:

Delano, TN
Nashville, TN
Searcy, AR
Harriman, TN
Madison, TN
Savannah, GA (thinks Zan!)

Five jobs you've had:

hostess
child care worker
secretary/treasurer
Adult Basic Ed. tutor
server

How did you name your blog?

Well, my last name is Born and I am an advocate of natural childbirth and I'm a mom, so that was pretty much it!

Visitation

2008-07-14T09:49:00.003-05:00

Why do we feel it is appropriate to bombard women who have just given birth with countless visitors while they are still in the hospital? It happens everyday a woman has say an 18 hour labor or a cesarean and ten minutes after she has given birth the visitors begin pouring in and they don't stop until late evening. I don't know where this trend started, but I for one feel it is uncessary. We expect these poor women to be nice to us and entertain us when we visit with no consideration as to the life changing experience that is taking place. Are we so ignorant of the need for mom-baby bonding that we have lost all respect for the need of the newly formed family to spend those precious first hours together and alone? I'm sorry for the rant, I just don't get it!

Camping Adventure

2008-06-12T15:42:00.002-05:00

Tristan's first camping experience turned out to be more of an adventure than we could have imagined. After driving around Fall Creek Falls for 2 hours at 9:00pm on Friday night we decided to stay in a motel and try again on Sat. to find a camping spot.

Saturday we got word the campground was full so we decided to hike to the falls. An hour and 3/4 of a mile later we get to the top of the falls only to see a sign that said "Falls Parking Lot". We stood in awe of the falls and then retraced our steps back to the car and planned to travel to Rock Island State Park aproximately 30 miles north west hoping to eat on the way. An hour later we arrived at Rock Island and proceeded to cook our first meal of the day, lunch. After lunch we went to Caney Fork River where Tristan got to swim in a river for the first time, he loved it!! We found a great private spot and enjoyed the sun and the river for a couple of hours.

Rock Island State Park is beautiful and we plan to camp there again in the future and are grateful our camping adventure led us there. Here are some pics of our trip including a pic of Tristan's first experience with smores!! Enjoy!

All In a Days Work

2008-05-27T17:11:00.003-05:00

What you expected to be a quick and easy birth turned out to be a hard labor of almost 26 hours. What a trip! You were a trooper moving throughout your labor as your body commanded you, letting go, but never giving up!

Around 4pm on May 20th you called me asking for some advice on how to alleviate some pain you were experiencing on your left side. We spoke about the possibility that baby might be posterior or not in the correct position as well as what you could do to encourage baby to move. You wanted to know some things you could do to get labor started and our conversation ended with a promise to e-mail you instructions on how to do so.

At 6pm you called saying you were going to the hospital because you had two intense contractions very close together accompanied by vomiting. I asked that you try to wait to leave until I got there, you agreed and I began calling babysitters. Thirty minutes later you called again, this time telling me to take my time as things had calmed down some. By 7pm I was headed to Murfreesboro.

When I arrived at your house the girls were already at their grandmothers, baby boy was watching a movie, hubby was straightening the house and you were in the bathroom. We talked about what was going on and discussed some positions that might make you more comfortable between and during contractions.

The pain in your left side just wouldn’t let up. After a phone call to Nicole we were confident that baby was lying on your right side with his/her head curled up instead of pointing down. Palpating your belly during your next contraction confirmed our suspicions. You got into the modified knee-to-chest position and remained there for a good 30 min. hubby took this opportunity to take baby boy to grandmas.

You got in a warm bath to see if that would help relieve the pain, it didn’t. You tried laying on your right side, all fours, knee-to-chest and sitting on the birthing ball; nothing seemed to help take away the pain in your side. At around 10:30pm your contractions had slowed down to 15 min. apart but were lasting for about 3 minutes. You asked what we should do and I suggested you try to rest since we didn’t know how long labor would last. You slept for a solid 30 minutes woke up for a contraction and feel back asleep for another 30 minutes.

For several hours we tried many different positions; you found sitting on the birthing ball moving your hips in a circle to be the most comfortable. You even feel asleep sitting on the birthing ball leaning over the bed. You were getting much needed rest between contractions which were now about 15 minutes apart.

Around 3am contractions began to get closer together and more intense. After several of these you and hubby decided it was time to head to the hospital. You were hopeful you had made good progress as you had been in labor for almost 10 hours.

We arrived at the hospital just before 5am after a 25 minute drive to the hospital. By 5am you were settling into your room. Shortly after the nurse came in to put you on the fetal monitor for 15 minutes and check your progress. She found you to be 3cm 80% with baby at -2 station. This news was discouraging as you had made no measurable progress since your last exam the previous week. I reminded you that your body and your baby were working to move baby into a better position, your contractions were doing something.

You needed to rest, but in order to do that you needed relief from the pain in your left side. After discussing the pros and cons of taking a muscle relaxer you decided to call Dr. B and ask for one, hoping it would allow you to relax and maybe allow you to go home. Dr. B gave the okay for the Flexeril but wanted you to be checked before you took the pill. The new nurse found you to be almost 4 cm and 80%; this measure meant it would be very difficult to leave should the Flexeril relax you to the point of stopping your labor. You took half the Flexeril and waited for 30 minutes, after feeling no relief you decided to take the other half. Shortly after you were fast asleep allowing hubby and me to get some rest too.

You slept for a good 30 minutes, had a contraction and feel asleep for another 30 minutes. Nurse Rhonda came in to put you on the monitor and as soon as she touched you a contraction started. You sat on the birthing ball while leaning over the bed and after a three minute contraction Rhonda persuaded you to return to the bed for 15 minutes so the baby could be monitored. Before leaving she checked you and found you to be 6cm and 100% with baby at -1 station and a bulging bag of waters in front of baby’s head. Relieving the pain in your side had obviously helped you to progress.

About two hours later Rhonda returned to put you back on the monitor. Your contractions were now 10 minutes apart lasting for about 2 minutes and sitting in the bed was the last thing you wanted to do. Before putting you on the monitor she checked you and found you to be 6cm. After you were released from the monitor we all prayed together. Hubby and I prayed for a gentle birth, faith in God, a healthy mom, relinquishing control and strength. Shortly after your mom brought the kiddos to visit and I went to the waiting room to check on things at the home front.

The kiddos left and you and hubby decided to take a shower to help relieve the pain and hopefully speed things up some. After a short shower you said you were getting to relief so we moved to plan B. Rhonda came into monitor you, which by now was irritating you more than you were letting on, so hubby and I decided this was the perfect opportunity to give you a foot massage and use some acupressure to help intensify your contractions. The foot massage lasted about one minute before you were out of bed, monitors and all, on the birthing ball vocalizing during your contractions. That acupressure really worked.

I suggested we try some squatting during contractions to help baby move down and put pressure on the cervix to help dilate you more. You squatted on the floor on the birthing ball and on the bed. hubby and I encouraged you to go for a walk to change scenery. When we returned from our walk hubby received a phone call from your friend, Dr. J, who also happens to be a chiropractor. His visit was very encouraging to you. He adjusted you and this seemed to help with the pain in your left side. When he arrived you had been stalled at 6cm for a little over three hours, a new face and encouragement was just what you needed to keep you going.
Nurse Rhonda came in to put you on the monitor again. She checked you and found you to be 7cm with baby’s head resting on your cervix with the bag of waters bulging in front of baby’s head. You tried to lay in bed but the second the monitor hit your belly a contraction took over your body and we were helping you to the birthing ball. After much coaxing Rhonda finally convinced you to get into bed so she could monitor the baby. About 5 minutes later you had taken the monitor off and were back on the birthing ball.

Your contractions were now about 7 minutes apart and lasting for 1 minute and you remarked to me how much easier the contractions were now that the pain in your left side had lessened. You continued to squat during contractions and vocalize. We talked about letting go of your fear, of your expectations, trusting God’s plan for this birth, trusting your body and your baby to do what needed to be done to help you birth your baby. You and I spoke positive affirmations about the birth “I am strong, I am doing this, I was made to birth this baby, labor is a blessing, this baby is a blessing, with every contraction I am closer to holding my baby.” Speaking these truths allowed you to let go of everything that had been holding your labor back. Things started to pick up.

I went in search of a squat bar so you could squat in bed and rest between contractions. When I returned with the bar I realized you were in transition. Nurse Rhonda came in to put you on the monitor. She ended up holding the monitor on your belly for the entire 10minutes because you were unable to lie in bed. She checked you and found you to be 8cm.

You were in transition for 2 ½ hours. Hubby was so encouraging and supportive of you during this time whispering beautiful things to you “I love you, you are beautiful, you are strong, you are doing it.” His encouragement was what got you through transition. You began to let the pain consume you; you started backing way from the contraction. We again talked about letting go and letting the contraction take you. You began to relinquish control. We talked about breaking your water, then a contraction came and the topic was dropped.

At around 5:45pm Rhonda came in to monitor you one last time before shift change and to check you. She found you to have a small ring of cervix with baby’s head resting on the cervix and the bag of waters still bulging. We tried several different positions to move the cervix back. Around 6:30 Rhonda came in to prepare the room for the baby’s arrival, she checked you and found the ring of cervix still there. You were ready to have this baby. We again discussed breaking the bag of waters. I told you that once the cushion of water was gone baby would shoot down the birth canal greatly intensifying your contractions.

The new nurse came in to introduce herself, she was an advocate of unmedicated childbirth and praised you for your decision to go natural and encouraged you by telling you what a great job you were doing and how proud she was of you. She was just what you needed to keep you going.

Two contractions later you decided to call the doctor to have him break your water. Dr. B arrived and checked you, he found you to be almost 10cm during a contraction and 8cm between contractions. You lay back on the bed and Dr. B broke your water. Immediately you were squatting on the bed grunting, pushing your baby down and out. The nurse told you to stop pushing as Dr. B was frantically trying to get suited up to catch the baby. You could not stop pushing. The nurse looked and announced baby was crowning. You turned to me and said “it burns” I began to explain to you what that sensation was, I looked down; baby’s head was out. I informed you of the progress and you continued to push getting louder and louder. With the next push baby was out.

After almost 26 hours of labor it only took you 3 minutes to push her into this world. What an amazing, exhausting and challenging adventure. You pushed through the disappointment of stalling out and rode out transition like a champ. You “gave up” several times, but I believe this relinquishing of control helped you to allow your body to take over. I was amazed at your strength every step of the way. Hubby was an encouragement to you, but also to me. He remained strong and true to your wishes encouraging you to have the birth he knew you wanted. It was a blessing and an honor to support you during your birth. It was a challenging and learning experience.

Thank you for being my first!

Coming Soon...

2008-05-24T00:04:00.003-05:00

I attended my first birth as a labor doula Tues. It was an amazing experience. Mom labored for 25 1/2 hours med free. I was inspired, exhausted, challanged, impressed, proud and amazed at her strength. I feel blessed to have had this experience; it has changed me. I have permission to post the birth story, hopefully I will do that tomorrow. I can't wait till the next birth, she is due July 14th!! I LOVE my job!!

2008-05-14T22:55:00.002-05:00

Madison Church of Christ has launched Operation DAD to supply the 6000 members of the 506th Brigade Combat Team based in Fort Campbell, KY with care packages in time for fathers day.

Everything must be shipped by May 21st in order to make it in time for fathers day. If you are interested in donating items, your time or would like to help in another way please visit operationdad2008.com. This is a huge undertaking and everyones help is needed to make it happen!

Excuses, excuses!

2008-05-06T18:25:00.004-05:00

I realized today that I haven't blogged lately. My two year old has been sick and just as he was getting better my 7 mos. old got sick and all of this sickness has been sandwiched in between my sister's graduation from college and a funeral for my great uncle who passed away suddenly. My life is a whirlwind right now and I am ready for some calm.
Amidst all this Emeline went from a crawl position to sitting on her own today! I was so impressed as my son did not do any of this until about 10 mos. She is not crawling yet, but is almost there. I'm so proud of her!!!
Hopefully when everything calms down (if that ever happens) I will be able to blog about something more interesting.

Choosy Moms Choose....

2008-04-23T23:43:00.004-05:00

I know it's late, but I just checked my e-mail before heading off to bed and there was a link to a very disturbing article about women choosing to have cesareans. Why any one would want to have surgery is beyond me. It is interesting how they equate a mom choosing vaginal-or-cesarean to breast-or-bottle, I'm not making the connection here. My favorite part was how they describe childbirth as "messy business" I'm not even sure what that means. I find it interesting that the woman the article is written about is a child psychiatrist, doesn't she think there are life long implications to denying yourself and your child the exposure to the hormones present during labor and birth, like bonding with your child, having them look into your eyes moments after birth and nursing soon afterwards. How I mourn the loss of this precious time with Tristan's birth. I guess choosing not to experience those things is different than having that experience taken from you.
As you can tell this is personal. I have a very hard time being objective when it comes to discussion of unnecessary cesareans, it just pisses me off and I will do everything I can to stop women from being cut unnecessarily.
Thanks for reading my rant (stepping off of my soap box now.)

7 Months and Still Going!

2008-04-23T14:02:00.002-05:00

Saturday will mark 7 months of breastfeeding Emeline!! I am so proud to have accomplished this milestone as Tristan was completely weaned by 7 mos. We have just begun introducing solid foods to Emeline and she is loving it, so much in fact that she became constipated due to the bananas and toast she is so fond of. She is better now, but I am struggling with the best way to introduce her to foods. We are doing a combination of BLW and homemade babyfood. She loves the babyfood I make and also enjoys putting new foods in her mouth herself. She is such a great eater. I have decided this time around to let Emeline take the lead with eating and I will guide her. I think I tried too hard with Tristan and now I have an incredibly picky 28 mos old whose favorite foods are chips, fries and cake, boy did that backfire!

2008-04-22T14:35:00.004-05:00

Today I received my retainer fee from my very first doula client!!! Yeah!!! I'm so excited! Though I am slightly nervous about actually having to attend her birth as her doula. All kinds of terrible things are going through my mind, what if I'm not helpful, what if I don't know how to comfort her, what if I talk to much, what if I offend her, what if I disappoint her? When she calls and says she is in labor I will probably puke. Who is going to support me? At this point I am just praying and constantly reading over comfort measures. Your prayers would be appreciated!

Hello...

2008-04-20T22:55:00.003-05:00

Hello! My name is Lindsay, I am married to Mark Anthony (MA) and I have two children, Tristan 28 mos. and Emeline 7 mos. I am currently working on completing my certification for childbirth educator and labor doula. Other than that I stay at home with my kids. I look forward to sharing my adventures with you! Enjoy!