Rowan Goes Bananas!

Bryon and I had been talking for a little bit about starting the Rowan-Man on some solid foods.  We have decided that we aren't going to buy any baby food.  Instead, we plan on making our own!  It's way more cost effective, we control how it's prepared, and it just seems a little more wholesome and less processed.  (this is not to pass judgement on anyone, this is what works for US)  There are so many creative recipes out there and it's not really that time-consuming to make it.

The first question, what food do we start with?  Traditionally people start their kiddos on the cereals, but since when have I been known to go with the flow?  We did some research and found that bananas and avocados are actually good foods to start with.  So when I did my grocery shopping this week, I bought the following for Rowan: brown rice, steel-cut oatmeal, bananas, and avocados.  All you need is a food processor (check!) and you are good to go.

Technically, Rowan's first bite of solid food was instant mashed potatoes Sunday night.  It was on a whim though and not prepared just special for him.  He has been watching us eat for awhile and now he starts to drool at the table!  We felt pity on the poor guy and gave him a taste.

Last night, we prepared some bananas mixed with some breast milk.  Yes, we did a taste test before we gave it to our baby and yes, it tasted pretty good.  Kind of like a banana smoothie.

This is Mine!

What are you doing to me??

I think I am getting the hang of it now.

Really, Mom?

If I had jeans I would unbutton them about now.

 He really enjoyed the bananas last night!  Another bonus, he slept from 10:30 p.m. until 5:45 a.m.  Score!

Tell me friends, what was your baby's first bite?  Do you have any recipe suggestions for us?

And It's October

I've been absent from the blog world for a little bit (if anyone has noticed).  September came, it conquered?, or it was super-busy.  Trust me, my fellow readers (admirers? what?), I have written so many blogs in my head it would blow your mind!  None of them have made it to the computer however and are, alas, lost to my memory.

So in light of this absence, here is a summary of what the family was up to in September.  It has pictures.  Enjoy.

Bryon worked A LOT last month.  We did get to make it down to Soldotna for Labor Day weekend though.  I learned to can salmon (which is awesome).  We canned enough to eat canned salmon once a week for a year if we wanted to.  We had a great time spending time with the family!

Lot of fun was had by all!  Anything involving cake, cats, salmon, and goats has to be fun!

Asher has been super-busy as well.  At the beginning of the month, he went on an overnight camp-out with his fifth grade class and had lots of fun.  The canoeing was his favorite activity.  He still talks about it (and how all activities would be better if they just had canoeing).  Rowan and I went out to hang out with him during the day.  I helped make spaghetti for dinner.  I have never seen (or made) that much pasta in my life!

My two boys having fun!

Asher has also been busy with his cub scout pack.  They are in the midst of selling popcorn (and we must get on it and get some sold!).  Rowan and I had another opportunity to hang out with Asher at a cub scout event.  We went geocaching at the Chena Lakes Recreation Area.  It was a neat activity, kinda like a modern day treasure hunt.  I look forward to making this a family activity sometime.

Asher trying to work our GPS (note to self, figure out how to use it outside of the car for  the next time...)

Rowan had his four-month well-child check and shots towards the beginning of September.  He turned four months old on Sept 19.  I can't believe it!  He is growing up sooo quickly.  He is on the right track though, gaining weight and inches.  My favorite Rowan milestone for September: rolling over from his back to his tummy.  He is a little talker too.  Very noisy and playful!  He makes everyone in the house smile big!

Such a handsome little man!

As for me, September marked the beginning of exercise.  That's right, three days a week for the whole month!  I haven't missed yet.  While I haven't lost any weight yet, I am starting to look a little firmer, not so floppy.  I've written a whole post about this in my head, hopefully it will make it out to the computer this month!  I've also been living the life of a stay-at-home mom who never seems to spend all of a day at home. We always have stuff going on it seems!

September brought a gorgeous fall to us up in Alaska.  Next year I am going to devote an entire day (or weekend, or month, whatever) to taking tons of fall pictures.  I'm telling you, this was the most vibrant fall I have ever experienced.  It was odd, however, feeling that fall chill towards the end of August.  I'm used to those feelings in October.

Breathtaking!

To wrap it up, I will close saying this: It SNOWED on the last day of September here.  That's right.  SNOWED.  It doesn't matter that it didn't stick to the ground.  It was there.  I'm not sure if I am ready for it.

I will be much more present in this month of October!  That is my goal.

How is everyone else's fall going??

Rowan, Tell Us How You Really Feel...

One finger speaks volumes....

He was telling us even before he was born!

I love my baby boy!!  Don't worry Rowan, I used to do this a lot too (except I was old enough to know better!)

Why, Yes I Did Eat My Placenta!

I have intrigued many of my family and friends by telling them that I ate my placenta after Rowan was born.  I'll let that sink in for a minute...

***FYI There will be pics of my placenta in this post, I'm just letting y'all know now before you delve too deep. If you can't handle that...turn back now!!  But, it's not as gross as it may seem.***

Okay, so I didn't fry my placenta up and eat it with a side of french fries.  I had it encapsulated.  Placental encapsulation is actually not as uncommon as you might think.

Backing up a bit.  Long ago, when I was still pregnant and working (seems like eons ago now!) I was having discussions with my friends at work about eating placenta.  What?  You don't have these conversations with your coworkers??  See, one of my CNAs (from Kenya, let's just throw in the culture mix, otherwise this might get even odder) wanted to eat my and another person's placentas after birth.  Only he wanted to do it all cannibal style.  Or he wanted our breast milk to treat eye infections...Now most, if not all, of these talks ended in all of us laughing but it got me to thinking, what is so great about the placenta that other cultures know and we don't?

I remember hearing a couple of years ago on the radio that there were websites that actually gave recipes on how to prepare and eat placenta.  At the time, I was thinking there is ABSOLUTELY no way I would ever do that!  Who in their right minds wants to eat placenta?  Seriously.

Fast-forward again to the time when I was pregnant.  I was talking to my sister and she was telling me about this fantastic blog that she reads, MODG, and how the author had her placenta encapsulated. ***side note, I absolutely love this blog and it makes me laugh out loud and someday I want to be besties with the author (no I am not a stalker!)***  My sister sent me a link to the specific entry about the placenta.  I read it (then proceeded to spend the next three days getting caught up on the MODG story) and then did some research on my own.

Consuming the placenta is supposed to decrease postpartum depression, aid in faster recovery, help your milk come in faster, and provide you with a TON of vitamins and minerals (think, you are consuming the organ that provided all of the nutrients to your baby).  It also does some other beneficial things, but those were my top reasons in my decision.

I discussed all of this with my husband and he was all for it as long as I actually took the pills because we had to pay to have this done.

I wanted my midwife's opinion also before I committed to anything and when I mentioned placental encapsulation to her she got super excited.  I mean "you have just won a million dollars" excited.  Turns out she is a mega-fan of the placenta.  She even gave me the card for a doula that provided encapsulation services.  I contacted the doula (who was extremely sweet and I recommend her to anyone in the Washington area!) and got everything arranged.  After this experience, if I was still living in WA with my next kiddo I would see about her doula services, she was so nice!

After I delivered my placenta, it was placed into a biohazard bag and then a container so that my husband could deliver the placenta to her the next morning.  We just had to keep it refrigerated (not frozen) until delivery.  She emailed me some pics of the prep work and I received my placenta capsules the very next morning.  I wish I could have observed the process, but I was kinda in the hospital...

My placenta was so big, the doula thought that Rowan was around 9 lbs (he was 7.5)

Kinda icky, I know, but at least it's healthy!

I got a ton of capsules, more than the average I guess.  The instructions were to take two capsules three times a day for the first two weeks postpartum.  I followed the directions and I think it made a difference.  Mood-wise, I was much more emotionally stable and less down compared to now (depression sucks, but that's another entry).  I did have to stop taking them for a few days because the instructions said to stop taking them temporarily if any kind of infection develops.  I guess that the placenta capsules can actually drive the infection further into the body making it harder to fight.  I had a UTI a few days after I got home (sheer hell, let me tell you!).  After that pain when away though, I started the pills again.

If there are leftover pills I guess they keep forever.  They can be used during times of "extreme emotional stress" or can be saved for menopause.  The B vitamins deactivate though if they are frozen.  It's recommended to keep them in a dark, cool, dry place (like my bedside table).  I actually have a lot left over.  I'm thinking about starting them again to see if they can improve the down feelings.

Do I recommend placenta encapsulation for you? Maybe.  I think they helped me, but then again, I have no other birth experience to compare it to.  Next time I give birth I am planning on doing it again.

I leave you with a couple of pics.  I documented the initial dose for my sister since she couldn't be there to observe.  Enjoy!

My first dose.  They were very "fragrant" when I opened the jar.

This is part of my umbilical cord preserved in the shape of a heart.  It turned out really cool!

Rowan's Birth Story

Now that Rowan is two months old I figured it was time to get back into the swing of blogging.  The following is my labor and delivery story.  Don't worry there is no graphic images, but if one comes to mind, apologies all around!

First off, I have to thank my super wonderful husband, Bryon, for being there and supporting me.  I don't think I could have made it through without you.  I don't think I can even begin to express the depth of gratitude and love that I feel for you!  Thank-you feels almost inadequate.












Now, for the story you all have been waiting for!

As far as birth plans go, I had one.  That's about all I can say about it.  About 97% of it did not come to fruition, but since my main goal was to have a happy, healthy baby, then what does it matter when it's all said and done?

My water decided to break at home at approximately 5:40 p.m.  It was one of the weirdest feelings I have felt.  It was a small gush, almost like I peed myself.  In fact, I had just peed so I was wondering if maybe my bladder had decided to empty the rest of the way.  I went out to the living room and asked Bryon what it felt like when you water breaks (because it had totally happened to him before, right?).  The decision at that point was to keep an eye on things because I wasn't 100% sure that it was my water.  Then, I decided to go sit on the couch.  Gush again!  From there we decided to go into the hospital, but only after we ate dinner (which was almost ready).  We were telling Asher what the plan was and he asked me, "Are you sure you don't have the runs?"  This made me laugh and gush some more at the table.

After we ate, I threw the few last minute items I needed in my suitcase and we loaded up the car and headed to the hospital.  At this point, I was having contractions, but they were similar to the ones I had been having so I wasn't in pain really so to speak.  We were almost to the hospital and we saw a black bear!  My first live one out in the wild.  I wanted a picture but there were cars behind us, plus there were a couple of people that looked like they were approaching it for a picture.  Maybe it would have been a cool pic of "When Bears Attack." But I digress...

Anyways, we get to triage on labor and delivery and get all hooked up into monitors and such.  I'm still gushing fluid and we figure out that there is meconium in it.  Not good.  Then the midwife comes in and does my exam.  I'm not even dilated to a one.  She wanted to start Pitocin which I absolutely did not want.  We talked her into giving us time to get this labor going on our own.  The plan was to walk once I was admitted.  She reluctantly agreed to this.  The nurse came into complete my admission and that's when the holy hell! contractions came.  I could not talk, tears started leaking out of my eyes, I didn't want to breath etc.  Asher was still with us and he was so sweet.  He kept telling me how strong I was and that I could do it.  He made me so proud of him during the whole process!

Once my admission was complete, we were taken to the labor and delivery room.  I had a pretty sweet room.  It was humongous!  Bryon's friend came and picked up Asher and then we started trying to work on this labor process.  The contractions were hurting pretty bad (I think that is an understatement).  I tried the birthing ball for about 20 minutes. I tried swaying my hips for just a few.  Then I made the mistake of laying down.  Let's just say the walking never happened.  I tried as hard as I could to breath through the pain.  I kept thinking (and verbalizing) if the contractions would just stop for five minutes then I could refocus.  It was like as soon as one contraction would calm to where I could breath normal again another one would start.

I finally broke.  As much as I wanted a natural delivery and as much as I wanted to try the tub and stuff it didn't happen.  I thought if I tried the IM and IV Nubain first then I might calm down enough to be able to go the rest of the way without meds.  Well...it took like 30-45 minutes to get the meds ordered which feels like an eternity when you are in severe pain.  By the time I could get the medicine I had turned into...

THE PATIENT FROM HELL!

You know, the one you can hear screaming clear up and down the hallway.  The one that can't focus on anything or listen to anything.  I yelled a lot of curse words (luckily not attacking anyone or thing in particular).  Mostly I was just crying "Please make it stop!!"  I think they gave me some oxygen at that point because Rowan's heart rate was starting to drop.  The Nubain finally arrived and it helped for about 10 minutes.  Then the whole mess started all over again.

I was in the hospital all of four hours before I said, in a very controlled tone, "I...want...an...epidural."  To which I received.  I had to have the epidural placed twice because the first one only numbed the right side of my body.  After the epidural was placed, then Pitocin was started because I could no longer naturally augment my labor.  I was stuck in bed for the next 19 or so hours.  After my pain was under control, I kept apologizing to everyone, Bryon, the nurse, the midwife.  They all told me it was okay, that they didn't really have a problem with it, but, as a nurse, at some point (in the dark recesses of my brain) I would have thought that my patient was completely over-dramatic.  Would I ever admit that to my patient?  Of course not.

I was a much happier camper after some pain meds and three hours of sleep!

The next several hours consisted of resting in bed, watching movies, nothing too exciting.  There was a moment where I puked.  I drank a lot of Sprite, took some IV Zofran.  I ate a granola bar at some point.  There were a couple of times that everyone got all excited (in a worried way) because Rowan's heart rate decelerated.  Then everyone would help me re-position until it came back up.  Rowan did not care for me on my back at all, and he didn't so much like the left side (but I could get a couple of hours at a time over there before he acted up).  I got more boluses and stuff for my epidural (since I had one, I didn't think I should have to feel pain).  One of the CRNAs told me that I must metabolize the meds quicker than most.

Moving on to the exciting part...it was finally time for me to start pushing!

Pushing is harder than it looks.....

I think I pushed for about two hours.  I am so glad that they had a mirror because Rowan's head became my focal point.  They had to tell me not to push a few times to give him a break and let him recuperate.  It was so hard not to push during those times!  Another thing, and this is way TMI, I know, but it's part of the experience...I had poop that needed to come out!  Nobody would take it out and I resorted to begging even. They were all, push it out, and I was all, I am and it is stuck!  It was sooo uncomfortable!  The nurse and the midwife were trying to tell me it was the baby's head pushing on my rectum but I knew better....it was the poop.

-Moving on-

He was bigger than we thought he was going to be!

I finally pushed my baby boy out and the plan was for him to go right to my stomach.  Unfortunately, Rowan did not breath spontaneously so they had to whisk him away to the warmer.  The NICU team was on hand for the birth already because there was meconium in the water.  I could tell Bryon really wanted to go over there, but he looked a little torn and I told him to go see our boy.  The team suctioned Rowan's cords and then he had to have some PPV (positive pressure ventilation) via a bag-valve mask.  He became more alert, but not quick enough so there was talk of him being transferred to the NICU.  Everything was like tunnel vision and slowed time for me at this point.  Thankfully, he perked up and started to cry!  Meanwhile, I delivered the placenta and they had to give me some medicine to prevent hemorrhaging because my bleeding wasn't slowing like it should have.

Once everything was under control, I finally got to hold my little man.  I cannot even put into words the feelings that went through me at that moment.  It was one of the happiest moments of my life!  All of the hard work of pregnancy, labor, and delivery were totally worth it!

And that was how Rowan was introduced to the world! 

38 Weeks and Counting.....

I am officially 38 weeks today and I must say that I am ready for our baby to be born!  The swelling, difficulty moving, getting up constantly every hour of the night, the fact that it takes 10 minutes to get repositioned in bed...all signs that I think I'm over pregnancy.  Also, at Walmart yesterday this four year-old boy was telling his mom about my big belly and she was like, "Of course it's big, she has a baby in there!"

I went to my midwife appointment today and everything checks out healthy with our little Appleseed.  Heart rate good, head down, beginning to engage.  I was disappointed that she wasn't able to strip my membranes though.  She said I was barely dilated.  My cervix is about 75% effaced though.  Then she started talking about how first time moms can be a week late (which I know, but I don't want to hear that about me!!!).

In the meantime, I am attempting, (very carefully Mom!), to naturally induce labor.  I am going to try all sorts of things that can bring labor on, but won't hurt me or the baby if my body isn't ready.  Bryon picked up some evening primrose oil (recommended by the midwife) to start trying tonight.  If it works, it should help soften my cervix more.  Then there is nipple stimulation...we are using the breast pump, which holy hell, freaking hurts my nipples!  On the bright side, it does appear to make contractions occur a little more frequently.  I am getting another massage tonight at the massage place (the last one on my contract, so I am springing for a 90 minute session).  Of course, Bryon and I are trying acupressure on my feet.  If you are doing it right, it hurts, but my feet are more relaxed after and it does cause some contractions to occur.  Then there is everyone's favorite suggestion...have lots of sex.  Um, hello?!  I'm definitely not opposed to the idea, but I am nine months pregnant and I don't think I have the energy anymore for those crazy, constant, teenage-hormone-induced sessions constantly.  I am going to attempt to start walking everyday and see if that helps (walking around Walmart yesterday definitely wore me out though!)

Speaking of contractions, I had a few Sunday night that reduced me to tears!  I've been having them off and on, but none like this!!!  Thankfully I had Bryon there reminding me to breath because I totally forgot to.  It's hard to do some self-hypnosis for pain control when the contraction just comes out of nowhere!!!!  Then there is the round ligament pain in my inner thighs that strikes whenever it wants to, usually when I am walking.  I double over and everyone kinda freaks (except Bryon and Asher because they are used to it).  I just have to  say, "It's okay, I'm not in labor, I swear!"

So who knows when our little man will make his appearance but one thing is for certain...Bryon and I can't wait for him to come out and play!!!!!!

There's an Alien in My Tummy

I love feeling our baby move in my stomach.  He is getting so big that the movement is really pronounced right now.  And he is getting so big that sometimes that break-dancing hurts, especially if it is aimed towards a rib.

Sometimes though, this really morbid though crosses my mind.  You know those terrible sci-fi movies with the "excellent" graphics?  The one's where you see all this movement under someone's skin and then...SUDDENLY...either a pretty blue, green, or purple substance just bursts out.  Either that or some alien creature bursts forth into the world.

When the baby is really moving and rolling that is what I picture occasionally.  Not the sweet little baby that lives inside me right now but the crazy alien that is fighting for a way out.

I know, I am sick and twisted.  I blame my mother and my aunt for corrupting my mind as a small child.

I Sewed a Diaper Bag

Really.  I sewed it!  It took a lot of work...and patience.  Thank-you Bryon for helping me with the really tough stuff.  I only drew blood on myself three times. 

I learned a few things with this project:
1. How to sew a pocket.
2. How to sew using bias tape (which I am in love with now!)
3. How to place a magnetic snap

Here are the pics:

The Front

The Back

The Inside...With a Pocket!

Overall, this was a fun endeavor.  Here are some interesting links that I used while making this bag:

http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/free-diaper-bag-pattern.html (for the pattern)

http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/how-to-sew-a-zipper.html (for the pocket)

http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/2008/03/bias-tape-tutor.html (a great video for instructions on how to sew bias tape without swearing)



First Holiday Season Post

It's been a little over a month since I last posted and that is for several reasons (or excuses).  This pregnancy has been physically kicking me and made me a little mental.  I had began to lose sight of all the things that are important to me because I felt so lousy. 

I am extremely grateful that our little Appleseed remains happy and healthy inside me.  I am extremely grateful for having such a loving and understanding husband.

I feel like I am in the holiday spirit this year.  We decorated the house up the weekend after Thanksgiving and it looks fantastic!

I cooked a successful Thanksgiving dinner for the the first time ever!  I was very nervous about cooking my first holiday meal, but I needn't have worried!  I only forgot to take out the giblets (I remembered the neck though).

My goal for this holiday season is to continue to give thanks and show love for all the little things and big things that are around me all the time!