Apples

Last week we went to a friend's house for Apple Day...P has a giant apple tree in her yard, and we picked tons of apples, then diced and sliced them into yummy oatmeal-topped crumbles. This weekend we had our own apple day, borrowing M's apple corer/slicer, and processed the rest of our apples we'd brought home:



That little contraption is the coolest tool ever! The girls must have processed 30 apples BY THEMSELVES!

Here's what we made:

Put a bunch of those nicely sliced apples in a baking pan
Toss with lots of cinnamon and a dash of salt
Add ~1/3 cup of water

Mix together and put on top:
Oatmeal, mostly processed into flour
More oats, whole
Almond flour (ground almonds)
~1/2 cup brown sugar
Palm oil shortening and/or butter - enough to make the oats all sticky/clumpy

Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes.

Waaaaaaaahhh!

My baby has a loose tooth. Of course, at six, Ms. C is not such a baby anymore LOL.

Never thought a tooth could bring me to tears, but indeed it did tonight.

Final commentary on bag slings...

One more answer that I think will clarify the particular danger of bag slings (Infantino, Munchkin and JJ Cole) :

A pouch that is too large for the wearer or is worn incorrectly could indeed pose some of the same dangers. Use of any other type of baby carrier carries some risk -- as does use of any stroller, swing, bouncer, etc. Traditional soft carriers are in fact quite safe compared to just about any other product used with or for infants; even when worn inexpertly, they very rarely cause serious injuries, whereas babies are quite often hurt in, for example, falls from high chairs or strollers when the harness isn't fastened or something else about the way the gear is used isn't "proper".

The problem with the bag slings in particular is that even when they are used "properly" -- that is, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions -- the risks are too high due to the design of the carrier. It's just not possible in many cases to use these purse-like carriers in a way that an experienced user of traditional soft carriers would consider "proper." The structured, often padded or stiffened body, the high and often gathered or elasticized sides, and the difficulty of adjusting to a small enough size for an average mother, as well as the thick fabric, combine to force the baby into a poor position, restrict the baby's airflow, AND prevent the wearer from easily sensing the baby's breathing and movements. No other type of carrier (as far as I know) combines so many problematic design features in quite the same way.

Yes, in a traditional pouch or any other soft carrier it is possible to wear the baby poorly positioned, with fabric across the baby's face restricting airflow. But it is relatively easy to sense and correct those problems and most parents find themselves doing so instinctively. Even if they don't really quite know how best to go about it, they support the baby with their arms or reposition the baby or shift the fabric around to get it off the baby's face. If they don't get any better at it, with training or by trial and error, usually they conclude that slings just aren't comfortable and stop using them. This is unfortunate, but at least their babies generally are unharmed by the experience. If the parents are able to get help or to figure out on their own how to get the baby into a better position -- as you clearly did -- so much the better! My fear is that parents who are attempting to use a bag sling just don't have a fair chance at learning to babywear correctly -- and their babies may suffer dramatically if they think, "this must be okay because that's what the instructions say" instead of giving up because it doesn't feel right.

Now, I'm done, I swear :)

Oh, want a better option? Try MayaWrap or one of Rixa's handmade versions! Both are excellent ring slings!

More on "bag" slings...follow-up

In response to a comment on my previous post, I posted a question on the original tbw thread (where I got the bag sling info) on how to differentiate between the "bad" Infantino-style bag slings vs. the mei tais, pouches, and ring slings I love to recommend...this was the response:

Answer #1:

My answer would be: YES, correct positioning is always important, however, in a sling without all that padding and extra thick fabric correct positioning is much easier to attain since you can see exactly where your baby's body is positioned, and if the airway is clear, since you have an unobstructed view of your infant, unlike in the "bag slings".

And answer #2 (from the blog author, M'Liss, responding to the above quotation):

Exactly THE number one concern I have with bag slings is that it is so, so, so difficult to see a baby inside one - unless the parent opens it up every minute. For instance, if baby spits up and starts to choke the parent wouldn't know. For comparison even back carries in a wrap are, IME, much safer because a newborn spitting up on your back - well, you'd know pretty darn quick And in other TBW type carriers you can feel the baby move, breathe, etc. Bag slings - no clue what is happening to baby inside the bottomless pit.

Now to get back to the blog question. The person that posted does have a point about any carrier, used incorrectly, having the potential to be unsafe. But therein lies the difference. Used incorrectly or designed incorrectly. Following the bag sling instructions to the letter will not make the sling any more safe or comfortable because the design is seriously flawed.


Does that help??

Spotlight on Big C

Crazy Hair Day at school:



New Britax Frontier, so we can go back to a five-point harness - yay!

PSA

Just got a link to a bit of information on the dangers of "bag" slings. These are the ones sold at Target, Babies R Us, and other big box stores...please check it out, and pass it along to anybody who might have one...the blog was put together by a former NICU nurse turned babywearing teacher (she's the one who did the Mothering article not too long ago).

Basically, bag slings are not a safe way to carry your baby...they encourage poor positioning, do not allow for easy monitoring of the baby, and do not give access to fresh air.

Please note, this is ONLY for the bag sling carriers (i.e. Infantino's SlingRider). This is NOT applicable to ring slings, pouches, wraps, mei tais, etc.

Happy babywearing :)

Birth

I got a call around 7 yesterday evening (Thursday) from my friend S. She was trying to give me a pre-labor warning, but said it was really early, and maybe nothing...then at about 8:30 I got a text message saying "it will be tonight..." The "come now" call was at 9:54 and I was there by 10:05. A happy healthy baby girl was born at 10:57.

It was a beautiful, peaceful home waterbirth (a 3rd VBAC if you're counting), surrounded by family. In fact, the 8-year old big sister caught the baby with help of dad while her 2 brothers and sister (ranging from 2 to 11 I think) all watched. Music was playing, candles burning, and everyone so joyous. The mama was strong and glowing (and not a little surprised with the speed of the labor!).

Congratulations to the family. I am so blessed to have been witness to this amazing event...

Orchard and Biking

This weekend we went to an organic farm and picked peaches...




...and then tuned up our bikes (which haven't been touched since we moved, 18 months ago). We went for a little family cruise over to our favorite quick grocery - Fresh and Easy - to stock up on 1/2 price treats! Just call us the safety crew LOL:

Babywearing

Just found this amazing photo collection of "ethnic and simple" babywearing (example below).


Had to share. Look at the vibrant colors, the amazing carries, and how many siblings are carrying big toddlers!

Hmm. Feedback??

So on a particular forum I frequent, there's a post all about this fancy "hospital gown" a mama made herself for her birth. She said about it:

"I hate the standard hospital gowns so I teamed up with my friend 'Google' and found a pattern to make my own! I just hope the hospital doesn't burst my bubble and not let me wear it (since I'm having a photog spend the day w/ me while giving birth I want to look cute)."

And this is the picture:



Now, if you've ever read Robbie Davis-Floyd's Birth as an American Rite of Passage (oh heck, even if you haven't), you'll know where I'm going with this...but I'm trying to decide if I'm being a little psycho or not LOL.

See, the whole hospital-gown (whether given by them or made at home) really encourages you to be a patient. Birth is not an illness, not a disease, not something to be treated. The donning of the old gown helps imply that you are sick, and must dress the part. I don't care how pretty it may look - the addition of the ties and shoulder snaps means you're expecting IVs, wires, tubes, and other strange contraptions while birthing.

I know three times now, I've stripped to my own birthday suit for birthing...and I simply can't imagine somebody telling me to put on some strange garment like that. Of course, there's a lot about birthing in the standard American way I don't understand, but...

I'll stop now and wait to see what all my wise readers have to say. Obviously, it bugged me. Saddened me? Disappointed me? All true. You?


oh, and p.s. can I just say "not LET me wear it"??!!??!!?!! Whose birth? Whose body? Grrrr.

Walking - sideways!

Just took this video...but I keep forgetting that the video plays sideways when I hold the camera that way...sorry! Oh, and ignore the stupid commentary. Watch in silence.

Baby L's necklace

I get many comments and questions about Baby L's necklace...so I thought I'd just post about it :)

It is made of Baltic amber, which is supposed to contain analgesic properties. They are very popular in certain mama-circles to relieve teething pain (and the accompanying behavior). I'm on the fence about it. The day it arrived, I put in on Baby L, and within minutes he morphed from this whining, miserable creature into a slumbering baby! I was hooked. However, since then...not so sure it does much.

I do have a friend who said all crystals (and amber) should be recharged periodically in order to maintain their healing/soothing/etc. properties. This is done by removing the stone/amber from the wearer and placing it in the sun for a few hours. I need to try this again with Baby L's necklace.

Whether or not it works has actually become a secondary consideration for me. As my cousin commented, it's kind of Baby L's trademark now - and I must admit, I find it irresistibly adorable LOL.

So there's the lowdown. If you'd like one for yourself, I ordered from this store (cognac color)..and many of my friends have as well. In fact, I have one I wear, and Baby L actually has an anklet too (gifts from a friend). It is by far the cheapest I found...

Just a few cute pics of Baby L

I was trying to get a cute pic for my mom of L's new birthday clothes...amazing how many out-takes it took just to get these two (and yeah, I'm sparing everybody the not-so-goods)!

Adding a few more from this afternoon:

I guess it's official now.

I met with my friend and Licensed Midwife (that's one person LOL), S the other day. I have agreed to begin as her Jr. Midwifery Student in the fall! Since she's having a baby any day now, her client load will be very light - which is the only way I can even pretend to make it work right now.

Right away, I will be doing everything with S: attending prenatals two days a week, paperwork, blood draws, 36-week home visits, and attending births...pretty much trial by fire! We'll also spend time going over skills, I will be reading and memorizing and practicing what I can...

It is so surreal to me...and a little daunting, to be honest. Thing is, D does not have a flexible job, and we have three kids! I figure I can make it work, since the prenatals are on regularly scheduled days, and home visits have a 2-week warning. The girls will both be in school, and there is an after school program available. I will arrange something for Baby L, and D will pick the girls up if need be...

However, the births of course don't come on a pre-determined schedule! So...yeah. That's where I'm trying to figure something out. The other big problem is that we only have one car! Well, D has a work truck he uses, but it doesn't fit the three kids (besides the fact it's a WORK truck, not a cart-the-family-around truck). So...if I'm at a birth, he can't even go pick up the kids from other places! I HAVE to find someone who can come to the house for Baby L. Or I have to buy a small car. Ha ha ha ha

Anyway, that's the big news from here. Wish me tons of luck - with the arrangements in particular!

Happy Birthday, Baby L!

At 7:49 p.m. one year ago today, Baby L joined us...

The changes in just one year are simply amazing...besides walking and talking and signing, he eats, he plays, he giggles, he knows what he shouldn't be doing (and grins while shaking his head about it), he boogies to the music, and while frustrating in his lack of sleep and abundance of whine, he amazes us every day.

Happy birthday L. We love you so much.


For those of you who never read his birth story...here it is:

A little brother has joined our family! Born Wednesday night, at home in the tub, caught by daddy!

He was born at 41 weeks, after about 45 minutes of actual labor (I'd been having contrax for about an hour before that, every 12-15 min, but didn't really think much of them...). My water had broken early on Tuesday morning, 41 hours before labor kicked in! I'm sure that's partly why my contrax became so intense...I've never before labored with broken water.

Funny part to the birth story...one hour before I had him, I was sitting at the dinner table eating - of all things - BEEF STEW!! Not exactly your light pre-baby meal LOL

When contrax really set in, I got in the tub - they were one on top of another, with no break between. When I tried to get up to use the toilet, I almost had to fall back into the tub for any relief...

D was putting the girls to bed (it was about 7 p.m.) - then he came out and heard my vocalizations, got in the tub with me, and starting applying pressure to my lower back. Not long after this, he asked if he should call S to come. I agreed, so he made the call, and she arrived quickly.

I suddenly had an overwhelming urge to bear down, and checked to feel head - I was so surprised that it was already time! The feeling of his head moving down, pressing on my perineum, and emerging was so intense...I hadn't ever felt so connected to the actual birth of my other two. I helped ease the head, feeling the perineum stretch - I was sure it wouldn't fit, and was going to burst! Once his head was born, I just paused and felt his silky hair in the water, while waiting for another pushing urge. Again, I was so aware of the emerging shoulders and then body - unlike before. My dh caught him, and as I'd been on all fours, I stood and we passed the baby up to me.

Our girls came in and were watching me labor once it was obvious the baby was immenent - the elder (age 5) was drawing me pictures that said "I love you mom" on them And in between pushes, I could smile back and talk to them...it was the first time that I actually enjoyed pushing during labor, because it was the first time in this labor I was getting a break between contrax!

When the baby was born, the girls stripped and hopped into the tub with us, meeting their new brother. After a few minutes, I moved to our bed to birth the placenta (all of 5-10 minutes later) and rest.

There's the quick version...I have yet to write out the whole story.

If you haven't seen the pictures and would like to (warning, nudity!! but nothing too graphic), please click here. I hope you enjoy them. I love sharing these pictures of what birth can be...not scary, not medical, just part of family life.

Never mind - I lied.

So all that about Baby L sleeping so much better? Just a dirty little lie.
We did get those few nights of "better," but since I posted last Friday, it has been nothing short of horrid. He wakes every hour all night (occasionally we'll get a two-hour stretch), and will ONLY nurse. We've tried walking, patting, water, etc. with no luck.

We (Baby L and me) are now eating free of dairy, wheat, corn, soy and egg in an effort to isolate the offending food...still no improvement. I might have to go ahead and cut out all the other possibilities: berries, citrus, nuts, fish, nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant)...and I'm sure something else my sleep-deprived brain is forgetting.

On the bright side, he has been taking a few steps here and there - up to four, I think. He says "hi" and "hot," blows kisses, signs "all done," "more," "water," and "eat," and is an all around lovey baby when he's not whining or fighting sleep.

His birthday is tomorrow...it has been both the longest and quickest year! These last few months have been so difficult...and the poor girls are suffering a lack of quality mom-time because of it. I just keep reminding myself that it will get better...some day.

In other non-baby news, the girls have two more weeks of school, I will be signing them up for some creative classes at the local Art Center, and we will be in AK for the month of July (can't remember if I already posted that). School starts back up mid-August, so it will be a quick and busy summer. The girls will be in the same school next year - C officially a first grader (though in reality a second grader), and E in kindergarten!

E has spent a few hours in her new class as a visitor, and loves it. Since it's a Montessori Primary class, the students are 3-6 years old, in preschool and kindergarten. Most of the preschoolers are returning in the Fall. E will go one more day - next Wednesday for pizza day! I will drop her with C in the morning "car line" and pick her up after lunch. She's very excited about her new school :) C will return to the same class, but will no longer be the baby of the room, as 7 new first graders will join.

Off to clean. More soon. Please wish sleep upon us!

Quick updates

Baby L had been testing our patience something fierce the last month or so. He was always whining, fussy, waking every single hour all night, etc.

I finally went wheat and dairy-free in an effort to eliminate his horrible eczema (older friends will remember the fight with eczema and E...wheat was her trigger food). While his skin is still rough - it takes a while to heal - his behavior and sleeping have been SO. MUCH. BETTER. He did also cut his sixth tooth - the lower left-of-center one, which I don't doubt was also contributing.

Other things we're trying to help heal L's skin and improve sleeping and fussiness are a daily dose of pro-biotic powder and some chamomile tea with bay leaf...

In other news, an old friend from home was visiting the last two days. JE came Wednesday night and hung out through Thursday with us. Thursday night two wonderful friends watched all three kids so D and I could join JE and his wife S for dinner. It was a lovely treat for us to have a peaceful, adult dinner for a change - only the second time ever in over a year! And of course, such fun to catch up with an old friend...

The last exciting bit of news from here is that I've basically been invited to start apprenticing as a midwife-in-training. It is not something we can swing *quite* yet, with the three wee ones and D working the hours he does. However, it *is* now officially on my radar, and I will see what I can do to get the proverbial ball rolling...and maybe by the fall I can begin at least part-time with prenatal appointments and reading and CPR certification and all that stuff. I hope to meet with the LM (licensed midwife) in question next week and get more details.

I am thrilled :)

Very sad news about a friend

A young woman from my local AP mamas group died yesterday morning.

She was 5.5 months pregnant, and leaves behind two little girls, ages 1.5 and 3.

A pulmonary embolism was the cause of death.

The father returned home from a work day to his 3-year old saying, "mommy hasn't talked to me all day."

:(

p.s. this is NOT the same woman that has cancer...same group of mamas, different sad tale.

Slice of life, Bass-style

I was taking a picture of the little monkey below, and decided to get a quick shot of each of us - a little moment-in-time captured. So here we are in all our glory, 4 p.m. May 1, 2008:

E

L (that's blackberry face)

C (nice suit top, huh?)

D (he'll kill me when he sees this one)

and J
(ugh...why oh why am I posting this?? no shower...end of day, no-napping, feverish child...gimme a break!)

One of these days I really want to do a whole day-in-the-life (DITL) post. It won't be exciting, but perhaps a fun exercise?

May Day Fun

Sweet baby L napping (for 30 minutes. total. all day.):

The girls saw a baby bird falling from its nest in the saguaro. He can move just fine, walking all over the yard. At the moment, he is on the edge of our patio!

See mama bird watching from the fence (sitting on the concrete, where the pool fence intersects)? I didn't want to get too close, so yeah, lame picture. If you click on the photo though, you can really see her:

The nest:

Sweet, empathetic C really wanted to "do" something to help the baby birdie...so we put out bread and water in lids, just in case. Not sure what will happen to the little thing.

Last year, a similar looking bird drowned in the pool, obviously trying to fly from the nest. Then in the front yard there's a skeletal baby bird impaled in a cactus. Dangers of fledglings in the desert, I suppose...