Some recent pictures she's sent from India (click on them to see the uncropped version - important for monkey-viewing!):
(notice the monkeys!)
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Happy Birthday to my little sister!
My sister turns 23 today! Happy Birthday - hope it's a great one!
Some recent pictures she's sent from India (click on them to see the uncropped version - important for monkey-viewing!):
(notice the monkeys!)
Some recent pictures she's sent from India (click on them to see the uncropped version - important for monkey-viewing!):
(notice the monkeys!)
Friday, November 28, 2008
Maybe it's a boy...
I've been thinking Baby4 is a girl all along - until last night. I had the most vivid dream (which of course I now can't remember), and woke up certain that baby is a boy!
Only time will tell of course...
Only time will tell of course...
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
ZooLights!
We went to ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo last night - good thing we went then, as it's now pouring rain with a thunder storm! The school is supposed to have a talent show today on the basketball court - guess that'll be inside now...
Here's a family pic from the zoo (one of those that they take and charge a gazillion dollars if you want to buy):
Yes, we have actually been known to use a stroller LOL It carried all the cold-weather gear for us (which for the first time we didn't have to use!). Previous years it has been SO.COLD. at ZooLights, but last night remained a balmy mid-70s. The kids got to ride the carousel and touch the sting rays...free last night as part of member preview!
Off to school now. Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Here's a family pic from the zoo (one of those that they take and charge a gazillion dollars if you want to buy):
Yes, we have actually been known to use a stroller LOL It carried all the cold-weather gear for us (which for the first time we didn't have to use!). Previous years it has been SO.COLD. at ZooLights, but last night remained a balmy mid-70s. The kids got to ride the carousel and touch the sting rays...free last night as part of member preview!
Off to school now. Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Win a sling!
My friend Rixa is giving away one of her 2nd Womb ring slings in celebration of her upcoming PhD graduation - go enter! Everybody needs a ring sling...
She also makes and sells doll slings, for the mini baby-wearers in your life...and if you order slings now, she's offering free shipping and extra give-away entries!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Three births...
...in six days!
Thursday, Nov 13 a baby boy was born, after a long, intense labor for mom. We were first called on Wednesday evening, and went to the home to check on mom. After a brief period, we left...and were called back some time later. With still no real change, we went home, expecting a mid-night call. Instead, it was about 6 a.m. when we headed back for the last time. Baby was born around 12:30, four minutes after SROM, on the birth stool. The father, who was not at all involved in the labor, was supposed to catch...but went for In-n-Out burgers, and ended up missing the birth!
On Tuesday, Nov 18 (my midwife's birthday!) I got a call around 6 a.m. that TWO mamas were in labor...fortunately at various stages. After checking on the first, my midwife picked me up and we headed to the birth of a lovely first-time couple. We arrived around 10:45; mom was laboring in the tub with the support of her husband, in candle-light with classical music. It was peaceful and calm; she wanted nothing to do with us :) Around 1:15, we could hear that magical change in vocalizations, and withing 25 minutes, a 7 lb 10 oz baby girl was born in her bathtub. She had a tight nuchal cord, which necessitated a head-tuck, body birthing maneuver, but fortunately not an early cord-clamping. Once mom moved to the bed, she birthed the placenta...and began bleeding something fierce. I administered shepherd's purse first, then two doses of IM pitocin (5 minutes apart), then oral methergine. Fortunately, the issue resolved and no transfer was necessary. Of note with this birth, aside from the yikes of the bleeding, was the very unique placenta. Upon examination, we realized the placenta was HUGE! It was almost heart-shaped or twin-placenta in appearance...except it had a whole extra lobe to it as well...and the cord was inserted in the middle, so definitely not a twin...It must have taken up most of the uterus.
S later researched this particular placenta, and realized it is an extremely rare occurrence, called a placenta membranacea. Not surprisingly, it is associated with post-partum hemorrhage.
After leaving this birth, we went home for a quick bite to eat. Right around 6:15 we were called back to the other birth. We arrived there by 7 or so, and baby was born at 9:15. This was a VBAC, and I was so honored to be part of the journey and healing for this powerful mama. A healthy baby boy, weighing 8-11 (I think?), joined his big sister and parents. Mom did tear, which had some good bleeding. Of note also was a strange, audible POP that shocked everyone in the room...it happened just before baby was born. Something (unknown still) was holding baby back from crowning at about +1 station. After the pop, he came instantly to a full crown and was born on the next push. Mom did not feel anything unusual, there was nothing obvious, but *something* was holding up that baby (and most likely his sister during her labor).
There's the quick version...our next mama is due in early January.
Just want to say an extra thank you to my fantastic friends who make my attendance at these births (and apprenticeship in general) possible by watching Baby L for me. And of course, thank you to my husband and kids who patiently wait at home while mom runs off yet again...
Thursday, Nov 13 a baby boy was born, after a long, intense labor for mom. We were first called on Wednesday evening, and went to the home to check on mom. After a brief period, we left...and were called back some time later. With still no real change, we went home, expecting a mid-night call. Instead, it was about 6 a.m. when we headed back for the last time. Baby was born around 12:30, four minutes after SROM, on the birth stool. The father, who was not at all involved in the labor, was supposed to catch...but went for In-n-Out burgers, and ended up missing the birth!
On Tuesday, Nov 18 (my midwife's birthday!) I got a call around 6 a.m. that TWO mamas were in labor...fortunately at various stages. After checking on the first, my midwife picked me up and we headed to the birth of a lovely first-time couple. We arrived around 10:45; mom was laboring in the tub with the support of her husband, in candle-light with classical music. It was peaceful and calm; she wanted nothing to do with us :) Around 1:15, we could hear that magical change in vocalizations, and withing 25 minutes, a 7 lb 10 oz baby girl was born in her bathtub. She had a tight nuchal cord, which necessitated a head-tuck, body birthing maneuver, but fortunately not an early cord-clamping. Once mom moved to the bed, she birthed the placenta...and began bleeding something fierce. I administered shepherd's purse first, then two doses of IM pitocin (5 minutes apart), then oral methergine. Fortunately, the issue resolved and no transfer was necessary. Of note with this birth, aside from the yikes of the bleeding, was the very unique placenta. Upon examination, we realized the placenta was HUGE! It was almost heart-shaped or twin-placenta in appearance...except it had a whole extra lobe to it as well...and the cord was inserted in the middle, so definitely not a twin...It must have taken up most of the uterus.
S later researched this particular placenta, and realized it is an extremely rare occurrence, called a placenta membranacea. Not surprisingly, it is associated with post-partum hemorrhage.
After leaving this birth, we went home for a quick bite to eat. Right around 6:15 we were called back to the other birth. We arrived there by 7 or so, and baby was born at 9:15. This was a VBAC, and I was so honored to be part of the journey and healing for this powerful mama. A healthy baby boy, weighing 8-11 (I think?), joined his big sister and parents. Mom did tear, which had some good bleeding. Of note also was a strange, audible POP that shocked everyone in the room...it happened just before baby was born. Something (unknown still) was holding baby back from crowning at about +1 station. After the pop, he came instantly to a full crown and was born on the next push. Mom did not feel anything unusual, there was nothing obvious, but *something* was holding up that baby (and most likely his sister during her labor).
There's the quick version...our next mama is due in early January.
Just want to say an extra thank you to my fantastic friends who make my attendance at these births (and apprenticeship in general) possible by watching Baby L for me. And of course, thank you to my husband and kids who patiently wait at home while mom runs off yet again...
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Baby guessing game (again)
I thought it was fun last time, so I figured I'd give Baby4 a game too :)
...please go make a guess! I've also added the link to the left, so as this post moves down, it'll still be easy to find.
My birthing history, just to help a little:
(40 weeks is the "due date" but I refuse to use that terminology LOL)
C: born at 39 weeks 4 days; 7 pounds, 19.5 inches. 10:29 p.m.
E: born at 40 weeks; 6 pounds, 11 ounces, 19.5 inches. 3:30 p.m.
L: born at 41 weeks; 7 pounds, 6 ounces, 20 inches. 7:49 p.m.
...please go make a guess! I've also added the link to the left, so as this post moves down, it'll still be easy to find.
My birthing history, just to help a little:
(40 weeks is the "due date" but I refuse to use that terminology LOL)
C: born at 39 weeks 4 days; 7 pounds, 19.5 inches. 10:29 p.m.
E: born at 40 weeks; 6 pounds, 11 ounces, 19.5 inches. 3:30 p.m.
L: born at 41 weeks; 7 pounds, 6 ounces, 20 inches. 7:49 p.m.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
She got the job!
My brilliant sister has just been offered a job by the International Red Cross as a Hindi/Urdu translator/interpretor in Kashmir!
The offer follows multiple interviews in Delhi (where she's currently working), plus a full-day interview in Geneva a few weeks ago.
Many congratulations to A...
The offer follows multiple interviews in Delhi (where she's currently working), plus a full-day interview in Geneva a few weeks ago.
Many congratulations to A...
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I love this quote
I just read this on a board I'm on...it was attributed to a man in Philly at a rally:
And speaking of Obama...his grandmother died yesterday in Hawaii. :(
Finally of couse: go vote today!
"Rosa sat so Martin could walk. Martin walked so Obama could run. Obama is running so our children can fly."
And speaking of Obama...his grandmother died yesterday in Hawaii. :(
Finally of couse: go vote today!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Halloween fun
I took a ton of pictures this year - both from the pumpkin patch the night before Halloween, and from the day of. I put them in slide shows instead of choosing my favorites :)
If you notice the matchy-matchy outfits in the first set, I made super quick skirts for the girls to go to the pumpkin patch, hoping for a cute family picture...they match the overalls I embellished earlier in the month for Baby L, and the sling I made as well.
The kids and I walked around one block with our next door neighbors, then sat home and passed out treats to those who came to our door. I was sadly disappointed with how rude most of the kids were. We also had some older teen-aged kids, and one group that was adults - not even in costumes! - trick or treating. I found that really odd.
If you notice the matchy-matchy outfits in the first set, I made super quick skirts for the girls to go to the pumpkin patch, hoping for a cute family picture...they match the overalls I embellished earlier in the month for Baby L, and the sling I made as well.
The kids and I walked around one block with our next door neighbors, then sat home and passed out treats to those who came to our door. I was sadly disappointed with how rude most of the kids were. We also had some older teen-aged kids, and one group that was adults - not even in costumes! - trick or treating. I found that really odd.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Friday night, diy sling, and kids today
I forgot to mention the excitement of our Friday night! D got the kids to bed around 7, per usual, and settled in to read the paper. He promptly discovered it was Mesa's 2nd Friday and they were doing a whole "Haunted Downtown" theme. We decided the novelty and fun were worth a late night, so we got the girls up (not asleep yet) and dressed for an early Halloween:
They had a blast with D! There was trick-or-treating, face painting (by a princess!), music and miscellaneous other fun.
Next up...my very first DIY ring sling! I got this awesome woven fabric on clearance at JoAnn last year, hoping to make something for this year with it...well what better for a carrier addict than a ring sling? I used the pleated shoulder tutorial from Sleeping Baby (she also sells slings), and SlingRings, which are actually locally made but widely distributed. It's a little bigger in the shoulder than I prefer, but it works perfectly for D! It is comfy, as it's such a nice woven fabric...just don't look at my hemming job up close!
And finally, here are the cuties from just minutes ago (of course I couldn't get all three together in one picture):
(oh, the girls just got home from dance class if you're wondering about the leotards)
 |
They had a blast with D! There was trick-or-treating, face painting (by a princess!), music and miscellaneous other fun.
Next up...my very first DIY ring sling! I got this awesome woven fabric on clearance at JoAnn last year, hoping to make something for this year with it...well what better for a carrier addict than a ring sling? I used the pleated shoulder tutorial from Sleeping Baby (she also sells slings), and SlingRings, which are actually locally made but widely distributed. It's a little bigger in the shoulder than I prefer, but it works perfectly for D! It is comfy, as it's such a nice woven fabric...just don't look at my hemming job up close!
 |
 |
And finally, here are the cuties from just minutes ago (of course I couldn't get all three together in one picture):
 |
 |
(oh, the girls just got home from dance class if you're wondering about the leotards)
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The best laid plans...
Last night, 96-year old Nanny rode a horse to dinner. No, really - she went on a mini trail ride, about a 25 minute one, over to a local restaurant! The family met there, and started chatting. Mr. L had been acting slightly "off" since we went to the ranch an hour before. Well, suddenly he vomited all over the restaurant...and then was fine. So we decided to stick it out - he ate some potatoes, was his normal silly self, and we headed back to the ranch.
The girls were spending the night and were very excited to get rid of their parents. We dropped off Grandma S (lives next door to the ranch), and were getting ready to leave, when...up came the potatoes. All over me.
We got Mr. L cleaned up, he donned a small tee of grandma's, said bye to the girls and we drove home (30 minutes). He fell straight asleep, and transfered fine to bed. D and I watched a goofy movie (Saving Grace), but halfway through it the phone rang. Turns out Ms. C had vomited too! Poor Aunt B drove her home, but E chose to stay for the overnight.
There was no more puking from either, but they're both sluggish this morning. In fact, C is in bed reading, and L is napping at 9:00 already.
D left a bit ago to join the gang for a nice brunch at a fancy resort - he and E should have some nice QT together :) I'm sorry I have to miss it though - D's cousin, his wife, and their two kids (7 and 4) are also here.
Wish I had a picture to share from Nanny's horse ride - but of course, I forgot my camera! If I get one forwarded to me, I'll be sure to share.
The girls were spending the night and were very excited to get rid of their parents. We dropped off Grandma S (lives next door to the ranch), and were getting ready to leave, when...up came the potatoes. All over me.
We got Mr. L cleaned up, he donned a small tee of grandma's, said bye to the girls and we drove home (30 minutes). He fell straight asleep, and transfered fine to bed. D and I watched a goofy movie (Saving Grace), but halfway through it the phone rang. Turns out Ms. C had vomited too! Poor Aunt B drove her home, but E chose to stay for the overnight.
There was no more puking from either, but they're both sluggish this morning. In fact, C is in bed reading, and L is napping at 9:00 already.
D left a bit ago to join the gang for a nice brunch at a fancy resort - he and E should have some nice QT together :) I'm sorry I have to miss it though - D's cousin, his wife, and their two kids (7 and 4) are also here.
Wish I had a picture to share from Nanny's horse ride - but of course, I forgot my camera! If I get one forwarded to me, I'll be sure to share.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Vocabulary lesson
From the New York Times - see original article here
Who You Callin’ a Maverick?
Who You Callin’ a Maverick?
There’s that word again: maverick. In Thursday’s vice-presidential debate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, the Republican candidate, used it to describe herself and her running mate, Senator John McCain, no fewer than six times, at one point calling him “the consummate maverick.”
But to those who know the history of the word, applying it to Mr. McCain is a bit of a stretch — and to one Texas family in particular it is even a bit offensive.
“I’m just enraged that McCain calls himself a maverick,” said Terrellita Maverick, 82, a San Antonio native who proudly carries the name of a family that has been known for its progressive politics since the 1600s, when an early ancestor in Boston got into trouble with the law over his agitation for the rights of indentured servants.
In the 1800s, Samuel Augustus Maverick went to Texas and became known for not branding his cattle. He was more interested in keeping track of the land he owned than the livestock on it, Ms. Maverick said; unbranded cattle, then, were called “Maverick’s.” The name came to mean anyone who didn’t bear another’s brand.
Sam Maverick’s grandson, Fontaine Maury Maverick, was a two-term congressman and a mayor of San Antonio who lost his mayoral re-election bid when conservatives labeled him a Communist. He served in the Roosevelt administration on the Smaller War Plants Corporation and is best known for another coinage. He came up with the term “gobbledygook” in frustration at the convoluted language of bureaucrats.
This Maverick’s son, Maury Jr., was a firebrand civil libertarian and lawyer who defended draft resisters, atheists and others scorned by society. He served in the Texas Legislature during the McCarthy era and wrote fiery columns for The San Antonio Express-News. His final column, published on Feb. 2, 2003, just after he died at 82, was an attack on the coming war in Iraq.
Terrellita Maverick, sister of Maury Jr., is a member emeritus of the board of the San Antonio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas.
Considering the family’s long history of association with liberalism and progressive ideals, it should come as no surprise that Ms. Maverick insists that John McCain, who has voted so often with his party, “is in no way a maverick, in uppercase or lowercase.”
“It’s just incredible — the nerve! — to suggest that he’s not part of that Republican herd. Every time we hear it, all my children and I and all my family shrink a little and say, ‘Oh, my God, he said it again.’ ”
“He’s a Republican,” she said. “He’s branded.”
Monday, October 6, 2008
18 weeks, 4 days
OK, thought I'd start the old belly shot posts once again. Here I am this morning, at 18+4. Please excuse the fresh-from-shower, self-timer bad picture!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Cold weather!!
Our high yesterday (and forcasted for today again) was only 85ish! It is lovely...the doors are open, we never turned on the A/C yesterday - for the first time since Spring, and we can do things outside in the afternoon - woohoo! :)
Girls are on break this coming week, so we'll be hitting the zoo, playing with friends, and getting together with others to make candles.
That's the news from AZ. Baby4 is active as ever, and my belly is getting big already! Belly shots to come soon...
Girls are on break this coming week, so we'll be hitting the zoo, playing with friends, and getting together with others to make candles.
That's the news from AZ. Baby4 is active as ever, and my belly is getting big already! Belly shots to come soon...
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Heartbeat!
Last night I decided to give my fetoscope another shot (haven't had luck before now hearing baby). One can typically hear the baby by 18-20 weeks with the fetoscope. Despite most Western docs depending on dopplers, the use of a fetoscope is still alive and well among midwives...and it's completely safe as of course there's no ultrasound exposure, like there is with a doppler!
To my utter delight, I got the heartbeat loud and clear! This morning I let the girls hear too...
I will be 18 weeks tomorrow...
To my utter delight, I got the heartbeat loud and clear! This morning I let the girls hear too...
I will be 18 weeks tomorrow...
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The enchanted broccoli baby...
...and his sisters:
The outfit E is wearing is hot off my new-to-me machine! D's grandma gave me her old Singer 500 (Slant-O-Matic), a fantastic machine that I'm LOVING!
It does so many stitches, has all these accessory feet (I used a ruffler, rolled hem, applique, and normal presser foot all in this project - just for fun), and is plain beefy. My old Target cheap-o Singer is going out the door - never to be used in this house again...you know what they say, "they just don't make 'em like they used to!"
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Quickening!
So today I can say with certainty: I feel the baby! I've been thinking I felt him/her for about the last week, but never with enough consistency to be sure. Today he/she is so active, I've had for-sure little belly tickles all day! Baby's gestational age (by LMP) is 17 weeks tomorrow :)
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
This Alaskan woman...
...is obviously in great company! Yes, this is a political post. I am so tired of people assuming because Ms. Palin is the Alaskan governor, that I (we) support her current political aspirations (gag).
I love that the "Alaska Women Reject Palin" rally was so successful - now for that, I'm proud to be an Alaskan!
I know not all my readers are on my side of the ballot, and that's OK. I respect differences in opinion! What I don't like is the current fad of supporting a candidate for her gender, not her politics. Off my soapbox now.
Go Alaskan women! *grin*
I love that the "Alaska Women Reject Palin" rally was so successful - now for that, I'm proud to be an Alaskan!
I know not all my readers are on my side of the ballot, and that's OK. I respect differences in opinion! What I don't like is the current fad of supporting a candidate for her gender, not her politics. Off my soapbox now.
Go Alaskan women! *grin*
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)