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Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tips For Writing A Birth Plan
A birth plan is meant to convey your wishes and desires for your birth to your doctor and the hospital staff. When writing your birth plan, you should keep to the SSS rule: short, sweet, and skinny. You should keep your birth plan to a maximum of two pages, and be sure to use polite, positive, and respectful wording (ex: "We desire..." rather than "We don't want...") Also, keep in mind that while a birth plan is a great tool of communication between you and the hospital staff, it is simply a plan. Birth is an unpredictable event, and you must have some flexibility when it comes time for your birth.
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Review: Empty Cradle, Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of Your Baby
It is every parent's worse fear: the death of their baby. Whether it happens before or after birth, it can be a devastating event. Davis offers a guide to coping with the grief and other emotions that parents commonly experience after the death of their baby.
In today's society, the death of a baby is a devastating event that most people cannot fathom. For the parents of the deceased infant, the way society refuses to put importance on your grief and the death of your infant can be devastating. According to Davis, today's society views death as something to avoid at all costs. People do not talk about it, and rarely do they have contact with it. While in the past, family members died at home surrounded by loved ones, and their bodies were prepared for burial by their family, now people are dying in hospitals and nursing homes. Davis reiterates, "Death has been taken away from the home and family and placed in modern, sterile institutions." With people in today's society having so little experience with death, it is no surprise that many people simply have no idea how to react to the death of an infant. Thus, the grieving parents are often left feeling isolated, abandoned, and lonely.
Read more....
In today's society, the death of a baby is a devastating event that most people cannot fathom. For the parents of the deceased infant, the way society refuses to put importance on your grief and the death of your infant can be devastating. According to Davis, today's society views death as something to avoid at all costs. People do not talk about it, and rarely do they have contact with it. While in the past, family members died at home surrounded by loved ones, and their bodies were prepared for burial by their family, now people are dying in hospitals and nursing homes. Davis reiterates, "Death has been taken away from the home and family and placed in modern, sterile institutions." With people in today's society having so little experience with death, it is no surprise that many people simply have no idea how to react to the death of an infant. Thus, the grieving parents are often left feeling isolated, abandoned, and lonely.
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Is It Me?
So, how do you like my new look? Is it me?
I still have to put up my blogroll again, but other than that I am finished.
I felt like I needed a fresh look. A new perspective. I think this reflects my feelings on my entire life right now. Lately I've been feeling distracted....lost...off track. For some reason, the Knight and I have not been making big strides towards our big goals like we were before. Part of it has to do with circumstances beyond our control, but I believe part of it also has to do with the fact that we let ourselves get off track, let ourselves lose a little of that motivation and perspective that was keeping us going strong. The bottom line is, I think we lost track of our goals.
So the answer is to find them again. Put them up in full view, somewhere where it will smack us in the face first thing in the morning and remind us what we want, why we are making sacrifices, what the big picture for us really is. The Knight and I have been talking for a while now about making a dream board to show all of our reasons why and what we want our life to look like in five years. I think now we are going to actually sit down and make it.
So, what are our goals? They are:
~ to become debt free
~ to achieve financial peace
~ to build a solid financial future for our family
~ to have us both working from home so we can spend more time with the girls
~ to tread lightly on the earth, and teach our girls to do the same
~ to be continually educating ourselves and working on our personal development, and to teach our children the importance of education and personal development.
Why are those our goals? Because we owe it to ourselves, and our girls. Because we deserve to live a better life than the one that the 9-5 daily grind will offer us. Because we feel as though our culture can become something better than a "consumer" culture, and it has to start somewhere.
So, in order to help keep us on track, I'm going to create some accountability. I'm going to resurrect Fantastic Friday, but with slightly different goals. I know, I know, I can already hear the groans. But it's time for us to get serious. And I hope you'll be here to cheer us on and offer encouragement.
After all, it has to start somewhere, right?
I still have to put up my blogroll again, but other than that I am finished.
I felt like I needed a fresh look. A new perspective. I think this reflects my feelings on my entire life right now. Lately I've been feeling distracted....lost...off track. For some reason, the Knight and I have not been making big strides towards our big goals like we were before. Part of it has to do with circumstances beyond our control, but I believe part of it also has to do with the fact that we let ourselves get off track, let ourselves lose a little of that motivation and perspective that was keeping us going strong. The bottom line is, I think we lost track of our goals.
So the answer is to find them again. Put them up in full view, somewhere where it will smack us in the face first thing in the morning and remind us what we want, why we are making sacrifices, what the big picture for us really is. The Knight and I have been talking for a while now about making a dream board to show all of our reasons why and what we want our life to look like in five years. I think now we are going to actually sit down and make it.
So, what are our goals? They are:
~ to become debt free
~ to achieve financial peace
~ to build a solid financial future for our family
~ to have us both working from home so we can spend more time with the girls
~ to tread lightly on the earth, and teach our girls to do the same
~ to be continually educating ourselves and working on our personal development, and to teach our children the importance of education and personal development.
Why are those our goals? Because we owe it to ourselves, and our girls. Because we deserve to live a better life than the one that the 9-5 daily grind will offer us. Because we feel as though our culture can become something better than a "consumer" culture, and it has to start somewhere.
So, in order to help keep us on track, I'm going to create some accountability. I'm going to resurrect Fantastic Friday, but with slightly different goals. I know, I know, I can already hear the groans. But it's time for us to get serious. And I hope you'll be here to cheer us on and offer encouragement.
After all, it has to start somewhere, right?
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Out With The Old, In With The New
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Breastfeeding Hero in China
Here's a great story about the breastfeeding police woman who is nursing baby survivors of the quake. It's a shame that she has to be away from her own son so often.
In this country, some people would most likely call her "weird" or "gross". In China, she's a national hero.
In this country, some people would most likely call her "weird" or "gross". In China, she's a national hero.
FYI: Harmful Nipple Cream
FDA Warns of Harmful Nipple Cream.
From the article:
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From the article:
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday warned women not to use or purchase Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream, marketed by MOM Enterprises Inc. of San Rafael, California.
The cream, promoted to nursing mothers to help soothe dry or
cracked nipples, contains ingredients that may cause respiratory distress, vomiting and diarrhea in infants, the agency said.
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Sunday, May 25, 2008
Update on WomenAid
Our WomenAid website is finally up and running, so go ahead and check it out. We still have a few more kinks to work out, but it is basically finished.
Stay tuned for more updates on fundraising and raising awareness!
Stay tuned for more updates on fundraising and raising awareness!
Hopscotch: Everyday Learning Tool
Hopscotch is a great learning tool for the girls. It reinforces counting both forwards and backwards, order and sequence, drawing, writing numbers, and "building" with blocks. It also gets them into physical activity. Plus, and most importantly, it's FUN!
The Guppy had fun drawing as well. Lately she has been insisting on wearing dresses, and since I'm behind in laundry, she's wearing one of the Mermaid's dresses.
The Mermaid took her try at drawing hopscotch
She loved the game and her aim with the stone was pretty acurate.
I love the look of concentration on her face!
I would love to hear what other games moms use to teach their children while having fun!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Queen of Lazy Parenting
Yesterday I got hit with an awful migraine.
When this happens, I usually only do the bare minimum when it comes to parenting: as in, as long as they aren't doing anything dangerous, I don't care.
When it finally went away, I discovered what the Guppy had been up to:
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Starbucks Employee of the Month
Mother's Day Celebrations
I hope everyone had a fabulous Mother's Day weekend. The Knight and the girls cleaned up the house for me and I didn't have to change one single diaper all day. Then we went to the mall where I picked out some jewelry, yay! Not a bad day at all....
My bleary-eyed angels, waking me up for Mother's Day breakfast
Ready for the day
Riding at the mall.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Finding a Caregiver for Your Pregnancy, Labor, and Birth
Finding a caregiver who shares a similar philosophy surrounding labor and birth is key in achieving your goals. While choosing the right caregiver can be a timely process, in the end it will be worth it to find a caregiver who is supportive of your choices. The following are questions you may want to consider asking your caregiver to help you decide if he or she will be best suited to care for you.
Click here to read more...
Click here to read more...
Review: Mothering the New Mother
Becoming a mother is a truly powerful and transforming event. A woman's pregnancy is filled with hopeful expectations, knowledge, and preparation for the birth. With all the attention and excitement focused on the upcoming birth and arrival of the baby, often times the importance of preparing for the postpartum period is overlooked. Placksin's book, "Mothering the New Mother: Women's Feelings and Needs After Childbirth" is an incredible resource for every family expecting a baby. Filled with information, advice, and resources, it truly is a valuable guide for all expectant parents.
Click here to read more.....
Click here to read more.....
Off To The Circus We (Don't?) Go!
The Barnum and Bailey Circus was in town this weekend. My dear FIL was given four free tickets to go, and he gave them to us.
Now, I really didn't want to go. I do have serious issues with the way B&B circus treats their elephants and other animals. I had always planned on taking the girls to see an animal-free circus.
However, the Knight really, really wanted to take them. We ended up getting into a little argument about it. But, I realized that it was a stupid thing to argue about. Here is this wonderful man, who supports me in every way possible, who cringed when I said, "I think we should use cloth diapers" but went along with it because he knew it was important to me. Who looked at me like I was crazy when I said, "I want a homebirth. Do you think a birthing tub would fit into the living room?" but supported me completely because, again, he knew it was important to me. The same thing for homeschooling, extended breastfeeding, co-sleeping, babywearing, etc.
What got to me was when we were arguing, he said, "Does everything have to be an issue with you? Can't we do something normal for once and just take our kids to the circus?"
He has a point...
So, we went, with the understanding that in the future we would attend the animal-free shows and that when the girls are old enough, we will explain why we don't support the ones that keep animals. And, it was fun. The Guppy got a little overwhelmed, but the Mermaid was completely blown away and had a blast. She is still talking about the things she saw. So, I'm glad we went.
Now, I really didn't want to go. I do have serious issues with the way B&B circus treats their elephants and other animals. I had always planned on taking the girls to see an animal-free circus.
However, the Knight really, really wanted to take them. We ended up getting into a little argument about it. But, I realized that it was a stupid thing to argue about. Here is this wonderful man, who supports me in every way possible, who cringed when I said, "I think we should use cloth diapers" but went along with it because he knew it was important to me. Who looked at me like I was crazy when I said, "I want a homebirth. Do you think a birthing tub would fit into the living room?" but supported me completely because, again, he knew it was important to me. The same thing for homeschooling, extended breastfeeding, co-sleeping, babywearing, etc.
What got to me was when we were arguing, he said, "Does everything have to be an issue with you? Can't we do something normal for once and just take our kids to the circus?"
He has a point...
So, we went, with the understanding that in the future we would attend the animal-free shows and that when the girls are old enough, we will explain why we don't support the ones that keep animals. And, it was fun. The Guppy got a little overwhelmed, but the Mermaid was completely blown away and had a blast. She is still talking about the things she saw. So, I'm glad we went.
I Can Twitch Like Michael Jackson!
Saturday night we attended my uncle's surprise birthday party. The theme of the party was death, grim reaper, etc. (Yes, my family has a weird and crazy sense of humor, but I have the same humour, so I think it's funny). My mother got this crazy idea that she and all the "kids" should do the dance from Michael Jackson's Thriller video. The Knight and I took the girls to my mother's house straight from the walk to learn the dance. Then my mother dressed herself up as the grim reapers and the Knight and my sister up as zombies? ghouls? Not sure exactly what, but something freaky.
The Knight, My Mother, and My Sister
Even the Mermaid got a little face paint.
The dance went great and was hilarious. Soon after, the Mermaid completely conked out and we made a bed of chairs for her to sleep on. 
Normally, the Mermaid is the one out on the dance floor tearing it up with her moves, but because she was sleeping, the Guppy felt it was her duty to keep the dance floor moving. She was a HUGE hit! 
Normally, the Mermaid is the one out on the dance floor tearing it up with her moves, but because she was sleeping, the Guppy felt it was her duty to keep the dance floor moving. She was a HUGE hit! Showing off her moves
She learned her breakdancing moves from me
Tearing up the floor!
We got home late Saturday night, and on Sunday we went to the circus. More on that later.
WomenAid Walk-a-thon a Success!
Saturday morning the weather was really cloudy and we did get a little sprinkling, but nothing bad at all. Still great weather for the walk-a-thon. It was a success, we raised $400.00; not bad, considering that we only had two weeks to raise pledges.
I want to thank everyone who helped us by donating. We now have more than enough to file our paperwork get our initial funding going.
Here are some pictures from the walk; it really was a good time. We talked a lot about our lives, our kids, etc. They had a lot of booths set up along the trail and we got some great information on how they are working to clean up the Blackstone Valley River. We also got to help release fish into the river; they are trying to repopulate it with trout.
The Knight and I had brought along the wagon for the girls to ride in, and eventually towards the end the Mermaid fell asleep. After the walk we went to my uncle's surprise birthday party: more on that to come.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Update on WomenAid
Here is a little information about an event we are doing tomorrow to raise funds for WomenAid. If you wish to make a donation, please email me at roxanne600@aol.com with WomenAid in the subject line. We are seeking to raise funds to pay the fee for filing the proper paperwork and to get the word out about our organization.
Here's the information about the event:
Here's the information about the event:
Help a Family in Need!
Help Raise Funds for Blackstone Valley WomenAid!
Saturday May 3rd
9am to 1pm
5-mile course
295 Visitors Center, Lincoln RI
Wellness Walk-A-Thon
A Journey of Discovery along the Blackstone River Bikeway
Blackstone River Valley Corridor Keepers
Sponsored by Whole Foods Market
Honorary Co-Chair Senator Jack Reed (D-RI)
Did you know that low income children's overall health, education, and family structure in Massachusetts is ranked 50th out of all 50 states in this country?[1]
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE by helping Blackstone Valley WomenAid raise funds and enjoy a walk along the beautiful bikeway!
Blackstone Valley WomenAid is partnering with this event to establish its initial pool of funds to grant to families in financial need.
Blackstone Valley WomenAid is an all-volunteer charity organized by a group of dedicated women who are helping keep families healthy and in their homes in Blackstone Valley communities in MA by providing short-term financial assistance to families in need who do not qualify for federal or state assistance. Families are identified and nominated by independent verifiers in the community. All funds are paid directly to a service provider. One grant per year, not to exceed $500 may be awarded to a family in need upon the vote of the Board of Directors.
Please join us for the walk or make a pledge TODAY! Hope to see you there!
Help Raise Funds for Blackstone Valley WomenAid!
Saturday May 3rd
9am to 1pm
5-mile course
295 Visitors Center, Lincoln RI
Wellness Walk-A-Thon
A Journey of Discovery along the Blackstone River Bikeway
Blackstone River Valley Corridor Keepers
Sponsored by Whole Foods Market
Honorary Co-Chair Senator Jack Reed (D-RI)
Did you know that low income children's overall health, education, and family structure in Massachusetts is ranked 50th out of all 50 states in this country?[1]
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE by helping Blackstone Valley WomenAid raise funds and enjoy a walk along the beautiful bikeway!
Blackstone Valley WomenAid is partnering with this event to establish its initial pool of funds to grant to families in financial need.
Blackstone Valley WomenAid is an all-volunteer charity organized by a group of dedicated women who are helping keep families healthy and in their homes in Blackstone Valley communities in MA by providing short-term financial assistance to families in need who do not qualify for federal or state assistance. Families are identified and nominated by independent verifiers in the community. All funds are paid directly to a service provider. One grant per year, not to exceed $500 may be awarded to a family in need upon the vote of the Board of Directors.
Please join us for the walk or make a pledge TODAY! Hope to see you there!
[1] Annie G. Casey Foundation study can be found at http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-11-22-needychildren_N.htm#states
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