Saturday, April 16, 2011
Jemma dresses herself :)
So the other night, Jemma got to spend the night with Aunt Kari and her cousin Ella. She was so excited she packed her Dora backpack and dressed herself. She insisted on wearing her red Made in Ohio t-shirt, her leggings with stripes and hearts, and her winter boots. She is so stinkin' cute!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Lily's Birth Story
Lily Elisabeth Pope made her arrival at 6:36pm on April 1, 2011. She was 7 lbs, 10.8 oz and 21 inches long. She was born at Mercy Fairfield Hospital and delivered by Dr. Daniel Bowen. I wanted to share her birth story. It is a little long, but I wanted to preserve my thoughts and memories surrounding her delivery.
When I found out I was pregnant, I immediately started thinking about delivery. Jemma’s birth was not quite the experience I hoped for, and I really wanted things to go differently this time. With Jemma, I said I wanted to try to have a natural birth; with Lily, I said I AM going to have a natural birth. I switched to a different OB, Dr. Bowen, who was highly recommended to me. (His partner, Dr. Wall, was equally as good when I saw him, but Dr. Bowen ended up delivering Lily). Both doctors were very supportive throughout my pregnancy and helped me develop a birth plan to achieve my goal. I decided to deliver at Mercy Fairfield since it was closest to our home, and they have whirlpool tubs in all the labor and delivery rooms. I hired a doula (birth attendant) to help us with support during labor.
Lily’s birth story begins at 34 weeks when she first dropped. I remember thinking how nice it was to be able to breathe again! From that point on, I had inconsistent contractions until 36 weeks when they became more prevalent. At my 36 week appointment, I asked Dr. Bowen to check me and I was 2 cm dilated. Yeah for progress! Contractions continued off and on for the next few weeks. There were a few times I thought we might be heading to the hospital, but the contractions would fade. I was beginning to get a little frustrated. I wasn’t so much uncomfortable, just impatient and annoyed at the constant contractions. So, at my 39 week appointment, I asked Dr. Bowen to check me. I was 3 cm and fully effaced, so we decided to strip my membranes. That was at 4pm. By 6pm, I started having contractions, and they regulated to about 6 min apart throughout the evening and stayed that way overnight and into the next morning. They weren’t painful really, just present. I spent a lot of time walking, bouncing on my exercise ball, and lying on my left side. I called Dr. Bowen around 7am to let him know how things were going, and he said to check back in when contractions regulated to 5 min apart for an hour. I called our doula to put her on call and my mom came to pick Jemma up.
My contractions stayed about 6 min apart until about 11am and then they started increasing in frequency and intensity. I was starting to have to really focus to get through them. By 1pm, they’d been 5 min apart for an hour, so we called Dr. Bowen and said we’d like to head to the hospital. The contractions were strong but not unbearable. I could talk through them if needed, but they felt better if I focused on breathing and staying relaxed. We went to triage, I got checked, and was 6cm dilated! I was so happy to hear that. We were admitted to our room and our doula, Nicole, arrived shortly after. I think that was around 3pm or so. My nurse was wonderful. She encouraged me that I could have a natural labor and kept me on the monitors the shortest time she could. I truly appreciate her support. I was on the monitors for 20 minutes of every hour. The first hour I spent my 20 minutes of monitoring bouncing on a ball, and then got in the tub. The water felt so good and really eased my contractions. After 30 minutes in the water, I felt like I was getting overheated, so I opted to get out and sit in a rocking chair. I stayed there through the next 20 minutes of monitoring and rested between contractions. I was feeling tired and the contractions began to get fairly uncomfortable towards the end of the last monitoring session. Nicole gave counterpressure at my hips and pelvis during each contraction, and that helped ease them. As soon as I was off the monitors, I hopped back in the tub and had Tom add more hot water. At this point, I was really going into transition and the contractions were very strong and painful. I remember feeling overwhelmed and wondering whether I could really pull this off…maybe I was crazy for thinking I could go natural. Then I would realize that I was in transition, and remind myself that I could do it! Tom held my hand and Nicole massaged my back for the next 40 minutes while reminding me to stay relaxed. I suddenly felt the urge to get out of the tub and stand up, which ironically occurred at the same time I was due for another round of monitoring. It took 2 contractions to get across the room, during which Tom pretty much held me up. I couldn’t bear the thought of sitting, so my wonderful nurse said I could remain standing while she put the monitors on. At the next contraction, I felt the urge to push a little, and I couldn’t stop my body from doing it. During the next 3 contractions, I pushed more and more, and I think the nurse went to get Dr. Bowen and forgot about the monitors because I don’t remember them being put back on! On the last contraction, I felt a pop and my water broke – all over Tom’s pants and shoes I might add. I felt a burning sensation, which was apparently Lily crowning. They got me on the bed, Dr. Bowen came in, and I think about 3 pushes later Lily was out. I felt a little bit like superwoman.
They placed Lily on my chest and Dr. Bowen helped Tom and I feel where her cord was still pulsing. Tom got to cut the cord, and we rubbed Lily to warm her up and she stayed on my chest. Dr. Bowen helped me deliver the placenta and then showed us all the parts of it, which I thought was just amazing. I never saw Jemma’s placenta. I started nursing Lily while Dr. Bowen stitched me up (I had a second degree tear I think). I ended up having to have pitocin to help with the bleeding afterwards, but that was the only real intervention I had. I didn’t even get checked after my initial admission! I felt so good afterwards. It was such a different experience from Jemma’s birth, and I am so thankful for all the support from the amazing staff, Dr. Bowen, my doula, and most importantly, my loving and caring husband. I could not have asked for a more perfect delivery. It was amazing to be able to feel my daughter come into the world. Thank you for letting me share.
When I found out I was pregnant, I immediately started thinking about delivery. Jemma’s birth was not quite the experience I hoped for, and I really wanted things to go differently this time. With Jemma, I said I wanted to try to have a natural birth; with Lily, I said I AM going to have a natural birth. I switched to a different OB, Dr. Bowen, who was highly recommended to me. (His partner, Dr. Wall, was equally as good when I saw him, but Dr. Bowen ended up delivering Lily). Both doctors were very supportive throughout my pregnancy and helped me develop a birth plan to achieve my goal. I decided to deliver at Mercy Fairfield since it was closest to our home, and they have whirlpool tubs in all the labor and delivery rooms. I hired a doula (birth attendant) to help us with support during labor.
Lily’s birth story begins at 34 weeks when she first dropped. I remember thinking how nice it was to be able to breathe again! From that point on, I had inconsistent contractions until 36 weeks when they became more prevalent. At my 36 week appointment, I asked Dr. Bowen to check me and I was 2 cm dilated. Yeah for progress! Contractions continued off and on for the next few weeks. There were a few times I thought we might be heading to the hospital, but the contractions would fade. I was beginning to get a little frustrated. I wasn’t so much uncomfortable, just impatient and annoyed at the constant contractions. So, at my 39 week appointment, I asked Dr. Bowen to check me. I was 3 cm and fully effaced, so we decided to strip my membranes. That was at 4pm. By 6pm, I started having contractions, and they regulated to about 6 min apart throughout the evening and stayed that way overnight and into the next morning. They weren’t painful really, just present. I spent a lot of time walking, bouncing on my exercise ball, and lying on my left side. I called Dr. Bowen around 7am to let him know how things were going, and he said to check back in when contractions regulated to 5 min apart for an hour. I called our doula to put her on call and my mom came to pick Jemma up.
My contractions stayed about 6 min apart until about 11am and then they started increasing in frequency and intensity. I was starting to have to really focus to get through them. By 1pm, they’d been 5 min apart for an hour, so we called Dr. Bowen and said we’d like to head to the hospital. The contractions were strong but not unbearable. I could talk through them if needed, but they felt better if I focused on breathing and staying relaxed. We went to triage, I got checked, and was 6cm dilated! I was so happy to hear that. We were admitted to our room and our doula, Nicole, arrived shortly after. I think that was around 3pm or so. My nurse was wonderful. She encouraged me that I could have a natural labor and kept me on the monitors the shortest time she could. I truly appreciate her support. I was on the monitors for 20 minutes of every hour. The first hour I spent my 20 minutes of monitoring bouncing on a ball, and then got in the tub. The water felt so good and really eased my contractions. After 30 minutes in the water, I felt like I was getting overheated, so I opted to get out and sit in a rocking chair. I stayed there through the next 20 minutes of monitoring and rested between contractions. I was feeling tired and the contractions began to get fairly uncomfortable towards the end of the last monitoring session. Nicole gave counterpressure at my hips and pelvis during each contraction, and that helped ease them. As soon as I was off the monitors, I hopped back in the tub and had Tom add more hot water. At this point, I was really going into transition and the contractions were very strong and painful. I remember feeling overwhelmed and wondering whether I could really pull this off…maybe I was crazy for thinking I could go natural. Then I would realize that I was in transition, and remind myself that I could do it! Tom held my hand and Nicole massaged my back for the next 40 minutes while reminding me to stay relaxed. I suddenly felt the urge to get out of the tub and stand up, which ironically occurred at the same time I was due for another round of monitoring. It took 2 contractions to get across the room, during which Tom pretty much held me up. I couldn’t bear the thought of sitting, so my wonderful nurse said I could remain standing while she put the monitors on. At the next contraction, I felt the urge to push a little, and I couldn’t stop my body from doing it. During the next 3 contractions, I pushed more and more, and I think the nurse went to get Dr. Bowen and forgot about the monitors because I don’t remember them being put back on! On the last contraction, I felt a pop and my water broke – all over Tom’s pants and shoes I might add. I felt a burning sensation, which was apparently Lily crowning. They got me on the bed, Dr. Bowen came in, and I think about 3 pushes later Lily was out. I felt a little bit like superwoman.
They placed Lily on my chest and Dr. Bowen helped Tom and I feel where her cord was still pulsing. Tom got to cut the cord, and we rubbed Lily to warm her up and she stayed on my chest. Dr. Bowen helped me deliver the placenta and then showed us all the parts of it, which I thought was just amazing. I never saw Jemma’s placenta. I started nursing Lily while Dr. Bowen stitched me up (I had a second degree tear I think). I ended up having to have pitocin to help with the bleeding afterwards, but that was the only real intervention I had. I didn’t even get checked after my initial admission! I felt so good afterwards. It was such a different experience from Jemma’s birth, and I am so thankful for all the support from the amazing staff, Dr. Bowen, my doula, and most importantly, my loving and caring husband. I could not have asked for a more perfect delivery. It was amazing to be able to feel my daughter come into the world. Thank you for letting me share.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Pregnancy #2 Update
Well, most of you know by now that I'm preggo with #2! We are very happily anticipating adding another little girl to our family in early April. The pregnancy has been going very well - I initially had some nausea and some extreme fatigue, but that passed pretty quickly this time. I've been feeling great for a month or so. This little lady is much more active than Jemma was. Jemma would only kick in the evenings or when I laid down to rest; this one is kicking me all day long! She especially hates when I sit down to drive and repeatedly kicks me where the seat belt presses into my stomach :)
We've been telling Jemma that there is a baby in Mama's belly, but I'm not sure how much she understands. She loves her cousin Ella and loves to help change her diaper, hug her, and bring her a "ki-ki" (her word for pacifier). I'm hoping this will transition well when she has a little sister of her own! We're in the process of moving her to into her big girl room. It is decorated and ready to go, but we're making a slow transition to sleeping in the big girl bed. She is still preferring her crib, which is fine. We have plenty of time to move her. The new baby won't need the crib for several months anyway.
I switched OB practices this time, mainly because I wanted to develop a better relationship with my doctor. The first practice I used had 5 doctors and it was hard to get to know all of them. This one has 2 and it is also much closer to our house. The doctors are amazing and I really like both of them. They spend time talking to you and genuinely care how you are feeling and how the pregnancy is going. I've been really happy with my switch so far. I'm determined that this time I'm going to have a natural birth and my docs are so supportive of that.
Overall, we are all doing great. It's amazing how fast this pregnancy has progressed. It's halfway through and I feel like we still have so much to do before this little one makes her appearance! I'll continue to keep you updated! Happy Thanksgiving!!
We've been telling Jemma that there is a baby in Mama's belly, but I'm not sure how much she understands. She loves her cousin Ella and loves to help change her diaper, hug her, and bring her a "ki-ki" (her word for pacifier). I'm hoping this will transition well when she has a little sister of her own! We're in the process of moving her to into her big girl room. It is decorated and ready to go, but we're making a slow transition to sleeping in the big girl bed. She is still preferring her crib, which is fine. We have plenty of time to move her. The new baby won't need the crib for several months anyway.
I switched OB practices this time, mainly because I wanted to develop a better relationship with my doctor. The first practice I used had 5 doctors and it was hard to get to know all of them. This one has 2 and it is also much closer to our house. The doctors are amazing and I really like both of them. They spend time talking to you and genuinely care how you are feeling and how the pregnancy is going. I've been really happy with my switch so far. I'm determined that this time I'm going to have a natural birth and my docs are so supportive of that.
Overall, we are all doing great. It's amazing how fast this pregnancy has progressed. It's halfway through and I feel like we still have so much to do before this little one makes her appearance! I'll continue to keep you updated! Happy Thanksgiving!!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Why I wear Jemma
Babywearing is just that - wearing your baby in a carrier. For me, that carrier is simply a piece of cloth, or a wrap. I also use ring slings, which are essentially short wraps with rings sewn on one end so that they can be easily adjusted. This has been a wonderful experience for us. I initially thought it would just be convenient for trips to the store or to get housework done. It has definitely helped with those things, but it has done so much more.
When Jemma was little, it helped me simply get chores done and keep her happy. I quickly learned that just putting her down in something didn't work. She wanted to be held. After I returned to work, it allowed us to reconnect after a busy day, when she had been missing me and I had missed her.
Once she was older, she was able to see and look around her world, all while safe and secure next to her mama. It saved my sanity during teething when all she wanted was to be held. We went to the zoo without having to lug a stroller and get her in and out everytime she wanted to see an animal.
Now, at 19 months, Jemma still gets carried a few times a week, for errands in a store or today when we went to a large celebration at church. She asks to go "up." She loves to go for rides on Mama's back. A baby carrier is an invaluable tool with a squirmy, wiggly toddler who likes to run in public!
I'm sharing my babywearing experience in the hopes of making a difference. If you remember, earlier this year the Infantino SlingRider and similar "bag slings" were recalled. It is heartbreaking that parents and families who were trying to do a wonderful thing with their children were sold an unsafe product, and even more tragic that children had to die for the recall to occur. Babywearers had been saying for year that bag slings were dangerous. The baby essentially sat in bag or purse, Mom (or Dad) wasn't able to see the baby, and it also placed the child in a poor position for breathing.
Due to the heartbreaking tragedy that occurred with this ONE TYPE of soft carrier, the CPSC has deemed ALL soft carriers to be unsafe and is making a move to recall ALL types of soft baby carriers from the market. (This includes my beloved wraps, ring slings, pouches...and it could go on to include other soft carriers such as mei tais, podegais, etc). The Baby Carrier Industry Alliance has issued an emergency call to action asking for all moms and dads alike to step up and voice their support for babywearing. That is why I am writing today, in the hopes of sharing a positive experience and showing the joy babywearing has brought to my life and my daughter's life. Babywearing has immense benefits to both mom and baby and has been practiced by mothers all over the globe for centuries. This isn’t a new thing. It is safe.
If by some miracle someone from the CPSA happens to read my little blog or any of the other countless stories being posted throughout the internet, I urge you to not recall ALL soft carriers. Instead, talk to the parents who wear their babies everyday about the benefits. Please work with the BCIA in the effort to always manufacture safe soft carriers as you do with every other product you recall.
Thank you for listening.
~Erin
When Jemma was little, it helped me simply get chores done and keep her happy. I quickly learned that just putting her down in something didn't work. She wanted to be held. After I returned to work, it allowed us to reconnect after a busy day, when she had been missing me and I had missed her.
Once she was older, she was able to see and look around her world, all while safe and secure next to her mama. It saved my sanity during teething when all she wanted was to be held. We went to the zoo without having to lug a stroller and get her in and out everytime she wanted to see an animal.
Now, at 19 months, Jemma still gets carried a few times a week, for errands in a store or today when we went to a large celebration at church. She asks to go "up." She loves to go for rides on Mama's back. A baby carrier is an invaluable tool with a squirmy, wiggly toddler who likes to run in public!
I'm sharing my babywearing experience in the hopes of making a difference. If you remember, earlier this year the Infantino SlingRider and similar "bag slings" were recalled. It is heartbreaking that parents and families who were trying to do a wonderful thing with their children were sold an unsafe product, and even more tragic that children had to die for the recall to occur. Babywearers had been saying for year that bag slings were dangerous. The baby essentially sat in bag or purse, Mom (or Dad) wasn't able to see the baby, and it also placed the child in a poor position for breathing.
Due to the heartbreaking tragedy that occurred with this ONE TYPE of soft carrier, the CPSC has deemed ALL soft carriers to be unsafe and is making a move to recall ALL types of soft baby carriers from the market. (This includes my beloved wraps, ring slings, pouches...and it could go on to include other soft carriers such as mei tais, podegais, etc). The Baby Carrier Industry Alliance has issued an emergency call to action asking for all moms and dads alike to step up and voice their support for babywearing. That is why I am writing today, in the hopes of sharing a positive experience and showing the joy babywearing has brought to my life and my daughter's life. Babywearing has immense benefits to both mom and baby and has been practiced by mothers all over the globe for centuries. This isn’t a new thing. It is safe.
If by some miracle someone from the CPSA happens to read my little blog or any of the other countless stories being posted throughout the internet, I urge you to not recall ALL soft carriers. Instead, talk to the parents who wear their babies everyday about the benefits. Please work with the BCIA in the effort to always manufacture safe soft carriers as you do with every other product you recall.
Thank you for listening.
~Erin
Friday, August 13, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
How having a baby changed my perspective, AND how to make your own cleaners
So, as I mentioned in my last post, I'm going to start adding some more posts here about me, Tom, our stuff. I've been having a hard time coming up with things to say about Jemma on a frequent basis. Don't get me wrong, she's adorable, and I love her dearly, but mostly her days consist of eat, play, sleep. You can only talk about that so many ways. So, I've opted to start adding some things about our parenting and lifestyle, mostly because Jemma has had such a profound impact on my view of the world. She's kinda turning me into a hippie, frankly. Before Jemma, I never put much thought into what or how I ate, what kind of cleaners and toileteries I used, what kind of impact I was having on the world. Now, I have someone to worry about, someone who needs me to be healthy, needs me to protect her, someone to leave a legacy for. I want to leave her with the best world that I can.
When I first got pregnant, I had just read Marly and Me (awesome book, by the way). In it, the author's wife has a miscarriage shortly after using some heavy duty chemical cleaners, and although the doctors said that didn't have anything to do with it, the couple was convinced it did. Being newly pregnant, this scared the dickens out of me, so I started looking for some more "green" alternatives to my household cleaners. I searched loads of websites and found that I could make safe gentle cleaners on my own! And on top of it, it was super cheap!
I've been making my own cleaner for over 2 years now, and I would not go back to buying commercial products. In fact, I bought some bathroom cleaner a few months ago because I could not get rid of this mold in our grout, but the smell made me so dizzy I got rid of it. (Fixed the mold problem with bleach, by the way) This weekend I made everything I'll need for several months, and I did it in a few hours with things I keep at home. I wanted to share my recipes and show you how simple and easy this is. I purchased some essential oils at Cincinnati Natural Foods, but really they are not necessary, they just add a pretty smell :)
My ingredients!
Supplies!
All-Purpose Cleaner:
1/2 tsp castile soap (I use Dr. Bronner's in Peppermint)
1/2 tsp washing soda
1 tsp Borax
1 cup water
*optional* 10 drops essential oil of your choice
Toilet Bowl Cleaner:
1 cup water
1/2 cup soap (I like Dawn for this)
1 cup bleach *The bathroom is the only place I use bleach and only because our toilet bowl seems to grow this obnoxious mold I cannot get rid of in any other way)
Window Cleaner:
1 cup water
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 tsp castile soap
Soft Scrub - Baking soda mixed with liquid soap to a frosting like texture.
Deodorizer - for the trash cans, carpet, etc. - BAKING SODA! Sprinkle and let it be or vacuum if it was put on carpet. Sometimes I mix some essential oil with the baking soda before I sprinkle it if I'm wanting to smell something pretty.
Those are the main cleaners I use for everything. I've learned to use vinegar, baking soda, and soap to clean. There are lots of nice alterantives at the store, too, but they cost a lot more and really, this is so easy. My friend makes her own laundry detergent and I can't wait to try that out. I'd also love to learn to make my own soap!
On a side note, I'm on the lookout for a kid-friendly bug spray, so if anyone has suggestions, I'd love to hear it! Jemma is a mosiquito magnet.
When I first got pregnant, I had just read Marly and Me (awesome book, by the way). In it, the author's wife has a miscarriage shortly after using some heavy duty chemical cleaners, and although the doctors said that didn't have anything to do with it, the couple was convinced it did. Being newly pregnant, this scared the dickens out of me, so I started looking for some more "green" alternatives to my household cleaners. I searched loads of websites and found that I could make safe gentle cleaners on my own! And on top of it, it was super cheap!
I've been making my own cleaner for over 2 years now, and I would not go back to buying commercial products. In fact, I bought some bathroom cleaner a few months ago because I could not get rid of this mold in our grout, but the smell made me so dizzy I got rid of it. (Fixed the mold problem with bleach, by the way) This weekend I made everything I'll need for several months, and I did it in a few hours with things I keep at home. I wanted to share my recipes and show you how simple and easy this is. I purchased some essential oils at Cincinnati Natural Foods, but really they are not necessary, they just add a pretty smell :)
My ingredients!
Supplies!
All-Purpose Cleaner:
1/2 tsp castile soap (I use Dr. Bronner's in Peppermint)
1/2 tsp washing soda
1 tsp Borax
1 cup water
*optional* 10 drops essential oil of your choice
Toilet Bowl Cleaner:
1 cup water
1/2 cup soap (I like Dawn for this)
1 cup bleach *The bathroom is the only place I use bleach and only because our toilet bowl seems to grow this obnoxious mold I cannot get rid of in any other way)
Window Cleaner:
1 cup water
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 tsp castile soap
Soft Scrub - Baking soda mixed with liquid soap to a frosting like texture.
Deodorizer - for the trash cans, carpet, etc. - BAKING SODA! Sprinkle and let it be or vacuum if it was put on carpet. Sometimes I mix some essential oil with the baking soda before I sprinkle it if I'm wanting to smell something pretty.
Those are the main cleaners I use for everything. I've learned to use vinegar, baking soda, and soap to clean. There are lots of nice alterantives at the store, too, but they cost a lot more and really, this is so easy. My friend makes her own laundry detergent and I can't wait to try that out. I'd also love to learn to make my own soap!
On a side note, I'm on the lookout for a kid-friendly bug spray, so if anyone has suggestions, I'd love to hear it! Jemma is a mosiquito magnet.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Blog edits
I'm going to be updating our blog layout, changing things around. I've decided to expand this to more about our lives, as really Jemma's life is only so interesting every few months :) So forgive me if everything is a little messy for a few days.
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