Saturday, June 28, 2008

~ How CRUNCHY a DADDY Are You?! ~


I sent this to Nick on the boat...the sonar guys like to get into good little social discussions while on watch... haha, I can only imagine what some of them will say on the attachment parenting topics below... But Nick is going to eventually have to get used to people spouting ignorant comments because I know we are going to run into it over the years... One of my friends -- who isn't that "crunchy" herself at all has already had some intensely negative comments said to her in regards to she and her hubby co-sleeping with their son (something she did not ever plan to do, but it came most naturally for him)...


Take this quiz and see how Crunchy a Daddy you are!

1. Do you and your wife have homebirths?
20 points for "yes" (unassisted)
15 points for "yes" (midwife in attendance)
10 points for natural childbirth in an alternative birthing center
5 points for natural childbirth in a hospital
2 points for "thinking about/would like homebirth or natural childbirth"
0 for "no" (wouldn't consider it).

2. How do you feel about routine (no medical indication) infant circumcision?
10 points for "believe circumcision is a human rights violation and
will not do it to your sons"
5 points for "won't circumcise your sons, but don't feel strongly against it"
0 points for "will circumcise your sons"

3. Do you use cloth diapers?
25 points if you do Elimination Communication
20 points if "yes" (wash and make your own using natural organic fabric)
15 points if "yes" (wash and make your own or purchase natural organic
cloth diapers)
10 points if "yes" (wash your own)
5 points if "yes" (diaper service)
2 points if "thinking about it"
0 points if "no" (wouldn't consider it).

4. Do you observe fertility signals using Natural Family
Planning/Fertility Awareness and use that for birth control/trying to
conceive?
10 points for "yes" (observe and use for birth control and trying to
conceive or just for birth control) or you use ecological
breastfeeding/lactational amenorrhea
5 points for "yes" (observe for trying to conceive, but not for birth control)
2 points "thinking about it"
0 points for "no" (wouldn't consider it).

5. Does your wife breastfeed exclusively for the first 6+ months?
10 points if "yes"
5 points for "no" (use occasional bottles of expressed breastmilk)
2 points for "no" (use occasional bottles of formula or early solids)
0 for "no" (don't breastfeed by choice).

6. Do you co-sleep?
10 points for "yes" (all night every night)
5 points for "yes" (part/all of most nights)
2 points for "thinking about it"
0 points for "no".

7. Do you and your wife use a sling/soft carrier?
5 points for "yes"
2 points for "thinking about it"
0 points for "no" (wouldn't consider it).

8. Do you believe in/practice child-led weaning (even if that means
breastfeeding for several years)?
15 points for "yes" (complete child-led weaning)
10 points for "yes" (up to 3 years)
5 points for "yes" (up to 2 years)
2 points for "thinking about it"
0 points for "no" (you'll wean the baby at 1 year or earlier).

9. Does your wife tandem nurse/nurse during pregnancy?
10 points for "yes" (nurse during pregnancy and tandem nurse)
5 points for "yes" (nurse during pregnancy, but wean before birth)
2 points for "thinking about it"
0 points for "no" (wouldn't consider it).

10. Do you eat organic/whole/natural foods and limit your meat? Do you
use natural cleaning products?
20 points for "yes" (grow own/buy organic, shop only at health food
store, grind own wheat, vegetarian, natural cleaning products, etc.)
15 points for "yes" (grow some of own food, buy organic, use whole
wheat flour, bake own bread, eat some organic, free-range meat
occasionally, some natural cleaning products)
10 points for "yes" (grow some of own food, use whole wheat flour,
bake own bread, eat some meat occasionally)
5 points for "yes" (try to buy natural, whole grain foods, etc.)
2 points for "thinking about it"
0 points for "no" (wouldn't consider it).

11. Do you use herbal/homeopathic remedies?
10 points if "yes" (very rarely see a regular doctor)
5 points if "yes" (but use a doctor occasionally)
2 points if "thinking about it" (see a doc for now)
0 points for "no" (wouldn't consider it).

12. Do you or will you homeschool?
10 points if "yes".
5 points if "part time" (a combination of private or other school some
days/years and homeschool others).
2 points for "thinking about it"
0 points for "no" (wouldn't consider it).

13. What's your take on childhood vaccinations?
15 points for no vaccines
10 for delayed, selective vaccination
5 points for selective, on schedule vaccination
2 points for thinking about not vaccinating
0 points for vaccinating on schedule.

14. Would your wife/has your wife ever breastfeed/fed someone else's
baby or have someone else bf your child if necessary?
10 points if "yes" (have or someone has breastfed your baby)
5 points if "yes" (would)
2 points if "maybe"
0 if \"no\" (wouldn't consider it).

15. Does your wife use cloth/re-usable menstrual products?
10 points if "yes" (make own cloth menstrual pads)
5 points if "yes" (buy cloth pads or the keeper)
2 points if "thinking about it"
0 points if "no".

16. Do you use positive discipline?
15 points if "yes" (never yell, spank, punish)
10 points if "yes" (believe in it and try really hard)
5 points if "sort of" (use time out, don't spank, and use rewards for
good behavior)
2 points if "thinking about it" (use time out, spank occasionally, use
rewards for good behavior and punishments for bad)
0 points if "no" (you think spanking and punishment is needed)

Ratings
120 – 205 Super Nutty, Ultra-Crunchy Granola Earth Daddy
105– 119 Mmm! Love that whole-grain crunch!
90 – 104 Pretty Crispy
30 – 89 Sprinkled with Granola
10 – 29 Instant Oatmeal
0 - 9 Jell-O

--

Guess Nick married a Super Nutty, Ultra-Crunchy (141) gal
:)

1. Do you have homebirths?
15 - at home, in water, with fabulous midwives nearby

2. How do you feel about routine (no medical indication) infant circumcision?
10 points for "believe circumcision is a human rights violation and
will not do it to your sons"
absolutely. it is genital mutilation just as female circumcision is.
the same tissues are removed (clitoral hood, penile foreskin) that
HAVE vital purpose and function for the child/future adult...this is
an especially empassioned topic of mine as I did my graduate research
in the area.

3. Do you use cloth diapers?
25 point if you do Elimination Communication (no diapers)
(we will use cloth as "back-up"...maybe that eliminates some of my
crunchiness :)

4. Do you observe your fertility signals using Natural Family
Planning/Fertility Awareness and use that for birth control/trying to
conceive?
5 points for "yes" (observe for trying to conceive, but not for birth control)

5. Do you breastfeed exclusively for the first 6+ months?
10 points if "yes"

6. Do you co-sleep?
10 points for "yes" (all night every night)

7. Do you use a sling/soft carrier?
5 points for "yes"

8. Do you believe in/practice child-led weaning (even if that means
breastfeeding for several years)?
10 points for "yes" (up to 3 years)

9. Do you tandem nurse/nurse during your pregnancy?
2 points for "thinking about it"

10. Do you eat organic/whole/natural foods and limit your meat? Do you
use natural cleaning products?
15 points for "yes" (grow some of own food, buy organic, use whole
wheat flour, bake own bread, eat some organic, free-range meat
occasionally, some natural cleaning products)

11. Do you use herbal/homeopathic remedies?
5 points if "yes" (but use a doctor occasionally)

12. Do you or will you homeschool?
2 points for "thinking about it"

13. What\'s your take on childhood vaccinations?
10 for delayed, selective vaccination

14. Would you/have you ever breastfeed/fed someone else\'s baby or
have someone else bf your child?
5 points if "yes" (would)

15. Do you use cloth/re-usable products for mom?
2 points if "thinking about it"

16. Do you use positive discipline?
10 points if "yes" (believe in it and try really hard)

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Induction / Pitocin Talk Has Been Served

(by danelle)

Here we are half way thru Week 38. It almost seems unreal - that time would pass so quickly. I remember feeling these last weeks were light years away. Every day it feels like the baby could come... especially when I am up at night with cramping and/or contractions. But, the vast majority of first-time mothers/babies (when left to NATURAL, normal labor and birth) carry till 274 days post-conception, which is about 42 weeks pregnancy. So I wouldn't be surprised if I have a few more weeks left. Whatever happens is perfect and fine. I know this baby will come when s/he is ready and that time will be best for us both.


I was shocked, surprised -- although knowing how things operate I shouldn't have been -- when at Week 37 the obstetrician started talking about induction.

Ah. I laughed inside - a laugh of disbelief that this ubiquitous pitocin/induction reality really is as present as it is in the United States. And here I am, a completely healthy pregnancy. With absolutely NO reason whatsoever to even bring up the discussion of pitocin/induction, and yet the topic is opened on the table anyway. (Nick's simple response (via email) was that he also was not surprised by this topic being brought up, and we would continue with our normal, healthy, homebirth as planned.)

I didn't respond to the OB. I knew I would not be returning post-37-weeks anyway. Any time after 37 weeks is when *things* start being done to you, and often without your permission - unnecessary cervical exams that push bacteria up next to the cervix...increasing the risk of infection and/or high temps in baby and mom...increasing the chance of a domino effect of interventions and ultimate c-sections...stripping of the membranes during "routine" exams...again, often without a mother's knowledge... And just the checks themselves influence the flow of prostaglandins at a time when they would otherwise not be released.

There is no way I would allow my baby (or my own body) to be subject to the consequences of pitocin (or the more extreme cytotec). These drugs first and foremost act upon the uterus in a very unnatural manner - causing pain for Mother, but also drastically reducing the flow of oxygen to baby. To baby, it feels as you would feel if you were repeatedly dunked under water without adequate time to take a breath in between dunking. It quickly leads to distress, decreased heart rate, and other "complications" during labor....which of course leads to forceps, vacuums, and/or c-sections. It isn't rocket-science. The domino effect in how this all works is quite simple to understand and break apart.

In addition to the unnatural contractions and decrease in oxygen, pitocin fills neuro synapses within the mother and baby and does not allow natural oxytocin to release as it would during normal labor. Once again, this dramatically decreases the "feel good" hormones, decreases those "love hormones" needed for optimal attachment, bonding, and breastfeeding.

There is a new movie coming out this year -- "Orgasmic Birth" -- I look forward to reviewing it. However, this ecstatic birth experience is something that cannot occur under the influence of pitocin, or the like. So many women have no idea what they are giving up - or giving into - for themselves and their babies, by blindly going with the flow and not looking into this just a little bit ahead of time.

There is a video clip I'd like to include here that shows just what pitocin does to a baby and mother during labor...but I have to figure out how to transfer it in an uploadable form first. Right now I only have it on DVD.... I'll insert it here when I figure it out (or take the time to do it). :)

One clip that another young momma posted on her story -- of how this induction epidemic unfolded can be seen here. It pulls at my heart. That she had to go thru what SO many women go thru... But she is a wise young mother, and quickly learned from the experience. Her revealing story is such a blessing to share with others, so they might not endure the same.


As I near the finale of this beautiful journey I've been on for the past 38 1/2 weeks, I continue to surround myself with empowering stories and examples of others who have celebrated thru each moment. The HypnoBabies
materials are excellent!! So is the book, Journey Into Motherhood. And examples such as this beautiful, peaceful mother (below) singing Psalm 23 just before birthing her 10 pound baby at home, in water, bring happy tears to my eyes.

I type this sitting comfortably in the same room as my big beautiful blue birthing tub...with some candles around and a perfectly peaceful, relaxed atmosphere -- my home. Put together all by me. All my germs. :) haha... no hospital germs. Where my baby has grown and developed this whole time, here s/he will come gently into this world.

I am excited! And so, so very thankful to have been led to this natural, normal, healthy, safe way of birth.

--

Monday, June 23, 2008

To Experience Life as a Submariner...

(posted by danelle)

I found this entertaining.
Little ways to experience a taste of submarine life...
Some are especially true...haha...like the lube oil in your humidifier! I cannot believe how greasy and oil-smelling things are - everything - on the sub - including the men who come off board.



Spend all your time indoors during the daytime, stay out of any sunlight. Go to work only before sunrise and come home after sunset.

Paint everything around you Sea Foam Green (Navy NSN Green, no substitutions) or Off-White to be sure you are living in a clean, happy environment. Every time you finish a work shift, arm yourself with a bucket, sponge and a greeny. Clean one area over and over, for 2 hours, even if it is already spotless.

Eat food that you can only get out of a can and requires water in order to eat. Empty out your refrigerator and turn the temp down to freezer mode. Get rid of all fresh fruits and vegetables.

Repeat back everything spoken to you. Repeat back everything spoken to you.

Sit in your car for six hours at a time with the motor running. Keep hands on the wheel. Continuously watch the dashboard. But don't leave your driveway. Log readings of your oil pressure, water temperature, speedometer and odometer every 15 minutes.

Put Lube Oil in your humidifier instead of water. Set it on high.

Buy a trash compactor; use it only once a week. Store the rest of the garbage in your bathroom.

Don't watch movies except in the middle of the night. Have your family vote on which movie to watch, then show a different one.

Have the paperboy give you a standard Navy haircut - after your work shift is done, when he feels like it.

Take hourly readings on your water and your electric meters. But only for a six hour period.

Sleep on the couch with your dirty laundry beside you.

Mechanics - set your lawn mower in the middle of the living room while it is running, for six hours a day.

Invite guests over, but don't prepare enough food for everyone. Serve food cold. Limit the time they sit at the table to 10 minutes.

Wake up at midnight every night and make a peanut butter sandwich, use stale bread. Better yet, make your own bread but cut 3 inch thick slices and use these. Optional: warm up some canned Ravioli or soup.

Make your family a menu for the week without knowing what food is in the cabinets.

Set your alarm clock for various times at night; adjust the volume to the maximum. When it goes off, jump out of bed, get your clothes on as fast as you can, run outside and grab the garden hose. Then go back to bed and do it all over when the alarm goes off again.

Once a month take apart every appliance completely and then put them back together.

Use 18 scoops of coffee per pot and allow it to sit for 6 hours before drinking it.

Invite over 149 people you really don't like that much and have them stay inside your house for 6 months.

Store your eggs in the garbage for two months and then cook a dozen each morning.

Have a fluorescent lamp installed under your coffee table and lie underneath it to read books.

Take only weekly showers for 5 minutes max.

Wear the same outfit (new boxers are allowed) every day for 3 weeks.

Put a complicated lock on your basement door and wear the key around your neck on a special chain.

When making cakes, prop up one side of the pan when cooking. Use extra icing to level it off.

Every so often, yell "EMERGENCY DEEP!" run into the kitchen and sweep all pots, pans and dishes off of the counters onto the floor, and then yell at your wife for not having the kitchen area "Stowed for Sea!"

Put on the stereo headphones (don't plug them in), go to the stove and stand in front of it. Say (to no one in particular) "Stove manned and ready" stay there for 3 to 4 hours. Say (once again and to no one in particular) "Stove secured", then role up your headphone cord and put them away.

Pull out your refrigerator and clean behind it for 4 hours and then put it back when you are done. Have your wife come and check every 10 minutes with a flashlight to see how you are doing.

When doing your laundry fill it only 1/3 full, sit in front of your washing machine in your underwear and read a book or magazine you've read at least 5 times before in the last week. When the wash is done, only run the dryer for half the normal time.

Fix-up a shelf in your closet that will serve as your bunk for the next six months. Take the door off of the hinges and replace them with curtains. While asleep, have family members shine a flashlight in your eyes at random intervals and say either "Sign this!" or "Sorry, wrong rack!"


If you can do these, you can do just about anything!!

--

Thursday, June 5, 2008

~Week 35~ Sleeping & Eating & Sleeping

(reflections by danelle)

Yup. That pretty much sums up priorities right now. Sleeping. And Eating. Because this baby is always hungry. And I am always tired.

Growing a baby is hard work - especially in the final weeks. Whew.

My brain doesn't work as well anymore. Typically from being tired. Or hungry. Haha.

The baby was 5lbs, 10oz this past Friday (give or take a pound for u/s accuracy). So basically s/he is between 5-7 lbs. And quite the kicker, roller and tumbler.

S/he is supposed to gain 1 ounce per day from here to birth. No wonder I am hungry allllll the time.

I think on this last photo the baby looks more like Nick - more of his features are showing thru. Room is very tight, so it was difficult for them to get a clear photo. The little one is very squished...I don't see how that is comfortable. But I guess s/he doesn't have much longer to go.

And I better pray for 2 days of energy to get my butt back to the East Coast before I am so front-heavy that I can't waddle around anymore! Ah...but it's fun. :)