In the Garden ~ Late July

We have our usual array of volunteer sunflowers, which the goldfinches love to visit.

Cherry tomatoes, coming along nicely.

Apparently we found the sweet spot for our peppers and eggplants this year. I've never had single plants that have been so productive.

After I took this picture, I harvested some of this kale to make kale chips.

And last but not least, of course I have to show the progress of the garden fort! It's filling up pretty well, though the Japanese beetles seem to think this is THE place to be. We pick them off as we find them.

So, that's just a little bit of what's going on as July comes to a close. Not pictured are all the failures. I'm finding some blossom end rot on some of my roma tomatoes, we've lost most of our zucchini to squash bugs, and some of my other kale plants are getting eaten up. So while the weather has been good this year, the bugs have been more of a concern than usual. Another typical year with our share of garden successes and failures.

My Two Girls

You can bet Millie is so very thrilled to finally have a sister.

As I've been trying to write out Naomi's birth story (Long labor = long birth story!), I was amused to realize a couple of key things about my girls' births. With both Millie and Naomi I was in labor for 27 hours. With both of them, labor began shortly after 5am, and they were both born after 8am the following day (Naomi at 8:03, and Millie at 8:30). The big difference? With Millie, labor began with my water breaking. With Naomi, my water never broke - at least, not until she was out! Naomi was born "in the caul" (inside the amniotic sac), which is quite rare, apparently. My midwife said that in the 800 home births she's attended, she's only seen this maybe 4 times.

Early Blessing

I really thought I would still be pregnant this week, and possibly even the week after that. I'm not, and I think I'm still barely over the surprise. She's here, and it's still the last week of July.

What an incredibly lovely blessing...the way everything worked out just right for my mom to be here for the birth. Laboring on a Saturday and welcoming this little bundle on a Sunday morning. It was a good way to spend the weekend.

I hope to have a birth story to share soon. I am still pondering and processing the whole long labor, and realizing that while I previously thought I had birth figured out, this birth taught me so much.

Naomi Charlotte

 just minutes after birth

Baby Naomi arrived Sunday, July 25th, at 8:03 am.

8 pounds, 1 ounce

20 inches long

We are feeling so very happy, thankful, blessed...and tired. Labor was long, and we've still got some catching-up-on-sleep to do.  Not to mention all the baby-gazing. Welcome, sweet girl!

Six Word Fridays: Together

I love seeing these two together,
Laughing, playing, becoming best of friends.

(Except on days when they're not.)

Linked to: Six Word Fridays

Kale Chips

I made these on a bit of whim yesterday, with a medium-sized bunch of kale ("dino" variety) that was in the fridge waiting to be used. Kale chips aren't anything new - I've seen quite a few different recipes and techniques for making them (My mom makes kale chips in her dehydrator)  - though this was my first time to make them myself.

First I washed the kale and cut it into 2-inch pieces. Then after comparing a couple of different recipes for baked kale chips, I simply eyeballed it, and added salt, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, and olive oil to the kale, using my hands to mix it all together and coat the kale with the seasonings.

I baked these in the oven at 350, for about 14 minutes. They came out crispy and salty, and the kids couldn't get enough of them. I think next time I'll use less oil and salt (really, these had too much). This version certainly isn't the healthiest way to make kale chips, but it's still a good way to get kids eating kale!

Breakfast Date

We'd been wanting to treat the "big kids" to some one-on-one time before baby arrives. So this past weekend we did breakfast dates with Millie and Silas. Silas and I "snuck out" on Saturday morning before anyone else was awake. His request was a bagel with cream cheese, specifically a bagel "with raisins". Doesn't take too much to make this kid happy.

Benefits of Midwifery Care

I mentioned last week that I've given birth in a few different situations. At this point I'm most comfortable giving birth with a midwife in a homebirth setting. Here's why:

1. Relationship - I've been to her home, she's been to mine. Check-ups are never rushed, and through the course of our visits we've gotten to know about one another and our families. It's so reassuring to have a personal relationship with a care provider that I know and trust.

2. Continuity of care - I like knowing exactly who is going to be at my birth, and that my midwife knows me and and my history. Birth is a very intimate, intense time, and it makes me more comfortable to know there won't be total strangers witnessing me giving birth.

3. Home visits - we've had our midwife come to our home for several of our prenatal check-ups. It's so nice to do those visits in the comfort of our home - no waiting rooms.

4. Focus on prevention - I've found that my midwife puts a specific emphasis on preventing problems in the first place. She's serious about helping me to give birth at home with minimal problems, so she has specific recommendations for preventing things like tearing or postpartum hemorrhage.

5. Knowledge of alternative medicine - my midwife recommends specific herbs throughout pregnancy, and has resources relating to herbs and homeopathy. This is very much in line with my desire to take a natural approach to health.

6. Resources beyond birth - we've learned lots from our midwife about topics beyond birth, as our conversations naturally touch on things like homeschooling, natural living, and family life.

7. Emotional and spiritual support - there's the recognition that birth isn't just a physical act - that there's an emotional and spiritual component to it as well. Our midwife has certainly been able to provide support and counsel in those areas, whether through prayer, scripture, or just the general respect of the emotions associated with preparing for labor.

8. Low c-section rate - maybe obvious, but when you consider that the current c-section rate for a typical hospital in the U.S. hovers around 33%, there's something to be said for choosing a provider that has a track record for preventing c-sections.

9. More autonomy and control for the mother - when it comes to giving birth, I like knowing I can do whatever makes me most comfortable, such as moving around during labor, etc.

10. Genuine empathy - most midwives have experienced a natural labor and delivery, and can truly empathize with a woman in labor. Our midwife is a mother of six. There's something comforting and reassuring about being supported by someone who has walked the same difficult path.

**I realize that some of these positive things can be found with a hospital-based care provider. These are simply the benefits I've found in my current situation working with a direct-entry midwife. 




Linked to:
Top Ten Tuesday
Works for Me Wednesday

Baby Bump - 38 weeks

We are officially in the home stretch, and yes, I do realize I am officially "out there". But even with this large belly, I'm feeling really good, and maybe even enjoying a bit of an increase in energy as the nesting instinct kicks in.

We had a really good visit last week with our midwife. She came to our home and we managed to have a nice check-up and chat, even with 3 very! excited! children! who had much they wanted to add to the conversation. Yes, even Isaac wanted to get in on the fun by singing his rendition of twinkle, twinkle little star. Everything looks good with both me and baby, and we are technically good to go "any day"!

Of course, I fully expect it to be at least two more weeks, if not three, before this little one makes an appearance. I still have a long to-do list, so we'll be trying to make the most of each day.

A Bit of Crafting

There's been very little happening on the crafting front, though I suppose my consolation is that even a few simple, meager projects is better than creating nothing.

With baby due in just a few short weeks, I had the motivation to sign myself up for a quilting class while I could still get away for an evening. This is the block I pieced during the class.

My knitting is still limited to hats and dishcloths, it seems! I knit this dishcloth during a road trip a while back.

And the oh-so-exciting milestone of Millie losing her first tooth meant I finally had the motivation to get her tooth fairy pillow done.

Just a very simple little pillow with a pocket.

But I was quite glad that we had it - that baby tooth was tiny, and I managed to drop it and nearly lose it more than once!

Pot Holder Loom

Some classic pot holder making has kept Millie and Silas busy during afternoons while Isaac naps. We love to savor as much of the outdoors as we can during the summer, but it's nice to have some indoor activities too, for those rainy days or especially hot afternoons.

Here are a few other fun ideas for creative activities for younger ones:

Finger knitting
Homemade slime
Creating with scrap paper

This post is linked to:
Works for Me Wednesday

Garlicky Summer Squash

This recipe is a favorite summer dish for our family. Even though I hadn't made it since last summer, Millie requested this dish when she found out I had zucchini to use. It's simple, but there's just something especially nice about the way the flavors come together.

Garlicky Summer Squash

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, sliced
4 gloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 ear corn, kernels cut from cob
2 cups sliced yellow squash
2 cups sliced zucchini
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
salt and pepper, to taste

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, and cook the onion and garlic until slightly tender. Mix in the vegetable broth and corn kernels, and cook until heated through. Mix in the squash and zucchini. Cover, and continue cooking 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until squash and zucchini are tender.
Remove from heat. Mix in the basil, and season with salt and pepper.

This post is linked to:
Tasty Tuesday

Thinking About Labor...Or Not

I am down to 3 weeks left. Less than a month. I can hardly believe we'll be holding this newest member of our family, very very soon. One thing that has been so different about this pregnancy compared to my other pregnancies has been my lack of focusing on labor. Every other pregnancy I've done lots of reading and research, pondering and worrying. Part of that may be because with my other pregnancies I had to make a decision about a care provider each time. Here's what I mean:

First pregnancy (Millie) - We chose to give birth in a hospital, attended by a certified nurse midwife (recommended by my sister). Considered, might even say we had planned, for a water birth. I worried SO much about labor. Would I be able to handle it? Just how bad would it be? It was pretty tough, but I did handle it. Was not impressed with the water, so no water birth for me. But we had a good, natural labor and delivery, and it boosted my confidence that I could indeed labor drug-free.

Second pregnancy (Silas) - With this pregnancy we had moved to a new city, and I needed to find a new care provider. I did quite a bit of research and decided that homebirth would be a great option for me. We used a practice of doctors that attended homebirths in our area. Once it was time for the birth, the doctor didn't make it in time, though a nurse was here. I had been a little nervous about a homebirth. Would everything go okay? But it was fine, and I loved getting to labor and give birth in the comfort of my own home.

Third pregnancy (Isaac) - We weren't too thrilled by our experience with the practice of doctors for Silas' birth, so we started researching again. There were very few other options for homebirth attendants in our area at that time, but finally we settled on a direct-entry midwife. Really enjoyed getting to know her over the course of my pregnancy. Isaac's birth was fairly uneventful, though the pushing phase was more painful compared to my other births.

This pregnancy (number four!) - So here I am a few weeks away from labor. Of course there's some apprehension anticipating the pain. I honestly haven't given it too much thought, and so far I haven't picked up a single book related to pregnancy or labor (even though I have some favorites!) There are probably several reasons - feeling busy,  or just procrastinating. In some ways it feels like I just gave birth to Isaac yesterday. And this birth will be in the exact same place, with all the same people. So there's the feeling that I've done this, I know what I'm doing, I know how to work through labor. I have a lot of confidence in my body, and confidence that my midwife is capable and knowledgeable. I know that just because I've had three straightforward, complication-free births doesn't mean I'm guaranteed another. But in some ways I guess it feels like I've worked through all the worries before, and re-hashing them won't really help anything.

So that's where I'm at right now. Our midwife is actually coming to our home tomorrow for a visit and little check-up. Maybe that will help get me thinking more about getting ready for this birth, because I probably need to spend some time thinking about it. 

Weekend Links

Some recent favorites:

I am digging this great idea at Silly Eagle Books for a collage using pages from a favorite children's book.

Maybe I should think about knitting something for this baby? I've always wanted to make some baby legwarmers - love the look of these from The Purl Bee.

Get Out of the Kitchen from Life as Mom.

Not surprising: The Health Benefits of Nature.

Tom and I have a running list of things that we'll never buy new, so I was interested to see how ours matched up to this:  21 Things You Should Never Buy New.


This post is linked to:
Saturday Stumbles

Six Word Fridays: Feeling

Very pregnant - big, hot and tired.
Overwhelmed, there's just too much work.
A long list, before baby arrives!
How to get it all done?

Impatient, with interruptions and little squabbles.
And the kitchen, such a mess.
A change of pace could help?
We just need to go outside.

The sun shining down on me.
Accomplishment, as I tend the garden:
My first time to harvest garlic.
Eggplant, tomatoes, growing tall and strong.

This baby, moving around inside me.
Thankful, for these healthy, precious children.
Love for this family we're raising.
I'm the most blessed mama today.


This post is linked to:
Six Word Fridays

Saving Seeds - Kale

So, my kale that flowered back in May, now has these tall stalks:

Quite the sight. Here's a closer look:

All these little pods are filled with tiny black seeds.

I've been really fascinated to see the whole process over the course of the past year. Collecting the seeds is a bit tricky because the dry seed pods are rather delicate. Millie came up with a pretty good method of basically shaking the pods into a paper bag. So now we have a nice collection of our very own saved kale seeds. I noticed today a little finch landed on one of the stalks to help herself to some as well. It's nice to have plenty to share. 

Home Again, Home Again

 Spider flower in my mom's garden

We are back home after visiting my family to celebrate the 4th. This was our last road trip before baby arrives - we're planning on staying put for the next month. I didn't pick up my camera nearly as much as maybe I should have; mostly I was just enjoying the time with family, and also trying to keep up with Isaac.

Good things from our weekend:

1. Meeting my new little niece, who is now one month old. Pure sweetness.

2. Eating a fresh, local peach. Peaches have to be local. The ones you get at the grocery store that have been picked early and shipped a long way just can't begin to compare.

3. Lots of outside time for the kids, playing with cousins.

4. Sweet corn. The good stuff - local and fresh.

5. Late night chats with my sister and brother-in-law.

6. Picnic with extended family - it's always nice to catch up with everyone.

7. My mom's garden. The kids were on a mission to get rid of all the Japanese beetles, and they did a great job! Mom sent us home with potatoes and garlic.

8. Picking (and eating!) black raspberries. Isaac loved them.

9. Great weather - hot, yes. But no rain!

10. Fireworks, of course. A small town display, but still really nice, and magical for the kids.

Hope your weekend was filled with good things too!

This post is linked to:
Top Ten Tuesday

4th of July

Wishing you a happy 4th of July weekend!

Strawberry Banana Ice Cream

I've made this ice cream more times than I can count. It's easy, creamy, and tasty. Just the thing on a warm afternoon. 

Strawberry Banana Ice Cream

2 frozen bananas

handful frozen strawberries (about 6-8 large berries)

1/4 cup water or milk (any kind)

Blend all together. A high-powered blender works best (we have a Vitamix). If your blender doesn't have quite that kind of umph, you might let the fruit thaw just a bit before blending.  This makes enough for three active children.

This post is linked to:

Works for Me Wednesday

Life as Mom

Green

(me, 35 weeks)
 

This post is linked to:

You Capture