What your Grandfather ate could affect you!

What you eat not only effects you, but could affect your kids and grandkids to come. This is a new field in science that studies how different factors effect different generations and even specific sexes. Check it out!

Breast Pump

Pumping is a completely different art than breastfeeding in my opinion. One thing I read on the pumping manual is that you should think loving thoughts about your baby while you pump. I thought that was hilarious but one day I pumped with Austin in front of me. I hadn't thought about the connection, he was just awake and I needed to pump. For 5 minutes I interacted with him while I pumped and got 2 oz, as much as I used to get in a 15 minute pumping when I was not thinking about him!

I have a Medela double electric breast pump that I love! Especially the cute zipper case it comes with to store.

The Darn Nipple Shield

So Austin has been attached to this thing since like day 2 when I started breastfeeding. We had general anesthesia and he was a couple weeks early, the doctor said he was a bit premature and we had a horrendous labor, so all in all he was a very tired baby who did not want to latch. I tried the shield every couple times I fed him because the nurses kept saying I should try it, but he just kept falling asleep after not being very successful with anything. Until he decided he REALLY liked this nipple shield and it's been our constant companion ever since. I had even tried weaning him from it a couple times and had pretty much given up all hope of that. That is up until a couple days ago, Thursday to be exact.

On Thursday I was beginning to get frustrated, every time I fed him he would turn his head and knock the thing off a gazillion times. He was also doing this the night before which is really frustrating when you're trying to sleep and he's knocking off this thing and getting mad. So all in all, I was done, I told him "if you don't stop it I'm giving you the boob!" So I did. Apparently that was what he wanted because we haven't used it since. Even going to sleep, he used to suck on that thing to go to sleep, no way was a soother going to take it's place, I would have to stick that thing on for him every night. No more!!!

I still feed him to sleep but it's SOO much easier without the nipple shield, and way less messy, before I was leaving huge wet spots on the bed because the milk would fill up in the shield and I would fall fast asleep and Austin would just sit there with it in his mouth until he decided he didn't want it and then would knock it off to get away. Resulting in a big capsule of milk dumping on the sheet every time I fed him in the night. And try finding a clear silicone nipple in your bed in the middle of the night. Not fun. So needless to say, I am thrilled to pieces to be done with this thing!!!!

My Soul Longs For You

It's so exciting when you realize you've come a step in your Christian walk. I sing. That's what God wants me to do. Sing to the King. And before when I was singing to Him he would lead me off in a spontaneous line, but he would show me how to do it, almost like there were arrows pointing my voice up or down, and I could hear it in my head. And then I would see them in my head at church during worship when I wasn't singing just praying. And today I was doing the same thing just worshiping God during a song and I could hear a spontaneous line in the background which seemed a very high complicated line but one that I could've done had I been singing but by the time I realized it was there it was too late to just jump in. Not that it was a bad thing that I missed it, I'm just at home worshiping on my own, but my voice could have meant more and I wish I had been singing, not just being quit so my baby didn't wake up lol.

And so it is with most things God gives you, if you don't have your mouth open ready to sing, you'll miss the line, if you don't have your mouth open ready to speak He won't give you the words, and if you don't ask you might not receive.

Stroller Club Flyer

This is a sample flyer that I made up for our Stroller Club, don't forget to put a cute picture in the top corner!

Brandon's Stroller Club A group for moms and mom to bes. If you need to exercise but don't have the motivation come join us on our weekly walk through the Shoppers Mall (not outside in the cold). Stay healthy while enjoying the company of other moms and the convenience of a food court! (You can't walk without a smoothie!) Every Wednesday at 2 we meet in the food court and walk for 1/2 an hour to an hour. See you there! ~And don't forget to invite your favorite walking buddys!!~ *For more info call .....

Brandon's Stroller Club A group for moms and mom to bes. If you need to exercise but don't have the motivation come join us on our weekly walk through the Shoppers Mall (not outside in the cold). Stay healthy while enjoying the company of other moms and the convenience of a food court! (You can't walk without a smoothie!) Every Wednesday at 2 we meet in the food court and walk for 1/2 an hour to an hour. See you there! ~And don't forget to invite your favorite walking buddys!!~ *For more info call ..........

Brandon's Stroller Club A group for moms and mom to bes. If you need to exercise but don't have the motivation come join us on our weekly walk through the Shoppers Mall (not outside in the cold). Stay healthy while enjoying the company of other moms and the convenience of a food court! (You can't walk without a smoothie!) Every Wednesday at 2 we meet in the food court and walk for 1/2 an hour to an hour. See you there! ~And don't forget to invite your favorite walking buddys!!~ *For more info call ......

Brandon's Stroller Club A group for moms and mom to bes. If you need to exercise but don't have the motivation come join us on our weekly walk through the Shoppers Mall (not outside in the cold). Stay healthy while enjoying the company of other moms and the convenience of a food court! (You can't walk without a smoothie!) Every Wednesday at 2 we meet in the food court and walk for 1/2 an hour to an hour. See you there! ~And don't forget to invite your favorite walking buddys!!~ *For more info call ......

Cloth Diaper Short Reviews on Major Brands

This is currently my fave diaper, I love how easy it is compared to my fitteds which have an insert so it just seems like so many pieces, and it seems like Austin is just growing out of the fitteds so fast while the BumGenius I know he'll fit right through to the end. My next diaper purchase I'll buy one size again, probably Katydids. I also have a stash of Fuzzibunz in size med that I got for a steal of a deal at Mother of a Sale, one of many sites that send you a sweet deal every day or week . If you haven't you need to register at these awesome websites:

Mother of a Sale
SavvyMom
YummyMummy Club
BabyHalfOff
Baby Heist

I'm sure there's more out there, but these are the ones I know of right now!

I use the Bummis SuperBrite covers too and they're pretty good but I would like to make some fleece and wool covers so that Austin can have some time out from plastic and they just seem like they would be so cozy. :)

Stroller Club

Wow, It's been forever since I posted and Austin is 3 months in a couple days!! We are really enjoying the business of life and are in the process of getting ready for our first craft sale, my newest craft is puppy face washcloths which in my opinion would be a hit for toddlers, they are pretty adorable, maybe I'll post my pattern for them on here someday, they are super easy and I whipped them up as my first pattern when I couldn't find anything online that was even remotely similar. The show is on the 20th so we have about 15 days left to finish up some last minute stuff.

I am also helping to start up a stroller club for mommas in my city. It started from a post I read on ebrandon, this lady wanted to start a walking group at the mall and I was the only one who was interested, but I mentioned it to a couple of my friends and they said they would be interested so I thought I would make it BIGGER! So I made up a Facebook Page Brandon's Stroller Club and some flyers to hand out to moms I see on day to day and we'll see where this goes. Eventually I would love to see it be a play group or something. I think it's a really great opportunity for people who essentially have nothing in common except that they have kids to get together, break outside the box. And I've been asking God for opportunities to love other people and I think this is just great timing for an opportunity to do that.

Austin is born!

So after a couple months of being away, I've decided to start catching up on my life's events. The biggest being, my son Austin was born August 6th after a long, induced labor. I pushed for 3 hours, during which he flipped over sunnyside up and my cervix was closing to 8cm from 10. Even vacuum didn't work. So my 6.4 lb baby had a c-sectioned birth. Maybe sometime I'll post my whole labor story which my doula is writing, I'm quite interested to see it. :P She says it's beautiful. (The only reason I agreed to inducement was that on top of my gestational diabetes I was developing pre-eclampsia)

I loved having a doula, there was two times that I was in completely delirious pain (after my doc broke my water...without asking!!, and after he flipped and I was having crazy back labor) So it was really nice to have someone else there to support me through it, it was probably really hard for my husband to watch me go through everything. It meant alot to me to have someone just holding my hand through those really painful periods. My contractions were a minute apart so it was all I could do to try and prepare for the next bought. It was really special to me too that my cousin was my doula and I watched her give birth last december. I'll probably ask her to be at all my future births and if she wants me to, to help her at hers.

Life with a newborn was definitely more challenging than I thought it would be...you can't just give them back at 5! Getting over a c-section and a frustrating birth experience doesn't help either, the hardest part has been continually forgiving my doctor for breaking my water, I much would've preferred to go home and let the contractions diminish or pick up on their own. My body was just so not ready. But what's done is done, and I am doing good, and Austin is doing good so I am loving my life currently and enjoying my beautiful baby.

Easy Chili

1 can kidney beans
1 can tomato soup
1 can black beans
1 can mushrooms
1 can corn, carrots or chop up zucchini
diced tomatoes
chopped onion
4 cloves garlic
red pepper flakes
Ground beef browned

Mix it all up and cook it. Top with shredded cheese and sour cream.
Make sure to freeze your leftovers. Yum!

Ambrosia ( Fruit Salad)

I had to find a classic 70's dish and this is what I came up with. This fruit salad is so good as is, but next time I'll need to make it with Splenda or try it without the sugar.

Use fresh or canned
-cherries, grapes, pears, bananas, peaches, pineapple etc

Dressing
1/4 c pineapple juice (from canned pineapple)
1/4 c lemon juice
1 c whipped cream
2 eggs
1 c sugar

Beat eggs, add pineapple, lemon juice and sugar. Cook in double boiler stirring constantly until thickened. Cool. Whip cream and fold into mixture before serving. Reserve 1/4 c for topping.

Asparagus with Ceasar Dressing

This is frickin amazing asparagus!

Steam your asparagus.

Mix together 2 tsp garlic
1 Tbsp Dijon
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp grated parm

pour over asparagus. Sprinkle with cheese, s and p and toasted sesame seeds (0ptional)

Creamy Dill Fish

One of those easy last minute suppers...

Bake fish with olive oil, lemon juice and cajun spice according to directions.
I always bake on tin foil so it's easy to clean up after.

In the meantime mix sour cream, mayo, chives or green onion, fresh chopped (or dried) dill, and salt and pepper to taste.

Serve fish with cream sauce.

- this sauce is also good on cooked greens such as asparagus and green beans. Or on a baked, or pan fried potatoes.

Japanese Noodle and Cucumber Salad

This was a great salad, sorry I forgot to take a pic when I made it all pretty even. Hubby didn't like it but I thought it was great. As usual I didn't follow the recipe exactly, it looks like it would make alot of sauce so I just make enough for us and guessed at amounts. I also added chives instead of green onions and served it with a couple of snap peas and cucumber sliced on top.

http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1843,154171-224202,00.html

5 or 6 oz. dried vermicelli or bean thread noodles
6 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
2 tsp. soy sauce
1 med. cucumber
4 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. thinly sliced green onions
1 1/2 tsp. sesame seeds for garnish

Cook noodles in boiling water until just tender. Drain and rinse in cold water. Drain thoroughly and transfer to medium sized bowl. Add vinegar, sugar, soy sauce and salt. Mix well. Cover and chill until cold.

Peel and seed cucumber. Cut into quarters lengthwise, then into thin pieces. If not serving right away, wrap the cucumber pieces in plastic bag or wrap and refrigerate.

To serve, divide noodles among 4 serving bowls. Top with a small handful of cucumber slices, a few slices of green onion and sesame seeds. Serve cold.

Makes 4 servings.

Pizza Dough

*From Sommerset Sitko

2c flour (I use half white and half whole wheat)
1 Tbsp yeast
2tsp sugar
3/4 tsp garlic salt
3/4 tsp oregano
1 c. water

Mix and let rise for 1 hour. Spread on parchment paper lined pans, oiled and sprinkled with cormeal.
Press dough out with oiled hands.
Bake at 400 to cook before adding toppings.

-makes one large pizza
-make a triple or quadruple batch to freeze

To Freeze

Don't let rise, place in ziploc or other storage making sure there is as little air as possible. Note the date.
When you want to use it take it out the night before and put in the fridge. Just before you're ready uncover/take it out of the ziploc and place in covered oiled bowl to rise.
Press out and bake, it may take longer to bake due to extra moisture.

Topping Ideas

Onion Cilantro Pineapple with tomato sauce
Chicken Mushrooms Peppers with pesto sauce or ranch sauce

37 Weeks

Ok, it's official I can no longer sleep a full 9 hours at night. I'm down to 6 hours due to the bladder, which is hopeful, perhaps baby is moving down...

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

From Sherrie Reimer

2/3 c oil
1/2 c honey (melted)
20 drops stevia
6 bananas mashed
2 c flour
2 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
choc chips

Mix everything together, I like to use my handheld blender to really blend the bananas.
Grease your muffin tins and preheat the oven to 350. Bake 15 min for mini or regular.

36 Weeks

So I think I'm starting to feel some tightenings, I decided yesterday to stop being stressed out about how much there is to do before baby comes. Whatever I get done, I get done, and besides stress inhibits labor lol. So I've been religiously drinking my red raspberry leaf iced tea and inserting 2 evening primrose oil capsules every night for a week so far. Dallas is trying to get a motorcycle so that he can have a hobby. Right now Brandy and Alex are playing they are very cute, kitty is loving our pups.

I am being obedient and going to my ob and diabetes doctor every week, and I'm now getting fetal assessments done twice a week. Dallas came with me to my last one and got to hear the baby's heart beat for the first time! That's what happens when you don't actually get a doctor until around 33 wks.

I've gotten quite a bit done at home, but not as much as I would have if I wasn't pregnant. I wasn't prepared to deal with that, I thought I was going to be so very productive after I was done work, but I have to pace myself and make sure I don't do too much or else the next day I feel like a truck ran me over in my sleep and I am rendered useless for the rest of that day.

Dallas and I are both getting very impatient to meet our little one, but hopefully we'll have everything done first. He made us pick out a boys name just in case it's not a girl, he was really quite concerned so he asked if I like Austin Michael. Which I do, so if it does happen to be a boy, we'll go with that.

50 Creative Reuse Ideas

If you love to reuse you have to check out this site, it's amazing!

http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/creative-reuse/50-creative-reuse-ideas-to-keep-you-busy-this-weekend-122566

Here are a few things I want to try....


Chicken Coop Storage


Baby Food Jars!

No Poo! - I was finally inspired

Today is day 2 in going no poo...no shampoo that is, I'm so glad I finally decided to do it, the last shampoo and conditioner I got did not work well in my hair at all and I was finding I needed to wash my hair every 20 hours or so and even then it had a greasy look to it. So my hair so far has not minded the difference. I took some advice off the Babycenter boards and washed my hair with 1 Tbsp of baking soda dissolved in 1 cup of water, and they said to also use 1 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar diluted with 1 cup of water as well, but I have a natural "shampoo" that is just that but with some essential oils as well. I have used it once a week for quite some time as my hair always feels so nice after. It's by Prairie Naturals, called Crystal Falls clarifying shampoo, as seen below. Also you can use a tad of conditioner if you need to to make your hair a little more manageable, but mine was fine.
I totally would recommend this product it is Sulphate, DEA & Paraben-Free!

Here's the promo:
Crystal Falls Clarifying Shampoo removes dulling residue, mineral deposits and product build up left by shampoos, conditioners and styling products. It cleans hair thoroughly and easily rinses away. Use it once as a weekly treatment and resume use of your regular shampoo. Crystal Falls Clarifying Shampoo works with all hair types and will leave hair shiny and manageable. All Prairie Naturals hair care products are enriched with pure, natural aromatic oils.

But as for me, I'm planning on just using it every once in a while until eventually I won't need it anymore. What a huge expense to not have!

One great peice of advice was also to not use any products in your hair that end in 'cone or 'xane Most of the products with silicones in them are anti-frizz products and smoothing products. If you use hairspray regularly you could look up a sugar version instead, the more sugar you add the more hold it has apparently!

Read the whole post here

*Ok, so I didn't end up going through with this, maybe after I'm done being pregnant and the hormones are back to normal I'll try again.

Drink More Water!!!

YOU'RE NOT SICK, YOU'RE THIRSTY

By Greg Ciola

December 26, 2006

NewsWithViews.com

Is the answer to the world’s health crisis as simple as drinking half your bodyweight a day in ounces of water with a pinch of unprocessed sea salt? Everyone knows that water is the source of all life. Why is it that something as simple as consuming more water is not considered when it comes to treating or preventing disease? Every single cell of our body functions on salt and water.

In this enlightening interview, CRUSADOR interviews water researcher Bob Butts who is selflessly and heroically carrying on the astonishing work of Dr. Fereydoon Batamanghelidj, M.D. (a.k.a. Dr. B), author of the book “Your Bodies Many Cries For Water.”

Crusador: Tell us about Dr. B and his Water Cure?

Dr. B. was slated to be shot as a political prisoner of Khomeni’s revolutionaries after the government of the Shaw was overthrown in 1979. While in prison, he found that many inmates suffered from ulcers and he used nothing but water to treat them and cured every single one of over 3,000 with just water. He also found that many of these same people suffering from severe depression were cured in just a few days by drinking lots of water.

When his trial came up a year and a half later, he presented his discovery as his defense from 32 charges, each of which carried the death penalty if he were convicted. The judge recessed the trial and reconvened two weeks later where he acknowledged that their medical doctors concluded that he had indeed made a tremendous discovery. That is what gained his release.

After leaving Iran and coming to the USA, Dr. B continued his research at the University of Pennsylvania where he gathered the material for his ground breaking book, “Your Body’s Many Cries for Water.” This book has been peer reviewed by many researchers around the world where Dr. B. gave lectures.

Crusador: What are some of the things Dr. B discovered?

He discovered that the root cause of about 65% of health problems is dehydration (a salt & water deficiency) and when the dehydration is corrected, many so-called incurable illnesses are greatly improved or cured. A few are asthma, allergies, chronic fatigue, depression, arthritis, anxiety, obesity, M.S., cancer, Lupus, etc. Probably the most amazing thing is the 100% cure of pet arthritis just by adding unprocessed sea salt to their water and food at ¼ tsp. per quart of water and sprinkling some on its food.

Crusador: Why aren’t mainstream medical treatments the answer to many of the problems?

Using drugs and procedures to silence the alarm signals of underlying problems is like disconnecting the warning lights from your car’s dash. Whether its people or vehicles, the answer is to give the problem no reason to exist. Common sense tells us that the only thing that can get us well and keep us well is a strong immune system. Drugs, chemotherapy and radiation do the opposite. As Dr. Dean Burk, a friend and co-founder of the National Cancer Institute said, “Drugs are man’s way to try to bludgeon the body into a cure profitably and if there’s enough money to be made on it, research could be designed to prove that daylight doesn’t exist.”

Most drugs dehydrate the body. The #1 protocol in every hospital hydrates the body, which incidentally is water and salt. A saline IV has six times as much salt in it as the water cure recipe recommended by Dr. B, which only recommends a ¼ tsp. per quart. A quart of saline IV sells for up to $475 and there is only about one penny’s worth of salt water in it.

Crusador: In a major northeastern Pennsylvania newspaper you offered $50,000 if the Water Cure couldn’t cure every child of asthma. Tell me about this?

I saw so many people get well from asthma that I felt it was no more a risk than betting $50,000 that tomorrow at noon it will be daylight. We have no knowledge of it failing even once. Local talk shows were talking about it and bashing it. I said that if I’m wrong, then I’ll have to pay $50,000. Nobody could prove it wrong and not one person came forward to say it failed.

Crusador: Can you highlight a few of the chronic diseases that are caused by a lack of water?

High blood pressure, according to Dr. B., is primarily the result of a dehydrated body that has to elevate the pressure in order to see that every cell gets enough blood which is 94% water. Mineral deficiency can also cause people to be salt sensitive and raise the blood pressure. Dr. B. has much info on this on his site and we have some testimonials also.

Heart disease is similar and a great article is on our site under the headline from Family practice News which reads; “Water Sinks Fatal Heart Disease Risk.” High Cholesterol is the result of a dehydrated body needing more cholesterol to seal the water in the cells to minimize water loss. I’ve never seen a case yet where correcting the dehydration didn’t cure the problem.

Asthma is a very simple problem produced in a dehydrated person when the brain deliberately constricts the bronchials in order to prevent water loss. Drinking two glasses of water for an adult having this problem and then putting a pinch of salt on the tongue will stop an asthma attack in minutes. I’ve seen or heard of it work many times.

Crusador: How many lives and how much money would be saved if the water cure were endorsed by our medical system?

According to Dr. B., possibly one million Americans every year could be saved from premature death and 1500 billion dollars ($1.5 trillion). Even if Dr. B. were only half right as Paul Harvey put it, the water cure would still be the greatest health discovery in history.

Crusador: You’re in the auto parts business. What makes you think that you know more than doctors?

In the beginning the skepticism was so great that half the people thought I was nuts and the other half knew I was. That is no longer the case as northeastern Pennsylvania abounds with testimonials and the TV news specials covering this story certainly increased our credibility. Cars and people are a lot alike. Neither will run well if they are water deficient. People come into our store and ask for help. They rattle off their health problems with all the scientific labels and ask me what I think. I think you have drought. You are a couple of quarts low I respond, and they are. I explain that doctors are trained to follow protocols or they could be sued if they don’t.

Crusador: You’ve said that if cars were as easy to fix as people you’d be out of business. Can you elaborate on that statement?

If cars were as easy to fix as people all we’d have to do is to throw all the raw materials that each part is made of in the trunk and the car would digest them and renew every part. That’s all we have to do to fix our bodies, but the raw materials need to be what our bodies need and not be compromised with processing. We need live food, not micro-waved or devitalized food from cooking.

Crusador: You say that most medical researchers already know that the Water Cure works and they would have to be dumb beyond belief if they didn’t. Explain why?

When a prominent TV personality and attorney with MS contacted me after his MD told him to do so, he told me that he had lost 90% of his vision in one eye and had difficulty walking up and down steps. I told him that as far as I’m concerned, MS stands for monumentally stupid because researchers would have to be dumb beyond belief if they couldn’t figure out its cause and cure. You already know that the nerve tissue of a person with MS hardens and researchers should certainly know that nerve tissue is 85% water. Therefore, what would cause it to get hard? Obviously lack of water! I never knew of one person with MS who wasn’t severely dehydrated. I told him that his vision would be back in four or five days and in a couple of months most symptoms would be gone and that’s exactly what happened.

Crusador: Why is salt such an important part of the Water Cure?

Without adequate salt, your body will never retain enough water to make the body function properly. That’s why the saline IV is so great and uses so much salt. No metabolic process can take place properly without enough salt.

Crusador: Compare a saline IV with the Water Cure?

First of all, for the hard nosed skeptic with a health problem, ask your MD to give you a saline IV twice a day for four days, drink no caffeine or alcohol and see what happens. The Water Cure is an oral saline IV with less salt and more minerals. The big difference is the IV costs up to $475 and the salt water only cost one penny.

Crusador: If the Water Cure is so simple, then why isn’t everyone using it?

Because there’s a rule that if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. Talk show host Barry Farber turned me down for an interview initially when I told him that I don’t do interviews unless the host knows it’s not too good to be true. He verified the truth and called this the most incredible story in his 44 years of broadcasting. The interview we eventually did resulted in about seven shows with Dr. B. and me. He said that our interviews caused switchboard meltdown.

Crusador: Medical people say that the success stories you publish are just anecdotal. How do you answer that?

I tell them that the only reason they are called anecdotal is because research already knows the stories are true. Why else would their #1 and most profitable protocol be salt water in the form of a saline IV? Whoever invented the saline IV knew very well all that it would do. Actually, Hippocrates, the father of medicine and the namesake of the Hippocratic Oath, was the first to use the Water Cure as documented in the 1934 book, “Back to Eden.”

Crusador: What about soft drinks, coffee, and alcohol?

Caffeine and alcohol are deadly because they are diuretics that remove more water from the body than was in the drink originally. The sugar in soda is certainly bad and caffeine and aspartame make a bad thing even worse.

Crusador: Is your faith in God the main reason why you are so motivated to share this information?

Absolutely! I consider myself the luckiest person in the world and I wouldn’t trade places with anyone for all the money in the world. The Water Cure is truly a gift from God and passes the litmus test for being this gift. It is free, has no negative side effects, it works, and is truly a blessing to the world. I just prayed the following as I completed this questionnaire: “Bless my words with God’s light and love to give them the energy to heal, strengthen and nourish the bodies and spirits of all who read them.”

Read Dr. B.’s dedication in each of his books: “To our Creator, with Awe, Humility and Love.” I can honestly say that I am infinitely rewarded in the wonderful feeling that I receive in knowing that I am sharing Dr. B.’s tremendous discovery with people around the world.

Crusador: Thanks for an excellent interview Bob.

Bob: Sure. I assure you that anyone who tries the Water Cure will see astounding results nothing short of miraculous.


http://www.newswithviews.com/Ciola/greg1.htm

Uses for Carrot Tops

Visit the world carrot museum website for some great ideas and recipes! This just expanded my world. I love to not waste!

http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/carrotops.html

Here are some examples for your convenience...

*Carrot Top Soup Recipe*

6 small to medium carrots with tops and roots
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons white rice
2 large leeks, white parts only
2 thyme or lemon thyme sprigs
2 tablespoons chopped dill, parsley, or celery leaves
salt and freshly ground pepper
6 cups vegetable stock, chicken stock, or water
Pull or pluck the lacy leaves of the carrot greens off their stems. You should have between 2-3 cups, loosely packed. Wash, then chop finely. Grate the carrots or, if you want a more refined-looking soup, finely chop them. Melt the butter in a soup pot. Add the carrot tops and carrots, rice, leeks, thyme, and dill. Cook for several minutes, turning everything a few times, then season with 1 1/2 teaspoons slat and add the stock. Bring to the boil and simmer until the rice is cooked, 16-18 minutes. Taste for salt, season with pepper, and serve.

*Try sautéing the chopped carrot tops lightly in olive oil with garlic and onion. Then add other garden-grown veggies (the carrots themselves, zucchini, tomato, peppers, fresh herbs), sauté some more, then fold the entire garden mish-mash inside a whole wheat tortilla, brown it, and call it a quesadilla. Truly a great vegan treat, and the carrot tops gave a nice crunchy texture.*

*Carrot Top Tea*

This is such an unbelievably delicious drink and great for detoxifying and strengthening the kidneys. Excellent for anyone suffering from urinary complaints.

Take a handful of carrot leaves (home grown are always best but shop bought carrots can be used as long as you thoroughly wash then to remove any chemical residues), tear them up and put them in a tea pot. Pour over boiling water and leave to steep until the tea is cold. Strain to remove the leaves and put them on the compost heap, then place the tea in the fridge to chill. It will last well for about 3 days if it hasn't all been drunk before then.
Carrots store best with their tops removed so making tea from the leaves is an excellent use of resources. Young leaves can also be used in salads.

I'm so looking forward to trying these!

How many chemicals do your toys have??

Healthy Stuff has a list of categorized toys that show the levels of many different chemicals that were tested on each one.

http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/toys/index.php

Vaccination Movie on Youtube

Vaccines - The Risks, The Benefits, The Choices

Dr. Sherri Tenpenny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdLMeULoujM

It's a 3 hour presentation but is a great way to get your research in without having to look up every obscure website there is.

~See more about her and her research at sayingnotovaccines.com~

33 Weeks

Well my belly is getting bigger everyday, little one likes to hang out pushed right up against my rib cage. I'm done work now at least so I've been working really hard at getting the house back up to par (as in spotless, I'm a cleaning nazi). Since monday I've gotten the bathroom done, laundry caught up, living room done, kitchen and bedroom almost done. It's mostly projects that need to be done to clean up, as in organize my church notes from the past 3 years (which I did today), organize my recipes, finish going through random recipe magazines so I can toss them out etc. All time consuming projects that I can only get done one at a time. After devoting 3 days to cleaning I decided to work on my craft pile in the living room. I've gotten a few things done already and am now looking up some patterns to make a teddy bear from sweaters. It's Canada day today so Dallas and I are listening to all that's going on from our house. He's also playing video games...go figure. This poor baby gets to listen to guns and swearing every night...boo. I took Toby and Brandy to the festivities today, they've never been to a big public event before and I was very ambitious to take them on my own in the sweltering heat when I am very easily annoyed lol, but it went really well I was quite proud of them. Well, back to projects, I need to get my craft show stuff done so I can work on baby room stuff...

Just a little reminder to myself :)

Cleaning and scrubbing will wait ’till tomorrow, but children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs! Dust go to sleep! I’m rocking my baby. Babies don’t keep.
– Ruth Hamilton

Preparing for Baby

what I want to stock up on or accomplish by August 1,2010


To buy and store

Baby

*Baby shampoo and lotion and massage oil
*diaper cream
*1 bottles infant tylenol
*gripe water
*2-3 fitted crib sheets
*2-3 crib blankets
*4-6 baby washcloths - have 1
*microfiber baby towels
*Crib mattress
*Car seat base, and stroller
*Change table/dresser
* rocking chair
*Diaper pail
*baby bathtub (borrow)
*cotton balls (for cleaning eyes)
*nasal aspirator
*thermometer
*swing
*baby monitor
*mobile - make
*clothes hamper
*breast pump
*epsom salts
*mothers milk tea
*lavender essential oil
Oils such as chamomile, geranium, juniper, lavender, marjoram, myrrh, rose, and tea tree diminish pain through anti-inflammatory actions.
More gentle antibacterial oils include bay rum, benzoin, cardamom, eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium lavender, lemon, lemongrass, marjoram, myrrh, myrtle, pine rose, sage, and tea tree.
Cuts and wounds can be treated with sprays or salves that contain essential oils isolated from eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, tea tree, or basil.

Me
*front opening pajamasfront opening pajamas
*nursing wear
*nursing bras
*thank you notes - make
*Satin sheets - easier to roll over in bed, stay colder

Household
*2 bottles shampoo
*1 bottle conditioner
*shower gel
*toothpaste
*pack of razors
*laundry detergent
*deodorant
*paper towel
*toilet paper

Pantry
*Pasta
*Sugar
*Flour
*WW Flour
*Tea Bags
*bacon bits
*12 cans fruit cocktail
*frozen green beans
*frozen broccoli
*canned, diced tomatoes
*juice mix
*bottled juice
*canned soup



To do


*baby clothes 0-6 months washed and folded
*Wash bassinet bedding and set up Aug 1
*Clean car and set up carseat Aug 1
*Paint Rebekah's room
*Set up Curtain and rod
*door to our room
*Set up crib
*Make baby wipes
*get diaper bag ready
*get hospital bag ready
*prepare hydrasol spritzer w essential oil
*prepare massage oil w essential oil
*start stretching perineum at 5-6 weeks before
*red raspberry leaf tea 1 cup a day
*print off reminders in labor
*pump some colostrum in case of low blood sugar for baby
*finish knitting blanket
*finish stitching wall hanging
*Paint walls in room
*Paint mural in room
*Buy A-Z letters in Rebekah's name

Dallas
*Strip and Varnish Dresser
*Create door between our bedrooms
*Do Flooring in Baby room

Sewing Projects To Do
*make postpartum pads (have 1) and liners
*make regular pads (have 2) and liners
*make whimsies mama blanket
*make hooded baby towels microfiber
*make maya sling
*make felt/knit toys
*make nursing pads
*Rebekah's curtain, sew curtain and then paint on tree and sew on felt leaves
*make pillows for Rebekah's room

Diaper Bag
*wipes
*change pad
*infant tylenol
*baby links (toys)
*wet bag
*onesie
*baby nail clippers
*nursing cover

Change Basket
*Wipes
*diaper cream
*Q tip
*change pad
*lansinoh
*nursing cover
*feeding pillow

Hospital Bag
*hand mirror for viewing the baby's head as it crowns
*clothes for giving birth - bikini top, skirt
*clothes for after birth -gown and panties
*2 onesies, 2 socks, 2 hats for baby, coming home outfit
*8 receiving blankets
*several kinds of juice non-citrus and citrus
*protein snack
*heat pack
*hydrasol spritzer and massage oil
*red raspberry tea
*mothers milk tea
*glucometer
*insulin
*red raspberry ice cubes
*confessions and scriptures
*reminders in labor-print
*picture to look at
*Lotus bowl and silk, waterproof lining
*soft cloth for placenta to sit in first
*sea salt to aid in drying placenta and reduce smell and dried herbs like lavender or rosemary for preservation, re-applied daily
*pumped colostrum for baby
*inhaler





Freeze in June/July

Meals
*Lasagna
*Sweet and Sour Meatballs
*Cheese Rice and Broccoli Bake
*Taco Rollups
*Baked spaghetti
*Spaghetti Pizza
*Cauliflower Leek Soup
*Hamburger Soup
*Corn Chowder
*Taco Soup
*Chili
*Chicken Kabobs
*Hamburgers

Breakfast
*French Toast Casserole

Sides
*Unbaked biscuits on lined cookie tray (5-6 hours)
*Cornbread (cut into serving size pieces)
*Bacon Bits 4-5 packages
*Fruit





A handy way to do casseroles if you are short on dishes, is to line a casserole dish with heavy plastic wrap, fill the dish, fold the plastic wrap over your food, freeze, then run the bottom under hot water to release the food. When you're ready to cook it, grease your pan, unwrap your food, and thaw in the frige. I wouldn't trust a glass pan in a hot oven with frozen food in it.

Moist Applesauce Muffins

Moist Applesauce Muffins

1/4 c. marg
1/3 tsp Stevia
1 large egg
1/3 c unsweetened applesauce
1 c flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c walnuts and raisins (optional)

Add wet to dry. Bake at 350 for 15 min.
This is a trial size, makes 6 large muffins. Next time I will triple the recipe at least and try freezing them.

Note: raisins raise the sugar content

Monster Cookies *Low Sugar

Monster Cookies
From Sherrie Reimer

1/2 c margarine
1 1/2 c peanut butter
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1c brown sugar
4 1/2 c oatmeal
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 c smarties*
1/2 c choc chips*

*optional amounts

Combine and Bake at 350 for 11 min.

Oatmeal Rhubarb Cookies

Oatmeal Rhubarb Cookies

Another great recipe for using up that delightful rhubarb in the backyard. I have compiled a few different recipes to create this one.

1/2 c sugar (could have used a little more, maybe try adding some stevia to it 10 drops? brown sugar would be yummy)
1 c. margarine softened
2 eggs
1 c or less small chopped rhubarb (think about the size you would like in a cookie)
3 c. flour (I haven't tried it with half whole wheat but it would probably be good)
1 c. oats (quick or rolled, I also added a couple tsp of steel cut for a crunchier texture)
2 tsp baking soda
cinnamon
water to wet if needed - only a couple tsp

Mix marg, sugar and eggs, then rhubarb, then add dry. Roll into bigger than 1" balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 min.

Note: Cooking the rhubarb in water before adding it to the cookie would wet the recipe down, but color might leach and the rhubarb would be all through the cookie instead of biting into rhubarb goodness.

New Template

Yay! I feel so special with my ultracool template thanks to templates by tenille. Check them out they are adorable.

http://templatesbytenille.blogspot.com/

100 Things to do before I die

This is meant to be an ongoing list so here is the first few....

1. go to africa on a missions trip
2. look at the night sky through a telescope
3. train a horse
4. go to disneyworld
5. take clarinet lessons
6. guitar lessons
7. piano lessons
8. learn another language
9. move to another country
10. build a log cabin
11. catch a fish
12. go to all 7 continents
13. go on a praise and worship tour
14. go through europe
15. ride an elephant
16. build an igloo
17. grow a garden
18. drive on top of my car in the spirit
19. visit hell (i'm not exactly sure I want too yet)
20. see an angel
21. learn to love better
22. start a successful craft business
23. have a baby
24. breastfeed
25. create a decorating portfolio
16. create a photography portfolio
17. create a cookbook with all my favorite healthy recipes
18. build a picnic table
19. homeschool
20.

Pasta Salad

Ok this isn't your regular pasta salad, this is frickin amazing.

Dressing
1/4 c grated parm
1/2 c fresh parsley or some dried
1/2 c mayo
1/4 c white wine vinegar ( I used apple cider)
3 cloves garlic minced (or garlic powder)
pinch cayenne

Mix with 1/2 lb pasta
2c baby spinach
2 red peppers chopped
1/2 lb chopped cheese
1/2 onion chopped
cherry tomates cut in 1/2 or some chopped firm plum tomatoes.

This makes a great party dish, even the children love it.

Mock Potato Soup

My husband didn't even know there wasn't potatoes in this!

1 med cauliflower, cut into small chunks
1 small onion diced
3 c chicken broth
3 Tbsp butter
1/2 c cream
4 oz shredded cheese
3 pieces bacon, crumbled
2 green onions chopped
s and p

Bring cauliflower, onion and broth to a boil. Cover and simmer until tender (20-25 min)
With immersion blender puree until smooth. Add butter and cream. Serve with cheese, onion and bacon.. Yum!

28 Weeks

Finally, I am 28 weeks! But for some reason, this week I feel fat. I went to BC last week and I didn't feel fat at all when I left, sometimes I forgot I even had a baby belly, but this week I feel like a whale. *sigh* the countdown is definately on. I have 2 months and 3 weeks left. I just bought paint yesterday for the baby room and it has motivated me to clean it all out. Which is an incredibly huge job. I should've taken a before and after picture. Maybe I will, and then I can add it to my decorating portfolio. There's just so many things I want to be and do I don't remember all of them all the time. But yes, so I've started hauling everything out and organizing all my baby clothes and stuff. I have such a huge amount of craft stuff that I hope is going to fit in its designated areas. The room colors are light green on two walls, and light cream on the other two. The wall you see when you walk in will be green and I'm going to paint the silhoutte of a tree on the wall hanging "over" where the crib will be centered. I love the cluttered crafty chic look, so I'll have very interchangeable decorations, like one of my crib sheets is light yellow, and the other is white with little navy blue leaves. I have a light blue and white crib quilt. I'm making a purple sheer and two burlap material pillows. So yeah, just a very light fun room. I can't wait till it's done and I can post a pic!

Ceasar Fish

This is the easiest fish recipe and it's so tasty! It's my husband's fav!

Fish Fillets (salmon, basa, polluck etc)
Ceasar dressing (also works well with ranch, or try your favorite)
Crushed croutons or soda crackers
s and p
olive oil

Place fillets on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Preheat oven to 350. Pile dressing, then s and p and then croutons on the fish. Drizzle with olive oil. Cook according to fish instructions. Usually about 15 min.

Pepper Lime Chicken

Chicken breast
1 tsp lime zest
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp thyme/basil
s and p

Bake chicken 20 min. Prepare glaze. Brush over chicken. Turn and do other side. Bake until chicken is done.

This chicken has an awesome lime taste!

Empress Lemon Chicken

I got this recipe from Anemone.

1 Tbsp soya sauce
1 Tbsp cornstarch

combine. mix in cubed pork or chicken.

1/2 c sugar
1 Tbsp cornstarch
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp lemon zest
1 Tbsp soya sauce
1/2 c water

Combine.

Fry chicken. Add liquid mixture. Boil 1 min. Serve with rice and garnish with lemon slices.

Note: Would be easy to substitute 1/2 tsp stevia for sugar.

Corn Bread

My favorite corn bread recipe which is by Betty Crocker, substituted with stevia instead of sugar.

1c milk
1/4 c marg
1 egg
1 1/4 c cornmeal
1c flour
1/3 tsp Stevia
1 Tbsp baking powder

Heat oven to 400. Grease 8x8" pan. Beat wet ingredients. Mix dry ingredients and add to wet. Stir just until moistened. Pour into pan. Bake 20-25 min.

Cloth Menstrual Pads

Among other accomplishments this month, this has been my greatest, I learned how to sew and created some much needed pads. I use a Diva Cup regularly but I'm thinking postpartum and preparing. These pics are of the first version, where I measured my regular pads and sewed them accordingly. Unfortunately this did not allow room to snap the wings together. So I amended the pattern with an extra inch on each wing so that they will snap together nicely under your underwear.






Check out my other crafts at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Whimsies1

* I kept the original pads that didn't have long enough wings to snap together and they work just fine, they sit on your underwear nicely without moving around. I didn't end up using any of my postpartum size as my bleeding was really minimal.

Cheesy Puppy Treats

Recipe to come soon...

Sweater Ideas

I found this pic on the internet and would like to create something similar for my pups this winter.



Other sites for buying/ideas

http://www.rescuepetstore.com/ not specifically boxers but very decently priced dog sweaters. Roll over buy for dogs and select dog fashions

http://www.rei.com go to dog gear on the left hand side of the page. Has tons for the very outdoorish dog.

ebay.com

Pumpkin Tarts

Recipe to come soon...

Brandy's Sweater Alterations

This was the other sweater I got for Toby at the thrift store, he's now grown out of it as we found out the hard way. So I altered it for Brandy. She is five months old so I know how much she'll grow yet! But I figured it was too cute to pass up. So I left a few inches of growing room and we'll see how long it fits her. I pinned her the same as Toby, with the "front" of the sweater on top. Hers has a cute Tommy Hilfiger logo on top. The only thing was I couldn't pin it lining up with her body like Toby's, I had to leave the bottom wide enough to be able to pull it off of her. I cut the sleeves 3/4 length as they are stretchy so if we ever took her to the park and she got a foot stuck in it it would lengthen the sleeve way too long. (Figured that one out the hard way on Toby)

The collar was an adjustment to get nice looking. But I think it turned out pretty good!

Toby's Vest Alterations

Note: I found that I wasn't a fan of this sweater versus the pull over because it didn't stay done up when he ran around. Maybe with a snappi or other big snap on it it would've been fine. When I safety pinned it it worked but next time I'll try leaving the zipper under the neck and adding a snap. Also I made the neck too tight, you'd have to leave quite a bit more room in the neck to it's not pulling on the zipper.

So I took him to the second hand store and they let me try some sweaters on him in the foyer. That was very nice of them. He's already grown out of one and I just altered the other to fit him nicer so I'm hoping he is done filling out or I'll have to get more sweaters for him. They cost about $3 each. The one I've shown altered here is a mens size medium vest that I put on him upside down (zipper on the top of his back) and pinned underneath his belly to get the right fit while leaving a little room for running around. Also when pinning under a boy - be careful.

This way was very easy to get off of him with the pins on, just unzip. Next cut your fabric about an inch from where you pinned. Then line up your fabric and pin with wrong sides facing out. Stitch evenly along edge and turn inside out. There you have it!

Toby and Brandy Pictures

20.5 Weeks

Weird, my colostrum came in. Dallas doesn't care to see lol.

But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and womb.
Genesis 49:24-25

20 Weeks

I feel baby move ALL the time now. Yesterday I felt my first for sure wiggle not just kick! It was the weirdest feeling. I also put my belly pictures on Facebook on Saturday so everyone who didn't know I was pregnant does now. I figure 20 weeks is as good as any. :D

Birth Plan

We understand that certain emergency or other medical circumstances may not allow for the accommodation of the goals listed below, however we appreciate your consideration of them in all your decision making.

Home Labor Goals

• We would like to labor at home as long as possible before going to the hospital.

Hospital Labor Goals

• We plan to have present at the birth and or labor: Dallas Boyce, Doula
  
• We ask that all other visitors and unnecessary staff be turned away until we (Dallas and Olivia Boyce) have had time alone with our new baby.
• There will be no minimise internal examinations/avoid internal examinations unless deemed necessary.
  
• Please do not break my waters.
  
• I will not have an IV/Heplock administered unless/until deemed medically necessary
  
• I will not have a catheter unless determined to be required for another procedure to facilitate delivery.
• The birth environment is important to us. We ask that lights be kept dim, noise be kept to a minimum, and the door be kept closed for privacy.
• We will bring our own music.
• I will wear my own clothing, although the staff may offer me a hospital gown.
• I will be up out of bed as much as possible during labor, depending on my needs. And in whatever position I find comfortable. Please encourage me to stay off my back!

Birth Goals

• We are attempting to have a natural, un-medicated birth without unnecessary medical or chemical intervention.
• We would like to have a water birth if possible, and would appreciate your support in encouraging me to give birth underwater.
  
• Except in the case of an emergency, we ask that we be given the opportunity to accept or refuse any procedure or medication.
• We request that the least invasive or restricting versions of procedures be used.

Doctor

• Ideally, if all goes smoothly, I hope that the doctor and nursewho attend me in labor will give helpful suggestions, but allow my body to give birth the way it is means to.
  

Induction (if necessary)

• Will only be considered under very dire circumstances or 41 + weeks gestation
  
• We will try non-chemical induction methods first: walking, breast stimulation, sexual intercourse.

Pain Management Goals

• We plan to handle pain with relaxation, aromatherapy, massage and water (shower or tub).
• Please do not offer chemical pain relief.

Delivery Goals

• I will be pushing at my own pace (Mother-Directed Pushing).
• I will not have an episiotomy. I would first like to try perineal massage, support and warm compresses.
• If labor or delivery seems stalled, we would like the opportunity to try different positions (hands and knees, squatting, birth stools, etc.). Please offer suggestions.
• 
  
• I would like to see/feel the baby' head as it crowns, the father will have a hand mirror available to do this.
  
• Either I or the father would like to catch the baby depending on the position I'm in
  
• Please do not announce the baby's sex as I would like to find out for myself/would like for my husband to find out.
  
• I would like to have the baby placed on the my chest with skin-to-skin contact immediately after the birth and for the first 1 to 2 hours following the birth.
• I would like to try to have the baby breastfeed as soon as possible.
• I would like the staff to help me change position if necessary to facilitate breastfeeding.
• I would like a fully natural (psychological) third stage, and to NOT clamp or cut the umbilical cord. I want to allow the placenta to turn up in it's own time. Please do not administer any drugs unless you feel there is a real need. I would appreciate your advice to help me deliver the placenta naturally. ***Please do not pull on the cord or use fundal pressure unless there is a specific indication to do so, as I have read that this is contra-indicated in drug-free third stages.***

Photography

• We would like the father and the doula to be allowed to take photos or video tape parts of the labor and birth.

Umbilical Cord

• Please do not clamp or cut the umbilical cord

Placenta

• I would like to keep the placenta attached to the baby
• We will have a bowl specifically for the placenta
  

Newborn Care Goals

• Please do not separate the baby from the mother for routine procedures until after the initial bonding/breastfeeding
• Please do not administer eye drops to my baby
  
• Please do not administer prophylactic Vitamin K after birth. If the birth is traumatic for the baby or there is some other risk factor for HDN, I will be happy to discuss this with the midwife and allow Vitamin K if we both decide it is appropriate.
• Please do not administer Hepatitis B.
  
• We request that the baby only be bathed with warm water. No soap.

In the event our baby is unwell
•Any procedures must be explained in full and informed, written consent must be obtained before any intervention is performed.
•A parent will remain with the baby at all times - no exceptions.
•The baby will only be fed breast milk. Absolutely no formula feeding or dummy without our written consent. We will use a donor for EBM if none is available and our baby requires more than colostrum until my milk comes in.
•Even if our baby is premature, there will be no period in the nursery. Rooming in will be immediate and continuous unless there is a genuine problem with the baby and informed, written consent is obtained from the parents for treatment of the baby.
•Kangaroo care and as much skin to skin contact with parents as possible while our baby is unwell.

Footprints

• We would like to have a set of footprints stamped into our scrapbook when footprints are done.

Circumcision (if boy)

• We will not be circumcising

Cesarean Section (if necessary)

• The mother would like to be conscious
• The father and support person will remain with the mother at all times
• We would like to photograph or film the operation as the baby comes out
  
• The mother will hold the baby while the incision is being closed and has the assistance of the father if required. One arm must be left free.
  
• The baby will be placed straight on the mother’s skin, unwashed. A blanket can go over both of them. Apgar and well baby checks will only be done by observation while the baby is on the mother.
• The baby will breastfeed immediately or as soon as possible afterward in the recovery room.
• There will be no period in the nursery. Rooming in will be immediate and continuous. Parents and baby will be in the recovery room after delivery.
• A lotus birth is required. We can explain this to any staff who are curious but it is not optional for us. We will supply the bag to contain the placenta with us once out of theatre. In theatre an appropriately sized dish is fine. *neither clamp nor cut the umbilical cord*
• There will be no unnecessary speaking please, this is a birth for us, not an everyday working event.
• There will be no separation of mother and baby unless one or other is genuinely seriously ill or unconscious.
• If the mother is ill the baby will be carried in kangaroo care style by the father only. There will be no use of plastic boxes with wheels.

Birth Recovery Goals

• We prefer to have a private room, if available, and that the father and baby be allowed to room-in.
• We prefer that our stay at the hospital be as short as possible and that the mother may fully recover at home.

Breastfeeding Goals

• If not rooming-in, we would like the baby brought to the mother to meet it's on-demand feeding needs.
• We would like to establish breastfeeding. Please do not offer any bottles or soothers to the baby without parents' notification of a medical need.

We will be having postpartum care done by our midwife.

Thank you for taking the time to help us achieve a natural childbirth for our first baby!