Getting Ready for Baby

Posted on May 17, 2012 by genamayo

Things have been focused on getting ready for the baby around here lately. I’ve been nesting–and one thing we did was get the windows cleaned! I had a Groupon for it, so it was a really good deal to get them cleaned inside and out (and the screens). We’ve lived here for 11 years and never had them cleaned before!

I’ve washed all the baby clothes, bought tiny newborn diapers, and fixed my nursing cover (it had shrunk, so I added some material to the sides). I bought a new carseat (not everything lasts from previous babies) and made a cover for it. I’ve also been practicing my breathing, relaxation, imagery, and verses for labor.

Yesterday I finished packing my suitcase and brought up the co-sleeper from the storage room. I still need to make another nursing cover. I need to buy some batteries for the hat I wear for nursing and changing diapers during the night and for the baby swings. And I think I’ll pack an emergency bag for having the baby in the car (pray that won’t happen!) I want to clean out under my bed and vacuum it really well.

I’m still hoping to get some sewing projects done before she’s born, because those will probably be laid on the back burner for quite a while:

* Finish “I Spy” bags for a busy bag swap, due next Wednesday

* Make picnic quilt (already cut out)

* Make my daughter’s rag quilt for her bed

The quilts will only get done if I have a major spurt of energy in the next few weeks.

Recently, I’ve been thinking that I really wish I knew more about my sewing machine. I know nothing about changing the tension and have never used any of the fancy stiches. I got a walking foot for quiliting but have never figured out how to use it correctly. Then, I found out about this FREE online sewing machine class! I’m not sure the timing is right for me at the moment , but I definitely want to do this!

Become a Sewing Machine Master for Free! Learn how to handle your sewing machine with the brand new, free, online Craftsy class, Sewing Machine 911, taught by Claudia Miller, sewing machine MD. In this class, learn how to diagnose your machine’s symptoms and how to easily fix the most common issues, including jammed machines, top thread breaks, needle breaks, and more. Claudia also explains the basic parts and functions of every machine. Whether your machine is still in the box, you’re working on a hand-me-down, or even if you’re an experienced sewist who still struggles with tension, this is the class for you! Plus, it’s free, so there’s nothing to lose. Sign up for Sewing Machine 911 now!

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I’ve Fallen off the Charlotte Mason Wagon

Posted on May 16, 2012 by genamayo

Jimmie, over at Jimmie’s Collage, has a great post today about falling off the Charlotte Mason wagon. (Charlotte Mason is a 19th Century British educator who espoused many wonderful educational techniques that a lot of homeschoolers now follow.)

Her ideas are “gentle” but not necessarily easy. Here are the specifics that Jimmie mentioned today:

Narration

Daily nature walks

Composer study (Here’s what I’m going to do for composer study this month: Debussy, and later this summer Puccini.)

Artist study (Today, I put up one of our Picturing America posters, of “The Boating Party” by Mary Cassatt)

Shakespeare (I just put Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare on hold at the library.)

Poetry

Unfortunately, I must admit that I have fallen off the wagon, for the only one of the above I was doing prior to reading Jimmie’s post was reading aloud a poem every day and some sporadic narration. So, I’ve decided that this summer I’m going to reread one of my favorite books: A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola (and maybe her book A Pocketful of Pinecones, too). And I’ll get back on the wagon!

Surprise in the Mail

Posted on May 15, 2012 by genamayo

Yesterday we got a heavy box in the mail from Apologia Ministries. Since I’ve already ordered and received almost all the curriculum we need for next fall, I was wondering what it was. It said on the invoice “Winner”–so I won one of those online contests that I sign up for quite often!

Inside the box was the “Who Am I?” textbook and notebooking journal and the Around the World in 180 Days teacher and student texts. I have been looking at that geography curriculum for quite a while and will be excited to use it in the future. But, I’m thinking that I will definitely use “Who Am I” next year. It will fit in perfectly during our afternoon reading time when I read from the Bible, science, history, poetry, and novel. We’ll just add in this wonderful worldview curriculum as well! The notebooking journal looks great, too, so I’ll have to decide whether to order more of those (and the coloring book for my little girl).

Thanks, Apologia!

Don’t forget to download these coupons before they’re gone:

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Bradley Method for Natural Childbirth

Posted on May 14, 2012 by genamayo

Childbirth: a topic that is continually on my mind lately! I am now at 37 weeks, so only 3 more to go. And boy, do I feel huge!

Twelve years ago when I was preparing for my first baby I took a Lamaze class. I wanted to have the baby naturally, but soon realized that I couldn’t handle the pain very well. So, I got an epidural. It was a horrible experience! I had to lean over and remain perfectly still while the doctor stuck a needle into my back. If I moved I might become paralyzed! I had 4 or 5 contractions while in that position, and it was absolutely miserable. I could tell that the very experienced doctor was having trouble, and that wasn’t very comforting either. But the worst part was that the epidural didn’t even work! I continued to feel every painful contraction–although one of my legs went numb!

For the next baby, I took a refresher course for Lamaze. That labor was different as it started with my water breaking. For the first 3 hours I felt regular contractions, but they weren’t painful. Only the last hour was bad, but it was bad enough that I felt like I needed something different for any future babies.

I read an article about hypno-birthing and thought that sounded interesting. But as I looked into it, there was a lot of “new age” philosophy involved. Then I heard about the Bradley Method.

A lady at my church taught the classes. She didn’t feel I needed to take the course since I had recently had 2 babies, so she lent me a couple of books to read. One explained the method (Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon Rosegg, 1996), including different practice exercises to do at home, and the other explained about using visualization and other relaxation techniques (yes, a little bit “new-agey”). I have used this method successfully for the last 5 births and I’m so happy to have found a way to deal with the pain of childbirth. No, it’s not really less painful, but I can make it through with this method. The basic premise is that you completely relax throughout a contraction. Any tension makes the contraction feel worse and can even keep it from accomplishing its purpose–causing labor to last longer.

I made up some notecards that I bring to the hospital with me. They are to remind me (and my husband) what to do and think throughout labor.

Scripture to mediatate on throughout a contraction:

1. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13)

2. Do not be anxious about anything. . .and the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6)

3. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Ps. 37:4)

4. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isa. 40:29)

5. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:10)

6. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28)

7. Consider Him. . . so that you do not grow weary or lose heart. (Heb. 12:3)

8. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:9)

9. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Ps. 121:1-2)

10. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. (Ps. 46:1-2)

11. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isa. 41:10)

12. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (1 Pet. 5:7)

13. Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Josh. 1:9)

Six Needs of Laboring Woman:

1. Darkness and solitude

2. Quiet- Don’t talk to me or anyone else during a contraction. Make sure the nurses don’t talk to me.

3. Physical comfort- pillows, water, cold cloth for forehead, blanket or A/C, etc.

4. Physical relaxation- concentrate on me, tell me if you see tension anywhere

5. Controlled breathing- remind me to breathe low and slow/steady

6. Appearance of sleep and closed eyes- remind me if I forget to do this

* Also, give PEP: Praise, Encouragement, and note Progress

Relaxation:

(I say these things to myself during contractions.)

Locate any tightness and let it flow away.

You can always release a little bit more.

Check hands, jaw, face, feet–make sure they aren’t tensed.

Consciously release all tension.

Let your head sink into the pillow and your body into the mattress.

Relax completely.

The harder the contractions, the more they’re working and the sooner you’ll see your baby!

Breathing:

Listen to your breathing.

Quiet, even, steady rhythm.

Put the air low in the abdomen.

Relax tummy completely.

Breath in fresh, clean oxygen. Breathe out tension.

Imagery:

Here I have put some things that I picture while contracting. They’re a little personal, so I won’t share here. :)

I will keep practicing my relaxation and breathing daily and work on the imagery and memorizing/ meditating on the verses. I’m not looking forward to labor, but I’m so looking forward to holding my little girl!

Motivated Moms planner on sale today!

Posted on May 13, 2012 by genamayo

Just on Mother’s Day, Sunday 5/13/12, you can download the wonderful Motivated Moms Planner for only $5 – this is the best code they’ve ever offered! The code is MOTHER. It’s a coupon code for $3, so you can choose the best planner for your needs.

Click here to visit Motivated Moms.

What makes this planner so great? One thing I love about it is that it takes all the guesswork out of housework. It gives you a checklist each day for your daily chores (such as clean kitchen sink, read to children, Quiet Time, and exercise), as well as different chores to do on each day of the week (Sunday-make errand list, Monday-vacuum main floor, Tuesday-pay bills, Wednesday-clean computer screen and mouse, Thursday-mop kitchen, Friday-change sheets, Saturday-water indoor plants). Chores that aren’t weekly are worked throughout the month or year. It’s very well thought out!

And for $5, it’s a steal! Use the code MOTHER.

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Quizno’s Coupons

Posted on May 10, 2012 by genamayo

Every once in a while, an older lady comes over to play with my kids. If it happens to be around lunchtime, I always treat myself by going to Quizno’s!

Enjoy these coupons–get them now before they’re gone!

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Quiet book cover–Pinterest Challenge

Posted on May 8, 2012 by genamayo

My final Quiet Book post! Here is what the cover looks like.

I used ideas from this pin and this pin from Pinterest.

There were several things I was thinking of as I designed the cover. I wanted it to have a handle, an inside pocket to quickly store loose items, and a thick outer material (I used denim) to protect the pages. I also wanted to use rings so that I could swap pages in and out as needed.

See this post and this post for more details on our Quiet Book.

I’ve linked up this post to PInterest Challenge.

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Quiet Book completed!

Posted on May 8, 2012 by genamayo

Yeah, after 3 months or so I have finished our Quiet Book. I’ve been wanting to make one of these for years! It was a bit easier than I expected because I participated in a Quiet Book page swap. The other ladies made some wonderful pages! See below for pictures of all the pages. If you’d like tutorials or patterns, many of these are found on my Pinterest Quiet Book board.

My five youngest kids (ages 1-8) have already loved playing with it! If you made one of these pages, please comment so I can thank you!

This last page is a marble maze.

The baseball mitt is his favorite page!

See the next post for details on the pages I made.

Need a Mother’s Day gift? Try this:

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Quiet Book–my pages (Pinterest Challenge)

Posted on May 8, 2012 by genamayo

I’ve shared before about the Quiet Book page I made (times 11) for the page swap.

When I received the other pages, I decided to make three more that were VERY easy!

The first was inspired by this pin. I didn’t have any overalls, but decided to use an old pair of jeans from my stash. There are 3 activities on this page: zipper, button, and snap!

The second was for practicing tying a bow and braiding. I used some macrame yarn that I found at a thrift shop. It was inspired by this pin.

The third was a marble maze, inspired by this pin.

I’ve linked up this post to Pinterest Challenge.

Car Seat Cover–Pinterest Challenge

Posted on May 8, 2012 by genamayo

I’m so excited that I was able to get this cute carseat cover made! I love the sweet summery fabric with butterfiles and bees. It will be perfect for covering up our little girl when we’re outside this summer. I found the tutorial for the cover here.