I am "Crunchy"

So I never knew they had a 'term' for the way I am, the things I do but I learned last week that they do and it's called being a "crunchy mom".

I took the kids to a playdate last week to meet some new mommies from my area and in addition to meeting them I ran into another group of mom's that I also had a lot in common with, they referred to themselves as being "crunchy".

At first, I dismissed the idea that I too was considered "crunchy" as I figured it had more to do with recycling, composting and overall being green which wouldn't describe me (although I hope to improve in some of those areas) at least not right now, but I learned that it was more directed at being 'natural' and a lot of it surrounding the way we view and raise our children.

Well as my new "crunchy" friend started giving me the rundown I answered yes to almost all of her questions except a few. What do I do that makes me "crunchy" well I do natural births and a homebirth in water with baby #3, I cloth diaper (I love you FuzziBunz!), I love baby wearing (Ergo your the BEST!), I don't use medicine and I don't give it to my children, I breastfeed without using bottles (Harlow is 8 months old and has only had 1 bottle 1 time, it was worth it though to go to the Black Eyed Peas concert) and overall I believe in being as 'natural' as I can.

I just thought it was neat to have a definition for how I view things, makes it easier to classify and easier to find those that are similar to myself. I really enjoyed meeting this great group of mom's that I could relate to and admire, I always felt the minority so it was refreshing to meet a group who viewed so much of parenting as I do. I joined their 'Bohemian Parent's' group as soon as I got home and I look forward to getting to know them better and learning more about myself in the process.

We know I am "crunchy" are you? Take this quiz and find out.

Harlow's Waterbirth, Homebirth...A Beautiful Birth Story

Two nights before Harlow's actual birthday I had strong but irregular contractions so I knew she was going to make her debut any day. On the morning of August 14th I started having a pattern to the contractions so I called Jon at work to tell him the exciting news that today was the day we would get to meet our baby. Jon came home from work early, set up the birthing tub and continued to work the rest of the day from home. I continued to run laundry and tend to the kids.

After lunch, I contacted my Mid-Wife Kathleen to tell her about my contractions and bloody show. Kathleen told me she would come to our house around 5:00 pm to check on me. I decided on an easy plan for dinner and ordered a couple of large pizzas while I continued to labor away.

When Kathleen arrived she checked my cervix which was dilated to 6 cm and made a call to her Assistant Pam to head on over for a delivery because we knew my labor would progress quickly. In the meantime, she gave me a teaspoon of an all natural stimulant to labor called Mother's Choice and had Jon and I walk around the block a few times to move things along. I called my friends Amber and Nicole who were going to attend the birth to tell them to head on over.

When we came back from our walk we all enjoyed pizza together before Jon and I went on another walk along with Amber around the block. During this time Kathleen and Pam were preparing the bedroom and birthing tub. By the time we got back the contractions were only 5 minutes apart. Kathleen continued to give me the Mother's Choice to prepare for childbirth. My other friend Nicole arrived and my contractions started to become much worse and I had an increase in bloody show (I had the same with my daughter Paige so I knew it was almost time for Harlow to make her debut). Paige was ready to get in her Big Sister dress and Aiden followed getting on his Big Brother shirt. Our house was so full of excitement and love, I was so grateful to be at home.

Around 7:30 pm I asked Kathleen to check my cervix as I knew my labor was quickly progressing. I was 8 cm at this time and my water bag was still intact (my water didn't break with my previous two babies either). Kathleen told me if she broke my bag of water I would be ready to deliver within the hour so I had her break the bag. After she broke the bag I was ready to get into the birthing tub to finish out my labor. Jon joined me in the birthing tub and we had a few minutes together before I had the rest of the house join us as I began pushing. I was only in the tub about 20 minutes before Harlow was born, delivered with the help of Jon's hands at 8:47 pm. It was the most beautiful birth to be at home surrounded by family (even had my sister on the phone) and friends.

After her birth, Jon and I stayed in the tub with Harlow in my arms for a bit (it was amazing to feel the pulsating of her cord) before he cut the umbilical cord. Then everyone cleared the room so Jon and I could get out of the tub and I could get to the bed to deliver the placenta. Jon held Harlow until I was done and ready to breastfeed. Did I mention how amazing it was to be home? While I enjoyed feeding and holding Harlow Kathleen and Pam started to move out the birthing tub and clean-up. They put everything in it's place and started the laundry. My bedroom and bathroom looked as if I had never even given birth just moments before.

Next it was time for a bath, Pam had set-up an herbal tea bath for Harlow and I in our tub. It was so soothing and such a bonding experience. I cradled Harlow in my arms while we enjoyed our bath together. Kathleen assisted me in giving Harlow her first bath, it was beautiful. The lights were dimmed, I had a candle by the side of the tub and I cherished every second with our new baby.

Then it was time for the well baby exam. Everyone sat on my bed with me including Kathleen with baby Harlow. We had my sister and her fiancee Jason on Skype so they could see Harlow and watch the exam all the way in CA. Kathleen measured Harlow's head 13 1/4", length 20", weight 7 lbs. 11 oz. and chest 13 1/4"...she was perfect! Then we were done, it was time for a few pictures with those that attending this beautiful homebirth and settle in for the night AT HOME!

I feel so fortunate to have had this amazing homebirth experience. Mid-Wives are truly amazing, they do it all out of LOVE. I am forever grateful to both Kathleen and Pam for giving me and those that attended the birth such beautiful memories of Harlow entering this world in our home filled with such love.

Harlow Evelyn

37 weeks, 5 days and Ready to Meet Harlow

I had an appointment with our Mid-Wife Kathleen today. I am 3 cm dilated and Harlow has dropped more. Its hard to say when Harlow will arrive but my guess is in the next few days with how I have been feeling. I can finally say I am ready; we now have the birthing tub and everything we need for Harlow is ready and waiting. Stay tuned, I will keep you all posted.

36 weeks, 5 days with BEAUTIFUL Maternity Pictures

I am so glad I finally did it...maternity pictures that is. I have always wanted to do them but by the time you get to the home stretch (eeek no pregnant woman likes to hear the word stretch...stretch marks that is...LOL!) it's about the last thing you feel like doing.

I knew with this baby being our last I had to embrace this pregnant belly before it was gone and contact my favorite photographer and friend Joyce Blackson to capture the moment for me. It was actually a really fun photography shoot, the kids got to kiss the belly which they always love to do, Jon and I took a few together and I felt like I was on America's Next Top Model when I went solo with my belly. I can't wait to see all of the pictures from the session but here are a few she provided me with to share now.

36 weeks, 2 days

I had our in-home appointment with Mid-Wife Kathleen yesterday and everything went great. She went through the preparation of both the birthing tub and bed set-up with Jon and I as well as the overall in-home birth process for when Harlow arrives. I have another appointment scheduled next week and my guess is Harlow will be born the week after that which is the week of my 30th birthday.

Silly Paige was playing with her toes...

35 Weeks + and Nesting

I had my 35 week appointment with my Mid-Wife Kathleen last week and everything was just as it should be. My belly measured right on, Harlow's heartbeat was perfect, my blood pressure was normal and she ran the last of the blood work she needed before delivery. Our next appointment, which will be next week will be a home visit where she will review the birthing tub set-up and other necessary details with Jon and I. Jon and I have gotten our at home birthing kit and purchased the other essentials yesterday so we are ready for Harlow to make her debut.

I have begun nesting and it's definitely been nice getting everything around the house in order. I plan on washing a few things in Dreft (love that smell!) for baby Harlow today and will get her moses bumper (I had the moses basket from Aiden) and other goodies I had made by the very talented Monique from Etsy in the mail tomorrow (see pictures below). Harlow won't have her nursery ready since we haven't been able to sell our guest bedroom furniture yet to clear out her room but we figure we have time as she will sleep in the moses basket in our room for at least 3+ months anyways. So I am using a nice bamboo clothing rack we already have along with canvas baskets for her clothes, diapers, etc. to set up a area for Harlow next to her moses basket in our room. I will take pictures of it all put together in the next few days.





Jon has been helping my need to nest by painting the playroom a pretty light blue and next is painting and putting together Paige and Aiden's PBK Dr. Seuss bathroom before Harlow makes her debut. I figured since we couldn't put our time and energy into Harlow's nursery we may as well get a few other things off of our to-do list in the meantime.

My Texas family of friends is hosting a baby shower for me on July 31st; I am really looking forward to getting together with all of my friends to celebrate Harlow's arrival. I also have my BIG (well you can't get much bigger then being 9 months pregnant...LOL!) 30th birthday coming up on August 11th; I hope to go out to a nice dinner with Jon to celebrate and have friends over a movie and some cake before Harlow makes her debut...guess we will see if that all works out. Well off to nest and tend to the kids.

Baby Harlow Looking Good

I had an appointment with my mid-wife yesterday. I will be having Harlow here at home in a birthing tub. I am so excited about it. I had always pictured myself giving birth to all of my children at home but because of insurance complications I just succumbed to the traditional hospital route with both Paige and Aiden. I did do it as much as I could my way so I waited to 10 cm dilated, then headed to the hospital for a natural, drug-free birth and went home hours later with a baby in my arms. So this time around we are paying cash and getting to do it 100% my way here at home with a fabulous mid-wife Kathleen Mayorga.

I am now 24 weeks, 4 days pregnant with baby Harlow who is growing just as she should be. I had to take Aiden with me to the appointment, he wasn't very cooperative and insisted on running out of the room at every opportunity but he did manage to stand next to me long enough to push the Doppler button and listen to Harlow's heartbeat with me so that was exciting.

I love pictures, I take a lot of them, probably every few days at least.

Here is one of the kids today before we headed over to a playdate at a friend's house. It's been hot and rainy here in TX...reason for the rain boots.



I love this outfit from Etsy designer Loves Me Not and so does Princess Paige



A couple of days ago, Paige is wearing Boden and Aiden Matilda Jane