For the locals, I saw Earth Shoes at Rugged Wearhouse on Laurens Rd for 20.00 last week. I don’t remember sizes and there were only a few styles. There were several black pairs like the burgandy pair from this old post.
Author Archives: juliebyers
Just another pregnancy update
I’m 24 weeks or is it 25? I don’t remember. I usually cheat and hop over to Jenny’s blog to check–she’s due the same day as me.
Pregnancy-wise, everything is normal. Nothing much to report. My belly seems huge and I feel like I’m carrying high. No more sleeping on my tummy. I wish I grew those cute basketball bellies.
I crave belly-rubs and my friend, Carey, obliges weekly with a heavenly rose-lavender oil massage. This child is almost always moving which has become irritating at night–it keeps me from sleep. I was never irritated by Norah moving.
My only food cravings lately have been swiss cheese and crushed ice. I continue to drink oatstraw/nettle/red raspberry leaf tea daily. I’ve added DHA/EPA to the prenatal routine. Like a good girl, I take my cal/mag before bed and drink some chlorophyll in my oj each morning. I won some prenatal chewable vitamins which I was super-stoked about. Until I tasted them.
Some of you have asked about my birth plans. I’m not really keen on sharing much online at this point. I promise to post all the details after Cedar is born. I will say that I am excited about birthing again. I’m trying out Hypnobabies since I’m currently training as an instructor. My one worry is that Hypnobabies is notorious for short labors and I don’t want mine to be too quick! But Cedar will come as Cedar is meant to come.
Scott has beautifully kept the gender a secret. I don’t have a clue or an intuition.
In terms of doula-ing, I have a busy, busy summer ahead! I have such a diverse group of clients in the next couple of months. And I’ve already had inquiries about hypnobabies classes this fall.
I had the worst heartburn of my life today while out shopping. Thankfully, I had some papaya tablets in my doula bag. I’ve never taken anything for heartburn and I’m happy to report that the papaya worked withing minutes! I know it doesn’t work for everyone. But I won’t be separated from it for the duration of this pregnancy!
Currently reading: Obstetrics Illustrated, Natural Pregnancy Book, The Art of Hypnosis, Holistic Guide to Embracing Pregnancy and Birth, and Eve.
Oh, and a fun little book I found at the flea market this week:
An Apology
To all my former clients and most especially to my mother:
When you told me you were experiencing restless leg syndrome, I so flippantly advised you to take your cal/mag before bed. I had no idea how awful the legs of restlessness were.
I do now.
And I take cal/mag before bed.
And it didn’t prevent or cure this horrible pregnancy affliction. I am sorry for my empty and worthless advice.
I am, indeed, afflicted with pregnancy-induced rls. *Sigh* followed by much mournful drama.
I would have never thought rls would really be this bad. But it feels like the skin on my legs is crawling, my muscles are jumpy, I’m fretful. I want Scott to rub my legs–but “no, don’t do it like that!”
No one seems to know why it happens to 1 in 4 pregnant women. Maybe low iron levels, maybe hormones, maybe increased blood volume, maybe increased sensory input. I love how the article I linked suggested that one knit or engage in “intense discussion” at night to distract oneself. Maybe I’ll start surfing some message boards at night for intense discussion!
Engaging in intense discussion
So. Anyone have any miracle remedies?
So much is in the bud
Beginners
Dedicated to the memory of Karen Silkwood and Eliot Gralla
“From too much love of living,
Hope and desire set free,
Even the weariest river
Winds somewhere to the sea-”
But we have only begun
To love the earth.
We have only begun
To imagine the fullness of life.
How could we tire of hope?
– so much is in bud.
How can desire fail?
– we have only begun
to imagine justice and mercy,
only begun to envision
how it might be
to live as siblings with beast and flower,
not as oppressors.
Surely our river
cannot already be hastening
into the sea of nonbeing?
Surely it cannot
drag, in the silt,
all that is innocent?
Not yet, not yet-
there is too much broken
that must be mended,
too much hurt we have done to each other
that cannot yet be forgiven.
We have only begun to know
the power that is in us if we would join
our solitudes in the communion of struggle.
So much is unfolding that must
complete its gesture,
so much is in bud.
–Denise Levertov
Hoorah! Spring is here! Playdates at the park. Digging in the dirt. Reviving our morning “green hour.” Coffee on the porch swing. Picnics. Wind and apple blossoms. The heady scent of jasmine.
Morning Couscous
Some of you may have seen this recent recipe at Mothering. I adapted it a little bit for my tastes. It is really quick and yummy. Breakfast is a chore for me. I usually don’t want to eat it so I struggle to find things I will enjoy.
Stir together 1 cup of milk, 1 tbsp of honey, 2 tsp of cinnamon, and dash of nutmeg. I might add some vanilla next time, too. Bring just to a boil.
Add 1 cup of couscous, stir, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes.
Stir in walnuts, chopped apples, and whatever else suits your fancy.
You could do this with quinoa or bulgar as well but it would take a bit longer. Still a quick breakfast though. And, for me, I like the texture much better than oatmeal.
Polar Bears, Whales, and Hippos, Oh My!
What is cool about polar bears giving birth? How do baby whales nurse underwater without lips? What is a bat nursery? Which animals cross-nurse? How long is the hooded seal’s childhood? Why do hippos hold their breath when they nurse?
Dying to know, right? Ok, well I know some of you are dying to know. I listened to the best podcast yesterday! I had been putting it off because it didn’t sound very interesting. It was called “How do other mammals do it?” But it was really interesting and gave great insight into human lactation. Most importantly, the author discusses the unique recipe of each mammal’s breastmilk. Animals like big cats get large amounts of protein. Animals like seals get huge amounts of fat. Cow milk (3.1% protein) is very different from human milk (.9% protein) and is designed to grow calves. Soybean milk, um, isn’t designed to grow anybody!
Ok, so go listen to this free podcast if you’re intrigued! Go to itunes and search Motherwear. Pick “How do other mammals do it?”
Really don’t have time to listen? Check out this handout. It includes some of the protein/fat breakdowns of animals. And it is reproducible!
Oh, and hooded seals have a four day childhood before they wean and venture into the big bad world. A Pacific Grey Whale delivers a 2000lb baby and produces 6 tons of breastmilk without eating any food while traveling 10,000 miles. Talk about a supermom!
Random Thoughts in the Morning
My 3-year old asks “Mama, is it appropriate to eat boogers?” Ew. But I’m super-impressed with her vocabulary.
A thought about this pregnancy: I feel more connected to the baby. I know the depth of change a new baby brings and I’m already in awe of this little one. Pregnancy feels sacred. With my first pregnancy, I was more focused on me–the physical changes, the specialness of being pregnant, the mystery of birth. I knew there was a baby in there but didn’t really understand that reality.
I’m no longer feeling lovey-dovey about my hubby. He is a supreme April Fooler and has given me many near-heart attacks in our time together. And even while I braced for it, he still managed to convince me that I had head lice yesterday. Gullible. Yes, that is me.
These are creepy.
I’m more bothered that I thought I would be that Scott knows the gender of our baby. I mean, that is HUGE! He knows what our family will look like. I hope I will be able to hold out and be surprised at birth.
I need a landscaper. If anyone knows a landscaper who needs a doula (before mid-July), I’d like to barter services. Ridiculous long shot. I know.
I’m reading a birth book written by an engineer. I hate math. She keeps talking about vectors and axis of symmetry. Real sentence from the book: before you can apply mathematics and physics to labor, you have to understand the concept of vectors. Did I mention this book is about birth? It is on my hypnobabies required reading list.
I like this positive parenting website.
I must shut down the computer and get ready to go to the Clemson Babywearing group. Babywearing day is such a long day!
Feeling Lovey-dovey
I’m feeling very grateful for my delicious husband. I’m ever amazed at how he pours himself into our family and how he consistently puts our needs first. He has sacrificed many things so that I can be at home with our daughter.
I still can’t believe that a 16 year old cheerleader somehow meshed with the edgy deadhead in chemistry class oh so many years ago. One day I’ll share the story of how I tricked him into our first date.
He always has been and always will be way cooler than I’ll ever be.
Did you miss it?
Saturday’s Blessways was wonderful! We had a great turn-out of mamas and papas. Earth Fare was such a gracious host location so we have booked the community room through June. Earth Fare donated colorful organic baby socks for each expectant couple and brought in yummy baby products to test.
Erin did free henna art on all our participants. She even did some henna on a nursing baby’s bald head! I wish I’d snapped a picture. I’ve booked Erin to henna my belly when it gets a bit bigger. She would be a wonderful addition to a baby shower or mother blessing. Erin is new to our community and is building her art business–she does murals, face painting, henna, and more. You can contact her at erinzyart[at]aol[dot]com.
Dr. Feiste was so entertaining! He passed around a gomco clamp and talked about the science (or lack thereof) and history of circumcision. He was a really interesting pediatrician–a great option if you’re in the Clemson, Seneca, Oconee, Anderson area.
Natalie gave chair massages or (in my case) belly rubs to all the pregnant moms. Natalie gives great belly rubs! And Mary shared her two very different homebirth stories.
Don’t miss our next Blessingways! Always the 4th Saturday of the month from 2pm-4pm. In April, we’ll hear a positive hospital birth story and our topic will be Breastfeeding.
Inexplicable Ways 