I have Joined the Gang.. of mothers

Three weeks ago I felt a love I have never experienced before.

I was automatically enamored with my baby's every move from the moment he was placed upon my chest. The love I now  have for my husband and son is over flowing and I cannot believe that I have more love to give and receive.

But on the real, I look like a freshmen after their first week of exams; baggy eyed, hazed out, and constantly concerned (except now it is for my son and not my future as a college student).

A close friend of mine had her first baby three months prior to me; I thought it was funny when she had said to me, " I always wondered why mothers are so busy, but now I realize it is because babies eat and poo all day", now that I have joined the gang of mothers I too understand why we mothers are constantly busy.

Speaking of gangs, joining the band of mothers is way more intense than joining any other gang.

• For one, most gangs initiations don't take over your body for nine months. 
• Two, Gangs tend to haze as part of the initiation, which at most lasts only a few hours, but labour (my labour to be exact) can take as long as 24 hours. I have read that a women even had a 75 day labour. Story of woman's amazing 75 day labour (aka Super Mama)
• Three, gangs tend to take people 'out', but becoming a mother is way more difficult for we bring people in. 
• Lastly, gangs often take people under their wings and teach them their ways, most of which are bad, but we mothers take the long and hard route by giving our children our very best with the hope that they seek the right ways.  

 Intense, yes joining the gang of motherhood is, and it is the most amazing kind of intensity. 

Things in life will be intense, that is inevitable.
It is up to you to decide if the intense experience you are being faced with is good or bad. Your experience's 'goodness' is determined by its intent.  For instance, joining a gang is extremely bad if the gang's 'intent' is to destroy lives for self gain; on the other hand, joining the gang of mothers is extremely great because our 'intent' is to create lives and to give of ourselves. 

We have all heard the cliche phrase: no pain no gain, and here it truly applies. Three weeks post-partum and I am not writing this to flatter the world with lies about the ease of parenting, but I am here to revel with others about the joys of beholding the fruits of our labour. Nothing has given me a greater respect for my parents and every generation that has come before me. Love is the intent of parenthood: thats what makes this 'gang' so great. 

Crochet Baby: Bow Tie & Diaper Cover with Suspenders.

I am a pinhead ( someone who spends way to much time on pinterest ). 

I get trapped in pinning countless things and then only do a handful of them. As for the things I have made, my latest pinning addiction has been finding cute baby items.

One particular baby outfit I found was this: 

I straight up took this picture as a crochet challenge! 

First I found a video on how to make a bow tie: 

This video is good for any level crocheter. 

Plus, I am huge fan of this woman's video. 

Here is My finished product of the bow tie. 

This is the first one I have ever made, 

and I must admit I don't think it is 

to shabby. 

Second, I made a diaper cover. 

I followed the same woman who taught me

how to make a bow tie. There are tons of 

videos on youtube for diaper covers and bow ties, 

but I have always found her to be very clear and 

straight forward. Here is the video I followed to make

a  crochet diaper cover. 

Thirdly, I made up a pattern for the suspender part ( which is a minor big deal for me as a newbie crochet artist). The pattern I used was beyond simple and any one could do it. 

The suspender pattern is chain 3, and then single crochet in those three for about 10 inches worth. Then, chain three and slip stich to create a small loop to attach to the button. Lastly, I  sewed the two buttons onto the diaper cover. 

This is my diaper cover and suspenders: 

I also made a matching hat and slippers, but that will be

for another post. I cannot wait for this baby to here, so I can 

dress him up in the fun crocheted things I have made him. 

What are your favorite crochet baby items on the pin? 

Binkie Clothes Clips

As a newbie sewer, I have been finding fun easy projects for baby man. My latest accomplishment is a  binkie clip. This project is super easy and instantly gratifying.

The supplies you need:
 1.Wide Ribbon or Cloth Scraps ( I used scraps)
 2. Suspender/Mitten Clips
 3. Hair band
 4. Sewing Machine


I followed this video on you tube:

  I did not have ribbon at the time, but I think my project would have been slightly easier and come out more clean cut if I did. Either way, I found this video super easy to follow. 

The only thing I really did different was use scrap fabric. Here are the results of the first two I made.

Hula Hooping beyond the due date!

Hula hooping while pregnant is a relaxing and joyful way to exercise.
Yet, Hula hooping in the third trimester adds more of a comic relief to your life than your average exercise.

 Comically I am still trying to maintain an exercise routine of some sorts. Exercise or just forcing myself to move has been beneficial mentally and physically. With all that said, I must not hide the realistic humours facts that exercising this far along has it's challenges. For one, I constantly feel like I have to run to the bathroom. Two, hiking is now waddling, or my preferred name pregnant strutting. And three, the heat ( last week felt like July ) creates swelling; the cure to swelling is drinking water, which brings me back to issue number uno.

  Back to the note of hula hooping past the point of ready to pop, I am grateful that I have learned to do more than just hula hoop around my stomach. Stomach hooping is more challenging than ever and I often spend more time picking it off the ground than actually hooping when attempting the normal hooping methods. So, I have resorted to working on my arms, chest, upper back, & my sides.

 Halos are my best friend. This exercise is when you twirl your hoop with your hands like a halo above your head [hence the name]. There are various ways you can do halos; right hand, left hand, prayer hands, and hand off position. Each of these positions tone a different part of of your upper body.

   Passing, a bit more challenging at this stage in the game but definitely do able. Passing is exactly what the name means. To pass, you literally just pass the hoop around your body from one hand to next.

  Upper body, chest, shoulder, and neck are also great ways to avoid tummy hooping. These movement burn lots of calories and get your heart rate up. Lately, I have been trying to master Babz Robinson's trick tutorial, Should Duck Out, that is a great way to utilize the skills learned with these movements.  

Good luck moving around!

Energetically 40 weeks and counting

 This last Tuesday marked my 40th week of pregnancy.
It is still shocking to me that any day now my son will make his grand entrance into this world. Thankfully, my energy level has risen along with my anticipation.

Energy, I feel like super women lately. I wish I had this much energy when I was in college. Normally this energy would be attributed to the half a gallon of coffee I drank, but this natural perk of being a pregger is amazing. I highly suggest the drug companies get a hold of this, or when in doubt of your body's ability to give you energy just add a dose of 40 weeks pregnant to your drink.

 This sh*t is crazy, I wake up about every couple hours through out the night. Each time I awake happier than the next. Yes, it is a minor hassle finding the bathroom in the dark, but for some reason I am filled with joy and a surge of energy. When I finally arise for the day, I could not be more excited to get out of bed at unusually early hours: like 5 am!

 I cannot claim to be a night owl, for I pass out intensely when I do fall asleep. For example,  as I woke up for my 2 am bathroom regimen I realized my bra was still on and I needed to brush my teeth.

 All this energy, has brought me hope in my body's ability to conquer the next couple of weeks as a First Time Mom. I know our baby can arrive at any moment now and I pray to God that I will still have this energy to pull me through those first couple of days and weeks.

Ultimately, I would classify this week as anxiously energetic. I am beyond anxious to meet the little man my body has nurtured for 9 months, and I am the energizer bunny when it comes to prepping his new home.. our home.

Modified Bed Rest 35 Weeks

    I have been having one of those weeks that if my family and I make it out alive we wil have to celebrate. I don't feel like going into full detail, but lets just say I could not be happier it is Friday!

 It has been a while since I updated my weekly splurge about being pregnant, and I am going to give you a quick catch up to the point of modified bed rest.

 In the past few weeks I have been fervently enjoying my time working in the outdoors as a Teacher Naturalist. I love every minute of my job, leading school groups & teaching them about the great outdoors. Then, on Monday night, I started to get an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. I tried the ol'e ignore the feeling technique as my stomach hardened and I sprawled out on my bed in the position a flying squirrel is seen to be in mid air.

 Annoyed and queasy, I was unable to address the issue at hand, for Monday's troubles (aka my car is still in the shop thanks to the large medal rod that decided to cross the street on our way to birth class) did not allow us time for that.

 Tuesday, I called my mom (which is part of my daily routine) and told her about my symptoms. Thanks to my mother, I decided it was time to give the midwife a ring a ding ding. Low and behold I have an irritable uterus, personally I thought she was doing a fine job not being to fussy, an effacement reading of 80%, and a captain baby explorer has found his way to the lowest parts of his encasement.

All in all, I was told for the next two weeks (till I am fullterm) I have to take it easy. Which if you know me at all is a challenge, but when it is added with my innate desire to prepare the nest for this baby bird it is altogether borderline comical.

I am in that mental place where I restlessly make lists, read books, finished all baby shower thank you notes, pinterest every last baby thing possible, and now trying to map my way out of the black hole of youtube.

 This week, I went from having zero energy to feeling like I did lines of coke on our new stroller. All my wonderful energy &  desire to walk blissfully in the long awaited warm sunshine was put on a halt, so here is a fair warning: expect to see more post from here until 37 weeks.

Bring on a Full Term Baby!

 As a result of this weeks pondering,  I would like every one to take a moment and think of their mother gratefully & respectfully. Then, I would like to give a shout out to all the mommas and papas sacrificing themselves selflessly for their babies. These beautiful people are signs to all of us that unconditional love surronds us, so when you are in doubt that true love exist go find yourself a public place and watch the families taking care of one another and know it exist in all of us. 

Fears of Hula Hooping Pregnant

 


            Through out my pregnancy, I have heard many people adress their fears of Hula Hooping during pregnancy. Sensibly so,no one wants to hurt their precious baby and spinning a hoop around your stomach can often seem threatening, but the truth is that your baby is well protected in the amniotic fluid. Like any work out though, you should check with your dr. or midwife before you start.

   My midwife advised me that it was okay to hula hoop through out pregnancy and that it even had many benefits. Some of the benefits I have found are:

• Hula Hooping lightens up my mood & relieves my stress  { It's enjoyable }
• I am able to raise my heart rate & energy levels 
• Strengthens my abs & core 
•  Strengthens my floor muscles in preparation for birth 

   When I am grumpy, bloated, & overwhelmed I often get stressed out and sleepy. But, I have found that if I find something to take my mind off my negative thoughts I am able to overcome this temptation. Hula Hooping, is my favorite way to lighten up. I am able to escape from reality for minute, workout, get some endurance, & dance. I love that Hula Hooping changes my mood and and relieves me of stress. 

  Raising my heart rate now that I am 30 weeks pregnant is no challenge. This is so much so that one should watch their heart beat while hooping. Hooping has proven to be a great way for me to bring my heart rate up without having to worry about over working my body. As with all workouts, Hula Hooping gives you more energy ( not that won't be tired.. especially in your third trimester ) but you will maintain healthy levels of energy. 

    A common fear of us preggers is that we will let our bodies go to the waste side, yet with Hula Hooping I am able to maintain strengthened muscles fairly easy. I find it empowering to be able to enjoy working out during these special months ( even if I cannot afford to swim all winter). 

   Theses are the benefits I have recognized as important, but if you are a hooper please share with me your findings. I hope that this little excerpt released your fear about hooping pregnant and empowers you to embrace whatever your heart seeks. 

On the note of whatever your heart seeks, if Hula Hooping is not your thing, I would love to know, as I have shared with you, what is and why? 

Swag

        
I heart polyvore! My older sister Angelena
is super amazing at setting up awesome sets
 on polyvore and is my inspiration. 

Swag by knoway on Polyvore

Soil Blocks

Soil Blocks

I have a tendency to call soil blocks seed pods, but the name 'soil blocks' suits them well. They are block in shape and form and made out of soil {duh}. I happen to want to call them seed pods because they are where we plant our seeds. Johnny's selected seeds sells this amazing tool that allows you to make soil blocks. I love this little tool and if you want to see it for yourself check out: Johnny's soil block maker. 

Today, I am writing about soil block makers because yesterday I made 150 soil blocks. I have been working in the green house making soil blocks with a soil we mixed particularly for soil blocks. For information about the recipe we used to make the soil check out:

 Soil Block Recipe. 

I have found that the only difficulty making these blocks has been getting the soil the correct consistency. I have found that it is easy to add to much or to little water which will determine the the form of your block. The above picture is the soil blocks with the broccoli  we planted a week ago. 

29 Weeks

                                   

Nap! 

All I want is a nap after I nap, 

and maybe even another nap before I take a nap. 

Apparently, 29 weeks of caring FOR a silent gnome makes me really sleepy. 

'The Bump' kindly reminds us pregos that 29 WEEKS only leads to more fun! 

I have also noticed, my attire is dwindling along with my energy.
I have a closet full of nothing to wear and a protruding belly underneath my
'I don't ever leave the house attire'. The comfort level of my clothes increases
with each week of this pregnancy.

Example:      Week 18: I looked at a pair of heels and thought: 'I could pull these off' 

                 Week 29: I look at a pair of shoes, laugh, and grab my slippers that are        equivalent to a sleeping bag for my feet 

As for my attempting to look human in the past couple of months I have been reading & 

scouting out more fashionably appropriate attire for this body o' mine. This little picture presents a great way to work that new body in style for when I do get out of my pajamas. 

Hope this picture is either helpful or at least makes you laugh. 

For as the great poet Jimmy Buffet once said, yes my parents are parrot heads making me a parrot keet, " If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."

Changes in latitudes and attitudes is an understatement, for I am not one to deny that as my latitude has changed so has my attitude. Now for a moment with Jimmy as I pretend to be a beached whale with  a margarita! 

the true confessions of a Hula Hooping Mama

Happy 50th Birthday Hula Hoop Patent  
U.S. Patent Number 3,079,728)! 


Today marks 50 years since the Hula Hoop was patented! 

For this reason, I would like to celebrate by sharing my love for the hula hoop. 

I have been hula hooping adamantly for over two years. If you are reading this wondering if I was one of those hula hoop prodigies, I am going to splurge my confessions here. 

In the beginning, I was the type of girl that would not be caught dead in a hula hoop contest. The thought of being put on the spot, or in the circle if you so please, was horrifying to me. 

Then on one latin immersion weekend, a weekend spent speaking only in latin with college classmates (If you don't believe that my college did this; see video below), I bonded with the Hula Hoop! 

Now if you are wondering how Latin immersion and Hula Hooping have anything in common, let me explain myself: 

While hooping, a great realization dawned upon me; namely, no one really tries to communicate with someone that is swinging a large plastic pipe around their hips. 

Waa Laa, my love for the hula hoop was born out of my inability to respond in Latin. Personally, I loved listening to others talk in Latin, but responding was a bigger challenge. 

Today, I am proud to say that: I am 7 months pregnant and still hooping! 

In the following weeks I am going to adress the good, the bad, and the ugly about hooping throughout my last months pregnant and beyond. 

Week 26

Family

Mom & Nana sending me off 

  This week I would like to share with you the lessons I have learned regarding the value of Family.

   Saturday I headed down south to Florida to aid my grandparents. My grandfather had a spill and fractured his hip. My mother, the amazing woman she is, bought me tickets to come the same time as she was coming. I left Delaware around  2pm and officially arrived at my destination at 7pm. I was greeted by the smiling face of my grandmother, whom I call Nana, and we drove to the rehab center where my grandfather was staying. 

  
        The rehab center, known as "The Club", looked more like a four star hotel than a place for elderly patients. The walls were all brick and the outside area had a mini water fall complete with a statue of a young women with her hand directed towards the sunny sky. 
   
     In my grandfather's room, the tv lulled in the background, the hall sounded with a constant beeping to alert the nurses of other patients in need, & the shuffling of nurses preparing medications was all part of the environment. This environment in and of itself was overwhelming to me, but the most intense part was gazing upon a man that has embodied strength throughout my life sitting vulnerably in a wheelchair. 
   
      Vulnerability is something no human can avoid in one's life. From the moment we are greeted by the world to our last breath we are vulnerable. Babies and the elderly just so happen to be in a more constant state of vulnerability than those of us that are in the state of self-sufficiency. We are all  born into the world exposed, naked, and defenseless. I do not remember my first year of life, nor my second for that matter, but I do know that without my family I would not have made it to this day. 
   
       Strength & Safety, words that describe the opposite of vulnerability. We all strive to feel content with ourselves and our community, but it is not an easy task. As mortal beings we all know that hanging over our heads is the fact that our lives will come to an end, and we too will be vulnerable to our fates. 

But, how does all this relate to family? 
As a fellow member of a very strong Italian family, I can attest for the fact that the love I have received provides the strength & security I need to find peace within myself. Families are the foundation of society because they provide the love that is needed to sustain humanity. Without this unconditional love  we will self destruct. Ultimately, we need one another for we are not autonomous beings. Unconditional love is the glue that keeps families together, and when families stay together the society will follow their lead. 

   If you are wondering what the heck this has to do with being 26 weeks pregnant, let me tell you. This last week has taught me that as I enter the last trimester I am not just some girl who is not working a corporate position, but I am something much greater than a title, I am bearing the fruits of society with the graces of unconditional love. I am fulfilling what I feel to be my call from God, and I think it is about time people start speaking up about the true importance of family. We are all called to be apart of a family, whether it be blood related or not we must all take a step back and realize that we need to support The Family Unit above else with unconditional love!  

Week 25

                                                  Echo Cardio Ultrasound

All I have to say about this is 3 things:

1)Patience; 2 hours in the waiting room, and patience just so happens to not be my "thing".

2) Anxiety; the feeling a mother gets when the woman figuring out if all is ok makes crazy faces.

3) Relief; the moment the doctor came in to tell us he had nothing to say other than baby is healthy!

Week 23

Pregnancy Week 23:

                            Acrobatic baby movements are happening inside me!

Last night, while watching Netflix, I felt our baby doing what felt like a summersault.
I am happy to know that baby is enjoying himself, but man oh man does he make me nervous.
This week I would classify as circus training week for baby.


I was an active womb baby.
As a baby in the womb, my mother told me that I would often move around and she would get nervous
when I stopped moving. Thankfully my mother is an apprehensive woman, for if she had not paid close attention to my movements would not have been alarmed when I had quit moving and had tangled myself in my umbilical chord 4 x around my neck.

This little piece of information has me counting kicks, movements, and the full on acrobatic training schedule. As a Result,  this post is  a shout out to any mother who has or is neurotically counting their baby's movements!

God Bless Wiggly Babies!!

22 Weeks

I am officially feeling my little baby move about more than ever before.

The routine has consistently been: 

A) baby moving as I go to bed 

B) whenever baby hears his dad's voice 

C) Or whenever I put my laptop on my belly 

My appetite is growing as well as my baby. 

Prior to this week I had to remind myself to eat, but now, I am reminding myself to eat proportionally. 

My growing appetite has affected my morphing baby bump tremendously and I am now starting to round out and feeling like Violet, from Willy Wonka, turning into a blueberry! 

Here is what I am referencing; in case you wanted a more accurate visual. 

Violet Beauregarde turns into a Blueberry (FULL HD)  http://youtu.be/uQkDOs-EtdU

Sushi!

Tonight I made my first batch of sushi!

I am no way of an oriental background, and was at first very intimidated by this process.
But, I am glad to share with you that this is something you can do too!

California/Philadelphia Rolls

Step 1:
The sushi rice

*This entailed making white rice.
* Then boiling rice vinegar with sugar & salt.



Step 2:
The stuff that will be rolled

* Cut up imitation crab meat & avocado. ( For a California Roll)
*Cut up smoked salmon & cream cheese.  (For a Philadelphia Roll)


Step 3:
Lay Rice on top of Nori Seaweed Sheet.
*Don't go over board with this.
* You want to be able to see the Nori through the rice layer.

Step 4:
Cover bamboo mat with plastic wrap
* be sure that your plastic wrap is flat.

Step 5:
Lay the rice side of the Nori down on the cover bamboo matt.

Step 6:
Place fish and avocado or cream cheese strips vertically across.

Step 7:
Roll it all up

Step 8:
Ask husband to cut the rolls!

Once again, I must give credit to youtube's wonderful abundance of information.
This is the Howcast video I watched:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz9EAqTBrNw

If you have found another great sushi video please feel free to share in the comments!

Thanks for reading!

Snowflakes & 21 weeks Pregnant

 

 Last night,  marked the first snowfall I have seen in Delaware this year, and the beginning of the first week past half way point of this pregnancy! 

At first, only rain hit our windshield as my husband drove from the grocery store back to our house, but then the temperature slid down and was officially right where it needed to be to create the beautiful white pixie dust showering. 

  Being the person that I am, I found this particular snowfall to be in correlation to the way in which all life begins. All of us know that we are not here by our own accord, for we are here on  God's accord.

     

     He has formed us, like snowflakes, when the temperature was right and the season has so called upon us to join the world in all it's magnificence. 

   We are all called to glitter in the sun and blanket the world with our splendor. Babies, like snowflakes, glitter and blanket the world with their splendor by just being who they are namely; a baby. 

     Christ has called us to be child-like, and what is more child-like than being a baby,  I speculate that if we, like babies and snowflakes, could stop pondering ways to glitter but instead we just glittered by our very being we would all throughly embrace the the beauty around us. 

  Enough with my speculations and on to what I know to be a reality, I could not feel more blessed to just be, and in just be I mean pregnant. I am becoming more and more aware everyday of this journey that I am a part of something much greater than I.

      My days do not consists of doing anything particularly magical, but each day I feel my baby reminding me that   If I  just be   the miraculous will happen and is happening! 

Half Way There: Living on a Prayer

Halfway point in my first pregnancy is finally here.

Halfway there: Living on a Prayer

        My husband and I got out the finest fermented grapes Welches sells and celebrated joyfully last night for yesterday, was one of the most exhilarating days of our life. Throughout this pregnancy I have been forewarned about the multitude of negative things my poor innocent baby may inherit or acquire, but yesterday I climbed the mountain of stress and and summited it with sweat stains. At 8:30 in the morning, my husband and I arrived at the Delaware Center for Maternal and Fetal Medicine for a genetic counseling appointment and our first ultrasound. The genetic counseling advisor had been a very comforting well informed women who set my mind at ease; for whatever ease that was worth  prior to finding out how my little baby is fairing in this crazy world.
       After the genetic counseling, my nervous self dragged my sweat drenched body into the bathroom, for the third time since the hour or so we had been there, in the bathroom I tried to be as quick as I could, for fear they would call my name to have my ultrasound while I was in there. But to my surprise, they had not only not called my name shortly after I left the bathroom, but instead they had left us to sit with thoughts racing in the waiting room for 45 minutes. During my long wait, my husband managed to relieve his stress with his gameboy mumbling vulgar terms underneath his breath as his Tetras game was forcing him to concentrate on the little blocks on the screen. After about 40 games, he offered to let me try, I had found concentrating on the blocks was helpful until I realized I must have sounded like I had tretts. Finally they called my name, and as I rose to my feat I realized my pregnant body would once again have to make a date with their washroom.
    When I had gotten into the room the lights were turned off and the only glowing light in the room was the screens in which I would see my sweet baby for the first time. The nurse put warm jelly on my stomach and before I knew it the moment I had been waiting for 20 weeks had finally became a reality. My sweet baby was no longer a an image in my mind; my baby's tiny features were everything I had imagined and more. After the nurse measured every little part of our baby, the Doctor came into tell us the results of the measurements. She told us baby looked healthy, but one of the measurements shows that the chances of having down syndrome had risen quite a bit, so she decided to measure baby another time. The second measurement came out much better, probably because baby stopped being an acrobat for a minute, and my husband and I could not have felt a bigger feeling of stress being taken off our chests.
     Yesterday, could not have been a bigger awakening to God's amazing presence within our lives. Seeing the angel God has sent us from above was such a moving experience and I could not be more grateful to Him for his omnipresent love. God's gift of love is so beyond me, but I cannot deny that it radiates throughout my being and I could not be more gracious for this mind-boggling gift.

..each according to his or her possibilities, profession and responsibilities, should feel in themselves an obligation to love and serve life, from its beginning to its natural end. It is, in fact, everyone's duty to welcome human life as a gift to be respected, protected and promoted, even more so when it is fragile and in need of attention and care, either before birth or when it is in its final stages."
~ Pope Benedict XVI, Welcome Life, Before Birth and in its Final Stages, February 3, 2008 ~