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| Nov. 3, 2013 Lydia is made a Child of God by Uncle Fr. Chrysostom |
November 21, 2013
Claimed for Christ
November 5, 2013
Lydia Pilar
One day old: The siblings arrive home
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| All they wanted to do was put this bow in your hair. |
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| Every time it fell out, they put it back in. |
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| It's purple because the Biblical Lydia was a purveyor of purple cloth. |
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| They took tons of pictures because they were so excited to have a new baby and a SISTER!!!! |
Dear Lydia, On the day you were born...
On the day you were born:
I wasn't surprised to find myself in labor. Your due date was Sept. 8, the Nativity of Mary, and I knew she would guide my labor and pick your birthday. You were born on the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary. We wanted you to have a Marian name, and Pilar is from the title, "Our Lady of the Pillar." Did we have a boy name chosen? I don't remember.
On the day you were born:
It wasn't a great day for Dad to miss work. He had an important meeting to go to and no one to cover for him. Of course, when you made it clear that this was going to be your special day, Dad came home immediately and was my pillar of strength.
On the day you were born:
The midwife and I were texting from breakfast time until she called me and told me not to get into the bath because she was on her way. She didn't want me to deliver you without her.
On the day you were born:
I remember fearing a painful labor, especially transition. I worried and prayed for weeks that Mary would help me bear the pain gracefully. I hardly remember any pain and I don't think I ever had transitional labor.
On the day you were born:
I was standing and holding onto Daddy during contractions when the midwife asked me if I wanted have you in the tub. She had me sit down and showed me that you were only inches away from being born, even though I couldn't tell! She told me to just push you out, and three minutes later, you were here!
On the day you were born:
I was so excited to see if you were a girl, I didn't wait to let Daddy see first. I pulled away the towel and was so excited! We both were. Daddy had a huge smile on his face, but please remember that the midwife is not a photographer.
On the day you were born:
You and Daddy and I snuggled into bed and had a good night's sleep.
I wasn't surprised to find myself in labor. Your due date was Sept. 8, the Nativity of Mary, and I knew she would guide my labor and pick your birthday. You were born on the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary. We wanted you to have a Marian name, and Pilar is from the title, "Our Lady of the Pillar." Did we have a boy name chosen? I don't remember.
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| Sept. 8 |
On the day you were born:
It wasn't a great day for Dad to miss work. He had an important meeting to go to and no one to cover for him. Of course, when you made it clear that this was going to be your special day, Dad came home immediately and was my pillar of strength.
On the day you were born:
The midwife and I were texting from breakfast time until she called me and told me not to get into the bath because she was on her way. She didn't want me to deliver you without her.
On the day you were born:
I remember fearing a painful labor, especially transition. I worried and prayed for weeks that Mary would help me bear the pain gracefully. I hardly remember any pain and I don't think I ever had transitional labor.
On the day you were born:
I was standing and holding onto Daddy during contractions when the midwife asked me if I wanted have you in the tub. She had me sit down and showed me that you were only inches away from being born, even though I couldn't tell! She told me to just push you out, and three minutes later, you were here!
On the day you were born:
I was so excited to see if you were a girl, I didn't wait to let Daddy see first. I pulled away the towel and was so excited! We both were. Daddy had a huge smile on his face, but please remember that the midwife is not a photographer.
On the day you were born:
You and Daddy and I snuggled into bed and had a good night's sleep.
We love you, Little One.
Lydia Pilar May
Sept. 12, 2014, 7:16 pm
9 lbs 2 oz
September 20, 2013
Anti post-partum hemorrhage green smoothie
About 6 or 8 weeks before my delivery date, I decided to get really serious about seeing what I could do to avoid a post partum hemorrhage. This was pregnancy #10 and I have had serious hemorrhages several times before. I was already trying to follow the Brewer pregnancy diet and drink lots of water as a part of a healthy pregnancy diet. But the biggest change was that I drastically reduced my coffee and all caffeine intake*, and I refined the goodness in my green smoothie.
This smoothie became my morning staple. Alfalfa, kale, and chlorophyll all work to build red blood cells along with the Floradix iron supplement. Red raspberries are similar to red raspberry leaf and so are good for uterine atony. Vit K is good for clotting. I added cream or yogurt because Vit K is a fat soluble vitamin and there was no other fat in my morning food and because it tastes good. The banana and pineapple juice were simply to make it sweeter and bind the ingredients together.
Anti Post-partum Hemorrhage Smoothie
Drop 4 alfalfa pills in bottom of blender
Shove blender full of kale--ribs removed
Fill bender halfway with pineapple juice
Blend until smooth
Add 1 banana and a bag of frozen raspberries and blend until smooth. Add water to thin.
Pour into a 12 oz glass.
Add to the glass:
1 tablespoon liquid chrolophyll
1 tablespoon Liquid Vitamin K
2 tablespoons Floradix iron supplement
1-2 tablespoon cream of full fat yogurt
Sugar to taste if it wasn't sweet enough
I must also add that I know my spiritual preparation gave me peace and clarity as I was working to improve my diet. My brother gave me Anointing of the Sick and I asked lots of people to pray for my uterus to heal. One friend made a real sacrifice and offered it for a safe delivery. I love my friends and God has been very gracious to me. I feel His hand and the guidance of the Blessed Mother in this pregnancy and delivery.
*I usually drink at least 2 very dark cups of coffee everyday and am not super worried about how much chocolate or other stray caffeine might sneak in during the day. To be clear, sweet tea and sodas are very unusual, which is why I don't stress if they slip in occasionally. However, I read that caffeine might play a role in PPH, so I became vigilant. I reduced my coffee to less than half a cup a day and all other caffeine went from being unusual to rare. Since caffeine inhibits absorption of other vitamins, I think this was as critical as the smoothie.
The rest of the story:
When I delivered the baby, I did a home waterbirth. The CNM midwife and her RN assistant started preparing for the birth by laying out the meds like Cytotec and Pitocin and there was an IV bag hanging near the sofa bed. We agreed that after I gave birth, I would take an oral Cytotec and get out of the tub to deliver the placenta in the bed which would make it easier for bimanual compressions and the other things if they were needed. She does not manage the delivery of the placenta as that contributes to PPH.
There was quite a bit of blood in the water after the baby came, so after a minute or so I told her I was ready to get out. I walked over to the bed and lay down holding the baby. I delivered the placenta, and we waited. And that was it. She threw away the IV and meds before she left.
My bleeding has been the lightest ever, my milk has come in amazingly fast and full, I feel great...and I'm still drinking the smoothies!
September 8, 2013
40 and 40
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| 40 weeks and 40 years old |
Maria: Is it labor of body more than of the mind?
Bill: Giving birth is not servile work!
July 27, 2013
Mini-farming
When you have 6 boys and almost an acre of land, it's just natural to turn it into a mini farm. We had some hardwoods fall or taken down which created a great weekend project for the kids.
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| Bill learned how to split wood from YouTube |
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| Then he taught everyone big enough to hold an axe how |
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| Others keep busy carrying in free pallets for storing firewood |
We've also discovered that the crabapple tree I've been whining about for 2 years--because it's healthy and pretty but the fruit is inedible--is actually a pear tree! We now have 2 fruit bearing trees, including my birthday fig tree.
Last week as we were clearing around our sunflower house, I found 2 volunteer tomato plants with green tomatoes. And the herb garden Thomas cleared and planted for me is thriving on neglect. That's my kind of gardening.
July 26, 2013
Happy Birthday, Cecilia!
At age 9, Cecilia:
*loves animals
*wants to train horses when she grows up
*shares a bedroom with 3 brothers
*enjoys AHG
*chose taquitos and Cold Stone chocolate ice cream cake for her birthday dinner
May 1, 2013
Confirmation!
As the twins prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation, the director of religious described this sacrament as stirring up the Holy Spirit in your soul the way that chocolate syrup is stirred up into milk. You could leave it at the bottom of the glass, or you can stir it up. Well, they've been stirred!!!!!
We gave the twins some general guidelines for choosing a Confirmation sponsor: try to pick someone you will know for the rest of your life and someone with whom you are comfortable discussing your faith and asking for guidance. Pick a mentor. They did a great job choosing.
I know that bishops aren't chosen for their photogenic qualities, but we appreciate how photogenic and patient our bishop is. We were at the back of the line, and he was just as gracious and funny as if he hadn't been standing in the same spot, fully vested, unfed, and smiling for hours.
Since everyone was looking extra beautiful, we also took some belated Easter pictures.
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| Thomas Matthew and his sponsor and godmother Michele |
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| Anthony George and his sponsor and our dear friend Paula |
We gave the twins some general guidelines for choosing a Confirmation sponsor: try to pick someone you will know for the rest of your life and someone with whom you are comfortable discussing your faith and asking for guidance. Pick a mentor. They did a great job choosing.
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| Michele, Thomas and Bishop Michael Burbidge |
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| Paula, Anthony and Bishop Burbidge |
I know that bishops aren't chosen for their photogenic qualities, but we appreciate how photogenic and patient our bishop is. We were at the back of the line, and he was just as gracious and funny as if he hadn't been standing in the same spot, fully vested, unfed, and smiling for hours.
Since everyone was looking extra beautiful, we also took some belated Easter pictures.
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| Bill, Anthony, Thomas, Rachel (and back-wrapped baby for the extra long Confirmation Mass win!) |
March 22, 2013
Update around our house
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| Last weekend AHG, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from our parish went camping at the Catholic Camporee. All of our family came and had a great time climbing the Alpine tower, doing a scavenger hunt and earning the Fr. McGivney patch. |
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| I thought to keep Dominic occupied with washing some dishes like I had watched my friend do with her toddler a few days before. Her son played happily for an hour while she and I had tea and a chat. When I set up the chair near the sink for Dominic, he immediately climbed up and in! |
February 14, 2013
February 11, 2013
Catholic Fun
Obviously, the announcement of the retirement of Benedict XVI came as a sad shock this morning. After Mass, my friends and I huddled in the rain talking it over and encouraging each other. Then my friend Alison came up with a brilliant plan: she is going to run a Lenten betting pool in which we pay in $5 to pick which continent the new pope will be from. Then, on St. Joseph's day we'll all meet for drinks and celebrate the winner. Gambling and drinking. I love being Catholic!
February 9, 2013
iTeam makes the paper
The boys' First Lego League team won the North Carolina state championship and made the local paper. They have been invited to compete in the North American Tournament at Legoland in California in May!
http://www.thepilot.com/news/2013/feb/01/county-team-takes-state-lego-crown/
http://www.thepilot.com/news/2013/feb/01/county-team-takes-state-lego-crown/
February 2, 2013
Mardi Gras Miles
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| Maria decided to run the 5k without any training. She did very well. |
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| Joseph strutting his stuff |
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| James stayed at the front of the pack for the younger kids |
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| Joseph and James after their 10 minute run. At the end of each lap they get a necklace |
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| Cecilia ran 8 laps and then asked for her inhaler |
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| Charles led the older runners for several laps |
January 11, 2013
Annual homeschool post
Yesterday at the park, I told a friend who has special knowledge in the area that I have very recently discovered that some of my kids have dyslexia. I was standing with a mutual friend who is in the same boat as me. Friend #1's response was intended to be funny, and she said in a joking, exasperated tone, "What have you guys been doing all these years?" I admit, that comment pierced my soul.
I think I was hurt by the implication that I had either been lazing around or not paying attention and that is why we have just figured this out. Since I first started teaching our kids to read, and we have 6 who read now, I have seen little indications that there was "something there" with them. We used a phonics based method to teach them to read and spell. I did try to teach them to form their letters correctly, put tails below the line and ascenders above, and not to confuse "b" and "d". I have pointed out mistakes and I made them recopy misspelled and poorly punctuated papers that we had to turn in to the school. Almost every paper they wrote, I wrote out first or typed into the computer. I helped them edit each paper line by line, talking through adjectives and adverbs, introductory phrases, transitions, and how to take "there is" out. And it didn't stop there.
When I saw that they struggled to retain information from their text books, I read them out loud. When math had them stumped, I wrote out each step while they told me what to do next. And when I saw that their Language Arts standardized test scores didn't match what we thought they should achieve, I blamed myself for not trying hard enough (which I wasn't) and redesigned and retaught our spelling curriculum.
I had to spell that out because I think over time I will forget the work I did to help my kids learn and only remember what I didn't do. I didn't teach spelling consistently when I was lying on the floor in the bathroom with hyper-emesis. I didn't knock down doors fighting for the kid who I knew needed speech therapy at age 4 but the health insurance considered him fine until he was 9. I told myself that letter reversals were normal at a young age and never tried to figure out what age they are no longer normal. I also had to spell it out because otherwise I would have overlooked the natural accommodations I made as a homeschooling mom who knew her kids well and knew their abilities and limits.
When people new to homeschooling say that they think it's great because you can tailor the curriculum to each child, I always try to moderate their enthusiasm a bit. I explain that having 6 students at different ages makes it hard to design a unique curriculum for each child, so often you end up doing the same thing with each child at the same age. To me, this isn't really any different from a brick school which uses the same curriculum for the same grade each year. I don't want to discourage them, but I do want them to understand homeschooling reality.
But after the comment of what have you been doing all these years, I began to look at our curriculum a little differently. Foremost, I've seen the benefit of using a curriculum that insisted on phonics based reading. Otherwise, I don't think my kids would be able read at all. I've also seen the small changes I have made in day-to-day assignments by reading aloud or answering questions orally or grading compositions on content separately from mechanics or doing the writing for them or saying, "School's over. We'll do that tomorrow." I have tailored a curriculum that worked for our family into a curriculum that supported dyslexic children effortlessly. I'm going to remember that the next time someone gushes about homeschoolers being able to make the curriculum fit their family. And the next time someone asks, "What have you been doing all these years?"
I think I was hurt by the implication that I had either been lazing around or not paying attention and that is why we have just figured this out. Since I first started teaching our kids to read, and we have 6 who read now, I have seen little indications that there was "something there" with them. We used a phonics based method to teach them to read and spell. I did try to teach them to form their letters correctly, put tails below the line and ascenders above, and not to confuse "b" and "d". I have pointed out mistakes and I made them recopy misspelled and poorly punctuated papers that we had to turn in to the school. Almost every paper they wrote, I wrote out first or typed into the computer. I helped them edit each paper line by line, talking through adjectives and adverbs, introductory phrases, transitions, and how to take "there is" out. And it didn't stop there.
When I saw that they struggled to retain information from their text books, I read them out loud. When math had them stumped, I wrote out each step while they told me what to do next. And when I saw that their Language Arts standardized test scores didn't match what we thought they should achieve, I blamed myself for not trying hard enough (which I wasn't) and redesigned and retaught our spelling curriculum.
I had to spell that out because I think over time I will forget the work I did to help my kids learn and only remember what I didn't do. I didn't teach spelling consistently when I was lying on the floor in the bathroom with hyper-emesis. I didn't knock down doors fighting for the kid who I knew needed speech therapy at age 4 but the health insurance considered him fine until he was 9. I told myself that letter reversals were normal at a young age and never tried to figure out what age they are no longer normal. I also had to spell it out because otherwise I would have overlooked the natural accommodations I made as a homeschooling mom who knew her kids well and knew their abilities and limits.
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| This is my handwriting but their thoughts |
When people new to homeschooling say that they think it's great because you can tailor the curriculum to each child, I always try to moderate their enthusiasm a bit. I explain that having 6 students at different ages makes it hard to design a unique curriculum for each child, so often you end up doing the same thing with each child at the same age. To me, this isn't really any different from a brick school which uses the same curriculum for the same grade each year. I don't want to discourage them, but I do want them to understand homeschooling reality.
But after the comment of what have you been doing all these years, I began to look at our curriculum a little differently. Foremost, I've seen the benefit of using a curriculum that insisted on phonics based reading. Otherwise, I don't think my kids would be able read at all. I've also seen the small changes I have made in day-to-day assignments by reading aloud or answering questions orally or grading compositions on content separately from mechanics or doing the writing for them or saying, "School's over. We'll do that tomorrow." I have tailored a curriculum that worked for our family into a curriculum that supported dyslexic children effortlessly. I'm going to remember that the next time someone gushes about homeschoolers being able to make the curriculum fit their family. And the next time someone asks, "What have you been doing all these years?"
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