Levi & Ben

Our second set of twins arrived much differently than our first set! At 33 weeks my doctor transferred me to a high risk practice after he was concerned that one of the babies wasn't growing properly. This new group of doctors validated his concern, and so began the roller-coaster of intensive ultrasounds and doctor appointments. The doctors believed there to be some sort of twin-twin transfusion syndrome or at least intrauterine growth discordance. The presenting baby was unusually large for his gestational age while his twin brother was unusually small for his gestational age. The big baby had too much fluid, while the little one barely had enough. The fear was that if this would continue, either baby could die before birth- the bigger baby from toxicity and the little one from not getting enough nutrients and blood flow. In the midst of those stressful few days, the Lord flooded us with His presence. 

Although I was extremely uncomfortable due to the excess fluid I was carrying, I was comforted by the fact that the babies continued to be very active inside of me. We had our bags packed and ready with each hospital visit, not knowing if I would be admitted. 

We had some hard decisions to make in regards to the birthing method, but after much discussion and prayer, we felt that a c-section would be the best for both babies. The day before my scheduled delivery, I went in for my pre-op blood work. When I got there late morning, my blood pressure had sky-rocketed and I was showing signs of pre-eclampsia. It was decided that our babies would be delivered that day. I was 34 weeks and 5 days. I walked into the OR a few minutes after 6:00 pm. At 6:39, Levi was born weighing 5 pounds, 12 ounces. At 6:40, little Benjamin was born, weighing 3 pounds, 2 ounces. Levi was whisked into an adjoining room with separate attendees, while a group of nurses and doctors attended to Benjamin just a few feet away. They were both quickly taken to the NICU, and besides a quick glance at each bundled up baby, that was the last I saw of them for the next 28 hours. 

I didn't do so well with the spinal anesthesia. A few minutes after they administered it, I got the migraine of a lifetime and felt extremely nauseous during the surgery, vomiting almost the entire time. Not how I had imagined the whole thing to go! I developed severe pre-eclampsia during the surgery, and the next 24 hours I was monitored for seizures and put on Mag- Sulfate.I will spare you the details, but it was the sickest I had ever been.

Even though Levi was a good size at birth, he was unable to breathe on his own. He was on CPAP for over a week, along with a feeding tube.He was under a giraffe warmer to maintain his body temp.

Baby Ben was always able to breathe room air, even though he was so small! He also had an IV, monitors and a feeding tube. Because of his birth weight, he was confined to an isolette to maintain his body temp.

Here I am meeting Benjamin for the first time. All the tubes and wires were a little overwhelming. And bonding with these babies was so different than with my others. I never had to change their meconium, nor did I see their cords fall off. I wasn't the one giving them their first baths. I missed those first few days of cuddling skin to skin. Everyday I received a report from a stranger that knew more about my sons than I did! The turning point for me was when Levi first latched on- it flooded me with a love for my sweet boys. Everything was going to be okay. God is good, even when things go differently than we had anticipated.

Ben

 Ben

Levi

We had to maneuver lots of wires and tubes to get the babies in a picture together. This was the first picture of them together...

Baby Ben

Levi means "joined together in harmony." Although there was a lot of 'disharmony' in-utero, our prayer is that these brothers will share a harmony as they grow old together, most importantly, a bond in Christ. Benjamin means "son of my right hand." Our prayer is that Benjamin will be a faithful son even into our old age. Levi's middle name is Leendert, a Dutch variation of Leonard. Leendert was the name of Abe's paternal grandfather who had 11 children, and Levi is our # 11.Benjamin's middle name is Jacob. Jacob was my maternal grandfather's name. He was the father of 12 children, and Ben is our #12. We both come from large Christian Dutch families- what a rich heritage to pass on!

Baby Levi

Both babies were fed through a NG tube. I am grateful that they were able to receive donated breast milk until my milk came in. Kudos to ladies who donate milk to help these sweet babies get the best start in life- what a blessing!! It took over a week for my milk to come in with round-the-clock pumping. Then they were given my milk through the NG tube while I tried to nurse them as well. Levi took right to breastfeeding, but it took Ben a bit longer to latch on. I was able to nurse them for 3 feedings in the hospital during the day and they were given bottles for the remaining feedings. I didn't know it at the time, but they also were adding formula to my breast-milk to give them more calories. The upside- they were gaining each day and meeting the milestones necessary to come home.

After I was discharged, I developed excruciating pain in my lower back and legs, to the point that I could barely walk. I believe it was from the spinal I received as it was just below the region where the needle was inserted. It was hard to sit long days in the same position in the NICU and I became exhausted. The sweet nurses in the NICU warmed up rice socks and made me ice-packs to help relieve some of the pain, but they finally encouraged me to stay home and rest for a few days. It was hard to leave my babies for a few days (and I shed plenty of tears during that time), but I knew I needed to heal. I am SO thankful for my amazing husband who daily went to care for our babies. He tirelessly held them, fed them their bottles, changed them and loved on them. He also prayed daily over each baby while he held each one. On one occasion he had Luke with him. Luke was holding little Benjamin and when he heard his dad pray over Levi, he started praying in a loud clear voice over his little brother as well. So sweet! And I know God heard that earnest prayer of a 10 year old boy for his little brother.

We had some kids with colds back home, but our older twins were well, so Abe took them along for a few days to help hold the babies. They were amazing- spending entire days in one position holding their brothers quietly. Never complaining. That's not easy for boys who normally have LOTS of energy. They were totally smitten with their little brothers. We called it the twin-to-twin infusion.

After 13 days, the babies were well enough to come home. They had maintained their body temp and hadn't had any decelerations in over 48 hours. Ben was 1 ounce away from being 4 pounds, the weight he needed to be to legally ride in a car seat! Levi was back to his birth weight. And we were so excited for them to officially meet their siblings. Life was about to get a whole lot noisier for these little guys!

Essential Oils for Pregnancy, Labor & Delivery

Our family has been using essential oils for 3 years and I have loved using them during pregnancy. There is no better time to use essential oils as there are no medications or drugs that are safe for our unborn babies. I realize there are many conflicting views regarding essential oils on the internet. It is not my purpose in this post to try to "prove" that they are safe. I also do not endorse any other oils except Young Living oils. These are the only oils on the market that have been rigorously tested for safety and purity and are the oils that are recommended below. I believe it is a true joy to take responsibility for our own health and to experience the wonderful benefits. In the beginning you may just want to start by smelling the oils or using them well diluted. And that's okay- as you use them, your confidence will grow!

After lots of research and reading, these are the oils I feel very comfortable recommending for your pregnancy, labor, delivery and beyond. *But, of course, please always consult with your health care provider before using any essential oils {I have to say that, right?}

To Halt Early Labor: rub generous amount of Lavender on the belly, can also be added to a warm bath. Peace & Calming can also be applied to the feet and/or diffused. I have found that Lavender is wonderful for soothing Braxton Hicks contractions and also helps alleviate round ligament pain.

Pre-Labor Perineum Spray: softens and thins the membranes to prepare for birth (place in glass spray bottle)

3 weeks before delivery

  Geranium- 8 drops

  Lavender- 5 drops

  1 oz. carrier oil

1 week before delivery

  Geranium- 8 drops

  Lavender- 5 drops

  Fennel- 5 drops

  1 oz. carrier oil

To Encourage Labor:

Jasmine, applied topically or inhaled (do not ingest). I added this essence to my baths during my last few days of pregnancy- just a drop or 2 in some Epsom salt.

Clary Sage- massage a few drops on the inside of ankles or ingest 1 drop every 15 minutes until contractions/dilation progresses. Clary Sage also relieves anxiety. This is also a good oil to combine with Myrrh to help move labor along.

Labor:

Frankincense for pain; this is also calming. Rub directly on back and/or belly. Also good to diffuse in labor room. This is probably my favorite oil and one that I highly recommend. If you can only get a few oils, invest in this one.

Many women use Peppermint, Pan Away or Wintergreen for pain (remember Wintergreen is a natural form of aspirin, so should be used cautiously during pregnancy; Pan Away contains Wintergreen as well)

Basil is a great oil to use when contractions become hard to manage (close to transition). Rub with a little carrier oil on lower back.

Black pepper is also good for pain management and is especially helpful with back labor.

Labor blend (from Gentle Babies by Debra Raybern) Mix the following in ½ oz carrier oil AFTER labor starts. Massage several drops on inside of ankles, little toes, little fingers, lower belly and back…

           
                Helichrysum- 4 drops

                Fennel- 4 drops

                Peppermint- 2 drops

                Ylang Ylang- 6 drops

                Clary Sage- 3 drops

For fatigue during labor: En-R-Gee, applied on the spine, behind ears and/or feet

Oils to help you focus: equal parts of Peppermint and Orange

Oils for relaxing/grounding during labor: Peace & Calming or Valor (With the shortage of these oils there are new formulas with similar benefits called Peace & Calming II and Valor II that are just becoming available)

Perineal massage once labor is well established: Myrrh applied to the perineum, diluted in carrier oil. This helps numb the “sting.”

Crowning oil blend:

Mix 20 drops each of Helichrysum and Frankincense with 1 oz. fractionated coconut oil. Gently massage this blend while baby is crowning on both the perineum and the baby’s head. Helichrysum is the oil of choice to help reduce swelling, bruising and bleeding

For hemorrhaging: mix a few drops of Gentle Baby with a few drops Helichrysum and rub on lower back, belly and on inside of ankles. If you have a history of bleeding postpartum, you can use these oils for the week prior to giving birth.

For nausea during labor: inhale Peppermint (on a washcloth) or place one drop on tongue

Afterbirth Blend:

This helps expel the placenta and tone the uterus. Mix the following with carrier oil

                Geranium- 10 drops

                Lavender- 10 drops

                Jasmine- 15 drops

Thieves can be diffused in the labor room after the birth to kill germs and freshen the room

Trouble urinating post-partum: add a drop of Peppermint to the toilet. I learned this trick from my midwife and it really works!

Post-partum Spray:

Add 40 drops of Frankincense and 40 drops of Lavender to a 2 oz. glass spray bottle. Fill up to almost the top with distilled water and shake well. Use this spray to help soothe and heal the perineum. This same spray can be used for boys who are circumcised.

Afterbirth pains:

Basil- can be applied topically or taken internally (a few drops in a capsule)

Other oils that are helpful (and safe for baby if he/she were to touch your belly) are Lavender and/or White Fir

Oils for newborn:

• Baby can be anointed with Frankincense & Myrrh. Frankincense offers protection and helps with bonding
• Clara Derm spray can also be used for a few days after birth (contains Lavender & Frankincense)
• Valor can be applied on baby’s spine and feet for proper alignment following birth.
• Peace & Calming can be applied to baby (and mama’s) feet for relaxation
• Melissa can be applied to bottoms of the feet to repair DNA, and to help with trauma and negative emotions that baby may have experienced in the womb. This oil helps bring harmony and is also very beneficial for mom as well.

Lactation:

A few drops of Fennel sublingually or in a glass of water or tea every 2 hours. Can also be applied to breasts after nursing.

Basil is another great oil to increase breast milk- add a few drop to a capsule and swallow.

(Peppermint oil is known to decrease milk supply in some women, so use cautiously)

Post-partum Depression:

Frankincense- apply topically or diffuse (lifts the spirit and is healing at the same time)

Ylang Ylang, Rose, or Joy- add a few drops to bath water (can add Epsom salt or sea salt and some carrier oil as well) or rub on wrists, or diffuse

White Angelica- place a drop on each shoulder; protects against negative energy, lifts spirits

UTI’s while pregnant:

2 – 10 drops of Idaho Balsam Fir in a capsule twice a day

Can also apply Idaho Balsam Fir, Frankincense and Lemon (a few drops of each) over the bladder area and massage in- this is a powerful combo. Although I haven't had to use this personally while pregnant, I have used this with great success on one of my children. Purification and Idaho Balsam Fir can also be used together to fight a UTI- again, massage a few drops of each over the bladder area. You can add a carrier oil if you like- especially if using this combo with children.

Yeast Infections:

For Baby (if mom has yeast)- apply Melrose (diluted or neat) to lower abdomen

For Mom- Apply Melrose neat to lower abdomen

Mountain Savory- take 3-5 drops orally, twice a day (this is highly effective against yeast and candida)

Vaginal suppository: in a base of coconut oil, combine Mountain Savory (2 drops), Frankincense (2 drops) and Myrtle (2 drops). Use nightly for 2 weeks

Hemorrhoid ointment:

Combine the following oils with a few drops of carrier oil and apply to the area…

   Peppermint (1 drop)

   Helichrysum (2 drops)

   Cypress (2 drops)

   Geranium (2 drops)

Varicose Veins:

Massage legs every day with Cypress, Helichrysum and Tangerine and/or Lemon- a couple of drops each with a carrier oil of your choice. This formula has been a life saver for me. I combine these oils in a small glass spray bottle with fractionated coconut oil for easier use. I also add some peppermint oil which is great for throbbing and "hot" feeling veins. {At first I didn't use the Helichrysum because it was so expensive, but adding this oil made all the difference. Since using this blend I don't have any pain, nor have I gotten any more veins}

Drink Ningxia Red- at least 1 oz., twice a day

Gestational Diabetes:

Ningxia Red (available through Young Living)- drink 3 oz. throughout the day

(This supplement, although expensive, is highly effective at regulating blood sugar levels)

Ocotea- take 2 drops orally, 3 times a day (can be added to Ningxia Red if desired) This oil is powerful in lowering blood sugar levels

Edema/Swelling:

   Aroma Life- 10 drops

   Cypress- 10 drops

   Lavender- 5 drops

   Ginger- 5 drops

   Lemon- 5 drops

   Mix these oils with 2 oz. of fractionated coconut oil or carrier oil, and apply to legs, ankles

   and feet.  These oils can also be added to a warm salt bath.

Heartburn/Indigestion/Nausea:

Peppermint and/or Digize- add to water or make into a tea. Can also be rubbed on the belly, just below the diaphragm

I drank Peppermint ice water liberally throughout my first 14 weeks when my nausea was severe. It helped a lot. I also carried a bottle of Peppermint in my purse and would place a drop on my tongue (neat) to combat nausea. This helped me to be able to get food shopping and errands done without getting sick!

For overall well-being while pregnant (Mary Young’s protocol- wife of Gary Young, founder of YL)

Mary applied Valor to her belly, back and hips every morning and every night. She would follow this with other oils she was drawn to- Joy, White Angelica, Peace & Calming, or Gentle Baby… to name a few. These are both great for your skin as well as for your developing baby.

Turning babies that are in the wrong position:

Myrrh is known to turn babies- apply liberally to belly

Peppermint- apply to area you want the baby to turn from (if baby is breach, place a drop of Peppermint at the top of the belly)

Feeling sick/fighting illness while pregnant:
If you feel like you're coming down with something or fighting a cold or flu, make an oil "tea" with the following- 1 drop Thieves, 1 drop Lemon, 1 drop Frankincense and 1 drop Peppermint. Add a little raw honey and cream, if desired. I have never had to drink this more than twice to fight off anything. Best used when symptoms first start...This is a family favorite at our house and is very effective.

Spray bottles and roller filaments are super handy during labor- they make oils easier to apply and keep hands clean

I only recommend using Young Living therapeutic grade essential oils. These are the highest quality oils available today (and I have used and studied many others!). They are the only company that has the SEED to SEAL promise of purity- they grow, cultivate, distill, test and seal all of their own oils. No other company can claim that- most are merely bottling companies, and most oils on the market today are adulterated and made for the perfume industry.

Oils generally avoided during pregnancy: Basil, Birch, Calamus, Cassia, Cinnamon bark, Hyssop, Idaho Tansy, Rosemary, Sage and Tarragon

Oil blends must be stored in glass bottles or containers. Essential oils will break down plastics.

To purchase oils or become a wholesale member (saving 24% of retail price), visit my website here

Having Twins {Again!}

The day of my ultrasound- surprised by my second set of twins!

Some days I still don't believe it's happening again- but we are expecting our second set of twins- twin boys to boot! I found out around the same time 11 years ago, at my 18+ week ultrasound. The ultrasound technician began the ultrasound and immediately we saw the top of 2 heads! And honestly, I don't remember much after that as my crazy brain tried to process that this was really happening! I think I only know 2 other families that have 2 sets of twins, but both of them have fraternal twins. There is a likelihood that our babies are identical again- and the likelihood of that happening twice is 1 in 70,000. Isn't God amazing??

Did I know? Yes, and no. I was suspicious, but I always quickly dismissed my feelings and my midwife didn't seem to think so either. Here are some of the reasons I had a hunch...

1. Horrible morning (all day) sickness- way more than usual
2. Gaining a lot of weight in my first trimester (like 20 pounds!) even though I was eating healthy
3. Varicose veins- I usually have just one that bothers me a little, this time my legs were throbbing (all that extra blood!)
4. Incredible nesting- I felt like I had to clean the whole house before I was 20 weeks, and I pretty much did. I re-arranged rooms and painted and redecorated a bathroom. I instinctively knew that I would have to rest the second half of my pregnancy...
5. Dreams. With my first set I had 2 vivid twin dreams and so I asked the Lord if He would give me another twin dream if I was having twins again. The next morning one of my younger girls woke up and said she dreamed I had twins. I found that interesting, but it wasn't my dream. Then over the next few weeks I had various friends (some I didn't even know very well) tell me they had dreams that I had twins! That didn't seem coincidental...
6. Feeling way too pregnant for how many weeks I was. The night before my ultrasound I was in tears complaining to my husband that I felt 38 weeks pregnant, instead of 18. Yes, when you're pregnant with multiples, all of your pregnancy symptoms are multiplied...

Although I was planning my 5th home-birth (I love my home-births), I didn't feel comfortable pursuing this route with twins, although I did seriously consider it. I am thankful to have found a doctor who is willing to let me try for a natural birth and doesn't automatically insist on a C-section. It will be my first time using a doctor- all of my other babies have been born with a midwife.

However, our second ultrasound did reveal that one of our little guys may not be growing properly. I will have more follow-up testing and ultrasounds to monitor this more closely. I've had a few people scare me and try to put me in panic mode, but I know that God already knows the outcome and we are choosing to trust Him. But prayers are so appreciated, and are very much felt during this time of watching and waiting. 

I am 27 weeks pregnant, and although I feel ready to give birth (ha ha), I am praying that these little guys will make it for another 8 weeks until I am 35 weeks along, or later. I am following the Brewer's Diet (roughly) of 150 grams of protein a day for twins. This is a LOT of food. And with my shrinking stomach it takes a lot of effort to get that much in. I also find that exercising daily with prenatal DVD's really helps me feel better- especially in my hips and back.

Life has definitely slowed down- a lot. Instead of all of the summer projects and activities I had planned, I am spending most of my summer on the sofa with little ones tearing through the house. Although I wasn't placed on bed rest, I still feel best taking lots of rest periods throughout the day. Somehow laying in a horizontal position makes me feel the "least pregnant" and the most comfortable. I decided to tackle our next school year, or at least a few subjects, so we can get ahead and take some time off when the babies are born. Unlike 11 years ago, I am so blessed to have some older girls (15 and 12) to help with housework and cooking- they are amazing! And even my husband came home for good from his work away- God is so good and His timing is perfect. 

And so our incredible journey continues...

A Decade with Twins

Our twin boys recently turned 10! It's so hard to believe how quickly those years have flown by. I had so many apprehensions before they were born- two babies to nurse, burp, diaper and put to sleep. Two babies cutting teeth and fighting colds simultaneously. Two babies to potty-train and teach how to read. But looking back, it was often easier- they learned a lot from each other, and still do.

I was 19 weeks pregnant when I found out I was having twins. And it was kind of by accident. I had been complaining to my midwives all along that I felt so much bigger than with my first four and I was also extremely sick, while with the others I had never experienced sickness. This particular midwife had a set of twins herself and so she nonchalantly suggested that we do a quick ultrasound. She wasn't super familiar with the machine, but thought she could figure out if there was more than one baby in there. And wouldn't you know, she quickly found 2 little bodies in there! Shock- that happens to other people, but certainly not me!

We had to wait an agonizing 8 days before we found out that we were carrying 2 little boys. Of course, we were thrilled, especially Cort, who really wanted some boys in the house. The second half of my pregnancy was much different. I guess that sometimes ignorance is bliss, for now all of the worrying and interventions began. I was now all of the sudden "high risk" as the statistics are high for not being able to carry twins full-term. I had to have monthly ultra sounds, and bi-weekly ones after week 30. I was placed on limited activity since too much activity seemed to bring on contractions. For a while the doctor watched baby B (Edmond) for a heart defect which led to much prayer. God was good in allowing the hole in his heart to close up before birth.

a few days before the twins arrived...

At 38 weeks I was still pregnant. I know that was a good thing, but being pregnant with twins was the hardest thing I have gone through physically. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat due to severe heartburn, I felt like I couldn't breathe as those little boys pressed up against my diaphragm... At 38 weeks I was having some contractions and beginning to dilate. Because we lived an hour away from civilization (in a small town in Montana), the midwife decided to induce me. It was 4 pm and I agreed to the lowest dose of pitocin and my contractions quickly became regular. I was used to natural labor as I had all of my previous babies in a hospital or birth center with a midwife. I was expecting this to be the same. But I was wrong! Lots of monitors- one for each baby and one for contractions. {I never could figure out why we need a computer to tell us when we are going to have a contraction! Um, I will promise to let you know!} I hated that I couldn't move around or take a shower. I knew that all of that confinement was not helping my labor move along. But shortly before midnight I was ready to bring these little guys into the world. To the OR we went (another surprise!), just in-case I needed a C-section. Here I met my back-up doctor for my midwife who was all too eager to section me. My recollection of this woman was her screaming on the phone for an anesthesiologist to come to the room asap to get my babies out. She did not want a natural birth whatsoever. I am so thankful for my amazing husband, who put into practice all of the husband coached childbirth classes I had taught (I was a Bradley Instructor). He continued to help me sit up, despite the oxygen mask and all of the monitors and coached me to relax and breathe easy, even with all of the chaos in the room all around us. (Did I mention that there were at least 20 people in the room by now? Each baby had his own pulmonary specialist, pediatrician, nurse etc. as well as all of the people ready to do surgery if needed). It was all very disconcerting! But looking back, God was so good in allowing our little boys to be born naturally and without any intervention or drugs beside pitocin to jump-start my labor. And that anesthesiologist never did show up! God is so good!

I was ecstatic to be on the other end of pregnancy. Everyone in the hospital seemed overwhelmed for me to have 2 babies to care for and nurse, but I was in heaven! They were healthy and nursed well and I felt great! We quickly fell into a routine. I nursed the babies together for the first 4 months. I used a special twin nursing pillow and nursed them in the football hold. After that they were too heavy to nurse together, so whichever twin was crying would get milk first. During the day, I would have one of the older kids hold the other twin until it was his time to nurse. At night, the other twin was often still asleep. I would wake him up and feed him as well so that I wouldn't be nursing all night. This worked really well and I was able to nurse them for 18 months.

just a few days old, snuggled together in the bouncy seat... 

We have loved having twins. Our boys are identical and they have been inseparable since birth. Even as newborns they somehow scooted next to each other and were happiest being very close together. Now a decade later they still do everything together! I can probably count on one hand the times they have been apart, and it was never voluntary. They share everything. One will never, ever, ever take anything to eat or drink without the other. They take turns sleeping on the top bunk. They still like to wear the same clothes. They have the same cowlick. They wear out their jeans in the same location.They rarely disagree or argue, which is truly amazing because they are literally always together. They finish each other's sentences. They get stuck on the exact same math problems. They stand up for each other and cover each other's back. They will randomly ask me the same question without the other one knowing.They have the same interests and are always eager to learn something new. They are also convinced they will get married on the same day (twin girls, maybe?)...

We are so thankful that God blessed us with these sweet boys. They have big hearts for the Lord and for other people. They find excitement and joy in the ordinary facets of life. I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for them in the future. Who knows what the next decade will bring?

Celebrating Every Life

I can clearly recall the excitement that our first baby announcement brought 21 years ago. Everyone was thrilled beyond words. Why is it that baby number 1 is welcomed with so much fanfare? Maybe even baby number 2, especially if it’s the opposite gender of the first. A few people are comfortable with number 3, but that’s generally where it stops. How are subsequent babies any less the wonderful and amazing creations of the living God?

I speak from firsthand experience how devastating the remarks can be of other people, especially Christians, when announcing another pregnancy. Really, Christians of all people should be those that rejoice at the promise of new life, not scorn it like it is something to be ashamed of. After all, I am happily married and allowed to have children!  God is the one that has formed a life that can only come from Him. Anyone who knows the pain of miscarriage or the ache of barrenness will acknowledge that life is not something they can control. Why then should many children be viewed in a different light?

We live in a day when children are no longer viewed as a blessing, but a burden. Babies make you lose your figure, forego your free time, lose all of your savings, and maybe even your sanity! It just isn't responsible to keep having children. I know, I've heard all the arguments. Many of my children weren't “planned” by me. They may have come at an inconvenient time in my estimation. But do you think for one minute that God made a mistake? God never has to say, “Oops, I didn't mean to make that one.” Instead the Bible affirms that He thought of each one of our children before they were even formed in the womb (Psalm 139).

I have been tempted to hide my last few pregnancies with those outside my immediate family. Ironically, our children are always ecstatic at the news of another baby. So although each new little one doesn't receive much excitement from those outside of our home, each additional baby is more loved because there are so many open arms and hearts waiting to embrace them inside our home.

Mothers, we shouldn't fear what those around us say when we announce another pregnancy. It is a shame that others cannot share in our happy news. It seems much easier for them to feel sorry for us or make nasty remarks. I know, I have been at the receiving end many times. But as I grow older, I am learning to be bolder and to share how children are indeed a blessing, no matter what the circumstance you find yourself in! I’m also learning that you can never encourage another mother enough when she is pregnant. She needs to hear that she is beautiful, that the sickness is all worth it and that she is doing the most important job ever, even when it's often hard. The last thing she needs are rolling eyes or unheeded advice... 

I am so thankful that God has chosen to bless us with 10 beautiful children and the anticipation of another precious life on the way. Is it always easy? Definitely not. Are my pregnancies always painless and trouble free? Umm, hardly. Does it cost money? Yup. Is it a sacrifice? You bet. Would I do it all over again? Absolutely! Every life is worth celebrating. Baby number 4 or 5, 9 or 10, 13 or 14 shouldn't be any different than the first time we announced a new baby! It is time for us to value life for what it is- a beautiful gift from God.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward."

Psalm 127:3

Intro to Essential Oils

I was first introduced to essential oils over 15 years ago. Although a friend lent me a CD and it sounded very interesting, it seemed way "out there" in my nursing mind. Simply rubbing oils on your body and inhaling them could bring about healing? I wasn't all that convinced. Fast forward many years later, pregnant with my tenth baby, and my search began for natural remedies to help with pregnancy and delivery. I had used herbs with several pregnancies, but they all seemed to stimulate contractions before pregnancy, and didn't cause contractions when I needed them to! Baby # 9 had been 14 days late, so I really wanted to find natural, alternative remedies. My search led me to essential oils; I bought a few oils recommended for the last few weeks of pregnancy as well as for my birth, and I loved using them. I will share in a future post what oils I used for labor, delivery and postpartum as well.

I didn't give essential oils much more thought after that until a few of my kids came down with the whooping cough last fall. I immediately called a friend who also had gone through this horrible cough with her family and she gave me a few essential oils to give to my children, both to help those that were sick and to prevent those that weren't sick from getting it. The oils she gave me were Young Living Oils and I immediately saw a difference in these oils compared to the ones I had used previously. Half of my children, including my 11 month old baby, never got the whooping cough. You can read more about how we treated whooping cough here.

During this time I began to read up on and really study essential oils. My friend had given me several little booklets as well as a Reference Guide for using essential oils and I was fascinated by their many uses. My kids also caught on quickly and started using oils all on their own. We now use oils every day for all kinds of things- headaches, growing pains, poison ivy, rashes, concentration, relaxation, sleeping, burns, warts, sore throats, allergies, sore muscles, skin care and the list goes on. As the saying goes, there's an oil for everything! My 11 year old daughter is the oil expert in the family and the go-to person when someone needs her to rub some oils on! She even learned to do the Raindrop Technique, a great cleansing and healing technique using a variety of oils on the spine.

So what exactly are essential oils? They are the life blood of the plant. They are called essential because they are necessary for the plant to stay alive. In plants, these oils regulate growth (like hormones), help with plant metabolism (like enzymes), and help ward off diseases when the plant is damaged or cut. These life giving oils do much of the same thing when introduced to our human bodies. These oils consist of tiny molecules that can easily pass through all of our tissues and into our very cells- right through our cell membranes. Any essential oil placed anywhere on the body can reach every part of the body within minutes!

So, how do they compare to man-made pharmaceuticals?

                           DRUGS                                                         ESSENTIAL OILS

Druggists & Doctors want a drug to have no variation and to be very predictable. They strive for consistency.	Oils have variations from batch to batch making resistance to them impossible- there are too many variables, which make them work so well.
Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and new, stronger drugs have to be formulated. Eventually this cycle will end- their days are numbered!	Oils are as effective today as they were thousands of years ago when used by ancient civilizations.
There certainly is a place for man-made drugs, especially in emergencies and life threatening situations. But their benefits are temporary, not causing true healing.	Oils can help boost the immune system and help our bodies bring true and lasting healing.
Antibiotics cannot fight viruses, so they are helpless against things like the common cold and flu.	Many essential oils are not only antimicrobial, but also combat viruses in the body making them very beneficial in fighting off colds and flu.
Most drugs don’t work well together and many contradict each other. Man-made pharmaceuticals confuse the body.	Oils can work together well in the body to achieve overall harmony and health.
Thousands of people die from physician administered drugs and procedures every year.	There is no recorded case of anyone ever dying from an essential oil that was administered according to common sense precautions.
Antibiotics kill all bacteria- both good and bad. This often causes more problems in the body.	Essential oils, by God’s design, kill only harmful bacteria and viruses, while leaving the friendly and useful ones alone.
Drugs are generally used for one specific use.	Oils can help with many functions in the body- for example; an oil like peppermint can clear the sinuses, relieve a headache, relieve heartburn, break a fever, take away itching and reduce inflammation, among many other things.
Drugs have many side effects.	Essential oils have no side effects and are safe to use. Many can be used during pregnancy.
Drugs make one dependent on the medical system, often for a life-time.	Using essential oils promotes health and often brings freedom from the medical system.

What sets Young Living oils apart from other companies? Many other companies add chemicals to enhance aroma or make their oils stretch. Young Living is the only company I know of that has the Seed-to-Seal guarantee. They grow their plants from seed, cultivate, distill, test and seal all their own oils.You are even welcome to tour a distillery. Young Living oils are so safe that most single oils can even be taken internally. It is vital that the oils you use are pure.

If you're ready to enjoy the amazing benefits of oils, you have 2 options. You can either purchase them at a retail price here. OR you can become a Young Living member and enjoy all the oils at wholesale pricing. You can find more information here.

{There is a great testimonial website where you can search what oils help for varying conditions OR you can type in the name of an oil to see how other people have used it. You do have to register, but it's free! The link is here}

Losing That Baby Weight!

I've never met a mom yet who doesn't want to shed those baby pounds and get back into pre-pregnancy shape. I know all of us are different- we have different metabolisms, eating habits and exercise routines (or lack thereof!). I remember shedding many tears after my first daughter was born- how was I ever going to lose all that weight? Nothing fit, I was wearing 2 sizes bigger then when I got married just 18 months earlier, and to top it off, many well-meaning friends assured me that this is how it would be now that I was a mom. I had gained close to 60 pounds during my first pregnancy. I was the maid of honor (make that the whale of honor) in my sister's wedding just 4 weeks before Laina was born- I was huge! I never did lose all the weight before I became pregnant again with my son, although I tried to exercise like crazy and watched what I ate. My focus back then was on fat-free foods. I had learned in nursing school that fat was my enemy- so instead I consumed large quantities of fat-free, high sugar foods (after all, they have to make it taste good somehow, right?) I read labels for fat and was a calorie counting fanatic. Not fun...

Fast forward 18 plus years later. I am now the mommy to 10 children, with the youngest just 11 months old. I weigh what I did on my wedding day, and yes, my wedding dress still fits perfectly. I usually lose most of the baby pounds by 3 months and all of it before 6 months. So what am I doing different?

For one, I no longer count calories. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, we should not be trying to limit calories! In fact, breastfeeding moms should consume more calories than while they were pregnant, but make those calories count. Focus on eating nutrient dense foods. In fact, our whole family eats only whole foods- nothing processed or refined. I also eat plenty of fat, good fats, that is- like olive oil, coconut oil, nuts and avocados. We use raw honey and maple syrup for sweeteners and avoid all refined sugars. I eat sprouted grain breads (like Ezekiel bread or Trader Joe's sprouted breads). We eat plenty of raw fruits and vegetables. We eat beans, brown rice (most of the time), small amounts of healthy poultry, fish and beef. We try to eat foods that don't come with an ingredient list. If you can't pronounce it or don't know what it is, don't put it into your body!

Also,  I breastfeed as long as possible. If you eat well, you will produce good milk and in turn you will have a healthy baby. Often when a mom is struggling with her weight because she doesn't eat well, she in turn has a baby that is thin and doesn't gain well. I try to breastfeed exclusively for as long as possible, which is usually around 9 or 10 months before introducing any foods. The food I consume is being passed onto my little girl, allowing me to maintain my weight while she continues to grow.

Lastly, stay moderately busy, which shouldn't be hard if you have kids. I like to do the "10 Minute Solution" workout series, which allows me to exercise in 10 minute increments, picking the workout I want to do that day. These are available at stores like Walmart and Target. These are simple to follow, allow you to focus on problem areas and don't take a whole lot of time (my favorite part!). Of course, walks with the kids down to the mailbox, vacuuming and carrying a baby around also count towards staying active. It is important to build muscle, because muscles burn more calories at rest and helps increase our metabolism.

I'm often asked what I eat on a typical day. This will look different for each of us, but here is just a sampling. Notice that none of the things I eat has an ingredient list- they are all natural foods made by God for us to enjoy...

Breakfast: 3 slices of sprouted grain bread, coconut oil and raw honey, 2  farm fresh scrambled eggs OR cooked millet with coconut oil, maple syrup and some fresh fruit- and I love my coffee when I wake up!
Snack: green apple with almond butter and raisins OR several cashew date balls
Lunch: sprouted grain bread with sliced turkey breast (Applegate), avocado slices, tomato and lettuce and a few baby carrots OR homemade lentil soup and raw veggie sticks
Snack: Fruit smoothie (I use frozen berries, almond milk, kale or spinach) OR banana and a handful of raw almonds
Dinner: Brown rice, black beans, shredded chicken, shredded romaine, tomatoes, fresh corn, olives and homemade salsa OR beef and quinoa meatballs in tomato sauce over brown rice pasta with a garden salad
Snack: homemade yogurt made from raw whole milk with frozen blueberries and sliced almonds

I drink only water and often add fresh lemon juice which tastes great and helps keep my body alkaline. I also take Juice Plus Garden, Orchard and Vineyard blend every day.

I know many people that meet me today think that I am simply a thinner person by nature. I was actually pleasantly plump as a child, and I weighed quite a bit more in high school then I do today. I also gain plenty of weight (between 40 and 50 pounds) with each of my pregnancies, and I have had no problem losing the baby pounds since switching to this way of eating. I do, however, have to be disciplined. I know there are people who can eat anything and not gain weight- I'm not one of them!

I love the motto that says eat to live, don't live to eat. If you eat what your body needs to stay healthy and well, the baby pounds should come off and stay off. You also won't crave sugar or junk food if you are getting the nutrients your body needs to stay well. That's the best part! You actually won't crave donuts or cake anymore, instead you will be hungry for real food. I believe we shouldn't diet to lose weight, instead we should make healthy eating a way of life and we will reap the benefits of maintaining our weight and feeling well, as well as having plenty of energy. Don't we all want that? It's hard to be a good wife and mother when we don't feel well.

If you have a history of having a hard time losing weight, despite trying to eat healthy, you may need to increase the healthy bacteria in your gut by taking a good probiotic. The good bacteria in your gut are often compromised, especially if you have eaten a diet rich in processed foods, taken antibiotics or even if you have had surgery or a colonoscopy. I recently heard a doctor speak who believes this may be the reason so many people struggle with their weight. Their whole digestion is compromised because the gut isn't functioning the way it is supposed to. Remember the gut is our second brain and controls so many of our body functions. They are even doing experiments where they take the bacteria from a healthy, thin person and placing them inside an obese person. The result? The obese person becomes skinny! How cool is that!

Baby Shower

The sweet ladies at my church threw me a baby shower! The overall theme was fruitfulness complete with fruit smoothies, fresh fruit, muffins and a devotional on the fruits of the spirit that we should exemplify as mothers to our children. I received a brand new swing and several gift cards, as well as words of encouragement and prayers over me and our new baby. I am so blessed to be a part of a fellowship that celebrates the birth of baby number 10 as much as number 1 or 2...

                      

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

So are the children of one's youth. 

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;

They shall not be ashamed,

But shall speak with their enemies in the gate."

Psalm 127: 3-5

Belly Mapping!

This is a post strictly for pregos! I had heard about belly mapping several pregnancies ago after being introduced to the website Spinning Babies, a site dedicated to helping pregnant women try to get their babies into the ideal birthing position. My current midwife recommended I order The Belly Mapping Workbook available at SpinningBabies.com, written by Gail Tully who is a CPM homebirth midwife and doula trainer.

The goal of belly mapping is to make sense out of those bumps and bulges and try to determine what position your baby is in during the last few weeks of pregnancy. Pictures and overlays help the expectant mom to begin to figure out which way the baby is facing, without the use of ultrasound imagery. Knowing the position of your baby helps both you and your midwife or caregiver take proactive steps towards an easier birth. We all know that breech and posterior positions are far from the ideal anterior positioned babies, so this workbook offers exercises to help the babies turn (or spin) before the onset of labor.

I have had a lot of discomfort with my last 3 pregnancies during my last trimester. I have strong contractions lasting for hours that make me think that labor is here, and all without progress (dilation). Although I was early with my first 7 (all born in my 38th week), my last 2 babies were 6 and 14 days late. All of the "false labor" and sense of being uncomfortable, according to this midwife, is an indication that the baby is trying to get into a more ideal birthing position and pointing to the need for bodywork to better align the body for birth.

The author of this workbook encourages mothers to do their work in practicing good posture and free movement to allow for a smooth and straightforward labor. I was a natural childbirth educator for several years with my first few babies, and was very faithful in my exercises. But somehow, by baby number 9, I had really slacked off and was not nearly as consistent- too busy, maybe? :) With this pregnancy I am really striving to exercise daily using a pregnancy workout and doing the exercises to help me stretch and relax tense muscles. One recommended exercise is doing a forward leaning inversion in which you lean forward off of a couch or bed propping yourself up on your elbows (check out the website to watch a demonstration). This pose helps relax the cervical ligaments which attach the womb to the pelvis. After doing this exercise for several days, my baby went from a transverse position to being head down- and we now believe she is in one of the more ideal birthing positions, LOA (left occiput anterior). And with just 14 days to go, I am not nearly as uncomfortable as I was with my last few girls, and I've had very few contractions so far... I'm so thankful!

If anything, this workbook and website helps a pregnant mother become more in tune with her unborn baby and become more proactive in the whole birthing process!

With this pregnancy I did a 10 Minute Solution Prenatal Pilates workout that I really enjoyed and recommend to anyone looking for a pregnancy workout. I have found most prenatal workouts to be somewhat slow and boring, but this DVD is doable while still being challenging. You can custom tailor your workouts choosing from 5 different focus areas that are just 10 minutes each- so you can exercise for 10 minutes up to 50 minutes. I usually chose 2 to do and mixed and matched them throughout the week to get a full workout...

Dealing with Morning Sickness, Part 2

I have found a wonderful discovery to help with morning sickness in this pregnancy- natural progesterone cream! Back when I was newly married, my mother-in-law gave me a book by John R. Lee called "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause."  Being years away from that stage in life, I had placed it next to my many other nursing and health books, and never gave it much thought after that. Recently I began to have terrible migraines that seemed to occur at the same time as my monthly cycle. After one really bad episode that required meds to keep me from vomiting, my mother suggested I take natural progesterone cream to help balance my hormones.  Hmm, didn't I have a book somewhere that talked about that? I began to apply the cream 2 weeks out of the month and didn't have migraines for the next 2 cycles. Then life got busy and I forgot that month. Back in bed for several days with migraines. The following month I did not forget to apply the cream! I was a believer that it was making a big difference. Then I got pregnant and so quickly got on the computer to research about progesterone cream and pregnancy, did I just quit applying the cream?

I was surprised by the answer I found.  It is actually believed that morning sickness can be caused by low levels of progesterone early on in pregnancy. Progesterone levels slowly rise the further we get into pregnancy, thus by the second and third trimester, our hormone levels are high enough and we start to feel better. In fact, during the third trimester the placenta produces progesterone at a rate of 300 to 400 milligrams per day. Our progesterone levels naturally diminish as we get older, especially as we reach our 40's (that would be me!) It made complete sense, and I was really excited at my new finding. I started applying a small amount once a day, but have found that I need to apply a generous 1/4 teaspoon every morning and every evening in order to feel better. I have read you can apply up to 3/4 teaspoons 3 times a day, but I have not needed to use that much. It is important that you use natural progesterone derived from wild yam and not synthetic, chemically altered hormones made by a pharmaceutical company. They are not the same thing, in fact, the synthetic hormones are very dangerous to your health. Our bodies know how to take naturally derived substances and utilize them without side effects. Synthetic hormones, or progestins, are known for their many dangerous side effects, including the risk of early abortion, while natural progesterone is necessary for the survival and development of a baby throughout pregnancy.

I cannot believe how much better I feel compared to my last 4 pregnancies. I still have some nausea, which is usually relieved by eating, and I do have some food aversions and cravings, but I have not vomited a single time this pregnancy! Yeah!

And natural progesterone helps a whole host of problems, not just morning sickness. Most women are estrogen dominant (allergies, depression, fatigue, headaches, foggy thinking, infertility, irritability, memory loss, miscarriage, PMS, thyroid problems, uterine cancer, water retention, just to name a few!) So read Dr. Lee's book or do some research online to learn more.

It is important to note that if taking progesterone cream while pregnant, to never stop using it abruptly, which could cause miscarriage. The dosage needs to be diminished gradually.