What better way to spend a mother’s day than with a new mother helping her capture her son in photos that will last a life time. I was excited to see Mr. Caden again and see how big he’d gotten in just a week and a half. Here is just a little sneak peek of his photo shoot.
Tag: North Texas
Cloth Confession #3
I keep waiting for the smell…
While trying to figure out if I should cloth diaper or not I read a lot of discussion boards aimed toward cloth mommas. A common concern I saw was that the diapers after a time would start to smell like ammonia or they couldn’t get the poopy smell out.
**Side note have you ever done something kind of strange and thought, “wow I’ve turned into a freak…well other moms must do it….ok this isn’t so weird”**
I now find myself constantly sniffing my daughters diapers while hanging them to dry, while stuffing the inserts, and while putting them up (now the side note makes sense right?). I guess I’m washing them correctly or I’m just lucky! 3 months in and still no smell…maybe it takes longer to develop? Honestly I’m stumped on this one but excited at the same time that I don’t have to deal with a stinky baby or unpleasant diapers 🙂
Speaking of cloth diapers! I am co-hosting another “Intro to Cloth Diapering” Class with Joyful Baby Planning!
Saturday January 9th @4:30 Allen Birthing Center 406 W. Main Allen, TX 75013
RSVP on Facebook today!
Oh Those Lovely “Mommy Wars”
The following Facebook status was written this morning by NaturallyBorn, an online community of moms and dads looking for and giving support to others. Of course when it comes to parenting boards there are bound to be disagreements. Giving your opinion on how you raise your child(ren) is one thing but flat-out bashing another parent who is doing their best is uncalled for.
The term “Mommy Wars” used to be reserved for Stay at Home vs Working Moms, but now it seems EVERYTHING a parent does is under the microscope. In today’s society parents tend to think,”if you aren’t doing something MY way….you’re wrong”. We are supposed to be the example for our kids, not the ones who teach them how to judge and attack others. You can be passionate about your parenting methods without disrespecting others choices.
Please follow NaturallyBorn’s hint and stay out of the conversations if you have nothing nice to say!
“Dear moms, here at NaturallyBorn we have a large (very large) group of moms who love their children fiercely. It is wonderful. Please be aware, however, that on this page you WILL encounter moms who parent differently than you. On this page we embrace natural births, homebirths, birth center births, C-section births, and induced births. Some of our moms breastfeed, others use formula, make their own formula or receive donor milk. Some co-sleep, and babywear, others have babes that sleep in cribs and love their swings. Our babies eat store bought and homemade purees, table food, and vegan food. Our babies drink cow milk, goat milk, coconut milk and almond milk. Some babies get all of their vaccines on schedule, some are delayed, some get none at all. Some visit the chiropractor, others do not. Some moms here love and trust their family doctor, others avoid him. BUT WHAT TIES US ALL TOGETHER IS OUR LOVE FOR OUR CHILDREN. It is time to stop the bullying and name calling and judging. If you are uncomfortable conversing with people who mother differently than you, this may not be the place for you. Poor behavior will not be tolerated. Thank you.”
Cloth Confession #2
If you diaper right you won’t have to deal with leaks…as much!
A big opposition I hear from people when talking about cloth diapers is that they “leak more”.
Leaky diapers are a part of parenting. Disposable or cloth, it is inevitable. Don’t believe me, ask any parent what happened around 8 weeks old with their kids diaper. The most common answer will be something along the lines of “oh the blow out!” or “you mean the poopy diaper that goes up the back and get in their hair?” Yes, it will happen and there is nothing you can do about it except be prepared to clean it up. Cloth diapers have also changed A LOT in recent years! They have gone from a piece of fabric you pin together and put a plastic cover over to convenient, snap together, absorbent, and cute diapers that moms and babies love.
Maybe we got lucky, but since we’ve started using the cloth diapers we’ve had one leak that was totally my husbands fault (don’t tell him I said that). I’ll admit, you do have to use your brain just a tad bit more when using cloth diapers, but it is worth it. In the case of our first leak, my husband decided to use only 1 insert instead of 2 (we’re using pocket diapers) and we were out of the house a little bit longer than anticipated. If you plan ahead your baby…and car seat…should stay happy and dry.
Preventing leaks also requires you to care for your diapers properly; washing and drying does require a couple extra steps. Once you establish a routine it really doesn’t take up much time during your day and will prolong the life of your diapers saving you even more money!
Newborn Sneak Peak: Mila
This weekend was a busy one! Between births, classes, and car trouble I had the joy of doing a shoot for 3 week old Mila and her big sister Chloe. Here are just a few of my favorite images.
Noah Anthony
Every birth is a miracle and I still find it hard to believe I get to witness them on a regular basis. However, once in a while one sticks out. Noah’s birth was especially special to me because I have known his mom Emily for over 8 years now. I was honored when she asked me to be her doula and photographer.
After the birth of her first son, Aiden, 3 years ago Emily knew there had to be a better way to bring a baby into this world. My favorite quote of hers when describing the experience is “because of the epidural I didn’t even feel like I gave birth. For all I know they had a baby in a box under my bed and handed him to me”. I was so sad when she told me at one of our meetings that she felt like she didn’t do enough to deserve Aiden. She was going to do everything in her power to have a natural and empowering experience this time around. With her husband Nick by her side every step of the way, Emily powered through an induced labor completely medication free. There are many parts of this story that are too personal to share, but I want everyone who reads this and sees these pictures to know how incredible this family is. Noah’s birth was so redeeming for them and I am so thankful they allowed me to be a part of their story.
Noah Anthony was welcomed into the world Thursday November 8th, 2012 at 1:17pm 8 pounds 6 ounces and 20 inches long.
Afternoon Affirmation 11/4/12
Birth Affirmation #6
“The whole point of woman-centered birth is the knowledge that a woman is the birth power source. She may need, and deserve, help, but in essence, she always had, currently has, and will have the power.” ~Heather McCue
How encouraging to know that YOU have the power to birth your baby.
A power so incredible only women, who have grown and nurtured a life for 9+ months and given birth (no matter how they did it!), will understand.
Bringing a new life into this world gives you a surge of confidence I don’t think anyone can fully describe.
That little baby (or babies) is your hard work, your pure love, and your reward for all you have done.
Women are powerful. We should all embrace the power and encourage one another to use, enjoy, and not fear it…especially when it comes to birth!
Intro To Cloth Diapering 11/10/12
Interested in learning about cloth diapers?
Not sure what the pros and cons of cloth and disposable are?
We’ve got the class for you!
Join The Bump, Birth and Baby Network and Joyful Baby Planning and Parenting for “Intro to Cloth Diapering”
This FREE class will be held at Allen Birthing Center
Saturday November 10th, 2012 @ 4:30pm
Space is limited so RSVP now on our Facebook Page
47 Days of Inspiration
This past month has been a rough one. Just at my part-time job alone we had a family lose their baby to SIDS, had clients suffer miscarriages, and had family lose their baby to genetic abnormalities. I needed to write this entry for them and for all of the families suffering out there that I will never know.
The loss of a child is something few people talk about. It is an unimaginable pain for most people and something few want to bring up in conversation, but what if through the pain you changed someone’s life?
It’s crazy to think that I’m writing this blog post and have this website/business because of a lost life. Because of Ava.
I did not know this precious girl or her parents when her fight with CDH began, but by the end of her 47 days here on Earth she had changed my world. Through her mom, Jennifer’s, online journal I followed Ava’s story and prayed harder than ever before that this baby would survive. God had different plans for Ava and the rest of her family. Jennifer took this tragedy and turned it into something beautiful. Just one of her accomplishments is a book she published about Ava’s life and all the people she touched.
Ava would have been 2 today and Jennifer is once again out to inspire the world. Please follow her these next 47 days as she continues to reach others in memory of her sweet angel baby.
47 Days of Inspiration Facebook Page
My tattoo in honor of Ava
If you’d like to read more about Ava’s journey you can visit her Caringbridge site or order Jennifer’s Book:
Jennifer’s Caringbridge Journal
“Ava’s Story: Miracles Happen”
My personal stories about Ava’s impact on my life:
http://letters2olivia.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/47-days/
http://letters2olivia.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/your-gaurdian-angel/
Moms Night Out 11/8/12
Who: All North DFW moms who need a night out
Where: Savour Tasting Room and Social Club 968 Village Green Drive Allen, TX 75013
When: Thursday November 8th, 2012 from 7-10 (come and go)
Why: To socialize and relax with other moms before the chaos of the holidays hits!
bumpbirthbaby.net 