Monday, July 18, 2011
the nest
...is still waiting for the bambino.
This is probably incredibly boring news for most of you. But, from my perspective, I'm grateful the bun is still in the oven. That cold I mentioned in my last post...well, it hung around and got worse and kept me in bed feeling pretty miserable for days and days. There were many moments when I wondered how on earth I would labour and birth feeling that bad.
But thankfully it's on its way out. Subsequently I feel really rested, a little more prepared, and a whole lot more excited about meeting the little one.
So I thought I'd get around to posting about 'the nest' or the little corner of our bedroom where baby will sleep, feed and get dressed. We have a third bedroom in the house that we use as a study and although this will become baby's room one day, I don't think it's necessary to deck it out just yet. Baby doesn't need much space and I am determined to keep things simple.
The moses basket is the same one we used for Che but I've added new accessories...like the baby blanket I knitted, an oobee called Ned and a soft and squishy owl gift from Katja at Eco Bohemia.
My mum found an old basket on the side of the road, lined it in stripes and I filled it with wraps and blankets. My auntie made a basket full of muslin burp cloths -the greatest baby accessory ever. When Che was little we had them all over the house to literally catch the spew. They're gentle on skin, easy to wash and they last and last and last.
To pretty up the space I placed my favourite vintage mirror on the wall and decorated it with a heart garland. The eco nino change mat cover looks perfect atop the chest of drawers that holds everything from 0000 singlets to cloth nappies, booties and tui balm - the greatest baby skin product I have ever come across.
Emma kindly made me some new pillowslips from beautiful vintage fabrics and along with soft white sheets and a cosy mohair blanket, the king bed is ready for many a day and night of sleeping, dozing, feeding, burping, gazing, cooing and cuddling.
So, I'm now officially in that space where waiting is the norm. I think I've been holding on to baby a bit, because of my cold, but now I'm ready to let go and labour. My plans for the next few days, if I'm still waiting:
- set-up a Woolworths home shop account (because the thought of taking a new baby to a fluorescent-lit, noisy, germy shopping centre is my idea of a nightmare. I'll be staying away from that place for a good two months)
- gaze out the window
- drink raspberry leaf tea
- snuggle with Che
- rub the belly
- squat
- use up all the hot water in long showers
- double-check the bag is packed and ready
- think a little more about baby names
- (probably) cry
- wonder a little more whether baby is a boy or a girl
Deep down I know I have to get a little fed-up and angry to get things going. I can feel it coming. Soon.
Next post I promise I'll have baby news.
Till then...
Labels:
corners of my home
,
growing a baby
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
"thinking of you"
To all of you who have left comments or sent emails wishing me a safe and beautiful birth - thank you. It means so much to receive such sweet gestures from across the lands and over the oceans.
The past few days have probably been the most challenging of this pregnancy. On Saturday I came down with a cold and spent the next few days in bed. In retrospect I was doing just a little too much nesting and my body didn't like it. So I've been staying in and resting up, keeping warm (it's been oh so icy) and cuddling with Che. The challenge hasn't been at all physical. In fact, I still feel energised and not overly big, although getting out of bed is a sight to behold.
It's the mental journey a woman embarks on as she gets oh so close to birthing that's confronting and challenging. Last night I lay in bed thinking about the fact that I'm about to become a Muma to two. And that Che won't be my only child. There's a sadness embedded deep within the reality, that these next few days will be the last before we start a new beginning. While he is rearing to embrace his new role as big brother, his cuddles, copious 'i love yous' and need to be close to me subtly tells me that he's holding on too - to being the only one.
I suppose we all need to let go of something.
I keep experiencing moments of fear about birthing, looking after a newborn, imminent change. And then they pass and I'm ok again.
This morning I got a pedicure so I have pretty toes to look at while I labour. And then I went and did what was probably my third 'last shop.' And I bought more toilet paper and more tissues and more maternity pads. Because you can't have enough of those.
A packet of 0000 white singlets made their way into the trolley too. They are already in the washing machine. Softening for baby.
I feel like I've got another good week in me. I am definitely not fed-up. Which I'm grateful for.
The house is clean, the washing is done. The grandmas are close to their phones at all times.
And we wait.
Photos by Tim, of course.
Labels:
being a big brother
,
ché
,
family
,
growing a baby
Friday, July 08, 2011
portrait: us, by Tim Coulson
To have someone bear witness to your life and capture it with such honesty is something I hold in high regard. It's a gift, really, to have these images, of this time in our lives when we are constantly thinking about the imminent change ahead of us. The biggest change in Che's life so far. Life changing days captured in precious moments.
Tim is a gifted photographer. His composition is astounding, his ability to engage in meaningful conversation while casually snapping a few photos is admirable. With Daniel he spoke 'camera', with Che is talked 'lego' and with me he, naturally, discussed 'babies'.
These photos are a few of my favourites. There's plenty more over at Tim's blog - a collection that tells the story of our morning. The story of most mornings around here.
And if you really want to look at a plethora of photos of us...make a cup of tea, sit back and enjoy the tunes while watching this.
Tim...we can't thank you enough. And it goes without saying that we can't wait for the sequel. Where 3.5 will be 4. So soon.
Labels:
corners of my home
,
family
,
growing a baby
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
portrait: in the beautiful days before birth
Early this morning the lovely and very talented Tim Coulson came to visit us in our home. He contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if I'd be interested in having the birth photographed. While I love the idea, the reality is a little different. And so I asked him if, in the beautiful days before birth, as we nest, prepare and await, he would like to capture us going about our day-to-day rituals - in our home and in the garden - the 3.5 almost 4 of us.
The haze of early morning sunlight is representative of my mind and these images perfectly capture our life right now; full of expectations and love. And a late-pregnancy chubby face.
Labels:
growing a baby
,
pregnancy
Sunday, July 03, 2011
let's go fly a kite
Tonight I have a sense of freedom that I didn't have this morning.
Yesterday I taught my last pre-natal class. And while I'm usually the one hugging my students, sending them on their way with blessings for a safe and joyous journey, yesterday I was the one to receive those sweet words of guidance. At the end of class I got a bit emotional, reflecting on the three-and-a-half years of teaching close to 300 pregnant women, the lessons I've learned, the stories I've been honoured to hear. I was the most pregnant woman in the room and I shared with them my thanks...because each and every one of them have taught me something I didn't know when I was pregnant with Che. With my new-found knowledge and awareness I will travel into this birthing experience with acceptance rather than grand expectations...because ultimately, our birth experiences cannot be planned or controlled. We just need to surrender to the journey, wherever it may take us.
Today I taught my last birth workshop. Once again, I was the most pregnant in the room, sharing my knowledge and skills with seven expectant couples. It was a long day. A tiring one. And when I stepped out of the yoga studio and on to the street I looked up into the dark, clear winter sky to see a fine and delicate new moon. In that moment I wondered where, in this moon cycle, my baby will come. And whether I will watch, every night for the next few weeks, the moon blossom to fullness, much like my belly. The moon and I may be full together, ready to burst, in mid-winter.
At 38weeks my belly is bountiful but I feel incredibly light. For the next few weeks I don't need to be anywhere but in the here and the now. Spending time close to home, with my boys. Perhaps we'll venture out under the vivid blue sky that has been spoiling us lately, and maybe, just maybe, we'll go fly kites.
Photos and film captured at 5Lands
Labels:
growing a baby
,
pregnancy
,
yoga
Saturday, June 25, 2011
bump: time flies
Last week I noticed that my cheekbones have disappeared beneath the softness of late pregnancy. I'm welcoming the desire to stay close to home, avoid crowds, steer clear of questions from strangers. I think every woman craves anonymity at the end of pregnancy - it's tiring to discuss, over and over and over again, how many weeks to go, the possible sex of the baby, the 'due' date. "I don't do dates," I say. And then I turn and leave.
I have most definitely reached that stage where I'm starting to internalise; cutting off the outside world in preparation for the transition of birth. Going about daily tasks with the slowness of a woman who can feel, day by day, a head nudging down into her pelvis.
Incredibly low iron levels have encouraged me to take it easy, spend a little more time preparing iron-rich foods and upping my herbal tonics. If my iron levels don't increase I may not be able to birth at the low-risk birthing centre I had intended to. Which is ok. I'm not attached to a certain place or time or date. My baby will be born when it wants to - wherever I am. I'm just ready to surrender to the journey, wherever it takes me. Trusting in the knowledge that all will be well in the end.
37 weeks. Not counting.
Labels:
growing a baby
,
we live near the beach
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
baobag + a giveaway
"As you journey to take your place among the lineage of women as mother, we encourage you to 'mother' yourself.
As you do so we join with you in celebration of the healing power of nature both within and all around you."
I've discussed here so many times before my desire to use natural and organic products in my home and for my family. When Sonia Walker, co-founder of Baobag contacted me about her business, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to share it with you.
In Australia, when a woman births in a hospital or birth centre, she is usually given a 'bounty bag' - a collection of pamphlets and samples of products to take home. I received one with Che and can't recall using any of the products supplied - they all contained far too may chemicals for my liking.
But the Baobag is different. A beautifully designed calico bag that can be used to carry nappies, a change of clothes, toiletries etc, it is brimming with products from some of Australia's leading natural and organic companies including Jurlique, WotNot, Blackmores, Eco Store, Madame Flavour and Cushie Tushies. Over 70,000 new mums in Australia will be given a Baobag by their obstetrician, birth centre or yoga studio each year; an introduction to the world of organic and natural products for baby and the home.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Sonia, a passionate and considerate woman (and mother) about the Baobag and her desire to see Australian families embrace a more natural way of living. She has also given me a Baobag to give away to one of you. Simply leave a comment on this post and I will draw a winner on Friday afternoon. Read on for an inspiring look into the life of Sonia Walker and Baobag.
Jodi: What inspired you to create the Baobag?
Sonia: I grew up in outback Australia, and although I ended up in the corporate world and living in the big smoke, I have always been inspired by and drawn energy from nature.
After the birth of my kids in my early 30s, I started a bit of a personal investigation into ways for us to live a more natural and less toxic life. I was shocked when I discovered that the average woman applies 126 different chemicals to her face, body and hair via 12 different products before leaving the house each morning!
The more I learned, the more I decided to start going through our home to see how we could make changes to minimise our exposure to these potentially harmful chemicals. When chatting to my girlfriends, I realised I wasn’t alone in my concerns and started thinking about ways to help women make the shift to a more natural way of being and living, while still enjoying the things they love in everyday life. I know that during pregnancy, so many women start giving some serious thought to what they’re putting onto and into their bodies – so I wanted to find a way to help them through this process.
A glass of wine and a brainstorming session with a girlfriend lead to the idea of the BaoBag – and 18 months later, we now reach over 70,000 new Mums per annum nationwide!
Jodi: Where does the name come from?
Sonia: It's inspired by the mighty baobab trees that are indigenous to northern Australia and Africa (also known as the 'Boab' in Australia). They are renowned for their generous, abundant, and healing properties, providing life-giving shelter, water, food and medicine in the harshest of environments. Traditional Aboriginal women also bury their newborn child's placenta in the bowels of the tree to symbolise the child growing mighty and strong. They're the most amazing trees!
Jodi: How does your lifestyle and your ideals affect the way you run your company?
Sonia: They are one and the same. The company was inspired by the lifestyle and ideals we were pursuing in our own lives. Obviously I am no Robinson Crusoe in wanting to provide a healthy lifestyle for my family that minimises exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, and as I researched the options for us to adopt in our own lives I realised that there was a real gap here.
There are plenty of beautiful natural and organic products and services out there, but it can be hard to identify them amongst all the other products on the shelf. A new Mum is particularly receptive to reassessing her choice of product, but she is also particularly time poor and simply doesn't have time to go to 3 different shops and try out 3 different brands! There needed to be a vehicle that made it easy for busy Mums to find these alternatives, and research and try them out for themselves in the comfort of their own home.
Jodi: How important are organic skin products for mum & bub?
Sonia: There are two really good reasons to go organic.
The first is the imperative to minimise exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. There is enough evidence out there now to be really concerned about the prolonged use of many commonly used synthetic chemicals and ingredients, with consequences ranging from skin irritations, to respiratory ailments, to disrupted hormonal development and even to cancer. Why risk it when there are wonderful natural alternatives available, based on ingredients used throughout the history of mankind, and that are proven to be effective and safe?
The second reason is less scary and far more enjoyable. It is simply that organic = best quality ingredients. If you've ever slept on organic cotton sheets followed by non-organic you'll understand the difference. The same with taking a bite out of an organic apple versus non organic. The quality of the product is so superior. It is exactly the same with skincare ingredients - you're getting the highest quality ingredients at their freshest and most powerful. Once you've converted you don't go back.
Jodi: What's in the bag?
Sonia: The BaoBag is designed to be presented as a gift for Mum’s enjoyment, with useful items contained within, (as opposed to just another bag full of advertising and reading material). The products represented are usually within the following categories:
Natural & organic skincare and consumable items for Mums and Bubs. In this category the aim is to avoid known or contentious ‘nasties’ such as Sulfates, PEGs, Parabens and Mineral Oils, where there are safer alternatives available. We use Bill Statham’s “The Chemical Maze” as a reference point to identify these ingredients. We hope to eventually include products for Dad in this category as well; it is just a matter of finding some good products that are effective and a provider who is willing to invest in this category.
This is very much a category of pampering and may also include items such as a tea or chocolate that is sourced ethically and contains no artificial ingredients.
- Health Foods / Supplements - This category would include pregnancy specific supplements from a respected provider. From time to time we would also include an organic baby food range so that Mums can be aware that there are some wonderful alternatives to commercial baby food available for when their little one is ready to go on to solids.
- Non toxic products & services for the home - This area is of particular concern considering the many harmful chemicals in most household cleaning products and the fact that babies spend so much time on the floor and putting things in their mouths. There are many plant based alternatives out there that are effective, much less irritating on sensitive skin, and far less toxic.
- Nursery items - In this category we promote items such as ethically produced designer modern cloth nappies which offer a far more environmentally sound alternative to the disposables that are piling up in landfills across the planet. We also include eco friendly disposable nappies and all natural wipes. Other great items include sleeping bags and clothing items made out of natural fibres such as bamboo and merino wool. These fibres are known for their superior breathe-ability properties (in comparison to their synthetic counterparts), and as such for their effectiveness in helping to regulate body temperature.
Jodi: What is your criteria when selecting brands for the Baobag?
Sonia: Everything in the bag has to be something of value. They are not always pregnancy related - we remember Mum is still her own person and requires nourishment of her own body and spirits as well. The manufacturers and service providers we partner with all share a commitment towards using as natural and organic ingredients as possible and utilising sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing processes. In addition they earn their place in the BaoBag because they are relevant, beautiful and useful.
Jodi: How does it make you feel, knowing that you are giving a new mum, one that you have never met, such a beautiful and nourishing product?
Sonia: Becoming a new Mum is such a life-changing stage, and I feel humbled and privileged to be able to contribute in some small way to such a powerful time of life for so many Mums around Australia. I remember my own journey of trying to find the best natural products for myself and my family and it was very time consuming! I’m thrilled to be able to make this process a bit easier for Mums-to-Be through the BaoBag.
At the end of the day though, it's really not about me. It's the wonderful product partners we work with who have generously provided quality samples at their own expense, so that we are able to provide a true free gift with no strings attached. BaoBag acts as a connection between these fantastic natural products and Aussie Mums looking to make a positive impact on the health of themselves, their baby and the planet. Everybody wins!
Jodi: No doubt Baobag will grow...but what are your greatest dreams for it?
Sonia: My dream is to inspire households around the whole of Australia to detoxify their lives one step at a time. I believe this is entirely achievable if we make it easy and enjoyable for them to do so. If we can pull that off, then we could collectively raise a whole generation of toxic free kids and leave them with a healthier planet while we're at it. Now we're talking about making a real difference!
Labels:
giveaway
,
growing a baby
,
inspiring creatives
Thursday, June 16, 2011
bump: blue
So the sun came out for about two minutes today. As soon as we saw a patch of blue sky we grabbed jackets and cameras and headed to the shore where the blue wall made for perfect bump shots. Whoa this bump and this baby - heavy, big and oh so round. 36 weeks. I'm guessing I've got about four weeks to go but I know all too well that babies come when they're ready. I could birth in two weeks. Or six. I'm not too attached to a date or a week and I'll try my hardest to stay that way.
It was so nice to bask in the sunshine this afternoon, to feel rays on my face and my belly. Che, like every child around these parts, is suffering from extreme cabin fever, so he was grateful for digging, collecting and splashing.
Before long the clouds crept in and hung low and we came home. Right now there's chicken noodle soup simmering away. We're all a bit sleepy - salt air sleepy. The good kind.
Labels:
growing a baby
,
we live near the beach
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
bump: sweet in the morning
Five weeks to go and I'm noticing little rituals forming in my day - a cup of tea in the morning sun just one of them. The ledge for the tea cup is handy too. Baby is still dancing in my belly, stretching it's legs and arching its back - the sure sign of a yogi or, perhaps, a ballerina. Braxton hicks have stepped up a notch this week, encouraging me to be in the moment and reminding me to breathe deep. I'm still teaching classes, still writing articles. But soon, work will slow down and I'll just 'be' for those last few weeks. Slowly yet purposefully preparing, feathering and waiting for baby's arrival. On the full moon, perhaps.
Labels:
being a big brother
,
growing a baby
Saturday, May 21, 2011
bump: autumn dreaming
As hard as I tried I just couldn't find a leaf as big as the belly. This week baby grew beyond expectations. When I was growing Che my belly was chubby and squishy. This belly right now is the exact opposite: a hard, round, heavy ball with rather persistent whole-body stretches from the little one inside. I regularly feel a foot pressing onto me and I tickle it back. 32 weeks now.
I woke with a sore throat this morning so tomorrow will include a sleep in, vegie soup, nettle tea, lemon water and lots of rest. We as a family are feeling so grateful for our health and wellbeing this weekend. Daniel's mum was driving Che around this morning when all-of-a-sudden the breaks failed on her car. Thankfully, oh so thankfully, she was going slow and no-one was hurt. Tonight I held him a little tighter and said a few extra 'i love yous' while lying next to him as he fell to sleep.
I just cannot articulate how precious my children are to me. All you mothers understand, I know you do. x
Labels:
growing a baby
,
seasons
,
street
Saturday, May 14, 2011
when che met val
Literally hours after I peed on the stick to confirm that there was indeed a tiny little baby inside me, I phoned the local hospital to request Val as my midwife. Val has been catching babies for longer than Daniel or I have been alive - there is so much reassurance in her 34 years of midwifery. She's a passionate midwife too - passionate about guiding women through labour and birth, whether in a hospital or at home. In 2008 she was awarded NSW Midwife of the Year and since then her name has been passed around the circles of pregnant women here on the Central Coast - hence the need to phone as early as possible in pregnancy to request her support. She told me that some women phone her the morning after the possible conception - just in case.
She sees her role as a witness in labour, watching and listening, only speaking when she needs to. Every visit she tells me that my baby will just be born - it will just happen, because that's what my body was made to do. I am nature and nature always works things out.
Val currently works from a low-risk birthing centre and is working towards developing a homebirth option in the very near future. If I were to choose to have a homebirth I would need to employ a private midwife which would cost me above and beyond $5000 with no rebate from medicare. The birthing centre I have chosen is the closest thing to birthing at home - if (when) all goes well I will be home in bed within four hours and Val will visit me for post-natal care for a week after the baby's arrival. I have all the support and encouragement of a fabulous midwife and thanks to the Australian health system, it doesn't cost me a cent. Not one.
Considering Val will be coming into our home for baby's first week Daniel and I felt it was important that Che meet her. So on Wednesday we took the long drive to the hospital, talking along the way about the fact that Ommi or Mama will be looking after him when it's time for the baby to be born. He was so curious and inquisitive, asked lots of questions (mostly 'why?') and got to choose whether the baby's heartbeat sounded like galloping horses or a train on a track. Val put the doppler on his chest after she had listened to baby and with the humour that she brings to everything, wondered if he thought there was a baby inside him too. I have no doubt that she'll make me laugh in my labour and laughter is really the best thing for dilating, relaxing and surrendering into the journey.
We took Che to look at the beautiful birthing suites with their big baths and comfy cushions and then left for home. He was exhausted, so much to think about, and for these past few days he has been saying that Val is the baby's teacher and Muma's midwife.
Baby is already head down, bum up, spine against belly. In a perfect birthing position.
Labels:
growing a baby
,
motherhood
,
natural birth
Thursday, May 12, 2011
bump: silhouette
After our appointment with the midwife yesterday we rugged up and visited the ocean at sunset. It was freezing and I was surprised that my jacket fit around my belly. This sudden cold snap is icy and fresh, there's snow falling not far from here and I can feel it in the air. At the moment, my favourite thing to do is hop into bed early at night, in my new Pjs, with a chamomile tea and a good book. Soon after Daniel comes in and we watch baby wriggle and dance in rhythm; a beautiful affirmation of strength, health, happiness. Life. Yes, I'm growing new life inside me. 31 weeks now.
Labels:
growing a baby
...is still waiting for the bambino.
To all of you who have left comments or sent emails wishing me a safe and beautiful birth - thank you. It means so much to receive such sweet gestures from across the lands and over the oceans. 
To have someone bear witness to your life and capture it with such honesty is something I hold in high regard. It's a gift, really, to have these images, of this time in our lives when we are constantly thinking about the imminent change ahead of us. The biggest change in Che's life so far. Life changing days captured in precious moments.
Early this morning the lovely and very talented Tim Coulson came to visit us in our home. He contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if I'd be interested in having the birth photographed. While I love the idea, the reality is a little different. And so I asked him if, in the beautiful days before birth, as we nest, prepare and await, he would like to capture us going about our day-to-day rituals - in our home and in the garden - the 3.5 almost 4 of us. 
Last week I noticed that my cheekbones have disappeared beneath the softness of late pregnancy. I'm welcoming the desire to stay close to home, avoid crowds, steer clear of questions from strangers. I think every woman craves anonymity at the end of pregnancy - it's tiring to discuss, over and over and over again, how many weeks to go, the possible sex of the baby, the 'due' date. "I don't do dates," I say. And then I turn and leave.
So the sun came out for about two minutes today. As soon as we saw a patch of blue sky we grabbed jackets and cameras and headed to the shore where the blue wall made for perfect bump shots. Whoa this bump and this baby - heavy, big and oh so round. 36 weeks. I'm guessing I've got about four weeks to go but I know all too well that babies come when they're ready. I could birth in two weeks. Or six. I'm not too attached to a date or a week and I'll try my hardest to stay that way.
Five weeks to go and I'm noticing little rituals forming in my day - a cup of tea in the morning sun just one of them. The ledge for the tea cup is handy too. Baby is still dancing in my belly, stretching it's legs and arching its back - the sure sign of a yogi or, perhaps, a ballerina. Braxton hicks have stepped up a notch this week, encouraging me to be in the moment and reminding me to breathe deep. I'm still teaching classes, still writing articles. But soon, work will slow down and I'll just 'be' for those last few weeks. Slowly yet purposefully preparing, feathering and waiting for baby's arrival. On the full moon, perhaps.
As hard as I tried I just couldn't find a leaf as big as the belly. This week baby grew beyond expectations. When I was growing Che my belly was chubby and squishy. This belly right now is the exact opposite: a hard, round, heavy ball with rather persistent whole-body stretches from the little one inside. I regularly feel a foot pressing onto me and I tickle it back. 32 weeks now. 
Literally hours after I peed on the stick to confirm that there was indeed a tiny little baby inside me, I phoned the local hospital to request Val as my midwife. Val has been catching babies for longer than Daniel or I have been alive - there is so much reassurance in her 34 years of midwifery. She's a passionate midwife too - passionate about guiding women through labour and birth, whether in a hospital or at home. In 2008 she was awarded NSW Midwife of the Year and since then her name has been passed around the circles of pregnant women here on the Central Coast - hence the need to phone as early as possible in pregnancy to request her support. She told me that some women phone her the morning after the possible conception - just in case.
After our appointment with the midwife yesterday we rugged up and visited the ocean at sunset. It was freezing and I was surprised that my jacket fit around my belly. This sudden cold snap is icy and fresh, there's snow falling not far from here and I can feel it in the air. At the moment, my favourite thing to do is hop into bed early at night, in my new Pjs, with a chamomile tea and a good book. Soon after Daniel comes in and we watch baby wriggle and dance in rhythm; a beautiful affirmation of strength, health, happiness. Life. Yes, I'm growing new life inside me. 31 weeks now.
