Miriam Joy

Unassisted Home Birth

April 16th 2008  8:58 pm

Sunday April 13th:  My mucus plug started to come out.  No Surges.

Monday:  More mucus, some surges.  My mom came into town from California.

Tuesday:  I had some surges, the family came over to help me get things going-rubbing my ankles, and my hands.  My biggest thought today was that my midwife was going out of town tonight and I wanted her at the house.  This time, the pressure to have a baby was a little greater.  Also, throughout this day I did a lot of nipple stimulation and took my prenatal vitamins (they had blue cohosh).  These herbs induce the labor.  By 7 pm I still wasn’t having consistent surges so I felt a little discouraged.  Renelle came over to see how things were going and she checked me.  She said I was at a 5 and that was wonderful.  I still felt a little discouraged because I thought she was leaving town.  She did decide to stay one more day and that was great new.  Then tonight Rob and I spent some time together and that helped bring more surges.  We watched in intense movie.  They still didn’t stay around.

Wednesday (Birthday):  My day started out mellow.  I took Hanna to song time at the library.  Throughout the day I would have surges, so I decided to hang out at home.  They weren’t consistent until the evening.  Around 5:30 pm I finally was having them every 3-4 minutes.  They were a little uncomfortable in my back, but not bad.  Renelle came over around 7.  She checked me once more and I was at a 10.  She said it would be fine to get into the tub (which we had refilled 3 times already).  I felt excited because I knew that would relieve some of the pressure in my back.  For the next hour I had a surge every 3 minutes and I could feel the baby descending down.  After I got into the tub, I never had my midwife come back to help me.  I was prepared to do this by myself.  Rob came in for awhile (our bedroom).  My mom came by and so did the girls.  Then time was getting closer, so I had Rob stay with me.  8:45 pm I felt more of a surge to push or bear down.  I mad some interesting noises, but within 5 minutes, I could feel my body completely stretched out and the baby was almost out.  It was pretty intense to push my own baby out.  I was the one to encourage myself.  It was pretty empowering.  Before the end came, Rob offered a prayer and waited.  I remember saying to Heavenly Father, I am ready to be done, please allow only two more of these.   And a couple more push/breathes, her head came out.  Rob ran for our midwife, “the head is out” he said.  Then when he came back I had pushed the whole baby out.  I felt such a great relief once she came out.  I looked at the sex and the umbilical cord was kind of covering the sex, so I thought is was a boy.  I shouted out and then our midwife yelled, it’s a girl.  Girl #3!  Miriam Joy was born April 16, 2008 8:58 pm in Lehi, Utah.

Tropsicles

Coconut milk and banana give these ice pops a creamy consistency without dairy or soy.  Be sure to puree the mixture until very smooth so resulting pops don’t contain crunchy buts that may be too icy for sensitive baby teeth.

2 cups fresh pineapple chunks

1 large banana, sliced

3/4 cup light coconut milk

1/4 to 1/2 cup agave nectar

Puree all ingredients in blender 1 to 2 minutes, or until mixture is smooth.  Ladle into ice pop molds, and ffreeze at least 4 hours.  Run molds under warm water to unmold.

vegetarian times magazine

Techniques Taught

I taught in Southern California at a Private Swim School, Daland Swim School (www.dalandswim.com), for about 7 years. I taught all ages, but mostly those under three.  They have a special technique that has helped many younger children and adults (6 months+) become water safe (being completely comfortable in the water by themselves with no flotation device).  This method is also very effective when learning the stokes (freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke).  The technique I use is a little different from WSI certified instructors.  I implement the Daland method because I feel it is most effective.

Water Safe: Student learns to become completely confident with putting their face in the water and being able to swim (paddle, kick, take a breath) without any flotation device or parental help. I use fins to help the younger children (6-36 months) gain strength  so they can get a breath by themselves.

Floating: Student will learn to tummy float comfortably. This prepares them for Elementary Freestyle.

Rollover: The student starts on their tummy and rolls to their back.  If they get tired, this is a great skill for anyone.

4 Big arm(Elementary Freestyle): Student starts on their back and rolls to tummy. They do four freestlye (Big Arms) while their head is in the water. Then they roll onto their back to rest.

Backstroke

Butterfly

Breaststroke

Description

Ages: 6 month-Adult

20 minute lessons

1-2 times per week

$15/lesson if you supply a pool, otherwise $20/lesson

You can pay each week or for the month (4 weeks)

Call if you need more information (801)234-0385

Meatless Lentil Chili

• 5 Cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 lb. dry lentils

Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Do not drain.

Add

• 1 lb. can tomatoes or tomato sauce (or 2 cups water and 1 cup tomato powder)
• 1 package dry onion soup
• 1 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin

Simmer 30 minutes more Serve over rice, pasta, or corn chips

CHOCOLATE SNACK CAKE

CHOCOLATE SNACK CAKE

1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup water
1/3 cup oil
1 teaspoon vinegar
½ teaspoon vanilla

Mix dry ingredients. Stir in liquid ingredients completely. Pour into an ungreased 8-inch square pan. Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

Check out my Slide Show!

Raw/Vegan Websites

“And all saints who remember to keep and do these saying, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find WISDOM and great TREASURES of KNOWLEDGE, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.” Doctrine And Covenants 89:18-20 A revelation given to the Prophet, Joseph Smith in Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. A health code with blessings to follow those that obey.

http://www.living-foods.com/recipes/

http://vegweb.com/ (favorite vegan recipe finder)

http://www.juicingbook.com/recipes/ (great juice mixtures)

http://hacres.com (Hallelujah Acres resource)

http://www.nutritioninfoods.com/#vegetables (pick a veggie and see the nutritional value)

http://www.originalfastfoods.com (James Daniel Simmons take on the Word of Wisdom)

http://www.organicbox.com (ships organic produce)

http://www.rawtimes.com

http://www.rawfoods.com/recipes (lots of good raw recipes)

http://www.rawsacramento.net/recipes.htm

http://foodnsport.com/joomla/ Douglas Graham has a great and easy approach to a raw food diet. It’s called the 80/10/10 Diet. You will get all the Carbs, Fat, and Protein and still just eat Raw. This is the easiest Raw diet that I have found!

Home School Websites

Starfall   http://www.starfall.com/ I have had great success with this site with my 2-3 year old.  She would use this phonics/reading website for hours if she could.

The School of Abraham http://www.schoolofabraham.com  If you are looking for a classical/Thomas Jefferson education, this has great resources to book lists, curriculum, and other things for all ages.

My Father’s World http://mfwbooks.com/ This site has great ideas for the young ones.

Everything Preschool http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/allthemes.htm They have good ideas for Theme teaching.

http://www.donnayoung.org/penmanship/redines.htm When teaching your children writing, they have good print outs. Also to get you organized, there are some good planner pages and meal planners that I like.

Latter Day Saint link to this years Primary them http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e36d5f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=a9d3543bad325110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0 I do all my morning devotionals based on this.

http://www.first-school.ws All around great preschool resource site.

Ambleside online http://www.amblesideonline.org/New.shtml A Charlotte Mason Education. This site gives a great book list of classics from year 0- to year 12 (which is beyond a public high school education)