Here we were two years after our first birth and excited about another pregnancy. I now knew what healthy pregnancy was, and my many different options for birth – including midwives. I knew I wanted to work with a midwife for a Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) this time. So, I interviewed several OB/GYN’s and Certified Midwives. The OB’s were all nice and said they were open to me trying a VBAC – but stressed that it was just a trial of labor…. that nothing could be guaranteed and that if any red flags came up I was headed for the operating room again.

While I think c-sections (c/s) are VERY needed in few cases to save lives – our current c-section rate for first births (33% in 2005) is absolutely ridiculous. According to the World Health Organization the percentage for c/s should not be above 10%. At the time the city I lived in had a 40% c/s rate! So, I knew I had to do everything I could to have a vaginal birth this time in order to have normal births from here on out, because once you have two consecutive c/s there are VERY few people that will work with you to have a vaginal delivery. There were other issues also, like the fact that each subsequent c/s gets more and more dangerous for the mother, and each pregnancy gets more dangerous for the baby (as the scar is more likely to rupture and cause damage to the child).

None of the OB’s I interviewed felt right, so we decided on a Midwife, Linda, for a homebirth with a doctor back-up in case of hospital transport. I really enjoyed the midwifery care: blood tests, ultrasound referrals, heart rate checks, urine tests, blood pressure checks, and more– all in the comfort of my own home!! Read the rest of this entry »

In July 2005 I was 9 months pregnant with my first daughter. I knew nothing about normal pregnancy and delivery. I thought just like most OBGYN’s do now: Birth is guilty until proven innocent (or complicated until proven uncomplicated). I read all the mainstream books and watched the mainstream TV shows about birth…..

I was induced at 39 weeks because I wanted to be …… I was SOOOO ready to meet my baby! And the doctor “was going to be working at the hospital on Saturday anyways”. On a Friday night I checked into the hospital and was given prostaglandins on my cervix. In the AM I was given Pitocin. The baby’s heart rate dropped when given Pitocin but came right back up to normal, which I now know is quite normal. A that point, I was 2 cm dilated and 0% effaced and the baby had not dropped.

At around noon I was given an epidural. It was suggested to me from the nurses because if an emergency happened I did not want to have to be ‘under’ (general anesthia) for the c-section. I consented and the baby’s heart rate briefly dropped again, which again know now is pretty normal. Read the rest of this entry »

As with almost all store bought baby products…. there is a cheaper, natural, and healthier alternative. Baby powder is no exception.

Here is a recipe for natural, homemade baby powder that my friend mailed to me. I LOVE the scent and how soft it can make our skin!

Baby Powder
1 1/2 C arrowroot
1/2 C. baking soda
1/2 cup calendula, chamomile, elder, or lavender flowers, finely powdered
1/2 cup rice flour
20 drops(or more if desired) chamomile, lavender, sweet orange, and or TTO essential oils

Combine all ingredients well except oils. Stir in essential oils a few drops at a time, until well mixed. Put in a container with a tight lid. Use within one year.
My sister enjoyed it when I used an empty plastic salt container (Redmond sea salt), because she could “sprinkle” the powder on.

One thing I always want to know is: What’s wrong with the product I could just buy? Well, for baby powder it’s all the chemicals. Talcum powder is a common ingredient in baby powder (but not all), and Talc is NOT something you want getting in your lungs as it can cause pneumonia and/or cancer.
So, check the ingredients on your makeups and powders around the house! And even if it doesn’t have Talcum Powder… why not try something that smells a little better and is homemade!? It also makes great gifts – I know first hand.

For more information about Talc.

Hello Hello! It’s been a busy 7 or 8 months – and I’ve missed posting on my Simply Kristen blog.

Here are some things we’ve been up to:
- My husband was away working on a movie for 10 weeks! We’ve never done anything like before, and don’t plan to again *wink*. But it was a great experience and he’s proud of the work – and I got to have some good times with my girls before the baby was born…. which leads to my next “project”.
- Our first son, Ethan, was born! We are so thrilled to have a baby boy in the house, everyone just adores him! His birth was a great experience and I plan to tell you about all 3 of my birth experiences, because the first one was a catalyst that changed my whole world view – and not just the Mommy factor.
- The last big thing is that we moved to a new (to us) house. I’ve loved having a wood burning stove to keep us warm through the winter. I am usually cold ALL winter long, so it’s been great to go sit in the rocking chair next to the stove and get hot – even when it’s freezing outside. There have even been some days we had to open windows because the living room & kitchen got too warm. I couldn’t ask for more!

So, with all this time to think – I have a lot of great posts I want to share with you….. starting with birth & baby information (Go midwives!) and Thai Recipes (it’s all I want to eat!).

And if I were you, I’d want to see a photo of the new baby – WELL – I don’t have any on my computer at the moment, but I will post one soon! Along with a recipe for some homemade (safe and healthy) baby powder.

Killdeers are a very unique bird! First of all, they like to build their nests on ground (specifically gravel). Since we have a gravel driveway it was particularly desirable. So, every time we drove up and down our driveway we were harassed by a special Killdeer.

First, she would spread out her feathers and rush the vehicle. Wisely, she discovered the van would win and run away from her nest pretending her wing was broken.
I’ll admit- it was a little more intimidating while walking by the nest. The Killdeer would immediately try to draw you away from the nest by acting wounded. Once you got close she would fly away. It was a little sad when they hatched and I no longer see my little buddies.
Aren’t the details amazing? How can that be an accident?

Here is someone’s YouTube example:

Ever been to Tennessee in the spring? If not, it is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!
That is, as long as you miss the flooding.

We missed a 20 year high flood while out of town. Our garden was pounded, but our house is far enough from the creek and larger rivers to be safe (oh, and that photo is NOT our house). Horses were floating down the creeks and everyone said it was an exciting time (nobody was hurt though and all the cows & horses lived!).

Speaking of our garden……. I still have four things to plant: Squash, Pumpkins, Watermelons, & Beets. Even though it is high time to plant, we are late because of the enormous amounts of rain (and we should have planted before the rains started).

Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Pole Beans, & Marigolds made it in on time.

Here is our lettuce & spinach patch. This has been my absolute FAVORITE!

What about Kristen’s Chickens?
You’ve probably been wondering if they are out of the house. Well the answer is YES…. They ARE…. and we never even had to chase loose chickens in our living room.

Last but not least: the fruit trees. We will have a lovely year of blueberry picking and peach pies. Look at the start of these yummy fruits!

Next few days I’ll be writing about “Killdeers Harassing Me In My Driveway”. Weird huh?

A nasty cough has made its way around the community- all the way into our family. With the traveling and other hoopla we’ve been up to I ignored it for a couple days and hoped it would go away. Good plan right?
When it started to sound worse instead of better I decided I’d better get going with some treatment.

Better late than never…. this is what I used in strong teas (mixed with honey for taste):
-Red Clover, which is known for it’s anti-coughing agents (was the choice herb for Pertussis), and because my kind neighbor brought it over for me.
- Double E Immune Booster Tea
- Extra Elderberry
- Extra Echinacea

Non-Herbal Tea Actions:
The BEST cough syrup
Vitamin C (pill form)
No sugar/ Corn Syrup (it decreases your body’s capability to fight disease)
No processed foods
Lots of fluids (water & tea)

The cough didn’t go away immediately (I should have started treatment at first sign), but it did decrease and in a few days was gone!
Others, who had the same virus, eventually developed Bronchitis or had a cough that lasted 3-4 weeks-Terrible!

You really can avoid many illnesses through the use of high quality foods (including herbs)….. and I am thankful that we have access to the knowledge and the herbs all around us available for use – Red Clover, Elderberry & Echinacea all grow within walking distance to my front door.

ABC Herbal is one of my favorite books to get you started in taking care of your family- naturally.

This post is linked over at HeavenlyHomemakers (a blog I enjoy) for Gratituesday!

My little girl is starting to grow up. She’s got chores and responsibilites that she does all by herself now. So, when I tell her “You’re growing up Emma!” she says things like “Does that mean I can get married now?” or “That means I don’t need to take naps like babies, right?” She may be big and an important member of the family now, but she has yet to outgrow her need for a nap- or find the need for a husband…. even though she is SURE she has found the one.

This winter we began to have nap problems. Her mind just would not slow down. I would put her down for a nap. Up and down Up and down she would go. Bathroom trips, banging on the wall, singing songs. I started to get frustrated! Read the rest of this entry »

My husband and I watched this movie recently, and both thought it was excellent! The Beautiful Truth follows one 15-year-old on a far reaching homeschool project.

These topics are thoroughly covered:
Fluoride
MSG/ Food Additives
Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs)
Organic Foods
Large Chemical Companies
FDA
Conventional Cancer Treatments
Gershon Therapy
Read the rest of this entry »

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If you want to have a garden, no matter how big, this show is for you!!
Emily, an experienced Gardener from Mississippi, gives a fabulous lesson on starting, maintaining, and harvesting from your garden.

I have very little experience with all of this, but after doing this interview with her I feel SO confident that I can do it. Well, atleast try….who knows how much will grow?

Below are some of Emily and Mark’s notes for you to review when the time comes to plant your own garden: Basic Tools Needed, Tilling, Making Rows, Planting, Harvesting, Weed Control, and Bugs!

Basic Tools Needed: For a teeny little garden, a hoe will go a long way, but if you’re going that route, don’t forget a sunhat & gloves, b/c you’ll be spending LOTS of time out in the garden! Read the rest of this entry »