Introducing, Zander Vogel

Before I go into this very long birth story, I just waned to give a little background info.
I was very scared to get pregnant again, and to give birth again. After four hospital birth inductions, I really wanted to avoid birthing at all... which, obviously is just not possible.

When I found out I was pregnant with number five, I was SO nervous. I knew I didnt want a hospital birth, but my husband was reluctant to do a home birth. I started researching birth centers, in the area. There was ONE it looked like could work for us, but I knew it would take some time for my husband to come around, so instead I just asked him if he would consider taking a Bradley Class with me in preparation for labor.

I have had experiences with my OBGYN that I did not like. I do love my OBGYN, but I do not like pain, I do not like epidurals, I do not like IV's...  at my #4 birth, it took them 2 hours to get an IV in me. I couldn't eat or drink during any of my births. I didn't feel in control of my body, or what was going on. Really I felt like they were telling ME how my birth was going.

The goal for this birth, was to be completely in tune with my body- no drugs, no interventions. No inductions. No nothing. I did not want an IV. I did not want anyone touching me (except my husband) and telling me how far dilated I was or wasn't. I did NOT want my water broken for me. Somehow, it just felt like if they broke my water, that it wasnt really my body doing what it was supposed to do on its own, and was somehow choosing the birthday of our baby.

Honestly, I had doubts that I would even be able to go into labor on my own. I had always been induced, even when once my water did "break" on its own (I say "break", because likely it was a tear that repaired itself), I had to be induced due to no contractions after the 24 hour period you must go into labor before.

During our Bradley Class, my husband and I learned how real labor was supposed to work. I already knew pretty much everything that I learned in class, but I needed that support system and reassurance that women DO go into labor- even if its weeks after their due dates.

I started "Meditation" on a daily basis. I think I started this around when I started showing, and feeling the baby move. Somewhere around 15 weeks. Every day I would lay in the bathtub and imagine myself contracting, and listening to a song. (It was Prism of Life by Enigma, if anyone is interested). I would literally talk to God as I imagined myself giving birth, and laboring on my own, in a tub of water. At this point I had no idea if I actually would be giving birth at the birth center, but this was how I wanted my birth to go.  When I was very hugely pregnant, I would play the song whenever I was at my computer and imagine myself contracting and feeling that. Eventually I knew the song by heart, and could play it anytime in my mind, and laying in bed I could imagine myself contracting and giving birth. I practiced saying key words to myself like "Let it happen" and "give into yourself" and "imagine yourself opening up". I know it sounds weird but I knew if anyone was going to stop me from going into labor, it would be my own mind!

Our Bradley class was EXCELLENT and I recommend it to anyone and everyone! I learned about the Brewer diet, which was so important and I followed it my ENTIRE pregnancy. Along with praying, and meditation with God daily- I was taking care of myself to the best of my ability. It was by FAR my easiest pregnancy. I lasted longer in my pregnancy with normal energy. I gained the most weight I ever had, but I felt really good up until the very end. I know its because my body had the iron, protein, water, and other nutrients it needed to have a healthy baby and birth.

We transferred over to the midwifes halfway through my pregnancy. My husband was reluctant but I think he knew why and understood why I needed to have a birth there- and not at the hospital. Our experience there was 10 fold any other experience I had... and now to the birth story...


For weeks I had contractions, which is normal for me.

On the 7th of May, I was about 38 weeks, I had the same contractions I had been having off and on for weeks... I was ignoring them because I knew I couldn't do anything about it. They were annoying me but not really painful. I actually figured Im one of those ladies who is just going to need my water broken to get labor going and so contractions were not really anything I paid attention to all along. I was trying to have faith that my water WOULD break on its own, but given my "history" I had doubts about it. I continued my meditation, prayer and visualization of my birth.

I rested the whole day with kids watching tv and me in bed and on the couch... There was one point in the morning I did think for some reason the contractions felt differently but like I said i just figured it was just more nothingness and would fade off, but I did mention it to my friend.

At 4, my husband got home from work and we went to a drive in for dinner. when we got home I was "stuck" in the bathroom for a bit and thought that was a little "labory" but then he said he felt like that too so I thought it was the food.

The kids played outside and at 7 we called them in to get ready for bed and I asked them to give me 10 mins of clean up time so they started doing that and my husband for some reason just started cleaning everything! I kind of felt like "hmmm maybe he's got a feeling it might be tonight". But the contractions/tummy ache had stopped so i just sat on the couch while he ran around cleaning and put the kids to bed. I wrote my Doula and said how upset I was that I keep *thinking* something for 5 mins and then... Nothing. My Doula was also my Bradley Class Instructor, and friend. I had text her many times over the pregnancy and she was always very encouraging and helpful to me, in how to stop the preterm labor. When I had text her she just told me to do the same things I always do to stop contractions (eat, sleep, walk around some, take a bath)... I started walking circles around the dining room table, but it just made me have to pee literally every time Id walk around the table, Id have to pee again.

So we watched tv and my hubby folded laundry (seriously so out of character for him but I wasn't going to complain!) and then we went to bed at 1030. He passed right out but I was so Annoyed with contractions that were kind of hurting me and coming only every 10 mins and I felt like I had To go to the bathroom after every contraction. So it was Up and down up and down every 10 mins from bed to bathroom and I was bored and wanted to go to sleep! I text my doula but she said to go to sleep (after all they were only 10 mins apart as far as I could tell which was no different than anything else I'd had for weeks.)

At 1130 I realized I could not sleep. I kept getting woken up when the contractions would come and get up to go to the bathroom. I was kind of wondering what was going on.

After A few of these it had been an hour I text my doula to tell her sleeping wasn't working out... But she didnt respond at all. I figured she had gone to bed.

 I got in a bath and then got out after like 10 mins. I didnt want to be in there for some reason...

 At 1230 I was pacing around (tried to wake Tony, but he was totally asleep...) and finally decided these contractions were getting worse. I sat at my computer debating on wether to call my midwife or not. It was really late, and I did not want to be wrong that these contractions felt too easy to be real labor! No one was awake, and no one was online to distract me either! I really just wanted someone to talk to and tell me it either was or wasn't real!

I finally gave in and called my midwife. She asked me how far apart they were and they were not
super consistent yet but they did hurt so I told her 6ish mins but they were 10 before that... And she asked if my water broke yet. I said no... (still thinking that won't happen until I get there and it gets broken for me!) but I knew I was having a hard time during the contractions.

She said to call back if they got worse, or If they got closer together. Sigh ok...

 I just wanted to go to sleep.

Right when I got off the phone with her I got two contractions 4 mins apart and I was feeling so much pressure that I was thinking "what If my water breaks and I'm by myself?" So I tried to wake up Tony again, but ended up paging my midwife again... it 1:15. I said "I'm really sorry I know I just said I wasn't sure If I'm in labor but they moved to 4 mins should I do something?" she said to come in and that they already had a lady there in labor. Worst case send me back home, but, I think she could tell I was in labor.

I still wasn't sure!

I got off the phone had another strong contraction and started To feel like, ok this HAS to be labor! I called my SIL who lives down the street to come and tried calling my doula but she wasn't answering. I went
To my room to get clothes to leave and Tony woke up- and then all the suddenly I got really nauseated! (sign of transition for me!) I said " oh man we need to leave NOW! I feel sick! and call Torri!" (Torri is our photographer and friend).

 I went and threw up, grabbed a tubber ware and stood at the front door while my sister in law got settled and Tony was finishing up what he was doing. The drive was 15 mins, I had contractions every 3 mins and threw up several times. I kept praying and in my head my song was playing over and over. And I kept thinking to myself "dont give in", "Let it work for you"... I didnt want to get scared now. I prayed "God, dont let it get any worse, I can handle this, just dont let it get any more painful."

When we got there- I got out of the car and my water broke right in the parking lot! I said "oh wow my water broke!" and then I kinda knew It was labor.. Hahaha. It was 1:40am. We knocked on the door, and I went inside they were already filling the tub, as they took a quick listen to babies heart rate and then I got in.

In the tub I knew I was so close as I has been throwing up and my water broke. The midwives had so much confidence but I kept thinking it didn't hurt enough to be so close! Lol!!!! This makes me laugh now because everything I prayed for- God had delivered to me! Even down to me feeling like it wasn't "that bad"! Everything I had imagined my birth being- it was happening.

So I held hubby's hand, and the photographer showed up after a few Contractions and then I got ready to push. I was so happy when I started pushing. I couldnt believe how easy labor had been, and that I had been there only a few minutes before it was really happening! I gave into my body as  I contracted and I was not scared at all... Just had my song going in my head, listening to everything around me. I could hear the midwives talk quietly and Tony whispering to me as I lay in the water. I pushed harder and more than any other baby- which made sense when he came out 9lbs 4oz!  He was a boy- he had a true knot in his imbilical cord! His placenta was PERFECT and "The healthiest they had seen in along time" - All of these things I owe to my diet, and education during this pregnancy!

Honestly I could not be happier. We were Home at 630 just in time To show the kids all together their new brother, and take pictures. (photographer followed us to our house).

He is just amazing and the birth was amazing!! I will never have birth another way again.

The birth was so peaceful! <3 I keep thanking the Lord! I just can't believe I did it! All of the work that I did for nine months worked so well in my favor. The connection I had with my body, the feeling of peace, it was all due to God and my husband, and my support people. I still think back at how for two hours I paced around the house acting like an irritated bored person- when really I was in labor! I think about how fast it went... and how relatively not painful it was. Women are so afraid of natural labor- I dont know why!

It is so empowering when you submit to the amazing power of your body! Honestly I am STILL in awe... my birth was perfect... It really was.

Love, TheZMom

and... Introducing...

Thank you to:

Torri Howard, of Images By Torri Howard, for photgraphing. Amazing photos!

Thank you to our Midwives at Puget Sound Birth Center & Eastside Midwives

And, Lynette at Natural Birth First

We couldn't have done it without you!

My Post Partum Body - 5 Things I Love!

Our little baby was born! (pictures, birth story and announcement coming soon!) I wanted to take a moment and relish in these thoughts, not often had by women.

The PostPartum Body

I know it's daunting and even can be quite depressive and consuming. I wanted to take a moment and concentrate on what I love about my post partum body.

1. The big belly is gone! I can sleep any way that I want. I can get out of the car and off the couch without a crane.

2. My clothes fit! Ok maybe not all of them, but at least I can wear a shirt without the bottom of a belly hanging out the bottom. Maternity clothes aren't glamorous but it's nice that I'm not busting out of even those anymore.

3. My breasts are magic! Really! They now have the ability to sustain human life! Now of course my body was doing that while my baby was inside, but now my regular old breasts have the magic powers of keeping my sweet little baby alive. I'm sure my husband likes them, too!

4. The swelling has already been leaving my body! Those fat fingers and toes and water weight start flushing out pretty soon after delivery. Soon I'll be able to wear my wedding rings and shoes again!

5. I now know, I am a rockstar. Maybe I was a rockstar before, but now I have experienced the REAL ability of my body. Giving birth was like rolling around in money, as my child is completely priceless. I now have a new respect for all God has made me to do! I love my body!


I hope that as I remember these things, I can think less about how fast my body will go back to "normal" or losing weight as more about how amazing of a body I have! If you've had a baby, I hope you are in agreement with me and can look at your body with respect, too!

Love,
TheZMom

Make Ahead Breakfasts - Gluten Free

Being that I am SO pregnant at the moment, I've been trying to use up my energy for good when I have it, by making things ahead of time so when I'm totally exhausted or really physically needing sleep, I can get my kids some breakfast without a ton of preparation or cooking.

Here are a few things my kiddos just LOVE to eat. (And actually, THEZMAKER and I do, too.)

Breakfast Cookies

2 bananas
1/3 cup peanut butter (optional)
1/3 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
1 cup quick oats (uncooked)
1/4 cup nuts (I used sliced almonds)
1/4 cup raisins
1/8 cup DARK chocolate chips
-- for grown ups add 2/3 cup protein powder (I used vanilla)

Mix all together and let sit for 10 mins, giving the oats a chance to soak up water.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 mins for smaller cookies, up to 30 for bigger. Watch the edges. Let cool on cookie sheet for 5 mins, then transfer to cooling rack or board until fully cooled.

Crockpot Steel Cut Oats

2 Cups Steel Cut Oats

4 Cups Water

1 Cup Milk

Splash of Vanilla

Cinnamon to taste

1/2 cup Sugar*

Put ingredients in crockpot before you go to bed. Place the lid on, and put the crockpot on WARM. 

It will be ready in approximately 10 hours.

Add fruit or berries before serving.

*(or leave it out and add honey when its cooked)

Mini Egg Cupcakes or Mini Quiche

You can make these with or without the crust. If you are going to freeze them,

I recommend doing it without the crust.

10 eggs

Shredded Cheese*

Milk

Veggies**

Mix all together like you are making scrambled eggs.

Fill sprayed cupcake/muffin pan and bake at 350 degrees until

the eggs are sweaty and the fork comes out clean.

*I like to use mixed cheeses, but cheddar is also good alone

** ANY veggie is great for this. I recommend spinach (like baby spinach)

or frozen veggies, but you need to defrost them first. 

You can also do the same recipe in a baking dish, and get regular egg bake out of it:

You can also use premade pie crusts* and make them quiches:

*Most pie crusts are NOT gluten free. Check your labels.

Crockpot Rice Pudding

This is quite similar to the Steel Cut Oats.

1 Cup Rice

6 cups milk

2 cups water

cinnamon

sugar

dried or fresh fruit*

Mix all the ingredients except the fruit in your crockpot.

Put your crockpot on low if you are going to watch it all day, or WARM all night, 

or 3 hours on low, 2 hours on high.

The rice should NOT be crunchy after you've cooked this. 

You can add the fruit, and more sugar, or more milk.

Very similar to oatmeal! And really tasty!

I hope this gave you some ideas for how to make some make ahead breakfasts! 

Let me know if you try any! :)

TheZMom

Gluten Free Mini Muffins

Well I haven't tried to attempt muffins thus far, because being gluten free is intimidating at times, and also I haven't tried many pre-made GF muffins that were all that tasty. I figured if the professionals can't knock it out well, it might be kind of hard for me.

But, I decided, I've gotten pancakes down pretty well, so it can't be THAT much different right?

It just so happened that this morning I needed to make something I could color green, and we did pancakes yesterday so I figured, okay here is my chance to try some GF muffins.

Ingredients:

2 bananas
1 splash vanilla extract (I just pour it in)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup Bobs Red Mill Homemade Bread Mix
8 eggs
1/2 cup sugar

*These were also colored with 8 drops green food coloring :)

I blended the bananas in the Magic Bullet, first. 

Then I mixed all the rest together in a bowl. 

350 Degrees for 10-12 mins

It made 48 mini muffins- and they were GOOD!

How to Bless a Mom...

What does that mom need that you could do? How do you reach out to her in easy ways?

Sometimes moms can be distant or feel like they are hard to help. Normally it's because:

A. It Seems like she's got it all together and doesn't need/want your help

B. she seems totally overwhelmed and there's no way YOU could help her because she's used to her life and you aren't

Or C. You don't know what she needs and she won't tell you...

I've got a list for you.

Whatever age kid(s) you have that she also has, ask for that child to come Over for a playdate. If you have two, awesome take two. Most moms can handle a playdate with only 1-2 additional kids of their own at least for an afternoon. You would think that having other kids at home wouldn't really help at all- but you would be surprised at the dynamic change when you remove a few- even one- child from the group. Maybe she can get her smaller children napping while you have that older one or two.

Offer to have her over to your house on a day you know might be hard for her. Does her husband work on Saturdays? Maybe she has a hard time on a certain night of the week when her husband works late. If you know this, invite her over. Just having a playdate on that day, will make the few extra hours that her husband is gone seem more manageable.

Invite her out just adults. She might decline- but just being invited out is a self esteem builder when you've been surrounded by mounds of laundry and diapers for 10 years. She might think-"hey, someone still thinks I'm cool!?"

Don't forget her birthday. It might seem simple. It is. Even if all you do is say Happy Birthday, or send a text, it's important.

Make a point to check in on the relationship. If you think she's always busy: she is. If you think she's too busy for friends: she's not.

Bring her a meal sometime. Or even just some cookies. It doesn't have to be for any reason at all. She will love it and probably return the favor! And no, it's not an in-convenience to her to return the favor . Sometimes serving makes your heart relax. If she doesn't, that's okay too! She will still appreciate it!

Offer to hold her baby. She might not want anyone to hold the baby but if she does she will love that you offered. Maybe she really needs to pee. :)

Hopefully this list will give you an idea of how to bless a mom that you know and love!
TheZMom

March 1- Week 1 Budget 400$ per month

Wondering what my shopping list is for this week?

Last month was so successful! I met my goal under 100$, spending only 300$ of my 400$ budget for Feb!

$100 goal

Shopping list:
Quinoa pasta (2-3)
Marinara Sauce (2-3)
Corn tortillas
avocados (6)
Frozen fruit
Oranges
Apple sauce
Block of cheddar
Green Enchilada sauce
Baked beans
Gluten free corn bread mix
Eggs
Bacon (turkey Jennie o)
Milk whole
Yogurt
10lbs Potatoes

Menu:
6 dinners (Having Sunday at ILs this week)
1. Pasta with sauce and ground beef
2. Chicken and Rice with Bacon and Honey Mustard in the crockpot
3. Baked Potatoes with Bacon, Yogurt and Butter toppings
4. Corn bread with beans
5. Chicken Enchiladas
6. Mashed Potatoes and Chicken

Breakfasts will be eggs, egg pancakes, steel cut oats or smoothies
Lunches will be leftovers, scrambled eggs, pasta, etc.


Yay for another week at 100$!
Let's see If I can do it!
TheZMom

Saturday Job Lists Examples

I thought I would post some example lists of what I have the kids do on Saturdays. It does change so I will try to update this with more lists.

TheZMom