Growth!

remember back in october i planted some garlic. 

http://forhealthyroots.blogspot.ca/2011/10/my-fall-harvest.html

well, look what's sprouting now that it's spring!

The Humble Oat

The humble Oat (Avena sativa) is one of our most nutritious foods, it contains proteins, vitamins, minerals and trace elements that nourish the nerves, support the metabolism of fats, and uplift the spirit. Oatmeal is known for its high iron and fiber content and decreases total cholesterol levels.   Another amazing benefit for new mamas is that oatmeal helps to increase your milk supply!

I ate oatmeal when pregnant, not because I loved it but because it was good for me. Since having baby Kai, 4 weeks ago today (time does fly!) I have been loving the oats.  Not so much as oatmeal but as homemade granola (http://forhealthyroots.blogspot.ca/2011/01/homemade-granola.html) and today I made these amazing granola bars, so I thought I would share.

 3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup grapeseed oil (next time I am going to try some coconut oil)
2 tbsp molasses
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup wheat bran
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
2 tbsp sesame seeds
2 tbsp flax seeds
1/2 cup chopped raw almonds
1/2 cup dried raisins or cranberries
You really could add any nut, seed or dried fruit combination!

Mix honey, oil and molasses and bring to a boil. Let it cool a bit slightly.
Mix dry ingredients.
Mix wet into dry and press into a shallow rimmed baking sheet that has been lightly oiled or lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 12 minutes at 375F
Let cool and cut into squares.

I think I ate half a tray today. You do burn 500 calories per day breastfeeding a newborn after all.....

Birth Day.....

I was starting to think this baby was going to come soon.  Aidan was born at 37 weeks and Bella at 38 weeks and as I approached 38 weeks in this pregnancy I knew things were going to happen.  It was just the day before I got our bed all set up with the plastic cover for our planned homebirth.
I have never had any 'signs' that labour wass approaching....more like BANG! here it is....

Monday February 20th, exactly 38 weeks at about 3 am I had some pains, I just thought they were the usual Braxton Hicks I had been feeling for months now.  I went back to bed.  Around 6 am I thought maybe they are a bit more intense but still went back to bed til 7:30.  Then at 7:45 I literally felt a rush like an inflated balloon and POP my water broke.  I knew things would intensify quickly.  The kids were picked up, the midwives arrived and the labour began.....

This labour was hard.  I mean really hard.  I know they are all hard but I really was not sure how I would get through it.  The contractions in the lower front were so intense and I really wanted an epidural.  I never thought about an epidural with A and B.  I also knew that I would never make it to the hospital to get pain relief as the baby was coming.  At 11:37 am our little boy was born.  He decided to come out 'sunny side up' also known as Occiput Posterior. He was head down but facing up instead of down, making for a much harder labour.  Makes sense now.  OP labours tend to be longer as the baby's head does not fit as nicely in the pelvis and you tend to have bad back pain, which thankfully I did not. You can see from the picture above his forehead would be applying pressure to my lower abdomen, intensifying the contractions and the back of his head pushing on my tailbone....which is still sore from the birth.

Here we are now, March 5th, my actual due date.  Our sweet Kai William Schwartzman Miller born at 6 lb 15 oz on February 20th, 2012. So far he is a 'good' baby.  I know they are all good at this point he is still in his newborn slumber.  Just planning to take things one day at a time.  I know how fleeting these days can be and it is the last time we will have a newborn in our family.