Homeschooling and distracting the tiny ones.

We lean very heavily unschooling. This doesn't mean we don't do "schoolwork", but instead that we do "schoolwork" my son is REALLY passionate about. 

My oldest is 7, and he is a wonderful, passionate, focused, loving, dramatic child. The issue is when you put his passion and his focus together (usually when he's pinning and categorizing his insects) he canNOT handle people interrupting his "flow". I get this. No, really little dude I feel you completely! 

So my "job" (besides helping when he asks for it) when he is focusing is finding new and inventive ways to distract his little brothers (4 and 2). We are currently amidst a screen free month (and while Daniel Tiger is awesome he really didn't hold a candle to how interesting ACTUAL INSECTS ARE!) 

So these are a couple methods we've used as distraction this last week. (Keep in mind I am the world's cheapest homeschooler so these are all pretty budget friendly) 

Rainbow dyed beans (http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2014/02/how-to-color-beans-for-play-and-art.html):

I had the kids help me make them. 

Then made sensory trays

We used the remains of the rainbow beans (there was a water incident) and the undyed ones to make glow-in-the-dark find it bags (presented here in light to actually see them), the snakes/lizards in the rainbow bag glow and there are glow beads in the other.

Food colored water, eye droppers, and cotton balls made a pretty fun color mixing activity. This actually amused them for a good 10 minutes before anyone tried to drink the waters or disassemble the eye droppers. I say that's a success! 

Ovolo Fletching Review

Wrap size: 6 

Length: 4,91

Width: 68 cm

True to size: Measures long but wraps true to size.

Weight: 1243 grams

Blend: 100% cotton

Age/weight of wrappee: 2.5 years and 40lbs / 4 years and 35lbs

Thank you North DFW Babywearers for letting me borrow this wrap!

(https://www.facebook.com/NorthDFWBabywearers)

I'm not particularly moved by the pattern of this wrap but I could see how others who have calmer taste then I would like this. I also really dislike blue (no seriously its the worst of the colors!), but this is a really pretty blue if you have to wear blue. But I'm not here for the looks of this wrap I'm really moved by the wrapping qualities! I'm really impressed (and for me that says a lot).

If I were to only use one word to explain this wrap it would be SMOOSH! (I mean look at it it just LOOKS smooshy!) From first feel in hand, to first wrap, and then into an hour long shopping trip, that word describes this wrap again and again. Its just smooshy! Its the kind of wrap that makes you want to rub it on your cheek (thats a normal feeling right?) because its so soft. 

I do NOT sandwich my shoulders (personal preference) which usually causes pressure points in thicker wraps with my chunk. With this wrap even wrapping my dead weight sleeping toddler on my back straight from the car in a less then stellar wrap job I barely even felt the wrap on my shoulders. Being that my child is 40 lbs I can no longer even think about using the term "weightless", but I have a feeling this wrap is about as close to that feeling as we can get. 

Again for a chest pass all I can think is “smoosh”, because I realize this isn’t a very technical term I’ll add that its “moldable” and has amazing bounce to it. I was able to tighten my chest pass without restricting my chest. The passes glide into place with almost the stretch of Nati bamboo without the inevitable sag. The carry stays supportive and solid while still soft and comfortable.

I did find slight annoyance that the wrap doesn't have enough grip to hold a single knot but is way too thick to double knot. This was easily bypassed by just doing knotless finishes though; so I would keep that in mind if you are looking to purchase in the decision on what size to get. 

While I think this wrap would be stellar from newborn to toddler and beyond I personally would not recommend it for a new wrapper. Between the thickness of the wrap and the bounce/stretch that is has it may seem overwhelming for a newer wrapper that doesn’t know how to handle those qualities. 

Surround yourself...

A wise woman once told me:

Surround yourself with people that possess the qualities you wish to aspire to. 

So today I will strive to surround myself with people who are: 

Fearless

Passionate

Truthful 

Loving 

Giving 

Selfless

People who do good for good's sake instead of self promotion. 

Those who love and forgive those who have harmed them. 

As these are the things I want to be. 

That and I want people that aren't offended by myself, my cussing problem ;) , or my children. That'd be cool too. 

30 Day Carry Rut Challenge

As an effort to rediscover my joy in the thing that changed me as a mother (post to come more about that later) I'll be doing the 30 day carry challenge. Really just as an excuse for more ginger snuggles ;) 

1. DH Rebozo
1. Normal:http://youtu.be/oyHskW3gl6g 
2. With ring finish: http://youtu.be/JsEu_Tu67_4
3. With ring sling finish: http://youtu.be/3unmM9Qekgk
2. Half-JBC 
1. No Shoulder flip:http://youtu.be/5HtlTfb21Vg
2. Symmetrical w/ shoulder flip: http://youtu.be/mDIIIgVXwKI
3. Ruck
1. With beginner tips: http://youtu.be/H1Dn7wGZng0
2. Some finishes variations: http://youtu.be/ZQLxsgp0y2A
4. Pirate Carry (RRRR)
1. Normal:http://youtu.be/wZQVbApRXr4
2. With FCC finish (for tandem wearing): http://youtu.be/9UDswkrjBFw
5. Mermaid
1. http://youtu.be/WmUDeUHuguU
6. DHDR
1. http://youtu.be/H40Dbhab5ls
7. Half-FWCC
1. http://youtu.be/FLQp-p1WHXo
8. Shepherd’s
1. With a slip-knot: http://youtu.be/9SQfzGsP0Eg
2. With Leg passes: http://youtu.be/ed774Y7f1Hk
9. Knotless DH
1. http://youtu.be/9oABtXH-yKA
10. DHTAS
1. http://youtu.be/hOf-Oh2-vTY
11. SBCC
1. Normal:http://youtu.be/M2t8ZKEixYo
2. With Candy Cane Chest belt: http://youtu.be/OQqQoitb708
12. Sweetheart
1. http://youtu.be/kiLqYXjDVHE
13. Elleville Jordan’s Back Carry: 
1. With Slip-Knot:http://youtu.be/IoxViVcbN34
2. Candy Cane Chest Belt: http://youtu.be/Cv1wV6IqjEk
14. Kangaroo
1. With Newborn:http://youtu.be/4zywAD_38CU
2. Reinforced: http://youtu.be/WxaA-GNPbFo
3. Semi Pre-tied: http://youtu.be/zFr1zs7AKKU
15. FWCC
1. With a newborn: http://youtu.be/7gJEIYTQRTk
2. With a toddler: http://youtu.be/nPejVuOMdtk
16. FCC
1. http://youtu.be/oJtmL1DAUF8
17. Robins
1. http://youtu.be/Rl9jxeoJE4c
18. Poppins
1. http://youtu.be/ALgrqgmiZc0
19. Christina’s Ruckless
1. http://youtu.be/68sve1KdYyg
20. Taiwanese
1. Normal: http://youtu.be/fmVEgtU1-W8
2. Variation:http://youtu.be/DLtNEsQVLFY
3. One Shouldered: http://youtu.be/LIY6VmYf7ZA
4. Shorty variation:http://youtu.be/jBz2yXXf-j8
21. DH
1. http://youtu.be/SnNIMyk-WjI
22. DRS2S
1. Long: http://youtu.be/NjRKuT4wxIU
2. Short: http://youtu.be/Iy95xN9MTPQ
23. Knotless ruck
1. http://youtu.be/j1O1KAfCv68
2. With sling ring: http://youtu.be/cMRidCxccfo
24. Coolest Hip Cross Carry
1. http://youtu.be/jy4GWHg3Ebs
2. Inside-out: http://youtu.be/Q3CbwwMxTR4
25. SHBC
1. http://youtu.be/q3IzE8dkRoI
2. Pre-tied: http://youtu.be/ZHI7OViYwLg
26. Norwegian Wiggle Proof 
1. http://youtu.be/Nj6TMjJuepg
27. Rear Rebozo
1. With slip-knot: http://youtu.be/mx7hUCfqErU
2. With Ring sling: http://youtu.be/8-whEqHBOIU
28. Gisele’s Back 
1. http://youtu.be/DiSR_Z-pkcs
29. DHTT
1. http://youtu.be/VlOBlyyKE3k
30. Xena BWCC
1. http://youtu.be/Swy_GfF28Fc

December - A Re-introduction

I promise my posts will not be such personal rants as this will be. I like babies, babywearing, hippie stuff, homeschooling, crochet, and well general awesomeness. Those that know me know that the past 6 months have been a difficult time. In fact typing out "difficult time" doesn't seem to do it justice. Now. Now it is December. There's always been something about December that makes me want to stop and refocus my life; I guess I get that New Year's resolution bug earlier then most. This December it wasn't really optional though, this December it was time for a new slate. After attempting to get back to "my life" after Elias in June it took a long hard slap in the face to realize that just wasn't in the cards. So December is the month of change. It time to start over, move on, and be joyous. And yet again this starts with food and another Whole30. I have a couple things that I have been putting on the back burner for a long time that I am finally able to focus on. So in short: Let's get ready for 2015.

EDD's: the Hope and Pain

My 2nd son is a quiet small sweet child. He just turned 4, loves sleep, and rarely rarely does his voice go above what people would call an inside voice. He is an amazing blessing to our family (as are all of our children) and we are grateful for every moment he's here. 

When I was pregnant with him I suffered from HELLP that presented as only severe migraines until my 3rd trimester. To make a long story short I ended up admitted to the hospital with him at 33 weeks 0 days and they were unable to get my blood pressure down after several attempts and my husband was told it was deliver him then or I wouldn't make it. He was born by emergency cesarean weighing 3 lbs 5 oz. He was whisked away surrounded by hospital people and I didn't get to even see him until he was more then 24 hours old.

When you're released from the hospital after having a baby it's supposed to be a joyous occasion. Getting the carseat in for the first time, finally getting to use all those teeny tiny baby clothes you washed, hung up, and stared at for weeks before. When you're released from the hospital weeks before your child there is nothing but pain in those items and emptiness in your home. 

I held on hope. Hope to what they tell most NICU parents: "babies usually come home around their due date". All I had to do was hold on and wait and wait for that magical day on the calendar and I'd finally get to take my baby home with us. 

And that day finally came! It was a long journey to there and up until recently the most painful thing I've ever walked through. But he came home! Him and his very very tiny self. 

When we found out our fourth son no longer had a heartbeat and and was delivered at a little under 18 weeks. That due date... That useless number you're given when the egg timer of pregnancy goes off and your "done"... Well it became more of an endless source of pain. Instead of being the day our baby should come home by; it is the day our baby should have been here but wasn't. There's no hope in numbers and dates.  

This is where I'd insert my ultra picture or some evidence that my son existed but I have none. There is nothing but the pain and emptiness of this day. 

Non birth story.

On Tuesday June 12th I went into my midwife's office for my normal monthly check up (I had my 7 year old with me because he wanted to hear the baby) and she was unable to find a heart beat. It was after 5pm so I needed to go to the hospital quick before the people that could get me into get a sono closed. My midwife called the people and confirmed they would get me in as soon as I got there. 

So off to the hospital I went with my 7 year old. Upon getting to the hospital they told me that I'd have to call and make an appointment tomorrow when the dept that handles the sonos are open. The midwife was able to track someone down to get me in and I was take back to get a sono at about 6pm alone with my 7 year old (who I gave my phone to play with). At no point in the sono did I get to see the baby the screen was faced away from me the entire time and then the tech said she had to call the midwife to confirm the readings. 

This was the last contact I had with my midwife. She informed me over the sono tech's phone that the tech found no heart beat and the baby had passed. I was 17 weeks and 2 days. The tech told me to go to the ER where I was lucky enough to have some friends that had come up to the hospital waiting room with me and I decided to wait for my husband before going back into the ER. 

A friend picked up my husband and children as I had the car with the car seats. And we were checked into the ER where they did labs and placed an IV. The on call OB was called to come and talk to me about what my options were to "void my uterus." 

When the OB arrived after an hour or so I was given the option to either induce labor or to go to an abortion clinic. At the time I was unable to make any decision and just wanted to go home. I was released from the ER at approx 11pm that evening (the OB said I only had a day to decide and I needed to come back). My husband dropped me off at home and went and picked up our children.

I spent that entire day in bed unable to function... Trying to spend what little time I had left with my baby. We decided to induce labor and we went to the hospital at 7pm Wednesday evening. There was a lot of check in paper work and ID checking, etc. but all I remember is signing a bunch of paperworks that I was checking into the hospital for "fetal demise." At one point the woman that was checking me in asked her coworker how to spell demise. I tried to close my eyes and ignore them. 

At approx 8:30 that evening they placed cyotec and we waited. I listened to music and tried to pretend this wasn't happening. 

At approx 11pm I had to go to the restroom and upon sitting up I felt what I thought was my water breaking. Quickly though blood gushed every where over me and the floor. The nurse came in and the blood just kept coming it was soaking through the pads and towels as soon as he placed them. So she called the OB come into the hospital. 

I don't remember how long it took for the OB to show but in that time the nurse tried to see how dilated I was wand couldn't because there was too much blood and clots. The OB showed up with her practice partner and it took them several times to get through the blood and clots to feel that my waters were still in tact and at that point they decided that I needed to go into surgery. 

When I woke up from surgery I was alone. This is the feeling I'll always remember every time I wake up. 

Creamy Avocado Dressing

Ingredients:

2 small avocados 

Juice of one lime

1/4 cup of liquid coconut oil (if it's solid met in a pan on the stove) 

1/2 can of coconut milk (combined)

3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 

2 tablespoons minced garlic (I really like garlic so keep this in mind!) 

Salt and pepper to taste

Place 2 small avocados in food processor or blender, add like juice and coconut oil and blend until smooth.

Add apple cider vinegar, coconut milk, and spices. Blend until smooth. Taste and add more salt/pepper/garlic to your liking. 

Be a good hippy and store in a mason jar ;) (mine are blue so the color is a little off) in the fridge. 

Dear Children, be true.

Why is it important that we teach our children to be true to themselves? 

I believe we are fearfully and wonderfully made. What that means to me is that God has made us completely unique to be used in a unique way to serve Him. Within us as children is a spirit, an essence, that God has given us, a pull towards him and a unique and beautiful personality. I think sometimes as adults in an effort to "protect" our children from the cruel, harsh world we try to make them fit into the nice happy acceptable box that society approves of. In doing so I think we are losing part of the beauty that is our children or making it more difficult to grow to love themselves as God does.

I believe as a parent I am here to guide my children to find themselves in The Lord, and as much as I want to be their protector from "the world" that's not my job it's God's.

Pslams 31(Amp):

19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear, revere, and worship You, goodness which You have wrought for those who trust and take refuge in You before the sons of men!

20 In the secret place of Your presence You hide them from the plots of men; You keep them secretly in Your pavilion from the strife of tongues.

If we teach our children to change themselves or not speak their heart for fear of bullying or prosecution... The world not only wins, but we have taught them to place their valve in the thoughts and actions of men (of this world) instead of finding their value in the Love of our Lord.