Wednesday, November 20, 2013

SEASON'S CHANGE


Seasons change. So do priorities. When Archer arrived I knew something had to give. After much reflection I had to admit that I couldn't do everything. So, it is with sadness, but with peace I won't be posting as often as I used to. I've truly enjoyed my blogging adventure that started a year ago and maybe one day this will become a space I can frequent more often. Thank you to all my readers, I've been so blessed to know that I've inspired many to live a bit more beautifully.

Follow me on Instagram @jlmeyer and on Pinterest for daily glimpses into my life and for fashion, recipes and DIY projects. 

Joanna

P.S. Don't you just love Archer's mobile?? It was handcrafted by the talented, and hilarious Alison Show. I recommend visiting her blog, it's full of fabulous things. And let's not forget Archer's sheets. They are also handmade by the talented Iviebaby, you can see her Etsy shop here.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

ARCHER COVE {Birth Story}

August 13, 2013 - My last day of being pregnant - 41 Weeks

ARCHER COVE’S BIRTH STORY
I wrote two versions. If you only want the skinny read Long Story Short. But if you want to long, almost every detail version read Long Story Long.

*And just a side note. When I was pregnant I was always just interested in the facts of labor, wanting to know step-by-step what happened. So, I chose to write my story in a more factual manner so that those newbees out there who are like me can see step-by-step how things progressed. 

LONG STORY SHORT
I woke up on August 13 around 3:30am feeling very crampy. I noticed there was a pattern and decided to start timing the cramps. They were about 15 minutes apart.

Things began to escalate through the am and by 8:45am my contractions were 4 minutes apart. We were packed and ready to go to the hospital. We were just waiting for things to escalate a bit more.

Well, things slowed down before they would pick up. I spent the afternoon waiting and grew discouraged because they lost frequency after all that time. Bernie, my midwife, and my labor support said it sounded like he was in a bad position. I followed their instructions on how to help him get in a better position. I could tell their advice was working. Around 9:00pm I laid down and by 12:45am I was ready to go to the hospital.

When I arrived around 2am I was already 7-8cm dilated! They called Bernie and a doula to come to the hospital. I labored with their support through the night and morning and at 9:22am I delivered my beautiful baby boy. We named him Archer Cove. He was 9lb 11oz and 19inches long.

LONG STORY LONG
Every night for almost the past month, I went to bed hopeful I would be awaken by labor pains. It was kind of an emotional roller coaster. I was now a week late and wondered if he was ever going to come.

I woke up on August 13 around 3:30am feeling very crampy. I noticed there was a pattern and decided to start timing the cramps. They were about 15 minutes apart.

I laid in bed till about 5:00am. By 5:30 my contractions were 6 minutes apart. That’s when I had my bloody show. I figured this was probably the real deal!!!

By 7am my contractions were about 4 minuets apart. Bernie, my midwife, said to call when they were 3 minutes apart. So, Greg woke up and showered. He prayed for us, it was so sweet.

We both started getting ready for the hospital. Greg went and put gas in the van and put the car seat in while I showered. He also made me eggs for breakfast - what a guy :)

Around 8:45am we were so ready to go and just waiting for things to escalate.

Around noon my contractions picked up their intensity but slowed down in frequency. I called Bernie because I didn’t know what to do. From what I told her she said it sounded like baby was not in a good position. She said I should lie down on my right side and see if the frequency picks up.

I laid on my side for 3.5 hours and my contractions were really intense and long but only 10 minutes apart. And then all of a sudden they stopped being consistent. (From this point on I could no longer talk through contractions they were so painful.)

This is when I became discouraged. Things were not escalating and I seriously doubted he would ever come out. (I know it is irrational, but at the time it felt like a legit outcome)

I reached out to my friend Amanda, my on call labor support. She agreed that it sounded like the baby needed to be in a better position. Her words were “He needs to be in a good head down straight position in order to press on the cervix to keep the contractions coming.” I clung to her instructions. I went for a walk, I got on my hands and knees and rocked, I held onto the counter and did some deep squats and then laid down. This was all happening around 7:00pm.

At 9:30pm I realized my contracts became regular again, they were 10 minutes apart and WOW did they hurt. I continued to lie down and try to sleep in-between them. 

By 10:30pm they were 6-7 minutes apart. At 12:35 they were 4-5 minutes apart. I began bleeding and Amanda encouraged me to call Bernie.

Bernie agreed I should head to the hospital. So, I woke Greg up and said I think its go time!! I wasn’t sure how I was going to get to the car, let alone the hospital with these crazy contractions. Greg packed up the car and we drove – thankfully it only took us about 25 minutes to get there.

Once I got to the hospital I began shaking uncontrollably – the nurses said it was normal and it was just hormones. They wheeled me up to the labor and delivery and began a round of antibiotics because I tested positive for StrepB. They checked me and I was 7-8cm!!!! I was SOO happy! They asked if I wanted a doula – I took them up on the offer, which was honestly the best decision of my life! But, more on that later.

Around 3:00am I moved to the birthing tub to labor in the water. I was in the water and just wondering what was going to happen next. I felt silly, but I asked the nurse what we were waiting for, like what happens next. She just said, we are waiting for you to feel like you have to push. At the time I thought, well that doesn’t tell me much.

I was there for about two hours and than I rotated from rocking on the john to being on all fours on the bed.

Finally my water broke at some time around 8am. I moved to the bed so Bernie could check how dilated I was. At this point I was exhausted. I was loosing stamina – it had been over 24 hours. At the end of every contraction I would yawn and practically fall asleep.

Because I was at 9cm for almost two hours and I was barley hanging on Bernie suggested I be given some Pitocin. I consented, I knew at this point the baby needed to come out and it couldn’t possibly get any more painful.

That was just what I needed. The urge to push finally came and with my husband, doula and Bernie encouraging me (and placing the oxygen mask on my face) I pushed for an hour and out my beautiful baby boy, Archer Cove came. He was 9lb 11oz and 19inches long and very awake.

So there is the long version of Archer Cove’s birth story. I felt the need to write it all down for my own memory.  But I also hope it helps other women who want to deliver naturally. Even with a big baby you can do it - don't doubt your body. Just give into the pain and trust that soon you will be holding your precious, long awaited baby in your arms. 


A FEW REFLECTIONS . . .

This was the most difficult and painful thing I have ever done in my life. The entire time all I kept thinking was either I was going to die or that I was adopting my next child.

I didn’t realize it until after, but I'm so glad I psyched myself up to do an un-medicated birth by hearing other woman’s stories. And honestly, knowing that God designed our bodies to do this and millions of woman have gone before me allowed me to keep going even when I thought I was going to die from the pain. 

I chose to educate myself by surrounding myself with friends who had done this many times and who were passionate about it. I also watched The Business Of Being Born and the supporting episodes More On The Business of Being Born. I highly recommend doing both of those things.

One thing is that despite the pain of contractions coming frequently, you do get a little break to regroup after each one. In between I would often start laughing and say something funny about the situation. That is how I cope – laughter. I hope it helped my doula and midwife enjoyed my birthing experience as well because they were awesome.

On that note, if you are going to do natural childbirth, GET A DOULA! If you want to know more about them, just ask me and I’ll tell you a thousand reasons why.

Also, if you are going to labor at home you need support. I had a few close friends texting me and helping me cope via laughter the whole time. But also to help me know “yes, that is normal.” I cannot imagine doing this without them, including my amazing husband who sat by my side the entire time.

I am so grateful Archer's birth went well and only a few times did we have to veer from my birth plan. As difficult as it was I would do it again in heart beat.


Do you have your birth story blogged? If so leave a link, I'd love to read it!
Joanna

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

I'M STILL HERE


My sweet little Archer Cove arrived on August 14! Since than I've considered it a successful day if I can even take a shower, which means blogging and many other things have suffered. But, I'm still here and I hope to be back soon! I am currently working on writing my birth story and when I have a moment to think about things besides a hungry baby and dirty diapers, I'm dreaming up some posts to share with you!




Monday, August 19, 2013

ZUCCHINI {Bread}


This zucchini bread is delicious and simple - and healthy because it has zucchini it it, right? I love it warmed with a thin layer of melted butter on the top.

* Recipe yields two medium size loaves

Ingredients:
2 cups peeled and grated zucchini
3 eggs
1 cup salad oil
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:
1. Combine eggs and sugar. Mix well. Add oil and dry ingredients. Mix. Stir in zucchini and vanilla. Add nuts.
2. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour in a greased loaf pans.
3. Enjoy!

Apparently making bread is my new thing. I hope you enjoyed my mini-series.
Joanna

Thursday, August 15, 2013

I LOVE PATTERNED LEGGINGS


We will just use models for the time being - these legs are made for child baring, not modeling at the moment. 

I really do love patterned leggings. Pair them with a longer shirt or dress (please do not mistake them for jeans) and some cute summer shoes and you will have yourself looking all styled while remaining comfortable in the summer heat. Here are a few of my favorites this season.

1 >> 2 >> 3 

Joanna

Monday, August 12, 2013

DIY TRIANGLE SHELVES


I'm so excited to share with you our DIY triangle shelves inspired by A Beautiful Mess

The triangles are hanging above our little one's crib and make the perfect statement as you walk in the room. The husband and I went back and forth as to what colors to paint or stain them - here are the final results and we couldn't be happier how they tie the room together! We chose white and a metallic gold and copper.

With these shelves done Project Shared Room is pretty much complete - except for a few finishing touches that probably won't happen until after our little guys arrival. Keep an eye out for a post on the whole room. I can't wait to share it all with you!

Supplies Needed:
Wood (see instructions for amount)
Miter Saw
Tool to measure angles
Hammer/Nails
Paint

Instructions:
1. Purchase wood - This varies depending on the size, amount and depth you want your triangles. We wanted three triangles measuring about 20inches per side - so we purchased 180 inches of 1x2inch boards.
2. Figure out angles to cut corners - Ours are 60 degree triangles so we had to make 30 degree cuts in the wood.
3. Using a miter saw cut the wood - for each piece of wood the angles on each end should be opposite. We used the wider of the two ends to measure the length of 19.5inches - when we put all the pieces together each side would measure 20 inches. Hold wood slats up to each other to make sure they are the same length.
4. Once all pieces are cut,  begin nailing pieces together.
5. Paint your triangles - ours needed 2-3 coats each
6. Hang on the wall and enjoy!

And to top things off, The Husband and I couldn't believe how cheap this project was. We only spent $5 on wood and $10 on paint - making our project cost a total of $15!



Thursday, August 8, 2013

HONEY WHOLE WHEAT {Bread}


This past week I made honey whole wheat bread with a couple of friends. It is a bit dense to use as sandwich bread, but it tastes delicious with some warmed butter and peanut butter. Its becoming my new favorite breakfast.

*Recipe yields two loaves

Ingredients:
3 teaspoons  dough enhancer
3 cups  whole wheat flour
2 cups + 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon  hot water
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup  honey
2 teaspoons salt
3 teaspoons yeast
3 cups whole wheat flour

Directions:
1. Stack ingredients through yeast - blend together
2. Knead while adding additional flour - knead until dough cleans inside of bowl
3. Turn speed up for three minuets
4. Pour some olive oil on counter and hands - throw dough down seven times
5. Cut dough in half
6. Smooth and tuck dough/giving it an occasional chop with your hands to remove bubbles. Once lines are removed and dough is shaped like a loaf place in greased bread pan.
7. Let dough rise till it reaches about an inch from the top of pan - or till it doubles in size.
8. Bake at 350 for 30 minuets or until golden brown.