Some Sewing

Amidst all the grumpiness, I have managed to get some sewing done (at 1:00am mind you- hmmm not great for the grumpiness I guess.)  First off, I just love the pattern for the "Twirly Skirt" found over on houseonhillroad . It is so easy, no buttons, no zippers- just straight line sewing.  My kind of project.

This little set is for Laurel.  She loves the fabric because the beagle looks just like my Grandma's dog Suzi.  I know, it is a bit summery- but hey it is still summer right?

Today is my friend Camille's birthday.  She is having surgery next week and I wanted to send her on her way with a cute bag.  One always needs a new bag when venturing into the city.

It is the "All Day Bag" from Lotta Jansdotter's book- Simple Sewing.

On a side note- I have an infected tonsil.  I am pretty sure that there is some kind of food object making it's home there.  I have spent the greater part of the morning trying to dislodge it.  Gargling, gagging (lots of gagging) and poking it with a knitting needle of all things- nothing seems to work.  So, any advice is welcome.

Just thought you all might enjoy that last little tidbit.  Cheers!

Issues

Do you remember those commercials where some poor individual had forgotten to drink their V8 and they were walking around tilted to the side- totally off balance?  Yeah, that has pretty much been our day today.  Before 9am we had honey on the carpet, tears from everyone (me too), arguing, lovely scribbles on important papers, frantic searches for something "wearable" in the dirty clothes basket, and the customary object being run over when backing out of the garage (basketball)  What the he**?  Was I just due for a crappy day or what?  Why does it all fall down on us at once?  I felt like Cinderella and we were all turning into pumpkins!  At some point in the morning I completely abandoned all expectations of getting anything done.  We found ourselves at the park.  And then, there was this:

 

A peace offering.  I gladly accepted.

classes resume

Well, most of the schools around here resume classes today.  My children don't go back for another week, but I am starting another series of "baby classes" as Emma and Hannah say.  I teach natural childbirth.  Why?  Because it is one of my great loves.  My Father would say that this is one of those traits that makes me "crunchy".  I actually loved being pregnant and giving birth- all three times!  The jury is still out on whether or not I will get to do it again.

(Okay I don't love the stretch marks or the 60lb weight gain...but everything else is pretty wonderful!)

Did you know that the percentage of women who give birth via cesarean section is at an all time high in our country? (I just read this article in Mothering Magazine) Over 30% of mothers undergo major abdominal surgery in order to have their babies.   As a nation, our theology surrounding birth is unfortunately way off.  All the technology is obviously not helping much!

In my classes, expecting parents come each week for 12 to learn how to give birth.  In the presence of normality (which is more often then not), we strive for unmedicated births with little or no interventions. With such a lofty goal in mind, it takes practice and a supportive team.  The hospital here has an epidural rate of 80%.  It is indeed a challenge.  Most of my students are referred by the birth center which is run by two midwives. 

Another added bonus to teaching is actually assisting couples as their doula. I am there to support both the mother and the father as they progress through labor.  As in the picture above (Laurel's birth) I can offer my hand for holding (thank you Melanie). Witnessing a baby's first moment outside of the womb is truly miraculous, but the journey up to that point is also pretty powerful. I am thankful to play my tiny little part in all of it.