Wool Soaker

Wool Soaker

Date started: April 15, 2008

Date finished: May 27, 2008

Pattern: Littleturtleknits.com

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool in Wedgewood 77011

Breastfeeding Victory!

I haven't blog about this but I have had some breastfeeding problems with Ian. The main problem been the unproper latching making me really sore. I had to pump for the first weeks and give him my milk in a blottle. I went to Baby R us and bought all of the bottles that proclaim to be breast- like and some other that are BPA free. I tried them all except for the Dr. Browns and the Avent. I ended up falling in love with Nuby it was the only bottle I tried that had the right flow (all other bottles seemed to make Ian shoke on the milk), and it is BPA Free and the nipple is somewhat flat allowing some similarity with the breast plus it was the ONLY BOTTLE THAT DIDN'T DRIP.

I had always have tons of milk so pumping is a must or I will get mastitis, the problems is I was having to pump for everyfeeding (every 3 hours) and the pumping overstimulated my milk production, I was exahusted! So a couple of weeks ago I started really putting Ian at the breast, he still hurt me but it was more bearable. His sucking has gotten better and I think my nipples are getting used to him as well.

The good news is that the last two days he had only fed on my breast, I am down to only 2 pumping sessions a day and today his dad offered him a juicy bottle of milk and he did not go for it. He did not even opened his mouth!

This makes me sooo happy, I can finally sleep through the night while getting out of bed since I don't have to pump every 3 hours or feed the baby with the bottle. I am so happy we are finally getting the breastfeeding down, as this has increased the attachment between each other as well. I am glad I did not give up and kept trying to make the breasfeeding work.

No había hablado de esto pero he tenido unos problemitas dándole de mamar a Ian. El como que cerraba la boca en lugar de abrirla y succionaba su labio superior causándome mucho dolor al amamantar. Tuve que sacarme leche y dársela en el chupón para darle oportunidad a mis pesones de sanar, lo malo es que me tenía que sacar leche cada 3 horas y esto aumentó mi producción. En las últimas dos semanas empecé a ponerlo al pecho y también darle chupón. El empezó a agarrar el pecho mejor y también creo que mis pesones se acostumbraron. Tengo dos días de darle solo pecho y hoy rechazó el chupón lo cual me dice que prefiere el pecho. Estoy super feliz porque la producción de leche me ha bajado y por fin puedo dormir en la noche sin tener que levantarme de la cama para sacarme leche y darle chupón. Los dos nos vamos a dormir juntitos y solo me levanto para cambiarlo una o dos veces. MORALEJA: No hay que darse porvencido cuando hay problemas de dar el pecho hay que seguir intentándolo y tarde o temprano el bebé aprende y las cosas se normalizan. Me alegro de que no me di por vencida.

My mom is leaving...

My mom came from C.R. to help me out with the baby, she had been here for one month but Friday she had to leave. It was great having her, she helped me so much... I am going to miss her.

Mami vino para ayudarme con el bebé. Se quedó un mes pero el viernes pasado se fue de regreso a C.R. Me ayudó tanates así que me va a hacer muchísima falta.

One month

I took this picture on May 19 exactly at one month. Ian is now almost 9 pounds (was only 6 pounds 15 ounces when he was born), so I can already see effects of the breatmilk on him, he is getting longer, bigger and heavier really fast! and cuter of course...

Esta foto la tomé el 19 de Mayo a un mes de edad. Ian pesa ahora 9 libras (peso solo 6 libras y 15 onzas al nacer), así que ya puedo ver los efectos de la leche materna en él, se está poniendo mas largo, grande y pesado muy rápidamente y además más lindo cada día.

Baby at 3 weeks

Here with mom








Here with Tita:














Con Tita:












Here wearing the gown aunt Cristina made for sister Mariel 18 years ago... It has been worn by Mariel, Rachel, and now Ian. It is my favorite PJ's because the material is nice and cool and it fits the baby for a long time.
Aquí en esta foto Ian lleva puesto un saquito que Tia Cristina le hizo a Mariel hace 18 años. Es mi favorito porque la tela es fresquita y les dura mucho tiempo. Ya ha sido usado por Mariel, Rachel y ahora por Ian. Gracias tia Cristina! Lo he guardado todos estos años con mucho cariño.

Sleepless nights...

Here wearing tio R. outfit, the reason of my sleepless nights. Little Ian would sleep all day and wake up every 2 hours at night... I can hardly wait for this stage to be over so I can get some sleep.

Aquí donde lo ven (llevando el trajecito que le regalo su tio R.) no me deja dormir. En el día duerme 4 horas a la vez y en la noche se despierta cada 2 horas... Espero que pronto se le arregle el reloj para yo poder dormir.

Baby pictures

Hello, everyone. I am happy to report that my birth plan was followed to the "T". My husband loved it because he got to be part of the "delivery team" and witnessed everything in first row sit.

Baby Ian was born on Saturday April 19 at 11:13 a.m. He was 6 pounds, 15 ounces. Here are some pictures:

Hola a todos. Les quiero contar que mi parto fue como yo quería. Todo fue 100% natural. Mi esposo lo disfrutó mucho porque participó de todo y estaba en primera fila. Ian nació el Sábado pasado, 19 de Abril a las 11:13 de la mañana y peso casi 7 libras. Aquí hay algunas fotos:

At the hospital (en el hospital)


5 Days (5 días de nacido)
Here with sister.












Here with his aunty. 6 Days (6 días) -Today-

I'm still here...

One more day and I am still here. The contractions are almost gone. I have been very active, I went to the store and stuff but still nothing, except for an increase in the preasure over my perineum area which probably means I am slowly stretching.

I got some diapers that I ordered online on Ebay. They look very purple for a boy, but they look great as far as functionality. They are All-in-ones meaning diaper, doubler and cover all together. This do not need a cover. Brand name AIO's are over $20 , this ones where only $8 each including shiping which is a great price. I can't wait to try them. They have velcro and they are super easy to put on and the insert is so so soft. If they work OK I am buying more!

The only downside is that they are fully water proof which means I won't know when the baby is wet unless I stick my hand inside the AIO, unlike contour diapers that need a wool cover but will allow me to know right away when the baby is wet. A good contour diaper is $5.99, so there is only a $2 difference with this AIOs.

This is the Ebay seller I got the AIO's from:
http://stores.ebay.com/CUTE-CUTE-THINGSbay.com/CUTE-CUTE-THINGS

These are the AIO diapers: They actually look exactly like a disposable diaper when they are open. you just close them with the velcro at the front just like you would do with a regular disposable.

I also bought contour diapers and covers from the brand KISSALUVS. I don't know why did I choose this brand, I guess because it has the same quality of other more expensive brands at a better price. Their AIOs look beautiful!!!! but I don't think I can afford them right now. I got hem here. I love this online store because the prices are good and the shipping is only $5 or free for orders over $100.

I got both fitted diapers ($11.59) which are this:







And contour ($5.99) diapers which are this:







Both of which require a cover. The AIO from Ebay will complement my collection and I inted to use them more for going out or for exclusive use of daddy. LOL

As a tip, I will tell you that I found this webpage that tells you how to make contour diapers out of a prefolded diaper. If you have sewing machine, this is a piece of cake and will save you tons of money. Prefolded diapers are only $1 or $2 each and they can be sewn and cut into contours that would normally cost $5.99 each. I am seriously considering buying a sewing machine after I saw this online:

http://www.mama2mama.org/contours.html

Bueno, un día más y todavía estoy aquí. Las contracciones se calmaron casi por completo aunque he estado muy activa. Aquí hay unas fotos de los pañales que he comprado. Son preciosos! es increíble las cosas que se consiguen hoy en día. Nisiquiera hay que doblarlos, unos ya vienen con la forma y solo se pone la gasilla, otros traen broches y elástico en las piernas y los más bonitos pero también más caros traen todo en uno, el pañal, refuerzo en el centro y cubierta impermeable además se cierran al frente con velcro, son exactamente como los desechables pero se pueden lavar. También encontré un lugar en el internet que explica como hacer los pañales con la forma utilizando pañales corrientes de gaza con una máquina de coser. De hecho estoy pensando seriamente en comprarme una... lástima que no estoy en CR porque yo se quien me hubiera ayudado con este proyecto... (comienza con L... JA JA)

Cronics of a labor process...

Well, today I was sure in the morning I was leaving to the hospital. I had contractions all night every 7 min. I took a shower and got ready, after discover my mucous plug was gone... Then around 9:30 a.m. took a nap, and the contractions started to fade. So, a little bid dissapointed, I had to change the plans for the day again. I rested and then went for a walk. The contractions come and go and I am having sort of like an energy spurt, which I think might be "the nesting". The good thing is that I am having time for some last minute arrangements, including buying a bag of goodies to take to the hospital, my MP3 player is now ready with my favorite music and I put together a wonderful knitting baggy.

I went to Joann's yesterday to walk around and try to get my contractions going. I saw this bag and since it was on sale I could not resist it. It is the most perfect small project knitting bag. It has so many zippers and compartments... I put my circular knitting needles in one zipper each, my ball of yarn in the middle and the pattern in the outer zipper. It is so perfect! Oh! there is even a zipper for my MP3 player! how cool is that. The bag is small enough to be very portable but roomy enough to fit everything you need including a gauge ruler, zissors, etc. It is the size of a page folded in half. Of course, this will be my fun bag to carry not only to the hospital but everywere after that. I am even thinking it might be able to hold a diaper or two.. HA HA HA

Bueno, creí que a estas horas ya iva a tener bebé pero por lo visto no. Ya me salió el tapón de protección pero las contracciones no han progresado lo suficiente como para irme para el hospital. Así que aquí estoy haciendo unos arreglos de último minuto, preparando unas cositas de comer para llevarme al hospital, poniendo mi música favorita en mi MP3 player y preparante esta bolsita que ven en la foto con cosas de tejer. La vi ayer en Joann's y no pude resister comprarla ya que estaba en oferta. Me fascina! le cabe de todo y solo mide el tamaño de una hoja doblada a la mitad. Puse mi patrón en un zipper, mis agujas circulares en los otros zipper de adentro y la bola de lana en el medio. También hay un compartimiento perfecto para el MP3. Me quedó perfecta!


The pattern I got in the bag is for a soaker. Since I am going to be using cloth diapers I wanted to start a soaker as soon as possible. Even though there are free patterns for soackers on the internet, I decided to go with a purchased one that seemed to be very reliable. It can be purchased here.


Este es el patrón que heché en mi bolsita de tejer, es para hacer calzoncitos de lana. Estos se ponen sobre el pañal para que no pase la humedad. El patrón se consigue aquí.


I have another project on the needles that is half way through. It is from Debbie Bliss and it is called "Florence". Here modelled by a baby girl, I think it would look great on a boy as well.


También estoy trabajando en este overallcito. Es de Debbie Bliss y se llama "Florence". Aunque aquí lo lleva puesto una chiquita creo que también se vería perfecto en un varoncito. Ya terminé la parte de atrás y tengo que comenzar con el frente pero creo que primero voy a hacer un par de calzoncitos impermeables de lana ya que los voy a necesitar muchísimo.

Almost there...

I have been having contractions. The nurse told me today I was 1 cm dialeted and the baby had already dropped. My contractions are regular (7-10 m) but not too bad. So we came back home... I am spending the night filling up my MP3 player with the "labor" music. I hope tomorrow it will be more clear whether or not I should go to the hospital. Rember; I am almost 2 hours away... so I can't wait too long to leave. We are going to place towels on the sit just in case my water brakes on the way, but God willing, everything will be fine.

He estado teniendo contracciones. La partera me dijo hoy que tenía un centímetro de dilatación y que el bebé ya estaba abajo en la pelvis. Mis contracciones son regulares entre 7 y 10 minutos pero no muy dolorosas... entonces nos devolvimos para la casa. Estoy pasando el rato poniendo la música que quiero para el parto en mi MP3. Espero que ya mañana sea más evidente si me tengo que ir para el hospital o no. Acuérdense que tenemos que manejar casi dos horas, así que no me puedo esperar demasiado... Vamos a poner paños en el asiento por aquello de que se me reviente la fuente de camino... Pero Dios primero todo saldrá bien.

Cloth or disposable diapers?- Pañales de tela o desechables?

As I was making the baby's bag for the hospital I came across the diaper issue, should I look into cloth diapers??? Why not? So, there I went straight to my computer to do some research. Yes cloth is better for the environment but that is not enough reason, if I was going to bother washing diapers I needed it to be also good for my baby and good for my wallet...

I researched the diapers themselves and was amazed at the super cool cloth diapers available nowadays, prefolded, pocket diapers, all in one diapers, organic diapers, you name it! The cost varies dramatically depending on the quality or kind of diaper. But an article in motherhood magazine online convinced me to do it. Plus there is the added bonus of having to knit my own wool covers... which I would love to do! of course! Any excuse to knit goes!

Here are some of the reasons stated in the article:

1. Hands down the best option for the environment.
2. Cost (long term savings).
3. Cloth diapers breath allowing urine to decompose instead of forming bacteria.
4. Parents know when the baby is wet immediately and therefore babies are changed more frequently as opposed to disposable diapers that are left on the child for hours while urine is in contact with the skin.
5. Babies who know when they are wet get potty trained faster. Disposable diapers keep you from knowing when you are wet.
6. Hash chemicals used to make diapers have already been phohibited in the use of tampons due to toxic reactions. No one really knows what does it do to the baby's privates.
7. It takes less time to wash your diapers than driving to the store, make the line at the cash register, load the diapers in the car, drive home, unload your diapers. So, eventhough many people think it is more time consuming to use cloth it could actually save you time and be more convenient. (You don't have to rush to the store at 9:45 p.m. to pick up diapers because you never run out...)

Anyways, here is the full article if you want to read it:

www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/diapers/joy-of-cloth.html

Cuando estaba preparando la malete del bebé me enfrente con la necesidad de comprar pañales y me puse a pensar que tal vez debería de considerar la opción de usar pañales de tela. Por qué no? Así que fue directo al internet a hacer mi investigación. Ya yo sabía que los pañales de tela eran mejores para el ambiente, eso es obvio, pero esa no era razón suficiente. Si yo iva a tomarme la molestia de lavar pañales tenía que ser porque me también me beneficiaba a mí y a mi bebé.

Investigué todas las opciones de pañales de tela en el mercado y me maravillé con la variedad que hay ahora, organicos, predoblados, todo en uno (incluye el covertor exterior), los de insertos (se les meten insertos adicionales en el centro para mayor absorción), etc. Los precios varían dependiendo de la calidad. Pero fue un artículo en la revista Motherhood el que me terminó convenciendo. Además claro del hecho de que me da una excusa para tejer porque las cubiertas impermeables hechas con lana son la mejor opción en lugar de los calzoncitos plásticos y eso me da la excusa de tejer aun más. JE JE

Estas son algunas de las ventajas que menciona el artículo:

1. Sin lugar a dudas la mejor opción para el ambiente.
2. Costo (se ahorra muchísimo a largo plazo).
3. Los pañales de tela respiran haciendo que la orina se discipe en lugar de acumularse dentro del pañal y la amonia se descompone en lugar de formar bacteria. Esto si se usa un covertor de lana que tambien respira en vez de calzón plástico.
4. Los padres saben cuando el niño está mojado porque se siente en el calzoncito de lana por eso cambian a los niños más seguido, mientras que con los desechables cuesta saber si el pañal está mojado y por ende los cambios se hacen menos frecuentes. A veces no se les cambia el pañal a los niños por periodos tan largos como 6 u 8 horas. Durante este tiempo la orina y la bacteria están en contacto con el bebé.
5. Los niños que usan pañales de tela sienten cuando están mojados y esta sensación hace que aprendan a ir al baño más rápido. Se ha comprobado que los niños que usan desechables tardan más en aprender a ir al baño.
6. Los pañales desechables contienen un gel químico para maximizar la abosorción que es muy tóxico y fue prohibido en la fabricación de tampones debido a su asociación con el síndrome de shock del tampón. En realidad nadie sabe que efectos tiene este químico al estar en contacto con los genitales del bebé por tantas horas. También existe preocupación en relacion a otros ingredientes y la contaminación que causan estos químicos en el ambiente cuando se están produciendo los pañales.
7. Por último, aunque la gente cree que toma mas tiempo lavar pañales, si se hace de una manera adecuada, es más rápido que el tiempo que te toma manejar al supermercado, hacer la fila en la caja, ponerlos en el carro, manejar de regreso y bajarlos del carro. Con los pañales de tela nunca vas a tener que salir corriendo al super en medio de la noche, cansando porque se te acabaron los pañales, esto no te pasa porque los pañales de tela nunca se te acaban.

Si quieres leer el artículo completo en inglés está en esta dirección:

www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/diapers/joy-of-cloth.html

Spring brake vacations

Napa:

Windsor:

Here are some pictures of our spring brake vacations. We went to Windsor. Which is a nice country town, not much to do there except for enjoying the resort we were staying at.

J and specially R, enjoyed the swimming pool very much, so much they got sun burned. We did not use any sun tan lotion because it was not hot, but you forget you are still getting burned and sure enough they did.

J barbecued and I just layed around with my belly... R enjoyed diving in the swimming pool and watching T.V. by the way it is a root beer she has on her hand not a real beer of course...

We also went to Napa Valley. These pics are from Napa town which was not what I expected. In fact, I liked Sonoma and Santa Rosa much better. I love the old houses in this area and the views, which unfortunately I was not able to get good pictures of. Hopefully I would be able to come back some day with a better camera...

Durante la semana Santa fuimos a un hotel en una ciudad llamada Windsor. Queda cerca de San Francisco. La pasamos muy bien aunque ahí en realidad no hay nada, pero lo que queríamos era descansar y disfrutar del hotel. J y R se quemaron todos porque se la pasaban en la picina y el Jacuzzi. J hizo carne azada, R vio tele tomando Zarza y yo nada mas descansé y tejí. Fue un buen descanso antes de tener el bebé. Fuimos también a Napa que es famoso por la producción de vino, el valle es precioso, los viñedos parecen salidos de películas y me encantan las casas viejas de esta zona. Desgraciadamente no tome buenas fotos, pero quiero volver ojalá con una cámara mejor. Queríamos también ir a la playa a un lugar donde hay un risco y un faro, pero ese día me agarraron contracciones falsas y me sentía muy cansada entonces no fuimos.

The birth planning...

Well as I said in my comments to the last post, I found a great midwife in a city nearby. It was a little hard to get in with her at 34 weeks. But thanks God, she agreed.

It was also a bit hard to depart from my doctor at a last minute as we had already build a good relationship and I was used to him, etc. But I just knew that if I did not do it I, would regret it. He pretty much ignored my birth plan and refused to discuss it in detail, so what could I expect? He was probably been agreedable enough to get rid of me and then when show time would come, he would just do whatever the heck he wanted with me at the hospital. He knows ones I am in labor I am not going to have the time, or energy to go over my options, right? So the old trick of "just bring your birth plan to the hospital" and the "I don't need a copy" comments really stroke a bad feeling on me. Don't get me wrong, this is an awesome doctor, he took good care of me during the prenatal stage. He was very careful to monitor the baby's growth when he found out our umbilical cord only had one artery, etc. The problem was he was not willing to share the decision making power with me during my delivery and that was a big issue for me.

With your first baby, you are totally clue less. With the second you are hessitant of some interventions, but with the third, you know exactly what you want and how do you want it, and I wasn't going to let go on my last chance to have a birth my way.

And yes, I did rent the movie that both of you guys in the comments sugested: THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN (available in Netflex.com). What an amazing documentary! No one should have a baby without looking at this video first. It is truly eye opening. It gave me great reasurance that I am doing the right thing at looking for a good midwife.

Bueno, la cita con el doctor no fue muy bien que digamos, el no tenía muchas intenciones de respetar mis deseos a la hora del parto, asi que me conseguí una excelente partera. Gracias a Dios me recibió a pesar de estar tan cerca de mi fecha. Ella tiene una actitud muy distinta a la del doctor en relación a mis preferencias.Como por ejemplo poder dar a luz agachada de cuatro patas, en la tina con agua tibia, de lado, etc. No le pareció que nada de lo que yo pedía fuera extraño, al contrario. Su actitud fue muy positiva. Así que aunque tenga que manejar una hora cuando me comiencen los dolores, para allá voy. También vi la película EL NEGOCIO DE NACER, que no ha salido solo está disponible en Netflex.com. Toda persona que este embarazada debería de ver este documental antes de tener su bebé y hablar con su médico sobre las diferentes opciones. Realmente los partos en la actualidad están diseñados para la comodidad de los doctores y no de las pacientes. No hay que dejar que le roben a uno la oportunidad de dar a luz en forma natural y en la posición que sea menos dolorosa para uno. El médico debe respetar los deseos de la mujer.

Birth Plan

I have invested hours researching about routinely birth practices, vaccines, shots, testing and circumcision. To anyone interested here is a copy of my birth plan. I hope it can help other moms to-be with their research or with ideas to put together their own birth plan.

My Birth Plan

This birth plan is intended to express the preference and desires we have for the birth of our baby. It is not intended to be a script. We fully realize that situations may arise such that our plan cannot and should not be followed. However, we hope that barring any extenuating circumstances, you will be able to keep us informed and aware of our options. Thank you.

First Stage (Labor):

• Environment: Dim lights. Quiet environment. Would prefer not to have students, residents etc. Would prefer to keep vaginal exams to a minimum.
• Mobility: No IV. and only intermittent fetal monitoring to allow movement, showering, changing positions, walking, etc. Free Movement: I wish to be able to move around and change position throughout labor. I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth, including squatting.
• Medications: No medications. Please do not offer me pain medications, I will ask for them if I want them.
• Fluids: By mouth.
• Episiotomy: I am working on daily perineal stretching massages as it is my desire to avoid an episiotomy, however if it becomes absolutely necessary to have one, please cut two small incisions on the sides instead of one long centered or sided incision.
• Artificial Rupture of Amniotic Membrane: I do not wish to have the amniotic membrane ruptured artificially before the birth unless signs of fetal distress require an internal monitor. I do not want the internal monitor unless the baby has already shown some sign of distress. If I most have the membrane ruptured artificially, this should be done after 5-6 cm dilatation but only if there is a medical need to speed up the labor process.

“Another danger of artificial rupture of the amniotic membrane is that without the protecting pillow of the amniotic fluid the child's head is subject to stronger pressure during contractions, and the umbilical cord may get squeezed, which can deprive the child from oxygen flow and cause respiratory distress. Also, unbroken membranes often protect not only the head of the fetus but the mother's perineum as well, which enables gentler stretching and lessening the probability of tears.”

• Caesarian: If a caesarian is necessary, I wish to have an epidural for anesthesia, and to have my husband present for the birth. The child, if he is not in distress, should be given to my husband.

Second Stage (Birth):

Baby Care:

• Umbilical cord: Please delay the cord cutting a couple of minutes or until is not pulsating anymore. Put baby on my stomach until cord is cut. Allow my husband to cut the umbilical cord.
• Eye medication: No eye medication. (mom does not have Gonorrhea)
• Baby Feeding: Breast feeding only. No bottles, pacifiers or artificial nipples of any kind.
• Testing: PKU testing should be performed in the presence of the parents. Please let us know 30 minutes in advance so we can prepare the baby’s heal with a hitting pad and feed the baby. Dad will be holding the baby while the testing is performed. We prefer this testing to be done in our room.
• Shots: No shots of any kind including Vitamin K and Hepatitis B shot. (We will give our baby oral vitamin K).
• Circumcision: No circumcision.

In case of a Cesarean birth or complications with the baby our main requests are to have either myself or my husband with our baby at all times, to have decisions explained and information given.

We would like thank you in advance for your support and kind attention to our choices. We look forward to a wonderful birth.

Lotus cardigan by Norah Gaugan

I am considering making the Lotus cardigan. The pattern is free in the Berroco website. However, there is something I don't like about it, it has to do with the collar or the lack of. I wonder if I could add a nice collar to it... I have some Noro Kureyon in my stash that would be perfect for this... What do you guys think?