HBAC: HOME BIRTH OF TWINS AFTER C-SECTION

5 things I'm proud I did as a mother of twins!!!

So I often times read articles and postings in other blogs about parenting and parents with multiples. Just to get some advice or to see what other parents have done in raising their children and the choices they've made for their little ones, so I came across this father's blog about twins http://greatfatheroftwins.com/. I liked the idea of a father giving his perspective of raising his children and how the role of father is quite important in the development of the child as well as in assisting the mother (because twins can be quite overwhelming). I think the one advice he gave to fathers of singletons or multiples was "twins require a much more active participation of dads"I think often times dads are just as confused as the mother, especially when it's their first time around. I was a sponge for knowledge because I had no idea what to expect. But instead of turning to books, I turned to other mother's of multiples. The real experiences of mothers (parents) is priceless. I don't care what the books say they are the real experts. Which brings me to the next point from this father's blog. I LOVED HIS LISTS! It inspired me to make my own list. He makes a list of the 5 things he's proud of as well as the 5 things he regrets as a parent (father)of twins. So I decided to do the same but as a mother of course. I hope he doesn't mind but just in case the link to his blog is listed and I hope he knows it's just used merely as an aspiration to my blog. Any way here's my list:


I like to start off positive, however, in this case I'll start with the things I regret doing or not doing, and end on a progressive note.




5 things I regret as a mother of twins! In no particular order

1. Not keeping the feeding schedule from the hospital. This would have prevented them being fed at the same time and I think I could have nursed a little longer than I had.


2. Not nursing longer (more months) I think I did pretty good, however, I would have liked to nurse my children until they were a year old. There are so many benefits to breastfeeding, however, as they grew their appetites grew as well and it became more of a task to make sure I was giving them what they needed. Although I nursed longer than some of my peers I wish I had continued.


3. Not setting a strict bed time. I should have set a time early on because now my children think if I'm up that means they are suppose to be up too. So sometimes bed time isn't until 11pm.

4. Introducing them to television. Although I wasn't the one that did it, I did not stop they from watching. This is a regret on some levels because I don't want them to be too consumed with television programs or commercialized targeting of products and junk foods. For the most part they watch educational programs, actually that's all I'll allow. They watch Ni Hao Kai lan sometimes Dora the Explorer and public access with Sesame Street, Word Word (which I love, I'm some what of a word buff) and Dino Train which talks about all the different species of dinosaurs.

5. Not finding a suitable pediatrician sooner. It is so important that the parent/doctor relationship is clear and the two are on the same accord when dealing with babies health. I advize parents to do plenty of research on doctors before they give birth, because babies have so many appointments early on. As well, I would advize researching vaccines and medicines and make the decisions on how you feel about these things before you find your doctor so that you can find a good fit. Too often I've seen and have experienced a doctor that doesn't listen to you and your needs or the desires you have for your children. Although you didn't go to medical school, you still know what you want for your family and it's important that your pediatrician listens to your concerns and acts on your behave as well as the behave of your child when making decisions effecting their medical well being.


5 things I am proud of as a mother of twins! In no particular order

1. BREASTFEEDING!  I feel as if giving my children my milk was the best thing I could have done for them.  All I can say is OATMEAL! (this little helps mothers produce more milk)And no it wasn't easy at all. Breast feeding twins was quite a challenge. Having a pump saved my life. They started eating around the same time once I brought them home, which made it a challenge to try and nurse them both at the same time, so pumping made things a little easier, especially in those early 5:30am feedings. I had a great lactation nurse and she was so awesome with the advice. Turns out her daughter had a set of twins as well and she was so giving with the advice.


2. Being prepared. I bought everything in advance and I mean the larger items like strollers, crib, car seats and tons of onesies. I was able to have their room set up and bring them right home to their bed and our love. I didn't have to worry about not having what I needed for them because everything was taken care of early. I didn't know what I was having as far as the sex but we we were very ready for their arrival.


3. Eating healthy. I ate tons of veggies and fruits during my pregnancy, which prevented me from having problems like blood pressure or gestational diabetes or even gaining too much weight. SO many time women fall into the trap of over eating during pregnancy and putting themselves and their babies at risk for unnecessary complications. My children as a result are natural vegetarians. They eat squash and zucchini, lots of oats and whole grains and are full of energy for play time. They are much more active and progressive then their peers and aren't lethargic like some babies that consume foods with unnatural sugars and coloring or genetically modified ingredients which I talk about in other postings.


4. Tummy Time. I loved on my children and hugged and kissed on them tons, however, I understood the importance of letting them get a feel for the floor and crawling. This helped my twins crawl earlier as well as develop important developmental skills, like strengthening their backs and legs. They started crawling and pulling up long before most children their age. They were even holding their heads up at 6mos.


5. Talking to my babies. I never cared for baby talk or gibberish. I always felt like it hendered a child's speech and vocal development. I had full on conversation with my children. I pronounced words thoroughly and outwardly to them not at them. I even read to them as early as two months and played jazz greats like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Nina Simone and of course a little Erykah Badu with various other HipHop and poetry albums thrown in there. I think as a result they are more verbal and began speaking very early. The youngest of the two actually said the other ones name very clearly at about 3 and half 4 months and they both were saying vowel sounds at 4 months old.

I hope these experiences help some other parents in their journey. I know all advice was good for me warranted or not I appreciate it all!

Love and growth
Empress ~Seed and Bean

Are some baby foods negatively effecting our children?

http://sproutbabyfood.com/stage3.php?sku=RTHV

I sing the praises of another ORGANIC baby food and yet wonder why these products aren't more advertised and readily available to the average consumer. With all the products that are pushed to children on a regular basis, it makes me ponder the questions I'm sure so many mothers ask themselves, WHY aren't these products more popular?

While having a conversation with fellow mothers in arms, we discussed why babies are so lethargic and sluggish when they should be bouncing and active and moving about. I also noticed that some babies are even more chunky that my babies are. At first I wondered if it's because my children were preemies but then I thought my babies have never eaten anything but organic foods. Could this have an effect on their energy levels and even their development? Are other products more fatty in content or filled with additives that are slowing our children down? I have found that my children do have more energy they play longer they are stronger and are developing way beyond the stages of their peers. Does baby' diet play a role in how they progress. I've even noticed that my twins are natural vegetarians. They don't like meats or any meals with meat content.

We are moving towards the stage of finger foods and I question whether or not some of the "foods" that are presented really that good for them. I actually heard of a pediatrician suggesting Cheetos puffs? WHAT are you kidding me? After all the hard work and research of finding organic healthy baby foods, after the efforts of our first lady to combat childhood obesity and all the talk of early juvenile diabetes and this woman wants me to give my children a greasy, fatty, artificially flavor snack to help with their hand eye coordination and get them to feed themselves all the while clogging their 10mos old arteries and starting them on a path of salty, couch potato diet! YEAH RIGHT, I'm going to do that (lol)

So why aren't organic products available in cheaper prices or in more store with the varieties they have on their websites and even more why aren't these products available to women on public assistance? Especially now if you think about it, there are so many women and children that are in need of asistance from the government you would think that a healthier alternative would be available to them if the object is to have a nutritian program in place to serve the public. I have noticed on several occassions that healthier alternatives to foods such as organic and products without GMI (genetically motified ingredients) aren't presented to families in lower income areas, which makes me think that there's a reason for this. If these fattier, greasier foods are what's available to the poorer communities then would it be fair to say that this is the state in which these people are expected to stay? If organic products aren't pushed by public assistance programs and aren't advertised regularly to lower income families and even more so made affordable to them then would it also be fair to say that these families are in some way ignored when it comes to the crisis of health and nutritian in America? or is it because organic foods are more expensive?

I leave you with love and support and hope that mothers of all economic backgrounds take heed to the nutritian and well being of their children, for their development and growth.

~Empress

Working Mom again

With the rising costs of diapers, food, clothing, and other baby essentials mothers find themselves like other mothers before them going back to work after a period of time. I must say I was one of the lucky ones I was able to stay home with my children for a while. However, now I've joined the force of mothers with jobs. Trying to balance work, doctor's appointments, grocery shopping, cleaning the house, teething and growing twins. It becomes difficult for a mother when she feels as if someone else is spending the important times with your child(ren) I mean for me I am lucky again because I have retired parents who don't mind watching my babies, but what about those mothers that have to turn their children over to the dreaded DAYCARE or nannies!?  I'm so particular about what my children eat and watch and the books that are being read to them that I find daycares repulsive. I'm not saying that there aren't some very good facilities that take good care of children, however, I find it odd turning my child(ren) over to someone that doesn't love them like I do and it's a JOB for them. MY BABIES AREN'T A JOB! A handful maybe but a job never. So I decided when I was pregnant that my babies would stay in a loving environment where they are getting the love I would give them and the attention they deserve, as well as the diet that I set forth for them. So many times I've heard horror stories about natural mothers that feed their children organic meals and vegan/vegetarian diets and then they go somewhere to be taken care of while the parents are away (working, or just taking some adult time) and their child is being feed all sorts of things that aren't good for them. Or are not being paid close attention to or even worse being WATCHED by the television. UGH!

So how do you find that balance. How do you find a daycare or nanny that is going to respect your wishes and not just do whatever they feel is necessary to get through a day with your child(ren)? How do you work all day and still feel as if you're giving your child the quality of yourself?

Sometimes I'm afraid I'm going to miss everything, especially now since they are about to start walking. I'm afraid I won't be there, I'll be in some office working for pay, beneath my worth, trying to give my children what they need and at the end of the day I feel like all they really need is me! But money makes the world go around and the store doesn't take love for diapers and clothes and food. SO I'm a working mom still trying hold it all together and some how maintain my chi.

Blessings in love
Empress (AND 10 month old seed and bean)

The "Ce-Real Life"

Like any mother I take an interest in what my children are eating. I talk with other mothers about what they feed their children, and discuss alternatives to the larger brand foods that aren't always so good for your child as they say they are. Well I recently started comparing cereals. Which ones are as "organic" as they claim, which cereals seem to work better with their little systems? I even wondered a little closers after viewing a few documentaries about GENETICALLY MOTIFIED FOODS. You would be suprised to know how many foods are motified or contain motified ingredients, so pleasantly to my eyes I wonder down the isle and find Earth's Best. Intrigued I read the label (something i suggest everyone do for your entire family).  On the front of the box it reads Organic at least twice, then it goes on to say NO GEI( What is Genetically Motified Genetically modified (GM), or genetically engineered (GE), foods are made from plants that have had traits in their DNA changed. Scientists take genes — the pieces of DNA that differentiate living things — from one plant or animal and insert them into another organism. These plants are also known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The purpose of genetically modifying plants is to make them better in some way. So a corn plant, for example, might have a gene added that makes it more nutritious, more resistant to herbicides, insects, or diseases, or more tolerant of ). so I'm in awe now. For the first time I see a cereal that actually says on the box there are no genetically engineered ingredients! The box carries the USDA stamp for organic and it's says it's also grow WITHOUT potentially harmful pesticides or herbicides.

So of course by now you know I'm thrilled. I mean this is great, but I have to read closer I mean this is just the front of the box. I turn the box over and they say Introduce your baby to the whole line of  Earth's Best products including organic infant formula, organic jarred baby food, 70% organic gentle baby body care and new chlorine free diapers and baby wipes. So I'm like wow this is great I have to contact this company and show my approval, which I will very soon. However, now I have to compare to the cereal I've already been giving them.  Beech Nut, now right away I see a difference but that's just the packaging. On the front of the box it doesn't say organic however, it does say made with NATURAL ingrediencts, 45% daily value of iron, 25%daily value of Zinc & 7 B-vitamins. It's soy free and gentle on the tummy. Now the ingredients are about the same so there is nothing to make me say hey this one is better than the other one, OTHER THAN the package. I mean first impressions is everything but you can't judge a book or cereal by the cover! So I have to investigate closer. Both cereal claim to not use artificial colors or flavors or preservatives and both say soy free. So now I must look at the NUTRITION FACTS. I want to know the daily value really of vitamins. So while Earth's Best says we are organic and we don't use GEI, Beech Nut scores big with the vitamins (Vitamin D 20% Vitamin E 25% Vitamin B1 B2 B6 B12 Folic Acid and 25% Zinc)

Now I'm not saying either cereal is better than the other one, they both seem to have quite a bit of concern and thought into how they manufature and package their product. I'm impressed. Only time will tell which one seems to be the better cereal. With a little more research I will get back to you all.

Love and life
Empress

(available on the Earth's Best box~The Hain Celestial Group's policy on Genetically Engineered Ingrediencts 1-800-434-4246)

More info on other GEI products to avoid~http://todayyesterdayandtomorrow.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/baby-food-2/ 
http://hubpages.com/hub/GMOs-in-infant-formula
http://www.momsview.com/discus/messages/23/11251.html  
The easiest way to ensure that the baby food is guaranteed GM-free is to buy organic. Organic food is:



• Free from GM ingredients


• Produced without artificial pesticides and fertilisers


• From animals allowed to roam freely and reared without the routine use of antibiotics, growth promoters or other drugs


Organic regulations also forbid the use of artificial colourings and flavourings and most of the artificial ingredients used in non-organic foods.