Panama (2015)
11 years ago
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
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
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
Monday, May 2, 2011
Are some baby foods negatively effecting our children?
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
Sunday, May 1, 2011
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)
Monday, January 3, 2011
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.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Scooting and Cooing!!!
This is the stage in every mother's life when she awww's and oooo's over her baby's great accomplishments. Holding up their head, scooting across the floor, looking around and recognizing your voice you are so excited that you take pictures of every moment right!!! Well what if you have twins? One baby is scooting, and looking around getting on their knees and taking notice of the world around them and well one baby says NOPE I'm not ready yet!
Well if nothing else twins will let you know that they are definitely individuals. They do everything in their own time. While one baby loves the floor scooting and trying to learn to crawl the other one loves the water. Splashing every way you can think of. Does this mean one baby isn't developmentally on schedule of course not. As a matter of fact, I advise any mother that bought all those books to throw them away! Because your baby is going to be on their own time schedule, even if you have twins. Just think even though they were in the womb together doesn't mean they are the same person. They are going to do everything when they are ready. They weren't even technically born together. Rather a minute or two apart the only thing most twins have in common is the day they were born! SO don't be alarmed and go to the local neurologist because one baby just lays around on their back all day while the other baby is moving around and looking for something to get into, regardless to the books and specialists, at the end of the day, babies are going to move to the beat of their own drums or beat machine EVEN TWINS!!!
Well if nothing else twins will let you know that they are definitely individuals. They do everything in their own time. While one baby loves the floor scooting and trying to learn to crawl the other one loves the water. Splashing every way you can think of. Does this mean one baby isn't developmentally on schedule of course not. As a matter of fact, I advise any mother that bought all those books to throw them away! Because your baby is going to be on their own time schedule, even if you have twins. Just think even though they were in the womb together doesn't mean they are the same person. They are going to do everything when they are ready. They weren't even technically born together. Rather a minute or two apart the only thing most twins have in common is the day they were born! SO don't be alarmed and go to the local neurologist because one baby just lays around on their back all day while the other baby is moving around and looking for something to get into, regardless to the books and specialists, at the end of the day, babies are going to move to the beat of their own drums or beat machine EVEN TWINS!!!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
FDA says throw out infant positioner
Today, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement telling parents not to use this popular product because babies can suffocate.
The governmental agencies have received 12 reports of deaths involving babies who have suffocated in a sleep positioner or became trapped and suffocated between a sleep positioner and the side of a crib or bassinet. The babies were between 1 month and 4 months old. Most suffocated after rolling from a side to a stomach position.
“The deaths and dangerous situations resulting from the use of infant sleep positioners are a serious concern…” says CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “We urge parents and caregivers to take our warning seriously and stop using these sleep positioners, so that children can have a safer sleep.”
“To date, there is no scientifically sound evidence that infant sleep positioners prevent SIDS,” says Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner and a pediatrician. “We want to make sure parents, health care professionals, and childcare providers understand the potential risk of suffocation and stop using infant sleep positioners.”
Many parents use these products to help their kids fall asleep. They create a snuggly environment, which babies like because it reminds them of being held or even of what it was like in the womb. Also, some product manufacturers claim the positioners prevent flat head syndrome (plagiocephaly) and aid in food digestion to ease colic or the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
CPSC and the FDA are telling parents and child care providers to:
STOP using sleep positioners. Using a positioner to hold an infant on his or her back or side for sleep is dangerous and unnecessary.
NEVER put pillows, infant sleep positioners, comforters, or quilts under a baby or in a crib.
ALWAYS place an infant on his or her back at night and during nap time. To reduce the risk of SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing infants to sleep on their backs and not their sides.
information provided by The Baby Center
The governmental agencies have received 12 reports of deaths involving babies who have suffocated in a sleep positioner or became trapped and suffocated between a sleep positioner and the side of a crib or bassinet. The babies were between 1 month and 4 months old. Most suffocated after rolling from a side to a stomach position.
“The deaths and dangerous situations resulting from the use of infant sleep positioners are a serious concern…” says CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “We urge parents and caregivers to take our warning seriously and stop using these sleep positioners, so that children can have a safer sleep.”
“To date, there is no scientifically sound evidence that infant sleep positioners prevent SIDS,” says Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner and a pediatrician. “We want to make sure parents, health care professionals, and childcare providers understand the potential risk of suffocation and stop using infant sleep positioners.”
Many parents use these products to help their kids fall asleep. They create a snuggly environment, which babies like because it reminds them of being held or even of what it was like in the womb. Also, some product manufacturers claim the positioners prevent flat head syndrome (plagiocephaly) and aid in food digestion to ease colic or the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
CPSC and the FDA are telling parents and child care providers to:
STOP using sleep positioners. Using a positioner to hold an infant on his or her back or side for sleep is dangerous and unnecessary.
NEVER put pillows, infant sleep positioners, comforters, or quilts under a baby or in a crib.
ALWAYS place an infant on his or her back at night and during nap time. To reduce the risk of SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing infants to sleep on their backs and not their sides.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Sunflowers and Coffee
So here we are once again. I must say where the inspiration for my Seed and Bean came from and is now headed. Seed and Bean first started out as a brain child in my head for a wholistic vegetarian/vegan book store here in Alabama. Well as my Seed and Bean grew so has the dream!
Sunflower Seeds and Coffee beans is going online. WE will launch very soon to see how you all take to the idea of having books from African/African in America authors, natural products from venders that are personal to my heart such as Mocha Mango and Devine Khemistry as well as others. I hope to be launching at the end of the month as we have to get the site just right. I'm very excited to see what happens and watch my dream become a reality. IT is very important to me that we offer something well known but unique in its character.
Sunflower Seeds and Coffee beans is going online. WE will launch very soon to see how you all take to the idea of having books from African/African in America authors, natural products from venders that are personal to my heart such as Mocha Mango and Devine Khemistry as well as others. I hope to be launching at the end of the month as we have to get the site just right. I'm very excited to see what happens and watch my dream become a reality. IT is very important to me that we offer something well known but unique in its character. If all goes well I hope to launch the food and beverage portion of the business soon after (end of the year first of January). I thank you for your continued support in hopes that Sunflower Seeds and Coffee Beans is a great and humble sucess!
Blessings in love
Empress
mocha-makeup
Finding Center
Greetings on what has become quite the beautiful day family. I have found that being a mother has its ups and well more ups! I smile at the thought of my little ones growing. What will they become, who will they be, and can I properly pass on my values to them? It's funny that thing called value. I value family. And although I may make some decisions and choices along the way that may not be quite so the actions of an "empress" I"m still standing on the square of family.
It means the world to me to know that I have a strong support system in place. MY seed and bean will grow strong and healthy, mentally and physically and most important, spiritually and emotionally because they have a strong family. I have a new raspect for my mother. She has shown me the ways of motherhood and for that I'm eternally greatful. To all the mothers that have lended advice and counsel, strength and encouragement I thank you. I don't know if I could have made it through this pregnancy or birth and now into nursing among other things without the guidance of those who've done it before me.
It's a strange thing being a mother. You can't prepare or read a book for what is to come you just have to learn on the job literally! But I smile every morning with my seed and bean and prepare myself mentally for the journey of parenthood!
Blessed love family
from the EMpress (Seed and Bean)
Look out for http://www.seedsandbeans.com/ soon to come
It means the world to me to know that I have a strong support system in place. MY seed and bean will grow strong and healthy, mentally and physically and most important, spiritually and emotionally because they have a strong family. I have a new raspect for my mother. She has shown me the ways of motherhood and for that I'm eternally greatful. To all the mothers that have lended advice and counsel, strength and encouragement I thank you. I don't know if I could have made it through this pregnancy or birth and now into nursing among other things without the guidance of those who've done it before me. It's a strange thing being a mother. You can't prepare or read a book for what is to come you just have to learn on the job literally! But I smile every morning with my seed and bean and prepare myself mentally for the journey of parenthood!
Blessed love family
from the EMpress (Seed and Bean)
Look out for http://www.seedsandbeans.com/ soon to come
Friday, May 7, 2010
And here we are!!!
During the first two trimesters of the pregnancy, twins typically develop at the same rate as single babies. In the third trimester, however, the amount of weight gained by the two infants together is about equal to the amount of weight gained by the one infant in a singleton pregnancy. In other words, while a singleton's weight climbs until 40 weeks' gestation before slowing down, multiples have deceleration of growth much earlier--seen typically in twins at 30 to 32 weeks. Consequently, twins and other multiples tend to be smaller than singletons at the same gestational age.Early in the third trimester, twins actually may have an advantage when it comes to growth, because they generally develop slightly faster than singletons do until about 30 weeks. For example, a set of twins delivered at 30 weeks will probably have better lung development and may have fewer problems due to a premature birth than a singleton born at the same gestation.
1 month (6 weeks)
Each of your babies is about 1/10 of an inch long. This is about the size of a grain of rice.
2 months (10 weeks)
Your babies are about 1¼ inches long, crown to rump, and weigh about 1/3 ounce each--about the size of a golf ball.
3 months (14 weeks)
Your twins are probably about 2½ to 3½ inches, crown to rump, and weigh about 1 ounce each. Both babies are now a little smaller than the size of your fist.
4 months (18 weeks)
Your twins are likely to measure about 4½ to 5½ inches from crown to rump. Each weighs about 5½ ounces.
5 months (22 weeks)
Both babies are about 7 to 10 inches long, head to toe, and weigh about 1 pound each--the size of a large banana.
6 months (26 weeks)
Your bundles of joy are about 11 to 14 inches long, weighing 1½ to 2½ pounds each.
7 months (30 weeks)
At this stage, each baby will measure around 16 or 17 inches and weigh about 3 to 3½ pounds.
8 months (34 weeks)
By this time, your twins are probably somewhere between 17 and 19 inches long, weighing between 4 and 5 pounds each. You are now carrying more baby than most singleton moms carry at 40 weeks. No wonder you're tired!
9 months (37 to 40 weeks)
On average, at term--37 weeks for twins--each baby is 18 to 21 inches long and weighs about 6 pounds.
SO here we are, this is about what the seed and bean look like inside my womb. It seems like every day I can feel more movement and adjusting and growing. Sometimes its a scary feeling that comes along when I least expect it and sometimes we are completely in sync and I now when they are about to move around. When certain music is playing or something I may be reading or watching I can tell just when they are about to move. Funny thing they won't both move together. One will move and then make then the other one move. It's like they are in there waking each other up LOL. Like hey do you hear that song Moms is playing, yea I think I like it (smile) anyway here we are moving right along.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Breasting feeding benefits
I always hear stories that mother is the best food and that mothers should breast feed. Over the course of the Month of May since Mother's Day is coming up I'm going to explore just how supportive companies/jobs, family and communities are to mothers that choose to breastfeed their babies.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Pregnant in America (Among other things)
Leave Your Sleep (2CD)
So I just recently watched the documentary Pregnant in America (http://www.pregnantinamerica.com/) I must say I was moved and enlightened. I wanted a home birth and still want a home birth and am currently looking into my options to do so because well as of yet I haven't been that satisfied with the treatment of pregnant women by the health care "professionals" nor by the corporate American machine for which I work. Since I've been pregnant I've been threatened with firing, have almost lost my home, have been ignored by my doctors as to the problems I've been experiencing, and have all but given up on people's treatment of pregnant women. I never knew that people ignored a woman's feelings about discomfort or pain or questions that they may have. Just recently my doctor has taken steps towards "listening" to my concerns as a first time mother, however, previously I was treated as if I had no idea what I was talking about. They were very cavalier and callous towards my thoughts and concerns as if every pregnant woman experiences pregnancy the same way. LETS GET THIS CLEAR! Every woman is NOT the same so every pregnancy, every birth, every symptom is not the same. SO will all the people out there that think this is so please stop!
Now with that being said Pregnant in America was a very informative documentary. I learned a lot and as I stated have already in some form experienced the horror of the medical professionals. They are there for you the "patient" and yet they treat pregnancy and eventual child birth as some sort of inconvenience. Being a first time mother they almost called me a liar to my face when I would tell them something is wrong. Everything became NORMAL! I mean everything. I threatened a miscarriage twice, this was considered normal. I have been sick morning noon and night and sometimes evenings and mid-conversation, this was NORMAL. I would wake up (if I fell asleep at all) and my entire body would be in pain. I couldn't move. My bones would hurt, my abdomen would feel like I was being stabbed I couldn't walk, stand, sit, lay, drive or anything without some sort of pain.
Now don't get me wrong I'm usually a healthy woman. I used to kickbox, I did yoga, tai-chi, I walked I'm a vegetarian/vegan. I am natural and pay very close attention to my health and eating. So when I started experiencing a very unhealthy pregnancy this was odd to me. I thought I was doing something wrong. But with out telling me what was wrong people would just tell me it was normal or to suck it up (in so many words) and get back to work or life or whatever I should be doing because hey being pregnant does not change your life right? WRONG!!!! I thought that people would take into consideration that hey a woman being pregnant is a delicate time in her life. WAS I EVER WRONG!? You would think that I made it all up. Like oh I'm not really pregnant I just want some attention lol. Nonetheless, I was and am determined to enjoy the growth and gestation of my babies. My seed and bean are growing more and more every day. My health is getting a little better and I'm getting back to meditating again.
It's amazing to me though how women are treating here in America when they are having children. Since when has this experience become some burden on society? Since when has being pregnant and giving birth become some unnatural process? So I'm looking into having a home birth or as natural as possible in a hospital as possible because I too found it alarming the rate of c-sections that women are having in the US. I just found it odd that the first moments of holding your child, latching on, nursing, crying together is taken away from so many women and they can never get that back.
Of course my concerns and risks are high. I mean I'm having twins how successful could I be with having a home birth with two babies? Especially with all the health problems I've had thus far? I know for sure I don't want any drugs and I don't want to be induced or anything of that nature, however, I will keep you posted as to the birth plan for Me the Seed and the Bean!
Blessings abundantly!
Empress
So I just recently watched the documentary Pregnant in America (http://www.pregnantinamerica.com/) I must say I was moved and enlightened. I wanted a home birth and still want a home birth and am currently looking into my options to do so because well as of yet I haven't been that satisfied with the treatment of pregnant women by the health care "professionals" nor by the corporate American machine for which I work. Since I've been pregnant I've been threatened with firing, have almost lost my home, have been ignored by my doctors as to the problems I've been experiencing, and have all but given up on people's treatment of pregnant women. I never knew that people ignored a woman's feelings about discomfort or pain or questions that they may have. Just recently my doctor has taken steps towards "listening" to my concerns as a first time mother, however, previously I was treated as if I had no idea what I was talking about. They were very cavalier and callous towards my thoughts and concerns as if every pregnant woman experiences pregnancy the same way. LETS GET THIS CLEAR! Every woman is NOT the same so every pregnancy, every birth, every symptom is not the same. SO will all the people out there that think this is so please stop!
Now with that being said Pregnant in America was a very informative documentary. I learned a lot and as I stated have already in some form experienced the horror of the medical professionals. They are there for you the "patient" and yet they treat pregnancy and eventual child birth as some sort of inconvenience. Being a first time mother they almost called me a liar to my face when I would tell them something is wrong. Everything became NORMAL! I mean everything. I threatened a miscarriage twice, this was considered normal. I have been sick morning noon and night and sometimes evenings and mid-conversation, this was NORMAL. I would wake up (if I fell asleep at all) and my entire body would be in pain. I couldn't move. My bones would hurt, my abdomen would feel like I was being stabbed I couldn't walk, stand, sit, lay, drive or anything without some sort of pain.
Now don't get me wrong I'm usually a healthy woman. I used to kickbox, I did yoga, tai-chi, I walked I'm a vegetarian/vegan. I am natural and pay very close attention to my health and eating. So when I started experiencing a very unhealthy pregnancy this was odd to me. I thought I was doing something wrong. But with out telling me what was wrong people would just tell me it was normal or to suck it up (in so many words) and get back to work or life or whatever I should be doing because hey being pregnant does not change your life right? WRONG!!!! I thought that people would take into consideration that hey a woman being pregnant is a delicate time in her life. WAS I EVER WRONG!? You would think that I made it all up. Like oh I'm not really pregnant I just want some attention lol. Nonetheless, I was and am determined to enjoy the growth and gestation of my babies. My seed and bean are growing more and more every day. My health is getting a little better and I'm getting back to meditating again.
It's amazing to me though how women are treating here in America when they are having children. Since when has this experience become some burden on society? Since when has being pregnant and giving birth become some unnatural process? So I'm looking into having a home birth or as natural as possible in a hospital as possible because I too found it alarming the rate of c-sections that women are having in the US. I just found it odd that the first moments of holding your child, latching on, nursing, crying together is taken away from so many women and they can never get that back.
Of course my concerns and risks are high. I mean I'm having twins how successful could I be with having a home birth with two babies? Especially with all the health problems I've had thus far? I know for sure I don't want any drugs and I don't want to be induced or anything of that nature, however, I will keep you posted as to the birth plan for Me the Seed and the Bean!
Blessings abundantly!
Empress
Baby Wearing
There are tons of wombmen getting into wearing their children again. The facts are we as wombmen are going back to what seems natural to us more and more and baby wearing is just one of those examples. WE are listening to our spirits and the voices of wombmen who have come before that are telling us what is natural is not foreign. For far too long child birth and rearing has been made to be some handicap or burden that should be medicated or treated as an inconvenience; something unnatural and uncommon, when in fact babies have been born without medical intervention or interference since the beginning of births. I think mother earth was even born unto the universe without and epidural LOL! That's another discussion. Any who, so here is a video by a sistren that is very informative. She shows you how to wrap your baby and the benefits of baby wearing. The facts about the child's development as well as their social skills.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Pregnant and Fashions
I consider myself a pretty fashionable wombman. I love to look beautiful, rather it be in my jeans that fit your booty just right or that blouse that shows your skin in the most flattering way or that color of yellow or orange that makes you smile from the inside out. I just have one problem pregnant fashion. I've been doing pretty well thus far and I must say that there have been strives in making pregnant women look beautiful in the last few years (Shout to Heidi Klum for being one of the most fashion foward pregnant woman).
I just want to still look 28 I don't want to look like I'm a beached whale and I don't want to surrender my identity to do so. I'm young and vibrant and well I like the way yellow looks on my skin and this is the perfect time for me because It's SPRING YEY!!!
So I have an Idea. If you would email me (seedsbeans@gmail.com) all your photos of beautifully fashionable women while pregnant I'll post my favorites. I'll start with some celebraties and art photos just to get started.
THE BOHO~BOHEMIAN~HIPPY~LOW MAINTAIN LOOK
This look is just so easy and still quite beautiful when worn properly. I Love the long flowing gown type wear and the sandles just gives that bollywood feel.
The Belly OUT Full Throttle !!!
Now I'm not a fan of this look unless done right. I mean let's be clear everyone should not have the belly out it's just not a good look but some or able and brave enough to pull this off!!! As for me well NO, NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! But you can't deny the glow of a woman enjoying her baby belly :)
NOW I WANT YOU ALL TO SEND ME YOUR PREGNANT FASHIONS, THE GOOD AND THE BAD! I still have 4 months to get so help me out here cause I'm going to get big LOL
Life is love ~Emp
A love Deep inside
I have a love inside that grows
Everlasting as my cup overflows
Never knew I was be so thrilled to be kicked
Never knew I would be grateful for the sick mornings
and afternoon naps
mid morning snacks
and sharp pains in my back
but I got a love for the pain you bring cause I know you're growing
I know you getting bigger and quicker
eating more cause I'm thicker
my hips are spreading my breast as swollen
Miracles manifesting inside my womb
and I assume
that your eyes will slant slightly like mine
that your fingers will stretch out and it's me you'll find
I'm forever transformed by the love we have
I dream of simple things like your first laugh and bath
It's funny how in one moment you got from girl to wombman from wombman to mother
And I know our love will never be like another
But I treasure you
The 7am kick in the bladder
the pure exhaustion as I get fatter
You are my Seed and Bean and we're in this together
as Mother I am your warrior, your rock, your sheppard
The Serenity of Morning
I am never more amazed at the wonders of life. I'm now five months in and can feel my seed and bean and let me tell you they are active. They are my balance, as I can feel one of them in my abdomen and the other right underneath my heart. It's amazing but I keep hearing Lauryn Hill sing nothing even matters because well it doesn't.
You know when you realize that motherhood is here you change. This change takes place at different stages for different wombmen but for me I think it's happened multiple times so far. I felt like a mother the moment I realized I was pregnant; I felt like a mother the first ultrasound, the first heart beat and now that I can feel life moving around in me it's like you have a different raspect a different approach to everything you thought you had planned for yourself.
I want so much for them. I read to them, and sing to them, they are my poetry audience and we listen to every type of music from Miles Davis Bitch's Brew (shout to Auntie/JahMother Earth CrySiS) to The Eagles In the City. Yesterday I was on a Stevie Wonder mood and then all of a sudden Les Nubians started singing to my heart and so we went there. And they started moving and fluttering and I knew then my babies were going to love the arts as much as I do.
Although everyone has their predictions as to what they are all different combos of boy/girl , girls, boys their health has been the only thing that has mattered to me and I've taken that and run with it. I am taking back my joy. I even listened to Anita Baker's you bring me joy LOL. I know that I'm a good sistar, friend, queen, person and mother and well I've placed nothing but positive in the UnI-verse so I know that comes back. You know how people say you feel love for your children when you don't even know them well that is so true and I vow to do everything in my life forever for them. I live love and laugh for my children, my Seed and Bean.
Mama (Yeyo)loves you
Monday, March 22, 2010
Often we spend too much time on things that aren’t of great importance
We spend InnaG and give powah to those that don’t deserve or merit and inkling of our spirits
Picture this the argument you had last week, last month last year
Festers in your being and eats away at your flesh and you can’t even remember what you were angry about
But life goes on and never stops
Birth, transitions, growth, rebirth, journey, labor, work, life, love, laughter, pain
While you sit and wallow in your bitter existence the hour goes on
The love keeps growing,
Children keep playing
Granny keeps laughing
Someone moves forward
And you are hindered by your need to hold on to the things that don’t matter any more to any one but your foolish pride
But what do you have to be proud of
Winning the argument
Conquering an enemy
What did you gain
What did you lose
Was the lost worth the battle
Search your soul and ova stand that your presence on this earth in this form is limited
Though the cycle continues you only get one chance at it this time
Then your return with a new mission so get it right
Or else you have nothing left
But bitterness and regret
Words you never got to say
Hugs you never received
Life you didn’t live
All to prove a point of your strong convictions
I say stand on your square
But kneel down and acknowledge the living around you
Because I don’t know who told youBut you don’t have time
To put it off
Or wait till later
To procrastinate on your progression
To delay on your succession
To put off those things meant to be done in the present
And correct the mistakes of your past
Once you’re older you put away childish things so there are no do-overs
No re-runs in life
This regularly schedule programming is live and in full color and you better take advantage
Because you can’t T-vo the birth of your child
You can’t rewind the transition of a comrade
Your can not be grown if you’re not willing to grow
You will be reborn into an endless journey headed no where
Where the work produces no fruits for your labor
Absence of love and laughter and the abundance of pain and anguish
This will be your life’s existence
When it all boils down it’s a matter of reflection
Self-evaluation
Acceptance of error and righting of wrongs
I say to you
If you hold on to anger and frustration will it all be worth it to miss out on living
Burst through the walls of captivity placed on yourself with bottled up fury
And antagonizing annoyances killing you from the inside out
Otherwise you’re dead any way
So rest easy ! ~Empress
I just want to enjoy it
I have been filled with a number of emotions since I realized that I was going to be a mother. I've been excited, scared, nervous, anxious and worried. Would I be a good mother? What will they look like? How is my life going to change? How can I get my hustle back in my to get on my grind to be the mother and wombman I know I can be. I mean this is who I am but I've been in pain. I wake up some mornings and can't function. My body is hurting, my bones are mush, it takes everything in me just to get to the bathroom. It feels like the most excruciating pain in the world and yet I try to push through. I think I've lost my job which means I'm going to lose my benefits unless I pay out of my pocket and I've been depressed. I don't want this. I want to be happy. I want to talk to my babies and tell them everything is going to be alright. I want them to feel the love I have for them through me but right now at this moment it feels like the world is saying nope this is going to be hard on you. I wonder what I did in my life to warrant this. Is there some bad energy I've put out in the world that has made these things happen? I'm not really sure but here I am. Getting bigger, and stressing more as the days linger on.
I just want to enjoy my pregnancy. I want to gush when people talk about my babies. I want to discuss nursery plans. I don't want to be worried about am I going to lose my home, my job, my insurance because this society places more value on your value and not your efforts or the person behind it all. I've noticed that animals are treated more humanely than humans are and that sickens me. Since when has it become common and "normal" for pregnant women to say I'm in pain or I'm hurting or I'm not physically well and everyone shrugs and says oh well that's just pregnancy.
These callous and cavalier feelings have left me to feel very disoriented and thinking some things that aren't in my nature about where I am in my life. I thought children were suppose to be a "blessing". I thought pregnancy was a time to calm the mother and make her feel serene. I've gotten nothing but chaos and confusion and it frightens me. Is this where we are in this world. That we treat children and pregnant women like burdens that need to just get over whatever it is they are experiencing. Have we come to a point where life isn't important but the value of that life is? That we have to sacrifice being a mother and the health of ourselves and our children to make the almighty dollar because hey no one told you to have children!?
Words to grow on
I just want to enjoy my pregnancy. I want to gush when people talk about my babies. I want to discuss nursery plans. I don't want to be worried about am I going to lose my home, my job, my insurance because this society places more value on your value and not your efforts or the person behind it all. I've noticed that animals are treated more humanely than humans are and that sickens me. Since when has it become common and "normal" for pregnant women to say I'm in pain or I'm hurting or I'm not physically well and everyone shrugs and says oh well that's just pregnancy.
These callous and cavalier feelings have left me to feel very disoriented and thinking some things that aren't in my nature about where I am in my life. I thought children were suppose to be a "blessing". I thought pregnancy was a time to calm the mother and make her feel serene. I've gotten nothing but chaos and confusion and it frightens me. Is this where we are in this world. That we treat children and pregnant women like burdens that need to just get over whatever it is they are experiencing. Have we come to a point where life isn't important but the value of that life is? That we have to sacrifice being a mother and the health of ourselves and our children to make the almighty dollar because hey no one told you to have children!?
Words to grow on
Thursday, February 4, 2010
My Seed and Bean
At the ripe old age of 28 I have discovered that I'm going to be a mother. The thing about it is that I knew. I knew I was pregnant before I went to the OBGYN, I knew I was pregnant before I took on any symptoms and I knew I would be a mother soon. For some reason I just knew. It wasn't as if I had done something differently in my routine of life. It wasn't as if something miraculous had taken place in my mind to let me know that Empress this year you're going to be a mother. I just knew. I will say that I was in a really good spiritual place this year though, especially over the summer leading up to the conception of my Seed and Bean. The fact of the matter is I've never had more clarity and never been so strong as I've been this year. Not only that but I realized just how many people really truly love me. So it happened I'm pregnant. And the only thing I could think about was okay let's get ready! Little did I know what lay ahead for me.
So my big sister and I (Earth Crysis) were discussing my pregnancy and soon too be children. We were talking about how much trouble I was having finding things to accommodate two babies. [I mean you would think that having twins was some anomaly or something] It seemed to me as if the whole world had not caught up to the idea that women have been having twins for ages now. I mean come on having twins in 2010 is like run of the mill compared to the multiples women are having these days, but nonetheless there seemed to be some sort of shortage in items for twins. So Earth came up with the brilliant idea that I should blog about not being able to find accommodating strollers or multiple car seats, having to driving all over town searching for bulk organic diapers and wipes and so on. [in the age of technology there has to be someone who can relate] I believe the hardest thing for me was realizing that there just aren't enough items available for mothers of multiples unless you are willing to pay and I mean PAY! Thus this blog was born.
I hope that my struggles, triumphs, pains and cravings along this pregnancy help some other mother or at least inspire some major company out there to get up and make more products for mothers and their twins or triplets or quads etc. Because for goodness sake we need convenience just as much if not MORE than a mother with a single baby!
until later
Love and light from the Empress (Seed and Bean)
So my big sister and I (Earth Crysis) were discussing my pregnancy and soon too be children. We were talking about how much trouble I was having finding things to accommodate two babies. [I mean you would think that having twins was some anomaly or something] It seemed to me as if the whole world had not caught up to the idea that women have been having twins for ages now. I mean come on having twins in 2010 is like run of the mill compared to the multiples women are having these days, but nonetheless there seemed to be some sort of shortage in items for twins. So Earth came up with the brilliant idea that I should blog about not being able to find accommodating strollers or multiple car seats, having to driving all over town searching for bulk organic diapers and wipes and so on. [in the age of technology there has to be someone who can relate] I believe the hardest thing for me was realizing that there just aren't enough items available for mothers of multiples unless you are willing to pay and I mean PAY! Thus this blog was born.
I hope that my struggles, triumphs, pains and cravings along this pregnancy help some other mother or at least inspire some major company out there to get up and make more products for mothers and their twins or triplets or quads etc. Because for goodness sake we need convenience just as much if not MORE than a mother with a single baby!
until later
Love and light from the Empress (Seed and Bean)
