tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56224649692167584472024-03-14T11:48:43.296-07:00SyracuseDoula - Another Crunchy Birth BloggerLiz Baer * 443-690-6212 * naturalparentingsupport@hotmail.com
Mother of four. DONA-Certified Birth Doula.Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-68769561601393224052011-10-14T14:32:00.000-07:002011-10-14T14:32:48.561-07:00Headcovering<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Xiw8IAFbT-hcWvv92NcLOJlrjKhx2sv2SHWur0gSz-qg2lQYNWdMsyDc9kGLkFPr5xdRGCXEbjymO0gQpdCAWZhhopws6MPUUhnRtsfdKJs2ZCDYUMyS50xUd1jFsyLXyph-wdj-m7v5/s1600/doulaliz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Xiw8IAFbT-hcWvv92NcLOJlrjKhx2sv2SHWur0gSz-qg2lQYNWdMsyDc9kGLkFPr5xdRGCXEbjymO0gQpdCAWZhhopws6MPUUhnRtsfdKJs2ZCDYUMyS50xUd1jFsyLXyph-wdj-m7v5/s320/doulaliz.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with a doula baby</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8edECJTK1L3pDXdpDOUGfb8XoUbWQHB1FOy5ZWz-0GO4B9GOwq6kiIf4bTKMxmmT_FBqNipsT9pjKUJJPB4L7EE_RMMGqlLAvImFLrWUHzwbx6bsWmPLJgNgWaGGxFf9y-I4HcKTi1NY/s1600/100_0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8edECJTK1L3pDXdpDOUGfb8XoUbWQHB1FOy5ZWz-0GO4B9GOwq6kiIf4bTKMxmmT_FBqNipsT9pjKUJJPB4L7EE_RMMGqlLAvImFLrWUHzwbx6bsWmPLJgNgWaGGxFf9y-I4HcKTi1NY/s320/100_0468.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I'm posting these to share with the headcovering mamas thread on the Well-Trained Mind boards. I've been covering for five or six years now, usually with a scarf or bandana.Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-69105763299870715472011-09-21T00:07:00.000-07:002011-09-21T00:07:24.263-07:00Down a Slightly Different PathAs you all know, and have been reading about on my blog for the last couple of months, I applied and was accepted to midwifery school back in July, after having attended the Midwifery Today Conference in Oregon this April.<br />
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With Syracuse being as cold and snowy as it is, Tim Baer and I had tossed around the idea of moving somewhere else before our winter here hit. Honestly, I didn't think that anything would pop up and figured that we would be spending another winter digging out cars out every morning. <br />
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During the last week of July, I responded to a post on the Mothering.com discussion boards from a birth center in Oregon that was looking for a new apprentice, as their current apprentice was about to graduate. I talked to the midwife at the birth center and her apprentice and, in the second week of August, applied for the position. The last week of August, I got a "Yes, come on out" from the midwife at the birth center. Tim and I discussed it, prayed about it, and decided that this was the best course of action for our family at this time. I've always wanted to be a midwife, my husband is extremely supportive and I've been told time and again that I'll make a good one.<br />
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The kids and Tim are pretty excited. I go back and forth between being thrilled and terrified. Overall, I feel a peace about what we are doing. For as crazy as it sounds, I think that this is a long term investment in our family, me being able to have a career.<br />
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I have two more doula clients here in Syracuse and then I'll no longer be serving as a doula in the Syracuse area. I'll miss my clients here, whose future births I had hoped to attend. I'll miss the ladies in the Doula Connection, our young doula networking group. Both the families whose births I was able to be a part of and our doula group here will always hold a special place in my heart. I don't know when I'll see any of them again, as a trip to New York isn't in the forseeable future.<br />
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I'll no longer be "SyracuseDoula," but I can't imagine that I'll stop writing about birth and family. It'll just be from Oregon, as a midwife's apprentice.Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-40619302836172323462011-08-31T17:49:00.000-07:002011-08-31T17:49:06.790-07:00Pelvic Types<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9JyCsLhcukIvKrtZzK570kiK0SdtBzEsdOsM0aVLmCF04Z9xzqSLw8E8ymF0FOaj1146bshuPlnH4CpdkXjACCUTPdyJHNEUROSRRAK6ATHiSzz0dqLL3f5FX67wH9NrqY9TE7UuD4Ml/s1600/pelvis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9JyCsLhcukIvKrtZzK570kiK0SdtBzEsdOsM0aVLmCF04Z9xzqSLw8E8ymF0FOaj1146bshuPlnH4CpdkXjACCUTPdyJHNEUROSRRAK6ATHiSzz0dqLL3f5FX67wH9NrqY9TE7UuD4Ml/s320/pelvis.jpg" width="186" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last night at Panera, I managed to complete the Pelvimetry worksheet from Module Two of my midwifery school coursework. I read chapter 8 in <u>Myles Textbook for </u>Midwives, about structures of the pelvis and differences between pelvic types.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.healthline.com/">www.healthline.com</a> describes the four types of pelvic types this way:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>The bony pelvis has four general shapes, which may occur separately or in combination:<br />
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<ul><li><b>Gynecoid</b>. This is the most common pelvic shape and is best for vaginal delivery. It has an oval-shaped inlet (wider from side to side than from front to back) with parallel sides, dull ischial spines, and a pubic arch that is 90 degrees or wider.</li>
<li><b>Anthropoid</b>. This shape has an oval inlet but is wider from front to back than from side to side compared to the gynecoid pelvis. The sidewalls are parallel or flare outward, and the back part is roomy enough to accommodate the back of the fetus's head. This may result in the baby being born face up.</li>
<li><b>Platypoid</b>. This type of pelvis has an oval-shaped inlet that is compressed from front to back. This may result in a fetus that traverses the pelvis with its head in a transverse or sideways position.</li>
<li><b>Android</b>. This is a male-type pelvis, with a small inlet that is somewhat heart-shaped. The sidewalls converge, the ischial spines are prominent, and the pubic arch is narrow.</li>
</ul><br />
This youtube video explains basic pelvimetry pretty well:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qwOqQjIrI7w" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-89736890137680293402011-08-22T05:02:00.000-07:002011-08-22T05:02:57.596-07:00Doula WeekendI think I've managed to piece together my weekend. Friday evening, Mandy Walters and I staffed our doula group's table at the Sweet Little Repeats consignment sale from about 3:30 to 8pm. We got to talk to a lot of moms. The theme Friday night seemed to be Cesarean and VBAC, and we ended up giving away all of the ICAN brochures that we had with us.<br />
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Friday night, I did not have to work at Walmart, so I was actually able to sleep from about 10pm to 4am. My intention was not to wake up at four, but working nights has done strange things to my sleep schedule. I alternated watching taped episodes of Juding Amy until about 7:30am, when I went back to the Sweet Little Repeats sale to hang out at the doula table with Chris Herrera. Got home around 5pm and did things around the house, napped, saw the family until 9pm, when I had to be at work at Walmart.<br />
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2:20am Sunday at Walmart, my phone rang and it was my doula client who was due Monday. I told her to try to rest and give me a call back soon and in half an hour I got another call from her saying that things were moving along. It ended up being a very quick birth of a gorgeous baby girl and I was back at our doula table at the consignment sale by 8:30am (and I didn't rush out after the birth, I stayed for a couple of hours after).<br />
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I got home Sunday afternoon around three, showered, went to bed and got up at seven o'clock this morning. I feel like I've recovered from the hours of sleep I missed over the weekend and, unless the lady due at the end of the month goes into labor, today is looking like it'll be a normal homeschooling mom/doing midwifery school homework sort of day.<br />
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Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-14367069950400012772011-08-19T08:55:00.000-07:002011-08-19T08:55:01.211-07:00Homeschool Weekly Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9I8mAQ9BikIkYNIrJRsMKLZOmd5Ag9W2vb7d9p3Tz2XMgeKAo4-tL8WukxGuEfD_WzIPfmwJt9_XksDjQmnWRuE04R2PtdMwIW0QvcNKZt9BEzDjSHeXV9E0627ZNS1BqS3-qGWfduRA/s1600/shave.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9I8mAQ9BikIkYNIrJRsMKLZOmd5Ag9W2vb7d9p3Tz2XMgeKAo4-tL8WukxGuEfD_WzIPfmwJt9_XksDjQmnWRuE04R2PtdMwIW0QvcNKZt9BEzDjSHeXV9E0627ZNS1BqS3-qGWfduRA/s1600/shave.png" /></a></div>Tim did look at me funny for this one, but last night when the kids were whiny and sniping at each other, I emptied a can of shaving cream onto the dining room table and told them that it was time to practice writing letters. James has been doing 'M' this week in homeschooling, so he worked on 'M' and words that start with M. Delilah made the entire alphabet and Ben pretty much just played with the shaving cream. It was totally worth it, as it bought me twenty-five minutes of happy children and only took a minute to clean up.<br />
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In history, we finished up chapter one in <u>Story of the World</u> II. Both of the older kids read library books about Rome.<br />
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Patrick and Delilah both did lessons on <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/">www.time4learning.com</a> in Math and Language Arts. I am really enjoying using the Memoria Press kindergarten with James. Honestly, the checkboxes are a big help to me.<br />
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We're headed out to the park this afternoon and then I'll be spending the weekend at the Sweet Little Repeats consignment sale. It's one of the biggest consignment sales in the area, with over 11,000 items this year. To find out more about it, you can go to <a href="http://www.sweetlittlerepeats.com/">www.sweetlittlerepeats.com</a> <br />
Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-35745417166946109782011-08-15T01:50:00.001-07:002011-08-15T01:51:03.208-07:00PrivacyPrivacy makes it easier to relax. Relaxing makes it easier to give birth. I love this video because we go "Why are they all going in the bathroom?" the same way that maybe we should go "Why are they asking to check her cervix during labor? or Why are there six people in the room when she's birthing the baby?"<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/N5J3o6AvSq4" width="425"></iframe>Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-2195311180809553632011-08-14T19:50:00.000-07:002011-08-14T19:50:52.623-07:00Photojournal- Food 8/14<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcWdwL-Hzr9e5x6KDpqLLKGdzl6Ij6Fqq-zZSbRdTA1Feg14OoIINugF6R_3ZCF8z6wMCgqgfJ6IuyLVj9p4PKArD8SwITfXMXpRP30c_VHf2EapMFZnC6iZHdDWs7VttN31PpuXwWAxC/s1600/meal1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcWdwL-Hzr9e5x6KDpqLLKGdzl6Ij6Fqq-zZSbRdTA1Feg14OoIINugF6R_3ZCF8z6wMCgqgfJ6IuyLVj9p4PKArD8SwITfXMXpRP30c_VHf2EapMFZnC6iZHdDWs7VttN31PpuXwWAxC/s1600/meal1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10:30pm Saturday: Rockstar and Rolos (just 3) at the Register</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuPLSupmNg2KmFfCxi1k8S4iaCtZiYc7QuiEvctSoYa5EYHMEE-l2sXUqDAkQQ_jh1RpGKBuWwMg4mjk1Q0ZzCJbf-ijvD-UaTy1NelAtHBbK6z5RCirh2xyiNaXrSptGhSVYODEDlmPF/s1600/meal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuPLSupmNg2KmFfCxi1k8S4iaCtZiYc7QuiEvctSoYa5EYHMEE-l2sXUqDAkQQ_jh1RpGKBuWwMg4mjk1Q0ZzCJbf-ijvD-UaTy1NelAtHBbK6z5RCirh2xyiNaXrSptGhSVYODEDlmPF/s1600/meal2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2am Sunday: Baked potato, broccoli, cheese w/tea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1wT5sS2-X_95Tf45bGue_XQuEpYbq56WzsJnFssHefiUYB5yZVpSk4CShcflxSnX3ua7muI5rN-2ZlmBfAB5ILcRfIvH-7l6UUIffgcCGAGvPAEWboSG4l9RmmUeFvAWhjnfB645Ds00/s1600/meal3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1wT5sS2-X_95Tf45bGue_XQuEpYbq56WzsJnFssHefiUYB5yZVpSk4CShcflxSnX3ua7muI5rN-2ZlmBfAB5ILcRfIvH-7l6UUIffgcCGAGvPAEWboSG4l9RmmUeFvAWhjnfB645Ds00/s1600/meal3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6am: Banana, Larabar, water</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vpDCnYHfYProyTg10ONejMPqZmX5SnD2SCGROm3YavlUEWlHt1A413ihrXLcISyFU5xuvF89d6gmDHvs53EWKnFnG3cj-HfLyssAR80NcbRZvyHQw0XTTbX4j_Ng5PMDacskzAetkzwX/s1600/meal4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vpDCnYHfYProyTg10ONejMPqZmX5SnD2SCGROm3YavlUEWlHt1A413ihrXLcISyFU5xuvF89d6gmDHvs53EWKnFnG3cj-HfLyssAR80NcbRZvyHQw0XTTbX4j_Ng5PMDacskzAetkzwX/s1600/meal4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10:30am: Coffee, bagel sandwich</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WnatHaMfZrO5VsAKzr_aiYDUb4iR-1SdaKyBjEmQhAksfcAWJqbSJfE7J7wnPsQXhi2U3TXD8TJzT8BB1CAkycMg0saJm74p9l6YcldMwtZWoV1DfCkrErW2QF5QjD7KTxm_Ke0XAeFu/s1600/meal5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WnatHaMfZrO5VsAKzr_aiYDUb4iR-1SdaKyBjEmQhAksfcAWJqbSJfE7J7wnPsQXhi2U3TXD8TJzT8BB1CAkycMg0saJm74p9l6YcldMwtZWoV1DfCkrErW2QF5QjD7KTxm_Ke0XAeFu/s1600/meal5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9:30pm Sunday: Crab bisque, wheat Ritz crackers, baby carrots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As a side note, I have been waiting for weeks for the copy of <u>Women's Sexual Passages</u> by Elizabeth Davis that I ordered from amazon and it still hasn't been shipped. If anyone has a copy I can borrow, please let me know.<br />
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Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-15098369784088808242011-08-13T18:15:00.000-07:002011-08-13T18:15:57.505-07:00Photo Food Log 8/13<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAJSXOLehCGLJVNFLItEkrGX7EVJtOy-zrBGPPxFc2XMlzrF57i5fPe10oyddDJrW8nu0KSVuB3-PyRQramkUjYbxiGy7Xj6qfe0wo96samRclucLLHGEgCe0GdGo8MHVfyCjxMMmjV1R/s1600/meal1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAJSXOLehCGLJVNFLItEkrGX7EVJtOy-zrBGPPxFc2XMlzrF57i5fPe10oyddDJrW8nu0KSVuB3-PyRQramkUjYbxiGy7Xj6qfe0wo96samRclucLLHGEgCe0GdGo8MHVfyCjxMMmjV1R/s1600/meal1.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday night "breakfast:" Coke Zero, Gnu bar, Late July crackers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvnISdTlTs8KNw_iAxRNC-dxnKkb7CsrtrmhhJY1SB2WNoI-V0HAq84-NOy2umJhy1sIxRm0ptLIF7JCIZDMJMEwVpDKllq0AV9jm1hg74K1dK3Jl49WO0UexeBzSjuFMfidq50DPPkwz/s1600/banana.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvnISdTlTs8KNw_iAxRNC-dxnKkb7CsrtrmhhJY1SB2WNoI-V0HAq84-NOy2umJhy1sIxRm0ptLIF7JCIZDMJMEwVpDKllq0AV9jm1hg74K1dK3Jl49WO0UexeBzSjuFMfidq50DPPkwz/s1600/banana.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11:45pm- Banana</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12:10am- Coke Zero, Baked Ruffles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6Lr4oq96fvKR3KRnoPMfoxz7mYe2nqD1u7QgMNlqHzKi94rOn2xv-wniuCXda8i8O-goZBdm-ppj5mHr1hyphenhyphen416_71YWS24pWhzpxHBR4_IVpaAYarwh27SrMZ1NtnPbeaez66vbniT94/s1600/lunch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6Lr4oq96fvKR3KRnoPMfoxz7mYe2nqD1u7QgMNlqHzKi94rOn2xv-wniuCXda8i8O-goZBdm-ppj5mHr1hyphenhyphen416_71YWS24pWhzpxHBR4_IVpaAYarwh27SrMZ1NtnPbeaez66vbniT94/s1600/lunch.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3:30am "Lunch:" Lean Cuisine (pasta & chicken), cantaloupe, Fiber One brownie</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg-xVSNTp66iQeDetwAom7ZyvA4yLIcDCzfZXhyGZ4sRf1bICTr12rcBLxsqBo-eeccvA5pvPPMRLgXz4rdqD0oBKYbiTMxQqyp-J1ItiXLE-GenSPY4Ktiz0ptJfSe0OWuv2gU1dyur3/s1600/yogurt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg-xVSNTp66iQeDetwAom7ZyvA4yLIcDCzfZXhyGZ4sRf1bICTr12rcBLxsqBo-eeccvA5pvPPMRLgXz4rdqD0oBKYbiTMxQqyp-J1ItiXLE-GenSPY4Ktiz0ptJfSe0OWuv2gU1dyur3/s1600/yogurt.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2pm- Yogurt</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8UZW7h0vXeqRI7gSSl5BC1zCuHY-irWC5FEyJm60Fv7s0t7XugxyhmvQTOBkM1cJvZ6FYsetks1ILNNTRvWG5_ctK7DqfYxYv2g8scgYtrVZh9VtceUnOfd3iXsVAn1rlV7QeGLoREz_/s1600/salad.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8UZW7h0vXeqRI7gSSl5BC1zCuHY-irWC5FEyJm60Fv7s0t7XugxyhmvQTOBkM1cJvZ6FYsetks1ILNNTRvWG5_ctK7DqfYxYv2g8scgYtrVZh9VtceUnOfd3iXsVAn1rlV7QeGLoREz_/s1600/salad.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3:40pm- Wendy's Apple Chicken salad</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbT0gpv9sxKq7mLvNu0VvGTx6xTw-Z89n-ENygTMICOCGqAnhso1FWjXy4gQyfeBEJZ1bhC64_ZMuRel8-Y1B6KWv1SXFcBqKn24wrG6nbh0mrgjes5JtGg2k7zcoVRuueB0e10NLSTOq4/s1600/dinner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbT0gpv9sxKq7mLvNu0VvGTx6xTw-Z89n-ENygTMICOCGqAnhso1FWjXy4gQyfeBEJZ1bhC64_ZMuRel8-Y1B6KWv1SXFcBqKn24wrG6nbh0mrgjes5JtGg2k7zcoVRuueB0e10NLSTOq4/s1600/dinner.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7pm- Turkey avocado burger, broccoli, zucchini<br />
<br />
<div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">My thoughts about the "snap a picture" concious eating plan is that it did make me more aware of what I was going to put into my body. Plus, I didn't want to have to post anything embarassing; that's why I ended up getting a salad at Wendy's instead of something fatty.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">I have a lot of reading about nutrition coming up in my next modules for midwifery school. I'm going to plan to continue keeping a photo log for the rest of this week. The only time I envision possibly skipping a day is when my next doula client has her baby.</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-80612749503436810112011-08-12T10:45:00.000-07:002011-08-12T10:45:05.163-07:00Better Eating by Camera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74cyRg6IFQgZiELoCoRvP7GXotLOaytDTSzIV56XL88UhaN6of26IUmUNUZAMthYhdbwdhv-6G_HQr9T6BaXmhGuNnNbtVGU4SapeZiy4w8fcOhQRHxUFUnB_zzfXmSrbRotbar9Tkw0O/s1600/bfast.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74cyRg6IFQgZiELoCoRvP7GXotLOaytDTSzIV56XL88UhaN6of26IUmUNUZAMthYhdbwdhv-6G_HQr9T6BaXmhGuNnNbtVGU4SapeZiy4w8fcOhQRHxUFUnB_zzfXmSrbRotbar9Tkw0O/s1600/bfast.png" /></a></div>I remember reading in some magazine last month that there was a study where they learned that snapping a picture of your meal before eating it made participants more likely to eat healthy food. Stopping to think about what they were eating made them more concious of what they were consuming.<br />
<br />
Since starting working full-time, I feel like my diet has left a lot to be desired. There's been way too much convenience food of the unhealthy variety.<br />
<br />
The picture above was taken at 5:30am in the Walmart break room. I noticed that, for me, the idea that I would be taking a picture of breakfast and possibly sharing it publicly did make me want to avoid having Coke Zero and Combos (it would have been embarassing).<br />
<br />
My goal for the next week is going to be to do a pictoral food diary here on the blog, probably at the end of the day. I'll snap a picture with my phone and email it to myself to post here.<br />
Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-63695061372960170082011-08-09T09:31:00.000-07:002011-08-09T09:31:56.009-07:00Free Reusable Lunch Sack from Annie'sYou can go here: <a href="http://www.annies.com/bts11">http://www.annies.com/bts11</a> to find out how to get your free lunch sack from Annie's Homegrown. I'll be mailing ours' in today.<br />
<br />
For my Syracuse area readers, you can get Annie's macaroni for a dollar at both Price Chopper and Target this week. I got ten boxes for nine dollars at Price Chopper by using two .50/1 coupons on top of the sale price. Annie's is our favorite macaroni and cheese, so getting it for ninety cents a box made me pretty happy. Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-81029131738274652011-08-08T07:53:00.000-07:002011-08-08T07:53:07.678-07:00Homeschooling at the Libraries<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAnpRVoYdbRFVU_6ogRmiLuB4WtV3G1I6JKkDleUj74PGpc4YpQTxjP_1Ttdxj5qBciZrcEjvAmOrBfJBUbMMmnCJR8KfiACp8LwwoMDWPacm2YdLujXDcnB_DXDQv9li_L3aWnmqMtHZ/s1600/cuties.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAnpRVoYdbRFVU_6ogRmiLuB4WtV3G1I6JKkDleUj74PGpc4YpQTxjP_1Ttdxj5qBciZrcEjvAmOrBfJBUbMMmnCJR8KfiACp8LwwoMDWPacm2YdLujXDcnB_DXDQv9li_L3aWnmqMtHZ/s1600/cuties.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben and James on the couch in the children's section.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last week, we managed to end up visiting four different libraries. Monday, we went to the North Onondaga Public Library in North Syracuse after James' speech. Then on Tuesday afternoon we had a "Wii Tournament" at the NOPL in Cicero. Wednesday, we hung out at the Liverpool library with another homeschooling family and on Friday we made a trip to the Manlius library to pick up a book called for in James' Language Arts book.</div><br />
This week, the plan is to be slightly more effective and go just twice.Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-21510202146243045132011-08-05T15:23:00.000-07:002011-08-05T15:23:57.583-07:00My Bag is ConfusedMy doula bag has turned into my doula/assistant/student midwife bag. Where I used to just have my labor support stuff, I now carry:<br />
<br />
"Doula's Checklist of Comfort Measures for Labor"<br />
Nukkles massagers<br />
A turtle massager<br />
<u>Calms- A Guide to Soothing Your Baby</u><br />
Rice socks<br />
Vinyl gloves<br />
Expanding file with client folders<br />
Stethoscope<br />
Sphygomomanometer (blood pressure)<br />
Fetoscope<br />
Change of clothes<br />
Snacks<br />
Essential oils (lavender, clary sage, peppermint, cypress, sweet basil, Texas cedarwood)<br />
Almond oil (for massage)<br />
Cough drops<br />
Tic tacs<br />
Hand sanitizer<br />
Deodorant (for me)<br />
Air pump for birth ball <br />
<br />
That way, I'm ready no matter what kind of laboring woman calls, a doula client, a midwife's assistant or someone letting me student midwife. For now, it all fits in one bag.<br />
<br />
I do still have space for a doula client or two in October and November, so if you're looking for a doula, shoot me an email at <a href="mailto:naturalparentingsupport@hotmail.com">naturalparentingsupport@hotmail.com</a>Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-86084770992266742662011-08-01T12:24:00.000-07:002011-08-01T12:24:39.132-07:00More Shopping Fun!I spent about an hour at the Y this morning clipping the coupons from yesterday's paper, putting them away in the binder and making up our shopping list based on the Price Chopper sale ad (coupon + sale).<br />
<br />
My new binder is a Case-It. It has a carrying handle and when you open it, there are two 1 1/2" binders inside. I saw it on Lauren (I Am That Lady)'s blog:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.iamthatlady.com/">www.iamthatlady.com</a> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYAbUwUypQTrngNhr75NyIe2_k1S6gMA2Da3-oYcB9dkkGAGjAl0gGSk6k2-RWPncLU1zRsXUvdvNvupzd4UovfxMtw_X8WCxKgcB0MdqYUHNOiOgf2Su0hKlN-j5zEk3W3CCu7FOhcRY/s1600/newbinder.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYAbUwUypQTrngNhr75NyIe2_k1S6gMA2Da3-oYcB9dkkGAGjAl0gGSk6k2-RWPncLU1zRsXUvdvNvupzd4UovfxMtw_X8WCxKgcB0MdqYUHNOiOgf2Su0hKlN-j5zEk3W3CCu7FOhcRY/s1600/newbinder.png" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kids and I went to Price Chopper from the Y and did our shopping for this week. I split our order into three transactions because I had a bunch of the Tops dollar coupon doublers and you're only supposed to use 4 per customer (and I ended up counting the kids as customers).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's what the money ended up looking like:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Original Cost: $174.52</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Spent $94.61<br />
#1 $67.96<br />
#2 $17.68<br />
#3 $8.97</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Savings $79.91<br />
#1 $50.87<br />
#2 $18.88<br />
#3 $10.16</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A couple of things where I was really happy about the prices were:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry Toothpaste $ .99 after sale and dollar off coupon that doubled</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whonu Cookies $ .99 after dollar off coupon that doubled</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Simply GoGurt $1.69 after sale and dollar coupon that doubled</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Organic Orange Juice FREE after coupon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-58439700485236201862011-07-29T04:57:00.000-07:002011-07-29T04:58:21.578-07:00I Let My Kid Walk to Walmart<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The past few months, Tim and I have been letting Patrick, our oldest walk to more places in our neighborhood. He's almost eleven and we both remember being his age and being allowed to ride our bikes miles from our houses without our parents freaking out.</span><br />
<br />
Yesterday Patrick asked one of his friends, who is two years older than him, if he could walk to Walmart with him. Our Walmart is literally three suburban blocks away. There are no big streets to cross. His friend isn't allowed to walk there and the feeling that I got was that his parents feel like its a safety issue.<br />
<br />
I got a mixed response from friends, most of them falling into the "Oh my God! That's not safe!" category.<br />
<br />
For as much as I searched, I wasn't able to find record of a single child kidnapping locally. All of the news stories about kidnappings here are about non-custodial parents taking their children and men kidnapping adult women. <br />
<br />
NeighborhoodScout has this to say about Cicero:<br />
<br />
"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Importantly, our analysis shows that Cicero has one of the lowest violent crime rates in all of America, across cities and towns of all sizes. Murder, forcible rape, armed robbery and aggravated assault happen far less frequently here than in most places. Your chance of becoming a victim? Just one in 10,000. Cicero's violent crime rate is just 0 per 1,000 residents."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">- From NeighborhoodScout</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Conversely, it seems that Patrick would have been in more danger if I had chosen to drive him the three blocks to Walmart, as our chances of being in a serious or fatal automobile accident far exceed the risks of a "stranger" doing him harm. Googling "Syracuse NY car crash," I was able to find more stories of people who were killed in car crashes than I was stories of non-custodial kidnappings (virtually non-existant in our area). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">The kidnapping is more sensational and scary, but the car accident is more likely and it doesn't keep us from driving almost every day.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I'd like to suggest the writings of a man named Gavin DeBecker. He is "our Nation's best-known expert on the prediction and management of violence." What he says runs contrary to the fear-based things that we tell our children, like the ridiculous saying "Don't talk to strangers." He provides practical, evidence-based teachings about reducing risk and making our families as safe as we can without becoming agoraphobic. His book </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><u>Protecting the Gift</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> is one that I recommend all parents read.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.gavindebecker.com/who_we_are/bio/gavin_de_becker/">https://www.gavindebecker.com/who_we_are/bio/gavin_de_becker/</a></span><br />
<br />
So yeah, I let my kid walk to Walmart. I felt comfortable letting him go and it meant not having to load up all of the kids to go buy toilet paper. Judge away.Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-35645907992244484642011-07-23T15:35:00.000-07:002011-07-23T15:35:19.382-07:00You've Got to Move Your Body- Movement and Positioning for Birth<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/a91pJDut50E" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
Look at all of the lovely hip movement in this youtube video! Sure, there aren't actual pregnant mamas, but the song and video are a good reminder of what I want you to remember in labor, the swaying hips, the movement.<br />
<br />
In early labor and sometimes well into active labor, many moms like the feeling of being upright, walking, lunging, squatting and swaying. Early labor is also a good time to get rested up for the work ahead, so I think that it's important to balance activity with periods of rest.<br />
<br />
Here are some links to good positions for early and active labor:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://pregnancy.about.com/od/laborbasics/ss/laborpositions_4.htm">http://pregnancy.about.com/od/laborbasics/ss/laborpositions_4.htm</a>#<br />
<a href="http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/labour/positions/#2">http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/labour/positions/#2</a><br />
<a href="http://www.everydaymiracles.us/PDF/Birth_ball_position_handout.pdf">http://www.everydaymiracles.us/PDF/Birth_ball_position_handout.pdf</a><br />
<a href="http://www.injoyvideos.com/mothersadvocate/pdf/hbyw-PositionsForLabor.pdf">http://www.injoyvideos.com/mothersadvocate/pdf/hbyw-PositionsForLabor.pdf</a><br />
<br />
Positions for the pushing stage<br />
<a href="http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/activities/effective-birthing-positions">http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/activities/effective-birthing-positions</a><br />
<br />
Lamaze's Tips for Maintaining Freedom of Movement<br />
<a href="http://www.lamaze.org/Default.aspx?tabid=256">http://www.lamaze.org/Default.aspx?tabid=256</a><br />
<br />
U.K.'s site, Babycentre has this to say about laboring in bed, <br />
<br />
"<strong>Why not labour in bed?</strong> <br />
<br />
<br />
If you are upright rather than lying down, gravity can help push your baby's head down onto the cervix (neck of the womb) to help your cervix dilate and then assist your baby's progress through your pelvis. <br />
<br />
Research, though limited, has shown the following disadvantages to lying down in labour, including: <br />
<br />
• more painful contractions (Molina et al 1997) <br />
• less effective contractions (Lewis et al 2002; Andrews and Chrzanowski 1990; Flynn et al 1978) <br />
• longer labour (Andrews and Chrzanowski 1990) <br />
• reduced blood flow to your baby, particularly if you lie flat on your back (Ryo et al 1996; Ang et al 1969 cited Gupta et al 2004) <br />
• narrower passage through the pelvis for your baby (Michel et al 2002; Russell 1982 cited Gupta et al 2004)"<br />
<a href="http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/labour/positions/">http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/labour/positions/</a><br />
<br />
Remember that one of the things your doula does for you is to suggest position changes during labor. So if you start feeling like you're not sure what to try, your doula is there to provide ideas.Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-58523156163261187002011-07-22T05:53:00.000-07:002011-07-22T05:53:11.762-07:00Homeschool Week of 7/18-22A couple of good things came in the mail this week. On Tuesday, James' box arrived from Memoria Press (pictured in last week's post). I'm as pleased as I thought I would be. It literally has boxes that you check off each day for each subject. With the number of things I'm balancing, this is what I need for homeschooling him this year. We also got the Patrick and Delilah's scores on the Terra Nova (New York standardized test). Except for Delilah's "66" in Language, both kids scored high in the 80s for everything (Reading, Mathematics, etc). As much as I think that standardized testing in schools is a waste of time, with all the talk of teaching to the test, it's nice to see that my kids, who were unprepared for the test itself, could do well on it.<br />
<br />
Patrick and Delilah both did lessons in Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies at <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/">http://www.time4learning.com/</a> Three days this week, Patrick spent 20 minutes working in Saxon Math 6/5. At the moment, he's sitting at the table working on Life of Fred: Fractions.<br />
<br />
Tim is still reading to the kids from the Bible at bedtime. This week, they're reading the book of Nehemiah.<br />
<br />
For Phys. Ed, Patrick, Delilah and James did the Outdoor Games class at the Y three days this week. Patrick had karate twice.<br />
<br />
I'm considering signing up for an "Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics" course. I took the Pre-test on the American Academy of Family Physicians website and scored a 97%. Last Friday, I mailed my first tuition payment to the National Midwifery Institute. I've been checking our account every day to see if the check has cleared.Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-51361640850468513542011-07-15T18:44:00.000-07:002011-07-15T18:44:11.903-07:00Busy, Busy DayUsually one to sleep in late on days that I don't work the night before, I was up this morning by 7:30. I flipped the laundry, cleaned up a little bit and looked at homeschool curriculum online. I've been wanting to get the Memoria Press kindergarten for James to use this coming school year and this morning, I decided to order it. I'm happy with the choice and looking forward to the box arriving :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lOWR_4S5pTO124_gBjlGJo_ib3RxlWoY9tO3_SGJhSfoBUuuPX7MLjN57mjMF-cDvjN0h4OhVvRbNs2t4kTLBTLIe9LrDiNdeyuiXQ1znvIjKoDtq8m8iOUKBWbESPO-CCxvoTWNzO3Z/s1600/kindy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lOWR_4S5pTO124_gBjlGJo_ib3RxlWoY9tO3_SGJhSfoBUuuPX7MLjN57mjMF-cDvjN0h4OhVvRbNs2t4kTLBTLIe9LrDiNdeyuiXQ1znvIjKoDtq8m8iOUKBWbESPO-CCxvoTWNzO3Z/s320/kindy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memoria Press Kindergarten</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It'll be the first year that I've used a boxed curriculum for one of the kids and honestly, I think it'll be a relief. <br />
<br />
I got all of the kids up around 8:00, since we had to get Patrick to morning karate camp by nine. Everyone ate breakfast and got dressed and we managed to get out of the door by 9:02am. Luckily, the dojo is less than a mile away.<br />
<br />
Delilah, James and I did a quick housecleaning and, around ten, some moms from the Syracuse AP yahoo group came over for a gentle discipline discussion. We decided to pick a book to read and meet back here again next month to discuss.<br />
<br />
The afternoon was a blur. We picked Patrick up at noon. I talked to Roz, from the Doula Connection, for about half an hour. I took the kids to Barnes & Noble, then Chipotle for lunch. After Chipotle, we went to Office Max to make a copy of my high school diploma to send to the National Midwifery Institute. We had to stop and grab a birthday present for Patrick's friend; then we went to the post office and I mailed off my first tuition payment of $4000 to the National Midwifery Institute. From there, we dropped Patrick off at his friend's birthday party sleepover.<br />
<br />
The younger kids and I stopped at Wegman's so that they could rent a movie from the Redbox. Tim was home when we got back. I got to chat with him for a little bit. Around 5:45, I put "Rango" on for the kids and I took a nap until 8:30pm. I'll be working at Walmart tonight from 10pm-7am, catching a nap in the morning and going out to meet with a few doula clients during the day.<br />
<br />
Mailing that tuition payment was definitely the highlight of my day. Once they get the check, I'll be officially "enrolled" instead of just "accepted" and I can go around telling people that I am a student midwife.Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-22905615299689536762011-07-11T10:01:00.000-07:002011-07-11T10:01:58.298-07:00"The Deal"Between all of the working to save up for school, studying midwifery and homeschooling the kids, I am still taking on doula clients. In this post, I'm going to explain "the deal," or how the whole hiring me as your doula works.<br />
<br />
Generally, people call or email me (though it's happened through facebook before) and we set up an "initial consultation." That meeting is free and it's a chance for you to learn more about me and see if you think we're and good fit and for me to meet your family and get a sense of what you're looking for.<br />
<br />
If you decide to hire me, you pay a deposit to reserve your slot on the calendar, usually 1/3 of the total.<br />
<br />
Then we set up three "prenatal visits." What we do at those visits will depend on your needs. If you're a first-time mom, we may focus a lot on basics; learning about the birth process, techniques for coping with labor and what to expect in the birth setting you've chosen. While I do have a basic visit outline, I adapt that to each family. <br />
<br />
I am also available via phone or email during pregnancy to answer any questions that may come up.<br />
<br />
The last month of pregnancy, I ask moms to email me an update or call me after each prenatal visit.<br />
<br />
When you think you're in labor, you give me a call and we chat on the phone. If you are at home and would like me to come support you there, I can provide labor support at home. Sometimes couples call me on the way to the hospital (if labor is moving along quickly) and I meet you there. I stay with you throughout the whole labor, providing physical and emotional support, advice and information.<br />
<br />
If you want help with breastfeeding, basic support is included in the birth doula package.<br />
<br />
Within a week of the birth, I visit you at home for a "postpartum visit." At the postpartum visit, we discuss your birth experience, talk about any newborn and breastfeeding issues and the transition of integrating a new baby into the family.<br />
<br />
Currently, the cost for my birth doula "package" as described above is $600. <br />
<br />
I also offer a five hour childbirth class for non-doula clients at a rate of $125. If you and a friend want to have a semi-private class, the cost is reduced to $100 per couple.<br />
<br />
If a doula client wants a private childbirth class in adddition to their doula package, the cost is $100.<br />
<br />
The best number to reach me is 443-690-6212. It's my cell phone, which I got when we lived in Maryland. I do live in Syracuse :)<br />
<br />
You can also email me at <a href="mailto:naturalparentingsupport@hotmail.com">naturalparentingsupport@hotmail.com</a> <br />
<br />
So, if you're looking for a doula in Syracuse and this sounds like something you're interested in, get in touch with me. I have one spot available in August. I'm booked for September and have space available in October and November.Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-50667392610669541692011-07-08T18:03:00.000-07:002011-07-08T18:03:09.321-07:00Homeschooling = Field TripsIn the past week, we've had a field trip pretty much every day that I've been home.<br />
<br />
On Saturday, Tim and I took the kids to a nature walk at Beaver Lake nature center. This summer, they're having a free nature walk every Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. You can find out more about their events here: <a href="http://onondagacountyparks.com/beaver-lake-nature-center/">http://onondagacountyparks.com/beaver-lake-nature-center/</a><br />
<br />
Since Tim was off work for the 4th of July, we took the kids to Oneida Shores, a local beach with a great playground. Their playground is close enough to the beach that we spent the afternoon going back and forth between playing on the playground and in the water. Here's the site for Oneida Shores park: <a href="http://onondagacountyparks.com/oneida-shores-park/">http://onondagacountyparks.com/oneida-shores-park/</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCWgi94dEZtAPGEhjkoXRsRGHVK0LA29dMQ60V0PD4h8kFwAsckTf9ztR339dEPdra1KlM0uphYLGygnzAd6t7KsFxwnKqtdh86Pe4Ix_eyQ7MvzSTRQQRWNIwGdh14URQ3pKm7wBBN7A/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCWgi94dEZtAPGEhjkoXRsRGHVK0LA29dMQ60V0PD4h8kFwAsckTf9ztR339dEPdra1KlM0uphYLGygnzAd6t7KsFxwnKqtdh86Pe4Ix_eyQ7MvzSTRQQRWNIwGdh14URQ3pKm7wBBN7A/s320/beach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I was "away" at a birth from late Tuesday night until Thursday morning :)<br />
<br />
Thursday evening, we took the kids to a Chiefs (minor league baseball) game with the free tickets we'd gotten from James' speech teacher. The Chiefs played well and the kids liked it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKb9ZGuHzFlYj4GzlpFyeNiJX0G8oGuocdoYWXAYkV31dC00PWGnp4e84ct9lAWd2PE45eLognft9rpjsaJI3rXQyb0hC8bSW6tkxuR2fd6DEXjVaBxF6MVCuBiGe9WNXJW4QQ3KK5gLy3/s1600/baseball1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKb9ZGuHzFlYj4GzlpFyeNiJX0G8oGuocdoYWXAYkV31dC00PWGnp4e84ct9lAWd2PE45eLognft9rpjsaJI3rXQyb0hC8bSW6tkxuR2fd6DEXjVaBxF6MVCuBiGe9WNXJW4QQ3KK5gLy3/s320/baseball1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSdX_H8fCWyxHNPnooJQ3hlqgeU_ha02J3GondzYw6oVQkY5QNZvLruFKo6Wf1LnF8_fihnhyrCDSSoeGGVNK7pUhaUvSzDFCFSNbH3qrSV_vFZ-IGf_z44HAhna-LXxBDkq5InZG7wgs/s1600/cotton_candy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSdX_H8fCWyxHNPnooJQ3hlqgeU_ha02J3GondzYw6oVQkY5QNZvLruFKo6Wf1LnF8_fihnhyrCDSSoeGGVNK7pUhaUvSzDFCFSNbH3qrSV_vFZ-IGf_z44HAhna-LXxBDkq5InZG7wgs/s320/cotton_candy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We wrapped up the week by going to two libraries on Friday. The kids took their summer reading lists and got prizes at both places (they signed up for two programs, I only let them count each book once) and we attended a music program at the second library.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyxpA5jPIx8XYrPUXFSmK0HoSEOrtfNp8dP01njc0W1sDEr-IJLeANrKSN0vd2Wk5aVZtVFwQHVTp1xQkPRQTJVQ5Vpz_u_l7WXes521T2HJLktmIWLeSKx7f-6TgCoh7RtbMv5d6UAcU/s1600/0708011450%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyxpA5jPIx8XYrPUXFSmK0HoSEOrtfNp8dP01njc0W1sDEr-IJLeANrKSN0vd2Wk5aVZtVFwQHVTp1xQkPRQTJVQ5Vpz_u_l7WXes521T2HJLktmIWLeSKx7f-6TgCoh7RtbMv5d6UAcU/s320/0708011450%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In mom-schooling news, I checked out some books from the library about paying for college and getting through college without incurring debt. My midwifery school account is up to $3000, thanks to another paycheck from Walmart and some donations from my mom :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDYfGGwDx9woDWhZSrqeWsAmdOwkz4zgqUnaoVAZTduYogcfSEkqGXzpfXeiJx-tFT1ZXfmICtuwCqvZ07AzFJ7LoQPEATcCqiy2b8C3IQvEeqQcncGAGknoQET3nmEhspmOyJFfSkfXO/s1600/chart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDYfGGwDx9woDWhZSrqeWsAmdOwkz4zgqUnaoVAZTduYogcfSEkqGXzpfXeiJx-tFT1ZXfmICtuwCqvZ07AzFJ7LoQPEATcCqiy2b8C3IQvEeqQcncGAGknoQET3nmEhspmOyJFfSkfXO/s320/chart.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My savings chart!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I'm off to go spend half an hour reading <u>Holistic Midwifery Vol 1</u> before I head off for the overnight shift at Walmart.Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-12019036043839434202011-06-30T01:05:00.000-07:002011-06-30T01:05:43.742-07:00'Cause Winning Things is FunAfter waking up way too early thing morning, I've decided to give you all some contest links. All of the contests end this week, so you won't have to wait months to find out if you've won. Here they are:<br />
<br />
Little Tikes Cars Bedroom Giveaway<br />
<a href="http://www.littletikes.com/sweepstakes/sweepstakes.aspx?sweepstakes_id=36&status=entry">http://www.littletikes.com/sweepstakes/sweepstakes.aspx?sweepstakes_id=36&status=entry</a><br />
<br />
Toys from La-Z-Boy<br />
<a href="http://www.la-z-boy.com/Brooke/Contests/">http://www.la-z-boy.com/Brooke/Contests/</a><br />
<br />
Prizes from Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine<br />
<a href="http://www.pnmag.com/competition/june-free-stuff">http://www.pnmag.com/competition/june-free-stuff</a><br />
<br />
Trip for Four to Sesame Place<br />
<a href="https://www.chelseapiers.com/sesame/register.cfm">https://www.chelseapiers.com/sesame/register.cfm</a><br />
<br />
Nordic Baby Carrier<br />
<a href="http://lilkidthings.com/lillebaby-nordic-carrier-giveaway/">http://lilkidthings.com/lillebaby-nordic-carrier-giveaway/</a><br />
<br />
Step2 Sand and Water Farm<br />
<a href="http://amomsimpression.com/2011/06/17/step2-sand-and-water-fun-farm-review-and-giveaway/">http://amomsimpression.com/2011/06/17/step2-sand-and-water-fun-farm-review-and-giveaway/</a><br />
<br />
Good luck everyone!<br />
<br />
- LizDoula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-74638758987770992702011-06-26T23:40:00.000-07:002011-06-26T23:40:14.670-07:00"How do you do it?" or "Thanks, Caffeine."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSLZFnwDGe7U_Ke9TJzC2KJRWWUHzj0iUoN-VFQScEzv2N0cSghLkSAw1FhphjaEDfuRYVeR7HapPBGVYgLJ6XgDkztsu22suuaImy3ueBXekjc5PXgZckJJK0sFhe7PgN9Pbz8mmMwlo/s1600/caffeine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSLZFnwDGe7U_Ke9TJzC2KJRWWUHzj0iUoN-VFQScEzv2N0cSghLkSAw1FhphjaEDfuRYVeR7HapPBGVYgLJ6XgDkztsu22suuaImy3ueBXekjc5PXgZckJJK0sFhe7PgN9Pbz8mmMwlo/s1600/caffeine.jpg" /></a></div>356 miles driven + 2 doula client visits + 1 student midwives' meeting + 18 hours at Walmart + 7 cups of coffee = My Weekend.<br />
<br />
For the many folks who have asked "How do you do it all?" I'll tell you that my secret isn't a secret at all. The answer is: stubbornness, perseverence, determination, and... caffeine. Once a water drinking, orange juice buying kind of gal, I've recently rediscovered coffee, soda and even the world of energy drinks. Not something that I would necessarily recommend to others (at least not in the amounts that I'm consuming), but for now, it's a way to get through my schedule and stay awake. The picture above was tonight's "snack" at work.<br />
<br />
I've decided that the current (thankfully temporary) schedule is worth it to get me closer to my goal of becoming a midwife. While it's hard, it's worth doing. And at the rate I'm going, it won't be long before I can afford to work less or drop the Walmart altogether.<br />
<br />
I heard this song on the radio as I was driving from the Student Midwives' meeting to my overnight shift as Walmart tonight and thought it fitting:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ie5-LrulBGk" width="425"></iframe>Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-49381116878274480162011-06-24T00:28:00.000-07:002011-06-24T00:28:08.813-07:00Childbirth Classes!The group I'm a part of here in Syracuse is now officially advertising our childbirth classes. Since I had a partial shift at work tonight (I hit 40 hours at 1am and Walmart has an aversion to paying overtime), I was able to get the Childbirth Classes page added to the group's website:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cnydoulaconnection.com/id17.html">http://www.cnydoulaconnection.com/id17.html</a><br />
<br />
For my doula clients, I will be offering a $25 discount on my childbirth classes.<br />
<br />
To book me as your doula or to just schedule a childbirth class, email me at <a href="mailto:naturalparentingsupport@hotmail.com">naturalparentingsupport@hotmail.com</a> or call 443-690-6212.Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-20903778335960574562011-06-23T05:30:00.000-07:002011-06-23T05:30:08.082-07:00Changes in Childbirth<object style="height: 390px; width: 540px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CxBieSbRpRY?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CxBieSbRpRY?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="540" height="390"></object><br />
<br />
This short video on changes in childbirth practices highlights changes in birth over the past century (stopping at about the 1950s). I especially like the part about the Southern midwives.<br />
<br />
This and more videos can be found at <a href="http://mothersadvocate.wordpress.com/%20">http://mothersadvocate.wordpress.com/ </a>Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-14760637010192275442011-06-21T13:44:00.000-07:002011-06-21T13:44:15.444-07:00Price Chopper Trip Today :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8x6UFsv6Vh_eWOVgLwSAiwHZZmDR7Du56Dktj9GJKEREQDv3_IDdg0IqqT8VsgZSEXZJpg_Skj-dzmNohu8iWzhZFu9FWFEweQEujVXvzJiIAeAhYN6CiDMcHD40-BXHsNFHf4fKkZoD/s1600/coupon621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8x6UFsv6Vh_eWOVgLwSAiwHZZmDR7Du56Dktj9GJKEREQDv3_IDdg0IqqT8VsgZSEXZJpg_Skj-dzmNohu8iWzhZFu9FWFEweQEujVXvzJiIAeAhYN6CiDMcHD40-BXHsNFHf4fKkZoD/s1600/coupon621.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIr_iwPpLLaq1oWBS_SiYsUSQUAkDG2dJJxWzKTsvJ8X6T7_smggqVpfqrf2p2OkIEqjZyazjuobKmDrdCDt4f_cLTixFvhXaM_XOBMaPAAfnB-2rsDj-7raC-Dz4lqMAM2k2cR1Pbsy9/s1600/coupons621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIr_iwPpLLaq1oWBS_SiYsUSQUAkDG2dJJxWzKTsvJ8X6T7_smggqVpfqrf2p2OkIEqjZyazjuobKmDrdCDt4f_cLTixFvhXaM_XOBMaPAAfnB-2rsDj-7raC-Dz4lqMAM2k2cR1Pbsy9/s1600/coupons621.jpg" /></a></div>The kids and I had a great Price Chopper shopping trip today.<br />
<br />
We got:<br />
<br />
- 3 boxes of Cheerios<br />
- 1 box Lucky Charms<br />
- 2 Yoplait yogut multi-packs<br />
- 1 4-pack of Fiber One yogurt<br />
- 1 4-pack of Yoplait Delights<br />
- 1 box of Simply GoGurt<br />
- Pantente Nature Fusion shampoo and conditioner<br />
<br />
The cereal was on sale 4/$8 and we used two coupons for $1/2, making them $1.50 a box.<br />
<br />
Yogurt was on sale for $2 each and we had coupons for "Buy 4, Get 1" and two coupons for $1/2, making them $1.20 each.<br />
<br />
The Pantene was on sale for $3.50 each. I had a manufacturer coupon for $3/2 and a store coupon for $3/2, making them .50 each.<br />
<br />
Finally, I handed the cashier our $5 Off Your Next Order coupon from the last trip!<br />
<br />
And then... another $5 Off Your Next Order coupon printed out!!!<br />
<br />
Our original total was $38.91 and we paid $8.32.Doula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622464969216758447.post-71351049850629394862011-06-20T04:34:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:34:34.719-07:00Good Morning! Welcome to Walmart!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwmc9KKehx1bGHcTUjiAzaOt1ZEt_nfjlQm2YZnNx3rniLG6G0Xw3VkE_odr6_wFoEwecPL5EuXORC_K7pWeGVcyVzWFHX78VjH4ZBAqYqxyD9xBlgg0KEHzOmYhZptes3zfAct54EZuV/s1600/0620010509a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwmc9KKehx1bGHcTUjiAzaOt1ZEt_nfjlQm2YZnNx3rniLG6G0Xw3VkE_odr6_wFoEwecPL5EuXORC_K7pWeGVcyVzWFHX78VjH4ZBAqYqxyD9xBlgg0KEHzOmYhZptes3zfAct54EZuV/s320/0620010509a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walmart Parking Lot: 5:15am</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It's hard to believe that it's already been two weeks since the last time I posted to the blog.<br />
<br />
The past weeks have been a blur. For the past four nights, I've been "people greeting" at Walmart. I had one night off before that and worked the previous three nights. So, out of the past eight nights, I've worked for seven of them. I spend from 10pm-7am greeting customers, putting stickers on items people are returning, checking receipts (it's nothing personal, stop getting annoyed about it), sweeping the front entryway and counting the minutes.<br />
<br />
I also spend from about 5am on reminding myself that it's for midwifery school and I have to stand there for the rest of the shift and be grateful that I have a way to pay for school. I'm working on it. The gratitude, that is.<br />
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At the present time, my midwifery school fund is up to $2050!!! Another $1950 and I can mail off a check for my first year's tuition :) My next Walmart payday is this coming Thursday; I'll try to post the new total.<br />
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So I am still here. I haven't dropped off the face of the earth. I've just found that working full time at night, being with the kids during the day and sleeping in the late afternoon/early evening doesn't leave nearly as much time for being on the computer as I used to have.<br />
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- Liz Baer: Doula, Aspiring Student Midwife, Homeschooling Mom, Walmart GreeterDoula! Liz Baerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964955029083642150noreply@blogger.com0