• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (first soak in 2 cups of water for 2-12 hours and rinse)
• 1/2 cup pitted dates (can substitute other sweetener)
• 1/2 vanilla bean or 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch sea salt
• 5 cups water

Put the pumpkin seeds, dates, vanilla bean, salt and water in the blend and belnd until smooth. Can strain through cheese cloth if desired.

Will keep for 4 days in the fridge.

from Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen

Itzela a Spanish name meaning ‘protected one’- pronounced as ee-tsela. A name we searched for after our experience together & born from our gratitude that she was protected & able to join us safely despite the perilous challenge with her short cord.

Domenica was Christy’s Italian grandmother’s middle name & it means ‘Belonging to God’. Gram’s birthday was on July 21st-looking back we laugh at our thinking ‘maybe the baby will come on Gram’s birthday!’

We have an eye toward calling the baby ‘Zela’ although a bunch of nicknames are being born each day! Zela means ’sacred’ in Greek & also derives from having zeal, zest & passion for life!

It’s a big name for a little girl but she’s already more than matching it & it fits her perfectly!

Look forward to sharing more about this wild ride when as we settle into our babymoon…thanks for the love & support of our family!

Love,

Christy, Martin & Itzela

Christy delivered her 8lb 5oz daughter (name soon to be announced) on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 5:09 pm.  She entered the world bright eyed, alert and telling her story to all who were listening!

After weeks of starts and stops, 3 days of labor at home, and complete dilation for a very long time, “pumpkin” wasn’t descending despite Christy’s most valiant efforts.  She had a “Mama’s intuition” that something wasn’t right, because with the strongest, bearing down contractions, the baby seemed to be moving up in her belly instead of down.

Wednesday morning, the decision was made to go to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania .  After more labor there, including 3+ hours of pitocin augmentation, it became clear that baby could not make her way safely into the world by being pushed out, and the decision was finally made to deliver by c-section.  Lo and behold, the baby’s cord was very short – less than a foot long in total.  The doctors couldn’t stop commenting on it, and it was the shortest cord Christy and the other midwives present had ever seen.  Poor little one was doing all she could but couldn’t descend because there wasn’t enough length for her to make it out vaginally.  Thankfully, she had a super healthy placenta and mom and baby are doing great.  Daddy Martin is absolutely over the moon and adorable with the baby and is so proud of Christy.

Christy feels confident that she did everything possible to have her baby at home, vaginally, and it just wasn’t in the cards for her this time.  Those who were with her were moved and inspired by her strength and determination. As her dear friend and midwife, Carrie Kimball, put it, “I wanted to share that as her midwife, being with Christy was the most incredible birth experience I have had. Her strength, determination and commitment was something to behold…My story is simply one of gratitude and thanks at being a part of such a profound process with a beautiful ending.”

It is an epic birth story.

The happy family arrived home on Sunday and is doing great. Baby is gorgeous, alert and nursing well and Christy and Martin are both overjoyed and enjoying the start of their babymoon. The outpouring of love and support they have received has been such a blessing.  They are so thankful for the incredible community of families we have here! The generosity everyone has demonstrated with meals, well wishes, offers of help and also gifts has been so appreciated and received in love and gratitude.

Visit Langdon Photography’s blog to see some photos of the new family when they arrived home on Sunday night!

Here is a gallery of a few favorite images. Check back soon for more.

Meredith, Christy and Ally, my doula, all arrived within forty five minutes.     Tod and I were both relieved to see them, partly because we knew he wouldn’t be delivering the baby in the bathtub.  The most comfortable position for me at this time was lying down on the bed.   The contractions were further apart and less intense like this.  Christy gently reminded me that we want the contractions because that’s what helps the baby come out.  So at that I decided to stand up and walk around.  Yes that did help!  After the birthing pool was set up I got into it and it felt so nice.  The warm water really helped.   Christy recommended different positions for me to try and Meredith would check the baby’s heart rate regularly.  The contractions were intense and close together but I breathed through each one.  I listened intently and tried to execute the directions given by Meredith and Christy knowing that my cooperation would speed up this process and I could soon meet my baby.  Meredith gave me a soothing lower back massage with some scented oil.  I remember Christy saying “ That’s it you’re done with that contraction you’ll never have to do that one again”  That really helped me to get through each one.  At one point I felt a light stinging in my lower abdomen. Meredith said the baby was coming and she could see my bag in the water.  I couldn’t’ believe how fast everything was going.
I got out of the pool and tried squatting on a birthing stool but I was too tired and just wanted to lie down on the bed.  The contractions changed to a bearing down type feeling that made me want to push.   The pushing felt good.  It didn’t seem like it took that long either.  The next thing I knew I had a beautiful, dark haired, lil’ man on my belly.   My husband and I cried and cried.  All I kept saying was thank you, thank you, thank you to Meredith & Christy for all they had done to help me deliver this beautiful baby in the comfort of our home.  It was a magical, miraculous, euphoric, wonderful moment I’ll never forget and I’m so glad they were a part of it.

Meredith & Christy examine Nicholas head to toe!

Mama and midwife check out precious baby boy!

Birth
Birthing From Within: An extraordinary guide to childbirth preparation. By Pam England, Partera Press, 1998.
Gentle Birth Choices: A guide to making informed decisions about
birthing centers, birth attendants, water birth, home birth, hospital
birth. By Barbara Harper, Inner Traditions, 1994.
Heart & Hands: A Midwife’s Guide to Pregnancy and Birth. By Elizabeth Davis, Celestial Arts, 2004.
Homebirth. By Sheila Kitzinger, DK Pub, 1991.
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. By Ina May Gaskin, Bantam Books, 2003.
Special Delivery: A guide to creating the birth you want for you and your baby. By Rahima Baldwin, Celestial Arts, 1990.
The Birth Partner: Everything you need to know to help a woman through childbirth. By Penny Simkin, Harvard Common Press, 2007.
The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth. By Henci Goer and Rhonda Wheeler, Perigee, 1999.

After the Baby’s Birth
After the Baby’s Birth: A complete guide for postpartum women. By Robin Lim, Ten Speed Press, 2001.
Natural Health After Birth: The complete guide to postpartum wellness. By Aviva Jill Romm, Healing Arts Press, 2002.
The Year After Childbirth: Enjoying your body, your relationships, and
yourself in your baby’s first year. By Sheila Kitzinger, Fireside, 1996.

Breastfeeding
The Breastfeeding Café: Mothers share the joys, challenges, and secrets
of nursing. By Barbara Behrmann, The University of Michigan Press, 2005.
The Nursing Mother’s Companion. By Kathleen Huggins, Harvard Common Press, 1999.
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers: The Most Comprehensive
Problem-Solution Guide to Breastfeeding from the Foremost Expert in
North America. By Jack Newman and Teresa Pitman, Prima Lifestyles, 2000.
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. By La Leche League International, Plume, 2004.

Parenting
The Attachment Parenting Book: A commonsense guide to understanding and
nurturing your child. By William Sears and Martha Sears, Little, Brown,
2001
Everyday Blessings: The inner work of mindful parenting. By Myland and Jon Kabat-Zinn, Hyperion, 1998
Natural Family Living: The Mothering Magazine guide to parenting. By Peggy O’Mara, Atria, 2000.
Naturally Health Babies & Children: A commonsense guide to herbal
remedies, nutrition, and health. By Aviva Jill Romm, Ten Speed Press,
2003.
The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle ways to help your baby sleep through the night. By Elizabeth Pantley, McGraw-Hill, 2002.
The Baby Book: Everything you need to know about your baby from birth
to age two. By William Sears and Martha Sears, Little, Brown, 2003.

Books for Children
I Watched My Brother Being Born! Including children at birth. By Anne
Vondruska and Katarina Vondruska, Trafford Publishing, 2005.
Nasce um Bebe… Naturalmente (A Baby is Born… Naturally). By Naoli Vinaver, Mercuryo, 2005.
Welcome With Love. By Jenni Overend, Kane/Miller Book Publishers, 1999.
My Mommy’s Midwife. By Trish Payne and Hayley Holland.
A Ride on Mother’s Back: A day of baby carrying around the world. By Emery Bernhard, Gulliver Books, 1996.
I’m Made of Mama’s Milk. By Mary Olsen.
Breastmilk Makes My Tummy Yummy. By Cecilia Moen, Midsummer Press, 1999.

Herbs/Homeopathy
A Woman’s Book of Herbs: The healing power of natural remedies. By Deb Soule, Citadel Press, 1995.
Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines. By Stephen Cummings, Tarcher, 1997.
Herbal Healing for Women. By Rosemary Gladstar, Fireside, 1993.
Homeopathy for Pregnancy, Birth, and Baby’s First Year. By Miranda Castro, St. Martin’s Press, 1993.
Homeopathic Medicine at Home: Natural remedies for everyday ailments and minor injuries. By Maesimund Panos, Tarcher, 1981.
Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants. By Dana Ullman, Tarcher, 1992.
Mommy Diagnostics: The naturally healthy family’s guide to herbs and
whole foods for health. By Shonda Parker, Loyal Publishing, 1999.
Rosemary Gladstar’s Family Herbal: A guide to living life with energy,
health, and vitality. By Rosemary Gladstar, Storey Publishing, 2001.
The Herbal for Mother and Child: Essential home remedies for a healthy
pregnancy, a trouble-free birth and everyday childhood ailments. By
Anne McIntyre, Thorsons, 2003.
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year. By Susun Weed, Ash Tree
Publishing, 1985. *Note: This is a classic herbal for pregnancy,
childbirth, lactation, fertility, and birth control. However, some
recommended herbs have since become endangered and only cultivated
varieties should be used.

Women’s Health/Fertility
The Garden of Fertility: A guide to charting your fertility signals to
prevent or achieve pregnancy – naturally – and to gauge your
reproductive health. By Katie Singer, Avery, 2004.
Our Bodies, Ourselves: A new edition for a new era. By The Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, Touchstone, 2005.
Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The definitive guide to natural birth
control, pregnancy achievement, and reproductive health. By Toni
Weschler, Collins, 2001.

Cook 1 c. quinoa in 2 c. water. (rinse quinoa before cooking. combine with water and simmer about 20 minutes.)
When done cooking, let cool.
Beat 2 eggs (mine were jumbo, I’d use 3 if yours are large)
Stir into eggs:
2/3 c. coconut milk (or any kind of milk would work)
3 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice or 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
4 tbsp. raisins or other fruit
2 tbsp. nuts (omit if you prefer)
2 tbsp. sweetner of your choice (agave nectar, honey, molasses, maple syrup)
1 c. canned pumpkin (if you don’t have this on hand just up the eggs to 4)
Mix with qunioa.
Put in pie dish or other ovenproof dish.
Bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes.
Cool slightly before serving.

Baby Pardes...

I loved being pregnant and I loved giving birth. Part of that was how well I felt throughout and the joy and anticipation of bringing our daughter into this world, and part of that was how well supported my husband and I felt by our midwives. We looked forward to our monthly and then weekly visits with Christy, to our conversations, and to the things she would teach us about my ever changing body and the upcoming birth. Throughout the birth Christy was a calming presence. She was always there when I needed her, but seemed to know just when to disappear so that I felt that it was just my husband and I in the room birthing together. She was gentle, encouraging, empowering and helped me to bring into being the birth experience I wanted for myself and my family.

Mom and baby check each other out moments after the birth!

If you had told me a few years ago that I was going to give birth to my child at home, I would have thought you were insane. In fact when I first spoke to an woman who was studying to become a midwife, she asked me what was the first thing I thought of, when I heard the word “homebirth”. “Messy” I said and “unsafe” I added. But after some explanation on her part, and some research on my part, I quickly learned that a home birth was precisely the way I wanted to bring my baby into the world. Because although all birth is “messy”, a homebirth with a caring, attentive and well-trained midwife like Christy was the best environment I could be in.

Christy gave me all the care, knowledge, understanding, and support that I needed during my pregnancy. Having her advice just a phone call or an email away was invaluable. She helped to ensure I was prepared both physically and emotionally for the things I was experiencing and all of those that were to come. Christy’s knowledge of homeopathy and yoga played a key role in my care, and I am forever grateful for her.

Big sister Curran listening to the baby's heartbeat!

We chose to have a homebirth for our third child for so many reasons I would need a book to explain them all. Having had this beautiful experience and reflecting upon it on my son’s first birthday has given me new clarity on our choice. For me, creating life is awe-inspiring and profoundly humbling all in the same breath. As a vessel for this miracle I believe it is my responsibility and honor to bring life into the world in the most serene, secure and nurturing environment as possible. For my older children, both girls, I also wanted to give to them the opportunity to be present to welcome their brother into the world. Beyond being present, I wanted to offer to them a vision of birth uncomplicated and interrupted by the outside world. I wanted them to understand that the exhausting, arduous and exhilarating journey of birth is not scary, unknown or something to fear. My oldest daughter, Curran, who was five at the time of Sayer’s birth, said to me the morning after, “Mommy, you were like a tiger hunting for food.” It was incredible to realize that she saw in her mommy such strength. Sayer entered the world with grace and a sense of tranquility that is still present with him on a daily basis. I believe that has to do with who he is and how he came into the world. When a woman who believes in herself and then surrounds herself with people, like Christy, who believe in birth and believe in her— the beauty that comes from it is magical.

Minutes before giving birth--look at that bulging bag of waters!

Sayer at 6 weeks!