This is the post from "Mama Is..."

"I BFed my DD until she was 3 years old. I have a friend who is BFing her 5 and 3 year olds. But at the same time, my brother’s ex-wife and her mother think that BFing is the ‘most disgusting thing in the world…’
I have also heard in this economy that mothers are skimping on formula (not mixing it to proper dose) and the babies are suffering Unfortunately, it may get worse before getting better. And hopefully with the speed of the internet and news, more moms will finally ‘get it’ through their thick formula-fed skulls that the only way to survive is to go back to the basics - breastfeeding, natural birth, everything in moderation, etc!!"

Birth movies

FYI! If anyone out there is ever planning on having a baby, already has a baby, or has family who does, you really need to be educated on the current birth world. Those shows like "A Baby Story" are not ever accurate about the realities of birth. The best and latest movies on birth include:

• The Business of Being Born
• Pregnant in America
• Born in the USA
• Orgasmic Birth

I happen to have all of these and a few more. Which is my favorite? They all have their good points and minor drawbacks but are all far superior to the shows on TLC or the Health channel and such. I would LOVE to have a film festival with these in this area because it is so very much needed! If anyone is willing to help with this, let me know!! It is totally do-able, just with more than one person and perhaps with a year of planning.

"Mama Is..."

I just left a post on today's "Mama Is..." And in case you don't know what that is, it is an online breastfeeding (among so many other wonderful topics!) advocacy comic. Done by Heather Cushman-Dowdee (I think I got that name right ;o) the "Mama Is..." and "Hathor the cow goddess" comics talk about natural mothering/parenting, with topics such as: breastfeeding, baby-wearing, attachment parenting, homeschooling or unschooling, co-sleeping or bed-sharing, and then she will also get into politics and economy and issues affecting any of the above topics. I had the fortune to meet her briefly at the local La Leche League conference in 2007. Awesome Mama she is! Full of creative energy and the same need (as any good mother has) to change her world for the better with the talents given her!

Green Holiday Tips!

I got this from a forwarded email from...I don't remember anymore...(pregnant brain)....but they are good ideas!

1)Buy your green or organic gifts locally: Support your local economy by buying from local businesses. Ideally, choose items produced locally. Even if the item isn't produced locally, you are supporting a local business and recirculating your money back through your community.

2) Gift certificates: In a struggling economy, letting your loved ones choose what they want to buy can sometimes be the best gift. Consider buying gift certificates from your local co-op or natural food store, independent bookstore, or locally-owned restaurants.

3) Get crafty: Don't be afraid to offer handmade gifts. Put together a book of family favorite recipes. Make your own calendar. Give your loved one a coupon book offering your free services for massages, chores, and hugs.

4) Donate to a nonprofit of your choice in your friend or loved one's name. Many organizations provide certificates or thank you cards, that you can give to your loved one, acknowledging that you have made a gift donation in their name.

We got a live Christmas tree!

Yesterday, the three of us went to Rockledge Gardens and picked out our Christmas tree: it is a live Red Cedar tree, native to Florida and looks beautiful! Last year, we visited a tree farm and picked out a cut tree from there. We did that to support local business as well as our family tradition of having lunch or dinner afterward at a local restaurant. The tree farm is at the North Brevard/South Volusia county line on US-1. A bit out of the way, but totally worth the experience and trip! The place we had lunch after was a BBQ place on Us-1 in Mims - locally owned and really good pulled pork, Brunswick stew, mac'n'cheese.... Okay! gotta stop! Being pregnant and talking about food may require someone to go on a midnight run ;o)

This year, after getting our live tree, we stopped at Ryan's, an Irish Pizzeria in Cocoa Village. You heard me ;o) An Irish Pizza place! Then we went to Taylor Park to play with our 3 yr old on the swings, when Lo and Belhold! Santa was just starting to set up to take pictures on his sleigh!! We got to hang out with him before he had to work, our DD got candy canes and a tiger toy and after the shock wore off, she gave him a big hug!! It was awesome timing!

See Santa and go ice skating!!

Cocoa Village has ICE SKATING!! No kidding! And Santa! Santa is taking pictures in his sleigh and you can go ice skating all right there in Travis Park :) At least for tonight and perhaps the rest of the weekend. There is also a craft fair in the village this weekend. And the weather should be really nice, too!

Something else to do this weekend - unless you are putting up lights - is the Cracker Christmas at Ft Christmas, in Christmas, FL on Hwy 50 between Titusville and Bithlo.

BTW, as I sit here blogging, my 3 yr old is watching Peep and the Big Wide World and my husband is crafting a small puppet. My life is not normal nor anywhere near average...and I am glad!

GOT IT!

While my husband and daughter play LEGO Indiana Jones on our Wii, I will let you all know when daughter #2 is born in Feb 2009, she shall be known as:

DACIANA GUINEVERE ALGERMISSEN !

And as far as my health is concerned, my midwife says I am doing fantastically!!

AND I had my Glucose Test today... most of you are saying, "Yeck, glucola!" But! because I have an awesome midwife, I had a glucose breakfast instead of drinking that horribly, nasty, wrong glucola junk! It included toast, OJ (which I squeezed myself from oranges from my own backyard), scrambled eggs, and milk. That's it! No chuging nasty, syrupy, foul tasting, blech and riding a sugar-high for an hour or 2.... Best part was, my husband made it! Thank you, Love you!!

Baby - Daciana - is doing well, heart sound great, in the 140s. My BP is low and stable. And my daughter, Anastasia, is enjoying the homevisits from my midwife.