hatcherbee's Xanga

Lukie's New Coat!

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:53:06 GMT

That little bit of snow we got here in Jersey a couple days ago brought quite a chill with it! The weather was pretty mild prior to that and we'd all be surviving just fine in sweatshirts - but not anymore!

Lucas was the only one without a good fitting coat so I decided to remedy that today! Some fleece scraps and poly batting were all it took to throw this together.

I only had a few scrap pieces of this awesome blue Tonal Skull print polyester fleece - that I was saving for a possible diaper but after measuring the pieces I realized I had just enough for the jacket outer! So I pulled out the rest of my materials and got to work. The lining is a white polyester polar fleece and sandwiched between in the bodice is a nice squishy layer of batting.

I used one of Willow's old sweatshirts in 24 month size as a pattern. I just seam ripped the entire thing and used the pieces as a pattern.

I only had 3 navy snap caps and I really wanted 5 so I held off on the snap closures and used a few pieces of touchtape instead. I'll swap it out when I pick up the navy snap caps I need.

Aside from the touchtape, I'm extremely happy with the outcome, it will be perfect for the rest of winter! I'll try to get an action shot later.. Lukie is napping! Thanks for looking!

ThanksMama.com

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:39:03 GMT

I was recently contacted by Helena, the owner of www.thanksmama.com, to pass along some special offers to my readers!

You can get 5% off with the coupon code: "mama" and they have free shipping on orders over $60 all the time!

They are also having a great sale on Thirsties Pocket All-in-One Diaper v2, only $12.95 a piece!

I personally find Thirsties brand diapers and covers to be the best commercial diapers out there.

Check out www.thanksmama.com today!

Pushing the Envelope

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:34:22 GMT

I think I may be setting myself up for disaster.. 3 posts in 2 days is going to make anyone that reads this blog think I have time to keep doing this. Fact is, I don't. I don't even know how I managed to squeeze in enough time to post this.. but I'm not about to refuse a gift horse.

I made an envelope style newborn shirt for Raven today! No pattern, just measured her and winged it.

The neck is a tad bit too small, but since it's envelope style and I used a soft plush FOE to bind, it will be just fine.

The best part is she has 2 newborn diapers in the same print and another OS for when she's bigger (which Luke uses even though it's girly!). Now to dig through my knits and make shirts to match all her dipes!

I think she likes it!

If anyone has any questions as to how I did this, please ask away.. I'll scan the pattern I drafted for it and add instructions when I have more time.

Holiday Wish Lists (for family or those who asked only)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:05:21 GMT

Obviously this is only for family and those that specifically requested lists, we do not require gifts from anyone.. nor do we care if we get them. I'm pretty sure everyone knows how disgusted I feel about forced gifting.

I will most likely be updating this as time goes along and I ask that if anyone purchases something specific on one of the kids lists that they either let me know or talk to one another so it doesn't get purchased twice.

Tre'(15 years old)
Mens size large, 32w 34l
Subscription to Nintendo Power Magazine
Yu-Gi-Oh cards
Gift Card for GameStop, WalMart or Target
Wii Points Card
Guitar Hero 5 (Wii)
Guitar Hero: Smash Hits (Wii)
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii)
Pokemon Diamond (DS)
Pokemon Pearl (DS)
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky (DS)
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (xbox360)
Madden NFL 2010 (xbox360)
Wii drums
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (DVD)
Disaster Movie (DVD)
Pokemon: Rise of Darkrai (DVD)
Guinness World Record Book 2009
Brain Teasers (book)
Ripley's Believe It or Not (book)

Zack (6 years old)
Size 7 clothes
Gift Card for Toys R Us, WalMart or Target
Megarig Pirate Ship
coloring books/art supplies

Willow (3 years old)
3T clothes
Hello Kitty anything
Build-A-Bear Gift Card/anything
Barbies
Polly Pocket
Strawberry Shortcake
play doh
anything to do with monsters :P

Lucas (16 months old)
18mo clothes
Size 6.5 toddler sneakers (like these or these from Target)
Spongebob anything
cars/trucks
dinosaurs
Mr. Potato Head accessories
wooden toys
play food/cooking stuff

Raven (newborn 11/13/09)
newborn or 0-3mo clothes
California Baby bath stuff
bouncy seat (like this or this)
washcloths

Ryan
Brutal Legend
Left 4 Dead 2 (xbox360)
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 (xbox360)
Xbox points card
Xbox 360 Chatpad
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Nicole
Xbox points card
Lips (xbox360)
Karaoke Revolution: Presents American Idol Encore 2 w/Microphone (xbox360)
Gift Card to JoAnn, Michaels, AC Moore, Fabric.com or VeryBaby.com
Xbox 360 Chatpad
a really good scale
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
PUR 3 Stage Filter

Friday the Thirteenth

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:11:36 GMT

10am at my OB's office. Just a routine 'yep yur still pregnant' visit. Odd thing happened to me the night before though, I woke up round 2:30am and was throwing up! Doc said that sounded like something that happens at the start of silent labor. Huh! Who knew? Turned out I was about 4-5cm dilated and he wanted me to head straight to the hospital.

Of course I had things to do so I went back home to get things done first. Once I actually felt my previously useless contractions getting stronger and more regular I figured it was time to head to the hospital.

3pm St. Mary's Hospital. Something about even nearing a hospital makes me ill. Despite wanting to head back home, Rye dropped me off at the door and I waltzed on up to Labor & Delivery while he parked the car. We kinda got separated which added to my agitation but once we found eachother I felt much better. Or I thought I did.. after becoming decidedly uncomfortable with my nurse while settling into the labor room, we were finally alone.

We sat there discussing all the bullshit we were just fed - like how you can't eat or drink during labor.. HAHA what a joke... or how I had to be on a constant fetal monitor.. yeah that came off and stayed off. Honestly, why do hospitals insist on making laboring mothers as UNcomfortable as possible? No food or drink? Stay strapped to a bed in the most uncomfortable laboring position on earth while attached to a bunch of monitors and drips? Exactly how is a woman supposed to keep her much needed strength up in those torturous conditions? Being starved, dehydrated and tied down never helped a single human do anything!

6:30pm laboring in my hospital room. Rye an I shared some food and coffee while I slowly progressed, chatting and watching TV. Occasionally giving the ole smile and nod to the nurse if she came in. By the time my doc showed up it was shift change for the nurses and I was blessed with an even more uncomforting nurse lacking a personality and the ability to smile. But I didn't let her ruin my day and continued to endure my increasing contractions.

10pm still in labor. Doc decided to break my water, which brought on full active labor with useful contractions. I think I handled them pretty well until the last few when I 'thought' I was gonna crack. Thankfully we were left alone until Rye got the doc as the head was crowning. If there had been a crowd around me I'd have completely lost my focus and might have missed my selfish goal of giving birth on Friday the 13th.. haha but I made it happen drug and intervention free.. again!

11:35pm I was handed my beautiful Raven and could barely contain my joy! We couldn't believe she has red hair like Willow! She nursed almost immediately and for quite a while before we were transferred out of L&D and into a room.

I had some minor issues that nearly turned sour with certain 'hospital policies', but I made them see things my way and both Raven and I were discharged and home by Saturday afternoon.

What have I been up to since I've been home?
No rest for the weary as they say! Right back into the swing of things without missing too many beats.. course I'm tired but I feel wonderful and complete.

I had to make myself some more mamacloth because I ran through the 20 or so pads I previously made before I could get to do wash... which I didn't even end up having to do myself - didn't have to cook either (THANKS MOM!) since there were a few trays of food sitting in my fridge! I even made a diaper today! While I was cleaning and reorganizing the bedroom I came across an old Fear Factory tee that was just begging to be turned into a prototype diaper I'd been tossing around in my head.. and so it was...

(excuse the crappy cellphone pic, camera is still broken)

Hope everyone else out there is faring well!

Soapbox

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:53:24 GMT

I don't live in some scary fantasyland where my kids are broken items that need to be repaired and labeled with some kind of disorder because I can't handle the fact that they are acting like kids!

I don't need to drug my child into a coma so I can catch a break. Parenting is hard. There are no breaks. Suck it up.

Kids muck everything up. They do things that make you want to scream and laugh and cry all at the same time. They wipe toothpaste on the walls. They lie. They steal. They blame their siblings with straight faces. They explore the world in so many different and unusual ways it is amazing.

They are all unique and special and have so many different needs and wants – EVERY child on the planet has special needs.

I can't stand hearing or reading about these 'autism spectrum disorders' and how they are so 'prevalent these days'. I don't even want to get into WHY they are so prevalent but I know from personal experience it has NOTHING to do with facts.

HELLO people! Try having an actual relationship with your children and maybe, just maybe you'll learn something wonderful from them! Instead of shoving them in a corner, shoving a pill down their throat and slapping a retard label on them try a little understanding!! Forget daycare, forget doctors, forget endless hours of pointless therapy! Lets try and get back to basics here and remember why we started having all these beautiful children to begin with!

/soapbox

My Mom-isms

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:03:16 GMT

Some things I've learned in my meager 15 years as a mother. For whatever reason these things have been bouncing around in my head for the past week.. do with them what you will :)

I'll probably edit this and add things to it over time.. don't be surprised if I repost it at some point... I just need to get it posted before I forget again, while I have a second before starting dinner!

********************************

Be consistent.
Whatever you do, whatever you say - follow through. Don't say things like "if you do that again I'm going to kill you", and then not follow through. Yes I'm serious, one day the child that heard that one a few times will respond to you with "no you wont, you say that all the time". Trust me, being consistent is something kids notice especially when you consistently do or say something wrong.

People everywhere will know you are a mom, forever.
3 pregnancies in a row will leave vast areas of your skin looking like Freddy Krueger's face. Even if no one ever sees you naked and you manage to get out of the house without waffles in your hair, they will still know you are a mom. Case in point: A few weeks ago while walking through a grocery store alone with my big pregnant belly, a woman came up to me smiling and said "not your first is it?". I said "no, how did you know?" to which she replied "you have a little baby powder handprint on the back of your shirt!" and I laughed through the rest of the store.

I am not phased by finding crumbs in my bra.
Or an apple core in my shoe. Or even Polly Pocket accessories while rinsing out poopy diapers. Fact is, not much can make me even say 'ick' anymore.

Consequences are a kids best friend.
Kids need boundaries and structure. When they veer outside the lines you've set, you need to have set consequences as well. Otherwise the lines will blur and they will never respect you.

Television is your enemy.
Nothing is worse than having a child addicted to the television and it's accessories. Some will tell you that it is a godsend when wanting to get things done. Some will tell you it is harmless and every child watches television all the time. I've learned the hard way that television WILL rot the brain and it may or may not be reversible. I've since found that children don't need the television at all and learn way more from me than any educational show that will ever be produced.

Alone time is a joke.
Me time will go from a few hours out or some leisurely reading on the couch to successfully making it through a trip to the potty uninterrupted. Personally I treasure that 30 seconds on the toilet, no matter how messy the bathroom is.

Cleanliness is next to nothing.
Your idea of clean will not be shared with any of your children. It most likely won't be shared by anyone in the house and you need to get a handle on that lest you drive yourself insane. Always remember at some point you WILL have time to get your house in order again.

Patience comes in varying degrees and categories.
There are people that know me that say "man you have no patience at all", and there are others that say "you've got the patience of a saint". Fact is, both statements will be true througout your entire parenting career.

Honesty is the best policy.
There are no situations where lying to your child will benefit you or them. Be it Santa Claus or the death of a loved one, the truth is the best way to go. Lies only beget lies and create the need to explain those lies and eventually tell the truth anyway! Children can handle the truth and deserve it at all times!

Irrational Fear

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:46:30 GMT

All this ridiculous talk about the 'dangerous swine flu' that is supposedly spreading and killing 'so' many people.. even thought I've yet to hear of or even come in contact with ANYONE that even knows anyone that's had it.. has got me thinking..

Irrationality seems to be the theme of things lately. For me, I'm certain it is stemming from this pregnancy that is fast coming to a close. For instance, I have this overwhelming feeling that my labor will begin while I'm alone and I'll have to give birth unassisted. This will likely not happen no matter how much my normally rational brain refuses to stop going there, but it is not uncommon for a pregnant woman to be irrational at any time during pregnancy.

The irrationality surrounding the flu though, is mind boggling. I have not had one iota of concern over this insane 'swine flu epidemic', considering how ludicrous it all is. The fact that they are desperate to make it seem like such a horrid situation however, is disturbing. The reports of possible mandates and forceful administering of the very dangerous vaccine, weather truthful or not, are terrifying to say the least - and I certainly would not let anyone come near me or my children with a needle (or nose spray shot) full of that toxic mess. My OB has even requested that all patients in receipt of the shot (particularly the nasal one since the virus is communicable for 21 days after receiving it) stay away from the office, as not to expose anyone to it's shedding dangers.

I just can't understand why this big deal has been made, it is very suspicious indeed. After all, it is only the flu..

One Crunchy Mama

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:57:23 GMT

I found this How Crunchy Are You survey while blog reading and thought I'd share!

How Crunchy Are You?

1. Do you have a homebirth?
No - alternative birthing method(birth center, CNM in hospital, hypnobirthing, hospital birth, ALL natural without any drugs of ANY kind)

I have wanted a homebirth for quite some time but it doesn't look like it's in the cards for me.. no matter how much I despise hospitals.. though aside from the intervention laden nightmare that was Willows birth, the rest are/were all natural.

2. Will you circumcise?
No

Not that I have the option at this point (as I'm currently pregnant with a girl who is also my last) but I did not circumcise Lucas as Tre' was. I was more informed when Lucas was born and decided he was perfect the way he was made and didn't need any cosmetic surgery.

3. Do you use cloth diapers?
Yes - wash and make own diapers

Of course everyone knows this :)

4. Do you observe your fertility signals using; Natural Family Planning/Fertility Awareness and use that for birth control?
Yes - observe and use for birth control/TTC; or you use ecological breastfeeding/lactational amenorrhea

This isn't exactly true, as with my current pregnancy I was not aware I even ovulated since I was exclusively breastfeeding at the time.. I like to think it was meant to be no matter what!

5. Do you co-sleep?
Yes - part/all of most nights

I was co-sleeping with Luke on a regular basis until a few months ago when he decided he would sleep in his crib once I turned it into the toddler bed.. but he does still end up in bed with us on occasion.

6. Do you use a baby sling/soft carrier?
Yes - make and use your own slings

I have made and purchased a few of these and find them to be a must at infancy and a further necessity when you have more than one toddler nipping at your heels!

7. Do you breastfeed exclusively for the first 6+ months?
Yes - child-led weaning

My goal is always 1 year, with my first I only made it a few month (due to misinformation and no support) but have gone way beyond that with my younger 2!

8. Do you believe in/practice child-led weaning; even if that means breastfeeding for several years?
Yes - up to 3 years

If I'm honest I'd say 2 years is my limit, but Willow went a bit over that and I didn't mind.

9. Do you tandem nurse/nurse during your pregnancy?
Yes - nurse during pregnancy and tandem nurse

I nursed Willow through my entire pregnancy with Lucas and nursed him through my current pregnancy.. though I dried up near the end of this summer and he became uninterested until recently when my colostrum came in he's been asking for it in the middle of the night.

10. Would you/have you ever breastfed/fed someone else's baby or have someone else breastfeed your child?
Yes - would do it

I was never in either situation, but I would absolutely breastfeed a child in need if ever I were asked.. and if another mama were kind enough to do the same for me I would be eternally grateful if it were something I ever needed.

11. Do you eat organic/whole/natural foods and limit your meat?
Yes - try to buy natural, whole grain foods, etc

I would like to say we grow all our own produce but sadly we have no property to grow on. We do stick to a more natural and simple diet though. We stay away from almost all processed foods and prepackaged things.

12. Do you use herbal/homeopathic remedies?
Yes - very rarely see a regular doctor

Over the last few years I have found little to no use for a doctor whatsoever.

13. Do you homeschool?
Thinking about it

I am considering homeschooling for my younger children after experiencing the horror that is public school for the last 10 years with my oldest son.

14. What's your take on childhood vaccinations?
No vaccines

I have yet to find a convincing reason to vaccinate for anything. Ever.

15. Do you use cloth/re-usable products for mom? (Sea Sponge, Diva Cup, etc etc)
Yes - make and use own

It was the only logical thing to to once I had switched to cloth diapers. I love my mama cloth!

16. Do you wear make-up?
No never

Ok, maybe once or twice a year I'll put on mascara or eye liner.

17. Do you shave?
Sometimes/Rarely - some parts, like armpits but not legs or vice versa

This really has less to do with being crunchy and more to do with the tiny amount of time I have to shower.

18. What is your shoe style?
Barefoot whenever possible

If I have to wear shoes, I love my crocs!

19. Do you use natural cleaning products/etc?
Yes - make own

I've tried some of the natural cleaning products on the market today and they don't do a better job than my vinegar/water/tea tree oil combo or baking soda and lemon juice.. plus they are very pricey!

Score: 167 point(s)

Score:
225-170 WOW!~Crunchier than Grape Nuts!
169-130 Super Nutty, Ultra-Crunchy, Granola Earth Mama!
129-90 Mmm! Love that whole-grain crunch!
89-60 Pretty crispy!
59-20 Sprinkled with granola!
19-5 Instant Oatmeal
4-0 Jello

shhh...

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:47:12 GMT

noise
yelling
pain

blinding white
hot and bright
no no please shut off that light

then quiet
so soft
pillows pillows in the loft

healing
and sad
so good

and yet so bad...