Pumpkin Patch Day!

Today we went to Jumbo's Pumpkin Patch to see Tana pick out her pumpkin and ride a horse!

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Benjamin slept through it all all tucked into his Moby wrap...
maybe we'll get better action shots next year :)

Benjamin and his Buddy

Forest and Benjamin just hangin'

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Three Months Old!

WOWeeee! Can you believe it? Here he is, Benjamin @ 3 months...

and then

Benjamin had a costume change because, well,
something happened that he does not want me to mention :)

* yummy cooking time!

And now ... Benjamin in motion on his tummy and cooking in the kitchen!

shhhhhh...

Benjamin shows off his Baby Legs!

Tee Heedle Hee :) Don't worry, I changed his diaper before we left on our adventure. He screamed in the car, but was a perfect flirty angel at the library...

*SherryQ*

Benjamin in motion with toys and big Papi !

Now that Benjamin is 12 weeks old, he's showing off his skills: neck swivel/pivot, staring, random arm flailing, opening mouth, and spurgling (spitty baby gurgling) = Genius :)

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Our "agreement" with the squirrels is OFF

Well, in my yard, we are no longer abiding by our agreement with the squirrels.

The squirrels are terrorizing us. They are luring us out into the yard with their mischievous eyes, swishy tails and funny antics, and then just as we pass underneath the acorn trees, they begin pelting us with acorns! Not nice, squirrels!

I've tried meeting with them to negotiate new terms - but they do not show up. Oh, I wouldn't want to exaggerate or anything, they do arrive, but just for a skittish, "how'dee do," and then they flip right off to their squirrely meetings, probably planning when to attack us again.

Hey - I've got a baby to protect now, never mind my sweet puppa who is completely baffled - he believed that the squirrels were his friends.

I've thought about imposing some kind of sanctions against the yard squirrels, but I'm not sure it would be effective, since they can easily skip out and move onto the next yard (and do, I believe), and we do not have any alliances with our neighbors in regards to the squirrels.

I could declare war and begin my own "pelting the squirrels with nuts" campaign, but with only one troop and the infinite amount of guilt I would suffer since I know that they need the acorns to survive the winter, this just will not do either.

Here is my solution: I will no longer walk underneath the acorn trees in the evenings admiring the swishy tailed squirrels. I will walk around the acorn trees and wish the squirrels well with their acorn gathering, since I do not need or want the acorns, and I have other paths to take.

W H E W - sticky situation resolved for now. But, I would very much like to walk again underneath the acorn trees, so if anyone has an "in" with the squirrels, please put in a good word for us!

Thank you! *SherryQ*

B b b b b Baby Benjamin in Motion

He's got some serious seriousness going on ... :)

and to continue ...

Thth th thththth that's all for now, folks :)

*SherryQ* and Benjamin too!

More Photos of Benjamin @ 9 1/2 weeks old

With at least one of these photos, his name should be pronounced BenHaMean, Spanish style.

Can you guess which photo is just begging for this altered pronunciation? :)

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btw all of the photos are links to my Flickr with even more photos :)

And, finally, please join me in saying a prayer that my friend Emily and her family have all made it safely out of hurricane Ike's path, and that all those affected by the hurricane will be well.

Thanks! *SherryQ*

Benjamin loves his Moby and his Mommy

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Yes, I know that I should ALWAYS wear makeup - but... well... oh well :)

Before getting into the Moby - on his way to the Urbana Library! He is already tired :)

Can you believe that he is already 2 months old? Now, thas wack ...

*SherryQ* :)

Granny and G-Dad visit with Benjamin

Here they are - chatting each other up in Frederick :)

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The Cincinnati Families visit the Frederick Families

This was on Labor Day weekend ...

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Cousins sharing cousin time on the cuddly couch :)

Welcome to the World, Dalton!

Congratulations to my friend Mel on her new arrival - sweet Dalton!

Dalton Robert De Miranda

Born: September 6, 2008

Time: 9:30pm

Weight: 7lbs 10oz

Height: 20 1/2 inches

Naysayers thwarted

Evidence that I DO give Benjamin (the photos are links too) down time ...

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And no evidence of the previous night's colic or the lack of any nap so far today! He's alright, mates :) 7 Weeks old and growing stronger!

ttyl *SherryQ*

footnote: yes, he tends to wear the same clothes repeatedly - he likes predictability, and some clothes are just easier to put on and take off :)

One Sweet Puffin says to Another

Tana Holds Benny for the first time 1,
originally uploaded by McCoy's Place.

He says, "Yeah, I'm takin' it all cool like and stuff - sitting here with my Prima Puffin"

She says, "This Primo Puffin is cuddly - and look at how well I can hold him - just perfectly!"

What Tana really said was, "Happy thoughts, happy thoughts," but no one can figure out where she learned that or why she kept saying it ... she is a HILarious Puffin!

WOW!!! Can you believe it? This photo is most certainly a miracle ...

*SherryQ*

And now ... 1 Month Old!!!

(future Olympic Water Polo Player or Master Swede?!?)

Some recent photos ...

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of Benjamin!

He is FULL of baby personality and cracks us up :) Little funny guy ... practicing his "look..." Watch out, Derek Zoolander!

*SherryQ*

btw - can someone please explain to me why grown men playing the manly sport of Olympic Water Polo wear little caps with bows tied underneath their chins? If we can develop razor suits for the swimmers, can't we find SOME way of helping out these guys and de-bow them??? -Perplexed in Frederick

More Pictures ...

To back track over the past few weeks ... here are some more photos (click on the image)

*SherryQ*

Captain Picard...?

I forgot to show you all this from about a week ago...

hee hee :)

*SherryQ*

The Birth Story :)

First of all - Octavio and Antonette (the Doula) were a GODsend through the entire process (progress)!!! I could not have done this without them - no way, could NOT have done it at all ....

b/c we were "high risk" and running "late" (41 weeks) ob/gyn convinced me to induce with prostaglanden (?) gel on Monday - happened @ 2p.m.

My body took over and labored on its own after about 4 hours. I stayed at about 3.5 cm from hour 4-14 (all went well here - used the Earth Mama Angel Baby CD for meditation and I HIGHLY recommend it!), when ob/gyn offered options.

Since I hadn't slept already for almost 48 hours (anxious about induction), I opted for some help to rest up for the event, and the ob/gyn suggestion of pitocin to "help" with dilation... uhhhh... I'll make a different choice next time...

I slept hour 14-16.5 and then awoke from a deep deep sleep into intense labor (still measuring 3.5 cm) and my water breaking. The intense labor lasted about 1 hour - where I found myself fully 10 cm and began pushing for about 40 minutes - and then met sweet baby Benjamin face to face! (insert giant THANKS here to nurse Tracy - a strong natural birth advocate and excellent coach)

My comment on seeing Benjamin in ob/gyn's arms at birth, "How'd you guys do that?" Everyone in the room cracked up - and I was completely confused at first since I didn't really know that I'd said that out loud ... After 8 years of ttc, this moment was truly a miracle and I could not believe that I had actually had a baby!!!!

Now he is here - and wide awake - and hungry ... and as sweet as a sweet baby puffin can be :)

Puffiliciously Puffinish - looking all like my brother with Octavio's nose and facial expressions :)

*SherryQ*

Photos of the little Photo Bug!

Heya :)

Here is little Benjamin in his Amby... I lasted with him in there for about 10 minutes... eeks! He is SO tiny :) Octavio is braver than I am and has left Benjamin peacefully resting in the Amby for about 45 minutes while I was blissfully unaware in the shower...

What a sweet puffin!!!

And ... wide awake moments ...


Our sweet little niece, Zoe (2 1/2 years old) says, "He has Tio's nose and Titi's arms!"

Benjamin's Titi Evelyn says, "He looks like a blond Octavio."

G-Dad says, "He has my nose!" We say, "A, he's Adorable!!!!"

*SherryQ* going to sleep as often as I can :)

Hey Ya'll :)

We are in LOVE :)

Doh! :) xoxoxo

Milk, it does a body good!!! (from Octavio)

As you can see from Baby Q's expression, he is one little sweet puffin. We only wish he would stay like this forever. Looks like he's telling Mommy Q, "Got milk?". There will be pitfalls as well as mountains to climb for Q but one thing is certain, Mommy and Daddy are loving every minute of it.

Here's Benjamin!!! (from Octavio)

Here is a little snippet of our bundle of joy. Mom and Baby Q are doing fine, Dad is very tired...
More pics to be available soon. Benjamin is oodles and oodles of fun, of course until Sherry asks, "Octavio, can you change the Baby?" Kidding aside, we wouldn't want it any other way.

Thanks very much for the congratulatory e-mails, flowers, etc...

The MOST unflattering photograph, EVER >:P

Publication: Frederick News-Post;

Date: Jul 3, 2008;

Section: Home & Family;

Page: C-1

HAVING A BALL GIVING BIRTH Using a doula can help reduce negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience, reduce the need for pitocin, forceps or vacuum extractions and cesareans, and reduce a mother’s request for pain medications By KRISTA BRICK SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-POST

Any day now Sherry Quinones’ life will change dramatically, and it’s a change she’s been awaiting for nearly eight years. With the upcoming birth of her first child, Sherry is leaving nothing to chance.

She has a birth plan and a doula to help her execute it.

“I thought about this day for such a long time. I like to know as much as I can know and have a plan and a back up to that plan,” she said.

Her plan involves Antonette Hoffman-Robinson, a birth doula and lactation educator, who Quinones hired to help during the birth of her son. The word “doula” comes from the Greek word meaning “woman’s servant.” In modern times, doulas are being used to provide emotional and physical support to a laboring woman and her partner. They are different from midwives, who are trained medical professionals who can perform medical procedures and deliver babies.

According to the Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators, a doula can help reduce the negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience, reduce the need for pitocin, forceps or vacuum extractions and cesareans, and reduce a mother’s request for pain medications.

Sherry said she is hoping Hoffman-Robinson’s presence will help her hold off on heading to the hospital longer and remember what she can do to help herself during active labor.

“Antonette will be a help to remind us of our goals and to execute them,” Sherry said.

Nancy Lord, coordinator of the Frederick Memorial Hospital’s Family Focus/Childbirth Education program said expecting parents are asking more often for doula information.

“They are very interested in doulas because they like the idea that dad is there to help with certain things, but it is nice to have someone who is so familiar and skilled in the area to help them also,” Lord said.

According to Doulas of North America, an international organization promoting and certifying doulas, more doulas are making their way into delivery rooms.

“I think there is more of a open mindedness to having a doula especially as natural childbirth and informed births are on the rise,” said Natashia Fuksman, northeastern regional director for DONA international. “Certainly the use of doulas has been on an increase. What we are seeing very consistently is that mothers are having far more satisfying birth experiences with consistent labor support with someone not a clinician but someone trained in labor support fulfilling emotional needs as well as physical needs.”

Doulas certified by DONA must complete a class series and a 16-hour workshop as well as attend at least three births accounting for 15 hours of labor support. The process can take up to a year. According to DONA, doula-assisted births result in a decrease in postpartum depression and a more positive birth experience. Some doulas also help mothers with postpartum care after delivery.

Hoffman-Robinson said she got into the field after feeling unsatisfied after the birth of her son Baylin by cesarean section. “Instead of being angry, I wanted to be positive,” she said. Earning her certification as a doula, Hoffman-Robinson said she focuses on empowering women in the delivery room. “I love to see these women feel good because they birthed on their terms.”

For about $450 Hoffman-Robinson (www.nascitadoula.com) helps a pregnant woman with two prenatal birth visits to create a birth plan, is available 24 hours, seven days a week for consultations, attends the birth from labor’s onset and makes a postpartum visit. She also can provide lactation education.

She has been working as a doula for two years and has had 15 clients so far. “Partners feel comforted by me because it is hard to see their spouse in pain and not know what to do. I can help to facilitate that spouse’s involvement,” she said.

Christine Myers of Frederick was a childbirth educator for six years and discovered she enjoyed being with her clients as they delivered. She is now a DONA-certified doula and has attended nearly 40 births (www.gentlepassagebirth.com).

“Husbands often still want someone else there. I can help the husband help their wife if they don’t remember what they learned. A lot of times I can take a backseat,” Myers said. “I am not a there to usurp the role of the husband, but I am backing up the role.”

She said there are misperceptions about the intentions of a doula. “Some think that doulas are just for those giving natural birth,” she said. “When you are in labor, whether the woman is having medication or not, there are some things still they need to do, like getting enough fluids, trying to change position and address the emotional stress with labor. Some may not feel pain but need to be talked through the emotional stress and have help to make medical decisions.”

Nicole Kosineski of Adamstown is still working on her certification as a doula. She got into the business after using a doula in the natural birth of her daughter a year ago.

“She was my rock,” Kosineski said of her doula. Her husband encouraged her to hire the doula for the birth.

“My husband is a wonderful man, but taking a three-day course on birth and expecting him to support me as much as someone who does this for a living would know how to do is unrealistic,” she said. “A lot more women are taking charge of their healthcare and realize they do have options. The trend goes in and out. It has started and faded before. I pray it doesn’t fade this time.”

Before hiring a doula, DONA recommends checking their experience level, asking how many births they have attended and determining the services they provide. Also important is finding out what type of on-call availability they offer and backup plan to that availability. References and fees should also be discussed.

Kosineski (www.frederickdoula.com) advises pregnant women to make sure the doula shares their philosophy on birth.

“There are doulas who will walk out if you say you are going to have an epidural or cesarean sections. Find out the philosophy of the doula you are interviewing. It is a red flag if the doula argues with nurses on medical care. A doula can help remind you of your birth plan, but the doula is not to discuss your plan with the medical staff,” Kosineski said.

For information about doulas visit www.dona.org or www.alace.org

.

Staff photo by Doug Koontz Antonette Hoffman-Robinson, far left, a doula, or birth coach, helps Sherry Quinones with a hip press massage.

A funny thing happened

at the Perinatal Specialist's waiting room - waiting - some small talk was initiated ...

I said, "we should go to Argentina sometime"

He said, "I can't just skip out to Argentina for a weekend of fun while Valley Oak isn't ready for sale, I'm not like Ryan" delivered completely deadpan...

I almost peed my pants.

They are listening despite themselves when we are watching trashy television!

*SherryQ* :)

Still Waiting ...

Visited the Perinatal Specialist this morning - baby is ready and good to go!

We're waiting for him to figure out his exit strategy - and that karate kicking my ribs is probably not going to work :)

I have transformed into being end-of-pregnancy uncomfortable, so there's a good sign!!!

Clip, clop, clip, clop - every clippity cloppity moment is closer and closer to meeting the baby!

p a t i e n c e

*SherryQ* :)

I'm stupid ...

"What is wrong with me?!?" she asks rhetorically, or expecting deep empathy and complete denial from her friends ...

I figured it out! I claim complete pregnancy loss of mind - or confusion, whichever comes most easily if/when confronted, and I made my appt for labor "help" for next Monday - July 7th - believing as I did so that the Dr meant in the next week or so ... yes, yes - it's all very clear to me now :)

So, the kindly CRNP Mossberg (she does the actual inductions) scheduled an additional stress test for me next Thursday at 10:45 a.m., at which time they will provide me with instructions for what I am supposed to do on the following Monday...

Bought us another 4-5 days!!!! C'mon labor - let's go!!! :)

ttyl *SherryQ*

btw PLEASE do not question my tactics - I do not have a complete loss of mind and will, of course, go to the hospital, or tele the Dr. if anything unusual pops up ...