Hypnobirthing

What is Hypnobirthing: A style of childbirth that focuses on relaxation, visualization and mediation. This allows a woman, her body, and her partner the opportunity to have a calm, drama-free and safe birth experience.  Hypnobithing can be thought of as a 'birth management' technique.  Acknowledging each step in the birthing process that the baby must go through to enter the world, respecting that advancement and not rushing through the process.

Hypnobirthing teaches you to trust your whole self, your inner strength, and your primal instincts.

Why J and I chose Hypnobirthing:  Since we got pregnant, we knew that we wanted a natural birth, or as close to one that we could get.  When you decide to go against the 'normal' way of birth (ie an epideral, OBGYN and a hospital bed), you need to be educated and prepared.  So, we began to educate ourselves on the different styles of birth, pain management and outcome - we found a comfort in the idea of Hypnobirthing.  A shared experience for us, as we become a family of 3.

J and I also decided that we wanted to have a Doula.  Some people said "Well, isn't that his job...?" (which was extremely annoying to hear)... but were first timers and want a great birth experience, so a little gentle, encouraging wisdom is needed and welcomed.  We decided that Elizabeth, who teaches Hypnobirthing and is a practicing Doula at Creating Your Calm, was a great fit.

Now we have two Hypno classes under our belt with 3 more classes to go.  We have been given a fair amount of homework; learning the different breathing styles, thinking of birth plans and practicing visualization techniques.  All of which are very exciting and give me many reassuring thoughts :)


xoxo,
kristen

belly shot: 24 weeks

Still not feeling those baby kicks...

I have been dying to feel this little one kicking lately, and it's just not happening. I have felt a thump or flutter here or there- but nothing consistent or obvious!

This week, however, I will be trying a few different ways to get this baby moving. I will keep y'all posted in how that goes ;)

Does anyone have any tricks or tips on this subject??

xoxo,
Kristen

Belly Shot : 21 weeks

xoxo,
Kristen

Baby Lessen!

J and I had our 20 week ultra sound this week!  As many of you know, we don't want to know the sex of the baby...but man, it is getting tough!  J told the UltraSound Tech in the very beginning...no matter what she (being me) says, we DO NOT want to know.  He knows me so well, I definitely had a few moments of weakness during the appointment.  The Tech even offered to write it down and mail it to my best friend, which was a little far - but I appreciated her enthusiasm. 

Baby Lessen is very healthy; all fingers, toes and limbs.

Anyway, the pictures aren't very clear... apparently we have a mover and shaker on our hands :) 

 

Here they are! 

xoxo,

kristen 

Belly Shot: 19 weeks

Were growing!

xoxo,

kristen

Recipe #1: Beef and Broccoli

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients
1 pound boneless beef chuck roast, sliced into thin strips
1 cup beef consume
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons sauce from the crock pot after being cooked
Fresh broccoli florets (as many as desired)
Hot cooked rice

Directions
1. Place beef in a crock pot.
2. In a small bowl, combine consomme, soy sauce, brown sugar, oil, and garlic. Pour over beef. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
3. In a cup, stir cornstarch and sauce form the crock pot until smooth. Add to crock pot. Stir well to combine.
4. Add broccoli to the crock pot. Stir to combine.
5. Cover and cook an additional 30 minutes on high (the sauce has to boil for it to thicken).
6. Serve over hot cooked rice.

This was so easy to throw together for our impromptu dinner party!  I really recommend it!!  

xoxo,
kristen