Could I be any worse at this? :)

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Probably not! But, blogging about life isn't nearly as productive as living life.. is it?

I am currently watching this lecture on brain development and addiction. I think it should be a must-watch for parents and those expecting. I have been learning a lot lately about pre-born consciousness and it is fascinating stuff. Even simple things like a baby will swallow more amniotic fluid in the womb if it is sweeter than normal. Babies are amazing creatures and too often we treat them like they're not a part of the pregnancy or birth process. Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering has fantastic information on how babies need to be undrugged in order to help the birth process. It also has interesting info (also available online) on how a baby born via c-section is not the 'same' baby if born vaginally - the process of a c-section literally changes a baby's genes. It's theorized that this is because a baby isn't ready to suddenly handle the stresses of out of womb life (yet another reason why a trial of labor is always recommended). Not only is the baby different, but the brain activity of a mom who delivered via c-section vs. vaginally is also different, especially in regards to her baby's cry.. I believe drugs were also included in that. I've had one epidural birth and I know my response was much different than the natural births, you miss out on that natural hormone cocktail that so primes mom and baby for birth.

I think it is time for the natural vs. meds debate to no longer be about how "tough" the mom is or for many people to believe they're equal. So many of the differences are hidden that it's just recently that we're getting even more of this information. Yet another reason for me to be passionate about midwifery. IMHO it's much easier to have a calm, centered, natural birth when you feel loved, supported, and safe in your surroundings. For the majority of women, this familiarity with their surroundings doesn't happen in hospital setting. Most of us equate hospitals with disease, emergencies, or other serious issues. (The NHS recently published that 80% of women are homebirth/birthcenter candidates). I've been blessed to see a few women give birth naturally after having previous epidurals and they constantly amaze me. Women are SO strong when they trust their instincts and feel comfortable demanding what they need - whether it be a position change, a real meal, privacy with their partner, extra closeness by the midwife/doula, no lights, more lights, music, silence, bed, tub, leaning over a chair, no vaginal exams, more vaginal exams (some like to know progress), and so on. Each mother/baby pair is unique and should be afforded the right to do what -they- need to do.

It's insanity that a sacred event like childbirth could ever be thought of as an assembly line process. More and more I respect the midwives I see.. they truly are the experts in normal pregnancy and birth. One midwife has a saying 'Look for horses, not zebras'. And, its a worthwhile reminder that the majority of what happens -is- normal.

On the homeschooling front: We're enjoying summer! :) Our school plans for the upcoming year are reasonable and I'm setting up the foundation now (getting notebooks and such together). It should look like:

Charlotte: Math - Teaching Textbooks Pre-Alg or Alg (probably Algebra), Science - Apologia, Writing - Novel/NaNo, Reading - ha, everything!, Grammar - Winston Grammar, History - CLEP early Amer. History, Bible/Worldview - Cornerstone Curriculum (Also studying Flash/HTML on her own)

Bethany: Math - Teaching Textbooks 7 and then probably into Pre-Alg or Alg (I'm cheap, so I'm thinking Alg), Science - Anatomy/Herbs/Mw'ery self-designed plan, Writing - NaNo/Novel, Reading - same as C, Grammar - Winston, History CHOW (Child's History of the World), Bible - Indep. Reading.

James: Math - TT4 (we have 5 in case he zips through it), Science - one of the Apologia Elem books, Writing - Prompts/ Italic handwriting, Reading - self picked from list, Grammar - Winston, History CHOW, Bible - Indep. Reading.

Joseph: Math - real life math, some workbooks, Science - Apologia Elem, Writing - Italic, Reading - 100 Easy Lessons, History CHOW, Bible - Leading Little Ones to God (same for Noah).

Noah & Nae -- Young Kid 101

Our official grades are: 8th, 6th, 4th, and 1st. Noah could be in K4. But, honestly, I don't get the need to rush them through those early years. They learn way more by self-discovery than being sat in front of a workbook with a pencil.

Mom: Midwife-To-Be course. A set of 30 units.. and more Rosetta Stone Spanish.

As always, we covet prayers of our family and friends. Quite a few know of an issue that has happened in my family, others do not. I am a relatively private person, so sharing details like that with the world isn't something I do. However, at park days or other things it might come up. I ask that others are sensitive and merely offer to listen or pray as needed. Right now things are smoothed over and doing okay.

I think this upcoming schoolyear is going to be one of our most basic and plain ones ever... and I look forward to it! :) We are still looking into being part of the local co-op, time permitting.

Other random tidbits:

• Naomi's favorite show -ever- is Oswald. It's insanely sweet and light-hearted.
• Noah has realized that Nae can be a pretty good playmate, but wow does she have a SCREECH when things don't go her way. She calls him Noah now instead of Whoa-Wah!
• Joseph lost a tooth, he looks absolutely darling. He also likes to tap his head to 'get my brain working'. Along with that, he can play-act most of his favorite shows complete with voices, sound effects, and motions.
• James has a wickedly dry sense of humor that is showing up. He also no longer believes me when I claim that I spit in something so he won't drink it. hehe. (Yeah, I know it isn't appropriate Mom behavior, but it -works- with most of them!). His favorite website is www.incredibots.com
• Bethany wrote out a mealplan for the week - breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack. She did way better than I would. :) If she could drive, I'd happily hand over the grocery shopping to her! She's currently hoping to find a way to visit her best friend in Kansas.
• Charlotte can cook, she made up a child-friendly meal of macaroni and cheese (box) mixed with spaghetti and marinara sauce. She loved her trip to summer camp and looks forward to going again next year.

Well... there's a Civilization:Colonization game going on, so I'm off to watch. Charlotte is being Douglas Adams and James is George Washington.