peaceful parenting: ‎Dr. Seuss for Nursing Moms

peaceful parenting: ‎Dr. Seuss for Nursing Moms: Author Unknown. Photos © 2011 peaceful parenting mothers listed. Lisa M. and little one  Would you nurse him in the park? Would you nurs...

Birth Story Part 1

First let me say I want to share this from my husbands point of view first. He is an awesome man and this is the email he sent out to his men's bible study group.

Brothers,

I came home to clean up a bit and just wanted to share this with you. On July 4th around 3pm we embarked on our journey to the hospital for the 3rd time to see if Michael Jr. wanted to make an appearance. When we arrived we were told the contractions were not strong enough and Shannon's body was not ready to deliver the baby (about 2 weeks early). After doing an ultrasound they noticed there was very little to no fluid left around Michael, so they would have to induce labor or perform a c-section. We first opted for a c-section but after discussing it we decided it best to try the vaginal birth. This began around 8 or 9 pm on the 4th. By 10am on the 5th Shannon's body had still not progressed enough so it was decided that they would release whatever little fluid that was still in the bag to try to move it along. Several hours of waiting and pain ensued. By around 5pm on the 5th there was still no change. The midwife then came in and talked to us about a c-section being performed if her body had not progressed to the point it needed to by 8pm. 700pm came along and there was still very little change and they began prepping her for surgery. This surgery may seem common to some, but is still very high risk for both parties involved and definitely scary for all. At this point, I just prayed that God's Will be done and I knew He knows best and it was in His hands and we loved and trusted in Him with everything. There was one person ahead of Shannon to have a c-section so she was to go back to the OR around 8:30 or 9:00pm. They checked her again at 8:00 pm and she went from no change... to I was about to have to deliver this baby myself because they couldn't find the midwife. In one hour she went from a 5 and 75% to a 9.5 and "get the Dr quick he is coming out". Michael Gall Jr. was born vaginally on July 5th10:00pm 6.5lbs 20.25in. All this to say I know without God's intervention in this last hour there is no way this would have happened. I know Michael is a gift from God and either way he and Shannon would have been safe, but it would have been a much more stressful and difficult situation. WE THANK YOU ALL for your PRAYERS!!! It without a doubt worked. So below is Michael Jr. not only a gift from God but our small miracle as well.(Note I could not copy the image from his email.)

To God be the Glory!
Michael Gall

It has been awhile

Is anyone even reading this? I am sure not but just in case here it goes.
Over the past several weeks I have gotten even more pregnant. I am now to the 6 weeks left and boy am I ready. I have done a lot of soul searching through this pregnancy and found out that I can be a stay at home mom and do things fun and cheap. I have decided to use cloth diapers. I know this isn't really "fun" but to me it is going to be a new experience so it is fun.If you are wanting to use cloth diapers I ordered fuzzibunz. I am also going to use washable wipes. They are just washcloths and water. No big deal right? WRONG! I am trying to save us money which our total investment will be right at $200.00 for diapers all together. SCORE! Store bought diapers run about $400.00 a month...BIG difference if you ask me.
I have also been going to LLL meetings. They have helped me tons with breastfeeding tips. I really hope it works this time. I have also decided to go with no meds this times around. I know call me crazy but have women never done this? I mean really God created our body to be able to do this.


I have been reading most of these throughout this pregnancy just to prepare myself.


Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead!
I Peter 1:6
I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 43:4
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will counsel you and watch over you.
Psalm 32:8
Cast your cares upon the Lord, for he cares about you.
I Peter 5:7
The kingdom of God is within you.
Luke 17:21
Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.
Job 37:14
God has poured out his love into our hearts.
Romans 5:5
I will give you peace and quietness.
I Chronicles 16:11
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:19
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6
For God did not give us the spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self control.
II Timothy 1:7
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
Psalm 91:1
A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; But as soon as she has given birth, she no longer remembers the anguish, For joy that a child has been born into the world.
John 16.21
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act.
Psalm 37:5,7





I have also been doing research on keeping the girls home and teaching them. This far I am still researching:)
We have been doing really crafty things at home. Recently we made a bird house, a stepping stone and just today we made soap balls. They are all so easy to make the kids love it. We have painting a rock, making our own water colors and a few other things on the list to do before Michael gets here.

I am going to try to blog more if time allows. I am by no means a great writer but it does help calm me down.

Shannon

12 weeks

I am 12 weeks now and wanted to share some of the changes.
We still don't know the sex.
Everything seems to be going good. I have been craving anything HOT!! I have had the all day sickness with this one. I never had that with either one of the girls. Maybe it is a sign :) I have lost 3 pounds but you would not know it by looking at me. I already look 20 weeks. I go in 2 days to the specialist to make sure the meds I was on for my eyes have not caused any harm to the baby. Maybe then they will tell me that I have twins so I don't feel so bad for already looking like a house. I really miss coke even though I cheat some I only want that some days. I miss sleeping on my tummy. I don't eat for 2 at all I feel full after like 2 bites and then I feel sick. I am sleepy all the time. I don't EVER remember being this sleepy before. Mom says it is because I am older. Could be I guess!!!
We had a great Christmas. We are still recovering and getting ready for Giuliana to turn 5. I am ready for a break. Over the break though Mike's grandmother got really sick and has been in the hospital here and they live in Florida. So I know she is ready to go home. Mike's mom is also staying with us and let me just say we don't have the best relationship after a week of being together.
I have decided that I am going to make changes in my life this year so bring it on. I AM READY!!!

TTYL,
Shannon

Then there were THREE!!!

I know it has been a very long time since I have written anything but boy do I have a lot to tell you. To start with I found a new job...well really my friend was leaving her job and I applied for it and got it. I love it and the people I work with understand that I am a mom first. Then right after I started it I found out that I am pregnant with baby number THREE!! This was a shock since I was told that it would be close to none to be able to have another one. I felt like God looked down and said you don't tell me what I can and can't do! So baby Gall number three will be here in July. We are so happy and the girls are off the wall happy. I have been a little more sick and sleepy with this one but as long as I am I know everything is ok. I still have my thoughts that it is not real and what if's but I am not going to live like that. Mike is happy also. He will not show it as much only because he is a little worried too. We have had several people that we know from Church and just past friends that have just found out that are pregnant also. It is going to be great to be able to share this with so many people. I know that I don't have as many followers as some but if you do follow Thank you and please forgive me if this turns into a pregnancy blog for the next 9 months.

Thanks,
Baby Olive

A Short One

I have started a new part time job this week and boy is it a busy time. We have school, work and soccer 3 times a week. The girls love being busy. I really think it is tooo busy. I do have a request..please pray that with this part time job I have taken and the full time one offered that I pick what God ask of me and it right for him and my family.


TTYL,
Shan

At the End

Well I am starting to see an end. I have started a new job. It is only part time for now but I am planning on working another place too. That will add extra money. I have a full plate right now with emotions. I was so sure I was ready to go back but now that I have I feel like I am missing out on my girls. I know i can't have it both ways so I am trying to find the center. I have started running again. I felt great when I was doing it. Now I just have to make the time to do it. I have started speaking up for myself a little more and it feels good. I am starting to find new things that I like to do. The kids also started soccer. Jaiden is not so good and I hate to say it but she isn't aggressive enough. Giuliana on the other hand rocks. She scored two goals in her first game. She like to throw the bows. Haha! The meds seem to be working. I have had to start wearing my glasses more. My eyes are really bad. I wish I noticed it years ago. I know when I write this it is not grammatical correct and it often makes no sense at all but this is what I use to get what come to mind out. Sorry!