Book of the Week Tuesday!

The winner of KJ's pick for Book of the Week is......

'The Pencil'

By: Allan Ahlberg

Click here to peek inside!

This fun book tells the tale of a pencil who decides to start drawing... and once starts can't seem to stop.  Until the characters start complaining about how the pencil drew them... and the pencil draws an eraser to help solve his problems, but the story doesn't end there!!!  It is way cute and fun for the whole family to read.  KJ cracks up over this book and asks for it every time we go to the library.

Lesson Plan Mondays - Letter 'Hh'

This week at the Nguyen Nguyen Academy we are working on:

• The letter 'Hh' (writing and sounds)
• Math - Intro to Addition
• Reading practice and sight word flash cards
• History - Human Habitat
• Social Studies - Community Helpers
• Science - Hot/ Cold Temp revisiting states of water (solid, liquid, gas)
• Typing practice
• Bible time - Heaven

Fun projects we will be doing for 'Hh' week:

• Happy 'Hh' heart house for our chalk board
• Heart 'Person' activity
• Heart Butterfly Book
• Habitat Activity
• V-Day Heart Chain
• V-Day Mailboxes... see pics below of our mailboxes activity!!!

KJ working on her mailbox

My finished mailbox :)

MawMaw gets one too since she is staying with us for VDay!

Happy school week everyone!!!!!!

Sewing Saturday: Baby Sewing Book

This week I didn't do a sewing project since I'm 9 months prego and just been feelin' extra tired lately.  But I did want to share with you a book that I bought this past year that has the cutest baby and family stuff and the book includes the patterns!

Click here to check it out!!!

I have three different projects from this book that I haven't made yet and I have the material for... someday I will get around to them ;)

Thoughtful Thursdays: Birthing Centers

I was thinking about what to write about today and I was thinking about doing a piece on Hospital vs. Birthing Centers.... but with not wanting to stir too many pots out there, I decided to focus on Birthing Centers and why I will only have my kids there or at home.  And I'm not even going to get into natural birth vs. medicated...... just sayin'...  But before we start talking, just know that I'm so grateful for modern medicine, hospitals, and doctors who save lives everyday.  If me and my baby were ever in trouble or high risk I would birth at a hospital.  The following post is for those of us who are low risk, and would have no issues with a natural childbirth.

There are still some areas in the US that are without free standing birthing centers.  I don't consider birthing centers in hospitals as real birthing centers.  While they strive for natural childbirth they still must follow hospital protocol unlike a free standing birthing center.  I called an 'in hospital' birthing center and asked what percentage of their patients end up getting epidural, and was told it was around 92%!! Yikes!  So when I refer to a birthing center, it will always be a free standing birthing center.

When I first found out I was prego with KJ I did what every other female does.... found an OBGYN at the best hospital and made an appointment.  It was at my first consultation with this new doctor that I had expressed to him my want to have a natural childbirth.  He kinda chuckled and said "You don't get a trophy for going natural."  I left the appointment shocked and ticked off.  So that started my journey for a doctor who would support my want to go natural.....  I never even made another appointment with an OBGYN because I found something much much better.  Since I was healthy, very low risk, and was bound and determined to go natural we looked at options outside the hospitals.  What we found would forever change my way of looking at birth, labor and delivery, and pregnancy in general.

We researched and discovered the Austin Birthing Center www.austinabc.com  

There are many differences that make a birthing center a better option for healthy low risk pregnancies.  Here is a list of things that I found to love about delivering at a birthing center:

• Your labor is never on the time clock and you can labor relaxed knowing that there won't be any unnecessary interventions such as the use of Pitocin to make contractions stronger and speed up labor.
• During labor you can eat and drink whatever you are wanting.  Some labors last over 18 hours and it is important to keep up your strength by eating.
• Moving around: During labor you can move around as freely as you would at home.  You can also use water as a pain relief method.
• Water birth!  At a birthing center they will let you deliver in the tub for a water birth.
• Midwives... midwives are amazing human beings!  Instead of having a doctor come in to catch the baby and leave again, these midwives are with you every step of the way.  Such support and wisdom is priceless during labor!
• YOUR birth:  You get to make your birth experience exactly how you want it.  Use candles, music, dim lighting, and who ever you want to be present.  (for KJ's birth it was me and my hub and three midwives... with ET we will have me, Mr. D, KJ, my mother, and one midwife)  There is also no visiting hours, so who ever you want can be there for as long as you want them there!
• No drugs:  While all birthing centers are fully stocked medical facilities, there is no use of epidurals or other pain medications.  Since there isn't that option, you trust your body to do the work and get through it, using more natural methods of coping with the pain.
• Atmosphere:  Most birthing centers are set up to look like your home; very cozy, warm and welcoming.  Also there is less risk of infections for both you and your new born since you aren't sharing the same air as thousands of sick patients in a hospital.
• Price:  The average cost of a hospital birth is around 10,000 - 30,000 depending on if you get a C-section or not.  Most birthing centers charge around 4,000-6,000 for all services!  All prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care included.
• Other protocols:  Normal stay after birth is between 4 and 6 hours instead of days, IVs are not used so you are never 'tied' to any machines, etc.....

Now that I'm prego with ET and we moved from Austin to WA, we found a new birthing center to deliver at.  www.lakesidebirthcenter.com  We are planning a water birth and Mr. D is going to be 'catching' his first son.  We also decided that we want KJ there and an active participant, so her job is to help cut the cord :)  

I could go on for days about the benefits of choosing a birthing center for my deliveries.... but I think there are a few resources that can spell out the differences better than I can.  Two movies I totally recommend for ANYONE who is pregnant or looking to become pregnant is:

'The Business of Being Born'
Currently on netflix instant stream

www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com

'Pregnant In America'

Currently on Netflix instant stream

pregnantinamerica.com

There are so many books out there on this topic of natural childbirth and birthing centers.  Below are just a few that I have personally read and wanted to share.  Please check your local library for these and other great reads on labor and delivery.

 

 

If you are wanting to go natural and there are no free standing birthing centers in your area make sure you share with your doctor your desire to have a natural delivery.  Ask them what the percentage of interventions are such as the use of pitocin and epidurals.  Also ask what the hospital's c-section rate is.  Knowledge is power, so ask all the questions you can and make a choice in doctor that will support your wishes to have a natural delivery.

What's for Dinner Wednesdays - Vegan Lasagna

I was vegan a whole 8 months, before I got prego and the only thing that would stay down during my first trimester was an Arby's Beef and Cheddar.  I'm totally going back to vegan after I pop the kid out and can't wait to make this lasagna when I get some energy back!!!!

Vegan Lasagna

Ingredients:

1/4 cup chopped Parsley

2 cloves minced garlic

carrots sliced and steamed

1 tbs olive oil

1/4 cup veg broth

16 ounces tofu

8 ounces vegan cream cheese and shredded cheese

lemon juice

dash nut meg

12 lasagna noodles

14 ounce spaghetti sauce

spinach leaves

1. Boil carrots and the noodles.
2. Preheat oven to 375
3. In separate pot, add olive oil, parsley, and veggie broth and simmer for few mins.
4. Add tofu, vegan cream cheese, lemon juice, and nut meg to the simmering broth and cont to simmer until the cheese and tofu are melting together.
5. In a 11x7 baking dish layer your parts of the lasagna like this.....

Cooked lasagna noodles

tofu/broth mixture

noodles

tomato sauce

steamed carrots

fresh spinach

more noodles

tofu/broth mixture....

top with rest of tomato sauce and vegan shredded cheeses.

6.  Cover and bake for 15 mins at 375... uncover and bake an additional 20-30 mins.  Enjoy!!!!!!!

KJ gives it two thumbs up!  Add a side salad and garlic bread to make a meal :)

Book of the Week Tuesday!

This week we have been reading a lot of books about welcoming a new baby to the family since little ET is due at anytime now.  KJ didn't really have one favorite that stood out from the others so this week she wanted me to pick my favorite book for kiddos!  

One of my all time favorite books is:

"On The Night You Were Born" By Nancy Tillman

Click here to peek inside!!!

This book was given to me by my cousin for my baby shower with KJ.  She said a friend had given it to her for her baby shower and she loved it.  I went home that night and read it and cried... yes I was hormonal and 8 months prego, but it is still one of my favorite kids books.  

The author Nancy Tillman has several books, and all of them are great.  Please visit her website for a list of her books and other stuff :)

www.nancytillman.com

Lesson Plan Mondays - Letter 'Yy'

This week at the Nguyen Nguyen Academy we are working on:

• The letter 'Yy' (writing and sounds)
• Vowel sounds 'I' and 'U'
• Math - Time/Calendar Practice
• Reading practice and sight word flash cards
• History/Social Studies - Chinese New Year
• Typing practice
• Bible time - Esther and Ruth

Fun projects we will be doing for 'Yy' week:

• Coloring a 'Yy' yarn for our chalk board
• Year/Yesterday activity
• Yes/No - True/False Game

Happy school week everyone!!!!!!

Historic Snow and Ice in WA 2012!!!!

So I didn't get to post on Thursday or Friday or Yesterday..... we have been with out electric the past three days straight.  We finally got electric back last night :)  I am excited to rejoin the world of internet and hot showers.  Since I didn't get to post these past three days and I normally don't write on Sundays, I thought I would go ahead and post some pics of the ice and snow before we headed off to church.  Enjoy!!!!!

And yes even though the schools were closed, poor Miss KJ still had school :)

What's for Dinner Wednesdays - Stuffed Peppers

STUFFED PEPPERS!

So this is my mom's recipe and one of my Favorite meals!  Growing up this was the meal I asked for every year for my birthday dinner.  It takes about 40 mins to make from start to finish, but so worth it!

You need:

6 medium size green bell peppers that will stand in your hand... this will come in handy later :)

1 lb ground beef or ground turkey

1 tbs of Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup long grain rice

1 can of diced and peeled tomatoes

1/2 small onion diced

lots of cheese

• Cut into tops of peppers and remove the insides.  Wash and put in pot to boil for 5 mins.
• Brown ground beef, and wash (if you put your cooked beef in a strainer and run water over it, you will get rid of the unwanted fat and oil in your meal)
• Add onions, water, tomatoes, rice, and worcestershire sauce.  Salt and pepper if you want (we don't use salt in our cooking, just to be healthier)
• Cover and simmer for 10 -15 mins
• Stir in 1 cup of shredded sharp cheese
• Remove peppers from pot and stand in a baking dish.
• Stuff peppers with the beef filling mixture and top with more cheese
• Bake at 350 for 20-25 mins uncovered

ENJOY!!!!!!!!

Book of the Week Tuesday!

This week KJ picked a fun book that still has a good principle to it.  We have re-read this book many times this week, I think KJ might have it memorized by now :)  So the book of the week is:

'One Monkey Too Many' By: Jackie French Koller

Click here to look inside this book!

Happy Reading!!!!

Lesson Plan Monday - Letter 'Qq'

This week at the Nguyen Nguyen Academy we are working on:

• The letter 'Qq' (writing and sounds)
• Vowel sounds
• Math - Measuring review using inches.
• Reading practice and sight word flash cards.
• Geography - memorizing oceans
• History - MLK Day
• Typing practice
• Bible time - 'Rahab and Spies'

Fun projects we will be doing for 'Qq' week:

• Coloring an 'Qq' Queen's Quilt for our chalk board
• Quiet Things Activity
• Quarter Activity
• DIY Quill Activity that actually writes!

Happy school week everyone!!!!!!

Sewing Saturday: DIY Curtains and Pillow Letters!!!

Getting the new nursery together has been a real project since it used to be Miss KJ's room and now we are expecting a boy.  The last project to finish is changing out KJ's pink curtains for something a little more boyish :)  So instead of spending the money and buying some (because I'm super cheap)  I looked through my extra fabric and found really cute blue and star fabric!!  So follow me and I'll show you how I made his curtains and some letter pillows with the left over material!!!

My measurements that I used for the curtains was 84x44.  Fold your material in half measure and cut to size.

Hem in the sides to finish the edges on both sides.

Once finished with the sides.... fold correct sides of the fabric together and sew along the top to close the rectangle.  Then turn fabric right side out so you are looking at the front of the curtains on the correct facing of the material.

At this point iron your fabric so the new seams stay nice and straight.

Measure from the top, 2 inches and then mark with pins or chalk.  I like using chalk.

Sew a straight line using a zigzag stitch where you marked the 2 inches.

Then mark 4 inches from your 2 inch line and sew a line just like you did before.  With these two 'compartments' for the rod you have some versatility to what size rod you use, and if you use the bottom compartment the top will help filter the light from the top of the window!

ALL DONE!!!!  Whole thing took about 40 mins to make.

Now.... in KJ's room we have the wood letters on her wall with her initials, but I couldn't find any wood ones I liked for ET, and I'm not a good painter.... so with the left over material from the curtains I made some initial 'pillows' to hang on his wall, or when he gets older have on his bed!

First put your letters on paper the exact size you want them and cut them out to use as a stencil.  Use a ruler to help keep the lines straight, it will make your life easier when it comes time to sew.

Pin the letters to your fabric which is doubled in half.  So you are cutting two sides to each letter at the same time.  Make sure you leave seam allowance when you cut.  I don't measure... I just eyeball it.

Here are the letters with the seam allowance on all sides ready to sew.

Sew right sides together leaving the top of the letter open.

Turn material right side out and stuff with some stuffing.  I chose to do 'light' stuffing since they are going on a wall.

Pin the top closed and pick some ribbon that you want to hang the letters with.  Cut two equal sizes of the ribbon for the two letters (one for each).  If you aren't hanging these on the wall, then you can skip the ribbon steps :)

Sew the ribbon and the top of the letter closed.  The ribbon can be fashioned anyway you want... I chose in the middle with the ends crossed over together.  It is a personal preference.

Repeat the directions for the next letter.....

My initials are done!!!!  Took about total time of about 45 mins to make both letters.  Super easy and super cute.  And the best part.... FREE!!!!

So here is our new nursery curtains and his initials!

Free Write Fridays: My Fav Hair Site!

I love doing KJ's hair and playing with new styles.  One of my favorite sites to go to for inspiration is Princess Hairstyles.com

And one of our favorite and super easy styles to do is the 'Cinderella Bun'.  KJ loves to do this for her ballet class every week.  It takes about 2 mins to do and is super cute!  Enjoy!!

Watch Video Tutorial Here!

Thoughtful Thursdays: From One Kid to Two

So last week, my post on circumcision got a lot of response and I was thinking about posting about another controversial topic... but decided to save that for next week ;)  Today instead I wanted to put out here my fears about our, soon to be, newest arrival.  I am not worried about labor or delivery like I was with KJ... but my biggest fear is the transition between having one child and now having two.  For almost 5 years I have dedicated my life to KJ's health, development, education, wellbeing, activities, wants/needs, etc.  And now for the first time ever I'm going to have to divide my attention to focus on child number two.

KJ with brother ET

I have no ideas or advice on this subject since I still only have the one child (at least for today).  So to help me cope with this fear I decided to write out the things that I'm afraid of.

• Being able to balance the needs of two kids
• Keeping KJ active in all her activities while toting around a newborn
• Recovery time after birth while being mom to KJ
• Continuing homeschooling with the added demands
• Being emotionally drained and sleep deprived
• KJ's new role as big sister and getting her involved with the baby with out making her grow up too fast
• Giving both kids their special time with both parents
• Time management and change in lifestyle with a newborn

These are things that I can think of off the top of my head... and I guess most mothers go through this kind of thought process when bringing a new life into the family, and change the family dynamics.  I had some great advise from my BFF about my concerns.  She stated that 'when it comes time... instinct will take over and I'll do what needs to be done and it will all be okay'.  I am really trying to focus on that wisdom.  I remember being afraid of being a good mom to KJ, and day by day I seem to do alright by her.  So I guess mother instinct will take over and somehow day by day the transition will happen.  I know KJ will be an amazing big sister, and I'm excited to see my family continue to grow.  I figure if Mrs. Dugger can do it, so can I :)

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it!

KJ and her cousin :)