First Cold :(

Ryder is just getting over his first cold.  He's a little trooper.  Sunday was the first (and worst) day of his cold.  When he started getting congested with a fever, I decided to use my Essential Oils right away.

I used Thieves (diluted) and RC (diluted) on the bottom of his feet.

We went to Gramdma's house all day, so I was unable to diffuse the oils for most of the day.  When we came back home, I started diffusing Eucalyptus Globulus, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Thieves.  

 He slept well on Sunday night.

On Monday, he was MUCH better!  His fever dropped, and his congestion was breaking up.  I still decided to take him to the Dr, just in case.  The Dr. said he was doing very well for having his first cold.  Later on in the day, he felt well enough to celebrate Daddy's birthday!  We went out to dinner with the Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles.

He slept VERY well Monday night (8 hours!).

On Tuesday (today), he's almost 100%.

I was prepared for him to be sick for almost a week!  The Essential Oils, once again, worked their magic.  

First Smile

OMG!  Ryder smiled at me for the first time today...twice! (on purpose....since there have been many previous unintentional smiles).  My heart melted.  It was so very amazing.  I love him so much!  I wish I had a picture for you all to see, but I couldn't catch it.  I will try to get one.
He's such a good boy.  He rarely fusses or cries.....and he almost sleeps through the night!  He only wakes up once or twice.  I believe it's from my use of Essential Oils on him.  He's very relaxed because of them.  (I have previous blogs on when and what essential oils I use on him).    

Essential Oils for Gas

I've been using Young Living Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils for almost two years for my family.  Ryder is almost three weeks old now, and since around the two week mark, he's had some gas.  Which in turn causes pain and lots of crying.

I started using Peppermint (one drop diluted in one tablespoon of olive oil) on the bottom of his feet and on his stomach.  http://www.youngliving.com/essential-oils/Peppermint .  I don't rub all of the oil on him at once.  I have a bottle of the peppermint and olive oil blend on hand next to his changing table.

I also started using the essential oil Di Gize for gas (one drop diluted in one teaspoon of olive oil) on his stomach.    http://www.youngliving.com/essential-oil-blends/Di-Gize .  Again, I don't put all of it on him at once, I have a bottle of the Di Gize and olive oil blend on hand next to his changing table.

To help with the crying, I use Peace and Calming neat on the bottom of his feet and back of his neck.  http://www.youngliving.com/essential-oil-blends/Peace-And-Calming . His crying almost stops immediately!

If you'd like to purchase any of these oils, you can do so at www.youngliving.com.  You'll have to create a customer account and enter my distributor number (1120251).

Ryder's First Bath

I had to have my mother help me with this one!  I was a little nervous at first, but Ryder loved it!

We warmed up the house with the wood stove, filled the baby tub, and slowly introduced him to the water (feet first).  He loved it!  We had to keep pouring water over his body so he wouldn't get cold.  I used Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash ( http://usa.weleda.com/ ).  I highly recommend this brand. Your baby smells amazing afterwards and you don't have to worry about extra chemicals entering his/her skin.

The bathtub that we have is amazing ( http://www.primobaby.com/bathing_03.htm. )  Very easy to keep an infant upright.  I didn't let go of him at all, but if I had to, the tub was designed to hold an infant.  I felt very confident using this tub.  As a first time mom, it is very important to feel confident.

 

Ryder's Birth Story

On Sunday, November 7, 2010, I woke up at 3:00 AM with mild contractions (felt like period cramps).  At around 4:00 AM, I started timing them.  They were anywhere from 3-5 minutes apart and lasting for 30-45 seconds.  At the time, I wasn't sure if it was "real labor"....I've heard so many stories of women who think they're in labor, go to the hospital, and then get sent home.  Around 5:00 AM, I called my mother to let her know that I was in labor.  She took the first flight that morning with my two sisters to meet us.  I then called my Dr. and my Doula.
We left home at 6:30 AM to head to the hospital.  We were admitted at 7:00 AM only to be told a few hours later that I wasn't progressing fast enough.

Our admittance was cancelled, and we were told to go home to walk around and relax.  It was nice to be able to go home to walk around a little and be with my husband, mother, and sisters.  By the time we all got home, my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart and lasting for 1 minute.  We stayed home for 3 hours, then called the Dr again.  He told us to come on in.
We were officially admitted again at 3:00 PM.  At this time, I was only 3 centimeters dilated.  We waited a little longer, and then the Dr. gave me Cervidil to "ripen" my cervix (for dilation to continue).  Since I was still not dilating, the Dr. decided to rupture my waters.  It felt very relieving to me when this was done....but then the bad contractions started (around 6:00 PM).

I was in very active /transition labor for 6 hours until I decided I could no longer take the pain.  I then asked for an epidural.  Unfortunately for me, the anesthesiologist was in the middle of a surgery on another floor.  I had to wait for another hour and a half.  UGH!!!  (At this time, I was still only 4 centimeters dilated).

My husband, mother, and doula stayed with me during my whole labor.  They were all so very amazing.  I was in awe of how my husband handled me.  He was so amazing through every contraction.

Finally the anesthesiologist showed up, gave me the epidural, and I immediately dilated to 6 centimeters (just by being able to relax).  Unfortunately, 6 centimeters was all I reached.  My baby's heart rate was dropping with every contraction.  After 2 hours of the Dr. watching the monitor nervously, he came in to the room and told me that a cesarean section was needed.  I was DEVASTATED.  My whole birthing experience was everything that I did not want (Cervidil, Rupturing of my Waters, Epidural, then Cesarean Section).  I envisioned a natural birth without medications.
My husband and I were very nervous.  Everything seemed to go so fast.  The nurse started prepping me in the room, and I was taken into the OR (operating room) for more prepping.  The anesthesiologist was with me until my husband was able to come into the room.  During the surgery, the Dr. found that the cord was wrapped around his neck twice!  This was the reason he couldn't descend.  For almost 24 hours, my body was trying to push him down, but his cord was preventing that from happening!  
Ryder was born at 1:32 AM on November 8, 2010.  He weighed 6 lbs 10 oz and was 20 inches long.  He was just beautiful.

 

Past Due Date!

I am now 3 days past my due date.  I'm playing a waiting game that I am not enjoying.

I have tried just about EVERYTHING to get this baby out!  (Walking, yoga ball, EPO, Clary Sage essential oil, acupressure from my doula, spicy foods, sex, etc)....and nothing seems to work!   He/she is just way too comfortable in there.  Frank talks to the baby all the time asking him/her to come out, which I love so very much.  If anyone has any other ideas for me, please please please let me know.

Will keep you posted....