The Homebirth of Emmaline Claire

One year ago today, this was the scene in our bedroom. It was finally time to welcome a new little person into our family!

We knew this babe was turned posterior, which means that labor could start and stop...and continue that way for days. After a week or so of intermittent contractions...I was certain I was NEVER going to have this baby. Even while I was in active labor, I was texting my dear midwife friend Rebecca, telling her that the baby was actually not ever going to come out. She assured me that the baby would indeed make an appearance. She's so smart.

Lucy was unconcerned and finished up her nap as we set up the room and got ready.

The girls were so excited and helped Daddy get everything ready.

When we hired our midwife, Christine...we did so because she would allow me to labor completely alone and basically have an "unassisted birth". We just wanted a midwife there just in case I needed her for anything. And that is exactly how it all played out. When labor started up in a stronger fashion, I shoo shooed everyone out of my room and bounced on my ball. In between contractions, I read scripture, sipped on grape Recharge, and focused on TRUSTING my body to do what it already knew how to do. I think Christine came in ONE time to talk with me...and then left me to do my thing :)

I spent a lot of time on the ball...but as things progressed, I got into the tub. The contractions continued to get stronger and stronger...and I just let my body feel everything. Accepting it as it came.

After two successful homebirths, the third seemed A LOT easier. Mostly because I knew what was happening and what was coming up. The sensations were expected and embraced. I let my body push when it wanted to. The process felt so natural and free.

I didn't have internal dialation checks with Bella or Lucy, and this birth was no different. My experienced midwives with all three knew how to "read" my body language and my "song" and knew when birth was close.

The girls came in and out a few times during labor...but I mostly just wanted to be alone and focus. Matt would come in and just sit near and be silent. I enjoyed having his strong, reassuring presence in the room. Towards the time of crowning, Christine called Matt, the girls, my mom, and my sister-in-law Jessica into the room to see her join us earthside.

And just like that...SHE WAS HERE! Little Miss Emmaline Claire. I lifted her up...and held her close. That otherworldly moment of holding your child for the first time, skin to skin...it's pure magic. She was so calm and alert...we gazed at each other for quite some time and the rest of the world seemed to fade away.

I was THRILLED to add another little girl to The Happy Janssens :) What an amazing blessing!

A smile of pure elation. I did it! THREE homebirths. THREE girls. THREE times the love.

A proud Daddy kisses his third little girl. This sweet pea looks much more like HIM than me for once! :)

My mama was able to be at all three of my births, which is such a special thing to me that I will treasure always.

We used the cord burning method to cut the cord...it was a lovely, gentle ceremony of reflection. Quiet moments to focus fully on the bond that Emma and I shared while she was inside me.

Thursday, April 19 at 9:38 p.m. 7 lbs. 14 oz. (my weight at birth!)

Active labor started around 6pm, so it was the perfect length of laboring time for me. Not too long, not too short. Just right. And that's how this first year has been...just right. THREE feels so perfect. She is animated and curious...and her sisters just adore her. She is walking now, and climbing on everything. Let's just say we have to keep an eye on her every minute of the day :)

Her constant expression of amazement. She is an inspiring little being. We're so glad you're here Emmaline Jelly Bean. Happy Birthday!

Other birth related posts here.

Barnheart

I read books one sentence at a time. Having three little girls means that I hear "Mama watch me!!" every 30 seconds...which makes reading a full  page, much less a full book almost impossible. So tonight after supper, Matt took the girls for a bit and I poured myself a glass of wine and opened Jenna Woginrich's delicious book, "Barnheart: The Incurable Longing for a Farm of One's Own".

The one sentence that really stuck out to me tonight was this one:

"My God...this is all mine! For at least a year, this is all mine..." I grinned like an idiot.

I can relate to her giddiness. For at least a year...this farm is all ours. And I am DEFINITELY grinning like an idiot every time I think of it!

Her description of the first time she arrived at her little Vermont homestead had me riveted. Reading about the feelings she had the first time she laid eyes on her farm...I could SO relate. I just love her writing style so much and I enjoy reading throughher blog, Cold Antler Farm, as well. I have already finished Made From Scratch, which was delightful.

Sometimes, if I love a book enough, in addition to checking it out from the library, I will buy it for my Kindle too. Why? Because my GUARANTEED reading times are between 11pm-3am. In bed. While nursing. The Kindle app on my iPhone gets a lot of use during those hours. Barnheart is soon to be downloaded. I'm sure of it. :)

As I was clicking around Jenna's blog and clicked over to Rosie's. Which led me to this awesome site...

Conversations With Farm Women, a Celebration of Beauty and Abundance...you better believe my heart started beating faster. Pitter patter...farm stories will do that to me. So will spotting an amazing barn from the highway. Or seeing a goat bouncing around. I've got it bad folks.

A case of Barnheart.

Snow & GROW!

We woke up this morning to a soft blanket of snow. And then it just kept snowing. And snowing. And snowing. It's still coming down. The moisture is much needed here...so we are rejoicing! Matt took the day off, and we've been enjoying a slow snowy spring day.

Last week at the library, I got a little over zealous in the documentary aisle. There was no way I could watch all the DVD's that I checked out before they came due...but as today unfolded, I had high hopes for choosing ONE to watch.

The documentary I chose is called "GROW!". I've been watching it in small snippets throughout the day...and I am a bit SMITTEN. I'm only about 1/2 way through it, but I just knew I had to pass this one along to you.

The description reads: "GROW!" profiles a new crop of idealistic young farmers who have turned to the fields for a more fulfilling life, driven also by a strong desire to change how our food is grown. There is an emerging movement of young people, both women an men, who are leaving the cities to take up an agrarian life. Not happy with their current lives and what they see as a broken food system, they  aim to fix some of the current shortcomings by growing and distributing food locally and in a more sustainable manner.

Filmed on 12 different farms during an entire growing season, GROW! provides an engaging and inspiring look at this next generation of farmers through the eyes, hearts, and minds of 20 passionate, idealistic and fiercely independent young people In the film, they speak of both the joys and the challenges involved in tending the land, and what it takes to be successful as a farmer.

You can find them on their blog here and on Facebook here. Spread the word about this awesome film! Have you seen it?

I'm still on my mad hunt for knowledge and information. We're loving Alaska: The Last Frontier and I'm all caught up with The Fabulous Beekman Boys.This one looks interesting as well.

What are your favorite documentaries or shows about farming/self-sufficiency?