Short Ramble About Labor

Everyone has different views about what it means to be in labor. Hollywood tells us and shows us it is one way but our experiences are all different.

During my most recent pregnancy, I watched two labor videos and I will link them here for Adenike and here for Patricia. The two women, Adenike and Patricia had totally different experiences with the same end result of having health babies.

After 36 weeks, the baby can come anytime and for some the baby might be on time as predicted by the Ob/Gyn or it could be late and the pregnant momma will be induced.

To start the labor process, the mucus plug comes off first, then the water breaks…

I had two different experiences- for my first the mucus plug came off, and my water leaked as in, I felt like if I laughed, I wet myself. I called the docs office and they had me go to the hospital. Good thing I went because I went into labor after that. For the second, my mucus plug came off and nothing happened. Y’all I was disappointed 😞 😔 😪 I wanted the baby to come and I was tired of being pregnant and sore all over. I went to the doctor and he said sometimes labor begins after the mucus plug comes out and on researching, some mommas on Reddit said the plug can come off and then be replaced with more mucus. Two weeks later I went into labor.

Whether the baby comes vaginally or by cesarean, the end result is for a healthy baby and mom.

… So to any new moms and mommas to be, I want to tell you, you have got this and do not fear. Go and get your friends who pray and get excited, baby is coming soon.

I will end here.

Se you on the next episode and blog

💛

My Must Have Baby Items

Hello Enerrrrrgy!

That is what I said when my second trimester had started- it was good to feel like a little bit of myself again. I had been working and there was no such thing as taking a nap for me except when I took one with my toddler on the weekends.

Another thing I welcomed was reduced nausea. While my gag reflexes were still at an all-time high, nausea had reduced considerably. My appetite had improved and I ate a bit more than I did before. I also tried to stay active as best as I could.

I did not have the nesting instinct for both pregnancies- or maybe I did but chose to ignore it 😉 because I had to work and didn’t want to do much but rest when I came home from work. I was also taking classes and when I came home, got stuff for the kiddo ready, I started working on school stuff. To get some of the school work done, sometimes, I did not go to bed until 2 a.m, this was rough on me. I still would get up the next day at 5.30 and get ready to go to work. Yes to having energy but the lack of sleep made me a bit groggy and dependent on coffee whilst I was working.

When I had a moment, I did listen to momma channels on YouTube, and I also started making a list of what I wanted to get that I did not get for my first pregnancy. So as not to misplace the list- I put them on a registry. I was having another boy and that saved me tons of money- I did not have to buy a lot of clothes (I could not resist some super cute items I saw) and some of the bedding items I still had.

So to expectant parents, one tip I will give you in this trimester is to get your baby items and start working on your baby’s room if you would have one.

Here is my list of must-haves (what I use or have used) and what I would consider optional. And if you do not listen to the podcast; do so- I go a bit in-depth about the items I list here on the blog

This one is for the mommas- a labor prep tea- ask your doc first.

1. Car Seat: the hospital will not let you leave with your baby if you do not have one.

2. Crib/ cot/ bassinet

3. Baby clothes-0 to 3 months to begin with. I will say add a few newborn clothes as some of the 0-3mo might be big for some babies when they are born.

4. Formula- go to Similac and Enfamil and sign up for coupons should you be deciding on baby formula

5. Baby blankets, swaddles, baby carriers

6. Breast pump and accessories - even if you choose to exclusively breastfeed. You will need your insurance to get this for free or pay a pretty penny for it. I will add that you could get a manual pump like the Haakaa for a cheaper fee.

7. Nursing bra and breast pads, nipple cream

8. Nursing cover

9. Baby bottles/ feeding bottles with the right sized nipples

10. Bottle dry rack(s)

11. Bottle sterilizer

12. Diapers- the age or weight-appropriate size

13. Diaper bag- for doctor visits and to carry diapers, bottles, and baby change of clothes when you are out and about

14. Pacifier if you choose to use one

15. Baby Rocker

16. Burp cloth/ bibs

17. Baby bathtub with wash cloths

18. Cradle cap Balm

19. Baby oil, lotion, wash for a bath- be sure to choose sensitive skin, not the scented varieties

20. Nursing pillow

21. Thermometer

22. Gripe Water and gas drops or my recent find-Tummy Calm.

23. Buggy or stroller- Kate on Instagram mentioned how important this helped the parent going for walks, running errands and helping the kiddo sleep too. Thanks Kate

Some items I consider non-essentials but useful

1. An expensive baby monitor

2. sound machine

3. Baby Wipe warmer

4. Baby Changing table

5. Rocking Chair and stool

6. Bottle warmer

7. Dockatot.

8. Baby bullet

   That is all for now… If I think of anything, I will add more.

Is there something you used that is not listed here?

Life's Many But's...

I had my quiet time today and it talked about the “but” of life and it just brought back the sad news of what I heard last night- Chadwick Boseman passed away at 43 from Colon Cancer.

In the quiet time I had, it was from 2 Kings 5:1-14 about Naaman who had leprosy and still served as a captain of the hosts of Syria. They captured a girl from Isreal and despite her servitude talked about the prophet in Isreal and how he can heal her master Naaman.

Read the chapter and see what it says…

Few things:

1. Naaman was a leper but also a captain of the hosts of a strong army

2. The servant girl was captured and away from family and country but she still shared hope and for the rest of history, she is the one who introduces hope and faith to Naaman and his household.

These two people had situations of life or if you want to call life’s many ‘buts” however, they did not let it stop them from fulfilling a purpose and I might add, God helped them- Naaman did not have to listen to the words of the servant girl nor did he have to stay active in the army.

Today:

It was heartbreaking to hear and read that Chadwick Boseman passed away and was only 43. I had never met him but had been really excited about some of his work that I had seen. I watched 42, a biographic sports film about Jackie Robinson and I went away with hate is not born but learned… After that movie, I watched the last 4 movies of the Marvel Universe where Chadwick was a part of.

In his role as T’Challa; I think it brought him international fame and I might add it made me proud to be African American and wish that Wakanda was my village…

The news said he died from colon cancer - and he had been fighting for 4 years. Despite his diagnosis, he did not stop, he acted and he appeared in shows and worked on projects. He did not let his diagnosis or this “but cancer” destroy his purpose, his vision, and his dream”. He still worked…

That should inspire us, no matter what situation we are, we should keep pushing, and another; treat people kindly, you do not know what people are going through!

In his pain, he showed strength and I respect that he kept his private battle, private! Now, I almost wish we knew so that we prayed for him…

To me, he is the real-life superhero and I read a quote and it hit home about his life:

“It does not matter how long you live, but how well you do it”- Martin Luther King

I respect him! He will not be forgotten! Praying for his fans and his family at this time.

Rest in Peace and Power Chadwick!

#wakandaforever

Summer Vibes , Summer food.

“Summer Breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind”- Seals and Croft

How are you?

Doing good this way and I will add that it has been a wet couple of days but that makes for the summer breeze to be more pleasant and I have no complaints.

In the last episode, I told you that I will be sharing some recipes that I have been making in my kitchen.

This one I love because I was able to use some of the chilies and basil from my porch “garden”. Hubby and I decided to plant a few things and we decided on chives, parsley, basil, chilies, green pepper, and some tomatoes that have not produced any tomatoes- a story for another day!

Most times, people avoid using the oven because it makes it hot in the house, but not me. If the food I crave calls for the oven, I turn it on! Do you use the oven in the summer?

If I want to experiment, I usually go with or start with a base that I am comfortable with- this time I chose Rice and tomato stew. You can use this sauce for many dishes, you can just use a little bit in the dish you are about to make and freeze any leftovers for another day😉

Here is my baked Tomato Rice.

Ingredients

• 2 Cups of Rice

• 1 can of tomato paste

• Diced whole onion

• diced chilies (2 or more if you like heat)

• 1 Bell pepper- chopped

• 1 cup deveined shrimp

• Bay leaf

• Chopped fresh basil

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp ground garlic

• Salt to taste

• Vegetable oil

• 1/2 cup water/ beef stock/ chicken stock

Method

• First, open the tomato paste and set aside.

• Grab a pot that can go in the oven- a cast iron pot is preferred or use the pot you have and then transfer the sauce to an oven-safe dish later

• Heat the oil and then add ground garlic and ginger until golden. Add half of the diced onions

• Let it cook for five minutes

• Add tomato paste and cook with the lid on the pot. Stir intermittently until the paste crumbles in the oil

• Add water or the stock of choice. Let it cook.

• Add your seasoning to taste.

• Remove from heat.

Get the rice. I have seen some people cook their rice without washing it. I am of the opinion that you wash it first. In my mind, I think it is healthier to do so. After washing your rice put in the oven-safe pot.

• Add the sauce you have cooked- remember it will be thick because you did not add a lot of water

• Add the remainder of the onions, add the shrimp, chopped bell pepper, basil and chilies

• Stir

• Add the instructed amount of water given to cook the rice. I used Basmati rice and it recommends 3 cups of water for the 2 cups of rice I am cooking.

• Season to taste.

  If using a pot, put a sheet of foil on the pot before you place the lid of the pot; it keeps the steam in the pot

• Bake in a 450-degree oven for 35 mins. After 35 mins, check the rice by sticking a spoon into the pot. If there is water left in the pot- the spoon will be wet when you pull out of the rice- and the rice is tender, turn down the temperature to 350 degrees and leave in the oven for 10 minutes. If the rice is not tender, leave the temperature of the oven the same and shut the oven door.

• Check and when the spoon stuck in the pot comes out clean, and rice is tender. Remove from the oven, and serve!

If you try this recipe and or make this dish, let me know.

Here are some pics from when I made this dish!

Enjoy!

Have a great week!

Ezanya

They ripened on the vine. I am excited to use them!

Do not let these deceive you, these are 🔥 Make sure you wash your hands after chopping these

Straight outta the oven! Y’all look at the burnt edges around the pot- so yummy

Served dish! The deep red color shows that I used a lot of sauce in this dish 😘

Picky Eaters Unlimited and Covid-19 eating!

It has been a while. And I have been busy. busy, busy and so tired, tired, and tired…

Just yesterday, I got inspired to post what I have been doing at this Covid-19 times!

Most of you know what is going on currently due to Covid-19 and I will say you have been doing your best to stay safe and healthy. I have decided to make time to spend less money and eat at home- well not every place I loved to eat was opened. In the next couple of posts, I will do my best to share some of the dishes from my kitchen.

Today, however, I do not have a dish but in the words of Fela Kuti:

“I want to tell you a story, no be story o”

I will like to tell you a story of how I was able to have my toddler eat everything that I place in front of him and I was able to get him to not make faces at the foods that I place on his plate. Oh and more so he does not say disgusting to it- something he picked up from a show. (I am still looking for that show and when I find it, is banned from our TV).

Nah…

The truth of the matter is that I have a picky eater and his momma (Ahem, me) is about as picky as he is.

So here is the story I will tell you’

I recall as a kid, my mom would give us castor oil to help us go to the bathroom aka #2 and I will say that although it was effective in aiding the “going” it was very NASTY to taste and much less swallow.

My mom has told me of my hating to eat, wait HATING to eat black-eyed peas as a kid. Growing up- maybe even now- it is considered one of the cheaper proteins to buy and very filling. Whenever my mom made the dish, she would tell me if I wanted to have my hair grow very long, I had to eat it. Mom said I would eat the black-eyed peas dish like there was no tomorrow lol. I love black-eyed peas now and you do not need to bribe me to eat it 😘

Now that I have a toddler, I have told him how nasty castor oil is when taken on a teaspoon and he knows I am not joking about it. With him not eating the food on his plate; I might have let it drop that I will have him taste some of the castor oil…

Look, I want my kid to eat what he has in front of him on his plate, at school, and at home but I am getting to where I am a bit tired of trying to convince him how beneficial and nutritious the meals in front of him are.

We cannot keep eating the same thing over and over right?

One thing I CANNOT enjoy unless it is made from scratch is mac & cheese and he loves this. How can I make this more nutritious? If you have an answer, let me know, please?

Do you have a picky eater? What are your tricks to getting them to eat what you have set before them? And pls- I need other dishes that I do not have to blend the veggies in so that I can also eat- yes, this momma likes very few veggies too.

Until next post.

And from one picky eater to you;

Have a blessed day and week!