A copy of my birth plan from Little Berry

Due Date: July 31st 2008 (actual day of delivery, Aug 4th)
Labor and Birth Plan of Mamma Pie
I am happy to have the opportunity to deliver at ****, which I believe will allow me to have the most positive natural birth experience possible. I have created the following birth plan to help you understand my preferences for this upcoming experience. I understand that in certain circumstances, these guidelines may need to be altered. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
During delivery, it is our wish that Pappa Starbucks catch the baby if he is feeling up to it, and cut the cord once it has stopped pulsing, unless there appear to be complications regarding her delivery. After delivery, I would like assistance in breastfeeding if the baby is having difficulty latching.
I do not want the presence of visitors and it is our wish that only my husband and I will attend the birth besides **** staff. We have considered the presence and services of a doula, as recommended, but it is my desire to keep outside persons to a minimum and to be attended specifically by Pappa Starbucks, who knows best how to help me relax and what methods serve me best in terms of pain relief. He wants to take an active role in assisting my labor and delivery, and for these reasons, we have decided against a doula.
Early release from the center is a primary reason I chose ****. I believe that I will be best able to recover from delivery in the comfort of my home surroundings, however, I also understand that it is important to ensure that I am well enough, and the baby is healthy enough to return to home environment.
My greatest hopes for labor are:
A feeling of control and comfort in my surroundings, to be able to move about freely and to try various methods of relief to ease the intensity of contractions, including: massage, warm water, a birthing ball, walking, music, different positions, dim lighting, quiet surroundings and minimal intervention, and to be supported by those attending my labor.
My greatest fears regarding labor are:
That I might be uncomfortable in my surroundings or birth setting, that I am unable to relax despite various efforts to do so, that the birth could be stalled or complications occur. I am concerned about the possibility of needing an episiotomy, and would like to avoid having one if possible.
Hours after her birth I was released: 4
Number of stitches needed: 6
Number of hours of labor: 21
Having my baby kept in the room with me and nursing right away- well, it WAS priceless.

Tofu schmofu

I have finally begun cooking with Tofu. I've only been living with a vegetarian for three years now so it's not like I am late to the game. Anyway, there is a delicious Asian tofu at  that he and I both love and I wanted to make something like it. I came up with the following recipe, which hits the spot so well that I don't have any photos of it finished!
For best results, press your tofu first: to press the water out of the tofu, drain it from the package, place on a plate, place a second plate on top of the tofu, place a heavy weight on top of the second plate. Press it for 1 - 2 hours, or overnight in the frig. Drain the water and proceed with recipe.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees, cube your block of tofu into small bite-sized pieces. Lightly oil a baking sheet (olive oil works well)and place cubes of tofu onto this, place in oven for 30 minutes until tofu has lost much of its moisture (If you pressed the tofu first, you can reduce this to about 15 minutes).

While this is in the oven, add 1 Cup of Teriyaki sauce, 3-4 cloves of fresh garlic to a bowl. Remove tofu, let it cool and then place in Teryaki/ garlic mixture. Best if eaten immediately, optionally add 1/2 cup of fresh, thinly sliced carrots and sesame seeds. ....mmmmmm!

a bicycle built for two

I want to own a bicycle. I had one when I was in college, because doesn't every college student own a bike?
But now, well. I have the little berry girl and I wouldn't want a bicycle if I couldn't take her along. The problem is that while I can afford a nice enough bike, those baby carriers that go behind are quite expensive. I have looked on Craigslist and ebay but haven't found anything affordable and nearby. This is a common problem with large items so perhaps I should just keep waiting for the perfect one to come along.
Universe, I am petitioning you for the perfect bicycle, complete with a baby seat. Hear me, please, because really this is a petition for my old body to return (and we can all agree that would be nice).

The neighborhood

Lately, there has been a quiet in the daytime that comes from all the little kids that spent the summer riding their scooters and bikes up and down these sidewalks finally returning to school. And I usually am one of those people who thinks kids get too short of a summer, but I was so glad to see them gone.
There is no way to say it nicely, these kids? My neighbor's children? THEY ARE RUDE.
It started when I left my windows open one day. I looked up from cleaning to see about 10 little faces smushed up on my window screens and then the chatter started:
wow, you have nice stuff.
Is she your daughter?
What your name?
Can I come in and play your guitar?

The next afternoon, when Pappa Starbucks came home, they followed him to our door, I suppose expecting to be invited in. The youngest boy, about 3, began ringing our doorbell over and over until Pappa Starbucks blurted out a 'HEY! Stop.'
Then, after he came inside they stood there, staring in again. One of the older girls OPENED our door and out went the dog- happily, eagerly. Squealing ensued.
When Pappa Starbucks, exasperated at this point, retrieved him, he was met with:
IS SHE Yer WIFE? How come she's WHITE? Is that her baby? Does she have a daddy? You ain't as black as my daddy. Why is you with a white woman? My mamma says white women--

he told them that he had to go.

Yesterday I left the windows open again for most of the day, and in the afternoon I had them open when the kids all came home. They must have smelled them from their house because here they came, climbing on our doorstep, shimmying up onto our window ledges, jumping from the neighbor's stoop to ours.
It's my BIRTHDAY!!! One of them yelled.Did you get me a present?
I said no, but Happy Birthday to him.
Can we come in?
I said no.
Our Mammas aren't home and we bored. Can we come in and play with your baby?
I said absolutely not, that children shouldn't go into stranger's houses. I said that they shouldn't talk to stranger's either unless their mom said it was OK.
Well....our Uncle will be here in a while we will ask him.

I simultaneously feel heartbroken for them being all alone and angry at their parent/s for not protecting them. It is one thing to let your kids play outside, and another to leave them outside under the care of another child (the oldest girl is about 9) until an adult arrives an hour or two later.

It breaks my heart and sets my jaw, but I don't know what to do.

Sweet berry pie

Little berry today upon whopping her head on the wall instead of the pillow:
*hands over face* "OH! beBABY!!" *blows kisses to herself*

Loving this.