I'd love to have a library filled with bookshelves and of course filled with books! with a big comfy chair and a reading light - I'd never leave. Liz

I just posted a question about AG on the high school board. I didn't look to see what board I was on at the time. I too am really thinking of using this with my 6th grader. This program appealed to my "sense of order" in much the same way IEW does. I am fond of a systematic approach to learning and teaching things. I was concerned about the price, but, you're right, it does cover 3 years - (I think I might use it myself - that last sentence had a lot of commas!) Liz

I just read an article on the IEW site about the program www.analyticalgrammar.com. It looks like a great program and seems to make a lot of sense. I was looking at using Easy Grammar, but now I'm rethinking my decision. Has anyone used this? Did you like it? Did your kids retain their grammar? TIA, Liz

Jennifer, my daughter is fantastic - thanks for asking. A new surgery was invented about 20 years ago where they actually went in and switched the arteries - so no more baffles and bands like they used to do. She requires no more surgeries, is 10 yo, has been off all meds since she was 6 months old, and you would never know she was so sick at birth. We see her cardiologist every 18 months and she is allowed to participate in whatever sports she wants! We feel so blessed. It was a terrifying experience to go through. We were in Texas at the time and she was air ambulanced to the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, for her surgery, but had the world's best pediatric heart surgeon do her surgery there. She knows all about what happened and even journals about it from time to time. Her friends think it's pretty cool! Liz

Hugs to you! It will get easier. She just feels the need to have you near right now. I second Jennifer's suggestion about trying a sling or baby carrier. I carried one of my daughters all the time - it was the only way I could get anything done. I also tried to put my babies down for a nap in the same room or nearby. It's hard for babies who are used to being around noise all of the time to suddenly be placed in a quiet room - it wakes them up. Try placing her in a bassinet near where you work with the boys. You could also try to adjust your boys' schedule so that when she is awake, she is in a carrier or sling and you are doing work with the boys. When she is ready to nurse, you could all pile on the couch and do reading to the boys or have them read to you. You will find the right solution for you and your family. It will get better and your boys are learning a whole different education now about patience and caring for others and sacrifice. They will catch up - not to worry. Hugs, Liz Mom to 5 dc

Aubrey, there is a wonderful documentary circling the country called, "The Business of Being Born". Different birthing groups are holding screenings of this movie as it was only released on the coasts. It is produced and directed by Ricky Lake and Abby Epstein. It is coming out on DVD in April. You might check with your midwife to see if she has ordered a copy or knows of a screening you can attend. It is a MUST SEE! Ricky Lake had a typical hospital birth full of interventions the first time around and hated every minute of it. Her second birth was very, very different and a joy to watch. There's also a very funny Monty Python clip to watch about birth in a hospital - it's hilarious and overdone, but can be so true. Now don't get me wrong, hospital births can be beautiful experiences - all 5 of mine were born in a hospital, but for me, it's a case of ignorance - I didn't know better at the time, but I still treasure every minute of my birth experiences. For the case of my oldest daughter, being in a hospital probably saved her life. She was born with an undetected case of transposition of the great arteries (major heart defect)- a blue baby in laymen's terms. We had no idea and she was immediately taken care of by the pediatricians and then transported to the children's hospital. I've often wondered what would have happened in a home birth setting. I've been told that 911 would have been called and we would have been transported to the hospital then. Being in a hospital and learning of this was scary enough - having to be transported by 911 - I think I would have lost it. I tell you this not to scare you, but for you to be informed. We had no idea she had this problem and I underwent extensive testing with babies 4 and 5 to rule this problem out. Both were normal. I think birth is a woman's choice and every woman should be supplied with unbiased information so that she can make the right choice for her birth setting. I know that once the birth is upon us, everyone just wants what is right for mom and baby. Go with your gut instinct because that is where you will be truly comfortable. Liz

I have also used TWTM boards to sell items. I've posted on www.vegsource.com too, but had more luck here. HTH, Liz

Aubrey, if you are open to home birth, then I would absolutely do that and find a mw that is closer to you. You could even rent a birthing pool if you wanted a water birth - they are awesome! Of course, with your fast labors, you might not have time to fill up the pool! I am in Ohio and sadly home births are considered "a-llegal" meaning if your mw is "caught" she can be charged with practicing medicine without a license - just happened to a mw in my doula group - that is really scary! Let me know if you have any more questions! Keep us posted. Liz www.heartfeltlabors.com

Hi Aubrey, I am a doula trained by DONA (www.dona.org) and a lamaze trained childbirth educator. I have attended 5 hospital births and most of my clients have been able to have exactly what they wanted in the hospital. I say most because 1 client chose to get an epidural and the interventions just spiraled from there. If you are working with a midwife at the hospital, they are usually more open to the idea of a natural birth without any interventions. It is important for you and your dh to research and write a birth plan and talk to your midwife about it ahead of time. I'd also pack a copy in your hospital bag. I think it is a pretty standard question now to ask if you have a birth plan. Just remember it is your birth and you have the right to have it the way you want. I'd suggest you look into hiring a doula to help you with this process. I know you have very quick labors, but maybe a doula looking to get her certification would help you with a birth plan for free. Here are some common things the moms request when wanting to go natural: 1. freedom of movement - I cannot stress the importance of this enough! 2. keeping hydrated and eating lightly during labor - moms need their strength 3. no ivs - if they insist, ask for a heplock 4. pushing in the position most comfortable for you: standing, using a birth ball, all fours, on your side - just don't lie down in that bed! 5. ask for baby to be placed on your chest immediately and you should try to have skin to skin contact with baby. 6. you may ask for delayed baby care and many moms ask that any necessary care be done while baby is on their belly. you can delay the ointment in the eyes - even better you can squirt colustrum in the baby's eyes instead of the ointment. 7. ask for baby to have bath in the room with you 8. if you are choosing to nurse, try to establish that within the first hour. 9. Ask for you or dad to be with baby at all times if you wish. As far as people in the room, there will be the midwife, nurse, and usually a couple of baby nurses. You can deny requests made to have a cervical check by any medical students. Ina May Gaskin wrote a beautiful book called "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth". It is a wonderful resource. You can also check out www.birthsource.com It is a wonderful site with loads of info. I hope this helps you. If you have any questions please feel free to pm me. :) Liz www.heartfeltlabors.com