Marcus!
Posted by Kristin | Filed under Baby, Uncategorized
Here is the very first image of Kendra and Terry’s babe… He is awesome… I am in awe.
I visited today, and everyone is healthy, happy and tired. Kendra will write you all as she gets settled.
Love,
Kristin (and Kendra and Marcus)
Tags: Baby, kendra voth, marcus
A drum rolls somewhere
Posted by Tabby | Filed under Baby, Journey
YAY!!! I got this message from Kendra this morning:
Little Marcus Terry Voth joined the world on Halloween. 8lbs 1oz…
Kendra is doing fine! Full of joy and in awe of the child birth process that women go through. More to post from one of us with lovely photos and maybe a more personal story from Kendra herself. Hang tight, through the weekend at least.
Tags: Baby, childbirth, kendra voth, marcus
Week 39 - 3 MORE DAYS!
Posted by Kendra | Filed under Baby
OMG! 3 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY DUE DATE! Besides the fact that I cant see my feet anymore, my left foot looks like an alien innovator, there is what appears to be a leg sticking out the side of my stomach, I cant sleep, I cant sit, I cant stand and I gotta pee every two minutes, all is well, and I am uber excited for the arrival of EXTRA LITTLE, who clearly is EXTRA BIG now.
Oh did I mention that my hips are being forced apart by a human head getting ready to embark down the birth canal, which I imagine must be something like going head first down a big huge water slide. My legs are like two dead weights, I HAVE NO MUSSCLES to lift them, there seems to be a babies body in the way!
My gal pals warned me that the last few weeks of pregnancy were going to be a wee bit uncomfortable. WEEEEE!??? I say….WEEE?! At this point I am fully possessed by this adorable little impostor that doesn’t seem to want to join us here in the world.
So, me and Extra Little (BIG) had a little discussion yesterday, I was like “Extra, its time to come out, I am evicting you form my womb now, come on out, we want to meet you.” Extra responded with a swift kick to the ribs, ahhhh but I caught that wee little foot and poked it back in there…first mother-child disagreement. Feisty little thing in there is always up to something, all hours of the day…must be some sort of going away party happening in there.
The suspense is killing me and I honestly cant wait to meet this new little being that is going to be joining our life! Only days left to go hopefully! Yippi! I will keep you all posted!
Xo
Kendra
Tags: Baby, kendra voth
Movie Madness Mondays - Freedom Writers
Posted by Kendra | Filed under Fab Females, Movie Madness Mondays
In my opinion, Freedom Writers is a remarkable true story about a teacher, Erin Gruwell, played by Hilary Swank that makes a difference in a group of violent gang invested kids. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it!
Everyday is like living in a war zone for these kids, they divide themselves into tribes and try to survive one day at a time. Why are they fighting? They say they are fighting for race, pride and respect.
An unsuspecting teacher comes into their lives and encourages them to see the value in themselves and each other. She inspires them to stop, take a look at their lives and make a change. Together they begin to build themselves and create value in the world by sharing their stories.
I think before any shift amongst people can happen, first there needs to be understanding and compassion. How far would have Erin been able to go with this kids without first trying to understand, where they have been and where they are at now? Sure she could of run them through the conveyer belt of the educational system, but purpose what that have served?
It’s interesting to me how these shifts happen and how we can all participate in our own lives to make a difference.
I had someone ask me recently, is there a collective mission that ALL people around the world can live by no matter what your race, religion, and status? What do you think that would be? They asked me to imagine a world where I could still live by my beliefs and include a higher collective belief that would move all people forward?
I want to ask you all of you the same question.
In my opinion this story is incredibly inspirational; one of my favorite quotes comes to mind “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.” – Margaret Mead.
Xo Kendra
Tags: Freedom Writers, Highschool, kendra voth, Movie Madness Mondays, Movie Review, Movies
BABY DREAMCATCHER
Posted by Kendra | Filed under Baby
I just HAD to share this dream with all of you. I slept in late toady, to 8am oooo sooo late hahahaha! But I was having the most VIVID baby dream and would love to try to piece what it means together. Anyone wanna help?
OK…so…here is goes…Terry and I are driving in a car (not sure what kind of car, seemed comfortable), ALL OF A SUDDEN my big belly starts to flatted out…there was NO PAIN or PANIC, it just kinda felt weird. It actually felt very peaceful and calm.
Then I felt a tingling above my public bone and watched my belly bump move down, down, down…then within a matter of minutes I saw the babies head, there was no pain, but a cute little baby head sticking out, looking back at me. Then came the shoulders and within minutes I was holding the baby in my arms. The baby came out with ease, I took off my shirt and placed the baby on my chest and the baby started to nurse all by itself.
I look over at Terry, who was calm driving the car. Then….I look back to the baby and the baby is now a black and white baby goat, in my dream this was not odd or shocking or anything, it was simply just a baby goat nursing. Then I woke up….CRAZY right?!!!
I wonder if this means the baby is on the way???
Xo
Kendra
ps I love this family picture of Extra Little Terry and I, thank you to Winica for taking such beautiful photos!
Tags: Baby, Birthing, dreams, kendra voth
Movie Madness Mondays!
Posted by Kendra | Filed under Movie Madness Mondays
Tags: baby bumb, kendra voth, kristin kreuk, Movie Madness Mondays
Brain VS Subconscious
Posted by Kendra | Filed under Baby, Uncategorized
I spent most of yesterday reflecting on my emotions, as I had been teary for the past 48 hours. I wanted to see if I could really get in touch with what was going on for me. HORMONES! Maybe?!
I am not sure if through this whole pregnancy I have REALLY, REALLY connected with the whole experience of being a human incubator and being a NEW PARENT. Imagine having on your TO DO LIST: incubate baby, learn to be a parent. Don’t laugh at me! Yes, these things appear on my internal TO DO LIST…I am nutty that way.
But here’s what I think brought on the tears, besides just hormones. I am learning to let go of control, and slowly realizing that I am vulnerable. Vulnerable, meaning, open to any possibility or situation and being open and able to accept help when I need it. Being vulnerable is a VERY SCARY thing for me. You can’t put, incubate a baby and learn to be a parent, on a TO DO LIST! It’s one of those things that you learn and experience along the way. You can’t control it. I can’t control it. CAN SOME TELL THAT TO MY SUBCONSCIOUS! Ok, look, if my brain and my subconscious can’t get along one of them is going to be sent to their room until they can play fair…hahahaha!
Now I know all this anti-control stuff intellectually, but I think the concept is integrating itself fully into my body and I am on the verge of having a major AHA! Moment, hence all the tears. The tears seem to reflect me working through the scary part of that.
My brain says, “I can’t control the world or even predict what might happen, I could go into labor at any moment. Ready or not, Extra Little could come flying out and that’s ok.”
My Subconscious says, ‘OMG I can’t control the world or even predict what might happen? I could go into labor at any moment. Ready or not, Extra Little could come flying out and, and, and…its NOT ok!
“Why is THAT sooo scary?” Asks Brain
Subconscious replies…because the Nursery isn’t done, I haven’t tied up loose ends, I haven’t completed all my goals, everything isn’t in “perfect” order, I haven’t planned every single little detail of my life, I haven’t read every book and, and, and….!
Then my dad calls at the perfect time and says, (what my brain would say) “Kendra, what’s the worst thing that could happen?” I laughed, I say this to people all the time…and here my Dad is saying it to me. It’s a great question, one of my favorites!
Then I sat with all these thoughts and wondered if my fear is really not about NOT BEING ABLE, but instead is about BEING ABLE, able to handle anything that comes my way no matter how hard it is. Does that make sense? Then I woke up this morning and read an email from SUPERSMITTE a GBD member who shared this quote. I know and love this quote as well and wanted to share it with you.
A quote by Marianne Williamson:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that
we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most
frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of
God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing
enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around
you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make
manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us;
it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give
other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own
fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Xo
Kendra
Tags: Baby, control, kendra voth
Movie Madness Monday “Legally Blonde”
Posted by Kendra | Filed under Movie Madness Mondays
Ok, Like, this is sooooo not a story about a dumb blond, but instead a story of a smart blond, despite the fact that….*sigh*….OMG did Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) seriously follow what she thinks is the love of her life, that Ken-doll boyfriend of hers…after HE dumps her…to Harvard, just to win him back? Like, What? Getting into Harvard Law School is hard?
I mean the girl goes from LA Delta NU house on a LA Campus, she’s slathered in everything pink, is an expert in grooming, hair care, and accessorizing. She, like, has a degree in fashion… and then straight to Harvard law school? STOP THE PRESSES! Is it soo hard to believe that because she has like, the blondest hair and big boobs that she is incapable of using her brain to get into Harvard?
Ok, so, here is what I love…the girl goes for it. At first she tries to be someone she is soooo not, a prissy law student, only to discover that she can still be a brilliant law student who is smart, has blond hair and a flare for fashion. I mean tell me ladies why are we all afraid to embrace and love who we truly are? Let people meet the real us and see the brilliance from a place of honestly. And OMG if we like, like to talk like this…then who cares????!!!
I couldn’t help but have sooo much fun while watching this movie, I mean, like peel back the layers of pink and puke me some entertainment…deep down inside girls just wanna have fun! Yet in the same breath, this movie is truly about girl power, strength and determination. There is nothing soo serious that we can’t use massive drama and exaggeration to get a certain point across just to have a little fun…yes? No?. (This could just be my issue) ahahahah K! don’t laugh at me!
How many of you find yourself in a situation where either you dumb yourself down or do the exact opposite by trying to be hyper intelligent just to fit in? Why not just be you, which is perhaps somewhere in the middle of both stereotypes?
I mean I have to admit that because my family moved around so much, every time I entered a new school there was a new me…I tried-out being, “mean girl”, “preppy girl”, “sporty girl” to “popular girl”…each had its serious highs and lows! In the end I turned into what I like to call ‘Everything Girl”…just a gal that was able to be friends with ALL GIRLS! By the time I hit high school I was able to be chameleon-like and fit in wherever I wanted…I was open to everyone and mastered the art of falling into rapor with those around me. I could rock with the rockers, cheer with the cheer leaders, sink a few hoops, and style my hair and make-up to agree with whatever mood I was in. This made for some fun times in high school.
Next week lets watch Erin Brochovich…since I confused us all this week with Legally Blond? Oops!
Xo
Kendra
Tags: kendra voth, Legally Blonde, Movie Mondays, Reese Witherspoon
Now That’s Getting Personal
Posted by Kendra | Filed under Baby
Is there an alien in there? whats that sticking out my side? Ohhh…don’t kick me there…now that’s getting personal!
Week 31 and I’m loving every minute of it…I find it interesting when people approach me and say “awww how ya feeling?” like being pregnant is an illness or something. I feel great, never better actually. I am excited, giddy and kinda dreamy about how my life is unfolding day by day…I won’t lie, I have my OMG! moments and “I dont know what I am doing” feelings, but those don’t last long. They are just moments that help remind me that I am not in control and just along for the ride :).
So my wee little 3.5 pounder is wiggling in there non stop…it feels pretty trippy…last week there was suddenly this bump sticking out of my side, hmmm I thought…is the baby trying to make a get away? Fascinated I grabbed ahold of this bump sticking out of my side and I almost fainted as the bump retreated and then moved worm-like across my belly! OMG! is there an alien in there? ummmm no, just a human being..*GASP* tries to run for the hills but realizes where I go so does the alien inside.
So lately its been a game of cat and mouse, I am like “Hellllloooo in there Extra Little…where are you?” Poke! Poke! and sure enough if I poke poke in the right place I get thumped back, yup thumped, no loving pokes from the inside.
Now I don’t want to get into many details about all this kicking and wiggling and alien like activity…but I have to say and don’t laugh…well laugh if you want but, kicking and punching can…well….sometimes get personal, for example HELLLOOO G-SPOT! Ohhh….ummm….hey that makes me uncomfortable *Yikes* tries to run for the hills but realizes where I go baby can still kick me in the G-Spot! But really who can complain I could be experiencing heart burn instead, tee hee! (ok that might of been tooo personal :). Well lets face it pregnancy is personal…again I am just going along for the ride and trying to share my experiences honestly.
I thought it might be fun to start an online baby pool where we could all guess the due date, time of delivery, boy/girl, weight etc. and have a little fun! ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW HOW TO DO THAT? Hellloooo out there….hehehe!
xo
Kendra and Extra Little
Tags: Baby, kendra voth, Kicking, Week 31
Baby: HypnoBirthing
Posted by Kendra | Filed under Baby
My first mistake was searching online for birth videos and coming across some very scary examples!…I found myself watching these videos and crying my eyes out in fear of when the time would come for me to push a basketball out a hole the size of a quarter. Videos featured cutting, ripping, stretching, forceps and green masked people hovering over women screaming in pain.
Yes…women give birth everyday…BUT, have you ever REALLY seen it?.
Honestly, I was genuinely terrified, these videos are raw, real and probably the best form of birth control out there. So maybe teens should see these videos…or maybe not, I don’t believe in the fear factor, just reality. (hahaha does that comment even make sense?)…lol.
However that being said, I couldn’t believe this was the only way. This in not the kind of birth I wanted to experience, nor do I want my baby to experience!
Is what you see in movies true to the human experience? This thought was horrifying to me…There had to be another way, was it really all about pain, drugs, c-sections and fear, ripping the arm off your husband?
Then a dear friend of mine who recently had her first baby shared her experience of HypnoBirthing with me.
Hypno What? ya HypnoBirthing…have you heard about this…HypnoBirthing thing? This was a first for me too.
It sounds amazing, you and your partner learn together as a team. Your partner, as your supporter, is there to help you find a very deep state of relaxation, through positive thinking, breathing and visualization during the birth of the baby.
You are sooo deeply relaxed that you literally breathe the baby down the birth canal and gently into the world, quietly peacefully and lovingly…NO SCREAMING, NO PANIC, NO DRUGS, NO PAIN!…Yup sign me up!
Skeptical? Ummmm….ya…of course…who wouldn’t be? Painless childbirth? Is there such thing? Well, we are going to find out together ladies!…I am going to remain open minded and open hearted to this new experience and share with you what I find out. Think of me as the detective or guinea pig whichever you find most amusing ☺
It seems to me that childbirth is not an event to be feared; it is a natural expression of life that women have been experiencing since the beginning of time.
It makes sense to me that the Mongan Method says, “that when we release the fear, a fear that is keeping the body tense and closed, we will experience gentle birth”.
If you want more info…please check out www.hypnobirthing.com.
Here is a very gentle animated video showing how a baby naturally moves down the birth canal and into the world. Animated Child Birth.
Let me know what you ladies think, I would love to hear your thoughts:)
Xo
Kendra
Tags: Baby, Birthing, HypnoBirthing, kendra voth, Mongan Method, Positive Thinking, Visualization, YouTube
