Yooper Mamas, Say Ya to da UP, EH? - Page 73

[Leta]

Hi... I'm in Ishpeming...

Does anyone know of a place somewhat close by to get raw milk?

I know that I'll probably have to sign a waiver saying it's for animal feed... I'm good with that.

[Smalls181]

Originally Posted by MPJJJ

I don't think anyone knows who I am or realizes that the Soo area is actually part of the UP, LOL, but I'm gonna give you all a brief update and ask some questions! For starters, our foster kids should be leaving within the next couple of weeks, to be adopted by their wonderful aunt and uncle downstate. We are looking forwards to our next placement, and hoping to finally have a little girl in the house! We're also hoping for a keeper this time!

I finally quit my extremely stressful job at the mental health agency, and within a week of quitting, I had 2 jobs, at the health food store and as an aid at my children's after school program. I'm really enjoying it.

Now that I am finally learning to eat healthy, I would like some advice on how you all have learned to be healthy while living in the UP. We have such a short growing season, and all the snow makes exercising very difficult. What do you all do to live healthy, and care for the earth at the same time?

I forget you are here, too. =)

[russianthistle]

To finally answer you, MPJJJ,

I found it easier to be healthier once I had a child. Before then, I had a tendency to eat very well and exercise, but I also relished many moments engaged in smoking, drinking, celebrating, and neglecting my body at times.

I try to do a lot of snow-related activities, like snowshoeing and skiing. This winter's been tougher as I've been pregnant throughout the season. I'm 33 wks. at this point and haven't been outside for days, because I'm in the midst of moving and unpacking.

I find it incredibly easy to eat well at all times. We wake up to smoothies with things like kale, spirulina, berries picked over the summer, and yogurt...also oatmeal with dried fruits and seeds. We close our days with things like soups from scratch and home-made pizzas...I find that the less I go with prepared foods, the more creative I am. I buy whatever strikes my fancy at the store and strictly cook with what I've purchased from week to week.

I am a vegetarian. I buy nearly all organic...let's say 85-90% of my food intake is organic. I spend less by buying in bulk and shopping around that which is on sale from month to month. My food and heatlh and beauty aids are my priority. I do not spend money on other things (say clothes and random stuff) so that I have money to spend on my food.

It seriously helps to have like-minded friends, in my mind.

I could go on all day. What do you do to be healthy?

[Mrs. Cheerful Face]

Well RT just let us know when you get settled and we'll meet up at a great beach again! I might even be towing RHMama with me on an adventure! Hope the moving is going smoothly for you. Having just moved ourselves, I hope you have an abundance of boxes and patience. Being the uber gentle, compassionate mama I know you are, I'm sure things will go well for you!

[russianthistle]

Thank you for thegood vibes, Mrs. Cheerful! I need it, pregnancy makes it easy to be very UNmotivated.

Hopefully, by the time we can see the sand, I will be unpacked. It would be nice to have at least one walk on sand, at the beach before this baby arrives.

Yeah, Red Hot you should totally come. I get the impression that the beaches here are different than the beaches there.

Am I right, for those of you who have been to beaches near Mqt./Munising as opposed to beaches near Houghton? I have not spent time at any Houghton area Lake Superior beaches. I imagine them to be rocky and not as overtly sandy as the ones I frequent between Mqt. and Munising.

[redhotmama]

Hi Erin, We have both kinds here, but it is kind of hard to remember what any semblance of summer scenery might be like. I think I need more Vit. D. Off to dose myself:

[mommybugs]

OK....Hello houghton area mommas!

Well some of you know we are moving. I am super bummed, i really love the community here and being a doula in this area. BUT hubby got a new job and we are moving to houghton area..looking at a few houses in pelki, chassell and around there) anyway i am freaking out because i dont know any natural mommas from there! We homeschool as well, so to move my son to an area where we dont know any other homeschoolers is scary! I also need to get my doula stuff going there as soon as we get there...i go thru birth withdrawals...lol Anyway so PLEASE say hello if you are from that area and let me know what goes on there. I DO know i love the co op over there. I went there a while ago and was very excited!

HUGE HUGGS! Desi

[Mrs. Cheerful Face]

Desi, You are landing in very welcoming arms, okay, maybe laps... We will be so glad to have you and your fam. for so many wonderful reasons. You will be so welcome as a Doula and advocate. I need all the help I can get!!!! I look forward to birth talk! AND we are very active in our wonderful homeschool group Superior Home Educators. Great families, fun activities. There are some great believing crunchy mamas here just waiting to get our hands on you!!! If you need housing ideas I'm sure RH and I can pitch in. Please know our LLLI meetings are on the first Monday of the month, open swim is every Thursday at Finlandia, the library has some sweet story times and crafting. And RH has many opportunities for Mamas Nite Out gatherings. We love Hubbell, big houses low prices, not too far from both hospitals for doula work, laid back. Wonderful Hughes Farm Market Gardens for yummy produce. Pm me when you're in town! Marcee

[mommybugs]

Thank you!

Marcee, thank you soooo much you have relieved some of my fears! We will be there soon (2 weeks) hubby has to report to work there April 4th!!!, we just need to find a place to live! We are looking for a house with a yard....if you know of any..can you email me. [e-mail] Thanks. I like the house we are looking out in pelkie..EXCEPT its on the hi way...lil scary for a momma..... sooo if you hear of any homes for rent please email me! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH! I cant wait to meet ya!:

Desi

[MamaGlow]

Hi Desi,
we moved here last June so I don't have lots of advice/hints for you, but I have met some lovely like-minded new friends... I haven't been an active doula here, but would love to talk with you and Marcee about it.
LLL has a fun active group here where I've met lots of nice mamas too...

let us know when you land and we can all get together for tea or a walk or something!
Molli

[haurelia]

Hey Yooper Mamas!
I'm a yooper living in Ann Arbor now...just had my first baby at home. My hub and I are looking to end up back in the UP in the next 5 years or so (depending on work situation) and I'm looking back thru some of your posts to see what the birth community is like there (particularly in Mqt county).
If anyone wants to weigh in on it, I'd appreciate it. Just feeling it out, because I know we'll be trying for more kids, and it would give me peace of mind to know there are wise women to help me up there!
Thanks!

[russianthistle]

Hi Haurelia,

The birth climate in the Mqt. area is super, IMO. I feel very lucky to be here at such a time! I really feel like there have been some amazing things happening her concerning birth/babies/children/community in the past few years. I am nearly 35 weeks and am working w/ a SUPER mw team and a SUPER doc. Really, they are all I could ask for and more.

I worked w/ this same team with my first birth. I didn't end up having ds at home b/c of a lenghty (46 hours total, 3 1/2 hours pushing...(but vaginal, nonetheless!!) labor/birth). We transported after 38 hours.

I plan, obviously, for this birth to be a mite easier...at least not as lengthy! I also am looking forward to having this baby in my new house.

What do you want to know, in particular? I will probably only gush as I really support the community I'm part of...

peaceerin

[haurelia]

Originally Posted by russianthistle

...I plan, obviously, for this birth to be a mite easier...at least not as lengthy! I also am looking forward to having this baby in my new house.

What do you want to know, in particular? I will probably only gush as I really support the community I'm part of...

peaceerin

Thanks Erin, I hope your birthing goes a lot easier this time. It will be a good way to bless your new house. :

In particular, I just wondered if there are any CPMs or other home birth providers who folks have had good experience with. I saw a website for a doula service, which is great!
Looking forward to hearing more.

[russianthistle]

There are two active local midwives (the two I'm working with) are lay midwives, and there may be one CPM (at least I think she is a CPM) who is willing to travel to the Mqt. to do births. I am unfamiliar with the CPM, so I have no real input.

Yes, the doula service, too, exists. There are also monthly "Birth Advocate" meetings. In addition, there are a few natural birth friendly, perhaps even homebirth friendly family care docs, certainly to be recommended.

[russianthistle]

Local Mothers Step Up to Feed Motherless Infant

Check out these Marquette mamas!

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/co....html?nav=5006

[babycatcher01]

Originally Posted by haurelia

Hey Yooper Mamas!
I'm a yooper living in Ann Arbor now...just had my first baby at home. My hub and I are looking to end up back in the UP in the next 5 years or so (depending on work situation) and I'm looking back thru some of your posts to see what the birth community is like there (particularly in Mqt county).
If anyone wants to weigh in on it, I'd appreciate it. Just feeling it out, because I know we'll be trying for more kids, and it would give me peace of mind to know there are wise women to help me up there!
Thanks!

Hello there, Iam Amanda Klein a Midwife in Calume for the past five years. I travel the whole U.P and upper lower MI. There are quite a few Midwives around, there is Sandy Parra CPM out of Ironwood 30 plus years exsperence, Elen Rabe, out of Marquette 30 plus years exsperence. There is now one in Rudyard, her first name is Tina cant remember her last name, she is new and needs support. You can call me at 906-370-2443 for more information

Wow lots going on, I have missed alot, for good reason of corse I cant say it all right now we are finalizing paper work and loans but by August woman in the U.P will have awsome birthing option and learning oppertunities from one of the most up and comming Midwifery schools around. This is huge guys, and I cant wait to share this with all of you, its been a year in the making thats why I havent been around
Spring is bring with it new life and Iam busy with babies, and we are getting ready for baby chicks! I live in town so I wonder how the neighbors are going to go like them. I figured that if I kept them happy with eggs they wouldnt say a thing BuffOrphingtons and baredRocks(exscuse bad sp) Iam not going to say anything about the milking goats that might be comming in the fall. I picked up training some horses and now dd is convienced she is an equestrian ready for the show ring, it is about the cutiest thing I have ever seen, she must take after her mother
Thats whats going on here since you guys wont hear from me for a while again wishing everyone a wonderful spring full of new life. Amanda

[haurelia]

Originally Posted by russianthistle

Check out these Marquette mamas!

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/co....html?nav=5006

Thank you for sharing this! It made me cry...what a wonderful thing to do as a community of nursing moms. That family needs all the love and support in the world. :
I think it seemed especially striking to me because we used donor milk for my son for a couple of weeks while I worked on building my supply up to where he needed it (he was early, severe jaundice and lost a lot of weight that he wasn't gaining back on my breast alone).

**Just editing to add that I emailed that link to my midwife, who passed it along to Ina May Gaskin. Ina May will be adding a block to the safe motherhood quilt for Susan Goodrich. www.rememberthemothers.net

Amanda thanks for the information. I'll write the names down for later reference, in case we get to move back up north in time for another baby. I'll look forward to reading more about the midwifery school. Good luck w/your chickens.

[Mrs. Cheerful Face]

Well, Desi, it seems we now have the potential for four doulas to join forces! The CBE from Portage is a doula from Ontanogon and is looking to share a practice with us here in the Penn. A doula revolution is coming! Women really need an encouraging presence here in this neck of the woods, especially with the nearest experiencecd, reliable midwife so far away. It's so reassuring to have Sandy P. in the area more often! Cool practice they have going in Hancock now! Pm me with housing details. I have come up with three options for your consideration, depending on what you're looking for. Super cute too!

Molli we really missed you tonite, it just wasn't the same without ya! Walking on Thurs. right!!! I've got to walk off this salsa tummy from RedHot, sheesh. Lisa and Tony K. have really turned me on to raw foods and nifty snacks. I really admire their natural ways. Not to mention they make gorgeous babies! I'll be the one walking in circles while my son is climbing THE WALL!!!

Erin- sending you super size gentle birth intentions! Great house warming present!

[russianthistle]

Thanks Marcee!
Will be 36 weeks this weekend! (so will Lauren!

[Mrs. Cheerful Face]

Where is our dear one??? Nesting and getting ready, I bet! Smooches and hugs to you wonderful, gestating women! It will be quite the crowd on the sand this summer, huh!!!