Lessons That Lead To Success

One of the most important lessons I would like to teach my son is that being smart is sometimes dumb. "Academic Intelligence" offers almost no real preparation for lifes challenges. On the other hand, "emotional intelligence" is the key to determining how well we can use whatever other skill we have, including raw intellect.

I have learned many lessons from living on my own, but the greatest lesson I learned came from meeting my husband and studying for the LSAT. I had neither emotional aptitude nor intellectual aptitude. Lesson #1 I learned from my husband. It is the lesson that people who know and manage their own feelings well, and read and deal effectively with other people's feelings--are at an advantage in any domain of life, whether romance and intimate relationships or picking the unspoken rules that govern success in organizational politics.

Furthermore, lesson #2 I learned from studying from the LSAT. And it is that people with well-developed emotional skills are also more likely to be content and effective in their lives. Not only that but these people are better able to master the habits of mind that foster their own productivity. And people who can not direct some control over their emotional life will fight inner battles that sabotage their ability for focused work and clear thought.

Growing up I felt as thought I had more emotional intelligence than academic intelligence. And my greatest success came when I learned to balance my logical aptitude with my emotional aptitude. Once I did that, I became clearer in my thinking and my work became more focused.

I want to train my son is in personal intelligence. This will be quite the challenge for I was not trained in personal intelligence. I have higher "intrapersonal intelligence" than interpersonal intelligence. But this is the cross in life I must bear.

Isaac: 4 mos and 2 wks

It is amazing, but our 4 mos old baby boy is quite the champ! He is alert as ever and thriving. He is still drinking human milk exclusively and is thriving on that. My plan is to try to nurse Isaac for 2 yrs. In that time, I plan on staying home and caring for him.

Isaac is currently 16 lbs, 3 and 3/4 oz baby. He is wearing 3 to 6 mos clothing but also fits into 6 to 9 mos cloth. Isaac is a joy and it is fun being a mom. I love the new job and thank God every day that he gave me this opportunity.

Currently, Isaac is developing as he should. He rolls over on one side, and if left in his crib he will actually play with the toys around him. He loves to laugh and smiles a lot. He loves to be held.

Oh... Isaac is so cute! He enjoys putting things in his mouth and plays with his feet a lot.

Being a mom is a real treat!

2 months and 3 weeks: Baby Isaac

Been a while since I update you on my pregnancy and motherhood. Isaac Omar was born on April 8 in the afternoon. Labor and delivery was ... well... just that laborous but worth it. I expected to go at it naturally but at midnight that morning, I awoke to a leg cramp on my right leg and thereafter I had leg cramps every 5 min until 5:00 a.m. that morning when they stopped and the cramps proceeded in my abdomin about every 3 mins. Then I got a bloody show. The show worried me, for it was more than just a show so I called my doctor and she said to go to the hospital. At the hospital, my water was **Accidentally** broken or so the nurse proclaimed. I still have my doubts but I will leave it at that for now. Nevertheless, it broke at about 9:00 a.m. and from there I was in labor until 4:00 p.m. and baby had not dropped. I was dialated at 6 c.m., -3, and very sleepy. I could not keep my eyes opened any longer. I really wanted a nap!!

I decided to take the epidural at this stage so that I can sleep for a couple hours then continue the labor process until delivery naturally but it backfired. As soon as I took that pill, Isaac's heart rate dropped considerably. The doctor gave me a choice to continue or to get him out by C-Section. After thinking it through a bit and asking questions, I decided to go ahead with the C-Section.

I must tell you that I was very level-headed during the whole process and in control of the birthing situation. I feel proud of myself b/c I did not go into clueless. I was well aware of what practices go on in a hospital and my plan was flexible just in case.

At the operating table, it took but 20 to 30 minutes for Isaac to come out. I held him immediately. Then, I breastfed him immediately. B/c I was on meds and so was he, he had trouble latching a bit: he kept falling asleep but I pressed on and so did he.

Now at almost 3 months, I am still breastfeeding exclusively. I have not supplemented and I really don't pump. I do keep a small reserve in storage in case of emergency. Isaac is gaining as he should. However, he is allergic to dairy. So I have to refrain from eating/drinking milk products/soy. In breast fed babies, when there is a blood streak or stool is frequently green it indicates an allergic reaction to something in mom's diet.

Other than that, Isaac is doing well and growing nicely.
As you can see from the photo, Isaac likes the water.

Week 40: My Pregnancy Journey

As my pregnancy journey comes to a close, I look back and think where did all the months go. These last few weeks went by fast. Looking back, I recall the first few months of pregnancy went rather quickly, as I did not have the usual morning sickness and vomitting that gets most women.

The first month was rather normal. I thought I got my menstral cycle b/c I had some bleeding. The second month, my boobs swelled up for weeks, my hormones were raging, and my diet consisted of PEACHES. By the end of the second month, I had taken 3 pregnancy tests b/c the first 2, I got invalid results. The third month, I went to see the doctor, which confirmed I was pregnant. I was given an ultra sound and heard the heart beat for the first time. Then, we flew to S.A. Texas. By the end of the month, I quit my job. I needed to **de-stress** and wanted a good pregnancy.

After the 3 month, I began to organize and make the home ready for new addition to the family. I was so busy cleaning out house, that 9 months came and went like a flash of lightening.

Today, I sit here telling the story and think the fully cooked bun in the oven. He will be here before I know it.

I have to say that being pregnant has not changed who I am. I have not complained of much. I have been the ideal pregnant woman. Other than small pregnancy side-effects like occassional fatigue, breathing problems, swelling... I didn't have the mood swings, back-aches, or pain.

Now this last month, I really am trying to relax, watch a movie, walk around the park, and take my mind off the due date. Speaking about parks, I have so much energy these last couple weeks, I feel like jogging my usual 2.5 miles. I can't wait to get back to running and exercising.

I have to say that carrying a life within is amazing! I am a bit worried about being part of the 75% of women who go passed their due date. But, I am hopeful that I will have a wonderful birthing experience.

Pregnant in America Trailer

My Birth Plan

Birth Plan Worksheet

Regarding labor and birth –
Due Date: 4/5/2011

I'm having a baby and these are my wishes for before, during and post delivery.

ATTENDANTS
I'd like the following people to be present during labor and delivery:

Spouse: ___________________________________________________________
Friend/s: __________________________________________________________
Relative/s: _________________________________________________________
Doula: ____________________________________________________________
Children: __________________________________________________________

AMENITIES
I'd like to:

• bring music
• wear my own clothes during labor and delivery
• take pictures during labor and delivery

HOSPITAL ADMISSION & PROCEDURES
I'd like the option of returning home if I'm not in active labor.

Once I'm admitted, I'd like:
• my partner to be allowed to stay with me at all times
• only my practitioner, nurse, and doula (i.e., no residents, medical students, or other hospital personnel)
• I would prefer to keep the number of vaginal exams to a minimum
• to try to stay hydrated by drinking clear fluids instead of having an IV
• I wish to be able to move around and change position at will throughout labor.

OTHER INTERVENTIONS
As long as the baby and I are doing fine, I'd like to:

• have intermittent rather than continuous electronic fetal monitoring
• be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits and have my labor augmented only if necessary
• I do not wish to have the amniotic membrane ruptured artificially unless signs of fetal distress require internal monitoring.
• I would prefer to be allowed to try changing position and nipple stimulation before Pitocin is administered.
• I do not want any kind of anesthesia offered to me during labor, though I would like it available if I specifically request it.
• Custom note regarding use of an epidural: If I must be induced because I went passed the due date, then give me steroid therapy to increase blood platelet levels
LABOR PROPS
If available, I'd like to try a:

birthing stool
birthing chair
squatting bar
birthing tub

I'd like to bring the following equipment with me:
• Birthing stability ball
• other: ____________________________________________________________

PAIN RELIEF
I'd like to try the following pain-management techniques:

• acupressure
• bath/shower
• breathing techniques/distraction
• hot/cold therapy
• self-hypnosis
• massage
• other: ____________________________________________________________

Please don't offer me pain medication. I'll request it if I need it.

If I decide I want medicinal pain relief, I'd prefer:

• regional analgesia (an epidural and/or spinal block)

PUSHING
When it's time to push, I'd like to:

• do so instinctively
• be coached on when to push and for how long
• be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits as long as my baby and I are doing fine

I'd like to try the following positions for pushing (and birth):

• semi-reclining
• side-lying position
• squatting
• hands and knees
• whatever feels right at the time

VAGINAL BIRTH
During delivery, I'd like:

• I would like the room to be as quiet as possible
• I would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless absolutely required for the baby's safety.
• I would like my husband to help "catch" our baby

After birth, I'd like:

• I would like to hold my baby right away, putting off any procedures that aren't urgent
• I would like to breastfeed as soon as possible
• I do not want to get oxytocin (Pitocin) after I deliver the placenta unless it's necessary
• I would like my husband to cut the umbilical cord

C-SECTION
If I have a c-section, I'd like:

• If my primary care provider determines that a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to obtain a second opinion from another physician if time allows
• I would like my husband present at all times if my son requires a Cesarean delivery
• If C-section, then I wish to have an epidural for anesthesia
• If my son is not in distress, my son should be given to husband immediately after birth
• the baby to be given to my partner as soon as he's dried, if appropriate
• the screen lowered a bit so I can see my baby being delivered
• to breastfeed my baby in the recovery room

CORD BLOOD BANKING
I'm planning to:

 donate cord blood to a public bank
 bank cord blood privately
 neither

POSTPARTUM
After delivery, I'd like:

• To all newborn procedures to take place in my presence
• To my husband to stay with the baby at all times if I can't be there
• to stay in a private room

I'd like:
• To 24-hour rooming-in with my baby
• I would like

FEEDING ISSUES
I plan to:

• Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to my baby (including glucose water or plain water).
Do not offer my baby:
• formula
• sugar water
• a pacifier

CIRCUMCISION
If my baby's a boy:

• I want him to be circumcised at the hospital

DISCHARGE
I'd like to:

• be discharged from the hospital with my baby as soon as possible
• wait and see how I feel before deciding about the timing of hospital discharge

The shift from a republic to a democracy

REPUBLIC:

Authority is derived through the election by the people
of public officials best fitted to represent them.
Attitude toward property is respect for laws and
individual rights, and a sensible economic procedure.
Attitude toward law is the administration of justice in
accord with fixed principles and established evidence,
with a strict regard to consequences.
A greater number of citizens and extent of
territory may be brought within its compass.
Avoids the dangerous extreme of either tyranny or mobocracy.
Results in statesmanship, liberty, reason, justice, contentment and progress.
Is the 'standard form' of government throughout the world.

A Republic is a form of government under a constitution which provides
for the election of (1) an executive and (2) a legislative body who,
working together in representative capacity, have all the power of
appointment, all power of legislation, all power to raise revenue and
appropriate expenditures and are required to create (3) a judiciary to
pass upon the justice and legality of their governmental acts and to
recognize (4) certain inherent unalienable rights.
Take away any one of those four elements and you are drifting into democracy."
U.S. ARMY FIELD TRAINING MANUAL TM2000-5 (1928)