MILO’S BIRTH STORY

I really wanted to write about this.

I had been feeling contractions for about a week before, and had 5cm dilation since the Sunday before. I knew he was coming soon but didn’t know when, because these kind of symptoms can begin way before labour actively starts. It was dinner time (around 6pm) on the 7th when my contractions started getting more intense, and I felt something was happening. I called the midwife to give her a heads up, then took a bath and went to lie down and try to get some rest.

When it was about 1am I was woken up by strong contractions much less far apart then the ones I had been having the whole past week, and I knew it was time. I started timing my contractions and preparing myself for the moment. Around 3am I called Lila (the midwife) and woke up Tobias. While I walked around ease the process, he inflated and filled the tub with warm water. Lila arrived about an hour later and we started the breathing exercises and when I felt ready I got into the tub.

Milo took his sweet time, for sure. Tobias was by my side at all times, we just talked and laughed and he soothed me while we were waiting for our littlest one. Tob and Lila took turns snapping some pictures so we could document the moment. As time passed the contractions got stronger and stronger, and then I actively started pushing. It was time.

Everything felt so light and natural. I knew what I had to do and when, I was so aware of my own body’s movements and all my senses felt heightened. What a rush! My midwife Lila’s guidance throughout the whole process helped make things so much easier.

Milo Kai Hansen came at around 7:15 am on the 8th of August, a chubby red haired little thing
weighing 9lb and measuring about 21 inches. Getting him out and holding him in my arms was so exhilarating, it’s the best feeling ever. Tobias cut the cord and went to clean him up and cuddle him while Lila helped me push out the placenta and get out of the tub.

This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life (seriously, having a baby in your own living room? Amazing.) and for those of you considering a home birth, I’d highly recommend it. I felt relaxed, safe and comfortable. Truly incredible! And now I have my beautiful ginger boy to snuggle!

36 WEEKS LOG

36 weeks + 1 day, woo! Mark not missed, I feel victorious.

Bump? I have my own personal gravitational field now.

Total weight gain: 23lbs.

Sleep? Okay, I think. Less than usual when I’m not pregnant, but it got better than the last weeks.

Best moment this week – This week has been a little tough since I haven’t been able to be as active as I’d like to.

Miss anything? – Doing all the things I would do when not pregnant.

Food craving – Sweets.

Symptoms – Braxton Hicks and swollen feet.

Belly button in or out? – Out.

What I’m looking forward to – Meeting our doula so we can get everything set for the birth.

Ring on or off? – Off.

Happy or moody most of the time – A mix of both.

Baby in veggie/fruit terms – Papaya

EXPLORE.

One thing Tobias and I encourage a lot in our children is curiosity and love for the environment, and to love learning new things. We never say “later” when they ask a question, we read books with them, we ask them to explain us things, we let them wander and wonder around. We believe it is so important that they know that the earth is a beautiful thing we must understand, cherish and care for.

This saturday we took a quick ride to Waimea Valley so we could see the
waterfall. The walk was light (a very pregnant me enjoys that fact) and the weather just perfect, so Tob and
the kids could even go into the water too! It was a great day, we brought a few snacks to munch on during our morning and afternoon there (homemade ones, no packaging waste!)

I hope this post helped inspiring some of you to take your kids to learn with nature too! Allow them to discover a world beyond home, with as littlest restriction as possible. Raising environmentally conscious children will shape a better, greener future. Mahalo!

WEEK 13 LOG

Bump? – Something’s definetely there. Do ya see it? I see it.
Sleep? – Lots of it. But I’ve feeling very energized during the day; Mercy is very happy about this.
Best moment this week – Angus’ presentation at school. They were studying about vegetables and he chose to talk about yams. And I kinda sorta cried a little, dang hormones.
Next appointment – March 13th.
Miss anything? – My favorite jeans. Can’t fit in them anymore!
Food craving – Nothing actually. Been leaning more to salty and savory though.
Anything making you queasy or sick? – Nope! All of those seem like a thing of the past right now.
Do you know the sex of the baby? Not yet! Maybe at the next appointment.
Have you picked out names? We’ve started a list, but nothing official.
Symptoms – Morning sickness is gone. Bloating has toned down, my energy (and libido!) are up in the sky.
Belly button in or out? – In.
What I’m looking forward to – I have an important meeting at the Marine Life Sanctuary this friday.
Ring on or off? – On.
Happy or moody most of the time – Happy
Baby in veggie/fruit terms – Kiwi

SURPRISE, SURPRISE!

We were waiting for the second trimester to begin and after our family and closest friends knew about it to tell the good news here. Baby #3 is on the way!

Me and Tobias were “trying but not trying”, and last november I started feeling queasy in the mornings which made me run to the drugstore for a test. Guess what? Positive! We’ve been over the moon eversince. Gus and Mercy are so excited to be older siblings. Angus hopes it’ll be a boy this time around.

Is it time for the first pregnancy log? It is!

ME
Age – 29
Height – 5’9"
Weight – 125

THE DAD
Name – Toober hoober
Age – 29
Height – 6′3″
Are you still together – Yep! 4 years and counting.

THE BUMP

How far along? – 12 weeks
Was it planned? – Yes and no haha. And expected surprise I’d say.
What was your first reaction? – Excited and emotional.
Who was with you when you found out? – I was alone, but I told Tobias via text because I just couldn’t contain myself. Totally ruined the surprise lol.
Who was the first person you told? – Apart from the husband and kiddos, my dad and Tobias’ family on New Years Eve.
What was your first symptom? – Morning sickness.
Sleep – As I wake up with Emerson so early everyday, I’ve been napping a whole lot. Also my body temperature is high so nights are better with a fan, but still very agitated.
Best moment this week – My first talk with my doula.
Miss anything? – Ugh, sushi. Been avoiding raw food lately and the cooked fish rolls just never enticed me much.
Food craving – Peach and vanilla ice cream.
Anything making you queasy or sick? – Not really.
Gender – Still too early! And we haven’t decided if we’re getting to know it after the birth or before yet.
Symptoms – Very hot all the time, food cravings, peeing all the time… also bloated like a balloon!
Belly button in or out? – In.
Rings on or off? – Off.
Happy or moody most of the time – Soooo happy;
Our baby in veggie/fruit terms – Plume

SNOW DAY

After a few days of freezing cold and hurdling up ourselves inside with hot cocoa & Disney movies, the sun came out a little and we venture outside to have some fun. It was Mercy’s first snow day! Since the last winters were spent in our sunny home in Hawaii, she had never played with snow before.

We made snowmen, snow angels and all the rest of the package. A lot of fun even for me, and I hate the cold! The best part was Emerson’s complete fascination with everything.

These are Tobias’ twin siblings, Lily and Lucas.

HAPPY B-DAY ANGUS!

Almost a month later though. So so sorry about this huge delay, but I guess life just caught up to me. We are already back in Haleiwa but I still have some more pictures of Montauk to post, our Mercy had her first snow day ever! Down side (or perks) of living in Hawaii. To be fair a day before the 28th I wailed for about two hours about my Angus turning 6, it seems like I forgot that kids grow really fast. Kind of wanna blame my hormones though.

This amazing boy is becoming more wonderful each day, and I am so lucky to be a part of that. He is a kind, old gentle soul, with a pure heart and the most magical laughter.

So excited for the years next, to see the brilliant person he’ll become.

CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY. MONTAUK!

I know, I know, I am very late for the Christmas post bandwagon.

This saltwater mama here hates the cold, but it was about time we spent the holidays in Montauk, my and Tobias’ hometown. I didn’t really have to do anything as far as decoration goes; Debra, my mother-in-law did most everything and all we had to add were the gifts under the tree!

It was a pretty chill couple days, we all just stayed in enjoying each other’s
company (and waiting for Santa, of course). Nana read stories and we
cozied up with eggnog and other christmas-y treats.

Hope you all had a great Christmas! Angus’ birthday is now on the 28th, so there’s still more fun to come.

first, introductions

Well, hello world! This is Io Martin speaking. I’m 26, a single mom to little Angus, who is now 13 months old.

I was born in Durham, North Carolina, and moved around a lot. Maybe that is why I’ve never been one to settle in just one place. After graduating college, I gathered my savings and bought a houseboat, and have been living here eversince, sailing to all kinds of places. Then Angus came along and suddenly this captain had gotten a wild haired, curious and lively little imediate.

In this blog I hope to fill you in about how it is to live at sea, as well as life updates, my personal parenting experience and much more. Join me on deck!

Io xx