For my friends in or near CT, this promises to be a great presentation of Vivaldi's works. Please come and enjoy if you can!
Cathedral Concerts will present "Going Baroque" on Sunday, November 21 at 7:30 PM at St. Patrick Cathedral. Under the direction of Douglas Green,
Cathedral Music Director, the Norwich Diocesan Choir, orchestra, and soloists
will perform a program of 18th century sacred masterworks in the sanctuary of the
cathedral.
The program will feature Antonio Vivaldi's well known "Gloria" along with the
composer's musical setting of Psalm 112 (Beatus Vir). Soloists for both works
will be Carroll Mailhot, Mary Beth Lee and Patricia Johnson. The evening
program will also include Handel's "Let the Bright Seraphim" and Giuseppe
Torelli's "Trumpet Concerto in D" with Ken Tedeschi as trumpet soloist.
Founded in 1978 by its director, Douglas Green, the Norwich Diocesan Choir has
sung at every major diocesan event held at the Cathedral for the past 30 years.
In addition to its liturgical duties, the choir also presents annual concerts of
sacred music. The choir has sung at the National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception in Washington D.C.; the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Baltimore,
MD; the Basilica of St. Patrick, Montreal, Canada; and Blessed Sacrament
Cathedral in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
The concert is open to the public and donations of all amounts will be accepted at the door. Further information may be obtained by calling the Cathedral Music Office at 860-886-0403 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 860-886-0403 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
A Baby Story and the First Two Weeks
Wow! I have suddenly found myself this afternoon with two free hands:) So I figured I'd give you an update.
Firstly, thank you one and all who prayed and remembered me during my labor and delivery on the first. I know it was thanks to the enormous amounts of grace that I had such a smooth labor and delivery. I was trepidatious heading into an induction, but I gave it all up to God, and of course, everything turned out just fine.
Mike and I did everything we could to induce naturally (EVERYTHING:), to no avail. It was a confusing and exhausting time. I had three false labors the week prior and lots of signs that I was in labor, but I wasn't progressing. While I came to expect the false labor, I did not expect a false induction! I went in on the Thursday before Gabby was born and the Obstretrician had changed his mind about inducing me that day. He didn't feel comfortable doing that and wanted to wait and see through the weekend. *sigh* When I left that appointment he told me I was about 3 cm's dilated and about 60% effaced.
I came in Monday morning and when the midwife checked me she said I was a cent. and a half dilated and only about 50% effaced. I almost cried as I asked her how I could go backwards. She told me the measurements were all subjective and not to be too upset by it. *Yeah right!* She put me on pitocin at 9 and came in again at noon to check me, and told me I was 3 cms (for real this time:) and about 90% effaced. She broke my water and told me there was a lot of fluid between the baby's head and my cervix, and that now my contractions should be more productive. She came in again at about 1 in the afternoon to put an internal monitor on Gabby and told me that my cervix was posterior so it made it difficult to get the monitor on. I had not changed since the last time she had checked me.
My girlfriend came with her son (my Godson) and was such a blessing. She led Mike and I in the Rosary, and they worked as a team to relax me. My little Godson was cooing and babbling away in the corner, and when I looked over she was holding him and nursing him. It was so helpful to me, to hear the noises of that precious little one, and to see a mother in action. It helped motivate me to get my baby out so that I could do the same! For any non-first time mother who could not do a home birth, I would recommend the experience if its offered to have a newborn infant in your hospital room. Rather than be distracted by the sterile sounds of a hospital, I was comforted by the sounds of a beautiful baby. My girlfriend ended up having to leave around 3 (I think?), but was such a help while she was there.
Mike was also amazing! He was able to get me so relaxed during a contraction that I let go of everything. I was able to enter a quiet, peaceful place, while my body worked. I was also able to pull out of it in order to talk to the medical staff or to change positions to help labor. He never left my side, and he actually worked to go into the same state with me so that we could labor together as he coached me through each contraction. I remember at one point beginning to feel overwhelmed by the amount of work my body was doing. I didn't know if I could handle the pitocin the entire time, and was feeling a lot of doubt that I could make it. Experience kicked in and I remembered that all I could do was to take it one contraction at a time. It was then that I began to hold my prayer sacrifice intention in mind and a picture of our Lady of Fatima and that helped me to get through the afternoon.
My midwife came back in around 4:30 and offered to check me. I was hesitant to have her check me, as Mike and I were in such a good place for laboring, and I didn't want to get doubtful again due to "lack of progress" or something else. Mike was feeding me ice chips, and my midwife got me some ginger ale. I began to feel nauseous and kept turning down the ginger ale. I felt that I was in need of some pain meds and began asking for an epidural. I thought if I could relax enough to doze for a little while I could make the end of my labor and be okay. The mid wife consented and told me to empty my bladder before the anesthesiologist came. I went to the bathroom and could not get myself to go (although at that point I had an urge to go the other one!) I reached down and thought to myself that Gabby was crowning, but again, I doubted myself and didn't say anything to anyone. I had some more contractions in the bathroom and the nurse helped me though them while Mike talked to the anesthesiologist who had come in. Mike sat in the chair across the room while the nurse held me up for my epidural. I had some intense contractions through the epidural, but Mike was able to coach me through them from the chair and I was able to breathe through them. The last contraction I had while sitting on the bed, I thought for sure I was feeling the need to push, but I didn't want to say anything again, just in case it was the drugs' interaction with my body and not my body. The anesthesiologist told me to lie down on the bed and that in 10-15 minutes I wouldn't feel pain anymore. I didn't think I had 10-15 minutes but again, I didn't say anything to anyone. The nurse was cleaning up and Mike was standing up to talk to her. On my next contraction I told Mike I was pushing. I saw his face from across the room go pale and heard him crying "I see a head!!" The nurse broke into action and yelled to the intercom "I need help! I need help in here!" The anesthesiologist, who was standing next to me to make sure the meds were kicking in, jumped almost onto my night stand. My midwife appeared from nowhere, threw on some gloves and caught Gabby as she came the rest of the halfway out! I set a new hospital record that day - shortest epidural time of 4 minutes! Gabby came into the world so quickly and unexpectedly, no one was ready. The bed was not even down, the bassinette was not set up, nothing was ready for her. They laid her on my stomach right away, and I stared at her for the first minute in disbelief, like "she's here. I have a baby?" then "I have a baby!"
Gabby is a great baby! She nurses like a champ and sleeps great.
Mike was also amazing! He was able to get me so relaxed during a contraction that I let go of everything. I was able to enter a quiet, peaceful place, while my body worked. I was also able to pull out of it in order to talk to the medical staff or to change positions to help labor. He never left my side, and he actually worked to go into the same state with me so that we could labor together as he coached me through each contraction. I remember at one point beginning to feel overwhelmed by the amount of work my body was doing. I didn't know if I could handle the pitocin the entire time, and was feeling a lot of doubt that I could make it. Experience kicked in and I remembered that all I could do was to take it one contraction at a time. It was then that I began to hold my prayer sacrifice intention in mind and a picture of our Lady of Fatima and that helped me to get through the afternoon.
My midwife came back in around 4:30 and offered to check me. I was hesitant to have her check me, as Mike and I were in such a good place for laboring, and I didn't want to get doubtful again due to "lack of progress" or something else. Mike was feeding me ice chips, and my midwife got me some ginger ale. I began to feel nauseous and kept turning down the ginger ale. I felt that I was in need of some pain meds and began asking for an epidural. I thought if I could relax enough to doze for a little while I could make the end of my labor and be okay. The mid wife consented and told me to empty my bladder before the anesthesiologist came. I went to the bathroom and could not get myself to go (although at that point I had an urge to go the other one!) I reached down and thought to myself that Gabby was crowning, but again, I doubted myself and didn't say anything to anyone. I had some more contractions in the bathroom and the nurse helped me though them while Mike talked to the anesthesiologist who had come in. Mike sat in the chair across the room while the nurse held me up for my epidural. I had some intense contractions through the epidural, but Mike was able to coach me through them from the chair and I was able to breathe through them. The last contraction I had while sitting on the bed, I thought for sure I was feeling the need to push, but I didn't want to say anything again, just in case it was the drugs' interaction with my body and not my body. The anesthesiologist told me to lie down on the bed and that in 10-15 minutes I wouldn't feel pain anymore. I didn't think I had 10-15 minutes but again, I didn't say anything to anyone. The nurse was cleaning up and Mike was standing up to talk to her. On my next contraction I told Mike I was pushing. I saw his face from across the room go pale and heard him crying "I see a head!!" The nurse broke into action and yelled to the intercom "I need help! I need help in here!" The anesthesiologist, who was standing next to me to make sure the meds were kicking in, jumped almost onto my night stand. My midwife appeared from nowhere, threw on some gloves and caught Gabby as she came the rest of the halfway out! I set a new hospital record that day - shortest epidural time of 4 minutes! Gabby came into the world so quickly and unexpectedly, no one was ready. The bed was not even down, the bassinette was not set up, nothing was ready for her. They laid her on my stomach right away, and I stared at her for the first minute in disbelief, like "she's here. I have a baby?" then "I have a baby!"
Gabby is a great baby! She nurses like a champ and sleeps great.
We co-sleep, so I'm not exactly sure about how long she sleeps v eats at night. But she went in on Monday for her appointment. Her Doctor was very pleased with her progress. She went from 7 lbs 15 oz at her last weigh in to 9 lbs 1 oz on Monday. She's so calm and peaceful, a bundle of joy for our entire family. The children all love her, and Mary is so excited whenever Gabby is awake and she can giver her baby sister "hugs". It's the beginning of a beautiful friendship!:) The boys are all really good with her too. Lucas loves to hold her, and Philip likes to kiss and love her too.
We're all resting well at home. Mike has been a Godsend and has been able to take time off, to work from home, and to work half days to help me with all my appointments and whatever else we need. Thanks to everyone who has helped us in the past couple of weeks. Thank you one and all for the prayers and good wishes. This has been the easiest transition for a baby that we've had so far! Know that as we continue to settle into a routine and get back into our school year, you are in our prayers!
Love,
Patty and Gabby:)
We're all resting well at home. Mike has been a Godsend and has been able to take time off, to work from home, and to work half days to help me with all my appointments and whatever else we need. Thanks to everyone who has helped us in the past couple of weeks. Thank you one and all for the prayers and good wishes. This has been the easiest transition for a baby that we've had so far! Know that as we continue to settle into a routine and get back into our school year, you are in our prayers!
Love,
Patty and Gabby:)
Monday, November 8, 2010
The Baby is Here!
Sorry this wasn't posted sooner, but...
She's here!
Gabriella Sophia Victoire
Born on Monday November 1, 2010
5:06 p.m.
Birth Weight 8lbs 7oz
Birth Length 22 inches
And yes folks...She's got red hair! Hahaha!
Thank you so much for all of your prayers and well wishes. It was a very positive experience, even though I did end up going in for an induction. Gabby and I are both doing great! I am on borrowed time as my arms these days are full of baby (what a blessing:), and will post more as I can...
Know that you are all in my prayers and thoughts, and I will be back on the blogosphere as soon as I can!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Update
Hello there! Sorry its been a while since I updated on Gabriella;)
Not too much to report. I'm still pregnant, and I'm getting weary of it. I so appreciate your prayers right now! And know that I am praying for all of you as well.
Mike and I went to the hospital on Saturday night, but were released early Sunday morning for "failure to progress". I've had contractions on and off since then, mostly at night, leaving both (all) of us exhausted the next morning. And of course the kids are all wild from being on such an erratic routine (if you could call it that) and they've been going to bed later and getting up earlier (this morning we went to bed at 5:30 after a night of contractions, and the kids woke up at 6:30). I keep having signs and symptoms of being in labor, but no baby to show for it yet. I am humbled by the false notion of "knowing what I'm doing" as this is my 5th. I guess its yet another lesson in humility for me.
I've got a pre-natal appointment on Thursday. They're going to check me and then if I've still not gone into labor naturally by then, Mike and I are discerning whether or not to let them induce me. I didn't want another induction, and its a hard decision to make. But I have the option of laboring hard for a day, or continuing to labor on and off for many days. I guess its really a non-thought when measured that way. Pray that I have the grace to accept fully God's will. Prayer intentions would be immensely helpful at this point. If you and your loved ones have a specific request that I could carry with me on Thursday, please leave it in the com box, and I will offer my labor for your intentions (that includes if I go into labor naturally before then of course!)
Not too much to report. I'm still pregnant, and I'm getting weary of it. I so appreciate your prayers right now! And know that I am praying for all of you as well.
Mike and I went to the hospital on Saturday night, but were released early Sunday morning for "failure to progress". I've had contractions on and off since then, mostly at night, leaving both (all) of us exhausted the next morning. And of course the kids are all wild from being on such an erratic routine (if you could call it that) and they've been going to bed later and getting up earlier (this morning we went to bed at 5:30 after a night of contractions, and the kids woke up at 6:30). I keep having signs and symptoms of being in labor, but no baby to show for it yet. I am humbled by the false notion of "knowing what I'm doing" as this is my 5th. I guess its yet another lesson in humility for me.
I've got a pre-natal appointment on Thursday. They're going to check me and then if I've still not gone into labor naturally by then, Mike and I are discerning whether or not to let them induce me. I didn't want another induction, and its a hard decision to make. But I have the option of laboring hard for a day, or continuing to labor on and off for many days. I guess its really a non-thought when measured that way. Pray that I have the grace to accept fully God's will. Prayer intentions would be immensely helpful at this point. If you and your loved ones have a specific request that I could carry with me on Thursday, please leave it in the com box, and I will offer my labor for your intentions (that includes if I go into labor naturally before then of course!)
Monday, October 18, 2010
Another soul gone home, leader of the pro-life movement.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Mildred Fay Jefferson. The following is a tribute written by Judi Brown from the American Life League.
Mildred Fay Jefferson, M.D., past board member of American Life League, past president of the National Right to Life Committee, The Right to Life Crusade and recipient of 28 honorary degrees, went quietly to meet the Lord late last week at the age of 84.
Dr. Jefferson was a heroic, inspiring, yet humble, leader who made her mark on the history books in many ways-including being the first black woman to graduate from Harvard Medical School.
If you were to ask Mildred what her greatest achievement in life had been, she would have told you it was being devoted-with every fiber of her being-to the preborn babies whose lives she defended eloquently from the moment she learned about abortion in the late 1960s until the moment of her death last week.
Not a day went by without her sounding the call to stop abortion-addressing the most egregious human rights violation in the history of mankind-and doing all that was humanly possible for one strong woman to do to expose the criminal act of abortion. She often told me that she prayed daily for God to give her the strength to move forward and to ignite the spark of zealous indignation among the people of this nation so that they would carry the banner for the babies until victory was achieved.
While we cannot lay her to rest knowing that she achieved her goal, we can do so knowing that, without her, this pro-life, human rights movement would never have grown to the historic proportions it has. Nor would we be as motivated to carry on for the babies, for the Lord-their Creator-and for her.
Mildred endeared herself to countless thousands of Americans who will miss her smile, her words of leadership and guidance, her ever-wise advice and her counsel. Through our tears, however, we understand that she would not want us to dwell on her passing, but to carry the torch she lit so many years ago. And she would not want us to look back. She'd say we must always look forward to embrace the challenges that lie ahead for the preborn, the elderly and the infirm.
The world has lost a great leader the likes of which will never pass this way again. We herald her remarkable accomplishments; we celebrate her life of valor, commitment, leadership, deep faith and love; we mourn her passing and we resolve never to stop defending the children who meant the world to Mildred Fay Jefferson, M.D. She gave her life in their service; we will not let her memory die.
| MILDRED FAY JEFFERSON, M.D. (1926-2010) ... REST IN PEACE |
 |
Dr. Jefferson was a heroic, inspiring, yet humble, leader who made her mark on the history books in many ways-including being the first black woman to graduate from Harvard Medical School.If you were to ask Mildred what her greatest achievement in life had been, she would have told you it was being devoted-with every fiber of her being-to the preborn babies whose lives she defended eloquently from the moment she learned about abortion in the late 1960s until the moment of her death last week.
Not a day went by without her sounding the call to stop abortion-addressing the most egregious human rights violation in the history of mankind-and doing all that was humanly possible for one strong woman to do to expose the criminal act of abortion. She often told me that she prayed daily for God to give her the strength to move forward and to ignite the spark of zealous indignation among the people of this nation so that they would carry the banner for the babies until victory was achieved.
While we cannot lay her to rest knowing that she achieved her goal, we can do so knowing that, without her, this pro-life, human rights movement would never have grown to the historic proportions it has. Nor would we be as motivated to carry on for the babies, for the Lord-their Creator-and for her.
Mildred endeared herself to countless thousands of Americans who will miss her smile, her words of leadership and guidance, her ever-wise advice and her counsel. Through our tears, however, we understand that she would not want us to dwell on her passing, but to carry the torch she lit so many years ago. And she would not want us to look back. She'd say we must always look forward to embrace the challenges that lie ahead for the preborn, the elderly and the infirm.The world has lost a great leader the likes of which will never pass this way again. We herald her remarkable accomplishments; we celebrate her life of valor, commitment, leadership, deep faith and love; we mourn her passing and we resolve never to stop defending the children who meant the world to Mildred Fay Jefferson, M.D. She gave her life in their service; we will not let her memory die.
Monday, October 11, 2010
St. Gerard's Feast Day is October 16th!
Thank you Lacy from Catholic Icing for your excellent post on St. Gerard!
She made these incredible notecards that you can print out and send to friends and families that are expecting:
You can find them here at Lacy's blog! Just beautiful.
And for all my dear readers, I found this prayer at Totus Tuus' blog site in her com box, and I include it as a prayer for all of you (for those who are expecting, for Moms, and for those who have asked my prayers in the next couple of weeks for loved ones)!
She made these incredible notecards that you can print out and send to friends and families that are expecting:
You can find them here at Lacy's blog! Just beautiful.
And for all my dear readers, I found this prayer at Totus Tuus' blog site in her com box, and I include it as a prayer for all of you (for those who are expecting, for Moms, and for those who have asked my prayers in the next couple of weeks for loved ones)!
A Prayer to St. Gerard for Safe Delivery
O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.
O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you did bear, like your Divine Master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by God as the patron and protector of expectant mothers. Preserve me from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child which I now carry, that it may see the light of day and receive the purifying and life-giving waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.
O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you did bear, like your Divine Master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by God as the patron and protector of expectant mothers. Preserve me from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child which I now carry, that it may see the light of day and receive the purifying and life-giving waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
News from the Nest
My little unborn daughter, Gabriella, has dropped. I feel like we've both become significantly lighter. I've been getting braxton hicks contractions in the evenings (during dinner...which kind of makes 'family time' hard:)
But...
Man have I been nesting! I mean, I've been "polishing the china" type nesting! Hahahah! I made home made bread. From scratch...With flour from a bag that didn't start as bread...LOL! It's been wonderful....And the kids and Dad all loved the bread!:)
I'll keep you posted as we go, but know that I'm praying for you all, my dear readers (especially those who are expecting their own little miracles too!) I don't remember my daughter dropping this early, so maybe I've got my first "early bird" on my hands. All the others were an average of 10-12 days late. *sigh* Thy will be done Lord.
But...
Man have I been nesting! I mean, I've been "polishing the china" type nesting! Hahahah! I made home made bread. From scratch...With flour from a bag that didn't start as bread...LOL! It's been wonderful....And the kids and Dad all loved the bread!:)
I'll keep you posted as we go, but know that I'm praying for you all, my dear readers (especially those who are expecting their own little miracles too!) I don't remember my daughter dropping this early, so maybe I've got my first "early bird" on my hands. All the others were an average of 10-12 days late. *sigh* Thy will be done Lord.
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