Podcasts about vacaville

In this episode, Visit Vacaville sits down with San Francisco-based artist Wendy Ackrell to discuss her stunning sculpture, the Labyrinthine Heart—a powerful tribute to compassion, community, and the unifying force of art. 

Broadcasted live from The Father's House, Calgary, Alberta. TFH Calgary is a campus of The Father's House in Vacaville, California. Learn more here: tfh.org/ Did you make a decision to follow Jesus through this message? We would love to connect with you and provide resources for your next steps.tfhcalgary.church/discover Follow us on instagram! @tfh_calgary Get plugged into community: tfhcalgary.church/groups TFH Kids: tfhcalgary.church/familyminis... If you would like to support TFH financially you can give through our website by clicking here tfhcalgary.church/give For more information about The Father's House, visit tfhcalgary.church/ #TheFathersHouse #TFH #TFHCalgary #YYC #calgary CCLI Online Streaming License #48301935

Oh no, Marsha's garage is back on the show! Plus, an upcoming graduation, a trip to the beach, lots of talk about chenille rugs, planning for the Summer Spin In, and the usual highjinks!  Full notes with photos and links can be found in the podcast section of our shop website: TwoEwesFiberAdventures.com Join the community on Ravelry or become a patron and support the show on our Patreon Page. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Subscribe on Android. Marsha's Projects The Weekender: by Andrea Mowry. Using Cascade 220 in colorway Wine. I haven't picked it up since I got home from the retreat. Lost my motivation after all the discussion at NoCKRs. Plus I listened to the latest episode of Yarniacs where they discussed Sharlene's Weekender. Didn't inspire me.  Socks: Wisdom Yarns Wacki Saki in the colorway Batty Berlin. Almost done with the leg of the second sock. Spinning: Into the Whirled roving in colorways Welcome to Litchfield and The Traveler. I've finished the two singles and have plied one bobbin. Have a little over 300 yards. Started plying second bobbin. Weaving Studio: It's a work in progress. I think I have finally fixed the problem with the brake band falling off.  Kelly's Projects Two more hats (both using a turquoise DK) went to the free table at school. I haven't checked back to see if they are gone, but the day after I put them there it was in the high 70s. So I switched to Izzy doll bears for my next skein of retreat spirit yarn. It's a taupe brown color.  Started another chenille rug warp for making the chenille “caterpillar strips.” As I was about half done I looked in the trunk and found some other spirit yarn I had intended to use for the strips. I used some, but I might have yet another warp of strips to make. I have a lot of weaving spirit yarn.  Finished a third bobbin of spirit roving from Pat. Still need to ply it to get the wheels empty and ready for the spin in. Gray Corriedale x Merino fiber that is beautifully prepared (Morro Fleeceworks). Shari is still processing fleeces. She is selling the mill but it hasn't sold yet. Also there is a new fiber mill opening.  News from Knitadmin Mary is that there is a new small-batch custom wool and fiber mill coming soon to Northern California, Siren Song Fleeceworks. Meredith will be accepting fleeces for custom processing at Fiber Frolic in Vacaville on June 7th. She will also be vending at Lambtown the first weekend in October. Winter Weave Along The WWAL has ended. In the thread we had 55 projects linked, 184 pictures, 881 posts, 37 voices, 152 readers. We announced prizes for six lucky weavers.  Summer Spin In  Now until September 1. All spinning and making with handspun yarn counts. Preparing fleeces also counts. Let's go!  

Recorded on May 20, 2025 Book talk starts at 22:15 Our Colorwork KAL is over!  There were 111 FOs...YAY!!  Stay tuned to the end of this episode to find out if you've won a prize... Our new knit along is a CHARITY KAL!   Do you regularly knit or crochet for a charity? Have you been making plans to knit or crochet for a charity?  Well, this knit-along is for you!   DATES - May 15, 2025 until September 1, 2025 Rules: 1. Post pictures of your completed projects in the FO thread. Along with the picture(s), please tell us what charity you are knitting for and a link to their website if possible. 2. Post a separate post for each item. 3. You must be a member of our Ravelry group to enter a project for a prize.  4.  Need some inspiration or looking for a charity? Check out our  Charity KAL Chatter thread! Come join our Virtual Knitting Group - all the info is HERE   EVENTS Tracie and Barb will be at: 2 Knit Lit Chicks Get Together - September 18-21, 2025 at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Centre on Zephyr Cove, Nevada Fiber Frolic - Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Soul Food Farms in Vacaville, CA.  Treadles to Threads Spinning Guild.            From the flier: By popular demand, we have new food vendors this year!   Boots Bakes Sweets will dazzle us with cookies and other yummy desert items. Check out her Instagram @bootsbakessweets  Edward from Italian Brothers Pizza will be baking us fresh wood fired pizza on site! His creations can be seen @italianbrotherspizza  And our new coffee vendor, High Flier Coffee will be providing fresh roasted craft coffee all day. View their Instagram at @highfliercoffee And a great vendor market with: Harvey Farms Pan's Garden Yarn & Fibers Wonderland Dyeworks Back Porch Fiber Co Red Creek Farm Invictus Yarns Art Fiber Frenzy Blue Thistle Fiberarts Duren Dyeworks Meridian Jacobs Integrity Alpacas & Fiber Valley Oak Wool Mill Ewe and Me 2 Ranch Siren Song Fleece Works Spin Glitz Treadles to Threads - Used Equipment sale KNITTING Barb has finished: 4 Knitted Knockers Tracie finished: 2 Knitted Knockers Mother Bear 334 and 335 Bear for Baby Boy Colorwork Dip by SuviKnits in The Farmer's Daughter Fibers Juicy in Sunday Mimosa and The Sapphire Empress Chemo cap #1- Rialto Baby Beanie by Haley Waxberg in Sirdar Snuggly Crofter Baby Fair Isle Effect DK Barb is still working on: Navelli pullover by Caitlin Hunter, using Cloudborn Fibers Highland Fingering in the Caribbean colorway, and 2 skeins of Greenwood Fiberworks Indulgence, one in the Black colorway and 1 in the Natural colorway Barb has cast on: Hudson Bay Hat by Allison Shuman, using 3 colors of Berroco Lanas Worsted - Cream, Forest Green and Gold Tracie cast on: Pampas Tee  by Samantha in CasaSol Bambu M in Rosa Coral Everyday Attitude by Susanne Sommer n Juniper Moon Farm Zooey in Rigging and Wool and the Gang The One Cotton in Azure Blue She continues to work on: 4th Rachel by Josée Paquin in Carpool Artisan Fibers 100% Cotton Vanilla socks in Knitting Fever Cashmere Indulgence   BOOKS Barb read: The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters - 4 stars The Reunion Party vy Penny Batchelor - 2 stars Never Alone by Woniya Dawn Thibeault - 5 stars   Tracie read: Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver - 4.5 stars Frankie by Graham Norton - 3.5 stars One of Us by Craig DiLouie - 4 stars The Texas 7: A True Story of Murder and a Daring Escape by Gary C. King - 4 stars Deenie by Judy Blume - 3 stars  

In this festive episode, we dive into Vacaville Fiesta Days, the city's biggest celebration of the year! Join us as we sit down with a special guest Karen Julif to uncover what visitors can expect—from delicious local eats and vibrant street food to live music, classic car shows, carnival rides, and community parades. Whether you're a longtime local or first-time visitor, you'll get the inside scoop on can't-miss attractions, family-friendly entertainment, and hidden gems throughout the weekend. Tune in for a lively preview of the sights, sounds, and flavors that make Fiesta Days a Vacaville tradition!

Listen Recorded Thursday, April 24, 2025   Colorwork KAL info - you'll find it HERE Come join our Virtual Knitting Group - all the info is HERE EVENTS Tracie and Barb will be at: 2 Knit Lit Chicks Get Together - September 18-21, 2025 at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Centre on Zephyr Cove, Nevada Fiber Frolic - Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Soul Food Farms in Vacaville, CA.  Treadles to Threads Spinning Guild.   From the flier: By popular demand, we have new food vendors this year!   Boots Bakes Sweets will dazzle us with cookies and other yummy desert items. Check out her Instagram @bootsbakessweets  Edward from Italian Brothers Pizza will be baking us fresh wood fired pizza on site! His creations can be seen @italianbrotherspizza  And our new coffee vendor, High Flier Coffee will be providing fresh roasted craft coffee all day. View their Instagram at @highfliercoffee KNITTING Barb has finished: 6 Knitted Knockers Garter Stitch Scarf, using Sirdar Colourwheel Tracie finished: 2 Knitted Knockers Raglan Turtleneck for Lexi's Scraps Chaps rabbit - didn't use a pattern.  In Sea Change Fibers Ecola Worsted in Flower Fairy Loose Ends Project Textured Sweater in off-white wool Mother Bear 333 2nd Rialto Baby Beanie by Haley Waxberg in Sirdar Snuggly Crofter Baby Fair Isle Effect DK in 174 Skye Barb is still working on: Navelli pullover by Caitlin Hunter, using Cloudborn Fibers Highland Fingering in the Caribbean colorway, and 2 skeins of Greenwood Fiberworks Indulgence, one in the Black colorway and 1 in the Natural colorway Bankhead Hat #34 Tracie cast on: 4th Rachel by Josée Paquin in Carpool Artisan Fibers 100% Cotton Vanilla Socks in Knitting Fever Cashmere Indulgence She continues to work on: Colorwork Dip by SuviKnits in The Farmer's Daughter Fibers Juicy in Sunday Mimosa and The Sapphire Empress   BOOKS Barb read: One by One - Freida McFadden - 4 stars The Coworker - Freida McFadden - 3.5 stars While Innocents Slept: A True Story of Revenge, Murder and SIDS by Adrian Havill - 3 stars Long Bright River by Liz Moore - 4 stars Tracie read: Secrets in the Cellar: A True Story of the Austrian Incest Case that Shocked the World by John Glatt - 4.5 stars Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid - 3 1/2 stars Broken Bayou by Jennifer Moorhead - 2 1/2 stars Dead Sweet by Katrín Júlíusdóttir - 2 1/2 stars Tracie gives a giant thumbs down to RFK jr's incredibly unkind and untrue  remarks about the lived experiences of those on the autism spectrum. 

Broadcasted live from The Father's House, Calgary, Alberta. TFH Calgary is a campus of The Father's House in Vacaville, California. Learn more here: tfh.org/ Did you make a decision to follow Jesus through this message? We would love to connect with you and provide resources for your next steps.tfhcalgary.church/discover Follow us on instagram! @tfh_calgary Get plugged into community: tfhcalgary.church/groups TFH Kids: tfhcalgary.church/familyminis... If you would like to support TFH financially you can give through our website by clicking here tfhcalgary.church/give For more information about The Father's House, visit tfhcalgary.church/ CCLI Online Streaming License #48301935

Broadcasted live from The Father's House, Calgary, Alberta. TFH Calgary is a campus of The Father's House in Vacaville, California. Learn more here: tfh.org/ Did you make a decision to follow Jesus through this message? We would love to connect with you and provide resources for your next steps.tfhcalgary.church/discover Follow us on instagram! @tfh_calgary Get plugged into community: tfhcalgary.church/groups TFH Kids: tfhcalgary.church/familyminis... If you would like to support TFH financially you can give through our website by clicking here tfhcalgary.church/give For more information about The Father's House, visit tfhcalgary.church/ #TheFathersHouse #TFH #TFHCalgary #YYC #calgary CCLI Online Streaming License #48301935

Broadcasted live from The Father's House, Calgary, Alberta. TFH Calgary is a campus of The Father's House in Vacaville, California. Learn more here: tfh.org/ Did you make a decision to follow Jesus through this message? We would love to connect with you and provide resources for your next steps.tfhcalgary.church/discover Follow us on instagram! @tfh_calgary Get plugged into community: tfhcalgary.church/groups TFH Kids: tfhcalgary.church/familyminis... If you would like to support TFH financially you can give through our website by clicking here tfhcalgary.church/give For more information about The Father's House, visit tfhcalgary.church/ #TheFathersHouse #TFH #TFHCalgary #YYC #calgary CCLI Online Streaming License #48301935

Recorded Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Book talk begins at 28:40 Colorwork KAL info - you'll find it HERE Come join our Virtual Knitting Group - all the info is HERE EVENTS Tracie and Barb will be at: NoCKRs - April 10-13, 2025 in San Juan Bautista, CA. Fiber Frolic - Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Soul Food Farms in Vacaville, CA.  Bring a chair and lunch!  Presented by Treadles to Threads Spinning Guild 2 Knit Lit Chicks Get Together - September 18-21, 2025 at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Centre on Zephyr Cove, Nevada   KNITTING Barb has finished: 2 Knit Knockers Bankhead hat #33 using Lion Brand Mandala Ombre Tracie finished: 4 Knitted Knockers Raise the Woof by Casapinka in Indigodragonfly ROU Sport in Spock Puppet and 5 others Cat Hoodie from Clothing Bundle II by Barbara Prime in Emma's Yarn Super Silky in Oops I Did It Again Izzy Knitted Comfort Doll by Shirley O'Conner Emotional Support Little Chickie  by Annette Corsino in Plymouth Encore Barb is still working on: Garter Stitch Scarf using a Sirdar Colourwheel Navelli pullover by Caitlin Hunter, using Cloudborn Fibers Highland Fingering in the Caribbean colorway, and 2 skeins of Greenwood Fiberworks Indulgence, one in the Black colorway and one in the Natural colorway Tracie has cast on:  Colorwork Dip  by SuviKnits in The Farmer's Daughter Fibers Juicy in Sunday Mimosa and The Sapphire Empress Loose Ends project Textured Sweater in off-white wool   Tracie has frogged :   Socks in LMFA SHOW Stopper in the Shantay You Stay colorway held double on size 2 BOOKS Tracie has read: The Vanishing at Smokestack Hollow: A Missing Family, a Desperate Plan, and an Unsolved Mystery  by Jake Anderson - 4 stars Family Family by Lauren Frankel - 3 1/2 stars Deep South by Nevada Barr - 4 stars Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex True Biz by Sara Nović - 4 1/2 stars   Barb has read: Bird Box (Bird Box #1) by Josh Malerman - 4 stars The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue - 3.5 stars The Last Juror by John Grisham - 5 stars     Barb talked about the Big Bear Live Eagle Nest Cam

Conan chats with glassblower Dan from Vacaville, CA about his most elaborate glass creations and how Conan pulls his own weight around the household. Wanna get a chance to talk to Conan? Submit here: teamcoco.com/apply Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/conan.

Recorded Saturday, February 22, 2025   Barb and Tracie are both appalled at what has been happening since the Trump inauguration.  What can we do? Call your representatives Sign up at Indivisible - STOP THE TRUMP-MUSK COUP February 28 - Economic Blackout - no purchases in person or online.  thepeoplesunionusa.com is planning a series of boycott days - I will post the link and all of the dates in the show notes   Please join our  Colorwork KAL!  Here are the details:   Starts 2/1/25, ends on 5/1/25   Any project with colorwork - could be stranded, fair-isle, stripes, mosaic, intarsia, etc.   Your project can be a hat, mitts, mittens, gloves, anything around the neck, a toy - but it must be larger than a washcloth!  You might want to go big, like a sweater, vest or poncho WIPs less than 50% done are eligible for the KAL   Have fun with it.  Challenge yourself to try something new.  Chat it up in the Colorwork KAL thread here!   Our Zoom group is continuing.  Please join us on Saturdays, 12 noon Pacific time.  All the info you need is in our Ravelry group!   I am the guest on Episode 283 of the Life After MLM podcast talking about my experience as the mother of someone on the autistic spectrum    EVENTS NoCKRs 2025 -  April 10-13, 2025 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA.   If you are interested in getting on the waitlist, please contact Tracie at 2knitlitchicks@gmail.com Fiber Frolic - Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Soul Food Farms in Vacaville, CA.  Bring a chair and lunch!  Presented by Treadles to Threads Spinning Guild 2 Knit Lit Chicks Get Together!  Are you interested in meeting other knitters and crocheters who listen to the podcast?  Please join us at the 2 Knit Lit Chicks Get Together next September 18-21  at the Zephyr Point Presbyterian Retreat Center on the shores of Lake Tahoe in Nevada.  For more information, take a look at the Get Together Thread thread on Ravelry.  Please get your registration in as soon as possible.     KNITTING Barb has finished: 4 Knitted Knockers   Tracie finished: Alignment by Katrine Birkenwasser in Seattle Sky Dyeworks Mismated in Rhododendron Purple rainbow socks for Rachel in Alexandra the Art of Yarn Dark Side of the Moon in Purple Haze Never Not Gnoming #29 for our Capitola realtor in bright blues Ever After Sweater by Claire Jackson in Malabrigo Rios in the Gemini colorway   Barb is still working on: Marklee #2 by Elizabeth Doherty, using Serendipidye 24 Carat MCNin the Peppermint Julep colorway Garter Stitch Scarf, using Sirdar Colourwheel Knitted Knockers   Barb has cast-on Navelli pullover by Caitlin Hunter, using Cloudborn Fibers Highland Fingering in the Caribbean colorway, and 2 skeins of Greenwood Fiberworks Indulgence, one in the Black colorway ad 1 in the Natural colorway Bankhead hat #33 by Susie Gourley using some Lion Brand Mandala picked up on a destash table   Tracie has cast on: 2 Knitted Knockers Raise the Woof by Casapinka in Indigodragonfly ROU Sport in Spock Puppet and many others - doing both dog motifs! Socks in LMFA Show Stopper in Shantay You Stay held double on size 2 needles   BOOKS Barb read: You Like it Darker by Stephen King - 4.5 stars The Worst of You by Sarah Richards - 3 stars Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout - 4 stars Tracie read: Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid - 4 stars All the Rage (DI Adam Fawley #4) by Cara Hunter - 4 stars The Future Was Now: Madmen, Mavericks, and the Epic Sci-Fi Summer of 1982 by Chris Nashawaty - 5 stars

Broadcasted live from The Father's House, Calgary, Alberta. TFH Calgary is a campus of The Father's House in Vacaville, California. Learn more here: tfh.org/ For Week 1 of By Faith, click here: https://youtu.be/uZX7YXoT5hg?si=OCn83EyGUgkMLbKz Did you make a decision to follow Jesus through this message? We would love to connect with you and provide resources for your next steps.tfhcalgary.church/discover Follow us on instagram! @tfh_calgary Get plugged into community: tfhcalgary.church/groups TFH Kids: tfhcalgary.church/familyminis... If you would like to support TFH financially you can give through our website by clicking here tfhcalgary.church/give For more information about The Father's House, visit tfhcalgary.church/ #TheFathersHouse #TFH #TFHCalgary #YYC #calgary CCLI Online Streaming License #48301935

Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center350 N. Orchard Ave.Vacaville, CA. 95688Website:UnityVacaville.orgEmail: unityvv@pacbell.netSupport the show

Recorded Wednesday, January 22, 2025 Book talk starts at 33:50   Our Sweater KAL has ended!  Did you win a prize?  Please listen until the end of the episode to find out.   Please join us for our next knit-along - our second Colorwork KAL!  Here are the details: 1.  Starts 2/1/25, ends  5/1/25   2.  Any project with colorwork - could be stranded, fairisle, stripes, mosaic, intarsia, etc.   3.  Your project can be a hat, mitts, mittens, gloves, anything around the neck, a toy - but it must be larger than a dishcloth!  You might want to go big, like a sweater, vest, poncho, etc. 4.  If you have a colorwork project that is less than 50% done as of 2/1/2025, you may use it for this KAL. Have fun with it.  Challenge yourself to try something new.  Chat it up in the Colorwork KAL thread here! Our Zoom group is continuing.  Please join us on Saturdays, 12 noon Pacific time.  All the info you need is in our Ravelry group! EVENTS EVENTS NoCKRs 2025 -  April 10-13, 2025 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA.  We still have a few spots open!  If you are interested, please contact Tracie at 2knitlitchicks@gmail.com Fiber Frolic - Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Soul Food Farms in Vacaville, CA.  Bring a chair and lunch!  Presented by Treadles to Threads Spinning Guild 2 Knit Lit Chicks Get Together!  Are you interested in meeting other knitters and crocheters who listen to the podcast?  Please join us at the 2 Knit Lit Chicks Get Together next September 18-21 at the Zephyr Point Presbyterian Retreat Center on the shores of Lake Tahoe in Nevada.  For more information, take a look at the Get Together Thread thread on Ravelry.  Please get your registration in as soon as possible.   KNITTING Barb has finished: Be Kind hat by Melissa Simpson Bankhead Hat #32 Tracie finished: Darling Darby by Jean Clement  for Modelo T-shirt from Clothing Bundle II by Barbara Prime for Scraps Chaps dog 2nd Bolton Pass Hat by Espace Tricot in Sea Change Fibers by the Dye Project Ecola Worsted in Flower Fairy Davis #5 by Pam Allen in Western Sky Knits Merino 17 Worsted- Nightfall colorway, Three Irish Girls SpringvaleDK in Skipjack , and a mystery off-white sport off-white from a destash Darling Darby #9 by Jean Clement for Ruby in Plymouth Encore Colorspun Worsted in the Spectrum Spray colorway  Barb is still working on: Garter Stitch Scarf, using Sirdar Colourspun Barb has cast-on Marklee #2 by Elizabeth Doherty, using Serendipidye 24 Carat MCN in the Peppermint Julip colorway Tracie has Cast on: Socks for Rachel in Alexandra the Art of Yarn Dark Side of the Moon in Purple Haze Ever After Sweater by Claire Jackson in Malabrigo Rios in the Gemini colorway Tracie is Working On: Alignment sweater by Katrine Birkenwasser in Seattle Sky Dyeworks Mismated Rhododendron Barb has frogged Great Love by Ankestrik, using Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in the Dove Heather colorway Granito by Joji Locatelli, using Serendipidye Dyeworks 24 Carrot MCN in the Peppermint Julip colorway The Market Bag by Davina Choy, using a DK white cotton pima and a DK blue cotton pima BOOKS Barb read: The Vacancy in Room 10 by Seraphina Nova Glass - 3 stars The Women by Kristin Hannah - 4.5 stars Last Minute Guest by Drew Strickland. - 3.5 stars Cue the Sun: The Invention of Reality TV - Emily Nussbaum - 3.5 stars The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult - 3 stars  Tracie read: A Blind Eye (Clare MacKay #&) by Marion Todd - 3 stars Leave the Grave Green by Deborah Crombie - 3 stars After Annie by Anna Quindlen - 4 stars In the Form of a Question: The Joys and Rewards of a Curious Life by Amy Schneider - 3.5 stars Guilty Creatures: Sex, God, and Murder in Tallahassee, Florida by Mikita Brottman - 4.5 stars Things Don't Break on Their Own by Sarah Easter Collins - 4 stars Retraction/Updates: Tracie recommended iilluminaughtii on YouTube and podcast.  iilluminaughtii was accused of bullying many other content creators on YouTube and is no longer producing content. Tracie also recommended the Man Enough podcast - co-host Justin Baldoni is Blake Lively's accused perpetrator and co-host Jamey Heath is one of his accused conspirators.  Their female co-host Liz Plank quit the podcast as soon as these accusations came to light, and the Man Enough podcast appears to be defunct. Since we recorded this episode, Tracie has also read about problematic behavior on Blake Lively's part.  She has no idea who is telling the truth in this situation, but in any case, she no longer recommends either of these podcasts.    

For week one of Making a Place, watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8aq6kkSHnE Broadcasted live from The Father's House, Calgary, Alberta. TFH Calgary is a campus of The Father's House in Vacaville, California. Learn more here: tfh.org/ Did you make a decision to follow Jesus through this message? We would love to connect with you and provide resources for your next steps.tfhcalgary.church/discover Follow us on instagram! @tfh_calgary Get plugged into community: tfhcalgary.church/groups TFH Kids: tfhcalgary.church/familyminis... If you would like to support TFH financially you can give through our website by clicking here tfhcalgary.church/give For more information about The Father's House, visit tfhcalgary.church/ #TheFathersHouse #TFH #TFHCalgary #YYC #calgary CCLI Online Streaming License #48301935

Broadcasted live from The Father's House, Calgary, Alberta. TFH Calgary is a campus of The Father's House in Vacaville, California. Learn more here: tfh.org/ Did you make a decision to follow Jesus through this message? We would love to connect with you and provide resources for your next steps.tfhcalgary.church/discover Follow us on instagram! @tfh_calgary Get plugged into community: tfhcalgary.church/groups TFH Kids: tfhcalgary.church/familyminis... If you would like to support TFH financially you can give through our website by clicking here tfhcalgary.church/give For more information about The Father's House, visit tfhcalgary.church/ #TheFathersHouse #TFH #TFHCalgary #YYC #calgary CCLI Online Streaming License #48301935

In this episode, we chat with Morissa Gruder, a vibrant mom of two, fitness enthusiast, and HR professional with a heart for learning and connection. Morissa shares her unique birth stories, starting with her first baby, who was born breech at home at 37 weeks. She opens up about her second home birth at 40 weeks, describing how challenging it was to wait and trust the process.Born and raised in Vacaville, Morissa balances her career at PG&E with her passion for fitness, working at her CrossFit gym, where she's been a dedicated member for over five years. She talks about how her fitness journey has shaped her perspective on parenting and life.Morissa is blessed with an incredible husband and two beautiful daughters. Together, they enjoy food, camping, and time with their close-knit community of friends and family. She attributes all her blessings to God and brings a positive, grounded perspective to motherhood and beyond.Topics we cover in this episode: • Morissa's experience with a breech home birth at 37 weeks • The emotional journey of waiting for her second baby at 40 weeks • How fitness and CrossFit have influenced her parenting and mindset • Embracing patience, trust, and faith in birth and life • The importance of community and learning from othersWhere to connect with Morissa: • Instagram: @mbgruder • Follow the amazing midwives and birth advocates: @sophiabirth, @bayareahomebirth, @bornwildmidwiferyFavorite Topics:Morissa loves talking about fitness, parenthood, and almost anything else that sparks meaningful conversations.Stay Wild

Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center350 N. Orchard Ave.Vacaville, CA. 95688Website:UnityVacaville.orgEmail: unityvv@pacbell.netSupport the show

Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center350 N. Orchard Ave.Vacaville, CA. 95688Website:UnityVacaville.orgEmail: unityvv@pacbell.netSupport the show

For previous weeks of GLORY IN THE HIGHEST, view here: Week One: https://youtu.be/oBovYai5eAg Week Two: https://youtu.be/97c5Vpr1Q9M Broadcasted live from The Father's House, Calgary, Alberta. TFH Calgary is a campus of The Father's House in Vacaville, California. Learn more here: tfh.org/ Did you make a decision to follow Jesus through this message? We would love to connect with you and provide resources for your next steps.tfhcalgary.church/discover Follow us on instagram! @tfh_calgary Get plugged into community: tfhcalgary.church/groups TFH Kids: tfhcalgary.church/familyminis... If you would like to support TFH financially you can give through our website by clicking here tfhcalgary.church/give For more information about The Father's House, visit tfhcalgary.church/ #TheFathersHouse #TFH #TFHCalgary #YYC #calgary CCLI Online Streaming License #48301935

Mark Richards (1953–) is a convicted murderer serving life without parole in California State Prison, SolanoWikipedia's W.svg at Vacaville, California.[1] He prefers to be known as "Captain" Richards, although he never served in the military. After graduating from high school in 1971, he attended the College of Marin and then graduated from Dominican College in San Rafael in 1976. He has spun multiple bizarre yarns about his service in the so-called "Secret Space Program" battling alien forces, in addition to his imaginary service in the US NavyInvestigation by a journalist from the Marin Independent Journal revealed a dimension to the murder that was literally incredible. The writer, Erik Ingram, reported that behind the Baldwin murder "may be a secret organization, called Pendragon, that appeared to be planning an armed takeover of Marin." Ingram reported that police detectives had retrieved from Richards' home maps, aerial photographs of Marin County, plans for a laser-gun, instructions for the construction of machine-guns, and "notebooks containing references to a new form of government." He wrote that behind the Baldwin murder "may be a secret organization, called Pendragon, that appeared to be planning an armed takeover of Marin."In the weeks that followed, a number of witnesses came forward with stories indicating that the Pendragon group in fact existed. Crossie Hoover told investigators that one of the inducements to the murder was Richards' promise to appoint him Duke of Angel's Island. It appears that Richards fantasized about converting Marin County into a version of King Arthur's Camelot, with himself as King. He allegedly promoted plans in meetings with his workers to take over Marin County by destroying the Golden Gate and Richmond-San Rafael bridges and placing a laser gun on top of Mount Tamalpais. Carl Shapiro, a San Anselmo attorney representing Richards, asserted that the documents found by the police were research materials for a science-fiction book (Imperial Marin) that Richards was writing. The prosecution countered that regardless of Richards's writing, he used the Pendragon material to manipulate Hoover into committing the murder.Starting in November 2013, Richards became a major source for conspiracy theorist Kerry Cassidy. On that date Cassidy conducted a 1h 18m video interview[2] at the prison in Vacaville. Cassidy regards Richards as an important whistleblower exposing the "Secret Space Program." She has said that he was framed for the Baldwin murder, and that he is imprisoned by the Illuminati-Draco run planetary government.[3][note 1] At the time of writing Cassidy says she has conducted nine interviews with Richards, for an aggregate time over 14 hours. Since recording devices are not allowed in the prison, the normal format of these videos is Cassidy speaking to camera recalling what was said immediately after her meeting with the convict. Her tenth Interview with Richards was released in March, 2019.Much of the material consists of tales of personal heroism, as Richards commands exotic space battleships fighting and defeating aliens. He commanded an Orion battleship at the asteroid Vesta in August 1979. Soon after that, he led an attack against aliens to reclaim a secret base at Dulce, New Mexico. The aliens had violated a treaty and abducted humans for experimentation.[4]Richards claims that he was on active duty at the age of 13, with a high security clearance. After graduating from high school, Richards said he became an Army officer flying helicopters in Vietnam and later became a Navy Captain. He also claims to be a Rhodes Scholar with several advanced degrees and to be a member at the highest levels of the Republican National Committee. Neither Cassidy or Richards have provided documentation to support his claims.[5]Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center350 N. Orchard Ave.Vacaville, CA. 95688Website:UnityVacaville.orgEmail: unityvv@pacbell.netSupport the show

Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center350 N. Orchard Ave.Vacaville, CA. 95688Website:UnityVacaville.orgEmail: unityvv@pacbell.netSupport the show

Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center350 N. Orchard Ave.Vacaville, CA. 95688Website:UnityVacaville.orgEmail: unityvv@pacbell.netSupport the show

Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center350 N. Orchard Ave.Vacaville, CA. 95688Website:UnityVacaville.orgEmail: unityvv@pacbell.netSupport the show

Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center350 N. Orchard Ave.Vacaville, CA. 95688Website:UnityVacaville.orgEmail: unityvv@pacbell.netSupport the show

Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center350 N. Orchard Ave.Vacaville, CA. 95688Website:UnityVacaville.orgEmail: unityvv@pacbell.netSupport the show

For week one of UNOFFENDED, watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBIwr_IGa40 Broadcasted live from The Father's House, Calgary, Alberta. TFH Calgary is a campus of The Father's House in Vacaville, California. Learn more here: tfh.org/ Did you make a decision to follow Jesus through this message? We would love to connect with you and provide resources for your next steps.tfhcalgary.church/discover Follow us on instagram! @tfh_calgary Get plugged into community: tfhcalgary.church/groups TFH Kids: tfhcalgary.church/familyminis... If you would like to support TFH financially you can give through our website by clicking here tfhcalgary.church/give For more information about The Father's House, visit tfhcalgary.church/ #TheFathersHouse #TFH #TFHCalgary #YYC #calgary CCLI Online Streaming License #48301935

Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center350 N. Orchard Ave.Vacaville, CA. 95688Website:UnityVacaville.orgEmail: unityvv@pacbell.netSupport the show

Broadcasted live from The Father's House, Calgary, Alberta. TFH Calgary is a campus of The Father's House in Vacaville, California. Learn more here: tfh.org/ Did you make a decision to follow Jesus through this message? We would love to connect with you and provide resources for your next steps.tfhcalgary.church/discover Follow us on instagram! @tfh_calgary Get plugged into community: tfhcalgary.church/groups TFH Kids: tfhcalgary.church/familyminis... If you would like to support TFH financially you can give through our website by clicking here tfhcalgary.church/give For more information about The Father's House, visit tfhcalgary.church/ #TheFathersHouse #TFH #TFHCalgary #YYC #calgary CCLI Online Streaming License #48301935

When Rick Berens was a student at Chico State, he was arrested for selling 0.25 g of cocaine and incarcerated for five months. His book recounts his experiences in Butte County jail and Vacaville prison. He later had success writing and directing for television shows like Cheers.

Be Perfect | Tullian Tchividjian Valley Church, Vacaville, CA

A 29-year-old Vacaville man is being charged with Lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, sending harmful material to seduce a minor, and contacting a minor with intent of committing a sex crime.

07/21/2024 Morning Service – “The Vanity Of Earthly Pleasure, Part 1” by Jon Kile. Ecclesiastes 2:1-3 The post The Vanity Of Earthly Pleasure, Part 1 (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3) appeared first on Faith Community Church, Vacaville, CA.

07/14/2024 Morning Service – “Teaching At Nazareth” by Joe Allio. Mark 6:1-6 The post Teaching At Nazareth (Mark 6:1-6) appeared first on Faith Community Church, Vacaville, CA.

07/07/2024 Morning Service – “Seeking Wisdom And Knowledge” by Jon Kile. Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 The post Seeking Wisdom And Knowledge (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18) appeared first on Faith Community Church, Vacaville, CA.

06/30/2024 Morning Service – “The Vanity Of Life” by Jon Kile. Ecclesiastes 1:8-11 The post The Vanity Of Life (Ecclesiastes 1:8-11) appeared first on Faith Community Church, Vacaville, CA.

Robyn Stevens walks faster than most people run and is on track to make her second Olympic Team. Stevens is the fastest female race walker in the country. Growing up in Vacaville, she said a high school track coach suggested she try race walking. Stevens did and instantly fell in love with the sport.  "It's super technical it's what drew me to it," Stevens said. Women compete in the 20-kilometer distance in the Olympics. The sport relies on precision and power. "With race walking, you have to land with one foot on the ground at all times. You have to land with [a] straight leg that stays straight until it passes beneath the hip," Stevens said. Judges line the course watching for foot infractions and rely purely on what they see. There is no video review. Athletes walk faster than most of us can run. "In a 20k race, I'll average anywhere from a 7-minute to 7:15 a mile," Stevens said. She contemplated retiring after the delayed Tokyo Games where she finished 33rd out of 58 competitors. Two things kept her in the sport: One, she'd like her mom to see her compete at an Olympics in person. Fans weren't allowed at the Tokyo Olympics because of pandemic restrictions. The second is that at age 41, she's still the fastest American race walker. And that's despite having her 2023 training year disrupted severely by long-haul COVID-19 symptoms. On this Dying to Ask: Why Robyn wants an Olympic do-over The impact long haul Covid has on endurance athletes   How she's changed her Olympic mindset to balance her personal and professional life What it's like to train for hours a day on your own And we break down the mechanics of race walking   Other places to listen CLICK HERE to listen on iTunes CLICK HERE to listen on Stitcher    

On this edition of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash deep-dive into coffee, discovering how an abiding passion for it prompted Kelly Abbott to leave behind 20 years of teaching K-12 students and seize the opportunity to become Owner, CEO & Roaster at Unleashed Coffee in Vacaville, California. All brought to you by Unleashed Coffee and The Cocktail Guru Shop, now selling fine spirits! THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever fine podcasts can be heard. The Center for Culinary Culture—Telling the Story of Food & Drink…One Taste at a Time. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thecocktailgurupodcast/message

06/23/2024 Morning Service – “The Vanity Of Labor” by Jon Kile. Ecclesiastes 1:1-8 The post The Vanity Of Labor (Ecclesiastes 1:1-8) appeared first on Faith Community Church, Vacaville, CA.

Listen Recorded on May 28, 2024 Book talk begins at 22:55 ANNOUNCEMENTS and NEWS: Our Summer Tops KAL is almost over, going until to June 1, 2024.  Prizes winners will be announced in Episode 288! Our next KAL will be our annual Mother Bear KAL.   DATES:  6/1/24 - 8/31/24 To find out all about this wonderful charity, please go to Mother Bear Project website.  Talk bears with us in the Mother Bear Chatter thread and post your finished bears in the FOs thread.   Tracie and Barb had a discussion about the excellent YouTube video that Susan B. Anderson made showing how she embroiders faces on toys:  Every Saturday at noon Pacific time - Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom   EVENTS Tracie will be at: Treadles to Threads Spinning Guild's Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA   KNITTING Barb Finished: Mother Bears # 292 & #293 Bankhead Hats #28 & #29 Tracie finished: Mother Bears #321 - 323 Dream in Blue Cardigan by Drops Design in pink and mint acrylic scraps Elorie by Elizabeth Doherty, using Berroco ReMix in the Artichoke colorway  Barb is working on: Gardengate by Jennifer Steingass, using Cloudborn Merino Superwash Sock Twist in the Graphite Heather colorway and Cloudborn Fibers Highland Fingering in the Petal colorway Barb has cast On: Bankhead hat #30 by Susie Gourlay using Knit Picks City Tweed HW in the Marsh Colorway Tracie continues to work on: Fiddly Bits cowl #11 by Jana Pihota Tracie has cast on: Staycation pullover by Susanne Sommer, using Zealana Performa KIWI fingering in the Rococo colorway Eisinberg Jacket by Guri Pederson in Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in the Spearmint Green and Blush Pink color ways BOOKS Barb read: The Rip by Holly Craig - 3 stars The Light of Farallon Island by Jen Wheeler - 4 stars   Tracie read: The Harbor by Katrine Engberg - 3.5 stars Shanghai Girls by Lisa See - 4.5 stars The Vanishing Class of 3B by Jackie Kabler - 3.5 stars Saint Maybe by Anne Tyler - 5 stars   Tracie recommends these two videos about what organizing is NOT: Jordan Theresa: The Cult of Organisation & The Celebrity Kitchen Complex Hannah Alonzo: The unhinged consumerism of “restock” influencers, so unrealistic!    

Recorded May 9, 2024 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024.  To enter your  top in our prize thread, it must be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you!  Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundle for pattern ideas! Every Saturday at noon Pacific time - Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom EVENTS Tracie and Barb will be at: Treadles to Threads Spinning Guild's Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA   KNITTING Barb Finished: 2 Knockers Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavalee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue Mother Bear #291   Tracie finished: Knitted Knockers - 10 f0r 2024 3 Mother Bears Posie Doll by Manon Lemaire in worsted weight from stash Scraps Chaps Pig by Barbara Prime in Plymouth Encore in Peach Rachel #3 by Josée Paquin in white Juniper Moon Farms Zooey and other assorted bits of cotton/linen/silk   Barb working on: Knitted Knockers Pinnacles Hat by Nancy Bates, from the Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit   Barb has frogged:   Tresoro Cardigan by Isabel Kraemer, using Knit Picks Hawthorne in the Bare colorway   Barb has cast On: Gardengate by Jennifer Steingass, using Cloudborn Merino Superwash Sock Twist in the Graphite Heather colorway and Cloudborn Fibers Highland Fingering in the Petal colorway Bankhead hat #28 by Susie Gourley Tracie continues to work on: Fiddly Bits cowl #11 by Jana Pihota Elorie by Elizabeth Doherty in Berroco Remix in Artichoke     BOOKS Barb read: The Last Dive: A Father and Son's Fatal Descent into the Ocean's Depths by Bernie Chowdury - 5 stars Red Zone: The Behind-the-Scenes Story of the San Francisco Dog Mauling by Aphrodite Jones - 4 stars Calypso by David Sedaris - 5 stars   Tracie read: Butcher on the Moor by Ric Brady - 3 stars Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Iggie's House by Judy Blume - 4 stars Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson - 4 stars Ms. Demeanor by Elinor Lipman - 4 stars While She Slept: A Husband, A Wife, A Brutal Murder by Marion Collins - 4 stars

Recorded on April 15, 2024 Book talk starts at 25:36 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024.  It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you!  Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundle for pattern ideas! Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom   EVENTS Tracie and Barb will  NoCKRs - April 25-28, 2024 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA  The 2024 retreat is full, but please contact Tracie at 2knitlitchicks@gmail.com to be informed about registration for the 2025 event when registration begins in the fall Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA   Tracie and Barb talked about the new swifts availabile from Alpenglow Yarn!  Barb has one and Tracie has ordered one also.   KNITTING Tracie finished: 2 Knitted Knockers PSL Mitts by Susanna Curtis by Canon Hand Dyes William Merino Fingering in the Waterworld colorway Barb Finished: 2 Knitted Knockers   Tracie is continuing to work on: Fiddly Bits cowl #11 by Jana Pihota Knitted Knockers Elorie by Elizabeth Doherty in Berroco Remix in Artichoke Tracie has frogged: Dawning Top by Ainur Berkimbayeva in Zealana Performa KIWI Fingering Barb is working on: Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavallee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue Knitted Knockers Pinnacles Beanie by Nancy Bates, from the Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit BOOKS Tracie read: Forever Home by Graham Norton - 4 starsBecoming Clark Rockefeller: Murder, Love, Decpetion, and the Con Man Behind it All by Frank C. Girardot Jr. - 2 stars Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William Mckinley and Me, Elizabeth - 3 stars Barb read: A Mother Would Know by Amber Garza - 3 stars Watching You by Lisa Jewell - 3 stars The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjialian - 4 stars The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager - 2.5 stars     Tracie also recommends: The Supet Inflatable Dog Cone Collar Alternative.  Sally agrees with this recommendation The Man Enough Podcast explores what it means to be a man today and how rigid gender roles have affected all people. The show creates a safe environment for a range of perspectives to meet and stay at the table, exploring how the messages of masculinity show up in relationships, body image, privilege, fatherhood, sex, success, mental health and so much more. Instead of polarizing and demonizing men and masculinity, it invites all humans to participate and thrive in the world. This Webby-nominated podcast is hosted by filmmaker, actor & author Justin Baldoni, author & journalist Liz Plank, and President of Wayfarer Studios & award winning music producer Jamey Heath. It's currently in Season 2 and is in the top 1% of most followed and shared podcasts on Spotify, beloved by men, women and people of all genders.  

Listen Recorded on Saturday, March 30, 2024 Book talk starts at 20:45 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024.  It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you!  Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundle for pattern ideas!   Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom   EVENTS   Tracie and Barb will  NoCKRs - April 25-28, 2024 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA.  The retreat is full, but please contact Tracie at 2knitlitchicks@gmail.com to be informed about registration for the 2025 event when registration begins in the fall Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA   KNITTING   Tracie finished: 3 Knitted Knockers Bee Beautiful tee by Pia Trans in Carpool Cotton Bamboo in Copper Scraps Chaps puppy by Barbara Prime in Plymouth Encore - this is the pattern I will be teaching in a making knitted toys class this summer at Rumpelstiltskin   Barb Finished: 2 Knitted Knockers CAPROCK tee by Yamagara using Araucania Ollagua Emotional Support Chicken by Annette Corsino, using leftover worsted weight colors from my stash.     Out of hibernation: Dawning Top by Ainur Berkimbayeva in Zealana Performa KIWI Fingering   Cast on: Elorie by Elizabeth Doherty in Berroco Remix in Artichoke   Working On: Fiddly Bits cowl #11 by Jana Pihota Knitted Knockers   Barb is working on: Knitted Knockers Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavallee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue Pinnacles Beanie by Nancy Bates, from the Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit   BOOKS   Tracie read: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid - 5 stars Where Monsters Hide: Sex, Murder and Madness in the Midwest by M. William Phelps - 3 stars Happy People Are Annoying by Josh Peck - 3.5 stars California Golden by Melanie Benjamin - 3 stars   Barb read: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano - 3.5 stars Blood Test by Jonathan Kellerman - 3 stars   Tracie and Barb both recommend the documentary Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV with the warning to be aware that it discusses sexual abuse and is just generally pretty grim.

Recorded on March 14, 2024 Book talk begins at 21:00 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024.  It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you!  Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundle for pattern ideas!   Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom   EVENTS Tracie and Barb will  NoCKRs - April 25-28, 2024 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA KNITTING Barb Finished: 2 Knitted Knockers   Tracie finished: Tracie's Fresh Favorite Tee by Christen Clement Designs in Queen City Yarn Coleman in the Maple colorway Tracie's Pixie Dust  by Dani Sunshine in Berroco Vintage Handpaintsin a light blue/pale green/purple colorway 1 Knitted Knocker Tracie's Emotional Support Chicken by Annette Corsino, using Hayfield Spirit Chunky Barb is working on: CAPROCK tee by Yamagata using Araucania Ollagua Knitted Knockers Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavallee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue Pinnacles Beanie by Nancy Bates, from the Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit Barb has cast on: Barb's Emotional Support Chicken by Annette Corsino, using worsted weight leftovers Tracie cast on: Bee Beautiful Tee by Pia Trans in  in Carpool Cotton Bamboo in the Copper colorway She continues to work on: Fiddly Bits Cowl by Jana Pihota using fingering scraps   If you would like to make Knitted Knockers, here is some useful info - From the Knitted Knockers.org website: “Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prostheses for women who have had breast cancer and undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy. Traditional breast prosthetics can be hot, heavy and sticky. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can't be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. They are adjustable, washable and can even be worn while swimming. Our special volunteer knitters provide these FREE to those requesting them” Please visit the Knitted Knockers website, Knitted Knockers Homepage for all the information that you need.   This webpage is especially helpful for information on approved yarns and color information: Yarns and colors Very Important: Please note that neutral colors are preferred.  If you want, you can use bright colors on the bottom of your knocker, but the top of it needs to be in a neutral color.  Patterns: So many choices!  Please go to this section to pick and download your (free) pattern: Knitted Knockers Patterns.  Hint:  The Bottoms Up Knocker for Double Point Needles pattern works great with magic loop too…and has the easiest “start” to your knocker!   BOOKS Barb  read: If It Bleeds by Stephen King - 5 stars The Mystery Guest (Molly the Maid #2) - 3 stars Tracie read:  Forever... by Judy Blume - 4 stars I'll Take Care of You by Caitlin Rother - 4.5 stars The Bone Jar by S.W. Kane - 3 stars   Info from Tracie's "Thumbs Up" about the sweater shaver: The Substack article about pilling is here The excellent sweater shaver can be purchased here

Recorded Wednesday, February 21, 2024 Book talk begins at 31:30 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024.  It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you!  Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundle for pattern ideas! Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom Events Tracie and Barb will  NoCKRs - April 25-28, 2024 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA   KNITTING Barb Finished: Bankhead Hat #27 by Susie Gourley Velvet Pullover by Claudia Quintinella, using Serendipidye Kings Mountain Fingering in the Piccadilly colorway, Invictus Yarn Adventure in the Don't Look  Under the Lilacs, Invictus Yarns Master of My Feet in the Adagio colorway, AND Knit Picks Palette in the Aster and Bluebells colorway. 2 Knitted Knockers   Tracie finished: 2 Soap Sacks by Haley Waxberg in Knockers yarn (And the bar shampoo and conditioner Tracie can be purchased at https://viori.com/) Beginner's Rainbow Rabbit by Claire Garland in sparkly periwinkle Tahki Linguine for Lauren's 12th birthday Jen by Josée Paquin in Marianated Yarns Scrumptious HT in Sea of Glass and Indigo Bunting, Laneras Barefoot in Coral and Invictus Yarns Unconquerable Sole BFL in the Powerful colorway 1 Knitted Knocker   If you would like to make Knitted Knockers, here is some useful info -   From the Knitted Knockers.org website: “Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prostheses for women who have had breast cancer and undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy. Traditional breast prosthetics can be hot, heavy and sticky. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can't be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. They are adjustable, washable and can even be worn while swimming. Our special volunteer knitters provide these FREE to those requesting them” Please visit the Knitted Knockers website, Knitted Knockers Homepage for all the information that you need.   This webpage is especially helpful for information on approved yarns and color information: Yarns and colors Very Important: Please note that neutral colors are preferred.  If you want, you can use bright colors on the bottom of your knocker, but the top of it needs to be in a neutral color.  Patterns: So many choices!  Please go to this section to pick and download your (free) pattern: Knitted Knockers Patterns.  Hint:  The Bottoms Up Knocker for Double Point Needles pattern works great with magic loop too…and has the easiest “start” to your knocker! Barb working on: Cheeky Cables Socks  by Mary Lukas using Universal Yarns Zesty Sock in the Pearl colorway CAPROCK tee by Yamagata using Araucania Ollagua Knitted Knockers   Barb has cast on: Pinnacles Beanie by Nancy Bates, from the Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavallee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue   Frogged:  Colourwheel DK 1 Ball Scarf by Sirdar, using a Sirdar Colourwheel in the Follow the Rainbow Colorway   Tracie cast on: Pixie Dust by Dani Sunshine in Berroco Vintage Handpaints in light blue/pale green/purple 1 Knitted Knocker   She continues to work on: Fresh Favorite Tee by Christen Clement Designs in Queen City Yarn Coleman in the Maple colorway Fiddly Bits Cowl by Jana Pihota using fingering scraps   BOOKS Look What You Made me Do: Confronting Heartbreak & Harassment in Big Law by Erin Gordon - 4 stars The Loyal Wife by Natalie Barelli - 3 stars Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Coast Trail by Andrea Lankford - 5 stars The Secret Place (Dublin Murder Squad, #5) - 4 stars Patient Care: Death and Life in the Emergency Room, by Paul Seward - 4 stars   Tracie read: The River's Edge (Jackman & Evans #10) by Joy Ellis - 2.5 stars for someone not familiar with the series Ill Wind (Anna Pigeon #3) by Nevada Barr - 3 1/2 stars - takes a while to get going How Lucky by Will Leitch - 3 stars.  Wanted to like it more!  But got frustrated with situation and too worried for main character American Girl by Wendy Walker - 3 stars.  Have not thought about it since I finished it Tunnel Vision: A True Story of Multiple Murder and Justice in Chaos at America's Biggest Marine Base by N.P. Simpson - 4.5 stars The Island of Lost Girls by Alex Marwood - 4 stars Her Last Move by John Marrs - 2 stars

In this Tuna on Toast episode, Stryker welcomes the frontman of Papa Roach, Jacoby Shaddix. The guys talk everything from early shows in Vacaville to signing with a big label to releasing Infest.  It's a deep dive of everything past, present and future. This episode is filled with so many awesome stories with a ton of inspiration. Jacoby is a talented and smart guy who is an awesome frantman!  Thanks for listening to another episode of Tuna on Toast. 

Crystal Nightingale from The Mama Coach joined us a few months ago and is back again today diving deeper into postpartum and breastfeeding than we've ever gone before!Did you know that new research is showing that cold compresses are more effective in helping clogged ducts than warm compresses or showers?Crystal shares her valuable insight gained as a registered nurse and IBCLC of over 10 years. Meagan and Crystal discuss everything from appropriate newborn weight loss to all types of infant feeding to how to have a successful breastfeeding journey starting even before birth. As we kick off 2024, we promise to bring new topics, deeper discussions, and exciting changes that will empower you even more to continue to have better birth AND postpartum experiences.  Additional LinksCrystal's WebsiteThe Mama CoachThe Lactation NetworkHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull Transcript under Episode Details Meagan: Hello, hello you guys. It's 2024. I cannot believe that 2023 went so stinking fast and we're already here. I think the new year is super fun because I think about all of the exciting things that we want to do for the year and we have this extra motivation. Today, we're actually going to be talking about something that we don't talk about a lot on the podcast. This is going to be postpartum. I'm excited to talk about postpartum because, with The VBAC Link, we are all Women of Strength. You are all preparing for birth. You're all preparing for pregnancy sometimes. We're so focused on the birth, but we forget about what comes after the birth. So we have our friend, our dear, dear friend, Crystal. Hello, Crystal. Crystal: Hello, good morning. Happy New Year. Meagan: Good morning. I am so excited to have you on today. Crystal: I'm excited. Thank you. Meagan: Yes. You are a registered nurse, an international board-certified lactation consultant which is an IBCLC and for everyone who has never seen an IBCLC, you guys, I have three babies and I breastfed with all three of them. I've seen an IBCLC with each baby because I've found that each baby is so different. Crystal: Yes. Meagan: If you haven't seen an IBCLC before, I would highly suggest it. They can help so much. But Crystal is from The Mama Coach and she is going to be talking with us today about postpartum and mood stuff and breastfeeding and so many powerful things. So hold on tight. We're going to do a review and dive right in. Review of the WeekThis review is from– I don't even know how to say it– miralamb04 on Apple Podcasts and it says, “A Must Resource During Pregnancy.” It says, “The VBAC Link was most helpful and encouraging during my TOLAC (trial of labor after Cesarean) preparation. I used all of the episodes to everyone's different expectations and outcomes to help me prepare for my VBAC. Finding out I was pregnant six months postpartum after a planned C-section due to a breech baby was frightening at first.”We have talked a lot about this close duration. It says, “I knew immediately I wanted to VBAC and started doing my research. The VBAC Link was constant during my stroller walks with my baby and helped me mentally prepare for my second pregnancy. I used the resources provided to help open up conversation during my prenatal appointments and ultimately advocate for myself and my baby for a planned, hospital TOLAC. I successfully had my second baby via VBAC a few days ago and I'm so happy that I did. Everything I could have wanted and so much more. Thank you, Julie and Meagan.” I love that so much. You guys, this is what this platform is for. It's for you to have the education, the information, and the empowerment to go on and make the best decision for you no matter how that is and what your birth outcome looks like. I love how she said, “To advocate for me and my baby.” Right? Crystal: Yes. Love it. Meagan: I love it. That is so cool.Crystal: Very, very. Meagan: Thank you so much for that review. They touch me from the bottom of my heart and if you haven't, please drop us a comment. Drop us a review. Let us know what you think about The VBAC Link. Crystal Nightingale Meagan: Okay, cute Crystal. Welcome, welcome. Crystal: Hi. Thank you for having me. Meagan: Absolutely. I'm so honored that you are here and taking the time out of your very busy day to talk more about that topic that we just don't talk about. It's not even that we don't talk about it. I think it's just that we don't think about it. Crystal: Yeah, yeah. Meagan: It's so far over there because we have such an event to get through. Birth is an event. Crystal: Yeah, it's huge. Meagan: It's such an event to get through that we can't think about what we're doing here or over here because we are right here in this moment preparing for this event. Crystal: Yeah. Yeah. Meagan: I mean, I have ridden tons of bike rides, races, long distances, and ran half marathons. I'm telling you that at mile 10, the only thing I was thinking about was where that finish line was, not where the next starting line was or that next experience. So I'm excited that you are here with us to talk more about this next journey because it is a whole other journey that leads us down a path through life in general and it can impact us for our next birth. Right? Crystal: Yes. Right. Meagan: It's a circle. It all goes together. Let's talk about it a little more. Let's talk about your professional background. What got you into this? What got you into your passion for postpartum and serving moms and babies through postpartum and through breastfeeding? Crystal: Yeah, so I always knew that I wanted to work as a nurse or in the nursing field. I was just fascinated with labor and delivery and women's health. Of course, being a woman and all of the amazing things that we can do. I had my oldest children younger so I was very naive. After I became a nurse, I really got into postpartum and mother and baby and just seeing new babies come into the world and helping the parents, the whole family, with breastfeeding and helping them take care of their newborn baby and just all of that fascinates me. It's just incredible to me. I've been working with mothers and children as a nurse for a little over 10 years now and you know, just through my time in the hospital and the clinic, I have seen a trend. A lot of parents have the best intentions. They want to breastfeed and they want to do this, but then there is not a lot of support. The WHO, World Health Organization, and CDC all recommend breastfeeding for at least six months, but what? Then parents go back to work at six to eight weeks maybe? Some even sooner. I've seen some moms who have to go back to work within two or three weeks. So just seeing that lack of support postpartum for families just triggered, “Okay.” It's very frustrating to be in a hospital or a large health organization setting and not be able to do as much as I want to because of all of the policies and regulations and things like that. So I teamed up with The Mama Coach to start my own private practice and being part of The Mama Coach has been awesome. We are a group of registered nurses and some nurse practitioners all around the world helping parents to make parenting easier through education, evidence-informed solutions, support, assessment, individualized plans, and all of the stuff to help support parents from the prenatal period to postpartum to feeding and starting solids, all the way up to five years of age with sleep and CPR and things like that. So yeah. That's a little bit of my background. I have four kids and I did not get to breastfeed my older two because again, I was young and naive. I didn't know anything. I “tried” to breastfeed not knowing that cluster feeding was normal. I just thought, “Oh no. I need to give formula because they sent me home with formula.” Then all of a sudden, my milk dried up and I was like, “Oh well. I guess I'll just formula feed.” That wasn't what I wanted to do. I just didn't know how to continue the breastfeeding journey. Meagan: Yeah. This isn't like anything that we talked about, but I kind of am wondering if you know the answer to this. We are talking about how all of these organizations– big organizations– encourage breastfeeding. We talk about how we don't necessarily have the support but not only do we not have the support, but we have the alternatives given to us so easily which I think is great. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but it makes it easier or if we don't know. Like with cluster feeding, you think you're baby is starving. You think, “I'm not giving my baby enough. They are always hungry, always hungry and I have to supplement with formula,” when that's not necessarily the case. Why do you think these companies are providing so much formula right out of the gate?Crystal: You know, I'm not sure. I can say it probably is because they are not thinking of the long-term effects of starting formula. If it's needed, how I always was taught especially working in the hospital is that really, formula should be used and treated as a medication. Use if absolutely needed. But, when some staff or doctors or whatever see that a mother is struggling maybe, they don't automatically think, “Let's support her and see how we can help her reach her goal. Let's just feed the baby and deal with it later,” not knowing that that can negatively impact the breastfeeding relationship down the road. You know, like you said, that is there for a reason, and if a baby really needs it, of course, use it. I think the organizations are getting better, but they can still be better. Meagan: Yeah. Do you know what I would like to see more? I know that this can be tricky because of all of the things that are put into our bodies and in this world, but I would love to see milk bank donations more. Crystal: Yes. Meagan: There are certain countries that are literally like Winder Dairy and they bring breastmilk to your porch for people who are struggling. It's so awesome and there are parents out there. There are moms out there who have an insane overproduction, but their baby isn't necessarily using it and it could go to a preemie baby or to a mom that may have a little bit of a rough start or have had a Cesarean under general anesthesia and isn't able to really even be present in that moment. I would love to see that happen more. I don't even know. There are all of the things out there. There are all of the apples off of the tree that I would like to grab and make happen. Crystal: That would be so amazing. Meagan: But they are out there too. So if you are struggling in your breastfeeding journey, it doesn't hurt to ask, “Hey, is there a breastmilk donation in our area or in this hospital?” because there are situations where some hospitals– it's not talked about and it's not big enough yet, but there are banks where people who donate. And because of the craziness in this world, they are really, really strict on who can donate. My cousin did one and you have to check a million boxes to be able to donate. So anyway. Crystal: It makes sense. Meagan: It could be weird to people like, “Someone else's milk, what?” Crystal: I've definitely encountered that before. Everyone has their feelings, beliefs, and opinions, so it's like, “Well, it's there.” I am seeing more hospitals in my area up in northern California have donor breastmilk available in the hospital, but the problem with that is they give the donor milk in the hospital, but when they go home, there is still not that support or continuation of care because now, mom's milk maybe is not quite sufficient yet and how do we help them when they go home? Meagan: Right. Crystal: That's another thing that we're seeing too. Meagan: Okay. So that is a question right there even. We can go home, but I'm going to go back and talk about breastfeeding with that. What do we need to not forget about the postpartum journey during the birth preparation? What are some things that people who are pregnant, preparing for birth, and preparing for their birth– they are so excited. They are figuring out if birth is right for them. What do we need to focus on and not forget about during that pregnancy journey? Crystal: Yeah, so of course, like we were saying earlier, getting ready for birth and preparing for birth is a huge event. We prepare for that and all of that, but then we don't think about like we were saying, the postpartum. Think that postpartum can last a year or two years, sometimes even longer depending on how long you breastfeed if you plan to breastfeed. It takes 9-10 months for your hormones to increase and grow this baby and things like that, then of course, it can take– to me, this is my thinking– at least nine months for it to go back down to somewhat normal levels. If you're breastfeeding, you've still got all kinds of hormones going on. So think about that. Babies have to be fed, so how are we going to feed them? Are you going to breastfeed? Do you know what to expect? Do you know what kind of bottles and what kind of formula to use? Do we know what to expect with just newborns in general and newborn care and diapers? Because babies' poops look funky. They are different from ours, so it's like, okay. All of these things, I feel like if parents are a little bit more prepared, then they will have less anxiousness for one because it's a whole new thing whether you are a first-time parent or even if it's your third or fourth baby– even with me for my fourth baby, I was like, “Wait. Is this normal?” I'm a nurse and I work in the field, but it's so different when you're on the other side. So just to be prepared for that so that way you have the expectations and you know, “Okay, what's normal? What's not normal?” Have somewhat of an idea of how to manage some things and know that there is support out there when you need the support. Meagan: Absolutely. Something that I– with my first baby, I ended up going back to work at 12 weeks postpartum. I already wasn't prepared for a Cesarean, so then I was recovering from that, but when it came to feeding my baby and even my emotional status, I really wasn't prepared for all that was happening in such a short period of time and then to shift. As soon as I started feeling like I was kind of getting the hang of it and things were in control or I had a routine, it was like my feet got swooshed underneath me and it was changing again. I was all of a sudden in a back storage room pumping every three hours. I was storing my milk in a fridge where everyone stored their lunch and then trying to figure out that and trying to get enough production for my baby while they were with the babysitter. It was so much. Crystal: It's a lot, yeah. Definitely, going back to work after having a baby, no matter how soon whether it's six weeks or six months is definitely a big change as well. That's something that a lot of parents aren't really thinking about or prepared for which is totally fine. There is so much more going on at the moment, but knowing that, “Okay. I need to prepare and be ready before I go back to work so I know what to expect.” And like I said, getting some support on how to manage that. Get a plan together. Get a schedule together. Meagan: Yeah. So as a doula, I work a lot with my clients right before pregnancy and sometimes they are a little caught off guard when I'm like, “What's your postpartum plan?” They're like, “Huh? Aren't you a birth doula?” I'm like, “Yeah. I am a birth doula, but I know a lot about postpartum and I didn't plan for it either. Let's talk about it. How are you going to eat so you can feed your baby? How are you going to get sleep?” because just like you were talking about before, a lot of moms have to go back 12 or so weeks after. Some of them two weeks after. We also have an issue with our paternity leave– Crystal: Paternity leave for the fathers or the partners. Meagan: Yeah. We have one week. Especially if you have multiple kids, we have one week a lot of the time and then they're gone and we're like, “What are we going to do?” Get your meal trains. Get your support. Rally up together. Have your birth team. Have your postpartum team. Have a plan. We know plans change no matter what– birth, postpartum, everyday life. I sometimes plan to go to Costco and then I don't go to Costco that day because something happened. Plans change, but if we can have a baseline of an idea, I will be like, “Okay.” I have a friend who gets mastitis with every baby. Crystal: Oh gosh. Meagan: With her third baby, she was like, “I'm going to do everything.” She had her IBCLC to go to the hospital on day one to get a good, established latch. She met with her as soon as she left the hospital. By day four, she was meeting with her again to make sure. You guys, she was on sunflower lecithin. I don't know how you feel about that, but that helped her personally to not be so sticky. She was like, “I have got to get this under control. I have two other kids. I cannot be sick with mastitis.” Then she would end up getting thrush after that so she took a probiotic. Crystal: Oh my gosh. Meagan: There are things we can do and it's really hard to focus on that in the pregnancy stage. Crystal: Yeah, yeah. Meagan: But there are things. We can get on those probiotics. We can contact those IBCLCs. We can have a plan in place so we are not just thrown into the fire. Especially in my case, where I did have a Cesarean and a repeat Cesarean, those were just things that were unexpected so prepare the best you can. I love that. I love your advice. This is so important and get that support. Crystal: Yeah, for sure. I just thought of something because I talked a lot about breastfeeding and feeding your baby, but you brought up a good point. As mothers, we for sure neglect ourselves all of the time so like you were talking about with eating, make sure you eat and hydrate. Moms are recovering too from birth so whether it's vaginal or a Cesarean, planned or an emergency Cesarean, your body is doing a lot postpartum. It's just crazy. Meagan: We're amazing. We are amazing human beings. We are incredible.Crystal: Yes. We are. We are. We so are, but then we have to remember to take care of ourselves as much as possible. That's where the support and village come in because you can't do it all yourself. I guess you could. I'm sure some women have, but you shouldn't have to do it by yourself. Meagan: No, and I think like you are saying, we shouldn't have to but for some reason, we do. Crystal: Yeah. I know. I know. Meagan: We don't ask for help. We struggle asking for support. We struggle spending money on ourselves. We struggle getting postpartum doulas or going to an IBCLC because it costs so much and insurance doesn't cover it. You guys, you are worth it. You are worth it. You are amazing. You grew a human. You birthed a human. You are now taking care of a human. You are feeding a human. There is so much to it. It's okay to get that support and give back to yourself. Crystal: Totally, totally. I 1000% agree. Meagan: Yes and sometimes, that is finding a coach and just getting some advice or talking to someone and just being heard. Maybe you don't physically need anything, you just need to be heard. Crystal: Yeah, yeah. Meagan: Yes. Okay, so now we've had our baby and everything. What can we look for in the first few weeks to know that maybe we need to ask for more help or get more resources or take care of ourselves? What are some things that we can look for in those first few weeks with nursing and postpartum just in general? Crystal: Yeah, yeah. So for moms, I have spoken to a lot of moms who weren't aware that there would still be bleeding afterward so there is that. Meagan: That is a thing. Crystal: Yes, that is a thing. You are still bleeding. That is normal, but obviously, from a nursing standpoint, if there is excessive blood or you are filling a pad every hour, then for sure, you want to reach out. A lot of women tend to swell postpartum. Some are like, “No, I didn't have any swelling during the pregnancy,” then all of a sudden postpartum, you just blow up. Your feet are swollen and things like that. That could be due to some IV fluids or other stuff going on, but for sure, you want to reach out to your provider with that. Contractions and cramping afterward are still a thing, especially with breastfeeding. Some women are just like, “Oh my gosh. I did not know about this.” Some women feel great after delivering. They are like, “Yeah. I don't need to take my meds. I'm feeling okay,” but once they start breastfeeding and they start feeling these contractions, it's like, “I'm in labor again.” That is normal. I know it's uncomfortable, but that is definitely normal. If you still feel that when you're not breastfeeding or it's not relieved with pain meds, then for sure, I would highly recommend reaching out to the provider. Meagan: That can also get worse with each baby, right? Crystal: Yes. Yes, it can get stronger. Meagan: It can last a little longer and be a little bit more intense, yeah. Crystal: I know which is like, “Why? We already went through this. Why do we have to make it worse?” Meagan: Our uteruses have to shrink down. Crystal: I know. It's a good thing. The cramping is a good thing. It's a normal thing. We want that. It controls bleeding. It gets the uterus back down to the normal size and all of that. Engorgement. Even if a mom is not breastfeeding, the body's natural, physiological response is to bring in milk. With the delivery of the placenta, your hormones drop and that triggers, “Oh, okay. Baby has been born. Let's make milk.” Meagan: We have to feed it. Crystal: Yes. So whether you breastfeed or not, if you don't breastfeed, you may not get as much engorgement, but there is still stuff going on there. If you are breastfeeding, you will almost 100% get engorged in the first few days anywhere from day three to five. Sometimes it is a little bit longer, but around there, your breasts will feel really full. Some women say their breast sizes double or triple. Meagan: Mhmm. Crystal: They can get really rock hard. That's pretty normal because your milk is coming in. Getting support with latching well so the baby can empty it or if you need to, maybe you have to pump a little bit, but like I said, of course. Reach out for lactation support because depending on the situation or what's going on, the lactation consultant can further guide you on how to manage that. But lumps, you may feel little lumps in the breast. That is pretty normal. Those are just basically milk ducts that are swollen or filling with milk because of the postpartum period with increased swelling and things like that. After engorgement, I'm thinking of the progression of things, a lot of parents see clogged ducts, but now we know that it's called ductile narrowing instead of clogged ducts. Meagan: Oh. Crystal: Yes. Before, we thought that the milk was getting clogged. Meagan: Getting sticky. Crystal: Yes, then we had to somehow remove this milk plug, but the new research by the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is saying that it's not that. It's inflammation and swelling of the milk duct itself that causes the narrowing of the channel or the passageway that milk goes through and that makes it back up. It backs up the milk. Management for that beforehand was warm compresses and massage, massage, massage, dangle feeding or something like that. Now, they are saying that we should be using cold compresses. Meagan: Oh, okay to reduce inflammation. Crystal: Exactly, to reduce inflammation. I always tell parents that if we have a swollen ankle and the breasts are swollen, we wouldn't put a hot or a warm compress on it. Meagan: No. Okay, I'm noting it. Crystal: You would do the ice or the cold compress to reduce the inflammation and when we reduce the inflammation in those milk ducts, now that passageway opens up, everything can calm down, and milk can flow a little bit easier. Meagan: Mind blown!! Crystal: I know. Meagan: That is amazing. That would have been nice to know a long time ago. Crystal: I know. When I see moms say, “Oh my gosh, I have this lump and my breasts don't feel empty even with breastfeeding or pumping. I've been doing hot showers and massaging it.” I'm like, “No. Try cold.” Almost always, it helps. Meagan: I am totally adding this to my doula toolbox. Crystal: Yes. Yes. Meagan: This is really good information. Crystal: It is. It's so amazing when parents come back and they are like, “Oh my gosh. It worked. I can't believe it.” Also, breast tissue is very delicate. It's soft tissue. Some moms are just aggressively massaging their breasts like, “Oh my god. I have to get this out.” You don't want to do that because you can further damage and cause trauma to the breast tissues. Meagan: More inflammation. Crystal: Yes, more inflammation, exactly. Light massage. If you need to, cold compresses for that. For moms, I'm going on and on right now. This episode is going to be forever. It's going to be hours long. That's kind of the basics of the immediate thing that we need to look for in mom physically. Emotionally and mentally, parents are sleep-deprived so we definitely want to make sure, like you said, have those meal trains. I even suggest adding this to the baby registry when you are pregnant like meal cards, Door Dash cards, a postpartum doula even. It's like, “Whoa. Instead of giving me all of this, this is what I'm going to need help with in the first couple of weeks.” I know for me, I guess I'm thinking of myself and my baby, but I'm also thinking of everything else in the house that I need to do like, “Oh my gosh, I need to do the laundry. Oh my gosh. The other kids need to get rides to school,” or what have you. If there is anything, you know how friends and family are always saying, “Let me know if I can do anything to help,” please ask for help because moms and parents need sleep definitely. That helps because, for one, sleep is just a human need. Two, for sanity, and three, because the more rest that we can get as mothers, as a breastfeeding and lactating parent, the better our milk supply will be too. Meagan: Yeah, 100%. Like we were talking about, we are not thinking of drinking and that helps our breast supply. That helps our healing physically and keeps us in our minds. On that topic, Be Her Village– I'm sure you've heard us talk about it. Check out Be Her Village. You guys can create a registry just like Crystal is describing where you can go and register for a doula or childbirth education or money for an IBCLC or pelvic floor health or mental health. All of these things, if this is your registry– Crystal: Pelvic floor health, oh my gosh, is another thing. We don't know about that. Most mothers are just– not that we don't care, we just don't know. There are just so many things going on down there that for sure you need some kind of pelvic floor rehabilitation afterwards even if you have a C-section. Meagan: 100%. It's aggravating. I'm not going to spiral off on this tangent. It's aggravating to me that so many insurance companies do not cover this as a standard part of postpartum. But they're not covering postpartum pelvic floor issues. They're not covering this. Crystal: Yeah. Meagan: I went and it was $250 per visit and as a new mom, especially if we invested in a doula and an IBCLC and a photographer or whatever. Crystal: All of those things, yeah. Meagan: It's like, “Oh, whatever,” and now we have a newborn that has to have diapers at $50/box. It's really hard. Crystal: Right and that's where we neglect ourselves again. Not that we want to, but I don't even know who to blame. Healthcare or insurance or whatever is preventing us from getting the proper care or support. I did the same thing. I just wanted to touch on that. I did the same thing. I was having issues holding my bladder and I asked for a referral from my doctor for pelvic floor health because doing our own research, we're like, “Okay. I think I need to see a pelvic floor therapist.” They did not. They were like, “Well, normally we don't do that.” I'm like, “Why?”I did the same thing. I tried to look into it myself to pay out of pocket and it was expensive and I just kind of gave up and was just like, “Okay. I'll just do my own research and find out some exercises on my own and just do it on my own,” which is sad. We shouldn't have to do that. Meagan: I agree. I agree. Crystal: But okay, so on to what to expect because there are still a couple of other things. There is so much, but I just want to touch on the emotional and the mood disorders because that is very, very important and huge. I always recommend that when moms take classes prenatally they have a partner or a birth partner or something that is along for the ride with them who comes to the classes and things like that. I really recommend that postpartum too. Any time of postpartum class, newborn class, or breastfeeding class, the partner or caregiver should definitely be involved as well as the birthing parent because as moms, we don't initially see that there is something more going on with us for postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, and things like that. It's usually a close family member who notices things going on first. Definitely, I feel like the whole family should be involved in that and if parents are just struggling with coping and with new life as a parent breastfeeding and all of the things, then definitely reach out for support because that can definitely happen with all of the hormones going on and the stress. Meagan: Lack of support. Crystal: Lack of support. Meagan: Lack of sleep. Crystal: Lack of sleep, yes. That's definitely something big. Meagan: I want to talk just slightly about this. It's really hard as a new mom to and I hope this isn't triggering, pass your baby to someone so you can take care of yourself. We had a client years ago that was really struggling. She had a series of things and was really struggling. One of the things that we ended up coming up with was for her to go to her mom's for the night. We came up with a good plan and had help with dad and the kids for baby. She ended up pumping and coming up with a supply and for one night– she did wake up engorged– she slept all night. All night. She went to bed at 8:30. She pumped before and went to bed. She woke up. I think she said it was at 6:30 which is still early, but 8:30 to 6:30 is a good stretch. She was probably so engorged that she had to wake up, but you guys, she was a new person. She said that. She was like, “Whoa. It's like my funk was just sucked out of me just by getting that sleep.” That was really hard for her to do that. Crystal: Of course, I'm sure. Meagan: It was really hard for her to be like, “I'm giving up my baby who is four days old overnight.” It's not ideal. It wasn't ideal, but she spiraled quickly and she got to a place where that's ultimately what she thought was going to be best. Anyway, it was amazing. She still had trials to get through because the next night, she had lack of sleep but she was able to build up that foundation a little bit more by getting a good night's rest. Crystal: Of course. Exactly. Meagan: Her mom seriously had all of these broths and all of this high-protein food and all of these amazing things to fill her being with all of the good things. Crystal: Yeah, because as mom, we are filling everybody else's cup usually, but we aren't filling up our cup. Meagan: Yeah. You don't have to leave your baby with anyone overnight, but going back to that, have someone fill your cup. Have someone fill your cup. Food, all of those things. Crystal: Everything. I've heard of some parents when they finally get three or four hours of sleep straight, they're like, “Oh my gosh. That was amazing.” Same thing. “I feel like a new person.” Just because sleep is a human need, so we need that and if we're just constantly days upon days upon days of getting only 1-2 hours at a time of sleep, that's definitely not sustainable and not enough. Meagan: Yeah. Yeah. She started resenting her baby. Crystal: Yeah. Yeah. I've heard of that too. Meagan: She started having anxiety at nighttime. Crystal: Yeah. Yeah. I could definitely see how that can come about for sure especially if you're breastfeeding, especially with that. We all know that of course, breast is best. Breastmilk is best, but we also have to think of the whole picture. I always tell this to all of my clients and patients that I work with. Mental and sleep health is very important. Very. I know breastmilk is too, but you do the best that you can. Meagan: It's like when we're on the airplane and they talk about if we're in an emergency and the masks fall down, prepare your mask on you first before you help someone else. Crystal: Yes. Meagan: It's a similar concept to me where if we cannot fuel ourselves with the oxygen and the sleep and these things, we cannot 100% take care of this baby. Crystal: Right, yeah. Meagan: We can't make milk. Crystal: Right. Meagan: Because our body is going to protect us and sometimes we will see a milk dip with stresses and things like that. I have clients who are nursing really, really well and then a stressful event happens in their life and they're like, “I'm losing my milk. I'm losing my milk. Is my baby not eating enough?” It's crazy how just mentally our body can do that. It can stop making as much milk. Have you seen that?Crystal: Yeah. I have. I have actually. A stressful event or if mom starts a new medication, especially birth control. They don't know. They just don't know. When I talk to my doula consultation, I say, “Any new medications?” They say, “Well, I just started taking birth control but my doctor said it should be fine and won't affect my milk supply.” I'm like, anything new can. It can. Meagan: Hormones. Crystal: It's not to say that we can't get the milk supply back up, but at least being aware of it. Okay, this is why. It's not because of something else or whatever. So yeah. I've seen that. Meagan: Yeah. Crystal: Periods, too. Moms starting their period again, it can–Meagan: Throw it off. Crystal: Every month during your cycle, yeah. It throws it off. Lots of different things that could happen and will happen, so just something to have in the back of your mind like, “Okay. This is what I remember Crystal, The Mama Coach, saying or whoever saying that this can happen, but there are ways to work around it.” Meagan: This next question is a did-you-know. I feel like this is something actually that a lot of people do not know and that is that babies lose weight in the first few days. They can lose even more than the recommended loss if there was an induction, or a lot of fluids, or a surgery. Can we talk about that? Crystal: Yes. Yes. Correct. Meagan: Can we talk about what is normal? Because I feel like again, mentally, there is so much stress on feeding the baby, getting enough, cluster feeding, and all of these things, then we have this baby that weighed in at 7lb, 12 oz and is now weighing in at 6lb, 15oz, and we are like, “Whoa. This is a big loss.” We've got providers freaking out about it, suggesting supplements, and things like that. What's normal? What is the average loss just without induction and things like that? Can we talk a little bit about that so we can offer some comfort to these mamas who might have a baby that's losing weight? Crystal: Yeah, yeah. So babies can lose up to 10% of their birth weight within the first three to four days or so. Normal weight loss is about 2-3% per day. So with that being said, when babies are in the womb, they are swallowing amniotic fluid. They are swallowing, swallowing, swallowing, so technically, they are born full and their first stool is that sticky, black, tarry meconium that is just getting rid of all of that amniotic fluid that they were swallowing while they were in the womb. So that's some weight loss because they are probably pooping five or six times within the first one or two days and it's super sticky. Then, like you said, if mom was inducted or induced or got a lot of IV fluids, antibiotics, and a Cesarean, then they got extra fluids. Anything that mom gets during labor, baby gets some of it too. Really, some providers are saying that a newborn's true weight can be seen 24 hours after birth versus one or two hours right after birth. That weight loss takes into account that. Fluids, getting rid of the meconium, and things like that, and then anything more than 10%, then we get kind of concerned. Like you said, some providers are like, “Oh my gosh. Let's do all of this.” Me, as the lactation consultant, I am less freaked out because I know that especially if a mom is breastfeeding, babies'– we're getting to probably one of our next questions– bellies are really small, so in the first couple of days, they are only taking 2-10 milliliters per feeding which is less than half of a teaspoon up to two teaspoons per feeding. That is the colostrum that they are receiving from mom, that yellow, thick, first milk that is expressed from mom's breast and although it's smaller in volume, it's really packed with a lot of nutrients and antibodies and things like that. It is nutritionally–Meagan: I say dense. Crystal: Dense, yeah. Nutritionally dense. So baby is getting what they need, it's just a smaller volume because it makes up for the fact that it takes a couple of days for mom's milk to increase and increase in volume and things like that. Babies are losing all of this excess fluids, pooping out all of this meconium, and then they're just getting smaller, frequent amounts of colostrum. All of that are factors in weight loss. And then when mom's milk starts to increase around day three to seven, they start taking in more volume and then we start to see some weight gain there. Now of course, as a lactation consultant, we look at the whole picture. What happened with the mom's labor and delivery experience? Is this baby number one or two or multiple for them? Do they have any medical background that might be a factor in milk increasing or milk coming in? All things like that and when I look at that, I'm like, “Okay. Maybe we need to supplement just a little bit if we need to.”And then I will tell moms, “Let's maybe have you pump or hand express. Any extra colostrum or transitional milk that you can express, give that to baby first and we will see how that goes,” especially if they are not wanting to start formula. Every baby and family is different so I look at the whole picture, look at their goals, and see how best I can help them. But obviously, if a baby loses a significant amount of weight like 13-15%, then we are like, “Yes. We probably need to supplement.” So like I said in the beginning, formula is used when we need it if we need it, not just automatically, “Oh my gosh. Baby is at 9 or 10% weight loss. We need to give formula.” I definitely disagree with that. And it's all the parent's choice as well. I give them the options and they decide what they want to do and then I support them in whatever they decide. Meagan: Right. So as we are kind of working on getting our milk to come in and recovering and things like that, we talked about sleep, mental health, food, water, and things like that. That's all going to help our breastmilk. But are there other things that we could be doing or should be doing to help our milk to come in quicker or once it comes in, to help it be more– savory comes to my mind, but really rich for the baby? You just talked about how some babies do lose up to 13% and then I guess a side question is, do we know why some babies lose a little bit more? Is there a reason or is there something that we as parents could do or should we just be like, supply and demand? Nurse your baby. Your milk will come in. Your milk is great. Just because your baby is not gaining as much weight doesn't mean you should shame yourself or your milk is not good enough, because there is a lot of that too. Is there anything you would give us tip-wise to help milk come in? There are a lot of questions within this one question so I'm just going to turn the time over. Crystal: Okay. So yes. The best thing we can do is early hand expression. Typically, after birth, during the first 24 hours, babies are super sleepy. Super sleepy that it's hard to get them to latch or want to nurse frequently. Thinking about how breastmilk supply works, the more you demand on the breast or remove milk, the more milk you will make. So if the baby is sleeping the first 24 hours, the baby is not expressing as much milk and that is where hand expression is important. Frequently, newborns tend to eat at least 8-12 times in a 24-hour period, so if we break it down by hours, it is just so much easier. Every 2-3 hours or so, attempt to put baby to the breast. Do what you can. If the baby is too sleepy or not latching well, then hand express. Hand expression and get out that colostrum. You can spoon-feed that to baby or cup-feed or syringe-feed that to baby, and then you're still stimulating your supply. Sometimes, I hear parents say, “Oh my gosh, the first day or two, my baby was just so good and slept for four hours.” I'm like, “Did you hand express or pump at that time?” We just don't know. They were like, “No, I didn't. I slept too.” I'm like, “I'm glad you got sleep,” but to help your milk supply increase for baby, it is very, very important to express milk every few hours whether it's hand-expressed, latching, or pumping. I'm trying to think what was the other question you had. Oh, how we can make it more savory. I always recommend doing breast massage prior to any breastfeeding or pumping or expressing session. That's just because especially in the first couple of days, colostrum is very thick, so by massaging– and light massage. Not too hard, not too aggressively. You're basically unsticking or loosening up that milk so that way it can be expressed and you can collect that good, sticky, fatty, colostrum or milk. That's for even at any time. You might have heard of a foremilk and a hindmilk type of thing. That's basically when you express, you see a little fat layer in the bottle or in the milk and to increase that, some researchers say that you can't do anything to increase that, but we can help it to come out a little bit more. That's by hand-expressing or doing what we call a breastmilk shake. I've done this myself with my last baby is just doing the breast massage before breastfeeding or nursing. I have seen a thicker fat layer on the milk, so you can do that. Meagan: That's really good to know. With my son, he was kind of small to begin with, but when I would pump, I was like, “Oh my gosh. There is this much fat in this milk.” All of it separated and I had someone kind of suggest that, but it was a warm compress, not a cold compress. It was a warm compress, slight massage, and then nurse or even hand-express for just a second, and then nurse. Crystal: Yeah, yeah. Yeah. You can do that too. You can breastfeed or even hand-express a little bit too just to help that milk supply especially if baby didn't have a good feeding or wasn't quite latched very well just to ensure we stimulate the breast properly to give that signal of, “Okay, make the milk. Bring the milk in,” and things like that. I just wanted to say as a side note, all breastmilk is beneficial for baby whether you have a thin fat layer or not. Meagan: Good to know. Crystal: Your body still tailors and makes the breastmilk to your baby's needs. Meagan: Awesome. So hand-expressing during pregnancy, we were talking about postpartum, but is it suggested to do a little bit during pregnancy? Crystal: You can, but you have to be considered at least term which is about 37-38 weeks or so, and of course, check with the OB provider because it depends on what risk factors you have. Meagan: Yeah, because it can stimulate. Crystal: It can stimulate because it does with the hand expression, the same hormone is released when you are having a contraction which is oxytocin so it can cause some cramping or contractions so you definitely want to get cleared by the OB first before just starting the hand expression, but yes. Once you get cleared, you can start antenatal hand expression and start collecting. It may be nothing or you might get drops. I've actually tried it on myself before and I didn't get anything. I was kind of discouraged, but I was like, “No, knowing what I know, it's fine,” but it's good practice, too for hand expression postpartum. So practice, collect drops, and then you can freeze it and then bring it to the hospital if for some reason baby needs to be supplemented if they have low blood sugar or jaundice or whatever, so yeah. Meagan: So good to know. Okay, and then last but not least, we have different types of feeding. Bottles, paced bottle feeding, we talked a lot about breastfeeding. Can we talk about all of the different types of feeding?Crystal: Yeah, yeah. So of course, you can do exclusive breastfeeding and that's just feeding baby at the breast, or you can do breastfeeding and pumping so feeding breastmilk in some type of vessel whether it's a bottle or syringe. I typically see bottle and syringe usually especially when the milk volume increases or you could do combo feeding which is breastfeeding, pumping, and formula feeding so you can do a combination of all three. Some moms do exclusively pumping. They don't put baby to the breast at all for whatever reason. It could be their own preference or they were just struggling with latch and it just was not working out for them, or sometimes it takes a long time to breastfeed, 30-45 minutes, so some moms feel like that works better for them to just pump for 15-20 minutes and bottlefeed. Or some, whether it's their own personal preference or medical reasons, exclusively formula feed. With that, when you do any type of feeding other than breastfeeding and you bottlefeed, you want to pace bottlefeed. We do that for several reasons. For one, sometimes, newborns don't really know how to pace themselves and they will just take that whole bottle. Meagan: Chow it down. Crystal: Chow it down in one minute flat and we don't want that because I always tell parents to think about how we eat. We don't just shove food in our mouths. Meagan: Chew your food. Crystal: Yes, chew your food and things like that. One, it can help baby learn how to slow down their feeding and then learn their own hunger cues like signs of fullness which in turn can help in the longer term as they get older knowing their hunger cues and knowing when they're full and not overeat. Then three, it can help with digestive issues. Gulping too much too fast or drinking too fast, they can take in more air which means they will be more gassy and more fussy and then we are like, “What's going on? Why is my baby so fussy?” It's because they are gassy most of the time. A lot of the time, babies are just not very comfortable when they have gas and they definitely express it and communicate that they are uncomfortable, so we want to prevent that. By pace bottle-feeding, we help to remedy that. Meagan: That makes total sense. Sometimes, I feel like when they are gasping all of that air, then they spit up a lot. This is not really one of the questions we talked about, but when a baby spits up, a lot of the time we see it, and it looks like a lot and we are like, “I can't believe I just fed my baby and it's right here on this blanket or all over myself.” Is there a rule of thumb to be like, “Okay, really, that is true. Every little ounce of that just came out?” Or is it like, “Okay, your baby still got quite a bit.” Crystal: That's kind of hard to say because like you said, it does visually look more than it is which is why pace bottle-feeding is important because we want to take frequent breaks, little, quick breaks of a couple of minutes or so to burp, let that move down their belly, and get that excess air out, and then continue feeding. I always recommend that if your baby spits up and it looks like a lot, see how they're doing and go by their cues. If it seems like they are looking for food again, try and give a little but maybe a smaller amount just to see how it goes. Meagan: Mhmm. That's a good rule of thumb. Crystal: Keeping babies upright after feeding, if you can,  will help to lessen the chance of spit-up, but then again, sometimes babies spit up out of nowhere an hour after feeding. Parents are like, “I don't know what's going on. He spit up.” If that happens and you are burping your baby and keeping them upright after feedings, I would definitely talk to a provider because sometimes it can be the formula if they are drinking formula or something to that effect. Meagan: Mhmm. Yeah. Awesome. We've gone over so much. Crystal: I know. Meagan: I want to just end on The Mama Coach. How can people find you? What do you guys offer? How does The Mama Coach? I mean, I know how. It's in amazing ways and who is a good, qualifier to go and find a Mama Coach?Crystal: Yeah, like I mentioned earlier, The Mama Coach is a group of registered nurses all over the world. I am the owner here in Vacaville, California which is in Northern California. Our goal is just to help make parenting easier. Like I mentioned, we do have prenatal services. We have postpartum services and newborn services, helping with any type of feeding even if you are not breastfeeding. Meagan: Sleep?Crystal: Sleep, yes. We have sleep. We help with newborn sleep, toddler sleep, potty training, CPR and choking classes, starting solids as well as one-on-one services here. For me, locally, I do home visits and home lactation visits. I can do any of the workshops one-on-one in home or virtually. My niche is breastfeeding– prenatal breastfeeding education and consultations as well as postpartum of course, newborn care, and sleep because those are all important things. Meagan: Very, very important things. Crystal: Very important. Meagan: You guys make it really, so easy. You just go to themamacoach.com. There is a “Find a Mama Coach”. You can search what you are looking for or you can type in your zip code and you can pull up all of the Mama Coaches near you and go over all of their services. I don't think there is a single one that only does one thing. Crystal: No, we all pretty much do a lot. Yes, correct. Yep. For sure. If you are a new or expecting parent or even a parent of a three-year-old– any parent that is struggling and your baby is five years old or under, we can help you. I am on Instagram. My Instagram is crystal.night.themamacoach. We also have a website like you were saying. The main website is themamacoach.com. We each have our own individual sites as well and I'm sure we'll post that information somewhere, but yeah. Reach out to any one of us and myself if you are in Northern California in the Vacaville area. We, like I said, almost all do virtual and then also locally in person too. I do ongoing workshops and that's always posted on my website in the classes or on my Instagram. Meagan: So amazing. You guys are doing so much. You even have a blog where you can look specifically at pregnancy, newborn, sleep schedules, and parenting in general. I mean, these guys have amazing things so make sure to go follow. We'll make sure to tag you today on our Instagram and our Facebook so you can go and find it. We're going to have the website in the show notes. We'll have all of the things we have talked about and seriously, thank you so much for helping our community because like I said, we don't talk about postpartum as much. We don't focus on it as much. We don't focus on feeding and all of the things, so thank you so much for kicking off the 2024 season with a new type of topic. Crystal: Yes. Yes. Awesome. I was so happy to be on here. Thank you. ClosingWould you like to be a guest on the podcast? Tell us about your experience at thevbaclink.com/share. For more information on all things VBAC including online and in-person VBAC classes, The VBAC Link blog, and Meagan's bio, head over to thevbaclink.com. Congratulations on starting your journey of learning and discovery with The VBAC Link. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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