BABY SHOWERS: 1st of 3

So I woke up yesterday morning, and I was super excited because it was the 1st of 3 baby showers that my friends and family have set up.  Now I know 3 baby showers really sounds like a lot, but let me explain.

The one yesterday was put on by two good friends in the city I live.  My family (both my mom's and my husband's) live about an hour from us.  So...the baby shower here is for all my friends that live close to us. Then my mother is throwing me one for her family to attend, and my mother-in-law is throwing me one for her family to attend. Both families are fairly large.  There, hope that makes a little more sense.

Anyway, I just wanted to get on here and say how thankful I am to all of my friends for the lovely encouragement and gifts that I received from them.  This day was truly special, and I am so glad that I got to spend it with all of you!

My two friends who were hosting made delicious treats.  One made chicken cheese steak which makes me very, very happy.  And the other made these awesomely delicious chocolaty, ice creamy, andes mints thingys.  MMMM...

The encouragement really came in the form of a prayer time.  Oh how lovely this was!  I was seriously on the verge of crying multiple times.  Thank you guys!!

Here are just a few of the fun things that I received...Baby Hunter is going to be so happy!
Several onesies - striped, gatorfied, monkeyfied, caterpillarfied ;-)
Cute sleepers with monkey feet
Teethers
Pacifiers
And the essential of all essentials...a nursing cover!!

Yay!  Thanks again to you all.  You have no idea what it meant to me for you to all join me in this exciting time!!

2:37 AM - Awake, Hungry AND Heartburn UGH

It's 2:37 AM, and I roll over for what I think is going to be my normal nighttime bathroom visit...YEAH RIGHT! I come back to bed and cannot fall asleep.  So begins this early morning.  Worried that I will wake Seth up by getting up a second time, I try to get out of bed as quietly and delicately as I can.  PHEW...I made it.

I think to myself, if I just get online for a little bit, maybe I will get tired and go back to bed.  Then it hits me, a wave of thirst like no other.  Well, I better get to the kitchen fast.  Downing a couple of cups of water, I start to feel hydrated again.  I go back to the computer to try to make myself tired.

BAM...Heartburn hits!  OUCH!  I have been fortunate enough not to experience this often during this pregnancy, but when it hits, I run for the door.  This feeling just kills, and I feel as though nothing will soothe it.

On top of all of that...here come those wacky pregnancy cravings followed by real hunger pangs.  Last night, Seth took me to Cracker Barrel to wine and dine me after a long week of past hours work nights.  So I gladly accepted this gift LOL.  Well I had leftover chicken and dumplings in the fridge, and I could just hear them calling my name.  Really...they wouldn't stop no matter how much I tried to ignore them.  Chicken and dumplings at what was then 3:18 AM?  Seriously...paired with heartburn?

Well I have now finished my chicken and dumplings and this post at what is now 3:51 AM.  Are you wondering if I am tired yet?  The answer is no!  AHHHHH...This is driving me nuts.

I just want to say a few words to this lovely miracle inside of me...WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DOING TO MY BODY??  I guess I will have to ask him that later when he can actually answer...

UPDATE: Handing My Job Off to Another

Okay...so the person that got hired to take over my job ended up getting a different one better suited to her capabilities.  I was SOOO happy for her because I believe that she deserved it.  Still...it stunk in general knowing that I am in month 8 of pregnancy and now had to wait on another person to get hired AND hopefully train them by the time the baby comes.  That was a hard week to process through.

THEN YAY...a guy that we originally interviewed accepted the position.  This was such a relief knowing that once again, my job will be in good hands!  He doesn't start until March 8th, so I still have to wait 8 more days BUT I think his training will go fairly quick.  After that I can start to chill and just review his work until miracle boy appears :-)  So much stress has been lifted from me since he accepted.  I am so thankful!

I just need to remember that the Lord provides...just like he did in this situation!

First Impressions: Unbleached Indian Cotton Prefolds

These prefolds are perhaps some of the cheapest cloth diapering options.  The average price ranges from $1-$2 per diaper depending on the shop, size and/or brand.  Not too shabby for those trying to make the cloth diapering decision without really cracking their wallet up front.

My first impressions of these prefolds were good.  They are very fluffy, and I LOVE how they plump up after being dried.  They are so easy to wash and dry as well.  They have a pretty quick drying time when thrown in the dryer.  I have the unbleached prefolds so I think that these prefolds might not show stains as much, and I will probably hang dry them in the sun to naturally bleach them from time to time.  I guess we'll see ;-)

I currently have 24 of these in the infant size (up to 15lbs).  The only thing that makes me nervous about these prefolds is they aren't as flexible as the Thirsties Duo Hemp prefolds.  These prefolds seem a little bit harder to fold, and because they have the standard 4x8x4 layers, I think they will be bulkier on my little one.  I won't truly know until I try them of course.  I also just want to clarify to you, I LOVE the thought of prefolds.  Prefolds in one form or another will be one of my go to diapers.  I just think that these prefolds will be my second choice to grab compared to the Thirsties Duo Hemps.

Despite the added layers, I do think these prefolds will be a good option overall!  Maybe I will even change my mind about their flexibility issues.  I am excited to try them.  Only 2 months left, and I will get to!

REMEMBER, these prefolds require a waterproof diaper cover.  I am pairing them with the Thirsties Cover and Thirsties Duo Cover.

Who Doesn't Love Giveaways??

Change-Diapers is doing an awesome giveaway at the moment!  Value up to $119.99!!  You have to check it out to believe it!

I would recommend this to anyone who is already a CD'er, but for all my friends out there that use disposables, here's your chance to check out cloth diapers.  Don't be frightened!!  You'll get addicted, I promise!

Check out the link below to the giveaway!  It's easy to enter!  You can also find Change-Diapers under the "Great Thoughts, Great Blogs" section of my sidebar.  Her blog is called Fitteds and Pockets and Snappi's, oh my!

$120 Cloth Diaper Package Giveaway

ENJOY!

Natural Childbirth: Meeting My Doulas Part 2

Okay okay, I know I'm a little bit late on this post.  I am sorry for that.

So meeting with my doulas went awesome.  I am super excited, and they have boosted my confidence for the natural birthing process.  They showed me different exercises that I can do to relieve pressure that I didn't know before.  I tried them out and they totally worked!!  I think I am going to go out and get an exercise ball too...to learn to balance before the birth.

I have also been experiencing pain in my pelvis, and they suggested that I go to a chiropractor.  Honestly, I didn't even know pregnant women could go to them.  I had no idea that an adjustment during pregnancy could help the pain or even make it go away.  Who knew?  Well maybe you did...

They also suggested perineal massage to help stretch my tissues.  There is a lot of success with this natural method of preparing for childbirth.  Lots of moms don't tear or have a need for an episiotomy if they do this during the last couple weeks of their pregnancy.  Have a story and want to share with me?  Vitamin E oil is what my doulas recommended to me in for perineal massage.  They said it contributes to the elasticity of your skin.  So...I am going to give it a try!

The doulas also suggested using evening primrose oil.  At first this sounded really awkward to me, but it is supposed to help ready your cervix for labor because it contains prostoglandins.  So again, I am up for anything natural that might make this process easier LOL.  I am going to give it a try!

So there you have it...I learned several new things that I can be doing over the next couple of weeks to prepare.  Personally, this just makes me more excited for my birth experience.  I know sometimes there is a lot of fear about labor.  I do know that it is going to hurt, but right now I am just focused on doing the healthiest things I can to make it go smoother for me and my baby.  Wow...it is a great relief to focus on that little miracle that will be joining your life than on the pain!!

Again, I just want to mention that you should not take this post as advice in any way.  Speak to your doctor before you try any of the above.  These things may not be for you.

Stay healthy!!

Natural Childbirth: Meeting My Doulas Part 1

So it is February 22nd, and I am patiently awaiting the arrival of my doulas this morning.  I am so excited.  This may sound weird, but I am excited that we are going to talk about all the different things I can do to prepare for the birth either that I have never heard of or in more detail than my childbirth education classes.  I know there are still so many questions that I have, and I can't wait to hear the answers.

You might be wondering why I am so excited to prepare for that special day.  Well...the more you prepare, the less it hurts pretty much!  Women in today's world are so apprehensive about natural childbirth because of the pain.  IF they only knew all the things they could do to lessen the pain so they could make a healthier decision for the birthing process.  I am going to attemp to list out some of the things that come out of this meeting later on today.  AS ALWAYS, once I list these things, you should consult your physician before performing them!  The advice I get today will be tailored specifically to me so you should seek out information and advice tailored to your body!

Catch you later today :-)

Want to hear more about healthy/green living?  Become a follower of my blog, and we can learn from each other.  You can become a follower if you have a google account or you can subscribe via email from my home page.

My New Button :D

This thing took me forever to figure out how to create, add to my blog and then add a "grab box".  Hmm...probably a couple of hours.  But once I figured it out, I felt like I conquered the world!  YAY...now if I could only figure out how to keep these stinking borders off of my pictures, that would be amazing LOL ;-)

So, help me spread the word about my blog and "grab my button" to place on your blog.  I would definitely appreciate it!!

Special thanks to Tea for Two Scraps.

Seth's Crazy Car Month

Faith is an awesome thing...I find the Lord teaches me lessons constantly.  Seth began the month with only 4 and 1/2 cars out.  He carried that balance all the way through the 15th.  I knew the Lord would provide, but I couldn't imagine what would come next.

BAM...in a couple of days Seth now has 13 and 1/2 cars out.  The Lord is truly faithful.  Seth and I are learning through him working in this business about the Lord's provision.  This is especially relevant since I will be leaving work when the baby comes.  Seth and I both find this hard at times, but we know this is best for our family.  The Lord continues to show us that He will be there.

All I have to say is WOW!

First Impressions: Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefolds

I have 5 of the Thirsties Duo Hemp prefolds in size 1.  Size 1 is supposed to last from 6-18 pounds.  These prefolds are made from a cotton/hemp blend.  The hemp is supposed to dramatically increase the absorbency.  One thing I have noticed about these prefolds is they are much softer than the indian cotton prefolds that I have.  I really like the feel, and I think my little one will too.

These prefolds are only 2 layers thick...a huge difference from the 4x8x4 indian cotton prefolds.  The duo hemp prefolds are much trimmer because of this, and I am excited to see how they will fit under all the cute onesies I have gotten.  Because they are a prefold, they do require folding which is super easy.  You can either stick them in a cover folded or snappi them on your baby.  They do require a waterproof cover.

I have pictured the prefolds below.  The second picture demonstrates the two layers.  I like how the layers are separated from each other for faster drying times.  These diapers need prepped.  Hemp has natural oils in it so I am going to be prepping these with 8-10 washes with drying cycles every 2 washes.  This is so that the diapers will not repel liquid.  Also, these prefolds should be prepped separately from other cloth diaper laundry so that the oils from the hemp do not cause repelling on the other dipes.  These prefolds can be washed with your normal cloth diaper laundry after they are prepped, and they can be dried in the dryer or hung in the sun for natural bleaching.

Prefolds really are the cheapest way to cloth diaper your child paired with covers.  At the time of this post, these prefolds cost $7 each.  That may sound pricey for a prefold, but I think the increased absorbency with less layers, trim fit, and increased flexibility will make it all worth it if they work well!

I have actually chosen to use these for my newborn (paired with diaper covers) along with the Kissaluv's fitteds because of their ability to fold easily and trimness.  I will be able to fold the rise down to the size I require which is not so easy with my indian cotton prefolds.

Another nice thing about prefolds is that you can use them as a doubler for increased absorbency in other diapers later.  Again, because of the trim fit of these prefolds, I don't think it will make my pocket diapers too bulky when I add these as a doubler.

All in all, I am really excited about these prefolds, and I hope they hold up.  If they do, I plan to purchase them in the next size up as well.  I'll let you know how it goes :-)

First Impressions: Thirsties Diaper Cover vs. Duo Wrap

I have 6 of each of these types of covers.  There is a difference between them.  The Thirsties Diaper Cover is a sized cover.  There are 4 sizes.  The Thirsties Duo Wrap is more of a one size mentality.  There are 3 sizes built in to each cover.  Total, there are 2 sizes you can buy which means fewer covers and 6 sizing options.

The x-small size of the diaper cover is the size that I purchased.  It has a lower rise in the front for the umbilical stump.  I already had 6 of the duo wraps, but I was nervous they would irritate the stump.  Pictured below, I have placed the two covers side by side.

The x-small is on the left, and the duo wrap is on the right.  They are both supposed to fit starting at 6 pounds.  The x-small can be used up to about 12 pounds, and the duo wrap size 1 can be used up to about 18 pounds.  As you can see, they are about the same size which is good for those parents desiring to save money and purchase fewer covers by choosing the duo wraps.  You can also see the difference in the rises (for those concerned about umbilical stump).  The cover on the left is slightly lower in the center than the duo wrap on the right.  You can tell because the front of the cover does not cover up the tag whereas on the wrap, it does.

Both of these covers are waterproof (they kind of have to be to be a cover lol).  The next picture shows you the inside of the cover (looks the same as the wrap).

The inside is shiny, and the nice thing is you can just wipe and re-use if the cover is not thoroughly soiled after a diaper change.  That means using less covers each day which also means purchasing less covers overall YEAH!!  Also notice that for the hook and loop closure (aplix...velcro is a brand name of the hook and loop) there are laundry tabs.  To demonstrate, the right side is attached while the left is not.  Attaching both sides is nice when the covers go into the washer so that you don't end up with a diaper chain in the washer.  On the inside front, there is a flap...perfect for placing prefolds in the cover!  FYI, these can be washed with your cloth diapers, but to preserve them the longest, they should be hung to dry.

This picture shows the duo wrap on its largest setting.  It allows you to see that there are 2 snapped sizes and the unsnapped size.

This picture just gives you a nicer view of the double leg gussets that both covers have.  These double gussets are for superior leak protection, and I am excited to see them in action!

I am really excited about the duo wrap.  I am not sure how much the x-small cover with the umbilical rise is actually going to help. I was nervous the duo wrap would be bigger and irritate the stump so I purchased the x-smalls.  I guess I was expecting more of a dramatic difference.  I will just have to see it in action on a baby.  My first thoughts are that the duo wrap could be fastened in such a way that it could be just as low.  I am not saying that purchasing the x-smalls were a waste of money, but I will be able to better answer if they were really useful instead of the duo wraps after I try them.

Overall I think these covers are going to be awesome.  They seem to have a great reputation for no leakage, and if they work, I will definitely recommend the duo wraps to all to save money!  At the time of this post, the diaper covers are about $11.50 each, and the duo wraps are about $12.75 each for solid colors.  I believe the duo wraps are also available in snaps or aplix closures.

I will be pairing these covers with the Kissaluv's fitted diapers, the Thirsties Duo Hemp prefold diapers and the indian cotton prefold diapers.

First Impressions: Kissaluv's Fitted for Newborns

I have 5 Kissaluv's fitteds for newborns (size 0).  When they first arrived, I was super excited because they are cotton fleece...so SUPER soft!  Even after the prep washes, they remained soft.  On top of that, they are just super tiny.  The size 0's are supposed to fit approximately 5-15 pounds.

From the picture on the left, you can see that the Kissaluv's are fitted with snaps.  This pic shows the smallest size setting.  I find that these snaps are very easy to undo (unlike some other brands in my collection.  There is a snap in the middle so that you can snap down the top of the diaper while your newborn still has the umbilical stump so that the stump does not become irritated.  Once the stump heals, you can easily unsnap it.

The Kissaluv's fitteds come to fit a range of sizes.  The picture to the right demonstrates
that there are two rows of snaps for the rise and two sets of snaps for the waist.

The inside of this fitted diaper is just as soft as the outside which I think our little one will love!  I like how the soaker is sewn in which means that it won't shift while the baby is wearing the diaper.  I did notice that this contributes to a longer drying time, but it isn't a huge amount.  They can be dryed in the dryer or in the sun.  This is also version 2.0 of the diaper which has the microfiber soaker instead of cotton terry.  The microfiber soakers are supposed to be much more absorbant which could make for a great night-time diaper!

I didn't get a picture of it, but the tag is on the outside back.  It is placed there so that the baby does not become irritated by it...not a bad idea!  One of the other things that I immediately loved about this diaper was that the leg gussets are extra stretchy.  It appears to me that there would be no leaks with a newborn and definitely none as the baby grows.

Also, this diaper is SUPER trim.  It isn't bulky at all, which makes for a smarter and better fit for little onesies.  This diaper DOES require a diaper cover as there is no outer waterproof layer.  I have chosen to use Thirsties newborn covers and thirsties duo covers.

Keep in mind, these fitted diapers do have to be prepped before first time use.  The prepping instructions they come with say to wash on hot/high 3 times to reach maximum absorbency.

After all of that, I must say this is one of the diapers that I am most excited about.  They seem to have covered everything that would make for a great newborn diaper.  I really hope this one holds up to my expectations!  At the time of this post, these diapers are $12.95 each for no colors.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.  I will answer if I can, and I have other pictures also.

Cloth Diapering First Impressions

I am going to start a series on my first impressions of the cloth diapers I have so far.  Each part will be numbered and will be about 1 type of cloth diaper I have received.  My first impressions will include the function and description of each type, washing or prep required, the price per dipe, my thoughts, things I am excited about, and pictures of the dipes unused.  I hope that this series will not only help to educate some on the function of certain cloth diapers, but that it would also spark some fun conversation between already users and newbies alike.

Once our little one is born, I will do another series reviewing each dipe in use.  I am super excited to start this process!

I hope you stay tuned!!

Seth's Fall

So a couple of days ago, my hubby was at work.  The ice in their parking lot was still pretty bad at this point.  He slipped and fell.  I WAS SO SCARED.  His back has been pretty sore since then.  His breathing has been pretty painful for a couple of days.  On top of that, he smacked his head on the ice.  He had a huge headache for a couple of days, and the day after it happened, he had a major nose bleed.  We are playing it by ear, but if these symptoms continue much longer, I want to take him to a doctor.

All the things that just kept going through my mind when it happened was being scared that he wouldn't be all right.  Those feelings were always there before, but are even more strong now that we are having a little one.  It is amazing how the switch in your brain gets turned on and worrymode begins.  Worrying about more severe accidents in the future and what they might mean for our little family.  I am just going to keep trusting in the Lord and praying that he keeps us all healthy.  Things like this show me how fragile we are and how we take our lives for granted.

Good lessons to learn!

Belly Flips

It is the most amazing thing to feel your little one flipping around inside of you!  Our little boy has been especially active tonight (the night I am writing this).  As of right now, the trend has been flips instead of kicks or punches.  I can feel something swipe across my entire stomach as I look down and it is all in flux!  What a blessed feeling to get these little updates from the baby telling you he is still doing good :-)  I love it!  The one thing that he does that gets me...those random kicks to the ribs.  OUCH!  But still worth it!

On top of that, I just reviewed my 20 weeks picture and flipped forward to the picture I just took (beginning of 30 weeks).  Wow, and I thought I was big back then.  Ha...what was I thinking!  So how much have I gained you might be asking...I am at about 20 pounds!  I feel like I am on track at this point to a healthy weight loss after the birth which would make me very, very happy!  Of course, I will have to wait a little while to see what really goes down lol.

All I know is I am definitely hitting the sore back and bones stage.  Every morning is a reminder of that.  I am having a small amount of trouble sleeping.  Mostly, I wake up and then can't get back to sleep for at least an hour.  That is no fun.  BUT...as soon as I feel him, I realize it is all totally worth it.  I can't wait to meet him!  I hope he is cute like his daddy ;-)

Handing My Job Off to Another and Plans for Mommyhood

Due to the fact that I want to be a stay at home mom, the Lord has blessed us to do so, and Seth agrees...I have told my employer I would be leaving after the baby comes.  We finished going through the interview process, and the new hire started last Friday.

I have found that I think she is great already.  Her personality is fun, and I don't have any worries about leaving the job in her hands.  Training her is fun because I get to unload all the knowledge that has been stuffed in my brain for the last four years.  Plus it makes the day go super fast :-P

The interesting thing I have found myself thinking about is "What do I do with all this knowledge once I am at home all the time?"  I guess the only answer I have at the moment is to be over-qualified for paying bills in our home haha.  Also I wonder..."Will I be bored?"  I have decided that the answer to that is no since I have never been a mom and will be learning a lot of things in regards to that.  It will be like school all over again (only it will probably never end).

Plus, I will get to add actual experience to my cloth diapering knowledge from my online research.  AND, I can practice making yummy food :-)  That is one of my goals, to widely expand my recipe collection (while still appealing to my very picky husband)!  Is it wrong to hope that my kids will grow up some day thinking that their mom was an awesome cook?  And that the things she cooked were actually healthy (semi-healthy when compared to some of my organic extreme friends haha).

Oh...what an adventure that awaits me!!  If you are a mom, leave me a comment.  I want to hear all the things you were excited about before you gave birth, and all the things you planned that did or didn't pan out.  I find these things are different for everyone :-)

Natural Childbirth: My Reasons Behind the Choice

One of the things everyone gets asked when they get pregnant is, "Are you getting an epidural?"  I knew before I got pregnant what I wanted to do for our children, but I wasn't as educated as I thought I was.  What did I pick?  You guessed it...all naturaaal.  So why am I willing to go through that craziness...???

My first reason might sound a little weird especially since the Lord came to save us.  But...I feel like if I were to get numbed, I would just be finding a modern form of medication to "skip" past the consequences that the Lord put in place for Eve eating the fruit.  I know, sometimes I can't even understand why I feel that way but I do.

On to scientific reasons.  Natural childbirth really is better for the mother and the baby.  An epidural can increase your chances of having a C-Section by up to 50%.  That is a huge increase, and I don't know about the rest of you, but I really don't want to go through that.  It is major surgery, and it really scares me...not to mention the longer recovery time.  It is proven that the more intervention you allow your doctor to have while you are laboring, the more consequences, therefore requiring even more intervention.

The next thing is somewhat debated.  Some say that medication during birth is completely harmless to the child.  Others have evidence that if something makes you numb and a little loopy, your baby comes out that way as well.  I would tend to agree with the latter.  However, trying to be neutral, my thoughts are that if there is a possibility for it to affect the child in a negative way, why chance it?

On top of those things (I could go into more detail for those that are interested) I always have in the back of my mind that the Lord made women to bear children.  The body knows what it is doing.  There are sooo many natural ways of taking away the pain and turning the child without intervention.  Certain positions are known to help with different circumstances.  Hydrotherapy can relieve up to 60% of the pain (WOW)!  Not to mention aromatherapy and relaxation techniques provided by a spouse (or doula). There are so many options that are much safer...I will take my chances with them, and suffer some pain to meet this wonderful miracle as healthy as possible.

Just my thoughts.  Let me know what you think!  By the way, if you want to know more about the natural option, let me know.  I will be happy to tell you about Family Beginnings.

My Favorite Cloth Diaper Supplier

So one thing I noticed when I started researching cloth diapers was that I could find general information about them, but I couldn't find a recommended supplier.  So I searched google and several online stores came up.  After looking at them, I decided I was going to go with Kelly's Closet.

I really like this store because they offer rewards.  You get 1 point for every $1 you spend.  The points that you earn add up, and you can redeem them for gift certificates to the site.  They are also always running promotions.  Most of the time they have a coupon for a free cloth diaper with a purchase of a small dollar amount.  They also have coupons for $10 or $15 off a purchase of a certain dollar amount.  They had a 15% off promo running on super bowl weekend as well.  There are so many ways to save at this store!  Not to mention FREE SHIPPING over $49.

I like the option of the free cloth diaper with purchase.  Most of the time the coupon is good for a diaper of their choosing, but it is nice because you get surprised when it comes, and you get to try something out that you might not necessarily have picked on your own.  It could be your next favorite!

By the way, they don't just sell cloth diapers but accessories, mommy products and other things as well.

They also have a blog called The Cloth Diaper Whisperer with tips and yet again...CLOTH DIAPER GIVEAWAYS!  Wow this place is awesome!

My Cloth Diaper Detergent

When I first started researching cloth diapers, I didn't realize that there were specific detergents I had to use.  Then I found out that most normal detergents contain things like enzymes, dyes and fragrances.  These things build up on the diapers and cause them to repel.  So that started my search into the best cloth diaper detergents.

After hours of researching, I decided I was going to try Rockin Green powder detergent.  It is free of all the things that can cause cloth diapers to repel liquid.  It does come in several natural fragrances, but it also comes in an unscented version.  The thing that I really like about this detergent is that it comes in 3 different formulas: a classic formula, a soft rock formula for soft water, and a hard rock formula for hard water.  We have super hard water so that hard rock formula does the trick for us.  Oh, I should also mention that Rockin Green doesn't create bubbles so it is safe to use in both top loading and front loading machines.  This was important for us because we have a HE front loader.

Well obviously we haven't had the baby yet so I can't yet speak to Rockin Green's ability to clean soiled diapers.  BUT, Seth and I already absolutely LOVE this detergent for all our normal laundry needs.  It really cleans well, and I have even noticed an improvement in my skin (dryness factor etc) which has been especially important during this pregnancy.  I love it!  And unless I have issues after the birth, I will continue to use this detergent!

Self Discipline Problem

Anyone else ever have something they commit to doing, but find out they are slacking on it or aren't doing it period?  I have something like this happening to me right now.  Our house church decided we were going to read the Bible in a year together.  I am super excited about this!  We have a chronological list with 6 readings in a week.  So, we should be reading the Bible daily minus one day of the week (unless we choose to read something else that day).  Honestly, it is only a couple of chapters per day...this should NOT be a problem for me.  But alas, it is.  I find that my self discipline is lacking, and I am not reading on a daily basis.  This is soooo frustrating.

I feel like I should be able to read every day with no issues.  I do have a desire to read every day, but that doesn't mean I always remember.  Especially during this pregnancy (it seems like I am forgetting everything right now).  Then, when I come to the realization that I have forgotten I feel even worse.  I can't believe that I actually forget to do something that is so important to me.  GRRR!!

I just want to get to a point where I have disciplined myself.  I don't want this to become a "habit."  Unless there is such a thing as a good habit that you are being intentional about...is there?  I guess I have always viewed habits as negative or unintentional actions.  Hmm...can they be intentional?  I guess I don't really know the answer to that.  I mean, maybe you can be intentional about making something a habit, but after it is a habit, is it something that you just do without appreciating?  Ha, I am way out of my league here.

I will continue to pray that the Spirit convicts me to read each day.  I hope that I can grow spiritually through this and do it with joy.

Power Outage Experience

Last week we experienced a power outage.  The outage lasted about 40 hours due to a crazy ice storm.  This brought back so many memories from the ice storm we last suffered in 2004 or 2005.

Seth and I were dating back then.  I remember the ice was terrible...the damage to the trees was unmatched by anything I had ever experienced.  The high school shut down for that entire week if I remember correctly.  My mom's house kept power the entire time.  Seth's house did not.  I think their power was out for 7 days or so.  Their house was freezing.  I didn't venture out that week.  I stayed home the entire time, and I was grateful that I was warm!

During the storm we had last week, the power went out at about 10:30 pm.  Two days later at 2:00 pm it was restored.  But those two days were so hard.  The first night wasn't that bad as it only dropped a couple of degrees by the time we got to sleep.  The next morning we woke up to 59 degrees.  It was starting to get chilly, and I didn't want to stay at home for the day especially since I am pregnant (my work was closed).  So I ventured to work with Seth.  Stayed there in the showroom while he worked for 11 and 1/2 hours.  Wow...kind of boring.  But the worst part about it was being stressed about what we were going to do that night for accommodations and feeling like the power company should just have it fixed already.  We were just hoping that the power would be back on by the time we got home because we have cats to think about that hotels would not allow to stay.  Also, if the power was off longer than expected, we would have to think about staying in one for several nights, and we didn't want to spend that money.  So...we decided to stay yet another night in the cold house.  It was 49 degrees when we went to sleep.  We woke up to 44 degrees.  That was COLD!  Thankfully that day was the day the power was restored, and we had a warm place to sleep that night.

The craziest thing about the whole experience was realizing how fortunate I am to even have power.  It was a humbling experience.  I found out that I take power, clean water etc for granted when I didn't think that I did.  Our house church just went through a series called Radical, and this experience just solidified some of the things I learned through it. I am learning to be grateful for these USA norms more and more each day!  I am also remembering to pray now more than ever for those people who don't have these things.  How strong they are...or maybe they just do a better job of relying on the Lord than I do!

Learning All About Cloth Diapering

When Seth and I got pregnant, we decided cloth diapering was the best choice for us.  You might be wondering...how could cloth diapering be an option at all these days?  Cloth diapering isn't what it used to be.  The whole process has become modernized and very easy.  I learned that this was the cutest, safest and most economical way to diaper my child.  I must say, researching and buying cloth diapers has been a super fun experience, and I find that I am addicted to them!

Cloth diapers can save thousands over disposables for one child.  Not to mention the additional savings for each additional child if you take good care of the dipes each time around.  There are so many options to obtain cloth diapers.  FREE: I had a friend that wanted to get rid of her cloth diaper stash so she gave them all to me...over a $300 value (from my research).  BUY NEW: I also chose to purchase some cloth diapering supplies.  BUY USED: Now don't snub your nose at this option.  There are lots of online communities that offer gently used cloth diapers at a discount.  Just strip the dipes when you get them and you are good to go on a nickel instead of a dime.  Even if you buy a whole stash new for one child, the average savings per child is between $1800-$2000 over disposables.  Plus your child won't get the harm of all the toxins, and you will be saving the earth from all your potential disposable diapers laying in a landfill for hundreds of years.

Okay, now to the cute factor...Cloth diapers seriously are the cutest little things that you can put on your baby's bum.  There are many styles in solids and prints.  They can be as easy or as hard as you choose between the different options, but even the hardest of options like prefolds become easy.  Below is a list of my current cloth diaper stash.  I chose to try out a variety of different dipes to see which ones I liked the most.

• 5 Kissaluv's Fitted Diapers - Size 0 for Newborns with Umbilical Cut Out
• 6 Thirsties Diaper Covers (Sized) - Size XS for Newborns with Umbilical Cut Out
• 5 Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefolds - Size 1
• 24 Indian Cotton Prefolds
• 6 Thirsties Duo Diaper Covers (One Size Grows with Baby)
• 12 SmartiPants One Size Pocket Diapers
• 1 BumGenius Deluxe All In One - Size Small (Up to 16lbs)
• 1 BumGenius 4.0 One Size Pocket Diaper
• 24 Thirsties Cloth Wipes
• 2 Snappi Diaper Fasteners
• 1 BumGenius Bottom Cleaner (Wipe Solution)
• 2 Unknown One Size Diapers on the Way - A Reward from the Website I Purchased From
• 1 Diaper Pale
• 2 Diaper Pale Liners
• UPDATE: The two unknown one size diapers have arrived! They are Rumparooz G2 One Size Diapers with 6-r Soakers

Okay so that will conclude my first cloth diaper post.  Later I will post about the different types of cloth diapers, why babies love cloth diapers, how to strip them and the process for washing cloth diapers regularly.  I will also do a series of posts after the baby is born reviewing each of the dipes in my stash as well as washing routine changes.  If you have questions, feel free to leave a comment and I will definitely answer to the best of my ability.

At Home Mom

One thing I have to share is that I am so excited to become a stay at home mom.  I think sometimes in our society this is frowned upon, but I think it is truly a blessing to be able to do so.  What could be more wonderful than spending as much time as possible with my kids?  Taking time to raise them to the best of my ability...it's a great thing.

I must admit, before pregnancy, I didn't relish cleaning time.  In fact, I hated that time of week.  But now, I have a feeling of purpose in cleaning.  Keeping the house nice for my family as an occupation and not a chore.  I can say the same for cooking.  I find myself getting excited for the days when I can prepare a yummy home cooked meal for my family without the hustle and bustle of leaving work and taking an extra hour or two to make it.  Gone will be the days of hot dogs and mac and cheese for dinner (for the most part ;-P).

So some of you may be wondering...is this just her nesting stage?  I can truly say I don't think so.  I have been feeling this way since day one of finding out we had a miracle on the way.  My nesting stage was much more specific and targeted.  I had to clean the whole house and reorganize every room, and if I didn't do so in the time I had planned...Lord help my attitude.

On top of that, so many weekends of enjoyment doing these things have passed.  Now my belly is getting so big that I am too tired to enjoy being up and about, but the desire is still there.  I love the feeling that I get when my husband comes home with a smile on his face due to the wonderful aroma of something I have cooked and a clean surface on which to eat it.

I am so looking forward to being able to do these things on a regular basis and NOT missing a moment of my child's young years...especially those first months of baby bum cuteness!  Praise the Lord for giving this blessing!  Thank you to my husband for being so supportive of my mommy needs!

Getting Acquainted

So this is the first blog post I have ever written.  I am new to this whole thing, and I must admit I can't wait to start posting!  My goal is to keep the people in our lives up-to-date on all the things happy, sad, fun and exciting that happen to our little family.  Let's see...where should I begin?

Well I guess I should recap the last 7 and 1/2 years.  My husband Seth and I are high school sweethearts, and we started dating in 2003 (I was just getting ready to turn 16).  Through the years we stayed together and decided to go to the same university.  In 2007, my freshman year in college, we got engaged.  We were then married on 6/7/08 between my sophomore and junior year.  We were able to buy our first house in 2009.  I got a full-time job at our church as the staff accountant that year, and Seth became a used car salesman the year after.  SURPRISE...in August 2010, we found out we were pregnant with our first child...A BOY!  I think that brings us up-to-date.

Seth and I have been together happily now for 7 and 1/2 years, and I am 7 months pregnant!  This little adventure called life is about to get a lot more exciting and a lot crazier!  The baby is due 4/28/11.  I guess I forgot to mention that our little family also includes 2 cats: Willow and Shadow.

Family ties are only getting stronger, and friendships are as well.  The Lord has truly blessed the life that Seth and I have together.  He is the one redeemer and a truly amazing God.  I am so thankful for His grace!

I hope to post at least one update a week so keep coming back as I unravel the fabric that we call our lives.

Ladies and gentlemen, that's a wrap!