As of Late

1 & 2- Cousin visits

3- A hotel stay

4- Puppy cuddles

5- First real bath 

6- First day at church

7- Swing love

8- Growing like a weed (sigh) 

The One Where She Talks About Poop

PREFACE: 

We are a cloth diaper family.

I love it. 

One of the best decisions we've made. 

Now that Mila-bird has made her debut, and now pushing into her fifth (what!?) week of life, this mama gets a lot of questions about how we tackle this. 

When I was pregnant I debated whether to start cloth diapering from the second she was born or wait until we came home from the hospital. I'm REALLY glad I waited until we got home. Having to deal with an unplanned c-section and a long hospital stay (and almost an even longer one for Birdie) would have made diapering more tedious. Who wants to come home with a ton of laundry, anyways? So, her little booty stayed in disposables for four days. 

Honestly, it was a little challenging? Difficult? Strange... getting started once she was home. Each baby has their own shape and unique "way" of ...er... going... so getting the right fit and diaper type can take some trial and error. During this time, since we were exclusively co-sleeping, I kept a little piddle pad underneath her while she slept. 

WHAT WE SPENT: 

24 Diaper Service Quality cloth diapers: $40

3 Snappi's: $9

6 KaWaii diapers: $35

9 Baby City diapers: $20

6 Fuzzibunz diapers: $86

7 (gently used) ProRaps covers: $15

48 baby wash cloths: $12

2 small spray bottles: $3

2 wet bags: free, thanks to grandma

1 trash can: $15

1 travel size Dr. Bronner's lavender soap: $3 

TOTAL: $238.00 

WHAT WE USE: 

(Thanks a heap, blogger, for not letting me rotate.) 

What we use: (clockwise from top) 

Yellow- KaWaii Heavy Duty one size diaper 

White- Fuzzibunz one size diaper

Pink- Baby City one size diaper

White- ProRaps newborn cover 

Note: "one size" means it will fit a baby from birth (or about 8-10lbs) until about 30 lbs. They cost more but are a better investment in my personal opinion. 

When Mila came home 99% of the time she was in a traditional cloth diaper (think of a traditional spit up rag but higher quality) with a ProRap cover. In the picture you can see the the cover has a little notch at the top that prevents the diaper from touching little belly buttons. Whenever she was soiled the cloth diaper would go into the pail and the cover- if not soiled- would be reused. Otherwise it, too, would go into the wash pail. I only used the newborn size as she grew out of them very, very quickly. (Uhh... two weeks later.) While she was growing out of these I started putting her into Fuzzibunz. These have an insert that go into a little pocket. When it's soiled you remove the insert and throw it and the cover (pictured) into the wash pail. The snaps are adjustable and there's elastic in the legs and waist that let you customize the fit to your baby. (Perfect for Birdie's chunky thighs AND skinny waist.) 

Now that Mila-bird has filled out and lost her belly button cord we're using only KaWaii, Fuzzibunz and Baby City. Each has their own washing instructions, look, "pro," and fit. Am I happy with them? Yes. Definitely. 

 Birdie wearing a traditional cloth diaper and a snappi to secure it. (ProRap cover would go over this) 

Birdie-girl sporting a KaWaii diaper before bath time. 

HOW WE WASH: 

Directions for each cloth diaper brand posted inside a cabinet in the laundry room.

Top of the line cloth diaper detergent. 

Our trash can wash pail... complete with dirty diapers and inserts. Most people use a pail liner but a Febreeze-scented trash bag works just fine. 

Grandma made Birdie two travel wet bags for her diaper bag. This holds dirty diapers (and sometimes clothes) until we get home to wash them. 

Because I invested in these diapers and plan on using them for other children I do a wash every other day. Waiting longer can build up some funk and risk the chances of diaper rash appearing on a booty. Each diaper has their own specific washing instructions, but I always do a 30 minute cold water soak before I toss them into the washing machine...this also includes the travel wet bags. (To eliminate chances of stains, lingering smells, etc.) You'd be surprised to learn that with all of the diapers we use you're only supposed to use anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 the detergent amount you'd use for the load size. Detergent can actually build up on the diapers and make them ineffective at soaking up what it needs to. Also, cloth diapers cannot be washed with just any detergent. I use All Free & Clear as it has no additives, dyes, perfumes, etc, etc. I use this on Birdie's clothes as well instead of Dreft. I wash on a regular cycle but once a week I do a sanitize setting to really make sure everything- including the washer- is clean. I just purchased the Rockin Green detergent last week to help prevent ammonia build up. So far I think it's a great product. The package is really tiny but it doesn't take much per load. 

I know what you're thinking... what about poop. Mila is exclusively breastfed so her poop breaks up really easily. Poopy diapers are stored in the wash pail until I'm ready to do a load. I use our laundry sink to spray out the poop. Yes, sometimes that means I touch it. I don't mind it... it's JUST poop. Once it's sprayed out I soak all diapers and reuseable wipes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. Then I wash the diapers according to the manufacturer's instructions. (Wipes go in the load with the hottest setting.) 

Sounds like a lot? It's really, really not. In the time it takes me to load up an infant, drive to Costco, stand in line, pay, and drive back home I could have all of the diapers washed, dried and assembled... with time to spare. 

HOW WE STORE: 

Baby City diapers with reusable cloth wipes.  

KaWaii and Fuzzibunz's with a pile of extra inserts.  

Our wipe system: a small spray bottle of water mixed with three drops of Dr. Bronner's lavender soap. I spray the wipes to moisten them but sometimes I just spray her directly. LOVE the smell! 

All of the diapers I'm using are pocket diapers- they have two inserts that are stuffed into the pocket to create the fluffiness of the diaper. I stuff all of the diapers with just one insert but sometimes I add the second if Birdie will be asleep for awhile or if we're going to be in the car for a long time. It just adds more absorbency. 

After everything is dry it takes me approximately 10 minutes or less to get all of the diapers stuffed, organized and put away. 

ON THE GO: 

There's not a big difference in cloth diapering at home versus on-the-go. Instead of throwing away diapers and wipes as they're used they just get tossed into that green wet bag until we get home. I usually have at least 2-3 cloth diapers in my baby bag... sometimes a couple more just to be safe. I also have a small stack of reusable wipes (baby wash cloths), a piddle pad, a travel-sized spray bottle of water, and a cloth diaper friendly diaper rash cream. (Mila breaks out if I eat a lot of acidic foods) 

Will we ever go back to disposables? Yes. I purchased a pack of disposable Seventh Generation diapers (wipes, too!) for a weekend trip that we took last week. We stayed in a hotel the entire three days and I knew that I wasn't going to have access to a washing machine. I don't mind doing this again in the future if I needed to. 

WHY WE DO IT: 

Each cloth diapering family has their own personal reason as to why they do it. For our family it breaks down to two reasons: 

1) The cost- It absolutely blows my mind to think that I'm literally throwing money away each time I change a diaper that's been worn for such a short amount of time. I once read that to cloth diaper a child from birth to 2 years old (including electricity/ gas costs) can cost as little as $300. To diaper a child from birth to 2 years old using disposables can cost at least $1,300. HELLO! 

2) Chemicals- Sounds silly but it's true. D and I are silent, closeted hippies are heart. The thought of all of those disposable diaper chemicals touching our Birdie's skin makes us both cringe. This is why we use mostly water with our reusable wipes. 

Call me crazy but I think little bums look a little bit cuter in cloth diapers. 

15 Days

It's clique to say that time has flown by... but, actually, it truly has. In a twisted way it seems like my days spent recovering in the hospital happened eons ago. (Maybe it just seemed like I was there for a ridiculously loooong time.)

Mila-bird has taught me so much within these past 15 days: breastfeeding while shopping in Target/ restaurants, how to use the bathroom with an infant in your arms (a public one, too!), how to get blood drawn while holding said infant, driving with a screamer in the backseat, how to- unsuccessfully- change a (cloth) diaper in a car, how to clothe a child that's too big for most of the stuff you have, how to clip nails without mauling little fingers, and so on...

... just to name a few.

At this point I'm delighted (and feel a little guilty saying) that Birdie is an easy, peasy baby. Breastfeeding has been a breeze, I get to shower everyday, she likes the car (except when hungry), and I'm sleeping about 6-7 combined hours per night. (I still have dark circles under my eyes, though.) We spend the bulk of our days nursing, changing/ caring for cloth diapers, finding something to do outside of the house (cough, cough Target cough), and doing stuff that must be done- doggie exercising, laundry, lots of phone calls with D, and the like.

We've had quite a few visitors within the past two weeks. I wish it was easy to fork over Mila-bird when others perch- ready to take her from my arms... but that mama-bear in me kicks in. Hard. So far, this has been my only challenge. There have been times when I have to descretly excuse myself and cry in the bathroom after visitors leave. Sharing isn't always easy.

iPhoto notes that I've taken 145 pictures of Mila-bird within the past 15 days. You know...heh... just a few. Here's a sample of my favorites:

Last picture of me pregnant, walking into the hospital.  

Our first picture together 

My mom skyping with D during delivery/ clean up 

4:30am, slightly tired, but thrilled.  

Hanging out in the hospital nursery after nursing.  

Heading home! 

 First night home

First pediatrician appointment/ day out.  

Smiley bird 

Birdie- girl loves her some water time.  

Sweet girl 

Snuggle bug

...And, Then, Your Face.

Mild contractions
Broken water
Hours of relentless back labor
An epidural
A high fever
A decision
An operating room
A Skype phone call
Full-body shaking
A single cry... Then a few more.
(and tears from your daddy)

...and, then, your face next to mine.

It was a face I'd been dreaming of for over three years. Your cry: a sound that instantly bonded you to me, and told me you were ours...forever.

Your journey- in every sense of the word- was nothing short of dramatic. Your calm, content nature, dark hair, chunky self, and mama-like features were all icing on top our new little cupcake.  

You were 9.8 pounds and 21.5 inches. And we're in love with all that you encompass.

Mila Scout- you are our favorite work of art. 

Shh... Baby Is Sleeping

Just when I was ready to piece together Birdie's room in Cannon Beach we learned that we had to move. So we did- to Seaside. Then we left on vacation days after moving. Having to reorganize a house at 7+ months pregnant was hard, and delayed putting together (or even unpacking shower gifts) Birdie's room. I got as far as putting together the changing table and swing. Then we received orders and had to pack and move again- to California. It's frustrating that 90% of what I planned on doing in Birdie's room I either can no longer do (goodbye vintage baby cradle, goodbye pinterest plans) or have to wait on.

I find it surreal, and odd at times, that I'm back in my parents house 9+ months pregnant with two dogs. Not only back in my parents house but back in my old room: my high school room that was converted to my niece's room that's now been reconverted to Wifey-and-Birdie's room. High school memories are tucked in between children's books, baby dolls, dog beds, a pack n play and swaddling blankets.

I have to get used to an idea in my head before I become comfortable with the real situation. I've been trying to- mentally- reconvert my new reality into ideas in my head to become comfortable and okay with them. Take, for example, the hospital. I was soooo excited to be delivering at the hospital in Seaside. They're child birthing views clicked with our own. My hospital in Clovis? Ehh... not too excited about. I really enjoy and click with my OB and midwife but the actual hospital was a major step down.

Then it hit me: all of the new situations and realities that I've been thrown into are merely a trade off. All of them, for the most part, have been for the better:

- Instead of staying in a really nice hospital room for 24 hours I get to mother Birdie in an extremely nice home AND room. (My parents have gone out of their way to accommodate us, and have rushed some home improvements, too. Hello, new closets, tv and hardwood floors!)

- Instead of navigating motherhood alone I get to be surrounded by more support than I could ever ask for.

- Heat and sun instead of rain and cold... enough said!

- Nana, Papa, Grammy and Grandpa will be able to see and experience Birdie in her infancy. They would not of had this opportunity before.

- My mom gets to experience my pregnancy and Birdie's birth at the cost of D being away. While not ideal at all, my mom didn't get to do this with her other two grand-babies. D has selflessly sacrificed a very special day in order to set up our future. We also know that 4-ish months apart is nothing compared to what other military families have to experience.

So, the crib is still in a box, our things are in storage and we haven't had a chance as a couple to experience nesting. I keep reminding myself that our next move will more than provide all of that. For now I'm pretty content with what I have been able to do and the with the generosity that my parents (and in-law's, too!) have been providing.

Without further ado here's Birdie's first little nest:

 Rocking chair and swing

 Newborn & 0-3 month outfits

 Odds and ends: books, rattles, wet bag, toiletry items, etc.

Lovelies, fancy socks and shoes, and larger sized cloth diapers 

 Diaper bag is packed and ready for the hospital. Video camera is ready, too. 

Baby central: Cloth diapers and wipes, swaddlers, receiving blankets, onesies, sleepers and gowns, socks, extra sheets, changing pads and burp cloths.  

Pack n play with changing table attachment next to my bed. My mom made that pink blanket when she was pregnant with me.  

 Cute sign that used to hang on my door when I was born. Birdie's name and birth year will be added onto the backside underneath mine. 

My favorite thing to look at: Cloth diapers and fasteners on the left and wipes and diaper covers on the right. (With blue hippo that was mine as a baby) 

40+6

40 weeks + 6 days overdue

Size of Baby: Approximately 20 inches from head to toe, or about the size of a small pumpkin. She weighs in the 7-7.5lb range. (I keep forgetting to ask my OB her guesstimate.) 

Total Weight Gain: I'm up a pound again. That brings my total pregnancy weight gain to 28lbs. 

Continuing Symptoms: Nasal congestion, swollen hands and feet, and just plain hot all the time. Some days are more "comfortable" than others. 

New Symptoms: Welcome back, acid reflux! It comes during the middle of the night and, at times, almost feels like I wake up choking. Tums and a little ice water have been doing the trick. I've also begun to leak colostrum. I have in the past but it's becoming more consistent. 

Labor Symptoms: On Wednesday I was having real (gasp!) contractions! They were lasting 2, 4, 8, and 10 minutes long but the time in between was heading in the wrong direction- increasingly further apart instead of shorter. It's definitely true that you WILL know the difference between a Braxton-Hicks and a real contraction when it happens! At my weekly OB appointment yesterday I had a non-stress test. I was hooked up to a fetal monitor for about 20 minutes to monitor Birdie's heart rate and such. This shows how well the placenta is performing since I'm overdue. I had to chase Birdie-bird with the monitor as I had just eaten a lunch that she was particularly jazzed about. Turns out I was having contractions every 7 minutes, none of which phased little girl. (Whew!) I've also progressed to 2 cm dilated and, coincidently, lost my bloody show. Woo-hoo! My OB seems to think I won't make it past Saturday. Last night I was having lots o' pressure and contractions. I tied up loose ends just in case but nothing exciting happened. This morning I'm having more spotting and a little back pressure. Hopefully things will start to rev up as the day progresses. 

Maternity Clothes: Because of all the excitement last night I made a bee-line to Target to pick up a couple nursing bras to have on hand. They're technically "nighttime" nursing bras. I plan on purchasing a couple nursing camis and maybe one actual nursing bra but after my milk comes in and has settled a little. 

Sleep: Sleep is total hit or miss now. I stopped napping/ resting in the afternoons since I seem to have a little more energy. (Or maybe just trying to stay busy..?) This week I've had a couple nights of really good, hard sleep. The remaining nights have held lots of waking up, lots of short dozes, having trouble maintaining a comfortable position and hearing D's 3am text messages. (6am his time- his good morning/ check-in text.) 

What I'm Eating: My parents and I have been eating out a LOT lately. I'm eating to stay full and haven't really had any aversions to much. I just discovered Greek salads and it's probably one of my favorite things right now. 

Cravings: Chips Ahoy, zucchini, milk, turkey sandwiches, Kashi shredded wheat cereal, and Fiber One bars. 

Special Pregnancy Moments: 

1. Purchasing the LAST items on my baby to-do list. 

2. Spending the other day just enjoying things I wanted to do: haircut, shopping, lunch. 

3. Packing MY overnight bag for the hospital. 

4. D's phone calls starting with, "What's the latest?" 

5. Seeing my bloody show. Ok, ok not the prettiest but still amazing in its own way. 

39 Weeks

39 weeks!!! 

Size of Baby: Birdie-girl is approximately 20 inches from head to toe, and weighs in the 7 lb range. She's approximately the size of a mini watermelon.
Total Weight Gain: Up 1 lb makes my total 27 lbs.
Continuing Symptoms: Gosh darn nasal congestion that seems to only become worse as the air is much dryer here in the valley. (D was right- I am snoring a lot more as my parents have also become witnesses.) My hands and feet are still swollen.
New Symptoms: Small bouts of nausea at times. I've also been having some foot issues. I don't want to say it's pain but it's definitely more than just "uncomfortable." It's worse in my left foot. I'm pretty sure it's caused by the increased pressure in my whole body and the fact that I'm walking around barefoot a LOT more. (I'm technically flat footed.) I finally had some small stretch marks take their place on my growing belly. They're mostly located around what was my belly button.
Labor Symtoms: Still experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions. Some days I'll have more menstrual-like cramps and strong lower back pain. Last night I was having some decent contractions to the point that I started timing them. They were too inconsistent and eventually stopped after I showered and went to bed. As of today I'm still 1 cm dilated and still 50% effaced. My mucous plug is practically all gone. Birdie has definitely dropped lower as my OB was able to feel her little head.
Maternity Clothes: With only a couple weeks left- at the most- I'm still functioning on what I currently have. The heat in the valley is a force to be reckoned with, especially when I'm used to being pale in 55*, misty weather. (I have worked up quite the tan in the last two weeks!)  I'm mostly living in workout shorts and tanks as I get easily overheated in anything heavier. I did buy a new pair of capri leggings but mostly because my other pair is two years old and on their way out. The planner in me is anxious for Birdie to arrive so she can cross "buy nursing stuff" off her long to-do list.
Sleep: Some days I get up, get dressed, and feel like I need to go back to bed. I've been taking 1-2 hour naps every afternoon. About every other night I pass out on the couch very suddenly and drag myself to bed once I wake up around midnight. I finally figured out the best pillow arrangement for my body and it's been helping me sleep more soundly. I have to have a pillow under my belly for support anytime I sleep or sit, just because it now weighs so much! Dog-dogs and I have a new, great morning schedule that helps all of us catch up on a little more sleep.
What I'm Eating: Anything my mom has been making. Literally. I'm so lucky that she loves to cook.
Cravings: In-N-Out, Chips Ahoy cookies, yogurt, cereal, granola bars, broccoli, and meat in general.
Special Pregnancy Moments:
1. Finally getting to nest. (Post on that to follow)
2. Meeting my new OB and hearing that she supports and agrees with my birth plan. (whew!)
3. Watching my mom pack her "grandma bag" for when we head to the hospital.
4. Learning how to install our carseat and seeing it actually set up in the car.
5. Finished prepping and pre-stuffing our newborn cloth diapers.
6. The way my niece can.not.stop.touching.me. She's constantly loving on my tummy and just me in general. Love that girl.
7. Getting multiple daily phone calls from D. It's truly the highlight(s) of my day. I love hearing him remind me, each time, how I can get in touch with him when "it's time."