Happy Monday!

I woke up today to the BEST e-mail. Someone I hardly knew e-mailed me thanking me for my homeopathic suggestions for their cold. It made me feel so good to hear that after a weeks worth of medicine that wasn't working they tried ginger root tea and a lemon honey mixture and were pretty much better the next day! Sometimes I think cold meds just weaken our immune systems. Perhaps I'm right??!

Pumpkin Picking =)

We decided to take the boys to pick a pumpkin out! Nathan had the best time of his life and it was probably the best idea ever. He definitely got his wiggles out running around trying to pick up and climb on all the "balls" (aka Pumpkins) as my son would call it. We wound up getting a nice sized pumpkin for only $8! Kyler slept the entire time while I wore him in my Lovey Duds baby wrap! He loved it too! Thought I'd add some pictures for everyone!

Kyler's Birth Story!!!

Wednesday, September 15th my Husband and I arrived at our Doctor's appointment around 10:30 AM. We were truly unhappy to find out one of our last appointments was not with our own Doctor. As a matter of fact this woman walked into the appointment room and didn't even introduce herself. Given we were planning to go completely natural we had asked in the past to not have my membranes stripped. As this woman was checking my cervix she began to tell me how almost every woman needed Pitocin to speed up their labor and yada yada. (Definite WARNING sign). I politely told her I can do this with out the drug but thank-you any way. Then she began to tell me that since I was four centimeters she wanted to admit me! Umm no Thank-you! I wasn't having any contractions. So as she kept her fingers in there all the sudden I felt a ton of more pressure and she began pushing on my belly. It hurt so bad I began to tear up and my Husband immediately jumped to my side and asked the Doctor what she was doing. She had told my Husband that she was pulling my cervix up and pushing the baby's bottom down. This was code for I just stripped your membranes and you can't do crap about it! GREAT!!!!!

We finally left the Doctor's appointment, my Husband a bit more upset than I was. I figured nothing we can do now. Plus what ever she did probably won't work! BOY WAS I WRONG. I began have sporadic contractions and menstrual cramping right after. I just figured this was normal after a cervical check and went about my day.

We picked up our son from Day Care. He took a nap and woke up around 4:00 PM. At 4:30 I had my blood show and decided to walk Nate to the park and see what happens. Sure enough around 5:30 I began to have contractions that were about 10 mins apart. As a little more time progressed the dropped down to 3 mins apart but only 40 seconds long. I ate some salad while bouncing on my birthing ball and while Nathan played. In a short time they seemed to intensify. Around 7:00 I knew this was it. I called Nathan's Day Care teacher and told her I needed to drop our son off since I was going into labor. My Husband put all our bags in the car and we dropped him off with his teacher. I then started listening to my Birthing Guide Hypnobabies track and Birthing Affirmations to relax my self.

We got to the Hospital around 8:30. My contractions remained 3 - 3 1/2 minuets apart and 40 seconds long. I got a cervical exam and was only 4 cm's dilated and still 90% effaced! This was very frustrating and I was thinking to myself, how could this not be labor?! It was so intense! The nurse monitored the baby and I for 20 mins and then allowed us to walk the halls, eat, drink, ect... At 9:00 PM the nurse came back in to check me. I was now 5 and half centimeters! I was so happy there was some progression. I tried to keep up with my hypnosis but at that point my contractions were so intense my focus was on the pain. Not a smart move! One hour later and my contractions remained 3 - 3 1/2 minuets apart about 90 seconds long. At this point I began to get sick to my stomach. I kept removing the monitor to make a run to the bathroom. About a half an hour into this my nurse was getting mad at me for removing the monitor so much and staying in the bathroom. I refused to leave though and at that point contractions were one on top of the other. Finally I got the courage to get back into bed but I was begging my Husband to get me the Epidural. The pain was unbearable. He said we'll talk about it but I knew he was waisting time on purpose so I couldn't get it. The nurse then decided to check me. She asked me if I was sure I wanted the Epidural and I asked her what she meant. She told me I was 8 1/2 centimeters dilated! I looked at my Husband who just kept telling me we're doing this for the baby and with tears in my eyes I told them lets continue with out it! At around 11:30 PM I was checked and was 10 cm dilated and ready to go. My bag of water did not break on it's own so they did the honors for me. My Husband rubbed my head and continued to tell me "Relax". I started to feel a completely out of body experience. I was in complete relaxation. This was go time! The baby's head began to crown and my body began to push on it's own. The Doctor (same woman from this morning) started to do Perineal massages and held back my cervical lip to allow the baby's head to move out with out tearing. With only 6 minuets of pushing Kyler Grant Kush was out and on my stomach! I couldn't believe it! We waited for the cord to go flat and stop pulsating before cutting it. We quickly removed my gown for skin to skin contact and it was amazing. He was so calm and amazing! After the placenta came out I sat up and began to nurse him for a bit. He was a pro! He nursed for an entire half an hour. After nursing the pediatric nurses came in and measured him and weighed and did all his stats. At 12:01 September 16th, 2010 Kyler Grant Kush was born at 6 lbs 14 oz and 19 inches long! I still can't believe we did it!

Day 4 of Early Labor!

On Wednesday my Husband and I went to the Doctor's to have my Cerclage removed.

** BG- At 16 weeks I was showing signs of preterm labor. I began contracting and went into the Doctor's to have my cervix checked and low and behold it was only 1.95 cm's long, dilated to a 1 and funneling! At 17 weeks I had an Emergent Cerclage put in and was put on strict bed rest. I was told that I would not make it to 37 weeks. We only had a 40% chance. Well, we beat the odds!!!

Any way, after a few minuets of having the Cerclage removed the Doctor checked me and I was 3 cm dilated and 90% effaced. He then sent me home and we set up an appointment for the Wednesday the following week. As soon as we get home I begin having contractions every ten minuets apart and about 60 to 90 seconds long. Then the time shortens to about 5 minuets apart. At this point I'm thinking here we go!!! Well, I couldn't be MORE wrong!

I send my Husband to pick up our son, Nathan, so that I can spend some time with him. As I'm doing so my contractions begin to be only two minuets apart, stronger and stay long. My Husband is now running around like a chicken with his head cut off and I'm drinking my laborade. Then about a half an hour into this they completely slow down. FALSE ALARM... sigh!

So here I am 4 days later and still no baby. Every day I have had contractions that range any where from 5-15 mins apart and I have completely lost my mucus plug. I have done long walks and squats on the birthing ball and no avail. My little guy has even helped me! He's such a Cutie! Oh well, maybe next week! Until then I'll be patiently waiting for my little guy to arrive!

Sunbaby Diapers!!

When we're talking crunchy and budget minded cloth diapering is an awesome way to go! We just recently started using Sunbaby Diapers and I wanted to do a review on them because of how awesome of a deal they were! I purchased 10 diapers and 10 inserts for $45! What a deal! In my mind, you can't beat $5 a diaper! These diapers can be found on Ebay from a work at home Mom from China. She gives free shipping but it does take a while to receive them. Ours came in about 2 and half weeks after purchase.

Any way, Sunbaby Diapers are a pocket diaper. This means the diaper consists of two parts. The insert and the diaper. The insert is made of microfiber. It is stuffed into the pocket of the diaper and looks just like a regular disposable diaper when stuffed. This is great for Dads, Grandparents or babysitters who are not used to cloth diapers and don't want to deal with too many parts. Bellow I added some pictures to show you how these diapers work!

Here is the diaper completely stuffed! It looks just like a disposable diaper:

In the picture bellow you can see how I stuffed the insert into the diaper:

This picture bellow is showing you what the insert and diaper looks like:

PRETTY SIMPLE!

To continue, the diaper seemed very absorbent. I changed Nathan's diaper every 2 hours. We did; However, have leaks at nap time with just one insert so you must double stuff them for nap time. I personally do not recommend them for over night use.

The Sunbaby seller did claim that the diaper would go up to 35 lbs and it definitely has lived up to it's standards. Our son is 35 lbs and they still fit him. They are on the third to last snaps! She also advises against washing them over 104 degrees F so be aware of that before making your purchase!

Well, I hope you all enjoyed my short review of Sunbaby! One last thing I would like to add is to be aware of who you are purchasing from. There are a few sellers out there claiming they sell Sunbaby Diapers when in fact they do not! Some people call their diapers Sunny Baby Diapers and claim them to be exactly the same as Sunbabies when in fact this is NOT the case! Please be aware of this before making your purchase! Thank-you!

Natural Cleaning Products on a Budget!!!

All purpose Cleaner:

1 Part vinegar

1 Part Water

Few drops Lemon Juice

Can be used as an all purpose cleaner through out the house.

Dry Laundry Detergent:

1 Part Borax

1 Part Washing Soda (Made by Arm and Hammer)

1 Part Grated Zote Soap or Ivory Soap (may sub 1 part Oxyclean for bar soap)

To make Grate the Soap with a cheese grater. For ever cup of grated soap add 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup Washing Soda.

Use 1 Tablespoon per full load and 1/2 Tablespoon for small loads and cloth diapers.

Given that the mixture does not cause suds in your wash you may use this homemade remedy in your HE washer.

Wood Polish:

-Olive Oil

-A few drops of lemon juice

To use put a small amount on Cloth or Paper towel and polish furniture.

Bathroom Cleaners:

Undiluted vinegar is GREAT for removing hard water deposits and soap scum. You may want to invest in an industrial sized bottle of vinegar as it has so many cleaning benefits. You can clean your toilets one of two ways.

Toilet Cleaner Solution 1: Put undiluted vinegar into a squirt bottle (Can be bought at the dollar store of beauty supply store). Squirt undiluted vinegar around the lining of the inside of the toilets and scrub clean.

Toilet Cleaner Solution 2: 1 Part Borax and 1/4 cup Lemon Juice. Pour into toilet and let sit overnight if possible. Scrub away and flush!

Bathtub Cleaner: 1 cup Borax and 1 part Baking Soda. (You may want to add Tree oil and or Lemon Juice as these sill help with any mildew build up and clean at the same time). Wet your scrub bush and scrub away!

Bathroom Floors and Tile cleaner:

- 1/2 cup vinegar

- 1 Gallon Water

- 2 tbsp liquid soap

- 15 drops either lemon juice or tree oil

Combine ingredients in a bucket and mop away.

Glass Cleaner:

-1 Tablespoon white vinegar

-1 Cup water