Sunday, August 29, 2010

Cloth Diaper Love.

I don't know if I've mentioned... 
Have I mentioned?
I love cloth diapers.
I think she loves them too.
I want to tell everyone I know about cloth diapers. I'd love to be a cloth diaper consultant. But these things take time, money, and follow-through. I'm not in abundance of those things.
So today, this will suffice:
Man, she's getting cute.
I just love how a bow and a cloth diaper make an outfit.
Can't say that about a huggies, can you?
Clearly, I'm not wordy tonight. But I promised softbum pics. :)

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Cloth Diapering, Pt. 2

So I posted (ages ago, I know) about cloth diapering and using the iCandy diapering system. I thought I'd update about cloth diapering since I've actually, you know, started. Haha!

In a nutshell: love it. I can't believe I didn't do this with Sophia! I would have saved so much money it's ridiculous. Plus the waste from diapers, not to mention how much healthier it is for her little bum. But alas, she's potty trained. (Joke, I'm THRILLED she's potty trained.)

The iCandy diapering system is totally adorable. Here's proof.
I know, right? Who wouldn't want that on their bottom?? These are 2 of the 5 totally adorable covers I have.

My two gripes with this system is that while it nevereverevereverNEVER leaks poop (even exclusively breastfed poop), it does sometimes leak pee. I've started to hit my stride with these diapers so I have more sucess than not, but still, it irks me. My other gripe is that it's a two size system, not a one sized system. So, when she grows out of this system I'm moving to...

Softbums! I already have one of these (no pics yet, sorry), and I love this sytem. It's an all in two, which means you switch out the insert when it's just wet. It's a fantastical, magical system, in that there's little "snuggers" in the legs which means it actually does fit from birth to potty training. And frankly, the snaps on other diapers are really annoying. I know most moms swear by them, but I'm a velcro kinda girl.

Anyway, we're buying a couple softbums a month until we have a decent stash. I can't wait to get more. So far what's been working surprisingly well is that I can fit an iCandy insert into the softbum shell, which creates a SUPER trim diaper. Like, Huggies trim.

I'm typing really fast because I can hear Paisley on the baby monitor and I need to wrap this up, lol.

Things that surprised me about cloth diapering:
um, it's actually not that gross.
the washing? So easy. And I don't mind it because I don't have to fold. I just stuff everything back in the drawer, easy peasy.
it's adorable.
I'm hooked. I don't think I will ever go back to "sposies." I love it!

Okay now Pais is fussing so without proof reading, I'm sending this post off into the big bad world!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Cloth Diapering! The iCandy Diapering System

I have to admit, I'm turning into a much different mother than I ever imagined I would be. I always knew I'd want the best for my kids and do everything for them. But this Granola Mom is coming out of nowhere. First home birth, now cloth diapering? What's next, homeschool?? (Yes, actually... but we'll get to THAT post in a couple of years.)

Cloth diapering is something I've been thinking about since Sophia was a baby. But frankly, it just seemed... hard. I can't tell you how much I loathe laundry. I could see the benefits: healthier for baby (far less rash!), better for the environment, and so much cheaper in the long run. But laundry? And washing poop, no less!

So it got put on the back burner. But about six months ago, I started thinking about it again. I was tempted to try something like gDiapers, where you can flush the poopy part, but when I calculated it out, it was even more money than disposables. That seemed ridiculous so I forgot about it. Then several months ago my sister-in-law announced that they had made the switch to CDing. Surprisingly, she seemed happy about it. But I was in the middle of preparing for a home birth and didn't have the energy to entertain such thoughts. It went to the back burner again.

Now that I have my little crunchy baby, I have lots and lots of time to think of silly things like cloth diapering. I poured hours (and I mean hours) into researching all the cloth diaper options. I'd like one but then I'd find another one that had different features I liked more. I probably thought a little too much about this decision, come to think of it. I was trying to find the best diapers for the lowest price.

Price was actually a huge factor in our decision, and what swayed Gary over to CDing. Can you imagine spending between $200 and $400 on diapers for the rest of your life? It's hard to swallow at first when you see cloth diapers run from $15-25 per diaper. Yes. Per. Diaper. But if you calculate how many times you'll use that $25 diaper, the savings are phenomenal.

Okay, so what did I ultimately go with, for all my researching? *Sighing happily here.* Urban Fluff's iCandy diapering system. First, I have to say how beautiful these diapers are. I still can't get over it. I'm not going to get into all the different kinds of diapers there but the kind I prefer is called an "AI2" or an All In 2 diaper. Basically you have a waterproof outer cover and a "soaker." The soaker you change at every diaper change, the waterproof cover you only change if it gets soiled. The majority of CD's out there have a solid colored waterproof cover. But the creator of iCandy took things a step furth. She created a cotton outer cover (she calls them Wrappers) which you place a waterproof liner and the soaker on the inside. The wrappers should rarely get soiled. In fact she has a wick-free and leak-free guarantee! The cotton wrappers are too-die-for cute and in dozens of patterns. In fact I woke up this morning thinking how cute a black and white print would be and surprise! She had added more patterns this morning including two black and white prints.

In light of her reading my mind, plus the buy three get one free sale and giveaway she started today, it seemed like the perfect time to take the CD plunge. I ordered 6 diaper systems and got 2 free. They won't be here for 2 to 4 weeks and I can't wait. I'll be sure to post some pictures of the world's cutest bottom when they do but until then, here's a few pictures of the world's cutest diaper!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Birth Photos

It took me forever, but I finally figured out how to post these pictures in a slideshow. Now, before you watch them, a disclaimer: first, they're obviously not the best ever pictures of me. But come on, I was in labor!

Second, keep in mind active labor, transition, and the pushing stage was less than three hours. That sounds great in theory but whenever labor goes fast, it's more intense. Your body is doing the same amount of physical work in less time. My contractions were 2 minutes apart pretty much the entire time. Contractions are timed from the beginning of one contraction until the start of the next; which means that if my contraction was 45 seconds long, I only had just over a minute until the next one began. In a word, exhausting.

Third, a lot of these pictures look like I was in mass amounts of pain. I won't lie, it hurt a lot! A lot of it was scary, too. But I never wished for an epidural, or to be strapped to a hospital bed. I was able to work with the pain by moving a lot. Gary helped so much by applying pressure to my hips. So while I wish I had "handled it" better, I absolutely don't regret it, and I one hundred percent believe any woman who wanted to could give birth naturally. So if you are even thinking a little about a natural birth, please don't be scared off. If I can do it, trust me, so can you!


P.S. If you put the slideshow in full screen mode, then click "show info," I have included short descriptions of many (but not all) of the photos so you have a better idea of what is going on. Also, Lisa (the photographer), took pictures of the clock as time went on. She began taking photos at 2:00, at which point I was already in hard labor and had been since 12:45 when my water broke. Paisley was born at 2:56.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Paisley's Birth Story

Obviously, I didn't update this blog the way I intended. I think the last post was somewhere around 15 weeks! Hopefully I'll come back soon and post pictures, but for now, here's the birth story. The first few posts on this blog discuss why I chose a home birth, if you're interested.

I was ten days past my due date when I woke up with mild contractions at 7:30 a.m. I had experienced mild contractions off and on in the past month but a blessing Gary had given me the night before made me think that labor was probably starting. I debated the need to go to my midwife appointment at ten that morning, and ultimately I decided I should, just in case things didn’t progress anywhere.


I got Sophia ready to go to the office of Rebecca, my midwife. Contractions were still fairly mild, but only three to five minutes apart. That seemed much too close together to be true labor.

When I got to Rebecca’s, I told her about my contractions. She said that they did seem awfully close together, and asked if I still wanted the membranes stripped. If I was in true labor, then I didn’t, but I was worried that this wasn’t labor and I would kick myself later for not having them stripped. I decided to have her strip them.

Since I was so far past my “due” date, I had to do another non-stress test. I needed to lie on the couch, drink juice, while strapped to monitors to make sure the baby was still thriving. While on the monitors I told her when I had a contraction. She said they were about three minutes apart, but barely a “blip” on the monitor. I left the office feeling pretty disappointed and called Gary to let him know Rebecca sure didn’t act like I was in labor.

I was really tired and still having these light contractions. One of the big miracles of the day was that Sophia was also really tired so I gave her a snack and put her down for a nap. At 11:30 I tried laying down but it only took a few contractions for me to realize there was no way I was getting any sleep. Contractions quickly took off from there, and by noon I called Gary to tell him I needed him to come home. Considering only an hour ago I had called and said I didn’t think I was in labor, his reaction was less than enthusiastic. He kept asking me if I was sure I was in labor, and I responded that I had no idea, but it hurt and I needed him.

I got in the shower to help ease the pain. After my shower I laid down on my bed, trying to relax. At 12:45 I felt a distinct pop and as I sat up wondering what on earth that was, I felt a gush of fluid. Immediately I called Rebecca to report my water had broken and to find out what to do next.

Rebecca asked me what color the fluid was and I checked the towel I was sitting on. “Yellow… Did I just pee myself?”

Rebecca responded that if it was brown or green then it was probably meconium in the water, but since it was yellow, it’s possible I had peed myself. Even as we were talking I could still feel liquid coming out. She said that if it was my water breaking that contractions would pick up soon and asked me to call her in fifteen minutes.

I went to the bathroom and while I was on the toilet had two contractions. The second one I had made me jump up with the pain. I put a pad on and started pacing in the living room, waiting for Gary. I knew then I was in labor.

He got home at 1:00 and immediately started setting things up. My mom called and I didn’t answer since I was having a contraction. Gary called her back and told her to start coming down. I didn’t say it at the time but I was thinking he told her to come way too early! Lisa came shortly after—I wasn’t even expecting her, as I hadn’t talked to her at all. It was a good thing she was there. My contractions were every two minutes apart which meant Gary would help me through a contraction then run to keep setting up the pool until I started moaning again. Lisa helped Gary with setting up the pool.

One of the few things that helped the pain was squatting with Gary’s help. When a contraction would start, he’d brace himself and squat down, and I would perch on his knee. At one point he moved to a sitting position and I snapped at him; any sitting at all was excruciating. Eventually though, the only thing that helped was Gary squeezing my hips together. Apparently this helps open the pelvis but all I cared about was that it was some form of relief. Days later, Gary’s arms and legs were still sore!

Rebecca arrived at about 2:00. She checked the baby’s heart rate and a moment later, I threw up. She had me try to go to the bathroom and then I was allowed to get into the tub.

Getting into the warm water felt wonderful. I asked Gary to get in with me so he could continue applying pressure on my hips. I draped my arms over the tub and continued with my loud moaning. Around 2:30 I asked Lisa to call Jeanine to pick Sophia up. Sophia was still sleeping (seriously, this was a miracle, considering how late it was and how much noise I was making) and I didn’t want to call Jeanine after Sophia was awake. Sophia was carried out of the house, still asleep, and having no clue what her mom was going through! I’m so glad it worked out this way. At some point my mom, who was still driving from Logan, called, and asked if she could be put on speakerphone. I said okay, as long as she didn’t say anything and just listened.

The contractions were getting more and more intense. Rebecca alternated between putting a cool cloth on my neck and fanning me with the cloth. Soon she warned me that there would be pressure that would stay even between the contractions. The pressure gradually built and I started to panic a little. It felt less like “a giant bowel movement,” as I had read about in all the books, and more like a bowling ball attempting to escape. Even though I knew I wouldn’t, I was honestly afraid of breaking. Rebecca told me when I started to feel burning to start blowing so I wouldn’t push the baby out too fast. I leaned back into Gary’s arms once, which I really liked because it was the only time I was able to have eye contact with him. Throughout labor he kept telling me what a good job I was doing. It was so nice to hear his reassurances.

I wish I could say I was super collected about it all, but I definitely screamed a few times. Rebecca kept reminding me to make low tones. Growling seemed to help the most. Soon I felt the burning she had warned me about, and blowing helped. The contractions spaced themselves out a bit and I was able to relax a little more, though I was still completely freaked out over the intensity of the pressure. I announced that this was a bad idea!

About 2:45, I could reach down and feel my baby’s head. Minutes later, my mom walked in and immediately got in front of me. Rebecca and Gary told me the baby was out to her eyes. Rebecca asked me to kneel up more but apparently I went to far up because Rebecca told me I needed to stand. I knew that anytime the baby’s skin is exposed to air it can stimulate breathing and therefore, the baby must be born out of water. Otherwise the baby can potentially start breathing under water. If I hadn’t known this, standing up probably would have been an impossible task. But because I knew the risks to my baby, all those momma-bear instincts kicked and with my mom’s help, I was quickly standing. The baby then came out to her chin and the relief I felt was incredible.

Most babies turn at this point to maneuver their shoulders out easily. I guess my baby didn’t get the memo because, I later learned, she chose not to turn. All I felt was Rebecca’s hands doing something and more pressure than I had yet felt. I yelled, “What are you doing?” Gary later told me she was helping pull the baby out. I never felt any “urge to push,” my body simply what it needed too to birth my daughter. This was the only time I had to actually push and I think I gave a grand total of two pushes.

Moments later, the baby came out into Rebecca’s arms and Rebecca passed her through my legs to me. That was the first moment I doubted my choice of a home birth—she handed me a limp, purple baby. I asked Rebecca if she was okay, and Rebecca said she was fine. She wanted to suction her nose and mouth and then we’d start stimulating her. Seconds later, our baby was pink, healthy, and screaming. Gary helped me sit down in the water and he held me as I held out little girl (I checked to make sure she was a she).

I was completely exhausted but so glad we had our baby, safe and sound. I think I was also in a little shock that not only had labor started, but it was over! Sophia had barely even left the house, and my mom had only just arrived. After three hours of active labor and minutes of the pushing stage, Paisley Abigail Stillman was born at home weighing 8 lbs. 13 oz. and was 19.5 inches long.

We waited until the cord stopped pulsing, and Rebecca clamped it so Gary could cut it. I was then free to move to the couch. Delivering the placenta was a little scary, as the pressure reminded me of the pressure that was so intense just minutes before, but it came out nice and easy.

I spent the next hour or two nursing the baby, showering, drinking Jamba Juice, and getting instructions on how to care for myself and Paisley in the coming days. A few guests came over, but by that evening, I was snug in my own bed with my husband and my new little baby. I loved that Sophia had already met her new little sister and was able to sleep in her own bed with virtually no disruption to her routine. Had I birthed in a hospital, Sophia wouldn’t have been allowed to see me and I wouldn’t have seen her for minimally two days.

Even though it was frightening, I didn’t really have time to wish for an epidural. I’m so grateful that I now know the capabilities of my own body. I don’t think I’m a hero, or a superwoman, or even a martyr. I chose what I believe was best for me and my baby, and I honestly believe that any woman could do what I did. I was asked moments after the birth, and three days later, if I would do a home birth again. The first time I said, “I think so,” and the second time, I was able to answer, “absolutely.”