I just picked up the book, Raising Baby Green by Alan Greene and I thought it might be something that you'd be interested in. The title is rather misleading. While yes, it touches on having a green pregnancy, childbirth, and child products - it's mostly a great resource for greening up ones home.
Anyhow - I found a copy at Barnes & Noble. Check it out if you're interested! :)
Today starts my maternity leave. It's awesome. I'm not going to lie. The only thing that could possibly make it better was if I was being paid for it.
I'm 37.5 weeks pregnant. I had an appointment on Friday and found out that I'm a little over 1cm dilated. This basically means that my body is progressing towards labor.
After coming home, and throughout the weekend this and this happened. (Do not click if you're squeamish. It can be gross for you non-breeding types.) Sunday, I started to feel a few pains in my lower abdomen. Today, I've felt some on and off throughout the day. I called my Dr.'s office to talk to a nurse and she said it sounds like contractions and chances are good that Harper will make an appearance before Christmas. I'm excited, but at the same time wish there was a way to know for sure that it was the real thing. (Besides the whole water breaking thing - which only happens to about 1/3 of women before labor.)
Anyhow... that's my update for the day. Exciting, eh? I'll keep everyone posted as things progress and hopefully - I'll be sharing pictures of my daughter before the end of the year!
Currently, I'm starting my quest for a diaper bag. I really like this one, but don't know if I'm going to like it as much in person. If anyone has any diaper bag suggestions - I'm all ears!
If I don't get a chance to blog again before Christmas, I hope everyone has a safe and warm holiday!!!
Have you ever packed for a destination unknown? That's how I've been feeling lately as I try to wrap my head around going to the hospital a two-some and coming home a three-some. I'm trying to pack for myself and Harper so Rob doesn't have to make trip after trip out to get things, but it's rather difficult.
I feel that the lists you read in the books tell you to bring way too much. My hospital is about 10 minutes away from my house... 15 if there is traffic. I can't imagine there would be anything that I'd forget at home that couldn't be replaced. I wonder if this is a normal way to feel.
Then, there's the fact that I probably won't be leaving the house much (if at all) in the two weeks following Harper's birth. That's another aspect that's difficult for me to wrap my head around.
Right now, I'm trying to figure out what bag to pack, what to bring with me, and what I need to purchase new. For example - I'm looking at nursing night gowns. That's one thing that I think I'm going to want in the hospital. I tend to sleep wearing a tank-top or nightgown anyhow - so sleeping in something with a high collar doesn't appeal to me (like a hospital gown). The two I'm looking at are this one at Gap.com and this set at OldNavy.com.
I'm certainly open to opinions if anyone has any. In addition to needing a gown, I'm thinking about getting a long robe to wear during my stay and beyond. I have a short one that I wear at home, but even that is a little cold now that it has turned to winter. I don't really like fleece or terry-cloth robes, so finding one has been difficult. Does anyone else like robes and have a good source for picking one up?
I suppose I'm writing this post to complain that packing for a trip where you don't know what to expect and you don't know when it could happen, makes things difficult. It also makes it hard to be completely motivated. I guess just the fact that I'm looking around and considering makes me more motivated than if I were sitting here doing nothing.
Doesn't it?
1. Project Runway starts tonight!
2. I have 50 days until my due date.
3. My toes are cold.
Okay, so I forgot to post yesterday, but I swear I have a very good reason. Since I wasn't really trying to win anything with this NaBloPoMo thing... I don't feel that bad.
Yesterday was our marathon day of learning where babies come from. We started the day at 8:30 am in a small classroom. There were 11 couples. There were supposed to be 12, but Vickie, our instructor told us that one of the couples that was supposed to attend gave birth early. After sitting through the entire day of information yesterday, I can not imagine giving birth for the first time without having attended the class. This couple was cutting it close.
The day filled our brains with any and all information we could possibly want. At the end of the day, I felt really good about our choice to deliver at that hospital. The hospital really allows the mom to create their own experience while staying there. They have LDRP (Labor, Delivery, Recovery, postpartum) Rooms - This means that I check into one room and that's where everything happens. The only time I leave that room for anything is if, by some chance, I require a c-section. Most babies stay with their mom's in the room as well, unless Mom requests that the baby have some time in the nursery so she can rest a little. The hospital seems to know that everything about childbirth is extremely personal and that every woman has their own choice and preference. I really appreciate that.
The one thing I wish they would have mentioned was cloth diapering. For those of you who don't know, Rob and I plan on cloth diapering Harper. We will use a combination of cloth and gdiapers, but mostly cloth. We will have one pack of disposables around at all times for emergencies, but it really is just for emergencies.
It was I that initiated the interest in cloth and gdiapers, for environmental reasons. Your thoughts on impact on the world change significantly when you're bringing another generation into the world. After researching cloth (almost to death - more on that later), I discovered that there are many other benefits to using cloth besides environmental impact. The average baby goes through 6000 diapers before potty training. That's a lot of money! Cloth is re-usable, most times for more than one child! The financial reasons sealed the deal for the two of us.
I understand that this choice isn't for everyone, but it makes so much sense for us. We don't mind doing laundry, and with so many cloth diapering choices out there today (it's not just pins and prefolds like our parents put us in...) it makes it really easy to use.
I'm thinking of starting a new blog about my adventures in discovering cloth diapers. That will be the basis of it, but it will also expand into other green ways to raise a child and articles of interest. I'm in no-way trying to convert anyone, but sharing the information makes me feel as if I'm doing a little bit more for the world.
#FF1493
Your dominant hues are red and magenta. You love doing your own thing and going on your own adventures, but there are close friends you know you just can't leave behind. You can influence others on days when you're patient, but most times you just want to go out, have fun, and do your own thing.
Your saturation level is high - you get into life and have a strong personality. Everyone you meet will either love you or hate you - either way, your goal is to get them to change the world with you. You are very hard working and don't have much patience for people without your initiative.
Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.
For today's post, I found out what color I was. You should do the same.
Another day, another post.
This is a quickie I'm trying to crank out before anyone else comes into the shop (workers, customers, etc).
A good day is started with a peppermint mocha. Even in decaf it's still yummy on a chilly morning... even if this morning wasn't chilly enough for me. Then again, I'm crazy.
I do love this time of year tho. The tree across the street from my office is really pretty right now. You know... the one in front of the place that teaches you how to cage fight. (I wish I was kidding...) The weather is cool enough that I'm wearing a nice black cowl neck sweater with a pumpkin colored tank under it.
I'm getting sidetracked easily, because I'm no longer the only one in the office. Must be time for me to get to work!
