This isn't a very "author-ee" sort of post. I've been so busy parenting, farming, and helping amazing authors with their book launches that my novel-in-progress is getting dusty on the shelf. I am now right at the 26 week mark in my pregnancy. This means that in less than 100 days we will have a bouncing baby in the Otto household. You're probably thinking exactly what most people are: "this is her third child - no big deal" well ... this is sort of my third child and sort of my first. Let me explain. Six years ago when Carmen was born I was so busy screwing up my romantic life and climbing the corporate ladder that I really didn't have much to do with being her parent. That's a little weird considering that I was a single parent at the time - but I worked long hours which meant I didn't really have to do much as far as caring for her. I was earning the paycheck so I could pay other people to raise my baby. Then ... 14 months later, along came Andre. Same story only I hired a nanny. Instead of having to take the children somewhere for care, the care came to me. The woman who had children my age was not only caring for my children she was caring for me. Seemed like a logical solution.
I kept doing what I was good at (going to work) and she did what I was too afraid to try (raising children). The weekends were filled with friends and family and again, I didn't really have to do much one on one with my children. Alright - fast forward a few years. I no longer work outside the home, I have my love life in order and I am happily married. I write and farm and raise children. Come to think of it, I don't even know the girl I once was and when I get a glimpse of her across the room, I don't like her. There's just something about being 35 and living at a slower pace that seems to agree with me. Life is definitely different. We don't have garbage pick up and we won't be needing a nanny. We have a modest household income with very little disposable income for the things I once thought I couldn't live without. We spend our time playing with our animals, swinging outside in the yard, reading books, and getting dirty instead of heading to an amusement park, movie, or fancy dinner. I go days without wearing make-up and sometimes leave the house without shaving my legs or taking a shower.
Life is good ... really really good!
Now that you have a bit of the back story you'll understand when I tell you that I'm terrified about having a baby. I tried to nurse the older children and failed miserably. It was just easier to toss a scoop of formula in a bottle with some water, give it a few shakes and wha-la no mess, no sore nipples, etc... This time we don't have the disposable income for disposable diapers and/or formula. It's breast or bust and since we have some hand me down cloth diapers that didn't cost a dime, it's cloth diapers all the way. I've done my home-work and apparently cloth diapers will save $6,000 per child and using cloth wipes will save an additional $800. Formula is in upwards of $30/can and if I remember right we went through a can a week so there's an additional savings of at least $1,000. I didn't set out to help the environment, I set out to help save our family some money and helping the environment is a perk.
Now, with less than 100 days until our son arrives, the "Green" journey of parenting begins. I already have what I figure will be nearly enough cloth diapers (this is the brand we've chosen: http://www.bumgenius.com/) and inserts, plenty of cloth wipes, and I have a loosely figured plan about how this will all work.
Did I mention I'm terrified?
I called a friend last week and we started chatting about a recipe she told me about for Homemade Baby Wipes using essential oils from doTERRA (http://www.doterra.com/us/). I told her that I was planning on making a solution that I could spray on the baby's bum, and here is what I am going to mix together:
2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons doTERRA fractionated coconut oil
3 drops doTERRA lavender
3 drops doTERRA melaleuca
I am going to store it in a container that can be used to refill these adorable little spray bottles that I have and then I'll wipe the baby's bum clean with my cloth wipes. The wipes will get washed with the cloth diapers and whala - we have an inexpensive solution to wipes - and the best part? The garbage can isn't any fuller as a result!!!!
Just in case I'm running short on time, I've also found a local (Wisconsin-based) company called LuSa Organics (http://www.lusaorganics.com/) that sells an already concocted potion that serves the same purpose, so I have a bottle of "Baby Wipe Juice" on hand as well. This little 8 oz bottle makes 2 gallons worth of easy and natural bum cleaner. The list of ingredients includes words I can pronounce and it's made in Viroqua, Wisconsin. Seriously though - let me tell you about the list of ingredients - these are all things I fell good about:
Witch hazel
Olive oil
Avocado oil,
Aloe vera juice
Calendula flowers
Lavender flowers,
Essential oils,
Vitamin E
All these ingredients are certified organic too!
I feel great about Plan A and Plan B - did you know that typical disposable baby wipes contain alcohol, petroleum biproducts, and formaldehyde based preservatives? You can do your own homework and make up your own mind, but I've heard enough about how harmful these can be for your skin ... why would I put them on my infant?
At this point, I am feeling like I have the diaper and wipe thing figured out ... but not really ... did you know there is special detergent you need for caring for your diapers and wipes? I didn't know about it either, but it's always annoyed me that so much waste is created from big bulky packaging of my detergent. First of all, it's heavy and takes up a lot of room in the cart, and second of all, it's hard for us country folk to find a home for that plastic waste. I digress...but I'm super excited to tell you that the solution is less expensive, not messy at all, and eliminates waste. Here's what I found and it ROCKS (pun intended) : http://rockingreensoap.com/
Rockin' Green has a full line of eco friendly products that are biodegradable, have recyclable packaging, no phosphates, and contain no parabens. I've been using their detergent on our barn clothes, kids clothes, dress clothes, and our linens. I've never been happier with a detergent! It gets the stains out, has a fresh scent, and takes up hardly any room on my laundry shelf. I'm feeling great about the diapering situation now!
We've crossed a lot of hurdles already and thank heavens my husband is on board for this adventure! Now there's just the breast feeding issue. I wasn't sure who to talk to or what to do. My husband likes talking about boobs but it's just not something I was ready to talk to my girlfriends about, and talking to a stranger seems like even less of a good idea. A wonderful friend told me about a shop just a few towns over and I went this morning and checked it out. This store was started by two moms who are also lactation nurses at a local hospital. I knew just with that little bit of information that I would absolutely love GreenBayBeez (http://www.greenbaybeez.com/). I walked in this morning with more questions that you could imagine and here's what I learned:
Q: Do I need to buy a breast pump ahead of time? Is it something that I should have in my hospital bag?
A: Because you don't know how your milk is going to come in or how your baby is going to nurse, you wouldn't need to buy a pump ahead of time. You could possibly rent one from the hospital if needed and later purchase one - some insurances will cover all or part of the cost of a pump if you purchase it through an authorized dealer.
Ah-Ha-Moment: What an awesome woman! She just talked me out of spending hundreds of dollars. I like how she does business!!!
Q: Do I need a nursing bra ahead of time to wear at the hospital after the baby is born?
A: A nursing bra is likely something you would want to have. It will make those first feedings easier. You don't necessarily know what size everything is going to be though, so don't spend a fortune or buy a fitted bra ahead of time. One of the sports style bras that cover 1-2 cup sizes should do the trick.
Ah-Ha-Moment: I purchased a Luxury Seamless Materntiy Nursing Bra by Cake Lingerie: (http://www.cakelingerie.com/) The sizing was easy to figure out, I was able to try the bra on to find a good fit, and it was smooth with comfortable straps. Truth be told - I'm wearing it now and it feels like a million bucks and I don't think my boobies look any different than they do in my Victoria Secret every day bra (but my husband would be the judge of that)
Q: Do you know of any vitamins or supplements I could take before the baby is born that might aid in milk production? Is there such a thing?
A: Sugarpod Naturals as a go-lacta supplement that engourages the increase of breast milk and it can be taken while you are pregnant.
Ah-Ha-Moment: Seriously? They make such a thing? Oh yes - I'm not leaving here without a bottle of this: http://www.golacta.com/ **look for future blog posts about how this is working for me - all I know right now is that I'm excited!!
Q: Not to complain, but even just standing here holding my purse my back is hurting. I had this crazy belly band thing 6 years ago with my first pregnancy but it was uncomfortable. Do you know of a product that can help with back pain and belly support?
A: I sure do and this one even has a pocket for a hot and or cold pack!
Ah-Ha-Moment: This is amazing and I have it on right this very moment - it's called the Upsie Belly and it's made of breathable bamboo and has a resusable hot and cold pack that fit right in. I microwaved the hot pack for 23 seconds and my back feels fabulous!! It can also be used after the baby is born - you can turn it around and use the hot/cold pack on your tender tummy. http://www.bellybandit.com/store/p-96-upsie-belly.aspx
Q: I remember when I tried breast feeding the first time, there were those little pads you put in your bra - do they make those any differently? The ones I remember stuck to my skin and when I took them out I felt like someone was trying to yank my nipples off.
A: We carry the bamboobies line of washable nursing pads, they are soft, come in a variety of colors and fun shapes, and they ARE washable. Feel these ... (she handed me the samples from the rack)
Ah-Ha-Moment: These are heart-shaped, pretty, and super soft - count me in!!!! http://buybamboobies.com/
I couldn't get enough of this shop - my bestie and I kept finding super fun things I was sure I couldn't live without. Don't get too excited, I left without spending over $300. I have 2 MobyWraps at home and a Sling-Ezee but we found this adorable Tube Kangourou that looks like a regular shirt but you can fit your baby right inside of it for skin-to-skin time and/or nursing. Of course I don't know how well this works, but I'm sure I'll let you know in the future!!!http://www.vija-design.com/index.php?lang=en&code=Tube%20Kangourou
Since you're probably getting bored, I'll just give you a quick run-down of the last few items we picked up. As we use them I'll post more, but for now I think they're fabulous and I cannot say enough about the great customer service at Green Bay Beez - I would definitely give them 5 stars, 2 thumbs up, and would send a friend to see them!!!! So be sure to check out their website and facebook page:
Green Bay Beez Website: http://www.greenbaybeez.com/
Green Bay Beez FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/GreenBaybeezLLC?
And here's that list:
LuSa Essential Oil/Energizing
LuSa Essential Oil/Relaxing
LuSa Essential Oil/Grounding
Small Wet Bag by Planet Wise Inc. for bagging anything wet before tossing it in my purse/bag
Re-usable snack bag by itzy ritzy (2 of these - 1 in boy colors and 1 in girl colors)
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