Something slightly unfamiliar to me, Gracelyn is our 4th baby and my 1st to cloth diaper. I know... slightly crazy. When I thought of cloth diaper I thought of those huge white pieces of material (I came to find out they actually have a name = prefolds) and big safety pins that absolutely freaked me out. (I have vivid memories of my mom using these on my sister, but luckily since she used these big honkin pins I didn't have to help in the diaper changing department).
I have since then changed my mindset and explored this cloth diapering thing and became very interested. I like to save money and love all things natural. And this is the 1st time I have had two kiddos in diapers (Peyton is almost potty trained but when we started he wasn't even close to potty training). Well here is what I have been finding out.
there is a whole new world to cloth diapering these days! Totally modern, and the best part, other than saving a lot of $$$, is they are so stinkin cute! Oh and another plus is not having to argue about who is going to take a stinky bag of disposable diapers to town to dispose of!
Oh and a few more benefits of cloth diapering that I have appreciated
*Less Blowouts, few and far between. I actually haven't had 1 blowout yet!!!
*less diaper rash, Gracie hasn't had 1 diaper rash since we started using cloth diapers and neither has Peyton! He has suffered many diaper rashes from the chemicals in disposable diapers
*So cozy, SO CUTE Seriously, these are just way more fun to put on then a regular pair of disposable diapers and they are so soft, it just seems fitting to put this cute soft cotton diaper on Miss Gracie's soft little buns!
and... just look at my cute little toddler sportin the 'Smart Bottom' cloth diaper.
Now lets get real. These diapers are soooo stinkin cute, but the inside... now the 'taking care of them' part can't be cute. It's gross... icky... disgusting... OVERWHELMING... isn't it?? Of course NOPE Not at all! Here's what I do. (Read on, I'll explain the brand of diapers that I use and all the supplies that I use)
Washing system of our Cloth Diapers (infant - eating solid foods)
1. Take the cloth diaper off your baby. I use cloth wipes, just leave the wipes in the diaper (if using disposable you need to THROW these into the garbage, DON'T WASH them!!)
2. Throw the diaper into the diaper pail (garbage can with pail liner). DO NOT rinse diaper, DO NOT soak diaper, just throw it in the pail!
3. Washing day: (this is every-other day) Take the entire pail liner to the washing machine. Put everything into the washing machine...you don't need to look at any of it.. JUST THROW IT IN! Including the liner!
4. WASH. rinse on cold cycle. wash on HOT cycle. rinse cycle. HANG dry! (you can do this inside or outside, I love to hang them outdoors as often as the weather cooperates)
So there you have it, so easy and there isn't any mess and you don't have to look or deal with any of that 'icky' stuff that's inside the diapers, well at least until your baby is eating sold foods and when you're at that stage here is what you do.
Washing system of our Cloth Diapers (after you start solid foods- potty training stage)
1. Take the cloth diaper off your baby.
2. Throw the diaper into the diaper pail -IF IT'S WET!!
2a.) If it's NOT wet.. yep that icky stuff... then you need to dump it in the toilet. I usethis sprayer for Peyton's icky messes (which actually doesn't make it bad at all to use the sprayer). After you have rinsed it, throw it into the diaper pail.
You can also usethese disposable biodegradable diaper liners, they lay on top of the diaper, and flush when they are soiled.
3. Washing day: Take the entire pail liner to the washing machine. Put everything into the washing machine...you don't need to look at any of it.. JUST THROW IT IN! Including the liner!
4. WASH. rinse on cold cycle. wash on HOT cycle. rinse cycle. HANG dry!
The IN'S and OUT'S
DetergentYes, you do need special detergent, here is a link andhere is another one for detergent suggestions. I use this one. I have a front load HE washing machine and it has been working great for cloth diapering.
Diaper Pail you can ordertheseor get the nice garbage can with a lid. You will also need a liner, these are my favorite.
Wet Bagthisis by far my favorite, I store my clean diapers on the outside and the dirty diapers on the inside. It's breathable so the diapers don't ever get moldy.
Wipes you can use disposable (which I did in the beginning) but it was really a pain to have to separate the wipes from the diapers. I'm on the go a lot and I started putting the wipes in the diapers but then had to dig back through the diapers when it was washing time. So I bought a few of these and they work so slick! I'm already washing diapers, throwing these in with isn't any more of a hassle. You don't have to buy special wipes. Wash clothes will do the trick as well!
Aren't they hard to put on your squirmy baby??
To my surprise they aren't at all! I prefer the Velcro (Ashtyn does too) but the snaps are just as easy.
There are many different styles of diapers, here's some comparisons... pre-folds, pocket diapers, all in one's.
I use the OS (one size fits all) and pocket diapers and all in ones.
Here are the brands that I have: BumGenius, Smart Bottoms, Flip and Sunbaby.
I have bought most of them off of eBay but did buy the Smart Bottoms from a retail store in Henderson, MN, paid more than I'd like to admit but I'm in love with them!
Here is most of my stash :)
Flip and BumGenius both are solid prints.
Smart Bottoms and Sunbaby have both solid and pattern prints.
I honestly have nothing back to say about any of the brands.
Naturally, I do have favorites...
BUMGENIUS
AND
SMART BOTTOMS
and here is how I store them, 1/2 in here and 1/2 upstairs :)
So there you have it, our cloth diapering 101.
We started cloth diapering Miss Gracie when she was a little over 1 month old and Peyton was a little over 2 years old. I still use disposables at night on Peyton but I have fallen head over heals for cloth diapering :)
7.3.13 @ 8:32pm, weighing 10lbs 5 oz and was 23'' long!
There are no other words to describe him other than perfect. He's wonderful! I (well WE) are ALL SO IN LOVE with him!
He came out a little differently than my sister had planned. She had hopes and dreams of having a natural birth, even hired a doula to attend the birth at the hospital.
I was obviously very supportive of her choice to do the natural birth with a doula, I sort of became a "birth junkie" and did TONS of research when we decided to try and become pregnant with our 4th baby and I am completely convinced that natural birth is the way to go, and even more convinced after I was able to deliver our 4th baby naturally at home in a water birth.
Well God on the other hand had bigger and better plans for my sister. As much as we all thought that having the natural birth is the best way (and at the time for me, I thought it was the only way) well Mason changed my perspective... a lot!
The morning of July 3rd Halie went in for an ultrasound (she had a lot of fluid around the baby). He was measuring 11lbs 9oz! WOAHHH HUGE BABY! Is that possible!?
Then I got the text from my sister... "they are planning a c-section for 8pm"
then I heard her voice on the phone, we were both silent for a little bit, I wasn't sure what to say, how to comfort her. We both cried.
I called her back later that afternoon to find out that she got to go home and was supposted to be back at the hospital at 6pm. I was so happy for her that she got to be with Matt for the afternoon.
At this point, I had cleared my mind. Spent a lot of time talking to Jesus and trying to wrap my mind around the fact that my sister is going to have a c-section. OK. I finally realized I needed to get over it. It's not about me. It's not even about her at this point. It's about that baby in her womb and how to deliver him the safest. It's about God's plan and the doctors hands that are working with my sister. I don't know when it hit me but I realized that this "new plan" was the best thing for her.
She and I talked, we laughed and cried together again and we prayed together. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace (I was just so nervous for her and the baby), yes I know none of this is about me, but this is my baby sister and it hurts to see her hurting. I knew that God was with her and that he was going to protect her and her baby and be with Matt as he was comforting and supporting his wife.
I got the phone call from Matt around 10:20pm. HE'S HERE!!!!! (Yes TJ and I were crusin around Walmart just waiting for the phone call). We got to the hospital just minutes later.
Walked in and saw my sister beaming and saw the joy on Matt's face as he was holding his precious son.
Halie was doing great! Mason was just beautiful!
They told me the birth story, it was amazing, so peaceful. She got to have Christian music playing, the doctor respected her wishes during the c-section and she was even the first patient in Marshall to be allowed to have a photographer come into the OR!! :)
Momma and her sweet boy :)
Halie, Matt and Mason :)
I never thought a c-section could be so lovely, so beautiful, so amazing until I heard her story, saw the joy on their faces and saw their pictures. I have learned one thing through my amazing sisters birth story. That we cannot judge how any momma is having their baby. That they are making the best choice for them and their baby and that God is ultimately in control.
It gets lengthy, but hang in there...its amazing, and pictures are at the end :)
Let me start by telling you about my previous births. I delivered my first baby Ashtyn at the hospital, I had some pain medicine while in labor with her. My second child, Brayden was delivered at a hospital and I had an epidural for pain medicine while I was in labor with him. Our third child, Peyton was also delivered in a hospital this time totally natural. He came 6 weeks early and came very quickly.
The events leading up to baby day...
39 weeks 3 days pregnant (Tuesday) I woke up in the morning, got myself and the kiddos ready and drove to Ashtyn's school. Dropped Ash off then headed to Teah's house (she so graciously watched the boys for me) then I headed to Hy-Vee where I met Ashtyn and her 1st grade class on their field trip. After Hy-Vee we headed to Currie, MN to the train station. It was an awesome day very fun but also extremely hot! Got up to 97 degrees out! I felt great the entire day!
After the field trip I bought a few groceries, picked up the boys and headed home.
We all played outside, the kids rode horses, then we got to ride in the tractor with daddy!
Came home, made some dinner, got the kids cleaned up and put to bed.
Then I headed outside to surprise TJ and finished mowing the lawn (for about 2 hours).
He came home around 10pm and had the best news ever. PLANTING IS DONE!!!!
Sigh of relief. I was praying that the tiny baby would stay cozy in my belly until planting was done.
Oh I forgot to mention, throughout this entire pregnancy and this entire day I haven't had any contractions and I have felt simply amazing. This has been by far the best pregnancy I've ever had (which amazes me because I have 3 other little babes to run after). God has been working this entire time. So many times throughout my pregnancy I could just feel God's presence and I truly knew that because of him that's why I was able to accomplish what I had.
TJ got home, I made him dinner and then we headed for bed. For some reason I couldn't sleep. I browsed on the internet for a while and then noticed it was almost midnight. I should go to bed. But I'm not tired. Then I felt it. One very strong contraction. Was this real? Could this be it? It lasted for a few minuets. I was getting excited. Then another contraction! Strong but not very uncomfortable. I went to the bathroom and came back to bed, and had consistent contracts for 15 minutes, every 5ish min. apart.
After an hour of this I laid down and tried to sleep, starting to think this might be the real thing and I should try to rest and see what happens. I dozed off an on but the contractions were very steady.
Around 2:15am I woke up TJ and told him what I was feeling. Went to the bathroom again and he got up with me. He wanted me to call Diane right away since the contractions were fairly strong and very consistent around 5-7 min. apart.
I called Diane our Midwife at 2:30am. She told me she was going to pack her things and be on her way. This was it!!! I'm going to have a baby! I was so excited, not a doubt of fear in my mind. But wait. My house... it's not the way I want it to look when our precious baby arrives. Thankfully I have one amazing husband who knew how I was feeling without me saying a word. He got right to work. Vacuumed the carpets while I swept and moped the kitchen floor, then I went and re-organized the toy room (why.. I have no idea). I switched the laundry and did a few other things. Diane arrived at 3:50 am. She listened to baby's heartbeat. It was in the 130s.
I was laying on the couch, TJ at the other end holding my hand and as we were talking TJ says to us. "I know it's a girl and she's going to have a lot of hair"!
I laid on the couch, rested while listening to a favorite worship playlist. Still couldn't fall asleep.
At 6am I went and woke Ashtyn. Got her ready for school and off on the bus. Brayden and Peyton woke up and we snuggled on the couch and had breakfast. Grandma Shelly came to get the boys at 8am. I finally napped for an hour.
Woke up at 9am and called our attendees that we planned to have at our birth. Teah and our doula, Ruthie and gave them a heads up that I was in early labor. I wasn't ready for anyone to come quite yet, I just didn't feel like I was progressing.
Diane and I had breakfast together, oatmeal and tea, it was so nice to sit and visit. After breakfast the contractions really slowed down to just a few an hour. I folded a few baskets of laundry and put them away then walked to the barn with TJ and did the morning chores, after chores TJ and I went for a long walk down our road it was so peaceful and beautiful.
We finally came back in, Diane listened to baby's heartbeat again. Everything was looking great except for one small thing...my contractions, well they had pretty much stopped. I was becoming anxious. TJ took off of work, his mom had our kids, our midwife is at our house and I felt like nothing was happening. We were all sitting together in the living room and TJ prayed for us. For all of us, our nerves, that if it was God's will that the baby would come today and that it would be a healthy and safe delivery.
I finally relaxed and fell asleep again, snuggling on the couch with TJ.
Diane woke me and said lunch was ready! She had made us lunch! HOW INCREDIBLE!!!! And it was one tasty lunch I might add! We had chili, cornbread and salad. It was so good. I was in awe that my midwife who hasn't gotten much rest since she has been at our house just prepared this meal for us.
We all sat down and ate and shared stories and laughed. It was perfect. Except the contractions... still were not present.
The afternoon rolled in and we spent the entire time outside, my favorite. It was a beautiful sunny day. Diane and I walked our entire farm, walked through the grove and checked out the variety of herbs growing. We picked up sticks for TJ while he mowed, then played with the dogs and goats.
Then around 2:30pm I hopped on our riding lawn mower and mowed the lawn for about an hour.
Praise the Lord, the contractions started up again while I was mowing! When I started to get uncomfortable I got off the mower and felt the need to have a strawberry kefir smoothie. So off I went into the house to make some smoothies. Contractions were stronger, not unbearable but they were there and about one every 15-20 minutes.
Diane and I went outside sat on the swing and enjoyed smoothies we visited as we watched the horses frolic around in the pasture. It was so relaxing, so peaceful. This perfect day and I'm in labor (not feeling like it at the moment) and I'm sitting outside doing what I love.
The contractions started to become more intense, TJ insisted that it was time to call Teah and have her come (he wanted Teah to drop Ashtyn off at grandmas house then come back to stay until the baby arrives). I was still very hesitant and didn't want anyone coming yet because I thought the contractions would stop again and I would have all these people waiting for me to progress. So TJ took it upon himself, called Teah and arranged for her to come. Ashtyn got home from school, TJ, Ashtyn and I walked around our farm, spent some time with the horses then came inside to pack a bag for Ashtyn. Teah arrived at 4:10, I'm going to just start out by saying... she's simply wonderful. She came upstairs with a bowl of fresh fruit that she just cut up and gave it to me to eat. Helped Ash finish getting ready, did her hair and then off to grandmas they went.
5:30 Diane listened to the baby's heartbeat. Now in the 140's. Everything was still great except my contractions were so strong and so close together lasting from 1 to 2 minutes.
I started cleaning the kitchen and wanted to take all the scrap food out to the chickens (I was having much harder contractions at this point and very close together) TJ was hesitant to the idea of me going tot he barn with these intense contractions but he finally gave in and we walked to the barn. He didn't think I was going to make it back to the house but I insisted that we go to the chicken coop and finish what I set out for.
On the way back to the house I was having back to back contractions, barley getting a chance to breathe. This was about 5:45pm.
Diane told me it was time for Ruthie (our doula) to come and they needed to get things ready. I was still in denial and said I wasn't ready yet and didn't think I was anywhere close to having a baby.
I went to the bathroom and got up to go to the living room but the contractions were so intense I leaned over the ledge in our bathroom to wait them out. Teah came in and did some amazing back rubs on my lower back to relieve the pain from the contractions. She was the best coach in helping me breathe through them while I hung onto TJ's arm for more support. Ruthie arrived around 6pm. I'm so glad she came when she did, she had wonderful tips and tricks she used and she and Teah took turns massaging my lowers back, pressing on the cold rice pack. It felt so good and made the contractions manageable. (Ruthie I might add was such a calming presence, just amazing and I'm so thankful that she was able to be part of Gracie's story).
I finally went into the living room, leaned over the edge of the couch and watched the horses graze through the window. I felt 100% at peace. Worship music softly playing the background, strong strong contractions kept rolling in but they were manageable and the constant massage from Teah felt just amazing. The contractions were so strong and becoming very painful but I closed my eyes and talked to Jesus. Asking him to help me get through each one and kept repeating "My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in your weakness" (2 Corth. 12:9) over and over in my head.
Diane came downstairs and told me the bath was ready and I could get in now. I told her I'd come up in a little bit (I was still thinking that this was going to stop, that I wasn't really in labor), she was hesitant but let me stay on the couch until I was ready.
All of a sudden I felt a lot of pressure, I finally gave in. I walked up the stairs, changed my clothes and put on my cover-up and went into the bathroom. I got inside the bathroom to see candles lit everywhere, worship music softly playing, the bath tub was filled with warm water. I was again filled with an overwhelming amount of peace. I can honestly tell you I could feel God's presence at that moment and it brought tears to my eyes. This walk of faith is so real, the trust I have in God at that moment is stronger than ever before. I got in the bathtubat 7:05pm. What I had envisioned the hundreds of times I sat in the bath during my pregnancy, the way I would be positioned, etc.. wasn't at all how I ended up. I leaned over the front of the tub, my legs were resting underneath me. Ruthie grabbed a few towels for me to rest on. Ruthie offered me many sips of ice cold water from my water bottle. I don't ever remember being so thirsty! Then I got really hot. Teah instantly showed up with a bowl of ice filled with water and they put the cold wash cloth on my forehead and a fan was blowing in the room. The contractions were back to back, very intense. I breathed through them. Picturing my baby moving down the birth canal and I would relax every muscle in my body.
In between contractions we all talked and laughed. I can't explain in words how amazing this was.
I had an extremely hard contraction, and then felt it. My water broke! It was now 7:17pm. This is it!!! It's really happening!!!! I am going to meet our sweet baby. The baby that we had prayed for. I finally in my head knew that this was really going to happen and as the contractions got stronger and stronger I kept talking to Jesus. I was not sure when I was supposed to push and asking him to give me a clear answer. Let me backup. Diane didn't ever "check me" the entire pregnancy or even now. I never knew how dilated or effaced I was. That's another beauty of home birth. ALL 100% NATURAL!
Ruthie was in front of me, I was squeezing her arm and resting my upper body against TJ. Who also I forgot to mention earlier was so supportive so amazing through the entire day. He kept whispering in my ear that I could do this and how strong I was. Kept giving me just what I needed to get through that next contraction.
Then I had the strongest hardest contraction of them all. I shut my eyes, and spoke to Jesus.. was this it? Do I push? And instantly I felt the urge to push. I pushed long and hard and I heard Diane say "I can feel the head, your baby is coming"! I stopped pushing. I felt like I couldn't do it, I felt like the baby was stuck and I kept picturing the baby's head underwater. I couldn't find the strength to push again. I looked at TJ and looked at Ruthie and said that I couldn't do it. Ruthie camly told me "Yes you can" and I shut my eyes again, the next contraction came and I pushed as hard as I could, I could feel the burn but knew that the baby was coming now. THE BABY'S HERE!! It was 7:27pm. Diane slid the baby through my legs and TJ reached in the water and grabbed her. I reached down and took her from TJ as we pulled her up together. Ruthie placed a towel over her and I laid back on the back of the tub. "What is it??" I asked TJ. He reached down, moved the towel and said, "IT'S A GIRL"!!! I screamed and cried and praised God. I looked up at TJ and told him how much I loved him and saw the tears streaming down his face. Gracelyn Joy Gniffke
There is no other word to describe what just happened other than a miracle. God was by my side the entire time. I could feel him, I could hear his voice and I trusted him. He gave me the sweetest gift I could imagine.
I nursed Gracie and just held her. At 7:48pm TJ cut the cord. Then Ruthie took Gracie out and cleaned her up and gave her to daddy to snuggle. At 8:10pm I delivered the placenta, got out and joined my sweet girl and husband in our bed.
The kids and grandma came at 9:00 pm. Then Diane got all of her stats.
She's... 7lbs 12oz 20 3/4" long 13 1/2" head Heart beat 140
Ashtyn got to cut her umbilical cord shorter. And we all snuggled with Gracie. Daddy then put the kiddos to bed.
Auntie Halie and Uncle Matt came to visit and stayed for quite a while, it was so awesome to have them there!
They left and I nursed Gracie again. I looked down at her beautiful face. Still in awe that I had this perfect baby lying in my arms. How good God is. I had an unending amount of love for this brand new baby, this baby that I had never met, my heart was over joyed. It instantly reminded me of how great our Father's love is for us. How much he truly cares and loves each one of us and he gave that love to me to have for our daughter.
People were very skeptical about me planning to have this baby at home, especially since we had Peyton 6 weeks early. The questions and doubts from people were never ending but I NEVER at one time had a doubt in my mind. I knew my God was greater than any doubt I could have. I knew that he granted my prayer and gave me this baby and that this baby is ultimately his baby and he will take care of me and this baby and that he has a plan for us. I read this and always treasured it, "Babies and mothers were built for birth. There was no accident in their creation. Babies fit perfectly within their mother’s wombs and when allowed to birth free from restrictions, they also fit through mom’s pelvis and bottoms. Every part of pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum are provided to the mother and her baby for a reason. When we honor this time of growth, maturity and adaptation, we are rewarded with a miracle."
I was able to deliver Grace at 39 weeks and 4 days. I can not put into words the way I felt about this birth. It was the best experience I have ever had.
Our birth video of Gracelyn Joy"This is G rated" :)
I started this post a few days before Miss Gracie arrived and never got around to finishing it until now. So here are a few things I got ready for the preparation of our home birth.
Now... scroll to the bottom and you will find a list of the essentials that I wouldn't want to go without and were amazing during labor and delivery!
BIRTH SUPPLIES
TJ and I organized all the birth supplies, I loved going through all this with him, a new experience for both of us and learning together was something I will never forget.
FREEZER MEALS
14 meals 1/2 gallon +10 quarts of soup: veggie medley, chili, and chicken noodle
SITZ PADS & BATH MIX
PROBIOTICS (KIFER)
Ok now.. Here is the ESSINTIAL LIST!
Things that I loved during my labor/delivery/post partum that I am so thankful for!
1. My BIBLE: A MUST. Spending time in the word daily is something I need and love to do. In preparation for the baby I spent a lot of time reading it was very relaxing and it was an amazing time to just be close to Jesus. A few verses that I buried deep in my heart...When I am afraid I will trust in you. Every good and perfect gift is from above. Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. The Lord is my strength and shield my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. Everything is possible for him who believes.
2. Birthfree & Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way: 2 really good books that we learned so much from during this pregnancy. This was our 4th delivery and I am blown away by how much I learned. We also watched the 12 video series from Birthfree by Jennifer Davis. They were exceptional!
3. Music & Candles: Setting the atmosphere was very important to me. I wanted a relaxing peaceful surreal environment. I had a few playlists picked out and lit candles that filled my bathroom. It was perfect.
4. Fruit Kefir Smoothies: I had been using probiotics since I tested positive for Group B Strep and fell in love with strawberry banana kefir smoothies. So of course while I labored I drank one of these just a few hours before Miss Gracie arrived then had a smoothie every time I had a sitz bath. SO GOOD and highly recommenced!! :)
5. Sitz Bath/Pads: another must! I made the sitz pads and froze them, they felt wonderful for the first few days after delivery. I also took a few sitz bath. Very relaxing and rejuvenating!
6. Afterease: tincture Wish Garden Herbal Remedies, to help ease the after pains/contractions after giving birth. I used this every time I fed Gracie for the first 4 to 5 days and it did the trick!
7. Aloe Vera Gel: I used this on my pads each time I changed one, poured a little bit on there and it was wonderful. Very soothing and made everything heal a lot quicker.
8. Maxi Pads: I know, I know... I NEVER thought I'd be the one to put MAXI PADS on the essentials list. I'm NOT a fan of pads but as any of you moms know... the "After childbirth" isn't glamorous esp. for the first few weeks. I bought 4 different brands different sizes and thicknesses, it was nice to have the different pads throughout the last few weeks.
9. Tea Tree Oil: Fill a perennial bottle with warm water then added 5 drops of tea tree oil to the bottle... shake it up... and use this on your bottom each time after going to the bathroom for 2-3 days after delivery. Works amazingly!
10. Arnica: I bought the pill form,the cream and roll on. The roll on and pills are my favorite. A natural pain reliever and they are highly recommended!
11. Rice Packs: so thankful for Teah...who made me a few of these rice packs. I had one that we froze and one that we kept hot. During labor/hard contractions I had a frozen one on my lower back, that really helped with contractions. After labor I used the hot one on my lower back and that also felt so good.
12. Hot Tea: I drank a lot of this before and after labor/delivery. A mixture of Red Raspberry Leaf and comfrey and shepherds purse. That was very helpful for blood clotting and the bleeding. I didn't have an excessive amount of bleeding and I believe it was because of drinking this!
13. Freezer Meals: Highly recommended but DON'T do it alone ..(ask a friend or your hubby to help you) I tried that when I was 37 weeks pregnant and paid for it for a few days after that. But having freezer meals in the freezer has been so helpful the last few weeks since Miss Gracie has arrived!
14. Water Bottle: Another MUST! I drank a LOT of water during my pregnancy but during labor this was just what I needed. Water bottle FULL of ice and water, I went through a lot of these. I don't ever remembering being so thirty but I'm so thankful that my hubby always had it full for me!
15. Vitamin e-oil: This was also so helpful. I poked a hole in a capsule and put it on my nipples after each time I was done breast feeding. I never once got any sores or had any pain from feeding (that doesn't include the pain that I had from milk coming in or the engorgement) but it was so nice to not have that extra pain on top of that. This definitely is a must!
Meet George and Emmy. our 2 newest additions to the farm. I was given strict instructions to only bring one home...but just look at them. how could I only bring one back! luckly I have a pretty patient husband who wasn't upset when I got home with these 2 adorable kitties! They will be barn kitties once they are bigger but for now the kids are taking full advantage of them being in the "mud room".
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Brayden and Emmy, Peyton and George (Brayden picked out their names)
He loves loves loves his kitty!
George and Emmy
So happy that he got to pick out his very own kitten
Peyton does not put this poor thing down!
Once in a while when they are super good I have let them nap with the kittens. I went in to check on them, apparently they had a slumber party in Peyton's crib!
Brayden is in love, Peyton is in love, Ashtyn even is in love, so is momma and so is DADDY with this project. Daddy wasn't so thrilled when momma insisted that we needed to get this bunk bed project underway and thought he could convince me to wait or just buy something. But when he came home to a truck full of 2x4's and 2x2's he realized momma wasn't kidding and she wants a bed before the baby comes! So he gave in and got to work.
Here is a picture before/after.
We had made the tractor bed 2 years ago for Brayden. This is where he went after we moved him out of his crib. There is a door on the front that swings open and shut.
Thanks to Jason for helping him out with the remodeling of the old John Deere bed and turning that into the bunk bed.
After one quick successful night putting the frame up I found out I ran out of wood. BUMMER.. Could have had it finished!
So the next week after I bought the rest of the lumber... and we finished the bed!
Jason and TJ finishing up the bed the boys all playing on the top
Jordan and Brayden checking things out on the top bunk!
Look mom it opens! Peyton checking out his bed! (He isn't moving quite yet.. but eventually this will be his bed!)
"close door" says Peyton!
Then the fun begins... painting. ok that was not fun. It was fun for maybe 5 min. but after the 3rd coats (1 primer and 2 coats of paint) and having quite the bump in my tummy makes it difficult to maneuver around but it was wonderful doing this project with my hubby who had a good attitude the entire time. Ashtyn and Brayden also helped with painting, they loved it!
TJ paiting the primer on.
Me, painting on the primer
Ashtyn came in and took a picture ;) She thought it was so funny that we were both up on the top bunk trying to paint and not get paint on each other!
Ash helping daddy paint the bed!
Having so much fun!
Braydens turn!
He was sooo into this.. so very serious!
Yahoo. Painting is DONE.
My favorite part.. the details! TJ assembled the wheels (the same ones we had on our old bed) they spin, which the kids think is so awesome.
Then I got decals from LifeWall in Marshall. They turned out so great!
And last but not least... the lights and reflectors! They added the perfect finishing touches! :)
and here it is!! The finished bunk bed! :) I'm so proud of our project and it feels sooo good to have it done! All 3 kiddos napped for just about 3 hours in the same room today! Ashtyn was on the top bunk, Brayden on the bottom and Peyton in the crib! They begged to be able to go to sleep tonight like that.
