Back to Blogging--Playing Catch Up!

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Sooo...I totally dropped the ball on the blog the last few weeks.  The third trimester hit me like a tonne of bricks, so between that and the incredible amount of work I have been doing to change and improve the lives of my family I just didn't have the mental energy to devote to blogging.  I think things have settled down now and I am in a better place to start sharing again.

First off, pregnancy update.  Today I am 29 weeks and 1 day, with about 76 days left until my EDD.  Realistically, I have about 10-12 weeks to go before I am a Mum of three.  I just know this time will fly by, so I am really trying to enjoy this last stretch of what could be my final pregnancy.  Here is my most recent belly shot...


The spring cleaning is ongoing we and continue to simplify and purge both material and emotional baggage, as well as fill our lives with more positive things.  Everyday feels better than the one before, and that's a great feeling.

This week is marking our first week of homeschooling the children.  Last week H-Man school sent a letter home threatening suspension if his immunization records weren't produced to the health unit.  He is fully immunized and that information would be obtainable, but it just seemed like a sign...and simply writing a letter to the school board seemed so much easier.  Oddly enough, I have already noticed a return of H-Man's enthusiasm for learning and that makes me feel that much better about the decision we've made.  I know it's what will be best for him...for both of them.

Today I will be trying my hand at baking bread, thanks to the inspiration of fellow blogger over at "Living Life Simply, Most of the Time".  I will be reporting on the success (or not) of that endeavor laster this evening.

I think that's mostly it.  I do have a few blogs in my head waiting to be written, mostly about those things that have occupied my time and energy for the last few weeks.  Hope you'll be tuning in!!

That's the Plan

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With 15-ish weeks left, I am ready to begin preparations for my home birth experience.  I have my wishes and wants for the experience (which I have been thinking about since before the 2 little blue lines appeared) and a general birth plan written out, but getting the home birth supply list from my midwife yesterday made everything suddenly feel so much more real to me.  I've been planning a home birth, but now will start to actually prepare for one!!

So, based on what my midwife has suggested and suggestions from other sources, here is my supply list for a home water birth!

1.  Pool.  Obvious enough!  One thing to consider, though, is where exactly the pool will go and what the flooring underneath it will be.  I had originally planned on having the pool in the kitchen until I realized how uncomfortable the tile floor would be not just for myself but for the midwives and various guests who might gather around.  Instead, I will have it in the living room just off the kitchen, which sports a cushy carpet.  

2.  Liner for Pool.  I am borrowing my birth pool and many people do, so a liner will protect the pool for future users.  Even if I wasn't borrowing the pool, I think I would still use a liner for easier clean up.

3.  Towels.  Lots of towels.  My midwife suggests 10 or so for a water birth and about 5 for a birth on dry land.

4.  Washcloths.  About 10 washcloths to be used as warm perineal compress.  Also, a bowl for warm water or better yet a crock pot!

5.  Pillows.  Cover them in plastic bags and then pillow slips to protect them.  

6.  Floor Coverings.  Plastic picnic table covers with flannel backing works great on carpeting.

7.  Bed.  Make bed in layers that can easily be removed.  First clean sheets, then a waterproof layer and then another clean sheet covering over the waterproof layer.  Even if you are having a water birth, you may want to delivery the placenta in bed so after that is over you can peel off the top 2 layers and have a freshly made bed to cuddle in!

8.  Roll of paper towels.

9.  Bowl for placenta and a container for storage.

10.  2 large waste baskets or garbage bag lined boxes.  One for dirty laundry and one for waste.

11.  Peroxide and salt for removing blood stains.

So those are the supplies suggested for the birth itself, but what about everything else?  Here are a few other things (so far) that I am planning to prepare for the birth.


1.  Food.  As well as having a few frozen meals prepared beforehand I am going to make sure there are lots of healthy snacks for me and all my guests to snack on.  Fruits, veggies, cheeses, dips, spreads, breads, muffins, and nuts all prepared and waiting in containers to be easily accessed by everyone.  I will also try to have a soup or stew slow cooking on the stove (since I will be using the crock for the warm compresses)


2.  Birth Day Loot Bags...for the kids!  I will be creating a box of fun for each of my kids to keep them busy on the big day.  Colouring books, crayons, art projects, movies, books, games all brand new and waiting to be explored by bored little children!


3.  iPod Playlist!!  That's a work in progress.  I keep going back and forth on what I might want to listen to during labour.  I think I will make up a few different ones, each with a different 'mood' in mind.


4.  Clothes.  I have started looking for some ideal clothing to wear during the birth and so far all I have decided on is a nice light flowing skirt.


So that's what I have so far, and it seems to be a pretty thorough list.  If not, I can always send Daddy out to pick up anything I need when the time comes.  That's what I keep him around for!


I.  Am.  So.  Excited!!!!!




Spring Cleaning

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Garbage OnlyImage by Peter Kaminski via Flickr
It's March and the snow appears to have left us for the most part (knock on wood) so here in the Goddesses sanctuary, Spring Cleaning has begun.  One of my biggest goals for this year was to get seriously organized not only for my sanity and for preparing for a new baby but preparing for the move that is in our near future.  There is no way I will be lugging a half tonne of random junk half way across the country.  I just about pulled my hair out moving it all 4 blocks!  Not that I really need an excuse though, since this needs to be done regardless!

Yesterday, the SO and I tackled our biggest challenge which was our bedroom.  Now, our bedroom has always been the dumping ground for the overspill from everywhere else, a laundry room and a storage room.  It's the last room to get any attention...which means it really doesn't get any attention at all.  By the time we make it there, we're just too tired to put the effort into it.  This time, we started there and thank GODS we did!  It was a disaster.  So bad, in fact, that I considered writing a Last Will and Testament just in case I never returned from the back hole it had become.  It's almost embarassing to admit the amount of crap I removed from my room yesterday, so I won't.  I'll just say, it was an embarassing amount.  

It felt amazing to purge.  I felt like I was losing pounds off of my body, to be honest, from the amount of physical relief I felt doing it.  I could breathe in there.  I stood in my bedroom without feeling anxious!  It was so motivating and empowering to let go of all that shit I had been hoarding for so long.  Seriously...I had clothes that haven't fit me in 6 years and never would again, even if I sawed my body in half.  SO's contribution was a few hundred pounds of computer parts, which I finally convinced him was actually junk.  To see that computer crap go was my biggest victory of the day.

Clearing some space was a good move, as yesterday my Mother dropped off a load of brand new baby stuff for the belly bean.  I forgot how exciting it is to get all those tiny little shirts and booties and put them in their place (with the help of future Big Sister L).  She helped me 'test' out all the blankets, to ensure their softness.  I didn't realize just how prepared I already am for this baby until I saw it all put away...and then I cried.  I love that about pregnancy.

The next big step is taking another look through the clothes and thinning out the laundry pile a bit further and then going through the kids rooms in search of broken toys.  After that, we will focus on organizing a bit better in hopes that we won't get back into this place again!  

Any organizational tips for this decluttering Goddess?

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