35 Weeks and a Breech Baby

I had my 35 week appointment yesterday.  I've known for about a week or so Jameson has been breech.  When he flipped from head down to head up, it really relieved some of the pressure and contractions.  My midwife is still concerned that I could go into labor early. I have to go back next week to make sure the little guy is no longer breech. I forgot to ask what they do if he is still breech at that point. I also had to have my thyroid retested. Last time they tested it was a little low, so she wants make sure it hasn't gone any lower.
I looked on the Spinning Babies website and found a couple of things I can do to try and get him to flip. I am really hoping it works. If it doesn't, I will make the dreaded 3 hour (one way) trip to a chiropractor that specializes in prenatal chiropractic care, to see if she can get him to flip.

FuzziBunz Elite vs BumGenius 4.0 Cloth Diaper

FuzziBunz Elite vs BumGenius 4.0



FuzziBunz on top of BumGenius

I really like how trim the FuzziBunz Elite cloth diapers are in between the legs.  However, because they are so trim they are a little more difficult to stuff. Also, I have heard if you have a chunky baby they tend to leak. The FB Elites use a minky insert, unlike the BG 4.0s which uses microfiber.  The FB Elites don't absorb as much as the BumGenius 4.0's. Both cloth diapers are one size. The difference is how you adjust the rise. The BumGenius 4.0s have snaps on the front to adjust the rise. The FuzziBunz Elites have hidden elastic adjustments in the legs and waist to adjust the rise.  It is much easier to adjust the rise on the BumGenius 4.0's.
Overall I like the FuzziBunz Elite cloth diaper, just not as much as the BumGenius 4.0. In my opinion, the BumGenius cloth diaper is a more efficient and dependable cloth diaper.







FuzziBunz Elite vs BumGenius 4.0

                                                                                

BG4.0 Insert vs FB Insert 

                                           Back To Homemaking

A Day in the Life of Three Little Ones

This morning everyone slept in until 6:30.  Of course they were wide awake at 3:00 am. I had to tell them it was the middle of the night and to go back to bed, thankfully they did.
We have already had breakfast, and Josiah has already retrieved a load of clean cloths from the dryer for me.

Next, I was going though some more of Josiah's old cloths for Jameson, and they decided it would be great to play in the plastic tub the cloths were in.  Josiah pulled, while Jada and Juliet rode. As  you can see we are still not dressed. It's about 8:30 am.  We are not on schedule today, after Jameson comes, we will get back to normal.

 After they played for a bit, they helped me pick up.  Josiah brought me another load of clean laundry, picked up dirty cloths, and toys. Juliet threw trash away. Jada helped gather laundry, and pick up toys. They all did a great job helping me today.
During the cleaning spree Jameson moved in such a way that made me say, "Ouch!"  Josiah replied, "Maybe you should go sit down." He's very thoughtful.
 Jada found a clean blanket that I was getting ready to fold, she grabbed it and started spreading it out on the floor, she said she was spreading it out for Jameson. She is very excited for him to arrive.

Next, lunch, then nap.

Time to wake up! One by one they started to wake up.  First Juliet, then Josiah, and finally Jada. While we were waiting for Jada to wake up, Josiah brought me yet another load of laundry.  "It's his new favorite thing to do."  Yesterday, I grabbed a small load out of the dryer, and when he saw the clean cloths laying on the couch, he got upset that I didn't let him get them. I love that he likes to help.  After Jada woke up, they began playing again. 















               










                                                                                          
Next, they helped me make dinner by washing off the potatoes.
 Then off to play, "Throw Ball." It's their own made up game of...you guessed it, throwing a ball.

Right before dinner, it started to snow, and for some reason snow brings increased excitement and hyperactivity. Combine that with Dad arriving home, and they went crazy. They were very excited to see more snow, and their dad.

From the outside looking in

After dinner, we had dancing!!!

Next, they got pajamas on, brushed teeth, and went to bed. Good Night!

34 Weeks and Nesting

I have been trying to take it easy this week, with the pressure and contractions that I have been having.  I was able to get a lot a rest.  Towards the end of the week I started feeling better, but also anxious to get things done before the baby gets here. I was able to get a lot done in the past two days. 
With my last pregnancy, the nesting started about three weeks before baby Juliet arrived.  We definitely want him to stay in a least that amount of time.

My mom, aka Grandma, will be arriving in about a week.  The kids are very excited.  I decided I need more help before the baby arrives, rather than after the arrival.  I always feel so much better, physically and mentally, after the baby is born.

He is still flip flopping from head up to head down to sideways.  He just can't decide. Hopefully he will choose to stay head down pretty soon.  He should be almost 18 inches long now, and just under 5 pounds!

I am doing very well this pregnancy compared to my first pregnancy with  Josiah, as you can see the difference. This photo was taken at 33 and a half weeks.


 25 Weeks          28 Weeks          31 Weeks
 26 Weeks          29 Weeks          32 Weeks
 27 Weeks          30 Weeks          33 Weeks

My favorite Cloth Diapers and CD Accessories

Favorite Cloth Diaper

Hands down my all around favorite cloth diaper is the BumGenius 4.0. My favorite all around cover is the Flip diaper cover. However, I really like the Thirsties Duo Wrap diaper cover, size 1, for newborns.

Favorite Insert

My favorite inserts for the covers are the Flip Stay Dry Inserts and Infant Stay Dry Insert.  I feel like prefolds are way too bulky, so I tend to stay away from them.

I like the microfiber inserts for the pocket diapers.

Favorite Wet Bag

I use the Planet Wise Large wet bag to put my dirty diapers in.  I have not had a problem with it leaking or ripping.  As long as I don't forget to zip it up, it holds in the odors very well.

Favorite Cloth Wipes

My favorite cloth wipes are the Thirsties Fab Wipes. They are a little expensive, but I think they are worth it.  They are soft and have held up very well.  I love how one side repels water, but the other side soaks it up.  That way, when I squirt water on the wipes, it will soak in on the side I squirted, but the other side keeps the water from going completely though to my hand.

Favorite Cloth Wipe Solution

I usually use water and a cloth wipe to clean up "messes". I use my peri bottle I got from the hospital to squirt water on the wipes. If I am out and about, I use Kissaluvs Diaper Lotion Potion or disposable wipes.

Favorite Diaper Rash "Medication"

I love the Grovia Magic Stick.  It is cloth diaper safe. I have never had a problem with it making my diapers repel. It's easy to use, and you don't get your hands dirty.  Juliet likes to play with the cap when I am changing her, and when I am done she helps put the cap back on.

Favorite Cloth Diaper Detergent

Tiny Bubbles has been my go to diaper detergent. I have tried many others, but I always come back to Tiny Bubbles.

Favorite Diaper Sprayer

I have only owned one diaper sprayer, I can't compare it to any other ones. I can say that I absolutely love it.  It is the BumGenius Diaper Sprayer. It has held up well, and doesn't leak. You can also adjust the water pressure on it. We use this for more than just spraying off cloth diapers.  I use it to clean the potty training chair, vomit bowls, and cloths that have vomit or other "messes" on them.  This is probably the most important cloth diaper accessory I have.  We will leave it hooked up long after we are done cloth diapering.



Back to Homemaking

Meet the Ladies

Light Brahma

Rouen aka Mrs. Squiddles

Here, on our little property, we own 12 chickens and 1 duck (she is quite the survivor).  All our chickens are dual purpose breeds, which means they make good layers and are good for eating. 
We had about twice as many when we first started, but we ended up culling some of them. (And when I say we,  I mean my husband and In-Laws.)  One day, maybe I will be able to watch and be involved in the process. 

 We have a variety of breeds, to include, Barred-Rocks, Silver Laced Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpingtons, Light Brahmas, and a Rouen Duck.  Our duck will be getting some more duck friends this spring.

Our friendliest and best egg layers are the Rhode Island Reds, and in my opinion, are also the ugliest.
Our best brooders are the Buff Orpingtons.  The prettiest and biggest are the Light Brahmas.

Lately, they have been eating their eggs.  We have a few things we are going to try to get them to stop. I will write about what works the best, as soon as we figure it out.

Silver Laced Wyandotte

 

Back to Homemaking

Eczema

Very Mild Flare Up

I had a person ask what lotion we used on Jada's eczema, in case anyone else is wondering, this is what we did.  When the eczema was really bad, before the prescription, I would use Eucerin (let that soak in) then "seal" it with Vaseline, then covered it.  Also, when we would give her a bath, we would add a little oil to the bath water.
For a mild flare up, like what she just had, all I used was the Equate version of Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Lotion. Then when it was almost healed up, we used CJ's Butter (a more natural smell good lotion) to finish clearing it up.

By far the best thing we did for her, that cleared up her eczema completely, was a diet change.
We ended up cutting out all gluten and dairy. I did introduce some dairy back into her diet, but it is very limited.  I just found out if she had just a little too much dairy, her eczema will return.
Click here for gluten free recipes.

Back to Homemaking

SNOW!!!

I have a renewed love for snow.  I love how excited the kids get when they see it is snowing. They get crazy excited when it gets deep enough to really play in it.  They are waiting for it to snow enough to build another snow fort. Unfortunately, that doesn't look like it is going to happen anytime time soon. They still had a lot of fun playing in it, even though the snow was too dry to even build a snow man.


Last Year's Snow Fort

Last Year's Snow Fort

33 Weeks

I know I am a day late on my update.  We spent yesterday really focusing and spending time with our little ones.  
Not much is new. I'm still having lots of braxton-hicks contractions, some are starting to become painful. My mid wife is skeptical I will make it to 37 weeks. You never know though, baby Jameson may surprise us and stay in the longest out of all my babies.  (The longest any of them stayed in was 38 1/2 weeks, that was Jada).

(I may or may not post a picture later)

Juliet vs Teething

A MOLAR just popped up in poor Juliet's mouth.
She is a bit cranky, but doing well. You can see in the picture on the left that her cheeks are a bit red.

Josiah vs The Vacuum

I am not allowed to vacuum, and the house was in dire need of vacuuming. I was going to have Josiah help me push the vacuum, but he said he wanted to try vacuuming by himself this time.  He did a good job, considering he is only four, it was the first time all by himself, and the vacuum is very heavy.  Yes, he is vacuuming in his boxer briefs. We are a little off schedule today.



Josiah around 18 Months "Vacuuming"