Natural Childbirth

My Experience in going natural was pretty rewarding! I know it's cliche, but it's a great feeling afterwards. You and your baby are so alert and well and there's really no need for medicines, except maybe for the contractions part. But once you start pushing through the contractions, the pain literally goes away, then all you feel is pressure...It's like having the worlds largest bowel movement!

I did however get several numbing shots down below for the "burning". I wasn't yet burning, but the nurses thought I was feeling some pain and being really good about it lol they offered to numb that, so I went ahead and let it happen. After all the baby was just about crowning so I know it wouldn't affect her at all. I don't know if that numbing agent was really THAT good or what, but I didn't feel her come out! I know I didn't feel myself tear either so someone did something right :)

When she finally came out, it was instant relief! They weren't kidding lol but then the kneading on my belly to get the placenta out wasn't exactly very comfortable! Actually it hurt quite a bit, but I didn't care so much since I had my baby on my chest.

My over all experience was amazing! My midwife was AWESOME!! She kept me lubed and massaged my perineum the entire time to help minimize tearing and pain. Even though I still tore, I think it could've been worse if she hadn't tended to that area. Also when she spoke, she was very gentle and soothing.

Yes, I would do it again :)

My Happy-Life List!

What do I want to be known for? What kind of person would I like to be? How do I want to live my life?

In the process of cleaning out the baby room (formerly known as the computer room), I decided to go through all my saved magazines; tear out the articles I feel necessary to keep and throw away the rest in order to save space. While doing so, I found some good topics for my blog in some old Self magazines! Though this list isn't ALL of what I would like to complete, it's definitely a good start.

Anyway I found this little worksheet in the "Create your happy-life list!" article by Stephanie Dolgoff in the September 2008 Issue, and decided it would be fun to just throw something together for myself.

Every day I would like to...

1. Start each day fresh, with a clear conscience.

2. Make more time to take care of myself and my family (In my limited space between work and sleep).

3. Take my time. Stress less.

4. Journal my thoughts, feelings and adventures.

Every week I would like to...

1. Put my home in order.

2. Date with my husband.

3. Tie up loose ends that can't be done everyday.

4. Spend some time to date myself (after all I am pretty rad).

In 3 months, I would like to...

1. Be schooled in natural childbirth and feel confident that I can do it!

2. Credit card debt paid off.

3. Restructure of my savings and budgeting habits.

4. Complete a knitted project.

Before next year, I would like to...

1. Master my crafts.

2. Look into opening an IRA account and maxing 401k through work.

3. Complete some house projects (e.g., flooring, door trimmings, paint.)

4. Sell my current car and get a bigger family car.

In 3 to 5 years, I would like to...

1. Complete my baby making.

2. Stay debt free (or close to it).

3. Live a more active, healthier lifestyle (while including the family).

4. Be more self- accepting.

Before I die, I would like to...

1. Be the best mom (and wife) I know how to be.

2. Travel more.

3. Pay off my house.

4. Live (financially) comfortably, and know that I've earned it!

Feel free to make your own personal lists and don't forget to make that leap to achieve them!

Cloth Diapering

I am currently looking into investing in some cloth diapers to help save money and heck, even the environment while I'm at it. I watched a video about cloth vs. disposable, and since I was already considering it, I was sold! Though it's gonna cost some $$ up front, in the long run it will save us some serious $$ throughout the diaper days.

Anyway I found FuzziBunz to be a respectable brand of cloth diapers. I am however a little disappointed that I cannot purchase the diaper straight from the home site. It only redirects you to retailers who sell their product, But they do at least give you the full details you need to know about the product. I am going to purchase one and examine it first hand before I make my full decision. So far things are looking good in the favor of cloth! Check out FuzziBunz.com if you are at all interested in the cloth diapering option. I'll write a review once I receive mine :)

2010 Recap

I just wanted to kind of recap some of the highlights of 2010. I got to see one of my favorite bands, Killswitch engage! It was an amazing concert! Too bad the lead singer Howard was not present... maybe next time I guess :/ I also purchased my Canon 7D. I love to take photos of everything and hope to become a better photographer! I love to capture candid moments. Staged photos are just too fake for my liking. I still have a lot to learn about my camera and photoshop, but I am enjoying it as I go!

My husband Austin and I found out we're pregnant! A very exciting time for us! We always wondered if we could have children, because of my lack of ovulation. Thanks to my wonderful midwife and her husband (who referred us to her in the first place), they are definitely a Godsend for helping us achieve the gift of life!

At the end of September, my girlfriends planned a bachelorette party for me in Vegas! However unfortunate that I couldn't celebrate to the fullest, but I still enjoyed spending time with the ladies and experiencing a place I haven't been before! So thank you girls for a WONDERFUL event! I would definitely love to go back (without child this time :) )

In October we got to FINALLY travel to Edinburgh, Scotland & Dublin, Ireland! Two places I've always wanted to visit! I'm glad to have had the opportunity to experience traveling to another country where the history is so well preserved and the land is just so beautiful! Best of all it was experienced in good company of great friends and of course my dear husband whom I married after the trip lol

Which brings me to my next highlight of the year. Ideally we would have married before getting pregnant, but things don't always happen in the order that we hope for (we weren't trying that hard anyway). All I can say is we are very happy! We were happy before through the last five years of our monogamous relationship and into the present of our newly married portion. And I predict that we will stay happy for as long as we live!

In November, we found out the sex of our baby. It's a girl! A little scary to me, because I've found that boys are generally easier to handle, but still excited! I just hope she turns out more mellow like her daddy :)

Christmas was fun, though the WHOLE family (on either side) weren't all together in person, we were in spirit and I'm blessed to have such a loving family on both sides!

We ended the year at Austin's aunt's house in Morgan. Very mellow, but fun at the same time. I couldn't have asked for a better way to slide right into the new year! I hope this year is just as exciting, if not more than last!

I love my friends and family to pieces!! Without you, I would have nothing!