Drink tea.

While I write a paper. Drive to school. Snuggle my little girl (who steals a sip or two).  Eat breakfast. Catch up on blog readings. Read emails . Even while we viewed a piece of land yesterday (!).

I heart tea.

Me and tea, we go way back, and the bonds are everlasting.

And? I can do it guilt free with no caffeine and no sugar. I’ve been using “Ideal” brand Xylitol and love it. It tastes and looks like sugar, but it has zero calaries, low carbs, and no sugar. And, it’s actually good for you, unlike sugar and other artificial sweeteners: it  helps prevent cavities! Plus, it’s cheap.

So, I heart Xylitol as well. I just wish I could buy it in bulk in local stores :-/ More on xylitol later. It deserves it’s own post!

I’m 100% positive I have Candida (over growth of yeast) which is what causes my acne and the sudden onset of skin issues starting last year.  I’ve tried various things: Healthier diet, fish oil pills, Candex pills, a colon cleanse, switching make up, and resorting to typical acne medicines like benzoyl peroxide. All of which helped to lessen my issue but I’m still not getting to the root of the issue: yeast in my gut.  It’s hard to kill, yall.

So, I’m embarking on yet another new adventure with apple cider vinegar. Have you heard about how awesome apple cider vinegar is? It’s got multiple uses, everything from shiny hair to house cleaning to weight loss to digestion issues.  I’ve even used it to get rid of planters warts and it worked. This website lists some of the uses and how to use it for each, great stuff. Anyway, so as I’ve become frustrated again with my acne (it has it’s up and down phases, but still overall better than it was a few months ago) I’ve been doing research again. I’ve read about ACV for months, even used it as a toner for a while (which Mark hated because of the smell!), but wasn’t brave enough to drink it like many people recommended.  Until today. I decided that the benefits are well worth dealing with the taste and seeing if it helps.

I’m sitting here with a mug of hot water, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of honey. And really? It’s not too bad! It reminds me of apple cider with a kick. I’ve always like vinegar type stuff anyway (salt and vinegar chips, anyone?) so maybe that makes me more prone to tolerating the taste better than others, but I don’t think it’s that bad as long as its diluted enough.

I’ll keep you updated :-)

It’s official: I’m switching to cloth diapers.

Go ahead, Gasp. Call me asking why I would do such a thing. Facebook me about it. Or comment simply to root me on. I’m changing and proud of it!

Yes, Savannah is 2.5. Sure, the logical thing is to potty train to save money but the simple point is this: she’s not ready to potty train and I’m not one to make her. I’m fine with changing diapers, but I’m not fine shelling out $50 (plus the cost of wipes) a month until whenever she shows me she’s ready (and yes, we’ve tried). Which, could be at least another 6 months for all I know. Or longer! In our tight budget, I don’t want to keep (literally) throwing our money away. Not to mention, the green mommy (not green with envy, of course! Environment conscious mommy) in me is emerging and I don’t like the thought of throwing out plastic and poop every day to sit in a landfill for 500 years. I just won’t do it anymore, and I so wish I was this brave when Savannah was still a baby and switched years ago!

So aside from saving hundreds of dollars until we potty train and doing a small part to protect the earth, I also am investing in our future child. I mentioned back when I found out I was pregnant last time that I had planned to cloth diaper that baby, and that still holds true whenever our time comes again.  So the bonus of the diapers I chose?  They change sizes! One diaper fits newborns up to toddlers, so as long as I take care of them I’m good to go for next time. I bought 15 Bumgenius 3.0 (pictured at top) for a super good deal (plus I already have 2 Haute Pockets), so Savannah can wear them now until she’s out of diapers, and the next baby can start wearing them as an infant up until he/she grows out of diapers. Which, let me tell you, saves a heck of a lot of money in the long run. I’m also switching to cloth wipes since I can just throw them in with the diapers.

So, before you knock my choices down and try to persuade me other wise (I’ve had enough of that, thanks): I’m not changing my mind. The diapers are bought, they are in the mail as I type.  Just be happy for me, even if it’s not what you would chose for your kids. Even if Savannah does magically potty train next month, this isn’t a waste, they can and will still be used in the future.

That said, cloth diapering mommas I need your help!  Mark is worried about the diapers stinking up the house between washes.  What worked best for you? I’ve heard of wet bags, diaper pails with liners with and without lids, and just a plain ol’ bucket.  Did you use baking soda or a product in the bag/pail? Is it true that not putting a lid on (so it has air circulation) reduces the smell rather than trapping it in with a lid? Any other cloth diapering tips I should know?

Seriously though, bottom line: I gotta do what’s best for us. If you don’t like my choices? Click away, click away…

I had my first midwife appointment on Tuesday to verify that I am indeed pregnant–and I am!  I also was hoping to figure out when I’m due, she currently has me at December 7th but I think it may be later (hoping it’s later for exam sake).  Since I’m unsure, I’ve got an ultrasound schedule for April 30th!  I’ve never had one this early on so that will be neat and she’ll be able to measure for an accurate date and she said I should even see a little heartbeat already by then.

I decided to go with a midwife this time because, if you haven’t noticed in the past few months, I’ve kind of…changed.  The whole natural/green world is really appealing to me and having a midwife seems to fit right along with that.  See, I’ve been induced twice, had two epidurals, etc. and I just want to try things different this time.  I know it sounds crazy but I want to feel what it’s like to go into labor, not just lie on a bed and wait for pitocin to kick in. I want to feel what it’s like to work through my labor pains, to walk around, to let gravity do some work, to be support by others, etc.

I really, really would like to try to not get an epidural this time. With Kaylee, it was fantastic. Everything about her birth was to me. With Savannah? The epidural left my back hurting for WEEKS. The nurse told me that I had a gigantic bruise from where it was inserted and the anesthesiologist dismissed it and my back pain to being from “back labor.” Right. I just don’t want to go there again. Plus, like I said, I don’t want to be stuck in the bed. I want to work through it. I know, I know I sound crazy.

Also, it really bothered me with Savannah that I did not get to hold Savannah or breastfeed right away. I did get to hold her soon after she was born, but it took a minute to wrap her up first. But to breastfeed? THREE HOURS LATER. It was midnight.  That really, really bothered me. I’ve talked with my midwife about all this and she was very positive that that wouldn’t happen again (unless something serious went on, God forbid).   She also said that if I’m not induced I’m more likely to progress faster with this being my third baby, so all the more reason to wait in my eyes. I love my midwife so far! I will still be delivering at a hospital (makes me feel safer “just in case”, but the care and attention will be different. I also have a friend who is a doula, so I’ve already got tons of support lined up!

And after the baby is born…I’m seriously considering cloth diapers *gasp* Again, I know people will think I’m crazy.  But 1) We’re poor college folks and I can buy an entire diaper collection for 3 years for the same prize as what I pay for ONE year of disposables and wipes (about $500-600).  To me, that’s worth a shot. If it doesn’t work out for me? I can sell them and make a profit back. 2) Have  you seen how much cuter they are? I’ll admit, I’m a little overwhelmed looking at all the options but with the help from some experienced cloth mommas I’m slowly figuring it out and what will work best for us.

And lastly, I plan to do a lot more baby wearing this time around. With Savannah I did a little bit for when we went on walks and such, but not so much in daily life.  With a toddler to keep up with on top of a newborn, I think I’ll be needing my hands but also want baby close so I plan to invest in a good sling or two.  Any suggestions?

I guess I’m becoming a crunchy little mom, huh?

P.S. I forgot to tell some super exciting news…Savannah peed in the potty! Of course, now she won’t do it again for me (she was at a friend’s house). But still. YAY for a start!