4 more weeks...

I had an appointment with my midwife on Tuesday, and it went really well. We have been meeting in San Marcos at my grandma's because I hadn't been able to pay my midwife much. I didn't want her to have to spend anything on me (gas, etc) since I hadn't been able to pay her much. Well, this week, she came to me! It is so much better because the appointments are less rushed and it was just her and I (would have been better if Robert was there!). We talked for a long time about everything that has been going on in life, and just had great conversation. We talked about all the preparation (there's more with a homebirth!) and then she checked me. I won't go into details, but there are some signs that show that my body is slowly getting ready for labor. She said with-in the next week or so she would do the delivery here if I were to go into labor. But, I'm not due for about 4 weeks, so that probably won't happen. It seems SO close, but still so far away! She is pretty convinced that it will happen a little bit early, but I'm not planning on it just in case. I don't want to plan on an early delivery, then he not show up until 41-42 weeks! That would be hard. Karis came 5 days early, which was perfect.

Anyway, we just need a few more things before we are ready. There are a few things that I would like to have before he's born, but we can make due if we need to. I have been blessed through a couple of baby showers that have provided a lot of practical necessities! Also, my sister-in-law's sister gave us a $100 gift certificate to a cloth diapering website so we can get some cloth diapers! They are temporarily out of the ones that we want, but they said they should have more soon! I'm excited. The diapers are so cool, and I've read through reviews and on some social websites (cafemom, mothering magazine, etc) that they are just as easy as using disposables, you just have to wash them (which means saving a LOT of money over time!). We are doing everything we can to cut monthly costs. Plus, cloth diapers are so much better for the baby and the environment. So, other than the extra work of washing them, they are better than disposables. Too bad I didn't start using them on Karis! I wish now that I would have. But, she's going to be out of diapers soon (hopefully!), so I won't worry about it now!

I am starting to get really tired and have less and less energy. I'm not sleeping well at night, so if I have a chance, I try to take advantage of Karis' naps and take one myself, but I haven't been able to lately. I have had a really busy week this past week. Hopefully today I can relax some, but I brought some work home with me that will take me a while. It'll be easy, just time consuming.

Well... I guess I'll stop babbling for now! I'll let you know how my next appointment goes!

Homemade- Dish and Laundry Detergent

I found this detergent on http://myblessedhome.blogspot.com/. There's a lot of good stuff on there about cleaning and organization (I personally leave the rest...).

Dishwasher Detergent:

• 1 cup borax
• 1 cup baking soda

1. In a small container, mix together the borax and baking soda.
2. Use 3 tablespoons of the homemade detergent for each load.
3. Once every week or two, fill the rinse aid receptacle with vinegar.

These detergents I found on http://www.tipnut.com/. Also another wonderful site with tons of information!
Try different recipes to see which one you like best!

Laundry Detergents

#1

• 1 quart Water (boiling)
• 2 cups Bar soap (grated- Ivory, Felds Nafta, etc)
• 2 cups Borax
• 2 cups Washing Soda

1. Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
   Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda.
2. Stir well until all is dissolved.
3. Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.
4. Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry.
5. Stir the soap each time you use it (will gel).

#2

• 2 cups Bar soap (grated)
• 2 cups Washing Soda
• 2 - 2.5 gallons hot water

1. Melt grated soap in saucepan with water to cover.
2. Heat over medium-low heat and stir until soap is dissolved.
3. Pour hot water in large pail, add hot soap and washing soda.
4. Stir very well.
5. Use 1 cup per full load.

#3- Powdered

• 12 cups Borax
• 8 cups Baking Soda
• 8 cups Washing Soda
• 8 cups Bar soap (grated)

1. Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
2. Use 1/8 cup of powder per full load.

#4

• 1 cup Vinegar (white)
• 1 cup Baking Soda
• 1 cup Washing Soda
• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap

1. Mix well and store in sealed container.
   

Note:
Soap will be lumpy, goopy and gel-like. This is normal. Just give it a good stir before using. Make sure soap is covered with a lid when not in use. You could also pour the homemade soap in old (and cleaned) laundry detergent bottles and shake well before each use.

*If you can’t find Fels-Naptha locally, you can buy it online (check Amazon).

Optional:
You can add between 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (per 2 gallons) to your homemade laundry detergent. Add once the soap has cooled to room temperature. Stir well and cover.

Essential oil ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil

Purpose of this blog

I am by no means an expert at anything... I am just excited about all the information that I've gathered through the past few years and wanted a way to put it all in one place, and give others access to the info that I have found. Some of this is opinion, some of it is what I've found online (will give links to it!), and some of it is what I have put together with opinion and facts. Take what you want and leave the rest! This is our life and what we believe works for our family! This site is a work in progress!
Some things that I will be blogging about are:

• Home organization (including my Household Notebook- in progress)
• Homemade Cleaners (laundry detergent, dish detergent, other cleaners)
• Homemade recipes (bread, etc)
• Parenting (what I've learned so far as a parent- what works and doesn't work for us! This includes discipline and the daily stuff)
• Lessons for Karis (will be starting these soon)
• Natural Family Info (cloth diapering, babywearing, exclusive breastfeeding, etc- also new at this!)
• Homebirth (very close to my heart at the moment!)
• My spiritual walk (what God has been teaching me)
• Health (nutrition, herbal remedies, etc)

Another update... same 'ol same 'ol :)

I feel like everytime I blog, it's pretty repetitive! Sorry :). Things haven't changed a lot in the past few months, but they've changed a lot at the same time. If that makes any sense...
I feel like all that I'm doing right now is gearing up for the birth of our second baby. He's now due in about 6 weeks... it seems forever away in some ways, but seems so close in others.
He moves CONSTANTLY. I don't know if it's because he's a boy or what, but wow. It can get pretty painful and irritating. I've read that at this point of pregnancy, the baby is sleeping about 90-95% of the time... definitely not this one. He probably sleeps 20-30% of the time, which makes me worried how he's going to sleep on the outside! I guess it's good that I never have to worry about if he's okay. On top of that, my belly is huge. I feel like I could pop anyday, and I still have a while to go... and the last month or so is when you grow the most. Of course, it's all up front, so that's good. I've only gained 12 pounds, and by now most women have gained 20-25 pounds. In fact, that's where they want you to be. But, my midwife says as long as the baby is growing, that's all that matters! And, he's definitely growing.
Karis is growing up every day. Her hair is now getting long enough that I can put it in pony tails :). It's so cute. She is starting to talk like crazy. She has started saying 6 word sentences :). "I don't want to take nap!" is one that we hear a lot. I can't believe how much she is talking. She regularly counts to 14 (Sesame street is great!), and she knows a lot of letters. It's amazing :). I know, I know... I shouldn't brag. But, she is my daughter and of course I'm going to think she's brilliant. We all think that about our kids! She hates being messy- I think I wipe her hands 10 times everytime she eats. She also likes to clean. She's definitely my daughter. I love her so much and am so blessed. She's a pretty easy 2 year old! (so far!)
I'm so looking forward to Ethan coming into this world because I know that Karis is going to be a great big sister. She already seems to love him. She constantly hugs and kisses my belly and talks to Ethan. She likes to "write" Ethan's name on paper when she's scribbling. I hope that she's as happy when he comes out as she is now.
We're still enjoying being at the camp, but have definitely hit reality in a lot of ways of what camp is like! Robert has been very busy, and it is only getting busier. Summer is a few weeks away! The weeks of Robert only having one day off are starting soon. So, we are taking advantage of every free moment now. Camp is definitely not easy, but no ministry is! Financially, I think things are getting somewhat better :). We are meeting with someone Saturday morning to possibly sell our van to, so we will be able to pay off a little debt! That will be a load off! Praise God for all that he is doing to provide. We cut up our one and only credit card a few weeks ago because we decided that we didn't need to rely on that anymore, and God has proven faithful. I don't feel that we deserve all that God has provided for us, and I am so thankful that he loves us for who we are and provides even though we don't deserve it!