38 WKS

Why does it feel like this is all I write about now? Every post is a WKS or WKND post and it's kind of getting boring huh? I need to spice it up but I'm not quite sure how. In just a few days or weeks time this here space will be flooded with baby spam and sisterly love photos. Man I hope I can muster up some individual mojo on my maternity leave while enjoying my two sweet girls just the same. I hate for this space to be baby/mom/toddler obsessed - but I guess this is just where I am in life right now. Maybe my few months out of the office will allow me to revisit my love of vintage goods, reselling, and maybe dabble in some art therapy even. I know I'll certainly be exploring fashion with my new postpartum mom bod thrashin' through my closet trying to find something to wear. And maybe I'll do a little hair change for good measure too - this whole long and red with brown roots grown way in thing has got me  B O R E D.

What was this post about? Oh yeah. Today I'm 38 weeks. And since we're head down and without risk so far I am still planning on a home birth. I had Luna at home and it was truly amazing. You can read her birth story right over there -----------> enjoy. 

I finally put together the 4Moms MamaRoo and brought down our
CocoBloom Wood+White Leather Lounger from storage. 

So last weekend I used my dismay with Walmart in the form of a gift card, and about fifty more dollars of our own to purchase all of our home birth supplies. Here's what's what:

Two Sets of Sheets + Three Shower Curtain Liners : in case you want to birth on your bed it helps to have one set of sheets already on, then a layer of shower curtain liners followed by the second set of sheets. This gives comfort and protection for the mattress itself and the first set of sheets. After the birth you can easily remove the top set for laundering, discard the liners, and climb into your already made bed. I did not birth in my bed last time, and don't think I will this time either but I like to follow the rules just in case. 

Four to Six Old Towels +  Four Old Washcloths : for baby and mom after getting out of the tub or just after birth. Can generally be used in any capacity for warmth, cleanup, etc.

Six Baby Blankets + and a Heating Pad : I remember with Luna my midwife put a couple of our baby blankets and her newborn hat wrapped in our heating pad. The items were placed on Luna after a few minutes to keep her warm when we were still in the tub, in awe of her, and the birth that had just happened. 

Twelve to Twenty Large Absorbent Underpads: another multipurpose item for sanitary and protective nature. I remember being examined on my bed with these pads underneath in early labor and also sitting on them once I got into bed right after delivery but before I had gotten up to clean and use the restroom. 

One Medium Roaster Pan : to put the placenta in after delivery.

Two Gallon Ziplock Bags : to put the placenta in the fridge or freezer, after examination and cleaning.

Four Large Heavy Duty Trash Bags : ultimate cleanup supply no?

Box of Kleenex : got me...tears? wiping things? I have no clue and don't remember using them with my first home birth.

Sanitary Pads + Witch Hazel : These are actually already used and not in my basket. I prepped this past weekend by transforming 64 heavy duty sanitary pads into the magical padsicles waiting in my freezer for my soon to be sore derrière. You unwrap, unfold the pad, douse in witch hazel, refold, and place anywhere from 10-12 in a freezer ziplock bag depending on their size. These bring ultimate relief while taking care of post partum bleeding. 

Depends : You see above I hand wrote these in. I tried these last time with Luna and they were perfect. Depends now makes underwear type garments that are super stretchy and have the pad built in for absorbency. I really liked not having to worry about ruining my underwear for the first few days and they were so large and stretchy comfortable. They were actually very high waisted and I liked the support they gave to my postpartum belly as well. It was easy to put the padsicles right inside of the depends undergarments too. I highly recommend trying these in the first few days postpartum. 

Peroxide : duh, antiseptic. I also heard its helpful for removing stains if needed.

Flashlight : Luna was delivered at 1am and our bedroom was very dim. A flashlight helps the midwife see into the dark tub and get a better look at whats going on down there when needed. 

Thermometer : to test the temperature of the water. We also have additional thermometers if my temperature or the baby's needs to be taken after birth. 

Juices, Teas, Snacks, and Bendy Straws : You see I scrawled Travis next to this line - while I'm in labor he'll go to the market and grab some refreshments if needed besides whatever we have in the house at that moment. With Luna I had eaten chinese food (which my body naturally evacuated) and drank only water and some juice I think. I wasn't really in the mood to eat or drink during labor at all. 

You'll also see above that a hospital bag will be packed in case of transfer. A home birth is not for everyone and there is always a risk of complication as with birthing anywhere. Should we see signs of distress or any small complications whatsoever, we'll be transferring to the nearest hospital and I will have my bag packed and ready to go. 

and that's everything :) 

the pool is coming this Friday with my midwife's scheduled home visit. 

almost there!

There's been a reset GASP!

They've reset the ticker on Top Baby Blogs and 

now's our chance to get up in the first few listings!

(thanks to my moms + aunts hee hee)

and Uh duh THANKS TO YOU!

Please, please, pretty please? 

VOTE HERE DAILY