Raising Saints & Martyrs

So, I got a bit curious on the birthing laws in Arizona. Ok, well I know a lot of women who have illegal
midwives and home births here, and for good reason (I was unaware of these laws until now).

Please note: I am NOT an advocate for home birth (I like doctors and nurses and drugs, ok?). I am NOT a feminist. Oh...and if you have a complicated pregnancy none of what I say should apply to you...see a doctor...unless you are Christian Scientist...in which case...keep on doing what you're doing, I think you're all brave as can be.

Now...that being said. I have delivered (with the help of medical staff...ok...nurses really if we are being honest) 3 babies over the course of 10 years. There are a lot of women who have had many more...I know a few. Arizona seems to be under the silly impression that they know what is best for moms and babies. Not doctors, the STATE. My doctor is great, he is open, he is honest, and he knows I like drugs so we are all good. But, what if...just what if I wanted a home birth? I would have to hire a certified midwife, file paperwork with the state (seriously?) and then my midwife would notify the local ER when I go into labor? Umm...let me tell you how wrong this is. First, I want my midwife's FULL attention, second, the ER? Really? On any other planet if you call the emergency department and say you are in labor they will transfer you to L&D. Do you know why? Because labor is NOT an emergency. It is normal. TOTALLY NORMAL. Ugh. Oh, and usually they simply don't do the whole pregnant screaming woman in the middle of the trauma room thing...that is why they have a labor and delivery unit. Duh.

Oh and if you are having multiples, nope, you have got to go to the hospital. I cannot even be sure why...if positioning is good or can be manipulated to be good you should be fine. But, you know...whatever. And oh what a laugh this is, but if you are over 42 weeks pregnant (because it is a total science you know!) you cannot have a home birth at all.

I am disgusted...

I cannot support a government that thinks they know what is best in every aspect of my life. If you re-read what I just wrote about, you will note that most of the women (I didn't even list VBACs, which are about banned here) have no choice but a c-section. While I understand it aids in delivery, I cannot support one outside emergency situations because they lead to women being told they are limited to the number of children they can have, or worse...they can't have more period. With VBACs in Arizona you can only have had one c-section and that child must be over 18 months old. And the c-section has to have been for only certain reasons. This whole control thing has gotten out of hand.

Arizona is putting women's lives at risk by forcing those who would prefer a natural life to have an unassisted home birth. I cannot support that in any way.

So It has been a while since we started cloth diapers, an I love them!

What don't I love? My stash...

We now have about 8 prefolds and 4 covers (2 blueberry and 2 flips)
We also have 2 gPants with 3 liners and 15 inserts (I don't love these anymore)
And we have 13 Sunbaby diapers, 1 Kawaii minky and 1 Bumgenius 4.0

I have also added cloth wipes and cloth liners.

Why don't I love my stash? My tastes are NOT what I expected. I expected to love pockets. I expected to hate prefolds and covers. I expected to be that mom. The one with all the new age pocket diapers. I was wrong.

I have finally figured out my ideal diaper stash for Audrey.

The research phase is officially completed!

1. Diapers:

• Graceful Rose gPants and one to three others in the right size and in girly colors. These will be easiest for travel.
• My 12 Sunbaby diapers I ordered (they are in NY as of last night...I am so eager to have them here already)
• 12 Kawaii diapers (they have a set for $70)
• 3 Good night heavy wetters by Kawaii
• 3 more minky diapers (because they are so cute)
• 2 Kawaii diaper covers for my prefolds.

So, a few months back I decided we should just make gifts for everyone this year. Why? Well, because if we did the regular gift exchange with a $20 (right, because $20 has ever bought anyone anything off their wishlist) limit it would still cost us over $100 (with taxes and shipping) to participate. I spent a ton last year as it was, but it was fun because I my girls had their twin cousins.

Anywho...

This year we are strapped for cash. So what did I do? I raided my sister's pinterest boards in search of crafty inspirations. Then I took to my own boards for gift ideas for the Mother-In-Law, Step-mom, Dad, and of course Mom (who loves a good handmade gift!).

Ugh, I was SO.STINKING.SICK. this week. I ended up at Urgent Care, they transferred me to the ER...they tried to admit me, but I knew they wouldn't figure out a diagnosis so it wasn't worth being away from home again (three years ago this happened also...)

I woke up a few days ago and was vomiting and my heart was racing. No, they couldn't figure out why after four Docs and 3 EKGs. Oh well. Anyway, I am back on my feet and ready to go again. I made some cloth liners from some cutesy giraffe print fleece:

Ok, I suppose I could have rotated them, but you get the idea

I use these over Audrey's prefolds when I have those in the little gPants to keep the moisture off her skin.

I also decided I needed a better system for storing dirty dipes. I already own a Diaper Genie, so I figured, why not? Well, first I did learn that no or poor circulation will lead to mildew and there is no removing that, so I knew I needed air.

I popped that baby open and looked around. That stupid little thing that closes the bag is not air tight, the bag is. So I put a new bag in...opened it all the way around and made it fully open...then, I popped the spring under the closer grabby thing under the lid. Now the bag is in there and the closure is permanently open for air. I just toss the old diapers in there. Tada!

Ok, well this isn't ideal for me, but it works for the moment. I would like to get a nice pail liner and a small trash can or a diaper champ and use that. I will keep using the genie as long as I need to though :)

I really wish I had more updates, but the holidays are kicking my rear.

More on us tomorrow hopefully...

So yesterday morning I decided realized I needed to wash the diaper liners.  Badly.  I was down to three.  THREE.  That isn't a lot in the world of pooping four month old babies.  So I got them, rinsed them in cold water (in my machine...it isn't 1965 and I refuse to do them by hand).  Then I realized...umm...I only have Costco soap (which I hate, by the way...more on that later).

To the Internets!