Wordless Wednesday~ Loven’ His Doggie

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3 mos. Preggo & Counting…

So, today, I’m officially 3 months pregnant- or 12 weeks…whichever you prefer. I had a prenatal appointment yesterday with my midwives and was able to hear the baby’s heartbeat. Tristan and hubs were standing near and we were all very excited to know there’s a being inside me! The appointment went well and I was able to discuss a few of my concerns with them. What I love about having a midwife is the connection you build. I don’t ever feel rushed and always feel more than comfortable to speak to them about anything that’s crossed my mind. It’s really really, nice to know they’re more than a professional but you’re friend too! Which means a lot to me because I’ve had plenty of appt.’s where I’ve felt rushed- none of the questions I wanted to ask were asked…I’m nervous and don’t feel ease. For me, having a midwife is soooo worth it. I say that because this time around it doesn’t look like our insurance is going to cover squat. With my previous pregnancy I had awesome coverage because I had a great job with great benefits- well, that is obviously, no longer the case since our dynamics have changed. For the best, of course- we’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices and insurance is so DAMN costly that there is NO WAY we can even afford the coverage we had before.  If I decided to give birth in a hospital the insurance covers the whole nine. In the manual for the new insurance- it states that homebirth is not covered unless for “Emergency Care” only….WHATEVA!! So, for me, that sacrifice (paying a pretty penny) is small peanuts compared to the care we’ll receive and the unforgetable experience of having a homebirth! These midwives are very sympathetic and understanding. I found them at the 11th hour, during my last pregnancy at 36 weeks (after interviewing and speaking to a few others). They were kind enough to take me so late in pregnancy! I’m very grateful for that. What’s funny, is that they didn’t make it to the birth as it had gone so unexpectedly fast…but this time we’re going to make sure I get the experience I longed for during my first…which is having a waterbirth here at home. We all laughed in the appointment yesterday because - Heck, it was my first pregnancy and how were they to know I was going to labor so quickly. Looking back- while I labored through the night- with very mild contractions (like a momma bear in a cave)- I could’ve called them then…but being my first and all hubs and I were doing everything by the book! This time, I’ll be calling as soon as I know something is up. I remember yelling to my hubs to fill the tub up with water and because he was afraid it was too soon to- he did not do as he was told- LOL! I even pleaded to my mom who showed up right in the nick of time but still no water in the tub and at this point, Mr. Tristar had made his debut! In any case, if the midwives are here sooner they’ll be able to take control and Tyler can be in the backseat and not the front (which he prefers, under the circumstances). I’ll be able to possibly labor in the birthing pool and hopefully give have an enjoyable waterbirth. I was so ready last time- but without water it’s not the same. I guess, I could’ve just sat in the birthing pool…LOL! I’m hopeful. Plus, maybe I’ll get it on video and get more pictures this time.   

As of today I’m at 115 lbs.- an improvement from 102lbs. a few weeks ago. I still feel crappy at times- especially during the hours of 2-4pm and at night. The naseau is still there and I gag and spit up acid every morning and once during the night. It’s gross. I hate it. But, hopefully it will be gone for good soon. My appetite is huge right now and I’m eating every 2 hours and btwn. – LOL!

Anyway, there’s always so much more to say but I’ll leave you with a video of the Sacred Entrance midwives and there quest to open a birthing center!

watch?v=6MhPR7-NzKk 

A Healthier Hansen’s

During my last pregnancy, I was in complete shock when I found out that Hansen’s All Natural Soda contained high fructose corn syrup! After finding out, I  dropped this stuff like a bad habit! I couldn’t believe it. Especially since, it has no preservatives, sodium or caffeine. Well, a few months ago, I happened to notice their new label- which reads “With Real Cane Sugar”- that stopped me in my tracks to investigate further. To my surprise, it was now Hansen’s Natural CANE soda- wait a minute…cane soda…?? Stop the record…NO High Fructose Corn Syrup? I’m was in Hansen-HEAVEN.  So, guess what? It’s no longer banned from the fridge OR my system. I don’t drink soda very often…mainly good ole’ H20! But, I had a craving for fizz and Wah- La! Hansen’s is now made with real cane sugar!!! Hip, Hip, Hooray for HFCS free Hansen’s soda! My favorite flavor is Mandarin Lime. You’re probably wondering about the taste… It’s more resfreshing than I remembered it!!  ** I hope that more food and beverage companies go HFCS free. It’s in just about everything, so remember to read the labels!

They also have ORGANIC apple juice and apple grape juice for the kiddos which I believe is HFCS free!

Wordless Wednesday~ Look Mom!

Earthworm Family- Safe Drain Cleaner

I finally found an environmentally friendly drain cleaner that smells wonderful too!! Sage and Citrus scented…one of my favorite scent combo’s! You won’t have to worry about this stuff  harming the environment or your baby! EarthWorm Family Safe Drain Cleaner, is made with 100% natural ingredients!! Completely biodegradeable and non toxic.  We’ve been looking for a safe drain cleaner for awhile. Since we’re on septic it’s a relief to know it’s non polluting.  I’ve used it for our garbage disposal and bathroom drain - and it works! It also made both areas smell great.  Just like a candle had been burning. Try it out! I <3 products that help preserve our planet and health for that matter!

**The Unplugged Challenge**

 

Is officially over!! How did you do? Was it hard giving up your favorite appliance for the sake of the planet? I haven’t used the blow dryer for 3 months now! I’m sure it’ll come out of the closet once the weather cools but for now- I’m happy without. I’ve been wearing a lot of hats too. I <3 hats! Not the baseball caps- I look dorky in those- but the cute newsboy style one’s! Those are the kind I can wear and look halfway decent in! LOL! Anyway, enough about silly hats- I also gave up using my breadmachine. I didn’t miss it much either- but the other day I was craving freshly made bread…so I used it (after challenge- for the record). I’m sure it will get put to use this winter also. In any case, I did my normal routine of cutting back on energy by keeping the lights off whenever possible, using energy star appliances, washing clothes after 6pm -plus cold washes, unplug appliances when not in use, CFL’s bulbs- etc.! Cutting back on energy in anyway possible is helping save the earth in a tiny way- but many tiny ways = BIG IMPACTS. Hope you had fun saving energy your way!  : ) Are you an energy star???

**Picture courtesy of energystar.gov

Contest Winner Does Eco Touch Review!

A few weeks back I hosted a giveaway and did an interview with Eco Touch.  The winner, received a car care kit and did a review. It’s worth taking a look at! I was amazed… and will definitely be purchasing Eco Touch in the future. Wow!!! : )

Brillante Weblog Premio Award 2008! Yay!

Retro Housewife Goes Green nominated my site with the BRILLANTE WEBLOG, PREMIO 2008 award! Pretty cool. Usually, with a bloggy award like this you get the opportunity to present others with it as well. This isn’t going to be easy…

Here are my nominates-

1. Crunchy Domestic Goddess

2. Practical Nourishment

3. New Mommy Rant

4. Green Mommy Guide

5. Roxycraft

6. Nature Mom

7. Green Your Decor

Phew!~ That was a toughie- The first six blogs I’ve been following from the get-go - the last nomination is a new blog that I really enjoy visiting!! All these blogs are worthy of this award no matter what!!! So there.  

Thanks for the nomination from Retro Housewife Goes Green!

First Birthday Cake Recipe!

For my son’s first birthday (back in April) the hubs and I agreed that we would not purchase a traditional cake that included all the artificial coloring, ingredients and SUGAR! Plus, you often find that these cakes are topped with unneccessary plastic toys…another EWWW…!!

 In the book Homemade Baby Food – Pure & Simple- By: Connie Linardakis, she has a recipe for First Birthday Cake! Along with a recipe for the icing (Honey-Peanut Butter)! YUM! With the worry of high sugar content in the a standard birthday cake this one uses honey. We made this cake recipe into a cupcake version using organic ingredients, of course…pure sweetness, I tell ya! Not the overwhelming kind either. We were given a cupcake stand for X-Mas and want to make use of it -which is where the inspiration for these popular bites came from.

 

First Birthday Cake or Cupcakes

1 cup of butter

1 1/2 cups of honey

4 eggs, beaten

2 cups sifted unbleached flour

2 tsp’s baking soda

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/3 cups sour cream

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9 inch cake pans. Cream together butter and honey. Add eggs and mix. In separate bowl mix dry ingredients. Fold in sour cram. Mix the four mixture with Honey/butter mixture. Pour into pans. Bake 40 minutes. Frost with Honey Peanut Butter Icing. NOTE: Time is slightly different for cupcakes…about 20 minutes depending on your oven!

Icing Recipe:

4 tbsp’s butter

1/4 cup of honey

1/2 cup peanut butter

Mix butter and honey in saucepan and brint to boil. Remove from heat and add peanut butter. Mix well. Spread over baby’s cake!! : P

Oh! and if you’re planning to do the cupcakes- remember that you can purchase recycled cupcake wrappers- usually sold at your local heath foods market. The Whole Foods market definitely carries recycled cupcake wrappers!

AND- the picture featured above was a practice run. For his birthday party we made a cake! Both ways were enjoyed by all.

 

Happy WW~ Playful little guy

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