the little hedgehog

How did I Prepare for the Flats and Handwashing Challenge? Day 2 #FlatsChallenge

2013-05-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

*This post contains some affiliate links*

I'm participating in this years Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry and today's blog prompt is: How did you Prepare? List your supplies, where you bought them, how you made them, how much you paid, etc.

It was actually pretty easy for me to prepare for the Flats and Handwashing Challenge. Since I had done the Flats and Handwashing Challenge with little Michael when he was little, I already had the flats and Snappis. I also already had all the diaper covers I needed, since I have been using covers with prefolds, fitteds and flats with little Riley since he was born. Everything was clean and ready to go too, since it was all already in my rotation. I simply took my pocket diapers, fitteds and prefolds and put them away for the week.

With Riley, it has been so nice to see how reusing our initial cloth diaper investment is saving us money now! Now, that's not to say that I refrained from buying Riley new diapers! Buying some key, sized pieces for Riley's first few months was definitely needed. But, reusing the flats and Snappis from when Micahel was a baby has been great! I really love having everything that I need for Riley! I can really see how buying cloth diapers and then being able to reuse them can save you sooo much money!

So, what am I using (or, rather, re-using)? Here's a list of my supplies and how much they would cost, if I had had to buy them:

18 Swaddlebees/Blueberry Flats ($16.95 x 3 packages of 6 = $50.85 ) *I actually received these for free from Swaddlebees for the first Flats and Handwashing Challenge*

2 Hemp Babies Flats ($7.50 x 2 = $15)

1 Zabi Baby Bamboo Flat ($12.99)

2 Snappis ($3.97 x 2 = $7.94)

2 Blueberry One-Size Coveralls ($16.95 x 2 = $33.90)

2 Bummis Super Whisper Wraps - Sz Small ($12.97 x 2 = $25.94 )

18 Thirsties Wipes ($11.75/package of 6 = $35.25 )

Diaper Sprayer ($44.95)

Sample of Allen's Naturally to wash with (I received this in a swag bag at the Great Cloth Diaper Change) ($1.73)

Small bucket to wash diapers in

Gloves (pack of 2 = $3.99)

Frost Drying Rack from Ikea ($14.99)

Total Cost = $247.53

Divided by 2, since I've used them on 2 children = $123.76

Not bad! Of course, you can always choose less expensive wipes, covers or flats and not use a diaper sprayer. Then there is the cost of detergent, which is a reoccurring cost, and more, since you're not just using it for a week. I also didn't go out and buy all of these things at once. I slowly added to my cloth diapers as I had extra money and as I had a need. I also received some things for free, like the flats. If I was looking to start cloth diapering with flats and covers, I think a dozen flats would be plenty and 4 covers are nice, but I would probably start with 2 or 3 covers. I would also get cheaper wipes. Some of my supplies have been invaluable though, like the drying rack from Ikea. Best $15 spent! I use it all the time and not just for diapers. It is so nice to be able to take it outside and sun some whites or dry a small load of laundry.

Also, even if you went out and bought everything I listed here for $250, imagine how quickly you would spend that on disposable diapers and wipes! Some families would spend that much in a few months on diapers and wipes. I have taken that $250 investment and used it for 2 diapering 2 children!

For this challenge though, all I spent was $3.99 for a pair of gloves! I had everything else!

Why I decided to take the Flats and Handwashing Challenge - Day 1 #FlatsChallenge

2013-05-20T01:00:00.000-07:00

The Flats and Handwashing Challenge is here! I'm participating in this years Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry )with the help of little Riley). This event will run for a week, starting (today) May 20th and it goes until Sunday, May 26th. There are over 300 families participating (both bloggers and non-bloggers) in this event!

The basics of the rules are simple: I can only use flat diapers, I can't use a washer and I can't use a dryer. Whaaaat?!? Why? Why on earth would I give up the luxury or using my washer and dryer? Well, that's just it. A washer and a dryer truly are luxuries. Sometimes I take them for granted and I rarely think about the fact that there are people out there who struggle to come up with the money to take clothes to a laundry mat or who simply don't even have access to a washer or dryer. When I was growing up, we lived in the country and had a clothes line in the back yard. We had a dryer, but it only got used on rainy days. We hung our clothes on a clothes line and the sun and wind dried our clothes! They smelled fresh and clean and our whites were always white (thanks to the suns whitening powers).

Now, you might also be wondering what a "flat" is and why I would want to use them. A flat diaper is that "old fashioned" diaper that uses a fastener of some kind (pins, Snappi, etc) and a waterproof cover. Flat diapers are made out of a single layer of fabric (usually cotton, although it can be any material as long as it is a single layer) and can be folded in a variety of ways to be fastened around your baby. They do require a waterproof cover to keep your baby dry. So why flats? Why not just keep using my regular pocket cloth diapers? Well, I've been thinking about that and in a word, simplicity. It would seem that pocket diapers or All-in-one diapers might be easier and in some ways, they are. They don't require folding, fastening or an extra cover. But, sometimes I think the less "fancy" flat diaper truly is a simpler diaper. It washes up easily and the large square shape lends itself to being very versatile in how you can use it and fold it for the most absorbancy.

I did the Flats and Handwashing Challenge with little Michael in 2011. He was a year and a half!

I learned so much about folding flat diapers and washing by hand! I actually enjoyed the week more than I thought I would. But, diapering a year and a half old vs. a 5 month (almost 6 month) old, exclusively breastfed baby is a little different. First, I realized that I don't remember that many of the folds. Then, there's the poop...this should be interesting! At least bf poop is water soluble! Then, my other concern is trying to wash and clean these diapers with 3 year old wanting to help!

I decided to take part in the Flats and Handwashing Challenge in order to help bring awareness to the fact that there are families out there who struggle to provide clean diapers for their babies. There are families who balk at the price of disposables, but don't know there are other options out there. There are families who don't have luxuries like a washer, dryer or fancy cloth diapers, yet they may be unaware that there are affordable and reusable options. I hope to show that flat diapers are an affordable way to diaper your baby and that hand washing is absolutely doable.

I hope you enjoy following along with me as I take this challenge! Do you have any questions for me about the challenge? Anything in particular you would like to see? Are you participating in the Flats and Handwashing Challenge?

Thoughts and Musings from Little Michael

2013-05-17T11:29:00.003-07:00

Little Michael is so observant of the world around him and I'm pretty sure he hears everything. Sometimes he says things that make me think, "Really!? He's only 3!" The other day, we were in the car and headed home, when we had the following conversation:

Michael: What color does green and orange make?

Me: Ummm...probably a brown-ish color

Michael: What does brown smell like?

Me: Well, colors don't smell, but things smell and things can be colorful. Like dirt. Dirt is brown and it smells earthy.

Michael: Is there dirt in outer space?

Me: I'm sure there is dirt in outer space! Dirt is everywhere.

Michael: Are there meteorites in outer space?

Me: Yes! Yes, there are meteorites in outerspace!

So smart! I don't remember saying that meteorites were in outer space! I am constantly amazed at the thoughts he puts together and how our conversation went from color combinations to meteors! I'm sure every mom thinks her kids are super-duper smart and talented and clever... and I'm no exception! I think little Michael is all of those things and so much more!

"Stealth Health Lunches Kids Love" Cookbook Review & Giveaway!

2013-05-17T07:39:00.000-07:00

I feel that I am really blessed that little Michael likes to help me in the kitchen. When he hears me start to work on a meal, he usually drops whatever he is doing to come running into the kitchen to ask, "Can I help? Can you get my stool?" My little chef is a big help and he loves to wash, chop, stir, measure and mix. I really noticed, that over the past year, little Michael has gotten a little pickier about his food. Healthy foods that he would happily eat a year ago now take more effort to remind him that yes, he does in fact like this dish. One of the perks to having a little kitchen helper was that when he helped me cook, he was more eager to try the meal. If he says he doesn't want to eat something, I start talking about how he helped me make it. Did he remember how we chopped the veggies? Did he remember mixing up the sauce or dressing. Then he will get excited about how he helped mama cook and (usually) eagerly give the dish a try. After trying something new, I always ask, "What did you think?" and more often than not, he replies, "It's good!" Ahhh...success! Food and toddlers is such a delicate dance.

Since little Michael is such an enthused, budding young chef, I am always looking for recipes that are easy for him to help me with, healthy and yummy! So, when the opportunity came along to test out a new, kid-friendly cookbook, I was super excited! Stealth Health Lunches Kids Love by Tracy Griffith is a brand new cookbook that is full of healthy, fun and gluten-free sandwiches, wraps and other easy to make snacks and sauces. The goal with this cookbook is to make cooking easy through an emphasis on preparation, using healthy ingredients that you have on hand and providing simple recipes. When the process is fun for kids, eating their creations becomes fun too.

I liked that these recipes are both healthy and gluten-free. Now, little Michael isn't on a gluten-free diet, but, these recipes are healthy, yummy and having a little less gluten in his diet isn't going to hurt him! I may even find a benefit to reducing some of the gluten he eats as I continue to make the recipes. I feel that there is definitely an increase of parents seeking gluten-free options. Some parents truly need gluten-free options for their families and some have simply chosen gluten-free as their style of eating. I love that this cook book is packed with so much variety! It really expands the gluten-free world and shows the creativity and fresh, healthy ingredients that you can cook with.

Little Michael and I have tested out a few of the recipes so far and one of our favorites has been the "AI CARAMBU!" Wrap and the "Green Slime"! Something about having a little boy and getting to tell him that we were going to make Green Slime to put on his lunch was just awesome! Even hubby perked up when he heard it!

Little Michael and I had a great time making this for lunch and I was so impressed with how well he made his own wrap! I helped with the chopping, shredding and dicing (the knife-work), but he did the mixing, spreading and assembling! The Green Slime is super yummy as a spread for a wrap and it is also a tasty dip for carrots, pita chips and bell peppers!

Little Michael and I have had some great fun in the kitchen and have discovered some new fun, healthy and easy dishes to make. Best of all, little Michael has really enjoyed eating these meals! One of my favorite things about this cookbook is that there is a picture for just about every, single recipe! It really helps me to know what a meal is supposed to look like when you are done, so I really appreciate all of the colorful pictures. This is a great and easy to use cookbook - whether you are looking for some gluten-free recipes or simply looking for a way to add extra veggies and other healthy ingredients into your kids meals.

Interested in picking up a copy of Stealth Health Lunches Kids Love? You can buy the book at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will receive one copy of the book, Stealth Health Lunches Kids Love by Tracy Griffith. ($19.99 value)

***Giveaway is open to the US only. Entrants must be 18+ years old. One entry per household. The winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.*** Giveaway will end May 31st at 12:01am EST.
Entries go in the Rafflecopter form below! Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided the opportunity to host this giveaway at no cost to myself. In exchange for this post, I received a digital edition of this book. This has not influenced my opinion of the product. I have sought to give my honest opinions and experiences on this product. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.

5 Months Old!

2013-05-13T16:45:00.000-07:00

Little Riley-man is 5 (well, technically 5 and 1/2) months old now! He is such a happy little baby and loves laughing and braking out into smiles. His big brother makes him smile and laugh like crazy! He especially seems to enjoy watching little Michael run around. He watches him as if he's wondering why he can't do that too. Poor little Riley is teething like crazy! There is drool everywhere! Some days I go through 3 onesies in an afternoon because he gets so wet and soppy!

Riley loves to grab onto his foot and roll from side to side. He has gotten really good at picking up toys or his paci when they are in front of him or if you hold it out for him to grab. He loves to be bounced and can really let out some good belly laughs when he's tickeled. He is turning into quite the talker too! He goos and gurgles, coos and even lets out some pretty loud squawks! He is starting to move toward to "potted plant" stage too! Oh my! He can sit up for just a moment before he rolls over to one side.

Riley has become really good at mimicking facial expressions. If you make a really big smile at him, his face will just start beaming! Riley has been playing peek-a-boo with us too! He will grab a burp rag or his little owl blanket and slowly cover his eyes. Then, sometimes, he waits for me to say, "Peek-a-boo!" and take the blanket off his eye or sometimes, he will take it off himself. Then he smiles and giggles! It is so cute!

Riley is still breastfeeding! Yay! I am so happy that we are at 5 and a half months and still going strong. We haven't started any foods yet. I have noticed Riley starting to watch me eat and he's giving me puppy dog eyes, as if he's trying to say, "feed me!" I'm not sure if we will start with purees at 6 months or maybe go with baby-led weaning. I haven't quite decided yet.

I can't believe how quickly these last 5 months have gone by! Riley is getting so big! I especially notice how long he is when someone else is holding him. Slow down baby boy! Riley is such a happy little guy and he is definitely my little sunshine! Five moths have gone by - 5 months to keep getting to know about our wonderful baby boy!

Wordless Wednesday: Just Another Day at the Park

2013-05-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

The Little Hedgehog Cooks: Toddler Tofu Nuggets

2013-05-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

The other night, I asked little Michael if he wanted chicken or tofu for dinner. He quickly answered, "Tofu!" I was trying to think of something different and fun to make for little Michael, when I came up with the idea to make him some Tofu Nuggets! I wanted something that he could pick up with his fingers or use his fork with and I wanted it to be a "dippable" item.

Here's how it all went down:

Little Michael wanted to help me make dinner, so, first we gathered our ingredients:

Flour,
1 egg
Bread Crumbs
Spices (we used salt, pepper and paprika, but you could use any combo you know your little one loves)
Organic, Firm Tofu
Coconut Oil

Next, we did our prep-work:

Step 1: Pour some flour into a shallow bowl

Step 2: Whisk 1 egg in a small bowl

Step 3: Pour some bread crumbs into a shallow bowl and then mix in spices

Step 4: Slice your tofu into large cubes (about chicken nugget size), then take a paper towel and firmly press onto the tofu to help absorb any extra liquid. (little Michael had fun doing this part!)

Step 5: Put a large pan on the oven on medium heat and melt 1 TBS or so of coconut oil in it

Time to make the Tofu Nuggets

Step 1: Dredge your tofu in flour (this is the part little Michael got to help with)

Step 2: Dip in the whisked egg

Step 3: Roll in the bread crumb mixture

Step 4: Place in the pan on the stove, until the bottom is golden brown, then turn

All done!

Now, let them cool and put them on a plate for your little one with some fun dipping sauces and enjoy! Little Michaels dipping sauce of choice is hummus! Yum!

Does your little one have a favorite dinner meal or have you just discovered a new, easy to make meal?

Wordless Wednesday: Dennis the Menace Park

2013-05-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

We Did It! Setting a World Record at The Great Cloth Diaper Change! #GCDC2013

2013-04-27T23:21:00.002-07:00

Last Saturday, on April 20th, little Riley and I got a chance to take part in The Great Cloth Diaper Change! Hubby and little Michael joined us, to cheer us on and take pictures! We attended the event at Babies in Bloom in Vista, CA. This was the same place that little Michael and I did The Great Cloth Diaper Change in 2011! It was so much fun to go back to the same place and take part in setting a world record for a second time!

We got there a bit early and I got a chance to chat with some of the other moms and as I checked in, I got a great goody bag that was packed with fun cloth diapering samples, babylegs, reusable snack bags, a snappi, and a cloth diaper cover! We all got to go into the store about 20 minutes before the event and I ended up sitting next to a mom whose little boy was born on the same day as little Riley! Small world!

Hubby and Little Michael were watching me from outside

The lovely folks at Babies in Bloom did a few raffle giveaways and then took some pictures of us all holding up the clean diaper that we would be changing our little ones into. Then we had a countdown and the change began! I changed little Riley out of a bumGenius 4.0 in Moonbeam and into a bumGenius Artist Series: Tiny Socialite Collection by Chelsea Perry in the Eiffel Tower print. I paired that with a "Cloth Rocks" shirt by Kim Rosas over at Dirty Diaper Laundry. He looked so cute!

The totals from the event have come in too! It looks like there were 181 locations that submitted ttheir results to Guinness, setting a NEW world record of 8,331 babies changed into cloth diapers at one time! There are still some unofficial results from other locations coming in and the the current unofficial total (including from events that didn't qualify per the stringent Guinesss regulations) is 10,029! Guinness should confirm the record within the next week or so. Wow! That is a lot of babies!

I am so glad that we got the chance to take part in this event! It is such a fun way to raise awareness about cloth diapers and set a world record!

Happy Earth Day! How We Celebrated

2013-04-23T00:09:00.001-07:00

Happy Earth Day!

I hope that you all enjoyed your day! Little Michael and I spent the day talking about Planet Earth, why it's important to care for it and different things that we can do to be good stewards of the Earth and what God has created.

Little Michael has been really fascinated by the birds that have made our backyard their home. I'm pretty sure a nest full of baby birds just hatched, since I can hear tiny little "tweet, tweet, tweets" from the small tree on our side yard. That combined with (what I assume to be) a mommy and daddy bird darting in and out of the tree add up to a new birdy family! I have been trying to think of ways that we can make our backyard as attractive as possible to our little birdy friends and bring in some Earth Day relevancy to little Michael.

I had been looking around Pinterest for some craft ideas and this morning, as we finished up our milk, the light bulb went off! A recycled milk carton bird feeder!

I washed out the milk carton and little Michael helped me gather our supplies.

*Additional tools not pictured: scissors and/or a razor blade to cute the milk carton open with.*

Creating your Recycled Milk Carton Bird Feeder:

Step 1: Clean out your milk (or juice) carton

Step 2: Cut an opening on each side of your carton with the razor blade/box cutter/scissors. You can cut whatever shape you want. I made a "house shape" (square with a triangle on top). :) *note: this is one of the "adult" parts of this craft. I did not let little Michael help me with this part. He is 3, so this would be up to your discretion as a parent and your confidence with your childs ability to use sharp instruments.*

Step 3: Puncture a hole beneath your opening for the stick that the birds will perch on. *note: this is another part of the craft that I did, since I used our razor blade to cut the hole.

Step 4: Push the stick though one hole and then through the other. I used a candy/lollipop stick that I got at the craft store in the candy making section. I had it on hand and you can use whatever you have in your closets. Other ideas: chopsticks, twigs from outside, un-sharpened pencil...

Step 5: I punched a hole on either side of the top of the carton, right under the triangle where the top seam is. Little Michael picked out his pipe cleaners to thread through the holes and we twisted them together. You could also use yarn or string.

Tadaaa!

Step 6: Fill the bottom with bird seed

Step 7: Take outside and hang it somewhere where you will be able to see it easily. We hung ours from our patio cover. It is the perfect spot! We can see the birds fly in to have their snack from our back slider door. The birds have been expressing their thanks by singing so beautifully for us!

This was such a fun and easy craft for us to do together! Although there were some aspects of it that little Michael couldn't do all by himself, due to safety concerns by me, he still had fun!

Books We're Reading this Earth Day:

Plant a Tree for Me! - A Sesame Street board book where the monsters from Sesame Street talk about how trees are good for the environment and it goes through the life cycle and seasons of tree.

What Do You See? - This is a fun lift-the-flap book about endangered animals that teaches children that they can help them survive. Bonus- the book is made from 100% recycled materials!

One Tree - This book is about the life cycle of a tree and the different animals and insects who benefit from it. One tree can be a home or food to so many different creatures! I also love that this book is made from recycled materials, printed with eco-friendly inks and the last page has some great info that helps parents further the conversation of eco-conscious choices with their little ones.

Little Helpers - A cute book about how all the little things we do every day can make a big difference to the planet.Also made from recycled materials, printed with eco-friendly inks and the last page has info that helps parents further the conversation of eco-conscious choices with their little ones.

We had a such a fun Earth Day! How did you celebrate?

I'll be Breaking a Record (Again) at The Great Cloth Diaper Change 2013!

2013-04-17T22:55:00.001-07:00

The Great Cloth Diaper Change is almost here! Haven't heard of The Great Cloth Diaper Change before? The Great Cloth What....? you ask. The Great Cloth Diaper Change is an event where moms (and dads) get together to set a Guinness World Record for the most cloth diapers changed at the same time. All attending parents will change their babies diapers at the same time. This will happen at each locations local time, meaning the change will be happening around the globe when the clock strikes 11:00 AM!

This will be my second time attending the event and I'm super excited! I attended the first ever Great Cloth Diaper Change in 2011 with little Michael! It is such a fun time to get together with other cloth diapering parents and then we all scramble to change our little ones diapers at the same time! Not only is this a fun cloth diapering event to try to break the Guinness World Record for those of us who love cloth diapers, but it is also a wonderful opportunity to help spread some awareness about reusable diapers!

Here's a fun little "history in numbers" about The Great Cloth Diaper Change:

The first Great Cloth Diaper Change was in 2011:

There were 5026 simultaneous cloth diaper changes!
I am proud to say that little Michael and I were counted in this world record!

The second Great Cloth Diaper Change was in 2012:

There were 8,251 qualifying participants
189 locations
Happened on 4 continents
Unfortunately, little Michael and I did not get the chance to participate in this one, since he was almost completely potty trained by then.

This year, at The Great Cloth Diaper Change 2013:

There are 285 hosts that have registered!
Riley and I will be making history and be counted in this world record!

I will be attending The Great Cloth Diaper Change at Babies in Bloom in Vista, CA with little Riley! I went to the GCDC at Babies in Bloom for the very first event in 2011 with little Michael! This year, I will be wearing a Cloth Diaper Advocacy Shirt from Kelly's Closet (affiliate link) and little Riley will be sporting a "Cloth Rocks" tee from Dirty Diaper Laundry, paired with a bumGenius diaper!

I am so excited that I can attend the same event and (hopefully) break the world record with Riley! What a great way to spend Earth Day!

I'll Be at the Great Cloth Diaper Change 2013 - Will You? What location are you going to?

*some of the above links are affiliate links and sales resulting from shopping through those links will benefit The Little Hedgehog. I seek to only recommend sites that I also enjoy shopping from. Thank you!*

Wordless Wednesday: Toes in the Sand

2013-04-17T17:48:00.000-07:00

Ettitude Eco Living Event: Bamboo Sheet Set Giveaway 4/16-5/14 #ettitudeECO

2013-04-15T23:41:00.001-07:00

Creating a safe sleeping environment for the family can be a challenge today with toxins in nearly all mattresses and bedding. One material that is a great choice for your bedroom is bamboo, it is grown without pesticides and is a rapidly renewable resource. It's the perfect solution for adults and kids with sensitive skin as it is naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic.

In addition to bamboo sheet sets, Ettitude has a vast selection of bamboo comforters, duvet covers, crib sheets, pillows, mattress protectors, and towels to name a few. Ettitude was founded on the simple idea that all home and family essentials should not only be practical but also be unquestionably safe, Eco friendly, beautiful, and convenient.

Our Favorite Features of the Ettitude Organic Pure Bamboo Sheet Sets:

Available in six beautiful colors (white, sand, coffee, gray, aubergine, blue nights)
Equivalent to around 1000 thread count in cotton, luxuriously soft and silky!
Naturally antibacterial, great for sensitive skin and allergies
Wicks sweat away from body, cool in the summer, warm in the winter
Made from bamboo, a pesticide free, sustainable, and rapidly renewable resource
100% biodegradable
Oeko-Tex Standard 100
Easy care - cool wash, line dry

Purchase: You can purchase Ettitude Organic Bamboo sheet sets directly on their website.

Win It! Ettitude is generously blessing one winner with an Organic Pure Bamboo sheet set in your choice of size (twin, full, queen, king, or California king)!

Special thanks to AnaB Social for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to Ettitude and all the fabulous participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends May 14th at 11:59 pm, open to residents WORLDWIDE, ages 18+. See detailed terms and conditions on entry form. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below (see directions on how to enter here). Thank you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: AnaB Social and all participating event bloggers are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. I was not compensated for this post.

4 Months Old!

2013-04-06T16:56:00.001-07:00

My-oh-my! Little Riley turned 4 months old on March 27th! I still have visions of him as a newborn and am both amazed at how quickly he is growing and a little sad that time has to keep moving forward at such a rapid pace. I am so happy that I feel like I have soaked in these 4 months.

Riley is our smiley little guy! He is so happy! He usually has a ready smile or even a laugh for whatever silly face you make at him. Michael absolutely loves his little brother! He loves talking to him in a sing-song-y voice and giving him kisses. Riley has just recently discovered the hilarity of raspberries on his belly ...and Michael has discovered how fun it is to give them! He is so loved.

Riley is discovering new things daily. It is so fun to watch! He has recently started grabbing his left foot and kind of rolling from side to side ...while I try to change his diaper. Our little Riley man is also teething (poor guy)! He is fascinated with his new found ability to grab onto things and manipulate them in his hands. Most of the time, they end up in his mouth, because, hey, they might be good on the gums! One of his favorite things to do is to pop his pacifier in and out of his mouth. He also is a big fan of gnawing on the rubbery side of his pacifier.

He still spits up after nursing. I'm not sure if it because he is eating too much or I'm not burping him enough during feedings, but hopefully he will outgrow it soon! On a positive note, Riley is still exclusively breastfeeding!!! Hooray! I am so happy that it is going well. All I can say, is that I am so thankful for determination, a hungry little boy and Motherlove's More Milk Plus! (This is huge for me because I ended up supplementing with little Michael by 1 month and he was done nursing at 6 months - it broke my little heart)

He's still not "sleeping through the night" and that's ok with me. He usually wakes up every 1 to 2 hours to be nursed back to sleep. On rare occasions, I get a 4 hour stretch and those are awesome! Thank goodness for our co-sleeper that is attached to the side of our bed - it really does make things easier. Then, on nights where he seems to be waking every.20.minutes, I pull him into bed with me, he lays in the crook of my arm, he can nurse whenever he likes and we both sleep. He's what I call a nursing "snacker". I love watching him sleep (I love watching both boys sleep, actually). Their faces are so peaceful and serene - it's just beautiful. Sometimes, I just want to scoop them up to hug and squeeze them while they sleep and tell them how much I love them. Then, I restrain myself - they're sleeping! Leave them be! Haha!

4 months to learn about the ins and outs of our newest little man. I am so thankful for each and every day with our little Riley. I love you Riley!

Relish Reusable Sponsor Spotlight: Woolzies Dryer Balls #RelishReusable

2013-04-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

The Relish Reusable Green Giveaway Hop is going on right now! You can enter the giveaway HERE! My wonderful sponsor for this giveaway event is Woolzies Dryer Balls!

When thinking about areas of the home to start using reusable items, the laundry room is definitely an area that you can "green"! I no longer use dryer sheets or fabric softener (not only because they contain harmful chemicals, but they are a big no-no when cloth diapering!), but I still want my laundry to be fluffy and soft. Well, wool dryer balls are the perfect solution!

I was recently introduced to Woolzies and they are a wonderful company that creates handmade wool dryer balls! Woolzies are handmade with 100% pure New Zealand wool. They work by bouncing around in your dryer, which helps to separate and create space between the items in your dryer. This helps the hot air in the dryer to circulate better and dry your clothes faster. On average, Woolzies cut down on drying time by 25% per load. They also help reduce static and wrinkles. Shorter drying time is better for the environment and it saves money on your electric bill!

Woolzies generously sent me one of their boxes of wool dryer balls. Each box comes with 6 dryer balls. Using wool dryer balls is a great way to soften your laundry naturally! Unlike plastic dryer balls, they are PVC free and unlike dryer sheets and fabric softeners, they are chemicals free. I have been using them for a few weeks now and I think they are great! They have a permanent home in my dryer (unless little Michael snitches one to play with it). I think that the dryer balls have done a great job of fluffing my laundry - it seems light and soft afterwards. I also have noticed that my drying time has been reduced, probably by about 15 minutes per load.

Woolzies are perfect for our cloth diapers too! I dry my prefolds, flats and wipes in the dryer and they are done lickety-split. No worrying about chemicals or fragrances that may irritate delicate skin! I feel that the Woolzies dryer balls are made exceptionally well. Each ball varies a little (since they are handmade), but they are all just a bit bigger than a tennis ball. They are firm and I don't think there is any need to worry about them ever coming apart. They are nice and soft and light - which I think lends to them being pretty quiet as they tumble around in the dryer.

Woolzies are the perfect reusable dryer ball to add to your dryer! Ditch the disposable dryer sheets, say bye-bye to the chemicals and switch to a natural, eco-friendly alternative!

Each box of Woolzies is $34.95 for 6 wool dryer balls. This price includes FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the USA! Interested in adding some reusable Woolzies dryer balls to your laundry routine? You can BUY a box of Woolzies HERE.

One lucky person will win a box of Woolzies from the Relish Reusable giveaway hop {going on from April 1-15th}! Make sure you ENTER HERE for your chance to win!

*Thank you to Woolzies for providing me with the opportunity to host this review at no cost to myself. This has not influenced my opinion of the product or company. I have sought to give my honest opinions and experiences on this product. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Thank you again to Woolzies for sponsoring this review!*

Wordless Wednesday: He Can Write His Name!

2013-04-03T12:07:00.000-07:00

Relish Reusable Giveaway Hop! {Ends 4/15}

2013-03-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Relish Reusable Giveaway Hop hosted by Measuring Flower and Eco Crazy Mom! I have teamed up with a group of other green bloggers to bring you a bunch of fun, eco-friendly, and reusable giveaways worth a minimum of $25 each. So, after you've entered our awesome giveaway below, be sure to "hop" on to the next blog to enter their giveaway as well. You can find a list linking to all the other blogs towards the bottom of this post. Don't forget to enter the event's big grand grand prizes, including $200 of reusable products donated by Reuseit.com!

Woolzies is sponsoring the Relish Reusable Giveaway prize on The Little Hedgehog! Woolzies has graciously offered one lucky winner box of Woolzies containing 6 handmade woolen dryer balls.(ARV $34.95) - Review: HERE

***Giveaway is open to the US only. Entrants must be 18+ years old. One entry per household. The winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.***
Giveaway will end April 15th at 12:01am EST.

Entries go in the Rafflecopter form below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: This event’s hosts and the participating bloggers are not responsible for any sponsors that fail to fulfill their prizes, but will do their best to ensure that each winner receives their winnings.

*Thank you to Woolzies for providing me with the opportunity to host this giveaway at no cost to myself. This has not influenced my opinion of the product or company. I have sought to give my honest opinions and experiences on this product. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Thank you again to Woolzies for sponsoring this review and giveaway!*

Tic Tac Toe Socks Review & Giveaway!

2013-03-28T23:06:00.000-07:00

Quality counts when it comes to socks! I have learned the hard way that it doesn't pay to buy cheap socks. Over the last few weeks, I feel like I have thrown away so many socks that have gotten holes in the heels. *Note to self: stop buying the cheapest packs of socks!* So, as I look to replace almost all of the socks for hubby, little Michael and I, due to "hole-y" socks (and Michael's feet have grown lately) and of course, little Riley needs some cute socks for his tootsies, I am looking for socks that will last. I am looking for socks that will hold up to a little boy who runs, jumps, slides his feet in and out of shoes and who wrestles with socks as he yanks them off his toes.

I was recently introduced to TicTacToe and their line of socks and tights. TicTacToe has been a staple in physical shops since 1985 and they recently made the move to the online marketplace with a new website, www.tictactoesocks.com! Their socks are fun, vibrant and have a great selection of prints, patterns for boys and girls. A huge plus is that their socks are well made. The colors have stayed vibrant with many washings, the socks are made well and I don't forsee any hols cropping up anytime soon! I feel that they are going to hold up well to an active little boy! Baby socks are pretty easy - litle Riley isn;t really going anywhere yet and their main function is to look cute and keep his toes warm - check!

TicTacToe generously sent me four different socks - 2 pairs for each boy! For Riley, I received the Puppy 3-D Bootie and the Organic Striped Cushion Bootie in baby blue.

The Puppy Booties are so, ridiculously cute! I have never had booties like this for Michael or Riley, until now. I didn't know what I was missing out on! I was actually surprised at how well they stayed on, especially since Riley is really getting a good work-out these days with his kicking! They are soft, stretchy and easy to slip on his little toes.

I love that Tic Tac Toe carries some organic options! When it comes to clothing, I always look for organic options first and really appreciate when companies go the extra step to incorporate organic cotton into their materials. I love knowing that organic cotton is touching his new, delicate skin! These socks are super plush, thick and soft! They are nice and stretchy and have room for Riley's feet to grow. I really love that they have non-slip tic tac toe grippers on them - it will be perfect when he starts to toddle around! (That's never going to happen, right? He's going to stay a baby forever!)

Tic Tac Toe also sent the Sports Field: Glow-in-the-Dark socks in blue/orange and the Blue Stripe Socks with turquoise for Michael. These socks are great! They fit Michael well, they are fun and they seem like theyare going to hold up to lots of wear. I also like that they have held up really well to multiple washings and the colors are still vibrant.

I love the fun colors in the stripe socks!So cheerful!

I've always been pretty "Plain Jane" when it comes to socks - I buy fancy colors like white and black. It is so nice to mix things up and have some fun socks for the boys! Tic Tac Toe has some really fun and colorful socks (plus tights for girls!). They would be perfect to add to your little ones wardrobe or tuck a pair into your little ones Easter basket - they would fit perfectly in an Easter egg!

Head over to the Tic Tac Toe website to shop the great new styles or connect with them on their Facebook page!

THE GIVEAWAY!

Tic Tac Toe has generously offered one of my readers a $25 grab bag of TicTacToe products! (Winner can specify child's age and gender)

***Giveaway is open to the US only. Entrants must be 18+ years old. One entry per household. The winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.***
Giveaway will end April 11th at 12:01am EST.

Entries go in the Rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to Tic Tac Toe for providing me with the opportunity to host this giveaway at no cost to myself. This has not influenced my opinion of the product or company. I have sought to give my honest opinions and experiences on this product. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Thank you again to Tic Tac Toe for sponsoring this review and giveaway!

Woolino Baby Sleep Giveaway Event

2013-03-26T08:21:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wish there was material for baby wear that would keep baby dry, warm in cold weather, cool in hot weather, naturally breathable, without chemicals, and easy to care for? I'm here to tell you that merino wool is all of the above! It's really a miracle material that's perfect year round for everyone, but especially for kids.

Woolino merino baby sleep sacks have a host of amazing features. It is perfect at home or on the go and fits into a compact pouch. Strategically placed snaps make the size adjustable and diaper changes easy. Your baby will be comfortable in a Woolino 4 Season baby sleeping bag in temperatures ranging from 63 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes with a travel bag, room thermometer, and it is in a plastic-free, ready-to-gift package!

The merino baby swaddle blanket and hat are great for those first three months before your baby fits into a merino baby sleep bag. Babies have a limited ability to regulate their own body temperature, the merino wool swaddle will keep your baby comfortable and snug from birth.

Our Favorite Features of Woolino Merino Wool:

Naturally anti-microbial, anti-fungal
Naturally fire resistant without the use of harsh chemicals
Regulates body temperature
Sustainable, 100% natural Australian merino wool
Machine washable
Super soft on baby's skin

Our Favorite Features of the Woolino Baby and Toddler Sleep Sacks:

Available in two sizes, 3 to 24 months and 2T to 4T
Seat belt slot for easy transfer from car to crib
GOTS certified organic cotton outer

Our Favorite Features of the Woolino Newborn Swaddle/Blanket:

Large square size, 90 by 90 cm
Comes with matching newborn hat and swaddling instructions
Naturally stretchier, easier to wrap, and stays in place
Unlike shaped swaddles that are quickly outgrown, the wrap can be used as a stroller blanket, in the car, as a nursing cover, sun shade, etc.

Purchase: The 2013 Collection Woolino 4 Season Baby Sleep Bags retail for $119 (baby) to $139 (toddler) each, you can purchase it on the Woolino website. The swaddle set retails for $69. The Woolino products are also available on Amazon and select retailers across U.S. and Canada.

Win One! Woolino is blessing one of you with a 2013 Collection Woolino 4 Season Baby Sleep Bag in your choice of size/color AND another winner will receive the Newborn Swaddle Set.

Special thanks to AnaB Social for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to all participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends April 23rd at 11:59 pm, open to U.S. and Canadian residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Thank you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. AnaB Social, The Little Hedgehog and participating event bloggers are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Spring Into Green Mothers Organic Giveaway Event {Ends 4/8}

2013-03-24T22:49:00.002-07:00

Welcome to the Spring Into Green Mothers Organic Giveaway!

I've teamed up with Eco-Crazy Mom and an amazing group of bloggers to celebrate the grand opening of the Mothers Organic store, and bring you the chance to win a fantastic prize pack valued at $375.00!

Come check out the Mothers Organic Grand Opening March 25, 2013!

The Mothers Organic motto is simple: happy shopping for the everyday eco-mama. Why? Because we've all been there before. Confused by labels and not knowing which products were safe for our kids. Overwhelmed with information. That's why eco mama Kelly McKnight and her husband created Mothers Organic. They wanted to make it easy for moms to find a variety of safe, tried and true eco-friendly products in one convenient place. Every product at Mothers Organic has been hand picked and carefully reviewed by Kelly and her team of eco mamas with the belief that if it's not good enough for their family, it's certainly not good enough for yours. Finally, a place where moms can shop with confidence - we invite you to give it a try!

Shop their amazing selection of stainless steel baby bottles and sippy cups. Check out their line of Melissa & Doug puzzles and toys for babies and toddlers. Stock up on your nursery layette - complete with swaddle blankets and bunting. At Mothers Organic you'll find a great selection of natural bath and skin care, organic apparel, health care essentials and much more.

Shop now and save with free shipping on all orders over $75!

Celebrate with us and enter to win!

One lucky eco mama will win this awesome Mothers Organic prize pack worth $375.00:

Boba Carrier ($120.00 RV) Green Toys bundle ($70.00 RV) Kid Basix Safe Sippy 2 ($15.00 RV) In2green Eco friendly baby & kids blanket ($70.00 RV) Seventh Generation bundle ($100.00 RV) a Rafflecopter giveaway

Conscious Box 3 Month Subscription Giveaway!

2013-03-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

Conscious Box is a company that I have just been introduced to and am so glad that I have! They are a monthly subscription company that is "...dedicated to introducing you to the most ethical, sustainable, and honest businesses that create the purest products available." Their mission is to discover natural products and deliver them to your doorstop every month in a box that is packed to the brim!

How Does Conscious Box work?

With each months subscriptions, Conscious Box will introduce you to new companies and products. Each box is full of healthy, unique and natural goodies for every aspect of your life and for every member of your family. Every month's box is a surprise and you are sure to discover some new favorites! With products ranging from organic food to vegan beauty and options like Vegan and Gluten-Free boxes, Conscious Box has something for everyone!

Interested in a monthly subscription? You can subscribe to Conscious box for one month, 3 months, 6 months or for a whole year! Conscious Box has also generously offered my readers a 50% OFF discount for any Conscious Box subscription. Use code: DISCOVERNATURAL

-OR-

You can enter to WIN a 3-month Conscious Box subscription – that's a $59 value!

***Giveaway is open to the US only. Entrants must be 18+ years old. One entry per household. The winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.***
Giveaway will end April 2nd at 12:01am EST.

Entries go in the Rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to Conscious Box for providing me with the opportunity to host this giveaway at no cost to myself. In exchange for this post, I will be compensated with free Conscious Boxes. This has not influenced my opinion of the product or company. I have sought to give my honest opinions and experiences on this product. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Thank you again to Conscious Box for sponsoring this review and giveaway!

5 Fun Eco-Friendly Toys to Spark Your Little Ones Imagination!

2013-03-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

It's always a challenge to keep kids from going crazy with cabin fever in the winter! Below are 5 fun picks to keep the kids entertained and their brains active while they're stuck inside.

Glob’s Natural Paint Packets
Whether the kids want to paint-by-numbers or have more fun outside the lines, this 6-pack of natural vibrant paints will help them tap into their creative side. And they're great for egg dying too! $12.00

bObles Multi-functional Furniture

Instead of climbing up the walls, have the kids climb on the furniture. bObles created a line of fun, whimsical and well-designed kids furniture in shapes like elephants, crocodiles and chickens that turn into steps, boats, tables, seats, balancing pieces and more. bObles encourages motor function, imagination and, most importantly, fun! From $49.00

CitiBlocs

Who doesn’t love building things? Think about how much fun kids can have with Citiblocs, eco-friendly, affordable wooden toys. They encourage your kids to spend hours at play, exercising their minds and building up cities with the 100- or 200-piece block sets. From $25.99

Box Play For Kids

Looking for ways to encourage your kid’s creativity while also teaching him about being green and eco-friendly? These adorable sticker sets are made to be used with boxes you’d normally recycle, including the numerous milk cartons, mac & cheese boxes and egg cartons you no doubt go through. So they’re having fun while you upcycle something that would normally get tossed. From $3.00

Wee Can Too Veggie Crayons

Little kids love putting things in their mouths and with these vibrant crayons made from organic fruit and vegetable powders, it’s OK! We’re not suggesting you substitute the crayons for their regular, healthy regimen of produce, but now they can color and have fun while you know the products are safe. $11.00

I hope that these are some fun and inspiring ideas for you to do with your little ones, whether you are stuck inside because of snow, rain or even a sick day! These 5 fun picks can be found at Abe's Market - a wonderful online shop that is full of natural and eco-friendly goodies!

*Note: This post contains affiliate links. I try my best to only recommend products and sites that I think my readers will enjoy.*

Communication Through Babywearing

2013-02-28T23:24:00.000-08:00

Right now we're up north visiting my family. One of the things that I really like to do, when we get a chance, is to go to Savers with my mom to hunt for some deals.

Just had to share my awesome find! A pair of Tiny Toms for little Michael for $6!

My mom, my sister-in-law and I (with little Riley in tow, wrapped up in a carrier) were looking around and I saw a family (mom, dad, older daughter and little toddler) and we smiled at each other as I noticed them looking at Riley. The family was Hispanic and since I don't speak any Spanish, all we could really do was smile at each other. The mom was pointing at Riley (who was in a wrap), then would look at her son and say "baby", then point back at Riley. We just kept smiling at each other, when she unfolded what looked like a long, thin blanket. picked up her son, put him on her back and wrapped the fabric around him. She had wrapped him up in a Rebozo! I was smiling so much! I couldn't believe it! Even though we couldn't understand a word that the other one said, other than, "baby", we could still communicate and share a moment, all because of babywearing!

Little Riley in his wrap at Savers.

This wasn't the woman at Savers...just a picture from internet. Credit HERE. I just wanted to show the style in which her toddler was wrapped.

I love babywearing!

Wordless Wednesday: 3 Months Old

2013-02-27T18:46:00.000-08:00

Riley's Birth Story

2013-02-27T18:28:00.002-08:00

Today Riley is 3 months old. Three wonderful months have flown by and I have loved staring into his little blue eyes, holding his tiny, precious hands, smelling his sweet little head, nursing him for both nourishment and comfort and I smile every time I watch Michael kiss his brother, talk to him or try to teach him how to do something. It is just lovely.

Riley James Hull was born November 27th at 11:47pm. It was a surprisingly fast birth and I am so thankful for this amazing experience. Here is Riley's birth story:

Before I was even pregnant with Riley, I knew I wanted a natural, non-hospital birth. We even went to the birthing center before I was pregnant to meet the midwives and talk with them about what births were like there. I knew right away that this was where I wanted to have my baby. I felt like I was at home with these women - I felt like I was a part of their family.

This was taken the day before I had Riley!

My "due date" for Riley was November 25th. That day came and went and...nothing. I wasn't having any contractions, other than some mild Braxton Hicks and overall, I was still feeling really good. I went in to my midwifes office on the morning of November 27th. My midwife asked me if I was having any contractions. I told her that I wasn't really having anything consistent and that my contractions were coming every 15-30 min and that they were hardly noticeable. I wasn't even sure if they were anything more than Braxton Hicks. She talked with us about some natural ways to bring on labor and then she wanted to check me to see how far dilated I was. Suddenly, she had a surprised look on her face and said, "You're 6, maybe even 7 cm dilated! You don't need to do any of those things I just mentioned to bring on labor!" I was in shock! How could I already be more than half-way dilated?! I started feeling giddy and excited! My midwife was certain that we would be having our baby that day or the next.

Since we lived about an hour away from the midwives office, the midwives were concerned about us driving back home. They had a quick "midwife huddle" and decided that it would be best if we stayed in the area for the night and into the next day. (Thankfully I have an aunt that lived 15 min away!) They also wanted me to start wearing a constricting band around my stomach, since they could tell that there was so much room for our little baby to move up out of the pelvic area. They wanted to make sure that he was head down and engaged in the pelvic area. We dashed home to grab some overnight things, we kissed Michael (who had his Gramma to watch him! Yay!) and told him that he would be meeting his baby brother soon!

We got to my aunt's house and I was just too excited to relax! I decided to put on my belly band once we got there to get baby ready! We were so blessed to be able to spend time with my aunt and so thankful for her opening up her home to us. We were enjoying dinner with her, when I started to notice that my contractions were picking up and seemed to be getting stronger. I kept timing them and during dinner they went from 30 minutes apart, to 15 minutes, to 9 to 7 to 5 and then they fluctuated between 5-3 minutes apart and they were getting strong! I kept staring at my phone while hubby and my aunt were talking - 5 minutes? 3 minutes? Is this for real?

I quietly mentioned to my hubby that my contractions were starting to get really strong and that they were only 3-5 minutes apart. I was starting to feel uncomfortable and I couldn't really sit anymore. Walking was best and when contractions came, I would lean over the counter and rock back and forth. I asked hubby if he thought we should call my doula and midwife or not, because you know, I didn't want to bother them if it was a false alarm! Haha! Hubby assured me that this was not a false alarm! He said that since I was almost 7cm dilated at our morning appointment and not feeling any contractions, that by now, he was sure that it was time to start making phone calls! He was so sweet to call the doula and the midwife for me and let them know that this was happening!

We got to the midwifes office about 8:45pm and my contractions were coming pretty quickly, but I could still talk through them as I rocked back and forth. The midwife and her 2 assistants and hubby and I were chatting and laughing and getting things ready. Pretty quickly I started feeling like things were getting more serious and I asked if I could sit on the birthing ball. I sat in front of the bed and leaned toward hubby and rocked back and forth, while hubby rubbed my back. By this point, I was definitely concentrating on my breathing! Hubby put on some music through the iPod dock and we were rocking, breathing, swaying and focused. All of a sudden, I knew I had to throw up. I thought, "This is it! This is the transition!" I told hubby, "I have to throw up" and then, I turned to the toilet in the room and did just that. Lovely, I know, but I felt so much better afterwards. Our doula was perfect - she just kept bringing me coconut water and getting whatever we needed. It was so reassuring to know that we had a steady, constant person there to help us in whatever way we needed her.

I had gone back to the birthing ball and was swaying back and forth on it, when all of a sudden, it felt like my whole body was on alert and every nerve and fiber of my being told my brain, "It's time to push!" I was so amazed! I know people have said that you just know when it is time to push, but I wasn't really sure how that would play out. It was such a strong force! I just knew! This is it - this baby is coming! I told hubby, "I feel like pushing...NOW!" He and my midwife helped get me onto the bed. My midwife reassured me that everything was going perfectly and whenever I felt like pushing, I could go ahead and push. She also asked if I wanted to get in the tub, since I had talked to her before about having a water birth. I told her, if we have time for that, I would love to try it! Her assistants quickly started filling the tub. I tried pushing a few times as I felt my body contracting. I kept asking my midwife if I was doing everything ok. She reassured me that I was doing great and however I felt like pushing, was just fine.

Soon the tub was full and the midwife and one of the assistants helped me over. Just as I got off the bed, my water broke! I exclaimed,"I'm so sorry!" They laughed and said that I had nothing to be sorry about! I can't help myself- I don't like feeling like I've made more work for someone or inconvenienced them. The tub was nice. It felt awkward to find just the right spot though. I just wasn't sure where the best position would be. I finally settled into a semi-squatting position and was facing the corner where hubby was sitting. He was sitting on the back edge of the tub with his feet in the water. I would hold onto his legs for support as I was pushing and he kept rubbing my back. At first I felt like I should sit a certain way and that how I was sitting wasn't "the right way". I had a hard time getting away from how I thought things were "supposed to be". I finally realized that my body was doing just what it needed to do and if that was squatting in the tub, facing my husband, then that was what I needed. I knew he could support me and be strong for me, I knew that no matter what happened, he would love me. I think that he was definitely a constant source of strength and love for me, so facing him was the natural response from my body.

Feeling everything was so different than my first birth with little Michael! I had an epidural and didn't feel a thing. I just pushed when the nurses told me to push. So, in some ways, although I had already had a baby, it was almost like having my first baby. It seemed like even though I had watched a bazillion videos of natural births and read so many of the stories from Ina May Gaskin, it was still such a new and unique experience to me. At the same time I was in awe, I also felt a sense of shock at how I could really feel little Riley moving into the birth canal. It was unbelievable and painful - definitely more intense and painful than I was expecting. It seemed like I could feel him move forward as I was pushing and then feel him move right back when the contraction was over. I almost felt like it was: one step forward, two steps back. Was this baby ever coming out!?

At this point, I was just in communion/conversation with God. I'm not saying I was having a long, drawn out conversation, it was more that I was calling out and expressing feelings. This was painful and hard. It hurt. It hurt more than I thought it would. Everything had started happening so fast that I felt like I couldn't catch my breath or have a chance to rest. I prayed for rest and I prayed for strength. I prayed that Riley would be born quickly! I am so thankful that I felt that God could understand my feelings and pain and it was like we were having a conversation, even though there were no words uttered.

One thing I was worried about before I went into labor was making sound. I had seen so many videos of women moaning through contractions. I had felt really self conscious about doing that. So, I really appreciated that during our Bradley Method class, that our teacher encouraged us to watch so many birth videos, so that I could become more comfortable with making sounds during labor. It really helped me and when it came time to push, I didn't think twice about making any sounds. I definitely think that it helped put some extra "oomph" in force into my pushes.

It seemed like over an hour had gone by when my midwife finally told me that Riley's head was right there. She said that if I wanted to, I could reach down and touch his head. I never thought I would do that (heck, if you had asked me if I would have had a water birth 3 years ago I would have thought you were crazy!), but I reached down and I felt his soft, sweet little head! Oh my gosh! It gave me that extra boost I needed! I felt excitement and determination well up inside me and I knew I could do it! About the same time, I also felt Riley kicking! Oh my gosh, I couldn't believe it! I looked down at my belly and said, "Riley, stop kicking mama! I'm doing my best!" Haha! I pushed and pushed as hard as I could and he was out! My midwife guided him toward me and I was able to pull Riley up and out of the water and hold him! Oh wow! I was exhausted, but the pain and all that hard work just faded away. I just had tunnel vision for my new little boy. Hubby got into the tub with me (with his clothes on!) and we held Riley together. He was so calm! He didn't even cry for a few minutes. My sweet little Riley was born at 11:47pm on November 27th after 45 minutes of pushing.

A few minutes went by, when I heard something that pulled me back to reality. I heard our midwife tell my hubby that they needed to move me out of the tub to the bed. I knew that they had told us that they would only ask that if there was something they were concerned about. The midwife and her assistants helped me to the bed and got me, little Riley and hubby all settled, warmed and dry.

My midwife let us know that we could relax and that I should try to nurse Riley when he seemed interested. She also mentioned that there was more bleeding than they liked to see. They checked to see if I had torn, but I only had a slight tear...or more of a "rug-burn" as my midwife called it. Riley had his hand up by his face...so that just added a bit extra that had to fit on the way out. (Riley actually still loves to put his hand up by his head) It seemed that I had started to hemorrhage (possibly because my placenta came out almost immediately after Riley was born,?). The midwife and her assistants did an amazing job of being calm and letting us just be and enjoy Riley. After a bit, they gave me a shot of pitocin and a little bit later, they decided to start me on a saline drip to get some fluids back in. I was worried that I would have to be transferred to the hospital! That was the last thing I wanted! I was so thankful for the midwifes sense of calm. It helped me to relax and know that they had everything under control. Eventually, the bleeding did stop, but by then I was so lightheaded that I ended up needing more IV's of saline. My doula kept bringing coconut water and protein and fruit snacks - it was so nice to be taken care of!

Riley nursed and I couldn't have been happier! We even took a nap together and got time to ourselves to just enjoy our newest little boy! Finally, about an hour and a half after Riley was born, hubby got to cut the umbilical cord. I am so, so, so glad that we got to wait until the cord was done pulsing and all the blood transferred to Riley! Hubby went with little Riley and the midwife as he got measured and weighed. He was 8lbs 15 oz. and he was 21" long! I was in shock! I had an almost 9lb baby! Woah!

We got to rest and recover until we were ready. About 4:00am, I was able to get up and walk around. I was feeling so much better and we were ready to go home. We were packed up into our car, gave hugs to the midwife and assistants and we headed home. We were home and in our own bed by 5:30 in the morning. It was amazing! I loved going home to my own bed! It was so restful and in the morning, we got to have little Michael come in to meet his new baby brother! It was so special and wonderful! I stayed in bed for 2 days and after that, I started getting up and about and recovery actually went along pretty quickly!

Riley's birth was amazing. It was so much more intense (and painful) than I thought it was going to be. I went from not feeling anything to being in transition and feeling every single moment that Riley moved down the birth canal and made his way out into the world. It was hard work. I am so thankful for the experience and hubby and I already know that we would do it again this way. We loved the midwifes and the care that they gave us. We loved giving birth to Riley in a tub at the birthing center. It was an amazing way to connect with my little boy. It feels empowering and it was beautiful. We have truly been blessed with a happy, healthy little boy!