Wedding Inspiration

These photos taken from here 

How cute would Oliver look with a bowtie and those suspenders! 

but seriously  

I just looked at the calendar....

YIKES! There is only 72 days until our wedding. OMG. We have a lot to do!

Rockin' Green

is Rockin' my world.

The last couple of weeks I have noticed that Oliver's diapers and covers weren't coming out as clean as they once had been. The covers were stinky after one diaper change (which was never the case before) I have been using Arm and Hammer perfume and dye free detergent or president's choice free nature since day one but something's changed.

I think it's the combination of detergent build up and Oliver's new potent toddler pee. (it really stinks!)

So I went to my trusty online cloth diaper shop and ordered these two little bags of heaven.

http://rockingreensoap.com/

Bag #1 is FUNK ROCK ammonia bouncer -$18.00 for the bag, worth every penny. I put all the cloth inserts in a 30 min soak (in hot water) before I washed them with this..

Bag #2 is Rockin Green Soft Rock bare naked (unscented) $20/bag does 45 loads with a top loader and 90 loads with a front loader. Awesome for cloth diapers and regular laundry. 

I couldn't believe the difference. The diapers came out cleaner and whiter than ever! I could totally feel the difference, eight months of use, "regular" ole detergent and diaper ointment (not that I use much- I have only bought 1 tube of burt's bees in a year) had really taken it's toll. I didn't soak the covers like I did with the diaper inserts but I did add a bit of the Funk Rock to a pre-rinse cycle to bounce the funk on those as well.

My new laundry style plan of attack- is to add a little of the Funk Rock to each cold water pre-rinse (as per the directions) and then wash in hot using the Soft Rock (although I might try a scented one next time!) with a double cold water rinse.

I am even washing Oliver's clothes with it. I have the sweatiest kid alive, seriously it's crazy how much he sweats! His pores are constantly open and very sensitive, he gets little rashes and bumps all the time. Especially on his neck so washing his clothes and sheets with this natural detergent really helps those break outs.

To read about the cloth diapers we use click here and here

****Rockin Green Soap Canada will be offering 15% when they get 2000 fans on facebook*******

Because they're worth it!

Hello Readers!

I just wanted to give some web love to the wonderful Midwives out there,

especially the Stratford Midwives who provided the BEST care throughout my pregnancy, labour, delivery and the six weeks after Oliver was born.

I am so thankful to my very good friend Jen (who gave birth to 2 of her 3 children at home assisted with a midwife), for being a wealth of knowledge and sharing such a great attitude and love for birthing with me. Without her I don't think I would have had the same experience or known about my birthing options. Before I was pregnant and especially after it was refreshing to hear her talk about her natural deliveries (in the comfort of her own home) and the amazing care the midwives gave her instead of all the negative comments and horror stories. Luckily my mom was also a source of inspiration, having 4 children naturally in the hospital (Midwives weren't a readily available option or cover by OHIP at that time or she probably would have had us at home too), she never terrorized me with how badly it hurt or how awful it was. It was a natural process, something my body was designed to do! But I don't even know how many times women would say to me " Take the drugs" "Don't be a hero" or look at me like I had 2 heads when I said I wanted a natural birth and a homebirth. Truth be told, the idea of having an epidural was more terrifying then having a baby, so as soon as I peed on the stick and seen the double lines...
I called the Midwives!

I knew I made the right decision the minute I stepped into their office.

The receptionist, Sandra greeted me with a huge smile, her sweet British accent put me at ease. And everytime I walked through the doors it was the same. The waiting room was filled with a "community" library which you were encouraged to borrow from, although I never had to wait long, they schedule their appointments with generous amounts of time as to not rush you in and out. The midwives are lovely, calming, caring and good-natured. The appointments were once a month, then twice a month until 36 weeks when they became once a week until baby! Each appointment alternated between my primary and secondary Midwife. My primary, Rebekah was with me throughout the active labour, delivery and afterwards. While my secondary Midwife was called to come just before Oliver was born, her role was to care for him and once he was checked, weighed and measured she was on to the next birth! Two midwives attend each birth so if for some reason the primary isn't able to make it, the secondary becomes the primary and another midwife attends as the secondary. During my visits I met each of them (there are 4 of them altogether) so that in the event Rebekah or Charlotte couldn't be there, I would still know who was delivering my baby! Which was a good thing because there was 3 births the night I went into labour, so my secondary Charlotte ended up being a primary at another birth and wasn't able to come. Beth filled in and was absolutely wonderful,
she was the secondary to all 3 births that night.

Over the course of 9 months they offered me knowledge, encouragment and an abundance of  personal (ized) care. They treat you like a human being and not just another uterus with a baby in it . You play an active role in your own healthcare, choosing whether or not to have an ultrasound, genetic screening, gestional diabetes screening and testing. Of course they make recommendations based on your situation but most importantly it's a discussion!
They inform you not make the decision for you.
It's the same with your birth plan... it's your plan, you take the reigns.

With that being said- of course things can go wrong, not every pregnancy or birth is "normal" and the midwives are trained to know where that line is. There is definitely a need for OBGYN's. They perform lifesaving operations but that's what Cesareans are.... operations. And I feel that a lot of women have forgotten this and unfortunately a lot of women are "forced" into them with "emergency" C-sections as a result of interventions (another fear of mine).  I was undecided for the longest time if I was going to give birth at the hospital or at home. But after a great discussion with Charlotte, where she explained what they bring to your home for the birth and once they do it is considered a Level One hospital (my local hospital is a Level Two) and what sorts of things would constitute a need for transfer, I knew homebirth was right for me.

Again it's your choice,
that's why I am asking you to please support your local midwives in their rally for pay equity!
Because they are worth it!

Also please support midwifery care in Ontario (for Ontario Residents only) by sending your MPP a e-postcard asking the government to give women another option of midwifery-led birth centres

Having the best sleep of my life in my ultra fresh sheets.....

 You can read Oliver's birth story here

Nifty Thrifty

It has been ages since I have been thrifting so last week since I was at work and have an hour lunch to kill I decided to do some. It feels really weird to shop sans Oliver, I feel like I still need to rush that he could start fussing at any moment and that I am forgetting something because I am not lugging around a bunch of crap! Anyhoo back to the shopping... it was a successful trip.

I picked up these sweet items for super cheap (which is the name of the game I guess!)

I have always been a thrifty shopper. I never spend a lot of money on clothes....

well not on any single item.

But yesterday my mom and I went back to the bridal shop and I said YES to the dress!

(I haven't even seen that show before but it's a very catchy title)

Wedding dress is officially checked off the list and definitely at a price I can live with $360 dollas

(including 13% tax) but the downside is it's a few sizes too big and will need some a lot of alterations, which will likely boost the final price up to 500 +. Still good and I love it ....so yay!

Next on the list is shoes and accessories,

I'm not going with a veil but am scouring ETSY for the perfect headpiece instead.

I guess I best get cracking on the invites too

or I 'll be all dolled up in my dress with nobody to see me in it!

She What?

 12 years, 2 dogs and a baby later

Guy and I are getting.... 

YES, MARRIED!

Me and my not-so-oily beau hunk are tying the knot this summer.

It's going to be a small intimate garden ceremony and
hopefully just a really great party at my parent's house!

Guy and I at Prom.... eeeks!

(my hair will be a lot less yellow for the wedding heehee)