Monday Moments

One of Maggie's 3mos pics by

Elizabeth Paige Photography

Sarah playing dress up with her baby sis

A day at the park with special friends

Nap time for Sarah

Girls enjoying the sun!

Monday Moments

Sisters together again!

Huff Family Easter 2010
At least one is always not happy!

My Maggie

Big smile for the camera

A HomeBirthin Labor & Delivery Nurse...that's me!

12wks and 4 days ago I had the most profound experience that has forever changed my life. An experience that has renewed my love and passion for pregnancy & birth. An experience that reminded me of my childhood desires to "deliver babies." An experience that solidified my calling...the calling to be a Midwife that I've carried since I was 8yrs old! Yes, I believe that my Lord has placed a calling on my life to be "with women" during their pregnancies & birth.

As a child the only person that I knew who delivered babies was Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable from the Cosby Show..."push 'em out, shove 'em out, way out!" So, naively I thought I wanted to be an Obstetrician. I went off to college with the pursuit of caring the title MD. But the Lord showed me a different plan and being the obedient child that I am, I went to nursing school. There I learned about Midwifery & my soul stirred.

I sit at another crossroad in life. I have to go back to work tonight as a L&D nurse. My heart aches...aches to leave my new baby...aches to miss out on family time...aches to return to what medicine & science has done with God's perfect gift of birth. As my eyes fill with tears yet again, I am reminded of the encouraging words from a dear friend. This is my season...my time to be a Labor & Delivery nurse. My time to be with women in a different role.

So, tonight I return to work as a Homebirthin Labor & Delivery nurse. I realize that this season is starting to come to an end and it is indeed time to plan for my next role. The big question is Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) or Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)!?!?! I'm awaiting the Lord's Word.

Bring Birth Home

I am so excited! Mariah's birth story has been posted onto the Bring Birth Home site. It's a great site full of stories & resources for women who choose to birth at home. I truly enjoyed reading birth stories when I was pregnant. They kept me inspired & are a true testament to the miracle of birth.

Monday Moments

Keshia "wearing" Leah in Maya Wrap sling & Devin

Leah didn't want to get out!

Keshia, Leah, Me & Maggie, Sarah

Maggie's 1st trip to P'cola beach!

Monday Moments

Family time @ Wakulla Springs

Mommy, Hannah, & Mariah

Hannah 'dippin' in

One guess who's not happy?
And why?

Sarah enjoying the flowers

Hannah wanting to dive in!

Cloth diaper journey

What was I thinking? Cloth what? Yes, cloth diapers (CDs)! During my pregnancy Leonard & I decided that we would use cloth diapers for baby Maggie to save $$$$ & the environment. I did alot of research online, attended a CD class, and worked with a great local vendor (Jen Starks @ Ecological Babies). My initial stash consisted of several dozen pre-folds with Thirsties Duo covers, 2 bumGenius, a GroBaby starter pack, and one FuzziBunz. Jen suggested that I try out a few different ones so that I can choose which one works best for me & my baby. I am soooo glad that she recommended that. Initially I was sold on the bumGenius and was going to invest in several of those. Nine weeks into using my stash, I have a different opinion.

To say the least, this CD journey has not been completely smooth. We've had a couple of bumps in the road. First, Maggie developed a rash at 2wks. The only time I've had to deal with a diaper rash is when Hannah had massive diarrhea when she was about 12mos old. Why did Maggie have one now? So, this was a little discouraging at first. Unlike disposable diapers, common diaper rash ointments/creams cannot be used with CDs because they ruin the diaper. And I did NOT want to have to buy a disposable diaper. I immediately starting using a CD safe ointment called the Magic Stick. However, after a couple of days of using it, the rash appeared worse! I was ready to pull my hair out. I did what I didn't want to do and bought a pack of disposable diapers & Desitin. I continued to change her diaper every 2 hrs around the clock & slather her bottom with Desitin for a few more days with NO improvement. The Ped said it was yeast and prescribed Nyastatin & Triple Butt paste. So, after another week of disposables there was minimal improvement. Then I found a cure in Motherlove's Diaper Rash & Thrush ointment & it was ok to use with CDs! Actually, a friend recommended it & I should have used it from the beginning. It literally worked overnight!

Our second bump was figuring out the best way to wash the CDs. See, we have a front load HE washer that uses cups of water (not gallons) to wash. I knew that breastmilk poop was water soluble & did not have to be removed before washing. Yeah, that's true if you DON'T have a HE washer! I would go to remove the diapers from the washer & ALL of them would be covered in speckles of yellow seedy poop. Now what? I certainly wasn't going to buy another washing machine. The point here was to SAVE $$$! Then I remember one of my baby shower gifts....a bumGenius diaper sprayer. I finally figured out what cycles and how many with what temp to keep our stash "so fresh & so clean clean!"

In short what I have learned thus far:

• U need the RIGHT detergent & the right amount (a very small amt)
• CDs needs to be rinsed thoroughly of ALL detergent (I think this may have been the culprit to our rash)
• Magic Stick is GREAT for preventing rash & treating mild flares
• Motherlove is GREAT for preventing rash & treating aggressive flares
• HE washers don't use enough water to dissolve breastmilk poop
• A fleece liner is amazing at wicking moisture with a pre-fold

So, 9wks in & no regrets! Maggie is starting to sleep a little more at night & I'm trying to figure out the best diaper for night time. The jury is still out on my preference for the BEST diaper. Hands down, the pre-fold with cover is the most reliable....no blow outs or leaks yet!

Maggie's Monday Moments

Napping with Hannah

Big smile for the camera

Dinner with Mommy in

Baby K'tan Carrier

Napping with Sarah