Nova's Home Birth

Natural family planning

Can you relate?

Yeah, we can too :-)

If you haven't heard my story, you should check it out. God's done quite the deep work with my heart since I married my hubby (almost) 6 years ago.

But God's been challenging me EVEN MORE! Last January Brandon and I went to Israel with Burn 24/7. There was a powerful prophetic woman there and she began to talk about children and the conviction of believing the Word of God and what it says about children. The Word is constantly pointing to the next generation, always pointing to family and expansion. With zeal in her heart she began to say how she saw pro-life very differently than most. Many advocates will condemn abortion, whole refusing to allow God to number their own children. It really struck me to the heart. I've always preached this myself. Lord, whatever your will. But many times it's....whatever your will, BUT not my womb Lord! We want to give Him our lives, but we don't want to give Him our womb. And she continued to express, that pro-life to the Lord is exactly that....you are FOR every life He wants to bring through you. Wow. What conviction! What revelation! What a challenge!

After having our third at home, we decided to take a break. And, really, since the first time I decided to stop taking birth control, we family planned. I really wanted a 3-4 year break. My body was having a hard time adjusting to pregnancies so close together and my baby weight was coming off slower and slower after each baby. I didn't feel healthy, so I didn't want a baby. Sounds reasonable right? Not to mention all the things I wanted beforehand: more money, bigger house, more time, more help, more support, more, more, more...

Sure its reasonable, but I have to confess...I hardened my heart to hear anything outside of what my own plans were. I did what was practical, what felt right. It wasn't until a couple months ago when I had two back-to-back dreams where I had more children in them. Then it was followed by a dream my husband had saying we missed hearing God in this. Needless to say, I WAS UNDONE! And after seeking the Lord pertaining to it all, I felt a softening in my heart. It didn't mean we were going to start trying tomorrow, but the Lord was dealing with something that was in my heart.....an unsurrendered womb. Here I am telling others to practice what they preach, and the Lord is showing me how I'm not living out my own message.

What's the principle? I don't know when we're suppose to have another baby, but I know it will most likely be before I originally planned. My heart is open and my ears are listening, and that is what is important. I can't tell Him my life is His but reserve my womb for myself. And the truth is, when I look at each of my children I would not give them up for anything, even a little extra weight. They are diamonds in the Kingdom; they are a birthing of a movement; they are priceless gifts that can not be measured....and that is the truth.

a note from my sweetheart

Baby and I had a rough night last night, pretty much consisting of Arista not wanting to sleep AT ALL. Right around 6AM I had a break-down from the lack of sleep. So I've been a little lethargic jumping into my day. But I just received this note from my husband and I wanted to share it because it sweetly enriched my day! I feel strengthened and encouraged. In sharing it I too will hope you will be inspired. That even though sometimes our little ones cannot communicate how much our love means to them, that what we give matters. That you too are called to be a Proverbs 31 woman and to recognize that what you do everyday makes a difference.

"Sweetheart!

Want to tell you I love you this morning. You mean the world to me. I'm blessed, honored, and favored to have you as my wife and the mother of our children. Remember that virtue has over taken you today and ladies look upon your life and call you blessed. Read Proverbs 31 and let the truth of who you are soak into your soul and spirit.

Even though last night may have been rough, Arista is rejoicing inside. She may not be able to communicate it, but she would say, "mommy, thank you so much for staying up with me last night. It meant so much that you were willing to comfort me and love on me even though you wanted to sleep. Thank you for laying down your life in meeting my needs. One day, when I'm older, I'll be able to really articulate how much your love and life means to me. But for now, know that every cue is full of I love you's. You amaze me and I'm so thankful I have you to be my mommy."

I love you honey. Know that there is a fresh reserve to tap into. A reserve of strength, joy, peace, and love. As you wait on Jesus your strength will be renewed. You will mount up like an eagle. You will run and not grow weary. You will walk and not be faint.

Love you more than I really ever know how to express. You mean everything to me.

Brandon xoxoxoxoxo"

camping with a newborn ......and some

We went camping for Labor Day weekend and it was ....um....fun.

I guess as fun as it gets with a newborn and two children whose curiosity still keep daddy and mommy at the "top of their game" when it comes to hide-and-go-seek. Our little Israel is the most curious. One minute she'll be coloring, but don't dare look the other way cuz the next minute she'll be half a mile down the road on her own little adventure.

But with a newborn things can't get complicated when it comes to family vacations and outings. But does that mean we shouldn't do them? From my personal experience the answer is "no". Outings with the fam are healthy for EVERYONE....all for different reasons. No one likes being cooped up in the house all day. Both my girls go a little crazy when they're in the house all day. And post-pardum mothers really should try to get out every once in a while {its healthy}. You'd be amazed at how going out on an outing can aid in keeping the post-pardum blues at bay and re-energize your ability to care for your children. And its always good for Daddy to get himself into the wild for alittle outlet as well during our baby-raising days. But I know it sometimes can be scary, especially for new young families, to take the children into unfamiliar territory.

Having a loose plan can help your outing be a lot less chaotic and stressful.

1. We normally use clothe, but having two in diapers, out in the wild....um, yeah.....disposables it is!

2. Communicate! Yes, as often as we know this is vital in marriage, its so easy to go on a trip and not communicate your needs to one another beforehand and during crisis. (And yes, all to often there will be AT LEAST one crisis on a elongated family venture with little ones! - The point is....don't be scared of them.)

3. Purpose yourself that no matter how much fun you're having....go to bed at a decent hour! There is nothing worse then what ruins family vaca is that you're exhausted the next morning because you stayed up late the night before.

4. And with a newborn....prepare yourself for NO PRIVACY. All to often when leaving the home, they'll be none. I can't tell you the countless times I had to nurse the baby while sitting on a toilet because there was no where else to go. So....that means, nursing covers, changing pads, back-packs and sun hats. :D

5. Don't freak out just cuz your little one is not getting his/her nap. Come on people. Just let them stay up and go to bed earlier. Essentially BE FLEXIBLE, and allow for adjustments in your normal routine. Trust me, it's a lot less stressful if you just forget about all that, at least for momentary get-away from home.

6. Lastly, don't be scared to ask others for help. If family is around, ask them to fetch the child who just ran off while you're nursing the baby. As mommy, its hard to break the pattern of doing it all, (cuz thats what we're use to at home), but know when you're out of the home we can ask others (including the hubby) to help do their share. Doesn't the proverb go "....it takes a village to raise a child...." - just sayin'.

Love you all! Have fun venturing!

My "green" babies

Clothe isn't for everyone, but if you're looking to save on the dollar, its the way to go. Forget the old folds and pins. Now they make clothe just as easy as disposables. The only time spent will be the extra load of laundry at the end of your day. But if you're willing to take the extra 15 minutes to load your washer it could save both the waste produced in our landfills and your wallet.

Here a great exert from my provider - And a wonderful break-down of what you save:)

Why Choose Cloth?

Better for Baby

• Children are much more comfortable in cloth diapers versus diapers made of plastic and paper.
• 

Fun colors and patterns to make diapering fun.
• 93% less likely to get diaper rash than disposables
• Disposable diapers contain Dioxin, Tributly-tin(TBT) and Sodium Polyacrylate just to name a few chemicals. While cloth diapers contain, well cloth.
• The use of disposable diapers has been scientifically linked to male infertility with young men who wore disposable diapers as babies.
• The largest organ in the human body is the skin.Cloth diapers protect your child's tender parts in ways that single-use diapers can't. Did you know that single-use diapers have up to 60 known chemicals in them? 


• Your child will be doing great things for the earth from their very first day! Using cloth diapers saves trees, sensitive wildlife habitats, petroleum, landfill space and helps to reduce Global Warming!

-

Better for the Environment

• By the age of three the average child will have used 8,736 diapers that are sitting in a landfill that we currently do not the decomposition time of. 


• Cloth diapers can be resold or reused as rags to cut back on environmental waste.


• One child in disposable diapers will require 20 trees, 420 gallons of petroleum and generate one ton of garbage!


• It takes 20 trees to diaper one child for 2.5 years. 

• It takes up to 200 years for a single-use diaper to decompose. That means every disposable diaper ever made is still in a landfill somewhere!


• It takes 2/3 cup of petroleum to produce just ONE single-use diaper!


Better for You (and your pocketbook)

• It’s Cheaper!
• Cloth diapering is a growing trend amongst young parents.
• Fun colors and patterns to make diapering fun.
• More convenient…That’s right More convenient! No more running to the store because you are almost out of diapers. Just throw a load of laundry in and you are all set!
• Cloth diapers are re-usable for future children just like baby clothes or a crib.

• Studies show that a child in cloth diapers will potty train 6 months to one year earlier than a child in single use diapers.Saving your family hundreds of dollars!


• Cloth diapering is easier than ever. Huge strides have been made in the past few years with cloth diapering accessories. These new accessories make cloth diapering easier and more fun then ever.


• When you use LUVABOOS, you not only benefit the global community by using a sustainable form of diapering; but, you also contribute to our local community.

Disposables

Newborn size:168 diapers at .25/diaper=	$42.00
Size 1: 448 diapers at .22/diaper=	98.56
Size 2: 490 diapers at .25/diaper=	122.50
Size 3: 1920 diapers at .30/diaper=	576.00
Size 4: 1095 diapers at .35/diaper=	383.25
Size 5: 1825 diapers at .39/diaper=	1642.50
Pull-Ups: 70 pull ups at .41/pullup=	28.70
	2893.51
Add disposable wipes bought in bulk:	180.00
Total:	3,073.51

*Figures based on a real 3 year old! Sized Pocket Diapers

Size Small: 24 diapers (based on 15.95 each)	$382.80
Size Small Inserts: 24 (range between$3.-$6. each)	144.00
Size Medium: 24	382.80
Size Medium Inserts: 24	144.00
Size Large: 24	382.80
Size Large Inserts: 24	144.00
Cloth Wipes: 24	20.00
Small Wet bag for travel	14.50
Pail liner	19.99
Toilet/Shower Sprayer	44.95
Total:	$1,683.94

*Keep in mind this is one of the top of the line, most convenient ways to cloth diaper!

Total Savings: $1,389.57

One Size Pocket Diapers

One-Size 24 diapers (based on 18.95 each)	$454.80
Cloth Wipes: 24	20.00
Small Wet bag for travel	14.50
Pail liner	19.99
Toilet/Shower Sprayer	44.95
Total:	$553.79

*We highly recommend the One-Size system for families with 2 in diapers or if you are pretty sure this is your last baby! Otherwise in the long run a sized diaper option will last longer as the diapers are used less per child.

Total Savings: $2,519.72

Want more info? Click here for a local business of Rochester, NY Also there is a great blog I've been reading if you're not convinced yet!

Luvaboos give you an opportunity to try clothe for $15 before you purchase. This wonderful if its completely new to you and you don't know which clothe you would like to buy.

I'd be lying if I said the money saving wasn't what sold me. I love going green and keeping waste to a minimal and recycling, but I was convinced when I knew my pocket money would stay in my pocket.

I have personally spent about $500 on clothe diapers and I have two babies in clothe and I am a working mother. Just goes to show you anyone can do it! I have saved our family $420.00 thus far and the number continues to grow as they grow. By the time they both hit the age of 2 I will have saved our family nearly $1500. Now thats a pretty penny and worth every load of laundry!

It's worth looking at for all you mothers and future mothers...