Book Commentary - Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

For those of you who know me pretty well, you know that I'm a big Jane Austen fan. However, most people don't know that my favorite Jane Austen book is not the ever-popular Pride and Prejudice (not to say that I don't love it, because I do), but the much less popular Mansfield Park. There's just something about the sweetness of the heroine that I can't get enough of! After trying (and failing yet again) to read The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, I decided to pick up Mansfield Park. It had been a while since I read it last and I wanted to read something refreshing.

Now, before I go any further, I want to make a plug for actually reading the book instead of watching any of the movies that are out there. I have yet to see a movie that actually sticks to the book. It's like movie producers think it's not exciting enough for a movie so they change A BUNCH to make it more catching. I'm not complaining because they left out a minor character (like the Keira Knightley version of P&P) or because the ending is slightly different (again, like that version of P&P). These movies are grossly different from the book. They all change the characteristics of the heroine in order to make her "more interesting," because apparently a quiet, moral heroine isn't good entertainment. On this I (clearly) disagree. Also, the one that's got the guy in it from Elementary combines events from Jane Austen's life with the heroine's so you have this weird Fanny Price/Jane Austen combo...it's just bad. Anyway, I'll get off my soap box now...

Despite Hollywood's differing opinion, I think Mansfield Park  is wonderful just the way it is. In no other book that I've read have I encountered a heroine like Fanny Price. Instead of being outspoken she is submissive and exhibits extreme self-control. Instead of standing up for what she believes in with some dramatic act, she exhibits steadfast morals through her everyday decisions and judgments, without forcing others to agree (even when she wishes they would). And instead of learning from a climactic experience that causes her to grow, Fanny has to wait for those around her to grow. She is the rock of the Bertram family by the end of the novel and I love her for it!

I think the reason I love this novel is because Fanny's character is so unshakable (which is why the movies are awful...they make her less so). If a fictional character could be a role model, she would be mine. I wish I could hold up against negativity like she does, and I definitely wish I could have her self-control. Just like with Jane Eyre, I identify with her because of her quiet, introverted attitude, but her composure and morality make me want to be a better person.

I know the language is a little tough (and beautiful at the same time), but this book is definitely worth the effort. If you're wanting to be inspired to be the best version of yourself, read it!

A Little Thanksgiving Decoration

Ok, I know my last post talked about finishing projects that I already started, and therefore implied that I had plenty on my plate without starting anything new, but here I am, about to tell you that I started a new project...my bad! (Does it help to know that I finished it?) How could I resist when it was only going to cost me $3 and take about 15 minutes to make?

So, as many of you know by now, Halloween is my favorite holiday. That means lots of decorations go up in our apartment in October (but never enough!). I also really like Christmas (who doesn't?) so our apartment gets even more decked out in December. November, though, sees little in the way of decorating. Up til now, all I've had for Thanksgiving decorations is a small basket filled with cranberries and cinnamon sticks in the middle of our dining table. Sad...I know. I wanted to change that this year, but I don't really have the resources or the time to go all out.

I saw this project on Pinterest (I'd post the link, but it's no longer working...), which I think is actually for Christmas, but with a little tweaking, I made it work for Thanksgiving.

First, go on a pinecone hunt! You can buy them at the store, but where's the fun in that? I took Levi for a walk around our neighborhood and picked up 5 handsome cones along the way. Be sure to shake them out pretty good when you pick them up. They tend to house bugs and dirt, neither of which you want coming into your house. Also, I recommend you stick to an odd number. Just like when you're decorating inside the home, clustering things in odd numbers just looks better - it creates asymmetrical balance.

Next, gather your supplies...

 

I used different ribbons that I already had in my ribbon stash (yes, I have a stash) that matched my idea of Thanksgiving colors. They should all be at least 2.5ft long to give it a good amount of hang while still leaving ribbon for the bow. The only thing I had to buy was a basic wreath hanger from Hobby Lobby for $3.

 

Next, wrap the end of each ribbon around the base of a pinecone. I folded the ribbon in half for this part to make it stay better (see picture below). Leave about and inch or two of ribbon exposed on one end.

 

 

Tie the loose end of ribbon in a knot to the long leftover ribbon (see below). Once you're happy with the knot and everything, trim the excess ribbon from the short end to hide the knot a little better.

 

Once you have all the pinecones attached to a ribbon, hold them up together and arrange the pinecone heights the way you want. After you have them hanging at the right height, tie them all together with a simple knot. Now slip the knot over the hook end of the wreath hanger. (I took pictures of this too, but they were blurry...bah! That's what I get for trying to take a one-handed picture with an iPhone 4. O well.)

Once the knot is secure on the hook, pick two of the longer ribbons and tie them in a bow on top of/above the knot on the wreath hanger. Let the tails hang long, but trim any that look overly so.

Now, all you have to do is hang it on the door!

 

Seriously, it only takes about 15 minutes. And it's so easy, instead of trying to find a way to store the pinecones without damaging them, you could just dismantle it and discard the pinecones when you're ready to replace it with something else.

 

And yes, in case you're wondering, that is our peephole, positioned way too low on the door. I don't know why it's like that, but its definitely at an awkward level for both the person looking out the peephole and for the person being looked at...

Anyway, happy crafting! If you want more ideas for Thanksgiving decorations and crafts that I've found, follow my Thankgiving Stuff board on Pinterest!

An Early New Year's Resolution

I know it's only November, but I don't want to wait until January to make my New Year's resolution. Staying at home with Levi this semester has made me very aware of my lack of motivation to finish most of the projects that I start. I see evidence of it everywhere in our apartment - the painting in our bedroom that has a blank corner, the lamp that's only halfway covered in twine (that sounds weird if you don't know what I'm talking about...haha!), my thesis (still living at a standstill). I've decided that I'm going to take the time I have left on maternity leave to change this pattern for good! So...this year's (super early) New Year's Resolution is "Finish What You Start." I'm applying it to any and everything: long-term goals like finishing graduate school and writing my thesis, and short-term goals like sewing together the laundry bags for our bedroom. When I finish a project, I'll write about it to let y'all know, so keep me accountable if you don't hear about anything for a while.

And now, a series of pictures to publicly humiliate myself into getting things finished:

This is that lamp project I mentioned earlier...

And the painting...

 

 

And the laundry bags...



And my thank you notes...which I didn't mention, but that definitely need to get done.

Believe it or not, there are actually more unfinished projects hiding in our apartment in boxes and baskets and drawers. Ugh! I'll report back soon (hopefully!).

Saving Money with (semi) Homemade Carpet Cleaner

So, as many people have probably experienced, babies can be messy. Levi has a tendency to overeat (haha!) so when he does that, he just vomits everything back up that he doesn't need, which makes for a dirty carpet. On top of that, our cat spite-pukes when she feels like she's not getting enough attention, which has been a lot lately. Needless to say, we've been going through our Resolve a lot quicker than we normally do. Yesterday, Lu puked twice (of course) and what do you know, but we were out of Resolve (crap!). I hate going through the hassle of getting Levi out to go to the store for one thing, so Justin volunteered to pick some up after work today, but then I started thinking...you know, I bet I could make something out of stuff we already have. We could save some money and Justin wouldn't have to run to the store after working all day. Win win!

After a quick google search and some pinning on Pinterest, I came across a carpet cleaning solution that was super easy to make and that we already had all the ingredients for. YAY! And what do you know, it's courtesy of the great Martha Stewart (thanks Martha!). Click here for the article that has this recipe, and many more, depending on your carpet type and cleaner preference.

All you  need is some free and clear laundry detergent, some water, and a container for your solution. I used All detergent, which I already had for the two sensitive-skin men that I live with. Mix 1/4tsp detergent (that's all!!) with 1 cup of water and you're done! I poured the detergent and water into a mason jar, closed the lid, and shook it to mix everything together. Worked like a charm.

Martha stressed that you do not want to pour the solution directly onto the carpet, so I dipped part of a rag towel into my jar and started scrubbing. Not only did it clean up the stain, but it took less scrubbing than Resolve, I used less solution, I didn't have to wait for it to lift the stain before scrubbing, and it didn't smell like chemicals. I mean, you can't beat that!

I was concerned that after the carpet dried it would be a little crusty from the soap, but it wasn't at all! It's like it never happened! This recipe is definitely a winner folks!

For more homemade carpet cleaning recipes, and other ideas for saving money with homemade items, follow my Pinterest board, Homemade Living.

Searching for a Day Care

Today, Justin took a personal day so that we could go tour potential day cares for Levi. I've been mentally preparing myself for months for the day that we actually drop him off for the first time because I know it's going to suck. I was not, however, prepared for how difficult today turned out to be. We visited First Baptist Waco first, which had been pretty highly recommended to us by a few people. Despite this however, as soon as we walked into the infant rooms, I could feel myself getting upset. The room was dark (probably naptime), lined with cribs, with a small play mat in the middle. There were a couple babies playing on the mat, but there were others just sitting up in their cribs looking around in the dark. From what I could tell there weren't any windows in the room either, so I felt a little bit like I was in baby prison. By the time we were ready to leave, I was itching to get out. As soon as the door closed behind us, I burst into tears: "I don't think I can do this!" I knew it was going to be hard not being with him all day anymore, but I didn't realize it would hit me this early.

Thankfully, after I calmed myself down, we stopped by the Tower to introduce Levi to Justin's coworkers. We told a few people that we just visited our first potential day care and there was overwhelming sympathy and understanding from all the women. They know how traumatic it can be and they reassured me that it gets better. One woman told us something that I think will become my mantra during this experience - "It's better for both you and him." Not to say that being a stay-at-home mom is a bad choice, because I definitely don't think that, but I know it's not the best decision for me personally. It will be better for me because I will be able to work and be myself again, but it will also be good for him to be able to socialize with other babies in a safe and educationally-focused environment. (Thanks Sheila!) So while it will be hard, it will be good for both of us in the end.

After our stop at the Tower, I felt a lot better about everything (or at least as good as I can right now). We went to visit Central Faith on our way home and I felt much better about it! The rooms each had a wall of windows, and while there were still lots of cribs in the room surrounding a play area, the rooms were more open and the staff talked to us about the different developmental activities they do with them throughout the day. I was most impressed by the fact that they work to teach them both Spanish and sign language. So cool!

While we haven't decided on a place yet (we still have some more to visit), I feel a lot better about it knowing that most other women in my situation have gone through similar emotions. I hope that other new moms or moms-to-be can read this and know that, while the process is hard, you are not alone. If you start feeling isolated or alone in your feelings, talk to other moms that have put their kids in day care and I guarantee their sympathy will be immediate. Us working moms have to stick together!

And now, a gratuitous baby picture because he's just so darn cute!

A Halloween Tree

Growing up, my family had a Christmas tradition where we would turn on a Christmas movie and decorate the tree together. We each had our own stash of ornaments, making the whole tradition extra special and personal. The tree itself is consequently one of my favorite parts of the holiday. I guess this tradition made me long for a similar feel during my favorite holiday - Halloween - and this year I decided to make that happen in a small way. Our Halloween tree sits on our dining table.

To make the tree, I found some spooky stems in the floral section of Hobby Lobby, placed them in a tall vase, and wrapped it with some mummy wrap, also from HL.

For the ornaments, I drew designs for 6 different Halloween shapes on tracing paper and then cut them out and used them as patterns on felt. I actually made them a couple years ago with the intention of making a Halloween garland for our fireplace, but that didn't pan out. Consequently however, I don't have pictures of the process...sorry! Each little guy is made solely of felt, with the details embroidered on and stuffed with a little cotton stuffing.

Decorating for the holidays is always fun, but it takes on new meaning and significance when you have a kid. There's something extra special about creating a unique and fun atmosphere that they can faithfully look forward to each year. I hope this tree helps create some of that special holiday tradition and anticipation for my kiddo.

Refocusing

Lately I've been living an unbalanced life. I know I should cut myself some slack since I just had a kid, but now that a month has passed it feels like things should start to come back together. While Levi is clearly my top priority, as he should be, my other priorities seem overwhelmed and out of whack. When he's sleeping, I can decide what I should do, but my decisions during this time are usually poor (aka I binge-watch reality TV on Netflix). Because of this, I spend my time stressing over the fact that I should be finding a feasible way to exercise (because I'm still limited physically as to what I can do), working on my thesis (whoops...), finding time for prayer and spiritual focus, getting as many chores done as possible (so I can spend time with Justin when he gets home), and taking care of myself (grown-ups need naps too!).

Justin and I have talked about this several times, but I still can't find the motivation or direction to distress and just do what I need to do. Thankfully, this evening I had one of those moments where you read something that directly pertains to what you're going through right then. I was reading How Deep A Mother's Love...A Devotional Journey (thanks Shelli!) and the devotional was about finding proper perspective. It talks about feeling lost or overwhelmed with the demands of motherhood and life and how the best way to re-center yourself is through God. I know, some of you are probably like, "Duh Annelise! I could have told you that...," but regardless of the simplicity, I needed to read that today.

All of these things that make me feel stressed and unbalanced are really just worries, but, as the devotional says, if I spend less time worrying and more time focusing on God and the blessings he has given me, I will be able to relax and find the perspective I need to do what I need to do (instead of staying in my living room all day).

Levi's Birth Story (finally!)

DISCLAIMER: As the title suggests, this post is about Levi's birth, and while I don't go into too much detail, it still talks about each part of the labor experience. If you are at all grossed out by this, please stop reading here and take comfort in the fact that you know he was born and is doing well.

Levi's arrival having been a month ago, I am finally awake and sane enough to recount his birth story (yay!). And now that he's gone to sleep, I have (limited) time to write it down.

If there was a moral to Levi's birth story, it would be that you can't believe everything you read about labor and delivery - everyone's experience is different and mine is just another example of how true that is. Around 11:45PM on August 30th, right as Justin and I were going to bed, I had a pretty painful contraction. I had already experienced a few false labors, so Justin and I were hesitant to believe that this was real, but this contraction was more painful and it hurt in a different way than all the Braxton-Hicks contractions I had before.

Here's where things started to differ from everything I had read: Instead of my contractions becoming regular and gradually growing closer together and stronger over the course of several hours, within 30 minutes my contractions were coming every 2-3 minutes. While they were all pretty painful, they were not consistently so, meaning that some were more painful than others. Justin and I were both pretty confused by this, so I called the doctor (finally) at around 2AM and she told me to come to the hospital. At this point I was also starting to doubt my willingness to give birth naturally, because my contractions were getting to be pretty excruciating. The contractions themselves were not what was so painful, it was the back labor I was experiencing in conjunction with them. Because of Levi's position (which also played a role in his delivery), every time I had a contraction, his head would press on my lower spine.

At the hospital, even though I dilated a centimeter during the hour that I was there, they would not admit me. My contractions were irregular and I was only at 3cm. I felt frustrated because it seemed that the nurse did not really believe the amount of pain I was in. When I asked her what I could do about the pain (because she was treating them like Braxton-Hicks contractions), she told me to take 2 Tylenol (really...). By the time we left I was crying because of how much pain I was in.

Back at home, I took my two Tylenol, which of course did nothing, and continued to have contractions every 2-3 minutes. Thankfully, there was about an hour where they seemed to back off for a while, so Justin and I got a little bit of sleep, but for the most part, I was crying, yelling, and grabbing Justin for support every time a contraction hit. We called the doctor again at around 8AM and she told me to come back in if the pain got too bad, but I was convinced that I would just get sent home again because my contractions were still irregular. Finally, at about 10:30AM, I told Justin I couldn't take the pain anymore. I insisted that we go to the hospital immediately.

This time, as soon as I walked into the lobby, the receptionist looked at me and told me to go straight to check-in. After I checked in, which was done very quickly, they got me a wheel chair and wheeled me to triage. This time there was no denying that I was in labor. Even though my contractions were still irregular, I was now up to 5cm. When the nurse asked if I was planning on getting an epidural, I said that I hadn't planned to, but that I would like one. The pain was too unbearable. After the nurse left to get our room ready, I cried to Justin, telling him that I felt I had let him down because he believed in me so much. He insisted that I shouldn't feel that way because he was already so proud of me. He was so supportive the whole way through.

Once I got to my room, they immediately put me on Fentanyl to help ease the pain until I got my epidural, which happened within about 30 minutes or so. After getting the epidural I was finally able to rest and enjoy my time with Justin while we waiting for Levi to arrive. After about an hour without dilating past 6cm, the doctor broke my water to try to speed up delivery. She also wanted to put me on Pitocin at that time, which was the one thing at the top of my list that I did not want (besides a C-Section). As soon as she explained what she wanted to do, Justin asked if we could wait for an hour after she broke my water to see if I could dilate naturally. She agreed without hesitation and when she returned I had dilated to 8cm (yay! no Pitocin!).

After this, I started to dilate more quickly and began to feel the urge to push by 6PM or so. With Justin's support (which was more helpful than he will ever know) and the help of different nurses, I pushed for about 2 hours. After about an hour and a half of pushing (I think...time started to lose meaning at this point), the doctor came in and realized that he was sunny-side up, meaning he was facing the ceiling rather than the floor, which is what was causing my back labor earlier. I didn't realize it, but apparently it's difficult to deliver babies in this position vaginally if it's your first time. She mentioned that we may need to do a C-section if we couldn't get him out, but that she wanted to try turning him with forceps. I was getting scared for Levi at this point and I was upset at the thought that I may have to have a C-section.

After a couple of attempts, the doctor was unable to get Levi to turn, so she decided that she could deliver him vaginally using the forceps because he was low enough. All of the sudden my room was full of nurses and the anesthesiologist returned to give me additional pain medicine because of the type of delivery. At this point I was determined to get him out, and fast. After a little while longer, Levi was delivered with the forceps and we were able to avoid a C-section! I asked that he be placed on my chest right after delivery, which he was, and I was able to hold his little body and see his face as soon as he was out. The first thing Justin said was, "He looks like me!" and when I held him, I agreed. His swollen little face looked just like Justin when he was a baby.

After the fact, Justin and I both felt that Levi's delivery had been a traumatic experience. The length of time spent pushing, the urgency of the doctor and nurses during delivery, and the fact that forceps were needed left both of us scared to go through the process again. Now, a month later, I feel better about the idea, but feel that, no matter how much you try to prepare for it, labor and delivery cannot be understood until you go through it. In the end, Justin and I have a beautiful, healthy, pudgy son, and while it really takes a toll on your body, having a kid is totally worth it!

Finally, I would like to add that I have had several people say negative things about delivering at a hospital, and even specifically at Hillcrest, because its not a birthing center. Even though I felt that Levi's delivery was traumatic, it was not at all because I was in a hospital or because I was at Hillcrest. I would recommend that hospital to anyone, and, because of how Levi ended up being delivered, I'm glad I had him where I did. The process would have probably been more upsetting if I had been somewhere else. All of the nurses and doctors were extremely friendly, helpful, and supportive, and would have remained so, I am convinced, if I had not had any pain medication. So if you're pregnant in Waco and trying to decide on a place for delivery, I highly recommend Hillcrest.

Book Commentary - Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Let me first say that, while it may seem odd to include book commentaries in a blog meant to chronicle my learning experiences as a woman with many hats, for me, it makes sense. I think it is important to include life-long learning in the balance of what it means to be a wife, a mother, and an individual, and for me that means reading...a lot. It has always been one of my hobbies, and in college it became my love and my temporary vocation. While I ultimately decided to pursue a life outside of the liberal arts (kind of), I still value its importance more than anything else in education.

Instead of doing book reviews, which, especially for this book, would be kind of pointless, I thought I'd just reflect on how the book impacted me, and in this way, maybe I can encourage others to read it as well. With that being said, here is my first book commentary...

It may be surprising that this is the first book I'm discussing on this blog. I realize most people read this in high school, but somehow, through all the English classes I took in K-12 and college, I never read it until now. Without really even knowing what it was about, I thought it might be good for me to read this staple of American literature, and thank goodness for that. It may be short and slightly odd, but it's a gem! I also feel like this was a great time for me to read it based on what's going on in my life right now. Here are some of the ideas I took away from Fahrenheit 451:

The Liberal Arts are Important!

"'School is shortened, discipline relaxed, philosophies, histories, languages dropped, English and spelling gradually gradually neglected, finally almost completely ignored. Life is immediate, the job counts, pleasure lies all about after work. Why learn anything save pressing buttons, pulling switches, fitting nuts and bolts?" (p.53)

 

"'Give the people contests they win by remembering the words to more popular songs or the names of state capitals or how much corn Iowa grew last year. Cram them full of noncombustible data, chock them so damned full of 'facts' they feel stuffed, but absolutely 'brilliant' with information. Then they'll feel they're thinking, they'll get a sense of motion without moving."' (p. 58)

I know I mentioned this earlier as a firm belief of mine, but this book solidified that for me. In fact, it made me want to abandon higher education and go work for the National Endowment for the Arts. Haha! For those of you who have read this book, you know that this book highlights the implications of a society that places technology and pleasure above liberal arts. What's scary to me is that I see our current society moving in that direction now. People are forgetting the importance of the more abstract subjects in the pursuit of international competition, and on top of that, are trying to put things like reading into an analytical box through the rigid format of standardized testing.

Know that You're Alive

 

"'I don't talk things, sir,' said Faber. 'I talk the meaning of things. I sit here and know I'm alive.'" (p. 71)

 

"'I hate a Roman named Status Quo!' he said to me. 'Stuff your eyes with wonder,' he said, 'live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories, Ask no guarantees, ask for no security, there never was such an animal. And if there were, it would be related to the great sloth which hangs upside down in a tree all day every day, sleeping its life away. To hell with that,' he said, 'shake the tree and knock the great sloth down on his ass."' (pp. 150-151)

 

I think its easy to drift through life, comfortable and complacent. It sounds pleasant, but is that truly living? For me, truly living means pursuing things that challenge me, rebelling against certain societal expectations, and enjoying even the small things that surround me. I think the second quote is a good one to keep in mind. Don't be a sloth.

 

 



The Mindless Pursuit of Pleasure Can Negatively Impact All Areas of Our Lives

 

"'I've had two children by Caesarean section. No use going through all that agony for a baby. The world must reproduce, you know, the race must go on. Besides, they sometimes look just like you, and that's nice. Two Caesareans turned the trick, yes, sir. Oh, my doctor said, Caesareans aren't necessary; you've got the hips for it, everything's normal, but I insisted."' (p. 92)

 

 

This was also eerily similar to a trend we see happening today. Despite the fact that C-sections are major surgery, more and more women are choosing to have them when they don't need to, rather than "suffer" through any sort of vaginal birth. As a proponent of natural birth, I'm sure you're all aware that I'm not a fan of this mindset...judge me if you want...but I think it's clear here that this is a strong example of the type of selfish and mindless behavior that can result from pursuing pleasure and comfort over all else. Please note: I'm not saying that anyone who has had a C-section is a horrible person. They are a necessary form of birth for many reasons and I don't judge, at all, anyone who has had to have one.

 

Regardless of this however, I'm not highlighting this quote to debate C-sections, but rather found it to be a great example of where the pursuit of mindless, selfish pleasure can have a negative impact on your life and/or the lives of others. You see this throughout the book in the way people treat others and in the disappearance of things like love.

 

 

After reading Fahrenheit 451, I feel a renewed sense of watchfulness regarding my attitude and behavior. If you haven't already done so, read this book and experience a reawakening of what it means to truly live. 

Saving More Money wtih Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

Like I mentioned at the end of my last post, Justin and I have been looking into other ways to save money by making our own stuff, or by simply doing things the old-fashioned way (hello cloth diapers!). A few days ago we ran out of our Clorox Green Works Cleaning Wipes, and let me tell you, we use those things for everything! Instead of going to the store and getting another container for $3, which will generally last us 2-4 weeks, I decided to make some homemade all-purpose cleaner.

It's really easy to make...it's just equal parts water and white vinegar. And since you can buy giant bottles of discount vinegar I spent less than $1 on 4 cups worth of cleaner and have plenty left over for when I run out. Now, instead of using Clorox Wipes, I just grab an old wash rag, spray some vinegar solution on it, and go to town. It works really well to break down grease and it's also a disinfectant. The only downside is that it smells like vinegar when you're done (not cool), but it goes away after awhile. If it weren't so dad-gum hot outside I'd open a window, but I don't want to waste my precious AC!

So far I've had a good experience with it. I've been able to get some tough grease off of our stove that I'm sure has been there since before we moved in and it made cleaning around the bathroom faucets super easy. It also makes me want to clean more! There's a sense of gratification that comes with successfully cleaning the kitchen counters with something I made myself. If only this translated to some of our other chores...

Speaking of which, here's an update on our recently-implemented chore chart: Just as I predicted, Justin was a little hesitant to use it at first, but he's come around (yay!). We haven't worked out a perfect system yet, but the longer we use it, the more on top of things we become. I'm sure Levi's arrival will throw us off for a while, but I'm glad we already have a (somewhat) working system in place to fall back on when we're ready to start operating with routines again.

Saving Money with Homemade Liquid Handsoap

Part of becoming a new mom, at least in my situation, is learning how to be even more frugal than we have been throughout our marriage. I would say that Justin and I have been operating at a nearly professional level of money saving for our entire marriage, sometimes out of necessity, and sometimes because, quite frankly, why wouldn't you? We don't have cable, we rarely go out to eat, we keep our thermostat at warmer or cooler than average temperatures depending on the time of year, and I plan our weekly menu with coupons and cheaper food items in mind.

With all of this already in practice, it would seem that we were on the right track to be able to afford this baby, but if there's one thing you learn during pregnancy, it's that babies are EXPENSIVE! We've already been able to cut some of the heavier costs by using cloth diapers and wipes instead of disposables items, as well as by planning to breastfeed (assuming all goes well in that department), but I've been feeling like there's more that we can do. Also, I think going all cloth in the diaper department has put me on an all-natural kick.

That being said, we were running low on liquid hand soap in the bathroom late last week, so I suggested to Justin that we make our own instead of continuing to buy refills or new pumps. Being the awesome and like-minded guy that he is, he got just as excited as I was and told me to go for it. I'm so glad we did! After doing some research, I got my recipe from this blog. I won't repeat the recipe here, so feel free to go there if you are interested.

For our soap, I used Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap in Almond. It's a fair trade, organic product made with essential and vegetable-based oils, so you know its good for you, the environment, and social justice (win win win!). I spent about $8.50 total on the soap at the Vitamin Shoppe here in town (they're cheaper at the store than on the website above), and then about $.84 on a gallon of distilled water from Walmart. So, for about $9 I made A BUNCH of soap. After I finished with everything I filled 2 liquid hand soap dispensers and two half-gallon glass jugs (I'm guessing...they may be bigger) that I already had around the house. I'm guessing I won't have to make more soap for probably a year, but we'll see.

As far as the soap itself, it seemed pretty snotty and kind of gross when I was stirring it and later when I poured it into the containers, but when you get it out of the dispenser it doesn't feel any different from store-bought soap. It also works really well and rinses easily, leaving your hands feeling clean without feeling dried out. Justin especially loves it and refuses to help me finish off the rest of the store-bought soap we have in the kitchen and bathroom. Haha!

Overall, it feels good to be able to save money in this way and, while hand soap is not a major expense, anything helps, especially when there's a kiddo in the mix. This has also convinced Justin and me to try other homemade items to help save money in other ways. So far, on the non-baby front, this is all we've pursued, but we will also be making our own all-purpose cleaner soon (maybe tomorrow?) to replace our Clorox Wipes, and are researching homemade laundry detergent, though we're a little hesitant to do that (what if we do it wrong and ruin our clothes?). Finally, we'd also eventually like to go from paper towels to cloth napkins (and I can embroider them to make them more fun!).

Upping Productivity and Organization at Home

In an attempt to get more organized before Levi gets here and throws us into hectic chaos, I decided to create a Chore Chart to keep us on track. Call it nesting if you will…haha! I don’t know how on board Justin is with the idea, but he did say that it would be good for us to have a set routine and to get used to it so that we can set a good example for our kids. I know he hates prescribed to do lists though, so we’ll see. I assigned different chores to different days and spread things out throughout the week so it wouldn’t get overwhelming. I know, I know. This sounds so simple and obvious, but we, unfortunately have not been using this strategy up to this point. We’ve been going based on need and not efficiency. No more! I’m also convinced that if we keep up with it, everything will take less time to do because it is done regularly.

I originally made the chart in fun bright orange and fuchsia, but Justin shot that down (no pink!)…so now it’s classic Baylor colors – green and gold (well, pale yellow). Wife created, Husband approved. I’ll let y’all know how it works out, but so far I’m loving it! I’m a to-do-list kind of person, but I can get stressed out if I can’t cross off everything on my list. This chart doesn’t let me cross things off, but I can see what needs to get done all the same. It feels more flexible. I posted it on our fridge inside a sheet protector so it’s easily accessible and out of the way. 

The Nursery is Finished (well...pretty much...) Part 2

I'm sure my last post left people wanting more. I mean, I didn't even post anything about what's actually inside Levi's nursery. Sorry! Here's what his actual room looks like:

Just in case anyone wasn't sure whose room they were entering, I put this sweet pennant on the door from the baby shower put on by my cohort. Friends, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Emily made this. Thanks girl! Bonus, the colors match his room perfectly!

 

 

Here's what the room looks like when you peek in. You can see the rocking chair that I got from my parents (the same one that my mom used when I was little), Levi's toy boxes under each window, and the bookcases. As I mentioned in my previous post, our apartment is rather small so even though Levi's room is now a nursery, we still needed to use the space for our books like we had when it was our office/study before. The blanket on the back of the rocking chair was made for Levi by my mom. She used the monster shapes from a set of sheets as a template for the quilt. It's absolutely precious!

 



 

Here's a close-up of the wall art above the bookcase. I painted a verse that Justin and I picked out onto an orange canvas.

 

Here's the wall next to the door when it's open. This is where the rest of our books are. I tied it into the rest of the room by hanging some Julius Alphabet flashcards above the bookcases. Please excuse the lighting, I'm not the best photographer with an iphone...haha!

 

 





Here's the far wall with the crib. I made three monster pictures for him as well as a pennant with his name on it. Close-ups are below.

 

 

 

 

Here's a close-up of one of the letters of Levi's pennant. I cut the letters out of felt and then stitched them onto pre-made pennant triangles that I found at Hobby Lobby.

 



 

Finally, here is the diaper station. I found this great antique buffet at Ms. L's Chic Tiques here in Waco (I also got my coffee table from them!). They had already painted it and replaced the drawer pulls...I couldn't resist the sunflower yellow! Click here to visit their Facebook page and see all the cute stuff they make!

 

 

 

Yay for a finished nursery (almost)! Hopefully I'll be able to find a replacement cushion soon (or learn how to recover this one...).

The Nursery is Finished (well...pretty much...) Part 1

I got my last needed item in the mail today (hello, white lamp stand!) and can finally say that Levi's nursery is ready to go! Granted, I'm still looking for a new cushion for the rocking chair since the sage doesn't really match anymore (and I've only been able to find other fall shades in stores lately...lame), but other than that it's ready!! Here's what we've got goin' on...

Because we live in an apartment with limited storage space (understatement!), I've expanded Levi's room to include the little entryway just outside of his door. Thanks to one of those cube storage units from Target, this space now makes up for the lack of storage in the bathroom, kitchen, and Levi's room. Yay! I topped the storage unit with a name board that my sister made (super cool!), a set of sock monkey nesting dolls (just combine my two favorite things why don't you?) and some vintage baby books that I got at one of my showers (thanks Cindy!).

 

 

Here's a close-up of the name board that my sister made. It's pretty neat! You can see other cool stuff she does here.

 

 



 

I'll post more pics soon of the rest of the room.

More Natural Birth Motivation

I'm sure lots of women firmly believe that they are married to the greatest guy on the planet, but I just can't imagine anyone else having a better husband than Justin. Not only does he get me as a person, which can be hard when you're a reserved introvert like myself, but he constantly helps me better understand myself and cheers me on in my endeavors. (What a great quality to have in husband, right?)

Today Justin was able to go with me to my 36 (and-a-half) week appointment with my OB-GYN. This was the big one...the one where we found out for sure if Levi was head-down (he is...yay!), and where we found out if I was dilated and/or effaced at all yet. This was also the appointment where we discussed my birth plan with my doctor, so I was a little nervous. This may come as a surprise to some people, but I actually hate conflict and will avoid it at all costs when talking to someone I don't know well (like my doctor). I could tell this was going to be a problem because, as supportive and awesome as my doctor is, she is definitely a fan of pain-relieving drugs during labor. I knew I would have to come into my appointment with confidence, and having Justin there to support me was such a great help.

While I would rate my performance of confidence as mediocre, Justin was a great support. After the appointment Justin sat down with me and asked me how I felt after the appointment and expressed his conviction that he firmly believes in my ability to accomplish a natural birth. In my last post I talked about a quote that I found to motivate me during this process - today, Justin provided an unforgettable (and funny) image for me. He said, "Approach your labor the way that Ron Swanson approaches a steak." Haha! My fellow Parks and Rec fans know what this means, but in case you aren't a fan of hilarious mockumentaries, here's a clip of Ron Swanson, the epitome of all that is man, ordering a steak: Ron Swanson Ordering Steak

I absolutely love my husband and I know it would be tough to be committed to natural birth without his support. Let's be real, lots of people don't support/understand/appreciate the decision or desire to have a natural birth. As frustrating as that may be, it's ok, because the one person that matters, the one person that will be in the room cheering me on, believes I can do it.

Natural Birth Motivation

As some of you may know, I plan on having Levi naturally, meaning that I do not plan to use any pain-relieving or labor-enhancing medications during his birth. I know this means that I need to prepare for a whole lot of pain, but I also believe that, for me, it is the best way to give birth. I know it's best for a healthy baby because of the lack of drugs, and I really want to be able to fully experience the entire birthing process.

That being said, planning on a natural birth in a hospital takes some serious preparation, not just to prepare myself physically, but also to get ready to deal with a hospital staff that may disagree with your choice. Based on a recommendation from a friend, I read the book Natural Hospital Birth by Cynthia Gabriel. Click here to visit the website that goes with the book. During parts of the book, I was a little turned off by the semi-combative approach to hospitals and whatnot, but the final chapter made up for all of that. It tells the story of a couple who had two children naturally and their different experiences at two different hospitals. It taught me the importance of remaining confident in my choices without being rude or confrontational. Now I know that I need to stop telling people that I will "try" to give birth naturally, but that I need to openly own the fact that I fully believe in my ability to do it.

With that being said, I came across an old quote that has become my mantra for this whole experience: "I am not afraid...I was born to do this." - Joan of Ark. I know I can do this. If I have to have an unwanted medical intervention because of an emergency situation with Levi, that's fine, but I full believe in my physical ability to have him naturally and I am really looking forward to the experience.

Wooden Anniversary!

Tomorrow is Justin and my 5th wedding anniversary, but with Baby Shower weekend coming up, we decided to celebrate last night. The traditional gift for a 5-year anniversary is wood, so I got Justin a cedar tie and belt rack that also has a shelf on top for watches, a wallet, and any other accessories. I thought it would be cool for him to be able to store his ties in a way that would allow him to see all of his options at once.

Knowing how much I love interior decorating, Justin got me a set of wooden coasters made from a tree branch that have a painted circle design on each. They're super cute and they look great on our coffee table!

These can be found at Etsy at Earth Art by Wendy's store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/earthartbywendy?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Because we're trying to save money for the arrival of our first little one, Justin and I decided to go on a little dinner date for our anniversary. Justin originally planned to take me to Luigi's in McGregor, but when we got there it was closed for the entire month of July! Crazy! So, having put me in the mood for Italian food, we decided to try a restaurant in Waco that's known for their Chicago-style pizza: Rosati's!! It was really good! They have 4 different styles of pizza so we want to go back again some time to try a different type, but I thought the pizza was delicious! Y'all should check it out!

Overall, Justin and I had a great 5-year anniversary date night!

Miracle Ball!



I went to my first Childbirth Class last night at Hillcrest Hospital. The class was excellent and our instructor was very friendly and open to all sorts of birth plans. My greatest take-away from my first class? Every pregnant woman should get an exercise ball! I've had some serious lower back pain in the latter half of my pregnancy and sitting on an exercise ball practically eliminates it! After class, Justin and I went straight to Target and got a C9 exercise ball for about $15 and it's great.

Not only is it comfortable to sit on when you're pregnant, but I can do exercises on it to prepare for labor, and can take it into the hospital with me if I want when I go into labor. One of Justin's coworkers who is due on the same day as me does not care for exercise balls because she feels it causes her to slouch, squeezing all of her insides together, so it's not for everyone. That being said, I absolutely love it and encourage any pregnant woman struggling with lower back pain to try one out.

Living in Transition

My life is sort of crazy right now. I'm 33 weeks pregnant, earning my master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Baylor University, and working part-time in the Office of Multicultural Affairs. On top of that, I have a loving husband and I spend a lot of time cooking, crafting, and reading. With a baby on the way, I feel like every aspect of my life is a learning process, and what could be more fun than to tell others about what I've learned? I decided to start this blog so I can share crafts, yummy recipes, organizational strategies, book reviews, and other tips and tricks that I learn about being the best mother, wife, student, and employee that I can.