Away to the Aquarium...

....with Grandma and Grandpa adams via 17 Mile Drive with a view of Pebble Beach Golf Course and the lovely coastline of Monterey

Declan loved watching the fish swim around the dome in the Open Sea exhibit.

2011>A Year in Review

Declan is Growing so Fast!

We have been so blessed with a wonderful and healthy young boy.  It is amazing how fast he is growing and all the new things he does each day and each week.  This morning while momma was sleeping I had our little mister watching the tail end of sports center (one of his favorite shows) and then we went and laid down in the other room by the heater.  As soon as I set him down he locked on to the Bird Mobile that many of you contributed to, so I figured you would like to see him enjoy it!   Merry Christmas everyone and I hope you have a Blessed Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior!

Our First Black Friday

Dom and I have always enjoyed the spectacle that is Black Friday for several reasons: 

1. I love Christmas and jump at the first opportunity (after Thanksgiving is over) to begin celebrating
2. We like a good deal
3. But most of all we LOVE the social experiment that has come to nearly be a holiday in its own right in our consumeristic society. It is such a strange beast. 

So even though we could just buy the deals off the internet, we opt to bundle up and head out for some fun. Last year we even hit our local outlets for some observation and let me tell you, there are a lot of people out there willing to wait outside in the almost freezing cold for a pair of fancy velour sweatpants.

This year the day has become a family tradition and Declan didn't seem to mind at all. 

But when we got home we did sleep until noon and so did he!

Still Adjusting to Our New Life

Today has been two weeks and we are still adjusting to our new life together. 

Declan is a dream, super nice to his new parents. He only wake a couple times a night to eat. And he only fusses when he is hungry. He is breaking us in easy and we appreciate it so much. 

We know at any time things could change, but for now the transition has been pretty easy so we will enjoy this time while we have it. 

We are a little tired adjusting to this new sleep schedule and our days revolve around diapers, feeding, and just watching him in general. 

It is a wonderful new chapter of our lives and we will figure out how to make it all work!

Video Madness: First 2 Weeks with Declan Michael

People Smile and Tell Me I'm the Lucky One

and we've just begun, Think I'm gonna have a son.

He will be like she and me, as free as a dove, conceived in love, Sun is gonna shine above. 

 

And even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with ya honey, And everything will bring a chain of love. 

And in the morning when I rise, you bring a tear of joy to my eyes, And tell me everything is gonna be alright.  

 

Seems as though a month ago I beta chi, never got high, Oh, I was a sorry guy. 

 

And now a smile, a face, a girl that shares my name, Now I'm through with the game, this boy will never be the same. 

Pisces, Virgo rising is a very good sign, strong and kind, And the little boy is mine. 

 

Now I see a family where there once was none, now we've just begun, Yeah, we're gonna fly to the sun. 

Love the girl who holds the world in a paper cup, drink it up, 

Love her and she'll bring you luck. And if you find she helps your mind, buddy, take her home,  

Don't you live alone, try to earn what lovers own. 

-Kenny Loggins, Danny's Song

Natural (and cheap) Laundry Soap Recipe, Fabric Softeners, and Bleach Alternatives

Today I am opening my bag of laundry secrets for you to see.

I am kinda obsessed with laundry. Only until about 10 seconds after it comes out of the dryer. I hate folding. So much so that I have to find tricks to make it easier.

Like this trick for folding t-shirts.

And this trick for folding fitted sheets.

I have even been known to safety pin my socks together before washing from time to time. So that I don't have to match them later. True Story. 

But I do love laundry. So much so that I read this book. All 500 plus pages. Yes I am a weirdo.

But I do know all about different kinds of stains and the proper way to remove them.

I hate chemicals because they do terrible things to us, like give us cancer.

Most laundry detergent contains a form of NTA. NTA is a substance we may reasonably anticipate to be a carcinogen.
[Source: The Merck Index]

So a couple years ago I changed all my cleaning products to non-chemical homemade stuff. And I will never go back.

It smells better.

And I can trust it.

Not to mention it is cheaper by leaps and bounds.

So you are wondering about my laundry soap recipe huh?

Okay here it is, plain and simple:
Grate one bar of laundry soap, I use Fels Naptha
Add 1 CP Borax + 1 CP Washing Soda and 1/4 CP Baking Soda
Mix and add 1-2 TBSP to your load, depending on size and soil level. 

If you trust your food processor you can toss in all the dry ingredients and chop the bar into a few pieces and toss it in. I did this with a coffee grinder and eventually wore it out so I grate by hand these days.

You will notice this recipe does not suds like your old soap. Thats ok, I in fact feel that it is better. 1. Because it leaves no residue to clothes that can be damaging over time and 2. Because the only thing soap is used for in laundry is to break the tension of the water so that the water can more freely move through the fabric and clean it. And clean it will get. I have been using the recipe for well over a year and our clothes come out clean everytime.

An important thing to remember is that you won't get any of those artificial scents with this, so if you really miss that you may want to toss some essential oils in the with the water. But remember clean shouldn't smell like anything. Clean is clean. Scents are just added to life to cover unsavory fragrances.
Also if you prefer a liquid detergent go to my friend Laura's Blog. I prefer storing the dry mixture and had a hard time with the liquid one, but I think that is because I am not a precise person. So if you prefer liquid, give it a try!

A Note on Fabric Softeners:


Fabric Softeners contain 9 chemicals that have been linked to ADD, Alzheimers, MS, Parkinsons, Seizures, and SIDS. If that isn't bad enough to make you think twice, overuse of fabric softener will put a sticky film on your clothes that will block water from flowing through which will not allow it to be cleaned properly. There are some great alternatives out there.

Dryer Balls (or tennis balls): throw a couple in with your towels or blankets and they bounce around fluffing your fabrics right up. I love mine so much I put them in every load.

1 CP of Vinegar used in the same way as any liquid fabric softener will work awesome to soften clothes right up (and make double sure they are squeaky clean)

1/2 CP of Baking Soda if want to let it dissolve into the water before your load also works great to bring on that plush fabric you love. 

What About Bleach?

Bleach is a respiratory irritant, and doubles the risk of birth defects. Not to mention that it is well known to be corrosive and damaging to clothes and pretty much everything else. Looking for something to whiten clothes? You have three fabulous alternatives (and they won't damage your colors):

Lemon Juice: add a 1/2 CP directly to wash or spray directly on the spot and leave in the sun for a while.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Can be sprayed directly on to clothing (or any other stain out there) or dump a 1/2 CP in with your wash.

Oxygen Bleach (sodium percarbonate and sodium carboante): Non-polluting, biodegradable, and non-toxic this one is also a great, add 2 TBSP to any wash load. 

Little Man Onesie Fun!

Some fun little onesies made for our little man:

 

They are SUPER easy to make, you should try it too! (no sewing necessary)

You will need fabric/felt scraps of your choice

Double-sided fusible interfacing (Wonder-Under)

and an Iron

Once you settle on a design, cut your fabric/felt to relatively the right size square (don't cut the shape first it makes it harder to iron on the Wonder Under). 

  

And iron wrong side down it to the dotted side of the Wonder-Under. Once the fabric cools, cut your shapes out of it and peel off the wax paper backing. 

Then iron it right onto the onesie. And that is is! If you want to you can sew around the edges for some extra strength, or design, but it is not necessary. 

 

Kai's Knit Baby Blanket Pattern: Pavilion Stitch

Recently I made a knit baby blanket for Kai, our friends' Kevin @ Rhetorician by Trade and Rachel's @ 52 Projects first baby boy.

 

and thought I would share the pattern I created with you in case you want to make one too!  I used pavilion stitch because it looks super cool and it is a fun pattern for beginners because you only use regular knit and purl stitches.



Here is the PATTERN:

Supplies:
Size US 10 24" or greater circular needle (or two long needles if you prefer, I like circular because you never lose one!)
Four Medium size Skeins of Yarn of your choice (if you use smalls skeins you will need more, if you go with a super saver size you might only need two)
Optional: A yard of minky fabric to line the back to make it extra cozy

Get Started:
Cast on 80
Rows 1-8: Knit
Row 9: K4, [k2, p1, k5, p7, k3: rep across] end K4
Row 10 and all even rows: K4,[Knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts as they face you] end K4
Row 11: K4, [(k1, p1) twice, k5, p5, k4: rep across] end K4
Row 13: K4, [p1, k3, p1, k5, p3, k5: rep across] end K4
Row 15: K4, [k5, p1, k5, p7: rep across] end K4
Row 17: K4, [(p1, k5) twice, p5, k1: rep across] end K4
Row 19: K4, [k1, (p1, k5) twice, p3, k2: rep across] end K4
Row 21: K4, k2,*p1, k5; rep from *,end p1, k7
Row 23: K4, [k3, p1, k5, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1, k2: rep across] end K4
Row 25: K4, [k4, p1, k5, p1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k1: rep across], end K4
Row 27: K4, [k5, p7, k5, p1: rep across] end K4
Row 29: K4, [p1, k5, p5, k5, p1, k1: rep across] end K4
Row 31: K4, [k1, p1, k5, p3, k5, p1, k2: rep across] end K4
Row 33: K4, [k2, p7, k5, p1, k3: rep across] end K4
Row 35: K4, [k1, p1, k1, p5, k5, p1, k4: rep across] end K4
Row 37: K4, [p1, k3, p3, k5, p1, k5: rep across], end K4
Row 39: K4,[k5, p1: rep across] end K4
Row 41: K4,[k4, p1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k5, p1, k1: rep across] end K4
Row 43: K4,[(k3, p1) twice, k1, p1, k5, p1, k2: rep across], end K4
Row 44: K4, [Knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts as they face you],end K4
Repeat Rows 9-44 2 more times (3 total)
Knit Last 8 Rows
Cast Off
Weave your yarn tails through your knitting to hide them. 


*Optional* I sew minky (or flannel) onto the back of my knitted blankets because generally only one side looks good. This particular pattern doesn't look bad if you leave it, but for a winter baby the extra softness and warmth will be appreciated. Simply cut your fabric to the size of the blanket and fold under edges (I use the border as a guide). Then blanket stitch the edges of the fabric to your knit blanket. To keep the fabric and the knit blanket together I add some hand ties (like quilting). I think these extra steps are worth the time and energy!



I hope you enjoy the pattern!

Week 40

(inspired by Pacing the Panic Room's Maternity Series)

Toss Pillow Make-Over

After visiting the apartments of some friends I felt inspired for a new upgrade for our apartment.

 A long time ago we added bright yellow to our original black, white and turquoise color scheme. But our family room lagged behind and looked kind of thrown together. 

 Easy upgrade? PILLOWS! (Plus I scored 4 new ones for 2 bucks that needed recovering) 

I just used some scraps that I had in my stash and I think they are a fun update. 

 Poor Dom, I just keep bringing more pillows into our life!

And I did a little upgrade in our bedroom as well. Our color scheme in there is pretty much neutrals and a pale ocean blue. 

Project Mania: Boppy Cover, Lap Blanket, and Pillow

Here are the last few projects for the nursery:

Pillow for our glider. I got the form for fifty cents, the fabric was left over from the bulletin boards and the buttons I fished out of a jar full I bought at the swap meet. 

 

We have a LOT of blankets, our baby will seriously NEVER be cold! But when I saw the cutest baby sitting in front of us in church the other day with a tiny lap blanket, I couldn't resist. So I used scraps from the puff quilt, my grandma-made quilt and a little flannel I had around. 

And the last project was a cover for my boppy pillow, I used the free pattern here (it was a little big for my taste, if you want it tighter be sure to cut it smaller. 

It has white flannel on one side, plain grey cotton on the other and some fun turquoise piping. 

Nursery and Home Tour

Today is the little guy's due date, but it doesn't look like he is going anywhere.

In honor of him and his future home (when he decides to give up his current one), here is a home tour for everyone that won't be able to come visit and see our nursery.
WELCOME TO OUR HOME

If you can come visit, please know that we would LOVE to have you. 

Let's plan it!

DIY Natural Cleaning Recipes

Create Your Own 
HEALTHY and Effective
Cleaning Products

**************

I have banned the use of harsh chemicals in our home, PLEASE see previous posting. Here are some great recipes that I use in our home and that I find at least as effective as the store bought chemical ones I used to use!
Bonus: They are WAY cheaper than anything you can buy


Start by stocking your cleaning cabinet.
You will need:

                                                                             Borax           Castile Soap

                                                                 Lemon Juice           Corn Starch

                                                                 Baking Soda           Vinegar

                                                                  Empty Spray (squirt) Bottles

Optional: Essential Oils of Choice for Fragrance and Individual disinfectant properties
 (worth the extra cost and a small bottle lasts forever)
I purchase mine at Mountain Rose Herbs and always keep Orange, Eucalyptus, and Tea Tree on Hand. 

All Purpose Cleaner- 4 TBSP Baking Soda + 2 ½ Warm H20

All Purpose Cleaner- 3 TBSP Vinegar + 1 TSP Baking Soda + ½ TSP Castile Soap 
                                                      + 2 CP Hot H20

All Purpose Cleaner- 1 TBSP Castile Soap+ 1 TSP Borax+ 2 TBSP Vinegar + 2 
                                                     CP Hot H20

Glass Cleaner- 2 CP Hot H20+ ¼ CP Vinegar+ 1 TBSP Lemon Juice

Glass Cleaner- ½ CP Vinegar or Lemon Juice, 2 CP H20, ¼ TSP Castile Soap

Glass Cleaner- ¼ CP Vinegar, 1 TBSP Corn Starch, 2 CP Warm H20

Disinfectant Spray- ¼ CP Borax 2 ½ CP Hot H20, steep w/ fresh herb of choice 10   

                                                 minutes

Disinfectant Spray- 2 TBSP Borax+ ½ CP Lemon Juice+ 2 CP Hot H20

Tile Scrub- 1½ CP Baking Soda, ½ CP Castile Soap, ½ CP Water, 2 TBSP Vinegar
                             (mix with fork and keep in squirt bottle)


Furniture Polish- 1 Part Vinegar to 3 Parts Olive Oil

Kitchen Fragrant Rinse- 4 Drops Essential Oil + Hot H20


Rust Remover- Sprinkle Salt on spot and dredge with Lemon Juice, leave for a few 
                                      hours and use the rind as a scrubber

**************

5-10 drops of essential oil may be added to any of 
these formulas for a more fragrant mixture


Stay tuned for Laundry Recipes

Week 39

(inspired by Pacing the Panic Room's Maternity Series)

Easy Knit French Press Cozy Pattern

Dom asked me to make a cozy for our french press, to keep our brew warm. 

I used some scrap wool yarn I had lying around in dark grey and neon green. And some awesome vintage buttons from Dom's mom. 

So I knitted it a little sweater inspired by the pattern here. Using this pattern I ended up with a cozy that was way too big so I had to recreate my own:

Supplies

a size 5 circular knitting needle (or two sticks if you prefer)

Yarn scraps or a small skein (I used a lightweight wool)

3+ Buttons of Choice

Pattern:

Cast on 50 stitches

Knit in K2, P2 for 4 rows

Switch colors and knit in stockinette for 4 rows

Switch colors and knit in stockinette for 4 rows. 

repeat until you get to desired length. (I knitted 36 rows of stockinette in all, 9 panels of color)

Finish knitting in K2, P2 for 4 rows and cast of loosely.

I sewed loops of yarn on one side and buttons on the other. 4 was a perfect number of buttons for me, but more could be cute too! I think 3 is the least you could have.

If you choose to do this in all one color, you just skip the color switching.

Banned

Long ago I banned the use of harsh chemicals in our home.

It is not because I am a Hippy Californian Treehugger. It is because it has become unreasonable for me to continue to use them in our home. Why? I did some major research to present information for a high school seminar class I taught a few years ago and thought I would share it with you. Maybe you will consider joining me in banning chemicals from your home.

In 1901, the cancer was rate was 1 out of 8,000. Since the Industrial Revolution, the cancer rate today has risen to 1 in 2.

Since 1950, at least 70,000 new chemical compounds have been invented and dispersed into our environment. Only a fraction of these have been tested for human toxicity. We are, by default, conducting a massive clinical toxicology trial, and our children and their children are the experimental animals. [Source: Herbert L. Needleman, M.D., Philip J. Landrigan, M.D., Raising Children Toxic Free]

HOUSEHOLD, FAMILY, and PERSONAL CARE Products

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies have shown that indoor air pollutants are 3 to 70 times higher than outdoors.

As more toxic chemicals have been introduced to our everyday environment in greater amounts over the last 20 to 30 years, the level of toxins stored in adipose tissues (fat cells) of our bodies have risen. Bioaccumulation studies have shown that some toxins store in our bodies for life. Greater and greater amounts are being stored at younger ages. One study showed that in the fat of 100% of the people tested was 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, a chemical found in most household deodorizers and room fresheners. [Source: The American Cancer Society]

The United States of America Federal Code of Regulations exempts manufacturers from full labeling of products if used for personal, family or household care. [Source USA FCR: Section 1910.1200C, Title 29, Section 1500.82 2Q1A]

Of  2,983 chemicals found in personal care products:
* 884 are toxic

* 146 cause tumors
* 218 cause reproductive complications
* 778 cause acute toxicity
* 314 cause biological mutations
* 376 cause skin and eye irritations

[Source: United States House of Representatives Report, 1989]

150 chemicals found in the home have been connected to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological disorders. [Source: The Consumer Protection Agency) 

 Out of 2,435 pesticide poisonings in a one-year period, over 40% were due to exposure to disinfectants and similar cleaning products in the home. [Source: State of California Study]

The following products are just a few that are so toxic that they should be disposed of in a toxic waste dump:

floor care products

furniture polish

window cleaners

bug spray

nail polish remover

[Source: Water Pollution Control Federation]

Some products release contaminants into the air right away, others do so gradually over a period of time. Some stay in the air up to a year. These contaminants, found in many household and personal care products can cause dizziness, nausea, allergic reactions, eye/skin/respiratory tract irritations and some cause cancer.[American Lung Association]

Fabric Softeners- Have 9 Chemicals (neurotoxins that affect the Central Nervous System) have been linked to ADD, ALZHEIMERS, MS, PARKINSONS, SEIZURES, and SIDS.

Women who work in the home have a 68% higher death rate from cancer than women who work outside of the home (Source: 17 year EPA Study). · 

In one decade, there has been a 42% increase in asthma (29% for men, 82% for women). The higher rate for women is believed to be due to women’s longer exposure times to household chemicals. [Source: Center for Disease Control]

The Top 12 CANCER causing Household Products: The Dirty Dozen

1- Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder w/Talc
2- Crest Tartar Control Toothpaste
3- VO5 Hair Conditioner
4- Clairol Nice-n-Easy Hair Color
5- Cover Girl Make-Up
6- Ajax Cleanser
7- Lysol Disinfectant (Spray)
8- Liquid Dish Soap (The leading cause of poisonings in the home for children under the age of 6).
9- Floor Care Products
10- Furniture Polish

11- Window Cleaner
12- Nail Polish Remover  (Source: The National Cancer Prevention Coalition)

Most laundry detergent contains a form of NTA. NTA is a substance we may reasonably anticipate to be a carcinogen. [Source: The Merck Index]

Household bleaches which claim to disinfect are classified as pesticides under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Inadvertently mixing bleach with other cleaners that
contain ammonia produces a toxic chloramines gas. These toxic gases can cause coughing, loss of voice, a feeling of burning or suffocation, and even death.[Source: Guide to Hazardous Products Around the Home, Household Hazardous Waste Project, 1989]

Warning labels on containers refer only to toxic hazards from ingestion; however, only 10% of health problems from chemicals are caused by ingestion. 90% are caused by the inhalation of vapors and absorption of particles.

Government regulations require that only the most EXTREMELY toxic substances must contain a warning label. Labels that say the following should be removed from your house immediately immediately:

“Do not induce vomiting”

Corrosive - rinse from skin immediately”

“Harmful or fatal if swallowed”

“Call physician immediately”

“Warning!” (may mean that as little as 1 teaspoon of product can harm or kill an adult)

“Danger!” (means that as little as 5 drops can harm or kill an adult)

CHEMICALS, DISEASES, and CHILDREN
Today, children have chemical exposures from birth that their parents didn’t have until they were adults. Because children are exposed to toxics at an earlier age than adults, they have more time to develop environmentally triggered diseases, with long latency periods, such as cancer. [Source: Environmental Policy and Children’s Health, Future of Children, Summer/Fall 1995; 5(2): 34-52]

Developing cells in children’s bodies are more susceptible to damage than adult cells that have completed development, especially for the central nervous system. During the development of a child, from conception through adolescence, there are particular windows of vulnerability to environmental hazards. Most disturbing: until a child is approximately 13 months of age, they have virtually no ability to fight the biological and neurological effects of toxic chemicals.[Source: Herbert L. Needleman, M.D., Philip J. Landrigan, M.D., Raising Children Toxic Free]


Diseases that used to occur later in life are now appearing at younger ages. Diseases that used to be rare are more frequent. Cancer is now the #2 killer of children, second only to accidental poisonings. Since 1977 the rate of cancer among American children has been steadily rising at a rate of nearly 1% each year. [Source: National Cancer Institute]

Even small doses of neurotoxins, which would be harmless to an adult, can alter a child’s nervous system development.[Source: Environmental Health Perspectives 106 Supplement 3:787-794 (June 1998)]


Asthma was once a very rare disease. Now the condition is extremely common. The asthma rate has tripled in the last 20 years with nearly 30 million Americans currently afflicted. [Source: Consumer Federation of America, 1997]

Specifically childhood asthma has increased by more than 40% since 1980. [Source: Environmental Health Perspectives, June 1997; 105 (6)]

Asthma death in children and young people increased by a dramatic 118% between 1980 and 1993.
[Source: Environmental Health Threats to Children, Environmental Protection Agency 175-F-96-001, September 1996]

The average child visits the doctor 23 times in the 1st 4 years of life, with the most common complaint being respiratory ailment. [Source: National Center for Health Statistics, 1997]

There is an increased risk for leukemia in children where parents have used pesticides in the home or garden before the child’s birth. [Source: Journal of the National Cancer Institute]

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in adults and children is also rising. In 1993, 4.5 million children took the drug Ritalin so they could sit still long enough to learn. By 1998, 11.4 million children were being drugged with this powerful Class-2 narcotic. [Source: Your Children and Ritalin, The Detroit news (March 8. 1998)]

Liquid dish soap is the leading cause of poisonings in the home for children under the age of six (over 2.1 million accidental poisonings per year). Most brands of liquid dish soap contain formaldehyde and ammonia. [Source: United States House of Representatives Report, 1989]

FORMALDEHYDE
Due to the increase in toxic buildup in our bodies, including the toxic buildup of formaldehyde, dead bodies are not decomposing as fast as they used to. Bodies now start to decompose within 7 to 10 days after death. During the Vietnam War, Vietnamese bodies started to decompose within 24 to 48 hours. However, Americans didn’t start to decompose for 4 to 5 days. Twice as much formaldehyde was needed to embalm a person 20 years ago compared to today.

Formaldehyde is a highly toxic substance. It is a highly suspected cancer-causing agent. It damages the neurological connectors in the body. It is an irritant to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs and may cause:

* skin reactions
* ear infections
* headaches
* depression
* asthma
* joint pain
* dizziness
* mental confusion
* nausea
* disorientation
* phlebitis
* fatigue
* vomiting
* sleep disturbances
* laryngitis

One in five people are sensitive to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is commonly found in:
* drugs
* mouthwash

* hairspray
* cosmetics
* cleaning products
* perfumes
* waxes
* hair setting lotions
* shampoo
* air fresheners
* fungicides
* fingernail polish
* floor polishes
* dry cleaning solvents
* toothpaste
* laundry spray starch
* antiperspirants
…just to name a few

DO YOU STILL WANT TO USE PRODUCTS IN YOUR HOME THAT CONTAIN FORMALDEHYDE?

Formaldehyde has more than one name. How many of these names would you have recognized as formaldehyde?

Formalin
Methanal
Methyl Aldehyde
Methylene Oxide
Oxymethylene
Bfv*
Fannoform*
Formol*
Fyde*
Karsan*
Methaldehyde
Formalith*
Methylene Glycol
Ivalon*
Oxomethane
Formalin 40
Formalin
Formic Aldehyde
Hoch
Paraform
Lysoform*
Morbocid
Trioxane
Polyoxmethylene

* denotes trade name

Food for Thought: Why on earth do people still continue to purchase and use these products in their homes around their family, children and pets when there are natural alternatives available for ALL these toxic products?

Each and every one of us has a choice! We can continue to poison our homes and family on a daily basis, or we can take the stance and fight back, the natural way!

What Can You Do Know? 

-Check Labels (even on 'enviromentally friendly' products) 

-Buy greener products when you can, or if you are really commited make your own cleaning products! I have compiled a bunch of great recipes that I have used and will vouch for their effectiveness. I will post them soon! 

Birthing Music Playlists

I have been looking everywhere for suggestions on the topic and the internet seems empty.

I know that everyone is different but a few suggestions would be helpful!

I decided to make 4 Playlists to try and anticipate my various moods. But also we have the sleep machine app for Dom's iTouch and I made a few Birthing Mixes of my own for relaxation. 

Mood 1: Relaxation

Let's Stay Together- Al Green

Across the Universe- Beatles 

Nobody Does It Better- Carly Simon

The Scientist- Coldplay

How to Save a Life- The Fray How to Save a Life 

One Love (People Get Ready)- Glee Cast 

Raining On Sunday- Keith Urban

Unforgettable- Nat "King" Cole 

Speechless- Lady GaGa 

Hurt-  Christina Aguilera 

Time Of Our Lives-Tyrone Wells 

What I've Done- Marie Digby 

Three Musketeers -Hans Zimmer The Holiday Soundtrack

Bohemian Rhapsody- Rockabye Baby! 

Dream On- Rockabye Baby! 

Across The Universe- Rockabye Baby! 

Tiny Dancer- Elton John 

Awake My Soul- Mumford & Sons 

Paint Me In Your Sunshine- Marie Digby

I Want To Hold Your Hand- Glee Cast 

Sun Down- Iver

Citadel Of Stars- Iver

Only Hope- Switchfoot 

Carried to the Table- Leeland 

Glitter In the Air- P!nk 

Mean- P!nk 

At Last- Etta James 

All I Could Do Is Cry- Etta James

Don't Cry Baby- Etta James

Trust In Me- Etta James

Is This Love- Bob Marley & The Wailers 

(Nice To Meet You) Anyway- Gavin DeGraw

Belief- Gavin DeGraw

We Belong Together- Gavin DeGraw 

Metal & Wood- Tyrone Wells 

Iris and Jasper- Hans Zimmer The Holiday Soundtrack

Separate Vacations- Hans Zimmer The Holiday Soundtrack

Anything Can Happen- Hans Zimmer The Holiday Soundtrack

Definitely Unexpected- Hans Zimmer The Holiday Soundtrack

If I Wanted to Call You- Hans Zimmer The Holiday Soundtrack

Busy Guy- Hans Zimmer The Holiday Soundtrack

Kiss Goodbye- Hans Zimmer The Holiday Soundtrack

Christmas Surprise- Hans Zimmer The Holiday Soundtrack

***Plus I am including full albums of Billie Holiday, Bob Marley, and a Rockabye Baby CD***

Mood 2: Worshipful 

All I Need Is You-Liberty University Praise Band
Revelation Song- Liberty University Praise Band
Strong Tower- Kutless
O Praise Him (All This For A King)-  David Crowder Band
You Are My Joy- David Crowder Band
Take Me In- Kutless
Arms Of Love- Kutless
You are a Child of Mine- Mark Schultz
I Surrender It All- Meredith Andrews
More of You- Meredith Andrews
So Great A Salvation- The O.C. Supertones
Beauty for Ashes- Shane & Shane
I Need You- Sonicflood
My Refuge- Sonicflood
God Of Wonders- Third Day

Mood 3: Powerful

Fighter-  Christina Aguilera

Makes Me Wanna Pray- Christina Aguilera

So What- P!nk

I Will Survive- Gloria Gaynor

Since U Been Gone- Kelly Clarkson

Defying Gravity- Wicked: Original Broadway Cast

LoveGame- Lady GaGa

Bad Romance- Lady GaGa

Grenade- Bruno Mars

Stronger- Glee Cast

We Are the Champions- Queen

Mr. Brightside- The Killers

If I Could Turn Back Time- Cher

Shiny Toy Guns- Le Disko

Shut and Drive- Rihanna

Mood 4: Upbeat

River Deep, Mountain High- Glee Cast

Teenage Dream- Glee Cast

Poker Face- Lady GaGa

Too Legit To Quit- Hammer

Obe La Di- Beatles

The Way I Live- Baby Boy Da Prince featuring P. Town Moe

You Belong With Me- Taylor Swift

Rock 'n Roll All Nite- KISS

(I've Had) The Time of My Life- Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes

You Sexy Thing- Hot Chocolate

Wake Me Up Before You Go GO- Wham!

I'm Coming Out

Eye of the Tiger

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Happy As The Sun- Tyrone Wells

Marry You- Glee Cast

Resolution- The O.C. Supertones

In Between- The O.C. Supertones

Shape Of My Heart- Backstreet Boys

Stupid for You- Marie Digby

Please Don't Leave Me- P!nk

Tell Mama- Etta James

Cop Stop- Gavin DeGraw

Dream Kitchen- Hans Zimmer