Ode to the Dirty Diaper

15 Steps to Cloth Diapering:

1. I organize/put together my diapers straight from the dryer,
so the baby doesn't have to wait with naked behind
when the time has come, as it does, a dozen times a day,
this includes: cloth diaper, soaker, diaper cover,
also butt balm, baby washcloths (I don't use wet wipes)
2. About every hour or so, ask baby, "Are you ready for a diaper change?" or
tell baby, "It's time to change your diaper."  Sometimes she is not ready,
and I have found this means 1 of 2 things, either she is going to
pee or poo on me or she has an air bubble in her tummy
3. When and if she is ready, she will happily help, first wet a baby washcloth
with warm water (baby doesn't like a cold damp wipe, would you?)
4. Remove dirty diaper, O so carefully and skillfully, if the soiled object
is #2, remove the rest of clothes (quite often), O so carefully and skillfully
5.  Discard peepees in one bucket, poopoos in another
6.  Meanwhile, baby babbling or gumming fingers, with legs up in the air
patiently waiting, or trying to hold head up (honey, you don't need to do that)
7.  Clean said baby with wet warm cloth (which has cooled a bit)
and dry with second cloth, cover whole area with butt balm, I prefer Burt's Bees,
It's the Best! - that bum has never had a rash!
8.  Fasten cloth diaper and cover, snug but not tight, just right
9.  Clothes back on, talking to babe all the while, "First we snap your onesie,
1, 2, 3, then we put on pants, pantalones, one foot, two feet...." and so on...
10.  Now baby is dressed, but what about the mess?
11.  When buckets of diapers are full, to the laundry room go
12.  Poopoos go first and are pre-washed with natural, non-scented
baby detergent, vinegar (for smell) and baking soda (for stains)
13.  Remember to close velcro tabs!
14.  When pre-wash complete, peepees are added and more detergent
(add essential oil if you want them smelling sweet), repeat step #13,
wash has begun & then on to dryer they go (no dryer sheets please!) -
every few washes, instead of the dryer, dry in the sun to remove stains
15.  Brings you back to step one...

Daughter

I think
sitting here
warm body
in my arms
your breath
quick heartbeat
beautiful eyes
closed
you
lie asleep
and I don't know
how life was ever
lived without you
your small soft hand
against my breast
your sweet mouth
nose, ears, fingers, toes
I think
when do we start
hating our bodies,
our selves?
because you are
so perfect!
I want you
to know that,
I want you
to feel that
you are amazing
your body knows
just what to do
it is nature
I start to feel that
somersault
in my chest,
my eyes tear up
at the thought of you
at the sight of you
for the love of you
that can't be described
it's more than I
have ever felt
more than I
ever deserved
this incredible being,
my daughter

Baby Feet

My heart
is the thing that beats
every time I see
those little feets

A Wish For Juna

A wish for you
for every day
you grow and change
and become
A wish for beauty
in your heart
and all around you
A wish for peace
in your world
that you may know
only love and give it too
A wish for sleep when
the day is done
and dreams that blossom
one by one
This is a wish
for Juna, my little one
My love, my stars and my sun

*Written in celebration of Juna's 3 month birthday, almost a year ago I became pregnant.

Childbirth

Eight hours
Sixty contractions
and there
YOU were

All Good Things

All good things come to those who wait...
and I waited.... I waited so long for you
and then, your spirit called to me
saying, It is time... and I called back,
I am ready