I was excited when I was asked to review the Changing Diapers, The Hip Mom's Guide to Modern Cloth Diapering, written by Kelly Wels. First off I have to tell you that I am a SUPER SLOW reader and I hardly ever finish a book. This one I finished and loved every minute! I have had this book for about three months and it really kept my attention. I think it's because as you are reading it feels as if you are sitting with Kelly herself and talking about cloth diapers. As questions would pop into my head, she answered them as I read on. It truly was a fun book to read.
Kelly Wels is a leading cloth diaper expert and advocate who has a passion for helping parents make informed decisions when it comes to how they diaper their babies. She is a mother of three children. You can find out more about her and this book at http://www.kellywels.com/.
Kelly takes you from the why should I cloth diaper to when can I start! She begins with sharing some facts about cloth. Gives you the five main reasons you should try cloth. She even breaks down the different brands, including pictures~who doesn't love pictures?!
She covers washing your diapers, leaks, rashes and even nighttime use! There's even a chapter for Dad:) When some people begin to start the process of cloth diapering you don't realize that there are other products that you may need. She also goes over this for you!
One of my favorite chapters is learning about what you need to start off with in cloth. Baby Sweetums is due in November and I have decided to start from day one!:) My other favorite is the Resources section. I am a huge list maker so I am LOVING all the little pre-made lists that she has already made for you!!!
I simply LOVED this book! I've already been telling people all about it and can't rave enough. This is a must have if you're thinking about cloth diapering or you are a seasoned rookie because you will still learn something. Get your copy today!!!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Happy Birthday, Little Man!
Eleven years ago, on the 12th of June, I began to have contractions. You were my first baby and I was more than excited that you were coming!!! I sat there and painted my toes in between contractions and even shaved my legs:) lol! I then called the doctor and they said for me to come on to the hospital. YAY! I had a friend of ousr drive me and we called/paged your daddy to meet us because he was at work.
We arrived to the hospital about midnight and they told me I was going to be sent home because I wasn't "far enough along". I cried because it took almostt an hour to get there. Then my water broke! Bought my ticket to stay. I took whatever meds that they gave me and ended up going to sleep.
I woke up, on the 13th of June, to this amazing pressure and asked to be checked. You were on your way!!! They started to run around the room all crazy and get things set up. I pushed 3 times literally and you were out!!! My precious, little, baby boy:) You weighed 7lb 4oz and were absolutely perfect! Ten fingers, ten toes, a head full of hair, brown eyes, and you were mine! I loved you when I first found out I was pregnant, but that first moment when I laid my eyes on you I fell in love.
Today you are 11 years old! I can't believe it! You are getting so big. You are super talented too! You can draw like no one I've ever met. You can have an amazing talent when it comes to Legos. You are very imaginative and can build anything! You have a a uniqueness with paper and can make anything out of it. You amaze me. You are a really good big brother. You are so compassionate and curtious. Every one always tells me that you have awesome manners. You smile lights up the room and your laugh is contagious.
You have also taught me a lot. You have taught me that there is more that one way to do almost anything. You have taught me how strong I can be and how to use that strength effectively. You awakened the mother bear inside. You have taught me to see things through a child's eyes and learn to sit back and just have some fun.
I love you so very much! You are my first little baby and will always be my baby. I know that you are getting older and I pray that you will become the man that God wants you to be. He has HUGE plans for you and I am excited to see all He has for you. As your mother, I will continue to pray for you forever and I will love you just as much! Happy Birthday!!!
We arrived to the hospital about midnight and they told me I was going to be sent home because I wasn't "far enough along". I cried because it took almostt an hour to get there. Then my water broke! Bought my ticket to stay. I took whatever meds that they gave me and ended up going to sleep.
I woke up, on the 13th of June, to this amazing pressure and asked to be checked. You were on your way!!! They started to run around the room all crazy and get things set up. I pushed 3 times literally and you were out!!! My precious, little, baby boy:) You weighed 7lb 4oz and were absolutely perfect! Ten fingers, ten toes, a head full of hair, brown eyes, and you were mine! I loved you when I first found out I was pregnant, but that first moment when I laid my eyes on you I fell in love.
Today you are 11 years old! I can't believe it! You are getting so big. You are super talented too! You can draw like no one I've ever met. You can have an amazing talent when it comes to Legos. You are very imaginative and can build anything! You have a a uniqueness with paper and can make anything out of it. You amaze me. You are a really good big brother. You are so compassionate and curtious. Every one always tells me that you have awesome manners. You smile lights up the room and your laugh is contagious.
You have also taught me a lot. You have taught me that there is more that one way to do almost anything. You have taught me how strong I can be and how to use that strength effectively. You awakened the mother bear inside. You have taught me to see things through a child's eyes and learn to sit back and just have some fun.
I love you so very much! You are my first little baby and will always be my baby. I know that you are getting older and I pray that you will become the man that God wants you to be. He has HUGE plans for you and I am excited to see all He has for you. As your mother, I will continue to pray for you forever and I will love you just as much! Happy Birthday!!!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Unpluged?
With baby on the way we have decided to cut some expenses that were not needed. The first one was our tv package. We LOVE our movie channels and all the different kid channels and so on, but it does start to get expensive. We talked about what we could and could not live without and finally decided to cut our tv bill in half! It had to be done. Now the children play more during the day instead of "having" to watch certain shows:).
We run up our air condition during the day and run fans. We try not to use the lights unless we have to until it gets a little darker. This has cut our electric bill tremendously! If we could hang a line outside to dry our clothes then I so would do that as well, because I am constantly washing clothes.
The final thing we decided to cut was our phones and Internet. We have been spending almost $200 on the "smart phones" and all the gadgets that go with it. We have decided that not only is it EXTREMELY expensive but we don't really need them. Yes, I believe that I need the Internet and I hope to one day have it back. I will be able to sneak away to have some personal mommy time and be able to take my net book with me so I can continue to keep up my blog:)! As for the phones, we have downgraded. My phone does have access to the Internet if I HAVE to, but for the most part it is just to talk, text, and take pictures! I am fine with that too, maybe more will get done around my house...lol!
Have you had to downgrade somethings in your life? What was it and how did you handle it???
We run up our air condition during the day and run fans. We try not to use the lights unless we have to until it gets a little darker. This has cut our electric bill tremendously! If we could hang a line outside to dry our clothes then I so would do that as well, because I am constantly washing clothes.
The final thing we decided to cut was our phones and Internet. We have been spending almost $200 on the "smart phones" and all the gadgets that go with it. We have decided that not only is it EXTREMELY expensive but we don't really need them. Yes, I believe that I need the Internet and I hope to one day have it back. I will be able to sneak away to have some personal mommy time and be able to take my net book with me so I can continue to keep up my blog:)! As for the phones, we have downgraded. My phone does have access to the Internet if I HAVE to, but for the most part it is just to talk, text, and take pictures! I am fine with that too, maybe more will get done around my house...lol!
Have you had to downgrade somethings in your life? What was it and how did you handle it???
Monday, June 4, 2012
Letting go and trusting God...
I mentioned in an earlier post that I had quit my job. Let me explain what happened...
I was sitting at home one week and I have already had a couple of issues arise from that particular job and I was seeking God about it and wanted to know what He thought. All week I prayed and cried over this particular situation because as much as I didn't want to quit I needed to in order to not have the feelings that I had about my job. Don't get me wrong...loved my boss, she really was a great lady to work for and I hope that we remain friends.
But the reason I had taken the job in the first place was to have "play" money. It wasn't meant to be used for items for the home such as needful things that God would take of, i.e. food, gas, etc. It was meant for me to have pocket money. But the longer I worked there the more I depended on the money to come in. I became frustrated when I couldn't get paid because "I needed the money!". We had lost focus on what the purpose job.
As I prayed I heard God ask me, "Do you really trust me?".
WOW! What a statement to hear. I knew that I trusted Him in most things but did I trust Him enough to quit a job that I didn't need in the first place? Could I go that far to rely on Him to provide "play money" when I wanted to do something with the kids? Could I really let go of a job that was beginning to frustrate me, because of me?
Then to just put icing on the cake...My Mr. came home and said that he had been praying about this as well and felt that I needed to quit and be home more. He said that we had lost focus and that he felt as if God was asking if we trusted Him enough to let go of the job and depend on Him. I was floored! God had given us both the SAME message, yes...I cried again (can't help it, I'm very emotional when I'm pregnant:)).
YES! I told Him YES! I would depend fully on Him. He has provided for our family when it didn't make sense that we were making it and He would provide for us now. I will say that since then I feel so much better. My house is cleaner and the children are happier. Everything seems to be at peace. Praise God for leading my family in the way that He wants and has planned for us!
I was sitting at home one week and I have already had a couple of issues arise from that particular job and I was seeking God about it and wanted to know what He thought. All week I prayed and cried over this particular situation because as much as I didn't want to quit I needed to in order to not have the feelings that I had about my job. Don't get me wrong...loved my boss, she really was a great lady to work for and I hope that we remain friends.
But the reason I had taken the job in the first place was to have "play" money. It wasn't meant to be used for items for the home such as needful things that God would take of, i.e. food, gas, etc. It was meant for me to have pocket money. But the longer I worked there the more I depended on the money to come in. I became frustrated when I couldn't get paid because "I needed the money!". We had lost focus on what the purpose job.
As I prayed I heard God ask me, "Do you really trust me?".
WOW! What a statement to hear. I knew that I trusted Him in most things but did I trust Him enough to quit a job that I didn't need in the first place? Could I go that far to rely on Him to provide "play money" when I wanted to do something with the kids? Could I really let go of a job that was beginning to frustrate me, because of me?
Then to just put icing on the cake...My Mr. came home and said that he had been praying about this as well and felt that I needed to quit and be home more. He said that we had lost focus and that he felt as if God was asking if we trusted Him enough to let go of the job and depend on Him. I was floored! God had given us both the SAME message, yes...I cried again (can't help it, I'm very emotional when I'm pregnant:)).
YES! I told Him YES! I would depend fully on Him. He has provided for our family when it didn't make sense that we were making it and He would provide for us now. I will say that since then I feel so much better. My house is cleaner and the children are happier. Everything seems to be at peace. Praise God for leading my family in the way that He wants and has planned for us!
Friday, June 1, 2012
It's already June?
I got up this morning with full intention to clean, clean, clean. No, my house isn't that dirty but I am pregnant and for some reason I have this urgency to get it DONE! We moved into our home back in August, last year, and we kind of just threw things where they looked good. If you've moved with a baby then you know that there really isn't any way to plan your move...you just do the best you can.
As I sat here a couple of weeks ago I realized that I still haven't put up pictures, really decorated the kid's rooms the way I wanted, my kitchen isn't done (I want to paint and do some other things too), the hallway still needs a paint job to be completed. The list continues as I sit here and I think it just got longer...ugh!
Right after we moved in we were so exhausted from cleaning our apartment so we could get the deposit back that we just gave up here. Then I also went out and got a job and was gone a couple days during the week and almost every Saturday. Life got going and we were caught up in a whirlwind and we NEVER slowed back down. I didn't move to the "country" to continue this craziness of non-stop buziness! I moved here so I could enjoy my children, play and focus on my home. This is the first home I've had in years and I wanted to make it MINE:)
So I quit my job (a whole other post, soon to be written) and decided that being home right now was important. I need to get this "laundry list of to-do's" done before November and now I have to plan on another little one all at the same time.
That's why I can't believe that it is already June! I have 4 months to get this all done and I got a feeling that it's gonna fly by and Novemeber will be here before I know it. Then you know that time will seem to stand still because we are awaiting baby Sweetums arrival and that seems to take forever!
I hope my amazing husband can handle the list I have and I hope and pray that we get it all done!:)
As I sat here a couple of weeks ago I realized that I still haven't put up pictures, really decorated the kid's rooms the way I wanted, my kitchen isn't done (I want to paint and do some other things too), the hallway still needs a paint job to be completed. The list continues as I sit here and I think it just got longer...ugh!
Right after we moved in we were so exhausted from cleaning our apartment so we could get the deposit back that we just gave up here. Then I also went out and got a job and was gone a couple days during the week and almost every Saturday. Life got going and we were caught up in a whirlwind and we NEVER slowed back down. I didn't move to the "country" to continue this craziness of non-stop buziness! I moved here so I could enjoy my children, play and focus on my home. This is the first home I've had in years and I wanted to make it MINE:)
So I quit my job (a whole other post, soon to be written) and decided that being home right now was important. I need to get this "laundry list of to-do's" done before November and now I have to plan on another little one all at the same time.
That's why I can't believe that it is already June! I have 4 months to get this all done and I got a feeling that it's gonna fly by and Novemeber will be here before I know it. Then you know that time will seem to stand still because we are awaiting baby Sweetums arrival and that seems to take forever!
I hope my amazing husband can handle the list I have and I hope and pray that we get it all done!:)
Friday, May 25, 2012
Attachment Parenting...breastfeeding
I will tell you now that I am NOT an expert on breastfeeding. I have breastfed one child for 6 weeks. And I attempted to breastfeed baby number 2 and she refused to breastfeed.
One thought that I have though, and yes I have used formula, is: Why do formula companies try to mimic breast milk if breast milk is best? I understand that some HAVE to use formula but I feel like the companies make you feel like this is just as good. They are giving an easy way out. With both of my babies I had to use the most expensive kind because they were so very sensitive and it was NOT cheap by no means. We spent $100 to $150 a month on formula alone! (Thank God I found cloth diapers or we would have the added expense of that as well. CRAZY!) That is why I have to be successful with baby Sweetums.
As I have said, so not an expert here...so what do you do? I say do your own research. This is what I am planning on doing before baby's arrival in November:
1: Find my local La Leche League - I have heard good things about them and how much they help when you feel like giving up. I am hoping to start seeing them a couple months before baby is here so I can be well informed on some techniques that will be helpful.
2. Where I live (I'm sure they are near you too) I have a couple of places that will be holding a breastfeeding class. I plan on taking at least one of them. I think that this will be just as helpful.
3. I also think it would be good to join a support group. I mean a small group of moms (really close friends, moms, family) that have breastfed and have been successful. They will be your biggest cheerleaders!
Should you or should you not breastfeed? That is not for me to answer. You have to be the judge of what's best for you:) I have done it both ways and plan on being fully successful with baby Sweetums. I can't tell you what to do because it is your body. If you feel 6 weeks is good enough, or straight up formula, or you breastfeed until your baby is 3 years old. It is full your decision, just do your research so you can make the best choice for you, your situation, and your family!:)
One thought that I have though, and yes I have used formula, is: Why do formula companies try to mimic breast milk if breast milk is best? I understand that some HAVE to use formula but I feel like the companies make you feel like this is just as good. They are giving an easy way out. With both of my babies I had to use the most expensive kind because they were so very sensitive and it was NOT cheap by no means. We spent $100 to $150 a month on formula alone! (Thank God I found cloth diapers or we would have the added expense of that as well. CRAZY!) That is why I have to be successful with baby Sweetums.
As I have said, so not an expert here...so what do you do? I say do your own research. This is what I am planning on doing before baby's arrival in November:
1: Find my local La Leche League - I have heard good things about them and how much they help when you feel like giving up. I am hoping to start seeing them a couple months before baby is here so I can be well informed on some techniques that will be helpful.
2. Where I live (I'm sure they are near you too) I have a couple of places that will be holding a breastfeeding class. I plan on taking at least one of them. I think that this will be just as helpful.
3. I also think it would be good to join a support group. I mean a small group of moms (really close friends, moms, family) that have breastfed and have been successful. They will be your biggest cheerleaders!
Should you or should you not breastfeed? That is not for me to answer. You have to be the judge of what's best for you:) I have done it both ways and plan on being fully successful with baby Sweetums. I can't tell you what to do because it is your body. If you feel 6 weeks is good enough, or straight up formula, or you breastfeed until your baby is 3 years old. It is full your decision, just do your research so you can make the best choice for you, your situation, and your family!:)
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Attachment Parenting...baby wearing
Here we go onto the next subject...Baby wearing! I have to admit that I am in love with "wearing" my baby. Here is a picture...
I started off with the Moby. I knew a lot of moms with this brand and said that it made "baby wearing" a lot smoother. It never hurt my back and I would wear her while I typed, cooked, cleaned, walked the dogs, went to the store...you name I wore her through it. If I had known about the ones for the shower when she was this little then I would have worn her there too! I also have a sling and I thought it was a little easier to wear. It was easier to get her in and out of that one anyways. If I had one that I could wear her on my back then I would, especially when she is having a bad day. I will be looking for one in November!!!
I felt most comfortable "wearing" her. I knew that she was safe, especially in the store. No one really "touched" her when she was a baby. So she stayed healthy the only time she was sick was when she had a severe ear ache from teething! She was also diagnosed with severe reflux and needed to be held in an upright position for at the very least 20 minutes after eating. She was a slow eater and then to have to hold for the additional time I was holding her for about an hour every time. This was a good solution for us. She also was diagnosed with hypotonia and the doctor suggested wearing her because it could help to improve her movements because she would feel me move. In this way it was kind of therapeutic for her. I was happy to help:)
I did wear Little Buddy when he was a baby. He probably weighed about 10 lbs at the time and I wore him with a Snuggli and HATED every minute of it. I was in tears about 30 minutes in, I couldn't believe that it hurt me that badly to wear something that was so tiny. Never again did I wear him. It was the stroller always! :)
Benefits to "wearing" your baby:
* Fact: most babies cry less when they are held.
* They naturally feel calmer and have a greater sense of security
* It is a convenient way to provide this warmth and security as you are going about your daily routine.
* I know that she is happy.
*
Cons to baby wearing:
* You don't normally carry a stroller so there is no where to put items if you go shopping.
* Makes it a little difficult to go to the bathroom.
* Sometimes it's difficult to carry your baby bag.
* Insert yours here______________?
I will say that you do HAVE to wear your baby in the correct way! Your baby's head should always be close enough to kiss. If you can't kiss their head they are too low and you will hurt your baby or yourself. Read reviews, ask your friends, and research the carrier that you are interested in buying. You may be surprised that someone may have one that you can try out before you buy! I have tried a couple and still haven't found that "perfect" back carrier. This is something that you will wear so make sure that you are comfortable. You wouldn't buy your clothes/shoes too little or too big and the same here!:) You want to feel confident in your carrier and know that your baby is safe.
What's your thoughts? What's your favorite carrier?
I started off with the Moby. I knew a lot of moms with this brand and said that it made "baby wearing" a lot smoother. It never hurt my back and I would wear her while I typed, cooked, cleaned, walked the dogs, went to the store...you name I wore her through it. If I had known about the ones for the shower when she was this little then I would have worn her there too! I also have a sling and I thought it was a little easier to wear. It was easier to get her in and out of that one anyways. If I had one that I could wear her on my back then I would, especially when she is having a bad day. I will be looking for one in November!!!
I felt most comfortable "wearing" her. I knew that she was safe, especially in the store. No one really "touched" her when she was a baby. So she stayed healthy the only time she was sick was when she had a severe ear ache from teething! She was also diagnosed with severe reflux and needed to be held in an upright position for at the very least 20 minutes after eating. She was a slow eater and then to have to hold for the additional time I was holding her for about an hour every time. This was a good solution for us. She also was diagnosed with hypotonia and the doctor suggested wearing her because it could help to improve her movements because she would feel me move. In this way it was kind of therapeutic for her. I was happy to help:)
I did wear Little Buddy when he was a baby. He probably weighed about 10 lbs at the time and I wore him with a Snuggli and HATED every minute of it. I was in tears about 30 minutes in, I couldn't believe that it hurt me that badly to wear something that was so tiny. Never again did I wear him. It was the stroller always! :)
Benefits to "wearing" your baby:
* Fact: most babies cry less when they are held.
* They naturally feel calmer and have a greater sense of security
* It is a convenient way to provide this warmth and security as you are going about your daily routine.
* I know that she is happy.
*
Cons to baby wearing:
* You don't normally carry a stroller so there is no where to put items if you go shopping.
* Makes it a little difficult to go to the bathroom.
* Sometimes it's difficult to carry your baby bag.
* Insert yours here______________?
I will say that you do HAVE to wear your baby in the correct way! Your baby's head should always be close enough to kiss. If you can't kiss their head they are too low and you will hurt your baby or yourself. Read reviews, ask your friends, and research the carrier that you are interested in buying. You may be surprised that someone may have one that you can try out before you buy! I have tried a couple and still haven't found that "perfect" back carrier. This is something that you will wear so make sure that you are comfortable. You wouldn't buy your clothes/shoes too little or too big and the same here!:) You want to feel confident in your carrier and know that your baby is safe.
What's your thoughts? What's your favorite carrier?
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Attachment Parenting...co-sleeping
I recently saw this article posted on FB "Parenting: Attachment Parenting Does More Harm than Good". It was written by John Rosemond and you can view it here.
I want to make clear that I am in no way a doctor and I'm not saying that my way or what I have learned over the years is right. You have to follow your own heart when raising your own children and there are several parenting books and people that will give you advice. What I do think is wrong is that he calls attachment parenting "destructive propaganda". So I am going to write on the three subjects that he hit on...
1. Co-Sleeping
2. Baby Wearing
3. Breastfeeding
I will be splitting up this into 3-4 different segments and tell why I parent the way that I do:) Let's get to reading! First up is co-sleeping.
First Baby (Little Buddy) was a different kind of baby. Let me explain first of all he didn't sleep all night until he was 3 years old. When he was a a newborn I did try to breastfeed him and found it easier to sleep with him. He did nap in his bed, unless I napped too. We tried the bed hundreds of times. He would throw up within 15 minutes of being put in the crib. I soon figured out that he was doing this on purpose. So I would layer him and his bed. Then when he did throw up I could take off the first layer of pjs and the first layer of bedding, kiss him and listen to him scream for hours. Yes, he screamed for hours, He would scream so loud that you could hear him outside of the house. I was also scared that someone would call the police of child services because this was nightly. I finally gave in and he slept with me. We both slept better anyways.
When he was a little older I could lay down with him to get him to sleep and then leave his room. He would sleep all night for the most part. Then he began to have seizures in his sleep and my husband went to night shift so I again allowed him to sleep with me. He finally went back into his bed when I felt that he was ok and my husband's shift changed again. I believe his was five, maybe six years old.
Baby girl - I had every intention that she was NOT going to sleep with me. Yet, she hated her mattress in the bed that we had and I couldn't fix it. So she slept in a laundry basket beside me. (She also would stop breathing in her sleep, which scared me to pieces!) When she got too big for the basket I didn't have anywhere for her to go- we lived in a tiny 2 bedroom apartment - so guess where she went? Yep, in the bed with me. Still to this day she wakes up at least twice a night for something to drink. It drives me a little crazy but at least I don't have to hear her scream at night. We will hopefully be transitioning her into her own bed really soon:)
As for baby number 3 due in November. The bed will be located in my room and I pray that this baby sleeps! I pray that I am able to get him/her into their own bed and they sleep peacefully all night.
Benefits of Co-Sleeping:
•Babies go to sleep faster and stay asleep longer.
•More mothers feel better rested.
•It promotes breastfeeding and helps by making it a little easier.
•Research suggests that babies have stronger emotional relationships with their parents and with other people.
•When parents take sleep safety precautions it reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Cons of Co-Sleeping:
Many will complain, or say that there simply is not enough research to agree with all of the above benefits to co-sleeping.
I say if you are not comfortable sleeping with your baby then don't do it, because you will just complain about it:) If you are one who is a strong parent and can listen to your baby cry until they are asleep then go for it, I personally am not that strong.
I also think that this should be a decision that a husband and wife decide together. If one of you disagree then try to find a solution, such as placing a baby bed beside yours or a crib in your room. Or the baby goes in their own room:) It's up to you because you are their parent!
What's your thoughts?
I want to make clear that I am in no way a doctor and I'm not saying that my way or what I have learned over the years is right. You have to follow your own heart when raising your own children and there are several parenting books and people that will give you advice. What I do think is wrong is that he calls attachment parenting "destructive propaganda". So I am going to write on the three subjects that he hit on...
1. Co-Sleeping
2. Baby Wearing
3. Breastfeeding
I will be splitting up this into 3-4 different segments and tell why I parent the way that I do:) Let's get to reading! First up is co-sleeping.
First Baby (Little Buddy) was a different kind of baby. Let me explain first of all he didn't sleep all night until he was 3 years old. When he was a a newborn I did try to breastfeed him and found it easier to sleep with him. He did nap in his bed, unless I napped too. We tried the bed hundreds of times. He would throw up within 15 minutes of being put in the crib. I soon figured out that he was doing this on purpose. So I would layer him and his bed. Then when he did throw up I could take off the first layer of pjs and the first layer of bedding, kiss him and listen to him scream for hours. Yes, he screamed for hours, He would scream so loud that you could hear him outside of the house. I was also scared that someone would call the police of child services because this was nightly. I finally gave in and he slept with me. We both slept better anyways.
When he was a little older I could lay down with him to get him to sleep and then leave his room. He would sleep all night for the most part. Then he began to have seizures in his sleep and my husband went to night shift so I again allowed him to sleep with me. He finally went back into his bed when I felt that he was ok and my husband's shift changed again. I believe his was five, maybe six years old.
Baby girl - I had every intention that she was NOT going to sleep with me. Yet, she hated her mattress in the bed that we had and I couldn't fix it. So she slept in a laundry basket beside me. (She also would stop breathing in her sleep, which scared me to pieces!) When she got too big for the basket I didn't have anywhere for her to go- we lived in a tiny 2 bedroom apartment - so guess where she went? Yep, in the bed with me. Still to this day she wakes up at least twice a night for something to drink. It drives me a little crazy but at least I don't have to hear her scream at night. We will hopefully be transitioning her into her own bed really soon:)
As for baby number 3 due in November. The bed will be located in my room and I pray that this baby sleeps! I pray that I am able to get him/her into their own bed and they sleep peacefully all night.
Benefits of Co-Sleeping:
•Babies go to sleep faster and stay asleep longer.
•More mothers feel better rested.
•It promotes breastfeeding and helps by making it a little easier.
•Research suggests that babies have stronger emotional relationships with their parents and with other people.
•When parents take sleep safety precautions it reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Cons of Co-Sleeping:
Many will complain, or say that there simply is not enough research to agree with all of the above benefits to co-sleeping.
I say if you are not comfortable sleeping with your baby then don't do it, because you will just complain about it:) If you are one who is a strong parent and can listen to your baby cry until they are asleep then go for it, I personally am not that strong.
I also think that this should be a decision that a husband and wife decide together. If one of you disagree then try to find a solution, such as placing a baby bed beside yours or a crib in your room. Or the baby goes in their own room:) It's up to you because you are their parent!
What's your thoughts?
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Mother's Day
I am very proud to be a mother. I have been pregnant four times, now. And with each one I automatically connected the moment that I knew that I was pregnant. I am thankful that I have two of my children here with me and one that is growing within, and the one that we lost will be loved on in heaven until we can't join her there.
I believe that you become a mother the moment you conceive. I believe that you become a mother if you become a stepmother to a child that you didn't give birth too, because God has called you to that position and you may be the only mother that he/she will know. I believe that you become a mother the moment you first landed your eyes on the one that you are going to adopt. No matter what the situation the first moment your heart melted is that moment for you.
I pray that all my "mother's" that read this have a very blessed Mother's Day! I pray that your day is filled with joy and laughter and take a moment to enjoy the little things that you may not be able to throughout the week.
I believe that you become a mother the moment you conceive. I believe that you become a mother if you become a stepmother to a child that you didn't give birth too, because God has called you to that position and you may be the only mother that he/she will know. I believe that you become a mother the moment you first landed your eyes on the one that you are going to adopt. No matter what the situation the first moment your heart melted is that moment for you.
I pray that all my "mother's" that read this have a very blessed Mother's Day! I pray that your day is filled with joy and laughter and take a moment to enjoy the little things that you may not be able to throughout the week.
Happy Mother's Day!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Diva Cup Review and Giveaway!
This post is just for LADIES! Just forewarning the men before I began talking on the topic at hand:)
I was given the opportunity to review the DivaCup and I was excited to be able to as well! I have heard nothing but amazing praises for this product and couldn't wait. It came in the mail and then I panicked! My first thought was what if it doesn't work? What if I can't figure it out? And all the more questions kept coming...
When it was finally "time" to use it, I gently took it from the box and read all the instructions twice (lol, I really didn't want to mess it up). The DivaCup was very easy to bend and the instructions they give were very good, all my worries began to slowly go away. I became a little more confident. It did take me a couple of months to really get the hang of it and then I fell in love with this product and then I got pregnant:) I will be using this again after the baby arrives.
The DivaCup is a non-absorbent menstrual cup that simply collects menstrual flow. It is inserted in the vagina and sits at the lower base of the vaginal canal. It is worn internally, yet because it is soft and smooth, it cannot be felt nor will it leak when inserted properly.
The DivaCup is the most clean and convenient method of feminine hygiene protection. No need to touch the flow. It is worn low in the vagina, not near the cervix, so it is easy to remove. No mess!
The DivaCup ends hassles with unreliable disposables in endless absorbencies, shapes and styles. It is perfect for all activities – giving women true freedom without the worry, guessing and unreliability that disposable feminine hygiene products pose.
The DivaCup can be worn for up to 12 hours before emptying, washing and reinserting for use for another 12 hours. It can be used for light or moderate flows and is emptied more often to accommodate heavy flows. Perfect for overnight use.
The DivaCup’s expert, proprietary, patent-pending features make it comfortable and assures ease of use and reliability. Perfect for traveling, running, biking, hiking, dancing, camping, swimming, diving, scuba, yoga, extreme sports and more...
It is:
* Latex-free, BPA-free, plastic-free
* No dyes, colors or additives
* Comfortable, reliable
* Clean, convenient, easy-to-use
* Worn for up to 12 hours at a time
Are you just to eager to buy your own Diva Cup then you can find a store here or buy it now online!
Diva Cup is generously giving one of my amazing readers one of their own!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
I am the child...
I AM THE CHILD
(Author Unknown)
I am the child who cannot talk.
You often pity me, I see it in your eyes.
You wonder how much I am aware of -- I see that as well.
I am aware of much, whether you are happy or sad or fearful,
patient or impatient, full of love and desire,
or if you are just doing your duty by me.
I marvel at your frustration, knowing mine to be far greater,
for I cannot express myself or my needs as you do.
You cannot conceive my isolation, so complete it is at times.
I do not gift you with clever conversation, cute remarks to be laughed over and repeated.
I do not give you answers to your everyday questions,
responses over my well-being, sharing my needs,
or comments about the world about me.
I do not give you rewards as defined by the world's standards -- great strides in
development that you can credit yourself;
I do not give you understanding as you know it.
What I give you is so much more valuable -- I give you instead opportunities.
Opportunities to discover the depth of your character, not mine;
the depth of your love, your commitment, your patience, your abilities;
the opportunity to explore your spirit more deeply than you imagined possible.
I drive you further than you would ever go on your own, working harder,
seeking answers to your many questions with no answers.
I am the child who cannot talk.
I am the child who cannot walk.
The world seems to pass me by.
You see the longing in my eyes to get out of this chair, to run and play like other children.
There is much you take for granted.
I want the toys on the shelf, I need to go to the bathroom, oh I've dropped my fork again.
I am dependent on you in these ways.
My gift to you is to make you more aware of your great fortune,
your healthy back and legs, your ability to do for yourself.
Sometimes people appear not to notice me; I always notice them.
I feel not so much envy as desire, desire to stand upright,
to put one foot in front of the other, to be independent.
I give you awareness.
I am the child who cannot walk.
I am the child who is mentally impaired.
I don't learn easily, if you judge me by the world's measuring stick,
what I do know is infinite joy in simple things.
I am not burdened as you are with the strife's and conflicts of a more complicated life.
My gift to you is to grant you the freedom to enjoy things as a child,
to teach you how much your arms around me mean, to give you love.
I give you the gift of simplicity.
I am the child who is mentally impaired.
I am the disabled child.
I am your teacher. If you allow me,
I will teach you what is really important in life.
I will give you and teach you unconditional love.
I gift you with my innocent trust, my dependency upon you.
I teach you about how precious this life is and about not taking things for granted.
I teach you about forgetting your own needs and desires and dreams.
I teach you giving.
Most of all I teach you hope and faith.
I am the disabled child.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
What a wonderful surprise!
We recently found out that I am pregnant! Harris baby number 3, aka Sweetums:) It's not what "we" planned as far as timing but it is wonderful and exciting blessing!
I don't really want to announce by due date but we are due right before Thanksgiving. We have a lot to do before then. I have to rearrange some things so we can have room for a new baby. We can't wait to start shopping for some things that baby needs. I am also excited to share our journey along the way...
A few of things I've already decided:
1. Of course I'm going to cloth diaper again. I already have some diapers for 10+ lbs but because they are OS (onesize) they tend to be a bit bulky. Now the search is on for itty butty fluff that will take us from newborn to about 15lbs! I will be looking at prefolds and even some that fold down for the umbilical cord. I love the little things, like itty bitty fluff...hehehe!
2. I AM, I AM, I AM going to breastfeed. I will need LOTS of support on this. I have failed with the first two and I so badly want to triumph in this area. I tried with baby #1 and he lost weight and the doctors told me that I had to bottle feed:(, and then baby #2 was hardly ever with me after I had her (the nurses would whisk her away and forget to bring her back) and I believe that they fed her bottles even though they knew that I was trying to breast feed.I did try to pump but my milk dried up and the doctor told me that was normal. SO with this one I will have to be firm about my decision and I plan on going to classes.
3. I already have a boy and a girl so we will let this baby be a SURPRISE!!! We have decided not to find out until the day of arrival:) I think this will be hard some days but I also think that the day when my son gets to walk out and announce to a room of family and friends, "IT'S A ______!" It will be a huge honor for him and he will be thrilled!
4. I know that most people that know me will think that this one is crazy because I'm not good when it comes to pain, but I am thinking about a natural childbirth as well. I may not have the help that I need after baby #3 decides to come and I have heard that you feel better and move better after a natural childbirth. I am thinking about it....my mind on this could change and I will accept that but at the moment I am doing my research:)
I ask that you pray for us a smooth and wonderful pregnancy! Thank you so very much!
I don't really want to announce by due date but we are due right before Thanksgiving. We have a lot to do before then. I have to rearrange some things so we can have room for a new baby. We can't wait to start shopping for some things that baby needs. I am also excited to share our journey along the way...
A few of things I've already decided:
1. Of course I'm going to cloth diaper again. I already have some diapers for 10+ lbs but because they are OS (onesize) they tend to be a bit bulky. Now the search is on for itty butty fluff that will take us from newborn to about 15lbs! I will be looking at prefolds and even some that fold down for the umbilical cord. I love the little things, like itty bitty fluff...hehehe!
2. I AM, I AM, I AM going to breastfeed. I will need LOTS of support on this. I have failed with the first two and I so badly want to triumph in this area. I tried with baby #1 and he lost weight and the doctors told me that I had to bottle feed:(, and then baby #2 was hardly ever with me after I had her (the nurses would whisk her away and forget to bring her back) and I believe that they fed her bottles even though they knew that I was trying to breast feed.I did try to pump but my milk dried up and the doctor told me that was normal. SO with this one I will have to be firm about my decision and I plan on going to classes.
3. I already have a boy and a girl so we will let this baby be a SURPRISE!!! We have decided not to find out until the day of arrival:) I think this will be hard some days but I also think that the day when my son gets to walk out and announce to a room of family and friends, "IT'S A ______!" It will be a huge honor for him and he will be thrilled!
4. I know that most people that know me will think that this one is crazy because I'm not good when it comes to pain, but I am thinking about a natural childbirth as well. I may not have the help that I need after baby #3 decides to come and I have heard that you feel better and move better after a natural childbirth. I am thinking about it....my mind on this could change and I will accept that but at the moment I am doing my research:)
I ask that you pray for us a smooth and wonderful pregnancy! Thank you so very much!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Welcome to Holland....
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability – to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this…
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip – to Italy. You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum, the Michelangelo David, the gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!" you say. "What do you mean, Holland?" I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy.
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to some horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy a new guidebook. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around, and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills, Holland has tulips, Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy, and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life you will say, "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
The pain of that will never, ever, go away, because the loss of that dream is a very significant loss.
But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.
Written by Emily Perl Kingsley
****Copied and pasted here***
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip – to Italy. You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum, the Michelangelo David, the gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!" you say. "What do you mean, Holland?" I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy.
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to some horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy a new guidebook. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around, and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills, Holland has tulips, Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy, and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life you will say, "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
The pain of that will never, ever, go away, because the loss of that dream is a very significant loss.
But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.
Written by Emily Perl Kingsley
****Copied and pasted here***
Monday, April 2, 2012
An Autism Story, my son's story....
I get asked all the time, "How did you know?". This question always sends me back in time. A wave of emotions come over me and I seem to relive it in the 30 seconds that it takes me to respond. I don't think that I ever want to forget, so I am going to write out his/our story here.
My son (Little Buddy - affectionately named) was born in June. He was perfect! He had ten little toes and ten little fingers. He had a head full of hair (so long that I cut it when got home from the hospital). I thought this was it! I fell in love with him the first time I held him. We brought him home and he began to progress just like any other child. He just didn't sleep very well at night, he did struggle with this a lot. He smiled at me, laughed, rolled over, sat up and even said "Moma". Then out of the blue everything changed.
He began to do little things that most people would think "That is too cool!". I remember he used to lay his blocks out like this: blue, yellow, red, blue yellow and red. If I moved them he would have a fit!!! My Mr. and I were in the living room and I had given our Little Buddy a bowl of cherios. He laid them in a straight line around the table, then proceeded to do this: the first of the set of 3 he ate, the second one went in the bowl, and then he went around again and ate the third one. We just starred at each other in amazement.
He stopped saying: Moma, Dada, hot, bye, hi, bear, and all of the other words he knew. He stopped paying attention to us. He didn't care if I was in the room or not. He started banging his head and screaming! He wouldn't point to what he wanted. He would seek out the sharpest corners in the house and begin to bang his head on them. He would do this if he was happy or angry. He would repeat "sounds" (because he lost all his words) over and over and over again. He refused to eat anything and just wanted a bottle...did not want the cup!
We took him to a GI doctor because at the age of one he only weighed 17lbs. The doctor's were a little worried. They tested him for everything under the sun and still did not have any answers. I was looking on the internet and came across the phrase "head banging". I thought to myself this is funny, mine does this ALL the time. I began to read the doctor's respone and then I immediately got off the computer.
I couldn't believe what I had just read, "Autism". The word kept ringing in my ears. What? Could it really be? No way! Not my little one. Isn't Autism where they sit in a corner, drool, and rock themselves? I was confused and this just couldn't be, no not in a million years. How did this happen? I decided to research this more because I had to prove to myself that he was NOT Autistic.
The more that I read the more I cried. I didn't want to acknowledge or admit it out loud. How was I going to tell my husband? How was I going to tell my family? I knew that everything they were mentioning decribed my Little Buddy.... poor social interation, poor eye contact, didn't make friends, a lack of spontaneous seeking to share emotions, delay (total lack of) speech , inability to initate or sustain a coversation, lack of make believe play, needed routines, flapping his hands, and the list can go on and on some more....
So what do I do now? I contacted the doctor which led me to Babies Can't Wait. They evaluated him and started therapy immediately, he was 15months old. We went to a neurologist who diagnosed him with Autism. I went home and decided at that moment I had to fight. It wasn't a phyical fight but an emotional one. I was going to have to be his voice. I needed to be his voice. I needed him to suceed.
Follow us this month to read more of my son's story...
My son (Little Buddy - affectionately named) was born in June. He was perfect! He had ten little toes and ten little fingers. He had a head full of hair (so long that I cut it when got home from the hospital). I thought this was it! I fell in love with him the first time I held him. We brought him home and he began to progress just like any other child. He just didn't sleep very well at night, he did struggle with this a lot. He smiled at me, laughed, rolled over, sat up and even said "Moma". Then out of the blue everything changed.
He began to do little things that most people would think "That is too cool!". I remember he used to lay his blocks out like this: blue, yellow, red, blue yellow and red. If I moved them he would have a fit!!! My Mr. and I were in the living room and I had given our Little Buddy a bowl of cherios. He laid them in a straight line around the table, then proceeded to do this: the first of the set of 3 he ate, the second one went in the bowl, and then he went around again and ate the third one. We just starred at each other in amazement.
He stopped saying: Moma, Dada, hot, bye, hi, bear, and all of the other words he knew. He stopped paying attention to us. He didn't care if I was in the room or not. He started banging his head and screaming! He wouldn't point to what he wanted. He would seek out the sharpest corners in the house and begin to bang his head on them. He would do this if he was happy or angry. He would repeat "sounds" (because he lost all his words) over and over and over again. He refused to eat anything and just wanted a bottle...did not want the cup!
We took him to a GI doctor because at the age of one he only weighed 17lbs. The doctor's were a little worried. They tested him for everything under the sun and still did not have any answers. I was looking on the internet and came across the phrase "head banging". I thought to myself this is funny, mine does this ALL the time. I began to read the doctor's respone and then I immediately got off the computer.
I couldn't believe what I had just read, "Autism". The word kept ringing in my ears. What? Could it really be? No way! Not my little one. Isn't Autism where they sit in a corner, drool, and rock themselves? I was confused and this just couldn't be, no not in a million years. How did this happen? I decided to research this more because I had to prove to myself that he was NOT Autistic.
The more that I read the more I cried. I didn't want to acknowledge or admit it out loud. How was I going to tell my husband? How was I going to tell my family? I knew that everything they were mentioning decribed my Little Buddy.... poor social interation, poor eye contact, didn't make friends, a lack of spontaneous seeking to share emotions, delay (total lack of) speech , inability to initate or sustain a coversation, lack of make believe play, needed routines, flapping his hands, and the list can go on and on some more....
So what do I do now? I contacted the doctor which led me to Babies Can't Wait. They evaluated him and started therapy immediately, he was 15months old. We went to a neurologist who diagnosed him with Autism. I went home and decided at that moment I had to fight. It wasn't a phyical fight but an emotional one. I was going to have to be his voice. I needed to be his voice. I needed him to suceed.
Follow us this month to read more of my son's story...
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Lots been happening!
I've been so busy and life gets away from me and I am finally sitting down for a moment...
What's been going on? LOTS!!!
My husband was asked to be the Youth Pastor for the church that we started attending. He joyfully said YES! So we have been attending meetings and get togethers and praying for the growth of our youth:) I am very excited for him and even more excited to see what God has planned!
Little Buddy is growing by leaps and bounds! School is going great...now. We hit a rough patch for a moment and didn't know what to do so we prayed. God is so good! He reminded me that one of the reasons we decided to homeschool was becasue the school was pushing him so hard and so fast that I wanted him to be able to slow down and LEARN. I longed for him to have a SOLID foundation. Yet, when it came down to it I was the one who was pushing him so very hard now. I wanted to STOP. We took a couple of days and reorganized and decided to have 3-4 days of the school work days and 1-2 days of unschooling. A day where we could just sit back and talk about what we are learning. We also can take this day and center our focus on a specific area that we seem to be struggling in too:)
Then my precious baby girl broke her arm and it has been a ride! We were at the park and she was playing and fell off the equipment onto her side. After seeing 3, yes THREE, doctors they pronounced her arm as broken. That first day was really hard for her and she struggled but she is a real trooper:) She soon learned how to use her arm even with the cast. She is actually getting it off tomorrow! I am so happy to see this thing go. I told my husband the first thing I want to do is put her in the bath! HA! We have had to bathe her near a sink or just kind of wash her off and I am ready to soak that baby in some bubbles!!!
So lots has been happening and I hope to get back into routine and writing more soon! I have an amazing giveaway coming next month:) So please stay tuned!!!
What's been going on? LOTS!!!
My husband was asked to be the Youth Pastor for the church that we started attending. He joyfully said YES! So we have been attending meetings and get togethers and praying for the growth of our youth:) I am very excited for him and even more excited to see what God has planned!
Little Buddy is growing by leaps and bounds! School is going great...now. We hit a rough patch for a moment and didn't know what to do so we prayed. God is so good! He reminded me that one of the reasons we decided to homeschool was becasue the school was pushing him so hard and so fast that I wanted him to be able to slow down and LEARN. I longed for him to have a SOLID foundation. Yet, when it came down to it I was the one who was pushing him so very hard now. I wanted to STOP. We took a couple of days and reorganized and decided to have 3-4 days of the school work days and 1-2 days of unschooling. A day where we could just sit back and talk about what we are learning. We also can take this day and center our focus on a specific area that we seem to be struggling in too:)
Then my precious baby girl broke her arm and it has been a ride! We were at the park and she was playing and fell off the equipment onto her side. After seeing 3, yes THREE, doctors they pronounced her arm as broken. That first day was really hard for her and she struggled but she is a real trooper:) She soon learned how to use her arm even with the cast. She is actually getting it off tomorrow! I am so happy to see this thing go. I told my husband the first thing I want to do is put her in the bath! HA! We have had to bathe her near a sink or just kind of wash her off and I am ready to soak that baby in some bubbles!!!
So lots has been happening and I hope to get back into routine and writing more soon! I have an amazing giveaway coming next month:) So please stay tuned!!!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Unschool?
I have been homeschooling my son for almost a year! I know I can't believe it:) We have had our ups and downs and it is definitely NOT easy. Still, I think that it is better than sending him to a school where he could be bullied or fall behind. I have tried very hard to "keep him on schedule" but feel like I'm pushing him way too hard and way to fast. I had the thought a couple of weeks ago, "Isn't that one of the reasons I chose to homeschool? I wanted to slow it down so we could focus on the places that he was falling behind."
I began to feel really bad. It's only been a year and I have lost my focus. I have allowed schedules, personal timelines, and frustrations to take over and I have began to PUSH. Maybe, I was thinking that if we could just get threw it then we would be done and I don't have to argue with him. How WRONG I was:(
I have lost the want to do projects, art, and just enjoying him. NO MORE! I have sat in prayer wondering what to do...and this thought came to me. Where is the day to just soak it in, to let it simmer? WOW! I can do that? Saturday's are crazy Sunday's we go to church and then we are crazy busy in the afternoon. So what other day is there?
Enter the Unschooling idea. My thoughts went to this idea. I had read about it but never really gave it much thought. I decided to research it a little more. The more that I read the more excited I became. I still can't let go of the idea of not having any cirriculum but to take a day or maybe even two during the week to reflect on what we are learning. A day to challenge ourselves to read as much as we can. A day to play some board games. A day to plant in our garden. A day to explore art. A day to ___fill in the blank______.
Yes, I need that Day. We actually started last week on Dr. Suess's Birthday. We did art, we read, we played, and we even learned a little. I saw both my children be kids that day and we had a BLAST! I saw them both light up and get excited about school.
We will be making this a part of our homeschool. Isn't that one of the beauties of homeschooling? The option to make changes when you need to for the good of your family. I am extremely excited about this and can't wait to see all the wonderful things that will come from or Unschool Day!
I began to feel really bad. It's only been a year and I have lost my focus. I have allowed schedules, personal timelines, and frustrations to take over and I have began to PUSH. Maybe, I was thinking that if we could just get threw it then we would be done and I don't have to argue with him. How WRONG I was:(
I have lost the want to do projects, art, and just enjoying him. NO MORE! I have sat in prayer wondering what to do...and this thought came to me. Where is the day to just soak it in, to let it simmer? WOW! I can do that? Saturday's are crazy Sunday's we go to church and then we are crazy busy in the afternoon. So what other day is there?
Enter the Unschooling idea. My thoughts went to this idea. I had read about it but never really gave it much thought. I decided to research it a little more. The more that I read the more excited I became. I still can't let go of the idea of not having any cirriculum but to take a day or maybe even two during the week to reflect on what we are learning. A day to challenge ourselves to read as much as we can. A day to play some board games. A day to plant in our garden. A day to explore art. A day to ___fill in the blank______.
Yes, I need that Day. We actually started last week on Dr. Suess's Birthday. We did art, we read, we played, and we even learned a little. I saw both my children be kids that day and we had a BLAST! I saw them both light up and get excited about school.
We will be making this a part of our homeschool. Isn't that one of the beauties of homeschooling? The option to make changes when you need to for the good of your family. I am extremely excited about this and can't wait to see all the wonderful things that will come from or Unschool Day!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Momaniese...?
For the past month I feel like I am talking in another lanuage. I thought it was English because it sounds a lot like it to me, but to my family it's foreign. I am now calling it "Momaniese". If you have children then you know what I'm talking about. It's when you say something and they hear something from Charlie Brown.."Bah, Blah, Ba, BaBah". Here are a few examples...
To my son...
"Please pick up all your toys." translation...Bring more from your bedroom because cleary there were not enough in here, thank you!"
"Please don't go to youtube." translation..."Sure, I don't mind what you do on the computer."
"Please go get into the shower." translation..."We are a free family and we encourage you to run around the house naked."
With my son, I tend to get a little more frustrated than I do with daughter because sometimes he translates Momaniese to be something completely opposite than what I actually said. I love him with all my heart but it frustrates me to the point of tears. I sometime have to repeat my self 3 times before he actually hears me. He also has started having somewhat of an attitude, apprently a reaction from Momaniese.
To my daughter...
"Come here, sweetie, it's time to change your diaper." translation..."I would love for you to run away from me as fast as you can, while laughing, and when I catch you then I will wisk you away to your bedroom to change your diaper."
"Please get out of the pantry" translation..."Yes, please eat your little heart out on all the dog food you want, Thank God it's FDA approved."
I am hoping that since my daughter is like me in a lot of ways that she will start to pick up Momaniese at an early age. Then we won't have too much of a hard time as she gets older:) Unfortuantely, I have heard that all children are affected by this.
Yes, I have many more examples of Momaniese. Sometimes they get in trouble because they translanted completely wrong. I think it gets worse as they get older, but after they are fully grown I heard that Momaniese actually gets translated back into English:)
One more of my favorites, applies to both children..."Mommy is on the phone." translation..."This is a perfect time to ask me all of life's questions, cry as loud as you can, do those dare devil stunts that you've been itching to try, ask for food, really anything goes!"
So do you speak Momaniese? What is one of you favorite translations in your home?
To my son...
"Please pick up all your toys." translation...Bring more from your bedroom because cleary there were not enough in here, thank you!"
"Please don't go to youtube." translation..."Sure, I don't mind what you do on the computer."
"Please go get into the shower." translation..."We are a free family and we encourage you to run around the house naked."
With my son, I tend to get a little more frustrated than I do with daughter because sometimes he translates Momaniese to be something completely opposite than what I actually said. I love him with all my heart but it frustrates me to the point of tears. I sometime have to repeat my self 3 times before he actually hears me. He also has started having somewhat of an attitude, apprently a reaction from Momaniese.
To my daughter...
"Come here, sweetie, it's time to change your diaper." translation..."I would love for you to run away from me as fast as you can, while laughing, and when I catch you then I will wisk you away to your bedroom to change your diaper."
"Please get out of the pantry" translation..."Yes, please eat your little heart out on all the dog food you want, Thank God it's FDA approved."
I am hoping that since my daughter is like me in a lot of ways that she will start to pick up Momaniese at an early age. Then we won't have too much of a hard time as she gets older:) Unfortuantely, I have heard that all children are affected by this.
Yes, I have many more examples of Momaniese. Sometimes they get in trouble because they translanted completely wrong. I think it gets worse as they get older, but after they are fully grown I heard that Momaniese actually gets translated back into English:)
One more of my favorites, applies to both children..."Mommy is on the phone." translation..."This is a perfect time to ask me all of life's questions, cry as loud as you can, do those dare devil stunts that you've been itching to try, ask for food, really anything goes!"
So do you speak Momaniese? What is one of you favorite translations in your home?
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Winners!!!
Happy Leap Day! I just sent out the emails to all the winners:) Hope to hear from the winners soon!!!
Little Bear Bums! - Katie B
Wahmies - Med. WetBag - Ashley T.
Wahmies - Pail Liner - Elizabeth E.
JuJuBe - BFF Diaper Bag - Jen B.
Blissful Booty - Kim J.
Kissed by the Moon - Amanda F.
Rocking Green - Emily G.
I am so very thankful for everyone's participation. I am very grateful for all the sponsors for this I <3 Cloth event. I hope you all had fun and hope that you all have a very blessed day!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Just a few of my favorites...
I believe all the giveaways have been posted and I hope that you were able to enter as many as possible:) Next week (Leap Day) all the winners will be posted and you will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen!
Here are a few items that are my favorites and I hope to write about them today and Friday so allow me to share with you in no specific order...
First up is Aliyah's Hope Chest!
I won this adorable fleece soaker from Misadventures of a Family of 8. Aliyah's Hope Chest also has amazingly adorable items in her Etsy shop! If you go check out her FB page (click on her name above) then tell her that I sent you:) I have really enjoyed this soaker. It NEVER leaks and I use it at night all the time because it is jsut simply amazing:) it is very well put together and very simple.
Next...Marshmallow Fluff!
This is the fitted closed up....love the print:D
All the buttons! You can fold down the front to make the rise shorter.
There is a soaker sewn in:)
This is the first fitted that I have won. I was able to pick this cute fabric and waited. I do like it alot and I use it every week. I am glad that this fitted will be able to last a while (size) because right now she is a heavy wetter and I should have thought about that before picking my fabric. I really am waiting on summer to get here and this will be perfect to go outside and play in the yard and allow her bum to breathe. I would love it if you would go say hi to her and check out her page as well:)
And finally United by Fluff...
Love simple packaging...
Amazing fabric choices...
Extremely soft Minkee on the backside!
If you have a baby in diapers then you know then you have to have wipes:). When I first started out I used the disposable ones and as time went on I thought this is so gross and I thought I would rather wash them... So I pulled the ones that I had out of hiding and went for it. It really depends on you how you want to store them, wet or dry. Some people put them in a wipe warmer (google it) or leave them dry and just spray with water or wipe solution. I found its easier to keep them dry and wet them when I need to use them.
These wipes are so silky so soft!!! Right after I opened them I gave one to my daughter and she rubbed it on her face, smiled and ran away with it! She didn't want to give it back to me:)
The more that I wash them the softer they get. I have several wipes and these are my favorites! If you get a chance to go say Hi to her and check out her amazing wipes then tell her that I sent you:)
Here are a few items that are my favorites and I hope to write about them today and Friday so allow me to share with you in no specific order...
First up is Aliyah's Hope Chest!
Next...Marshmallow Fluff!
This is the first fitted that I have won. I was able to pick this cute fabric and waited. I do like it alot and I use it every week. I am glad that this fitted will be able to last a while (size) because right now she is a heavy wetter and I should have thought about that before picking my fabric. I really am waiting on summer to get here and this will be perfect to go outside and play in the yard and allow her bum to breathe. I would love it if you would go say hi to her and check out her page as well:)
And finally United by Fluff...
If you have a baby in diapers then you know then you have to have wipes:). When I first started out I used the disposable ones and as time went on I thought this is so gross and I thought I would rather wash them... So I pulled the ones that I had out of hiding and went for it. It really depends on you how you want to store them, wet or dry. Some people put them in a wipe warmer (google it) or leave them dry and just spray with water or wipe solution. I found its easier to keep them dry and wet them when I need to use them.
These wipes are so silky so soft!!! Right after I opened them I gave one to my daughter and she rubbed it on her face, smiled and ran away with it! She didn't want to give it back to me:)
The more that I wash them the softer they get. I have several wipes and these are my favorites! If you get a chance to go say Hi to her and check out her amazing wipes then tell her that I sent you:)
Monday, February 20, 2012
Rockin' Green Review & Giveaway!
At the very start of choosing cloth diapers I was told that I had to take really good care of my diapers and that also meant finding an awesome detergent. I searched and searched and then my "diaper lady contact" posted about Rockin' Green!
I was a little skeptic about buying detergent just for my diapers. Not that I didn't want the product I just didn't know how much I needed it. Being on this journey of cloth diapers I was finding a lot of good things about becoming a little more green for our family. I sold hubby on the idea and bought my first bag! Trust me, I found out how much I needed it:)
Borrowed this pic from their site...
I performed what is called a "soak" (a.k.a. Rockin' the Soak). I let them sit overnight and boy that water was dirty! I was thrilled that it was working:) I went ahead and washed them as directed and rinsed, rinsed, and rinsed! My diapers came out like new. I had a couple of diapers that had stains originally and now they were GONE! I was impressed! My diapers smelled like "nothing". The scent that was meant for me had washed out and you really don't want your diapers to smell used. Again, impressive! They had my heart that very first day. I have been a loyal customer ever since and that was about a year ago:) Since that first wash they have improved their formula and I love it even more!
I have also tried a couple of different scents but "Lavender Mint" is my favorite! I love that they put the amazing aroma in the bag just for you. Believe me after the wiff of dirty diapers you'll appreciate the awesome smell of Rockin' Green. They have several scents for you to choose from and even unscented:)
I have used Rockin' Green for other things as well! Here is my list:
1. I have used in the dishwasher when I ran out of detergent.
2. My hubby used it to clean the shower head in our bathroom, he dismanteled it to clean it:)
3. I have used it to clean up after the dog's accidents, yes I have had a couple of those:( But you would never be able to tell thanks to Rocking Green.
4. I have used it on my husband's work clothes. He gets very greasy and dirty where he works and this was awesome on his clothes.
5. I have used it as a stain remover on baby clothes.
6. I have used it to get fingernail polish out of the carpet! (It was Piggy Paint and baby girl spilled it:( I rushed to get some water and some Rocking Green and it came up NO STAIN!)
These are examples off the top of head and I am sure they have been more:) I have also signed up for Rockin' Green's 52 Weeks. They send weekly emails on how to use Rocking Green in other ways!
They have 3 different types of formula's: Soft Rock, Classic Rock, and Hard Rock:) This way no matter what type of water you have Rockin' Green should work for you!
They have several other items such as:
Funk Rock! For all your stinkes:)
Dog House Rock...for your dog:)
Femme Rock! This is a new product just for your Mama Cloth:)
They have a neat litle scooper for your detergent (I use a TBSP from the kitchen but this would be neat to have:)) They have pail fresheners and even some spray! They even have bundles for you which make awesome gifts or even for yourself!
So are you ready to Rock your Laundry? They were so excited to be a part of this event that they wanted to share the love and you are going to be able to win a bag of your very own!!! Just enter via the Rafflecopter below...
I was a little skeptic about buying detergent just for my diapers. Not that I didn't want the product I just didn't know how much I needed it. Being on this journey of cloth diapers I was finding a lot of good things about becoming a little more green for our family. I sold hubby on the idea and bought my first bag! Trust me, I found out how much I needed it:)
I performed what is called a "soak" (a.k.a. Rockin' the Soak). I let them sit overnight and boy that water was dirty! I was thrilled that it was working:) I went ahead and washed them as directed and rinsed, rinsed, and rinsed! My diapers came out like new. I had a couple of diapers that had stains originally and now they were GONE! I was impressed! My diapers smelled like "nothing". The scent that was meant for me had washed out and you really don't want your diapers to smell used. Again, impressive! They had my heart that very first day. I have been a loyal customer ever since and that was about a year ago:) Since that first wash they have improved their formula and I love it even more!
I have also tried a couple of different scents but "Lavender Mint" is my favorite! I love that they put the amazing aroma in the bag just for you. Believe me after the wiff of dirty diapers you'll appreciate the awesome smell of Rockin' Green. They have several scents for you to choose from and even unscented:)
I have used Rockin' Green for other things as well! Here is my list:
1. I have used in the dishwasher when I ran out of detergent.
2. My hubby used it to clean the shower head in our bathroom, he dismanteled it to clean it:)
3. I have used it to clean up after the dog's accidents, yes I have had a couple of those:( But you would never be able to tell thanks to Rocking Green.
4. I have used it on my husband's work clothes. He gets very greasy and dirty where he works and this was awesome on his clothes.
5. I have used it as a stain remover on baby clothes.
6. I have used it to get fingernail polish out of the carpet! (It was Piggy Paint and baby girl spilled it:( I rushed to get some water and some Rocking Green and it came up NO STAIN!)
These are examples off the top of head and I am sure they have been more:) I have also signed up for Rockin' Green's 52 Weeks. They send weekly emails on how to use Rocking Green in other ways!
They have 3 different types of formula's: Soft Rock, Classic Rock, and Hard Rock:) This way no matter what type of water you have Rockin' Green should work for you!
They have several other items such as:
Funk Rock! For all your stinkes:)
Dog House Rock...for your dog:)
Femme Rock! This is a new product just for your Mama Cloth:)
They have a neat litle scooper for your detergent (I use a TBSP from the kitchen but this would be neat to have:)) They have pail fresheners and even some spray! They even have bundles for you which make awesome gifts or even for yourself!
So are you ready to Rock your Laundry? They were so excited to be a part of this event that they wanted to share the love and you are going to be able to win a bag of your very own!!! Just enter via the Rafflecopter below...
Friday, February 17, 2012
CJ's BUTTer Review and Giveaway!
If you have cloth diapers then you need a "safe" butt cream for rashes. This was a whole new area for me. I always loved "brand x" and would run too it. After reading and reasearching I found out that "brand x" could ruin my diapers. So what do I do now? Well, I have used coconut oil (read here) and it worked but what else was out there???
Kissed by the Moon sent me some CJ's BUTTer to review!
Borrowed this pic from their site...
I received a CJ's BUTTer Stick (.75 oz.) in Sea Spice scent. So far I've used it a few times and it does work really well. Baby girl doesn't get too many rashes but sometimes she does. When she does it's not good, and I feel really bad for her. She is so funny and she asks (points to it) and says "This?"...lol. I am very excited that we have found something that works for us.
Did you know that CJ's BUTTer has other uses?
CJ’s BUTTer™ has been used on adults and children to help relieve:
eczema
rashes
dry/chapped skin
rug burns (sore ‘crawler’ knees)
mechanics’ hands and cuticles
hangnails
rub a small amount on your hands and use as a leave-in conditioner for your curls
Please visit thier site to learn more ways CJ's BUTTer can be used.
I am really excited to know that it is an all nautral product. I have been trying this product for about a month+ and I haven't had any repelling in the diapers. I also haven't noticed any stains. With "brand x" I had to use liners to protect my diapers but with CJ'a BUTTer I didn't have to:) It is not greasy or sticky and with it in stick form it is amazingly easy to use! It does come in unscented or in an array of scents.
I was really impressed that it could be used in several ways. I think we might have to get a couple more of these and use them for tangles and one for the diaper bag. I am starting to love this new product and I am excited that you are going to get a chance to win your very own! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below!
Kissed by the Moon sent me some CJ's BUTTer to review!
I received a CJ's BUTTer Stick (.75 oz.) in Sea Spice scent. So far I've used it a few times and it does work really well. Baby girl doesn't get too many rashes but sometimes she does. When she does it's not good, and I feel really bad for her. She is so funny and she asks (points to it) and says "This?"...lol. I am very excited that we have found something that works for us.
Did you know that CJ's BUTTer has other uses?
CJ’s BUTTer™ has been used on adults and children to help relieve:
eczema
rashes
dry/chapped skin
rug burns (sore ‘crawler’ knees)
mechanics’ hands and cuticles
hangnails
rub a small amount on your hands and use as a leave-in conditioner for your curls
Please visit thier site to learn more ways CJ's BUTTer can be used.
I am really excited to know that it is an all nautral product. I have been trying this product for about a month+ and I haven't had any repelling in the diapers. I also haven't noticed any stains. With "brand x" I had to use liners to protect my diapers but with CJ'a BUTTer I didn't have to:) It is not greasy or sticky and with it in stick form it is amazingly easy to use! It does come in unscented or in an array of scents.
I was really impressed that it could be used in several ways. I think we might have to get a couple more of these and use them for tangles and one for the diaper bag. I am starting to love this new product and I am excited that you are going to get a chance to win your very own! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Blissful Booty Review and Giveaway!
I won an original Blissful Booty about a year ago and fell in love, you can read that review HERE. I was impressed with the softness and ease of that first diaper that I bought some more. I was recently blessed to be able to review a new OS Blissful Booty Perfect Pocket Diaper and they stole my heart again!
I received the "Diva" Blissful Booty Pocket Diaper. I am loving the hot pink minkee outside liner. It's even prettier in person, I promise! It is so super soft! I also recieved a microfiber insert and a bamboo insert.
The inside is super soft as well. It hasn't pilled either. I love that it cleans up easily.
Oh how I LOVE me some gussets on a diaper! I truly do! For me it just gives an extra sense of security:) (Sorry if the picture is a little dark.)
They have inner and outer leg gussets to help contain messes! So that means double protection for my own sake of mind:)
I also love the fit on this diaper! This is the diaper double stuffed becasue we are getting ready for bed:)Another neat feature is the gentle front and back waist elastic for added protection against leaks. We woke up to no leaks! I double stuffed it with two microfiber inserts. It didn't seem to be too bulky and totally worked my heavy wetter. I have to be honest. I haven't used the bamboo insert. I am still "priming it" so I can use it:) I didn't know that there was some before effort but I have heard that they benefits are worth it!
Booty Shot! Hehehe! I love little booty's in fluff, especially when they are this soft:)
I copied this picture from Blissful Booty's website:) I think her picture does an excellent job of showing you the buttons and any features that you may want to know.
They have the wrap around snap to roll up the dirty diapers and snap closed until time for washing. The inserts agitate out in the wash so you don’t have to pull out dirty inserts! Less work for me and I love that I don't have to mess with it if it was "dirty". The pocket opening is large and easy to stuff.
The snap up rise design gives you 3 rise size options plus all the snaps at the waist this diaper could easily fit most babies from 7 -35+ pounds.
Their outer waterproof layer of TPU comes in many color and print choices (including several in soft and cuddly Minkee) and keeps wetness in, while the inner layer of stay dry suedecloth wicks moisture away from delicate baby skin.
The snap waist closure features double row color coordinated snaps for security as well as a crossover option for tiny newborn waists.I found the snaps works best for us, she has conquered velcro. The double row also seemed to give us a snug fit.
I also received a bumper sticker that says, "If your diaper isn't Cloth, its garbage!"..........lol!!!! I loved it so much it immediately went on my car! :)
Well, I have to spread the love! So who is ready to win their very own Blissful Booty Perfect Pocket Diaper in your choice of color/print? Just enter below!!!
The inside is super soft as well. It hasn't pilled either. I love that it cleans up easily.
They have inner and outer leg gussets to help contain messes! So that means double protection for my own sake of mind:)
They have the wrap around snap to roll up the dirty diapers and snap closed until time for washing. The inserts agitate out in the wash so you don’t have to pull out dirty inserts! Less work for me and I love that I don't have to mess with it if it was "dirty". The pocket opening is large and easy to stuff.
The snap up rise design gives you 3 rise size options plus all the snaps at the waist this diaper could easily fit most babies from 7 -35+ pounds.
Their outer waterproof layer of TPU comes in many color and print choices (including several in soft and cuddly Minkee) and keeps wetness in, while the inner layer of stay dry suedecloth wicks moisture away from delicate baby skin.
I also received a bumper sticker that says, "If your diaper isn't Cloth, its garbage!"..........lol!!!! I loved it so much it immediately went on my car! :)
Well, I have to spread the love! So who is ready to win their very own Blissful Booty Perfect Pocket Diaper in your choice of color/print? Just enter below!!!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Ju Ju Be Review and Giveaway!
I was given a couple of diaper bags for my baby shower but I always seem to lose things in them. Do you know what I mean? I have emptied out the entire bag several times to look for a pacifier or my keys or a tube of lip gloss. Because I cloth diaper it is even harder for me to find a bag that I adore.
Then Ju Ju Be entered my life and made it all easier! I have fallen in LOVE with thier bags, literally! I was sent a bag to review and it was called the BFF. It is purple and so very pretty!!!
I love the pattern!
This is called the "Mommy Pocket". I put my keys, wallet, phone, makeup, gum, pen...anything that I think I will need...in this pocket. I love all the pockets and space in this one little section. The black bag pocket is actually for your sunglasses and it cleans them while it's in the pocket! (Haven't tried this feautres because I wear glasses and don't get to wear sunglasses too often.)
This little pocket right above the Mommy Pocket is lined with soft interior some times my phone goes in here or I put here pacifier in here so I can find it easily!
There are two of these pockets on the outside. I am always running out the door just a few hours and I used to pack her a little cooler for her bottles...no more! These pockets on the side are insulated with "Thinsulate by 3M". They keep her bottles cold for about 2-3 hours!!! (They keep things cold or warm...whatever your need is!) I love that I now have extra room on the inside of her bag for things that I need for cool weather like a blanket or jacket:)
Did I mention that I LOVE pockets!!! This bag has got the pockets! I can put all kinds of things in here! I can pack her diapers, wipes, wetbag, change of clothes, socks, any meds if needed, babylegs, blanket, hat and jacket and still have room. I really like that the inside is a light color because it's easier for me to find what I need when I need it! I have not lost anything in this bag:)
This is the changing pad and it is made of memory foam so it is super sofy and cushy! I love the different colors so I know how to keep up with which side to use and clean up:)
Oh and it also has it's own pocket on the back!
It also turns into a back pack!!! It comes with two extra padded handles for this feature. I love this feature because if I need my arms free then I know that I can still have my bag...perfect for the moms that like to get out to the park and you can keep it with you and still play with your baby!
All of the hardware on this bag is METAL. Not the hope it doesn't give out on me plastic...all metal! All the zippers are smooth and quiet. I love that they even made it a little girlie and placed a gem on the zipper tags:)
A couple of things that I would like to mention as well...
* It has TEFLON Fabric Protecttor - stains don't stick!
* AgION Antimicrobial Linings - kills germs, mold, mildew, fungus, bacteria, and other bad stuff!
* It has a crumb drain pocket - bye, bye, mess! (If you have a little one you have crumbs...lol)
* Did I mention that this bag is machine washable? Well it is and it keeps its shape! Just air dry:)
This is my bag COMPLETLY STUFFED with all that I need!I packed the "goldfish", blanket, wetbag, 4 diapes, a change of pants, socks, wipes, my stuffe is in the front pocket (sorry forgot to open it up), a bottle...and I still have room!!!
I will say that it took a minute for me to get used to having everything so organinized that I thought I was forgeting something...you know how you run through that mental check list as you are walking out the door? I know that this is an amazing bag and I can't wait for you to win your very own! I hope that you love your BFF bag as much as I do mine!
So are you ready to win you very own bag? They have some AMAZING colors and prints! I think I might have to get one more...hehehe! Right now this is like my purse...can't have too many purses right? LOL! Enter via rafflecopter below!
Then Ju Ju Be entered my life and made it all easier! I have fallen in LOVE with thier bags, literally! I was sent a bag to review and it was called the BFF. It is purple and so very pretty!!!
A couple of things that I would like to mention as well...
* It has TEFLON Fabric Protecttor - stains don't stick!
* AgION Antimicrobial Linings - kills germs, mold, mildew, fungus, bacteria, and other bad stuff!
* It has a crumb drain pocket - bye, bye, mess! (If you have a little one you have crumbs...lol)
* Did I mention that this bag is machine washable? Well it is and it keeps its shape! Just air dry:)
I will say that it took a minute for me to get used to having everything so organinized that I thought I was forgeting something...you know how you run through that mental check list as you are walking out the door? I know that this is an amazing bag and I can't wait for you to win your very own! I hope that you love your BFF bag as much as I do mine!
So are you ready to win you very own bag? They have some AMAZING colors and prints! I think I might have to get one more...hehehe! Right now this is like my purse...can't have too many purses right? LOL! Enter via rafflecopter below!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Zookies Review and Discount!
I have been so blessed to be a newbie and find an awesome PUL cover that I have loved:) I first heard of Zookies through a giveaway at Christmas (2010) and I won one of her covers! I think it was the first thing that I have ever won. You can read my exciting review HERE.
Have you heard of Zookies? Well, if you haven't then you are about too! First of all I love all her prints! She has an amazing assortment. She makes them sized or one sized, hip snaps, the flaps on the inside to hold the prefold in if you use it flat. I have not been disappointed at all by any of her products
She has recently made some changes to her onesize cover and I got to review it! I have one of the original onesize covers and you can read that review HERE. I was excited to recieve the newer version and tell you what I think....
Don't you just love the monkey's!!!!
LOVING all the snaps!!!
I had to show you the inside of the diaper...
I love all the snaps! They don't line up perfectly, what I mean is that depending on what cover I have her in I can make it tighter or looser. They make the fit so much easier than me trying to line it up perfectly with a wiggly toddler. The extra sanps has also helped with the dreaded "wing" that tends to hang down. We have NOT had that problem at all and she wears this cover weekly.
I love that the fit seems to be a little trimmer that the original one which helps with bulkiness. I also love that the legs are snug:) But not so snug that they leave marks.
Overall, I am etremely impressed with all of Zookies diaper covers. It doesn't matter what prefold I have on her they seem to just hug her perfectly. I love that they have NEVER leaked and they keep everything in where it belongs. I have shared the love of these covers with everyone that I know and now I am sharing it with you all! She was so happy to be a part of this event and wanted to give all my readers a discount!
The code is: lovebug15
It will give you 15% off any of her diaper covers but you only have until the 14th of February!!! So head over there and check out Zookies and you will not be disappointed!
If you find her of Facebook then tell her THANK YOU!!!
Have you heard of Zookies? Well, if you haven't then you are about too! First of all I love all her prints! She has an amazing assortment. She makes them sized or one sized, hip snaps, the flaps on the inside to hold the prefold in if you use it flat. I have not been disappointed at all by any of her products
She has recently made some changes to her onesize cover and I got to review it! I have one of the original onesize covers and you can read that review HERE. I was excited to recieve the newer version and tell you what I think....
I love all the snaps! They don't line up perfectly, what I mean is that depending on what cover I have her in I can make it tighter or looser. They make the fit so much easier than me trying to line it up perfectly with a wiggly toddler. The extra sanps has also helped with the dreaded "wing" that tends to hang down. We have NOT had that problem at all and she wears this cover weekly.
I love that the fit seems to be a little trimmer that the original one which helps with bulkiness. I also love that the legs are snug:) But not so snug that they leave marks.
Overall, I am etremely impressed with all of Zookies diaper covers. It doesn't matter what prefold I have on her they seem to just hug her perfectly. I love that they have NEVER leaked and they keep everything in where it belongs. I have shared the love of these covers with everyone that I know and now I am sharing it with you all! She was so happy to be a part of this event and wanted to give all my readers a discount!
The code is: lovebug15
It will give you 15% off any of her diaper covers but you only have until the 14th of February!!! So head over there and check out Zookies and you will not be disappointed!
If you find her of Facebook then tell her THANK YOU!!!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Wahmies Review and Giveaway!!!!
One of the most important things to have when you go out for a day with cloth diapers is a "wetbag". It holds your dirty diapers until you get home. My favorite brand is Wahmies. When I bought my set of diapers they came with 2 wetbags, a medium and a small (mommysecretsonline.com). Wahmies has a lot of different prints and sizes.
The largest bag measures 16"x20". I have used this several times! I use it when I know that we are going to be gone ALL day! It have fit about 10 diapers in this bag before. It has a handle attached to it so it easliy hangs over a door knob. It makes a perfect "away pail". This bag doesn't have to be used for diapers it can be used for many other purposes too! I have known people to use them for a change of clothes for potty training accidents. You can use them for swim suits, lunches, and toiletries.
The medium size bag measures "13x15". This is my favorite bage because it is perfect for thouse outings that you are going to be gone for about half the day. It holds about 6-8 diapers depending on the size of diapers. I can easily fits 5-6 bulky diapers in this bag. You don't have to use it just for diapers. You can also use this bag for mulit purposes as well!
The smallest wet bag measures 7"x9". It is perfect for going for a guick outing wear you mayonly need one diaper change. It is perfect as a boo boo bag, a makeup up bag, mama cloth. I have also used it to carry my wipes and a small bottle of solution:) I have 2 of these bags.
This is the handle on the "ALL day bag".
I am extremely pleased with all of my bags from wahmies. I especially love the scent tag. It is made of help french terry or hemp fleece. If I know I'm going to be out for long periods of time then I can my favorite oil scent (or tea tree oil) on the tab and it will smell good all day.
I also have a pail liner from Wahmies and it also comes with a scent tag. Because I don't wash diapers but every 3 to 4 days this comes in handy. I think it helps to keep the odor down. It measure 29" long and it is my fanorite pail liner. I went with a deep green color and it works perfectly!
All your wetbags and pail liner can be washed with you diapers! I have had a majority of these bags for about a year or longer and love them! I wanted to share this with all my Coffee Adicts:) and she was so excited that she wanted to share the love with all of you! Wahmies was excited to participate and wants to give you the opprtunity to have your own wet bag or pail liner. So we will have two winners for this giveaway. The first winner will get thier choice of wetbag and the second their choice of pail liner color. Just enter usuing the rafflecopter form below!
The largest bag measures 16"x20". I have used this several times! I use it when I know that we are going to be gone ALL day! It have fit about 10 diapers in this bag before. It has a handle attached to it so it easliy hangs over a door knob. It makes a perfect "away pail". This bag doesn't have to be used for diapers it can be used for many other purposes too! I have known people to use them for a change of clothes for potty training accidents. You can use them for swim suits, lunches, and toiletries.
The medium size bag measures "13x15". This is my favorite bage because it is perfect for thouse outings that you are going to be gone for about half the day. It holds about 6-8 diapers depending on the size of diapers. I can easily fits 5-6 bulky diapers in this bag. You don't have to use it just for diapers. You can also use this bag for mulit purposes as well!
The smallest wet bag measures 7"x9". It is perfect for going for a guick outing wear you mayonly need one diaper change. It is perfect as a boo boo bag, a makeup up bag, mama cloth. I have also used it to carry my wipes and a small bottle of solution:) I have 2 of these bags.
I am extremely pleased with all of my bags from wahmies. I especially love the scent tag. It is made of help french terry or hemp fleece. If I know I'm going to be out for long periods of time then I can my favorite oil scent (or tea tree oil) on the tab and it will smell good all day.
I also have a pail liner from Wahmies and it also comes with a scent tag. Because I don't wash diapers but every 3 to 4 days this comes in handy. I think it helps to keep the odor down. It measure 29" long and it is my fanorite pail liner. I went with a deep green color and it works perfectly!
All your wetbags and pail liner can be washed with you diapers! I have had a majority of these bags for about a year or longer and love them! I wanted to share this with all my Coffee Adicts:) and she was so excited that she wanted to share the love with all of you! Wahmies was excited to participate and wants to give you the opprtunity to have your own wet bag or pail liner. So we will have two winners for this giveaway. The first winner will get thier choice of wetbag and the second their choice of pail liner color. Just enter usuing the rafflecopter form below!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Little Bear Bums Review and Giveaway!
I am honored to host a review for Little Bear Bums:) The owner, Amy, is super friendly and is very helpful! So are you itching to see what I got to review???
I received this awesome fleece cover in a size medium! It feels like it is 2 layers of fleece. The outside is a beige color and the inside is white. Lots of buttons! I think she will be able to wear this cover for a while.
I loved this cover! It is so soft! It was an awesome day or night diaper. Like I said before, she is a very heavy wetter and this with held the night time test for her. She woke up with NO wetness anywhere to be found but in her diaper. I love this diaper as a day time diaper because it NEVER leaks! I have had this cover for a couple of months and it is AMAZING:) I love the snaps because she has conquered the velcro diapers and with snaps she can't get it off....hehehehe! She has recently redesigned them a little so please check out her store and find out what she did...
I also received a couple of fitteds! I received one in yellow and one in purple....
I love, love, love these fitteds. I am wanting more of these because they were so easy to use. No prefolding them and trying to keep Baby Girl still enough while I try to get it on her. It is almost as fast as the cover themselves. They hold up very well and I would totally recommend these to anyone! Like I said the "scrunchiness" (don't you love my made up word?!) of the leg helped to keep everything in the diaper. I have also used these with the other covers that I love them! They also seem to be less bulky than other prefolds.
So are you ready to win a cover and a fitted for your little one???
 |
| Sorry that it is sideways.... |
 |
| A close up on the front...notice the "scrunchiness" of the back! Love it! The buttons can overlap too! |
 |
| I love the legs! NO matter what prefold I have on her this cover hugs her legs and doesn't leave any marks:) |
I loved this cover! It is so soft! It was an awesome day or night diaper. Like I said before, she is a very heavy wetter and this with held the night time test for her. She woke up with NO wetness anywhere to be found but in her diaper. I love this diaper as a day time diaper because it NEVER leaks! I have had this cover for a couple of months and it is AMAZING:) I love the snaps because she has conquered the velcro diapers and with snaps she can't get it off....hehehehe! She has recently redesigned them a little so please check out her store and find out what she did...
I also received a couple of fitteds! I received one in yellow and one in purple....
 |
| I loved that they were wrapped in twine, so simple and elegant:) |
 |
| A couple of things I want to point out in this pic...1. it is layered in the middle! Extra protection right where you need it:) and 2. the legs works like gussets! They fit perfectly around her legs to keep EVERYTHING in the diaper where it is supposed to stay! |
 |
| My Baby Girl playing in her Little Bear Bum cover before bed! |
****I also decided that you can follow me via Google + or Facebook:):):)***************
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)