My mom is obsessed with antiques. She has ridiculous amounts cluttering up her house, but it's always been that way. When I was much younger, she had multiple washboards at home (she probably still has them somewhere). She never used them for washing clothes, but they were my grandma's or great grandma's or something that were actually used for washing. I always thought that it would be terrible to have to wash like that!
Fast forward to today. Right now, I have a 'load' of cloth diapers soaking in my bathtub. Yes, my bathtub. We were away for 4 days for Christmas & came home to a broken washing machine. What!?! It will only spin. It won't fill with water & it certainly won't agitate. Luckily I had washed diapers on Sunday night... this means I didn't actually have to wash until last night- Tuesday. Because I've been busting my butt trying to get ready for B's big birthday bash on Saturday, I didn't get around to washing, plus I didn't want to risk waking B up after he went to bed. During B's nap this morning I started rinsing. My hands were freezing in the cold water & my nose was burning from the stink ammonia buildup (yes, it's true- I haven't completely tackled THAT SMELL issue).
So at this point, I just left them to soak in the hot water & some Rockin' Green Soap. My plan is to let them soak for awhile & then rinse & agitate in hot water & soap. One last rinse & then hopefully I'll be done.
In the meantime, I've picked up some GDiapers to use until our washer gets fixed. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
A Nifty Sale!
Oh my gosh- right in time for the New Year! My current favorite cloth diaper making mama is running a sale for new customers & existing customers who refer new customers!
If you haven't checked Nifty Nappy (check out her blog!) out yet, you should! You can get 15% off your order & then I can get 50% off- amazing, right?!
Here's the sale info... Let me know if you decide to take advantage of this sweet deal!
If you haven't checked Nifty Nappy (check out her blog!) out yet, you should! You can get 15% off your order & then I can get 50% off- amazing, right?!
Here's the sale info... Let me know if you decide to take advantage of this sweet deal!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
How did I get here?
My brother in law is graduating from college this Saturday, from the University of Iowa. While I went to Iowa State University (go Cyclones!), I have no real animosity towards U of I, unless of course, it's the annual Cy-Hawk game. And then it's on- I'm like a Cyclone fan from your worst nightmare (if you're a Hawkeye fan, that is). I'll talk crap & razz you until you finally give in. And then, if the Cyclones don't win (like this year) ... or even when they do win, I'll laugh & say it was all in good fun anyway!
Anyway, this 'time of year' has me thinking back to when DH & I graduated from ISU. It seems like so much has happened in the 3 years since we graduated, that it can't possibly have only been 3 years ago. We've moved from ISU to the Quad Cities (Iowa side), to Seattle, to Small City in Illinois, to Downtown Chicago, to Suburban Chicago, Illinois. That's technically 6 homes in 3 years. Yep, no big deal. Except when you add that first of all, Seattle is all the way across the country where no one we are related to lives & we had to miss Thanksgiving & Christmas, weddings & birthdays, etc. etc etc. And we got married, in Iowa, while we lived there.
We also found out I was pregnant the week after we moved into our very first purchased home is that Small City in Illinois, had Baby B (almost exactly 1 year ago) & then moved away from our very first purchased home when B was 4 months old.
So how did I get here? 3 years ago I was a young Apparel Merchandising, Design, & Production major at Iowa State University. A member of a sorority who had moved out of the chapter house to live with my boyfriend, who was at that point, my fiance. I was still grabbing coffee & going to class where I learned about who Bonnie Cashun was & what she did for the world & the live & times of a Miss Coco Chanel. My favorite textbook was Vogue. I was a bartender at a lovely restaurant bar known for it's yummy pizza & it's fabulous beer selection (over 110 beers ON TAP). I was making martinis with good friends in our apartments & laughing about who did what at the last house party. I was reminiscing about the years before, saying 'It seems like so long ago... when we stole the Phi Delts composite & watched the ATO's roast a pig in their parking lot. And now, it really does seem like so long ago. Like an entirely different lifetime. Maybe someone else's life?
How did I become a stay at home mom in the Suburbs, with an almost 1 year old son, & a husband with whom I'll be celebrating 3 years of marriage this Spring? How did I become the one who has 'traded in' all my sorority sisters for my mom's group (no, I'm not not friends with them anymore- we just don't live in the same city! Some of them are my very best friends!)? How did I become the girl who can only drink 2 drinks or I'm not going to want to get up in the morning?
I guess it's a simple answer, really. I became this way because ultimately, that's what I wanted. And I think that's what God wanted for me & my family. A small family unit, who adores one another, who can't imagine life without that 'driving me crazy' 85 pound dog, & that absolutely beautiful (for a boy!) baby boy, & that hardworking, generous man who I'm lucky enough to be spending the rest of my life with. I'm lucky enough to want to stay up wrapping Christmas presents for my family with my amazing husband. Lucky enough to want to make dinner each night (okay, maybe not each night), while a small person has attached himself to my leg or while he throws everything he can access out of the kitchen cabinets. I'm lucky enough to know that I should not take a second of this for granted, because just 3 short years ago, I didn't really have any of it, & while that was fun & all, this is the best feeling ever.
So I'll remember that this Saturday, while I watch my brother in law walk across that stage to accept his degree. I'll remember while I watch him hug his fiance & while they snuggle their nephew, B, a little. I'll remember that... while I watch them spend the next few years 'getting here'.
Anyway, this 'time of year' has me thinking back to when DH & I graduated from ISU. It seems like so much has happened in the 3 years since we graduated, that it can't possibly have only been 3 years ago. We've moved from ISU to the Quad Cities (Iowa side), to Seattle, to Small City in Illinois, to Downtown Chicago, to Suburban Chicago, Illinois. That's technically 6 homes in 3 years. Yep, no big deal. Except when you add that first of all, Seattle is all the way across the country where no one we are related to lives & we had to miss Thanksgiving & Christmas, weddings & birthdays, etc. etc etc. And we got married, in Iowa, while we lived there.
We also found out I was pregnant the week after we moved into our very first purchased home is that Small City in Illinois, had Baby B (almost exactly 1 year ago) & then moved away from our very first purchased home when B was 4 months old.
So how did I get here? 3 years ago I was a young Apparel Merchandising, Design, & Production major at Iowa State University. A member of a sorority who had moved out of the chapter house to live with my boyfriend, who was at that point, my fiance. I was still grabbing coffee & going to class where I learned about who Bonnie Cashun was & what she did for the world & the live & times of a Miss Coco Chanel. My favorite textbook was Vogue. I was a bartender at a lovely restaurant bar known for it's yummy pizza & it's fabulous beer selection (over 110 beers ON TAP). I was making martinis with good friends in our apartments & laughing about who did what at the last house party. I was reminiscing about the years before, saying 'It seems like so long ago... when we stole the Phi Delts composite & watched the ATO's roast a pig in their parking lot. And now, it really does seem like so long ago. Like an entirely different lifetime. Maybe someone else's life?
How did I become a stay at home mom in the Suburbs, with an almost 1 year old son, & a husband with whom I'll be celebrating 3 years of marriage this Spring? How did I become the one who has 'traded in' all my sorority sisters for my mom's group (no, I'm not not friends with them anymore- we just don't live in the same city! Some of them are my very best friends!)? How did I become the girl who can only drink 2 drinks or I'm not going to want to get up in the morning?
I guess it's a simple answer, really. I became this way because ultimately, that's what I wanted. And I think that's what God wanted for me & my family. A small family unit, who adores one another, who can't imagine life without that 'driving me crazy' 85 pound dog, & that absolutely beautiful (for a boy!) baby boy, & that hardworking, generous man who I'm lucky enough to be spending the rest of my life with. I'm lucky enough to want to stay up wrapping Christmas presents for my family with my amazing husband. Lucky enough to want to make dinner each night (okay, maybe not each night), while a small person has attached himself to my leg or while he throws everything he can access out of the kitchen cabinets. I'm lucky enough to know that I should not take a second of this for granted, because just 3 short years ago, I didn't really have any of it, & while that was fun & all, this is the best feeling ever.
So I'll remember that this Saturday, while I watch my brother in law walk across that stage to accept his degree. I'll remember while I watch him hug his fiance & while they snuggle their nephew, B, a little. I'll remember that... while I watch them spend the next few years 'getting here'.
I'll remember how much fun it was, going from there to here.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
THAT SMELL update.
I've soaked & rinsed & bleached & rinsed & washed & rinsed... I haven't sunned, because unfortunately, here in the Chicago suburbs, we haven't had much sun lately.
Yesterday I finally gave in & I stripped with Dawn dishsoap. I'm hopeful. So hopeful, I put B in his Nifty Nappy fitted & off he went to nap. Keeping my fingers crossed that there won't be ammonia stink on that diaper anymore.
I'll let you all know. Thanks for the suggestions on here & via twitter! I appreciate it all!
Yesterday I finally gave in & I stripped with Dawn dishsoap. I'm hopeful. So hopeful, I put B in his Nifty Nappy fitted & off he went to nap. Keeping my fingers crossed that there won't be ammonia stink on that diaper anymore.
I'll let you all know. Thanks for the suggestions on here & via twitter! I appreciate it all!
Friday, December 4, 2009
It's a Battlefield!
I'm currently at war. And I intend to win. The enemy? Ammonia Stink (aka THAT SMELL) in my beloved diapers.
I'm prepared to do whatever I have to do... the latest casualty? My BRAND NEW, MOST FABULOUS EVER diaper- A Nifty Nappy fitted.
I got it last week, the day before Thanksgiving. I was already in the car on the way to my in-laws & was immediately sad that I couldn't race to the washer & prep it. So, I waited. I washed it 3 times & then, even though it says wash more than that, I put it on B- for just a couple hours before bedtime. Then came the moment of truth. Last night I put it on B for his overnight diaper. It was miraculous. Even though he nursed twice (yes... twice... that's another battle we're fighting) he woke up dry & I mean dry- the outside of the diaper was dry!
I was ecstatic. I already knew I was in love, but now I was falling head over heels. Complete & utter infatuation. (Yes, I realize this is a diaper I'm talking about... yes, the very thing my son poos into... but if you're a CDing mama, you know exactly what I mean!)
And then, I opened the diaper pail tonight to place another diaper in it & the overwhelming stink of ammonia came flying out at me. I only had today's diapers in the pail & determined, I actually went through the (only wet, no dirties!) diapers to find the culprit. The tears almost started flowing (probably moreso from the horrible burning stench of ammonia, but I digress) when I realized THAT SMELL was coming from my new love.
So tomorrow begins the all out, take no prisoners, battle of the century! (Okay, maybe just of B's diaper wearing days, but you get my point, right? I will not let any more harm come to my diapers!)
I'm prepared to do whatever I have to do... the latest casualty? My BRAND NEW, MOST FABULOUS EVER diaper- A Nifty Nappy fitted.
I got it last week, the day before Thanksgiving. I was already in the car on the way to my in-laws & was immediately sad that I couldn't race to the washer & prep it. So, I waited. I washed it 3 times & then, even though it says wash more than that, I put it on B- for just a couple hours before bedtime. Then came the moment of truth. Last night I put it on B for his overnight diaper. It was miraculous. Even though he nursed twice (yes... twice... that's another battle we're fighting) he woke up dry & I mean dry- the outside of the diaper was dry!
I was ecstatic. I already knew I was in love, but now I was falling head over heels. Complete & utter infatuation. (Yes, I realize this is a diaper I'm talking about... yes, the very thing my son poos into... but if you're a CDing mama, you know exactly what I mean!)
And then, I opened the diaper pail tonight to place another diaper in it & the overwhelming stink of ammonia came flying out at me. I only had today's diapers in the pail & determined, I actually went through the (only wet, no dirties!) diapers to find the culprit. The tears almost started flowing (probably moreso from the horrible burning stench of ammonia, but I digress) when I realized THAT SMELL was coming from my new love.
So tomorrow begins the all out, take no prisoners, battle of the century! (Okay, maybe just of B's diaper wearing days, but you get my point, right? I will not let any more harm come to my diapers!)
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wordless Wednesday
We've had a few gorgeous days here & there this fall & we've been taking advantage!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sweet Dreams are Made of These
My name is Amanda & I am a sleep junkie.
Well not as much as I used to be. I've always been one for my sleep. I love to snuggle into bed, especially in clean, crisp sheets & rest my head on my pillow. I love the 'cool side' of the pillow. I love to be covered up under blankets- the more, the better. If given the chance, I would always sleep for exactly 9.5 hours. I used to say 'I required 9.5 hours of sleep to function.'
If only that were a possibility anymore!
B will be 11 months old this week & he has 'slept through the night' 4 times in his short life. And by through the night I mean that he went down between 7:30-8pm, woke up once- before I went to bed between 10:30-11pm, & then didn't wake up until Hubs was getting up- 5:30-6am. Most of the time, he wakes up once before midnight, then once around 3am, & then when Hubs is up.
At this point, I'd kill for more than 3 hours of consecutive sleep.
We've been away from home for four of the past five (came home last night) nights & each night that we were away, B slept worse. Saturday night B was up every two hours. And we were awake from 3:30 - 5am. Luckily we were at my in-laws & when B woke up at 6:45, Hubs picked him up & took him to his mom, so that we could sleep in. Oh boy, did we! We slept until 9:30. Amazing!
I'm not sure what the issue is anymore. When we're away, B is typically sleeping in a pack & play, in the same room as us. I think a myriad of things bother him in that situation- the inevitable noise of us coming into the room, getting into bed, & tossing & turning in a bed that might as well be a tiny pile of rocks. When we're at home, however, I don't understand why he doesn't sleep better. I've tried everything I can think of- soothies (as in pacifiers), music, lovies, rocking, patting his bum, rubbing his back, different pajamas, hanging blankets of his crib to darken it, noise makers, a fan, & as much as I hated it , crying it out... the list goes on & on. Generally his awaking results in my nursing him back to sleep, because I KNOW that's the one thing that is guaranteed to work. However, nursing 2-3 times in the night doesn't really work for me anymore... I want my son to sleep. He is tired. He wakes up tired. He naps tired. He plays tired. I am tired. I wake up tired. I wish for naps, although they don't come. I am constantly tired. I think we both deserve more (as does Hubs, who wishes for a wife who wasn't so tired, come 9pm.)
Does anyone have any suggestions? How can I get this child to sleep? How can I get him to consistently sleep? ...how can I get some more sleep?
Well not as much as I used to be. I've always been one for my sleep. I love to snuggle into bed, especially in clean, crisp sheets & rest my head on my pillow. I love the 'cool side' of the pillow. I love to be covered up under blankets- the more, the better. If given the chance, I would always sleep for exactly 9.5 hours. I used to say 'I required 9.5 hours of sleep to function.'
If only that were a possibility anymore!
B will be 11 months old this week & he has 'slept through the night' 4 times in his short life. And by through the night I mean that he went down between 7:30-8pm, woke up once- before I went to bed between 10:30-11pm, & then didn't wake up until Hubs was getting up- 5:30-6am. Most of the time, he wakes up once before midnight, then once around 3am, & then when Hubs is up.
At this point, I'd kill for more than 3 hours of consecutive sleep.
We've been away from home for four of the past five (came home last night) nights & each night that we were away, B slept worse. Saturday night B was up every two hours. And we were awake from 3:30 - 5am. Luckily we were at my in-laws & when B woke up at 6:45, Hubs picked him up & took him to his mom, so that we could sleep in. Oh boy, did we! We slept until 9:30. Amazing!
I'm not sure what the issue is anymore. When we're away, B is typically sleeping in a pack & play, in the same room as us. I think a myriad of things bother him in that situation- the inevitable noise of us coming into the room, getting into bed, & tossing & turning in a bed that might as well be a tiny pile of rocks. When we're at home, however, I don't understand why he doesn't sleep better. I've tried everything I can think of- soothies (as in pacifiers), music, lovies, rocking, patting his bum, rubbing his back, different pajamas, hanging blankets of his crib to darken it, noise makers, a fan, & as much as I hated it , crying it out... the list goes on & on. Generally his awaking results in my nursing him back to sleep, because I KNOW that's the one thing that is guaranteed to work. However, nursing 2-3 times in the night doesn't really work for me anymore... I want my son to sleep. He is tired. He wakes up tired. He naps tired. He plays tired. I am tired. I wake up tired. I wish for naps, although they don't come. I am constantly tired. I think we both deserve more (as does Hubs, who wishes for a wife who wasn't so tired, come 9pm.)
Does anyone have any suggestions? How can I get this child to sleep? How can I get him to consistently sleep? ...how can I get some more sleep?
View from a 4 Year Old
I 'loaned' my 4 year old niece our camera (in actuality, I was taking pictures & she kept asking if she could try too) & here's the results:
visiting Grandma & Grandpa- from a 4 year old's place in the world...
(Niece K & her Uncle M- My Hubs, of course!)
(K's "baby" B- She always refers to him as hers)
(Aunt Mandy & K's 'Disney Princesses on Ice' wand- it was a very impressive wand!)
(Your guess is as good as mine... The TV??)
(Self Portrait)
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Softbums Winner!!!
Here's my Softbums winner! Entry number 246.
Gigi said...
I follow your blog. ruth dot gray at gmail dot com
Friday, November 20, 2009
Extra Entries on Softbums - Winner!
Thanks to my friend Madison, aka @mama2moose, aka Life Happens During Naptime, for making me my button! I love it :)
Go get your 20 entries, Madison!
Extra Entries on Softbums
I've been slacking, so I apologize. I have no excuse. I'm just lazy.
So here's a chance for extra entries!
I want a button for my blog, but I have no idea how to make one...
Make me a button & you can have TWENTY extra entries! Does that seem fair?
So here's a chance for extra entries!
I want a button for my blog, but I have no idea how to make one...
Make me a button & you can have TWENTY extra entries! Does that seem fair?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tupperware Online Party
I am hosting an online Tupperware party for a friend. If you like Tupperware & want to check out the party, leave me an email address & I'll send you an invite. The party is open until November 30th.
Tupperware Party!
Tupperware Party!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Stand Up Redo
Small post related to my last entry...
I feel bad now, cause my good friend said she felt bad for giving B some puffs one day when we were together! Oh no, don't feel bad! That was not my intent!
I want to say that my previous post is meant to be more about standing up for your child & yourself for anything you believe in, rather than specifically a food issue. I was just using the food issue because that's what's currently on my mind & currently an issue with others. I tend to be submissive about telling others to stop something or to not do something, & that is what I want to change (along with some of my eating/buying habits).
So to recap, it doesn't matter if I say I think Gerber puffs are crap & you don't agree. What matters is that whatever you think is crap, you stand up for that!
I feel bad now, cause my good friend said she felt bad for giving B some puffs one day when we were together! Oh no, don't feel bad! That was not my intent!
I want to say that my previous post is meant to be more about standing up for your child & yourself for anything you believe in, rather than specifically a food issue. I was just using the food issue because that's what's currently on my mind & currently an issue with others. I tend to be submissive about telling others to stop something or to not do something, & that is what I want to change (along with some of my eating/buying habits).
So to recap, it doesn't matter if I say I think Gerber puffs are crap & you don't agree. What matters is that whatever you think is crap, you stand up for that!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Standing up for a Healthy Crunch.
When I was pregnant I knew that I would cloth diaper. I thought (& hoped!) that I'd be a stay at home mom, because I didn't want someone else 'raising' my child. I wanted to do yoga & be healthy. I wanted to breastfeed (so badly, I'd hoped I could do it). I just really wanted to do everything I could so that my son would be healthy while he was inside me & I really, really hoped he'd be healthy when he was outside of me. I guess I wanted to be a little crunchy.
I learned the ins & outs of cloth diapering, I get to be a stay at home mom, I practice yoga (on & off... a little off right now, but planning to change that asap). I've lost two sizes (hopefully that's in part because I'm healthy), I breastfeed (exclusively for 6 months & still quite often now). When we moved, I told Hubs I required a Whole Foods within 15 minutes of our home. When B started eating baby food/ table food I went all organic for him. Organic jarred food, organic puffs, organic veggies & fruits... We started with organic avocado, not rice cereal. In fact, B has only tasted rice cereal once... it did not go over well. I was not in love with the baby food idea... Why is pureed baby food better than pureed table food- fruits & veggies? I don't think it is better... I think it's easier, sometimes. And so, yes, we have jars of organic baby food in our cabinets for those times when we're traveling or out to lunch or when we're eating something that B cannot have.
In recent weeks, I've become lax about some things... B has been eating a lot of Ritz crackers (this stops now). B has been given bites of things that make me cringe... on the inside. I try to only purchase whole grain, whole wheat, & mostly, organic items for our home, but I'm not the only person who can provide food for him anymore. He can take food from plates, he can be left for a few hours at a time with someone else. He can have only organic puffs on his shelf at our home, but regular Gerber puffs in the pantry at someone else's house. I guess I've become lax because 1) it's easier & 2) I didn't want to offend anyone.
Over the weekend I had a thought. This is MY son (well of course, with the hubs!) & this is MY son's health, as well as our health. And I don't have to 'make it easier' on anyone else. I have always packed food for B & I will continue to do so. The next time I tell someone "no, it's okay, I've got these organic puffs for him" & they say "but let's let him try these yummy Gerber ones", I WILL stand up & say NO. No. It's not okay. I don't want these scary things in his body. I don't want these scary things in my body or my husband's. What scary things, you ask? Well sugar for one, & then super scary ingredients like "partially hydrogenated oils". Those words (as well as others) scare the hell out of me. Do you know what those are? Do you know what those do to you? Do you know that you might as well inhale some cigarette smoke, cause partially hydrogenated oils are just as bad, if not worse! ?
Bottom line... there will be some more posts regarding this. I'm working on researching different ingredients & I'm learning more & more about what I want my family to consume & what I don't want in my house. While I learn, I will post. If you'd like to learn with me, feel free to read along, feel free to comment. If you think it's crap & you want to sit by & eat your crackers while smoking your cigarettes, then that's your right too, but don't drag me down with you.
I'll be (slowly, I'm sure) restocking our pantry & fridge with yummy, healthy foods that don't contain these ingredients. I'll be navigating my way around playdates where my son is offered not so healthy options. I'll be learning how to save money while buying the better items. I'll be trying out a new way of life... & I'll be letting you all know how it's going.
I learned the ins & outs of cloth diapering, I get to be a stay at home mom, I practice yoga (on & off... a little off right now, but planning to change that asap). I've lost two sizes (hopefully that's in part because I'm healthy), I breastfeed (exclusively for 6 months & still quite often now). When we moved, I told Hubs I required a Whole Foods within 15 minutes of our home. When B started eating baby food/ table food I went all organic for him. Organic jarred food, organic puffs, organic veggies & fruits... We started with organic avocado, not rice cereal. In fact, B has only tasted rice cereal once... it did not go over well. I was not in love with the baby food idea... Why is pureed baby food better than pureed table food- fruits & veggies? I don't think it is better... I think it's easier, sometimes. And so, yes, we have jars of organic baby food in our cabinets for those times when we're traveling or out to lunch or when we're eating something that B cannot have.
In recent weeks, I've become lax about some things... B has been eating a lot of Ritz crackers (this stops now). B has been given bites of things that make me cringe... on the inside. I try to only purchase whole grain, whole wheat, & mostly, organic items for our home, but I'm not the only person who can provide food for him anymore. He can take food from plates, he can be left for a few hours at a time with someone else. He can have only organic puffs on his shelf at our home, but regular Gerber puffs in the pantry at someone else's house. I guess I've become lax because 1) it's easier & 2) I didn't want to offend anyone.
Over the weekend I had a thought. This is MY son (well of course, with the hubs!) & this is MY son's health, as well as our health. And I don't have to 'make it easier' on anyone else. I have always packed food for B & I will continue to do so. The next time I tell someone "no, it's okay, I've got these organic puffs for him" & they say "but let's let him try these yummy Gerber ones", I WILL stand up & say NO. No. It's not okay. I don't want these scary things in his body. I don't want these scary things in my body or my husband's. What scary things, you ask? Well sugar for one, & then super scary ingredients like "partially hydrogenated oils". Those words (as well as others) scare the hell out of me. Do you know what those are? Do you know what those do to you? Do you know that you might as well inhale some cigarette smoke, cause partially hydrogenated oils are just as bad, if not worse! ?
Bottom line... there will be some more posts regarding this. I'm working on researching different ingredients & I'm learning more & more about what I want my family to consume & what I don't want in my house. While I learn, I will post. If you'd like to learn with me, feel free to read along, feel free to comment. If you think it's crap & you want to sit by & eat your crackers while smoking your cigarettes, then that's your right too, but don't drag me down with you.
I'll be (slowly, I'm sure) restocking our pantry & fridge with yummy, healthy foods that don't contain these ingredients. I'll be navigating my way around playdates where my son is offered not so healthy options. I'll be learning how to save money while buying the better items. I'll be trying out a new way of life... & I'll be letting you all know how it's going.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Holiday Public Service Announcement
Need some extra cash for the holidays?
Need some inexpensive, yet gorgeous gifts for the holidays?
Need some profits for a fundraiser?
Whatever your need, I can be there for you... well, me & Cookie Lee, that is!
What's Cookie Lee? It's this fabulous jewelry company that allows me to work when I feel like it, from where I feel like it, however I feel like it. Want to check it out?
Cookie Lee website
Cookie Lee website
A little fineprint for you: I would love to send you a catalog, book a catalog show for you or give you more information about Cookie Lee. Our shows are a blast because there is no presentation -- just pure shopping with beautiful jewelry at great prices. We also have fantastic rewards for hostesses, including free jewelry and items at 50% off. If you already know you love the jewelry and want to purchase the jewelry 50% off ALL the time, becoming a Consultant might be the perfect choice for you! Whatever your level of interest in Cookie Lee, I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Do you do direct sales? Let's support each other! Leave me a comment telling me what you sell & what you love or don't love about it!
How Kushie is it?
Ahh, Kushies Ultra-Lite washable diapers, how fantastic are you?
It's an All-in-One diaper with 6 layers of 100% cotton flannel (oh so soft!). It's a one size form fitting diaper with an adjustable hook & loop closure. They fit from 10-22 pounds, although I'm certain these will fit B for quite awhile (he weighs 18 pounds right now & has plenty of room to go). Best of all, the prints are spectacular!
I received the Ultra-Lite Infant Trial pack in blue (B is a boy, afterall).
So, what would I change, if I had that kind of power in Kushie land? Of course, I'd have snaps as an option for closure. However, that said, even with hook & loop closures, these diapers are so easy to use. They're trim, absorbant, & soft. I love that they truly are a wash, dry, & wear diaper!
Kushies are a Canadian company that has more than just cloth diapers. They also have (award winning) toys, bedding, clothes, bibs & diaper accessories, just to name a few. You can truly do a little one stop shopping at Kushiesonline.com.
Want to buy some Kushies products? Take advantage of this 10% discount that they'll give you, if you use the code: bwal10 at kushiesonline.com
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween from my family to yours!
carving pumpkins on Friday night
Trick or Treating with some friends!
Our family
minus the real life puppy (check out those jack o lanterns!)
Friday, October 30, 2009
My (baby's) Bum is Soft, is Yours?
I have found a new cloth diaper that I simply adore.
First of all, who doesn't dig the name Nuclear Pumpkin? I mean, really? Coolest. name. ever. I received the Softbums Basic Pack, obviously in Nuclear Pumpkin- perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving, & of course, those previously mentioned Chicago Bears cheering Sundays! The Basic Pack comes with the Softbums waterproof cover (that's the orange part)t & 3 microfiber snap in inserts. The inserts fold over & have a top layer of super soft fleece (this is the part that touches baby's bum).
My favorite part of these diapers? Well, I can't pick just one. You can reuse the cover, 2-6 times! 6 possible times! Amazing! (What, do less laundry? I'm all for that!) You snap in the insert, place on baby, then remove insert & let the cover dry. Next diaper change, snap in new insert and bam! New diaper, less laundry. What's my other favorite part? It's a one size diaper that's actually perfect sized. It has 'tiny snuggers' (as the company calls them) that adjust to make the diaper literally fit babies from 6 pounds up to 35 pounds.
If I haven't convinced you that Softbums are a fabulous new diaper, then maybe this video will convince you. Check it out here.
Now are you ready to try some out for yourself? Here's how...
Head over to Softbums website & purchase some for yourself!
Win one right here! (yes, here!)
Sara has generously offered up some Softbums for my winner, so sign up... Here's how (leave me a comment for each of these possible entries):
1. Go to Softbums.com & tell me what your favorite color of diaper is. Leave me your email address in the comment. This entry is mandatory, all following comments will be null & void. Thank you!!
2. Follow Big City! Baby (this will be verified).
3. Follow Sara's blog, I Love Cloth Diapers (this will be verified as well).
4. Become a fan of Softbums on Facebook.
5. Follow both @mandyw526 & @Softbums on twitter. Tweet once daily, including both @mandyw526 & @Softbums. Also include #clothdiapers & this blog post link. Leave me the link please!
6. Play along! Comment on any other blog post- leave me the link!
7. Blog about this- leave me the link where I can find it!
...Be ready for an extra entry or two... I already have them in mind!
Blog Giveaway ends Sunday, November 29th at 8pm CST. Winner will be drawn via random generator & then contacted via email. Winner has 24 hours to respond to me, before another winner is drawn.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Vacation?
Does a stay at home mom ever really get a vacation?
B & I tagged along with the hubs on a work trip to Indianapolis this week... well actually only for a few days of this week. Hubs convinced us by saying 'it'll be kind of like a vacation for you!' Uh, right, you mean I don't have to change diapers, nurse on demand, carry an overflowing diaper bag, & wrestle my child into a carseat/stroller/sling all day? Cause that would be a vacation. Is someone else going to get up in the middle of the night when B won't sleep in his packnplay? Is someone else going to cook dinner? (okay, okay, someone else is going to cook dinner, so you got me there!)
We left bright & early at 7am yesterday & we'll be returning tomorrow afternoon. 7am is early for B & I, especially for us to be out of the house (so far, not sleeping in = not a vacation! Wife/mommyhood 1- vacation 0). But we made it! We arrived in Indianapolis around noon, their time, as it is one hour ahead of CST. I decided I'd try & keep B on his regular CST schedule, since it's only a couple of days & it's only an hour, meaning, I put him to bed when the clock says 8:30 instead of 7:30. That worked until this morning when we got up when the clock said 7am to take Hubs to work (Wife/mommyhood 2- vacation 0!)
Regardless, we've been spending our time wandering the streets of Indy... or rather, wandering the malls. When given free time with no real home to be at, I do what I do best- shop. However, since having a child, I rarely actually spend money (apparently I'm a window shopper now- boo!) & when I do spend money, it's rarely on myself (the child's needs always come first... yes he needed another cute tshirt from BabyGap, just like he needs those three cloth diapers I'm still waiting on!) Anyway, we checked out one mall yesterday & then came back to our hotel, where I proceeded to drag the packnplay into our oversized bathroom, so B could have some peace & quiet for a nap... good idea mommy! Today, we went downtown & checked out another mall, where I (gasp!) bought myself some jeans & some tops. (I know, I'm as shocked as you are! My how nice it will be to not be yanking up my jeans while carrying an 18 pound baby & his overflowing diaper bag!)
We've grabbed lunch, played on the bed (king size- B loves it too!), went 'swimming' & now B's back in the bathroom for a nap. I decided to grab my MacBook & document this trip a little, when I looked around at the hotel room. Let me paint you a quick picture: clothes draped around the suitcase, towels (from the pool, not the shower!) on the floor, bed unmade (cause those hotel comforters... EW.), Juno on tv, 32 ounce iced tea on the table, toys strewn about as well as items falling out of that darn diaper bag...
Hey, guess what I just realized? ...I don't have to clean this up! I can just throw the clothes & toys in the luggage & go! Wife/Mommyhood-2, Vacation- 75!
I guess I am on vacation! (...and isn't Juno a great movie!)
B & I tagged along with the hubs on a work trip to Indianapolis this week... well actually only for a few days of this week. Hubs convinced us by saying 'it'll be kind of like a vacation for you!' Uh, right, you mean I don't have to change diapers, nurse on demand, carry an overflowing diaper bag, & wrestle my child into a carseat/stroller/sling all day? Cause that would be a vacation. Is someone else going to get up in the middle of the night when B won't sleep in his packnplay? Is someone else going to cook dinner? (okay, okay, someone else is going to cook dinner, so you got me there!)
We left bright & early at 7am yesterday & we'll be returning tomorrow afternoon. 7am is early for B & I, especially for us to be out of the house (so far, not sleeping in = not a vacation! Wife/mommyhood 1- vacation 0). But we made it! We arrived in Indianapolis around noon, their time, as it is one hour ahead of CST. I decided I'd try & keep B on his regular CST schedule, since it's only a couple of days & it's only an hour, meaning, I put him to bed when the clock says 8:30 instead of 7:30. That worked until this morning when we got up when the clock said 7am to take Hubs to work (Wife/mommyhood 2- vacation 0!)
Regardless, we've been spending our time wandering the streets of Indy... or rather, wandering the malls. When given free time with no real home to be at, I do what I do best- shop. However, since having a child, I rarely actually spend money (apparently I'm a window shopper now- boo!) & when I do spend money, it's rarely on myself (the child's needs always come first... yes he needed another cute tshirt from BabyGap, just like he needs those three cloth diapers I'm still waiting on!) Anyway, we checked out one mall yesterday & then came back to our hotel, where I proceeded to drag the packnplay into our oversized bathroom, so B could have some peace & quiet for a nap... good idea mommy! Today, we went downtown & checked out another mall, where I (gasp!) bought myself some jeans & some tops. (I know, I'm as shocked as you are! My how nice it will be to not be yanking up my jeans while carrying an 18 pound baby & his overflowing diaper bag!)
We've grabbed lunch, played on the bed (king size- B loves it too!), went 'swimming' & now B's back in the bathroom for a nap. I decided to grab my MacBook & document this trip a little, when I looked around at the hotel room. Let me paint you a quick picture: clothes draped around the suitcase, towels (from the pool, not the shower!) on the floor, bed unmade (cause those hotel comforters... EW.), Juno on tv, 32 ounce iced tea on the table, toys strewn about as well as items falling out of that darn diaper bag...
Hey, guess what I just realized? ...I don't have to clean this up! I can just throw the clothes & toys in the luggage & go! Wife/Mommyhood-2, Vacation- 75!
I guess I am on vacation! (...and isn't Juno a great movie!)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Cloth Diapering
I've recently been talking with a few friends about cloth diapering... & it's hard to imagine how overwhelming it seems to people. At this point it's hard for me to imagine that it scares people & that it seems like so much work. (this is not to sound negative towards people or to call anyone out on this...)
At this point, cloth diapering is something I know like the back of my hand. Before I was pregnant I knew I would cloth diaper. I was introduced a few years ago, by my cousin & his wife. They cloth diapered their son & then their daughter (& will cloth diaper their son, due in November). Hubs & I talked about it, Cousin M reassured us how easy it is, Cousin's wife, K, reiterated that. She was available for any & all questions I had (& I had a lot!) & I spent the majority of my 9 month pregnancy researching which diapers I would choose.
I began with BumGenius 3.0 pockets & a few Indian prefolds/Bummis covers, as I believe seems to be the normal starters. I then purchased some FuzziBunz (my favorite, as you all know!). To this day, the majority of my stash (what us cloth diapering mamas call our collection of cloth diapers- sounds cool, doesn't it) are pocket diapers. I have since bought, sold & traded lots of diapers... I only have 3 prefolds & 1 Bummis cover (although it's too small now) left, from my original purchases.
I used Purex Free & Clear for awhile (after researching detergent choices on this wonderfully informative site: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/basics.htm ), but have since switched to Rockin Green Soap (love it! Smells fabulous!). I wash every other day or every third day- just depends on what's going on & what time of the day I washed previously (sometimes I prefer to wait until the next morning, rather than after B goes to sleep at night). I have a plastic trash can with a lid that I picked up at Target for less than $15.00 & I have 2 pail liners. After every diaper change, I shake my diaper insert into the pail & toss the pocket shell in as well. On laundry day, I empty the pail liner into the washer (no touching the dirty diapers!) & toss the liner in with the diapers. Easy Peasy. Put my washer on cold soak for 15 minutes (that's what my washing machine has for an option, previously I just did a cold rinse). Then I do one hot wash cycle, which includes a cold rinse. I then throw my inserts, my All in Ones, Fitteds, (I do have a few diapers that are not pockets) & any wetbags/pail liners into the dryer. I choose to line dry my pocket shells, because I think it keeps the PUL in better shape. I have, on occasion, thrown them in the dryer (if I needed one asap or if we're at the in-laws house & leaving soon), but I normally hang them on a drying rack.
If I'm out, I toss the diaper in a wetbag until I get home, where I throw it in the pail.
I still use disposable wipes (maybe with number 2, I'll use cloth?). I toss them into a small trash can that I keep in B's room.
At this point, I can't imagine using sposies (that's cloth diapering mama lingo for disposables). I think sposies smell bad all the time. I am constantly wondering if sposie wearing babies have dirty diapers, because I can SMELL the chemicals & the urine in the diaper. YUCK. (Not to knock any of you sposie mamas- it's just my personal opinion).
You can use Aplix (velcro), snaps, pins, or snappis. You can use pockets, AIOs, AI2s, Fitteds & Covers, Prefolds & Covers. You can use wetbags or ziploc bags. You can use a diaper pail or a trash can. You can online shop or brick & mortar shop. You can use microfiber, hemp, bamboo or prefold inserts (for the record, I prefer hemp, but I do use some microfiber).
You can start in the hospital or when Baby is a few months old.
You can choose exactly how you want to cloth diaper.
The bottom line is, YOU CAN cloth diaper. It's Easy. And soon you'll be saying "At this point, I can't believe I ever considered NOT cloth diapering...?
**I linked to Kellyscloset.com a few times. This is the website I typically use for general purchases. I use specialty sites for certain diaper brands. I find out about a lot of brands through diaperswappers.com; Babycenter's Cloth Diapering forum, Twitter.com, & other blogging moms- I find mom's with experience is much more valuable than just plain googling. Kelly's Closet also has a blog.
At this point, cloth diapering is something I know like the back of my hand. Before I was pregnant I knew I would cloth diaper. I was introduced a few years ago, by my cousin & his wife. They cloth diapered their son & then their daughter (& will cloth diaper their son, due in November). Hubs & I talked about it, Cousin M reassured us how easy it is, Cousin's wife, K, reiterated that. She was available for any & all questions I had (& I had a lot!) & I spent the majority of my 9 month pregnancy researching which diapers I would choose.
I began with BumGenius 3.0 pockets & a few Indian prefolds/Bummis covers, as I believe seems to be the normal starters. I then purchased some FuzziBunz (my favorite, as you all know!). To this day, the majority of my stash (what us cloth diapering mamas call our collection of cloth diapers- sounds cool, doesn't it) are pocket diapers. I have since bought, sold & traded lots of diapers... I only have 3 prefolds & 1 Bummis cover (although it's too small now) left, from my original purchases.
I used Purex Free & Clear for awhile (after researching detergent choices on this wonderfully informative site: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/basics.htm ), but have since switched to Rockin Green Soap (love it! Smells fabulous!). I wash every other day or every third day- just depends on what's going on & what time of the day I washed previously (sometimes I prefer to wait until the next morning, rather than after B goes to sleep at night). I have a plastic trash can with a lid that I picked up at Target for less than $15.00 & I have 2 pail liners. After every diaper change, I shake my diaper insert into the pail & toss the pocket shell in as well. On laundry day, I empty the pail liner into the washer (no touching the dirty diapers!) & toss the liner in with the diapers. Easy Peasy. Put my washer on cold soak for 15 minutes (that's what my washing machine has for an option, previously I just did a cold rinse). Then I do one hot wash cycle, which includes a cold rinse. I then throw my inserts, my All in Ones, Fitteds, (I do have a few diapers that are not pockets) & any wetbags/pail liners into the dryer. I choose to line dry my pocket shells, because I think it keeps the PUL in better shape. I have, on occasion, thrown them in the dryer (if I needed one asap or if we're at the in-laws house & leaving soon), but I normally hang them on a drying rack.
If I'm out, I toss the diaper in a wetbag until I get home, where I throw it in the pail.
I still use disposable wipes (maybe with number 2, I'll use cloth?). I toss them into a small trash can that I keep in B's room.
At this point, I can't imagine using sposies (that's cloth diapering mama lingo for disposables). I think sposies smell bad all the time. I am constantly wondering if sposie wearing babies have dirty diapers, because I can SMELL the chemicals & the urine in the diaper. YUCK. (Not to knock any of you sposie mamas- it's just my personal opinion).
You can use Aplix (velcro), snaps, pins, or snappis. You can use pockets, AIOs, AI2s, Fitteds & Covers, Prefolds & Covers. You can use wetbags or ziploc bags. You can use a diaper pail or a trash can. You can online shop or brick & mortar shop. You can use microfiber, hemp, bamboo or prefold inserts (for the record, I prefer hemp, but I do use some microfiber).
You can start in the hospital or when Baby is a few months old.
You can choose exactly how you want to cloth diaper.
The bottom line is, YOU CAN cloth diaper. It's Easy. And soon you'll be saying "At this point, I can't believe I ever considered NOT cloth diapering...?
**I linked to Kellyscloset.com a few times. This is the website I typically use for general purchases. I use specialty sites for certain diaper brands. I find out about a lot of brands through diaperswappers.com; Babycenter's Cloth Diapering forum, Twitter.com, & other blogging moms- I find mom's with experience is much more valuable than just plain googling. Kelly's Closet also has a blog.
Monday, October 19, 2009
I've got a RA(aaaaaaaaarrrrrrr)R!
Recently, I participated in an event that was so fun, I'm doing another. What did I do, you ask? I participated in a Cloth Diaper Swap! It was so much fun! A bunch of us got paired up through Megan, over at Newly Wed, Newly Bred, and we got to buy fluff for each other. I especially enjoyed buying for my partner, because she has a brand new little girl! I never get to buy fluff for a little girl!
I was also really excited to receive my fluff package and I was definitely not disappointed. I received my very first RumpaRooz, which is awesome! It's the Ladder print, which is super cute- Fire engines! I love prints and I LOVE this diaper. I've used it twice so far and it has not disappointed.
...My only complaint? Now I have to pony up the cash to buy more Rumparooz diapers! Dang!
(I will add a picture of B actually in the diaper tomorrow)
I was also really excited to receive my fluff package and I was definitely not disappointed. I received my very first RumpaRooz, which is awesome! It's the Ladder print, which is super cute- Fire engines! I love prints and I LOVE this diaper. I've used it twice so far and it has not disappointed.
...My only complaint? Now I have to pony up the cash to buy more Rumparooz diapers! Dang!
(I will add a picture of B actually in the diaper tomorrow)
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Fuzzi for your Bunz Winner!
Wow, 250 comments exactly! Thank you so much for participating in my very first giveaway- I so appreciate it! I've got a couple more in the works, so please check back (& definitely keep tweeting with me :) )
Winning Comment #199:
Anna said...
Anna said...
Tweet
http://twitter.com/AnnathanMagz/statuses/4914664334
Anna tweeted... Win a 3 pack of one size @FuzziBunz#clothdiapers from @mandyw526http://bit.ly/Q4nDE
Trouble in TwitterLand (trying to pick the winner!)
In case anyone's checking... I've drawn my winner! However, Twitter is not working for me at the moment (from my computer or my phone- anyone else having trouble too?) so I can't verify the winning tweet yet. I'll keep trying & get the winner post up asap.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Pediped Announces Stars for a Wish
I learned about this through some interaction with Hilary Abbott from Abbott Communications, while discussing a future giveaway for Kushies cloth diapers (that's right- stay tuned for a new giveaway!). I started reading into it a little bit & I think it's such a great cause. I remember as a child, hearing about the Make a Wish Foundation & thinking how great it must be for those children, to get one major wish come true, when they have such a terrible illness.
Definitely take a minute and check this out!
proudly presents
Please help us spread the word!
Stars For A Wish is an online auction of celebrity autographed pediped® shoes with 100% of the funds raised benefiting the
Make-A-Wish Foundation®
Online auction Runs Oct. 25 – Nov. 1 on www.CharityBuzz.com
Find out more about this event at www.pediped.com/stars
Stars Step Out to Join pediped® footwear in Raising Funds
for the Make-A-Wish Foundation®
HENDERSON, Nev. (October 16, 2009) — More than 50 well-known entertainers and athletes will participate in Stars for a Wish, an online auction of autographed pediped® baby shoes to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The auction will run Oct. 25-Nov. 1 on Charity Buzz athttp://www.charitybuzz.com/
Celebrities who signed pediped® baby shoes for the auction include:
MOVIES Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, Pierce Brosnan, Andy Garcia, Molly Ringwald, Rachel Weisz
TELEVISION Tim Allen, Courtney Cox Arquette, Marcia Cross, Jennie Garth, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Heidi Klum, Charlie Sheen, Jon Stewart
MUSIC Clay Aiken, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill
SPORTS Jerome Bettis, Anna Kournikova, Shaquille O’Neal, Mark Teixeira, J.D. Drew, David Ortiz
Recipients will receive the shoes attractively displayed in a cherry-finished shadow box or clear acrylic box complete with an engraved plaque.
The Stars for a Wish fundraiser has a minimum goal of $25,000, which will help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. One-hundred percent of the funds raised through the auction will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“We were overwhelmed by the willingness of so many celebrities, many of them already familiar with our brand, to generously help us support this cause,” said Angela Edgeworth, President and Co-Founder of pediped® footwear. “Now it’s all up to the public to bid high for these shoes so they not only receive a beautifully presented keepsake from their favorite celebrity, but more importantly, so they will be helping children facing life-threatening medical conditions.”
To learn more about the Stars for a Wish fundraiser and to view a complete list of participating celebrities, visit www.pediped.com/stars.
About pediped®
Pediped® footwear was launched in 2004 by Angela and Brian Edgeworth in their quest for the perfect soft-soled shoe for their first daughter. Exceptional quality, unsurpassed comfort and distinctive styling have made the award winning company one of the fastest-growing children's footwear brands in the United States. Pediped® footwear is sold in over 2500 stores in the United States and 40 countries worldwide with an offering of more than 120 designs for boys and girls between their two lines, Originals and Flex. Originals (soft-soled shoes for newborns to age 2+) and Flex (rubber-soled shoes for children 1-6 years) are available in EU sizes from 20 to 29. For more information, visit www.pediped.com or call 1-702-567-0311.
About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 180,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.
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