Longest Blog Ever

Enjoy the book I wrote on cloth diapers, I have been working on that for a while now and finally published it. Hope it helps :)

Mouseless House

I know you are wondering what about the mouse... So, yes, after he licked the peanut butter off the trap for two nights in a row, his time came to an end. And I am glad to say that it was a boy mouse, which means no little baby mice living in my couch. And there was no girlfriend mouse either, we kept the trap out just in case, but nothing. So we are now mouseless and very happy.

OH MY GOSH!!!

We have a mouse! I can't believe it; the mouse ran out from under the coat bench to under the couch, and I only saw the blur. It scared me to death, but I kept from screaming somehow because I had just put Ashley down and I guess in the back of my mind I didn't want to wake her up. I just can't believe it. And it is probably getting fat from the crumbs Tessa drops here and there that we don't find. Needless to say, I am sitting on the chair tonight, not the couch, and am well prepared to head to wal-mart tomorrow to buy a trap (or two).

Cloth Diapers, Part 2

Yes, a continuation of my cloth diaper post. I had a few questions asked about my new cloth diaper obsession, so I want to go into a bit more detail. Please stop reading at this sentence if you aren't interested in diapers or baby poop.

And sorry that this is the longest blog in the history of blogs :)

By the way, a little testimonial from my husband. Last week I went shopping and he stayed home with the kids. Well, he said he smelled baby poop coming from Ashley. I had a disposable on her because we have a few and it was handy. He opened up her sleeper and she had poop all the way up to her chest. Ugh! Not a fun time. So this past weekend, I again left the house alone, but before letting me leave, Kirk asked me if Ashley had on a disposable or not, because he wanted cloth this time because she doesn't have blowouts in them and he doesn't want to clean up a huge mess again!!! How about that for a changed man?!

Oh, another By the Way tid-bit, ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS use the bio-degradable liners for kids with people poop. I forgot once with Tessa this past week, and icky-icky. Now I know why people hate cloth diapers, if it wasn't for the liners, I don't think I could do this either. So, if you decide to try it, PLEASE make sure you order liners too, otherwise, you are not going to enjoy it at all, trust me!

Let me give you all a little cloth intro on the types of diapers available and what I think of them:



Prefolds- these are the white rectangular diapers (sometimes used as burp cloths). You can't buy wal-mart diapers, they don't work. There are diaper-service quality prefolds you can buy, they are cheap, like less than $2 a piece, but have to be folded and pinned, or snappied on. FYI, a "snapppi" is a little y-shaped stretchy item with little teeth on the end (similar to ace bandage grabbers) that holds the diaper on. The snappi is super easy to use. I tried the prefolds for like a day, and decided that this was hard-core cloth diapering. I mean, Ashley peed through this diaper by the time she finished nursing. So I would change her when she woke up to eat, then change her again when she finished eating, then change her again when she started to fall back asleep. This meant for a lot of changes, and then if you add Tessa to the equation (I didn't have prefolds in her size to try), that would be over 20 diaper changes a day, maybe 30. Needless to say, I only tried these for one day! Also, I have a very hard time keeping the newborn runny poop in these because they don't have any leg gussets to catch the poop. Now, I am going to try to make a few prefolds to have as a backup, but I want to make mine with flannel and put a microfiber towel in the middle to be the soaker area. Microfiber is VERY absorbent.



Prefolds do require a waterproof cover, which are easy to use. They Velcro on similar to a disposable diaper and come in cute colors and patterns. And they can be used over and over during the day, as long as they don't have poop on them.



So, in my opinion, prefolds are too much of a hassle for me, even though they are super cheap, I just can't do it.



Fitteds- These are nice. They are all cloth and come in different sizes. They range usually from newborn to x-large. They are usually made out of some super soft materials and come in fabulous patterns and colors, and I mean fabulous! I tried a few on Ashley, and they fit well and keep the poop in. They have leg gussets and elastic on the back to prevent blowouts. These also require a waterproof cover, unless you just let them where the diaper with no cloths over it. But there is an option of having wool clothing to go over the diaper, which sounds weird, but it's not. In fact, I wish I had some fitteds so that I could get the cute wool covers (tell me those aren't darling pants). Wool is naturally water-repellent, and when you add some lanolin to it, it because pratically water-proof. The wool covers come as just covering the diaper (like the panties that come with little baby dresses), as shorts, or even as pants. Most have draw stings, and you can get them with cute little designs on them, like animals on the back or rainbow colors. I totally think they are the cutest thing ever!



Anyways, fitteds are great, but the only downfall I can see is that you have to buy sizes. So that means more money. But that also means that if you plan to use them for another baby later on, they will have less where and tear. They do make one-size fitteds, by GoodMama, but they come in at $35-$38 bucks a piece, yikes. But I tried one, they are great diapers, but not really a true one-size because Ashley was 2 months old, and they thing swallowed her. So they could probably be used around 5 months and on.



So, I like fitteds, I really do.



Pockets- These are what I use. They have a water-permeable inner lining, and a waterproof outer shell. In the back, there is a slit or opening, and this is where you slide in the absorbent liner. You can control how much absorbency the diaper has by how much lining you put in. Also, these can be bought in a one-size, and these really are one-size. They can go from 8 lbs to 35 lbs, or so they say. Ashley and Tessa share diapers, and Tessa is about 26 lbs or so, and Ashley started in these around 11 lbs, when she was 2 1/2 months old. So far, no blow-outs in these, and that means a lot since she just had a blow-out (a HUGE blow-out) in a disposable last night. There is a little work involved since after the wash/dryer you must "stuff" them with liners again. It doesn't take very long, and I don't mind since I know I won't be washing anymore poop-stained shirts and pants now.



So, I totally love my pockets. They work great, and I think are totally cost efficient. I paid $18 per diaper, but they are one-size and Ashley will where these her entire diapering life, and then hopefully the next kid will use these also, so totally cost efficient.



All-in-Ones- These are waterproof on the outside and have a thick liner built in, similar to the pockets but you don't "stuff" the liner since it's already sewn in. These can also be bought in a true one-size, but are a little bulkier since you don't control the thickness of the liner. The only real downfall I have heard of (I haven't tried these yet) is that they take forever to dry since they are so thick.

Wetbags - A necessity for your diaper bag. A cloth bag that has a waterproof layer in the middle for your dirty diapers. Also great for when your kid has an "accident".



OK, enough terminology. Here is a list of links to find tons and tons of info on CDing.



Diaper Pin - this is a great website with reviews of almost any and all diaper brands out there, plus lots of info on cloth diapering (CDing for short).

Jillian's Drawers - If you want to try out CDing but don't want to make a huge investment, try out Jillian's Drawers program. You put down a deposit, they send you some great NEW diapers to try out for 21 days, if you don't like them or don't want to buy them, you mail them back and they refund you all but $10. If you keep all the diapers, you don't pay anything extra, and your next order is free shipping. So it's a great way to try before you buy!

Diaper Jungle - This is a wonderful website that you should really look at. It has tons and tons of information, and it's super easy to navigate around on. On the home page they have 3 columns: why use cloth, choosing the right diaper, and how to wash CDs. Really this is a great place to check out.

Baby Bummies - this is where I bought my diapers. She is in American Fork, so if you are local, you can go check out her stash and pick up diapers to save on shipping costs.

Cotton Babies - Another great online store that sells practically every diaper out there.

Diaper Swappers - I LOVE this website. It has sooo much infomation on it. It is a huge database of forums, including diapers for sale or trade, Work-At-Home-Moms online stores, lots and lots of information about CDing, with forums you can ask questions on about any subject, from feeding to diapering to being thrifty for your family. I love it.

I was thining about hosting a "home show" on diapers. So that everyone can check them out in person. This wouldn't be a bring-your-checkbook kinda home show, just an informative show to learn more. Would anyone be interested?

What I Have Done

Ok, I don't always do these things, but Kirk and I saw this on another blog and where discussing our lists together. So here is my list, and maybe Kirk will post his list too. He is a little ahead of me because I have never been out of the country, and he has been all over the world as a child! It is always fun to learn new things about people you think you already know.

This is very easy to do and pretty fun. I hope everyone who finds it interesting copies and pastes it, then highlights (bold faces) what they have done :)

1. Started your own blog - obviously:)

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower.

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language - does high school spanish class count??

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach in the moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades - totally on my "wish list"

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee - many childhood summertime memories involve bee sting :(

100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person

101. Learned to play an instrument

So, what have you done???

Cloth Diapers

Yes, that is right, I said cloth diapers. I know what everyone is thinking, the dreaded swishing in the toilet, right? Not anymore. I must say I am really liking my new diapers. I even got the hubby's approval today. I asked him if he was ok with the diapers, and he said, "yeah, they're fine. They help the girls bottoms look better" :)

So, I decided to go with BumGenius brand. They are waterproof, with mircofleece on the inside which is super soft for the girls, and they velcro on very much like a disposable, and the best part, they are a one-size-fits-all, so both Tessa and Ashley where to same diapers! Well, hopefully Tessa won't be wearing diapers much longer :) we will see how that goes... Anyways, this may be TMI for some, they are working great. No leaks, and the breastmilk poop soaks right in to the material, so no blow-outs. And for Tessa, with her "real people" poop, they make bio-degradable tissue-paper type liners to go in them. So when she poops, you just dump the liner and poop into the toilet, and she likes to flush it down. Ashleys cute little bottom looks good now too, it was always a pinch redder then her skin elsewhere, because of the diaper, but now you can't tell a difference in the skin shades.

Did I mention that they are cute too? We have pink, yellow, pastel green, sky blue, grasshopper green, royal blue, it's fun. I also got crafty and sewed a few diapers, for backups. But the really best part is that I don't have to buy anymore diapers, at all. How great is that??!! I just toss these in the washer every other day or so, and wa-la, I have a never ending supply of diapers.

Kirk told me the other day, he never thought I would be this domestic. When we were dating, I was scared to death of kids and diapers and all that stuff, and now I am knee-deep in baby poop and spit-up and totally ok with it (well, as long as it doesn't get on me)!

Sweet Kisses

Tonight, we all walked up to the Art Museum for a concert of Utah's Handbell Ringers (or something like that). It was really cool to listen to them play the bells. We got there a few minutes late and pulled up a wooden bench just outside the back large doorway where the chairs ended (all the seats where taken already). Tessa was standing on the bench next to me, looking at the bell ringers through the crowd, when she reached her hand over my shoulders and around my neck, pulling me close to her. She held that for a few seconds, then turned and gave me a big kiss on the cheek. She smiled really big and I could tell she was happy to be the first on to kiss, because usually I kiss her, then she returns and we do that back and forth. So it was super cute that she kissed me first. It's these little moments that make you realize that your children really do love you, because it's hard to believe it sometimes while they are in the middle of throwing a fit or running away from you.

It was one of those sweet moments that I file away in my mind and hope I will always remember.

Early Mornings and Long Days

So, I haven't blogged much since October. It's all due to the new schedule. Kirk has taken a second job; Early Morning Paper Delivery to businesses in American Fork and Alpine area. Yep, he gets up around 2:50-3:00 AM to go deliver papers, it's crazy. He hits the sack around 8:30 normally, sometimes he is stil up at 9, but not that often. I want to make sure he gets the rest he needs, it's very important to be rested. So, he started this job at the end of Oct, when Ashley was about 7 weeks old, and not sleeping at night. But, I am proud to say that she is now sleeping through most of the night. It goes like this. Bath, nursing, and in bed around 8:30 or 9, I get up to put her binky back in once or twice around 3-4 AM, and then we get up to nurse around 4-5 AM. Then she is hungry again around 6-6:30 AM. So not that bad. I tend to put her in bed with me after she eats at 5 cause she never really sleeps that well in those early morning hours unless shes snuggled up to me and I get sick of crawling out of bed to put her binky back in, plus Kirk is gone and I need a warm body :)

Anyways, our new schedules are super tight and don't allow for much downtime for either of us. Especially with the house on the market, I have to work super hard to keep this place in decent enough shape. So blogging is way down the priority list now, and since Kirk said he is going to get me a gym pass for Christmas (thank you so much Kirk!, I am tired of being fat after Ashley) I expect my computer time to go down even further. So that is where we have been and why no one hears from us anymore!

Body Worlds

My mom and I went to Body Worlds on Monday evening. Very cool and not creepy like I thought it might be. I was sure that I might get grossed out seeing real bodies that have been skinned and preserved, but they totally don't look real. They look like plastic, probably because they have been "plasticized". I recommend everyone go see this exhibit, it is a little pricey($22 each, $20 with a coupon), but it's a once in a lifetime experience.

They have every body part available to see. There is a section on smoking, and I don't know how anyone who sees this can continue smoking. They show a set of healthy lungs, and a set of smokers lungs next to each other. The smokers lungs look like charcoal. And they have lungs with emphysema, which I can only describe as this: lungs look as if they might take up about a gallon jug size area. The emphysema begins to remove golf ball sized parts of the lung. Those golf ball sized holes can add up fast, and that would make breathing incredibly difficult.

There is also a baby section. They have babies from 5 weeks up to 35 weeks. It is amazing to see how fast they grow and how insanely small a 5 week fetus is, almost too small to see, almost like the size of a lady bug or maybe a small ant, it's just crazy.

Again, it is a once in a lifetime (ok, maybe you may have another chance years down the road) opportunity. I encourage all to see this exhibit!

House 4 Sale

It has been a busy past few weeks. We put our house up on the market about 2 weeks ago, and it is way difficult keeping this little place clean and clutter-free with two kids at home. So it leaves me not a lot of time for other things! But it is so exciting, because I hate this place. OK, I don't really hate it, but it has gotten very small since Ashley came along. Well, it has always been small, but now it's super small. So, we decided to list it and see what happens. So far we have had 5 walk throughs, with good feedback, but no offers. I told our agent that I am ok to stay until next August, but I don't want to be in this little house next winter with two toddlers. All in all, I am glad we bought our home a few years ago. It has been a fun place to live, to learn a little about home repairs (like the tile work we did in the bath), and make good memories, after all, this is the house our girls came home to! Check out our house online: http://www.utahrealestate.com/846776