Guess Who Turned 37?!

This guy with the funny hat did!

There is so much to look forward to when you turn 37...like sweat pants and exercise shirts  (that is what Audrey and I bought him with his hard earned money:)

Now that we have a child, I'm trying to make holidays and birthdays more fun.  I really feel that our children should see us celebrate our spouses on special days like their birthdays and valentines day etc.  This year Joel was just recovering from a cold, so we didn't do a lot.  What do you do for your spouse on special days?? 

Future Wheatie/Principal??

My Thoughts On Cloth Diapers

So, you want to know more about cloth diapers?

Well, I'm here to model for you.

I think they are pretty comfy...

...Any which way I roll around in them

Anyway,  my mom is going to give you all her thoughts on cloth diapers...the good, the bad and everything in between!

Yep, I'm using cloth diapers.  People here in NJ think I'm crazy, but I'm really glad I chose cloth over disposable.  

Here's what I like about them:

1)  They save money...like thousands of dollars if you use them for more than one child (when you don't use a diaper service).
2)  They are oh so soft.  
3)  Babies are less likely to get diaper rash when wearing cloth
4)  They come in so many fun colors and patterns.
5)  They are so EASY to use.  Especially, bumGenius All-In-Ones  (all you have to do is throw them in the wash..no stuffing needed!)
6)  They are better for the environment* 
7)  Apparently babies potty train earlier when they use cloth...We will see about this in a year or two. 
8)  They retain explosive messes VERY well.

*Some argue that the soap/electricity used to clean the diapers are just as/more harmful to the environment then disposables.  I'm not buying it (especially since I line dry my diapers).  What about all the water/resources it takes to make the diapers? Plus, they sit around in landfills for hundreds of years. It just doesn't add up.

What I don't like about cloth diapers:

1)  They make Audrey's bum look big.  
2)  I have to do an extra load of laundry every 2 days (which really isn't a big deal).


Types of diapers I use:

1) I mostly have bumGenius diapers.  The types of bumGenius I use vary.  Some are One-Size 4.0.  These are the kind you have to stuff.  I also have some bumGenius Freetime All-In-One Size Cloth Diapers, which happen to be my favorite.  

2) I also use an Awesome Blossom Diaper, a Thirsties and Lotus Bumz. I love the Awesome Blossom (especially since I got it for $7 on Zulilly).  The Thirsties and Lotuz Bumz are okay.

Newborn Cloth Diapers
1) I did use NB cloth diapers, mainly because my gracious sister-in-law let us borrow six of theirs.  It was a lot of work because I only had 12 diapers.  Newborns need to be changed ALL THE TIME.  So, if you are thinking about going with cloth, but don't get  any free NB diapers to supplement your stash (ie shower gifts), don't bother starting with cloth till your baby fits into the One-Size diapers (8 lbs).  Bumgenius NB diapers were still my favorite type of cloth diapers.  (We used Bumgenius and FuzziBunz).

There ya have it folks.  I love my cloth diapers and so does Audrey.  

  

Flower Hat

Hey, hey!  I'm here to model the flower hat Aunt Holly made me.

Hmm...which shot makes me look the cutest?

This pensive side one?

Or the one with the candid smile?

I'm calculating my next pose here....

awww...I think mommy likes this one

Mad About Tummy Time

"I may be on my tummy on the outside, but on the inside I'm lying on my back."

Nap Time

So, this is what our nap time looks like lately. Audrey falls fast asleep with her eyes squeezed shut, slow breaths and all.  I'll check on her 10 minutes later and there she is with her eyes wide open and a smile on her face.  It's cute...but my house is suffering!   You should see my ironing pile!!!

You Know You Are a Mom When....

I decided to go back to my old style of blogging for this post.  It's time for a list folks.  I may need some input from some of my mommy readers.  Here's what I've come up with so far.


You know you are a mom when:

1)  You inadvertently burp every thing in your home...including your husband and dog.

2)  You pick someones nose.  Now, I did a lot of not so "tidy" duties when I worked in a hospital.  I never picked ANY ONES nose, though. Add that to the list of gross things I've accomplished in the 3 decades I've been on this earth.

3)  You're body is discussed openly among acquaintances.  Let me explain.  I went to the ER a few days after I delivered Audrey.  Our pastor happened to call.  I overheard Joel saying, "yep, her breasts and uterus are fine."  Now, those are words I never expected my husband to utter to my pastor.

4)  You turn into a walking instruction manual....seriously.   I don't enjoy reading instruction manuals,  but I know the weight at which my baby can no longer sleep in her bassinet, or sit backwards in the car.  I know how many hours breast milk can sit out at certain temperatures.  I can quote to you the amount of time you can let a baby drink out of a bottle before the milk has to be thrown away.....blah, blah blah.....The list goes on and on.

5)  You write 8 million thank you cards.  I'm seriously, seriously thankful for everyone who has graciously blessed us during this time.  But WOW..my hand is tired.

6)  Many days you don't brush your teeth until after 1pm (Am I the only one that does this?  I'm always horrified with myself when this happens).

7)  Laundry is life.  I never got this before I mothered a child.

8)  You're excited to spend your Christmas money on sweat pants (I stole this one from a friend on FB).

9)  It's almost impossible to get a hair cut.

I'm sure I'll come up with more later.  What do my mom readers have to add?