Saturday, April 30, 2011

I can read

So it has been less than a month since I got my library card and the list of books I've read continues to grow....
  1. Imperfect Birds - Anne Lamott
  2. Operating Instructions - Anne Lamott [definitely recommend for any mother's out there]
  3. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
  4. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
  5. The Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama (audio book)
  6. The Green Book - Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas Kostigen [definitely a book I would recommend for everyone!  Tons of great ideas for becoming green and a great reference]
  7. Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah (in process)
Now I'm just waiting for some reader to return Mockingjay to the library, the third and last in the series of The Hunger Games by Suzanna Collins!  What a great series - seriously couldn't put them down!!  [great recommendation, Leesh :) ]

Sadly, this list isn't a huge list for 2011 so far, but let's just say - as the "non-reader" that I am, in the last three weeks I have read more books than I read in 2010....sad, I know.

Friday, April 29, 2011

I'm a Cloth Bum Addict!

I'm the Cloth Bum Addict of the week over at The Adventures of Curly Tot!  Go check it out, say hello and stay awhile!  :)






Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The curse of the "I can't wait"

"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." ~John Lennon

"I can't wait until this weekend."  "I can't wait until summer."  "I can't wait until I get married."  I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait...

How many times do we all look ahead at what is to come instead of sitting back and taking in all of the wonderful things around us in the NOW?  I am regularly guilty of this and have been consciously making an effort to live in the moment instead of always looking ahead.

When I was pregnant and right after lil' man was born, I felt like everyone around me kept telling me how fast time flies once you have a kid.  I've already noticed that it's so easy to look ahead when it comes to lil' man.  I can't wait until he is walking.  I can't wait until he can talk.  I can't wait until we can take him to the zoo and he can make animal sounds.  I can't wait until we can take him to his first football game.  It's so easy to do.  Whether I realize it or not, I'm wishing away the time we have now.  I'm focusing on what is to come instead of what my sweet boy is right now - savoring every second as he clumsily reaches for my fingers or a toy, or how his eyes light up with curiosity at the mere site of a ceiling fan.  Enjoying every second that he smiles in excitement when he sees his daddy's or my face.  Taking in his baby sounds and smells.  I'm working to enjoy and focus on the wonders of an ordinary day...diaper changes, cuddles, head butts from a five month old that I think might have broken my  nose, bath time, story time or baby talk. 

Wordless Wednesday - best friends





Monday, April 25, 2011

The Great Cloth Diaper Change

William and I were happy to have been able to participate in The Great Cloth Diaper Change on Saturday to celebrate Earth Day and to set a world record for the most cloth diapers changed at once!  The event was held at locations all over the world!  Here is my lil' man and me!

We are ready....

Lil' man after changing him into his Rumparooz

Enjoying the rest of the ThinkGreen festival at Marvin's Organic Gardens - lil' man in the ERGO

Thursday, April 21, 2011

The Great Cloth Diaper Change 2011

If you cloth diaper, I know you have to have heard by now about The Great Cloth Diaper Change!  To celebrate Earth Day (that is tomorrow, by the way), cloth diapering folks worldwide are teaming up to set a world record for the most cloth diapers changed simultaneously!  This event is happening Saturday, as in less than two days away!  Want to learn more and get information to participate - The Great Cloth Diaper Change 2011.

I have been able to sign up to participate at the thinkGREEN event at Marvin's Organic Gardens in Ohio.  Not only will they participating as a host for the diaper change, but there are plenty of organic and green vendors that will be there too!  Wohoo!  Now, let's just hope the weather cooperates...

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Looking at the numbers - breastfeeding

I had a conversation with my bestie awhile back about breastfeeding and how long women tend to breastfeed.  I felt like it was completely normal for women to breastfeed for at least six months, if not a year or longer.  She thought a year and even six months definitely didn't seem normal or common.  William is only five months old and I have gotten shocked responses when people find out I am still nursing.  Someone over the weekend even looked at me and asked "How much longer are you even going to do that anyway?" as if they were shocked that I would be nursing a five month old still.

I don't have any friends that have babies yet, so I don't have them to go by.  Some people in my family did it, but I guess I never really paid too much attention for how long they nursed.  I knew some of my hubby's friends didn't breastfeed, but I figured those were some exceptions.  I think because of all the lovely mommy bloggers I follow that support breastfeeding and even extended breastfeeding (beyond one year), I figured this was the norm.  So I decided to take a look at the numbers....I was somewhat disappointed.

It's pretty reassuring that 75% of mothers have ever breastfed, but then to see that number is significantly diminished by the time the babies are three months, to 33%, is kind of discouraging.  I was shocked to see that the national average for exclusively breastfeeding by six months was only a 13.3%.  [Source:  CDC]

It was pretty obvious that my understanding of reality was a wee bit off.  But then I kind of wanted to pat myself on the back for keeping it up.  I understand there are many reasons for women not being able to continue to breastfeed - supply (I can totally relate to this one), work, lifestyle, health/medication reasons and I would imagine support is a huge one.  I think a big part of my support  has come from complete strangers in the bloggy world - reading about women that have worked to successfully breastfeed their little ones and many who support extended breastfeeding.  For all you ladies at there that have nursed and probably unknowingly inspired someone else to breastfeed, you should also pat yourselves on the back!  Keep it up!


Monday, April 18, 2011

I can read...

Less than two weeks ago, I wrote about how I got my first library card in pretty much forever (Post:  A trip to the library).  Libraries are not a new thing, I get that.  However, my new found appreciation for them makes me giddy.  I feel the need to now bring them up in everyday conversations with people - "Have you been to the library recently?  They have so many books there and they are all free to read!"  As if people didn't know this already.  But since I just figured out the magical-ness that is the public library, I just assume that no one else knows this yet, otherwise I would expect people to be walking around with I heart Library t-shirts and singing of its said magical-ness. 

My 2010 new year's resolution was to read more - at least a book a month.  I think I read a piddly six books last year?  First of all, that's embarrassing, I know.  Second, I paid for all of them.  So less than two weeks after getting my new, magical (what can I say, this is my word) library card, I have two books completed and I'm working my way through a third and ready to start on my fourth.  I'm working to read a little fiction and non-fiction to get a little variety (I'm generally a non-fiction kind of gal). 

So far -
  1. Imperfect Birds by Anne Lamott
  2. Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott
Since I've already admitted that I'm not much of a reader, I understand that perhaps my literary opinion doesn't mean much to anyone.  I will say that Anne Lamott is an excellent writer.  I will also say that Operating Instructions is probably one of my favorite books of all time.  She writes about her journey as a new, single mother to her son, Sam.  She shares her ups and downs through the first year of motherhood.  It is so honest and touching and I found myself laughing out loud through most of it.  I'm sure one of the reasons I fell in love with this book is that I'm going through many of these experiences myself while raising my own son.  I found myself nodding my head with so many of Lamott's experiences that I can relate to -
I was a mess all morning. Maybe my hormones are raging, maybe that's what the craziness was all about. Something is really off. Part of me wants my body back, wants to stop being a moo-cow, and part of me thinks about nursing him through kindergarten. I know a woman who nursed her daughter until the girl was almost four, and of course we all went around thinking that it was a bit much, too Last Emperor for our blood. But now when Sam and I are nursing, it crosses my mind that I will never ever be willing to give this up. It'll be okay, I think to myself, we can get it to work, I'll follow him to college but I'll stay totally out of the way....This the easiest, purest communication I've ever know.
My favorite passage from the book is one that touched my heart and is something that I continue to learn each and every day -

One thing about Sam, one thing about having a baby, is that each step of the way you simply cannot imagine loving him any more than you already do because you are bursting with love, loving as much as you are humanly capable of - and then you do, you love him even more.
How absolutely true...

I'm now off reading my next books, The Green Book and The Hunger Games.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Another baby step

The hubby and I are trying to make baby steps towards being more green.  One recent change - air drying our cloth diapers.  We have been air drying our covers on a rack in the laundry room, but decided to take these outside.  Besides, I heard that sun removes stains.  Even though I didn't actually believe sun, that shiny thing in the sky, would be capable of removing stains...umm, I have learned not to doubt.  The little staining we had on a few of the diapers were gone in just a few hours in the sun!!  Wohoo!


Also, see that clothes line there?  We have started taking advantage of nice weather (when we have it) and drying other things outside too - sheets, pillowcases, blankets, couch cover.  We haven't worked up to clothes or towels yet.  Even a few loads of laundry that bypass the dryer a week could make a big difference.  It all adds up....

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Parenting is not for those with weak stomachs

Part of parenting = baby bodily functions.

I took the afternoon off work today and since I've been with William, we are on the fourth outfit.  Yes, as in outfit 1, then 2, then 3 and finally change 4...

Daddy had him dressed in outfit #1 when I got home to great my lil' man.  He had just woken up from his morning nap and I was going to feed him, change his diaper and then head to the mall (for a few errands and to use my new ERGO again!!!).  Holy pee boy.  Wet wet wet diaper change and into outfit #2.  Now he's stinkin' cute and ready to be shown off to all the folks at the mall.  I feed him and holy spit-up monster.  I'm not talking a little burp followed by a little spit-up.  I'm talking we are now soaked and there is no hope for his clothes....or mine.  Onto outfit #3 for William, #2 for mama. 

Finally we are off to the mall where we have a marvelous time walking around and checking out all the stores.  Babywearing fun was had by all - William and me.  I feel warmth.  I'm thinking this is only because our body heat is on each other and we've been, ya know, walking around the mall.  We get to the car.  Holy babywearing, diaper explosion nightmare.  Oh yes.  And if you are keeping score, onto #4 for William, #3 for mama. 

I'm convinced that between the bodily functions and the crying that babies are responsible for, it is precisely why God made them so honkin' cute!

People tried to tell me

I'm continuously finding that motherhood is pretty freakin' awesome.  When I was pregnant, people like to offer up their advice on what to do, what not to do, what to try, what to watch for and what to remember.  People tried to tell me how amazing motherhood is.  Plenty of people tried to tell me that time goes so fast once you have a baby.  I heard multiple people try to describe how babies change everyday. 

Umm....they were totally right. 

The last five months have flown by and I can't believe it.  Didn't my water just break?  And you know what, babies seriously change every.single.day.  I'm not talking huge, drastic changes.  It varies - one day he might do a new weird thing with his tongue when he tries to make noise, another day he might do something bigger like suddenly reaching for a toy. 

I am continuously in awe of my son and how he continues to grow before my eyes and the curiosity he displays for everything - a song playing on a toy, his daddy's voice, the dog's tail, a ceiling fan. 

Sometimes I can hardly take my eyes off him. 

People tried to tell me this is what it would be like, but I guess I couldn't have imagined...

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Yay! Mail!

Lookie what was finally delivered! My ERGO carrier! More to come.....just not now since I'm heading out with my lil' man to try it out!
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Monday, April 11, 2011

Son, let's talk....

My dear, sweet, darling, William.
You are such an easy-going baby and are so happy almost all of the time.  There are just a few things that you haven't learned yet and I want to make sure it is clear....
  1.  You have to remove your hand from your mouth to be able to eat.  I get it, you really want to eat and devour your hand at the same time, but it really tests your sucking ability.  When you are crying because you are so hungry...it's time to put the hand away.
  2. Speaking of sucking...you like to suck on your hands and arms, your blanket, toys, everything you can get your hands on.  With those devilish teeth that are starting to emerge, I'm sure it feels good and it's a great form of entertainment.  However, you have begun giving yourself hickeys on your arms and hands.  They look like miniature bruises.  People will start to wonder.
  3. When you throw toys off your highchair and then get upset and wonder where they went, it kinda makes you look a little silly.  Mommy will pick them up for you...she's got this, so no need to freak out.
  4. Your teeth are starting to come in...please, pretty please, don't bite mommy.  That's not nice.
  5. The dog's tail and nose is not a toy.  Pulling, biting, scratching or sucking them is not appreciated, and frankly, not sanitary.
  6. If you are so so so tired and you cry because you are so tired, it's OK, you are totally allowed to just...fall...asleep...
  7. Why is it when mommy dresses you in the cutest outfit of all time, ready to go show you off, you feel the need to give a diaper explosion that is news worthy?  What's up with that?  If you don't like the outfit, just tell me.
  8. I'm not sure what daddy teaches you during the day, but when mommy is changing your diaper and has your legs up in the air while she's wiping you, this is not the time to fart.  It's like playing Russian roulette and someone is going to get hurt.
  9. I knew babies drool...but dang...
  10. Even with all this, I love you more than ice cream and naps and anything else!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

He can no longer be trusted....

William.is.mobile.

It's pretty safe to say that we don't normally put our child down on the hardwood to play with toys.  He's a moving, rolling, scooting machine....

What are these for?

I'm at the vitamin store and go to check out with my bottle of fenugreek.  The clerk tells me it's buy one get one half off.  I tell him I'm going to go and get another bottle of the same thing.

Clerk:  What is this stuff good for anyway?
Me:  Breastmilk production.
Clerk: [totally embarassed] I wish I hadn't asked....

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Frustration

How many times do you hear someone talk about how breastfeeding helped a new mom get back to her pre-pregnancy weight.  Breastfeeding helps to burn up to 500 calories a day.  You'll be fitting in your jeans in no time. 

Although I was counting on breastfeeding to help a little, I knew I had work to do to shed the pregnancy pounds.  However, this is ridiculous.  I've been taking the steps to become healthier - eating fruits and veggies like it is my job, working out several times a week, drinking water like it might start to come out of my ears, cutting back on the quantity I eat, eliminating fast food and other junk [oh yes...it's been a month since I had fast food].  The pounds should be coming off, even if not a lot, some??  Pretty please??

Nothing...

Since I've already had problems with my milk supply, I've been playing a balancing game on getting enough calories and nutrients to keep my milk supply up and good for lil' man, but at the same time trying to cut back.  Not an easy game to play.

So needless to say, it's been quite frustrating.  Then I hear someone say that their mom never lost weight until they stopped breastfeeding.  A quick search on the internet shows that this is fairly common.  Hmm.....not what I was hoping for.  Breastfeeding is too important to me for a little weight loss to get in the way.  So I guess I will keep focusing on eating healthy whether I can fit into any of my clothes or not.

One day I will fit into my clothes and hopefully get my wedding band to fit again....hehe

Anyone else have this problem?
Note:  To all you skinny bitches that dropped every last pregnancy pound after your first trip to the toilet after you gave birth....I don't want to hear about it.  Now is the not the time...HA!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

A trip to the library

I did something yesterday that I haven't done (I'm ashamed to admit) in almost ten years....I went to the library.  I got a library card and checked out my first book in just as long. 

This doesn't mean that I haven't read a book in ten years, I just tend to buy them (or in rare cases, just borrow from someone) and even then the list has been small of the books I've read.  Since my hubby and I are on a mission to eliminate our debt and start saving more, we have been evaluating the things we spend money on.  We ask ourselves if we really need the item and look for alternatives if there are any.  We even have our own envelopes of 'personal spending' money that we each get to spend on things.  Once it's gone, no more until the next month for anything personal or eating out. 

So this week, I found a post over at Phase Three of Life talking about a book that sounded like a good read - Anne Lamott's Operating Instructions: A journal of My Son's First Year.  She even linked to Amazon and with that dangerous '1-click ordering' button, it was an easy purchase and a great price.  Then I stopped...do I NEED to buy this?  Wouldn't it be great if there was a magical building that stored lots and lots of books and they let you borrow them for free?  What a concept?  So I headed to the library.

They didn't have Operating Instructions, so they are ordering it from another location.  In the meantime, I've started Anne Lamott's Imperfect Birds.

Wow...look at me - library cards and reading and fiction [I'm totally a non-fiction, science kind of gal] and buying parts for a diaper sprayer.  I hardly recognize myself.  hehe

This is also a step in the right direction to set a good example for my lil' man.  How can I expect to raise him to understand that books and reading are wonderful and so important if I, myself, don't pick up a book regularly.  Baby steps....

Monday, April 4, 2011

Blond girl in aisle 13....

So William is going on five months old and it is almost time that we are going to start him on some food.  I've already started doing a little planning on what we are going to start him on first and how to make it ourselves.  The days of exclusively breastfed diapers are coming to an end.  Oh dear...

I love how easy cloth diapers are right now.  I don't want the next stage of poop to come once he starts eating.  HA!

So it becomes critical to start looking ahead to installing a diaper sprayer.  [For the non-cloth diapering folks, it's a sprayer (like the one on your kitchen sink) that you hook up to your toilet to spray off poopy diapers]  They sell complete kits for upwards of $50 and I had every intention of buying one of these.  Someone suggested making our own - same idea, but buying the parts and installing it.  Hubby and I aren't exactly the handiest folks around so I figured this might now be an idea.  Some crazy idea must have been  put into my head, because I became inspired to do it myself.  Besides, I have an engineering degree...I'm fairly intelligent....I can figure it out.  Right?

So I know what the finished product should be - a diaper sprayer, duh.  I found a totally random set of instructions somewhere online - so now I have my list of parts.  I head to Lowe's. 

I'm slightly concerned that getting the items on the list was a hard enough task - yeah I was THAT girl standing in the plumping aisle reading every item to see if it was what I needed.  How will actually installing it go?  Oh dear, I'm scared to ask....

Stay tuned....

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Spring is practically here!

OK, it is 'officially' spring according the calendar, but it has still been pretty cold - in the 40s.  A week ago, it even snowed.  Seriously?  Winter has not gotten the picture that we are totally over it. 

Today was beautiful!  An amazing 76 degrees and sunny!  Some errands, some grilling, some cleaning off the patio furniture to eat dinner outside - this weather makes me happy! 


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