How does a mom...

Ever take a shower?! Especially when her baby is so tiny that she's afraid to leave her alone (even when the babe is asleep)...

Try putting baby in a swing, vibrating chair, or cradle, and pull it into the bathroom. Then shower away, and know that you CAN'T be the only mom that pops her head out of the shower to check on the baby mid-shampoo, mid-conditioner, and mid-shaving...right?!?

(If your bathroom, like mine, is too small to fit the baby, the doorway works just fine:-)

 

You might find that, even once your baby is older, you still use this trick.  ;-)

It's official.

Today is the first day of school.

 

And I'm not there.

 

My sweet girl is napping and I'm running a load of laundry, with dinner in the slow cooker, blogging to you about my new job!

 

I won't be teaching kindergarten this year.  Most days I'll be at home with Emerson!  I'll also be caring for a delightful eight month old boy a few days each week.  And on the days I'm not watching him, once or twice a week, I'll drop Emerson off at her Grandma's house and then spend a day substitute teaching.

 

So, I'll still be busy.

 

But nearly every day I'll be busy with my girl.

 

And I'm so excited!

 

Day to day with cloth diapers

To catch up on all my cloth diapering thoughts...start here.

When I first started thinking about cloth diapers, it was a little much for me to wrap my mind around. I understood how they did their...um...diaper part...but as for the cleaning, storing, traveling, I didn't know how it worked. So let me show you how I use my beloved BumGenius from day to day.

I keep clean diapers stuffed, folded, and ready to use right on the changing table. This ensures that both the Daddy and I have access whenever it's diaper changing time! (and the colors make me SO happy!)

After a diaper is changed, the dirty one is deposited in the bin which resides in the bathroom closest to the nursery. I pull out the insert and toss both pieces into the bin. (I have the Dekor Plus.)

If it's a poopy diaper, I pull out the insert, then spray the cover off with the diaper sprayer (Best. Invention. Ever.)Then the pieces go into the bin.

(This handy gadget works just like the sprayer in your kitchen sink...but it attaches to the toilet and sprays the poo right into the bowl.  No dunking or swishing or soaking!)

When I'm down to a day's worth of clean diapers (which is 7-8 for us) I start washing the dirties. I pull the bag out of the bin and dump everything in the washer. Then it's a cold, soap-less wash, a hot soapy wash, and an extra rinse. (This process takes about an hour and a half, with my washing machine.)

 

Then the inserts go in the dryer and the the covers line dry. If its sunny out, I love to dry them in the sun! (Gotta love a little sun bleaching!) When it's rainy, I leave them to dry overnight.

Once everything is dry, I end up with these two piles. It takes about ten (distracted) minutes to get everything stuffed and looking neat and tidy.

 

And then we've got clean diapers again!

Bad Blogger!

It has been ages since I've blogged! Mommyhood is treating me so well, as is summer vacation--Emerson has her mommy and daddy to herself all day, every day! And you might think that'd leave MORE time for blogging, but it does not. We've been busy with camping trips and family visits and hiking, etc. It has been wonderful!

Emerson is growing like a weed...over 15 pounds and 26 inches long! She's rolling from her back to tummy, and sitting (almost) on her own! She loves playing in her bouncer (the Dance Club, as her uncle calls it!).  She is so interactive now, Scott and I love to make her giggle!  Here's a glimpse of what she's up to these days...

Bein' the cutest baby ever

Lovin' her first camping trip

Enjoyin' the ocean

Hikin' with the best of 'em

Meltin' Mama's heart!

My love affair with cloth diapers, Part 3

To catch up, read My love affair with cloth diapers, Part 1 and Part 2.

After lots of internal debate and research, I decided to go with BumGenius 4.0 diapers. And I haven't regretted it for an instant! Originally I chose this brand for a few key reasons:

*Adjustable sizing means I won't have to worry about purchasing any more cloth diapers as Emerson grows. One set will get us through until she's potty trained. Simple!

*This brand was the most commonly recommended by the people I know. And nobody had anything bad to say. Real parents and real babies love these diapers!

*BumGenius 4.0 are available online from Target and Babies R Us, the two places we registered. Why not give someone else the chance to buy them for us?!?

We've been using our 24 cloth diapers since Emerson was about 5 weeks old. Her daddy, grandmas, and aunties can change them easily, and I am completely happy with how they've washed and worn so far. And is this not the cutest little bum you ever did see?

Next up: a day in the life of a cloth diapering mama, complete with pictures!  Read Day to day with cloth diapers.

My love affair with cloth diapers, Part 2

Read the background on why I chose cloth diapers here.

I remember when my baby sister was in cloth diapers 20 years ago. My mom used the Gerber pre-folds (cotton rectangles with a thicker, more absorbent center strip), diaper pins, and clear plastic pants. When baby pooped, the diaper was soaked in the toilet, wrung out, and tossed in the diaper pail until laundry time. This is what many people envision when they hear, "cloth diapers," but trust me when I say that the industry has come a long way since then!

In fact, there are so many options that my initial research was completely overwhelming! I read about pre-folds and pocket diapers, AIOs and PUL, swishing, dunking, swirling and spraying. I wasn't sure what all these things were or how they would play out in real life. (heres a great reference for cloth diapering lingo.)

When I googled "cloth diapers," I found a system called G Diapers. The first thing I noticed was that they are absolutely adorable!  This 3 piece system has a cute and colorful cover (the diaper looking part that you see when baby is wearing it), the plastic liner that makes it waterproof, and the inserts (the absorbant part) which come in reusable cloth style, or the biodegradable, flushable, disposable version.  These diapers come in different sizes that fit according to your baby's weight. G Diapers were my favorite from the beginning!  But as any good consumer, I continued to research the options...

The next cloth diaper brand I discovered was BumGenius (on the linked page, scroll down for a great visual aid for how the diapers work).  My sister was nannying for a family that used this brand, and as I asked around I realized that several other friends used them. BumGenius 4.0 diapers have two pieces--the pocket diaper cover, and the insert that fits inside the pocket.   These are a one-size diaper...they have snaps making it an adjustable rise, and they claimed to fit babies from 7 to 35 pounds!

These two brands are NOT the only options out there, but they were the two brands that most appealed to me as I researched cloth diapering.  Armed with this information, and only three months pregnant, I took some time to think through the options and keep an ear open for reccommendations.


Do you remember the old fashioned cloth diapers?  Have you seen or used any cloth diapering options today?  Check out the links and see for yourself how easy (and cute!!!) cloth can be! :)

Find our which brand our family chose in My love affair with cloth diapers, Part 3.  Or see how it all works in Day to day with cloth.

Grateful

School's out for the summer! And though I've been out on maternity leave anyway, I'm so excited that my husband is done and that we get to spend the summer with our little girl!

I was explaining this to Emerson yesterday..."today's the last day of school, and then Daddy will be home with us every day..."

My voice totally caught in my throat on the word Daddy. It was one of those moments when the enormity of the blessings in my life hit me hard. To have a gorgeous, happy, healthy baby with a man I adore...to be a family...This is something I've been wanting for as long as I can remember. I hope I never take it for granted.

My love affair with cloth diapers, Part 1

That's right...Part 1. I have so much to say I couldn't fit it in one post. :)

Before I was even pregnant, I knew I wanted to use cloth diapers with my baby. And it wasn't even a financial decision. The huge amount of waste created by disposable diapers is something I cannot ignore. I think it has a lot to do with the time I've spent in Latin America. Trash, and the way it's handled, is different in third world and developing countries. Litter is everywhere, and something I saw all over--in parks and ditches, on the side of the road and on the beach--was disposable diapers.

In fact, toward the end of my four and a half months studying in Central America, my group visited a dump. There were countless families living IN the dump, making a "living" by collecting recyclables that had been thrown away and selling them. Years later I can still smell the stench of that place. In my mind's eye I can see the endless expanse of refuse, and the innumerable amount of disposable diapers contributing to one of the saddest sights I have ever seen.

Here at home, our trash is better hidden from us, and after enough time passes its easy to forget what happens when my husband wheels that grey can out to the curb every Tuesday. But somehow the emotion connected to disposable diapers has never worn off for me.

Let me be clear that if you're a disposable diaper parent, I'm not judging. There are a lot of ways I could further reduce my own environmental impact. However, of you ask me about my cloth diapers, I'm liable to talk your ear off...and if you express an interest in using them I might actually jump up and down.

I've been pleased to find out that cloth diapering is actually easier than I thought! And I have become a total cloth diaper snob:) On the occasions that Emerson has been in a disposable, (and yes, that happens occasionally), I hate how they smell and the way her poor bum looks afterward.

In this series I plan to describe my cloth diapering journey, and hopefully help someone that wants to cloth diaper but is not sure where to start.

So, what are your thoughts on cloth vs. disposable? Why would you consider (or NEVER consider) cloth diapering? What questions do you have about the actual day in and day out process of using cloth? Leave me your comments and questions and I'll address as many as I can!

Want more on cloth diapers?  Read about my love affair...Part 2 and Part 3.  Or see how it all works Day to day with cloth.

Father's Day

Daddy and me, 1986

I am blessed to have a father who has always loved and supported me. One that is patient, makes me laugh, and has always shown me how to live life honorably. He taught me to fish, shoot a basketball, and make Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes. Because of this man, I've never had any trouble believing in God as my heavenly father who loves me unconditionally.

I am immeasurably joyful that my little girl will be able to say the same thing. Watching my husband become not just a father, but a beloved Daddy, has been so wonderful. Somehow my imaginings of what a good dad he'd be someday hardly scratched the surface. Emerson is, and will continue to be, so blessed by him.

Happy Father's Day.

The reason I don't mind sitting in the backseat...

Genetics

Unfortunately it seems that Miss Pumpkin Pie likes to sleep like her father--all but buried beneath the covers. This may be fine for older children and adults, but for tiny babies that you don't want to suffocate, it's not so great.

She only gets her way during nap time when I can check on her every few minutes. Even though Scott and I have tried to suffocate ourselves with her elephant lovey (unsuccessfully) I'm still not willing to risk it...

A day in the life...

I am loving every minute that I'm home with Emerson! Often the house is messy and the laundry unfolded (yes...at least I can usually get the clothes clean!) but I am in heaven spending my days with this sweet baby girl. Come September I'll be working again (hopefully part time!!) and these wonderful days of maternity leave will be gone. So believe me, I am milking this for all it's worth! While Emerson quite literally is...never mind:-P

She and I are still up once at night for a feeding, usually after a 5 or 6 hour stretch. I can handle that! (we were up every two hours for what seemed like forever.) When Emerson wakes up for her morning feeding, she is DONE sleeping on her back. So after she has eaten and has a fresh diaper, I prop myself up with pillows in bed and baby girl sleeps on my chest for the next several hours. Some mornings I sleep, others I mess around on my iPhone posting pictures of Emerson on Facebook, and always I kiss her sweet head about every five seconds!

When she wakes up, smiling and chatting with me, I talk to her while I put in my contacts and grab a quick cup of coffee. Then it's my favorite time of day...bath time!! There's something so sweet about a sudsy little babe, and Emerson is always so surprised by the warm water!

By the time she's dried and dressed she's snuggly and ready for a nap! She sleeps in her Soother by the bathroom door while I shower...

The last week or so we've been trying to find a good napping schedule. So if she is still sleeping when I'm dressed, I have time to run a load of laundry or tidy up a bit. Then when she wakes up it's time for her meal and then time to play!!

We recently got her this little play gym. She was days away from 12 weeks and wasn't really reaching for things like They say she should...but she loves it and now grabs those toys with no problem and either marvels at her little hands grasping or tries to eat whatever she's holding. It's adorable.

We continue the eat-nap-play cycle until her daddy gets home from work. Then he and Emerson relax and play, and that's when I have a chance to really get some stuff done!  I make dinner, we eat, and Sweet Baby entertains us until her bedtime.  I try to get to bed within an hour of Emerson so that I can get a longer stretch of sleep...and a few hours later we start over again!

I know these days won't last forever...I'm so grateful for this time!

Something New

It's been forever since I've blogged! Which means that I'm having a great time with Emerson...but anyone that reads my blog has been left without anything to read!

I just downloaded a new app...so right now I'm blogging from my iPhone! I love this electronic wonder that helps me multitask with just one hand as I feed or rock this sweet baby!

I'll keep it short and sweet as I get to know this new platform, and hopefully this means you'll be hearing from me more often!

What I've learned in 8 weeks

This post could also be an excerp from my imaginary book called The First-time Mother's Handbook.  It is the chapter on baby's bodily functions.  Enjoy!


If you are planning on welcoming a newborn baby into your home, beware of the following:

You will be pooped on, peed on, and puked on.  Get used to the idea and embrace it.  It means your baby's systems are working.  And buy lots of laundry detergent.

When trying to leave the house, put your clothes on at the VERY. LAST. MINUTE.  I'm not joking.  Otherwise, see above with the poop/pee/puke.

Use caution when changing diapers.  Newborns can poop with surprising power and distance.  Be sure you have an extra changing pad cover (or two) and an extra change of clothes. Are you sensing the theme yet?

Put the burp rag over your shoulder, even if it's just the quick jaunt from the living room to the nursery.  Because if you don't, the baby WILL spit up.  All over you.

The good news is, as a mom, you will quickly become desensitized.  When you carry Baby to her bathtub, you'll barely notice when she pees on your arm.  You'll be able to change a diaper with all the poo staying in the dirty diaper...usually.  And before you know it, your baby will burp a half gallon of curdled milk right down your shirt and you'll hardly blink an eye.  Seriously.

And, for the record, the smile of an eight week old that just had a HUGE burp is pretty priceless.  Definitely worth the dirty shirt.

Growing Up...

I snapped this picture earlier today as I lay Emerson down for a nap...in her crib...for the first time.

For her long nap I usually put her in her Rock 'n' Play Soother in our room, where she sleeps at night.  But she's been napping so well that I thought I should try out her crib.

I fully expected her to wake up immediately.  Or at least the first time she twitched and realized she was flat on her back, that she wasn't held in at all sides like normal.  But Baby Girl slept for two hours.  Peacefully. 

I think she's more ready for her crib than I am.

Six Weeks

This little sweetpea is six weeks old.

How has so much time gone by?

I am so blessed to be her mama.

Current stats for our smiley girl:
Weight: 10 pounds, 9 ounces
Height: 22.75 inches
Favorite Activities: Smiling at Daddy
Bath time
Bouncing on the exercise ball

I love being a mom more than I ever imagined I would.  I'm so lucky to spend my days with such a sweet sweet girl!

Busy

I love this picture.  Probably because the Instagram effect makes me appear less exhausted and more showered than I actually was...

While pregnant, I followed a couple blogs by pregnant moms who had their babies...and then stopped posting on their blogs!  I thought...come on!  I just want to see your baby!  And know how you're doing!  And get a tiny glimpse into motherhood...How long does it take to type up a quick post and add a picture anyway?!?

Ha.  Ha ha.  Ha ha ha.  I sooooooo get it now.  If I'm not nursing my sweet darling, I'm trying to go to the bathroom or catch a few more minutes of sleep.  And blogging is just not at the top of the priority list.

But in case you're curious, I'll copy part of an email I wrote to an old friend regarding the birth of our baby girl...

Sweet little Emerson Grace was born at 5:47 am on Monday, March 5th. She was 7 lbs 13 oz and 20 inches long. We thought she'd be here on the 4th (her due date!) because I went into labor early Sunday morning...but little miss wanted to take 24 hours to get here. All I have to say is that I'm glad I got that epidural halfway through! Other than being long, labor was uncomplicated and I only had to push through 5 or 6 contractions in the end! They placed her right on my chest and didn't move her for over an hour...and we've been in love ever since!  Scott and I could not be happier!  We're so glad that our long awaited daughter is here!

Little Miss

She's Here!

Emerson Grace has arrived!

Monday, March 5, 2012

5:47 AM

7 pounds 13 ounces

We are so very happy and blessed!

More

When I last mentioned the nursery walls, I told you there was something in progress...

Auntie Krystle painted these for Emerson...and they bring such joy to my heart!

In my husband's family, each child is given an animal to go with their name.  Sometimes they rhyme, sometimes they begin with the same letter...Our little girl is Emerson Elephant.  And Scott and I knew that her nursery would need a tribute to the adorable animal.  Lucky for us, my best friend is an artist...so there was no question about who would be painting them!  And I shouldn't be surprised (I've been a fan of her artwork since kindergarten) but Krys hit the nail on the head with these paintings.  The colors and feeling of these paintings are exactly what we were hoping for!

The view from the glider is so lovely! 

And, lest you think the nursery is "finished," here's the other side of the room.  I have plans for a sweet collection of frames and artwork, including the "e" that is in front of the changing table.  This is also the wall for the little flag garland.  But despite my nesting instincts, this wall will be a work in progress for awhile.  It takes time to find the perfect shapes, sizes and colors to make an eclectic collection work.

Sweet baby girl, come soon!  There's so much we have to show you...

Great with Child

The Bump at 38 weeks

Even though we've got 10 days until my due date...the wait for this baby girl is almost enough to drive me crazy!  We've got our bedroom ready for her pack'n'play (right next to my side of the bed), the baby swing set up in the living room, teeny tiny diapers on the changing table, and a closet full of the sweetest little girl wardrobe.  At least once daily I nearly (or completely) burst into tears because I'm still pregnant.  I'm so very, very pregnant.  Please come soon, Baby!

Don't worry.  I am fully aware that it is good for my little girl to have enough time in the womb.  I know that she's growing and preparing for life on the outside...and I definitely believe that God's timing is perfect.  But there are moments (such as when she's kicking my ribs and squeezing my bladder simultaneously) that I'm so very impatient.  I see moms in the grocery store with their babies in a front pack, and I am so jealous!  Ugh...that Baby Bjorn looks so much more comfortable than my huge stomach!

I know.  You don't have to tell me that there are a lot of other things that come with having the baby...and the end of pregnancy...and they're not all that glamorous.  And I just might want to enjoy these last few days (weeks?) when I can go somewhere without the diaper bag or sleep whenever I want...

But I want to see my little girl so badly.  I want to hold her in my arms, and see her in her daddy's arms, and smell her head and pat her tiny little diapered bum.  I want to show her how much we have anticipated her arrival and somehow try to express the love that I have for her.

Waiting for it isn't easy.  But I'm trying.

A Peek into the Nursery

There's the pretty little crib.  The bedding isn't quite complete, and the flag garland will be on the wall eventually...but since Emerson will be sleeping in our room for awhile, we've got time.

I absolutely love the way the closet turned out.  Someday we'll have more permanent baskets on the top shelf...but for now matching gift bags from baby showers look cute and conceal the things we won't use for awhile...like cloth diapers, toys, and sippy cups.

Next on the to-do list is art for the walls.  There's something in the works that I'm so excited to show you.  But since it's not in my possession yet, you'll have to wait.

Story of my life...

30 Days

As in...I'm due in 30 days.  And that's a good thing because my daily schedule is starting to look like this...

Wake up.
Feed cats.
Shower.
Put my feet up to rest and reduce the swelling.
Makeup.
Hair.
Put my feet up to rest and reduce the swelling.
Breakfast.
Make lunch.
Put my feet up to rest and reduce the swelling.

Go to school and chase teach 25 noisy precious students.

Go home.
Put my feet up to rest and reduce the swelling.
Dinner.
Couch.
Bed.
Bathroom.
Bed.
Bathroom.
Bed.
Bathroom.

And then I get out of bed to start it all over again!  My pregnancy is still, certainly, very healthy and medically boring...and I'm sure I could be more uncomfortable.  But nevertheless, this schedule is starting to get a bit tedious.

Luckily I'll be delightfully distracted for the next few days with baby showers!  And then I can play with tiny baby clothes while I sit with my feet up to reduce the swelling;-)

I'll work on taking pictures this weekend.
xoxox,
Beth

34 weeks

Here's the bump at 34 weeks.

I definitely feel like I've hit the last stage of pregnancy.  My body is awkward and swollen, my emotions are all over the place, and even a peanut butter sandwich gives me heartburn!  Some moments I'm overwhelmed with the thought of surviving the next 40 days...and the next I'll feel a tiny little extremity (hand? foot?) poking up an inch from the rest of my stomach and I'm struck with the amazing reality that an actual human being is inside of me!  I just think I'd like to fast forward a bit until she's here in my arms instead!

Random pregnancy trivia:
1. Multiple coworkers have complimented my "cute" waddle
2. I find myself needing to catch my breath after "simple" tasks...like getting into bed
3. I downloaded a contraction counter app for my phone
4. We start our birthing class tomorrow night

Less than six weeks until Emerson should be here!