Dear Bradeon,
I can’t believe that you are 5 years old today. I can remember when you first came into our lives and how much you’ve grown. You are a very thoughtful, insightful, caring and loving son/brother. You are a big helper whenever you are asked to do something and you are very reliable. You are very well mannered and sensitive at times.
Your favorite toys are legos at the moment but you like matchbox/hot wheels cars, your optimus prime you got last year for your birthday, and various other materials. You are very imaginative with your toys and generally use all of them during a weeks time. This year you graduated from dupulo legos to the real deal. Although we are constantly finding the little parts all over and in Jillian’s mouth. You also got magna tiles and some science experimental stuff. We took you to legoland and you picked out the racers set. It was a wonderful day.
I made some cupcakes for your birthday that we shared with some homeschool friends and then we came home to play. Your dad came home from work and we sang happy birthday. You wanted to blow out the candle again, so we sang to you twice.
Your favorite food is milk. You always want a “baba” instead of eating something but you do love candy. Not a lot of candy--you do like good things in moderation. Your favorite color is blue.
On Sunday, we will be celebrating your birthday with your friends and relatives. All of your cousins will be there and your grandparents. We’ve hired someone to bring in some animals for you to view and learn.
It was a fun year watching you grow and see how much knowledge you have gained from the prior year. We are homeschooling you and you are doing amazingly. You love for us to read books but you are trying to read on your own. You know all of your letters and most of the sounds. You love to count and can count to 100 (maybe even further if I ask). You don’t quite like to write yet. Drawing and writing are not your thing. You do like to trace your fingers on the letters with me while I make sounds as to how they should be drawn. You can spell your name and know your address. You are very smart young boy and are almost as tall as me at 5. I keep telling you by 10, you’ll be taller than me and can help me reach things in the top cabinets.
I love your spirit, you seem to have an old one. I see a lot of myself in you and am really proud. We want you to be successful at whatever you decide to do in life. We are here to give you the tools and wisdom to do so.
We love you so much and can’t wait to see how the next 5 years turn out.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
How did my mother do it?
Today I was trying to do many tasks and while I was in the kitchen, Jillian pulled up one of her push toys and proceeded to climb on top. She was trying to get something off of the counters. One of the boys pushed the toy in the kitchen and she decided to use it to her advantage. I said wow, how did my mother do it?
The boys were not much climbers. In fact, Braedon has to be coaxed into climbing things that are intended for him to climb! Sebastian is more adventurous but not like Jillian. She’ll try to get up on everything and I’m constantly keeping an eagle eye on her to keep her out of harm’s way.
Unfortunately, my mother is unable to tell me if my siblings or I were this ambitious or how she handled this situation. I know there were times my mother was the single parent as my father was out fighting the Vietnam War during 2 tours of duty. She had to manage 3 kids by herself.
This then leads me to a discussion I was having with my husband about raising our kids. I sometimes question the ideas we have about raising them and if we are doing right by them. Should we being doing this or that? What if we didn’t do this or that? I never let my children see me doubting my parental abilities but I do often wonder.
I afraid there will come that day when we get into an argument and they question me about my parental style. So I have decided to write this now as they are young (5, 3, 1.5) to let them know the sacrifices we have made to have them in our lives.
Here are the many things we wanted to give you:
I decided to stay home and not work to be able to teach you everything I know and more. Your father worked long hours but played with you every second he could. I breastfed each one of you and lost many many hours of sleep so that you can be nurtured throughout the night. When you needed to be cuddled, snuggled or just needed someone with you for comfort, we always said yes. All of the many games we made up and played like goodluck on the bed, tag, hide and seek, baseball, or you can’t make (get) me. For all the baba’s you needed throughout the day and night. I took you to museums, zoos, Legoland, arboretum, park, and other special places so you could experience everything. Sometimes we would just take our bikes and ride around the town.
I admit to you now that I’m not the best parent but I can state that I’m doing the best that I can to give you the best life has to offer. So when it’s your turn to ask how did you do it? I’ll simply say: I just did it. I know I can always use this motto to help me get through the toughest days and hope that tomorrow will be better.
To see you smile, laugh, play and learn is all that we ever envisioned when we decided to have you.
We love you and always will……
The boys were not much climbers. In fact, Braedon has to be coaxed into climbing things that are intended for him to climb! Sebastian is more adventurous but not like Jillian. She’ll try to get up on everything and I’m constantly keeping an eagle eye on her to keep her out of harm’s way.
Unfortunately, my mother is unable to tell me if my siblings or I were this ambitious or how she handled this situation. I know there were times my mother was the single parent as my father was out fighting the Vietnam War during 2 tours of duty. She had to manage 3 kids by herself.
This then leads me to a discussion I was having with my husband about raising our kids. I sometimes question the ideas we have about raising them and if we are doing right by them. Should we being doing this or that? What if we didn’t do this or that? I never let my children see me doubting my parental abilities but I do often wonder.
I afraid there will come that day when we get into an argument and they question me about my parental style. So I have decided to write this now as they are young (5, 3, 1.5) to let them know the sacrifices we have made to have them in our lives.
Here are the many things we wanted to give you:
I decided to stay home and not work to be able to teach you everything I know and more. Your father worked long hours but played with you every second he could. I breastfed each one of you and lost many many hours of sleep so that you can be nurtured throughout the night. When you needed to be cuddled, snuggled or just needed someone with you for comfort, we always said yes. All of the many games we made up and played like goodluck on the bed, tag, hide and seek, baseball, or you can’t make (get) me. For all the baba’s you needed throughout the day and night. I took you to museums, zoos, Legoland, arboretum, park, and other special places so you could experience everything. Sometimes we would just take our bikes and ride around the town.
I admit to you now that I’m not the best parent but I can state that I’m doing the best that I can to give you the best life has to offer. So when it’s your turn to ask how did you do it? I’ll simply say: I just did it. I know I can always use this motto to help me get through the toughest days and hope that tomorrow will be better.
To see you smile, laugh, play and learn is all that we ever envisioned when we decided to have you.
We love you and always will……
Monday, September 13, 2010
Beloved Bjorn
I’m not sure how or where I first heard of the Bjorn but when I became pregnant with my 1st child it seemed like the latest in baby boutique to wear your child. So I did a lot of research and bought the “active” baby blue Bjorn on Ebay. The package arrived on a Monday and unknown to me, my 1st would be born that next morning. Perhaps this was a sign of fate? I remember riding the bus home and reading the Bjorn box stating you could wear your baby and breastfeed (later I realized that isn’t a possibility).
Well I never realized how much the Bjorn would be an integral part of mine and my baby’s life. I remember that as soon as I could wear him, he went in and loved every minute. I could cuddle and snuggle him wherever we went. When he was fussy, I could put him in there and instantly soothe him. Once I felt comfortable that he could face forward, a whole new world opened up for him. This lasted for almost a full year because he then began to walk and no longer needed to be carried.
When my second baby arrived, he instantly went into the bjorn. Although it wasn’t equipped with an infant insert, I bundled him up with a blanket and gently placed him inside the pouch. It was a great way to bond with him while we were out and about with his older brother. Again, I wore him all of the time. We never took the car seat out of the car. I always transported him via the Bjorn. As my 2nd began to get heavier, the Bjorn seemed to have started to wear on me.
As my 3rd child came along it was a no brainer for me to use the Bjorn. But either my body was failing me or the Bjorn was failing, I wasn’t able to wear her as long of a time as I had the others. Now keep in mind that I was also carrying around 2 other children and my stamina was low especially with a newborn. I dismissed the aches and pains and swore by my fabulous find.
The Ergo: I had been introduced to this carrier 1 year prior and I wasn’t convinced of its all mighty power. As my back continued to ache and friends encouraged me to get an Ergo. I resisted until I found one on sale for a price no one could pass. When it arrived I was in awe and saw the 3 different positions you could secure your child. Once I felt my daughter was old enough she went on the back and wow…..what a relief. I even breastfed her while walking her around in it. Amazing.
Poor Bjorn was resting in the basement for about 6 months when someone inquired if I had one for sale. I thought to myself why are you saving this? If you know of a product my superior, why would you hold on to it. So I had decided to sell my beloved baby blue Bjorn. I proceeded to tell this strange my life story with the Bjorn and how sad I was to let it go. But that her child would really enjoy it and so would she.
I had a tear in my eye as I let it go. Many fond memories were flying past and luckily have a few snapshots as evidence that I held them in the Bjorn. The new owner emailed the day after and informed me of how much her baby loved being in it. I almost felt like a pet owner whose cat had a litter and giving one of the kits to a new owner.
Bjorn: I’m glad you went to a new home where you will be loved once again and taken out on a daily basis. You had a wonderful life with the Joneses and will be fondly remembered. Thank you for being a nurturing part of my children’s lives.
Well I never realized how much the Bjorn would be an integral part of mine and my baby’s life. I remember that as soon as I could wear him, he went in and loved every minute. I could cuddle and snuggle him wherever we went. When he was fussy, I could put him in there and instantly soothe him. Once I felt comfortable that he could face forward, a whole new world opened up for him. This lasted for almost a full year because he then began to walk and no longer needed to be carried.
When my second baby arrived, he instantly went into the bjorn. Although it wasn’t equipped with an infant insert, I bundled him up with a blanket and gently placed him inside the pouch. It was a great way to bond with him while we were out and about with his older brother. Again, I wore him all of the time. We never took the car seat out of the car. I always transported him via the Bjorn. As my 2nd began to get heavier, the Bjorn seemed to have started to wear on me.
As my 3rd child came along it was a no brainer for me to use the Bjorn. But either my body was failing me or the Bjorn was failing, I wasn’t able to wear her as long of a time as I had the others. Now keep in mind that I was also carrying around 2 other children and my stamina was low especially with a newborn. I dismissed the aches and pains and swore by my fabulous find.
The Ergo: I had been introduced to this carrier 1 year prior and I wasn’t convinced of its all mighty power. As my back continued to ache and friends encouraged me to get an Ergo. I resisted until I found one on sale for a price no one could pass. When it arrived I was in awe and saw the 3 different positions you could secure your child. Once I felt my daughter was old enough she went on the back and wow…..what a relief. I even breastfed her while walking her around in it. Amazing.
Poor Bjorn was resting in the basement for about 6 months when someone inquired if I had one for sale. I thought to myself why are you saving this? If you know of a product my superior, why would you hold on to it. So I had decided to sell my beloved baby blue Bjorn. I proceeded to tell this strange my life story with the Bjorn and how sad I was to let it go. But that her child would really enjoy it and so would she.
I had a tear in my eye as I let it go. Many fond memories were flying past and luckily have a few snapshots as evidence that I held them in the Bjorn. The new owner emailed the day after and informed me of how much her baby loved being in it. I almost felt like a pet owner whose cat had a litter and giving one of the kits to a new owner.
Bjorn: I’m glad you went to a new home where you will be loved once again and taken out on a daily basis. You had a wonderful life with the Joneses and will be fondly remembered. Thank you for being a nurturing part of my children’s lives.
Monday, June 7, 2010
The run away child
When thinking about having a child, I think of holding that precious little one, rocking them to sleep, teaching them to walk and talk.
I think of all the happy moments parents are supposed to have when you have children. I would never have thought about how to I control my child so they don’t run away? I often think of how crazy I am to hire a sitter to come with us on outings because I’m afraid of losing my children. Really, spending hard cash to make sure me and my kids have a good time and all come home together.
Now of course I’m referring to Sebastian. He definitely has a mind of his own and is in his own world. I call him a very curious boy but deep down I say mischievous. He knows not to run off, yet like a bird that has learned to take flight with the wind beneath their wings, off he goes.
I will never forget the time we lost him in the Nature Museum. It’s not a large museum either but yet the kids can walk off. We were playing in the playground area and I had asked a friend to watch him while I used the restroom. When I returned we searched for him and he was nowhere to be found. Panic didn’t set in right away until 2 minutes into the search. He wasn’t answering my calls for him and again it isn’t a large place so no telling where he could have run off. Luckily, he was down towards the water area just playing in the water by himself. He thought nothing of it. This scared me to tears but
I didn’t let him see my cry. I thought if he had then he might get scared himself.
After this time frame, I thought about buying one of those tethers or “child” leashes. Really? See they made this product just for my child. The problem is that he is 3 now and I don’t think I could contain him in one of those. He’d certainly learn to remove it quickly or protest its existence so loudly that people would be begging me to take it off of him.
Today was another one of his run off on mommy and friend. We’ve been to the arboretum many times and the kids know that place like its home. We have a certain path we take each time and didn’t do things we normally do because we had friend’s with us. Astonishingly, Braedon was the first to run off but did it with his friend Evan. The two of them ran off to the frog pond while we were headed to the playground. It took us 2 minutes to realize they weren’t with us or anywhere around us. Luckily, Braedon came down and told us where he’d been. This was my first panic attack of the day.
We are getting ready to leave the playground area and hit another spot. We were gathering up the kids when we noticed Sebastian was missing. Now normally I’m johnny on the spot with them but I was a little relaxed because we had friend’s watching. Also, Jillian now wants to be mobile so I really needed to keep an eye on her so she wouldn’t be in harm’s way. So, I guess you could say I was a little distracted. I gather up Braedon and made a swoop around the place looking for Sebastian. Now I wasn’t as panicked with Braedon like I was at the Nature Museum. Braedon rarely runs off on me and generally can’t be without me for a few moments. Sebastian is fearless and would make a bee line for anything without hesitation. So certainly I couldn’t imagine him going to the frog pond but I headed that way while my friend went to look around the area we were just in. She phoned me to state he was in the little garden watering plants.
Oh, I couldn’t believe it. But really I could. No joking, one minute they are there and the next they are running off.
I wouldn’t feel such panic if Sebastian would answer me when I called for him. I want him to be free to do the things he wants to and encourage him to do so but he needs to let me know where he’s headed.
I just don’t know how to keep him close by without tying him down. I can tell him how much it scares me or that someone could take him but he doesn’t care. He was free as a bird and said to me, “I’m just watering the plants.”
I think of all the happy moments parents are supposed to have when you have children. I would never have thought about how to I control my child so they don’t run away? I often think of how crazy I am to hire a sitter to come with us on outings because I’m afraid of losing my children. Really, spending hard cash to make sure me and my kids have a good time and all come home together.
Now of course I’m referring to Sebastian. He definitely has a mind of his own and is in his own world. I call him a very curious boy but deep down I say mischievous. He knows not to run off, yet like a bird that has learned to take flight with the wind beneath their wings, off he goes.
I will never forget the time we lost him in the Nature Museum. It’s not a large museum either but yet the kids can walk off. We were playing in the playground area and I had asked a friend to watch him while I used the restroom. When I returned we searched for him and he was nowhere to be found. Panic didn’t set in right away until 2 minutes into the search. He wasn’t answering my calls for him and again it isn’t a large place so no telling where he could have run off. Luckily, he was down towards the water area just playing in the water by himself. He thought nothing of it. This scared me to tears but
I didn’t let him see my cry. I thought if he had then he might get scared himself.
After this time frame, I thought about buying one of those tethers or “child” leashes. Really? See they made this product just for my child. The problem is that he is 3 now and I don’t think I could contain him in one of those. He’d certainly learn to remove it quickly or protest its existence so loudly that people would be begging me to take it off of him.
Today was another one of his run off on mommy and friend. We’ve been to the arboretum many times and the kids know that place like its home. We have a certain path we take each time and didn’t do things we normally do because we had friend’s with us. Astonishingly, Braedon was the first to run off but did it with his friend Evan. The two of them ran off to the frog pond while we were headed to the playground. It took us 2 minutes to realize they weren’t with us or anywhere around us. Luckily, Braedon came down and told us where he’d been. This was my first panic attack of the day.
We are getting ready to leave the playground area and hit another spot. We were gathering up the kids when we noticed Sebastian was missing. Now normally I’m johnny on the spot with them but I was a little relaxed because we had friend’s watching. Also, Jillian now wants to be mobile so I really needed to keep an eye on her so she wouldn’t be in harm’s way. So, I guess you could say I was a little distracted. I gather up Braedon and made a swoop around the place looking for Sebastian. Now I wasn’t as panicked with Braedon like I was at the Nature Museum. Braedon rarely runs off on me and generally can’t be without me for a few moments. Sebastian is fearless and would make a bee line for anything without hesitation. So certainly I couldn’t imagine him going to the frog pond but I headed that way while my friend went to look around the area we were just in. She phoned me to state he was in the little garden watering plants.
Oh, I couldn’t believe it. But really I could. No joking, one minute they are there and the next they are running off.
I wouldn’t feel such panic if Sebastian would answer me when I called for him. I want him to be free to do the things he wants to and encourage him to do so but he needs to let me know where he’s headed.
I just don’t know how to keep him close by without tying him down. I can tell him how much it scares me or that someone could take him but he doesn’t care. He was free as a bird and said to me, “I’m just watering the plants.”
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Cloth Diapers
Anytime I am out and changing Jillian’s diaper, I always get the question, “what type of diapers are those?”
Then the follow up questions/comments:
Do you like them?
Are they easy to take care of?
Oh, I could never do cloth diapers
Believe it or not, I thought the same thing. In fact both of the boys grew up in disposables. So why did I switch to cloth when Jillian arrived?
I had started to order the boys diapers online about once a month and they arrived in a huge box. Then I would take the box of diapers out and then take the diapers out of that box. So, I had one huge box and then 2 box of diapers to throw away. Then every day I would fill up a garbage bag full of dirty diapers. Although our building does have a recycling program, I still felt guilty that trees had been destroyed for shipping/packing my diapers. Secondly, I was contributing to the landfill with all of those diapers. I just couldn’t bear to do it for another child.
So how did I come to choose the diapers I have?
I did a lot of research and asked around town.
First I tried the G diapers on her but she had such chubby legs that they just fit on the side and made marks on her leg. I also didn’t like the Velcro on her belly as well. That made marks because she had a very chubby belly. Also the G diapers come with a liner that is flushable/biodegradable but again, it is made up of paper and I was right back to my guilt feelings about killing trees.
Secondly, I tried the mothereas diapers. You placed an insert on the cloth diaper and then put on the waterproof cover. This was my real first experience with cloth diapers which made me a believer that cloth was the route I wanted to take. But I thought there were too many steps to take to diaper a child.
Thirdly, I was introduced to Fuzzi Bunz diapers via a great friend of mine, Audra. The perfect fit diapers are a pocket diaper. This revelation was so easy and nice. You just stick the insert into the pocket diaper and snap up the sides. When the diaper is soiled you place it in the bag/bucket of your choice. You then take them to the washing machine and wash/dry.
The caveat: You had to balance the number of diapers you have versus how many the child uses. Meaning: how many times do you want to wash and what kind of receptacle do you wish to hold the stinky diapers?
I was sold….Fuzzibunz were for our family.
Better news, Fuzzi bunz designed a new diaper…..one size diaper. Prior to this you had to buy S, M, or L diapers for each stage of your child’s growth. This equates to more money and quite possibly could cost you more than disposables. Now of course if you bought these for baby number 1 and then used them for subsequent babies then you definitely will save tons more than disposables. But for me who has decided to use them on baby #3 instead of 1 or 2, it wouldn’t be worth it.
The one size diapers are incredible! The same concept of adjustable waist clothes are for kids, they’ve taken that idea and used them in their diapers. Not only are they adjustable in the waist but also in the legs. So if you had a smaller baby you can adjust them so they don’t leak.
Another great feature are the prints and different colors. This had me sold because when you have a little girl, you want to dress her up in all the cutest things.
I had no idea how many diapers she would need but I estimated based on what I borrowed from my friend. I ordered 18 diapers and an extra set of inserts. Now I didn’t think I knew that the diapers came with 2 inserts in them but I could always use them if something happened to the other inserts.
Not only did I decide to not to use disposables but I also decided not to use wipes. Yes no wipes. Instead I purchased cloth wipes and have been using them instead.
Now, I’m as surprised as the next person that I am using cloth diapers. Why would I want to add an extra step to my life every day? But when I go back and analyze my decision, I’m not doing any more steps than what I was already doing.
People often ask about the smell or care of these diapers:
The care is very simple. I take the diaper off Jillian, I put them in a bucket in the bathroom and then to the washing machine at night. It isn’t until now that she is eating solids do I have to take an extra step for poopy diapers. When I have a very soiled diaper, I rinse it out in the toilet to dislodge the poo. Then I put them in the bucket with the others to be washed.
Yes it does smell sometimes and I just put the lid on top. Some people have a bag they use as well.
I take really good care of the diapers as I want them to last as long I need them and hopefully pass them on down the family line.
I wash them in hot water with 7th generation soap. I put them on a 2nd rinse cycle. I dry the inserts in the dryer and line dry the diapers (when its warm outside, I dry them both on a clothes line). This process takes me 2 minutes from start to finish (of course the wash cycle takes longer).
There have been a few snags with this new diaper from Fuzzi Bunz. The permeable lining inside the diaper has come off a few of them. I’m guessing this is some flaw that they have and I’ve had to send a few back. I’ve gotten replacements with no hassles.
I really love these diapers and would recommend them to anyone who is interested and aren’t the “type” to do cloth diapers. They certainly are very easy to do and care for as well as they will cost you less in the long run.
Some say that this is the lazy way to do cloth diapers. I say that it’s the new wave to using cloth diapers compared to what our parents/grandparents did for us.
I wash them and hang them up to dry just like my past relatives. So, call me lazy because my baby is a Fuzzi Bunz gal. And I wouldn’t want to do it any other way.
Then the follow up questions/comments:
Do you like them?
Are they easy to take care of?
Oh, I could never do cloth diapers
Believe it or not, I thought the same thing. In fact both of the boys grew up in disposables. So why did I switch to cloth when Jillian arrived?
I had started to order the boys diapers online about once a month and they arrived in a huge box. Then I would take the box of diapers out and then take the diapers out of that box. So, I had one huge box and then 2 box of diapers to throw away. Then every day I would fill up a garbage bag full of dirty diapers. Although our building does have a recycling program, I still felt guilty that trees had been destroyed for shipping/packing my diapers. Secondly, I was contributing to the landfill with all of those diapers. I just couldn’t bear to do it for another child.
So how did I come to choose the diapers I have?
I did a lot of research and asked around town.
First I tried the G diapers on her but she had such chubby legs that they just fit on the side and made marks on her leg. I also didn’t like the Velcro on her belly as well. That made marks because she had a very chubby belly. Also the G diapers come with a liner that is flushable/biodegradable but again, it is made up of paper and I was right back to my guilt feelings about killing trees.
Secondly, I tried the mothereas diapers. You placed an insert on the cloth diaper and then put on the waterproof cover. This was my real first experience with cloth diapers which made me a believer that cloth was the route I wanted to take. But I thought there were too many steps to take to diaper a child.
Thirdly, I was introduced to Fuzzi Bunz diapers via a great friend of mine, Audra. The perfect fit diapers are a pocket diaper. This revelation was so easy and nice. You just stick the insert into the pocket diaper and snap up the sides. When the diaper is soiled you place it in the bag/bucket of your choice. You then take them to the washing machine and wash/dry.
The caveat: You had to balance the number of diapers you have versus how many the child uses. Meaning: how many times do you want to wash and what kind of receptacle do you wish to hold the stinky diapers?
I was sold….Fuzzibunz were for our family.
Better news, Fuzzi bunz designed a new diaper…..one size diaper. Prior to this you had to buy S, M, or L diapers for each stage of your child’s growth. This equates to more money and quite possibly could cost you more than disposables. Now of course if you bought these for baby number 1 and then used them for subsequent babies then you definitely will save tons more than disposables. But for me who has decided to use them on baby #3 instead of 1 or 2, it wouldn’t be worth it.
The one size diapers are incredible! The same concept of adjustable waist clothes are for kids, they’ve taken that idea and used them in their diapers. Not only are they adjustable in the waist but also in the legs. So if you had a smaller baby you can adjust them so they don’t leak.
Another great feature are the prints and different colors. This had me sold because when you have a little girl, you want to dress her up in all the cutest things.
I had no idea how many diapers she would need but I estimated based on what I borrowed from my friend. I ordered 18 diapers and an extra set of inserts. Now I didn’t think I knew that the diapers came with 2 inserts in them but I could always use them if something happened to the other inserts.
Not only did I decide to not to use disposables but I also decided not to use wipes. Yes no wipes. Instead I purchased cloth wipes and have been using them instead.
Now, I’m as surprised as the next person that I am using cloth diapers. Why would I want to add an extra step to my life every day? But when I go back and analyze my decision, I’m not doing any more steps than what I was already doing.
People often ask about the smell or care of these diapers:
The care is very simple. I take the diaper off Jillian, I put them in a bucket in the bathroom and then to the washing machine at night. It isn’t until now that she is eating solids do I have to take an extra step for poopy diapers. When I have a very soiled diaper, I rinse it out in the toilet to dislodge the poo. Then I put them in the bucket with the others to be washed.
Yes it does smell sometimes and I just put the lid on top. Some people have a bag they use as well.
I take really good care of the diapers as I want them to last as long I need them and hopefully pass them on down the family line.
I wash them in hot water with 7th generation soap. I put them on a 2nd rinse cycle. I dry the inserts in the dryer and line dry the diapers (when its warm outside, I dry them both on a clothes line). This process takes me 2 minutes from start to finish (of course the wash cycle takes longer).
There have been a few snags with this new diaper from Fuzzi Bunz. The permeable lining inside the diaper has come off a few of them. I’m guessing this is some flaw that they have and I’ve had to send a few back. I’ve gotten replacements with no hassles.
I really love these diapers and would recommend them to anyone who is interested and aren’t the “type” to do cloth diapers. They certainly are very easy to do and care for as well as they will cost you less in the long run.
Some say that this is the lazy way to do cloth diapers. I say that it’s the new wave to using cloth diapers compared to what our parents/grandparents did for us.
I wash them and hang them up to dry just like my past relatives. So, call me lazy because my baby is a Fuzzi Bunz gal. And I wouldn’t want to do it any other way.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Jillian's 1st Year
I still can’t believe that you are 1 today. I remember a year ago waking up at 2am and my water breaking. In exactly 2 hours at 4am, you were born into your daddy’s arms. It was so peaceful and wonderful (I can’t wait to tell you when you get older). Your brother’s woke up at their usual 7am and your dad was holding you on the bed. He announced that you had arrived and they couldn’t believe there was another person in our house. They instantly fell in love with you as easily as we had. You were so quiet and sweet.
I had phoned a dear friend of ours, Marcie Alexander, to come over and help take care of your brother’s. Since we were up all night having you, your dad and I were tired. We didn’t have all that energy to take care of your brother’s. So she came over while we rested for a bit. Then it was time for her to go and I got up. She was the 1st person to hold you beside your father and I. She couldn’t believe it. Here you were so tiny.
It was a cold rainy day when you were born. I remember that because Marcie took the boys outside to feed the meter in the cold/rain.
I was so thrilled awaiting your arrival. I didn’t know if you were a boy or a girl. You seemed so high up in my belly and actually felt like you were up in my rib cage. In fact after I had you, it was hard for me to breath. We wanted you to be a surprise and what a wonderful surprise you were.
Immediately you had a personality much like your brother Braedon. You were generally very easy to meet your needs. You had a schedule and we tried hard to stick to it while managing your brothers. You adapted very well.
In this first year you have gained weight,smiled, laughed, sat up, rolled over, acquired 6 teeth, are standing up, pointing, babbling, and well on your way to walking. You are in 12-18 month clothes and I imagine soon that it will be 18-24 month. Your smile and laugh are very infectious.
You play games with us and your brother’s. You play the shy game when someone talks to you. You shy your head away or sometimes you just put your head down. You also like to play catch me. You crawl down the hallway and when we call after you, you crawl faster and giggle. When your brother’s are jumping on the bed, you love to jump along with them. You love pillows. You smother your face in them, jump/crawl on top and giggle. You love rolling around and crawling around in bed.
Your love for books is infectious. You love to look at books but mostly the letters. You point to things and start talking. Sometimes you squench up your nose and laugh at things. We can’t help laughing along with you. You are a very curious gal and like to see how things work. For example, you love to move doors back and forth.
You are a lovely and sweet addition to our family. Your brother’s are enjoying helping to take care of you and playing with you. They love to help you explore new things and help you learn as you are going along. They really look out for you and make sure you aren’t in any danger.
Thank you for being such a ray of light in our lives. We aren’t sure how we every got along without you but we sure can’t wait to see what you do throughout your years.
We love you tremendously our sweet baby Jillian.
I had phoned a dear friend of ours, Marcie Alexander, to come over and help take care of your brother’s. Since we were up all night having you, your dad and I were tired. We didn’t have all that energy to take care of your brother’s. So she came over while we rested for a bit. Then it was time for her to go and I got up. She was the 1st person to hold you beside your father and I. She couldn’t believe it. Here you were so tiny.
It was a cold rainy day when you were born. I remember that because Marcie took the boys outside to feed the meter in the cold/rain.
I was so thrilled awaiting your arrival. I didn’t know if you were a boy or a girl. You seemed so high up in my belly and actually felt like you were up in my rib cage. In fact after I had you, it was hard for me to breath. We wanted you to be a surprise and what a wonderful surprise you were.
Immediately you had a personality much like your brother Braedon. You were generally very easy to meet your needs. You had a schedule and we tried hard to stick to it while managing your brothers. You adapted very well.
In this first year you have gained weight,smiled, laughed, sat up, rolled over, acquired 6 teeth, are standing up, pointing, babbling, and well on your way to walking. You are in 12-18 month clothes and I imagine soon that it will be 18-24 month. Your smile and laugh are very infectious.
You play games with us and your brother’s. You play the shy game when someone talks to you. You shy your head away or sometimes you just put your head down. You also like to play catch me. You crawl down the hallway and when we call after you, you crawl faster and giggle. When your brother’s are jumping on the bed, you love to jump along with them. You love pillows. You smother your face in them, jump/crawl on top and giggle. You love rolling around and crawling around in bed.
Your love for books is infectious. You love to look at books but mostly the letters. You point to things and start talking. Sometimes you squench up your nose and laugh at things. We can’t help laughing along with you. You are a very curious gal and like to see how things work. For example, you love to move doors back and forth.
You are a lovely and sweet addition to our family. Your brother’s are enjoying helping to take care of you and playing with you. They love to help you explore new things and help you learn as you are going along. They really look out for you and make sure you aren’t in any danger.
Thank you for being such a ray of light in our lives. We aren’t sure how we every got along without you but we sure can’t wait to see what you do throughout your years.
We love you tremendously our sweet baby Jillian.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The reminders of the firsts and the memories of the lasts…
When Jillian was having her difficulties last week and stopped nursing, I started to ask if this was it? Was she going to wean herself? Luckily, it was just a small issue but it got me thinking about all the lasts from my children. Now as I was thinking this I happened to came across my friend Hilary’s blog where she talked about this same issue. Again, I’m going take a bit of what she had done.
I am going to the miss all of your lasts:
To Braedon:
The last time…
-we played bouncy ball, bouncy ball, bouncy ball for…Braedon but you couldn’t say your name and would same ummmmm.
-you rolled over to get something and rolled up in your blanket. You looked like a crescent roll.
-you fell asleep in your high chair when I was feeding you.
-when you rubbed your eyes and got that sleepy look on your face. We knew it was time for bed.
-holding you and rocking you while you were drinking your milk. I would sing and sing to you until you fell asleep. This lasted until you were 2.
-you sat in your baby car seat and then your toddler car seat. You are now in a booster seat.
To Sebastian:
The last time…
-you nursed. You poor thing you were 2 years and I decided it was enough. You cried and cried and cried. I held you until you would go to sleep. You still need to be held once and a while.
-last time I carried you in the bjorn. You were getting too independent.
-you tried to sit up on your own. You started sitting up at 4 months but not by yourself until you were 10 months.
-you chewed on your multicolored teething ring.
-you swung in your baby swing. You were trying to sit up way to early and I didn’t feel safe putting you in it any more.
-holding and rocking you. I know you still remember it because you ask me to rock you occasionally.
-your last time in the baby car seat and now into your toddler car seat. You’re not that tall so you might be in this one for a while.
To Jillian…
You are still accomplishing a lot of your 1st right now. Thankfully you haven’t stopped nursing. Truthfully, I’m not sure when that will end but hopefully when its right for the both of us. Right now just remain our sweet little girl for a bit longer.
Although I will miss all of their lasts and I’m delighted that we are moving on to a lot of 1sts. Each day goes by so quickly that soon you won’t be my little ones and you’ll be off having ones of your own. Hopefully you can look back on what I’ve written to get a sense of what I felt like to be your mom. It is really an honor.
Thank you.
I am going to the miss all of your lasts:
To Braedon:
The last time…
-we played bouncy ball, bouncy ball, bouncy ball for…Braedon but you couldn’t say your name and would same ummmmm.
-you rolled over to get something and rolled up in your blanket. You looked like a crescent roll.
-you fell asleep in your high chair when I was feeding you.
-when you rubbed your eyes and got that sleepy look on your face. We knew it was time for bed.
-holding you and rocking you while you were drinking your milk. I would sing and sing to you until you fell asleep. This lasted until you were 2.
-you sat in your baby car seat and then your toddler car seat. You are now in a booster seat.
To Sebastian:
The last time…
-you nursed. You poor thing you were 2 years and I decided it was enough. You cried and cried and cried. I held you until you would go to sleep. You still need to be held once and a while.
-last time I carried you in the bjorn. You were getting too independent.
-you tried to sit up on your own. You started sitting up at 4 months but not by yourself until you were 10 months.
-you chewed on your multicolored teething ring.
-you swung in your baby swing. You were trying to sit up way to early and I didn’t feel safe putting you in it any more.
-holding and rocking you. I know you still remember it because you ask me to rock you occasionally.
-your last time in the baby car seat and now into your toddler car seat. You’re not that tall so you might be in this one for a while.
To Jillian…
You are still accomplishing a lot of your 1st right now. Thankfully you haven’t stopped nursing. Truthfully, I’m not sure when that will end but hopefully when its right for the both of us. Right now just remain our sweet little girl for a bit longer.
Although I will miss all of their lasts and I’m delighted that we are moving on to a lot of 1sts. Each day goes by so quickly that soon you won’t be my little ones and you’ll be off having ones of your own. Hopefully you can look back on what I’ve written to get a sense of what I felt like to be your mom. It is really an honor.
Thank you.
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