Tampons make me say, “Ugh, I think I’m dying.”

Tampons make me say, “Ugh, I think I’m dying.”

What this week brings...

We just got back from another busy weekend out of town--just RaeRae and me. We went to visit my parents in Sacramento. Over the weekend, RaeRae finally started scooting!! Not quite crawling, but scooting! She works hard to push against her knees and uses her hands/arms to pull. I was soo proud and caught it on video! Now a new world of adventure has opened for all of us. Just a matter of time before she is pretty much everywhere.

I had another dentist appointment on Friday so RaeRae stayed with my mom, sister, and my nephew for a few hours. 3 hours! 3 hours, no tears! She also took a bottle with no problem! This is big for us because since she was 3 months old, she refused the bottle and would just scream. I felt so relieved to know she did so well. It was good practice for what tomorrow brings:


Tomorrow I am going back to work for a trial day. I work as a substitute teacher at my local Deaf school so work is flexible. I arranged to go in a sub in advance for a teacher training day so I am able to have childcare. 

I'm going to give it at least one day a week every other week or so. My mom is coming from Sacramento tonight (2 hours away from us) with my grandma and nephew and they will spend all day with her tomorrow! I'm a bit nervous. I've been trying hard to pump and save some milk for her. Knowing that she is taking a bottle better helps A LOT. Pumping is just hard work but it will be good for me to at least go back for one day and good for RaeRae to spend time with her Nana, Nama, and cousin. 


I already have a room where I can pump in private. I just need to arrive tomorrow morning and figure out when I can do it. I've only worked one day since RaeRae was born, back in May. That day was a minimum day and an awful day. I had a plugged duct, spilled at least an ounce of milk all over my pants, got paint on my shirt, and that was also the day RaeRae decided she wouldn't have anything to do with a bottle. My mom was able to bring me her during my lunch break since I only lived 2 miles away. 


But tomorrow will be a better day! Things are more settled in our new home, I have milk pumped, she has more practice with the bottle, and I have a lot of support. 


Today I am just lounging a bit at home. Cleaning, vacuuming, and doing some laundry. We are dealing with a cat that has been pooping in the baby's room so I vacuumed once again. That's another story for another time.
 

Weekly Giveaway: Ruby Moon’s Summer Lemonade Laundry Wash 5/10 Bag

Weekly Giveaway: Ruby Moon’s Summer Lemonade Laundry Wash 5/10 Bag

How many diapers is enough?

I did an inventory of our cloth diapers (and some accessories as well) recently and this is what we have to date:

• 25 pocket diapers (of different brands; Mostly bumGenius with a mix of both aplix and snaps)
• 3 fitteds (All Kissaluvs, two of the unbleached ones, and one Safari)
• 5 hybrids (4 Grovia, 1 Best Bottoms)
• 5 cotton prefolds
• 1 hemp prefold
• Several covers (Some Sized 1 Thirsties Duo Wraps that don't fit anymore and OS Blueberry covers that still fit)
• Several extra microfiber inserts
• A bunch of hemp inserts to use with nighttime diapering (truly the best!)
• 30-40 or so cloth wipes
• CJ's butter samples (Unscented, and just ran out of the Honey/Oatmeal/Milk one)
• A few Snappi's

Our pockets and just 1 our hybrids. Others in laundry or other organizer.

Some of the pockets I don't use because they don't fit RaeRae that well. I am looking to destash those so I can get some others. So this got me thinking, how many diapers is "enough?" If you're like me and collect cloth diapers because of colors and prints, you may feel like you never have enough. I call this the "fluffy itch." Others call it "fluffy addiction." 

When people ask me "how many diapers do you need," I generally tell them "enough for 3 days of diapers." If you think about it, a newborn baby will be changed on average 10-12 times a day. Times that by 3 equals about 30 diapers. RaeRae, at 7 months, is changed about 6-8 times a day because she goes longer at nighttime now. For that reason, we use 100 percent cotton prefolds with a hemp insert under a PUL cover and that gives us no leaks! It will go up to 12 hours for us. During the day, we use pocket diapers and on occasion, fitteds for naptime.


Since I now have a front-loader, I tend to my diaper laundry every other day or every two days because I find my diapers get cleaner with smaller loads. I try to keep my diapers in rotation so I'm only really washing a particular diaper one or two times a week instead of three or five times a week. This keeps the diapers in better shape and lasting longer. 


I do think we have enough diapers, but do I "want" more? Sure! On occasion, the "fluffy itch" comes again and I "window-shop" online.

  I currently got my eye on the new bumGenius prints. We will be stocking those in December/January and I'm sooo excited!


So how many diapers do you think is enough for full-time cloth diapering? Do share--how many diapers do you have in your stash and what kind? Feel free to share a picture on the facebook page.

Monkey Farts? A must-have diapering product.

For the past month or so, I've been wanting to write a blog post about one of my newest favorite accessories for cloth diapering. Actually, this product is not just related to babies' bums but has many uses.
I had heard of this product on occasion but was satisfied with something else I had that was similar. But I decided to try a sample of it through the awesome business I work for, Everything Birth, Inc. And the verdict, I LOVE IT!


Okay, enough with the suspense. 
The product is called CJ's Butter. Some of you might be familiar with it, already use it, or never heard of it. It has been called "A Miracle in a Bottle." 
Not only is CJ's Butter a cloth-diaper friendly cream to use on babies' bums for diaper rashes, it can also be used to help with the relief of:

• Eczema
• Dry/chapped skin
• Rug/carpet burns (sore 'crawler' knees)
• mechanic's hands and cuticles
• hang nails
• rub a small amount in her hands and use it as a leave-in conditioner for your curls
• use on black/mixed hair
• Melt a dollop under running bath water for a relaxing, soothing, anti-inflammatory soak--provides relief from postpartum soreness and hemorrhoids
• Provides protection against windburned cheeks/face and helps to relieve windburn
• Promotes healing and provides a non-stick barrier when used after a circumcision

So what's exactly in CJ's butter? The following ingredients:

• Shea butter
• Olive oil
• coconut oil
• Lanolin
• beeswax
• cocoa butter
• vitamin E
• colloidai oatmeal

That's for the Unscented version.  So many natural ingredients!! For Scented versions, they add fragrances or essential oils. There are numerous scents to choose from! I chose both Unscented and Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey. I loved both of them! My friend told me she picked blueberry and really liked it too. Some might think that's silly but blueberries would at least smell better than poo!
You can buy a sample to try for only $1.50. They also have travel sticks, both small and large, as well as a jar, tube, and spritz bottle. A sample size is about half an ounce and lasted me just over a whole month! I used it on RaeRae's bum when she had a few rashes from poo and it cleared it up sooo fast! I loved smelling the jars they came in too.


Check them out here!
(If you'd like to buy some to try, you can enter my name at check-out for "How did you hear about us" or email me to find out if any special codes I can share. Wink!)


I learned CJ's Butter makes the following scents (copied/pasted from their site directly):

FRAGRANCES:

• ~~NEW~~  Sweet Memories (Awapuhi):  Have you ever encountered a scent that just takes you back to a special time and place?  This Awapuhi (Ah-vah-poo-hee) scent is named for CJ’s mom.  It’s a dreamy, clean scent used in many salon shampoos.  Technically a fruity-floral scent, it stands out from the rest as it is light, airy,  super clean,  and not particularly floral.  Give it a try….it’s simply beautiful—just like mom.





Lullaby Baby Lotion: This is a gorgeous, soft, irresistible designer baby fragrance! With soft notes of leafy green, peach, melon, coconut and honey, and reminiscent of Johnson’s Baby Magic lotion, this fragrance is a tribute to the softness and innocence of babies.

• Monkey Farts:  You asked for it and we listened!!  For once the rather unattractive name is not an indicator of the quality of this excellent fragrance.  A truly unique fragrance that begins with top notes of fresh banana and juicy grapefruit, middle notes of kiwi, bubblegum, and strawberries; and a hint of vanilla as a base note.

• My Pixie Pie:  Named after CJ’s pet name for her little girl…A beautiful mixture of cherries, toasted almonds and finished with a touch of vanilla and coconut, this sweet fragrance is aptly named.  BOTTOM LINE:  A princess in pink, with some fairy wings and a tutu, poised and ready to tackle big brother when the mood strikes.

• Cucumber Melon: A hot afternoon, and a blend that cooled the warm summer day!  This baby is fantastic!!  Top notes of fresh cucumber, ripe melons, apple, and pear lead to a floral heart of muguet, rose, jasmine, and cyclamen. A rich, sweet drydown is provided by oakmoss and vanilla.

• Sea spice: A truly gender neutral ocean scent sure to please!  Rugged, yet refreshingly light.  Fresh top notes of ozone (“fresh air”) and citrus lead to a soft middle of sea kelp and champagne. This shore essence is completed with soft notes of driftwood, musk, and just a hint of Indonesian clove oil. BOTTOM LINE: Awesomely gender neutral, light and airy!

• Honeyed Patchouli:  Okay all you Patchouli haters, you’ve got to try this! All of my testers gave it 2 thumbs up!! The sweet smell of honeycomb wrapped around patchouli twigs. With light notes of candied fruit & lemon peel. (Elitha’s Employee “second-favorite”)

• Green Irish Tweed:  Who couldn’t adore this light, but masculine fragrance type from Creed? It was originally created for the sophisticated Cary Grant and later worn by celebs such as Richard Gere and Robert Redford. A fruity top note of lemon verbena, middle notes of iris & violets & at the base is mysore sandalwood & amber. You will not be disappointed with this refined, gentleman’s scent.   Masculine, yet light enough for your baby boy!!

• Ginger Lime: A wonderful lime with a tinge of ginger.  Deliciously citrus-y with a little kick!

• Warm Vanilla Cake: Quite simply the richest, most buttery vanilla in the entire universe!  (Mark’s employee “second favorite”)

• Oatmeal, Milk & Honey: This blend is a perfect marriage of oatmeal, milk, and honey — mellow, soothing, with just a hint of sweetness — the comfort food of fragrance.

• Cherry blossom

• Coconut Lime Dream: A luscious blend of creamy coconut and tangy lime.

• Toasted Almond & Cherry blossom

• Pink Sugar:  This boutique best-seller begins with notes of sweet, sugary lemon drops and pink cotton candy. A fruity-floral middle of red fruit, fig leaves, caramel and raspberry leads to a sweet vanilla-musk base. BOTTOM LINE: Here’s your chance to smell like sugar, Sugar!

• Bamboo & Lotus Blossom (light and flowery)

• New Mown Hay — the perfect combination of earthy and sweet! A best seller! It is an unpretentious, down-home blend of fresh hay notes brightened by a touch of citrus and floral. Did I already say unpretentious? Good, because there’s no perfumey, show-offy, big city hijinks in this here scent.

• Blueberry Crumble–A pleasing blend of plump summer ripened blueberries, and crispy oatmeal topping warm from the oven. Rich and buttery, with a hint of spice and vanilla.  (Mark’s employee favorite)

• Love Spell–Top notes of peach, mango, strawberry, and mandarin flow into a complex middle of apple blossom, rose, tamarind, and coconut milk. The fragrance is completed with smooth notes of musk, vanilla, and precious woods. Bottom Line: A very likable scent — bursting with juicy peach and mango — perfect for the hot, hot days of summer.

Garlic-free Spaghetti

I meant to write this yesterday but had a crazy, busy day again. 


On Thursday, we had some friends over for dinner and I decided I wanted to cook something. My friend is allergic to garlic so I wanted to do something that we would all like that was also garlic free. She is the first person I've met that is allergic to garlic. I know that are many different types of allergies out there, but this was news to me. And I love garlic!

While I was browsing the store for meal ideas (I was clueless at that point),  I was amazed with how many items on the store shelves have garlic in them! Spaghetti sauce, pesto, pizza sauce...lots of things! 


I quickly looked up on my phone for how to make garlic-free spaghetti, to see if it was do-able. To my surprise, it was easily do-able! I scanned a list of ingredients, picked up what I could at the store, and bought any vegetables at my local fruit stand/farmer's market that was open every day and walking distance to my home.

For this recipe, I needed the following ingredients:

• 1lb beef or turkey (I used 1.25lbs of ground turkey)
• 16oz of Tomato Puree (I used Hunt's)
• 1/2 onion (medium sized, sweet or white)
• 1 1/2 tbsp of dried basil
• 3/4 tbsp of dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp of salt
• 1/2 tsp of black pepper
• 2 cups of water
• 1/2 tsp of sugar (or equivalent)
• Spaghetti noodles (cook as you would normally do)

Steps for sauce:

1. Chop onion. Brown onion and ground turkey in a saucepan on medium heat, uncovered. Drain excess oil/fat.
2. Reduce heat to warm. Add tomato puree, water, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar. Stir.
3. Increase heat to low for about 30-45 minutes, and stir occasionally so the bottom doesn't stick.
4. Serve with cooked noodles! 

It was a delish! Albeit, it tasted differently than my regular spaghetti sauce, but it was not bad. I added Parmesan on top to season. It looked just the same as my regular spaghetti sauce too.


If you have any food allergies or family members that do, how do you manage to find meals that everyone will eat or can eat? How are you creative?


Source of recipe: Cooking Allergy Free

Busy Labor Day weekend and happy 7th months to RaeRae!

A lot of things happened over this past weekend:

My nephew turned TWO! We had a successful cowboy-girl themed birthday party at the Cole House (my parents'). He was stylin' as well as most party guests. Hay stacks to sit on, good grub to munch on, and fun watching him open his presents.

My nephew with his Nana (my mom)

Nephew with his mama. Cute outfits, yes?

My nephew being silly

 He totally knew it was his birthday too. On the night before, he had a hard time falling asleep and kept waking up. By the time he was actually asleep, it was almost 11pm and we all had lots of preparation to finish.

We managed to get a picture of us sisters too.

And a picture of RaeRae at the party:

A couple of weeks ago, my nephew graduated from his crib to a big boy bed and guess who got the crib? RaeRae! We brought it home yesterday to set up. Currently RaeRae starts her nights in her pack in play next to our bed and then we bring her to our bed when she wakes up to co-sleep. It works for us, for now. We are hoping each night she will get more used to sleeping on her own and sleep longer periods in there before moving her to the crib in her own room. We will start with nap times in her crib then eventually nighttime.

Speaking of RaeRae, today marks another milestone! Today she is 7 months old! I can't believe she is just over a half a year old already! Our happy girl. The greatest love. Here is an adorable picture of her from this morning's photo shoot. She is sitting in her room in front of her newly-painted toy chest. That yellow toy chest is 25 years old! My grandparents gave it to me when I was just one year old. My dad repainted it and my mom put decals on it. Perfect to get in her room. I am glad to have it back.

Happy 7 months baby! We love you sooo much!