Saturday, December 31, 2011
Winter Tidings!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Potty Training: The Saga
Well, we've begun the process of potty training and day one did not turn out exactly as expected. Quite a few hiccups and maybe even a catastrophe but I've renewed my hope in the situation and am prepared to dive into it with vigor!
Being a former preschool teacher and having successfully potty trained many children over the years, you'd think it would be easy with my own, right? Think again. I'm emotionally tied to my daughter, which is usually a good thing, when potty training, however...not so good. Today was a roller coaster of emotions ranging from excitement to disappointment.
I was excited to begin potty training with Aaralyn because we have a low key week and not much planned in the way of leaving the house. So, I figured...why not try now? She's showing many signs of readiness from telling us she has to go, or has just gone to seeking out privacy while pooping. She has sat on her potty chair many times before with her diaper on, without, etc...just to get a feel for it. I guess delving into the situation head on was not right for her, though.
This is another good example of "go with your gut!" I kept having these little tugs in my solar plexus and was feeling so anxious for her because she seemed uncomfortable with the whole thing but I was trying to just power through it, stay positive and keep reinforcing that we are using the potty now. She was fine when we were just doing our scheduled "trying" sessions every 15-30 minutes or so but when she actually had to go poop, the situation turned catastrophic quickly.
So, I'm starting fresh on the whole potty training adventure.
#1 - we're going to get a new potty chair that is more comfortable for her.
#2 - I'm seeking advice from one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Pantley in her book The No Cry Potty Training Solution (which I immediately downloaded to my kindle app after the catastrophe)
#3 - I'm taking the gentle approach with her because that's what I know works and what she responds best to
I realized that even though Aari has a very strong little will, she has a gentle soul and is very sensitive. She needs time to process things in her own way. So, I'm backing off and will be slowly introducing potty training in a new way that is best suited to her.
I had a friend tell me today to chillax! she's not going to be going to college in diapers! I totally had to laugh at that and take a step back. When I did, I realized that it was me putting unreasonable expectations on her and probably too much pressure right out of the gate. Potty training isn't going to happen overnight in this household and it's just something I have to deal with. I need to do what's best for Aaralyn and that means, for her, learning this new set of skills is going to take time. So, patience, a virtue that I have very little of, is going to be my new found best friend through this endeavor. Wish me luck! I'll keep posting along the way!
Being a former preschool teacher and having successfully potty trained many children over the years, you'd think it would be easy with my own, right? Think again. I'm emotionally tied to my daughter, which is usually a good thing, when potty training, however...not so good. Today was a roller coaster of emotions ranging from excitement to disappointment.
I was excited to begin potty training with Aaralyn because we have a low key week and not much planned in the way of leaving the house. So, I figured...why not try now? She's showing many signs of readiness from telling us she has to go, or has just gone to seeking out privacy while pooping. She has sat on her potty chair many times before with her diaper on, without, etc...just to get a feel for it. I guess delving into the situation head on was not right for her, though.
This is another good example of "go with your gut!" I kept having these little tugs in my solar plexus and was feeling so anxious for her because she seemed uncomfortable with the whole thing but I was trying to just power through it, stay positive and keep reinforcing that we are using the potty now. She was fine when we were just doing our scheduled "trying" sessions every 15-30 minutes or so but when she actually had to go poop, the situation turned catastrophic quickly.
So, I'm starting fresh on the whole potty training adventure.
#1 - we're going to get a new potty chair that is more comfortable for her.
#2 - I'm seeking advice from one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Pantley in her book The No Cry Potty Training Solution (which I immediately downloaded to my kindle app after the catastrophe)
#3 - I'm taking the gentle approach with her because that's what I know works and what she responds best to
I realized that even though Aari has a very strong little will, she has a gentle soul and is very sensitive. She needs time to process things in her own way. So, I'm backing off and will be slowly introducing potty training in a new way that is best suited to her.
I had a friend tell me today to chillax! she's not going to be going to college in diapers! I totally had to laugh at that and take a step back. When I did, I realized that it was me putting unreasonable expectations on her and probably too much pressure right out of the gate. Potty training isn't going to happen overnight in this household and it's just something I have to deal with. I need to do what's best for Aaralyn and that means, for her, learning this new set of skills is going to take time. So, patience, a virtue that I have very little of, is going to be my new found best friend through this endeavor. Wish me luck! I'll keep posting along the way!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Mindfulness
I often have trouble staying in the moment and flit from one thing to another worrying about what is coming up or what I have to do instead of just being in the moment. I've begun to realize that not being mindful and present has caused me to miss out on opportunities of bonding and interaction with my daughter.
So, in the interest of enjoying every moment with her in the present - I'm working on practicing mindfulness in my parenting. For instance, yesterday when Aari was getting ready to nap in my bed, she wanted to snuggle on me. I found my mind wandering and wanting her to fall asleep so I could check my email, throw laundry in, put away the dishes, etc...I stopped myself and focused on this adorable little being that was attached to me like a little monkey and put all else out of my mind. It was the perfect bonding moment and I found that she drifted off to sleep so much easier because she wasn't struggling to get my full attention by climbing all over me whilst I was thinking about everything BUT her.
Susan Salzberg states that mindfulness is "the quality of fullness to attention, immediacy, non-distraction. In that sense, it is the key to life." Susan gives some practical examples of ways to begin practicing mindfulness in your life. One of her suggestions, that really resonated with me, was to begin by being mindful of your breath. She says that by coming back to the breath, over and over again, by observing it without judgement or any opinion, you connect to that moment without jumping ahead to the next.
The Mindful Parent site's message is to "Experience the Joy of Connecting with our Children." I am excited to explore this site and share in others' mindful experiences as parents in the hopes to be present in my parenting journey.
So, in the interest of enjoying every moment with her in the present - I'm working on practicing mindfulness in my parenting. For instance, yesterday when Aari was getting ready to nap in my bed, she wanted to snuggle on me. I found my mind wandering and wanting her to fall asleep so I could check my email, throw laundry in, put away the dishes, etc...I stopped myself and focused on this adorable little being that was attached to me like a little monkey and put all else out of my mind. It was the perfect bonding moment and I found that she drifted off to sleep so much easier because she wasn't struggling to get my full attention by climbing all over me whilst I was thinking about everything BUT her.
Susan Salzberg states that mindfulness is "the quality of fullness to attention, immediacy, non-distraction. In that sense, it is the key to life." Susan gives some practical examples of ways to begin practicing mindfulness in your life. One of her suggestions, that really resonated with me, was to begin by being mindful of your breath. She says that by coming back to the breath, over and over again, by observing it without judgement or any opinion, you connect to that moment without jumping ahead to the next.
The Mindful Parent site's message is to "Experience the Joy of Connecting with our Children." I am excited to explore this site and share in others' mindful experiences as parents in the hopes to be present in my parenting journey.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Charlie's Soap
I've made the switch to Charlie's Soap for all our mountains of laundry! I liked the Rockin' Green detergent but I seemed to need a lot of it to clean the cloth diapers and I just wanted to switch to a detergent that I could use for everything.
Charlie's Soap is 100% biodegradable - which the hippie in me loves. :) There's nothing like saving the earth whilst doing a load of laundry! Makes me want to throw on my Wonder Woman costume for the whole affair. Now that would be a sight!
I prepped the machine (per the instructions on the Charlie's Soap canister) and successfully washed a load of cloth diapers and am happy with the results. I'm working on some sheets now...so we'll see how it works on larger loads. You supposedly only need 1 TBS per load! Which I find amazing! If it really works as well as they claim - it will save a lot of $$$$ in the long run as well. We all know how expensive detergent can be.
It is also supposed to dissolve well in cold water so I could even go back to doing cold/cold cycles! Another energy-efficient bonus!
I'll post some updates soon...
Charlie's Soap is 100% biodegradable - which the hippie in me loves. :) There's nothing like saving the earth whilst doing a load of laundry! Makes me want to throw on my Wonder Woman costume for the whole affair. Now that would be a sight!
I prepped the machine (per the instructions on the Charlie's Soap canister) and successfully washed a load of cloth diapers and am happy with the results. I'm working on some sheets now...so we'll see how it works on larger loads. You supposedly only need 1 TBS per load! Which I find amazing! If it really works as well as they claim - it will save a lot of $$$$ in the long run as well. We all know how expensive detergent can be.
It is also supposed to dissolve well in cold water so I could even go back to doing cold/cold cycles! Another energy-efficient bonus!
I'll post some updates soon...
Friday, April 1, 2011
Vinegar as Fabric Softener
I would like to thank my dear friend Amy, who blogs at earthwisemama.wordpress.com, for her suggestion to use distilled white vinegar in the rinse cycle to help strip the stink out of cloth diapers and also as a fabric softener for regular laundry!
I had stopped using fabric softener some time ago because I have sensitive skin and it was causing me some issues, not to mention the environmental factor and all the funky chemicals and perfumes that are contained in most softeners. So, we had scratchy towels, clothes, underwear, etc....
I have a high efficiency (he) front load washing machine, which I love! I have been adding the vinegar to the fabric softener compartment in the dispenser drawer and it has been working wonders on the cloth diapers to remove the leftover stink and also at softening our regular laundry. For those of you that have a front loader, you know that the tub can get that mildewy smell from being left damp after washing. I haven't noticed it at all with the vinegar. So, I think it's cleaning the wash bin as well! Bonus!
I actually enjoyed folding the towels last night because they were nice and fluffy and soft. The laundry doesn't have the perfume smell that it would from regular softener but it does smell fresh and clean! This is a cost effective, environmentally friendly way to soften fabrics. You can purchase a gallon of distilled white vinegar at Stop and Shop for $2.99 :)
Thanks, Amy!
I had stopped using fabric softener some time ago because I have sensitive skin and it was causing me some issues, not to mention the environmental factor and all the funky chemicals and perfumes that are contained in most softeners. So, we had scratchy towels, clothes, underwear, etc....
I have a high efficiency (he) front load washing machine, which I love! I have been adding the vinegar to the fabric softener compartment in the dispenser drawer and it has been working wonders on the cloth diapers to remove the leftover stink and also at softening our regular laundry. For those of you that have a front loader, you know that the tub can get that mildewy smell from being left damp after washing. I haven't noticed it at all with the vinegar. So, I think it's cleaning the wash bin as well! Bonus!
I actually enjoyed folding the towels last night because they were nice and fluffy and soft. The laundry doesn't have the perfume smell that it would from regular softener but it does smell fresh and clean! This is a cost effective, environmentally friendly way to soften fabrics. You can purchase a gallon of distilled white vinegar at Stop and Shop for $2.99 :)
Thanks, Amy!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Becoming a Mother
Mothering, as it turns out, is not as easy as I assumed it would be. When my daughter was born, I imagined there would be this 'mom switch' that would immediately turn on and I would innately know what to do at every pass; that it would come easily to me. This, however, wasn't the case. The first few months were extremely difficult for me. This is not to say that I couldn't care for my daughter, I was just fine at caring for her physically - the feedings, changing, bathing etc...it was more the emotional aspect that I lacked in.
My daughter was born via c-section, which was definitely NOT planned - but that's a whole other post for another time so I'll leave it at that. I was a mess after she was born, I was physically and mentally exhausted and felt as though my world, the world as I knew it, had been flipped about...turned upside down and inside out. Looking back, it was such an odd feeling...coming home with this little being - this new person that I was responsible for. It was so overwhelming to have so much dependent upon me. I mean, I could barely take care of myself and felt like a mack truck had driven right through me. I relied on my very supportive husband and my mother-in-law during the first few weeks at home. I don't know how I would have survived it without them! They were a tag team beyond belief! Changing diapers, making bottles, doing the laundry, dishes, sanitizing the bottles, more diapers, more laundry...it was a whirlwind adventure for sure! A wild ride, but a good one :) I am very grateful to have had this support, it made a world of difference having them by my side.
You know, no one tells you how hard it is to raise a newborn. I mean, you'll get the occasional sleep deprivation comment: "Oh, hope you don't like your sleep because you won't be getting any for the next year!" or "kiss your sleep goodbye!" But what about the emotional aspect of parenting? The sleep deprivation I can handle...it was the overwhelming sense of responsibility for this new little human being that we created that hit me the hardest. I thought we were 'all grown up' because we were married and had bought a home, but parenting, I realized, is the epitome of adulthood.
My struggles in the first few months of my daughter's life were a serious weight on my shoulders. I felt like a failure as a mother because I was having all of these feelings and was afraid to discuss them for fear of someone knowing that I had failed. Being that I'm in my thirties, most of my friends either already had or were having children around the same time as me. As I began tentatively talking about my experience and my feelings of inadequacy as a mother, I was amazed to find that many of my friends had or were having similar experiences and feelings. Here I was, thinking I was isolated and alone in my feelings and yet, there were other moms out there who were having the same issues! It sounds horrible to say this, but I was happy that I wasn't alone in these feelings.
I have several friends who had their babies shortly after me and would call looking for support and answers from me. I was completely flattered and was so glad to share what I had experienced and to pass along any advice that I could that would help them in their journeys as mothers. I realized that the old adage 'it takes a village to raise a child' is absolutely true. I wish that I had looked for support from other moms early on. I know of several new moms groups in my area and would definitely take advantage of these support circles early on the next time around. I am actually considering starting my own mothers circle with women that I know so that we have a place to share, vent and receive support from other women who are passing through or have already gone through the same milestones in mothering.
My daughter was born via c-section, which was definitely NOT planned - but that's a whole other post for another time so I'll leave it at that. I was a mess after she was born, I was physically and mentally exhausted and felt as though my world, the world as I knew it, had been flipped about...turned upside down and inside out. Looking back, it was such an odd feeling...coming home with this little being - this new person that I was responsible for. It was so overwhelming to have so much dependent upon me. I mean, I could barely take care of myself and felt like a mack truck had driven right through me. I relied on my very supportive husband and my mother-in-law during the first few weeks at home. I don't know how I would have survived it without them! They were a tag team beyond belief! Changing diapers, making bottles, doing the laundry, dishes, sanitizing the bottles, more diapers, more laundry...it was a whirlwind adventure for sure! A wild ride, but a good one :) I am very grateful to have had this support, it made a world of difference having them by my side.
You know, no one tells you how hard it is to raise a newborn. I mean, you'll get the occasional sleep deprivation comment: "Oh, hope you don't like your sleep because you won't be getting any for the next year!" or "kiss your sleep goodbye!" But what about the emotional aspect of parenting? The sleep deprivation I can handle...it was the overwhelming sense of responsibility for this new little human being that we created that hit me the hardest. I thought we were 'all grown up' because we were married and had bought a home, but parenting, I realized, is the epitome of adulthood.
My struggles in the first few months of my daughter's life were a serious weight on my shoulders. I felt like a failure as a mother because I was having all of these feelings and was afraid to discuss them for fear of someone knowing that I had failed. Being that I'm in my thirties, most of my friends either already had or were having children around the same time as me. As I began tentatively talking about my experience and my feelings of inadequacy as a mother, I was amazed to find that many of my friends had or were having similar experiences and feelings. Here I was, thinking I was isolated and alone in my feelings and yet, there were other moms out there who were having the same issues! It sounds horrible to say this, but I was happy that I wasn't alone in these feelings.
I have several friends who had their babies shortly after me and would call looking for support and answers from me. I was completely flattered and was so glad to share what I had experienced and to pass along any advice that I could that would help them in their journeys as mothers. I realized that the old adage 'it takes a village to raise a child' is absolutely true. I wish that I had looked for support from other moms early on. I know of several new moms groups in my area and would definitely take advantage of these support circles early on the next time around. I am actually considering starting my own mothers circle with women that I know so that we have a place to share, vent and receive support from other women who are passing through or have already gone through the same milestones in mothering.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Cloth Diapering, Knitted Wool Covers
The cloth diapering experience has been going well, thus far. In reading other mothering and cloth diapering blogs, I have found that many people make their own cloth diapers. This inspired me to want to make my own for Aaralyn and to start building a stash before we have another baby. 
I have some sewing skills but am definitely still a novice, I am, however, an intermediate level knitter. So, that being considered, I started to look for knitted diaper covers and discovered all the wondrous properties of 100% wool. Many people use wool soakers, which are pulled on like shorts over a cloth diaper. Wool can hold up to 40% of its weight in water before it will begin to feel damp, so it is an excellent choice for a diaper. It also has natural antibacterial properties and apparently will clean itself if it gets wet with urine just by air drying. This means that the covers don't have to be washed as frequently as the fleece/plastic covers.
The downside to wool is that it has to be hand washed or the fibers will end up binding together and it will become felted. There are a ton of wool diaper washing tutorials online that boast how easy it is, so, I'm going to give it a whirl.
I made a cover this week and posted it to my knitting blog today. I used some left over Araucania hand dyed wool that I had in my stash. It is absolutely beautiful and reminds me of a tie dyed t-shirt!
Here is a pic of the finished diaper wrap:
My Daughter, the Frosty Enthusiast
My daughter has a slight, dare I call it...obsession, with Frosty the Snowman. Yes, that lovable, singing snowman from our childhood memories, the one from the television special that premiered year after year during the holiday season.
Aari will request this video over and over again. I think it takes her to her "happy place." She snuggles up and relaxes with her favorite stuffed animal of the day (currently Curious George) and smiles up at the screen, captivated for the entirety of the musical sensation that is Frosty.
Any white fluffy object that even remotely resembles a snowman is a "Frosty" to her. This includes the life sized cardboard Michelin Man cutout at our local wholesale club!
She's like a Frosty groupie or something! Every time we go shopping she practically jumps out of the cart with excitement - screaming "Frosty! Frosty! Frosty!" It's adorable. When you bring her closer she starts having a conversation with him..."Oh, Hi Frosty!" People probably thought me a little strange as I was taking a picture of my daughter with the Michelin Man. :)
The Pillsbury Doughboy has also become part of her Frosty fixation :) The frozen isle was a lot of fun! She was spotting him on a bunch of the frozen items and was clapping and giggling.
One of Aaralyn's little play date friends has a singing and dancing Frosty. You want to talk about putting someone over the edge? You should have seen her when she first discovered this toy! I don't think she let go of him for the majority of our time there. I am on the lookout for one to give her for her birthday :)
Aari will request this video over and over again. I think it takes her to her "happy place." She snuggles up and relaxes with her favorite stuffed animal of the day (currently Curious George) and smiles up at the screen, captivated for the entirety of the musical sensation that is Frosty.
Any white fluffy object that even remotely resembles a snowman is a "Frosty" to her. This includes the life sized cardboard Michelin Man cutout at our local wholesale club!
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| Frosty the Snowman Groupie! |
The Pillsbury Doughboy has also become part of her Frosty fixation :) The frozen isle was a lot of fun! She was spotting him on a bunch of the frozen items and was clapping and giggling.
One of Aaralyn's little play date friends has a singing and dancing Frosty. You want to talk about putting someone over the edge? You should have seen her when she first discovered this toy! I don't think she let go of him for the majority of our time there. I am on the lookout for one to give her for her birthday :)
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Math Concepts
Math helps children develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. Formal arithmetic, addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, etc..., is just one aspect of mathematics. Math is all around us and we use it in our everyday lives, most of the time without even thinking about it; from estimation to spatial awareness, measurement and even patterns.
Children learn through play and exploration of their environment. That is why, when choosing my daughter's activities, I base them on play. I want her learning experience to be fun and exciting. Could I whip out flash cards and drill things into her cute little head in the hopes that she'll memorize what I'm trying to teach her? Sure, I could but I would rather her gain knowledge of these concepts through her own exploration, learning each step of a concept along the way.
One of the ways that young children learn about math is to group and match objects. I have various sorting activities that I use with Aaralyn on a daily basis. We use counting and number vocabulary and through play, she groups objects together, experiments with patterns, shapes and measurement and collects and organizes the various materials that are available to her.
For this activity, she had various items available to her: sea shells, shiny glass stones in a big and small variety and large felt squares.
Children learn through play and exploration of their environment. That is why, when choosing my daughter's activities, I base them on play. I want her learning experience to be fun and exciting. Could I whip out flash cards and drill things into her cute little head in the hopes that she'll memorize what I'm trying to teach her? Sure, I could but I would rather her gain knowledge of these concepts through her own exploration, learning each step of a concept along the way.
One of the ways that young children learn about math is to group and match objects. I have various sorting activities that I use with Aaralyn on a daily basis. We use counting and number vocabulary and through play, she groups objects together, experiments with patterns, shapes and measurement and collects and organizes the various materials that are available to her.
For this activity, she had various items available to her: sea shells, shiny glass stones in a big and small variety and large felt squares.
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| Here she is touching and exploring the items |
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| She is continuing her exploration and started naming the objects |
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| She started counting the objects |
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| I started grouping similar objects together and she followed suit |
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| I expanded the activity by putting one of each object on a separate felt square and she started grouping like objects together |
My husband is a mathematical genius, I, on the other hand, am NOT! I have trouble remembering how to add and subtract! Even though I'm no math whiz, I am still going to make math a part of her everyday learning so that she will have a solid foundation for her formal arithmetic training when she gets older, and I want her early learning to be fun! Play, play, play! It's the best way for her to learn and there will be plenty of time for the not so fun stuff when she is older.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Book of the Day
Today our favorite book (because we read many during the day) was Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.. This book is a great way to introduce the alphabet to young children She loves the Chicka Boom Boom song and bounces while we sing the story.
The alphabet is boldly and colorfully displayed in the front and back of the book. Aaralyn loves singing the ABC song when we look at them. I started pointing out "Aa" is for Aari and she took to it like a moth to a flame! So, I would add a new letter every few days: "Mm" is for Mama and Mimi, "Dd" is for Dada, "Pp" for Papa...etc... If I ask her where the letters are she can point to them. Just to be sure it wasn't a fluke, when we are out to eat, I will write the letters that she knows on her placemat and ask "what is this letter for?" and she gets them all right! It's amazing to me how much her little brain soaks up in a day. She is like a little sponge!
The alphabet is boldly and colorfully displayed in the front and back of the book. Aaralyn loves singing the ABC song when we look at them. I started pointing out "Aa" is for Aari and she took to it like a moth to a flame! So, I would add a new letter every few days: "Mm" is for Mama and Mimi, "Dd" is for Dada, "Pp" for Papa...etc... If I ask her where the letters are she can point to them. Just to be sure it wasn't a fluke, when we are out to eat, I will write the letters that she knows on her placemat and ask "what is this letter for?" and she gets them all right! It's amazing to me how much her little brain soaks up in a day. She is like a little sponge!
Oh and please excuse the footsie pj's with the tutu - she still isn't feeling up to par after her cold, so I let her veg out all morning :)
Getting the Dishes Done!
Anyone who has a toddler in the house knows that getting 20-30 minutes free time to do the dishes is almost impossible! I'll set Aari up with a quiet activity and get her interested in it, whatever it may be that day, sneak off and start the dishes only to find her suction cupped to my leg screaming my name over and over again, and all this? Only 2 minutes into the dish washing routine! If I'm lucky, I maybe got my coffee cup washed and rinsed. But I am Mother hear me ROARRRRR!!!! I have a new plan of action that has been working like a charm:
Step 1: Select funky, upbeat music and turn it up!
Step 2: Bust out the vat of toddler instruments and put them in the middle of the kitchen floor!
Step 3: Nonchalantly start playing the egg shaker to the beat and pretend like it is THE coolest thing EVER!
Step 4: Hand it over to my now, interested toddler and VOILA - I have at least 15 minutes of free time to finish the dishes :)
Having her in the kitchen allows me to interact and praise her while she is exploring her instruments and showcasing her love of music. It's a win-win situation :)
Step 1: Select funky, upbeat music and turn it up!
Step 2: Bust out the vat of toddler instruments and put them in the middle of the kitchen floor!
Step 3: Nonchalantly start playing the egg shaker to the beat and pretend like it is THE coolest thing EVER!
Step 4: Hand it over to my now, interested toddler and VOILA - I have at least 15 minutes of free time to finish the dishes :)
Having her in the kitchen allows me to interact and praise her while she is exploring her instruments and showcasing her love of music. It's a win-win situation :)
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| Rockin' out on the drums, baby! |
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Something Very Satisfying
There is something very satisfying about taking the cloth diapers out of the dryer or off of the clothesline, folding them and getting them ready for the next day. It reminds me of when she was a newborn and I was folding all her onesies and bibs and burp cloths on a daily basis and putting them away neatly.
Now that she's older, I don't have a daily load of laundry to do for her, not that I should be complaining about that...but I like folding her little clothes- it reminds me of how lucky I am to have this amazing little human being in my life!
I know that it's just one more thing to add to the list of things 'to do' but I feel good about it. We won't be contributing one hundred diapers(or more) per month into the local landfill and even though we may not be singlehandedly saving the planet by making the switch to cloth, I like to think that every little bit helps.
Plus, I consider it practice for the second baby! :) It will be a good feeling to do cloth from the very beginning with the next baby.
Now that she's older, I don't have a daily load of laundry to do for her, not that I should be complaining about that...but I like folding her little clothes- it reminds me of how lucky I am to have this amazing little human being in my life!
I know that it's just one more thing to add to the list of things 'to do' but I feel good about it. We won't be contributing one hundred diapers(or more) per month into the local landfill and even though we may not be singlehandedly saving the planet by making the switch to cloth, I like to think that every little bit helps.
Plus, I consider it practice for the second baby! :) It will be a good feeling to do cloth from the very beginning with the next baby.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Sorting Activity
I made this cute little felt sorting activity for Aaralyn around Valentine's Day using 8 x 11" felt sheets in pink, white and red, that I purchased at our local craft store for 29 cents each. I cut out hearts in varying sizes and kept one of the felt pieces whole so she could stick them to it. This was a very inexpensive craft and it is helping her to learn concepts such as size, shape and color. It is also a new texture for her to explore!
Aari loves to count! She usually skips one and starts with two, ends at three and starts all over again!
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| Here we were talking about the BIG and little hearts |
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| Aari likes to count them as she piles them on the felt: "Two, three, two three!" |
Monday, February 21, 2011
Dough What Fun!
Yay for play-dough! What kid doesn't love rolling and cutting and smushing colorful dough! Aari asks for her "pey-doh" a couple of times per day. I set her up at the dining room table with a silicone cooking mat to contain the play-dough.
The recipe I use to make this playdough...
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar (DO NOT OMIT)
1 cup water
1 Tbs cooking oil (we use canola)
A few drops of food coloring or 1 packet of kool-aid (adds color and scent)
Place all ingredients in a saucepan on a medium heat setting, stirring constantly. When the dough forms a ball, turn it out onto a piece of waxed paper to cool. Knead it several times before use. Store in an airtight container. This dough will keep for well over a month if stored properly.
**Helpful Hint**
After time, if the dough starts to harden, try kneading it with a few drops of cooking oil. It will help to condition it and you may get several more uses out of the dough!
We have the play-doh fun factory mega set for all of the cookie cutters, cutting, and rolling tools. I think we purchased it at BJ's Wholesale Club for $14.95.
Happy play-doughing!
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| Super excited about it! |
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar (DO NOT OMIT)
1 cup water
1 Tbs cooking oil (we use canola)
A few drops of food coloring or 1 packet of kool-aid (adds color and scent)
Place all ingredients in a saucepan on a medium heat setting, stirring constantly. When the dough forms a ball, turn it out onto a piece of waxed paper to cool. Knead it several times before use. Store in an airtight container. This dough will keep for well over a month if stored properly.
**Helpful Hint**
After time, if the dough starts to harden, try kneading it with a few drops of cooking oil. It will help to condition it and you may get several more uses out of the dough!
We have the play-doh fun factory mega set for all of the cookie cutters, cutting, and rolling tools. I think we purchased it at BJ's Wholesale Club for $14.95.
Happy play-doughing!
Dealing with a Sick Toddler
I am currently dealing with a sick little one. Fever, runny nose...all the classic symptoms of the common cold. It is so difficult to take care of a sick toddler who doesn't yet have the language skills to tell you exactly what is wrong. I try to deal with it by covering as many bases as possible.
For the fever, I try to hold off on the motrin/tylenol unless the fever really goes over 102 or she is displaying signs of discomfort. A fever, after all, is an important autoimmune response to viral or bacterial threats on the body. So, when she has a fever, I know her immune system is responding appropriately during a cold. I push fluids constantly to keep her hydrated. Aari only drinks milk or water so when she's sick, it can be difficult to get her to drink. For meals, we try and offer soup, mostly, to help with hydration.
In our house, we use a vapor bath by Johnson and Johnson and do 2-3 baths per day to help easy any body aches and I find that it really helps to clear out the congestion. If she wakes up in the middle of the night and is congested and not breathing well through her nose, we will run the shower and get it nice and steamy in the bathroom and one of us will sit in there (not in the shower, just in the bathroom) with her for 10-15 minutes, reading books to her or just snuggling her for comfort. This really helps clear out the congestion. We started this when she was an infant and had her first cold. We would steam her and then suction her.
Other than that, we really just have her rest frequently. Lots of snuggles and movies! :)
For the fever, I try to hold off on the motrin/tylenol unless the fever really goes over 102 or she is displaying signs of discomfort. A fever, after all, is an important autoimmune response to viral or bacterial threats on the body. So, when she has a fever, I know her immune system is responding appropriately during a cold. I push fluids constantly to keep her hydrated. Aari only drinks milk or water so when she's sick, it can be difficult to get her to drink. For meals, we try and offer soup, mostly, to help with hydration.
In our house, we use a vapor bath by Johnson and Johnson and do 2-3 baths per day to help easy any body aches and I find that it really helps to clear out the congestion. If she wakes up in the middle of the night and is congested and not breathing well through her nose, we will run the shower and get it nice and steamy in the bathroom and one of us will sit in there (not in the shower, just in the bathroom) with her for 10-15 minutes, reading books to her or just snuggling her for comfort. This really helps clear out the congestion. We started this when she was an infant and had her first cold. We would steam her and then suction her.
Other than that, we really just have her rest frequently. Lots of snuggles and movies! :)
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Is it Bum-Genius??? Nope...It's Bum-Tastic!!!!
I installed the bumGenius diaper sprayer yesterday without incident!! It was just like the packaging stated, I did not require any additional plumbing supplies, plumber, or husband to install! lol! Okay, so I added the husband part, that wasn't stated on the label.
It was very simple to do. The directions were well written with pictures and explained fully how to properly install the sprayer. I tried it out for the first time today and it worked wonderfully to remove all the stuck on stuff! Prior to having the sprayer, I had been wondering, at times, what I had gotten myself into! But the sprayer makes cleaning the poop cloth diapers a breeze.
Here is a pic of the sprayer installed...I left the hose part longer in case I wanted to stretch it over to the tub for any reason..
It was very simple to do. The directions were well written with pictures and explained fully how to properly install the sprayer. I tried it out for the first time today and it worked wonderfully to remove all the stuck on stuff! Prior to having the sprayer, I had been wondering, at times, what I had gotten myself into! But the sprayer makes cleaning the poop cloth diapers a breeze.
Here is a pic of the sprayer installed...I left the hose part longer in case I wanted to stretch it over to the tub for any reason..
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Cloth Diapering Journey, rumparooz
I went to Bellani Maternity yesterday with the intent of picking up another blueberry pocket diaper but instead came home with a Rump-a-rooz one size diaper. I am definitely intrigued by this diaper. It's a pocket style system with gussets on the inside which are supposed to provide for a better fit. I am washing it now before first use and will try it out tonight. It definitely looks a lot trimmer through the leg area as compared to the other pocket diaper I have.
Here are some pics:
***Update***
Here are some pics:
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| The Rump-a-rooz in its cute packaging |
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| Opened up |
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| The patented gussets for a slimmer fit |
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| Pocket with inserts |
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| The diaper cover with two inserts |
The rump-a-rooz pocket diaper worked fabulously for overnight. Aari is a stomach sleeper and there was no leakage out the top of this cloth diaper! No sheet changes the next morning! :)
Cloth Diapering Journey, Day 2 & 3
I continued to use the flip system with the stay dry inserts and it went well. I'm still trying to get the fit "just right" but other than that, the inserts work well to keep her dry and wick the moisture away from her. When she pooped it was pretty messy and got on the cover so I'm still trying to find a way to keep it just on the insert...if anyone has any tips on this let me know!
I purchased the bum genius diaper sprayer and will attempt to attach it today...I'm sure I'll have pics along the way of that whole experience.
I purchased the bum genius diaper sprayer and will attempt to attach it today...I'm sure I'll have pics along the way of that whole experience.
Cloth Diapering Journey, Night 1
I decided to go with a pocket style diaper for nighttime use since Aari is a heavy wetter. We got one blueberry to try and worked out well!
Let me preface what I'm about to write next by saying: Aaralyn usually wets through her disposable diaper nightly. I was changing sheets daily! Well, I am excited to report that when she woke up with the blueberry, she was dry! And the fleece lining that is in the diaper wicked all of the moisture away from her skin so she was completely dry! The diaper felt like it weighed 10 lbs.
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| This is the blueberry pocket diaper with the two inserts in it. |
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| This is the blueberry on Aari before bed |
This diaper worked well for my heavy wetter. It is great for nighttime use, when she woke I just tossed the whole thing in our 'wet bag' to await laundry day.
I will say that this diaper is pretty bulky in the crotch. Aari has thinner legs so it works out okay for us but if you have a baby with cute chunky thighs, it might be a tight fit.
A Day at the Beach!
Yesterday was a beautiful day! We took full advantage and headed down to Narragansett Beach with Mimi and Pop to enjoy the sunshine. Aaralyn loved the "wadah" and ran around finding rocks and chasing the sea gulls. She definitely would have gone in if we didn't keep wrangling her back to dry land! :)
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| With my blueberry at the beach! |
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| Aari with Mimi and Pop |
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| Penny, Aari and I |
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| The Girls! |
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| Checking it out with Mimi and Pop |
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| Coast Guard House and the Towers in the background |
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| Little Monkey! |
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| So excited to be at the ocean |
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| "I'm not finished...didn't I tell you to stop taking pictures???" |
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| "Let me tell you something, Mom, enough of the pictures!" |
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| Love the pointer finger! |
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| Beautiful Narragansett Beach |
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Cloth Diapering Journey, Day 1
So, yesterday was our first day trying out the flip cloth diapers during the day. They are very easy to use. The insert fits right inside the cover under two small flaps located in the front and back of the diaper. I didn't adjust it to the right fit the first time I put it on, and of course...she pooped! The insert had bunched and didn't catch it all so it was on the cover and a little messy to deal with, but not as bad as I thought and not enough to set me running away from cloth forever! Not an issue with the diaper, it was the way I put it on. Rookie mistake #1 under my belt! I rinsed and put the whole thing in the wet bag and we started fresh with a new cover and insert.
This time, I paid more attention to the placement of the insert and made sure to hold onto it while pulling it up between her legs. The next diaper change she was wet and the stay dry insert wicked it away from her skin...she was virtually dry! It was great! There wasn't any of that funny chemical odor that I had been smelling when she wet in her disposables. This is the point that I started to feel really good about my decision to switch to cloth!
I consulted with a couple of friends regarding getting the right fit and also read the "DUH" how to use and trouble shooting guide on the flip website after she went to bed so I would be able to start day two confidently. It probably would have been helpful to read that section BEFORE I put the first diaper on but it wouldn't be me if I did things the easy way!
This time, I paid more attention to the placement of the insert and made sure to hold onto it while pulling it up between her legs. The next diaper change she was wet and the stay dry insert wicked it away from her skin...she was virtually dry! It was great! There wasn't any of that funny chemical odor that I had been smelling when she wet in her disposables. This is the point that I started to feel really good about my decision to switch to cloth!
I consulted with a couple of friends regarding getting the right fit and also read the "DUH" how to use and trouble shooting guide on the flip website after she went to bed so I would be able to start day two confidently. It probably would have been helpful to read that section BEFORE I put the first diaper on but it wouldn't be me if I did things the easy way!
Going Green with Diapers!
I have made the bold decision to switch over to cloth diapers. I know what you're thinking: crazy decision, right? Actually cloth diapering has come a long way since our mothers were doing it back in the day! In fact, there are so many options out there, that it can be absolutely overwhelming trying to decide which cloth diaper system to invest in.
This is where I'm at right now...in the thick of it. I've been researching the different options via the internet, word of mouth from other moms who cloth diaper and also hands on browsing at a local maternity "mecca," Bellani Maternity. Here is what I've discovered thus far:
The internet has great resources for everything involving cloth diapering including videos, 'how to' guides, pictures, etc... There are many stores that sell online so if you feel comfortable choosing and buying online, it's great.
Word of mouth via other cloth diapering moms that has been invaluable. It can get confusing, though, because most moms have their own system and what works for one doesn't always work for all. However, if you're lucky enough to talk with someone who is using the same system you decide on, they can help you avoid rookie mistakes and tell you what works best for laundering the option you've chosen.
If you live in the Rhode Island area, Bellani is a wonderful resource! They are incredibly helpful and even hold cloth diapering classes that you can attend.
There are trial kits available at some retailers that you can "rent." They usually give you 6-8 different styles to try out for a few weeks and then you can return what you don't want, keep the styles you like and have credit toward purchasing your system. I didn't opt to do this because the trial pack that was available to me had a lot of the smaller sizes in it and since we're starting out a little later than most would (19 mos into diapering!), it wouldn't have been worth it.
So, I ended up deciding to use the flip system during the day by Cotton Babies, Inc. The flip system consists of a diaper cover and you have the choice of three different inserts: the stay dry insert, organic cotton insert or disposable insert. I purchased a day pack which included two diaper covers and 6 stay dry inserts. I will post more about the flip in a separate post to go into more detail.
For nighttime, I started with a Blueberry by Swaddlebees. This is a pocket diapering system and was recommended by one of the mom's in Aari's Rock-a-baby class. She has a son the same age as Aaralyn and uses these at night. The benefits to this diaper for nighttime use are great.
Here is the blueberry pocket diaper (green) and the flip (pink) hanging to dry before their first use:
Things have been going well with the transition thus far...I will keep you posted!
This is where I'm at right now...in the thick of it. I've been researching the different options via the internet, word of mouth from other moms who cloth diaper and also hands on browsing at a local maternity "mecca," Bellani Maternity. Here is what I've discovered thus far:
The internet has great resources for everything involving cloth diapering including videos, 'how to' guides, pictures, etc... There are many stores that sell online so if you feel comfortable choosing and buying online, it's great.
Word of mouth via other cloth diapering moms that has been invaluable. It can get confusing, though, because most moms have their own system and what works for one doesn't always work for all. However, if you're lucky enough to talk with someone who is using the same system you decide on, they can help you avoid rookie mistakes and tell you what works best for laundering the option you've chosen.
If you live in the Rhode Island area, Bellani is a wonderful resource! They are incredibly helpful and even hold cloth diapering classes that you can attend.
There are trial kits available at some retailers that you can "rent." They usually give you 6-8 different styles to try out for a few weeks and then you can return what you don't want, keep the styles you like and have credit toward purchasing your system. I didn't opt to do this because the trial pack that was available to me had a lot of the smaller sizes in it and since we're starting out a little later than most would (19 mos into diapering!), it wouldn't have been worth it.
So, I ended up deciding to use the flip system during the day by Cotton Babies, Inc. The flip system consists of a diaper cover and you have the choice of three different inserts: the stay dry insert, organic cotton insert or disposable insert. I purchased a day pack which included two diaper covers and 6 stay dry inserts. I will post more about the flip in a separate post to go into more detail.
For nighttime, I started with a Blueberry by Swaddlebees. This is a pocket diapering system and was recommended by one of the mom's in Aari's Rock-a-baby class. She has a son the same age as Aaralyn and uses these at night. The benefits to this diaper for nighttime use are great.
Here is the blueberry pocket diaper (green) and the flip (pink) hanging to dry before their first use:
Sensory Exploration
Aari doesn't care to touch things with unfamiliar textures right now. I created an indoor sand table using a medium sized clear storage bin, some sand from a craft store, shells, and shiny glass pebbles. I gave her various tools such as a spoon and paper cup so she could explore without actually touching the sand.
She was tentatively putting her hands in after I showed her it was no big deal or "no biggie" as we like to say!
She also enjoyed placing the sand outside the sand table which is why, as you can see, I have our beach sheet on the floor to catch anything that didn't stay in the bin.
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