11.29.2012
11.25.2012
Kennedy's 17 Week Check In
This past week has been absolutely amazing! My parents and brother drove all the way up from Florida (drove ALL night long!!) to spend Thanksgiving with us. It was so wonderful to have them here! They are leaving tomorrow, but this week has just been so wonderful!
Any upcoming developments, milestones? What's next?
How Big Is Baby?
- Kennedy is probably 13- 13 1/2 pounds.
- Almost all of her 0-3 month clothes and some of her 3 month clothes are retired. She is wearing mostly 3-6 and 6 month clothes now. Big girl!
- Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls with one medium fleece soaker and 3 more on the way.
Development & Milestones
- Kind of a big deal... KENNEDY ROLLED OVER!! She still has a tough time getting her arm out from underneath her, but she successfully rolled from back to tummy. What a big girl!!
- Kennedy has been smiling and "talking" up a storm this week. Her little personality is really starting to develop and it is just the coolest thing.
- Baby girl loves her Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Mike. She has really enjoyed all of the hugs, kisses and extra attention she has gotten this week. Very loved and sorta spoiled little girl. :)
- Kennedy has also taken a new interest in her BFF Lucy. I think this is only the very beginning of a super sweet and fun friendship.
- I think she is starting to teethe... fun stuff. For the most part, she hasn't seemed too terribly uncomfortable... just lots and lots of extra drool. She has been wearing an amber necklace (usually around her ankle under a sock) for a few weeks now and I am hoping this will help to get her through with little to no medication for it. We did use Tylenol once or twice over the past few days when she was having a particularly rough time. Poor baby girl. I hope these teeth cut soon so she isn't so uncomfortable.
Diet/Nursing
- Nursing is still going great!
- Pumping at work has been ok. Once again there were a few nights where I was unable to pump, which sucks (and HURTS!), but that's just the way it goes with floor nursing.
- Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches, consistently now. I usually get home around 12:30-1am and nurse her, then she sleeps until Kevin gets up for work at 5:30 (sometimes waking up once in between), then it's back to bed until 8:30-9:30am. Not too bad.
- Naps are going great! She naps once in the morning and once in the afternoon, usually for about an hour.
- I have no idea what I weigh this week since Kevin stole the battery for my scale to use for the garage door opener. I feel pretty good... maybe a little bloated from all of the yummy Thanksgiving leftovers... I will get a new battery so I will be able to keep better track.
- Right now I probably weigh about 125 lbs.
- *For reference, my highest pregnancy weight was 162, my pre-pregnancy weight was 130 and my goal weight is 125*
How Is Daddy?
- Kevin is doing awesome. I think he really enjoyed having my brother around this week to commiserate with, lol. As far as daddy-ing goes, in my eyes (and in Kennedy's eyes)... he's #1.
Any appointments, visitors or outings? Anything else new?
- 5 whole days with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Mike... how much better could it get? It's been an awesome week!!
- Oh and Kennedy saw SNOW for the very first time yesterday! I don't really think she cares much about the white stuff just yet, but Lucy was running around like a crazy puppy enjoying some play time out in the cold. So cute!
- Cloth diapering is still going great!!
Product Love:
- Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is Wednesday morning. Not really looking forward to another round of shots, but I am kind of excited to see how big she has gotten.
11.18.2012
Kennedy's 16 Week Check In
Every day this little girl amazes me. Sometimes it's hard for me to believe she is already 16 weeks old, it seems like just yesterday I was feeling her kick and roll in my belly. Other times it's hard to believe she is only 16 weeks old, it's hard to remember what my life was like before I held her in my arms...
Any upcoming developments, milestones? What's next?
How Big Is Baby?
- Kennedy is probably just over 13 pounds.
- Almost all of her 0-3 month clothes and some of her 3 month clothes are retired. She is wearing mostly 3-6 and 6 month clothes now. Big girl!
- Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls. Added a fleece soaker- size Medium- to the mix as well. Medium!! gulp!!
Development & Milestones
- Kennedy just loves her hands. She slobbers and drools on them constantly.
- This week she has been really interested in mommy and daddy's faces. She loves to touch them (and slap them) while we are snuggling.
- We introduced the Bumbo seat this week and she LOVES it!! I will have to pick up the tray for the seat this week because she drops/throws her rattle or lovie and can't pick it up, but she really loves sitting like a big girl in her new seat.
Diet/Nursing
- Nursing is still going great!
- Pumping at work was much better this week. My freezer stash is outrageous and I may need to donate some of my stored milk soon because I am almost completely out of room.
- Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches, consistently. I am thinking we are going to stay at this length for a long time and, you know what, that's ok. I am starting to enjoy my middle of the night nursing sessions with her. I read her stories or sing to her and she looks at me with the sweetest, sleepiest smiles. I love it!
- Naps are pretty good. She has been napping in her crib like a big girl, but only sleeps for maybe an hour stretch.
- I actually lost a few pounds this week, so I am now under my goal weight.. but with Thanksgiving around the corner I'm sure I will be back up soon. :)
- Right now I weigh about 123 lbs.
- *For reference, my highest pregnancy weight was 162, my pre-pregnancy weight was 130 and my goal weight is 125*
How Is Daddy?
- Kevin is doing great!! He has really gotten into his daddy groove. It is so amazing to see him interact with his baby girl. She has him wrapped around her teeny little finger already.
Any appointments, visitors or outings? Anything else new?
- Nothing new this week!
- Cloth diapering is still going great!!
Product Love:
- Bumbo seat. Baby girl loves hanging out in her big girl seat and I love that I can set her down and clean a room while she plays and talks.
- Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is next week. More shots. Boo!!
11.17.2012
They Call It "Morning Sickness"
***** This is absolutely NOT- in any way shape or form- to be interpreted as medical advice. These are things I have tried, under the guidance of my own doctor. Your situation may be different and what was ok for me to do/try may or may not be safe for you or your little one. Check with your OB before trying ANY remedies for your nausea. *****
Let's get some things straight here... the term "morning sickness" is a cruel and evil joke (likely coined by some dude who never experienced it). I would have given my left arm to feel like absolute dog crap only in the "morning". I actually felt my worst in the evenings and awoke many a night from a dead sleep to go have a face to face meeting with the porcelain goddess. But I digress...
When pregnant, most women experience some degree of nausea... ranging from the occasional wave of "ugh, I can't eat that" to full blown "I want to barf my brains out" 24/7. An unlucky few have it to such a degree (known as hyperemesis gravidarum) that they require hospitalization, IV nutrients and/or fluids. For most, the nausea lasts only through the first trimester, until the placenta takes over providing nutrition for your growing little one and your hormones (sort of!! ha!) level off. For another unlucky few it can last all the way through the entire pregnancy. Fun stuff.
My level of (un)luck fell somewhere in the middle, toe-ing the line of hyperemesis and lasting into 22-23 weeks. I did manage to make it through without IV supplementation, but I did succomb to some pretty heavy duty meds in the end. But I survived, and you will too. And in the end, you hold your beautiful baby in your arms and get to thank them personally for making you so sick.
Now that I have had the joy of experiencing this wonderful phenomenon known as morning sickness, and since I now have a few friends who are learning the ropes, I thought it would be a good time to write down and pass on my knowledge as far as treatments go.
Before you get all excited... there is no magic cure. What worked for me may not work for you. And what works for you today may send you running to the toilet tomorrow... because, you know, Mother Nature likes to keep us on our toes. There were several things that made me feel slightly better one day then didn't help at all the next.
Basically... aside from the "cures" listed below, the key is really to never have a completely full or completely empty stomach. Easier said than done when you don't really feel like eating at all. But try to nibble on dry, bland snacks (pretzel sticks, bagels, crackers and toast were my menu for weeks) throughout the day. Keep a stash of snacks on your nightstand and munch a little when you wake up to pee 16 thousand times in the middle of the night. SMALL bites and SMALL sips as often as possible. Full OR empty usually spells trouble.
Remember... this, too, shall pass. And in the end, that sweet little baby is worth everything blood vessel popping, puke out of your nose, everything I smell makes me want to toss my cookies, miserable moment. And believe it or not... when it's over... you will be more than happy to do it all over again.
***** This is absolutely NOT- in any way shape or form- to be interpreted as medical advice. These are things I have tried, under the guidance of my own doctor. Your situation may be different and what was ok for me to do/try may or may not be safe for you or your little one. Check with your OB before trying ANY remedies for your nausea. *****
Let's get some things straight here... the term "morning sickness" is a cruel and evil joke (likely coined by some dude who never experienced it). I would have given my left arm to feel like absolute dog crap only in the "morning". I actually felt my worst in the evenings and awoke many a night from a dead sleep to go have a face to face meeting with the porcelain goddess. But I digress...
When pregnant, most women experience some degree of nausea... ranging from the occasional wave of "ugh, I can't eat that" to full blown "I want to barf my brains out" 24/7. An unlucky few have it to such a degree (known as hyperemesis gravidarum) that they require hospitalization, IV nutrients and/or fluids. For most, the nausea lasts only through the first trimester, until the placenta takes over providing nutrition for your growing little one and your hormones (sort of!! ha!) level off. For another unlucky few it can last all the way through the entire pregnancy. Fun stuff.
My level of (un)luck fell somewhere in the middle, toe-ing the line of hyperemesis and lasting into 22-23 weeks. I did manage to make it through without IV supplementation, but I did succomb to some pretty heavy duty meds in the end. But I survived, and you will too. And in the end, you hold your beautiful baby in your arms and get to thank them personally for making you so sick.
Now that I have had the joy of experiencing this wonderful phenomenon known as morning sickness, and since I now have a few friends who are learning the ropes, I thought it would be a good time to write down and pass on my knowledge as far as treatments go.
Before you get all excited... there is no magic cure. What worked for me may not work for you. And what works for you today may send you running to the toilet tomorrow... because, you know, Mother Nature likes to keep us on our toes. There were several things that made me feel slightly better one day then didn't help at all the next.
Basically... aside from the "cures" listed below, the key is really to never have a completely full or completely empty stomach. Easier said than done when you don't really feel like eating at all. But try to nibble on dry, bland snacks (pretzel sticks, bagels, crackers and toast were my menu for weeks) throughout the day. Keep a stash of snacks on your nightstand and munch a little when you wake up to pee 16 thousand times in the middle of the night. SMALL bites and SMALL sips as often as possible. Full OR empty usually spells trouble.
- Sea Bands- These can be picked up at Target or Babies R Us. They are elastic bands with a small plastic doo-hickey that applies pressure, when properly positioned, to a key acupressure point on your wrist. These didn't work wonders for me, but maybe took the edge off a little. I wore them at work (only able to hide if you wear long sleeves, otherwise a dead "OMG You're knocked up!" giveaway)... and they helped a little when I couldn't carry around snacks/drinks all the time.
- Ginger Stuff- Ginger candies, ginger teas, ginger snap cookies, candied ginger- This stuff actually works!! I wasn't so much a fan of the tea, but the candied ginger, cookies and the candies really helped me out. I drove all over Syracuse hunting these bad boys down before I realized you can order them online in bulk. I now have enough stashed away to last through my next pregnancy, lol.
- Coca Cola- Yep, you read that right. Coke. (Those who know me well, go ahead and pick yourself up from the floor. I know I know, I NEVER drink soda... but this was an act of desperation, suggested by my OB, so I went for it!) The real stuff with the red label, NOT diet, calorie free or any other knock off. "But I shouldn't drink any caffeine" blah blah blah. First of all, my OB was a fan of the "everything in moderation" concept. Second, back in the day (feel free to check with your parents or grandparents) Cola Syrup was the magic cure-all for all sorts of tummy ailments. Cola Syrup = the base for Coke. Ta-daa!!! So yes, this was actually probably one of the best suggestions my OB gave. She said to drink a SMALL sip every few minutes when I felt crappiest. A bottle should last several hours at this rate, which is well under the recommended/allowable "moderate" amount of caffeine intake allowed.
- Don't Drink Plain Water- I'm just getting crazier and crazier, aren't I? First drink soda, now don't drink water... but hear me out. When you put plain water in your stomach, especially an empty or almost empty stomach, your belly thinks "Oh yay!! Something to digest" and the stomach starts a-churning and the stomach acid starts a-bubbling. Next thing you know, you feel gross again. Now, I am not saying don't drink water... because it is very very important to stay hydrated- especially during pregnancy... but put some sort of flavoring in it... Crystal Light packets, lemon slices, peppermint, Mio... anything. Next.
- Change Up Your Prenatal- Unfortunately, one of the things that we need to provide nutritional support often makes us so sick that we get even less nutrition. If your PNV makes you gag, try changing brands, switching to gummies or taking it at a different time of day (at night, right before bed worked best for me for a little while). If all else fails, try switching to a children's vitamin (without Iron, since Iron is usually the culprit behind vitamin related nausea) until your stomach can handle the prenatals again. As good as they may be for you and baby, if they are making you throw up what little food you can eat, they may be doing more harm than good. As soon as you feel the slightest bit better, make sure you switch back to the prenatals again!!
- Doxylamine (Unisom) + B6- In Canada they actually sell a medication (Diclectin) that is basically this exact combination and it is very effective for morning sickness. It was pulled from the US market years ago, but the research was questionable. I think it was more a "better safe than sorry" situation. In any case, there are many studies proving the safety and efficacy of this combination. Under my OB's guidance, I gave this a shot when the ginger and Coke was no longer doing the trick and it really worked well for me for several weeks. I took 1/2 B6 in the morning (bonus, B6 is also good to help with energy level) and 1/2 Unisom (the tablet, NOT the gel cap... check the ingredients to make sure it is Doxylamine) at night. Not only did I sleep better and feel a little more energetic (probably because I could actually eat!) but I was able to hold down some of my food. Woot woot!!
- Prescription Medicine- I have never ever been a fan of medication (strange for a nurse, huh)... and I definitely did not want to take any unnecessary meds while pregnant. Well... about 6 weeks into around the clock puking with no end in sight and having tried every single old wives tale and non-pharmacological anti-nausea trick in the book, I found myself begging my OB to give me the good stuff. Zofran. I researched until I was satisfied and had a good heart to heart with my OB and was assured that this was safe for me and baby. I started on a small dose and eventually ended up taking them every 4 hours to get me through the worst of the nausea. It did help and I was glad I finally agreed to give modern medicine a chance.
Remember... this, too, shall pass. And in the end, that sweet little baby is worth everything blood vessel popping, puke out of your nose, everything I smell makes me want to toss my cookies, miserable moment. And believe it or not... when it's over... you will be more than happy to do it all over again.
***** This is absolutely NOT- in any way shape or form- to be interpreted as medical advice. These are things I have tried, under the guidance of my own doctor. Your situation may be different and what was ok for me to do/try may or may not be safe for you or your little one. Check with your OB before trying ANY remedies for your nausea. *****
11.11.2012
Kennedy's 15 Week Check In
One year ago today, Kevin and I found out that we were expecting. Having just recently experienced a miscarriage, we had a flood of emotions from nervousness, excitement, fear and overwhelming joy. We fell instantly head over heels in love with the little one growing inside and prayed daily for a smooth pregnancy and safe delivery. We couldn't wait to meet our sweet babe, but at the same time wanted to cherish and enjoy every moment of the pregnancy. We had no idea how much bigger our hearts could possibly grow and how much deeper we could love until we met Miss Kennedy in July. Baby girl is now 15 weeks old, smiling, laughing, cooing and is our sunshine. Amazing what a difference a year makes.
Any upcoming developments, milestones? What's next?
How Big Is Baby?
- Kennedy is likely 13 pounds now. Wowza!!
- We are slowly retiring, one by one, her 0-3 and 3 month clothes. Working our way into 3-6 and 6 month outfits. Yikes!!
- Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls.
Development & Milestones
- Kennedy is still fascinated with her fingers and hands. She loves chewing and slobbering on them.
- She still loves her lovie! We now take it with us to the sitters house.
- Still hasn't rolled over yet. She enjoys hanging out on her tummy, side or back... just not really into rolling yet. One of these days.
- She is very very good at sitting supported. I am beginning to wonder if she will sit before she rolls.
practicing sitting with mommy :)
Diet/Nursing
- Nursing is still going great!
- Pumping at work has been especially difficult this week. 3 nights (2 of them in a row!) I was unable to pump which makes for a very painful end of shift. One of the nights I actually hooked up my pump in the car and pumped on the drive home. I just couldn't take the engorgement any more.
- Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches. And, unfortunately, when she does wake up to nurse she actually stays up for an hour or so now. Soooo sleepy!!
- Naps are still great! 2 hours in the morning for me. Daddy has been having a tough time with her afternoon nap and getting her to go to sleep at night, but that's his problem. ha!! Just kidding. ;P
- Still at my goal weight. God bless breastfeeding and those extra 500 calories a day.
- Right now I weigh about 125 lbs.
- *For reference, my highest pregnancy weight was 162, my pre-pregnancy weight was 130 and my goal weight is 125*
How Is Daddy?
- Kevin is doing wonderfully. He began his new job at the VA and is much happier. He has really gotten into a routine with Kennedy at night and I am so so proud of him. It's not easy to hold down the fort alone at night and he is doing a fabulous job! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband and father to our little girl.
Any appointments, visitors or outings? Anything else new?
- Nothing new really. No appointments, no visits. It's been a quiet (knock on wood) week.
- Cloth diapering is still going great!!
Love/Hate:
- Love: Mommy's Bliss Gripe Water. Magic juice. :) This has been a lifesaver this week as Kennedy has had some tummy discomfort and possible reflux issues. We dip her pacifier in the gripe water and it really seems to help soothe/settle her. Love this stuff!!
- Hate: Reflux. I hate seeing my baby uncomfortable. Hopefully this is just a phase that passes quickly.
- Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is at the end of November.
11.04.2012
Cloth Diapering Update
We started using cloth diapers at 3 weeks and change and have been exclusively cloth diapering since Kennedy was about 6 weeks old. With about 2 months of experience under my belt, I feel like I have learned enough to review and give a bit of advice for anyone thinking about using cloth diapers.
I figured that I would start this with some of my initial questions/concerns...
"But aren't they ugly? And what about those safety pins?"
First of all, these are NOT your Grandma's cloth diapers. Not only have they come a long way as far as ease of use and absorbancy... but they are darn cute nowadays. I have found this extreme cuteness to be both a good thing (for the environment, for my daughter's skin, for promoting CD use in general) and a very very bad thing (for my wallet). I think I *might* be a bit addicted to buying cute cloth diapers, or at least looking at them. My mom and my mailman would confirm this obsession as both have witnessed first hand the near daily influx of fluffy mail.
So no, they are NOT ugly... see exhibit A...
Yep, that's a cloth diaper. Cute right?
And no, you do not have to use safety pins. Most actually come with plastic snaps or velcro-like stuff called "Aplix". Personally, we stick with the snaps... like this...
Moving on...
"But they're really expensive aren't they?"
Obsession aside, cloth diapers are WAY more practical and are no where near as overwhelming as they may seem.
My stash to date includes:
All in all I would say I have spent about $200-$250 on my stash. The majority of these I have purchased second hand from various Facebook groups. There is a local store called Basic Baby that sells new and pre-loved cloth diapers as well. I have a budget of $10 or less per diaper, although I have gone over a few times (mostly for the RaRs as they are pretty heavy duty). This $200ish investment will likely last us (with maybe a few more additions) until Kennedy is potty trained. Best part... the diapers can (and will!!!) be re-used for our next little one... and the next one... and the next one... ok I'll stop there.
But seriously... do you know how many disposable diapers $200 will buy? About 5 cases... on sale... with coupons... maybe. And do you know how long 5 cases will last? About 2-3 months. Maybe.
The average estimate for the cost of diapering a child, with disposables, from birth until potty training ranges from $1500-$2000. The cost of cloth diapering, laundry included, is around $500. Let that sink in for a minute.
If you weren't thinking about cloth diapers before, you are now, right?
"But what about the laundry? And the poooooooop?"
Yeah yeah... the poop. Well, let me start by saying that we definitely used disposables for that wicked meconium poop (the black sticky tar like stuff that you swear paint thinner would have a tough time cleaning). I wasn't about to mess with that stuff and risk staining my cloth diapers forever.
Once you are past the tar poop stage, for an exclusively breastfed baby, there is no need to mess with the poop at all. You can toss the poop and pee diapers in a wet bag or diaper pail and wash them all together. No pre-treating, poop scraping or soaking necessary. Just toss and wash!! Cool, huh? Once Kennedy is old enough to start solids, I will have to pre-rinse, soak or somehow take care of the poop (we may try disposable liners... not sure yet)... but until then it's super simple.
My cloth diaper laundry routine:
"But they don't work as good as disposables, right?"
Leaks, blow outs, explosions... I won't lie... we have had a few. Cloth diapering definitely has a learning curve, although I had a few leaks and explosions pre-cloth as well... so maybe diapering in general has a learning curve. We use primarily one-size snaps and sometimes it can be tough to get a perfect fit. We also had trouble at first finding the perfect diaper for night time as baby girl started to sleep longer/wet more. We are still trying out different kinds of diapers, inserts, covers, etc. and learning our likes and dislikes.
"But I don't know what the heck I'm doing!!"
And neither did I. As a matter of fact, we have been doing this for several weeks now and I still have many questions. I have found several CD centered groups on Facebook, a few local moms in a moms group I attend and a few moms at my church who have been more than happy to show me the ropes. The owner of Basic Baby (local store that sells cloth diapers)... is a wealth of information and even holds classes and get togethers in the store to help new moms figure things out. One thing I have learned about the mamas who CD is that they all seem to be very helpful and excited to share their knowledge and experience. So ask around! You just might be surprised at who else is into cloth.
So that's it... so far. My thoughts on cloth. And now I am off to go change a diaper, lol. :)
I figured that I would start this with some of my initial questions/concerns...
"But aren't they ugly? And what about those safety pins?"
First of all, these are NOT your Grandma's cloth diapers. Not only have they come a long way as far as ease of use and absorbancy... but they are darn cute nowadays. I have found this extreme cuteness to be both a good thing (for the environment, for my daughter's skin, for promoting CD use in general) and a very very bad thing (for my wallet). I think I *might* be a bit addicted to buying cute cloth diapers, or at least looking at them. My mom and my mailman would confirm this obsession as both have witnessed first hand the near daily influx of fluffy mail.
So no, they are NOT ugly... see exhibit A...
And no, you do not have to use safety pins. Most actually come with plastic snaps or velcro-like stuff called "Aplix". Personally, we stick with the snaps... like this...
"But they're really expensive aren't they?"
Obsession aside, cloth diapers are WAY more practical and are no where near as overwhelming as they may seem.
My stash to date includes:
- 4 Rump-a-Roos pockets- these are our favorite for night time
- 3 Bum Cheeks minky pockets
- 4 Bum Cheeks jean pockets
- 4 Fuzzibunz pockets
- 5 Alva 4.0 pockets- our second favorite for night time
- 5 BumGenius pockets
- 2 Sunbaby pockets
- 2 random fitteds
- 1 Flip cover
- 1 Blueberry cover
- A random assortment of prefolds and inserts
But seriously... do you know how many disposable diapers $200 will buy? About 5 cases... on sale... with coupons... maybe. And do you know how long 5 cases will last? About 2-3 months. Maybe.
The average estimate for the cost of diapering a child, with disposables, from birth until potty training ranges from $1500-$2000. The cost of cloth diapering, laundry included, is around $500. Let that sink in for a minute.
If you weren't thinking about cloth diapers before, you are now, right?
"But what about the laundry? And the poooooooop?"
Yeah yeah... the poop. Well, let me start by saying that we definitely used disposables for that wicked meconium poop (the black sticky tar like stuff that you swear paint thinner would have a tough time cleaning). I wasn't about to mess with that stuff and risk staining my cloth diapers forever.
Once you are past the tar poop stage, for an exclusively breastfed baby, there is no need to mess with the poop at all. You can toss the poop and pee diapers in a wet bag or diaper pail and wash them all together. No pre-treating, poop scraping or soaking necessary. Just toss and wash!! Cool, huh? Once Kennedy is old enough to start solids, I will have to pre-rinse, soak or somehow take care of the poop (we may try disposable liners... not sure yet)... but until then it's super simple.
My cloth diaper laundry routine:
- All wet and dirty diapers go into a pail with a pail liner. I separate the inserts from the diapers as I toss them in so I don't have to go fishing through a bag full of stinky presents to separate them before washing.
- When ready to wash I take the whole bag, liner and all, and toss it in the washer.
- I run one Rinse & Spin cycle with COLD water- NO detergent. Every so often I run a second Rinse & Spin.
- Next I add 1/2 the normal amount of All Free and Clear detergent and I run a Whitest Whites cycle (which is just a regular cycle with HOT water followed by an extra rinse & spin with WARM water).
- I "sun" (line dry or dry outside somehow) my diapers as much as possible. All of the stains sun out in minutes. It's pretty amazing. When unable to sun (thank you Syracuse weather) I dry the diapers in the dryer on LOW heat with NO dryer sheets.
"But they don't work as good as disposables, right?"
Leaks, blow outs, explosions... I won't lie... we have had a few. Cloth diapering definitely has a learning curve, although I had a few leaks and explosions pre-cloth as well... so maybe diapering in general has a learning curve. We use primarily one-size snaps and sometimes it can be tough to get a perfect fit. We also had trouble at first finding the perfect diaper for night time as baby girl started to sleep longer/wet more. We are still trying out different kinds of diapers, inserts, covers, etc. and learning our likes and dislikes.
"But I don't know what the heck I'm doing!!"
And neither did I. As a matter of fact, we have been doing this for several weeks now and I still have many questions. I have found several CD centered groups on Facebook, a few local moms in a moms group I attend and a few moms at my church who have been more than happy to show me the ropes. The owner of Basic Baby (local store that sells cloth diapers)... is a wealth of information and even holds classes and get togethers in the store to help new moms figure things out. One thing I have learned about the mamas who CD is that they all seem to be very helpful and excited to share their knowledge and experience. So ask around! You just might be surprised at who else is into cloth.
So that's it... so far. My thoughts on cloth. And now I am off to go change a diaper, lol. :)
Kennedy's 14 Week Check In
At some point I will probably stop counting weeks and start counting in months... but I'm just not ready for it yet. Time is flying by at an astounding pace... another year has passed for me, another "first" holiday for Kennedy, and another season is beginning. As I type this, Kennedy is napping peacefully on one side and Lucy is snoring away on the other. Kevin is counting down til his Steelers game kick off. I wish I could stop the clock and live in this moment forever.
Any upcoming developments, milestones? What's next?
How Big Is Baby?
- Kennedy weighed in at 12 lbs 14 oz on Thursday. My big girl!!
- We have started to retire some of her 3 month footed jammies... she is just too tall for them. Her 3 month tops, onesies and pants still fit, but not for long!
- Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls.
Development & Milestones
- Kennedy is just absolutely in love with her hands. She slobbers on, chews on and drools all over them all.the.time. She is getting better at reaching for objects, grabbing them and holding them.
- Her favorite thing to play with this week is her lovie. It is so cute to watch her pick it up and try to chew on it. She has fallen asleep for naps holding onto it and it is just adorable!
- Still hasn't rolled over yet. She has gotten *this close* then just kind of hangs out on her side for a while.
- She is getting very good at sitting supported. She is still really slouchy, but able to balance very well with some support.
Diet/Nursing
- Nursing is still going great!
- Pumping at work is... well... you do what you've gotta do, right? It's not easy, it's not fun, but it's so worth it.
- I did accomplish a new feat this week. I pumped in the car, while driving, safely. Yep. I had somewhere I had to go, no time to pump before and no time to pump when I got there... so I hooked everything up and hit the road. I had 2 full bottles by the time I got to my destination. Could you imagine having to explain that mess if I got pulled over? Lol. Good thing I followed all the rules.
- Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches. It's not ideal, but I'll take it. She has been getting much better at self soothing too, so when she does wake up and nurse she seems to fall back asleep easier if I put her down before she is completely out.
- Naps are still great! She usually takes a good 2 hour-ish nap in the morning and another 2 hour-ish nap in the early evening.
- Still hanging at my goal weight!! Woot woot!!
- Right now I weigh about 125 lbs.
- *For reference, my highest pregnancy weight was 162, my pre-pregnancy weight was 130 and my goal weight is 125*
How Is Daddy?
- Kevin is doing great!! Yesterday was his last day at his kitchen job and he was very happy to close that chapter in his career. Monday begins a new adventure with crazy overnight hours, but I am excited to see him moving forward with his goals.
Any appointments, visitors or outings? Anything else new?
- Kennedy had her sweat test on Thursday. I didn't blog about this in advance because A. I didn't want to freak anyone out and B. I was a little freaked out myself. Back when she was first born, she had a positive screen for Cystic Fibrosis on her PKU. It is just a screening tool, so they follow up with a sweat test after the baby is 1 month old to either confirm CF or rule it out completely. For the sweat test, they place leads on the baby's skin that collect sweat. The leads stay on for about 30-60 minutes then the sweat is sent to the lab for testing. It is non-invasive and Kennedy barely noticed. In the afternoon, we met with a pulmonologist and genetic counselor and were blessed to hear that her test came back negative!!! (Huge sigh of relief!!) Kennedy is likely a carrier, but does not have Cystic Fibrosis.
- Cloth diapering is still going great!!
Love/Hate:
- Love: Kennedy's lovie. She loves it and it is so cute to watch her face light up when I hand it to her.
- Hate: Cold weather. Aside from the obvious reasons, it is difficult to find nursing friendly tops that work in this weather and who the heck wants to strip down to their tank top to nurse when it's 40 degrees outside. Dear maternity/nursing fashion world... please invent more cute nursing friendly sweaters.
- Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is at the end of November.
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| I couldn't get her to stop chewing on her hands long enough to get a good picture! lol |
11.03.2012
Recipe: Quickie Chicken Riggies
If you are not from the Central New York area, you may not know and love chicken riggies like we do... and if you have never tried them, this recipe may not do them justice as they are best enjoyed with the true spicy vodka sauce from any one of our great local Italian restaurants. That said, this version (borrowed from a friend, Amy, and her husband) is super quick, cheap, easy... and it is as close as you can get to the real deal without potentially lighting your kitchen on fire trying to perfect a vodka sauce. :)
- 2 chicken breasts, baked and diced (I marinate in Italian dressing and sprinkle some Italian seasoning on top before baking)... you can also just dice up some leftovers, even easier!
- 1 box rigatoni pasta, cooked to al dente
- 1 jar of alfredo sauce
- 1 jar of salsa (we use hot, but you can use medium or mild if you don't like it spicy)
- Seasonings (I used a little garlic salt and cayenne pepper for extra heat)
11.02.2012
Old and Uncool
Remember when you were 10... and you thought 20 was really old...? Then you turned 15... and you thought 25 was old... then as you got closer to 25 you decided that 25 wasn't so bad, but 30 was really really old...?
Yeah. I'm 30. And I feel old.
Tuesday was my birthday (which was awesome by the way), but this all started a few weeks ago. I did a massive closet purge and unloaded well over 100 pieces of clothing and shoes- many with tags still on (yes, I have a shopping problem.) Anyway... I decided to take the items to a local consignment shop that buys/sells trendy teen/college age clothes. So I lugged my humongonormous tote bin full of goodies in and patiently waited, planning in my head how I would spend my $200 or so dollars that they would surely be paying me.
The girl checked my bin and gave me the news. "We are only interested in purchasing 4 items and we will offer $9." Say whaaaaaaat?!?!?! Only 4 of my items made the cut?? FOUR?!?! What the heck? Then she proceeded to further my humiliation by telling me exactly why my clothes and shoes were rejected. "They are just not in style any more."
Imagine my embarrassment as my old, uncool self drug my still-full tote bin out of the store with my measly $9 in my hand. Ugh. What a loser. And all this time I actually thought I was well... kind of cool.
I drove home sulking and whining to my friend about how uncool and un-stylish I am and how the snotty little 17 year old told me my clothes weren't hip... then I walked in the door to the house that I own, saw my husband, my puppy and my beautiful baby girl and thought...
Maybe being old isn't so bad after all.
Yeah. I'm 30. And I feel old.
Tuesday was my birthday (which was awesome by the way), but this all started a few weeks ago. I did a massive closet purge and unloaded well over 100 pieces of clothing and shoes- many with tags still on (yes, I have a shopping problem.) Anyway... I decided to take the items to a local consignment shop that buys/sells trendy teen/college age clothes. So I lugged my humongonormous tote bin full of goodies in and patiently waited, planning in my head how I would spend my $200 or so dollars that they would surely be paying me.
The girl checked my bin and gave me the news. "We are only interested in purchasing 4 items and we will offer $9." Say whaaaaaaat?!?!?! Only 4 of my items made the cut?? FOUR?!?! What the heck? Then she proceeded to further my humiliation by telling me exactly why my clothes and shoes were rejected. "They are just not in style any more."
Imagine my embarrassment as my old, uncool self drug my still-full tote bin out of the store with my measly $9 in my hand. Ugh. What a loser. And all this time I actually thought I was well... kind of cool.
I drove home sulking and whining to my friend about how uncool and un-stylish I am and how the snotty little 17 year old told me my clothes weren't hip... then I walked in the door to the house that I own, saw my husband, my puppy and my beautiful baby girl and thought...
Maybe being old isn't so bad after all.
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