Cloth Diapering 103

My update to cloth diapering. Yes we are still at it! We do use disposables when we travel, the beach, and I use on in the morning because it just makes my day a little easier. My goal is until he is at least a year but I would really like to go until he potty trains. Anyways you may come across some issues and they are easy to fix.

Problem: What is that smell?! Ok two months in his diapers starting smelling immediately when he would pee. It was bad. I was annoyed (this was during his teething phase).

Solution: Buy different detergent. We bought the Baby Genius cloth diaper detergent. Haven't had a problem since. My first suggestion would be to bleach them and line dry them outside to make sure that isn't the issue. But switching detergents is a common fix!

Problem: Staining. No one sees the part that does get stained and they are clean they just don't look clean.. so you don't really have to fix this but I'm OCD.

Solution: Line dry outside for 1..maybe 2 days if they are really bad. Problem solved.

How easy is that? And if you researched anything about Earth Day (which was on Monday) you would know that cloth diapering is also AMAZING for the environment.. and your baby :)

33 Weeks

Where have we been?! -Teething, weekend in Indiana, weekend in Vegas, Jamie's 30th birthday, Dustin and Laura's baby shower, and now finally a free relaxing weekend!

33 Weeks

Weight: 19.12 pounds, 27.5 inches

Sleep: BOO. HISS. GRR. Awful for the past month and a half due to teething, traveling, and now an ear infection. I will say he now will not sleep in our bed, on us (unless he's eating or sick), or out in public. He will only sleep in his bed which is great! However, he has decided to cry a lot longer to sleep and wakes up more frequently.... and then stays up. His naps are much longer. So some good some bad but we are TIRED!

Clothes: Moving into 12 months. :( I went out to buy him 12 month pajamas yesterday and almost cried when I couldn't find footed onesies! 12 months apparently moves onto two separate pieces. I can't handle that! He is still a baby! 

Vistors: Great Mimi was here this week. And Uncle Dustin and Aunt Laura last week. It's funny he acts all shy when new people come around but then he will warm up.. as long as he can still see me of course.

Out and About: We finished up swim lessons, still going to My Gym (which he LOVES), and still working on playmates- which is all my fault because I've been pretty busy lately (and tired).

Milestones: 

• Sitting up all the time with no pillow to fall back on
• Pulling to stand even in the crib
• Variegated babbling
• Started to army crawl
• Will rock on all fours..if we put him there
• Lowered the crib :( And took the mobile down :(
• Turns and looks for all sounds- doorbell, cats, etc (he's been doing this for awhile but I forgot to add it)
• First ear infection 

Baby Gear Love:

Play Cube Zany Zoo: This is a great toy for babies who are just starting to sit- it keeps them motivated to sit up and play. This is also great for standing or pulling to stand. Jackson loves this toy!! There is so much to do- four different sides and the top. Great for language too :) My only dislike is that it isn't heavy enough for Jackson, he can easily pull it on top of himself so we have to really watch him with it. It is expensive but we got ours at Target on sale. 

Shopping Cart Cover: Eddie Bauer. LOVE IT! It's not the cutest one out there but it is awesome because it has straps to keep them in the cart... which is especially helpful when they are still learning to stay upright or if they get lazy and try to snooze in the cart or eat the sides... It works well for highchairs too. I had really thought about buying a cuter one but no way it works too well! 

Crying: Getting his diaper changed, if I am out of sight, going to sleep (every. single. time).

Mealtimes: He is eating sweet potatoes, broccoli, beets, pears, and now peaches. We tried apples again and that was awful so we are done with apples. This week we are going to try banana! Keep your fingers crossed!

Medical: Same allergies. And now an ear infection :( 

Postpartum: The weight is gone! It has been for about two months.. I think. I just started the Julian Michael's 30 day shred to tone. After having a very frustrating month and half (mostly due to not sleeping) and just the stress of getting everything done in the day and working... I had to rethink so things. The first thing was I HAD to start working out again (our jogger stroller tires went flat which lead me to a string of curse words and throwing my phone out of frustration- after Jackson was napping of course). I love working out and it's the one thing I can do for myself. So I bought the Julian Michael's 30 minute DVD's and we got new tires for the jogger stroller. Whew. Sanity saved. I think mother's tend to give up everything for everyone else and then where does that leave them? Imagine husband with his six pack and wife with her pooch...You can't loose yourself because you have a family- not to say you should continue being selfish either. But I think 20-30 minutes of working out a day isn't being selfish! Besides it is a great way to start showing your kids that working out is fun! I try to talk to Jackson while working out.. heavy breathing. He looks at me like I'm crazy. I made the mistake of saying "ohhhh man!" and he got really concerned. hahha 

Making Baby Food for MSPI

MSPI=Milk, soy protein intolerance

I will be completely honest (aren't I always) this is a pain. No it isn't easy to keep up with (especially if you are working) because you could spend a couple hours making squash only to find  out your little on is severely allergic to it or the cats decide to lick all of the sweet potatoes.... And no you cannot just blend your dinner unless you too don't eat any dairy or soy (squash, carrots, apples, wheat, etc) in your dinners. I mean I can't blend up tacos for Jackson to eat. Half the foods we do eat for dinner aren't on the approved baby eating list until he is much older. It's not easy to find 100000 organic sweet potatoes so if that's the only food your baby isn't allergic to good luck (now drive all over town to find them and hope your husband doesn't decide to cook/eat the $10 worth of XYZ you drove all the way to the organic food store for. true story.). And I really don't like that it has to take time away from playing with Jackson, doing work, cleaning, hanging out with Jamie or my sleep which I already don't get enough of. OK vent over.

I do like it because my food tastes much better than the can. And you can make different combinations of things that the cans don't. And it actually isn't that much better than canned organic baby food so don't try that one with me either.** I do enjoy cooking and making food for Jackson but I would like to be able to do half/half so I'm not so stressed with the a million things I need to get done in a day.

Whew. Ok so you need:

1. A good cutting knife
2. A good peeler
3. Cutting board
4. Filtered water
5. Steamer/blender- I really like the This Especially if your baby is MSPI because there is no way you can get dairy or soy in it if you are only using it for their food. It's all in one. Easy to clean. It doesn't fit a lot of food which is the only down side.
6. Ice cube trays- BPA free. I really like the Beaba food storage but if you get a bunch of them it's $$$.
7. Foil, baggies, permeant marker

YUM! I do like mama's food!

I try to make all of Jackson's food during his 45 minute nap that I'm actually home for... but basically
1. Peel your fruit or veggie
2. Chop it
3. Steam it (2 cups of water for fruits, 3 for veggies)
4. Blend
5. Stick in the ice cube tray- label it. Freeze
6. Then stick all the cubes in a plastic baggie and label them.
Vola! It doesn't seem like much but once your little one starts eating 3 times a day- 6 ice cube amounts it adds up. And like I said you may end up making 1000000 sweet potatoes and trying to figure out what they can and cannot eat. Our freezer is full of food he can't eat. Boo.

*My other advice is don't try cans until you have gone through all the homemade food first. We couldn't do this because we were traveling but I am pretty sure even though the jars have no D or S listed in it caused him to have allergic reactions (to sweet potatoes)! From what I read Healthy Times is the best cans for MSPI and Earths Best is second (which is what we have that's not working out too well).

**I also know you cannot add any seasonings or anything like that if you are concerned with allergies.

So far we have tried:

• Squash
• Carrots
• Plums
• Beets
• Sweet Potatoes
• White Sweet Potatoes
• Broccoli
• Apples
• Pears
• Avocado

The biggest pain to make is squash and the easiest is avocado. I always mix a little water for consistency and I chose water because if you add milk/formula it takes away from the taste of the food. I think the whole point is for them to get used to different textures and flavors. I want the beets to taste like beets not purple formula. Gross. I taste everything to make sure it's good. And so far so good :)

He is really enjoying it! In fact he screams when I tell him all done. Jamie always comes in and is like what is going on in here?! Umm the bowl is empty duh. 

7 months!

Jackson,

      You are seven months old! This was one tough month on everybody. You got two teeth at once (it too nine days)..yikes! Poor baby, you were miserable- crying, fever, not sleeping, I hated every minute of it. The only way to comfort you was lots of snuggles..and tylenol and hylands teething tablets. And then I took you to Indiana which was not a good idea. You did great on the flight there but the rest of the trip you had trouble sleeping and napping. My happy, easy going baby was nonexistent in Indiana! I felt so bad! Then on the flight back you screamed the whole way- most likely because you were overtired and your ears hurt. Needless to say we will not be traveling for a long time!!! You like your routine, your own crib, and just being home which who can blame you? 

       You are still 100% mama's boy. You prefer to be held by me at all times and I cannot leave your sight without you crying! I'm getting really good arm muscles :) 

Milestones:

• Clapping! You do this all the time! 
• Waving! The first wave was out the airplane window- totally prompted by yourself. Since then you haven't waved to people to say hi or bye but you are practicing.
• Blowing kisses. Hello adorable! You love to imitate our mouth movements and sounds. I took you to work one day (where four women just sit and stare at you). One of them blew you a kiss, you worked really hard and then blew one back! Of course everyone cheered! Now you do it all the time.
• You are sitting more and more but I still have to watch you because you like to throw your head back.
• First attempts at riding in the grocery cart and sitting in a high chair at lunch (out to eat).
• Inch worm crawling. Seriously you look like an inch worm it is quite entertaining.
• First Play date! You loved the little boy. You tried to take his socks off apparently since you don't like them he shouldn't either. You were very chatty. You also tried to hold his hand and take his jacket off at lunch- quite the helpful little burger aren't you?!

     Health: Healthy! We are still trying to figure out what you allergic too which has been extremely frustrating. So far you are allergic to: Squash, Apple, Avocado, Carrots, Apricot (not 100% on this one), Plum... basically all you can eat are sweet potatoes, broccoli (which you don't really like), beets (not to crazy about this one either). This week we are trying pear... Your favorite foods were apple, avocado, and sweet potatoes. 

       Jackson love watching you discover and meet new milestones everyday! We can't wait to see what next month brings!

27 Weeks!

This face is hilarious!

27 Weeks

Weight:  18.12 pounds- 71%, 27 inches 66% :) Awesome!

Sleep: GREAT! He still has a one time a week wake up time at 4am... which is so weird but whatever. And after his shots on Friday it was like they gave him Red Bull. He was jumping and talking, wide awake until 11. What the heck? He was quite entertaining.

Clothes: 9 months...depending on the brand.

Visitors:  You met my cousin Caleb and his wife Leslie! You loved to look at them but didn't want to be held by them. I think this is the start of stranger anxiety ahhh!

Out and About: First swim lesson! He was totally fine being in the toasty pool... so relaxed he tried to take a nap in it. Of course he kicks all day long at home but refused to kick in the pool...not sure what that was about. Then when we were practicing floating he dunked his own face in the water a couple times and was FURIOUS! That ended that lesson. Poor baby.

First time at the park! He was loving the swings. Not too sure about the slides. And then Jamie found a basketball...Woah! Jackson was obsessed with it- trying to lick it, bounce it, hold it. We need to go buy one immediately.

Baby Gear Love:  

Aquaphor! This stuff is back. Although it was hit or miss with the Ezemia, it is totally working on the diaper rash. His rash was all cleared and then the squash destroyed his poor little booty... and apparently so did the carrots. 

Homemade wipes. I’m totally loving these and I can’t believe it. I need to make more. The wipe solution- smells good and is so great on the tushy. It has also really helped with the diaper rash. 

The combination of both of these is perfect for diaper rash. Now if I would quite giving him food he is allergic too, there would be no diaper rash.

Crying:  After shots...terrible. I wanted to cry with him. And then today he decided to scream at the top of his lungs for 30 minutes randomly... I think he’s teething but I seem to be always getting this one wrong so who knows.

Milestones:  
Wiggling on his back. Freaking adorable. It’s probably because his back itches or something but it’s still cute. He’s waving (unintentionally). Holding his own cups/bottles. Taking sips from the straw cup. I saw a one arm crawl- like one arm did it and then he rolled over. He has gotten up on all fours a couple times. He hung on the bar at baby gym! First time swimming. First time at the park.

Eating! He loves to eat! He loved the squash- allergic to it. Loves sweet potatoes! And doesn’t really like carrots which is good because I’m pretty sure he’s allergic to them too.  

Medical: Reflux, Milk Soy Intolerance. And guess what? A mild tongue tie. I have suspected this for awhile but I thought I was being a crazy speech pathologist mom. Nope I’m right. I cried a lot over this. I mean how did it take me this long to realize it and say something?! And was this the cause of breastfeeding issues, bottle feeding issues, etc? I mean I should have known this all along. But then I also thought to myself well you fixed the bottle feeding issue which is pretty impressive considering... And then I second guessed myself..Jamie told me I was crazy and then...  the Pediatrician agreed that he has a tongue tie. She said obviously I know what to watch for and we need to monitor it. But it is very mild. And no she doesn’t think this was THE cause for breastfeeding issues, she thinks it was because he is so super sensitive to the dairy and soy. That made me feel a little better. Jackson must be trying to make me feel better because he has been sticking his tongue out since then. 

Postpartum: I have lost 35 pounds total. That is -1 of pregnancy weight in case you forgot. I still have a ton of toning to do but hooray! 

This has been a frustrating week. One we lost of fat cat, who is all of my pregnancy pictures, so you can imagine how devastating that is. And two everything. I had my whole vent written but who really wants to hear it? hahah I'm hoping for a better week but so far this Monday started off pretty bad. Although Jackson slept until 7!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And has been going right down for naps. That's a huge plus.

6 Months! Updated

Jackson,

      Happy 1/2 year birthday!! I can't believe it has already been six months!!!! I swear I was just taking your five month pictures. I cry all the time when I feel like you are getting so big so fast... get used to it :)

       You continue to be the happiest, smiliest, content baby! And of course adorable. You love attention and hate to miss out on anything. You refuse to sleep when we are out now because you have to be part of the group. You love being cuddled. You giggle when I give you kisses or rub your belly- so freaking cute! You are the happiest when I hold you which seems to happen everyday at five when you are a bit cranky. This past week you started getting very clingy with me- anytime I would walk out of the room to fetch anything you would start to cry. You are also doing a very good job of giving the puppy dog face and crying at the top of your lungs when I put you down to sleep... this is really giving me a hard time. I do give in sometimes and cuddle you but I'm trying to be tough because you need to be a big boy too. I am having a much harder time leaving you for work now too. Enough about mommy's issues.. 

Milestones:

• Rolling machine! I can't keep up! When I put you in the crib to put your clothes away you pop right up on your belly to watch.
• You can now push up on your arms straight and then you kick your feet really fast as if you are going to take off but you need to get that belly off the floor before you can crawl.
• Babbling! Not reduplicated yet. Reduplicated babbling started today!! Lots of "b" and "d" sounds... Mostly "dada" and "dudu" even though I'm pushing the "mama". You varying pitches a lot.. you may have bursted my ear drum a couple times. This has also really confused your daddy who thinks you are upset but nope you are happy.
• More tripod sitting and brief periods of upright sitting...I'm count sitting as full upright? Not sure if that's correct. The pediatrician said you are sitting.
• Waving (unintentional) but you have the motion down.
• First taste of food!! I fed you butternut squash (your daddy was on facetime because he was away on business) and you enjoyed it.. the second time I gave it to you, you ate it you gobbled it up I couldn't feed it to you fast enough.
• You are batting, hitting, push, and hitting toys. You will move around the mat to get toys. 

      We saw the GI doctor the other day and he came in the room and asked if it was Prince Jackson's room (correct) and finished by saying you have a diagnosis of severe cuteness (agreed). But on the serious side you have a severe allergy to dairy and soy with a mild case of eczema. We have to continue on the prescription formula but we can start solids. Whew! I'm glad it's only food allergies because I was really starting to worry. 

       Jackson love watching you discover and meet new milestones everyday! We can't wait to see what next month brings!

Cloth Diapering 102

Now that I have had a couple weeks of practice, I think I have it all figured out.

Line drying. How cute is that wet bag?!

Changing:

• The all in ones- throw directly into the wet bag and your done.
• The inserts you should remove and put them in the bag separately. This can be messy but if you put the diaper in the bag first then pull then insert out it's not as bad.
• Rise dirty diapers, take insert out, throw in bag.

Washing for a front loader:

• Dump everything and throw the wet bag in the washer.
• First cycle- cold, no spinning, extra rise. My washer always says this takes "51" minutes but it's more like 20-30.
• Second cycle- hot, medium spin, extra rise. Put 1/4 of the "normal" amount of soap in. This is where I was getting that wet dog smell- I was putting too much soap in. This usually takes the full hour..at least I think. I have never actually timed it but it takes longer than the first cycle.
• Line dry. I usually put them inside near a window and if it's nice out throw them outside.
• Done!

Once a Month Stripping: I'm not going to lie I was a little annoyed with the thought of this but I did it today and it was nothing.

• Same as before just during your second cycle add 1/4 cup of bleach. That's it. I bought chlorine free organic bleach from Publix. It was nice because it didn't have the bleach smell to it.

How easy is that? I typically wash mine everyday but you don't have too. It's my morning routine really- after breakfast I throw them in and have it all done before going to work. I really have no complaints!