Love, Nursing, and Juice

We have never really had a problem in our family with jealousy when a new baby arrives. I am thankful for that. Usually we just notice when the children (usually the one who used to be the baby) is needing a little extra cuddles. If we pay attention and meet that need then there is never a problem with jealousy.

My two year old has a new phrase that she uses to let me know she needs some lovin’. She says, “Mommy, I need you,” and she uses the best whiny voice you can imagine. So I pick her us and we cuddle and she is happy again.

Well, this morning she came to me with her, “Mommy, I need you,” cry. I picked her up and she was quiet. Next thing you know she is pulling my shirt out and looking down it! I look at her and say, “Um, what are you doing? Do you need to nurse?” Usually when this happens she smiles and says no and runs off to play. Well, this morning she looks at me with the saddest eyes you have ever seen and says, “Uh huh!” (meaning YES!)

Shocked I asked her again and received the same reply!

I told her I didn’t really think she needed that but that she just needed a hug. She put her arms out and gave a big hug! Then she looks at me and says, “Mommy, I need some juice!” LOL

Maybe she was thirsty after all!!!! HaHa!!

Cloth Diaper Review

I am still not completely sold on the whole cloth diapering idea.  I love the idea and it isn’t really that much more to do but I am still not sure I want the bulk or if I am ready to give up the convenience of disposable. I do think however that if I were to jump in and go all cloth I would prefer the sample that was sent to me over the ones I am borrowing.  The ones I am borrowing are indeed easier than what I grew up with but the sample product I received seems a better fit for us.

The company that sent me the sample is The Willow Store.  You will find the diapering system listed under Sprout Change.  Here is a little background on the Sprout Change system taken from their website.

After years of research, and cloth diapering her children, Catherine Bolden, founder of The Willow Store began with a mission. Dedicated to promoting a more reusable future, she created natural, common sense products that were easy to use, and complimented a more natural lifestyle. In 2005, WillowSprouts was born, and offered organic hemp diapering products to the cloth diapering world. Catherine spent years trying different cloth diapers to find the perfect fit for her son, who has special needs. Each diaper worked well for some things, but nothing gave the perfect combination of fit, absorbency and ease of use, so she created Sprout Change.

Sprout Change came from this need for a better diaper. There’s plenty of cloth diapers out there, and they all pretty much work. Sprout Change is a compilation of all the great things cloth diapers can be. Our system is a hybrid unlike any other that combines pocket diapers, prefolds and all-in-ones to make the least confusing, most economical diaper available…. That anyone can afford.

The shell of the diaper (to replace the traditional plastic pants) are really cute.  They come in several colors and are reversible so you get two colors in one.  This is the one I have.

They are a one size fits all.  The website says that they will fit from 5-40 pounds.  I agree with this assessment.  My newborn can wear them and so can my two year old.  There are snaps on each side. You simply unsnap and adjust the elastic.  It is simple enough that you can resize it in seconds while your baby is wearing it.  They even have a little video on their website if you need help.

The shells can also be reused until soiled.  I didn’t have any problem with leakage.  The shells are also breathable to help fight against diaper rash.

They have different insert options or you could even use the diapers you have on hand.  The insert they sent to me was a super saver insert.  I LOVE the insert!  It is so soft!!  Even after several washes it maintained that ultra soft feel!  These will also fit from baby to toddler.  You simply fold down the extra in the front or back.  They are a one piece retangular shaped insert. I also liked them because there was no trying to stuff the diaper in the shell.

It helped cut down on the bulkiness which is one of my major dislikes concerning cloth diapers. These diapers are much trimmer than others I have tried.  This insert is also their most cost effective option.  Here is a look at the shell with the super saver insert.

Washing is easy too.  Machine wash warm, extra rinse, and tumble dry.  It doesn’t get any easier than that!

If I were to decide (still undecided as of now) to go cloth for diapering I think I would use the Sprout Change system.  As I was looking through their website they also carry training pants.  They say that their training pants can also be used as an all in one diaper.  There are for children who weigh a little more so it would not work for me right now but I do like the idea of an all in one diaper.  That just seems more convenient to me.  I may have to order one and try it out.  Maybe I will use them for my two year as she will be ready to train soon.

Now as far as affordability goes.  I have not really looked around much so I do not know how it compares in regard to other cloth diapering systems but it seems to me to be an affordable investment.  The Willow Store offers diaper packages and starter kits to make things even more affordable.  Of course, your savings would depend on what exactly you purchased.  If you were to purchase the system I have shown here your cost would be  a couple of hundred dollars verses a couple of thousand dollars for disposable.  Not bad at all!

I am not sure yet if I will ever make a complete change away from disposable but I could see myself making a partial change.  Maybe while we are around the house and only use disposable while we are out.  I will have to continue to try them out and who knows maybe as I do it will become a more permanent part of our life.  I love the idea of cloth diapering and the evolution of cloth diapers over the years are making it a more appealing choice. Sprout Change will be the store I order from if we do indeed decide to move more and more toward cloth.

Cloth Diapering

Growing up I changed many a diaper.  In fact, I have been changing diapers since I was five years old.  Yes, five years old!  When I changed my siblings we always used the dreaded cloth diapers with the pins and plastic pants.  They were messy, such a pain to clean, and hard of the fingers (too much pricking of the fingers with those pins)!

When I had my first child I considered using cloth diapers because they are supposed to be so much better for the baby’s sensitive skin but I was not going to deal with what I did growing up.  I was going to use a diaper service.  All I would have to do is place them in the smell-sealing pale and each week they would picked up the dirty ones and deliver clean ones.  It was ideal.  The only thing that stopped us from doing so was the cost factor.  It simply cost too much money for a 19 and 21 years old couple barely making it as it was, so we opted for the cheap disposables.

Over the years and with each child I have toyed with the idea of using cloth but in the end it was just always so much easier to use disposable.   Then a few years ago I saw what a cloth diaper looks like these days.  I was AMAZED!  They are almost like disposables now, no pins needed!  I was beginning to seriously consider using them with the baby I was carrying at the time.  My hubby said he didn’t want to use them though.  They stink and the cost up front was not something that he wanted to commit to.  I can understand that.  They are much more expensive now to get the nice ones.  So once again disposables won out.

Well, with our newest little boy I considered it once again but we are just not willing to spend the money.  After all, who knows how many more children we will be blessed with, if any.  Maybe if we had decided to do this a few children ago it would have been a good investment but now I am not so sure.

A friend, who had no idea that I had contemplated this over the years, asked me if I wanted some cloth diapers.  She was no longer using them.  She said I could try them out and see if it was something that would work for us.  I had no reason now to not try them, they were free!  So I have a bunch of snappies, a one size fits all diaper.  I have tried them a few times here at home.  I am not ready to use them when we are out of the house.   After all, it is really cold right now and I am not sure how leak proof they are.

I am not convinced yet but I am trying them on and off.  The main thing that I dislike is how bulky they are!  Unless I have a large outfit on the baby they will stretch out his clothes.  Maybe this will change as he grows bigger I don’t know.  But I figure if I use them a little then it will save a little, after all I didn’t pay anything for them.

Then last week I was contacted by a company to do a review of their cloth diapers!  Hmmm….

I told them I would be glad to do so!  I just received the sample in the mail and to be honest I like them better than what I have been using but will try it a few more times before I make my final determination.  I have seen some diapers online that I think would be ideal for what I would like in a diaper but am once again not sure I want to invest that much yet.

So, here are my questions to those moms out there who do now or have in the past used cloth diapers.  Do you like them?  Which ones do you use?  Likes? Dislikes?  What do you do about the bulkiness under the clothes??  I can see it being easier for a girl who wears dresses but what about the boys?  How do you keep from stretching out their clothes?  Does the bulkiness become less as they grow bigger? Do you find you need to change them more often than you would a disposable?

I will give the review of the new ones I am trying out and let you in on the mystery company that sent me the sample in my next blog post.

Songs For Saplings

About a year or so ago a dear friend shared a CD with me.  She said that a friend of hers put these CDs together and thought that we would enjoy them.  The children LOVED it so we decided to purchase the rest of the catechism cds and have been enjoying them ever since.

The other day a very well known blogger posted about these very cds.  Challies posted about Songs for Saplings along with other music for children.  Challies wrote:

Songs for Saplings is James and Dana Dirksen from Porland, Oregon. They have recorded four albums, one of which follows an A,B,C format while the other three are questions and answers, much like a catechism. I suppose these albums will largely appeal to younger children. They are quiet and acoustic.

He is correct in his assessment of the cds. They are geared toward younger children. But they are beneficial for the entire family.  The catechism cds do appeal to older children more and more in the second and third cds.  There is a great variety in the style of music on each cd. You can even listen to excerpts on their website.

What I love about them is that the children (and us parents) learn the great truths presented in the Westminster Catechism which is derived directly from scripture. Each question and answer also contains the scripture that teaches the truth. This way your children are not only learning the doctrinal truth but the scriptures that proclaim that truth.

Songs for Saplings is a ministry of the Dirksen family and this is what they state on their website.

We create lively, fun songs that attempt to deliver the deepest of Biblical truth in a format that your children will love to listen to. We want them to understand who God is and what He has done, as well as what He wants your children to do and to be. We hope that you will benefit from these CDs and use them to help teach your children about our God and his great love for us.

With Christmas time approaching, what better gift could you give than the gift of music which teaches and proclaims the greatness of our Lord Jesus Christ?!

I am pleased to announce that I can offer you a 20% discount off of your order when you buy CDs from their website. This includes the “12-pack bulk pack” which a lot of people order for gift-giving. This does however exclude the 24 and 48 CD bulk packs, which are already heavily discounted.

All you need to do is enter the following code as you go through the checkout: mamaarcher
It’s really simple.

Hopefully you will find this really helpful as you order CDs this Christmas!

As you seek to grow your little saplings……

into strong oaks of righteousness…

Songs for Saplings can be a musical and fun tool for you and your family to use and enjoy!

that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.
(Isaiah 61:3b)

Visit SONGS FOR SAPLINGS and order your CDs today! Order some for your friends and family too! Don’t forget to enter the discount code for your 20% off!

Please leave a comment and let me know if you plan on making a purchase and what you think of their music and ministry!

Regardless of whether you order, please tweet, email, and share on Facebook so that others can take advantage of the discount offer!

A New Baby & Another Birthday

It has been a busy few days around here.  I had my 38 week appointment on Wednesday and our son was born on Thursday afternoon.  All went well and both baby and I are doing great.  I am glad that he was NOT born this past Saturday.  Our last baby turned two years old on Saturday and I wanted so much for each of the children to have their very own birthday.  Thank the Lord for granting that request.

So, the baby was born on Thursday the 11th at 3:14 pm.  He weighed in at a tiny little 7 pounds and 8 ounces and was 19 inches long.  He is beautiful and just perfect.  He is so laid back and is just as sweet as can be.

We came home from the hospital on the 13th ( my 2 year olds birthday) at about 4:30pm.  She is sick and was running a fever and had been waiting so patiently for her birthday party.  It was just a short family birthday and she felt pretty miserable.  A few hours later my hubby ended up taking her to the ER.  She has pneumonia AGAIN and an ear infection.  What a way to celebrate your birthday, huh?  She is starting to feel better.  A lady at church this morning gave her a big batch of helium balloons for her birthday.  I think that was wonderful.  It extended her birthday a bit and she was feeling better and able to enjoy it more.

As you can see it has been a bit crazy around here.

So here are a couple of photos to share with you………………….

First, here is our new son, Nathan Asher.  He’s a handsome one if I do say so myself!!!

Here is one of the birthday girl!

And a shot of them together………

I am abundantly blessed!!

Can it Be?

Can it truly be that my little one is a year old today? It seems only yesterday that I was waddling around with her inside! She is a sweet, funny, smart, talking, walking toddler now! Where did this past year go? She is definitely an Alaskan baby too! Her very first word was “bear” and said with a growling tone! Makes me laugh every time I hear it!

Happy Birthday Sweet Bella Boo! We love you!