About

See that little "about" tab up above? Ya, there's finally something in it. I know y'all want to get the nitty gritty on me, so I don't even have to tell you to go check it out. Up next is the house tour...though that ones a little harder since I have to keep an entire room clean long enough to take pictures and all. 
And since you can't have a blog post without a picture,  here one of my little guy from today. It's hard for him get much face time round these parts because his older brother steals all the glory, but he's stinkin adorable and totally deserves it. 

Anyway, Happy Friday!

One Month

My sweet little Levi turned one month old yesterday.

   The month flew by, though at the same time it has been the longest month of my life. Only a parent can understand how both statements can be 100% true.

He has grown like a weed. He is already at nearly 11 pounds and 22.5 inches. How in the world did he grow 4 inches in one month? Before long he and Elijah are going to be wearing the same size clothes. No, really... Levi is already growing out of his 3 month stuff and 6 months almost fits. Elijah is still wearing 12 month clothes at 20 months. 

With Elijah I took monthly pictures of him with a sign that said how many months he was. Great way to document growth right? Here is Elijah's one month picture...

What I didn't realize as a new mom was that at about six months it would become nearly impossible to get a decent picture of him NOT attacking his little paper sign.

Case and point...

Six months:

Nine months:

One year:

This time around I had an even better idea, I decided to write how many months on the hard-for-a-baby-to-move kitchen chalkboard. 

This may prove to be a terrible idea, I foresee chalk smearing problems, but only time will tell.

I also decided to write his milestones and weight and whatnot on the monthly sign. Genius, if I may say so myself. I don't have the discipline to write that stuff down in a baby book... the only place Elijah's milestones are documented is in my head. Live and learn.

So here is Levi the day he was born...

And here he is as of yesterday...

 I know I haven't posted much this month, so I thought I would share this little video to let you know why EXACTLY that is....

                     (make sure your speakers aren't up too loud!)

Looks like fun right?

And yes, that is a pink pacifier in my son's mouth. In my zombie-like sleepless mom daze I accidentally bought him a package of pink pacifiers. Oh well, we're not gonna waste 'em!

Meet Levi

Our little team green baby has arrived.... welcome to the world little Levi!

He came on Thursday, October 20th (at 39weeks and 5 days) and weighs in at a whopping (for me) 7lbs 11oz.  Oh, and a very short 18.5 inches.
He is totally adorable and looks nothing like my other son  (who was also totally adorable).  Look at all that thick black hair - quite a surprise!

His labor was a dream, I couldn't have asked for a better one. I have to admit that I was expecting another doozy of a labor after Elijah's birth, which was still fresh in my mind as it was only 19 short months ago.
 Not so...thank goodness!

Here is a quick synopsis - (okay, it's not that quick...)
Adam and I woke up (haha, I meant "were awakened by a cranky toddler") at 6:30 on Thursday morning. I got up and immediately noticed that I was losing my mucus plug. It makes me cringe typing out that word to post on my blog cause it sounds so gross and inappropriate, but I don't know how to make it sound pleasant -so yeah, mucus plug. Ick. Anyway, about 8am I started having contractions. I'd been having them for weeks, but these were different. These started in my back and HURT. The timing on starting labor could't have been more perfect. I had been so worried because we are about 1 1/2 - 2 hours away from the hospital, and share one car, and had to drop the toddler off at my parents....blah, blah, blah, lot's of stuff that could have been stressful. But this was perfect. Adam had school that day and didn't go in until noon, so he was home. I already had a doctors appointment at 11:30 that day and had all my bags packed and ready to go just in case. I had already planned with my mom to drop Elijah off at her house. I had even washed the dog the night before. AND had gotten a full nights sleep.
Perfection.
I told the husband that I wanted him to skip school to come with me to my appointment, so we all got dressed and headed to my parents house. When we got there at about 10:30 my contractions were seven minutes apart (and getting more painful). I called my midwife and told them I was in labor and didn't want to come in yet - they were just going to tell me I was in early labor and send me home. They said just to come in when I was ready. Here I am at my parents house, in labor...

 About 1:30 my contractions were 5 minutes apart and we decided to leave. We got to the midwife's office, she checked me and said I was at a four. Four! I was so glad to hear that, with Elijah it took me 30 hours of labor to get to a four. (More on that later). We walked across to the hospital and got all checked in (around 3:00) and my contractions were about three minutes apart. They were all in my back too, because the baby was transverse. Fun stuff. I knew I wanted an epidural, but I wanted to make sure things were progressing along really well before I got one. At 4:30 I could take it anymore. I was checked again and at a six so I decided it was time for some pain relief. I asked for a mild epidural, one where I could still feel my contractions, but they wouldn't be painful. The anesthesiologist was awesome and did just that. It was great...I felt like a million bucks, lol. At that point Adam and I settled in for a long night and decided to watch some TV shows online...The Office, Up All Night, Modern Family, The Middle...
Really, I'm not kidding, I was expecting a long labor.
About 7:30 (I think?), My midwife came back and checked me again. I was an eight, so she decided to break my water. She broke it and immediately I felt weird. I told her something was wrong...she checked me again and said "oh, you went right to a ten...time to push!"
Whaaat?
Three sets of pushes later and the kid came flying out. Seriously, it was so easy.
Adam even got to deliver him, which was very cool. And of course, we didn't know the gender...I was expecting a boy though, and was right again!

I still cannot get over his hair....

Now for a quick synopsis on Elijah's birth, so you know where I'm coming from. 

Here I am at 41 weeks with Elijah (who was also a surprise)..

With this pregnancy my husband was military and we lived up at Fort Drum in northern New York. I was creeping up on 42 weeks and the doctors were talking induction, which I desperately wanted to avoid. My birth plan was for a natural Bradley birth...I knew pitocin would make that nearly impossible. My induction was scheduled for Monday, at 42 weeks. The Saturday before was deemed (by me) "get this kid the heck out of me" day. My husband and I did everything any old wives tale said could bring on an overdue baby. Nothing worked, and Saturday night we were in our pajamas, ready for bed, watching a movie. It was a little after 9pm, and I felt totally normal. Then I heard a pop, felt a gush, and leaned over and told Adam that I thought my water just broke. Contractions started immediately. I went and took a shower,  got dressed, and we headed to the hospital -which was about two minutes away. I remember being so happy that I wasn't going to have to be induced, but also thinking how tired I already was from the day. 

We got all checked in at the hospital, contractions were about 5 minutes apart and pretty strong. The nurses checked me and I was at a one. A ONE. This was about 11:45 that night. They offered me some sleeping pills, saying I should get some rest before heavy labor set in. I really wanted some sleep, so I took them and managed to get a little. My husband, however, got a full nights rest...

(haha, he's gonna love that I posted that..)

The next morning contractions had slowed down - I was checked and was at a two. We ordered some breakfast. Walked the halls. Labored away. I don't remember times anymore, but at hour 28 of labor I was checked and was at a 2.5. Blah, I was so frustrated. They said it was time for pitocin, which I really didn't want, but I also didn't want to be in labor for a week or end up with a C-section for not progressing. Plus, I had friends that had picocin and a drug free birth, so I figured I could too. They gave me the pitocin...then cranked up WAY up. I labored for two hours like that. It was horrible. Terrible. The most awful, painful, worst two hours ever. I still have nightmares about it. At hour 30 I was checked again and at a three. A flippin three. I asked for an epidural. I say asked, like I was polite about it...haha.

I got the epidural (enter the hallelujah chorus) and immediately fell asleep. About an hour later I woke up and told Adam I felt funny. He got a nurse, she checked me and said I was at a ten and ready to push. That's right, it took me 30 hours to get to a three, then and hour to get from there to a ten. Craziness. I pushed for about an hour and a half and he came out a little blue, cord wrapped around him, hands up at his face and with the most wicked awful cone head you've ever seen. He weighed 6lbs 5oz and was 19 3/4 inches long. I tore all over the place and had a ton of stitches. Recovery was really hard, it took me over a month to feel as good as I did the day I had Levi.

 He was totally worth it.

I feel so blessed to have been given two perfectly healthy little boys. I find it amazing that people can go through pregnancy and not be completely and totally amazed by our God. He created and grew these children inside if me. I had nothing to do with it...I couldn't grow a liver or a heart if my life depended on it. There was also nothing I could do to stop it, I am simply His vessel. I pray that I can raise these boys to be honorable, hard working, compassionate men who love their families, neighbors, and most of all their God. I know I couldn't do it on my own. Luckily, I don't have to.

I know this has been a long post, if you made it this far you either know me in real life or have way too much time on your hands, lol.  Actually, this isn't quite the end...what kind of new mom would I be if I didn't bombard you with a few more pictures?

Here we are a few minutes after birth...

My two little men, who don't even look related....

Elijah getting to know Levi...

Sweet kisses (Even though he had to be bribed into taking this picture)...

Little Levi at home.

Big brother is very curious...

and proud!

(and suddenly looking way to old to just be sporting just a diaper)

Here they are, taking a break from exhausting me..

And so begins the craziness of two under two! 

Linked to:

Serenity Now, Five Days 5 Ways

The BEST Homemade Play Dough

I've done it, I've found the perfect play dough recipe. The other times I've tried to make play dough it turned out too gritty, too slimy, or too dry. This one is smooth, moldable, and stores great. Here is what you will need...

1 cup white flour

1/2 cup salt

2 tablespoons cream of tartar

1 tablespoon oil

1 cup water

food coloring

First, mix together flour, salt, tartar and oil.

Next, add the water and mix well.

Cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring the entire time. Play dough will start to form a clump like this. When you can't stir anymore, its done.

Now kneed your play dough for a few minutes, working in the food coloring.  Hint: don't do what I did and make a little "bowl" for the coloring....it will just come shooting out like a gusher halfway through kneading. Just squirt some over the top and work it in like a normal person.

Enjoy!

I actually made this play dough a few weeks ago and have just been storing it in ziplock bags. It stores great and every time we use it....well, it feels like the first time...(haha, Foreigner anyone?).



Linked To:
Tip Junkie

Cloth Diapers Explained

I've had quite a few questions about my sons cloth diapers, so I figured I'd just write a post about it. I'm no cloth diaper expert, but after 17 months I've found what works, what doesn't, what I would recommend and what you should definitely NOT buy. So here we go!

When I first heard of cloth diapering I was like "people still do that?" It seemed outdated, nasty and troublesome. But it also sounded cheap....so I started to do more research. Let me tell you...there are about a million different ways to cloth diaper, and after a little bit of research my brain was swimming. I'm not going to go over all the different ways, but it ranges from old school flats and prefolds to diapers that are basically a disposable that you wash. Before Elijah was born I decided that since we are cloth diapering because we are cheap, we weren't going to buy the expensive, ultra convenient diapers (though we did get a few as shower gifts). After much research I bought two dozen newborn cotton prefolds and a dozen size one Thirsties diaper covers.

Basically, this is almost your grandmas way of doing things. You fold the prefold, which I did my folding in thirds and fanning out the corners to pin. Except that people don't use pins anymore, thank goodness. There is this nifty thing called a Snappi now...

They are very much awesome. I couldn't imagine using pins, especially on a wiggly older baby. So basically you just put on the prefold, snappi it, and then put on the cover (which goes on just like a disposable.) easy enough, right? Here is Elijah at 8 weeks in this type of diaper...

I did this for awhile, but when it came time to move him up to the next size I started looking for something different. My problem was that even though the diapers rarely leaked, I couldn't keep all the runny breastmilk poo inside the prefold. It would always get on the cover, which means I couldn't re-use it. Here is a helpful piece of advice...make sure that any diaper covers you buy have leg gussets. This is so so so important...if it wasn't for the leg gussets I would have had poo explosions every time. My favorite kinds of covers are the Blueberry Coveralls and  the Thirsties Duo Wrap...there are lots more that would work fine too, those are just what I like. Anyway, back to my shopping. I started looking into fitted diapers...basically a diaper that is already in the correct shape (no folding) that you put under a cover. I was going to go with those until I stumbled upon the Workhorse diaper from Green Mountain diapers. They are prefold diapers that are sewn to resemble a fitted, but they have extra stuffing, cheaper, and have elastic around the legs. I was sold and ordered 18 of them.

They are awesome. My son is a SUPER heavy wetter and they have never leaked. Poo has never escaped to get on the cover. I bought the ones without the snaps because I want them to last for all my kids and I already own plenty of Snappis. They have my official recommendation....and no, no one paid me to write this post (though that would have been fantastic!). Anyway, I do own a couple of the more convenient diapers, let me tell you about those. I have three BumGenius 3.0 pocket diapers and two 4.0's that I got at my baby shower. Pocket diapers are basically a cover with a pocket that you "stuff" to make absorbent. Here is one put together and then laid out with all its pieces....

They are supposed to fit from newborn to potty training...they have an adjustable rise just like the diapers covers. The diapers covers though come in a size one and two with three settings in each size, so you do have to buy more than one set, but they fit really well. The pocket diapers fit well now, but as a newborn they were HUGE and he couldn't really wear then till about his fourth month...but you only have to buy one set.

What I like about the pocket diapers is that they are easy to put on - these are the ones I reach for when the diaper change is a battle and I just want to get it over with. Also, its easier to get the poo off because there no crevices or folds on the inside of the diaper. Things I don't like 1) you can only use then once before a wash since the cover is connected.  2) They leak. I can't put him down for a nap in a pocket or the crib ends up wet, certainly wouldn't consider using this as an overnight diaper. 3) Price 4) Now that he is older, they are really easy for him to take off. Here is an example from when I *stupidly* put him down for a nap in his BumGenius...

Poo everywhere. Rubbed into his sheets, crib, himself, and then thrown onto the floor. He was so proud. There is an easy solution to this. Listen carefully, this is the best piece of advice in this whole post. ALWAYS BUY DIAPERS WITH SNAPS! Always. Covers, pockets, all in ones, whatever...BUY THE SNAPS! They are just as easy to put on as the velcro, don't wear out in the wash, and you kid won't be able to take them off. Here is a close up of the BumGenuis 4.0 (with snaps!) in action...

Like the drool?

Now for the burning question that everyone has....what do you do with the poo? Well, you put it in the toilet. You can do this one of two ways 1) swish the diaper around in the toilet or 2) buy a diaper sprayer. Let me give you a hint...you should pick door number two. You just hook it up to your toilets water supply, hang it from the tank, and spray off the diaper, no poo-touching required. Then you throw it into your diaper pail (basically a trash can with a lid and liner) until its time to wash them. Pee diapers can go directly into the pail. Here is my diaper pail...its just a trash can from target.

While I'm thinking of it, here is my whole changing station...

The middle section is for doublers and the newborn inserts from the pocket diapers....I always add a doubler for nighttime diapers.

What else? Oh, washing. I wash about every other day. I throw everything in the washer, including the pail liner. I do a cold rinse with no detergent, then a hot cycle with detergent, then a warm cycle without detergent. It seems like a lot of cycles, and if you want to skip the last rinse I'm sure that would be okay. As far as detergent, you can't use what you use for your clothes, you have to use a detergent that rinses clean or else you diapers will get build up and become water (pee) repellent. There's lots of options, I use Country Save. It's about $10 a box and I'm still using the SAME BOX that I originally bought and still have about 1/3 left. As in Elijah might be potty trained before I finish the box. Not bad, huh? You only use a tiny bit per load, perhaps a tablespoon or so. As far as drying them, I pull out the covers and pail liner to let them air dry (if I remember) and dry the rest in the dryer. You can also line dry them, that would be free, plus the sunlight bleaches out any stains.

Now lets do a budget breakdown to see how much cloth diapers will save you over disposables. This is in no way official math, I'm just going to use guesstimates and nice round numbers...

If I honestly sit down and think about it, I have probably spent around $400 on cloth diapers, including the pail, liners, sprayer and all accessories. You could probably spend less if you pick something and stick with it, but I've made a few trial and error purchases. Now remember, that $400 will last you through all your kids, you won't ever have to buy anymore (unless you want too). As far as the extra cost of water and electric, I'll guesstimate that to be about $8 a month. So $96 a year. Lets say the average kid is potty-trained by age 3 (even though cloth babies usually train earlier and easier that disposable babies-added bonus!). So $288 for newborn to potty trained...plus we can't forget that $10 for detergent....$298. So I will spend $698 total to diaper Elijah with cloth diapers.

Now lets add up what it would be with disposables. I wouldn't have bought fancy diapers so we'll use the price of cheaper Costco diapers (which are awesome, I use them when we travel.) Lets say the average box is 200 diapers for $40 (it varies by size). That's about 20 cents a diaper. At eight diaper changes a day that's $1.60 per day times 365 days a year = $584 a year times three years = $1752 to disposable diaper a baby. (If you buy cheap diapers!)

So it's a little over $1000 cheaper to cloth diaper a baby. But wait, that's if you only have one kid. I would like to have four kids! Lets take the $400 I originally spent on cloth diapers plus $298 (for utilities) times four = $1592 to cloth diaper my four kids. Disposables would cost me $7008 for four kids. That's a total saving of $5416!

There is a ton of information that I didn't cover in this post - if you have any questions just leave them in a comment below and I'll be sure to get back to you. Make sure you leave your e-mail address in the comment as well so that I have a way to contact you!

Linked to:
The Thrifty Home
Serenity Now
Five Days 5 Ways

Broken Blinds Picture Frame

So back when the little man was a couple months old, I got a friend to take some pictures of him. He was being super fussy that day (of course), and it was hard to get any pictures of him NOT grimacing. But then, by total fluke, we managed to capture the most epic baby picture of all time...



Epic, I know.  So of course I had to order a giant print. The problem was, I didn't want to pay for a giant frame...giant frames are expensive. It sat round for awhile and I forgot about it while we moved.  When we got into our house I noticed some of the blinds were broken (and still under warranty!). I couldn't just throw them away. Who in their right mind would throw away broken blinds, lol.  An idea started to form....

I ended up layering the blinds and attaching with wood glue. This took a ton of measuring! Here is the end result...

It sits in my entryway and is the first thing people notice when they walk in. One day Elijah is going to be so very embarrassed by it...perhaps I'll be a nice mom and move it before then. Perhaps.

It ended up looking very Santa Fe-ish, but that's okay, we're southwestern friendly 'round here. I was also worried about the holes in the blinds looking....well, dumb...but I think they add to it. I'm now wishing I had kept all the leftover blinds...imagine the possibilities!

My friend, Loren, has since moved to the Chattanooga area and is starting her own photography business! Her website is under construction, so for now she can be reached on her facebook page here. If you live in that area you should look her up...she is totally awesome and can do any event!

Linked to:

Be Colorful                                                        Dittle Dattle

The Girl Creative                                               CraftOManiac

Keeping it Simple                                              Making the World Cuter

Polly Want a Crafter                                          Coastal Charm

Sarahndipities                                                    All thingz Related

Sugar Bee Crafts                                               Not Just a Housewife

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia                       Homework

Topsy Turvey                                                    Tip Junkie

Thrifty Decor Chick                                           DIY by Design

Lil' Luna                                                            Passionately Artistic

Savvy Southern Style                                         Handy Man, Crafty Woman

Today's Creative Blog                                       Crafty Confessions

Sugar and Dots                                                 Someday Crafts

Fireflies & Jellybeans                      Beyond the Picket Fence

The Shabby Chic Cottage                       House of Hepworths

Somewhat Simple                                  504 Main

The Shabby Nest                                  Remodelaholic   

Finding Fabulous                                  Thirty Handmade Days     

Design it Chic                                      Chic on a Shoestring

Fingerprints on the Fridge                      Addicted 2 Decorating

Tatertots and Jello                                Lolly Jane

I Heart Nap Time                                  Be Different Act Normal

Under the Table and Dreaming               Nifty Thrifty Things   

A Little Knick Knack

Goodbye Skullet : A Step by Step Tutorial on How to Get Rid of Your Toddlers Wicked Bad Skullet

Step one - Convince husband that haircut is needed and that having a toddler with a "super cool" rat tail is, in fact, not super cool at all.

Step two - Locate said toddler.  He will most likely be found emptying dresser drawers, standing atop the coffee table, or tormenting the dog.

Step three - Attempt to get wiggly toddler to sit still for before pictures of wicked bad skullet.  Halfway succeed.

Step four - Brace yourself for freak out.  Be pleasantly surprised when toddler thinks clippers are the absolute best thing ever.

Step five - Be relieved that toddler now looks like his parents love him.  Be sad that he now looks more like a kid that a baby.

Step six - Look lovingly at wispy little lock of hair on counter. Take picture. Tell yourself you should just throw it away because your not a weirdo. Also tell yourself you should keep it to put in scrapbook. Leave on counter for a few days because you can't make up your mind.