Diapering Differently

So, Joe and I have talked about the possibility of using cloth diapers, if not exclusively, then at least in conjunction with our disposable diapers. If you have ever googled “cloth diapers” then you will know that there is a lot of information out there and lots of choices these days. My friend, Jessica, cloth diapers and has written about it on her blog. But, I’ve been more motivated the past few days because Jude has horrible diaper rash on his inner thighs due to the elastic of the diapers rubbing on him. I already have mom guilt for letting that happen, but being a novice mom, things like that are going to happen. So, I hear that cloth diapers are much gentler on baby’s skin.

So, I wanted to start with gDiapers, which are flushable diapers. That’s right folks, flushable. They’ve gotten mixed reviews on the internet, but the starter kit is only $25 and you can pick it up at HEB, so that was my main motivation for starting there. I was just worried about making a big financial investment of the higher end cloth diapers and deciding it was not for us.

But, then I found this on the internet at Baby Cheapskate. Jillian’s Drawers has a program where for $10 (plus a $115 deposit) they will send you their top 5 cloth diaper products to try for 21 days. Then you mail them back and get your deposit back. So, I think I would like to try that next to see if cloth diapering is for us.

So, if you’ve been thinking about cloth diapers, too, you should go over to Baby Cheapskate and enter their drawing for 12 free bumgenius diapers. All you have to do is post a link to the contest and you get an entry.

 

Showers to Sun(burn)

So, I’ve been a little wiped out by everything…pregnancy, heat, and work make for a powerful sleep cocktail. So, I’ve been lazy about blogging, but I will catch everyone up on the past week.

Last Saturday: My Shower

Last week was my very fun (but thankfully last) shower, hosted by my friend Courtney and two of Joe’s aunts. It was so nice to get to spend time with everyone and I got a lot of useful and lovely gifts. It was also nice to have other people organize my house. It was like the shower fairies came and made everything look nice for a party and then it was all cleaned up. (Usually I spend the whole time we have guests over cleaning as I go). Liam was actually very good, even with all those people in the house. He kept trying to get in photos and sat underneath the bench as I was opening gifts.

The only downside that day was that midway through the shower, our thermostat went out. We didn’t realize what had happened until Joe came home and a lot of people had left. We have a digital thermostat, and it was the second time that week that it just blanked out. I knew it felt warm, but my body temperature gauge is off, obviously. So, after everyone left Joe fixed the thermostat…which required us and our friends, Steve and Courtney (plus their two girls) to sit a very hot house for 2 hours since the electricity had to be turned off. But, he got it working, and that is what counts.

I was really fearful that I would go into labor, because it seems like those labor stories always start with some big event, like, “It was the 4th of July and the air conditioner went out. Then we got a flat on both the cars and I went into labor…” Luckily, no labor. But, since Joe had family in town, everyone came back over to the house (once it was cooled down) for some pizza and Wii bowling. By midnight, I was exhausted. I wanted to stay up and hang out with our friends Steve and Courtney (since it has been a while since all 4 of us were together), but someone has to be the first to fall asleep. Which is okay with me, because they stayed up until 4:00 am, and eventually had to break down the reality of childbirth for Joe. But, Joe didn’t seem scared.

Tuesday: What the thermostat broke again?

That’s right folks, the thermostat went out again. Believe me, pregnant Christy who spent all day sweating at the zoo was not the Christy who wanted to come home to an 84 degree house. Joe put fans on me in order to cool me off and cool my tempers. He rewired it and I am proud to report, no more indoor heatwaves!

Thursday: Trip to Bastrop State Park

Work went as it usually does. I have been busy with taking my summer camp kids on field trips. Thursday, we went to Bastrop for fishing and swimming, and just a little sunburning on my part. All my coworkers were surprised I was “still kicking.” To be honest, I woke up that morning and did not feel like myself. My stomach hurt like it was really full and pushing down on my uterus and I just didn’t feel like myself. But, floating in the pool definitely helped.

We had family night at our house that night, where Joe’s family came over for dinner. After they left I told Joe, that I really didn’t feel like myself and that tonight may be the night. His eyes lit up like he had found a golden ticket. “Really!” I told him, I didn’t know when it was going to happen, but to just be prepared. I said, if it is going to happen, I am going to bed now because I am exhausted. Joe was truly excited, but I have to admit I was really nervous, as the reality approaches ever closer.

Friday: It Didn’t Happen…That’s Fine with Me 

Friday, nothing much of anything happened. The doctor said that I am still at 3 cm and 75% effaced. She said the baby is at a -1 station, so a cm away from being truly engaged. She said that I could go into labor in two days or two weeks. So, we wait.

 

What a Weekend

Wow, now that the weekend is over, I can’t believe we managed to fit in all the stuff that we did. It wasn’t any more than average people do, but factoring in heat and belly, it is more than we normally do. My cousin, Leah, was down this weekend for the Texas Democratic Convention, since she was a delegate for her district in Dallas. She stayed with us a few days in the midst of her convention and parties. Here is a picture of us today, to mark my 35th week of pregnancy and 5 weeks left of half-decent sleep.

On Saturday, Joe went tubing with some friends, so Leah and I spent the day together. We ran some errands around town after brunch at Satellite. But, the best part of the whole day was the pedicure that she treated me to. Confession: I’ve never had one. Probably because I am cheap and I would never think to pay someone to paint my toenails because I always do it myself. so, Leah insisted that I experience the spa pedicure, and I was down with that. Let me say, it was awesome. I didn’t know those chairs were massage chairs. That alone was worth it. I got to soak, and be painted after I had an exfoliation, a mask, and some cooling gel. It was great and was such a nice treat for me.

Then, Saturday night we had dinner with our friends Jessica and Hal. The invited us over to their house for some tasty ribs and sides. Jessica made, hands down, the best baked beans I have ever had. Joe said I need to email her for the recipe. They were delicious. We hung out and talked about our dogs, pregnancy, babies, and the guys played some Wii. Jessica gave me a wonderful gift basket filled with cool baby stuff. I especially loved the gnome minky blanket and already have plans to put the basket to good use as a diaper caddy. We stayed out until almost midnight, which is pretty impressive for me these days. But it was nice to just relax and hang out with friends.

Today we’ve just been running errands and relaxing. Overall, I think we had a really great weekend with family and friends. I guess it’s not that exciting when written out, but I felt really like I had fun and got to do a lot this weekend.

I wanted to show off some cute onesies Joe bought for the baby from the Obey the Dachshund website. Here we are modeling them on our respective bellies (my baby bump and Joe’s daddy bump). They say, “I know a little German” and “Future Liberal.”

 

Liam vs. the Lamp

Can you tell which is which? Or who is imitating whom?

 

 

Mama Bird

I have got the nesting urge. With the baby potentially only 7 weeks away (I’m 33 weeks today) I’ve felt the need to cross some of my to-do’s off my list. The first was baby laundry. I can’t believe how much clothes we have already. Here is a picture of some the shower gifts I have received (of course, ordered by size).

Here’s the laundry basket full of blankets, hooded towels, and larger size baby clothes that I laundered and folded this weekend. Although, there is still more to do.

I also worked on some nursery decorations. Joe and I always make up songs and change them with Liam’s name. We actually pretend that Liam sings these songs…he has quite an extensive collection of classic rock hits with Liam in the lyrics. One thing I said back early in the pregnancy was that we should have a picture called “Liam in the sky with diamonds” as an ode to the Beatles song. This weekend, I finished the picture and put it up in the nursery. I think it’s a cute touch and I an proud of my work.

The finished product.

On the wall.

Last but not least, here I am at 33 weeks. Let me say the heat has already become uncomfortable. I think we are just going to have to suck it up and pay more on our electric bill this summer so I can at least be comfortable at home. Summer camp for work is certainly going to be interesting.

 

Liam Lamp

So there are a million baby things out there to buy that are more than likely unnecessary. But, I did have one splurge item for the baby’s room…a dachshund lamp. I just couldn’t resist. He needs a lamp of his “big brother.” But, I did want to comment that I love Target. I can find almost everything I need in life at that one store. But, I ordered this lamp from target.com and I have to say that $11 for shipping and handling is absolutely ridiculous. I guess it is a good thing I buy all my Target stuff at the store for instant gratification.

 

First Shower

Today I had my first shower at work, and it was a surprise one, at that. Since I work for an outside agency within the school, we get together once a month for meetings. All the program managers at the elementary school level also have a team meeting.  Since there were some other special occasions to celebrate (wedding, PeaceCorps, and another baby) we all got gifts and cookie cake.

I got some really neat stuff for the baby and it all came in a very nice wicker basket. Here’s a shot of the gifts. It’s always hard for me to be the person that gets all the gifts, but I really appreciate all the thoughtfulness my coworkers put into this.

Someone made me this awesome blanket. It is so soft and comfy. Apparently Liam saw it when I came home and automatically thought it was for him. This picture isn’t too great because of the glare off the chair.

Oh, and I forgot to share the nursing cover I bought off Etsy for myself. I think it is supercute. It’s similar to the bebe au lait covers.

 

Nursery Update

So, I’ve worked on the nursery a few days ago, but have been too exhausted this week to post anything until now. I’ve been at work late every day this week and had to work a little on Saturday, which has taken it’s toll on me. But, let me get to the interesting stuff.

So, I ordered some wall stickers/decals from Blik. If you haven’t been to their website, they have some really cool stuff. It took a while for it to get here but it finally did and I worked on it a few hours before Lost came on. (By the way, did you see that episode?)

So, here is the baby’s room decorated above his crib with stickers. I think it was a nice choice, since it will give him something to look at, it covers the big space, and we don’t have to worry about anything falling off the wall.

Also, this isn’t so much nursery related, but one of my interns got me this awesome bib for the baby. I love it. It reads “My brother is a dachshund.” Here is a picture of Liam modeling it, since we don’t currently have a baby model.

 

 

IKEA + Nursery

On Easter Sunday Joe and I went to Ikea for a cinnamon roll and hot dog (okay, we went there to go shopping, but they were a nice snack). We were looking for a bookshelf for the babies room and also snagged a chair, as well. I decided that I just wanted a soft comfortable chair with an ottoman instead of glider, so that we could use the chair in another part of the house later.

 So, we ended up purchasing the Tullsta chair without a slipcover and the Flarke bookcase. I really liked the color of the chair without the slipcover, but I may get one down the road, since it will help to have something I can throw in the washing machine. The bookshelf will probably be painted, since the wood doesn’t quite match the other furniture in the room. But, we were happy with our cheap buys, and now I just need a footrest/ottoman.

So, we brought the furniture home and set it up to see which arrangement looked the best. Poor, Joe. I had him move the furniture 6 or 7 times, before we decided that the first way Joe suggested was probably the best. So, here is the setup we are going with. Still more decorating to do, but we are getting there.

What the room looks like when you first walk in the door.

Better view of the chair and bookshelf.

Crib with all the clothes and blankets inside of it.

 

Crib Bedding

So, I must confess at the beginning of the pregnancy, and even before, I had been checking out crib bedding and thinking about what set I would want. I know, it’s weird, but it’s a real tangible thing to look at and think about. So, when I was in Seattle and I visited Land of Nod, which is Crate and Barrel’s baby store, that I knew if I was having a boy this would be the set that I wanted.

I originally wanted something a little more modern, but I like the colors so much. I am not a big theme room person, so I thought this would give me a good palate to work with. I particularly liked the polka-dot sheets. I decided to not get the comforter (although it is adorable) since it’s a SIDS issue for a newborn and we probably won’t use it. I like that you can order just the pieces that you want. In even better news, Joe’s aunt Sara, has offered to buy the set as our baby gift, so yeah for aunts and gifts!!

In a slightly unrelated note, I had some fourth graders tell me something so sweet today. They are very interested in learning about the baby and when he will come. They told me today that they wanted to get me something for my baby.  I was like, “Kids don’t have money.” They replied that they wanted to ask their moms to buy my baby an outfit. It was really sweet…you have to understand that these kids have very little. I was touched by the gesture. I told them not to buy the baby anything; they could give him hugs or draw him pictures. So, when they left, they all asked if they could give the baby a hug and hugged my stomach.