Gone Country

Eric and I have really been trying to tackle the house lately, getting things organized and situated how we need them. We moved in a little over a month before Brady was born, so we didn't have a lot of time to get the house functional let alone cute. Little by little and room by room, we are getting there! We had a garage sale over the weekend to get rid of some things that don't work in this house or that we just don't need anymore and make a little cash at the same time. I was nervous because it's been forever since I've been to or held a garage sale, but leave it to my husband to get SO into it :) We were out in the garage until 11:30 the night before (he didn't get off work until 9) I had gotten everything we wanted to sell out in the garage for 2 days before, then we spend some time pricing, etc. We ended up having a lot of fun with it and made $400! :) And I'll just say... It's always an interesting crowd at a yard sale :) We bought a jogging stroller (Wooo! Only 3 more lbs to prepregnancy) and a desk to set up our computers and printer. Laptops on the kitchen table with cords hanging isn't exactly safe for Brady.

Which leads to the baby proofing! We gotta get this house in shape! I can hardly believe we've been allowed this much time, but it's been long enough. We are tackling the baby proofing this weekend. It's a daunting task but so necessary and I'm looking forward to having it done.

Next Monday will be Brady's first time in the pool :) I am so excited I can hardly wait! He's got an adorable cloth swim diaper and super cute trunks so pics will be a must. Mommy actually found a swim suit too! Shocking! I didn't think I would find anything I wanted or liked for quite a while. We were at Katy Mills, and I decided to peek in the swim shop and was very surprised I even wanted to try one on! It fit great and I didn't feel like a whale :) SOLD!

We went to the Houston Rodeo on Sunday with our friends The Fletchers :) They have a beautiful baby girl Aaliyah. The Dads had fun drinking beer, playing games, The Mommas had their Starbucks and fried oreos! And the babies had fun looking at each other and all the animals. This Rodeo is no joke. The football stadium, the old football stadium, and everything in between was full of food, drinks, shops, games, rides. It was fun! Hot but fun :) We had a fried oatmeal cream pie which was to die for! We left and immediately got my jogger ;)

The last weekend of March we are headed to Longview to visit with my Grandparents, Mom, and Aunt Kelly. Eric is able to come too! Such a blessing. Shortly after that, Brady and I are headed to St Louis, so we have a lot of great things coming up.

I have been thinking a lot about Brady's birthday lately. It's a little over 3 months away, but we all know that will go quickly. I know a lot of babies turning one soon, so I hear a lot of plans from those Mommas. I really think we will do something small here in Texas the weekend of Brady's birthday, then head to St Louis and do another small party there. As long as Eric can get the time off. I could get carried away with big themes and plans, but I want to be able to enjoy the day and just be with my big boy. We are having pictures done on his birthday so I will get him a spectacular cake to destroy :) And do pictures of him in a little bit of a cowboy theme. Classy, cute, cowboy :) Lol no spurs or goofy stuff. Eric took us to Cavendar's Boot City on Saturday and I loved it! He got boots a few weeks ago, and this got a belt and belt buckle this time. They have very nice cowboy boots for kids and all the accessories. I guess Texas is getting to us after all :0)

8 months!

My baby is 8 months! Plus 1 week :) WOW! Eric said he can't believe Brady is growing so fast. And I said, I know and it's only gonna get worse!! LOL I didn't really mean it like that, but seriously he's only gonna get bigger and older. So no use getting sad about it! I'm thankful to have such a healthy, strong, big boy. He's everything I've always prayed for so I'm happy as a Momma can be. He has been throwing some new challenges at me lately, and I guess it just shows these babies are always changing! Just when we've got our routine really down, he's older and bigger and it needs adjustment. Brady only takes three 6 oz bottles a day now. 3 big meals of baby food. And a snack here and there. He drinks water from a sippy cup (or water bottle, messy as all get out but he loves it!) Brady is getting better about what he eats. He's still picky, but he actually prefers my homemade baby food now! WOOHOO! I didn't have time over the weekend to make food, so I'm supplementing what I have left in the freezer with a few pre made baby foods and he doesn't like them! Even though that put me in a bind, I'm so happy! After months of only homemade I think going back to the premade taste really grossed him out. Thank the Lord!

My biggest issue lately is naps. At home, Brady naps PERFECTLY! He doesn't fight them and he takes 2 great long naps (sometimes even taking a third). Out of the house.. totally different story! I had a doctors appointment yesterday and it was the most frustrating 2 hours we've had. Part to do with the front desk getting my appointment all screwed up. After waiting for 30 minutes, I went to the window to ask if I need to fill out some paperwork since it's my first visit. The nurse called me a 'walk in' and said she'd go get my chart. WHAT?!! They got me in, but it still took forever. Brady should've taken a nap at 1 while I was at Target. He refused. And continued to be fussy and fight me for 2 hours at the doctor's office until finally giving in. I thought last night.. Well I can just never leave the house again! I would've just left the doctors and brought him home since I wasn't sick, but my eyes have been killing me and I have to get a referral. Brady used to sleep SO soundly while we were out. In the car, stroller, cart, WHEREVER! Huhh! Not anymore. Only in his crib. My perfect baby is turning into quite the stinker! :) I used to plan things during his nap time so I could do what I needed to do. Now I guess I will wait until Eric can come (yeah right), or someone can stay with him while I go. Or just never leave the house again! ;)

Brady is starting to wear 18 month clothes. What the??? Those things look HUGE to me at the store, but my baby is a big one. Well a long one :) Eric predicts that Brady will be 6'5. I don't know what I think. He is showing more interest in crawling and moving around in general. I think he might be one of those babies that scoots on their belly. That's what he's doing right now and it's hilarious. He just turns like that and wiggles around. He will stay on all fours if I put him there. He's just an easy going laid back baby when it comes to that stuff. Eric called him lazy. I laughed and then said, don't say that again. Every baby is different and I'm actually fine with Brady right where he is. There's no reason to judge these sweet little babies. I catch myself judging other moms and I quickly stop! Unless they are actually harming their child, leave them alone. We all are doing the best we can and need support! I could feel all the eyes and judgment on me in the doctor's office. I wanted to shout “I'M STUCK IN THIS STUPID CITY BECAUSE MY HUSBAND IS A MARINE AND I DON'T HAVE ANY FAMILY HERE!!!!!!” LOL. But then I would've been thrown out.. Do you think a Mom would put herself and her child through this for the hell of it???

Lately, I've been feeling and saying a lot that I just can't do it all. Somethings gotta give. I have to take exceptional care of Brady which comes first, be a loving wife, run this house, take better care of the dogs, we've been trying to care for the lawn and actually grow some grass, I'm still trying to eat right and exercise, make dinners for Eric and lunches for the next day, laundry, dishes, cloth diapers, make baby food, pay the bills. IT NEVER ENDS! Everyone knows that. I'm just trying to get my juggling act down a little better. Which ball do I drop when I'm having a rough day? What's on the back burner this week?? Rotate them through so they all get the attention they need.. sometimes!? Ughh! This just leads to frustration and guilt! And that's when I pray! :) I need the reminder that as long as Brady has everything he needs, Eric and I are good, the rest will fall into place. I can only do so much during nap time and once Brady's in bed for the night. I do my best and that's plenty. When I see Brady's smiling face and get a kiss from my hubby after we've both had long hard days, It's all good :) I love my boys and truly wouldn't change a thing. 

      I'm not a fan of the brick, but these are the flowers I planted. Brick is big in    
                Houston landscaping for some reason. Or is it just Katy??

                     I usually prefer my gardeners show a little crack, but he'll do ;)

 Such a good hubs and father. Planting my flowers WITH the monitor on his belt :)

                               Workin on the decor and gettin our family pics up!

Everything I Know about Cloth Diapers

Bum Genius 4.0 one size cloth diapers to be exact :) I have a lot of friends that ask about cloth since I have started using them on Brady and a few that have become Bum Genius users themselves. When somone asks how I like them, I go on and on but always forget something. I'm gonna break it down here to make it easier in the future.

First off, I have always been intrigued by cloth. Since before we had Brady and before I was even pregnant. They save money, the environment, and are frankly just better at absorbing than disposable. My friend Virginia worked at Cotton Babies, so at about 13 weeks pregnant I paid her a visit and she showed me all Cotton Babies had for cloth. We both agreed Bum Genius were the best. 

http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=98&products_id=2424

The least appealing part of cloth for me was having to buy different sizes (that may be a shock, but I wasn't really worried about the poo! But more on that later :) When I heard “one size”, I was sooooo thrilled! But how does that work? SNAPS! All down the front of the diaper so they adjust sizes. Brady has been in cloth since he was 3 weeks old! He was 8 lbs 5 oz at birth and is now 21 lbs! 21 inches at birth and now about 30 inches! They've always fit. (If they leak, he's ready to be on the next biggest snaps). Cotton Babies says they fit 7 lbs to 37 lbs.

The bum genius are also what's called a “pocket diaper”. This means there's a shell and then some insterts. Each diaper comes with one large instert and one small. The smaller is used for newborns, then the larger one at 3 (ish) months, then both together from about 5-6 months and up. Obviously adjust as some babies pee more than others. I put two large and one small in Brady's bedtime diaper since he sleeps 12-13 hours a night now. You can buy extra insterts seperately. Once Brady gets bigger he may need more insterts during the day, but I think two is good enough for a few hours in one diaper.

The outside of the shell is a waterproof fun color or pattern of your choice, the inside part (the part on the baby's tush) is a suede and the insterts are microfiber. Very soft! I swear people that say cloth will give diaper rash have never seen or used these! Brady is MUCH more likely to have a rash in disposable. When I first started cloth, it was hard to tell if Brady was wet or not because all the pee is inside the diaper on the insterts. NOT against his skin at all! Fantastic!

The Bum Genius come in hook & loop closures (velcroe) and snaps (the same snaps that go down the front to adjust size). I have 30 diapers, half snap, half velcroe. I like them both. I think I would have to choose the snap over the velcroe only because sometimes the velcroe across the front of the diaper will fold or roll and rub Brady's belly leaving a little rash. I just make sure to only put snaps on him at bedtime (since he's in that diaper for 12 hours!) and it's usually fine.

You do have to change all the pieces each diaper change. You don't just take the inserts out and put new ones in as some people have thought. I take the diaper off, take the inserts out, rinse each insert and the shell in the bathroom sink, then place them in a bin to be washed later. (Cotton Babies does sell a diaper sprayer that can be attached to the back of your toilet, I haven't used it myself and am worried about if it will have enough pressure to work well)

http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=37&products_id=1228

Washing.. My biggest mistake with cloth was not using the right detergent. BUY THE BUM GENIUS DETERGENT!! It's worth the money and actually lasts a long time! It will save your diapers. I thought free and clear was all the same. I used Tide on them for probably 2 months (I only had 14 diapers then) and I have a few diapers that prove it. They look like they've been through hell and back! Some of the diapers I got more recently so they were never washed with anything but the best and they look perfect! Put a ½ cup of bleach in with your load of diapers 1 or 2 times per month and they will hold up great! Hang dry the shells, put the insterts in the dryer. Drying the shells in the sun also helps remove stains and will dry them faster (even though they dry really fast either way).

http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=98&products_id=2152

If I had it to do over, I would've waited to start cloth until Brady was at least 2 months old. Maybe even 3 months. Here's why. My baby boy is a pooper! Always has been, probably always will be. EVERY diaper was a poopoo for probably 2 months. (It's embarrasing to say I actually washed Brady's diapers in the kitchen sink :/ for the first few months so I could use the sprayer. It's the most powerful sprayer and it blasted the poo right off. I obviously washed the sink out and rarely cooked when he was that little, but I don't recommend it!) I was a new mom, trying to breast feed, incredibly sleep deprived, AND trying to start cloth at 3 weeks!? I was either crazy or just really excited to use them. Maybe both! Wait until you have the time and energy to really start them right! You won't regret it.

The dreaded poo poo diaper: Newborn poo is yucky no matter what. And you can't say you don't get some on you even with disposables. Brady has puked, pooped, and peed on me and Eric all at the same time! Being a parent is a dirty job no matter what tools you use. Cloth is no different. Cotton Babies sells diaper liners, which I highly recommend. Even if the poo isn't solid yet, they will still help catch some of the mess and the best part is they are FLUSHABLE :) I still use them today even with Brady's solid poos because I think they prevent some staining (from poo and from Desitin which leaves a little white stain on the diaper). Rinse the rest of the mess off in the bathroom sink, toilet, wherever ya gotta do it and then wash them in the washer (the quicker the better, I try not to let any sit more than 2 days). 

When you're out of the house, you just have to be brave. I was embarrased at first to wash diapers in the bathroom sink or dunk them in the toilet for a quick rinse. If you want to wait until you get home, wait until you get home. Cotton Babies sells a diaper odor remover that is great! I HATE knowing my diapers are sitting soaked in pee though. So my hate overtook my embarrassement and I just went for it. It's really not a big deal and no one has ever said anything to me about it. If I am in someone else's home that doesn't use cloth, I wait until I get home unless they tell me it's ok. You will need a wet bag – a waterproof bag to store your diapers until you get home. Just don't forget your diapers are in the wet bag :) I have done this many times!

http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=98&products_id=1229 

http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?products_id=1769

Bum Genius has some great colors and a few patterns to choose from. I personally think the girl choices are a little better than the boys. But the blues and greens and pretty cute too :) I have never seen another cloth diaper that I wanted to buy. Some other brands have cuter patterns, but aren't as well made. My bummies have held up SO well. Even the velcroe which I thought might look crappy after a lot of washes, they still look great. Remember to attach the velcroe before washing so they don't get stuck to each other. And save all the baby pant hangers when you buy your baby clothes. Use them to hang the diapers up to dry.

We use disposable when we travel to make life easier and give us a little 'vacation' from cloth. There's nothing wrong with that! I can honestly say my husband and I both love the cloth and are happy with our choice to use them. Some family members aren't into them, but I rarely leave Brady with anyone anyways. They may be iffy at first, but push them to at least TRY! Most of Brady's diapers will last to use on the next baby too! I will go through and toss some of the more beat up ones and get a few new when the time comes. We have already saved a lot and it will be thousands once it's all said and done. 

 

Family Pics =) Finally!

Monday morning, my boys and I got our family pictures taken. After rescheduling THREE times due to crappy weather, I was so happy! It was a beautiful day, and even though it was also pretty much Brady's nap time... I knew it went great and we'd get some fabulous pictures. Melissa is SO great at what she does and anyone anywhere near Katy, TX should look her up. Snapped with Love Photography. I got the cd of 60 pics back in 2 DAYS (that was extra fast!) and here are some of my favs :)

Covered in puke, the homemade baby food I slaved over - puke!

Brady is the pickiest little eater. Serves me right, I suppose. I have ALWAYS been a picky eater myself. I sure wasn't thinking about alla that when I got busy in the kitchen with my baby bullet. Brady got his rice and oatmeal first at about 4 months, then a few premade baby foods until I got the bullet for Christmas. That was all easy peasy. Making the food however, I struggled to get the textures and consistencies JUST right. Brady doesn't appreciate anything but puree! Now that he's almost 8 months, I've tried tiny chunks of banana, cheerios, etc. He is NOT interested. I try to find the balance between going at his pace, and gently pushing him to try new things. It's not easy!!

Last night I made him his first meat (I've given him meat in a jar baby food, but this was my first time making it for him). It was potato, chicken, and carrots. He LOVES carrots and will eat them solo in large quantities, so I thought this would go well. One tiny little taste made him THROW UP! 8 oz of baby food for dinner and about 4 oz of milk. Let me tell you, after Eric and I calmed him down, cleaned him up and the mess on the floor, and recouped, it was not a good feeling. I'm trying so hard to make him healthy food so he gets the best nutrition. And he throws it up?? It was just one small bite :( I could've cried. I've made him plenty of things that he likes, but I would consider them all 'firsts'. Carrots, bananas, peaches, squash. I want him to get some new things and new combinations. This baby puts up a real fight! But I ain't backin down.

That's the chicken concoction. Frozen.

I try everything before I give it to him, so I KNOW it tastes GOOD. Eric is also my Guinea pig! :) I don't think it was the taste, but the thicker consistency that grossed him out. I put the chicken combo back in the blender with more water and made it much more puree ish. I will try it again in a few days.

Brady is our first, so I suppose I've got to live and learn. But here are some things I wish someone would've told me to help a sista out :)

My first recommendation is to absolutely, positively get a GOOD PEELER. You will be peeling til your fingers hurt so make sure you don't have a cheap or old one going in. I had a cheapo from Wal Mart and it was stupid! Peeled my fingers more than any fruit. I recommend Pampered Chef for this.

http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=15547&words=peel

Next, you will need lots of storage. The baby bullet really should come with more containers. I thought about ordering more online (which you can do on their website www.babybullet.com/accessories) but I went with Tupperware instead. Wal Mart and Sams have great options!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rubbermaid-40-Piece-Food-Storage-Value-Pack-Set-with-Easy-Find-Lids/15029326

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod3180024&navAction=

Get a steamer! My first baby food making extravaganza, I boiled the fruits and veggies. It's a pain and the nutrients don't stay in the food as much as when steaming. I got mine at Kohls and I love it. It's plastic but it's also two tier. Very convenient for steaming 2 things at once.

Use http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/ for advice and recipes.

Apples and pears are so good and easy to mix with other foods to sweeten them for baby. I mix them with pumpkin (NOT as hard as it seems to make) squash, and sweet potatoes. Brady LOVES his peaches. A good go to when I need my picky little booger to eat without any conflict.

LABEL all the containers with what's inside. Some foods (like bananas and plums) change colors when refrigerated or frozen. I make about 2 weeks worth at a time, so I may even forget what is what and my hubby sure doesn't know :) I use tape and a sharpie.

My biggest suggestion, is making sure baby is sound asleep, very occupied, or the husband is home to watch him. The baby bullet advertises an hour in the kitchen will get you a week's worth of baby food. BS! I spend about 3 – 3/12 hours total to get 2 weeks worth. Pumpkin and squash have to bake for 45 min to an hour alone. Multi-task. But it will still take a while!

Don't forget why you're going to all the trouble. I don't believe making the baby food saves much money. Some things like bananas and potatoes, it definitely does. But mangos, squash, organic apples.. are expensive. But giving your baby healthy, homemade food makes ya feel great! Even if they throw it all up at you once in a while ;)

Peek a Boo with Brady bed head =)

Sleepier & Snottier

I went to my 3rd meet up yesterday. A walk at George Bush park. Once I found where the girls were (ended up at a rifle range first?!) It was perfect weather and great company. Brady got a little fussy because of his teeth and then slept. I think there were about 8 moms and their babies. What I learned is that my child is huge. :) Brady is SO BIG compared to these other babies his age and even a few months older. It makes me laugh. I guess with a Momma that's 6 ft tall, there wasn't much of a chance at being short. At 6 months he was 29 in and almost 20 lbs. About the 97%. Love it. I have always hoped he will be a baseball player.. should I change that to basketball now ;) We got lunch after and grocery shopped. It was a great day. Until I realized later that evening he was getting a fever :(

Brady had a runny nose all week, but no cough, no fever, or anything else sickly. I kept a close eye on things and realized he was sleeping a little more too. After his bath, bottle, bedtime story, he felt a little warm. Sure enough his temp was 99.3. (Side note: I often get “temperature” and “fever” confused. Example: “Eric, I don't think Brady has a temperture” What!?) I called the doctor first thing this morning and they got him in at 11. The congestion was not in his chest at all. Good news. But as soon as she went to check his ears I could tell it hurt. He has a little fluid in his right ear. Apparently colds can turn into ear infections :( Bummer! His doc said on average babies have 3 ear infections by 1 year old! Sheesh! So we are actually doing pretty well since this is his first illness and it's pretty mild. Thank the Lordy. Brady is such a champ! Still all smiles and giggles. Just sleepier and snottier :)

I've lost 2 more lbs and am only 6 away from pre Brady :) I have a feeling these last 6 will be tough to get off but I'm determined to kick them to the curb. I feel crappy sometimes that it's taking so long, but at least it's coming off! So easy to gain, so hard to lose! I've gotten good at promptly sending any bad food in the house to work with Eric.

We are talking about our family trip to Florida later this year. In October we will go to Tampa with my Dad, sister, and brother-in-law. Can't wait!! Eric and I have never been able to go together (I mean we've moved across the country together a few times, but can't think of any real vacations together!) and this time will be with Brady bear of course. He will be almost a year and a half! I can't wait to see his little tush runnin all around the pool and beach :)