I know, it's been a while since I've blogged, and honestly there isn't much I have time to write right now, but that doesn't mean there's not anything to tell --- so you'll just have to stay tuned for future posts ;-)
There have been a lot of changes happening, a lot of possibilities on the horizon, and Brontë has been rockin our world every day a long the way --- gosh I love her --- but truthfully, this post isn't going to go in depth with any of it.
I just know that if I don't get blogging again soon, I probably won't get blogging ever. So, to kick off getting back into the swing of things {was that 2 unrelated sports references I just mixed together?} here's a little video I took today of our little water baby in the pool for the first time.
*As always --- go pause my "iPOD" on the right hand side of the page so you don't have to deal with competing audio*
These steps, which are filled with movements of poise, elation, humility, and failure, are compiled in a choreographed dance that is designed to begin and end on my knees... with my hands stretched high praying, “More of You! Less of me!”.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
{You'll find him} {Next to me}
With our 2 year wedding anniversary just days away, I'm finding myself particularly reminiscent, thankful, and in the deepest love I'd ever imagined could be shared between a man and woman.
I love you Nick. I always will.
Though our relationship has been riddled with challenges from the beginning, and it's never been "easy", I honestly would never have wanted it to be --- You see --- with every hardship, your love and loyalty have been set a flame --- You are a resonating blaze within my soul --- You have lead me with fierce grace, and our love has gained a lasting glow that can only be achieved traversing the fires. Thank you for your love.
I love you Nick. I always will.
Though our relationship has been riddled with challenges from the beginning, and it's never been "easy", I honestly would never have wanted it to be --- You see --- with every hardship, your love and loyalty have been set a flame --- You are a resonating blaze within my soul --- You have lead me with fierce grace, and our love has gained a lasting glow that can only be achieved traversing the fires. Thank you for your love.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
{On This Day} {May 18th}
On this day --- three years ago
The ordinary became extraordinary.
We all know the story --- boy meets girl --- sparks fly --- they fall --- first comes love then comes marriage style.
It happens for most people at some point in time, and it happened for us on this day, three years ago.
We moved fast --- too fast in some people's opinion --- we were a couple almost immediately. Completely inseparable --- We still are --- In the 1,096 days that have passed since, we have only been apart for 4 of them {Too many, if you ask us}.
I've always been too much of aREALIST cynic to believe in love at first sight, but looking back, I can see that's exactly what it was.
Nick won my heart at record speed, and has cared for it tenderly each day since.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, fast forward 2 years from then --- or rewind 1 from now {Confused yet?}
Either way, you'll land on this day --- one year ago
We were at the doctors about to find out if we indeed were viably pregnant, or if an early miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy were the cause of my positive pregnancy test from 10 days earlier.
As you know from my May 8th post, I had an appointment the following day to discuss and formulate a plan to take care of my cysts and solid mass that had taken up unwelcome residency on my ovaries. However, the day before that appointment, I tested positive with an at home pregnancy test, which would shift the entire game plan if it were a for real positive.
However, at that appointment, my OB-GYN did an ultrasound, and couldn't find any evidence of a pregnancy. Her immediate concern was that we were dealing with an ectopic pregnancy, so she sent me for a second opinion and to get further imaging done, but it was all inconclusive --- The second --- and very desensitized --- opinion we got was that I was definitely not pregnant, at least not with a viable pregnancy, and that it seemed, in addition to my ovarian problems, I had endometriosis, which would also make it difficult for me to ever become pregnant. He said that I most likely was dealing with an early ectopic pregnancy or that I was literally in the middle of a miscarriage.
I was heartbroken, and with my voice quivering with hopelessness, I asked him if it was at all possible i was pregnant, but that maybe it was just too early to see anything --- he said it was possible --- but highly unlikely.
My OB-GYN then ordered blood work to be done on me a couple times a few days apart in order to check my hormone levels, and we scheduled another appointment to discuss the results.
So on this day, a year ago, we were waiting --- nervously --- to hear those results. Either - A - my hormones tapered off, which would indicate a miscarriage or - B - They would show an increase indicating either ectopic or possibly normal pregnancy.
It was B --- and against all the odds given us, it appeared to be a normal pregnancy!
On this day, one year ago, Nick and I caught the first glimpse of our daughter --- just the tiniest of gestational sacks --- seemingly empty --- but full of hope.
The ordinary became extraordinary.
We all know the story --- boy meets girl --- sparks fly --- they fall --- first comes love then comes marriage style.
It happens for most people at some point in time, and it happened for us on this day, three years ago.
We moved fast --- too fast in some people's opinion --- we were a couple almost immediately. Completely inseparable --- We still are --- In the 1,096 days that have passed since, we have only been apart for 4 of them {Too many, if you ask us}.
I've always been too much of a
Nick won my heart at record speed, and has cared for it tenderly each day since.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, fast forward 2 years from then --- or rewind 1 from now {Confused yet?}
Either way, you'll land on this day --- one year ago
We were at the doctors about to find out if we indeed were viably pregnant, or if an early miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy were the cause of my positive pregnancy test from 10 days earlier.
As you know from my May 8th post, I had an appointment the following day to discuss and formulate a plan to take care of my cysts and solid mass that had taken up unwelcome residency on my ovaries. However, the day before that appointment, I tested positive with an at home pregnancy test, which would shift the entire game plan if it were a for real positive.
However, at that appointment, my OB-GYN did an ultrasound, and couldn't find any evidence of a pregnancy. Her immediate concern was that we were dealing with an ectopic pregnancy, so she sent me for a second opinion and to get further imaging done, but it was all inconclusive --- The second --- and very desensitized --- opinion we got was that I was definitely not pregnant, at least not with a viable pregnancy, and that it seemed, in addition to my ovarian problems, I had endometriosis, which would also make it difficult for me to ever become pregnant. He said that I most likely was dealing with an early ectopic pregnancy or that I was literally in the middle of a miscarriage.
I was heartbroken, and with my voice quivering with hopelessness, I asked him if it was at all possible i was pregnant, but that maybe it was just too early to see anything --- he said it was possible --- but highly unlikely.
My OB-GYN then ordered blood work to be done on me a couple times a few days apart in order to check my hormone levels, and we scheduled another appointment to discuss the results.
So on this day, a year ago, we were waiting --- nervously --- to hear those results. Either - A - my hormones tapered off, which would indicate a miscarriage or - B - They would show an increase indicating either ectopic or possibly normal pregnancy.
It was B --- and against all the odds given us, it appeared to be a normal pregnancy!
On this day, one year ago, Nick and I caught the first glimpse of our daughter --- just the tiniest of gestational sacks --- seemingly empty --- but full of hope.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
{On This Day} {May 8th}
On this day --- One year ago --- I was having a bad day.
It was one of those days that started with a big Eeyore cloud above it, which seemed to expand with each passing hour.
It was Mother's Day, 2011, and as many of you know from my last post --- I was dealing with some medical news blues, and Mother's Day was a hard day to face wondering if I would ever be blessed enough to be able to be a Mother.
I got out of bed, and got ready for work, happy for once to be working on a Sunday --- Happy to be able to forget for the next 8 hours about my worries and just lease some apartments --- but that's not what happened.
When I got to work, I saw a huge vase of different colored carnations {my least favorite flower} and was instructed by management to offer the flowers to residents and prospects a like as a Mother's Day token.
I had to have seen about a hundred people that day, many of whom were Mothers. I did my best to give them a genuine smile as I offered them flowers and congratulations, but I just wanted to cry. I was plagued with worry over my follow up appointment that was scheduled for the following day {May 9th}, worried about all the possible outcomes --- worries that had radically multiplied since my ER visit a few weeks prior; and suddenly my day to forget --- this day, one year ago --- irrevocably became a day of perpetuating reminders.
I got home on my lunch break, and was met at the door by my husband, who immediately could tell I was having a difficult day. I had held it together as best I could, but in the safety of our home and my husbands arms, I lost it.
I don't know if it was hope, or fear that propelled my next action, but I marched directly to the restroom, peed on a stick, and cast it aside without waiting to see the results --- I already knew what it would say. NO. Like the doctor said --- until we got my issues sorted, children would not be in our future. I put my head down and cried.
Nick came in to check on me a couple minutes later, and somewhere in between my incoherent sobs he saw the pregnancy test. He asked me if I had just taken it, and why --- I told him that before some doctor goes poking and prodding around up there tomorrow at my appointment, starting treatments, and scheduling surgery --- I just wanted to check again and make sure there was nothing we needed to protect. I said it was stupid, illogical, and that I knew it was a no --- of course it's a no --- it will always be a NO!
But just then, Nick got a closer look, and with a wash of shock over his face and the most giddy smile I've ever seen, he said, "I think it's a yes --- that's what 2 lines means, right?". We lost it --- together this time --- in complete and utter elation.
Unfortunately, our elation was cut short. But more on that later.
It was one of those days that started with a big Eeyore cloud above it, which seemed to expand with each passing hour.
It was Mother's Day, 2011, and as many of you know from my last post --- I was dealing with some medical news blues, and Mother's Day was a hard day to face wondering if I would ever be blessed enough to be able to be a Mother.
I got out of bed, and got ready for work, happy for once to be working on a Sunday --- Happy to be able to forget for the next 8 hours about my worries and just lease some apartments --- but that's not what happened.
When I got to work, I saw a huge vase of different colored carnations {my least favorite flower} and was instructed by management to offer the flowers to residents and prospects a like as a Mother's Day token.
I had to have seen about a hundred people that day, many of whom were Mothers. I did my best to give them a genuine smile as I offered them flowers and congratulations, but I just wanted to cry. I was plagued with worry over my follow up appointment that was scheduled for the following day {May 9th}, worried about all the possible outcomes --- worries that had radically multiplied since my ER visit a few weeks prior; and suddenly my day to forget --- this day, one year ago --- irrevocably became a day of perpetuating reminders.
I got home on my lunch break, and was met at the door by my husband, who immediately could tell I was having a difficult day. I had held it together as best I could, but in the safety of our home and my husbands arms, I lost it.
I don't know if it was hope, or fear that propelled my next action, but I marched directly to the restroom, peed on a stick, and cast it aside without waiting to see the results --- I already knew what it would say. NO. Like the doctor said --- until we got my issues sorted, children would not be in our future. I put my head down and cried.
Nick came in to check on me a couple minutes later, and somewhere in between my incoherent sobs he saw the pregnancy test. He asked me if I had just taken it, and why --- I told him that before some doctor goes poking and prodding around up there tomorrow at my appointment, starting treatments, and scheduling surgery --- I just wanted to check again and make sure there was nothing we needed to protect. I said it was stupid, illogical, and that I knew it was a no --- of course it's a no --- it will always be a NO!
But just then, Nick got a closer look, and with a wash of shock over his face and the most giddy smile I've ever seen, he said, "I think it's a yes --- that's what 2 lines means, right?". We lost it --- together this time --- in complete and utter elation.
Unfortunately, our elation was cut short. But more on that later.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
{On This Day} {April 24th}
On this day, one year ago ---
It was Easter, and I found myself in the ER.
It was then, that I was diagnosed as having 5 large ovarian cyst, one of which ---the largest one--- was solid, and especially concerning. There was a rumored 6th cyst that had ruptured that day--- the pain from which was what brought us in to the ER, and face-to-face with a very real possibility that we may not be able to have children.
Although, it wasn't completely out of the question, the doctor on call broke it down for us as such: until we can treat my cysts, and remove/diagnose the ominous mass that was literally pulling my ovary downward, and threatening to twist it --- a baby would not be in our future. They explained that in surgery for cysts this size, many times they have to remove part or all of the ovary, and that if we didn't remove the mass soon, and it twisted, my right ovary would most likely die from a lack of blood supply.
Having that 6th cyst rupture that day left me in the most excruciating physical pain I had ever experienced --- true even to this day. But the emotional pain I felt looking at my husband --- who wanted deeply to be a father --- while the doctors told us that the possibility of having children may be in very real danger, was much worse.
Little did anyone know --- BUT GOD --- that HE chose this very vulnerable time, to work through our weakness and fear to prove himself BIGGER than medical probability. You see, on this day one year ago --- I was already pregnant.
Still too early to be picked up on ultrasound {which I had 3 of that day} and even too soon to come up with a positive reading on a pregnancy test {which I had 2 of that day}, she was there--- probably just a floating zygote looking for a comfy place tolay her head embed --- but she was there! My darling Brontë --- My living altar of remembrance that God is sovereign ---My little miss--- The ever constant gravity in my heart which brings me continually to my knees ---
SHE. WAS. THERE.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart."
– Jeremiah 1:5
It was Easter, and I found myself in the ER.
It was then, that I was diagnosed as having 5 large ovarian cyst, one of which ---the largest one--- was solid, and especially concerning. There was a rumored 6th cyst that had ruptured that day--- the pain from which was what brought us in to the ER, and face-to-face with a very real possibility that we may not be able to have children.
Although, it wasn't completely out of the question, the doctor on call broke it down for us as such: until we can treat my cysts, and remove/diagnose the ominous mass that was literally pulling my ovary downward, and threatening to twist it --- a baby would not be in our future. They explained that in surgery for cysts this size, many times they have to remove part or all of the ovary, and that if we didn't remove the mass soon, and it twisted, my right ovary would most likely die from a lack of blood supply.
Having that 6th cyst rupture that day left me in the most excruciating physical pain I had ever experienced --- true even to this day. But the emotional pain I felt looking at my husband --- who wanted deeply to be a father --- while the doctors told us that the possibility of having children may be in very real danger, was much worse.
Little did anyone know --- BUT GOD --- that HE chose this very vulnerable time, to work through our weakness and fear to prove himself BIGGER than medical probability. You see, on this day one year ago --- I was already pregnant.
Still too early to be picked up on ultrasound {which I had 3 of that day} and even too soon to come up with a positive reading on a pregnancy test {which I had 2 of that day}, she was there--- probably just a floating zygote looking for a comfy place to
SHE. WAS. THERE.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart."
– Jeremiah 1:5
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
{Brontë} {Baby Push-Ups}
This was taken about a month ago while waiting to see her doctor for her well baby check up --- just now got around to sharing it.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
{Just when you have it down}
Just when you have it down --- You don't.
MOTHERHOOD.
This week has been rather interesting --- Maybe I should preface this by saying that other than Brontë's time in the NICU and some related concerns after bringing her home, she has been a pretty easy breezy baby --- always sleeping great --- not fussy unless for a specific "I'm hungry", "I need a new diaper" sort of reason {or of course the predictable disdain she shows for her car seat}, but this last week she started showing those tell-tale signs that she's beginning to teeth --- super slobbers --- fussy --- biting on anything she can fit in her mouth --- waking up every couple hours through the night like she's in pain --- nursing every opportunity she gets etc.
Upon inspection, my husband and I are seeing whitish areas and various points seemingly trying to poke through --- even in the back! Could they really be MOLARS?! NO! They're suppose to get the front teeth first, right?!
Apparently, not always --- although not common, it can still be considered normal to teeth out of order --- sometimes referred to as Cross Cutting/Cross Teething.
I'm not 100% sure Brontë is Cross Teething, but it's definitely something we're paying more attention to.
Also, due to the fact that she's been nursing so much more than she typically does, I've been getting self conscious that maybe my milk production has plateaued --- maybe it's not full blown teething --- maybe she's not getting enough to eat!?
So, I started taking fenugreek a couple days ago, but now it seems I'm making too much milk and now she's having gas pain from overproduction and getting too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk to balance it! UGH!
Last week Brontë was a happy -- non-fussy --- smiley little angel, and now I think I've made a mess of it all --- trying to fix things that weren't really broken --- and I think it will take a few more days to get things back on track.
On the more positive side, we got Brontë an amber teething necklace, and there seems to be a noticeable decrease of fussiness when she is wearing it.
{Lessons}
Don't freak out --- fussiness to varying degrees is normal --- Don't be so quick to switch up what's been working and blaming everything on milk --- "what did I eat? am I producing enough?!"
Just like we have good and bad days, so do our little ones, and unnecessary changes can cause even more discomfort to you and your baby, so if it ain't really broke, don't fix it.
Be confident, be calm, and be consistent --- offering more cuddles and comfort to sooth your little love. More often than not, when you stress, they stress --- when you're at peace, they're at peace. So Check your mood.
MOTHERHOOD.
This week has been rather interesting --- Maybe I should preface this by saying that other than Brontë's time in the NICU and some related concerns after bringing her home, she has been a pretty easy breezy baby --- always sleeping great --- not fussy unless for a specific "I'm hungry", "I need a new diaper" sort of reason {or of course the predictable disdain she shows for her car seat}, but this last week she started showing those tell-tale signs that she's beginning to teeth --- super slobbers --- fussy --- biting on anything she can fit in her mouth --- waking up every couple hours through the night like she's in pain --- nursing every opportunity she gets etc.
Upon inspection, my husband and I are seeing whitish areas and various points seemingly trying to poke through --- even in the back! Could they really be MOLARS?! NO! They're suppose to get the front teeth first, right?!
Apparently, not always --- although not common, it can still be considered normal to teeth out of order --- sometimes referred to as Cross Cutting/Cross Teething.
I'm not 100% sure Brontë is Cross Teething, but it's definitely something we're paying more attention to.
Also, due to the fact that she's been nursing so much more than she typically does, I've been getting self conscious that maybe my milk production has plateaued --- maybe it's not full blown teething --- maybe she's not getting enough to eat!?
So, I started taking fenugreek a couple days ago, but now it seems I'm making too much milk and now she's having gas pain from overproduction and getting too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk to balance it! UGH!
Last week Brontë was a happy -- non-fussy --- smiley little angel, and now I think I've made a mess of it all --- trying to fix things that weren't really broken --- and I think it will take a few more days to get things back on track.
On the more positive side, we got Brontë an amber teething necklace, and there seems to be a noticeable decrease of fussiness when she is wearing it.
{Lessons}
Don't freak out --- fussiness to varying degrees is normal --- Don't be so quick to switch up what's been working and blaming everything on milk --- "what did I eat? am I producing enough?!"
Just like we have good and bad days, so do our little ones, and unnecessary changes can cause even more discomfort to you and your baby, so if it ain't really broke, don't fix it.
Be confident, be calm, and be consistent --- offering more cuddles and comfort to sooth your little love. More often than not, when you stress, they stress --- when you're at peace, they're at peace. So Check your mood.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
{Why my daughter deserves SSI}
These days we all know someone that has worked the system to get benefits from the government that maybe they don't really need. Whether it's stretching out unemployment benefits because due to the economy you figure you can make more on unemployment than taking a job that pays less than you made in your hay day --- disability that is stretched out to be more than it really disables you --- or giving an oscar worthy performance to be able to claim worker's comp.
This is not the case with my daughter, and I will tell you why.
Although she is doing well now, with only a few continued medical concerns {ie choking, a heart PDA, hip dysplasia, and undetermined developmental effects from her brain bleed} Things weren't always this "EASY" {obviously, I use the word "easy" loosely and with the perspective that things have been a lot worse}
Back in January, I found out that preemies can qualify for SSI, and my husband and I immediately made an appointment to bring her in and file.
THey told us that it may take 3-5 months to reach a final decision, but that if we could bring in our medical records we should be able to start getting paid within 2 weeks. We brought everything in, stacks of paperwork documented with more procedures than I can even count, and the woman conducting our interview said that we had such good documentation that we should be able to start getting paid soon.
Here it is now, at the end of March--- my daughter is coming up on 5 months old, and we haven't received a penny --- all we have received are more appointments.
I've been researching whatever I can find, and unfortunately found today that my daughter may be disqualified from receiving payments due to the fact she was born mere 2 ounces over the 2lb 10 oz cut off! Keep in mind that my daughter couldn't eat for almost 5 days, and she ended up losing close to half a pound, and that she wasn't just born premature --- she was born premature AND sick with septicemia --- so sick that all the optimistic survival statisctics out there for preemies didn't apply to her.
Some people feel that prematurity doesn't warrant a disability claim, but let me break it down for you ---
At 23 weeks gestation I was hospitalized with bleeding and preterm contractions and was immediately placed on strict bed rest at home for the duration of my pregnancy which qualified me for disability for an estimated 17 weeks until my due date.
At 27 weeks my water broke, and I was then placed on hospital bed rest until my daughter was born, which by the doctors accounts could happen any minute, or still be months away. I made it 2 more weeks. I delieverd Brontë at 29 weeks via c section.
This is how it would have broken down --- had my body not deteriorated any further, and I was able to stay pregnant to term :
17 weeks of disability prior to delivery
8 weeks disability for c-section recovery
6 weeks state paid family leave
That's what by all standards I should have been paid.
Instead my even further deteriorated body and premature baby who was being kept a live by life support were awarded more medical bills and less disability - personally receiving disability for only 5 weeks out of the estimated 17, and my daughter [because of a fluke 2 ounces of water weight] hasn't received a penny, when her estimate was $768/month for her first year.
So, as it turns out, we would have received more aid from the state from being LESS disabled! How's that for a broken system?!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
{slump}
I haven't wanted to write in the last week or so --- actually, that's not true --- there have been almost too many things I've wanted to write about --- too many things that have been weighing down my heart and stirring my soul --- I've made attempts to start writing at least 2 or 3 times this week, but I can't seem to bring pen to paper finger to keystroke.
Each time I have attempted to write, my thoughts are interrupted with other thoughts, other heartaches --- ferocity of obvious injustice --- personal loss --- empathetic pain for those I know and those I only know of --- tears for both specific and abstract brokenness.
Lord, teach me --- why have you given me this burdened heart?? Focus these wild emotions and refine them to reflect your heart --- Give me words for the broken, the strength to stand for those who can't do so themselves, and a voice that will speak Your truth into the void of lies this world believes.
Each time I have attempted to write, my thoughts are interrupted with other thoughts, other heartaches --- ferocity of obvious injustice --- personal loss --- empathetic pain for those I know and those I only know of --- tears for both specific and abstract brokenness.
Lord, teach me --- why have you given me this burdened heart?? Focus these wild emotions and refine them to reflect your heart --- Give me words for the broken, the strength to stand for those who can't do so themselves, and a voice that will speak Your truth into the void of lies this world believes.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
{Wordless} {Luv me some Mr.a-z}
I'm a long time fan of Jason Mraz, and I'm loving this song right now --- can't wait for his next album.
{You may want to scroll down and to the right to pause my blog playlist}
{You may want to scroll down and to the right to pause my blog playlist}
Saturday, March 10, 2012
{Underestimated:} {Fiction}
Personally, I've always found there was something special about fiction --- So much so, that I named my daughter after 19th century female novelist, Charlotte Brontë --- Some may say, I enjoy fiction even to a fault. To quote my oldest brother Troy, {who has a particularly comical beef with how much I --- and most every other woman --- hopped on the Twilight Train}, "Emily, when are you ever going to read a REAL book". LOL
Sure --- true stories, life application, self-help, books on politics, religion, history, science, and other non-fiction works seem to have the OBVIOUS literary upper-hand, but I came across an article recently that serves as a great explanation for my previously unexplainable draw to fictional stories and characters.
In a way, I would argue that fictional stories are many times more real and more truthful than some "true stories" --- Think about it --- Biographies, as well as autobiographies, are written as true stories of someone's life, but undoubtedly, they are written in a way to enhance, by inclusion or exclusion, what will most surely support the writer's personal agenda of how they would like the subject to be viewed --- In other words, "History is written by those who have hanged heroes".
The article I read specifically brought to light the importance of not only reading to our children, but reading fiction to our children as a way to help them learn empathy, "Which in turn helps our children develop a heart of compassion for a broken world".
Fiction, although "not true" in the sense of "actual events", is based off of the truth of "what could be", and the plausibly real, raw, and reactive, human emotion that proves to be the momentum that propels characters from point to point throughout a story. There is a sense of truth in characters interactions with each other and in response to circumstances, that is relatable to the majority of people as a whole.
Fiction allows what reality usually doesn't --- the ability to see past ourselves and through the eyes of another, taking on their burdens, feeling their loss, their elation, their sacrifice, their hope, and their love. Fiction let's us exercise empathy, a practice that can then be translated into our non-fiction reality.
What I'm not saying:
I'm not saying that truth is relative.
I am a firm believer that there is absolute truth. I believe that we are to "love our God with all our minds", and so challenge our minds with continuous, fact based study, but many times people fall to one extreme or another --- either we're all about the touchy feely emotional stuff, or we're too scientific and frank about what should shake us to the core.
What I am saying:
We serve a God who is full of compassion, and if we want our children to grow to have the heart of God, we need to excercise empathy as a spiritual discipline. Jesus himself used parables (fictional stories) to teach, and if the Messiah thought so highly of fiction, why shouldn't we?
Sure --- true stories, life application, self-help, books on politics, religion, history, science, and other non-fiction works seem to have the OBVIOUS literary upper-hand, but I came across an article recently that serves as a great explanation for my previously unexplainable draw to fictional stories and characters.
In a way, I would argue that fictional stories are many times more real and more truthful than some "true stories" --- Think about it --- Biographies, as well as autobiographies, are written as true stories of someone's life, but undoubtedly, they are written in a way to enhance, by inclusion or exclusion, what will most surely support the writer's personal agenda of how they would like the subject to be viewed --- In other words, "History is written by those who have hanged heroes".
The article I read specifically brought to light the importance of not only reading to our children, but reading fiction to our children as a way to help them learn empathy, "Which in turn helps our children develop a heart of compassion for a broken world".
Fiction, although "not true" in the sense of "actual events", is based off of the truth of "what could be", and the plausibly real, raw, and reactive, human emotion that proves to be the momentum that propels characters from point to point throughout a story. There is a sense of truth in characters interactions with each other and in response to circumstances, that is relatable to the majority of people as a whole.
Fiction allows what reality usually doesn't --- the ability to see past ourselves and through the eyes of another, taking on their burdens, feeling their loss, their elation, their sacrifice, their hope, and their love. Fiction let's us exercise empathy, a practice that can then be translated into our non-fiction reality.
What I'm not saying:
I'm not saying that truth is relative.
I am a firm believer that there is absolute truth. I believe that we are to "love our God with all our minds", and so challenge our minds with continuous, fact based study, but many times people fall to one extreme or another --- either we're all about the touchy feely emotional stuff, or we're too scientific and frank about what should shake us to the core.
What I am saying:
We serve a God who is full of compassion, and if we want our children to grow to have the heart of God, we need to excercise empathy as a spiritual discipline. Jesus himself used parables (fictional stories) to teach, and if the Messiah thought so highly of fiction, why shouldn't we?
Thursday, March 8, 2012
{Welcome 2the World} {Jaden Rose}
At 6:08 this morning my brother and sister in laws met their daughter ---
--- Jaden Rose ---
What a treasure you are! Your Uncle Nick and I can't wait to meet you, and we hope you always know the depth of love that supports and surrounds you!
Love,
Your Aunty Emily xoxo
P.S. Your mommy and daddy are about as rad as it gets!
--- Jaden Rose ---
What a treasure you are! Your Uncle Nick and I can't wait to meet you, and we hope you always know the depth of love that supports and surrounds you!
Love,
Your Aunty Emily xoxo
P.S. Your mommy and daddy are about as rad as it gets!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
{Loving by Example}
I have realized over time, that the hardest person to love and to accept is many times the girl in the mirror. Not that I'm entirely self deprecating, but I have, as contradictory as it might sound, been self critical to the point of narcissism. I have spent an exorbitant amount of time picking on myself --- Those few extra pounds, my less than perfect complexion, my body shape, the assymetical lines of my face etc.--- you stare long enough, and everything starts looking weird.
In the last 6 months my body has taken a beating --- pregnancy and two major abdominal surgeries since August have left my body in visible shambles, and like I already said, prior to this I already had a problem with self image, and so, as you can imagine, it can go into over-drive if I don't purposefully keep it in check.
Nick is and always has been a spring of encouragement. He tells me that he wishes I could see me the way that he sees me --- and sometimes I think I do --- until that thought is interrupted by the sight of my reflection. I've cried to Nick on more occassions than I care to admit these past 6 months that I feel like a crazed butcher has gotten a hold of me.
My keloid scar from when I was pregnant didn't even have a chance to heal nicely due to the fact I was gaining about an inch around my belly every week during that time, and though my c-section scar has healed nicer in comparison, it's still about a 6 inch slash through my abdomen, and an ever constant reminder of our honestly terrifying birthing story.
The day Brontë came into this world was the most monumental day of our lives, but nothing about it was anything short of terrifying --- I wasn't supposed to have a tumor. I wasn't supposed to need surgery half way through my pregnancy. My water was not supposed to break at 27 weeks. I wasn't supposed to contract an infection. I wasn't supposed to get Brontë sick. She wasn't supposed to come so early. She wasn't supposed to be breech. I wasn't supposed to have a c-section. My body WAS supposed to hold up, instead of crapping out. I'm her mom, and I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT HER --- and those heinous scars are the permanent reminders that I couldn't.
But God...
He always knew the plan. He always knew what was SUPPOSED to happen, even though I didn't. He always knew that He would be the one to get us through, and these ugly scars are the beautiful reminders of his provision ---
--- and I choose to love them.
I choose to stop being so self-critical. As her mom, I must lead by example. She is always watching me --- learning behavioral cues --- and before long, she will start to imitate me. I will not teach her to be self deprecating. She will never hear me say that "I'm fat" or "I'm ugly". I will teach her that we are made in the Imago Dei --- the image of God --- We are HIS workmanship -- and OUR reflections are not our own --- they are HIS, and they are lovely. I will choose to love --- by example --- my body, and teach her the perfection of imperfection, the artistry of asymmetry, and the beauty of our scars.
In the last 6 months my body has taken a beating --- pregnancy and two major abdominal surgeries since August have left my body in visible shambles, and like I already said, prior to this I already had a problem with self image, and so, as you can imagine, it can go into over-drive if I don't purposefully keep it in check.
Nick is and always has been a spring of encouragement. He tells me that he wishes I could see me the way that he sees me --- and sometimes I think I do --- until that thought is interrupted by the sight of my reflection. I've cried to Nick on more occassions than I care to admit these past 6 months that I feel like a crazed butcher has gotten a hold of me.
My keloid scar from when I was pregnant didn't even have a chance to heal nicely due to the fact I was gaining about an inch around my belly every week during that time, and though my c-section scar has healed nicer in comparison, it's still about a 6 inch slash through my abdomen, and an ever constant reminder of our honestly terrifying birthing story.
The day Brontë came into this world was the most monumental day of our lives, but nothing about it was anything short of terrifying --- I wasn't supposed to have a tumor. I wasn't supposed to need surgery half way through my pregnancy. My water was not supposed to break at 27 weeks. I wasn't supposed to contract an infection. I wasn't supposed to get Brontë sick. She wasn't supposed to come so early. She wasn't supposed to be breech. I wasn't supposed to have a c-section. My body WAS supposed to hold up, instead of crapping out. I'm her mom, and I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT HER --- and those heinous scars are the permanent reminders that I couldn't.
But God...
He always knew the plan. He always knew what was SUPPOSED to happen, even though I didn't. He always knew that He would be the one to get us through, and these ugly scars are the beautiful reminders of his provision ---
--- and I choose to love them.
I choose to stop being so self-critical. As her mom, I must lead by example. She is always watching me --- learning behavioral cues --- and before long, she will start to imitate me. I will not teach her to be self deprecating. She will never hear me say that "I'm fat" or "I'm ugly". I will teach her that we are made in the Imago Dei --- the image of God --- We are HIS workmanship -- and OUR reflections are not our own --- they are HIS, and they are lovely. I will choose to love --- by example --- my body, and teach her the perfection of imperfection, the artistry of asymmetry, and the beauty of our scars.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
{Messy Mondays} {Month Re-Cap}
It's been a month since I started Messy Mondays in hopes of making over the various messes in my life, so this week, I thought I'd just let ya in on a little then and now re-cap.
I am proud to announce that I have, indeed, written and sent out the majority of the thank-you's that I mentioned last week --- {a small feat for some --- a HUGE accomplishment for me}--- and BONUS! I did end up create a big girl address book with the addresses I had to gather for them. So, hopefully next time we need to send things out it won't be such a circus to get it done.
Also, in regards to {Messy Monday} {Fashion Trends} I am NOT brushing my eyebrows up to be "power brows", but I am getting away with a pretty nude face these days using too-faced BB cream and little to nothing else --- the knotted mohawk has not made a reappearance, but a few twisted/braided, easy/messy up-do's have been fun/functional in keeping my hair out of my/Brontë's face {Holy slashes Batman!}
As far as our move and the de-cluttering are concerned --- it has taken quite a bit longer than planned --- it was honestly not until this weekend that I actually felt moved in, and almost immediately realized that I still have some major de-cluttering to take care of --- specifically shoes --- how did I accumulate so many pairs that I don't wear?
In general, I have definitely made attempts at being more organized, but not all of my attempts have been successful --- but some have been --- and that's the point. I didn't expect to have solved all my messes in 30 days --- success is gonna take time, error, and practice --- and for that, I'll keep ya posted.
I am proud to announce that I have, indeed, written and sent out the majority of the thank-you's that I mentioned last week --- {a small feat for some --- a HUGE accomplishment for me}--- and BONUS! I did end up create a big girl address book with the addresses I had to gather for them. So, hopefully next time we need to send things out it won't be such a circus to get it done.
Also, in regards to {Messy Monday} {Fashion Trends} I am NOT brushing my eyebrows up to be "power brows", but I am getting away with a pretty nude face these days using too-faced BB cream and little to nothing else --- the knotted mohawk has not made a reappearance, but a few twisted/braided, easy/messy up-do's have been fun/functional in keeping my hair out of my/Brontë's face {Holy slashes Batman!}
As far as our move and the de-cluttering are concerned --- it has taken quite a bit longer than planned --- it was honestly not until this weekend that I actually felt moved in, and almost immediately realized that I still have some major de-cluttering to take care of --- specifically shoes --- how did I accumulate so many pairs that I don't wear?
In general, I have definitely made attempts at being more organized, but not all of my attempts have been successful --- but some have been --- and that's the point. I didn't expect to have solved all my messes in 30 days --- success is gonna take time, error, and practice --- and for that, I'll keep ya posted.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
{Lessons from the Italian Stallion}
So...
I've been on a Rocky Balboa kick the last couple weeks {something that, no doubt, my husband loves about me}. I don't want to go so far as to call Rocky a philosopher, but he has some pretty inspiring quotes regarding friendship, marriage, life, and parenting. Most of what I appreciate about his quotes is the simplistic authenticity of his words, and even more so the fact that he says them.
Currently, I'm watching Rocky IV --- You know, the one where he fights the colossal Drago in the USSR after he killed his buddy Apollo Creed --- there is so much that I enjoy about this movie --- So without trying to sound too nerdy --- I love the video montage, the sweet training sessions, and the rockin' soundtrack, but one of my absolute favorite things about this movie is a quote that by all measures isn't very memorable --- but it is to me.
Before the whole story really unfolds there's a scene with Rocky and Rocky Jr. where Rocky is washing their car, and Rocky Jr. is dancing with their Robot {haha} and pestering his dad about wanting to learn how to fight. Rocky's answer was pretty simple ---
"I fight so you don't have to fight..."
He goes on to explain something about wanting his son to use his head for something more than a punching bag {yada yada yada} and they have a cute little LOL moment, but the heart of it was such a simple, honest, and sacrificial truth --- "I fight so you don't have to fight".
Isn't that the kind of mindset we should have as parents? As husbands and wives? Shouldn't we fight so that those we love hopefully won't have to? Shouldn't we share in the burdens of our loved ones and be joyful for the load, living in such a way to teach it to our children so that when their grown they too will fight in someone's stead? To fight for someone they love? To fight for someone who can't fight for themselves? To share in the burdens of others and to find joy in bearing that load?
I know this is a bit on the heavy side for an "Italian Stallion" related post, but it's what I happen to be thinking about right now. So, I'll keep this short, and just leave you with a few questions that I'm also asking myself.
Who have you fought for? --- Anybody?
Whose place have you taken in the ring so they wouldn't have to? --- Anyone?
What have you done for love? --- Anything?
What is the legacy you're leaving for those you love?
I've been on a Rocky Balboa kick the last couple weeks {something that, no doubt, my husband loves about me}. I don't want to go so far as to call Rocky a philosopher, but he has some pretty inspiring quotes regarding friendship, marriage, life, and parenting. Most of what I appreciate about his quotes is the simplistic authenticity of his words, and even more so the fact that he says them.
Currently, I'm watching Rocky IV --- You know, the one where he fights the colossal Drago in the USSR after he killed his buddy Apollo Creed --- there is so much that I enjoy about this movie --- So without trying to sound too nerdy --- I love the video montage, the sweet training sessions, and the rockin' soundtrack, but one of my absolute favorite things about this movie is a quote that by all measures isn't very memorable --- but it is to me.
Before the whole story really unfolds there's a scene with Rocky and Rocky Jr. where Rocky is washing their car, and Rocky Jr. is dancing with their Robot {haha} and pestering his dad about wanting to learn how to fight. Rocky's answer was pretty simple ---
"I fight so you don't have to fight..."
He goes on to explain something about wanting his son to use his head for something more than a punching bag {yada yada yada} and they have a cute little LOL moment, but the heart of it was such a simple, honest, and sacrificial truth --- "I fight so you don't have to fight".
Isn't that the kind of mindset we should have as parents? As husbands and wives? Shouldn't we fight so that those we love hopefully won't have to? Shouldn't we share in the burdens of our loved ones and be joyful for the load, living in such a way to teach it to our children so that when their grown they too will fight in someone's stead? To fight for someone they love? To fight for someone who can't fight for themselves? To share in the burdens of others and to find joy in bearing that load?
I know this is a bit on the heavy side for an "Italian Stallion" related post, but it's what I happen to be thinking about right now. So, I'll keep this short, and just leave you with a few questions that I'm also asking myself.
Who have you fought for? --- Anybody?
Whose place have you taken in the ring so they wouldn't have to? --- Anyone?
What have you done for love? --- Anything?
What is the legacy you're leaving for those you love?
{Batting a Thousand}
So, while we were sleeping...
Somebody must have been awake, because I woke up this morning to find that The Kaleidoscope Ballet reached it's first somewhat notable mile marker --- 1,000 pageviews its first month! Woot Woot!
Thanks for reading! XOXO
Monday, February 27, 2012
{Messy Mondays} {Thank-You's}
Alright, this is today's 2-fer to make up for last week.
My last post was a bit more light hearted than this one. This is not a funny post, and so I will not be writing it with a "Haha... LOL" sort of voice. This is a about a real, messy, and sometimes hurtful downfall I have. I don't think I have ever sent out a formal "Thank-You" card --- not to a family member --- not to a friend --- not under any circumstance.
This may not be so bad if I hadn't ever gotten married, had a bridal shower, bachelorette party, or now baby shower --- but I have --- and I have failed miserably at formally showing my appreciation through a Thank-You note.
Now, don't get me wrong... it's not that I don't do anything to show my appreciation... I am usually very vocal with my thanks, but alas, that alone is not good form.
And so I made a pact with Nick...
About a month ago Nick and I had a talk, and I let him know how much this is something that I want to change, and that it's pretty important to me to do so. On the spot, we made a list of everybody who has shown their generousity towards us since my hospitalization, Brontë's birth, and more recently her homecoming and baby shower --- and there were A LOT! We have been blessed beyond measure by family, friends, and even strangers!
The next day I started writing them out, and planned to get a few written each day, and send them out all together once I was finished. I'm sure it seems like a very simple thing to the majority of people, but to me, it was a big deal, and I was proud of myself for making this purposeful change.
However, to my dismay...
After unpacking from our move, Nick and I realized that our stack of Thank-You's was missing --- neither of us having a clue if they got shuffled in with the storage, or accidentally in with the trash, and so now I find myself having to re-write them.
So, here it is...
I am going to write them this week --- I will not let the fact that I already wrote them and lost them throw me off --- and not only will I write them, I will send them, AND I am going to take this opportunity to organize a big girl address book that I can reference for next time.
And to you who are reading this, and have shown your love and support...
My last post was a bit more light hearted than this one. This is not a funny post, and so I will not be writing it with a "Haha... LOL" sort of voice. This is a about a real, messy, and sometimes hurtful downfall I have. I don't think I have ever sent out a formal "Thank-You" card --- not to a family member --- not to a friend --- not under any circumstance.
This may not be so bad if I hadn't ever gotten married, had a bridal shower, bachelorette party, or now baby shower --- but I have --- and I have failed miserably at formally showing my appreciation through a Thank-You note.
Now, don't get me wrong... it's not that I don't do anything to show my appreciation... I am usually very vocal with my thanks, but alas, that alone is not good form.
And so I made a pact with Nick...
About a month ago Nick and I had a talk, and I let him know how much this is something that I want to change, and that it's pretty important to me to do so. On the spot, we made a list of everybody who has shown their generousity towards us since my hospitalization, Brontë's birth, and more recently her homecoming and baby shower --- and there were A LOT! We have been blessed beyond measure by family, friends, and even strangers!
The next day I started writing them out, and planned to get a few written each day, and send them out all together once I was finished. I'm sure it seems like a very simple thing to the majority of people, but to me, it was a big deal, and I was proud of myself for making this purposeful change.
However, to my dismay...
After unpacking from our move, Nick and I realized that our stack of Thank-You's was missing --- neither of us having a clue if they got shuffled in with the storage, or accidentally in with the trash, and so now I find myself having to re-write them.
So, here it is...
I am going to write them this week --- I will not let the fact that I already wrote them and lost them throw me off --- and not only will I write them, I will send them, AND I am going to take this opportunity to organize a big girl address book that I can reference for next time.
And to you who are reading this, and have shown your love and support...
{Messy Mondays} {Fashion Trends}
Ya might'a noticed...
I kinda skipped out last week. So this week I'm giving ya a 2-for-1 Messy Monday {Lucky you, right?}
But this week I want to talk about an entirely DIFFERENT kind of messy make-over --- positively MESSY fashion trends.
I've noticed a recent trend for hair and make- up -- it's messy. It seems we're heading into a somewhat reminiscent grunge period -- again. {Initial response?? "UGH!"} seriously, I'm the girl who likes shimmering bronzers, lots of color, and precisely threaded brows, but what I'm seeing is lots of natural bare-looking skin, HUGE -- seemingly unmaintained-- eyebrows, and hair styles that are made to look greasy, unwashed, just wet, haphazardly blown out, or tied up in a mess of knots. Don't believe me!? click here.
So, just for kicks...
I sported the knotted hair, "power brows", nude makeup, sans smile bit {LOL}
But, seriously? Is this REALLY a trend? Am I suppose to like this?!
Surprisingly --- I kinda do! Granted, I won't be brushing my eyebrows up so dramatically...
But tone them down a bit, and it works --- PLUS --- the knots are kinda cool, and way easy
Practically speaking, and in all seriousness...
This less-is-more, dirtier-the-better, au naturel trend made me laugh, and even scoff at first, but when I really think about it, these are the perfect kind of trends for a sleep=deprived new mom, like me! And I guess I should just hold my tongue and silently count my lucky stars, that I can probably get away with naturally unkempt hair and make-up and maybe it can even pass for fashion. {LOL}
Pertaining to MY messy make-over journey,
I'm looking at my excessive collection of make-up and hair products right now, and thinking "Heck ya! Another thing I candownsize simplify" to help manage my time and space better. Realistically, I can probably get away with a little BB cream and subtle blush on most days, as well as slightly tweezing, rather than spending money waxing and threading my eyebrows --- and hair?? --- I can do messy knots in my sleep ;-) {Hardee-har-har-har}
I kinda skipped out last week. So this week I'm giving ya a 2-for-1 Messy Monday {Lucky you, right?}
But this week I want to talk about an entirely DIFFERENT kind of messy make-over --- positively MESSY fashion trends.
I've noticed a recent trend for hair and make- up -- it's messy. It seems we're heading into a somewhat reminiscent grunge period -- again. {Initial response?? "UGH!"} seriously, I'm the girl who likes shimmering bronzers, lots of color, and precisely threaded brows, but what I'm seeing is lots of natural bare-looking skin, HUGE -- seemingly unmaintained-- eyebrows, and hair styles that are made to look greasy, unwashed, just wet, haphazardly blown out, or tied up in a mess of knots. Don't believe me!? click here.
So, just for kicks...
I sported the knotted hair, "power brows", nude makeup, sans smile bit {LOL}
But, seriously? Is this REALLY a trend? Am I suppose to like this?!
Surprisingly --- I kinda do! Granted, I won't be brushing my eyebrows up so dramatically...
But tone them down a bit, and it works --- PLUS --- the knots are kinda cool, and way easy
Practically speaking, and in all seriousness...
This less-is-more, dirtier-the-better, au naturel trend made me laugh, and even scoff at first, but when I really think about it, these are the perfect kind of trends for a sleep=deprived new mom, like me! And I guess I should just hold my tongue and silently count my lucky stars, that I can probably get away with naturally unkempt hair and make-up and maybe it can even pass for fashion. {LOL}
Pertaining to MY messy make-over journey,
I'm looking at my excessive collection of make-up and hair products right now, and thinking "Heck ya! Another thing I can
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
{A natural companion}
Alright...
So, as a follow up to my {Yeah}{I cloth Diaper} and {Plus}{All the cool kids are doing it} posts from earlier this month, a few of you have shown interest in trying out cloth, and I have been asked to write a post about, what is to me, the most natural companion to cloth diapering --- cloth wipes.
Just like with cloth diapering, there are a MULTITUDE of benefits for using cloth wipes. It will not only save you money, but it really is a healthier option for that precious little bum you love so much. I'm not saying that using store bought disposable diapers and wipes are THE WORST THINGS you could do for your child, but the benefits of switching to cloth far out-weigh the mere convenience of disposables, and honestly in our world which is saturated with toxicity, it's refreshing to take control and make healthier choices when possible --- So, if you're interested in giving it a try, this is what you need to know ---it's my cloth ONE-TWO-PUNCH to help you get started...
THE WIPE...
You can either buy cloth wipes like this or this, which are made out of materials that are soft, absorbent (like you only need 1 wipe per mess... NO JOKE), and durable enough to withstand wash-after-wash. You can find cloth wipes in a variety of fabrics that range from cotton to hemp to fleece to bamboo fiber, or, if you're crafty, you can make your own wipes from things like old receiving blankets.
THE SOLUTION...
Truthfully, you can just use water --- Lots of moms do --- but if you want some kind of solution to help cleanse, soothe, etc., there are endless possibilities. I make Brontë's wipe solution, and have tried out different recipes, and enjoy tweaking them in different ways for curiosities sake. There are really simple recipes, and veryelaborate time consuming recipes... but the first step is trying to figure out what you want out of your solution.
Do you want it to be as easy as possible? As natural as possible? Do you want it to smell like your little one just got back from a baby day spa everytime you change their messy little diapee? Do they have sensitive skin? Do you want a soapless or oil-free solution? This is where the beauty is in making your own solution --- you, as the alpha mom you are, get to have the final say of what's ok and what's not ok for YOUR baby.
THE GUIDELINES...
By combing the web, you'll find there are a few quidelines you will want to keep in mind... basic building blocks to making your own solution usually include 1) a cleansing agent --- ie baby wash, shampoo, etc. 2) oil --- baby oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil, etc. 3) and water.
Other ingredients that can be utilized are: essential oils such as Lavender, Tea Tree, Grapefruit extract etc. which are great because they help make your solution smell heavenly, and they have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties; Aloe Vera, chamomile and green teas, and even honey.
THE RECIPE...
Here's a recipe you can try with me. For this solution, I am using Aveeno Baby wash, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Tea Tree and Lavender essential oils. I'm making a large batch {12 cups} but the proportions are 1 TBSP of Baby wash, 1 TBSP of Aloe Vera, 1 Capsule of Vitamin E, 2 drops of tea tree and 2 drops of Lavender per every 2 cups of water.
I usually boil water for my solution to minimize any germs or bacteria that may have, by chance, found their way into our tap.
Pre-soaking your wipes in the solution is not necessary, but I personally prefer to pre-soak, because I use a wipe warmer, and think Brontë prefers this extra step {who wouldn't prefer a warm - wet - fleece - wipe for their tooshie --- RIGHT???} But, you could very easily keep your solution in a spray bottle on your changing station, right next to a stack of dry cloth wipes and just spray each before use.
After soaking the wipes, I put them in a warmer, and fold them to "pop" up like disposables do. However, this is totally not necessary... You could roll them, fold them or even just scrunch them into little balls --- it's really about what will be most practical for you, but if you think the pop up method will be most practical, you can click here for a video I found showing how to do it --- it's really easy, and DOES NOT take very long at all.
This is really the perfect way to take cloth wipes on the go --- you could moisten the wipes ahead of time, but they may get mildewed if you're not using them everyday. I definitely do not use my on the go wipes everyday, so the spray bottle works best for me.
I usually make way more solution than I need, and then refrigerate the left overs to use next time --- the next time --- and the next time ;-)
Have fun giving it a try! Let me know what you think!
Additional F.Y.I.
Click here and here for some great wipe solution recipes, give a few a try and then try some improvisations... just keep in mind what you want out of your solution, and make sure the ingredients you pick reflect that.
To find out about some of the heath concerns related to chemicals used in conventional baby wipes and other commonly used products, please click here
So, as a follow up to my {Yeah}{I cloth Diaper} and {Plus}{All the cool kids are doing it} posts from earlier this month, a few of you have shown interest in trying out cloth, and I have been asked to write a post about, what is to me, the most natural companion to cloth diapering --- cloth wipes.
Just like with cloth diapering, there are a MULTITUDE of benefits for using cloth wipes. It will not only save you money, but it really is a healthier option for that precious little bum you love so much. I'm not saying that using store bought disposable diapers and wipes are THE WORST THINGS you could do for your child, but the benefits of switching to cloth far out-weigh the mere convenience of disposables, and honestly in our world which is saturated with toxicity, it's refreshing to take control and make healthier choices when possible --- So, if you're interested in giving it a try, this is what you need to know ---it's my cloth ONE-TWO-PUNCH to help you get started...
THE WIPE...
You can either buy cloth wipes like this or this, which are made out of materials that are soft, absorbent (like you only need 1 wipe per mess... NO JOKE), and durable enough to withstand wash-after-wash. You can find cloth wipes in a variety of fabrics that range from cotton to hemp to fleece to bamboo fiber, or, if you're crafty, you can make your own wipes from things like old receiving blankets.
THE SOLUTION...
Truthfully, you can just use water --- Lots of moms do --- but if you want some kind of solution to help cleanse, soothe, etc., there are endless possibilities. I make Brontë's wipe solution, and have tried out different recipes, and enjoy tweaking them in different ways for curiosities sake. There are really simple recipes, and very
Do you want it to be as easy as possible? As natural as possible? Do you want it to smell like your little one just got back from a baby day spa everytime you change their messy little diapee? Do they have sensitive skin? Do you want a soapless or oil-free solution? This is where the beauty is in making your own solution --- you, as the alpha mom you are, get to have the final say of what's ok and what's not ok for YOUR baby.
THE GUIDELINES...
By combing the web, you'll find there are a few quidelines you will want to keep in mind... basic building blocks to making your own solution usually include 1) a cleansing agent --- ie baby wash, shampoo, etc. 2) oil --- baby oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil, etc. 3) and water.
Other ingredients that can be utilized are: essential oils such as Lavender, Tea Tree, Grapefruit extract etc. which are great because they help make your solution smell heavenly, and they have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties; Aloe Vera, chamomile and green teas, and even honey.
THE RECIPE...
Here's a recipe you can try with me. For this solution, I am using Aveeno Baby wash, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Tea Tree and Lavender essential oils. I'm making a large batch {12 cups} but the proportions are 1 TBSP of Baby wash, 1 TBSP of Aloe Vera, 1 Capsule of Vitamin E, 2 drops of tea tree and 2 drops of Lavender per every 2 cups of water.
I usually boil water for my solution to minimize any germs or bacteria that may have, by chance, found their way into our tap.
Pre-soaking your wipes in the solution is not necessary, but I personally prefer to pre-soak, because I use a wipe warmer, and think Brontë prefers this extra step {who wouldn't prefer a warm - wet - fleece - wipe for their tooshie --- RIGHT???} But, you could very easily keep your solution in a spray bottle on your changing station, right next to a stack of dry cloth wipes and just spray each before use.
After soaking the wipes, I put them in a warmer, and fold them to "pop" up like disposables do. However, this is totally not necessary... You could roll them, fold them or even just scrunch them into little balls --- it's really about what will be most practical for you, but if you think the pop up method will be most practical, you can click here for a video I found showing how to do it --- it's really easy, and DOES NOT take very long at all.
This is really the perfect way to take cloth wipes on the go --- you could moisten the wipes ahead of time, but they may get mildewed if you're not using them everyday. I definitely do not use my on the go wipes everyday, so the spray bottle works best for me.
I usually make way more solution than I need, and then refrigerate the left overs to use next time --- the next time --- and the next time ;-)
Have fun giving it a try! Let me know what you think!
Additional F.Y.I.
Click here and here for some great wipe solution recipes, give a few a try and then try some improvisations... just keep in mind what you want out of your solution, and make sure the ingredients you pick reflect that.
To find out about some of the heath concerns related to chemicals used in conventional baby wipes and other commonly used products, please click here
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
{A Few of My Favorite Things}
Valentines Day came early for me last night.
My hubby came home last night and surprised me with all of my favorites... Star gazer lillies, a rose, a stuffed elephant, a gigantic heart shaped Reese's {which I demolished in about 30 seconds}, Rosé Merlot, and the crème de la crème --- Twilight: Breaking Dawn {Yes, I'm a 27yr old Twi-Hard --- LOL}
...And chocolate covered strawberries --- {Did I mention that?} --- yep, he pulled out all the stops.
All I gotta say is...
Yep --- that's me on the right with that fluffy ball of hair.
This video is about a year and a half old, but I had to dig it up for Valentines Day, cuz today {and everyday really}, I find myself saying, "Wow! 'Whatta Man'!"
So here's to True Love Tuesday {as I raise a glass of Rosé}--- Have a good one!
My hubby came home last night and surprised me with all of my favorites... Star gazer lillies, a rose, a stuffed elephant, a gigantic heart shaped Reese's {which I demolished in about 30 seconds}, Rosé Merlot, and the crème de la crème --- Twilight: Breaking Dawn {Yes, I'm a 27yr old Twi-Hard --- LOL}
...And chocolate covered strawberries --- {Did I mention that?} --- yep, he pulled out all the stops.
All I gotta say is...
Yep --- that's me on the right with that fluffy ball of hair.
This video is about a year and a half old, but I had to dig it up for Valentines Day, cuz today {and everyday really}, I find myself saying, "Wow! 'Whatta Man'!"
So here's to True Love Tuesday {as I raise a glass of Rosé}--- Have a good one!
Monday, February 13, 2012
{Messy Mondays} {On the Move}
Alright...
Well, we are in the midst of moving at the moment, and it has been both exhausting and chaotic; but It hasn't only been the logistics of getting our stuff from here to there. It's been much more than that --- It's been emotional.
...About a month ago, my husband and I made the difficult decision to do whatever it takes to make it possible for me to stay home with our daughter longer... You see, due to the fact that I had Brontë so early, my FMLA and state disability {maternity leave} actually ran out before she even hit her due date, and almost immediately my work contacted me to ask if I was ready, yet, to return to work.
My simple answer...no.
No, I was not ready to leave my daughter in the hands of a a stranger, or even a loved one, to care for at a time when she should still technically be in my womb!
Even now, we're not ready... she's going on 4 months old, but developmentally, she is only a mere 3 weeks old! She has so many health related concerns that are still up in the air, and has issues with choking when she eats... sometimes to the point of hypoxia, where she actually turns blue and my husband and I have to utilize the skills we learned in her baby CPR class to clear her airway.
Truthfully, I don't know when I will be ready to leave her to go back to work, but I know I will never compromise her care for a job, and that is exactly what I feel I would be doing if I went back right now...
So that is what lead us to the decision to move...
We prayed for a way for me to be able to stay home with Brontë, and we received a very humbling answer. In order to afford our decision for me to stay home with Brontë we are having to give up the freedom of our own space and comfy little apartment and move in with my parents. Humbling, but necessary --- at least for now. But no doubt about it, I am ecstatic that I get to be with my little girl, and above all else, thankful that God made a way, because i have no doubt that this is what is best for our baby girl.
Now here's the Messy Monday challenge...
It's time for somedownsizing... simplifying. Did you see what I just did there? It's called perspective. "Downsizing" (at least for me) has a negative connotation --- a sense of loss --- where as "simplifying" brings with it a connotative essence of being purposefully minimalistic. Straight up, I just don't have room for everything anymore --- unless of course I want to be considered a candidate for that show HOARDERS --- In a messy makeover it's important to keep perspective in mind. YOU WILL FAIL IF YOU FOCUS ON LOSS, but this can be a positively successful endeavor if you promise yourself to focus on what you will undoubtedly GAIN.
For example.
My closet. Around the new year, I was inspired by reading a friend and fellow bloggers challenge in the 20 Pieces Project, which advocates the importance and benefits in choosing to take on a minimalistic, yet chic, mindset when it comes to clothing. Time is a huge gain, which is priceless as a new mom. If you are anything like me, the cliché "girl who walks into a full closet and says 'I have nothing to wear!'" isn't too far off. I have literally spent hours at a time looking through my hundreds of articles of clothing hating what I use to love, complaining about my clothes not fitting me right, which quickly turns to a self loathing it's me not fitting my clothes right. But imagine having, hypothetically, 20 interchangeable pieces that all fit right, all are comfortable, and all fit your own personal and unique style that can be dressed up or down to work for every occasion along your individual fashion scope of needs? Think of how much time could be saved... how much frustration could be saved... how much bodily self pity could be saved... and how much literal space could be saved by de-cluttering your closet to such an extreme? Personally I have gotten rid of about 10 trash bags of clothes this last month, but to be honest I could still get rid of a ton more... and will be doing so over the next week.
Now, for a broader scale example
Moving --- our move --- is an act of simplifying our lifestyle to gain what we hold most precious. However, If I focus on what we are loosing rather than on what we are gaining through not working and through moving, then I will be swallowed up in loss... financial loss... loss of freedom... loss of pride {yeah, I said it}, and inevitably that would lead to loosing sight of the vision God has given us for our family, and the calling which he has placed in our hearts for how to be the best parents to Brontë as we can be...and to us, that loss of vision, would ultimately be the most costly of losses.
So this week, whether it is de-cluttering your closet of things that don't fit, or if it is more dramatically de-cluttering your lifestyle of things that don't fit, do it with joy and absolute expectancy that what you have to gain is around the same corner where you dump your losses.
Well, we are in the midst of moving at the moment, and it has been both exhausting and chaotic; but It hasn't only been the logistics of getting our stuff from here to there. It's been much more than that --- It's been emotional.
...About a month ago, my husband and I made the difficult decision to do whatever it takes to make it possible for me to stay home with our daughter longer... You see, due to the fact that I had Brontë so early, my FMLA and state disability {maternity leave} actually ran out before she even hit her due date, and almost immediately my work contacted me to ask if I was ready, yet, to return to work.
My simple answer...no.
No, I was not ready to leave my daughter in the hands of a a stranger, or even a loved one, to care for at a time when she should still technically be in my womb!
Even now, we're not ready... she's going on 4 months old, but developmentally, she is only a mere 3 weeks old! She has so many health related concerns that are still up in the air, and has issues with choking when she eats... sometimes to the point of hypoxia, where she actually turns blue and my husband and I have to utilize the skills we learned in her baby CPR class to clear her airway.
Truthfully, I don't know when I will be ready to leave her to go back to work, but I know I will never compromise her care for a job, and that is exactly what I feel I would be doing if I went back right now...
So that is what lead us to the decision to move...
We prayed for a way for me to be able to stay home with Brontë, and we received a very humbling answer. In order to afford our decision for me to stay home with Brontë we are having to give up the freedom of our own space and comfy little apartment and move in with my parents. Humbling, but necessary --- at least for now. But no doubt about it, I am ecstatic that I get to be with my little girl, and above all else, thankful that God made a way, because i have no doubt that this is what is best for our baby girl.
Now here's the Messy Monday challenge...
It's time for some
For example.
My closet. Around the new year, I was inspired by reading a friend and fellow bloggers challenge in the 20 Pieces Project, which advocates the importance and benefits in choosing to take on a minimalistic, yet chic, mindset when it comes to clothing. Time is a huge gain, which is priceless as a new mom. If you are anything like me, the cliché "girl who walks into a full closet and says 'I have nothing to wear!'" isn't too far off. I have literally spent hours at a time looking through my hundreds of articles of clothing hating what I use to love, complaining about my clothes not fitting me right, which quickly turns to a self loathing it's me not fitting my clothes right. But imagine having, hypothetically, 20 interchangeable pieces that all fit right, all are comfortable, and all fit your own personal and unique style that can be dressed up or down to work for every occasion along your individual fashion scope of needs? Think of how much time could be saved... how much frustration could be saved... how much bodily self pity could be saved... and how much literal space could be saved by de-cluttering your closet to such an extreme? Personally I have gotten rid of about 10 trash bags of clothes this last month, but to be honest I could still get rid of a ton more... and will be doing so over the next week.
Now, for a broader scale example
Moving --- our move --- is an act of simplifying our lifestyle to gain what we hold most precious. However, If I focus on what we are loosing rather than on what we are gaining through not working and through moving, then I will be swallowed up in loss... financial loss... loss of freedom... loss of pride {yeah, I said it}, and inevitably that would lead to loosing sight of the vision God has given us for our family, and the calling which he has placed in our hearts for how to be the best parents to Brontë as we can be...and to us, that loss of vision, would ultimately be the most costly of losses.
So this week, whether it is de-cluttering your closet of things that don't fit, or if it is more dramatically de-cluttering your lifestyle of things that don't fit, do it with joy and absolute expectancy that what you have to gain is around the same corner where you dump your losses.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
{Wordless Wednesdays}
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
{True Love Tuesdays}
In honor of love month, I'm dedicating the next few Tuesdays to true love. I wrote this a few years ago, but I re-read it not that long ago, and it still resonates within me. I hope you enjoy it!
True love --- love in it's purest sense --- is not to be situationally subjective. It is to stand independently of both time and circumstance. This is the supposed claim made in marital vows, "To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish,'till death do us part"... However, I think Shakespeare sums it up much better in his 116th sonnet, "...Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds..."{thank you Bill for being so direct --- PS everyone should read this sonnet in it's entirety --- it's fabulous!}
However, in such a fickle generation, I often wonder how it is that I hear this word so frequently tossed about --- "LOVE" --- through repetitive use and hypocritical abuse the word has somehow lost it's potency and become muddled --- "LOVE" --- if i knew nothing of the word, and had to construct a definition for it based off of social observation alone, I would dishearteningly look at this hurting world and have to define it as something like, "--- LOVE --- an unruly sensation; signified by intense and volatile emotion; not responsible for it's action; hedonistic pleasure requiring little to no commitment; subject to shifts in loyalty within friendships and relationships of all kind dependent on convenience,whim, perk, and reward. Love is selfish, hurtful, unforgiving and temporary..."
The truth is, however, that love --- TRUE love --- isn't any of those things. It is intended to HEAL not HARM. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres! Love never fails!" This is what love is... and if this is not the definition of what you mean and intend when using the word "LOVE" then most likely "LOVE" has nothing to do with whatever it is you are feeling.
I am sure that most of you reading this are familiar with the words above, and that a great many of you even "know" that this is what 1 Corinthians 13 says about love, but maybe the problem, as evidenced in our failing social context, is that we need to stop "knowing" it in our minds, and start "knowing" it in our hearts and demonstrating that knowledge through our lives. After all people don't read minds or hearts...they read actions and THEN learn to understand the heart and mind behind them.
The golden rule calls for action in it's command to "DO unto others as you would have them DO unto you (Matt. 7:12)... because you will reap what you sow. (Gal. 6:7)" As Sara Bareilles would say, "You're only gonna get what you give away --- SO GIVE LOVE!", but make sure that love is true, pure, selfless and unalterable. Let that love be sincere, without any form of hypocrisy (Rom.12:9)...
LET ALL YOU DO BE DONE WITH LOVE
LET ALL YOU SAY BE SAID WITH LOVE
LET ALL YOUR THOUGHTS BE THOUGHTS OF LOVE
LET ALL YOU SING BE SONGS OF LOVE
LET ALL YOUR GIFTS BE GIFTS OF LOVE
LET ALL YOUR FIGHTS BE FOUGHT FOR LOVE
True love --- love in it's purest sense --- is not to be situationally subjective. It is to stand independently of both time and circumstance. This is the supposed claim made in marital vows, "To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish,'till death do us part"... However, I think Shakespeare sums it up much better in his 116th sonnet, "...Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds..."{thank you Bill for being so direct --- PS everyone should read this sonnet in it's entirety --- it's fabulous!}
However, in such a fickle generation, I often wonder how it is that I hear this word so frequently tossed about --- "LOVE" --- through repetitive use and hypocritical abuse the word has somehow lost it's potency and become muddled --- "LOVE" --- if i knew nothing of the word, and had to construct a definition for it based off of social observation alone, I would dishearteningly look at this hurting world and have to define it as something like, "--- LOVE --- an unruly sensation; signified by intense and volatile emotion; not responsible for it's action; hedonistic pleasure requiring little to no commitment; subject to shifts in loyalty within friendships and relationships of all kind dependent on convenience,whim, perk, and reward. Love is selfish, hurtful, unforgiving and temporary..."
The truth is, however, that love --- TRUE love --- isn't any of those things. It is intended to HEAL not HARM. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres! Love never fails!" This is what love is... and if this is not the definition of what you mean and intend when using the word "LOVE" then most likely "LOVE" has nothing to do with whatever it is you are feeling.
I am sure that most of you reading this are familiar with the words above, and that a great many of you even "know" that this is what 1 Corinthians 13 says about love, but maybe the problem, as evidenced in our failing social context, is that we need to stop "knowing" it in our minds, and start "knowing" it in our hearts and demonstrating that knowledge through our lives. After all people don't read minds or hearts...they read actions and THEN learn to understand the heart and mind behind them.
The golden rule calls for action in it's command to "DO unto others as you would have them DO unto you (Matt. 7:12)... because you will reap what you sow. (Gal. 6:7)" As Sara Bareilles would say, "You're only gonna get what you give away --- SO GIVE LOVE!", but make sure that love is true, pure, selfless and unalterable. Let that love be sincere, without any form of hypocrisy (Rom.12:9)...
LET ALL YOU DO BE DONE WITH LOVE
LET ALL YOU SAY BE SAID WITH LOVE
LET ALL YOUR THOUGHTS BE THOUGHTS OF LOVE
LET ALL YOU SING BE SONGS OF LOVE
LET ALL YOUR GIFTS BE GIFTS OF LOVE
LET ALL YOUR FIGHTS BE FOUGHT FOR LOVE
Monday, February 6, 2012
{Messy Mondays}
So, as I'll mention more times than this once, I'm sure...
I'm not exactly the organizational type...I appreciate organization, but more at an idealistic distance than in my tangible everyday reality. Many times, I have made resolute decisions to turn over a clean new leaf, and really stick with it this time just to later realize that "this time" clearly didn't end up being the "this time" I was talking about, because it just didn't stick...DARN, oh well.
The funny things is...
I grew up with all sorts of organized friends, ones who were in contrast to me as black is to white. Those who had day planners long before I realized that my days needed planning... Maybe it's the whole opposites attract thing, who knows? But seriously, I always seemed to be the one with the messiest room at home, and the one who would show up for class without so much as a pencil BECAUSE I couldn't find one in my locker, BECAUSE my locker was jam packed with everything BUT pencils and books, WHICH more often than not were forgotten at home, except that is, when I would need them at home... then of course, they were usually in my locker {Oy vey!}.
My childhood and early adulthood has been riddled with goofy mess ups of forgetfulness like these, and organizational faux pas such as going to a 5 day church camp with a suitcase bursting at the seems with 20 outfits, but no underwear or a tooth brush to show for it {true story}.
Now, I would love to tell you...
...that married life proved to be the catalyst for my organizational change, but that wouldn't be true... almost anytime we get into the car, wether it's to go 50 or 500 miles, it takes me about as long as it takes to get onto the freeway to realize I have forgotten a list of things that are absolutely necessary for the trip... Lucky for me, my husband rocks, and always seems to know, in advance, what I'll forget and manages to pack preemptively against my inevitably disorganized efforts...
...Even now, as I look around our apartment, there's not a room, a desk --- no, not even a drawer is organized --- and unfortunately, my normally organized husband, has slowly but most surely, been over taken by this tornado of a wife!
Needless to say, this is not a good thing --- and this mess isn't entirely my own anymore --- we have a baby --- extra laundry, {especially since we're cloth diapering}, toys, blankets, play mats, bath supplies etc. etc --- and being that Brontë was premature, she has regular doctors appointments with her primary care physician, cardiologist, ophthalmologist, and orthopedist on a rotating schedule to keep track of! Clearly, this messy lifestyle, which I used to just brush under the rug {haha} simply won't do.
And so begins Messy Mondays...
I am committing Mondays to my efforts to make-over my messy habits... {which are many} with tips and tools that I'm finding to be helpful --- or not so helpful--- that might work for you too if you're anything like me.
I'm hoping that by blogging about it, there will be a sense of accountability that was previously lacking, and that my chaotic chronicles will help other like minded {scatter-brained} women make-over their messes. After all --- as Christian women, we serve a God of order --- don't we?
I'm not exactly the organizational type...I appreciate organization, but more at an idealistic distance than in my tangible everyday reality. Many times, I have made resolute decisions to turn over a clean new leaf, and really stick with it this time just to later realize that "this time" clearly didn't end up being the "this time" I was talking about, because it just didn't stick...
The funny things is...
I grew up with all sorts of organized friends, ones who were in contrast to me as black is to white. Those who had day planners long before I realized that my days needed planning... Maybe it's the whole opposites attract thing, who knows? But seriously, I always seemed to be the one with the messiest room at home, and the one who would show up for class without so much as a pencil BECAUSE I couldn't find one in my locker, BECAUSE my locker was jam packed with everything BUT pencils and books, WHICH more often than not were forgotten at home, except that is, when I would need them at home... then of course, they were usually in my locker {Oy vey!}.
My childhood and early adulthood has been riddled with goofy mess ups of forgetfulness like these, and organizational faux pas such as going to a 5 day church camp with a suitcase bursting at the seems with 20 outfits, but no underwear or a tooth brush to show for it {true story}.
Now, I would love to tell you...
...that married life proved to be the catalyst for my organizational change, but that wouldn't be true... almost anytime we get into the car, wether it's to go 50 or 500 miles, it takes me about as long as it takes to get onto the freeway to realize I have forgotten a list of things that are absolutely necessary for the trip... Lucky for me, my husband rocks, and always seems to know, in advance, what I'll forget and manages to pack preemptively against my inevitably disorganized efforts...
...Even now, as I look around our apartment, there's not a room, a desk --- no, not even a drawer is organized --- and unfortunately, my normally organized husband, has slowly but most surely, been over taken by this tornado of a wife!
Needless to say, this is not a good thing --- and this mess isn't entirely my own anymore --- we have a baby --- extra laundry, {especially since we're cloth diapering}, toys, blankets, play mats, bath supplies etc. etc --- and being that Brontë was premature, she has regular doctors appointments with her primary care physician, cardiologist, ophthalmologist, and orthopedist on a rotating schedule to keep track of! Clearly, this messy lifestyle, which I used to just brush under the rug {haha} simply won't do.
And so begins Messy Mondays...
I am committing Mondays to my efforts to make-over my messy habits... {which are many} with tips and tools that I'm finding to be helpful --- or not so helpful--- that might work for you too if you're anything like me.
I'm hoping that by blogging about it, there will be a sense of accountability that was previously lacking, and that my chaotic chronicles will help other like minded {scatter-brained} women make-over their messes. After all --- as Christian women, we serve a God of order --- don't we?
Sunday, February 5, 2012
{Plus} {All the cool kids are doing it}
As a follow up to my last post on cloth diapering... I thought it'd be fun to add a list of known celebrities who don their own kids in cloth diapers...
Click here to find out who of your favorites have made the transition...
<------This is Melissa Joan Hart's son, Brady, wearing a Happy Heiny pocket diaper --- How cute is he?!
Click here to find out who of your favorites have made the transition...
<------This is Melissa Joan Hart's son, Brady, wearing a Happy Heiny pocket diaper --- How cute is he?!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
{Yeah} {I cloth diaper}...
You could say, I kinda fell into cloth diapering...
I never had anything against it, and in fact thought about it from time to time, but I have a bad habit of starting things without thinking them through, and didn't want to $invest$ so much in something that I would later regret.
However, around the time that we got to bring Brontë home from the NICU, we were blessed with a care package from a complete stranger who had heard about our family's story, and in this care package, along with many other wonderful things were 10 Li'l Joey diapers in various adorable colors... I was SO excited! I got to try out this whole cloth diapering thing without the worries of $investing$ in something that we might end up hating...
Needless to say, I was hooked, and SO WAS MY HUSBAND! There are so many great reasons to cloth diaper, and today's cloth diaper is NOT yo mamma's cloth diaper! They come in so many varieties that make it nearly as effortless as using disposables, but without the worry of harsh chemicals such as Dioxins and Sodium Polycarbonate, as well as the added benefit of doing something nice for the environment that is also nice for the wallet.
If you're interested in reading up on other reasons why cloth diapering kicks butt you can read more here or here.
I know, I know... what's with the fear of $investing$ but also being nice for the wallet spiel??
It's one of those things that so appropriately fits the adage, "you gotta spend money to make money". We're not exactly making money, but we're all set now to save some...
Brontë's diaper stash now consists of 10 All-in-One Lil Joey's, 4 One-Size-Fits-Most pocket Rumparooz, 8 One-Size-Fits-Most pocket BumGenius, and 1 One-Size-Fits-Most/All-in-One BumGenius... All of which have proven to be phenomenal diapers for us, BUT at $17-$25 a peice... that's where my $investment$ fear was stemming from... However, Recently I was told by another mom, about another brand that is both cheaper and {at least in her oppinion} superior...
So, we got...
I ended up ordering 4 of these Kawaii Baby Diapers... At roughly 50% of the cost of comparable diapers of other brands, I am SUPER interested to see if they are really "SUPERIOR" as was claimed by the mom that tipped me off about them...
These ones are made with an eco-friendly bamboo fiber inner pocket liner, and a super soft minky waterproof outer shell... each diaper also comes with 2 bamboo fiber inserts.
They're currently in the wash, but as soon as they're out, I'm puttin' baby girl in 'em... I'll let you know how they fare...
I never had anything against it, and in fact thought about it from time to time, but I have a bad habit of starting things without thinking them through, and didn't want to $invest$ so much in something that I would later regret.
However, around the time that we got to bring Brontë home from the NICU, we were blessed with a care package from a complete stranger who had heard about our family's story, and in this care package, along with many other wonderful things were 10 Li'l Joey diapers in various adorable colors... I was SO excited! I got to try out this whole cloth diapering thing without the worries of $investing$ in something that we might end up hating...
Needless to say, I was hooked, and SO WAS MY HUSBAND! There are so many great reasons to cloth diaper, and today's cloth diaper is NOT yo mamma's cloth diaper! They come in so many varieties that make it nearly as effortless as using disposables, but without the worry of harsh chemicals such as Dioxins and Sodium Polycarbonate, as well as the added benefit of doing something nice for the environment that is also nice for the wallet.
If you're interested in reading up on other reasons why cloth diapering kicks butt you can read more here or here.
I know, I know... what's with the fear of $investing$ but also being nice for the wallet spiel??
It's one of those things that so appropriately fits the adage, "you gotta spend money to make money". We're not exactly making money, but we're all set now to save some...
Brontë's diaper stash now consists of 10 All-in-One Lil Joey's, 4 One-Size-Fits-Most pocket Rumparooz, 8 One-Size-Fits-Most pocket BumGenius, and 1 One-Size-Fits-Most/All-in-One BumGenius... All of which have proven to be phenomenal diapers for us, BUT at $17-$25 a peice... that's where my $investment$ fear was stemming from... However, Recently I was told by another mom, about another brand that is both cheaper and {at least in her oppinion} superior...
So, we got...
I ended up ordering 4 of these Kawaii Baby Diapers... At roughly 50% of the cost of comparable diapers of other brands, I am SUPER interested to see if they are really "SUPERIOR" as was claimed by the mom that tipped me off about them...
These ones are made with an eco-friendly bamboo fiber inner pocket liner, and a super soft minky waterproof outer shell... each diaper also comes with 2 bamboo fiber inserts.
They're currently in the wash, but as soon as they're out, I'm puttin' baby girl in 'em... I'll let you know how they fare...
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
{Ready} {Set} {Blog}
Ok, here we go... blog time...
Thank you for stopping by to read the introductory post to The Kaleidoscope Ballet. As this blog is just beginning, I'm sure the majority of readers will be friends and family who, for the most part, already know the details and circumstances that have brought my husband and I into parenthood. However, for those of you who may have just stumbled across The Kaleidoscope Ballet and are trying to figure us out, get ready for the nutshell -- I married the love of my life (cliché but true) in June 2010, and am the proud, proud, mother of our daughter Brontë, who was born 11 weeks premature this last November. As such, I know both my way around the NICU , and how very suddenly every well made plan can come undone requiring serious and sometimes radical revisions. If you are interested in reading through some of our journey, you can do so here.
Brontë's time in the NICU, and the events leading up to it, have obviously become earmarks of our parenting and married life thus far. We still have to see specialists for things pertaining to complications of her prematurity and development, but I do not want that to be the focus of this blog, so I will address those things only occasionally. I just truly believe that there is SO much more to look forward to, and THAT is what I want this blog to be about --- the future and the hope that God promises for his people.
So now, moving on...what's this blog about?
It is my full intention to use this space as a platform to share my personal stories and experiences as a wife and new mother, but that's not all... I don't want this blog to be just about me and my experiences... I want to hear yours, and I will be seeking out other mothers and wives to write guest features from time to time to share their wisdom and experiences as well.
But, what's with the name, right?
Well, first off... I am in no way, shape, or form, a ballerina, but I believe both wifehood and motherhood, are like a dance. Each movement sweeping into the next, and refined by discipline --- A beautiful progression intended for glory.
As for Kaleidoscopes... I straight up love 'em! Colorful shards of glass, beads, sand, etc., working together to reflect an ever changing mosaic of stained glass... They're absolutely beautiful, aren't they? They're unique; and with each new turn, every framed glance, differing from the next and last, they remind me ofchildhood. Actually, they remind me of life --- different events, different experiences ---sparkle and grit --- each bead special, and each shard important.
And there you have it...
Thank you for stopping by to read the introductory post to The Kaleidoscope Ballet. As this blog is just beginning, I'm sure the majority of readers will be friends and family who, for the most part, already know the details and circumstances that have brought my husband and I into parenthood. However, for those of you who may have just stumbled across The Kaleidoscope Ballet and are trying to figure us out, get ready for the nutshell -- I married the love of my life (cliché but true) in June 2010, and am the proud, proud, mother of our daughter Brontë, who was born 11 weeks premature this last November. As such, I know both my way around the NICU , and how very suddenly every well made plan can come undone requiring serious and sometimes radical revisions. If you are interested in reading through some of our journey, you can do so here.
Brontë's time in the NICU, and the events leading up to it, have obviously become earmarks of our parenting and married life thus far. We still have to see specialists for things pertaining to complications of her prematurity and development, but I do not want that to be the focus of this blog, so I will address those things only occasionally. I just truly believe that there is SO much more to look forward to, and THAT is what I want this blog to be about --- the future and the hope that God promises for his people.
So now, moving on...what's this blog about?
It is my full intention to use this space as a platform to share my personal stories and experiences as a wife and new mother, but that's not all... I don't want this blog to be just about me and my experiences... I want to hear yours, and I will be seeking out other mothers and wives to write guest features from time to time to share their wisdom and experiences as well.
But, what's with the name, right?
Well, first off... I am in no way, shape, or form, a ballerina, but I believe both wifehood and motherhood, are like a dance. Each movement sweeping into the next, and refined by discipline --- A beautiful progression intended for glory.
As for Kaleidoscopes... I straight up love 'em! Colorful shards of glass, beads, sand, etc., working together to reflect an ever changing mosaic of stained glass... They're absolutely beautiful, aren't they? They're unique; and with each new turn, every framed glance, differing from the next and last, they remind me of
And there you have it...
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