Interesting.  That’s been my day so far.

I think I’ve decided to switch from cloth diapering half-time…to 97% of the time.  I woke up again this morning to baby L’s diaper (disposable) off.  And, get this – de-fluffed.  Remember all of those bad chemicals I mentioned before?  Yeh, they were all over her and her bed.

I didn’t stop to get the camera.  I whisked her off to the bathtub.  And, after I got HER clean (my top priority), I put a CLOTH DIAPER on her (because they won’t poison my sweet child…or defluff into the bedsheets) and then tackled the dirty mess.  Actually, there was no tackling.  I was trying my best not to touch it by picking up the fluff with a plastic bag and then only touching dry edges of the sheets.  Threw it all into the hot water in the washing machine I’d just run…and there we go.

As I was waiting, I figured I’d try and put together Lorelei’s (early) birthday presents from her Mimi and Gramps : a shelf from Lowes.  All I needed was hammer and screwdriver.  Everything else was included.  Easy enough.  I have both.

So, I put baby L into her play pen and sat outside of it so we could chatter back and forth.  Opened the box, and began pulling things out.  Check, check, check.  It’s all here.   Scanned the directions.  Looks easy enough.   Project time: 20 minutes.  Perfect.

Glory, our stupid little dog, was going nuts with all of her yapping.  Which, was making me nuts.  So, I got up to ring her neck…um…I mean…figure out what she wanted.  (Which was not to be held…by her neck).  I decided while I was in the kitchen, I’d grab the screwdriver and hammer.  I open the drawer.  What?  Where’s the crazy hammer that’s all bent?  Where’s MY screwdriver with the magnetic heads?  WTC?

I search a few places.  Nothing.

So, I ransack Steven’s handy dandy tools.  What the crap is this stuff?  What the hell am I supposed to do with this?  I found the handle.  I found the little head.  Now, how do I make them go together?  After about 10 minutes, I decided to move on.  I’m going to use his new Christmas tools – the ones he hasn’t even used yet.  Screwdriver.  Check.

Now…about that hammer…

I decide to do what I can without the hammer.  I sit back down, get the boards situated and start screwing.

Lorlei starts screaming.  It means “naptime.”  And, the sheets aren’t dry yet.  I re-situate the toys for her, and she’s happy again.

Ahhhh….  Thank God.

I go back to what I was doing, trying to figure out what the heck these little pieces here and there are for.  I figure it out and am back to work.  Oh oops.  I was supposed to use the hammer for THAT.  I unscrew the 2 screws I had so victoriously screwed in.

Laundry is finished.  I take a “break” and go back to Lorelei’s room to redress the crib.  I grab Lorelei and put her down for her nap.  Phew.  Okay good.  Now I can work on this thing.  It’ll be finished in time for Steven to come home and Lorelei to wake up.  That will be perfect.

I remember that I need the hammer. I check the garage.  Nope.  Puzzled, I check a few more drawers.  Nope.  I call Steven…”Hey hon, what did you do with the hammer?”  “Huh?  Oh.  I have no idea.” – he says.  I’m about to ban him from ever touching anything in the house again, and then he says, “Oh.  Here it is.”  I freeze.  Confused.  “What?  There?  With you?  At work?”  My brain is unable to comprehend why he’d need a hammer for his WEB DESIGN job.

I picture him in a long black trenchcoat, storming into his boss’ office…with a hammer?

“Dear…why do you have the hammer…there.”

“Because I needed it.”

Oh.  Well that just explains everything.

“Well, bring it home.  And, don’t forget.  In fact, don’t bother coming home tonight if the hammer isn’t with you.”

NEW PLAN:

Tonight, I will slam back a few shots of vodka, as STEVEN puts together the shelf for Lorelei, as I laugh at him and in his general direction.

Hammer at work.  Pbbtt.

Welcome back!

By now, most of you know that we cloth-diaper our daughter, Lorelei (at least, half time). If you don’t, then where have you been? (lol, I kid I kid.) Anyways, we do.

If you are at all curious why, you can check out another post I made HERE on “that other blog” I run.

But, to be honest, I didn’t start cloth-diapering to save the world or to make the environment cleaner. I mean, sure – I’m concerned…but, to be HONEST…my concerns mostly were with my daughter’s health. Approximately 8 months ago, I received some information in the mail. It was an ingredient list of the most common “toxic ingredients” in everyday products – things like Herbal Essences Shampoo and Conditioner (one of our favorites), Johnson and Johnson body washes, and more!! This list really got me thinking. I went online and did some research: I needed to know if this list was for real or not. It was.

And then, it occurred to me. I could be putting all sorts of stuff on Lorelei’s body, without even having a clue what I’m doing. So, a little more research later…and I decided we’d start cloth diapering. At least part-time.

I was tired of her waking up and having her diaper changed and those little “crystals” being all over her tush. It didn’t even look safe. So, we ventured into cloth-diapering.

Our first bunch was some cheap-o Gerber cloth diapers. You know, the sucky kind your parents probably used. The ones that need pins, vinyl pants, and “swishing.” Yeh, um no. Not only did they not work quite as well…they were too…rudimentary for my taste. I am so not your “swishing” type of girl. No thanks. In fact, when we had those, I’d lay them in the driveway and use our garden hose, with the nozzle turned on “high stream” to “clean” them off and into the grass.

I had almost given up when I found a whole new world of diapers. Click HERE to see what I mean. Many of them were JUST like disposables. You could choose between snap or velcro fasteners (snaps were brilliant when the babies started learning how to take velcro diapers off). And, they held up just as well…no BETTER as disposables. No blowouts, ever. Cool patterns and colors, my choice. And no more nasty crystals.

Steven was a little worried, though. Of course, his parents had used the “old school diapers”…(Read: vinyl pants, pins, swishing). So, he had no idea what to expect. And, he let me know really quickly he’d be doing ABSOLUTELY NO SWISHING!

How does he feel about it now, you ask? He thinks it rocks! It saves us tons of money and is great for our daughter. (Would YOU  rather  wear scratchy underwear instead of luxurious microfleece?)

He even said, “I think if everyone only knew how easy this was, they’d do it to!”

So, I’m going to tell you exactly how easy it is:

First, you put the diaper on. If you get a Pocket Diaper (which I recommend) or All In One…it’s VERY similar to putting on a disposable.

Then, when you take it off…

If it’s a pee diaper, you toss it into the “diaper can”.

We use this one:

It’s made by Sterilite and we got it for less than $10 at Walmart. The top stays down so animals and kids don’t get into it. And, any smell stays in. It’s see through, so you can see when it’s almost full and you need to do some washing.

If it’s a poo, you simply take it to the bathroom, turn the diaper over (above the toilet, not in)…and it comes off. (Thanks to the microfleece). Then, you toss it into the “diaper can.”

After a few days, it’ll be time to wash. Fill the washing machine with hot, soapy water. Then, take the top off the “diaper can,” hold your breath, dump the contents out, shut the lid and let them wash.

When they are done, everything can go in the dryer to dry.

Voila.

I never touch the yucky parts of dirty diapers. And, I never EVER have to worry about not having enough diapers.

Last Thursday, I asked you to ask me…anything.  And, this week?  My answers!

BusyDad asked:

Where’s the beer?  Ya.  I wish.  I think you probably have enough beer and whisky stocked up for the both of us.  Haha.

If you were to make one of your crafts for me, which would it be and why?  Well, I first thought I’d make you and fluffy BJ some matching dog collar thingies.  I jest.  How about…a custom painting or photography?

Melissa asked:

What is your favorite childhood memory?  I have SO many!  I’m going to say hanging out with my “Gramps” (grandfather) and feeding fish, watching birds, and huge hugs…I miss him so much.
Sandy asked:

When, why and how did you come to create First Impressions?  ORIGINALLY…First Impressions was going to be a physical store.  Turns out, the local banks didn’t want to give anyone a loan if they didn’t have the cash to back it up in savings (which for me, defeats the purpose of BORROWING).  So, I decided to just start up online anyways…and then in a few years re-assess where I was and build up my credit and possibly carry on from there.  I wanted a store that sold more maternity clothing and slings – our little town has close to NOTHING.  That – and really cool baby things.

I started my F.I. blog because I wanted a place to show all of the AWESOME things I came across (clothing, toys, etc).  I realize that there is NO POSSIBLE way I could carry all things awesome, so I wanted a place to share them with others.  I also wanted to start doing Virtual Baby Showers, I love showering moms with gifts – especially those that would normally not receive much.  Life is a beautiful thing and I love being part of the celebration.   

Being a WAHM and juggling it all, are you able to shower everyday?  LOL!  I DO shower every day.  Sometimes, I have to wait until evening though (after hubby gets home from work).

What product could you not live without?  Lorelei’s Gigi blankies come in handy…she goes to sleep SO much easier when she has them.  And, her playpen.  And…my *gasp* LAPTOP!!!!

Nana asked:

When am I going to see baby L again and will you or speed dad show me how to make a blog?  Hey Nana!  Hopefully soon!  And, yes…Steven or/and I will help you make a blog! 
Tara R. asked:

What do you do to relax when it’s just ‘you time’ ?  I like to read a good book (my favorite are the Janet Evanovich books…or Harry Potter…), paint, blog, craft, go for walks…I’d LOVE a massage about now, though!

Melissa asked…again (she stalks me – haha!!):

Is that your mom who wants to make a blog? LOL no, it was our “Nana” (Steven’s grandmother)

Schannelle asked:

Will you show me how to make a blog like this?  Sure, sweetie!  Just PM me!!

Also, if you had a million dollars, what would you do with it and why? I’d put it into an account that draws 10% interest and let it set.  Then, I’d use the interest I made to live off of.  I’d take a portion of that interest that we make and give it away to those who need it more than me. 

Okay…so that should have been Thursday “11″ haha!  So, send me some more questions!!  lol! You can send as many as you want!  They are fun! – And yes, I realize I’m a dork. 

*Inspired by Goodies For Mom Blog

Here are my Top 10 Signs You Are A Mom (Or a Dad):

1. You hope ketchup is a veggie…because it’s the only one your kid eats.
2. Not only have you mastered the “bedhead” look…you’ve also mastered the “I haven’t showered in days” and the “I haven’t really slept in months” look
3. It’s 3 PM and you are still in your pjs. (Okay, that’s if you are a SAHM/SAHD lol)
4. You stop criticizing the way your parents raised you. – That, and spanking starts to make a lot more sense.
5. You find yourself cutting your sandwiches (even if it isn’t for the kids) in cute little shapes and peeling the crust off…or chopping everything into tiny bite-sized pieces.
6. You begin fantasizing about playing cowboys and indians or hide and seek…just so you can tie them up and hide (or just hide if the game is hide and seek).
7. You are so desperate for adult conversation that you tell your problems to the telemarketer…and they hang up on YOU!
8. You are out with your friends and you excuse yourself to go “potty”
9. You measure your time in cartoon increments “You can watch ONE backyardigans…and then off to bed!”
10. You just spent 3 hours doing heavy duty cleaning: scrubbing, mopping, dishes, vacuuming, dusting, picking up…and in 10 minutes…it looks like you haven’t done anything at all.
And a bonus: Somedays you wonder if you really are cut out to do this at all…but you know you’d never ever trade…not for anything.