Diapers....Round 4!

As we prepare for the newest baby here, we had to return to the world of diapers. This time around we are going green and doing cloth diapers. Interestingly, it never presented itself as choice before (although, of course, it always was).

Why we are doing it....
1) Expense--up front, it is more expensive to set up your diapering system than stocking for a month of disposables however in the long run (2-3 years of diapers), it is way, way, way cheaper. No comparison.

2) Environment--it is clearly better for the environment to use reusable items than sending things to fill up landfills. Although it will add a laundry load or two to our week, it will not add anything to our garbage load (which we like to keep light---recycling and composting keep us to a bag or two per week).

This is a very big trend and lots of families are choosing to use cloth diapers, at least in some degree. So the products available are abundant.

If you are considering cloth diapers, you do need to educate yourself a bit. There are a few ways to do this.

*Ask around (I put a question to my friends on facebook and asked people who I know do it)
*You Tube (there are tons of videos on how to...)
*The Interweb (again lots of sources, Cotton Babies is a good start)
*Your local green store. Ours, B.Lime Baby, offers classes, rentals, products, etc.

So, I'm sure you will hear from us on how this new adventure goes.

An exciting weekend...

We had a very exciting weekend around here...in addition to our circus trip.

*Soccer...finally! Of course, at least our kids were playing at the same time but...on complete opposite sides of the park...actually they were as far away from each other as possible. So we only watched the last quarter of our daughter's game (missing her goal). No gym needed...carrying kids around Dodds Park. You want to treat yourself to something super cute...watch the microsoccer practice. Our 4yo loved it...until he got mud on his knee...but the coach told him it was ok...you get dirty in soccer (our 4yo's new motto).

*Our friends who recently moved back to Chicagoland came down to visit. Yah! Our kids can play together more often...until their daughter slips and cuts her head open on a chair. ER visit! I think my hub just wanted to show off how many people he knows in the emergency medicine field. So, my hub, friend, and daughter are at the ER. I have my kids plus their baby...sure I'll take care of the cutie baby....until my 2yo gets too close to the rocking chair to see the baby and I rock over his toe! More blood on the porch. He is ok (just ripped his toe nail off) but I had the moment of panic...we all have go to the ER! Mind you...my kids haven't been to the ER....yet (knock on wood). Everyone is fine now...and I hope we can visit again.

*I let the kids take care of birthday decorations and the cake (I usually make my own cake so it is exactly what I want). I come home after some shopping (to make up for the things my hub claim don't exist at Meijer...I found the with ease and Old Navy)...the house looks nice with some lovely homemade banners up. Then I see the cake...well, it turned out ok in the end. I had to do some mending before I handed it over to the boys with final touches. It tasted great! (my daughter made the cake herself).

Pregnant Men

I'm sure many of you have heard about the Oregon couple who is having a baby. What is different about this couple is that the transgendered husband is the one who is pregnant. I watched them on Oprah...and here is what I have to say...

They are an incredibly loving couple who wanted to try to have a biological child. The wife was unable to and since the husband had kept his reproductive parts for this very reason...he got pregnant. Watching them....they are so cute and in love and super excited about their little bundle of joy. People think it is weird that a man is pregnant...well, of course, this is the first time. It brings up tons of issues (homosexuality, transgender issues, alternatives for pregnancy) for people (not them, this couple is very strong and grounded). But let's remember something....he identifies a man...he IS a man in his life and his soul but biologically he is a female and, therefore, can still do some things that women can do. I wish them the best of luck in their pregnancy, birth, and lives together (I'm sure many people will be very unkind to them). Best wishes!

Hey, come on...if your husband wanted to have the next baby...would you let him? I would.

Why J-Lo?

Msnbc reports:
Considering Jennifer Lopez has spent the bulk of her pregnancy swaddled in Roberto Cavelli, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that the mom-to-be is planning on going couture during her stay on the maternity ward.
A source close to Lopez said that the singer’s scheduled a Caesarean section, has packed her bags and will be checking into the hospital with four pastel-colored couture hospital gowns and a coordinating robe all designed by dearjonnies.com in tow.

That is so stupid. In general packing anything that you think you will wear while you are at the hospital is useless. Although most hospital gowns are not necessarily attractive....they are very functional. For nursing moms, the tops snaps right off. They are really easy to change while laying in bed in pain. Plus the hospital will wash them...which is good because they will get nasty. Sweat, blood, milk, who knows what else will get on those things.

In my opinion, you can bring a robe if you like but all you really need is a couple bras and something to wear home....and a toothbrush! (always the first thing I want after giving birth)