tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14360931650072678372024-02-29T00:51:55.759-06:00Editor Joywriting, editing & ghostwriting servicesJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.comBlogger228125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-23031382497713093832012-08-16T15:50:00.003-05:002012-08-16T15:50:56.224-05:00What I Learned From Watching the 2012 Olympics<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/battlecreekcvb/4100356305/" title="Gymnastics - Battle Creek by battlecreekcvb, on Flickr"><img alt="Gymnastics - Battle Creek" height="295" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2458/4100356305_7d6db6c3b8.jpg" width="434" /></a><br />
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Well, eight months later and a completely busted New Year's resolution to blog once a week, here I am. I'm not making any promises about writing regularly because I don't want to break them. But for now, I thought I'd share my recent life lesson--what I learned from watching the Olympics.<br />
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To preface, my daughters, four and two, watch a really limited amount of TV. There are only a handful of characters that they recognize, and when they watch TV, it's either a DVD or something selected off of Netflix. For example, my girls both learned about Micky Mouse at church before they did at home. My two-year-old doesn't really watch anything for more than five seconds, so she recognizes even less. She is in the stage of mimicking EVERYTHING her older sister does and says; so she can race to the TV with the best of them and starting yelling out, "I want watch, I want watch, I want watch, ummmmmm, THIS one" and pointing to the selection on the Netflix menu. Five minutes later she's wrapped around my feet while I'm trying to prep dinner, and she's begging with those big blue eyes, "Mama, hold you," which means, "Pick me up." But I digress.<br />
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So when the Olympics began, I broke all the house rules and dragged our only TV that works with an antenna into the living room, and NBC was constantly playing in the living room. My older daughter really enjoyed watching the different sports, and her favorite game was spotting the USA flag in the lineups before and after the competitions. About a week into the games, I heard her teaching my younger one to cheer, "Say it after me, U-S-YAY. U-S-YAY!" I tried to correct her, but I guess it really wasn't that far off. My two-year-old started out yelling <i>USA! </i>but she usually switched to "Go Pokes!" somewhere along the way. Can you tell my husband is a cowboy fan?<br />
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Overall, I really liked the exposure my daughter got to the different countries, especially their different flags. I also liked that she was introduced to a lot of new sports she has never seen or heard of before. And it was fun cheering as a family for team/player to win.<br />
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BUT, when the closing ceremony ended, I was more than happy to pack the TV back up. I just felt like a weight was lifted when that thing was out of the living room. There were many reasons I was reminded why we don't watch TV:<br />
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1. The commercials. Yikes. "Primetime family time" yet there were some really scary or really sexual commercials. I didn't think much of them at first because I didn't even think my daughter was paying attention, but then one day a friend was visiting and a promo for the new sitcom <i>GO ON </i>started. My daughter turns to her friend and says, "Watch this. It's so hilarious. This guy screams his head off." What? She has it memorized? Ugh.<br />
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2. We didn't get anything done. We didn't go outside (granted, it was over 105 degrees most days), we didn't talk, and we didn't read very much. All quality time was eaten up with TV time.<br />
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3. The role models. My daughter walked away with Gabby Douglas as the most recognizable face from the Olympics. We were grocery shopping, and and my daughter saw Gabby's face on a magazine and said, "There's that gymnastics girl!" Okay, she didn't even get her name, but still... If just a few hours of Olympics makes a formerly complete stranger recognizable to my daughter, no telling which other faces are going to start sticking in her head, making her want to learn more about them, and ultimately, wanting to buy whatever they're selling (not just products but attitudes, definitions of modesty, definitions of femininity, etc.)<br />
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And to touch on just one more soap box concerning the Olympics... I don't know that there's an answer to this in the world that we're living in, but... Doesn't it seem like we've completely strayed from the celebration of athleticism and discipline and national pride, and turned this into a grotesque competition where families are ripped apart by the physical demands and money strains that training to become an Olympian require? It rubs me the wrong way when I see someone's family sacrificed for that person's success. Is that really success?<br />
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Soap box over. What did you think of the Olympics this year? Did you have the games playing constantly in your house? Any lessons learned?<br />
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<br />Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-63737813960027097082012-04-09T15:24:00.003-05:002012-04-10T14:24:46.553-05:00Today marks day one of a five-day whole-food fast. Basically, my husband and I, along with a group of friends, are eliminating processed foods from our diet for five days. I'm taking most of my rules from this blog (<a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/" target="_blank">100 Days of Real Food</a>), but I am changing a few things.<br />
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<b>My basic rules are:</b><br />
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1. No whites (flour, sugar, rice, potatoes, cornstarch, etc.)<br />
2. No packaged foods. If it's packaged, the ingredients (that I can pronounce) have to be no more than five listed. ("Spices" is a big red flag--it's a code word for hundreds or thousands of chemicals that the food company doesn't have to list.)<br />
3. Minimal dairy<br />
4. When in doubt, err on the side of vegetarian or gluten free.<br />
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<b>Why I'm doing this:</b><br />
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1. I believe in the power of fasting (Isaiah 58); therefore, I believe I will receive insight and healing through this process.<br />
2. This is a great way to cleanse my body and practice discipline.<br />
3. I've been dealing with some hormone imbalance issues lately (post-partum and age-related best I can figure), so I'm really curious to see how this affects my moods. I watched this video about how gluten affects your moods and hormone balances, and, while I'm still going to eat some gluten (whole wheat), my intake is going to be considerably less than normal.<br />
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Here's my meal plan with links (to come) to recipes. Please understand, I am not an expert, nor have I researched this in depth. If you feel my meals do not coincide with a true whole-foods diet, I welcome your insight in the comments. I'm always willing to learn something new.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Monday:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Breakfast: <a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/04/21/recipe-whole-wheat-banana-pancakes-freeze-the-leftovers/" target="_blank">Whole-wheat banana pancakes</a> with organic maple syrup.</div>
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Snack: Strawberries with Greek yogurt dip (raw honey and cinnamon added)</div>
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Lunch: Raw "tuna salad," whole-wheat Trisket-type crackers, apples </div>
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Snack: <a href="http://therealityofskinny.tumblr.com/foodrecipes" target="_blank">Coconut Pineapple pops</a> (Mmm, these are yummy! Really good to kick a sugar craving)</div>
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Dinner: Veggie fajitas on whole-wheat tortillas with greek yogurt,
salsa, and carrot avocado salad </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tuesday:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Breakfast: Raw oatmeal—oatmeal, honey, milk, raisins,
walnuts</div>
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Snack: Popcorn and apples </div>
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Lunch: <a href="http://www.azgrabaplate.com/2012/04/avocado-egg-salad.html" target="_blank">Avocado egg salad</a> (Winner winner chicken dinner! This was delish!) with crackers, grapes</div>
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Snack: Yogurt drizzled with honey and frozen berries and
<a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/04/04/recipe-granola-bars-cereal/" target="_blank">granola</a> (this made my house smell oh-so yummy!) </div>
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Dinner: Grilled salmon with lemon; <a href="http://www.onceuponachef.com/2011/08/zucchini-3-ways.html" target="_blank">zucchini with feta, walnuts and dill </a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wednesday: <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Breakfast: Fruit smoothie with <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/whats-cooking-breakfast-cookies-for-the-life-hacker-on-the-go" target="_blank">breakfast cookies </a></div>
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Snack: Mixed nuts and raisins</div>
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Lunch: <span style="color: #19131a;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/263390278177157234/" target="_blank">Avocado, tomato, sprouts and pepper jack with hummus on toasted tortilla</a>; orange slices</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Snack: Celery and almond butter and raisins</div>
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Dinner: <a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/creamy_avocado_white_bean_wrap.html" target="_blank">Creamy avocado and white bean wrap</a> (no cheese), <a href="http://www.onceuponachef.com/2010/06/grilled-asparagus-feta-salad.html#more" target="_blank">grilled asparagus and feta</a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thursday:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Breakfast: WW Banana pancake leftovers</div>
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Snack: <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/carrot-pineapple-smoothie-00000000050727/index.html" target="_blank">Carrot/pineapple/orange smoothie</a> (tastes like an Orange Julius)</div>
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Lunch: <a href="http://www.eatliverun.com/hummus-and-avocado-toasts-with-roasted-tomatoes/" target="_blank">Hummus, roasted tomatoes, avocado on whole wheat toast</a></div>
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Snack: <a href="http://www.kumquatblog.com/2012/03/blueberry-coconut-pecan-breakfast.html" target="_blank">Blueberry coconut pecan breakfast cookies </a></div>
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Dinner: <a href="http://une-deuxsenses.blogspot.com/2011/02/crispy-black-bean-tacos-with-feta.html" target="_blank">Crispy black bean tacos</a> & <a href="http://fromdahliastodoxies.blogspot.ca/2012/03/brussels-sprouts-with-sriracha-honey.html" target="_blank">brussel sprouts</a> (minus Sriracha) </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Friday:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Breakfast: Egg/avocado/sun-dried tomatoes/goat cheese open-face
sandwiches</div>
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Snack: <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/easy-breakfast-recipe-breakfas-154632" target="_blank">Banana splits</a></div>
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Lunch: <a href="http://undressedskeleton.tumblr.com/post/16011985731/egg-static-da-bomb-elet-calories-200-fat" target="_blank">Eggstatic Da Bomblette </a></div>
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Snack: <a href="http://ooh-look.blogspot.com/2011/02/freeze-me-now-berry-yoghurt-ice-cream.html" target="_blank">Berry/Greek yogurt/honey popsicles</a></div>
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Dinner: <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cilantro-lime-chicken-with-avocado-salsa-10000001886432/" target="_blank">Cilantro lime chicken with avocado salsa</a>, steamed green beans, sweet potatoes</div>
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<br /></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-50663673748646549682012-02-13T15:55:00.000-06:002012-02-14T07:08:11.311-06:00Where Are All the Writers?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJzH1lo4B7L-czaQqoFK-uPCNNLcjvx0cGdwP4ROEKVnrLed_AvPZWQiKYKGmPELQYMuxtM4srTNlWNDb7aclyWzrQOWVTk0569KJbmqwqalbLp7i-676T6I_yjHT5X1QSFQmZOxRuA/s1600/4474421855_4b20643258_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJzH1lo4B7L-czaQqoFK-uPCNNLcjvx0cGdwP4ROEKVnrLed_AvPZWQiKYKGmPELQYMuxtM4srTNlWNDb7aclyWzrQOWVTk0569KJbmqwqalbLp7i-676T6I_yjHT5X1QSFQmZOxRuA/s400/4474421855_4b20643258_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterhacks/" target="_blank">shutterhacks</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Recently, I did a book review at my local <a href="http://www.scbwiok.org/" target="_blank">SCBWI</a> chapter's monthly meeting. I'm always inspired and informed at our meetings, but this time I walked away with two significant inspirations:<br />
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1. I was encouraged to polish an old manuscript and submit it for a manuscript critique at the <a href="http://www.scbwiok.org/" target="_blank">SCBWI OK spring conference</a> (and I did!). I'll blog about it after I get the critique back. I actually surprised myself at how excited I was to write something I was proud of.<br />
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2. I was inspired with a new blog topic (read: today's blog).<br />
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The big discussion topic for the meeting was the upcoming spring conference and why the registration numbers are so low (and why they were low back in the fall too). We began by brainstorming ways to get the word out. It became clear to me that the target age of the conference attendee audience is a large factor. For the most part, I believe the conference is targeting teachers and older adults who have always considered writing a book but never done anything about it. Therefore, most of the discussion at the meeting concentrated on print and television advertisements. Personally, I think social networking should be the focus of their advertising, and I think it would bring in a fresh wave of younger writers.<br />
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The frustration with the low numbers was palpable, but no one really could put their finger on why the numbers have shifted so much in the last year. Drawing from my recent clients, I suggested that maybe the surge in self-publishing was the reason people didn't feel the need to come to conferences anymore. It was like a light went on in the room, and soon everyone was buzzing about print on demand and people they knew who published a book (but probably didn't make any money off of it).<br />
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As an editor, most of my business comes from people wanting to self-pub. And, to be honest, I've turned away a lot of business for people who wanted to self-pub. I believe self-publishing has its place--primarily with people who have a significant market they know they can sell their product to (e.g., itinerant ministers who have a merch table with them wherever they speak). But there are a lot of people out there who want to see their names on the cover of a book, so they think they can be the exception and self-pub to make some money and break into the world of published authors.<br />
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I understand how hard it is to trek down the "traditional publishing" road. I know there's a lot of time, rejection, time, disappointment, and, of course, the time factor lurking on both sides of the road; and I realize that the obstacles appear insurmountable. But I also know something else that trumps all of that--when you get your first book contract, you get a big check (I realize <i>big</i> is relevant, but no matter how small you think your advance is, it will, more than likely, make a self-pub's profits look minuscule). <br />
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The benefits of self-publishing are short and sweet--you can see your name printed on a book in a relatively short amount of time. It will probably cost you a lot of money (probably more than you'll make back, unless you have an established market); and it will be more trouble than you are expecting. But, yes, your name will be on the cover of a book that you can show off to your friends and grandchildren.<br />
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Let me be frank:<br />
1. The quality of your book will be significantly better if you publish through the traditional route (unless you're willing to spend thousands of dollars to get a professional editor and graphic designer to work with you--<i>thousands</i> is not an exaggeration. You get what you pay for in editing and design).<br />
2. The world is a much smaller place, so finding the information you need to get an agent or publishing house to pick you up is easier than it's ever been. If you don't find the information you need, it's either because you don't know how to surf the Internet, or you're lazy.<br />
3. A publisher should pay you for your book, not the other way around.<br />
4. You need help. Just because you write a book doesn't mean it's publishable.<br />
5. If you plan to self-publish, contrary to popular belief, you definitely should be investing in writing conferences and getting involved with local writers in your area. Getting your name on the cover of a book is only a small step in the publishing world. There's so much more you need to learn to be successful (i.e., to make money), and these conferences are your shortcut to getting a leg up on your competition.<br />
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<a href="http://www.scbwiok.org/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lgSaz0yCYzq67UOlnL90mrdAE4YaWKTRvnGp-D-fw_9l4lrggAA3Q8qS0XFzNlf5uFBL0mvREF5TKdcIwOkYHCP8i36sMT5_xD9mUlztTYQBcvU-NXwZxRGsd6xkzND4EkAiIuJ3ww/s400/SCBWI_Header.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Enter my not-so-subtle plug for the upcoming <a href="http://www.scbwiok.org/" target="_blank">SCBWI OK conference</a>. For the small amount of money you pay to attend the conference, you get to skip weeks of surfing the web to find all the information you need to get published neatly packaged in a day's worth of conference sessions; and you get an opportunity to submit to all of the publishing houses represented at the conference, which are normally closed to un-agented submissions (that's worth the price of admission right there). For a few dollars more, you can have a professional critique your WIP, again, skipping weeks of research and study you would've had to have done perusing blogs, Twitter accounts, and more figuring out what's popular right now, where your manuscript fits into the current market, and how you can make it better (please note, the deadline for submitting a manuscript critique is tomorrow--February 14).<br />
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I realize SCBWI focuses on writing for children, and there are many who read my blog who aren't interested in writing for children. The rules are the same. Just find a conference for writers in your area, get plugged in with other writers, and start doing your research online. With today's social media, there is no excuse for wasting your time submitting an inappropriate manuscript to an agent or publishing house.<br />
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Okay, lots of soap boxes in this post. I think I need to do more blogging about the research I've done on the publishing world. There's just too much good information not to share.<br />
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Two questions I leave you with:<br />
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1. Why do you think conference registration numbers are low (e.g., marketing, self-publishing, the economy, etc.)?<br />
2. What are you favorite online sources for current publishing information?Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-77745023767474097992012-01-09T19:48:00.001-06:002012-01-09T19:48:33.114-06:00Disposables Can't Keep UpI am a classic Type-A mama. I've got my to-do lists, my routines, and my schedules. I love to plan, and I stay very busy. Minutes don't get wasted in my day. I'm a problem solver. When there's a problem, I fix it. Right away. I don't wait around for someone else to fix said problem, and I hate it when I ask for help and the so-called experts know less than I do. But my biggest pet peeve is when I use a product that only has one function, and when that function isn't working, that product is useless. Useless product = a waste of money that I have no control over.<br />
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Many of my readers know that I'm a cloth-diapering mama. I have sung its praises over and again, and I have guided many along in their quest to begin using cloth diapers. (Read <a href="http://plantingbamboo.blogspot.com/2011/02/cloth-diapers-faq.html">this post</a> for my most helpful FAQ blog about cloth diapering.) I started three years ago because I saw the potential for saving money and controlling which substances constantly rub on my baby's bum. What I've recently come to appreciate is the fact that any pee/poop challenge I encounter along the way, I can find a solution. (Disposable diapers don't afford me that luxury.) Right now, my challenge is a heavy wetter. I've read through friends' (who use disposables) threads on FB asking for solutions to heavy-wetter problems, and the answers boils down to only one option--get up and change the sleeping baby in the middle of the night. Ugh. No, thank you.<br />
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I've got a heavy wetter who soaks through disposables at night like a champ, but the solutions to my challenge are numerous in the cloth-diapering world. Right now my daughter, who has a protruding belly that could rival Buddha, wears a diaper to bed that basically balances out her belly in front with a ginormous fluffy bum in the back. Watching her waddle through the hallway in her PJs will bring a smile to the stubbornest of haters. It's really that cute. But more importantly, it's under control and doesn't cost me more money.<br />
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I start with a BumGenius pocket diaper, trifold a Hemp Babies insert, and stuff it in the pocket under the full-size insert. Then I layer another Flip cover over top of the BG just to keep it all together and add extra protection. Voila! Dry baby in the morning. Problem solved quickly, and I didn't lose money on useless product along the way--easy and inexpensive.<br />
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So, while I started cloth diapering because I wanted to save money and keep yucky chemicals away from my baby's bum, I've found that cloth diapers offer even more benefits:<br />
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1. I get to sleep through the night. Ahhh.<br />
2. If my baby wakes up soaked in the morning (yes, she's that heavy of a wetter--we love our <i>agua</i> in this house), then I have other options to try or more layers to add. I don't have to (excuse my cliche, no pun intended) throw the baby out with the (quite dirty) "bath" water. I get to keep my baby, my diapers, and I can always find a solution. Even if I reach a wall in my limited knowledge of cloth diapering, through the networking I've done online, I always have a cloth-diaper mama with an answer who's only a few clicks away. Or I can get on <a href="http://www.cottonbabies.com/" target="_blank">Cotton Babies' website</a> (my favorite source for cloth diapers and accessories) and find answers in their forums, on their live chat, or by calling their helpful customer service.<br />
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<i>Disclaimer: I have not received any sort of compensation for this post, but I am entering the content of this blog in <a href="http://jenniferlabit.com/2011/12/12/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-to-tell-the-world-about-cloth-diapers/">this contest</a>.</i><br />
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<br />Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-55063388938930985202011-10-25T16:09:00.004-05:002011-10-25T16:27:33.920-05:00Confessions of an Addict<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VAoLxH_GiarLrP9BWhVHfzrsmjzh1C7t4-Aul6vK2tpdtnEkXTnNzIGcYqy1eq-UqBTOTZJlmpebi4W_pTahh7GXpbDSGaDfTQT7nQnXPMrrJ6BwEFY4fAu2hEYgBeRyuxzMO8LXOg/s1600/5994722735_ca02db012a_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VAoLxH_GiarLrP9BWhVHfzrsmjzh1C7t4-Aul6vK2tpdtnEkXTnNzIGcYqy1eq-UqBTOTZJlmpebi4W_pTahh7GXpbDSGaDfTQT7nQnXPMrrJ6BwEFY4fAu2hEYgBeRyuxzMO8LXOg/s400/5994722735_ca02db012a_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667544259746376946" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;"><i><br /></i></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Dear Readers,</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">It's been too long. I've seen many of you have been frequenting my blog even in my absence. Thank you to the faithful! I have to admit, I have been focusing my creative energy in other places, mainly <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> (If you need an invite, message me your email address). Does this even count as an outlet for creative energy? I'm just clicking and repinning the stuff I like. BUT, despite my hubby's daily tirades that Pinterest is of the devil, I feel my life has been enhanced. I have many many projects about the house inspired from Pinterest. And I feel like I'm reading more blogs (instead of less) because of it. It's like a pictorial guide to all blogs, and more often than not, I'm lead to blog posts I wouldn't have found on my own yet they cover topics I'm extremely interested in.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">For example, food. I've been cooking and baking. A. Lot. Yikes. Calorie counting beware. I feel like all bets are off during fall. The pumpkins. The apples. The squash. The cooler weather that begs me to turn my oven on. Ahhh. I love it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">So, if you need a little inspiration and a new outlet for your creative energy (I refuse to repin the "Thank you, Pinterest, for helping me feel creative even though I've really been sitting at my computer for three hours" because it's not true), here are some links to my favorite boards right now:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/bambooplanter/party-ideas/">Party Ideas</a> (From decorations to food to themes, ahh, inspiration!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/bambooplanter/homeschool-activities/">Homeschool Activities</a> (Mainly preschool stuff but really a little bit of everything including some Montessori-inspired pictures that I adore)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/bambooplanter/pumpkins-and-red-maple-leaves/">Pumpkins and Red Maple Leaves</a> (Everything fall)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/bambooplanter/gift-wrap/">Gift Wrap</a> (DIY ideas for wrapping gifts, making cards, and free printables)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/bambooplanter/dinner/">Dinner</a> (Recipes, recipes, recipes. If I've already made the recipe, I've commented below it with my evaluation and suggestions for next time)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Enjoy. And go jump in a pile of leaves. I just love this season.</span></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; "><i>*photo courtesy of </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; "><i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jinterwas/">jinterwas</a></i></span></span></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-65321224384847307162011-07-21T14:24:00.004-05:002011-07-21T17:40:31.638-05:00Living Simply<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4kX6MczbrR2orT-6lP3P1vqzSsmv9LpF0WT5mrvuRfAk87DcGNOb0gCLRrDtEW9QQAHAGIzh40mWfOyHAdqSz36WzHGzajMWzq7_wkhr0Vl5YBRi0E8QlpfmHDedZv8f6WHwz0Pl7g/s1600/Richard-L-Evans-quote.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnP9dDOByorGLpdDPTlXkufgd-h5j4QaVBrm7D322TgwZi1GZkFB-43fcD5RTKdXGtjYQz-wC5BGnW9uVxLZ5iRrSwcB1a04qmi2t0yOph27TN22KBY1eSV2Th3RKNdH-8ldFDLH0uA/s1600/4273902490_aa93c41471_z.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnP9dDOByorGLpdDPTlXkufgd-h5j4QaVBrm7D322TgwZi1GZkFB-43fcD5RTKdXGtjYQz-wC5BGnW9uVxLZ5iRrSwcB1a04qmi2t0yOph27TN22KBY1eSV2Th3RKNdH-8ldFDLH0uA/s400/4273902490_aa93c41471_z.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631896463271122642" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;"><i>photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/horiavarlan/">Horia Varlan</a></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div>L</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ately, I've been dwelling a lot on the concept of living simply. I read stories like </span></span><a href="http://guynameddave.com/100-thing-challenge/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">this</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> of people who limit their possessions to 100 items or less, and I wonder if I'm capable of the same. I don't see any need to do something this extreme, but the principle of reducing, refusing, and rejiggering is appealing. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If you strolled through my home, you'd see a severe lack of toys. Despite the fact that I have two young girls, my house is not overrun with plastic or large toys. I prefer to buy things that stimulate the imagination and leave room for creativity rather than dead-end items that only have one purpose or character to each. Sure, my daughters love going to friends' homes and excitedly running/crawling from toy to toy trying new buttons that flash and make noise and rolling around new characters they don't see often in their own home. And I'm completely fine with that. It's new and exciting for them, and I love to see them experience new things. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Despite friends' toys' newness, I cannot think of a single item in the last three years that my daughter has chosen to cling to, cry for, or desperately want after we leave our friends' homes. In fact, most toys she plays with at others' homes only hold her attention for a few short moments before she's on to the next one. Playtime is generally a race to touch every new toy in the room before leaving. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We've all heard parents lament the high-ticket items they were so excited to buy for their children only to find that a bucket filled with water and other cups and bowls, or an empty box provided hours and hours of child-preferred entertainment. This only reinforces my desire to keep only </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">meaningful </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">toys in our home. Perhaps this will change as the girls get older, but my desire is that the principle will never leave them--money can't buy happiness; enjoy life in the now and the people who surround you. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">All this to say, while I make it a regular routine to clear out our toy baskets and throw away unused toys or cheap kid's meal prizes, I see a great disconnect to extend that routine to every other area of my home. With our house for sale, we've filled a rather large storage unit with all of our "unnecessary" stuff to de-clutter our home for show. I can count on one hand, actually, one or two fingers, the number of times I've had to go back to the unit to get something out that I <i>needed</i>. Naturally, this makes me wonder why I <i>needed</i> all that stuff in the first place. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If our home does sell quicker than we find a new one, we've contemplated switching to an apartment temporarily. To be honest, this idea thrills me--a life of less. Less bills. Less cleaning. Less clutter. Less responsibility. It sounds divine, doesn't it? And since my daughters thrive both in the home and outside doing activities of all sorts, I have no doubt they'll conform well to a change toward simplicity.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">What are your thoughts, dear readers? Are you appalled at my hypocrisy to simplify my daughters' lives and yet hoard useless items of my own? I'll be honest; I am appalled at myself. And I have every intention of having a huge moving sale once our house sells. Even though I had to put all my stuff in storage to realize how little it means to me, at least I've taken that step, and now I'm ready for the next. How about you?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4kX6MczbrR2orT-6lP3P1vqzSsmv9LpF0WT5mrvuRfAk87DcGNOb0gCLRrDtEW9QQAHAGIzh40mWfOyHAdqSz36WzHGzajMWzq7_wkhr0Vl5YBRi0E8QlpfmHDedZv8f6WHwz0Pl7g/s400/Richard-L-Evans-quote.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631939062974007314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-89384751267968223842011-07-18T14:22:00.002-05:002011-07-18T14:28:54.582-05:00Need Help!Dear Lovely Readers,<div><br /></div><div>My daughter is less than two months away from a big diet change to more table food and less monochromatic (i.e., boring) food. She's doing great eating well--almost too well. My grocery bill is growing in leaps. This girl consumes A LOT of food at each meal. So, I'm looking to you for some new, fresh ideas. Here are the big players in our daily diet right now:</div><div><br /></div><div>Sweet potatoes</div><div>Black beans</div><div>Avocados</div><div>Bananas</div><div>Mangoes</div><div>Blueberries</div><div>Strawberries</div><div>Raspberries</div><div>Broccoli</div><div>Peas</div><div>Carrots</div><div>Zucchini</div><div>Watermelon</div><div>Almonds</div><div>Coconuts</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm staying away from rice and flour until age one. She's tried yogurt, but it made her break out, so she's off that until she turns one. Any ideas? Snack ideas are especially welcome.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks so much!</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-3019704442979183572011-06-22T13:40:00.000-05:002011-06-22T13:40:00.629-05:00Birdie Birthday Party<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I've decided the earliest age to throw a big birthday party is three. Up until now, birthdays were fun, but they were not something my daughter anticipated, got excited about, or really understood in the moment. This year that all changed. I talked it up a lot this year to help her prepare. (Talking my daughter through future events really helps prepare her to get the most out of a situation. I'm not sure if this is universal with children her age or if it's just because she's so shy, but she always does better when she knows what to expect.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">For the past few months, we have been watching the birds through a big picture window by our dining room table. I started to explain what a birdhouse and birdbath were, and she told me she wanted them. I told her she could ask for them for her birthday, so every time someone asked what she wanted for her birthday, she said, "I want a birdhouse and a bath for the birdies." This made picking a party theme easy (and a present theme, for that matter). </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My newest addiction is </span></span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Pinterest</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">. It's THE answer to the question, "What do I do with my old magazines if I don't want to throw them out?" Don't read magazines anymore. Find everything online and save your favorite stuff on Pinterest. You can organize your boards by themes and pin your favorite pictures/inspirations together. Each picture will link back to its original source, so if there's a recipe, DIY project, or more details that you're looking for, all you have to do is click on that picture. Never again do I need a magazine or a notebook. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I. LOVE. It. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">And I love snooping through other people's boards to get new ideas. So, I started </span></span><a href="http://pinterest.com/bambooplanter/party-ideas/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">a party board</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> (this link will only work if you have a Pinterest account. If you want to start one, message me, and I'll send you an invite), and I pinned all my favorite decoration and favor ideas there. I didn't use everything, and I've added a lot of other random party stuff since, but I'm really excited about the results. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The party was a smashing success, and my daughter even thanked me for it afterward. Sigh. Perfect. Enjoy! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCWifGfa1JqQZ4tTQpukcqNuiywJh5n7J2BK-N_G48XfKKXAbfiBwWv_VlpPW7x3uEgUMfgIEyeSBwT3xuyI8QpCpjFY79zVAH3AeYCnLXdR7euQpcdaWo4UpL4cP0xRc1FU3nOnqew/s400/IMG_0054.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620771955739349330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Activity: Paint-Your-Own Birdhouses. I found these cheapest at Hobby Lobby with either a coupon or when the unfinished wood was 40 percent off. </span></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_T5YkN8J-jtZO9h_Cq6r19-8UWzYwiuzvcGR0ROTL0skLQ3G3eadhVJBZQlbZEK9byOdyO0IvYcm6323gdQ2rvzLB0Eh7kMpZ1pvUQzNllVd8RB7jBbfpYVSDp_v9UUo9bHEnDGKFA/s400/IMG_0062.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620771960899347298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xkFXvusO9aph4jfYEdNLVd781ZwYZHMz7jl1R9d6KfqJdWyPthrngbCMUCyhONDF-plu17cshnOadI3VSUHXd8f7depMP2LIHsbex0Zo_4fiAuqiHl5RYIfu0zu09RbMLxFDEGdgFg/s400/IMG_0089.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620776215887103346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This was my favorite area. The bunting is a handmade gift from a dear friend. We have used it over and over again in our home. The DIY egg-carton flowers tutorial is </span></span></i><a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/diy-centerpieces-made-out-of-egg-cartons-and-vintage-buttons/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">here</span></span></i></span></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">. </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8wlC8MDpZPa25TJNrFfa1_anF4EeYMETc6QRVtzi3eHeAF4jv-P9NDbArSImEXmt1BRM6IYO76nK2YUMYrBHErex8ekSNOqKP_6YFyMLKyy6SSrZ0P06pOlKmzAC4kHmjANxTGpA1Q/s400/IMG_0071.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620771973671031202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 400px; " /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Scattered throughout the trees were these hanging lanterns. The tutorial is </span></span><a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/mason-jar-lanterns-diy-wedding-decor/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">here</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">. </span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRtlsdD3XlAeWcINQI9KPVLVVV6cV2dcjmfX4OJ5Fjh2EbcAsaiV_NQZh_Z6g5pvqCSL63IF6AlvgLVl4xJ1c-0kR71XgYjKOPsb-rQEWx2zdde0DuxypC2vqq6HLU9CaXRm7l0WgNg/s400/IMG_0094.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620776220056170066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My amazing dad, Eric The Balloonman, is a handy resource for birthday parties! These balloon columns were all him. They really made everything look magical. Thanks, Dad!</span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsfRskr0R7Q2ZQZx7NK16C5O0wN64-euP9qlf9lEz5eF6c9T4A31LSNzSQrXnGnCl7R3AvqqmfqtBY0ww81ON6GsVAIykN90Vy_TRR7_AvJbKQR74Y023hGLxrNgLQdTQI9-ctDlr5Q/s400/IMG_0143.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620776229164211042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Cupcakes courtesy of Sam's Club. I can't recommend them enough. Beautiful. Delicious. Cheap. I'm gushing. Seriously.</span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMlLAGpNrRrxaBMzUE5G8ZNYbHObyL0buLeQCZ5K7Yvu_BpNME8_A383maVUlx_bhD6jA4LR4GhO9-UVVhZsFHx5b7BF6L7PQM9s_wuF9qktI9l6O3d_y7j0cIL2oX4IUwAJ_17uT1g/s400/IMG_0118.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620776224888172450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp09WCrS6QDUeQYRSj63WGV_oYP1xofqgXAc5gF8Es4glbHtffSD_kYUoniS1UxHdz_qz_hloa0AjFWbM8eZHpGuNV4WzQ3wYFwtQCIY_1gbCidINrAK7GNLQTa9Jph1ubA9gEH1G7w/s400/IMG_0074.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620771982174301618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Let the party begin! Birdhouse painting was a huge success, but I made the mistake of not checking to make sure all paint was washable. Good thing most of the invitees were boys who could take off their shirts ;-)</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdj2blOZ83eZxD1Tzriv2QQ_2WKwRqw-oa9cwsM6GTO4ITJD_I2z1eoaI_pBLqHwK3jkYH-ALbeE-Z8FIURCabfsOvOVbfsV4jGYMjEA1X_5zovQdsy8nv5Ofp03BAwlOeGeO_rA1tuQ/s400/IMG_0167.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620774518604703042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My hottie hubby (no pun intended) slaved over the grill most of the party. It was in the mid-to-upper nineties for the party, which made the grill the least likely place to want to spend your time. He's my hero. He didn't complain once.</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY08qbol_cGXTdloKIOCYvE_oQY0cr0026bpRNtjDUCPQ3hVE_s1nTmZa3yzzt6ow7Z0fxXS-XvHl7zWXo3Irm-fp8KsRP97Gazly-GPXplMyASS8fS-d14oSZCrE13M-KWAGB3MQZVQ/s400/IMG_0171.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620774526468163842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">If you want people to attend/stay at your party, my personal belief is you must feed them. And feed them we did!</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zKlJ5kkg2KXbzZtSfMheSCDY3gviBGwpHQIw8pj8rL-KNTCf0DEva0rklvVnMJ2QHUF_3tOqPvXXq1ffD6C5_bTpYERAGB1IAaP7726JSk9O7gmoij-h5BkFrNtuFW6KeUCEamhOCw/s400/IMG_0180.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620779428014825138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">There was no shortage of help unwrapping presents. Smile. </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDYw0i3ctH0TIvB5WgCy5EMTFAkDFzlA8OcYxTC8sSPB8npo2IbM15RnoSt3eirnHoVdtnlc2TohWpAqFvwAhoLVVXkcg07Izj_zdg57roX1H8NdAU5-u_D2m6cAeWP5xw0ujjf73jw/s400/IMG_0152.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620776234942287266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX1nLsfi5ofcXkvf71cYSJb35z_KNsGDhzsiBpnsfkdZMLtyyCSay45UpfwjsnZWeH34WCTD4i3BcE-8RRdNlxuzPeOKsusHFOebJvgtQZUB39_VMf0m-0aRdht2H-e-nKqrLTpRd9Q/s400/IMG_0219.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620774527306668594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOS9SelwO_sq-CfYvi6FFap2odIyryg8EMRC4tj_YuqlAONwRkc3_kJ-i9YHe9axZdUOEKpsf3CDYkANMGQ_ahYbj0xvazjVBTRzwxvqLh7edCGYEOryMn0wpzB3id2Xw51IGzt_gEw/s400/IMG_0229.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620783293487974418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">A few of my favorite shots of the birthday girl.</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWSsc4nHJmIqxg6xg5U0BnTc_-hrTURanIVCZ7JuwdVMLRU9EqZMQLA1fZI8WFQ6o50KPAYJt8f4UuVruk_lb4pxo1d7YRt_1ksRhRIuZa049o3Td3y3RvDbOf4f9mEXcOhlviF0kSg/s400/IMG_0242.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620774531898430770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">And one of my favorite shots from the entire party--the aftermath. Party = complete success.</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">All photos courtesy of my talented mama, Judy. Thanks, Mom!</span></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-38925883151370155042011-06-17T15:17:00.008-05:002011-06-18T15:51:55.566-05:00Baby Food Part 4 . . . and some news!<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm back! Sorry for the delay between posts. I have some very exciting news, which semi-justifies my delay--we're selling our house! My hubby and I know it's the right time, so we've been working faithfully to de-clutter and spruce up our home. I always vowed I wouldn't save updates to do on my house until I get ready to sell--why not update while I'm living there and enjoy some of the fruit of my labors, right? Well, that has panned out to making the transition to sell a fairly straightforward process. If my hubby weren't working over sixty hours a week, we could've been ready to go in a matter of a couple of weeks, but with a hubby who's not home much (and when he is, he's justifiably exhausted), two little ones under my constant care, and a semi-normal existence, it's been a challenge to get anything, no matter how small, done in a reasonable amount of time.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZVEMe4ZomHxX6567d9DpzMi0W5ZZkJY8KpGudoOP-j3TaXYVVQAxI28hqKCYGrVOQoH75abelEk06CFmZVkrXhIcn758M6e34mKDaOHTdop21akEVU68dmbbgtrBBU4bDbsY07OqaQ/s320/5532848848_25fc5a3101.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619297256123115202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">photo courtesy of </span></i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pagedooley/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">kevindooley</span></i></span></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Of course, this naturally begs the question, where are you moving to? The answer is simply, I don't know. We're looking for some change--either closer to everything we love in the city, or possibly land on the outskirts. With as little free time as we have, we've decided to take things ONE STEP AT A TIME. First step, prep the house to sell. Second step, find a realtor and put the house on the market. Finally, start doing some research about where we want to live. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Okay, I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, here are some more baby food suggestions and hints I've picked up in the midst of transitioning my baby from nursing to solids.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. Taste the food you're giving your child. If you don't like it, don't give it to him/her. This is especially true with jarred baby food. Thankfully there's a great new alternative that we've been taking full advantage of--baby food in a squeeze pouch. It's re-sealable so you can use the leftovers later. There's no spoon needed--just squeeze the food into your baby's mouth. And when he/she gets older, he/she can feed himself/herself. My baby's a little over nine months, and she's already got the pouches mastered on her own. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You've got to do some shopping to get the good prices. Our favorite brand right now is Happy Tot because it's organic, tastes really good, and the packaging is BPA free. (Although the new studies on how people are able to so quickly making plastic products BPA free is a bit disturbing. For more information, r</span></span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/09/opinion/09browning.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ead this.</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">) We can find Happy Tot in some of our </span></span><a href="http://www.target.com/Happy-Baby-Stage-Pouch-Pears/dp/B004RQ3AZU/ref=sr_fkmr_1_3?ie=UTF8&searchView=grid5&keywords=happy&fromGsearch=true&sr=1-3&qid=1308343069&rh=&searchRank=target104545&id=Happy%20Baby%20Stage%20Pouch%20Pears&node=1038576%7C1287991011&searchSize=30&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&frombrowse=0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Targets</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, but not all of them. And it's way cheaper than </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Plum-Organics-Blueberry-4-22-Ounce-Pouches/dp/B003KYIXQQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1308343039&sr=1-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Plum Organics</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. Happy Tot also went on sale at Babies R Us recently, so that's a good place to watch. But, the best prices are on </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/HAPPYBABY-Happy-Tot-Spinach-Mango/dp/B0030VJ79Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308343017&sr=8-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Amazon</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">--sign up to be an Amazon Mom, and then use the "Subscribe and Save" option instead of checking out through your cart--there are also occasional discount codes available too).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. It's easy to feed your baby sweet fruits and sweet orange veggies, but give green a try! Spinach has been really easy for me to incorporate. I can blend raw baby spinach in fruit smoothies, and none of my family--even the big kids (hubby included) are any wiser. I can rub baby spinach with sea salt, drizzle with olive oil, and chop with some kalamata olives, and my nine-month old will eat it without hesitation. As I've mentioned before, I try to incorporate raw foods into my baby's diet as much as possible, and I've found that blending pears and spinach, or apples and spinach is really easy, really healthy, and my baby loves it! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oh, and I use my </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Bullet-piece-Deluxe-Set/dp/B002RTTX0A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308349623&sr=8-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Magic Bullet</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> to make all my baby food--it really is magical. Another tip, if it's not blending right away and you need to add some liquid, use coconut water. It has so many more nutrients and good stuff in it than just plain tap water. My firstborn used to drink bottles of coconut water with her meals. She loved it. My second born isn't as excited, but she doesn't mind it blended in her food.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. </span></span><a href="http://plantingbamboo.blogspot.com/2011/05/baby-food-part-3-first-foods-raw-foods.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As I mentioned before</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, I'm following Gabriel Cousens's guide to raw baby food. To give you an idea of how we started things, I've give you a really abbreviated list of foods we used. To get the whole list, you'll have to </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rainbow-Live-Food-Cuisine-Gabriel-Cousens/dp/1556434650/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308343514&sr=1-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">buy the book</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At six months we used a lot of bananas, coconut water, mangos, pears, cucumbers (peeled & blended) and avocados. </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKBBPn0tjZzWkx5VQLxc7fx9OJgqHjyfXtKITNpCVgUqcLetxwlaCVA__Ja_uqmQOjPbDaFAo4CKYDmxUJT6ZDn-n7SxoU13Uh97dY-51-bFdq0l5h5oG4jbnaZ7fZXesla2_eCdAtA/s320/DSC06520.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619295918855697474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">LOTS of avocados!</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At eight months we added some almonds (soaked and blended with fruit they make DELICIOUS porridges), grapes, olives, and more. Nine months is when we added more greens--kale, spinach, and more. And like I said, you really just need to buy the book to get the full lists and the delicious recipes. Seriously, I eat any leftovers of the recipes I make from this book. They are so yummy!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. We talked about the </span></span><a href="http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_green_news/332/the-new-dirty-dozen-12-foods-to-eat-organic-and-avoid-pesticide-residue.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">dirty dozen</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><a href="http://plantingbamboo.blogspot.com/2011/05/baby-food-part-3-first-foods-raw-foods.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">before</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. I want to give you one more tip about using produce that will really set you up for success--and it will help you actually use all of the produce you buy. I think I heard this first on the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rachel Ray</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> show. Wash/soak your produce as soon as you get home and unload the groceries. My routine is to unload groceries. As I'm unloading, I stack all the produce that needs to be soaked by the sink. Once my counters are clear again, I fill my sinks with an apple cider vinegar/purified water mix, and I throw everything in the sinks and let them soak for 30-60 minutes. Bam! It's all washed, so I don't cringe when pulling it out and grumbling as I wash it while rushing to make a meal. Bam! It's ready to eat, so I can just pop it in my mouth when I need a snack. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vEYYinx_gyFMbGJQyOGJlgArt00KQwqHvfaJ5uEDEE35SphSfNRi2WW4vBnNT04bF7DVruiT9JUj7TpJgDwwAghoGiZTDe1CcsZbnDhsOYsIrkjde1x6Z6v1vKWA9jxbodvHnYgYoA/s320/DSC06392.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619295255180268818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is a pretty average supply of produce for one week (about two sinks' full). </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What are your baby food tips? I'd love to hear what you've used, what you've found effective, and what you'd recommend to others just starting. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">**Coming soon--pictures and details about my daughter's three-year birdie birthday party!</span></i></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-41971486994224010512011-05-26T08:52:00.000-05:002011-05-26T12:39:35.627-05:00Baby Food Part 3--First Foods, Raw Foods & Keeping It Affordable<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubtHTozqOW8XoXf5QTSzYZXu4-u8xGOBkYE4lH0-uqwXUW7vB8q8p5W99NM1m8jaGA2ttO0O53IoYZYn75R5ZjJeQ9rzAxTPNM_d55VquI96rxMNZs_UhMER7LwMf-9Uld7ZCVo7JFA/s1600/61zDrg-%252B0TL.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubtHTozqOW8XoXf5QTSzYZXu4-u8xGOBkYE4lH0-uqwXUW7vB8q8p5W99NM1m8jaGA2ttO0O53IoYZYn75R5ZjJeQ9rzAxTPNM_d55VquI96rxMNZs_UhMER7LwMf-9Uld7ZCVo7JFA/s320/61zDrg-%252B0TL.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610752853302989858" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So far I've already covered my previous failures and some disturbing new info about feeding babies, in <a href="http://plantingbamboo.blogspot.com/2011/05/baby-food-part-1.html">part one</a> of my baby food series. If you're looking for a happier success story and a great formula alternative, check out <a href="http://plantingbamboo.blogspot.com/2011/05/baby-food-part-2-formula-alternative.html">part two</a>.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And now on to the food!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Most of my baby food journey has been dictated by </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rainbow-Live-Food-Cuisine-Gabriel-Cousens/dp/1556434650/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3">Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine</a></i> by <a href="http://www.gabrielcousens.com/">Gabriel Cousens, MD</a>. This book is all about raw food, and it has a handy-dandy baby-food section in the back. I, myself, am not a completely raw foodie. In fact, it's a smaller percentage of my diet than I'd like to admit, but that is a long story that I will probably blog about another time. Let's just skip to the end where I see the health benefits of raw food and wish to incorporate those things into my children's lives as much as possible. I don't expect, nor want, them to be completely raw either. But I do want them to appreciate the value it plays in their diet and be willing to incorporate it as much as possible. Plus, raw flavors are so strong and so delicious, I don't want my children's senses so deadened by synthetic processed food that they don't appreciate natural food in its purest form. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Soap box over. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I've been following the guide in the back of Cousens's book for a few reasons:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. I know it's a great start for my baby's digestive and immune system, and I truly believe these first foods are important to setting my kids up for health success.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. Since I'm making small portions, the price is even more manageable than it is for me.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. Everything tastes delicious. If my baby doesn't eat it, I will!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>But it's so expensive, right? </b>Here's a bunch of little tips to saving lots:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. Buy organic based on the "<a href="http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_green_news/332/the-new-dirty-dozen-12-foods-to-eat-organic-and-avoid-pesticide-residue.html">dirty dozen</a>." Add carrots to that list. Gardeners use carrots to clean the soil. Carrots naturally pull the toxins out of the soil--great tip for if you want to clean up your garden; the main reason you don't want to eat conventional carrots! If it's not on the dirty dozen list, then go ahead and buy conventional. Depending on where you live, places like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldi">Aldi</a> and Trader Joe's sell produce for insanely cheap prices, making healthy eating really affordable. Also, there are tons of <a href="http://tipnut.com/produce-wash/">veggie wash recipes</a> available online--or you can make it as simple as soaking your produce in apple cider vinegar/water, or rubbing your produce down with grapefruit extract to get it clean and pesticide free.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. Take some time to learn your stores. I know the prices and availability of all organic and natural ingredients available from all of the stores in my area, not just the health stores. You can find a lot in Wal-mart and Target nowadays, but they aren't always the cheapest. If it's a store you don't frequent often, be sure to stock up on your favorite items when do go there. A lot of stuff is cheap on Amazon too!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. It's summer time! Shop the farmers markets in your area. The more local, the less steps between field and your plate. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">4. Coupon. Go to coupon classes, even if you don't think they'll apply to healthy eating. You'll be surprised what you can learn about making your shopping more affordable. (E.g., Whole Foods has double-flyer Wednesdays where there are basically two sales going on simultaneously. Match that with coupons off their website doubled with manufacturer coupons and buy in bulk to get their case discount, boom! That's a lot of savings. I save a lot just sticking to their bulk bins too.)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">5. If you keep eating the same junk you've always eaten and just want to provide healthy stuff for your baby, you're setting yourself up for failure. First of all, stocking a healthy and junky pantry is expensive. Second, you won't stick with the healthy food because the junky food is much, much more convenient.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">6. Get educated. Know what processed foods, dairy, high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes, fragrances, heavy-meat diets, and more do to your body. When you know what you're doing to you/your baby's body, you'll think twice before you buy/eat it. If you live in intentional ignorant bliss, you will easily derail. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">7. Get support. Surround yourself with other people who are committed to eating/feeding their children properly. There's strength in numbers. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">More specifics on which foods I started my baby on next time.</span></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-11371011962448262802011-05-23T08:16:00.000-05:002011-05-23T08:16:00.406-05:00Baby Food Part 2--Formula Alternative<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEc-qz5VF6xe3MCCbY3rtk3ZnJex-0kON61oFok3K_FZgs2RBVU56S_7RB85fMzM_BBeCIF2tRXnstdLtkb0MpDtfAhijGeYLZMqizgByRgdtSHEv7DjABpJPdol9OkILd08YcobB_Q/s1600/5605235286_8306349ab8.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEc-qz5VF6xe3MCCbY3rtk3ZnJex-0kON61oFok3K_FZgs2RBVU56S_7RB85fMzM_BBeCIF2tRXnstdLtkb0MpDtfAhijGeYLZMqizgByRgdtSHEv7DjABpJPdol9OkILd08YcobB_Q/s400/5605235286_8306349ab8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608237845570376114" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">photo courtesy of </span></i></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/healthaliciousness/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">healthaliciousness</span></i></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When </span></span><a href="http://plantingbamboo.blogspot.com/2011/05/baby-food-part-1.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I started my baby food journey with my first</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, we had a less-than-happy time trying to find the right balance. I also tried making almond mylk which is a legitimate substitute for infant formula--please note that I'm not talking about the almond milk you buy in the store--that stuff is full of sodium. Here's a recipe for what I tried making:</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Almond Mylk:</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 C raw almonds soaked 4-6 hours in purified water, drain before mixing<br />3 C coconut water (you can get from young thai coconuts available at Whole Foods, easy to open and fairly cheap . . . or you can get it in the drink section at WF in boxes).<br /><br />Process all ingredients in blender until smooth. Can warm for babies to same temp as mother's milk. Don't overheat. Let it cool. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(I had to pour this through cheese cloth to get the almond grit out).</span></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When I made this recipe, I didn't have a lot of hope for making it work, and I was really overwhelmed with the price of the ingredients I was buying. Three years later, I now know my way around the health food store a lot more, and I know the cheapest organic/raw food prices from box stories to specialty stores. My point is that your success with this recipe is all about attitude. I had a skeptical attitude when I made it, so I was looking for reasons for it not to work. When you're looking for an excuse to fail, you'll always find it.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">With my second baby, my supply started to wane around four months again, but this time I did things differently:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. I demand fed during the day. The more I nursed, the more supply I had for the next feeding.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. I drank lots of water and went to a fruit/veggie-heavy diet.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. I took the supplements--all of them. I didn't skimp on them this time. I even drank the nasty tea. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I would've used the almond mylk, but I didn't end up needing it. We made it to six months on breast milk only! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My baby's first-food details coming up in part three.</span></i></span></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-21783012560595423412011-05-18T12:50:00.008-05:002011-05-18T20:08:11.558-05:00Baby Food Part 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTakqumZT_1_bq3scINMz5rXfwF-zJ9LZjNdmlLvsEXW4avRzorgRWCTnS8eLxw6KgvW4zY-a3MaTqCnxSch35oYDrpoi_xwwRJs6BQNFtWejp5wOjhc-M2mVLacDsgR6EHOpusjsrA/s1600/5393889545_48181cfefc_z.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTakqumZT_1_bq3scINMz5rXfwF-zJ9LZjNdmlLvsEXW4avRzorgRWCTnS8eLxw6KgvW4zY-a3MaTqCnxSch35oYDrpoi_xwwRJs6BQNFtWejp5wOjhc-M2mVLacDsgR6EHOpusjsrA/s400/5393889545_48181cfefc_z.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608118418677490066" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">In my transition to make healthy lifestyle, especially food-wise, a priority in my life again, I've been putting a lot of focus (and time) on my newborn's baby food. I want to give her the best start possible as she's growing and developing a healthy digestive, immune, endocrine, and all those other amazing systems affected by the food we eat. </span></span></b><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">A little history . . .</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">My now-toddler started crying when I finished nursing her around four months. I knew she was still hungry, but my supply just wasn't keeping up. I refused to switch to formula, so I tried a couple of things. </span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">1. I started taking supplements that boosted my supply. They worked, but because they were so expensive, I didn't keep up with them as I should have, and my supply went back down again.</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">2. I tried pumping at random hours of the night. Since my hubby gets up at an ungodly hour to go to work, if I wasn't already up feeding, I got up with him and pumped.</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Both helped a little but not enough. So, I decided that it was time to introduce solids. I went out and bought organic rice cereal, mixed it with what little milk I had pumped, and we were on to solids. Soon I was adding bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes, and whatever age-appropriate stage-one organic baby food I could find. I wasn't patient enough to introduce one food at a time, and before too long, her face started breaking out into circular red patches. And later they started to ooze. We switched cereal brands, switched laundry detergents, I made my own food when possible, we eliminated foods, etc., but nothing seemed to work. I finally opted for a teensy bit of steroid cream that final cleared things up. Since then we use sporadic amounts of the cream whenever her now-diagnosed eczema shows up (and it's not just on her face--it pops up everywhere).</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Two important things I've learned since then:</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">1. Studies are now showing that babies' digestive enzymes are actually not capable of properly processing rice and oatmeal for at least the first year of their lives. Since they can't break it down properly, the body does strange things with it to try and get rid of it (e.g., eczema).</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">2. A good friend of ours has diabetes. He's had it since he was a kid . . . and it showed up soon after he had a steroid shot to treat a bad case of poison ivy. The doctors didn't ever tell him there was a link, but he overheard them discussing it in the hallway.</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Needless to say, I've approached feeding my second newborn solids a lot differently. I'll give more details in my next blog. Stay tuned.</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">**photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/">stevendepolo</a></span></span></b></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-39454041319179608932011-04-28T14:46:00.005-05:002011-04-28T15:00:25.605-05:00My New Normal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlNuQM6k1-lUqTgfO7eo3iQ-VAFlYW0TREo3lZSorKuvf81b0x4gFBRDqItXjn7X1aFYz9N98T5rOTyb9NvYSMlpNUaUAlEwL63qboROUWJ835tiexGI8_KDB2PPo2TbzoR82Xx-LXg/s1600/Writing.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlNuQM6k1-lUqTgfO7eo3iQ-VAFlYW0TREo3lZSorKuvf81b0x4gFBRDqItXjn7X1aFYz9N98T5rOTyb9NvYSMlpNUaUAlEwL63qboROUWJ835tiexGI8_KDB2PPo2TbzoR82Xx-LXg/s400/Writing.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600725986780842706" /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steeven-eleven/">Vick the Viking</a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It's a quickie, but I wanted to check in. I got such an overwhelming response of encouragement and advice <a href="http://plantingbamboo.blogspot.com/2011/04/somethings-gotta-give.html">last time I blogged</a>, I wanted to first say thank you. You gave me a lot to think about, and a lot of new ideas to try. And, there's always the value of knowing I'm not alone. We all (yes, all of us) have our fair share of mama-struggles, and more likely than not, the mamas doing life right next to us are struggling with the same things we are. So, go ahead. Reach out and hug that mama in your playgroup or the one who lives next door. I bet she needs it =)</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Also, as I'm sorting out this new "normal" for my life, here are the things I'm trying to make the chaos a little more controlled:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. I'm writing again. Editing is awesome. It (quickly) pays the bills, and it's a great fit in my busy schedule; but I'm a writer. Lately I've been longing to write. And when I go to writers' conferences and only talk about my editing jobs, I feel like a poser. I want to start submitting my work again, so it starts with writing. A little bit every day. Nothing earth shattering so far, but it feels so good to flex my writer muscle again.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. I'm following the advice of one of my friends from my last post. I'm trying to accomplish one thing a day: 1 learning activity for my children; one area in the house to clean; one load of laundry. It's helping me feel like I've accomplished something yet keeping me from feeling overwhelmed. I'm not successful every day, but I am getting </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">something</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> done. That feels good.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Okay, gotta go do some writing and then tackle my one area to clean today--the garage! Love you, readers. Thanks again!</span></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-50518636231177434042011-04-18T14:50:00.003-05:002011-04-18T15:25:41.838-05:00Something's Gotta Give<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_cMidLzE4gklqeCNpPPryC182RQ1o11Se3eZprdixp8jqgNsngoGY_5V44Ibsl7IkpAkZBGCLMQZhNqI7V9nSsRXtdIR1KBOANWP4vrB3MQ2hDpNFoAuGBKaBZWUgunh1NJVrlCa5g/s1600/cleaner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_cMidLzE4gklqeCNpPPryC182RQ1o11Se3eZprdixp8jqgNsngoGY_5V44Ibsl7IkpAkZBGCLMQZhNqI7V9nSsRXtdIR1KBOANWP4vrB3MQ2hDpNFoAuGBKaBZWUgunh1NJVrlCa5g/s320/cleaner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597020908281640130" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">photo courtesy of </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/atomicjeep/"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">atomicjeep</span></i></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I know it's been too long, and I apologize. I've been doing a lot of mental processing lately, and I just haven't made time to sit down and put it down on paper, er, computer. But here I am . . . finally!</span></div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Back when I started <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EditorJoy">Editor Joy</a>, I had a newborn baby. Just one. And I felt like I was drowning. Flailing my arms and grabbing for life supports, I could barely keep my head above water. There was so much to do, yet this little helpless infant required so much of my time. I remember desperately asking my friends how they did it, how they got anything done; and no matter what their answers, I rarely found any help or comfort (because, as I later learned, every baby AND MAMA is different). </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now, I look back at those days and laugh at my ignorant self. To think, finding one newborn to be overwhelming and drowning all of my free time. Ha!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The transition to two continues. It's already been over seven months, and while I gave myself months to establish a routine, I'm finding myself rather frustrated that seven months later, I'm not much further than I was when I only had one child to deal with--some days I feel like I've backtracked. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I know this isn't rocket science, but I can't believe I have so much less time for me now. I'm not saying this in a selfish the-world-revolves-around-me way; it's more of a it'd-be-so-nice-to-do-all-the-dishes-and-pick-up-my-bedroom-before-bed way. I just don't have time to do much else than take care of my girls.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I still sound like I'm whining. I'm not. I'm learning. And the lesson that a friend of mine told me three years ago is still kicking my butt--something's gotta give. For the first few months, I gave up (for the most part) a healthy lifestyle. Eat whatever, exercise is optional (which means it doesn't happen), and cook what's easiest. These last few months I've picked back up on the healthy lifestyle, and cleaning my house has been suffering. I tell myself that something has to give, and right now it's the house. But I have a hard time accepting that. I feel restless in a dirty house. I cringe when I see a layer of dust thick enough to write my name in. I gag when I see buildup on my cupboards from severe neglect. I know something's gotta give, but I'm waging a mad war with my type-A personality: I want to pretend I gave up something, but really I want to prove to the world that I can do it ALL. Wahahaha. haha, hehe.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Heh.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Yeah, House, 240 points; Joy, 0.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I know this is a ridiculous battle. I mean, in twenty years when my kids are grown, and I have oodles of free time on my hands, I won't look back on these years and wish I had cleaned the house more and spent less time with the kiddos. But I am really learning something about myself when I see how hard it is for me to let go of the house. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So, fellow mamas. What is it for you? What's gotta give in your life right now so you can stay afloat? </span></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-81857326989496991452011-03-28T21:33:00.002-05:002011-03-28T22:00:00.744-05:00Maternity Leave<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0FY_ENnJIoktz9MoLpKsRmRxDviO6T_3eFW7Mi3EhoItPowCunbjAS1CAgZk3IetbSKh5MNvBX1G0vW6ojT_gIgPMcnfi0AyMbjyf8brnR0CPIHzwhiNged5qQaqi9203vww6hno8A/s1600/IMG_9957s.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0FY_ENnJIoktz9MoLpKsRmRxDviO6T_3eFW7Mi3EhoItPowCunbjAS1CAgZk3IetbSKh5MNvBX1G0vW6ojT_gIgPMcnfi0AyMbjyf8brnR0CPIHzwhiNged5qQaqi9203vww6hno8A/s320/IMG_9957s.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589331072521075090" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It feels as though not much is getting done around the house nowadays. I've long since lost track of any sort of schedule to follow to clean my house. If laundry is picked up before guests come over, I feel pretty good about myself. The kitchen is overflowing with both dirty and clean dishes, piles of produce ready to be composted, juicer, food processor, extra food (since I don't have the luxury of a pantry), and so much more. The dust in my bedroom is embarrassingly thick. I can barely stay on top of my work. I have little or no time to myself. I haven't exercised much at all in the past few weeks. What is going on? This is not my normal. Where did I go wrong?</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The more I've thought about it, the more realize I haven't gone wrong. In fact, this may be my new "normal" for now. Priorities have shifted, and for some reason I thought that when I shifted my priorities, my routine would still look exactly the same. But, the routine has morphed along with my priorities, and this chaotic thing we're told to embrace--change--has left me treading water, just trying to keep oxygen flowing to my head . . . when I actually take time to breathe.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Priorities that have shifted:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. My girls are my number-one priority at home. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. Eating healthy has regained a high position on my priority list. I've started incorporating more raw recipes and fresh juices into my menus; and I've cut way back on dairy, breads, and meat.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. My baby is eating solids. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">How that has affected my routine:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. Unless it's nap time, my focus is on my girls. Housework, editing, laundry, and many other seemingly important items are no match for my toddler's request to "Come here, Mama. I want to show you something." If I'm only working during nap time, that means on a good day, I have about two-three hours to do everything else. So, I edit as long as possible, then I rush about the house trying to pick up, fold laundry, make dinner, and anything else I had on my to-do list for the day. If one girl is off on her nap schedule, all of that goes out the window.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. Eating healthy requires more time because of the time it takes to plan meals, shop for the best-priced healthy ingredients, prepare the meals, and wash the extra appliances needed to make the food (juicer, food processor, etc.) I love how I feel. I've shed my baby weight--even the ten pounds I held on to from my first baby, and I have more energy. I love when health is a priority. Life is just, well, shiny-er, when you're eating properly.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:small;">I forgot how much time it would require to add three more feedings per day into my schedule (not to mention making three more meals).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As a mom, I'm more and more convinced that you should give yourself at LEAST six solid months before you try to surface in the real world again. Of course, you can maintain and appear to be leading a fairly normal life for those six months. By no means am I suggesting dropping off the planet, becoming a recluse, or anything else extreme. But you certainly need a decent amount of time to adjust to a whole other human being being a major part of your life. It really takes everything you have--your strength, your wisdom, your power, your insight, your love, everything. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It's a beautiful time, and it's a demanding time. You won't conquer the world or come up with any earth-shattering revelations during this time. But you will be doing one of the most important and powerful jobs you could possibly indulge in. You will be nurturing a new life. And that, is quite an accomplishment.</span></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-73740857519071884432011-03-24T15:32:00.003-05:002011-03-24T15:34:07.580-05:00An apologyA quick apology . . .<div><br /></div><div>Sorry, dear readers, life has taken me by storm, and my blog has been severely neglected. I got busy with life, my kids, my work, my friends, a quick yet powerful trip to Michigan, and now a baby being introduced to solids. It's a messy life but a good one. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will return. Soon. Very soon.</div><div><br /></div><div>xo</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-28364980486883337222011-02-25T14:49:00.005-06:002011-03-01T21:32:35.922-06:00Cloth Diapers FAQ *Updated*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Cloth diapers seem to be getting a lot of attention and consideration nowadays. I'd almost say it's becoming trendy, but it seems sacrilegious to call something that saves you money </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">trendy</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">. Alas, recently I've been asked a lot of questions about my cloth diapering experience, so I figured I'd do a little FAQ as a reference for all of you who may have cloth diaper questions.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Before I start, let me say there are a TON of cloth diaper options out there. If you ask people which ones they use/like, you're bound to get a myriad of answers. Having ten different cloth diaper brands thrown at you at once is overwhelming and discouraging. So, two pieces of advice for those looking to make their first purchases:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1. Don't buy everything at once. Get a couple of top recommendations and try those first. You'll probably have some disposables from showers/gifts that you can use intermittently while you figure out what works best for you.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">2. Sign up for giveaways. There are always a ton of giveaways going on on Facebook and Twitter. For example <a href="http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/">The Cloth Diaper Whisperer</a> gives away something cloth diaper every Friday on their blog. If you follow @cottonbabies, @diapershops, etc. on Twitter, they also do giveaways, especially if you RSVP and attend one of their cloth diaper Twitter parties. (There's one (#clothdiapers) I know of on Monday nights at 8 PM CST.) If you follow me (<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/EditorJoy">@EditorJoy</a>) on Twitter, you can look at my lists to find more cloth diaper handles--my list is called "<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/EditorJoy/cloth-diapers">cloth-diapers</a>."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Okay, FAQ time:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1. Do you recommend cloth diapers, and if so, how should I get started? </span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Yes, I recommend them, but . . . there are some factors to consider because they are not for everyone. First, your husband should really be on board with you about the diapers. While the mama may be doing a majority of the changing and the washing, there are times when he will be involved. If he always complains about it, it's really easy to let that drag you down. And, when there's a phenomenal blowout worthy enough to write home about, you're gonna want a cheerleader to keep you on track. Second, you will be touching poop. It's not always going to happen, and it's not nearly as bad as some would have you think (more about that later), but if someone's been telling you that cloth diapering is so easy and you won't even notice the poop, they're lying. There will be some spectacular blowouts (there would be with disposables too), and poop will get on your hands (if you're lucky, it'll just be your hands). </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Okay, getting started. I am a penny pincher, so when it came time to buy cloth diapers, I opted for all one-size options. This is great once your child reaches about 14 pounds, but before that, one-size diapers look pretty clownish (and they're tricky to stuff into those cute newborn outfits). </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">You have two options for a successful start: 1) Start with disposables and transition to cloth diapers as your baby grows. For me, I've been showered with enough diapers with both girls that I was covered until they were big enough to fit in their one-sizes. If you're concerned about what's touching your baby's bum, I highly recommend Seventh Generation disposables. They've worked the best for me, and they're reasonably priced. I don't like any of the other chlorine-free options (I think I've tried almost all of them). 2) If you start from day-one with cloth diapers, go ahead and invest in some XS and S sized diapers. You want to get a good fit around your baby's legs and waist, or else you'll be in leak central and wanting to chuck those diapers across the room. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">2. Okay, so what about the poop? (Well, I've never had the question phrased this way, but essentially that was what they were asking).</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">How to clean your cloth diapers:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1. Have a bucket for wet diapers and a bucket for dirty diapers. We bought a plastic bucket with a sealing lid from Lowes and set it next to the toilet--dirties go in there. We now have a big bucket with a filter on it and lined with a huge wet bag in our nursery for the wet ones, but I started with another Lowes bucket; so either works great. When the baby poops, we take the dirty diaper to the toilet and flush the poop. In the beginning, I just swirled the diaper around in the water until it was sufficently clean of all chunks. Now I have a diaper sprayer. I love my diaper sprayer and would highly recommend one, but it's not a guarantee that you won't touch poop or poopy water--I'm just being real with you--our sprayer has jet-force power, and if it's not aimed properly, all the angles you learned in geometry will be illustrated for you as poop ricochets off the diaper and onto the wall, your pants, the toilet, etc. It's gross. You need to know that. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">2. After a couple of days (or when your supply is getting down to one-day's worth of diapers), both buckets get dumped into the washer. I run a large cold cycle with a tiny bit of detergent (more on detergent later)--you want as much water as possible in this cycle. Then, I run a hot cycle with more detergent. After that, I run one more cold rinse with no detergent. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">3. Any cotton parts are inspected, and if they're white, they're thrown in the dryer. If they're stained, they go out to the clothesline and bask in the sun until they're naturally bleached white. Actually, it doesn't have to be a sunny day. Apparently, it's all about the UV rays. I read a post about a person in Portland who bleaches her diapers in the rain all the time. Also, all covers are hung to dry. DO NOT dry the covers. I've made this mistake. They will leak if you dry them in the dryer.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Detergent: I used to use Seventh Generation Free and Clear detergent to wash my diapers. I didn't see the need to buy a specific detergent for just my diapers. I figured it was a marketing ploy, and I refused to get ripped off (see, I AM a penny pincher). BUT then I found out "free and clear" detergents actually cause buildup on the diapers and cause them to leak. Since then I got some Rockin' Green detergent, and I LOVE it! There are giveaways for detergent all the time. <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/RockinGreenSoap">Rockin' Green</a> is on Twitter--so you can follow them to find out where the newest giveaway is.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I have never had to wipe poop residue out of my washer. I've heard people talk about that, but that's never been a problem for me. Maybe they don't rinse the diapers in the toilet first? Who knows. That's gross. Also, I have never used bleach on my diapers. Bleach creeps me out (which probably means I now creep out all my germaphobe readers, sorry). The sun is enough for me. If I ever have smell-problems with my diapers, then they get extra tanning time in the sun. Presto chango. All good again.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">3. Which diapers do you use?</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I love, love, love my BumGenius diapers. A lovely friend sent me one in the mail, and it was love at first poop. I have a lot of 3.0s, and one brand-new 4.0. I love the 4.0. I love the snaps (velcro will wear out--mine is in desperate need of replacement), I love the fit, and I love the resistance to stains. BumGenius diapers always look good. I have their organic, one-size all-in-ones (AIOs), and I love them, too, but they have to be line dried, which takes a long time, and when they're line-dried, they're pretty stiff. My eldest got to the point where she wouldn't put them on unless I made them soft again (usually had to cover with a pre-fold). I have a small fitted AIO diaper (which actually is not available anymore, but the XS are), and I love it! Because it was small, I could use it right away. And, as someone recently pointed out to me, there is some frugality in buying sized diapers. For example, if your idol is Mrs. Duggar, then sized diapers are for you. Since you'll be using the diapers over and over and over again, they will last longer if you use sized diapers for a short time with each kid as opposed to the entire time with each kid. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I also used pre-folds (the old-school cloth diaper you're probably picturing in your head) with Snappis and Bummi Superbrite covers. These are fine, but I'm spoiled by my other diapers, so I didn't replenish my stock when my second child came. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Another reason I love BG 4.0s is they're pocket diapers which means I'm in control of the level of absorbency. I can use the infant insert for the early months. I can use the bigger insert for when they're bigger. I can use both for overnight. And I can add hemp inserts for even more overnight absorbency. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">And I almost forgot, I love the Flip system too! I've got the original and organic versions, and I love them both. The best part about the Flip system is you can reuse the covers as long as the diaper was just wet. I usually let my cover dry on top of the diaper pail until the next changing. Flip covers are also ones to keep out of the dryer--learned that the hard way.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">4. Where do you buy your supplies?</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My two favorite websites are www.cottonbabies.com and www.kellyscloset.com. Both have a great selection of anything you could possibly need. And there's always a coupon or sale to cash in on. Just sign up for their newsletter or follow them on FB or Twitter to stay current on their discounts. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I'm a big fan of supporting local merchants too! Find a cloth diaper merchant in your area and spend lots of money there. If you're in the Tulsa area, I've heard that Gaga on Brookside is going to start stocking cloth diapers and Rockin' Green detergent. Yay! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">5. Do you travel with cloth diapers?</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Travel can mean two things: 1) Do you ever leave the house with cloth diapers, or do you always switch to disposable? 2) Do you go on long trips with cloth diapers? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The answer to both is sometimes. For my first baby, I was really timid about being out of the house with a cloth diaper and a potential blowout occurring, so I heavily invested in Seventh Generation (Penny Pincher Tip: You can find coupons on Seventh Gen's site and use them in combo with discounts on Amazon Mom (sign up for it on Amazon) or diapers.com to get good prices and have the diapers delivered right to your doorstep--bonus! You can also combo Seventh Gen coupons with bulk pricing at Whole Foods and get a pretty good deal. Babies R Us also has coupons and sales pretty often).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">For my second child, I'm all cloth diapers when I go out. I found it's not much different than changing a disposable blowout, so why bother dropping the extra dollars for disposable? Plus, I've found that nursery and childcare workers are being exposed more and more to cloth diapers, so they don't cringe or freak out when you leave one with them.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">When I travel long distance, it's all about the accessibility to a washer and dryer (and how long I'll be gone). If I can wash and have sufficient time to dry the diapers, if need be, in the sun, then I'll take cloth. If I can wash but won't have time to dry in sun, or if I can't wash, I don't take them. Or, if I'm trying to save space in my suitcase (read: baggage fees on airlines), I'll take disposable.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">6. What are your must-have accessories?</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1. Wet bag. Small one (holds 2-3 diapers) to carry with you in your diaper bag. I highly recommend a wool wet bag. It takes up more room, but it naturally filters smell so poopy diapers are not stinking up your car. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">2. Two diaper pails. Cheap ones from Lowes work great, but I LOVE my carbon-filter bucket. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">3. Cloth diaper detergent</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">4. Clothesline. My hubby constructed one in our backyard for me, but you can make pretty much anything into a clothesline. A lot of people just lay their diapers out flat on a table and sun them that way.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">5. Cloth-diaper-friendly diaper rash cream. I didn't know about this until my baby was well into her toddler years. The most affordable/accessible option is California Baby diaper rash cream available at Target. Other than that, I can only find stuff online.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Bonus Items:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1. Diaper sprayer. Less poop on your hands. (Plus, it conveniently doubles as a bidet or potty-training-bucket cleaner when your child has the runs or is potty training.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">2. Large wet bag--it lines my beautiful, big bucket so I can just dump the whole bag into the washer if I need to. Plus, if I do travel, I have a bag that will hold a lot of diapers.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">3. Cute diapers with fun prints. There are so many options out there. Even discount sites like Zulily sometimes sell cloth diapers. Cloth diapering gets expensive when start buying diapers on a regular basis because they're so stinkin' cute. Control yourself! (But splurge a little sometimes =)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b>7. Do I really save money?</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Click on<a href="http://www.diaperdecisions.com/pages/cost_of_cloth_diapers.php"> this link</a> for the most in-depth analysis of what cloth diapers cost versus disposables. I think this even shoots a little high for cloth diapers because you certainly can get away with less than thirty-six at a time. Regardless, you're saving a lot. </span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">8. Where can I learn more?</span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/">The Cloth Diaper Whisperer</a> blog is my favorite resource. I've learned SO much stuff there. Cotton Babies has a great <a href="http://clothdiapers.blogspot.com/">blog</a> on their website. And like I've said before, follow your favorite brands/stores on FB and Twitter to get even more info.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I'm sure I haven't covered everything, but that's all the valuable information I can come up with for now. Feel free to post your experiences, advice, favorite resources, links, etc. in the comments section. </span></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-12328722886647933172011-02-16T20:43:00.006-06:002011-02-16T21:19:01.288-06:00Preschool Decision<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tJhRF9mqa3uL71topTraDblhxPiXiAUF4vahd8ZOVWoM04cCBD2cX7x4mpbWWS15Nfigoaqc9Ekb2WWEieC-8LCcQ0Yk3SwC2KVJJ-XWIGtvV1_BiFjFmyui0iG88GE11qewqPdzmw/s1600/DSC06244.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tJhRF9mqa3uL71topTraDblhxPiXiAUF4vahd8ZOVWoM04cCBD2cX7x4mpbWWS15Nfigoaqc9Ekb2WWEieC-8LCcQ0Yk3SwC2KVJJ-XWIGtvV1_BiFjFmyui0iG88GE11qewqPdzmw/s320/DSC06244.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574491762510579202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pUEN5fvBOeYUjAUNG9OU6YdUw4mpUx5MpIaMAyrTTpb7RgKNyWmeVp11OpiHsYd1Y0VD2wJBpQFMk5tXeqq2atLb4Xo6C8sVmKewnTmbrGRS1FBJiTXopsQZxLTuF1OgZoJ8tWNjyw/s1600/DSC06241.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pUEN5fvBOeYUjAUNG9OU6YdUw4mpUx5MpIaMAyrTTpb7RgKNyWmeVp11OpiHsYd1Y0VD2wJBpQFMk5tXeqq2atLb4Xo6C8sVmKewnTmbrGRS1FBJiTXopsQZxLTuF1OgZoJ8tWNjyw/s320/DSC06241.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574491491167039106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My Girls: My Inspiration</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A couple of weeks ago my hubby and I took on <a href="http://plantingbamboo.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-preschool-debate.html">the big preschool debate</a>. I got a ton of responses both on the blog and FB from all of my dear readers. And I first wanted to say a big thank you! I really appreciated all the input everyone gave.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One friend's observation proved true with every comment I received--the people who send their kids to preschool love it; the people who keep their kids at home love it. It just reiterated to me the truth of how individual a decision this is for everyone.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">After much prayer and contemplation (and lots of talking to other moms), hubby and I sat down and discussed. It came down to one factor--God's leading. We both felt we are supposed to keep the girls at home . . . we don't argue with God, especially when we both felt the same direction. After that, nothing else really matters. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The pros I see to our decision:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. My husband and I will remain the primary influences in our daughters lives during these formative years.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. I get to spend more time with my daughters.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. We are always up for a play date!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">4. No extra bills for the month.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">5. I don't miss any firsts.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">6. This will force me to flex my crafty muscle and coordinate more hands-on projects. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">7. I am living out my dreams (SAHM whose first priority is raising her children)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This has also helped me prioritize other aspects of my life:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. My girls are my priority, not my job. I need to limit the number of projects I take on because my time to work will only be when they are sleeping or out with friends or family.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. I will start lesson planning in the fall and work on preparing my eldest for kindergarten.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. I need to cherish each moment and relish this time together. Dishes and household chores can always be done later. When my babies want me to play with them, I am available. I've made it a personal goal to make sure I'm not saying, "In a little bit" or "Just a minute" or "Let me finish this first" too often. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">4. My habits, rituals, and daily chores are a living example to my daughters--they're always there watching and observing. I need to be constantly modeling a lifestyle that sends the message that life is good, it's okay to laugh, and serving God is my choice--and He honors that choice with blessings. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-50776759017148827522011-02-10T22:16:00.002-06:002011-02-10T22:22:39.488-06:00A Short Gripe<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's a new year, which means taxes will be due soon. How's that for a bummer beginning ;-)</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've also invested money in my fancy new logo, so I'm using the beginning of this year to reinvent my business and my business's look. Once I got my logo, I've been pasting it everywhere possible, and I even ordered fancy business cards today.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">BUT when I went to put my logo on my invoices, it wouldn't work. Turns out it's not user error, it's the software. Mac Freelance, while sporting a lot of spiffy options for a very reasonable price, has turned out to be more trouble than help. I've resorted in the last couple of years to using as little as possible and just doing a lot of extra number stuff on Excel instead. I record my jobs in Mac Freelance, print an invoice, and record the check number when I get paid. There are a lot of other options, but before now I didn't care to learn them.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Well, today was a new day. I tried to learn the new options. I tried to customize my invoice to sport my cute little logo. And I got nowhere--and wasted a valuable hour of my time in the process.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So, Mac Freelance = Fail. I'm shopping for new software to make my taxes easier and my invoices customizable. Any suggestions?</span></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-80618668027659251922011-02-07T15:22:00.001-06:002011-02-07T15:39:51.439-06:00Goodbye, Paci!<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I apologize for my absence last week. We got hit hard with the blizzard, and things just didn't go as planned. You'd think with my hubby home I'd be able to get more done, but such was not the case. I plan to blog about our preschool decision soon. I really appreciated all of your insight! Until then . . . my victory over the paci!</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4NdlmJ7A0jKTSjmpERNxC4HYnr95p2AeObA7zs8X5eIob8AkQsC1MRJlov7E2SnQ2wU1i0LVGMn8Bzyo0hiY9jYVpFfEvVcMMueoegbyWl6cualHBEHmQDf-bIx9aAagIO5FqfIHHw/s1600/DSC04968.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4NdlmJ7A0jKTSjmpERNxC4HYnr95p2AeObA7zs8X5eIob8AkQsC1MRJlov7E2SnQ2wU1i0LVGMn8Bzyo0hiY9jYVpFfEvVcMMueoegbyWl6cualHBEHmQDf-bIx9aAagIO5FqfIHHw/s400/DSC04968.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571061089636424930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This is my second baby sporting her paci on day two of her life . . . she has since lost interest, and I have no desire to introduce it to her again. I'll let you know if that changes ;-</span></span>)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div>When I found out I was pregnant and my second child would be twenty-eight months younger than my first, I immediately began a list of milestones I wanted my eldest to accomplish before this baby came along. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. Get rid of the paci.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. <a href="http://plantingbamboo.blogspot.com/2010/05/21-weeks-transitions.html">Change to a toddler bed.</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. Potty train. (Read about my attempts <a href="http://plantingbamboo.blogspot.com/2010/06/25-weeks-prego-potty-training-2-year.html">here</a>, <a href="http://plantingbamboo.blogspot.com/2010/06/26-weeks-prego-still-potty-training.html">here</a>, <a href="http://plantingbamboo.blogspot.com/2010/07/27-weeks.html">here</a>, <a href="http://plantingbamboo.blogspot.com/2010/07/30-weeks-and-still-trucking.html">here</a>, and when I decided to stop <a href="http://plantingbamboo.blogspot.com/2010/07/31-weeks-were-in-single-digits-people.html">here</a>.) (I'll blog about my actual success soon.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When the baby came, I had attempted 2 & 3, but only accomplished to change to a toddler bed. Having been so unsuccessful in accomplishing my list, I gave up trying and just waited for baby #2 to come. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Baby #2 came, and many things changed with my eldest. She had spectacular public meltdowns. She couldn't seem to keep her finger out of the newborn's eye. And she started owning the term "big sister."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Lesson 1:</b> Talk is not cheap--it's invaluable. Both getting rid of the paci and potty training were possible because of incessant talk. Any opportunity my hubby and I had, we talked about getting rid of the paci. We told her babies use pacis, not big girls. We encouraged her to throw her paci away. We called it yucky and made a big deal of every time it fell on the floor. We went overboard stressing that Baby M used a paci because she was a baby, and now it was time for A to be a big girl and throw hers away.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Lesson 2:</b> Sugar works. I swore I would never be that mom. You know, the one who uses candy and treats laden with the evil HFCS to motivate my children to do anything. But (and I'll talk about this more with potty training), when my daughter expressed an interest in chewing gum, we added it on to the growing list of incentives of things she could do after she threw away her paci (for a while we could put off any and every thing by just saying, "If you throw away your paci, you can do that . . . and for a long time, the paci was more important). So we told her only big girls who throw away their pacis can chew gum, and that's the one that made the difference. Every time she saw gum she'd say, "I can chew that when I throw away my paci?" And, one night she said she wanted gum. We told her she'd have to throw away her paci first. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So, she went to her bed, grabbed the paci, and threw it in the bathroom trash. I made sure we made a big deal of it and said goodbye to the paci. Then I had her watch as my hubby bagged the trash and took it outside (no dumpster diving for my toddler). Then we celebrated, rejoiced, made a huge deal out of it, and let her chew a piece of gum, which she promptly chewed twice and swallowed. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">She asked for it a few times after that, but since she had seen us take the trash out, we'd just ask her, "Where's your paci?" and she'd answer,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"In the trash."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And we'd explain that we couldn't get it back after it was in the trash. There was little resistance after that.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Lesson 3:</b> Maturity is a factor. For my daughter, she needed to be able to comprehend a few key points:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. The difference (and importance) of a big girl versus a baby</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. The concept of throwing something away</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. The concept of a reward she's never had</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If she didn't understand these points, reasoning with her afterward would've been impossible.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So, goodbye, paci. I will not miss searching for you in a sea of blankets and stuffed animals. I will not miss midnight searches for you because you bounced out of bed and were hiding camoflauged on my dark concrete floors. I will not miss the shame I felt when my two year old still needed you to go to sleep. And I will not miss your high price tag (since we opted for the natural rubber kind).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-70085585168980740202011-01-27T10:46:00.001-06:002011-01-27T14:56:22.077-06:00My Preschool Debate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiBDhR728C48a9A6QCBznqmzeJ62USSJbv8bFiJ6EvM1XH_HM78y_G31sEhSEPdUQeVwr2ojsqPa7I81J6iPI_R_XXCfi7HgGpmSWZGUbtxgxgX6VTrs0_LwmTR5ttGvJWNSZi-my3g/s1600/DSC06043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiBDhR728C48a9A6QCBznqmzeJ62USSJbv8bFiJ6EvM1XH_HM78y_G31sEhSEPdUQeVwr2ojsqPa7I81J6iPI_R_XXCfi7HgGpmSWZGUbtxgxgX6VTrs0_LwmTR5ttGvJWNSZi-my3g/s400/DSC06043.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566971716158111970" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I was homeschooled from first through sixth grade. I loved it, and I believe it gave me a lot of advantages for when I did enter public school. So I've always thought I'd homeschool as well, at least during the younger years. I know I'm in the minority, so I've been bracing myself for the lash back from educators and parents who would question my decision. I figured kindergarten age is either 5 or 6, so I had a good half of a decade after having my first child before I had to be ready for this debate.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I had no idea preschool would even be an issue. I guess I thought it was optional, and really, not necessary. Kindergarten is when school starts--I mean, <i>real</i> school, right?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So here I am with a two year old and an infant and everyone around me is putting their kids in a preschool or mother's-day-out program of some sort. And, I hate to admit this, but I panicked. I had never thought of preschool. I didn't think I had to. Since I was a stay-at-home mom, I thought I didn't need a mother's-day-out program, right? Why would I need to pay for preschool? I was staying home so I didn't have to pay someone else to raise my child.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">All of the sudden the line got fuzzy, and I didn't know right from wrong (for my family). So, I told my husband all of the sides of the debate and what everyone else was saying, and I asked him to pray. I told him I'd be praying and would figure out where God's leading us, then come to him and see where he felt God was leading us (big decisions like this work best when we figure out God's direction on our own, then come together to find that we're both hearing the same thing from God--we come to a decision in very different ways: my hubby spends very little time on the issue, takes a little time to pray and listen, and comes back with his answer. I, on the other hand, have to hash everything out logically, consult with people I admire, pray, listen, make pro/con lists, etc., etc., until I come to my final decision. I find it rather amusing that we both always come to the same decision but in completely opposite ways).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Needless to say, when my friends (WAHMs, SAHMs, former elementary teachers, etc.) all started enrolling their children, I thought, "Uh oh. I've been missing something." So, for a little while now I've been researching and hashing out the pros and cons of preschool and trying to determine what's best for my children (Please note, I strongly believe this is a personal choice and something that needs to be decided on a case-by-case basis. I am in no way trying to determine if preschool is right for everyone. It's a personal decision just for my family). </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Anyway, as I'm hashing it out in my mind, I thought I'd give you a peek into my own thought process and invite you to weigh in with your own experiences/thoughts.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Reasons I'd Send My Daughter to Preschool:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. It'd give me more time to work (which is a little trickier to find this year because A is napping for half as long as she used to--so my work time has been cut in half).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. It'd give me more quality time with my infant who's had to share me from day one.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. It'd introduce my daughter to structure and teach her how to operate within structure. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">4. It'd provide more opportunities for her to interact with other children and socialize.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">5. It'd prepare her for kindergarten.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">6. Everyone else is doing it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Reasons I Wouldn't Send My Daughter to Preschool:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. I want to raise my daughter--I don't want to pay someone else to do it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. She's got the rest of her life to be in school.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. I can teach/train her at home so she's not missing out on any opportunities educationally or socially (we've got plenty of options to keep her around other kids and involved in extra curriculars).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">4. I don't want to miss anything.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">5. Children are influenced by the people they're around, and a big chunk of that influence would now be coming from outside sources.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">6. I can always make my schedule work so that I can still work at home. It'd just be different, and different is okay. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">7. I'd be doing it because everyone else is doing it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">There's my pro/con list so far. I've talked to quite a few people from all sides about the subject. And I've done a bit of praying. Now it's time for sorting. I need to sort all my thoughts, sift, stir, and sift some more and figure out where God's direction is in all of this. Why do I have to make this such a process all the time? If only I could be at peace with a decision I make after a few minutes of listening to God (like my husband). Well, I know why. I feel the need to have myself completely prepared to quiet the voices in my head when doubt, worry or fear start to come up after I've made the decision.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject. What's most important for you? I'd say my number-one reasons on both lists are really the root of my problem. When I can figure which one is more important, I'll have my answer. I'll keep you posted.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">**Be sure to "like" Editor Joy on FB (use the link in the righthand column) if you haven't already done so!</span></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-9021780571409562872011-01-24T10:00:00.000-06:002011-01-24T10:00:10.724-06:00Skip Hop Backpack Review<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I blinked and my baby is a toddler. I blinked again and realized all our friends have their toddlers enrolled in a mother's-day-out or preschool program. Since I've been considering homeschooling, I hadn't even contemplated a preschool program, but then my teacher friends told me the material covered in kindergarten is material I learned in first or second grade as a child. Whoa! Then I got overwhelmed and started calling preschools.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">After some more consulations with friends and teachers, I'm not as overwhelmed. And even though I probably won't consider any type of program until this fall at the earliest (even though enrollment is in just a couple of short weeks), I've started to change my mindset about life at home. Every moment is a learning moment. I'm not talking about draining the fun from playing, but I am talking about maximizing on teaching moments when I'm spending quality time with my daughter. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And I've started to contemplate how I can incorporate more structure into our daily routine. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Baby step 1: Buy a backpack.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It's a small step, and it will be used for infinite possibilities, but it opens the discussion about school. Plus, it's just so stinkin' cute.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4resldVPNfvs9Ls90i_MXwfs8RLBJ2VArqomzMd8Ral9UOj6vEA_7r7PbcH-cbzz_3U1I4zisVcDvB78cktL01txOhlrwFFo4heDvJUQZD2DC_853TizCgUk8Fj4HcOdy4o-A8SEb1g/s400/51F-OONwhUL._AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564763684407768930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b><a href="http://www.csnstores.com/Skip-Hop-210204-HOP1182.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Skip Hop Backpack: Owl</span></a></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When I found out I had an opportunity to review this product, I was ecstatic. Not only do I love the animal designs Skip Hop offers, but I also am a huge fan of Skip Hop products in general. My </span><a href="http://www.csnstores.com/Skip-Hop-200001-HOP1019.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Skip Hop diaper bag</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> is my favorite bag by far. It's like a Mary Poppins bag: you can get so much inside, and everything is easy to find and readily accessible. Needless to say, I had great expectations for the backpack.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Skip Hop offers a variety of backpack designs (dog, monkey, owl, mouse, bee and penguin)--all of them are adorable. And, bonus, matching lunchies are available too. When my backpack arrived in the mail, I was just as excited as when I ordered it online--it looks exactly like the picture. (I got the dog for my nephew too).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OhiNM3s1dNcmMirZ-iqWSYA73SaXhdASVuflq8O9o3zQMOdl4dzfITbhkvVhowybLKXWW5CWv90_Jgu2cGmqKxOwOVMMSqMPn0tRgaEKNb5GXeY80JYhJA18U_so2UVNGWE27YEVOw/s400/DSC05823.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561416112968179922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My daughter opened the backpack for Christmas, and she was excited to use it. Immediately she decided that she needed to pack food in it, so for the first week without fail, a cutie (mandarin orange) could be found in the main compartment. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTH423-XTNCu0cJQeORkGHSdLRd9aeIFfdIjXcX3C-lQyZ9-8ZHjPBur4Y0fV9TsTBqybeR7kUc0cm4Y8wmjuHYs-ogzNG8Kg1_weWIuRAvLX2uoKP9ghY1YUMS46FIM4X91s8sfozg/s400/DSC05940.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564766653008942946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Since then we've used it for various outings--mostly when she goes out for the day with my mom. After a month of wear, it still looks brand new. Quality construction and excellent material (just like my diaper bag) have proven valuable. The padded straps are a great fit for my toddler, not too big or small--just right to fit on her back or carry at her side. The zippers have large decorations that make it easy for tiny toddler hands to grasp and navigate on their own. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXL7C56wuYLj-38-Fwcx8VyOgEpWD4ckAhK_wHGFDT-ghTJd79W7KieXNrZ88KUtN8lUcOc9RReoFjYOYKwS9ThkNM5t-p2wc17jQrOk48gmra_bQGimqBCJviwbbpu9JET-MQQTTCAg/s400/DSC05937.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564766648913353202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Unlike my diaper bag, it's not as roomy as I had hoped. Granted, it's made for a toddler to carry, so ten pounds of "necessary" clothing changes, snacks, pull-ups, wipes, hand sanitizer, etc., do not all fit. BUT I can easily get a change of clothes, wipes, blankie, and small cuddly toy inside. The front insulated pocket is a safe place for snacks, and the side mesh pocket for a sippy cup is also handy (it's a little small for one of our sippy cups but our Kleen Kanteen fits well). The lining is easy to wipe clean, and a good soak in the sun will keep the outside just as sanitary (but not too much sun--don't want to fade the bright colors).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Not only will this backpack stand out in a pile of bags, but it comes at a reasonable price. Compared to a lot of popular backpacks available online, </span><a href="http://www.csnstores.com/Skip-Hop-210204-HOP1182.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Skip Hop's $20 price tag</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> undercuts a lot of the competition without sacrificing quality. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And, as a mom who takes great care as to what toxins are present in my children's lives, knowing this bag is BPA, Phthalate and PVC free makes me want to hug this bag just a little tighter. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">**Remember, if you haven't "liked" Editor Joy on FB yet, use the button on the righthand margin to "like" it right now--and tell your friends about it too. Thanks.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-34834412840654121962011-01-17T10:31:00.001-06:002011-01-21T15:59:37.056-06:00What I Learned This Christmas: Weight Management<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's not rocket science. In fact, it's pretty logical. I first heard it on Dr. Oz, and I scoffed at the idea. But when I followed it, I found I didn't feel bloated and bulky after the Christmas season. I felt great.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What is this great weight management tip for the holidays? Don't cook anything at home. Of course, I didn't follow this 100 percent, but for the most part, I did well. I didn't bake cookies, treats, or other snacky items to take to parties. Why? Because the leftovers would've been lying around the house begging me to eat them. If they weren't stacked in the fridge, they weren't tempting me.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We made two exceptions for this rule: tiger butter and </span></span><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/cinammon_rolls_/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">cinnamon rolls</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. The tiger butter was my hubby's project. It's wonderful but oh-so-not-healthy (so unhealthy I won't even admit on here what the ingredients are). Of course, none of those pieces of tiger butter went to waste, just to my waist. I also made cinnamon rolls. Holy mother of butter. Those were so worth it. And, believe you me, not a single one missed my waist either. I can't imagine if there had been more sweet treats lying around my home. Well, yes, I can imagine it, and I can imagine myself snacking on them during all hours of the day.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So, wanna feel amazing after the Christmas holidays? Keep the food in someone else's house. It's that simple. And, be willing to buy something pre-made, so you don't have to deal with the dozens of leftovers you couldn't cram on the cute Christmas plate you took to your mother-in-law's. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTCvIpbZ7ufCC4SforsasXEHdGyKChOV_EMcLbypKNucLi8RhUtgSSGvuzd16Mzshv3emd83YIdU5vMJ_WhVNYLczlowePRhPl0A43u2o-7Yb7nS5SsxlHsBFIpRwteWgK_AWt8400g/s400/IMG_9904.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558820079723537570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All of these cookies were assembled at my mom's. We took a small plate home and left her to battle the dozens of leftovers =)</span></span></i></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-610394886874802392011-01-13T15:09:00.001-06:002011-01-13T17:02:08.981-06:00What I Learned This Christmas: KISS<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:small;">I'm not a big crafter by any stretch of the imagination. Yes, my mom made me take sewing and cooking lessons when I was young. Yes, I appreciate them now. Yes, I'm making way more use of my sewing skills than I'd ever imagined I would. But that doesn't make me crafty.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I am a big copycat. Original craft ideas don't bloom in my head. But I can copy other people's ideas with the best of them. So, with a world of craftiness at my fingertips (i.e. the Internet), I can make almost anything. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Here's the problem with being a copycat--there's so much to copy. So, this year I decided to follow the old acronym KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid). For my friends' boys, I wanted to sew matchbox car play mats complete with roads, trees, pools of water, etc., but it would've taken me FOR-EV-ER. So, I didn't let myself start the project. Instead I looked for great toy deals online, and I picked crafts that wouldn't take a long time.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My stocking stuffers came from </span></span><a href="http://www.babble.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Babble</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">, my new favorite source for craft, decoration, and new recipe ideas. I found it through a suggestion on FB, and it has changed my life. Here's the post that inspired my stocking stuffers: </span></span><a href="http://blogs.babble.com/family-style/2010/12/14/top-ten-diy-christmas-ornaments-this-season/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Favorite DIY Christmas Ornaments</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">. I made the </span></span><a href="http://www.sayyestohoboken.com/2010/12/blognog-felt-monogram-ornaments.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Felt Monogram Ornaments</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> which turned out exactly like the pictures! THEN I found this: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizI3-7bi2qohqoZ8bBBYXvShY0i_KtnatJUKuzgYib0s3v5F40ijc_8H35ILSxE01yBhNpsM_83SRZ9Q2VMjdL2H7CdRDHiAHSO8wJszdNfZYbk5F83e6G6ITF87olTSudM593CzW_nA/s320/Screen-shot-2010-12-29-at-12.20.44-AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558814896698901538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Look familiar? They were available at West Elm, but they're already gone. =(</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I also made hair bobbies for my girl friends. I unashamedly copied a clip I had seen in one of my favorite stores. Basically, I made </span></span><a href="http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/photos/how_to_make_a_yoyo/hbyoyotutorial1.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">a small fabric yo-yo</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">, sewed a bead in the center, and sewed it onto a hair pin. Voila! I should've taken pictures for a tutorial, but I didn't. Sorry. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My friends and family loved the presents--everyone got a little something handmade. And I pumped them all out in the time it took to watch a couple of Christmas movies after my family went to bed. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Next year, it's only simple projects for me. Past that, I can find great inexpensive deals online--and those are delivered right to my door step.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">KISS-ing works for me. In fact, I think it's one of my favorite things to do =)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">**Remember to "like" Editor Joy on FB too (see the right column). Thanks!</span></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1436093165007267837.post-10906740926281958782011-01-10T15:46:00.001-06:002011-01-10T16:13:56.349-06:00What I Learned This Christmas: Photo Cards<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I'm pretty proud of my Christmas card for this year. I chose to make it a Christmas card/birth announcement for various reasons:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. Most babies don't take good pictures when they're fresh from the womb. Most look like aliens, and flashes make their eyes buggy. If you give them some time and wait until Christmas, they look much cuter.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. Immediately after baby M was born, I didn't have time or motivation to take pictures, assemble a card, gather addresses, and post a bunch of birth announcements to family and friends. Plus, they all saw her on Facebook, which takes away from the birth announcement being as much of a necessity nowadays.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. Postage is expensive, and I married into a HUGE Mexican family. Birth announcement done right would break the bank.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">4. I'm going to spend the postage for Christmas anyway, might as well take care of the baby as well.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">BONUS: I don't have to be in a picture if the Christmas card is all about baby. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So, a friend of mine stumbled across </span></span><a href="http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">this mother's</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> pictures of her sleeping baby. Our favorite was the </span></span><a href="http://acidcow.com/pics/11905-milas-daydreams-23-pics.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">bookworm</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. So, we got together one afternoon, popped </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Toy Story 3</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> into the DVD player for the toddlers, and set to taking pix of my little one. Here's what we came up with.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4qV5JFiusRyThyFt5SeYl6vs87NuYOeCP-BSmgGXHVFZy4X9ce-MMtILF1d6RmWUHHqxT6BI7rz3LVQAhyphenhyphenxkEB4vhl-Kn_e5qc4D7PEGiFvYfO-UricpRRILgfl6kQy8vVzi9buMJA/s320/DSC_0147.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558827048927521298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Christmas dress</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPCm-H7lfO4jUJJDEep6RCe_MtWNMTynt1TLzRSVj4dv4RFUisbdiTrt_Raigckydfus5YR-GqMYqAdJX6olr4ZnmW5uZ576iGQs1qEfZpP5XyA3_cKTrmYFpEFBIzp4upVM6ClMRXw/s320/DSC_0105.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558827038110505282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hot cocoa, anyone?</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_m7hV0VTtTsivkxCTmCuOsK3tiQotzBcv1cpOQwwtXckVpRtvI4nxhzP99HoprFLwXjJhLLjvWfzc6ll6fZr3PplT9wZ5aqGegWzOhJod9b4H5jlwcjI_yimwp8XECs-xW-4LmpNTg/s320/DSC_0068.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558827026916435362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Advent calendar</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ3w0q3hkNKUNgO4f5n9-YZC9qgpDdUftK6E1f0jj4BxCNqcXTrpVU3NDCcYzbM_8Pn6M1m7jmNvazZSfM5MqrX29eb-VVAViKf5HmlpYCnO9fvrPJG_HFkVQqSKE7-gE2hyOMAkSYA/s320/DSC_0052.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558827021931013138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Santa baby</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbUJjRNhEuKIlPMOkQojjI94e1R7qvR9a8RRat187TKGr04x2Iab24FMDG0scToLddouGSUtrgYIWaYYQWsmGKaWJt9e-KoGKkh7rKLYwrj0J6JpO1DuM1NvLe169xbgSbTTyU-Ar-w/s320/DSC_0155.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558828616292176658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Too many lights</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacZ0Boc0iZ2X1b_aXMz9YEHIljUii2D-QZDx1_FYHvkFgpZnZzOTlRiLcenj_DHpyiC-VfsuFhIH84t4N7IeSZSJHwLoee4fAccPOGU8wQhlSKTSLmFPRA8xCvmQ9s5QPmmEAyns0ig/s320/DSC_0050.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558827030849158738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And this is the one that ended up on our Christmas card--my favorite!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And here's our attempt to recreate the bookworm. Tee hee hee</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnk-T3k6VzF7XNzGBWCeOFtNWScpUJumzG_KW5UtlZwt96VtjAfSsJ_3WjGkIBXmE9t1Ki5oXdHd7M-gpATSYztytOp9CsQneAKuotyQLntV8ASuUoF3M2vZvs2k7rcOMlOQqWVMWRvw/s320/DSC_0174.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558828622299853170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-99pNWZYc5auKbpZGrhuhsIp5EAFjblAG4C9zFTLJNswbOchWt5Kf0UexzxpLe0SugwpYBn6IrOV0bkBtsfx8SOdmh9iVJAxFPpHhiXKBPBWjiDrk1wiMy_ZWUNrJMsu16IIYkF-JaA/s320/DSC_0159.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558828620739833010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">p.s. Have you "liked" Editor Joy on Facebook yet? Use the link in the righthand margin to "like" it right now. Thanks!</span></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11522815284842789408noreply@blogger.com2