Cloth Diapers

As a couple we have decided to use cloth diapers.  Tom wore them as a child and I'm not sure if I did or not. My sister has cloth diapered her 2 kids and has promoted it so we are jumping on the band wagon. Why not?  Out of everything baby related for some reason I am most excited about cloth diapers.  I cannot wait to get them and to play with them before baby arrives and then to use them once baby gets here. Maybe this makes me crazy but I'm just throwing it out there.

We have decided to give two types of diapers a try. The one we are hoping works well is a very economical choice with a cover and liners. It is the Flip system by Cotton Babies.  I like these because they allow you to reuse the covers more than once and therefore create less laundry than an all-in-one diaper.  I have read and watched many reviews on the Flip. Some people choose to use an all-in-one for day-to-day use but while travelling or  running errands use the Flip because it is more compact for travel. You can also buy disposable liners for travelling.  There are also a lot of people who choose to use the Flip system daily.  I am hoping we are one of these people and that they diapers work for us. For $60 you can get 2 covers and 6 liners - not bad!!


The second diaper system we registered for is an all-in-one. It was originally my first choice until my sister showed me the Flip system. It is a Canadian brand, Omaiki.  The all-in-ones they offer are great.

Check out the options with the Omaiki!!

The come with one liner which is attached at one end to the shell and a second liner can be snapped in for extra absorbency.  I liked these because they weren't pocket diapers like my sister used (which I didn't really enjoy) and had the versatility to switch to one or two liners. I also liked that the attached liner could move and wasn't stuck down like in some other diapers I had looked at, therefore allowing for quicker drying time.  What also attracted me to the Omaiki brand, besides being Canadian, was the colours! They offer a huge selection that drew me in. These are a bit more pricey at $28.50 a diaper at my local store.

So this is what we are looking at to start our stash of cloth diapers.  I have registered for 4 of the boxes of Flip diapers (so we will have 8 liners and 24 liners) which should do us at least a day and a half.  I also registered for 4 of the Omaiki all-in-ones and we would likely use these for overnight.  Of course all of this could change once our little one arrives and offers his or her opinion on our choice of diapers. I look forward to the adventure that lies ahead for us on cloth diapering and as parents in general!

Basement Update #1...Nesting Update Vol. 1

So a lot has been happening around here in the world of renovations and my attempts to nest while making sure our adorable puppy doesn't get into too much trouble. But he is just so darn cute!!  This picture is of him during our trip home for Christmas. We travel with him behind the back seat but he decided to climb over it and sit on our luggage. This forced us to set up a barrier with the baby gate so he couldn't do that anymore.  We're hoping he wont try to climb over onto the baby once he or she travels with us too!

So the basement renovations are going well. This past weekend Tom and two of his friends put up thermopan for our cold air returns, sound proof insulation and the vapour barrier. Next up is the drywall.  We ended up getting the drywall for $9.75 a sheet which saved us $4 over what we were planning to pay.  It was great to save money.  We now have almost everything purchased for the completion of the basement. We do need to pick up primer for the ceiling and we are hoping to find the paint the old homeowners had used to paint the basement to touch up the walls but we haven't looked yet.  Otherwise we'll need to buy paint for the walls.  We ordered some gift cards to Rona with our Air Miles and are waiting for them to come in. We will use that to buy the underpadding for the floor.  So our original goal of a February 1 end date might not happen. But for sure it will be done by February 18th we hope. That weekend is my baby shower here so my family will be coming down and they will help us paint the babies room and the ceiling in the basement if necessary.

Yesterday was the first day I felt  really accomplished in my nesting efforts.  Last week I had a few days of motivation.  I had organized our kitchen cupboards and made space in one of the pantries for Bauer's stuff. I have not achieved my goal of making room for bottles and baby things but we'll get there.  I also took the ornaments off the Christmas tree but that was as far as I went.  Friday I took the tree down and packed it all up. Yesterday I was onto my organizational kick and was able to cross off a number of items on my to-do list.  I organized our linen closet, and under the bathroom sink.  I also washed both the shower curtain and the liner so they are sparkly!!  We have one of those plastic shelving units in our bathroom as well so I reorganized that and emptied out a drawer that we'll use for baby bathroom items.  While I was doing these things I was also doing our laundry.  So needless to say I was EXHAUSTED before dinner.  I could feel myself getting tired so many times so I would try to slow down and sit down.  I likely did more than I should have but it felt great to cross these things off my list. 

Today is a more relaxing day. Tom is working so it's just Bauer and I. I have somethings I would like to do but nothing that is major and needs to be done.  Happy Sunday!!

Here is an updated picture at 32 weeks and 5 days.  As always I forgot to get Tom to take a picture so you never get to see a full shot but you at least get the baby!!

Home Renovations

So this weekend officially kicked off our renovations on the basement. I guess they were really begun the week after we moved in since we had to build a support beam but I digress.

Since having to build that beam we have discovered a few more things that needed to be fixed - floors and electrical mostly. So we always had a long term goal of fixing it. When we found out we were expecting it became not so long term. The room that we were beginning to set up as our office (but had become storage for boxes we were to lazy to unpack wedding gifts) was now to become the baby's room and we would use the nook in the basement as the office. So thus our plans changed to needing I finish the basement before March.

This passed weekend Tom and his brother took the drywall down from the basement ceiling and Tom and I bought the flooring. This week it's insulation and duct work hopefully! How exciting!!

The Waiting Game

With two months remaining before our due date it seems now like we're playing the waiting game - in many different ways too!

We wait in the doctors office - for hours! This week I had an appointment at 2:15 and didn't see my dr until 4:30. Insanity! That shouldn't happen! So we wait for that.

We also weight gain! So far I've gained about 25 lbs which is inline with what my doctor told me I would gain. It's so weird to step on the scale and see how much I weigh. While I know my body is changing I don't feel 25lbs heavier.

Of course most importantly we wait for that moment when we will hold our little one in our arms and see what love has made and what little person God has blessed us with. We have been entrusted with a soul to care for and to guide and teach about God! Ahh what a fun and scary task that lies before us.

My favourite pregnancy moment this week was a moment that really showed me my changing body and how I need to change my mind about what I can and cannot do. I was talking to Tom on the phone while he was working. I had been sitting on the floor with Bauer and decided for some reason to lay down on my back. Then comes the inevitable - trying to get back up! This proved to be impossible with one hand holding the phone and one hand to help me up. I felt like a beached whale! I had to put the phone down to get up. I've also been experiencing a lot more big movements with our baby that at times can put me out! Our little one kicks my lungs and takes me breath away. I also have what my doctor says is nerve damage just under my sternum. It feels like my skin is raw and I get burning pain. Sometimes it shoots so badly it knocks me to the ground! If I move funny while laying down it can shoot pain too.

So all in all we cannot wait for the waiting game to be done and to meet our little one. But we will enjoy our time until then!

30 Weeks Part 2

So around 15 weeks I began to feel movement from our little one. It felt like bubbles moving around and was subtle but I knew it was our baby.  One time while laying on my side watching TV I felt a for sure somersault. It was so bizarre feeling. At this point Baby K favoured the left side of my stomach choosing to make a home there.  I felt most movement on the left side of my belly button.  This picture is 15 weeks and 3 days along.




I don't remember specific milestones from the next few weeks. But I do remember thinking time was moving slow and that I was growing so fast. Sometime around 17 weeks Tom felt Baby K move for the first time. That was truly awesome. We were laying in bed one night and I told him that the baby was moving.  He put his hand on my stomach and waited.  He felt a kick and his face lit up. I had been watching his face waiting for a reaction and it was amazing. Tears fell from my eyes and I was so happy that he could finally feel our baby.

At 19 weeks and 2 days we saw our baby for the first time.  That was amazing! To actually see our baby and to be able to see a head and nose and legs.  You can see an ultrasound picture here.


Another memorable moment was when we were on a cruise with Tom's family.  At this point I was 21 weeks along.  One night on the cruise, everyone was planning to hot tub and drink - both activities that I could not participate in. So I was a little bummed. I hung out around the hot tub for a bit but just got too tired and was frustrated so I went back to our room. While there I had a moment of feeling sorry for myself, and cried. Then I began reading while laying down and I rested my book on my belly.  After a few moments my book jumped. Our baby had kicked so hard it moved my book. It was crazy. I tried to catch it on camera but the baby didn't really cooperate. It seems our baby knew I was upset and wanted to cheer me up.

Since then our baby has been moving constantly.  S/he now favours the right side of my stomach.  We can now see where the baby is when I am laying down as that side will stick out more. It's so funny to see. We also could spend forever watching my belly move as our baby dances and moves inside.  Pregnancy has been good lately and I am very excited and cannot wait to meet out little one in just over 2 months!  


I always forget to get Tom to take a picture when I am dressed and not in pajamas so here continues my attempts at self portraits.  This was taken today at 30 weeks and  5 days.  Many people tell me I am carrying low....boy???

30 Weeks Part 1

*This blog was started on Monday, January 2nd.  As I was writing it I got a phone call from my mom telling me that my grandfather had passed away.  I was unable to continue writing it as much as I wanted to.  I spent time last week back home with my family and we had the funeral for my grandpa.  It is weird for me to think about how I now only have 1 grandparent remaining and that our child will (God-willing) only meet her and not the others. I realize that we were very blessed to have had our grandparents for as long as we did and I am thankful for each of them in my life.  And so I'll do my best to continue the blog......some of it was lost so I am having to rewrite.

So Tuesday (January 3rd)  marks 30 weeks into our pregnancy. It has certainly been an interesting adventure.
I thought I would take time now to reflect and recap on our journey so far as we prepare to meet our little one.  I wish that I had of done a better job recording milestones for this little one but you live and learn.

On July 7th, 2012  we took our first (and only) home pregnancy test.  I was only 2 days late but I knew something was up. I am normally like clock work - at most one day off so something was up.  I could just feel it. So we bought the test the night before and I was up early to pee on that stick.  I remember the time between doing my business and  looking at the result as a time of an outer body experience.  Even standing there looking at the test was weird. I felt like I was 100 feet above looking at Tom and I seeing the results.  Tom's reaction was great.  I think he was VERY surprised. He walked quickly from the bathroom and I chased him down half laughing and half crying.  It was a great day and we both felt so blessed.  We told both of our families by the Monday (something to do with me not drinking alcohol seem to be a reason to tell people).

My pregnancy started off good. I had dry eyes for a few weeks (even before we took the test) which apparently is a symptom because of changing hormones (who knew!).  Around week 6 though things started to change and I started to get nauseous. This lasted until about week 9.  I was so blah feeling and wanted to sleep all the time. I longed for food with taste but it was all gross. Many times I would begin cooking and stop because the smell was too much - chicken and rice are two culprits. 

Thankfully the nausea passed. Unfortunately, around week 12 or so nausea's friend vomiting made a visit. Weeks 12-15 were marked by trips to the bathroom to empty my stomach.  Mostly tomato based foods, salsa and tomato sauce, were what made me feel sick. However sugar was also a horrible one.  I had these candies, Preggo Pops, which are meant to stop morning sickness. For me they only encouraged it - many times it would stop the feeling of nausea but within minutes I would see meals again.  Thankfully as August came to an end so to did my morning sickness.

 

Here is the bump at 13 weeks and 5 days. 

   

Christmas Celebrations

Christmas weekend has come and gone. One thing for sure is it was different.

This was our first married Christmas and what will be our only Christmas without kids. It's so exciting to think about that. Christmas eve was interesting. My husband was working so I was home alone all day with Bauer. It was weird to not have preparations to do or anything. I tried to nap since we were going to midnight Mass but it didn't work very well. So midnight Mass was hard to get through. It was a joyful celebration of the birth of our Saviour. After Mass I managed to stay awake till 2:00 as we went back to the in-laws with family and friends.

Unfortunately that night Bauer came down with something and I was up at 3:30am and 5:50am with him. He had the runs and it was super bad! I felt so bad for him. So all day we worried about him and tried to figure out what we could do to help him. A little dinner of rice and ground beef seemed to help!

We were blessed to spend time with my husbands family Christmas day. We were also blessed greatly by my in-laws with amazing gifts! We were my expecting all that we got. We received: an iPod dock, Tim Hortons seasonal mugs, gift card for a maternity clothing store and for Home Depot. We were also surprised after all the presents were opened with a baby stocking for out little one. Inside the stocking was an I owe you for a crib from Nanna and Poppa. We were so shocked and overwhelmed to received this. This is the crib and furniture set we're thinking of getting. We would get it in espresso finish. http://storkcraftdirect.com/baby-products/convertible-cribs/tuscany-4-in-1-stages-crib/

Our goal for 2012 is to have our basement done by February 1 so that our new crib has a room to go in for our baby. Here's hoping it all goes according to plan!