Sweet Moments {#BFBlogHop}

It wasn't until Charis was 4-6 weeks old that I actually enjoyed breastfeeding.  I nursed her because 1)I had to-breast milk is free, whereas formula is expensive and 2)Breast milk is best.  In my mind, I knew that I would be sleep deprived, but I didn't realize how exhausted I would be or that I would cry at the drop of a hat the first two to three weeks.

One of the sweetest things I remember about those early weeks is the love my husband showed me.  He cooked, cleaned, did dishes, woke up at night after I nursed Charis just to hold her so that I could get more sleep, read and sang to her in Spanish and English, etc. Less than a year after we were married, Drew was living out Ephesians 5:25:

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her...

Was he perfect in doing this? No, but I'm not perfect either.  We're both two sinners in need of God's grace.

What are some of the sweet breastfeeding moments you had?

Join us at Sisters 'N Cloth for the #BFBlogHop. 

Pin It

Potty Training and the Flats Challenge

Yesterday, I mentioned using a Flip Trainer Shell as one of my covers, which I actually started using 6 months ago.  Not because my daughter was potty training, but because she's large for her age.  She's 35+ lbs. and most one size diapers no longer fit her, which is one more reason I want her potty trained.

Flip Trainer Shell features:

• Fits approximately 20-50 lbs.
• 3 step rise system
• Waterproof shell and easy to wipe clean
• Easy to pull up, but they also have side snaps for accidents

You can buy the trainer with or without inserts.  The organic inserts that come with it are approximately 16 inches X 4 inches, though I usually just use flat diapers.  I fold the diaper into a pad.  Below you can compare the flat diaper with the Flip organic cotton insert.  Place the pad under the flaps, snap the trainer, and have your child use it as a pull up.  If you have flat diapers {or prefolds}, there's no reason to buy the Flip inserts, which are an added expense.

 

Day 3: How did it go? Let me start out by saying that I love my husband. Charis was diaperless for about 2-3 hours this morning. Right before her nap, he decides to help me and put a disposable diaper on her, but didn't tell me he put a sposie on. I didn't realize this until 3:45 PM, the time she woke up from her nap. When I changed her, I put her back in a flat diaper. I'm definitely NOT mad at him; he was helping out. So, I didn't complete the challenge, but I'm still going to use flat diapers on her and handwash them for the rest of the week because I REALLY want Charis to be potty trained soon.  Charis wearing the Flip trainer shell.

 

How did day 3 go for you?

Linking up at Dirty Diaper Laundry.

Pin It

Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival {Yarn Along}

For the last two years, on the first Saturday in May, I have gone to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival; this year was no exception. 

I blogged about it in 2011, but I did not blog about it last year because I had a lady tell me that I should not bring my daughter and in turn, I called her a "bitter, old lady."  While she was bitter and old {in her 60s-70s}, I probably should have kept my mouth shut, but I should not be dwelling on it.

This year, Charis went to visit Grandpa and Grandma and Granny and Grandad in Pennsylvania, and I was free to go without her. It was enjoyable without her, but at the same time, I missed having her with me.  In 2011, I wore her on my back in the Boba carrier, and a few times, she would reach out and pull on yarn that was $50+, so last year I decided to have her in the stroller.  This year, I was able to enjoy looking at things without worrying about what my daughter was doing.  I actually went into the barns and didn't just look at the yarn.  If you're a blogger and I recognize you, I will say hello, as Mindi from Simply Stavish found out.  I hope you enjoy the following photographs.  I took more photos, but how many sheep pictures do you really need to look at. 

In Fiber Optic Yarns booth. Their yarns are
GORGEOUS, but none were bought by me.

 

 

Lunch=Lamb Gyro

Roving bought from Gale's Art for a friend of mine.

Have you ever been to a fiber festival? If not, I highly recommend going. 

In other news, I'm knitting baby items for friends, those photos will be posted next week, DV.

What are you knitting or reading?

Join me at Ginny's Yarn Along.

Pin It

Preparations and Supplies {#flatschallenge}

This post contains affiliate links.

Since this is my third time participating in the Flats and handwashing challenge, I did not have to do anything to prepare for the challenge.  I regularly use flat diapers, especially since we use coin operated machines. 

The flat diapers I'm using consist of:

• IKEA flats, AKA burp rags, but they happen to be my favorite.
• One hemp babies flat diaper
• One Orange Diaper company flat diaper
• Two Dippee Dyppees flat diapers
• 12 dozen OsoCozy diapers
• 1 Diaper Rite diaper, which was given to me.

Charis' covers are:

• 2 Thirsties duo wrap covers
• Imagine diaper cover
• Flip trainer shell, my primary goal is to get Charis closer to being potty trained, and cover she's able to pull on and off herself.

Day 1: Went well-overall.  I only had to change 3 dirty diapers, two of which were a bowel movement.  My daughter HATES going poop on the potty, but loves peeing on it.  Which is so frustrating.  It's so much easier to handwash diapers that have been peed on than pooped on.  Another thing is Charis got into my conditioner while the diapers were soaking in the bucket and a large amount got over the diapers; I think I'll have to work on rinsing those diapers off better.  Needless to say, I'm thankful to have more than 12 flat diapers.

What supplies are you using?

How did your first day of using flats and handwashing go?

 

This post contains affiliate links.

Pin It

Yes, I'm doing it again {#flatschallenge}

Confession: I'm participating in Dirty Diaper Laundry's 3rd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge. 

 

Yes, I realize this my third time participating.  Am I crazy? Yes. But, Charis is NOT yet potty trained, and I know I'll be more dilligent in helping her get potty trained if I participate. I will be MUCH more likely to let her go diaperless because the idea of handwashing does not appeal to me.  I prefer throwing the diapers in a washing machine and letting my "maid" do the work.

 

Will you be joining me? 

Or are you repulsed at the idea of handwashing?

Pin It

Fairy Hobmother

This post is sponsored by the Fairy Hobmother.

The week of May 6th was an emotional one for me.  My grandfather died on May 8th, but I also received a few pleasant surprises.  That same week, I received a visit from the Fairy Hobmother.  I read this in my inbox:

Hi there!

I’m the Fairy Hobmother, spreading light and joy across the blogosphere!

I saw a comment you left on a post about me and followed it back to your blog. It’s clear that you work very hard on it, and I think that your hard work deserves to be rewarded.

The best part is, if you comment on this post, you too may receive a visit from the Fairy Hobmother.

Is this your first time hearing about the Fairy Hobmother? 

Have you received a visit?

This post was sponsored by the Fairy Hobmother.

I was compensated with an Amazon gift card.

Pin It

Like Mother, Like Daughter {#BFBlogHop}

One of the many delights in being a mum, is seeing my daughter imitate me and learn many new things.  Charis loves to help me with...

Dishes. Honestly she makes more of a mess than helping, but she's slowly learning.

Putting "Dolly" in the chair and pretending she's a Mummy. She also wears her doll with a baby carrier that she got for Christmas. FYI, I have a photo on my laptop hard drive of her wearing the doll, but the computer won't start and am not able to post that picture.

Knitting. Proverbs 31:13: "She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." She's very eager to learn how to knit and always wants to help when I'm knitting.

Cooking. Anytime I'm in the kitchen, Charis comes in and LOVES helping me cook and bake. Yes, it means the process is slower, but I have many fond, happy memories of my mum teaching me how to cook and bake.

What are some ways your child imitates you?

Join me at the BFBlogHop at Sisters N Cloth.

Pin It