Glow Bug Cloth Diapers {Mother's Day #ClothDiaperHop}

Before my daughter was born, I was researching different cloth diapers.  I saw many people raving over pocket diapers, but chose not to get pockets because I thought, "I don't want to spend $20 on a diaper, especially if I buy 12-24 brand new diapers."

Then, I heard about Glow Bug Cloth Diapers and saw that you can buy 6 pocket diapers for $75 or 12 pocket diapers for $150.  You can choose a Glow Bug Boy Package, a Glow Bug Girl Package, or Glow Bug Spectrum {Gender Neutral} Package.  Wow!!  I started to wish I had known about them before Charis was born.  Glow Bug Cloth Diapers was started by two friends, Neta and Sarah.  They wanted to help those who were looking for a good quality diaper at an affordable price.

I was sent a pocket diaper to review.  Each Glow Bug Cloth Diaper:

• Comes with two inserts
• Is designed to fit from 7-35 lbs. 
• Has a 4 step rise
• Has double gussets {which would be WONDERFUL for babies who have the breastfed poop}.
• Has two openings {which allow the inserts to agitate out in the wash}
• Snap in inserts {helps keep the insert in place}
• Each purchase of 12 diapers comes in a free wet bag

My thoughts: I love the bright, colorful prints that Glow Bug offers.  This diaper fit my daughter well, and there's still room for her to grow.  This diaper would definitely fit a larger baby/toddler without a problem. It was easy to stuff the inserts in the pocket.  The insert agitated out in the wash, but you need to remember to unsnap the insert.  {Unfortunately, I learned the hard way.}  My daughter's Glow Bug diaper was trim on her.

Even though this diaper comes with the two inserts, it still was not enough for my heavy wetter at night.  But once I added a hemp prefold trifolded and placed it in the pocket, it worked well for night time use.    Update: You are able to buy Glow Bug Diapers individually, but only in their limited edition print.  With the purchase of their limited edition print, you still get free shipping and handling and two inserts.

Overall, I would definitely recommend Glow Bug Cloth Diapers.

Buy Glow Bug Cloth Diapers | Facebook | Twitter

Come back on May 1st and enter to win one for yourself for the Mother's Day #ClothDiaperHop.

Have you tried any of Glow Bug Cloth Diapers?

What's your favorite print?

Glow Bug Cloth Diapers sent me the 

above pocket diaper to review.

I was not compensated in any way

and all opinions are my own.

Pin It

Seasonal Knitting {3KCBWDAY4}

I enjoy knitting.  To me, it's relaxing for the most part.  A time that I can sip tea and listen to Celtic music.  Which is why I often knit at night, after Charis has gone to bed.

The only thing I notice is that during the summer, I try to knit simpler projects-ones that I'm able to pick up easily and put down and forget about them.  Usually the closer we come to Christmas, I'm furiously knitting, and then take a mini break in January because it seemed that all I did the weeks leading up to Christmas was knit gifts for family.  At this point in my life, I not stop knitting as summer approaches, but I will admit, it helps a lot that we have air conditioning and that we do not have a yard that we have to maintain.  If we had a yard, I'd be outside gardening during the spring and summer and would be knitting during the fall and winter.

I don't knit with different fibers when the season changes.  I knit with wool year round.  I HATE the feel of acrylic, and dislike knitting with cotton because it's not as forgiving as wool.

Do you notice a change in crocheting or knitting as warmer weather comes?

If so, what do you do?

Pin It

Stretch Bamboozle Fitted Diaper from Bummis {Mother's Day #ClothDiaperHop}

Before my daughter was born, one of the first cloth diapers I bought was a Bummis cloth diaper cover, which I still love and use.  So, I was excited when Bummis agreed to be one of my sponsors for the Mother's Day Cloth Diaper giveaway hop.  Bummis sent me to their Stretch Bamboozle in size 2, which comes in 2 sizes:

• Size 1 fits from 5-18 lbs.
• Size 2 fits from 9-35 lbs.

The Stretch Bamboozle is made of rayon from bamboo.  It has aplix closures {with laundry tabs}, a three step rise, and a snap in soaker with hidden microfiber core.

My daughter is 29.4 lbs. and 36 inches tall.  When I received this diaper, the first thing I noticed was how soft this diaper is.  Before using it, I washed it two times.  During the day, I paired this fitted diaper with Bummis super whisper wrap and at night used a wool cover.  I snapped the soaker in every time I used it and was able to use this on my daughter at night and the sheets were dry in the morning!  I loved the absorbency.  I liked that I was able to fold it to suit the my daughter's needs, especially since she sleeps on her tummy at night.  This is now one of my go to diapers for night time use. The stretch bamboozle fit Charis very well, and there's definitely room for her to grow. Because of the aplix, it is very easy to use and get a good fit.  The laundry tabs were strong enough to hold together while cloth diapers were being washed.  It is also fast drying since the soaker is not sewn in.

The only thing I wish this diaper did not have is microfiber core, but I have no reason to complain about it since I have not had any negative issues.

Find a Retailer | Facebook | Twitter

For the Mother's Day Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop, Bummis will be giving away a Stretch Bamboozle to the winner.

Have you tried any of Bummis products?

What do you want to try out from their website?

Bummis sent me the Stretch Bamboozle to review.

I was not compensated in any way

and all opinions are my own.

Pin It

My Knitting Hero {3KCBWDAY3}

Photograph of Grandad, Me, and Granny in 2000
at my parents' house in Pennsylvania.

I was going back and forth whether or not my knitting hero would be Granny or Mummy.  I decided to go with my granny. Growing up every Christmas and birthday present we received from my grandparents, in Northern Ireland, was a knit jumper and on the tag it would say, "Made with love by Granny."  Most of the jumpers we received would be worn a lot, and I only have one left that she knit for me.  Hopefully, it will fit Charis next fall and winter, and if I remember, I'll post a photograph of her in it.

I remember going over to my grandparents' house and going into Granny's knitting room.  She had a knitting machine and along the wall were shelves with yarn.  To this day, smelling wool brings back those memories-so if my friends and family see me sniffing wool you'll know why I do that now.  Granny died in 2005, but I'm thankful to have many fond memories of opening up her gifts.

Hopefully, I can continue to pass handmade gifts that are knit with love to my family and friends-which reminds me, I must start knitting Christmas gifts if I hope to finish them by Christmas.

Do you have a knitting hero?  

They don't have to be famous.

Pin It

Gratituesday

Lately, I've been feeling sorry for myself; the main reason is because I hate my job at the hospital and want to stay home full time, but right now that is not a possibility.  I've applied for a few other jobs, but have yet to hear back from any of them.

I was scheduled to work on April 15, and really did not want to work that day.  I had worked the Sabbath before and needed to go to church and worship.  That whole weekend was an emotional one for me.  On Friday, April 13, a 21 year old college student {a family friend} fell 15-20 and had a head injury.  When the paramedics came, he went into cardiac arrest; they were able to bring him back, and he was in an ICU at a hospital in Pennsylvania.  After hearing the news about what happened, I cried so much on Saturday.  I barely knew him, but his parents are wonderful and I prayed many times that day.  My dad called that night around 11:30PM to say he was declared brain dead earlier that day; both he and my mum were crying.  My mum taught him as a 4th grade student, my brother played soccer with him, my sister went to school with his sister, etc.  His parents were at my wedding as well as my siblings' weddings.

That night I tossed and turned and prayed to God that I might be cancelled from work that day, but no call came.  I went into work.  The charge nurse came up to me and asked, "Didn't you get my message?  I called you and you're cancelled for the first four hours." I answered, "No."  She took out her phone, and we saw she misdialed one number.

I went home read and listened to an online sermon.  Drew, Charis, and I went to church, and I ended up being cancelled the whole day.

I'm thankful for a few things that weekend:

• Answered prayers. God answering my prayer about me being cancelled.
• Worshiping God.  
• Charis. That weekend I was even more thankful for the days that God has given her to me, and I pray there will be more.
• Prayer. That I can come into God's presence at anytime in prayer.
• Christ Jesus.  

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who are left, will becaught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  Therefore encourage one another with these words. ~1Thessalonians 4:13-18

Pin It

Colour Lovers {3KCBWDAY1}

As many of you know, I enjoy knitting.  Most of the time I'm knitting gifts for others.  I have never knit for myself and knit more for other babies than my daughter.  When I saw what today's theme was for the 3rd Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, I thought, "That's easy.  I have a lot of pink."  Then I went into my wool yarn and put {almost} all of them on the floor.  I quickly realized I was mistaken.  Most of my yarn consists of blues and greens.  I also saw I do not have any yellow yarn.  I can see at least 5 skeins that will be knit up as gifts for family members.  I did not include my works in progress-of which there are three {one red and two pink}.

I am crazy about two colors: carmine and cobalt. Cobalt is a divine color and there is nothing so beautiful for creating atmosphere. Carmine is as warm and lively as wine... the same with emerald green. ~Vincent Van Gogh 

I decided to pull out 8 of my favorite skeins and write what I'm planning on knitting:

A. Legacy Lace: I'm planning on knitting The easiest bow tie ever for my nephew.
B. MANOS maxima: The next project I'm knitting will be the Curly purly soaker pattern for a friend's baby.
C. Full o' sheep: No plans currently.
D. Ella rae classic wool: I bought two skeins {$2/skein} from this dye lot last year at the Maryland sheep and wool festival.  I'm hoping to make a shawl for myself, but have not chosen the pattern yet.

E. Full o' sheep: I might knit the Lotus leaf scarf.
F. Full o' sheep: No plans currently.  The reason I have a lot of this type of yarn is because I like the bold colors and make baby gifts with this yarn, since it's soft.
G. 100% Peruvian highland wool: No plans with this skein.  I knit a neckwarmer hat for my sister for Christmas last year.
H. Alpaca love: Hoping to make the Toddler bolero pattern for Charis, but she won't need it until the fall.

How do you knit or crochet?  Do you stick with certain colors or buy a spectrum of colors?

Pin It

What's a "pl"?

My daughter is really beginning to take interest in the names of things, such as nose, mouth, cheek, chin, apple, yarn, needles, thank you, etc.  It's SO cute hearing her try to say the word.  I tell her, "Good job, Charis!!"  She then just smiles.

On Saturday night, I put Charis in bed around 6:00 PM and closed the door.  She did not fall asleep; I heard her talking to herself.  An hour later she started crying, so I went back into her room, held and nursed her, sang to her, and prayed with her.  Then I put her back in her crib.  This time I thought she was asleep, and she may have been.  45 minutes later, I heard a shriek and went into her room again.  Asked, "Charis, what's wrong?"  She kept saying, "pl."  I was puzzled and eventually asked, "Do you want an apple?"  She nodded her head and smiled.  I put her on the ground and she ran to the refrigerator, opened it up, and I got an apple out of the drawer and cut it up for the both of us.

I was thankful that she was able to communicate with me and I was able to understand.  After eating her apple, I brushed her teeth, and she went to sleep this time.  FYI, I gave her dinner around 5:00PM, but she had NO interest in eating her apple and scrambled eggs at the time.


Pin It

My Favorite Thing About Breastfeeding Charis... {BFBlogHop}

...is holding her, cuddling her, looking into her eyes, counting her fingers, pointing at her nose, eyes, ears, etc. and telling her the names of those body parts.  I realize she's growing SO quickly.  When I'm nursing her, it's one of the few times she's not running around playing, climbing on things, and basically trying to give her mummy a heart attack.

I love my baby girl, but she's not much of a baby anymore.

"How big are you Charis?"
"This BIG!" 

Pin It

Traveling with Cloth Diapers

When we started cloth diapering, I told myself and others that I would just use them at home and disposables when we were out of the home, but now use cloth when we are out and about. If you too decide to travel with cloth {for a short trip or long trip}, you might want to keep these things in mind:

What my diaper bag usually looks
like when I do errands.

Short trips {to the grocery store, park, library, friend's house, etc.}. I bring 2-4 diapers with you, a medium wetbag, and cloth wipes.  Confession: we still use disposable wipes more often than cloth.  This is usually when I bring my pockets and AIOs out.  I want something I can easily put on my daughter.  I also bring a prefold so I can put her on it, so her bottom does not have to touch the changing table.  If Charis poops, I don't worry about rinsing the diaper off then, I just roll the diaper up and put it in the wetbag and wait until we're home to take care of it.

Long trips {leaving the house for a few days}. I bring about 12 diapers, usually the pockets and AIOs along with a wool cover in case the inserts are not adsorbent enough.  Bring your laundry detergent.  I bring a wetbag and borrow a five gallon container from my parents.  Ask the person you're staying with, if you can use their washer/dryer to wash cloth diapers.  When we've traveled with cloth, we've stayed at my parents or my SIL's house.  My parents cloth diapered us, and my SIL is using cloth part time with her baby boy.  If somebody doesn't want you using their washer/dryer to wash cloth diapers, be respectful and either hand wash, go to a laundry mat, or use disposables.  Don't let others do cloth diaper laundry for you.  My mum put fabric softener in the laundry when I was washing cloth diapers last May.  Thankfully, I quickly realized it and just rinsed, rinsed, rinsed, and rinsed.  I did not have problems with buildup.

FYI: I don't use cloth diapers full time.  I probably use them about 75% and disposables 25%. It largely depends on the day and if I feel swamped or need to work that week which means I'm trying to keep the apartment as clean as possible because a day or two after working, I'm recovering from a 12+ hours shift.

Have you traveled with cloth diapers before?

What advice would you give?

Pin It

Using Your Cloth Diapers in the Hospital

Taken from:
Cloth Diapers in Hospitals

You're pregnant and decided to cloth diaper full time, but you have heard that most hospitals use disposables and not cloth.  Most likely hospitals will not change their practices between now and when you have the baby, so if you want to use cloth from the moment your baby is born, I suggest you bring 24+ diapers to the hospital.  As a nurse, I do have a few suggestions:

Part of my work badge lying
on top of a newborn
fitted cloth diaper.

1. Calmly tell the nurses you would like to use cloth diapers on your baby.  If you really want to, put it in your birth plan. 
2. Tell the nursing staff you {or your husband} will change the diapers.  Most nurses {at least the ones I work with} think using cloth diapers is crazy.  Some of my coworkers said they were going to use gloves when they were changing their own baby's diaper.
3. Bring a good wetbag to the hospital and be prepared that when you go home, you {or a family member} will have to wash the diapers.
4. Use liners until your baby has his first meconium stool, especially if you're concerned about staining.
5. If you're able to, bring easy diapers, such as Pockets and AIOs.  To show the staff that you don't need to use pins in order to cloth diaper.
6. Finally, be open to change.  Remember labor is hard work and you need to recover after your baby's delivery.

Disclaimer: I did not use cloth with my daughter in the hospital and probably won't for future children, unless the hospital offers it.  Mainly because, I don't like the idea of going home and doing laundry right away.  I also do not work in Labor and Delivery or the Mother-Baby unit.

Did any of you use cloth right away with your baby?

If so, what suggestions do you have?

Pin It

Saving Money on Cloth Diapers {Make Your Own}

On Pinterest, one of my boards is called making cloth diapers.  To do the projects on this board, you need to know how to knit or sew.  Today, I decided to sew a prefold and borrowed some ideas from this pin.  I...

• Cut four pieces of flannel 15 inches X 18 inches and turned the right sides toward each other so that the wrong sides were showing.  Straight stitched along the 18 inch sides.
• Turned it so that the right side was on the outside.  Had two 6 inch X 18 inch strips and pinned them on the inside in the middle.  Straight stitched them in place.
• Closed the top and bottom with a zig zag stitch.  Next time a make these, I hope to get closer to the edge for the zigzag stitch. 

This prefold cost me less than $2.00 to make.  Two months ago, flannel was $1.99/yard at Joann Fabrics, so I bought some, but you don't need to buy brand new flannel, you can do this with items around your home.  Use one of those 12 receiving blankets you received, but rarely {or never} used.

I have also knit soakers and longies for Charis and am currently knitting her a ruffle skirted soaker for summer.

What ways have you saved money cloth diapering?

Hope the directions for the prefold made sense.

I have a feeling I understand what I want to say, but

it may not be as clear as I think.

Pin It

Ruffle Skirted Soaker {Yarn Along}

I finished knitting the leaf dishcloth pattern from last week, but I did not take any photographs of the finished project!!  I'm so frustrated with myself because I meant to, but it's too late now since I gave it as a gift to a friend.  Oh well... maybe one of these days I'll learn.

I'm now in the process of knitting a skirtie that doubles as a cloth diaper cover.  I just started it today, and I'm only the the band.  I'm using Paton's Classic Wool yarn, since it's my first time making a skirtie and if I mess up, I won't be too upset since it's cheap as far as wool goes.  Hopefully, next week I'll have a whole lot more to show for.  In case you were wondering, the monkeys underneath the ball of yarn is a prefold I sewed today.  Let's just say knitting is SO MUCH EASIER with a toddler!! In the future when I sew, it will be done at night after Charis is asleep. Pin It

Cloth Diaper Usage {Reduced Waste}

I hate being wasteful, in part it's because I'm not being wise with what God has given me.  While I choose, to primarily cloth diaper my daughter because I want to save money, I also choose to because instead of throwing a disposable diaper {and money away}, I'm able to reuse the cloth diaper after washing it on Charis and hopefully for our next children {assuming we have more}.

People often question: "What do you do with poop?"  My response is when Charis poops, I flush the poop down the toilet and remind them that poop is supposed to be shaken off and flushed down for disposable diapers.

About five millions tons of untreated body excrement, which may carry over 100 intestinal viruses, is brought to landfills via disposable diapers every year, contributing to groundwater contamination and attracting insects and pests that breed disease. {From The Everything Green Baby Book, p. 183}

I also watch for cues that Charis shows she'll shorting have a bowel movement.  If I notice Charis is just standing there, squishing her face together, and is just staring off, I ask her, "Are you pooping?"  Then I get her potty chair and place her on it, so she'll hopefully poop while sitting on the potty chair.  I have also realized that Charis often pees after dinner, so I try to put her on her potty chair then.  I'm not trying to potty train her.  Instead, I figure by doing this she'll come to see that she needs to pee and poop on the potty.

I have also found that since using cloth diapers, I no longer use

1. Paper towels.  I use microfiber towels I found in the automotive section at Target.
2. Tampons.  I use The DivaCup and the Lunette cup.
3. Paper napkins.  I use cloth napkins; well actually, I was doing this BEFORE Charis was born.

What do you do to reduce waste?

Pin It

Not Sure What Cloth Diapers to Buy? {A Few of My Favorites}

Before I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to use cloth diapers.  I remember my mum using them on my sister and that was all I really knew, except for the few times I babysat.  But when I started looking for cloth diapers, I realized it's not just flats, pins, and plastic pants; there are SO many options.  If you are not sure what type of cloth diapers to buy:

• Ask around and see if any of your friends use cloth diapers. See if they can give you any recommendations or even let you borrow their diapers.  I had no idea where to start, but then I realized at least three other families at church use cloth diapers at least part time.  I asked each what they used.  One said she used FuzziBunz one size, another said she used Gerber prefolds with the plastic pull up pants, and the third used Green Mountain Diaper prefolds with Thirsties and Bummis covers.
• Read cloth diaper reviews on blogs, i.e. Dirty Diaper Laundry, Padded Tush Stats, Cloth Diaper Geek, Kelly Wels, etc.    
• Don't commit to just one type of diaper before trying it out on your baby.  What works for my daughter, may not work for your baby and vice versa.  
• If there's a cloth diaper store front near you, go, look and feel the cloth diapers. Ask questions to the sales clerk or store's owner.  I could not picture what an AIO and pocket diaper looked like until ordering one of each; I ordered the old BumGenius sized AIO and a Perfect size FuzziBunz.

Eventually, I decided on prefold diapers with a cover.  Prefolds are diapers that have multiple layers that are sewn together in a rectangular shape; they are usually made of cotton, but there are also hemp and bamboo prefolds.  They need to be used with a cover, but sometimes when I'm home, my daughter goes coverless.  You need to put them on with pins, a snappi, or just laying it inside a cover.  I choose these because they're very affordable and easy to care for.  I spent less than $200 on my daughter's prefolds and covers.  They also double as wonderful burp cloths as well. 

My favorite covers are made out of wool.  As I wrote in How to Lanolize a Wool Diaper:

I primarily use wool diaper covers at night on Charis. Why did I choose this? For a few reasons:  Wool is water resistant.  Lanolin is what makes the a sheep's coating waterproof and makes wool covers "waterproof".  Wool absorbs water, absorbs up to 30% of it's weight without feeling wet.  Wool is breathable. Breathability in diaper covers is important for a baby's skin.  If the skin can't breath, then when a diaper is wet, the temperature rises, and can cause a diaper wash.  During the day, I use PUL covers (but I change Charis QUICKLY when I realize she's dirty), but at night she's often in her diaper for 12+ hours.  Wool can go a few weeks (1-2) without washing.  Wool is naturally antibacterial and should not smell like pee when dry but if it does then it's time to wash and lanolize.

Pin It

Cauliflower Crust Pizza {Pinterest}

My Pin
Original Blog Post

On Monday, I was browsing Pinterest and noticed a recipe for pizza without using flour.  I decided to take a look and saw that it called for cauliflower.  I thought, "That's interesting."  I'm not a huge fan of cauliflower, but it's one of the few veggies Drew actually likes, so I decided to make it for dinner on Thursday.  It was actually good.  I had not idea what to expect.  Thankfully, the person who blogged about the crust wrote,

I’m not going to lie and say it’s just like eating a flour pizza crust because it’s not.

She was 100% correct on that.  It also did not taste like cauliflower, but rather a bit like a quiche, which I shouldn't have been too surprised because it does call for eggs and cheese in the crust, but I was not sure what to expect.  It was also Charis approved, not that I base my standards on what she wants and/or doesn't want, but it was nice that she ate all of her piece of pizza.  I will be making this again, probably in my cast iron pan.

Have you eaten pizza crust that was not made out of the usual, flour, yeast, water, sugar, etc.?

If so, did you enjoy it?

Pin It

Playing with Mummy's Scarf {this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Pin It

Crying Over Formula {#BFBlogHop}

Before my daughter was born, I had planned to breastfeed her exclusively for at least the first 6 months.  My biggest regret is that did not happen.  I sometimes feel guilty that my daughter sometimes received formula instead of my breastmilk.  As I previously wrote,

My husband and in-laws gave my daughter formula a few times.  I didn't want it to be done and hated it.  The first time Drew gave Charis formula I cried for an hour.  But, sometimes I didn't have enough milk pumped in the freezer or some spilled or I was cancelled and the milk I took out of the freezer the night before was wasted, and I was not able to replace it as quickly as I would have been able to had I worked, or I had to be at the hospital until 9:00 PM because my patient was crashing that day and had to do catch up charting. 

I have since come to realize a few things.  Breastfeeding my daughter was an idol, and it should not have been.  My worth is not in whether or not my daughter is breastfed, but it's in Christ.  I looked down on mother's who were not able to breastfeed exclusively and that too was wrong.  Does that mother care for and love her baby?  If she does, then who cares how she feeds her baby?  Her baby is not entrusted to me.  I viewed myself as a failure, but this did not make me a failure.  Yes, I tried to be more careful about how much milk I had and my husband would give her the breastmilk first, then the formula if he ran out.  I also realized I should be thankful that I was able to breastfeed without many issues.

So even though I regret the fact that my daughter received formula, it's bitter-sweet what happened.  I'm more understanding of when parents choose formula.

Do you have any guilt over decisions you made over breastfeeding or breastfeeding issues?

Pin It

Leafy Washcloth {Yarn Along}

This Saturday, there is a housewarming shower at church for member of our congregation. JB recently bought a condo and since this is her first time living by herself {not at her parents}, we decided to throw her a shower. I'm giving her some tea, a small milk jar, cleaning supplies {boring but necessary}, and am knitting her a leafy washcloth.  I started it today and planned on finishing it, but Charis did not cooperate, and we had prayer meeting.  At most, it will take me an hour to finish it. I will have to block it, since it's already taking a concave appearance.

I checked out The Help from the library and placed a request for The Hunger Games.  I went to the library's website today and saw I can now pick up my request!!  So, I'm planning on reading The Hunger Games tomorrow and then starting The Help when I'm finished.

What's on your needles this week?

Join us for Ginny's Yarn Along.

Pin It

Work, Vomit, and Moist Coughs

Yesterday, I worked for 13+ hours at the hospital.  It was SO busy, and I was not able to eat my lunch until 3:00PM.  A patient on the unit coded shortly after 6:00PM-which is a bad time to do that, not that any time is really good for the patient.  It's that time during the shift that I {and others} am checking to see how much output patients had from Foleys, chest tubes, NG tubes, JP drains, etc.  Yes, we keep an eye on it during the day, but we're making sure it's charted.  Patients are being repositioned in bed one final time, 6PM meds are being given, etc.

As I was leaving the hospital, I phoned Drew and told him I was on my way home.  He proceeded to tell me that Charis threw up in the living room.  He thought it was because she ate so much food at dinner, then they were rough housing immediately after dinner {she was being tickled}, and threw up a few minutes after.  When I got home, Charis seemed fine she was so happy to see me, I washed my hands and changed clothes, then nursed her.  She slept for 10+ hours last night!!!

As I was nursing her this morning, I noticed she had a very stuffed up nose.  She also has a moist cough.  I listened to her lung fields posteriorly and anteriorly with my stethoscope, but they were fine.  She's currently napping, and I expect it to be a long one.  When she's not feeling great, she takes 4-5 hour naps.

How was your weekend or how is your Monday going?

Pin It

Exercise and Breastfeeding

At my follow up appointment after having Charis, I was 4 lbs. away from my pre-pregnancy weight and breastfeeding exclusively on demand.  My midwife told me, "Be careful because when your daughter stops breastfeeding as much, you are likely to gain more weight if you're not exercising and eating right.  Trust me, that happened to me."  Not what I wanted to hear, but how I wish I had taken her words and followed them.  One of my regrets after Charis was born, was not getting into an exercise routine sooner-and have gained about 10+ lbs. since.  Many of my friends {okay two} have gym memberships and I mistakenly thought, the only way to exercise was to have a gym membership.

So, now I'm exercising more, which I'm enjoying, but sometimes there's not enough time in the day to do it.  I also find that when I exercise, I'm more likely to watch what I eat and drink more water.

Remember the first few weeks after your baby is born rest, sleep when your baby sleeps, and take care of yourself.  Don't overdo it.  When you do start exercising, start slowly and build up.  Take a 10 minute walk outside or even march in place for 10 minutes if you can't get outside.

A few more tips on exercise:

• Breastfeed before working out.  Last summer, when I started walking/running, I found it easier
• Hydrate with water before and after working out.
• Do aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes a minimum of 4X/week.  {I'm not up at that frequency yet.}
• Wear a supportive, but not constrictive, bra.
• Invest in a jogging stroller if you're planning on running outside with your baby.
• Invest in a baby carrier {I have the Boba 2G} if you're wanting to walk with your baby.  The extra weight helps increase the intensity of the workout.

Do you have any tips, suggestions, or recommendations on exercising while breastfeeding?

If so, feel free to comment or blog and link up.

Pin It

Mobile Phone Cover {Yarn Along}

On Ravelry, I belong to a group called "Free Pattern Testers" and recently went to their message board.  Another knitter was looking for pattern testers for a mobile phone cover.  I volunteered and was accepted.  It had to be finished by April 5th, which was no problem.  It's a very quick and easy knit-perfect for a beginner.  The pattern is not available to buy yet, but when it is, I'll let you know.  I will not be using it as a cell phone cover.  Instead, I will probably knit an i-cord, make a small wristlet, and give it as a birthday gift to one of Charis's friends.

Pin It

The Lord's Supper {Gratituesday}

I'm thankful for the celebration of The Lord's Supper that Trinity had on Sabbath.  At our church, it is celebrated once a month, on the first Lord's Day; I will add, I wish we celebrated it weekly.

Question 75. How art thou admonished and assured in the Lord's Supper, that thou art a partaker of that one sacrifice of Christ, accomplished on the cross, and of all his benefits? 

Answer: Thus: That Christ has commanded me and all believers, to eat of this broken bread, and to drink of this cup, in remembrance of him, adding these promises: first, that his body was offered and broken on the cross for me, and his blood shed for me, as certainly as I see with my eyes, the bread of the Lord broken for me, and the cup communicated to me; and further, that he feeds and nourishes my soul to everlasting life, with his crucified body and shed blood, as assuredly as I receive from the hands of the minister, and taste with my mouth the bread and cup of the Lord, as certain signs of the body and blood of Christ. {From The Heidelberg Catechism}

As we were singing Psalm 22F {Psalm 22:1-11}, I started crying.  I was moved that Christ died for me.  That my sins {jealousy, anxiousness, covetousness, anger, lack of faith, pride, impatience, plus many, many more} were placed on Christ.  I am not seen as filthy rags, but am seen perfect because of Christ, not because of anything I have done.  Yes, I have known this before, but sometimes when I hear God's word preached and sing His Psalms, I cannot help but be moved.

I am thankful for Christ.  I am thankful for the sacraments that God has given us.  I am thankful that God bids me to come to Him.

What are you thankful for?

Pin It

Colour {#photoadayapril}

This morning I received a phone call from a friend in labor. I was her "on call" person for watching her two girls during the day. Her daughters are within two years of Charis, and they all get along. My friend told me she was in labor and would I be able to get to her house around 9:00AM; of course I could. Meanwhile, I'm jumping around because she's having a baby. Her baby was born around 1:00PM. Charis and I stayed at with her girls until her husband came home to take them to the hospital.

Charis and I then went to Trader Joe's and then went home. We had yogurt and an Asian dish for dinner. Charis thinks yogurt is also a finger paint that she can put in her hair. I gave her a bath and afterwards put a colorful top on her:

Pin It

April Goals

One of my goals for February was to do the February photo a day challenge, but I only got halfway through.  I thought about trying it again in March, but I had to be at the hospital at least 5 days for ACLS and BLS renewals, annual competency fair, and the two days I have to work, so I decided not to try it and focus more on cleaning, which is getting better.  The FlyLady's suggestions have helped, especially in the kitchen and when I have a clean kitchen and made bed, I'm more motivated to clean.

I had a headache yesterday.
Thankfully, it was gone after
waking up from my nap.

This month, I have decided to try the Photo a Day April Challenge.  Yesterdays picture was reflection, so here it is:

A few other goals are to write at least two letters to my Grandad.  He's a 91 year old, widower.  My Granny died September 26, 2005, and it doesn't seem like she's been dead that long.  When Granny was alive, my mum and she would write letters to each other every Sabbath.  We always liked getting the mail, but it would take about 10-14 days to get to us.  We received her last letter when my mum and sister were in Northern Ireland for her funeral.  My brother and I did not go.  Robbie {my brother} was in his first year at Grove City College, and I was in my last year of nursing school in my pediatric rotation.  God was good to her in taking her so quickly {everyone was sure that Grandad would die first}, but it was hard on our family.  Read more to Charis {if she'll let me}.  She likes to go, go, go, but doesn't always know when to stop and slow down.  Run/walk at least 30 miles with Charis.  Memorize Psalm 21B {the Psalm of the month at church}.  I have MANY more, but I don't think yinz want to read them all.

What are your goals for April?

Pin It

Hope everyone had a good April 1st!!  This year is flying by so quickly.  I love practical jokes, but Drew does not and often quotes Proverbs 26:18-19 to me:

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I am only joking!"

Pin It