Off to the races.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done today. Not only do I have oodles of house work to do, but I need to get going on my business. On today's agenda is to fill out all of the applications to buy wholesale from sites. I've done some searching and have found several Made In USA companies that I want to apply to as well. I've had to make a separate folder in my bookmarks so that I can easily find my sites. Anyway, I am so excited to get this going. I know right now my biggest advertisement will be word of mouth. Coming up in April at my MOPS meeting we will be discussing cloth diapers and other "crunchy" parenting and so I want to have my business in full swing (should be by then) so that I can sell to any moms who are interested. There are only a few of us who do cd in the group and if I can have a good inventory by then, I can let them know that they can buy from me.

Getting things going.

Well the other day I applied for my tax ID number for my diaper business. I'm official! I am the proud owner of Sugar Britches. Huge thanks to Ryan for helping me come up with the name. So, it has begun. I have found a pretty good website that lists the retailers who do wholesaling. It is pretty over whelming. I'm really not sure where to go from here. I do know that I want to sell more than just diapers. A couple of the sites listed had so much for sale. I love the idea of selling Made in USA products, and most definitely natural products. Like diaper creams, lotions, detergents; there was one site that even had mosquito repellent! So many ideas.

Something else I need to work on is having an online store as well. It will be easy to have a home based store with my inventory here, but I'm a little more nervous about the online store. I'm not even sure where to go to get one set up. Along with this will be my advertising. I haven't even begun to think about how to advertise this all.

So I have a start, but there is much more to do.

Michael Vincent.

I sometimes find that even immediately after birth, it is hard to remember all of the details. So much happens is such a short time frame. A woman spends a long 9 months waiting and anticipating the arrival of their baby, and it really does happen in just moments.

Labor had begun very early on around 37 weeks when my body was already dilating with the daily contractions. Saturday the 18th was looking to be just another day except for the fact that the night before I could not get any sleep and I just chalked it up to typical pregnancy woes. I was so very uncomfortable. When I woke up though, I rubbed my belly and told the little man that today would be a good day to be born and that I would love to see him. That day mom and I spent time cleaning and de-cluttering the house in preparation of the baby. I had vacuumed the floors and mopped the kitchen. I had maybe one contraction, but nothing to be excited about. Before Ryan left for work, he cut a pineapple for me (one of those wives tales of how to naturally induce labor) and so in the evening I decided to have myself a snack. I was on the computer doing my forums, watching CSI, and the big kids were doing their own thing. Rachael was sharing some pineapple with the babies. I had heard a very loud bang outside (which I found to be quite odd) and maybe 10 minutes later I felt a "pop" and I lept out of my chair. At 7:10 pm my water had broke. As I jumped up I said, "Oh no my water broke! Quick someone get me a towel!" Only to have the kids reply, "Your what? What's your water?" And Zachary handed me a hand towel. I said, "No! A big towel! My water broke, you know the bag of water that the baby is in!?!" So they brought me three more towels. I called Ryan at work to come home and Zachary called mom so she could come get me and take me to the hospital. Oh, and then I thought, "Shoot, I need to call the hospital!" Thankfully my contractions did not start until I got to the hospital. Well I had maybe one, but it was very mild.

This time around, everyone was waiting on me. In the past, my babies had come so quickly that the doctors were never ready to deliver. This time they were all suited up and ready to go. The nurse, Marcia (the most AMAZING delivery nurse ever) got me hooked up and the doctor checked me. I was dilated to a "stretchy" 7 the PA said (yep, I had both the doctor and the PA there for this delivery). Any way, I was actually 5 cm, but stretched to 7. So we got me all prepared with the IV for antibiotics and started the waiting game for the contractions to come. Slowly but surely they came, but never very intense. However, I sat in my "zone" all the time. An hour after admission they checked me again and I was now at 7 cm. Whew, I was very happy to hear that. Nearly done. As my contractions intensified, I realized simply breathing through them was not quite enough to cope. I felt some anxiety in anticipation of each contraction coming, so I changed my thought to prayer. With each cleansing breath in and out at the beginning of a contraction, I would slowly meditate on a Hail Mary. I found much comfort in this. While my heart was comforted with the fact that Mary knows what childbirth is like, I also took comfort in knowing that her son Jesus knows what it is like to be in physical pain.

As labor progressed, I had to use the bathroom many times, and I was learning that being out of bed was intensifying my contractions. The final time I used the bathroom, my mind and body were in conflict. My body wanted desperately to get back into bed. My contractions in bed were much more bearable than the ones walking around and sitting on the toilet. However, my mind was telling me to stay out of bed. I needed to make things progress more, and I need to let gravity help. Both Ryan and Marcia knew this labor was more intense because I was much more vocal with my contractions. As I was on my way back from the bathroom (enduring 2 very painful contractions on the toilet) I was hit with another strong one at the bedside. I called for Ryan and I hung on his neck as we stood and slow danced through the contraction. At that moment, I did not notice anyone else in the room. It was just him and I. The doctor was standing there waiting to check me (it had been about another hour) but both he and Marcia knew that I was already complete simply by my reactions to the contractions. I had another intense contraction that Ryan and I danced through, and as soon as it was done, I took charge. Marcia said it was time too because I was getting bossy. Ha! The contraction passed and I said, "Okay, come on lets get this done." And the doctor checked me and it was immediately confirmed that I was complete and ready to push.

This is where this delivery is so very different from my previous ones. They got me ready to push, but I did not have that urge to push. Before, I always had an incredible urge to push, but not this time. So Marcia gave me quick instructions to bear down and push, but as I did so, I became incredibly light headed and was on the verge of passing out. It was so foreign to me. My body was not telling me to push. So as the next contraction was coming, she wanted me to do it again, but I ignored her. I simply (as Ina May describes) made primal grunting (only way I can describe it) noises to help bring the baby down. During this time, Marcia was wanting me to push, but then I heard the doctor telling her that it was okay that I didn't because they could see that I was already bring the baby down on my own. The third contraction came and with more grunting he crowned, head came, then shoulders (had to give a little more umph for the shoulders) and he was born. I heard Marcia say 10 till 10. They were all saying, "Look at him, he's so big!" And I couldn't see him, so I told them I want to see him. They immediately put him on my chest (first time that happened) and he was absolutely beautiful.

This little man was tough too. He only gave one cry just to let them all know that he could, and the rest of the time he just went with the flow of things. He weighed in at 10 lbs 2.5 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. Total labor time from my water breaking was 2 hrs and 40 minutes and just 2 1/2 pushes to bring him into our family.

Day three of new KaWaii on girls with pictures.

Well on Tuesday I had received my order of 12 KaWaii diapers. Granted they are new, but as of right now they are undoubtedly my softest, fluffiest and yummiest diapers. I was almost jealous they were going on my babies butt cause I wanted to feel it too!! So yesterday I took pictures of all the diaper changes I did on Veronica (16 months about 24ish lbs).

One Size Heavy Duty AIO with aplix and one microfiber insert.


Back side of same diaper. Trimmest diaper I've had so far.


"Action" shot of diaper.


One Size Snap Closure (square tab version) with one insert. Not my favorite of the whole group. I haven't been able to get the snaps "just right" yet.


Trying to get the back side to show trimness, but Veronica didn't want to stand.


Goodnight Heavy Wetter with two inserts on large rise setting. This is a great night time diaper. No leaks so far (well unless she poops in it which she did first thing in the morning, but it was a very minor leak).


Mary 29 months in same diaper on medium rise setting.


Mary's back side of night time diaper with two inserts.


Veronica in One Size Snap closure (round tab version) with three inserts. She had the Goodnight on, but right as she was getting sleepy she pooped so I had to change her. I was out of the Goodnights (have only 4 of them) so I took this one and put 3 inserts in it. Worked just as good as the Goodnight.


Very fluffy back side of diaper with three insert.


These are a very good fit for Veronia and they hold moisture very well. So far I like them, but we will see how they are holding up in 6 months or so.

Kawaii diapers. First review.

(for reference, AIO is All In One)

Well I got my order of 12 Kawaii on Tuesday. Now, it has only been a couple of days, but I really like these diapers. I have 4 Goodnight Heavy Wetter diapers with animal prints. I use both microfiber inserts and these worked wonderfully for both girls for night. I did have one very minor leak this morning with Veronica. That was only because right before she fell asleep she was sharing water with daddy and then had pooped before I took her out of the crib. The leak was on only one side and a very minor one. Anyway, it is a much trimmer system than what I had been using with a prefold and a Blueberry insert.

Oh and I can't go on without mentioning how incredibly soft these diapers are. The microfleece lining is amazing. If I stay on top of changes (I have a tendency to forget and let Veronica go too long) when I take the diaper off, her bum is dry! With prefolds she would be damp/wet when I would change her. The inserts do a great job holding the moisture.

I'm liking the Kawaii a little bit better than my BG 4.0. The real test will be to see how well they have held up in 6 months and then a year. I want to be able to use these on the new baby as well (I will have to get more though to make it last for both him and Veronica).

This afternoon I had her in the One Size Snap Closure AIO Diaper (Original Cross-Over Squared Tab Snap Version) with just one insert. She was in it for two hours and the insert was soaked. Very soaked. I was able to squeeze out some pee between two fingers when I pulled the insert out. So, for Veronica I cannot let her go longer than 1 1/2 hours between changes. Now I could if I put two inserts in the diaper, but this will effect the trimness of the diaper. With my BG 4.0 I have to use both inserts. I had to straight from the beginning with those.

So as of now, I have three diapers for three different situations. I use the Goodnight Heavy Wetter Diapers with two inserts for nighttime, One Size Snap Closure AIO Diaper (Round Tab Snap Version) for outings with two inserts, and the One Size Heavy Duty AIO aplix version with one insert at home as well as the Squared Tab Snap version.

I've been taking pictures of these as I change her through out the day. The one picture I'm really trying to get is from behind to show the trimness, but with a 14 month old, that is really hard to do. Once I'm satisfied with the pictures, I will have a blog that has all my pictures with these diapers. I have a few comparing them with the BG 4.0 as well. I'm really looking forward to sharing my experiences with these diapers as I use them.

Ring sling. I like this one.

So through my many searches (hmmm, it's starting to sound like all I do is spend time on the computer huh?) I have come across a sling that I would love to try. Unfortunately I don't have $88 to spend on it right now, so I will add it to my Christmas "wish list". It is called Sakura Bloom and I found it here at this site. Now I'm not familiar with Irish linen, but this is the style I have been searching for.

It's time to get the word out.

I think I have stretched my stash as far as it can go in longevity for Veronica. The prefolds I have just don't fit well anymore and a majority of my covers are aplix which she can undo in seconds. With the weather still being very warm, I like to simply opt out of clothing (especially at home) to lessen my laundry load. I've got enough laundry to do with the older kids. I find myself becoming jealous and envious of the stashes some women have (as I read their blogs). As you know, the grass is always greener on the other side! However, as a part of this remedy, mom has volunteered to help me buy some of the Kawaii diapers I have been wanting to try. These will actually replace almost all of my prefold stash for Veroncia. I'm actually getting worn out with having two/three parts to my diapering of one child. This little girl does not lay down for one second happily for a diaper change. Add to the mix that we have a baby coming in about 3 1/2 weeks, I must keep things simple. Getting these new diapers will also help me to feel a little bit better about retiring a couple of covers. I have about three of my Thirsties Duo wraps that need to be out of service (or at least put as last resort use).

I had mentioned in an earlier post about altering a prefold into a fitted. Well I attempted this yesterday and in all honesty, I feel like it was a failure. I am not a seamstress. I'm not sure if I will try to do another one or not. The Green Mountain Diaper material is pretty stiff and not very fluffy. Hence one reason why I'm slowly working my way out of the whole prefold/cover combo. Granted it has been a pleasantly cheap way of cloth diapering, but I'm ready for simplicity.

So with all that said my point of today's post is I'm needing to work through my thoughts about becoming a business owner. Yes, I am looking to start my own cloth diapering business. Why not? This is a prime area for it. The nearest store is an hour away. (I just did a very quick online search and I found stores only in Lincoln and Omaha.) What mom, who is about to have three kids ages 2 and under, wants to pack up the crew and drive an hour into the nearest big city to shop for cloth diapers. Yes, granted there are hundreds of online sites that sell diapers. But I find that the problem with this is that you can't feel, hold, and touch the said product. Yeah, you have a picture of it and many times you can find a video on Youtube about how the product works, but it is not the same as having it right there in your hands. Plus being able to hold it and see it with your eyes, you can figure out how it would actually fit on your baby. So I want to set up shop (yeah, starting in my home for now) in central Nebraska so that I can help reach other moms in central and western Nebraska. Now that's not to say that there are no moms out this way that don't do cd. I've come across a few and have been so totally excited to talk to them about cd. I just want to get the word out more. And who knows, as I start I may be surprised at how many moms in NE really do cd.

Which one to choose.

I came across a great blog about whether or not the all in one style diaper is the right choice. Just like anything out there, you have to study and weigh all the pros and cons. First and foremost, the biggest pro to an all in one system is its simplicity. It doesn't get ANY easier than stuffing or snapping in a liner putting it on baby and off you go. Just like a disposable but only reusable!! When it is wet or soiled, take it off (put the poo in toilet) throw the whole thing in the diaper pail and put on a new one. To make it even easier, at the beginning of your day, line all your dipes with the soakers and have everything ready to go for the whole day. No time spent on prepping anything before having to put it on baby.

I will have to confess though, with my two BG 4.0 I will reuse the dipe if it has only been a wet one. I will take the liners out put them in pail, air out the diaper on the edge of the changing table and use the other one. At next change, if it is a wet one, I will take the one airing out and re-stuff and re-use. Not sure if others do this, but to me there is no ick factor. I simply use my nose. After it has been used only once, I have smelled it and there is no urine odor. Once it has been used the third time then it begins to have a smell so then I just toss it into the pail and on to the next diaper. Now, if I had 12 of these diapers I would not do this. I would just get a new one each time.

Okay, all that being said, I had read this blog . Prefolds with a cover can last after one baby, but the all in one system does not have that kind of durability. Not that they are made poorly, but simply with all the washing (not to mention all the pooping and peeing) that this compact system endures, it simply will wear out quicker. But don't fear! It won't fall apart on you in just a couple of months; more like once your baby is potty trained it is time to retire the diaper.

My wish list is still growing.

I know I have said is so many times, but I really do have a serious cloth diapering addiction. Part of me prays I continue to have a couple more kids just so that I can actually reach my stash nirvana.

As I continue to blog, chat and research diapers, I have come across some other pocket/AIO (all in one) diapers that I would love to add to my stash. The first is a Kawaii (I think I have mentioned this before on another post). Kawaii One-Size Pocket diaper is a less expensive version of the Bum Genius 3.0. (I currently have two BG 4.0 and LOVE them). These Kawaii are only $10 per diaper and are less if you buy in bulk. What makes me ogle over them is the fact that they are one size. My baby history proves that we really do not make small babies. So, I am confident that if these don't fit my newborn right away, I can rely on my prefolds and covers for about a month and then switch to the one size. And beings that they are one sized, I can use them for both him and Veronica, and Mary (potty training is not going so well). One diaper for three babies? How convenient is that!?!

My next item on my wish list is the Fuzzi Bunz One Size Diaper. This is one I have not found an equal for lesser price yet. It is a bit pricey at almost $20 per diaper, but the options on the diaper are amazing. There are different areas on the diaper to adjust the sizing for the waist and the legs by simply buttoning the elastic where you want it. Another lady has done a fantastic job of showing the versatility of this diaper on her blog. I am drooling over these diapers. Again, its one I really believe we could use from beginning to end with our kids.

The best part about these diapers is that even though they come with inserts when you buy them, you don't HAVE to buy more inserts. My stash of prefolds work just as good as inserts. Now granted a prefold is a bit more bulky, but I haven't heard any complaints from Veronica yet! :) However, I am beginning to think that once winter comes, I may change my mind about that. It is more difficult to find pants that will cover a cloth bum compared to a disposable. One remidy for this though, are baby legs which essentially are leg warmers for a baby. If I am going to be at home and have a bulkier diaper on the babies, just throw a pair of baby legs on and viola they stay warm. However, I've only considered buying baby legs and have not been too serious about them. On the site though they are having a sale and it is hard to pass up.

Finally, the one thing I know I can do now to alter my stash is take my gigantic Green Mountain Diaper toddler prefold and change it into a fitted diaper. I found a fantastic tutorial for this. I had attempted to change some of my prefolds, but what I had done to them did not work out. When I washed them, they would not dry properly so I had to take the stitching out. Now being such a newbie to sewing I am a little nervous about trying this, but I have read the tutorial about a dozen times now and I think I get it. I'm still not very familiar with my sewing machine, so I need to figure out how to change the stitching type. This would be very helpful in saving us a few dollars. Veronica is quickly growing out of the current prefold I have for her. It works to trifold it into some of the covers, but not all my covers accommodate that. I need the next size up in prefolds and unfortunately all I have found so far has been the GMD toddler. And well frankly, it is just way too big. I have to do extra folding to make it fit properly and then it is bulky in the cover. So, I would like to try it out on one of my GMD. Now I know it won't shrink it a whole lot, but I think if I do it right, it will give me a better fitting diaper for Veronica.

The taste of pregnancy

I love how foods taste during pregnancy. I think this has been the inspiration for my enjoyment of cooking in the last couple of years. With my last three pregnancies, foods that are saucy and full of seasoning really please my palate. But that's not to say that I haven't made some dishes that have tasted quite icky to me.

This morning I took my vitamins with a glass of Minute Maid original orange juice and it was the most delectible thing I have ever tasted in a long time. It was so sweet and full of wonderful orange flavor. I felt like I could have just stood there and drank right out of the carton for more. Another huge taste pleaser of mine is whole milk. Oh my, I crave a big glass of this every night. Oh, and not to mention that it really helps with the raging reflux I get at night too. I'm trying to not be so quick to reach for the Zantac and depend on medicine to solve all my pregnancy woes. I've taken enough pills/drugs with this pregnancy due to kidney stones, UTI, and bladder spasms that if I can avoid taking more pills daily to ease something like heartburn or reflux, that is what I will do. So I have found that a nice tall glass of ice cold whole milk really does the trick for the night. And then we just rinse and repeat the following night.

My day of diapers.

Okay, so since I'm a cloth diaper junkie and because I haven't blogged anything in a very long time, I thought I would show pictures of my day of cloth diaper changes. Now I didn't take a picture every single time I changed her because I have a limited stash and they would be repeats. But I did take one each time I used a different prefold and/or cover.


This is a Diaper Rite orange edge prefold trifolded into a Bummis Super Whisper Wrap. This is a super duper easy combo. Simply fold the diaper, put in cover and put on baby. Just like a disposable but reusable!




On the top is the Diaper Rite orange edge prefold with a Snappi holding it together. I have pins, but the Snappi is so much better at keeping the diaper in place. On the bottom the diaper is covered with a Size 2 Thirsties Duo Wrap. Not one of my favorite covers. Their durability is not quite to my liking.



On the top, Veronica is sporting the Green Mountain Diaper toddler green edge prefold. Now, these are huge. I bought these because I needed another size bigger from the DR orange edges. The DR are getting too small around so it is getting trickier to Snappi them on. However, the GMD toddlers are much much bigger so I have to do a little extra folding to make it the right size. These are my second go to choice when all of my orange edges are dirty. On the bottom it is covered by the Size 2 Thirsties Duo Wrap with snaps. LOVE the snaps. This combo is a little bit bulkier, but it doesn't seem to inhibit her mobility in the slightest.



This has been one of my favorite covers. It is a one size Coverall from Blueberry. The rise has three adjustment sizes and again it is snaps. It is over the DR orange edge prefold. And in my opinion it is pretty trim.



This is my newest addition to my stash and has become one of my favorites to use. Unfortunately I only have two of these. It is a BumGenius 4.0 all in one diaper. Love it, love it, love it. Each diaper came with two inserts which I use at the same time. All I have to do is stuff the pocket on the inside (this one has the inserts in them) on the largest rise setting. When I run out of the inserts, I simply trifold a DR orange edge prefold and stuff it in. Works wonders!


And there we have it. That is my limited stash and I oh so desire to make it more versatile, but that does cost some money to do. When the time comes, I will need to sell some of what I have and then add more. With my recent adventure into all in one diapers, I would LOVE to build up a bigger stash of those with my prefolds as back ups. As much as I have enjoyed using my Thirsties covers, I've not been too terrible impressed with how they have held up in the laundry. I always line dry them and the hook and loop closures (velcro) is terribly frayed.

Hello baby!!

Well we had our ultrasound today, and the little bugger sure was wiggly! Baby started out breech and about 5 min into the scanning, baby moved transverse. We got perfect pictures of all the little parts. Saw perfect little fingers and toes. The best picture was the very fist one in which baby was oh so happy to show us the gender.

Boy oh Boy it's a BOY!!!!!

I called Ryan as soon as my apt was done and he was so excited that he announced it to his kitchen staff!! I'm really excited to tell Zachary. He will be so excited and thrilled

ETA: I told Zachary as soon as he got home from school and he did a great little happy dance!!

Second review of Diaper Rite prefolds.

Well, I'm slowly starting to like them. My biggest hang up still is that I can not snappi or pin them around the girls. I think I would have to try out the GMD (Green Mountain Diapers) prefolds for this. I do like, however, the width size in the crotch. Nice and wide and fills the whole cover. So, the mediums I use on Mary and I simply trifold them in a Bummis Super Whisper wrap. I have a medium with this and the medium DR prefold fits perfectly in it. I believe what I have to adjust in my thinking is where the diapers sit on the girls. It is a comparison like low ride hip huggers vs pants that sit above the waist. I'm a pants above the waist kind of girl, so for me, these prefolds sit a little too low. However once I put them on where they cover perfectly, they actually don't look as bad as I think they do.





This picture above is Veronica in the prefold I had bought at MilkWorks. It is a Green Earth Textiles premium (note the size chart on site are the pre-washed sizes). It is held on by a snappi and as you can see, in my opinion, I think it covers her well. I like how it comes up to her bellybutton. I have it lined inside with a terry washcloth tri-folded.



Here she is sporting the awesome Blueberry Cover that I had bought from MilkWorks as well. I really like this cover on her because it is wide enough to cover her bum, and the front has snap closures instead of hook and loop (velcro) which she knows how to undo.



And here is Mary wearing the new medium Diaper Rite prefold in the Bummis Super Whisper wrap. As you can see, it is much lower than Veronica's prefold. I prefer to have it a bit further higher up towards her bellybutton. My reasoning is that I think having it up higher helps avoid leaks, but then I haven't had any leaks so far with it like this either.

First review of Diaper Rite prefolds.

Well, I got my diapers prepped and I was really excited to start using them. I've now put on one on both girls and I'm undecided about them. Really it's one of those things that you have to try them out for a while and find your groove with them. I have a set of prefolds which I had bought from MilkWorks so my judgment is comparing these with the ones I am used to.

This batch that I have bought are slightly wider but shorter in the rise. This I'm not too keen on yet. My only reason is that I am not able to snappi or pin them around the girls which is odd since they are wider. I should be able to fasten them around them. However right now I am trying simply the trifold with an insert and my Thirsties Duo wrap around them. I think I'm trying to make them fit too much like a disposable. I'm sitting her looking at Mary and I have her diaper pretty high in the back. I'm thinking it might fit better if I pull it down a bit so it comes up a little further in the front.

So, I have some work to do with these. I'm sure I will grow to really love them. I just have to find what works.

Diaper Covers; my wish list.

I am drooling over these Thirsties duo wrap snap covers. I have the aplix covers and not too thrilled about them. I haven't had them long and the long strip on the front is starting to fray and come loose. I'd love to have the snaps because then Veronica would not be able to undo her diaper.

Thirsties Duo Wrap with Snaps.

And then for night time and going out I want to get an AIO (All In One) diaper from LuvYourBaby. I've read some good reviews of them and they sound like a good product. I had been considering a BumGenius 3.0 but from what I read on my favorite diapering forum, many ladies are having issues with the BG 3.0. Plus, the KawWaii heavy duty AIO is much cheaper than the BG 3.0.

I'm an addict.

Hello, my name is Nicole and I am a cloth diapering addict. To me, this choice of addiction grows very fast. However, I don't have a huge stash of diapers, I do have three kinds of diapers and three different kinds of covers. I'm finding that as the girls grow, the type of diaper that works best for them changes. Well, at least for Veronica they do. I've been using the same set for Mary as she has stayed petite.

I came across a ladies blog in which she did a great job of explaining the different types of diapers to choose from. Right now I am waiting on an order of Diaper Rite prefolds from Diaper Junction. I ordered 12 smalls for the new baby, 12 mediums to try on Veronica, and 12 larges in case the mediums don't fit. Now if the mediums are too small, I know that they will work on Mary too. The only thing I need to get for the new baby will be some newborn and/or small diaper covers.

What kind of mother are you?

I came across this article on facebook from my Aunt who had linked to it. Honestly I don't know what to say. First of all, I liked the article. My problem with it is that it was a gigantic mirror facing me showing me my reactive style of parenting. As I read the article, I was trying to justify every reactive choice I made and after a while I realized, man something has got to change/give. So no matter how many times Mary needs me for something, I'll put the computer down. When Rachael raises her voice I will not raise mine.

Deliberate vs. "Default" Parenting

Benefits of breast feeding.

I could really appreciate this article; Breast feeding can save lives.

I'm going to start off that I am not yet an extended breast feeding momma. The closest I have come is 8 months with my last child. (you can read one of my previous posts as to why). My first three children went 3 months on the breast and then they all were put on formula. My children are all very healthy, happy, well-loved and loving children. Unlike some breast feeding supporters, I do not think that giving my children formula is detrimental to their health.

Now, I do agree that "breast is best." Simply put, it's the way God made us. However, there are times when switching to formula is what "saved" a child's life. What we need to focus on is education. Hospitals need to encourage their new mommas to try breast feeding. And I am not just talking about, "Here if you want to know about breastfeeding read this pamphlet." and walk out the door. No, take a few minutes and ask the mom what she thinks about breast feeding and listen to her fears and thoughts. Encourage women to attend LLL meetings. There is a plethora of information out there by LLL. I knew of the group, but never really considered it until I had seen ads in the newspapers about the monthly meetings. So after the birth of my last baby I attended, and I am so glad I did.

Secondly, I think ALL places of employment need to support the breast feeding momma. I don't care if you have 2,000 employees or 20 employees, there should be a designated place (and I do NOT consider a bathroom to be an effective place to pump) where a woman can comfortably sit and have time to express milk. After all, don't you think that would make for a happier employee?

I know there are lots of articles out there with statistics about the benefits of breast feeding. I don't have any links to them, but if you are reading this blog, then I know you are able and quite capable of doing your own search for them. The information is out there. Educate yourself and help spread out that information one bit at a time to a mom who hasn't heard.

What we say and how we say it.

This is a great article. For me, what it boils down to is how we use our words and in which way we are trying to convey them. It is titled Don't Judge Me.

We will miss you.

Father Tasler, you will be missed greatly. I pray for God's grace and mercy and may He grant you peace. Pray for us during this time without you.

We all have to make our own choice.

I was reading this blog The Superior Choice which I came across from another moms blog that I like to read. Now I will do my best to make sure this post is not an attack on her as she has had troubles with other people taking personal offense to her posts. My attempt here is to comment and state my opinion/view on the original blog.

Attachment Parenting or Cry-It-Out are labels I have not found to be ones in which I care to research and investigate. Why? Because of blogs and "opiniated" posts as mentioned above. When it comes to parenting techniques and labels, I don't find one to be superior than another because just like one child does not fit the common mold, neither does one family fit and match another.

Now take this comment, (from the article) "It's not that we think we are better than you, but simply that the methods we've chosen are better than the alternatives." followed by "So, yes, we think that what we do is better than what you do." Okay, whoah. So you are trying to tell me that because I only breastfed my three oldest children for only 3 months because I couldn't maintain my milk supply while working that switching to formula is an inferior parenting choice? Or weaning my 9mo old at 8 months because I was pregnant, in the first trimester, and so utterly physically exhausted that I couldn't properly take care of my three other children was a bad parenting choice? And when my child cries a short spell because something made them uncomfortable and I just let them be to go back to sleep and didn't run to them at every cry that I'm a bad parent?

I must interject right now that yes, I do think there are many moms who make some poor choices. It comes down to being informed then applying that information to the dynamics of your family. Yes with the ease and availability of the mighty internet, there is a plethora of information out there. However, because I choose not to research and take on the mentality of an Attached Parenting parent, I'm to be seen as inferior in my parenting? I/we do what we feel is right for the well being of our family. One woman stated it so well in a forum I read and in essence she said that our choices boil down to the confidence we have in the choices we make in which we feel God has led us to.

I had to kind of laugh and guffaw at this poster's comment. "People rave to me all the time how kind my 3 year old is and how content and alert my baby is. I reply with "When you meet their needs, they are happy and secure!" :) Why because my children are exactly the same way and we are not AP! Her reply is exactly the thing. When you meet the child's need, then they are happy and secure. I feed my baby a bottle every time she is hungry. Sometimes she doesn't want the formula and instead wanted to chow on some cheerios. When they cry at night I hold them, rock them, put them back to sleep and lay them down in their crib. Why? Because with having two babies under the age of 2 with one due in Sept and my hubby sleeping with me and occasionally our dog, there is only so much space left in the bed. If the baby is happy and content to sleep in her crib, then that is where I'm going to keep her. As the saying goes, "If it isn't broken, then don't fix it."

Let me state it this way too. I'm Roman Catholic. I converted about thee years ago after years of studying and listening of God's leading. Now do I think that the catholic church is the one true church instituted by Christ? Yes I do. However I'm not going to sit here and presume that my choice to be Catholic is superior to another persons decision to be Protestant. Why, because it is not my place to judge anyone. If anyone has an interest or wants to know more about my decision to be Catholic, I would gladly answer them. And like stated before there is so much information out there, not to mention the thousands of Catholic parishes available to go to for information.

So I say let's encourage one another. Offer one another information and if it is denied, then so be it. That is that person's choice. But please, to be so presumptive as to say your parenting choices are superior than another persons only creates contempt. Most parents will decide what they feel is best for their child/ren.

I had to edit this to make one clarification. I in no way conclude that ALL parents who are AP take on this type of mentality. Frankly, I have not really met any AP in real life and the only one's on the internet that I have read say the same thing as the original poster. Now that I think of it, the Catholic forums I read do have some women who are AP, but I have never heard them say that their style of parenting is superior to another. But rather simply that that is what they feel is right for their family.