Cloth Diapers, my new addiction!

....So I've gotten "fluffy mail" in the last week and have received some really great deals!  So far, I have 6 diapers and am due to get 4 more and will have a total of 10 in my slowly budding collection.  It's great to see that Gregg has also taken to this idea and is just as fascinated with them as I am!  He is always on board when something makes logical sense....even more in agreeance when it makes economical, practical and financial sense and I do believe he thoroughly appreciates my efforts to save money and determination to pursue this and to make cloth diapers work...for us. 

I've subscribed to so many mommy channels on YouTube related to cloth diapering and just in mothering tips related to going green....and have truly learned so much about being natural and am very excited about how these subtle changes will benefit my family as well as the environment.  I am really beginning to understand how this whole cloth diapering can be addictive, oh boy!  They come in such cute prints and nifty designs that you can't get just one....it's near impossible...but I am trying to be a realist, because I do not know which ones will work best for the baby nor do I know which ones I will like the most...so I have to refrain from going bonkers and buying on every sale that crosses my path.

Seriously, this is much harder than resisting that sexy pair of stilettos or that great purse on sale at TJ Maxx...I believe my "cutoff" point will be another 2 diapers to round out my dozen of one-sized diapers and covers and then I will buy a dozen prefolds too.  I believe that will be enough to carry me through the first 2 weeks or so ...and then I'll know which ones I like or which ones that work best and will be able to actually order my STOCK ...at which point, I will be sooooooooooooooo excited then to shop shop shop---I am in nesting mode FULL THROTTLE now it seems...and I was just made aware of the fact that there is an actual STORE...cloth diapering store..barely 30 minutes from me so I will definitely have to head over there to really check out their stash and inventory to learn more about this whole new habit I'm forming!

I am contemplating trying my hand at actually sewing a cloth diaper.  I saw a few patterns for them on Etsy and truly it doesn't look that hard...and I'm a novice/somewhat knowledgeable sewer...I'm not the fancypants my professional seamstress mother is....but I have learned some great tips from her through the years and I think she would be happy and impressed that I am trying to get better at it and taking it on as a new hobby.  I am finding that it is very therapeutic and de-stressing for me...and... I love seeing my projects come to life and finished.

Being PREGGO had certainly brought out the craftiness in me....I have a whole list of things I'd like to do before the baby comes and the projects that I have lined up are both baby and home decor related so it'll be interesting to see what I actually attempt and complete, lol.  I have a bit of ADD...as I think everyone has some bit of it...and my creativity doesn't always come when I want it to...the juices may start flowing but the actual application doesn't always happen....right away so I am making it a point to be mindful..flat out...intentional about starting and completing them because I know everyone will enjoy our home being more "homey" and decorative...I always have this running ticker...this list...that seems neverending but it always manages to keep me steppin' and keep things interesting...since I get bored so easily....ho hum.

...I fear I am just yammering away again with no true order or sense of direction of what I am even talking about...lol.  Just be on the lookout for some updates related to pregnancy progress...baby shower stuff...registry ....and of course, more cloth diapers!  Once, I actually get my full stash...I will try to do a vlog on what brands I got and why....and then attempt to do a video on my first laundering experience w/them as you're supposed to PREP them before the first initial use ANNDDDDDD I'll also be able to use the new wool dryer balls I got with them too so it should make for a very interesting vlog and post!

Until then, I'm signing off as your preggo eggo....Take Care, Stay Cool, and Be Happy!

Elise_Is_PG

16 weeks and 3 days and counting...



Front shot- to some it may not seem like much but those that know me, know i'm petite and skinny so this seems HUGE to me....lol.

I have to admit, I LOVE my growing belly!!!  I totally embrace this experience and am so proud to be PREGGO!

16wks 3 days; doesn't look that big, but it seems that it comes and goes.



Nicki's Diapers Exclusive Black Fuzzibunz Giveaway!!!

...Since my newfound addiction to all things related to eco-living and cloth diapering, I have discovered some amazing resources and websites.  One site in particular-- Nicki's Diapers.  I recently in my last post, ordered a few diapers to become familiar with the different brands and am now eagerly awaiting my "fluffy mail" so that I can do a vlog to let you know my thoughts and share with you my excitement!

Nicki's Diapers is having an awesome giveway of a BLACK Fuzzibunz Diaper!  It is a rarity to find any cloth diaper in BLACK especially one of this calibor and high quality favorite, a Fuzzibunz!  Subscribe to their Nicki's Diapers Blog and friend them on Nicki's Diapers Facebook Page and find out how you can take part in this fabulous giveaway!

Gummies, Crafts, Cloth Diapering and Schedules

...It's been about a week since my last post...and so much has happened...my darling daughter turned 11 years old!!!  I can't believe she is growing up so fast!!!  My husband got a job doing some contract work which is a blessing until he secures a more desirable and permanent position...either where he is currently or elsewhere...whatever offer is most beneficial and lucrative is what I am sure he will take...so we are very thankful for this opportunity...I am going absolutely bonkers with all things related to the baby...researching everything and anything just so that I will be prepared and have everything I want and need as well as register for whatever other items that we'd desire to have...it is truly so much fun to be nesting and shopping for the baby before their arrival!

...I've ordered some different brands of cloth diapers so that I can see them first hand and as suggested by many veteran cloth diaperers...not every diaper will suit every mom or baby so it's good to experiment...a great site that I have referenced and where I ordered my very first order of cloth diapers was from a site called Nicki's Diapers and I ordered 4 kinds of diapers:

Best Bottom One Size Diapers
Bum Genius! 4.0 One Size Diapers
Fuzzi Bunz One Size Diapers
Tweedle Bugs One Size Diapers

After researching ALOT and speaking to friends and other moms on blogs and chat boards, I felt that these brands would be easy to use and also offered me the most benefit for what I wanted.  There are also a few other brands that I am also interested in and will eventually order more when I get some money to feed this new-found addiction and fascination of mine, lol.  Two other brands that have tweaked my interest are Dinkle Dooz and Simply Cloth Diapers. 

The cloth diapers of 2011 certainly aren't the ones that your grandma used to use, although many still use and love the traditional, tried and true chinese prefold diapers of yesterday.  They are the most affordable and the actual cloth diapers can be used to do so much after your baby is all grown up!  You can refurbish the cloth prefolds and use them to do housecleaning, cleaning up spills...they are super absorbent and offer a multitude of uses all over your home.

Please don't hesitate to suggest some of your favorite cloth diapers as well if you're already a Cloth Diapering Diva!  I am a total newbie and am very excited and am all about all things GREEN and ECO-FRIENDLY and am always looking for ways to reduce, reuse and recycle!

...Aside from my new found love of cloth diapering, I was also able to research Wool Dryer Balls which I will blog about in my next posts.  I ordered a set from Etsy.com and will update once I've used them and will clue you in on what they are and what they do if you don't already know about them!

...I also managed to stay on the phone for about 40 minutes on Friday to schedule every single one of my future OB appointments all the way up til the day of my scheduled due date, lol.  I am so happy to know when my appointments are and am so excited to move forward in my doctor's visits and to just get jolly-o big w/my preggo belly!

...Since doing my research on everything, I also came across some great tutorials on youtube to learn how to make my own nursing pads and cloth baby wipes which I know I will definitely take my hand at trying to do...it's a great way to get crafty w/my daughter as well as make my own items that I will use and not have to purchase...and who knows, maybe I will turn it all into a side business??? Hmm...might be an interesting idea...lol.

I've also discovered....well..actually...realized that I have  a severe addiction to all things related to gummy candies...I LOVE LOVE LOVE gummy bears!  Especially the Haribo brand...and am always noshing on them throughout the day....so much that I may just turn into a gummy bear or maybe I'll start poo-ing them lol....(sorry for that, but seriously, it's pretty intense how much I love them, lol) and I also love other gummy candies like gummy peach rings, sour patch kids...all of them...lol.  I don't crave chocolate or any other candies...although I will confess it seems that I am craving the fruity kinds of candy...jolly ranchers and actual fruit...with Vanessa, I used to always want chocolate and all things related to chocolate and ice-cream...and she definitely does love chocolate lol....so maybe this baby will want all things related to gummies and fruit???  Who knows!?  It's just so interesting how pregnancies are truly different from one to the next and that there really isn't any rhyme or reason to the whole process.

Anyways,  I digress....I am just blabbing away and I'm sure y'all have better things to do than to read my blog lol...it's a heatwave in Philly this week...all 90s...I have a few phone interviews to do, some domestic goddess duties to tend to...Vanessa will be having a girly sleepover with 2 of her school friends on Friday and I have a bunch of correspondence and paperwork related to the condo rental and other things to finish up too...it's great to have my energy back and I definitely plan on taking advantage of it while I can before I start to slow down again!

Thanks for catching up with me!  Until the next post, have a great week everyone!!!

Elise_Is_PG

Friday Mash-up...

...So already it's Friday...TGIF!!!  So much to do and never enough time...the story of not only mine's...but I'm sure...everyone's life!  My last post I only updated my belly pix but never gave and update on my appointment w/my new OB-GYN or even anything related to what I've been up to other than being tired all the time.  The exhaustion is truly killing me...and I'm really truly hoping I get myself back since they say the "2nd trimester" is supposed to be like your "honeymoon" stage as it is when you are feeling your best...we shall see if that holds true or not...I will be sure to keep you posted, lol.

...As for my visit w/the new OB-GYN...it was a pretty cool visit.  I like the practice alot and it's located in a wonderful building with lots of offices and shops.  The only drawback is parking is a bitch in the area and to park in the lot, you could potentially pay upwards of $22 depending on how long you'll be there...thankfully, I can walk there from my house...about a 30 minute walk...that is all fine and dandy for now since the weather is nice but come fall/winter, I don't think that is going to work out well...but all in all, my doctor seems super cool...and they gave me TONS of baby related literature and a preggo planner....which I already have one but it was so nice that they were giving me so many things to stay organized...I guess...that is part of my "slightly" Type A personality coming through...lol...ha ha ha...I don't consider myself a true Type A as I am wayyy more flexible than those that I know that are extreme case Type A.

...My doc was totally onboard with my wanting to schedule a repeat c-section but informed me they can only schedule one week in advanced but she reassured me that she definitely thought I'd go sooner so I am really pulling for the week before Christmas...we will see how eager Baby Davis is to come out or if he/she wants to stay snuggled up in my belly for longer...I will just have to wait and see...as long as the baby is healthy...that is my #1 priority and concern.  So many people are surprised that I am electing to do a repeat c-section and am not attempting a VBAC (vaginal birth after having a previous c-section) and all I can say is....I have no motivation and am not interested in laboring and trying to push the baby out while stretching and possibly tearing up my "lady bits" and causing such alarming disfigurement that my darling husband could quite possibly become traumatized and de-sexualized about that "area."...lol...I love my body and my husband far too much to subject him to this and I am sure many men witness these deliveries and are absolutely fine, however, I have heard the stories of those that never recover and it truly changes the dynamics of sex and intimacy in relationships and because it is so unpredictable, I am not willing to take the chance...lol.

In general, it is what it is and even with my careful thoughtfulness w/this, there is no guarantee either way how it will all turn out so I can only hope and pray that it works out the way that it should...I am sure there are many women out there that truly could care less about having sex ever again or are not interested in that intimacy....I, however, love it and thrive on it and love the relationship I have w/my husband and refuse to compromise it...even with having children, you have to find creative ways to keep it interesting and fun and I plan on maintaining that attraction for the life of our marriage...it isn't all about "the sex" yet...it definitely helps keep you connected and makes it that much more fun and I quite enjoy it, ALOT, lol. I love my husband far too much to let it fade away and hope we are able to nurture and maintain this intimacy for a long time.

...Being pregnant this time around...especially after 3 years of trying to conceive...I am much more appreciative and mindful of every milestone and moment that I have.  I am finding that I am learning how to think my thoughts through before voicing them and am so concerned how my thoughts and actions affect my baby and the pregnancy...which I think is a good thing for me as I can get quite aggressive and righteous when I feel like I'm not being heard and get overly dramatic...but yet anyone that knows me well, will tell you, I only get that way because of the lack of empathy or lack of willingness to understand my point of view.

As the great Chris Tucker would eloquently say.....

"Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?!!?"

...Now that I am feeling better, I think I can resume looking for some part-time work to keep me busy and to work towards my career goals.  It'd be nice to have more time off, but I don't think it will benefit me truly and I know that I will definitely be taking off for maybe 6 weeks to 3 months after the baby is born so it's better for me to get into some work related routine now beforehand...I also have to apply for some classes at the community college to prep for going back to school.  I am truly...at a roadblock w/my career..or lack there of ...and am very disenchanted w/the career side of my life....not blaming anyone but myself for that and I need to make an aggressive effort and motivate myself to set the goals I want to accomplish and to set a deadline to follow through on them....

...It seems that I am having somewhat of a brain "fart" at the moment and can't remember what else I was going to blog about, lol.  I guess this is one of the "side effects" of being pregnant...forgetfulness and clumsiness...lol.  I am sure if I remember, I will definitely be back on in a flash just to let you know about whatever it is that is on my mind, ha ha ha.  Until then, have a great weekend, hope you enjoyed the insanity of this ramble and I will keep you all posted!

Elise_Is_PG



14 weeks and counting...

So i took a few pix of my 14-week belly bump.  I have to confess I am almost certain that I was NOT showing this early when I was preggers w/Vanessa...but it was over 11 years ago so I guess...my being older as well may have something to do with it? lol.  Also they have often said that you show "sooner" w/subsequent pregnancies after the first....so...I am totally diggin' it and happy to embrace it!

 

I am totally tired and can't believe that Vanessa will be 11 next Tuesday.  Seriously, where did the time go?!!!  It's a bit surreal to not be working over the summer and is the first year Vanessa has not gone to summer day camp so I've been trying to get creative in keeping her busy...I'm just fortunate to spend some time w/her before the baby comes and with Gregg being home as well, we are tackling projects that have been on the back burner and just going with the flow of things.

Anyways, just a short blog to update w/my belly bump pictures.  Enjoy your weekend and stay tuned!

Elise_Is_PG

Update

...Genetic Counselor called me back today to let me know the results of the Downs Syndrome and Trisomy 18 screenings. 

For the Downs Syndrome Screening it came back at 1 out of 1500 chance (which is a great number so I am considered negative for the possibilities)

For the Trisomy 18 Screening it came back at 1 out of 10,000 (which is also great news!)

I still have to await the results of my chromosomes blood test which won't be ready for about 1-2 weeks and they will call me for that.

I am scheduled for bloodwork for the 2nd phase of genetic screening on July 21st and am scheduled for my 20 week ultrasound on August 19th so hopefully we will find out more about the gender of Baby Davis then!

That's all I have to update for now....more news to follow...until then, Happy 4th of July!!!

Elise_Is_PG