Since today is Thanksgiving its most appropriate that I would write about all the things I am thankful for.
I am thankful for my wonderful husband who is the most wonderful man I have ever known and who I love more than anything.
I am thankful for my son who will be here before I know it.
I am thankful that I have had a very healthy pregnancy and my son is growing big and strong!
I am thankful for my wonderful parents
I am thankful for all of my brothers and sisters, in-laws included
I am thankful for my wonderful friends who love me despite my craziness (and partially because of it)
I am thankful that I have a good paying job, and great job secruity
I am thankful that my boss is very supportive of me starting a family
I am thankful that I have two very adorable and loving puppies
I am thankful for the many essentials in my life that are considered luxuries in other parts of the world
I am thankful for all the opportunities that have been given to me in my life that have made me the person I am today
I am thankful that I live close enough to my family that I get to spend this wonderful holiday with them.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Cloth Diapering
When I tell people that we are choosing to cloth diaper, I usually get some pretty weird looks and some even stranger comments. I have heard " that's a waste of time" "what for". There seems to be some pretty negative feelings around cloth diapers and I think a lot of that is because people just don't know how to do it.
We are choosing to cloth diaper mainly because it is more cost effective and because its better for the environment. The average cost for cloth diapering per month is around $20, and that's because of the water bill going up due to extra loads of laundry and because we will still be buying wipes and diaper creams etc. Compared to using disposables diapers that cost between $80 to $100 per month for new borns who need to be changed every couple of hours. Even the "eco-friendly diapers" that are better for the enviorment are still going into the landfills. So to save a few extra bucks each month and to do our little part in saving the environment we have decided this is the best route for us.
The reality is that there are so many new products out these days that really make cloth diapering easier than ever. Until about 60 years ago every one cloth diapered, and for most of history they did it with out washing machines. It might take a few extra seconds with each diaper change and an extra load of laundry every day, but it will be worth it.
One reason a lot of people do not choose to cloth diaper is because of the initial cost to purchase the diapers. Depending on what type of diapers you choose to use it can really get pretty pricey. On average it probably costs between $150 to $300 to purchase all of the diaper supplies to get started. But hey in 3 or 4 months after the baby is born you will have already made up the cost.
Cloth diapering is the right choice for us but we are lucky enough to have my husband stay home with the baby so that we aren't dealing with the hassle of daycare centers not allowing the cloth diapering. Lets just hope the lack of sleep once the little man is born doesn't change my mind about the cloth diapering...we will see!
We are choosing to cloth diaper mainly because it is more cost effective and because its better for the environment. The average cost for cloth diapering per month is around $20, and that's because of the water bill going up due to extra loads of laundry and because we will still be buying wipes and diaper creams etc. Compared to using disposables diapers that cost between $80 to $100 per month for new borns who need to be changed every couple of hours. Even the "eco-friendly diapers" that are better for the enviorment are still going into the landfills. So to save a few extra bucks each month and to do our little part in saving the environment we have decided this is the best route for us.
The reality is that there are so many new products out these days that really make cloth diapering easier than ever. Until about 60 years ago every one cloth diapered, and for most of history they did it with out washing machines. It might take a few extra seconds with each diaper change and an extra load of laundry every day, but it will be worth it.
One reason a lot of people do not choose to cloth diaper is because of the initial cost to purchase the diapers. Depending on what type of diapers you choose to use it can really get pretty pricey. On average it probably costs between $150 to $300 to purchase all of the diaper supplies to get started. But hey in 3 or 4 months after the baby is born you will have already made up the cost.
Cloth diapering is the right choice for us but we are lucky enough to have my husband stay home with the baby so that we aren't dealing with the hassle of daycare centers not allowing the cloth diapering. Lets just hope the lack of sleep once the little man is born doesn't change my mind about the cloth diapering...we will see!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Preparing for the Holidays
Since I will be 37 weeks pregnant (full term) on December 27th I am trying to get ready for the holidays early. I only have four gifts left to purchase and I already know what I am getting all of those people. It seems so strange to me to be preparing for the holidays this early but with a baby on the way its probably best to be thinking ahead. Its just a wild guess but I suspect that the closer the holidays get the more tired i will be and the less i will feel like shopping. I am also not really a big fan of Christmas to begin with so its good to get this part over with early this year.
I don't like Christmas for one because I am not Christian so it seems silly to me ever year that I celebrate this holiday that i don't even believe in. If it wasn't for tradition i don't think i would even celebrate the holiday. Don't get me wrong i absolutely love spending time with my family and any excuse i have to see them is a good one! The other reason I don't like Christmas is because with divorced parents it is always a hassle having to arrange schedules with each side of the family and not to mention that my brother and sister each have significant others with divorced parents as well so we have to work around all of their schedules too. Its just a stress full time of year for all of us. I figure the more that i prepare now the more i will be able to enjoy the time with my family, because that is what holidays are all about after all and that's what really matters to me.
All this holiday talk has really made me think about the holiday traditions that we want to share with our children. Although Ted and do not believe in God we have decided that we will still celebrate Christmas it with our kids because lets be honest every one in America celebrates Christmas, for religious reasons or otherwise. We have also decided though that we are going to include holidays from other cultures into our yearly holiday rotation so that our son can learn about all different cultures and decided for himself what religion is best suited to him, if any at all.
I know its a little early for this guys but its on my mind today so...
Happy Holidays!
I don't like Christmas for one because I am not Christian so it seems silly to me ever year that I celebrate this holiday that i don't even believe in. If it wasn't for tradition i don't think i would even celebrate the holiday. Don't get me wrong i absolutely love spending time with my family and any excuse i have to see them is a good one! The other reason I don't like Christmas is because with divorced parents it is always a hassle having to arrange schedules with each side of the family and not to mention that my brother and sister each have significant others with divorced parents as well so we have to work around all of their schedules too. Its just a stress full time of year for all of us. I figure the more that i prepare now the more i will be able to enjoy the time with my family, because that is what holidays are all about after all and that's what really matters to me.
All this holiday talk has really made me think about the holiday traditions that we want to share with our children. Although Ted and do not believe in God we have decided that we will still celebrate Christmas it with our kids because lets be honest every one in America celebrates Christmas, for religious reasons or otherwise. We have also decided though that we are going to include holidays from other cultures into our yearly holiday rotation so that our son can learn about all different cultures and decided for himself what religion is best suited to him, if any at all.
I know its a little early for this guys but its on my mind today so...
Happy Holidays!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
75% done
In just a couple days I will be 30 weeks pregnant...that's right 30 weeks. I can hardly believe it myself, I can't believe that in just 7 weeks my little boy will be full term. Crossing the 28 week mark was very exciting because that is the point where if the baby is born there is a 90% survival rate with no long term side effects for the baby, but my little one still needs to keep cooking for quite a while longer.
It is really starting to become real that in less than 3 months I am actually going to be holding my son!!! His kicks are getting stronger every day, he is a feisty little fella. He is laying sideways (breach) right now so he kicks my hip bones a lot which is less than pleasant but I do love the constant reminder that he is in there growing. When he is really active I can see my belly moving where he is at and it cracks me up every time. I made Link (my littlest dog) lay on my belly so that the baby could kick her, and she was less than thrilled about the whole thing. On the other hand Gulliver (the other dog) loves to snuggle up to my belly, its actually quite adorable.
The nursery for our little man is pretty much set up, we just need to secure the crib rails and rearrange a few things then all that's left is the decorating!!! We start our birthing class this week which I am excited/nervous about. I guess I am just nervous about the unknown but I am looking forward to getting all the information and touring the birthing center at our hospital.
That's where we are at today, I just can't believe that soon I am going to be a mom and I will actually get to hold my son. I am nervous about labor, because I am a total wimp when it comes to pain but my mom keeps telling me to just think of the end result so that makes it exciting too. Until next time....
It is really starting to become real that in less than 3 months I am actually going to be holding my son!!! His kicks are getting stronger every day, he is a feisty little fella. He is laying sideways (breach) right now so he kicks my hip bones a lot which is less than pleasant but I do love the constant reminder that he is in there growing. When he is really active I can see my belly moving where he is at and it cracks me up every time. I made Link (my littlest dog) lay on my belly so that the baby could kick her, and she was less than thrilled about the whole thing. On the other hand Gulliver (the other dog) loves to snuggle up to my belly, its actually quite adorable.
The nursery for our little man is pretty much set up, we just need to secure the crib rails and rearrange a few things then all that's left is the decorating!!! We start our birthing class this week which I am excited/nervous about. I guess I am just nervous about the unknown but I am looking forward to getting all the information and touring the birthing center at our hospital.
That's where we are at today, I just can't believe that soon I am going to be a mom and I will actually get to hold my son. I am nervous about labor, because I am a total wimp when it comes to pain but my mom keeps telling me to just think of the end result so that makes it exciting too. Until next time....
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