Late Night Blogging

IT's almost 5am and I'm in one of those "can't fall back to sleep" moods. Lately, I've been having problems with waking up (usually do to my night owl husband) when there are loud noises. I tired to fall back to sleep but my mind starts to race before I can shut it off. I tried taking a bath to relax, but no luck.

While I was in the tub I was thinking about my pregnancy up to this point and how much I have NOT enjoyed it. I feel some women find this their time to shine, to embrace the process of life. I feel like a frumpy, tired, emotion hag. I wonder if I would be able to enjoy it more if I wasn't so over worked with full-time school and work. However, that is neither here nor there. I just feel like there is no time to enjoy the process, no time to breath or just be with myself and body. My meditation teacher said a quote today that really rang true for me "he lived a few steps away from his body." This could easily be said of me too.

As I sat in the tub tried to think about all the pros and my list consisted of: a new experience in life and the excitement of when I feel Hoju kick.

My Cons were much greater in length including: fatigue, acid reflux, sinus congestion and nosebleeds and hormonal. The list goes on, but for the sack of trying to become more positive I won't go into it.

I need to find a good balance so I don't look back at this time and think "why didn't I take the time to enjoy this once in a lifetime experience?" It's just hard when I'm trying to pay the bills and ensure a better future for me and my family. When do I find time to smell the roses? Or maybe all the roses went away...

getting bigger and bigger

Well- Hoju is officially kicking and hard! Tay and I think it's a boy now because we both have had boy dreams, but who knows? We will find out in less then 2 weeks. Here is an update on my growing progress: Fortunately, I never claimed to be the prettiest pregnant woman! Also if my sisters can reframe from talking crap about my weight gain that would be awesome, thanks!

cloth diaper class

Yesterday, Taylor, myself and our friends John and Amanda (who is a week 1/2 due after me) attended our first pre-baby prep class on cloth diapers. I'm very glad we went because there are so many different types of cloth diapers...it can be overwhelming. Plus they all range in prices and it was nice to see the advantage of each type.

There is the prefold diaper, which is the traditional type, just one big cloth you fold (least expensive), but you have to buy protective covers so they don't leak. In addition, you can get them in a variety of fabrics : cotton, hemp, fleece... Also there is a new way of fastening them with this plastic gripper (no one safety pins).


Prefolds
Cloth Cover
Plastic diaper clips


Then there is the fitted diaper, which takes the work out of folding the cloth, but you still need a cover over it.


Next there is the more convenience/more pricey all-in-one diaper: which is basically the same as a disposable diaper, but instead of throwing it away you wash it (no cover needed). The one set back is you have to buy more as your child grows because they come in small, medium and large.

Finally there is the One-size diaper. This diaper is the same as all-in-one, but it has adjustable buttons on it so you can shrink or enlarge the diaper as your baby grows.




There are a lot of convenient accessories to go along with cloth diapers:
Such as the diaper sprayer you can easily hook up to your bathroom toilet (the teacher hooked hers up in 7 minutes) or diaper totes with really cool patterns and plastic lining so you put the dirty diapers in it when you are out and about.

In the end I must say, I feel more confident in my disposable free diaper choice. I will have to try out each type to see what works. I think I will register for some of this stuff too.

Eco Friendly Family

I've been thinking about what do to when the little pooping machine comes. I know I would like to avoid disposable diapers at all costs. So I've been looking for alternative diapers and I have found quite an assortment! One of the most intersting is the Gdiaper: http://www.gdiapers.com/happy-planet This is a 100% biodegradable diaper and you can also use it in your compost! Also you can buy little G pants in a variety of colors, which I think are very cute! I'm very happy about my eco friendy find and I think baby will be too.

Just to give you an idea of the impact of diapers have on the plant and children here are some tid bits:

-It takes about 500 years for a disposable diaper to decompose

-The manufacture of disposable diapers results in dioxins, solvents and heavy metals being released into the environment

-Disposable diapers are the third largest single consumer item in landfills, and represent about 4% of solid waste

-Disposable diapers contain traces of Dioxin, an extremely toxic by-product of the paper-bleaching process. It is a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. It is banned in most countries, but not the U.S

-Disposable diapers contain Tributyl-tin (TBT) - a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals

Yes- life might not be as convenient with other types of diapers, but my child and plant are worth it!

Christmas in SLC

Just got back from a week long stay in SLC. I feel relaxed and full!!

Tay and I are happy we were able to spend time with our families and friends. I especially liked the pampering from my mother and mother-in-law. Mom was great making sure I was fed every hour or so. We spent the night watching movies and putting together a puzzle. I enjoyed being snowed in by Utah weather and felt obligated to honor the snow by not going anywhere but by the fireplace.

Shauna gave me the best Christmas present ever... pants that fit! I arrived in SLC with only some sad sweat/yoga pants. Sophia couldn't help but laugh when she came to pick me up one day and I came outside in some green sweatpants and a t-shirt. Needless to say, I am greatful for my mother-in-law who took me out shopping for a few hours to find 3 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, 2 skirts, and 1 pair of shoes. Thank you so much!!!

Tay and I took advantage of our visit and ate at some of our favorite places: Evergreen and Park Cafe'. I was also able to see my 2 new nephews: Dashel and Desmond. What cute babies and even though they are so close in age they couldn't be more different. Dashel is the small thing I have ever seen and sleeps all the time. Desmond is a little chunky monkey and wiggles non-stop!
One special Christmas present I received was feeling the baby for the first time on christmas eve! What a crazy feeling knowing I have a human growing inside of me. The baby likes to move in the morning and has become my new alarm.

I feel like a new woman coming back to Denver: new outfits, new haircut, new belly, and more energy/ less sickness!!! Hurray for the second trimester! Thanks to everyone for such a special Christmas. I'm so glad I decided to take a week vacation to SLC.

Baby Stuff

So many of you are asking if I've gotten anything for the baby yet. Well I did buy the cutest crib set ever................ NOTE: this is JUST the bedding NOT the crib.

Why I love Taylor

I feel very greatful for having such an empathetic and kind husband....

Last night I woke up with my belly 2 sizes too big: full of gas and acid. Taylor sat in bed with me for about an hour rubbing my hands, arms and back until I could fall back to sleep. He also wispered kind word of encouragement and listened to me babbled, half asleep. Not that I'm suprise Taylor did this because he has always been very kind-hearted and loving towards me. However, I am amazed at the amount of patients and kindness he has demonstrated during these past months. He is sooo in tune with my needs sometimes he knows what I need even if I don't.
Some people worry when they are pregnant that their husbands will have no idea how to take care of the baby...I have not misgivings about Taylor ability to be an amazing father because he has already taken on so much of the nurturing aspect of our family.

Anyway, I wanted to brag about my wonderful husband and also thank him for all he does for the family.

XOXO