The Big Switch

I've done it.

I've been converted.

I'm making the big switch.

CLOTH DIAPERING!
 
Yup. You read that correctly. We (that is to say, I) are now cloth diapering Little Bear. And Jasper when he gets here.

I got Bear's first 4 cloth diapers in the mail on Friday. I ordered them from GoGreen Diapers. I decided to go with the fuzzy cloth pocket diapers because 1: they are cheap ($10 for 1!) and 2: I have heard that they work just as well (Thanks, Amanda!!) as the more expensive ones.

Bear modeling his giraffe print cloth diaper.

Bear's been in his cloth diapers all day today, and they are working wonderfully so far. I'm a little iffy on keeping him in them when he goes down for the night, so he's going to still be using disposables every now and then.

I also decided that, since I'm making the effort, I may as well make some cloth wipes as well.

Doing that is super simple. I was going through Bear's old receiving blankets and found 4 or 5 that were covered in spit up stains. I took those, cut them down to fit into the wipe case, then made the solution.

I used about 1/4 cup each of baby oil and Burt's Bees Baby Wash and gently mixed that with 1 1/4 cups of warm water. I poured it over the wipes and voila! Washable baby wipes.

I'm super excited (and super late) to be joining the cloth diapering community. But I figured with bringing a new baby into our family, saving some money would be awesome, and it's great for the environment. :]

 

Life, Lately

Howdy, all!

Sorry I don't update this nearly as much as I used to. I really need to get better at that.

So, I'm going to cram the last month or so down your throats all at once. Enjoy. :]

First off, today is March 1st. It's Self-Injury Awareness Day.

Source

 I know it's late in the day, or else I would remind everyone to wear something orange or to draw a butterfly on their hand/wrist, but please be aware that self-injury is a terrible thing. You may not self-injure, but there are so many who do. They need hope, they need help. Be there to listen. Reach out.

That being said, let's get into life. :]

About a month ago, I moved! I'm moved in a bigger house on base. It is absolutely beautiful and so much roomier. I actually feel like I can spread out here. It's an awesome thing.

We found out that L.B. is a boy! His name is Jasper Gregory. We can't wait to meet him. For more on our little guy, visit my pregnancy blog.

Husband is doing well overseas. We hear from him anywhere from one to three times a week. I'm extremely grateful for that, as I know that there are some Marines who are not able to call home as often.

Bear is doing well. He has his 18 month check up tomorrow! I'm excited to tell the doctor that he knows a zillion words. :] My Little Bear is so polite. He shakes hands, says please and thank you, says hello and goodbye, and so many more words and phrases. Other than the occasional tantrum, he's an absolute angel. I'm so blessed.

In May, there is a craft fair that I'm 98% sure I'm going to be participating in. I have about two months to get everything made. I'm a bit nervous, but I know that if I just put my mind to it, I can do it. :]

The plan is to start blogging at least once a week now. We'll see how that goes.

I still have a tutorial to photograph and post. Sorry, Miss Bee! I promise that will be up soon.

Thank you all for sticking with me through my long absences. Y'all rock!

Til next time!

[What I Wore] Halloween Edition

I hope you all had a wonderful and fun Halloween. I know I did!

Me, Husband and our neighbor Lindsay went as zombie escorts for Jedi Bear. It was pretty fun. :]

Also, there was a little festival on base the Friday before Halloween, and of course I had to do something fun for that, as well. :]

Although, I don't think either of these "costumes" hold up to last year's.

What do you think?

[What We Did] Trunk or Treat & Followers Fest

So last night we packed up our truck and headed on base. Husband's unit (who is deployed) was holding a Trunk-or-Treat, and I wanted to have Bear experience something Halloween-y. The base fire department was there, too. Husband really liked that. :]

 In case you can't tell, Bear was a Jedi master. The firemen even gave him his own lightsaber. He was super sleepy the whole time though, and he started to get a bit fussy. That's what happens when he only takes one nap.

There is a fall festival on base tonight and another opportunity for dressing Bear up. I think I may even do something fun with my appearance this time. I love Halloween. :]

[What I Did] Family Days

I know I'm not perfect. Far from it, in fact. I'm quick to anger and I have a tendency to snap when someone says something that I perceive to be snotty. I get frustrated very easily, especially when things don't happen just the way I want them to. I have a very low tolerance for stupidity (driving with me is nearly impossible).

But I'm trying.

I'm learning how to watch my tone. I'm learning to think before I say something that someone might call "catty" or "childish." I'm not always good at this. But I'm learning.

I need to, because I have to be a good example and strong leader for my family. I have to keep it together (my mind and temper, that is), not only for me, but for my guys. I don't want something avoidable to wear me down and break my spirit. That is not something that Bear needs to see in his Mommy, nor Husband in his wife.

Something that is helping me do all of this is spending days out of the house with my perfect little family. Walking down to the park, wandering around San Diego, going to the fair with friends...All of this is helping me be a better person.

I make it a point to try and get out of the house at least once a day, even if it's just going to the MCX and looking at all the stuff I've seen a zillion times. I always try to leave for my doctor's appointments an hour early so we have time to walk around Balboa Park for a bit. I try so hard to avoid going back to our little apartment, and the distractions that dwell there.

I need to start bringing my camera to more things. I missed out on some pretty amazing Sea World pictures yesterday. I hate not being able to capture everything, even if it's only on my cell phone. Being able to hold on to these memories is something I cherish.

My family is the thing I love most in this world. Husband and Bear are my anchors. They are my inspiration. I want to prove to them that I can be better than I am, regardless of the situation. Everything I do is for them.

My guys have saved me in more ways than I can count. I strive to be a good, caring mother and wife in all things I do. If I fail something, seeing how much they care makes me want to try again.

I love them. Plain and simple.

Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life. No matter what.