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!

Deployment Update - Week 1

Husband is safe and sound in Afghanistan. Well...as safe and sound as he can be, I suppose.

We got to Skype with him tonight, and it was amazing, if not a little awkward.

It's a bit weird trying to carry on a conversation when he is surrounded by loud, obnoxious Marines. Oh well. I'm used to it by now.

It's cold there, he says. About 30 degrees. Brr. I can't even imagine, what with being in 29 Palms. The coldest it gets here is about 60 degrees. Woo. :/

He's going to be staying where he is for about five days to get integrated, then he's being transferred wherever he is needed.

Bear was super excited to see Daddy. He was all smiles and waves and "hi" and shyness. Now, however, he's sad, and hasn't let me put him down since we were done talking with Daddy.

I can't wait til we get on a better schedule for talking. All this constantly having my phone on me (for FB texts) and having the volume on my computer up at max in order to hear Skype ringing is getting a little old.

This last week has gone by both slowly and quickly. Slowly in the days seem to drag by, but quickly in that I can't believe he's already been gone for almost a week.

I hope it goes like this the rest of the time he's gone.

♥

[What I Did] The Stage

Back in high school, I was really into theater and chorus. It was something I really loved doing. I got to be with my friends and have fun and act and sing.

I definitely miss high school, and if I could, I would go back just so I could do these things.

In theater, I was in one big stage musical ("Thoroughly Modern Millie"), several smaller plays and several Dramatic Interpretations for Theater Meets, including Claudia from Interview With A Vampire (the novel, not the movie).

Thoroughly Modern Millie cast. I'm in the middle row, second from the left in the blue dress.

TMM, with Tanika Lee (left, blue dress) and me (right, gold dress). I got soy sauce dumped on me right after this.

Today, I popped in the DVD of my high school production of TMM and just sat in awe. It's been so long since I've done anything like this, and it makes me so sad that I can't anymore (no auditions at the local theater group).

Now, granted, I'm not the best singer, not by far, but I like to pretend I have a pretty nice voice. I was in chorus for 9 years, from second grade to senior year, minus one year that I pretended I was too cool for it. I miss it, too. One thing I love about church is getting to sing the hymns and stare at the sheet music like I know how to read it. I don't. :]

One thing I remember about chorus was the time we got to go up to Temple Square and sing. It was so beautiful, even if I did have to wear one of the worst uniforms ever to be imagined.

Singing in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, December 23, 2007.

Another angle of the JSMB. This place was gorgeous.

I even did some singing with my friends for a talent show. We had a little one night band called Sisterwife. We were a cello ensemble, with only one cello and a drummer. It was pretty awesome.

I'm the one who looks like a cracked out Dorothy. :]

Sigh. I can't wait until I am able to do something similar to this again. I miss it so much.

[What We Did] Surprise!

[Where I've Been] MIA

You may have noticed I've been missing in action for the last month or so.

I've only just gotten home from Naval Medical Center in San Diego, where I was admitted almost a week ago. Before that, I was in the hospital in Palm Springs for 4 days.

On August 28th, I had my gall bladder removed, after being in the hospital for 3 days. I remained in the hospital for another 4 days, then they sent me home. I stayed home, in bed, for just under a week before I started getting sick and dehydrated.

After going into the ER, I was transferred back to Palm Springs.

I've been through a whole lot this last month, and it could have all been prevented if the doctors in the base hospital ER would have done x-rays and listened to all of my symptoms like they're supposed to.

Needless to say, I'm a bit irritated at them. :/

Picture time!!

Watching "Supernatural" in my hospital room.

I.V. This thing hurt SO badly.

The view from my room.

My tummy, post-op.

Second I.V. This one was a bit less painful.

My new battle scar. That's where they took my gall bladder out.

Back in the hospital. New I.V.

See the bruises? :[

Husband and Bear came to see me. :]

2.5 of my 4 new scars.

I'm so ready to be healthy again. Cross your fingers that it happens soon!

[What I Love] The One He Fights For

I'm going to just let the video speak for itself.

"This is not a world for weak women." - Alexis Jovan Chervony

Semper fi, Husband. Always faithful.

Come what may.

[What I Did] 104.6

Today started off awesome. Good moods for me and Bear. Perfect lighting for pictures. To do list nearly done.

Then four p.m. rolled around. And Bear was warm. Too warm. I checked his temperature...

Yeah. Not good at all. So Becca and I loaded him up and took him to Emergency. By the time we finally got into the triage room, his temperature had raised to 105.3. The corpsman gave him some Motrin and Tylenol.

We waited, talked to the doctor, got him all checked out. Everything looked normal. No ear infection. Not teething. No red throat. Normal. But an hour after he was given the medicine, he was still burning up.

The doctor told me he wanted to get some blood work done.

We waited, Becca was asked to go to the waiting room...and the "torture" began.

My poor Little Bear was pretty much restrained by one corpsman while another attempted to take blood from his right arm. I say attempted, because Bear was SCREAMING and trying to pull his arm away. The needle came out, and blood started pouring out of his little arm. So the corpsman and I changed places, and he got it out of the left arm.

The whole time, Bear was screaming, looking at me like I was the one hurting him. He was calling for Husband, saying "Dadadada!" I was crying, I hated seeing that look on his face, in his eyes.

After they were done, they bandaged him all up, and we got to wait again.

My poor baby...I feel so horrible. We still don't know what is wrong with him. I'm so scared that it is something he picked up from me taking him out and about.

When we were finally able to leave, his temperature was down to 101.8. His blood work came back normal. I was told that if the blood culture came back odd, we would be notified. So far, nothing, so I'm assuming it's normal as well.

On our way home, Becca filled up my front driver side tire...only to discover that there is a screw in it. So tomorrow I have to go get that changed out. I'm so stressed right now. No fun.

Sigh...10 more days, and I will have Husband and Bear will have Daddy...

Sharing A Little [Love Love]

Source: etsy.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Source: 27.media.tumblr.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Source: piccsy.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

And last but not least...

Source: etsy.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

I know, I know...I post a lot about how much I love Husband. But I really do. He has changed me for the better. He loves me, no matter how much of a witch I am. He calls me "darlin'" and kisses me on the forehead. He tells me "sweet dreams" before we hang up at night. He does so many little things that make me fall in love with him even more every single day. Even when he is not here. 

I'm so lucky to have him. I can't wait to have him back.

[What I Did] Distracted

I woke up this morning with a plan. A list of things I was going to do today, because they need to be done.

1. Drop off my job application. 
2. Grab some Starbucks with that extra shot of espresso to avoid my mid-day sluggishness.
3. Go on base and check out the gym.
4. Clean out the fridge.
5. Do the dishes.
6. Tackle my mountains of laundry (both clean and dirty).
7. Sweep and mop.
8. Clean my room.
9. Work on that necklace, that painting, that chalkboard, that pillow, those granny squares...

Wanna know how much I got done?

1. Drop off my job application. 
2. Grab some Starbucks with that extra shot of espresso to avoid my mid-day sluggishness.

 Yup. I fail hardcore. But, I have a very good excuse:

"What game should I play, Darlin?"

Yeah. This handsome Devil Dog got to come home for 3 whole hours to shower and do some laundry. Definitely the best three hours I've had in almost a month. The few days he had here (July 1-July 9) were riddled with stress and irritation (both on my part). But today...Today was just what I needed.

The stomachache I've had for three days went away as soon as I saw him. I got to be held. We kissed. Everything I've needed, I got it. Just having him near me relaxes me, and trust me, I've needed to relax these last few weeks...

My guys. <3

I even snapped a few pictures. Which makes me happy. I love pictures of my guys.

I think this was a legitimate excuse for not doing my list, don't you?

Needs sleep.

Even though he did get his smallpox in my hair. :/

I took him back, came home...then turned around and went back on base to find him. He forgot his laundry. Silly Husband. So after a "Duh" and a smile and about a zillion air kisses, we sadly parted ways for another two weeks.

Marine Bear playing with his ducky squeaker.

Husband left one of his boonie covers here for Bear to love on and play with while he's in the field. Bear does enjoy playing with his Daddy's hats. :]

Sigh...Here's to completing my list tomorrow!

[If I Had...] A Sewing Machine

Or talent to use one. Either way, really.

This is what I would do:

Source: jaynsarah.blogspot.com via aarin on Pinterest

Source: sewingin-nomansland.blogspot.com via Elise on Pinterest

Source: alisaburke.blogspot.com via Elise on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Sher on Pinterest

Eventually...Sigh...

What would do you if you had a sewing machine? Already have one? What would you do if you had more time to use it?

[What I Did] Mall Trip

So I've decided I don't do enough "everyday life" posts. It seems like all I do is crochet and complain and listen to music. No more, I say! Now, I will be a human being who goes out and does things.

Like this:

At the mall with Becca and Toni.

And this:

Olive Garden. Yummy <3

And some more of this:

I love the glasses I'm wearing. They have Cookie Monster on them.

I'm finally having fun here in 29.

I've met and become friends with these two awesome girls:

Olive Garden!

We do crazy things, like make rainbow cupcakes and color our hair pink and purple and blue, and hang out till 12:30 in the morning. Plus, our Marines all work in the same shop, so we get to hang out as a group as soon as Mojave Viper is over with. Yeah!

Friends rock. :]

Source: google.co.uk via Anna on Pinterest

Top: Shade
Glasses in Photos 1 + 3: Hot Topic 

[What's Your Song?] One Of Us

I'm stressing. I'm angry. I wanna hit something. Or someone.

There's been a lot of girl drama here lately. I don't do drama very well, and it's making me wanna close myself off and ignore the world.

I know I shouldn't judge. But there are somethings in this world that I don't respect, and if you do those things, I don't respect you. Just how I am. How I've always been.

I tell people how I feel. I don't hold back. You want honesty, I'm going to give it to you.

But then I have to think...Who am I to judge you? It's not my job. I can't help it, though, if someone drags me into the middle of the situation.

This song is a good one for me, I think. It makes me remember to be more...I dunno. Better, I guess. If that makes sense.

Yes. It's Glee. I love Glee. :]

Here's to a better week.

Ciao.

[Love Love] From Mojave Viper (Via Someone Else)

I love when people with Husband are capable of accessing our wonderful world of Facebook from out in the middle of the horrid desert.

Hilarity ensues.

[While Husband's Away] Journal and Photo Challenges

Husband left for Mojave Viper today. I'm distraught.

He'll be gone for just under a month (or so, it's all really on a need-to-know basis). But to keep me busy and distracted, I'll be doing some photo and journal challenges, as well as a [While Husband's Away] photo journal, which will have a photo of both me and Bear every day while Husband is gone to Mojave Viper and when he deploys to Afghanistan in September.

I'll be sharing some of the stuff on here, but if you want to keep up, feel free to friend me on Facebook, just make sure you mention you're a follower of Confessions of a Marine Wife.

Challenge prompt sources:
30 Day Journal Challenge prompts: Run With Scissors
100 Day Photo Challenge prompts: found on a friend's Facebook page.

And now, I would like to share our Day 1 photos from my [While Husband's Away] photo album:

Mojave Viper Day 1. Hat hair and cry eyes.

Mojave Viper Day 1. Bear and Seahorsey ready for nap time.

That's it for now.

Ciao!

[What's Your Song?] Miss You Love

I'm gonna get sad and sappy on you.

This song is one of the ones on rotation when my husband is gone. I think it speaks for me perfectly.

Lyric I love best (because it fits us to a t):
"Your t-shirt's lost its smell of you
And the bathroom's still a mess
Remind me why we decided this was for the best"

Ciao!

[What I Did] Welcome Home, Daddy

So Husband is going to be home soon (either today or tomorrow), and I wanted to have a totally unique "Welcome Home" banner. So I painted it on my wall. :]

Yup, it's a chalkboard. A TURQUOISE chalkboard. I made the paint myself. I'm pretty proud. :]

It's in my dining/craft room, so when he sits down to eat the nommy chicken pot pie and vegan cupcakes I'm going to make him, he's going to see it and go "Aw, Darlin...You missed the edges." To which I will reply "Hon, you have to do SOMETHING. I'm not going to do all the decorating myself." Because I'm nice like that.

What do you think?

Ciao!