Getting back in the Groove!!

My goodness look at the time!! I haven't posted since January. Well, having a baby and then her being sick and life flighted to Denver twice among several other visits along with three other kiddos will do that for you so I don't know about you but, I'm going to cut myself a break! :o)
Most of you have seen some of these but here are just a few current pictures as an update.

I'll try to keep this updated better!  However, again a grain of salt because I am single momming it with four kids, working full time, and going to school! I will graduate in May then what will I do with all my time?! Ha!

37 weeks. 17 days to go!

 We went Monday for an ultrasound and baby Brenna Kenzie is perfect!! She is weighing in at six pounds.  I am predicting a 7 to 7.5lb baby girl in the next 17 days!!
I have hit a bit of a wall in that I am ready to have my body back, meet my little girl, and terrified at the same time that I only have two weeks to get everything done, cleaned, and ready.
I get to go for a pregnancy massage tomorrow (much needed) and am hoping that will help me relax and just get through the next 17 days!

35 weeks and counting! 27 days or less to go!

Ok so I am 35 weeks and three days. We will be inducing on Feb 6th unless she makes her debut early (hoping not)! Ultrasound next week to estimate size. Can't wait!
I've gained 23 lbs so far. Not bad and a far cry from my 40 with Reagan! Just maybe I'll have a baby under eight pounds this time!

Random & Christmas photos

I am hoping this finds all of you happy from the holidays! We had a nice quiet Christmas and new years. Good thing too since things are about to get extremely busy in less than five weeks with the impending arrival of our new baby girl, Brennan Kenzie on February 6th!
Here ate a few photos of the kiddos, taken with my new toy - an iPad 2!

Ipad skin link

Just bought a great skin for my iPad 2 on SkinAT.cc
It's the giving tree!

Cloth Diapering - Courtney Style

Ok, I have had a bunch of questions, now that I am having another baby, how I do cloth diapers.  I will first say, I don't know everything or even close about cloth diapers and this is my way, customized to my wants and needs so please keep that in mind.

Here is the best explanation and list I can get you although this will probably still leave some questions and it might be helpful to come to my house, if possible, or ask me, to see some of the things and how they work before you order.

First I use the gdiapers.  I have converted all mine to snap closures (removed the Velcro) to avoid the piling in the wash.  They do offer disposable inserts or you can buy cloth inserts. I actually commissioned someone to sew inserts for me (since I don't sew a lick) based off the dimensions of their cloth inserts. If you sew it might be best for you to make them.  I will try to post a picture of mine so you can see the stitching. They did special stitching in the middle to help keep the flow in. Ok, so you need to start with a base of gdiapers though, this should include about 12 to 24 diapers (depending on how often you want to do wash). They should come with the plastic liners already when you buy them. The insert options will be up to you. They are weight rated so depending on how much baby weighs will determine which size you get. I never got to the larges with Reagan she went from smalls to mediums (lasted a long time) to potty training.

On top of the cloth inserts I use these liners (I refused to do the spray and wash poop diapers) – they wick the moisture through to the cloth insert and the poopies stay on top so you can just remove the liner and either toss or flush them (they are flushable).  This helps to keep the messy ones so that when changing the diapers most often all you have to change is the insert and not the outside cover every time! These are the ones I use. http://www.diapers.com/p/kushies-flushable-biodegradable-diaper-liners-1-roll-6472

Next you will need wet bags. These are bags that are machine washable and made to go in your diaper bag, car, diaper pail to hold the dirtied diapers until you get home or wash time.  I have a medium size one for my diaper bag, a large one for longer trips and I have one I got on etsy.com custom made for my pail.  I much prefer the zippered kind to the pull string ones to help contain odor and moisture although my one for my diaper pail is pull string. This one is similar to what I have in my diaper bag. http://www.diapers.com/p/itzy-ritzy-wet-happened-zippered-wet-bag-hollywood-blue-26235 Keep in mind these wetbags can sometimes be found for better prices we will need to keep an eye out. Look on etsy.com for zippered wet bag. I use these even now for Reagan’s potty training when she has an accident or when I take the kids swimming etc., anytime we have wet clothes.  They are worth investing in.

I also use cloth wipes. There are a variety you can get, my favorite are from etsy.com for price and quantity. You can either buy or make solution to spray on them when using or just use a spray bottle with plain water. I usually add just a tiny bit of baby wash to my mix. Any spray bottle will do. Or you can find a number of options on diapers.com or etsy.com here is one http://www.etsy.com/listing/75737200/wipe-solution-spray-for-cloth-wipes?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=spray&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Fchildren

If you are planning on having another baby I would invest in the more neutral color diapers….I got lucky that I am having another girl because I have a lot of pink, purple etc.  If this had been a boy poor guy would be in those diapers.  This is an investment for not only for your current child but your next one(s) and then to resell on ebay!  You will get some of your money back as they do keep their value if taken care of.

Also, you will need to use non scented, no dye detergent. My favorite to use are these (I actually now use them for all our laundry) http://www.amazon.com/Dropps-Laundry-Scent-Enzyme-Free-20-load/dp/B001N447OM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1324574641&sr=8-4

 

This is also a good site for the wetbags and a few other items to look at. You can use code checklist to get 10% off your entire order.

www.kellyscloset.com

It sounds like a lot but once you get your system together and going it is actually pretty simple. One other hint, I did buy one package of the disposable inserts for the gdiapers so I can always have one or two on hand in case we are out and about and I need fast changing option or don’t have my wet bag or any other circumstance so I can just throw the disposable away.  I didn’t use them often and ended up with a few left over but it was nice to have the option.  Also, if you sew you can look up gdiaper insert on etsy.com you can buy a pattern although, as I stated above, I would urge you to look at the stitching on mine as it worked really well! I also have two or three inserts I had made for night time that allow for another insert inside to last longer. These make the baby look a little like bubble butt mcgee but hey it works! Ha-ha  Ok, sorry one more thing, you might look into getting the starter kit of gdiapers on diapers.com but adding to your supply by buying a lot on ebay to get more than 12 or so to have on hand. I think I had 20 – 24 at any given time but I slowly amassed those due to cost, started with 12 and just didn’t want to do laundry every two days for diapers.

 Look around and search online, good deals can be found to reduce startup cost, much can be done on your own (cloth spray etc.) for minimal cost.  Use retailmenot.com to check every website you order from for coupon codes and feel free to ask me with any questions.

29 weeks and counting

29 weeks, two days.  Have gained 14 pounds total. Baby's heart beat is in the 130's, measuring well. All is good. Just counting down the weeks!