Sometimes I get teary-eyed!

Do your children ever make you cry? I don't mean that in a bad way, I mean do they ever make you so overwhelmed that tears just fill your eyes & leak out?

I had that happen on the drive to school this morning. We have a Dodge Durango, so all 3 boys are on a bench seat together. We have a 6 disk changer CD player with slots 3,4,5 and 6 filled with permanent selections. There are 3 CDs of silly kids songs I got as a shower gift 6 years ago and the Classic Grease Soundtrack. We don't listen to the CDs all that often, maybe only once a week or so. I tend to keep the radio on KLOVE and we do a lot of talking and word games. Most mornings I like the boys to take in the beauty of nature and chit chat with me.

But, my boys LOVE some of the songs from Grease. Let's be real, doesn't everyone love the songs from Grease. (Just a heads up, there are a lot of songs that are inappropriate for children on the Grease Soundtrack, so be careful.) Our favorite is "The Hound Dog," followed by "The Hand Jive" and lastly "The Silly Song" aka "We go together". So, we crank these up. Sometimes full blast! Our drive is mostly country roads, so we are pretty well alone for most of the drive. I do turn the music down to a descent level as we enter town! ;)

This morning was one of those mornings. Everyone was buckled in and we were on our way out of town when Carson asked for The Hound Dog. So I found the song and turned it up. I get a little silly when we turn the music up, and true to my nature, I started some serious hand movements. I often wonder what the car behind me is thinking, but I really don't care. It helps the boys get silly and when I glanced in the review mirror, what I saw took my breath away and made my eyes tear up. All 3 boys with serious smiles were jammin' away! Singing to each another & laughing with each other!

Don't get me wrong, I don't care if they love the movie Grease when they are grown and I don't care if they still love the soundtrack. I love that they will remember when we drove to school in those early years that their mom would turn the music on full blast, clap, sing and act silly with them. I remember my dad doing the same thing with us when we were little. I wonder if we ever took his breath away. My theory is a fun memory stacked on a fun memory will create a happy, fun-filled life! Just what I have and what I want for my boys!

So, what do you do to create those fun memories?

The ABCs of Year 1 ~ Baby book #2

"You have craft ADD!" 

This was a comment from my husband several weeks ago. I really couldn't take offense to it, as it's true. :) You know what else, I don't care! I have stacks of half finished crafts all over the place but, honestly, what serious crafter doesn't? I finish things now and then, but not on a real regular basis.

So, I wanted to brag about the fact that I have finished the middle's baby book. I gave it to him back in October. It was on his 4th birthday, so really, I am only about 3 years late. (I finally added the last photo when I printed out our Christmas cards, because somehow I missed getting 1 printed in October). But you know the saying "Better late than never". I figure when he is 10 or 20 or even 30 showing his own little ones, he won't remember that it took me so long. He loves it already, and already the little guy is wondering when his is going to be done - I have until December before he turns 4, but I make no promises!

Anyhow, without further ado... The ABC's of Year 1

 

(& yes, I realize it has been since last October since I posted in my blog....)

Charlie Banana One Size Pocket Cloth Diaper Overview

Charlie Banana One Size Pocket Cloth Diaper Overview Video

• Only available in snap closure
• Features a crossover snap for a snug fit on babies as small as 7 pounds
• Pocket opening is in the front
• Liner is 100% Polyester Fleece
• Comes with 2 microfiber inserts
• Adjusted by "bra-style" brackets and elastic in leg openings
• Wide elastic in back waist area
• Hybrid - Allows for disposable insert by Charlie Banana
• Many colors and prints to choose from
• Made by Winc, Inc. in China - donates 1% of all sales to Operation Smile

& now for the video...

Fuzzibunz vs. bumGenius

I think it is safe to say the 2 most popular brands of One Size Pocket Diapers are Fuzzibunz and bumGenius, but what causes moms to choose one over the other? Let's take a look at the differences and similarities of the Fuzzibunz One Size Pocket Diaper and the bumGenius 4.0 Pocket Diaper...

First of all, they look similar. Beyond the placement of the snaps which we will discuss later, they really look pretty much the same:

Fuzzibunz                                            bumGenius

But, don't be fooled by apperances, the only things these diapers share is being One Size, Pocket Diapers and having a Snap Closure! With a ton of small differences, you would think one would become more popular, but both diapers really are loved by all! Some moms prefer one over the other, and some moms have a nice stash of each! So, on to the differences:

Fuzzibunz is a snap only diaper, they do not come in a hook and look version. BumGenius, on the other hand, can be either a snap or hook and look closure. The hook and loop closure still has the snaps on the front for size adjustments, but closes at the waist with a hook and loop. The size adjustment is probably the biggest difference between the two. The Fuzzibunz uses the leg and back elastic to pull the diaper tighter for a little one. Then the lower "hip snap" can be snapped more or less tightly to allow for a snug fit at the thigh. All Fuzzibunz come with a replacement set of elastics which are easily changed out when the current set losses its stretch. The bumGenius use a 3x3 snap placement on the front of the diaper to fold down and snap for a smaller diaper. You can buy a refresh kit to replace both the elastic and hook and loop for $1.00, but as the elastic is not stretched like the Fuzzibunz, this is not a big deal.

      

Fuzzibunz                                                  bumGenius                   

The pocket opening on the Fuzzibunz is all the way at the top of the diaper, and there is no flap to fold over the pocket opening. The bumGenius starts about an inch into the diaper and has a flap to fold over the pocket opening. The Fuzzibunz diaper is about an inch thinner in between the legs, which makes for a trimmer fit, but also makes it a bit more difficult to stuff the inserts. It is not hard, just not as easy to stuff as the bumGenius.

With a polar-fleece inner, the Fuzzibunz is the softer of the two, but it is also thicker because of this inner. The fleece is also very stain resistant. The bumGenius is a microsuede which is a thinner material which is still very soft. The Fuzzibunz inner runs all the way from the front to back, while the bumGenius has a "waterproof insert stopper" at the front to help keep belly leaks at bay.

Both the Fuzzibunz and bumGenius One Size Pocket Diapers come in a variety of fun colors. At the present time (July 2011) Fuzzibunz has 14 colors. BumGenius has 12 colors and 5 fun prints.

Fuzzibunz                                                                 bumGenius    

All in all, there are quite a few subtle differences that make the Fuzzibunz One Size Pocket Diaper and the bumGenius 4.0 Pocket Diaper unique. Still, they run neck in neck for popularity, and many moms cannot pick one over the other. How do you decide? Put them both on that baby botton & see for yourself!

Cloth Diaper Cakes

As you know, I am a WAHM. I do have the luxury of working a couple days a week alone while my boys spend time with their grandparents, but between running a business and running after 3 boys, my crafting days have come to an end! Occasionally I get to pull out my yarn or my scrapbooks & spend a little time doing what comes natural to me, but not very often.

So, it was with GREAT pleasure that I pulled out some supplies and assembled these cloth diaper cakes using unbleached indian prefolds. The small one is 6 infant prefolds & 3 Thirsties wipes, perfect to introduce a new mom to cloth. The medium has 12 prefolds and 6 wipes which will start a nice stash of prefolds. The large is 24 prefolds, 6 wipes and 3 Thirsties duo wrap covers, a good amount to get started in the world of cloth diapering. I am planning to continue my crafting with a Kissaluvs Cloth Diaper Cake, a Fuzzibunz Cloth Diaper Cake, a bumGenius Cloth Diaper Cake and a Flip Cloth Diaper Cake. Who knows where it will lead? If you are interested in a cake from a specific type of diaper or accessory, just let me know. I can always work up something special just for you!

Imagine how cute this prefold cloth diaper cake will look in the middle of the gift table at a baby shower. Or how much fun it would be to present this to a mom you know has been wanting to try cloth but has been hesitating! If you are already using cloth diapers or plan to do so when your baby is born, the cloth diaper cake makes a wonderful conversation starter, so why not get one to put on your table while you await your own bundle of joy?

Large

Medium

Small

The Benefits of Babywearing

There are tons of studies on the benefits of wearing your baby - from the day of birth on! Soon after baby is born, many moms feel they do not get a single minute to "do" anything. Don't mind we are always doing something! Snuggle your baby in a Moby Wrap or Dolcino and be hands-free. When you feel like you need to get something done, do it together. Experts suggest another great reason to start carrying early is to help ease your muscles into the extra weight of a toddler.

Studies seem to focus on the benefits of carring a newborn. I am one of those mama's who can't resist a newborn snuggled up against my chest, so it has always seemed natrual to me. And, with so many health benefits (see below), I had the perfect excuse if I needed one. I LOVE to wear my boys. But, I am only 5'1" and my littlest is getting to long. No to heavy, with my Moby Wrap, the weight is distributed so well, I do not have any trouble carring his 27 pounds - even for several hours at the hilly zoo.

While at the zoo, we turned our stroller into a sit & stand, meaning the 2 older boys can get in and out of the stroller by themselves, which makes the little one think he can too. Besides running him down or belting him in, both of which caused a major meltdown, the only other solution was to wear him. He loved it! He could see everything the big boys could see & then some. My husband loved the lightened stroller load & I loved the bonding time! WIN, WIN, WIN. In this video, you will see another reason why worn babies get to learn more. They just experience more. If I didn't have him in the Moby, I would have left him belted in the stroller to stay with Dad. But, this way he went right up to the giraffe with us (check out the concentration on his face)!



A few reasons why it is so healthy:

1. Babies cry about 50% less on average. This benefit alone is worth it to me!
2. Babies spend more time in the quiet alert stage, ideal for learning.
3. Babies feel secure and become independent at an earlier age.
4. The upright position aids in babies digestion.
5. The upright position helps baby adapt to life in the real world.

A few reasons why it is necessary:

1. Mom actually has 2 hands to get things done.
2. You choose who touches your baby when you are out & about.
3. Helps curb post-partum depression by being close to baby but not having to interact
4. Allows for discreet nursing.
5. Created confidence as baby is calm and content

Testing the Affiliate Program

Just wanting to test the affiliate program.