Pages

Sunday, July 28, 2013

VEDA: Video Every Day in August

I attempted VEDA in April, but I was not as prepared as I should had been. I didn't have enough ideas. So, I have decided to use my new planner from Much Ado About You.  I have already got half of the month filled up...now just to fill the rest of the month up with ideas.

If you have any suggestions, you can go ahead and leave them below.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Container Store *Mini Haul*

I had done a previous haul from the Container Store during the Travel Sale, but I still wanted a couple more items. The big item I really wanted was the Digital Luggage Scale. Even if you buy it once (for $19.99) it could save you starting at $25 for overage fees. It could start adding up if you travel a lot. Here is the video followed by the links below. The sale ended in June, but I believe it is an annual sale which starts about the end of April/beginning of May and continues through May and June.



Mini Sprayers: http://www.containerstore.com/shop/travel/bottlesMedication?productId=10024894&N=253&Nao=20&Ns=p_price_sort%7C0

Mini Locking Spray Bottle: http://www.containerstore.com/shop/travel/bottlesMedication?productId=10029777&N=253&Nao=0&Ns=p_price_sort%7C0

Critter (Penguin) Luggage Tag: http://www.containerstore.com/shop/travel/security?productId=10019959&N=254&Ns=p_price_sort%7C0

Digital Luggage Scale: http://www.containerstore.com/shop/travel/travelEssentials?productId=10024933&N=257&Nao=40&Ns=p_price_sort%7C0

These are not the sale prices, but they are the links to the products.

*All of these products were bought with my own money. I was not compensated in any way.*

Thursday, July 11, 2013

I didn't...but I did.

I do not breast feed my son, but I sure did try! I pumped but he was a hungry little fellow and I couldn't pump long because I could only do one at a time, and he would eat that up so quickly! I had to stop. In the hospital he wouldn't latch on. When he did, he would fall asleep after two sucks. Than wonder why he was hungry. I had to give him a bottle or he would had starved.

But I do co-sleep (he sleeps in his crib in my room but sometimes we bed share), wear him (when he lets me...lol), cloth diaper, plan on extended rear facing, and he wears amber.

I don't prop his bottle. He hold him each time he eats, even if he's sitting next to me. If I'm not, he is holding the bottle. The bottle is in somebody's hand when he eats.

I feed him on demand. When he wants food, I give it to him. I do less him fuss/whine but not when he is full on crying. People say "it's good for his lungs". But it's not good for my heart to hear him cry like that. Even if he wants to be held, I try my best to give it to him. Sometimes, it's as simple as a change of clothes.

I honestly hating looking at "natural" blogs because they all promote breastfeeding. I am for it, but I feel so guilty I couldn't. I know I shouldn't and some days I am glad (like when I don't need to pump but have formula for "daycare"). It still makes me feel guilty about not being able to past 3 weeks and not 2 years.

But I hate reading "mainstream" blogs because they want the baby to sleep in another room, feed on schedule, push in a stroller all the time, and not always give into cries. I am not like that. I have always been a mom who loves to hold her little one. Not one for "convenience".

I am in a tough spot because I am partly one side, but mostly the other side, but not the "main" part. It makes it hard when you look at a "natural" magazine and it's 90% breastfeeding. I wish people would see and makes things for more people like me.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

I Want to Cloth Diaper But...

It kind of bothers me when people say "I want to cloth diaper but..."


  • ...I don't have the upfront costs.
  • ...My partner doesn't want to.
  • ...I have to deal with poop.
  • ...I don't have a washer or dryer.
  • ...I'm too overwhelmed!
I will admit that cloth diapering can seem daunting, but after you start doing some research on simple sites such as Dirty Diaper Laundry. I will break down each one of these excuses and hopefully this will help you if you are saying, "But..."

"I don't have the upfront costs."

Cloth diapering does not have to be all or nothing. You could buy a diaper here or a diaper there. If you are still pregnant, buy a diaper or two every paycheck (or once a month). If you do this instead of buying a pack of disposables, your money will go long ways.
If you are in need, there are diaper banks such as Giving Diapers, Giving Hope.
If you are not pregnant, vow to replace one pack of disposables diapers with one cloth diaper (will last much longer). If you buy your diapers at Target, they do sell Charlie Bananas in store. You do have to start somewhere. Every disposable that you don't use is one step closer to their goal.

"My partner doesn't want to."

If you can convince your partner that you will be saving money for them, that might change their minds! Plus, you will probably be the one changing most, if not all, of the diapers! Try to explain that is what you want and they don't have to change diapers if they don't want to. But once they see how much trash it has eliminated and how cute the diapers can be, it would definitely help!

"I have to deal with poop."

No matter what, you have to deal with poop. I have used disposables and I will have to admit that I have had to deal with more poop with "poop-splosions" than with cloth. Exclusively breastfed baby's poop is completely water soluble. Plus, you wash the poopy clothes in the washer with your other clothes so your washing poop with it anyways. I would rather deal with a poopy diaper than a poopy outfit.

"I don't have a washer or a dryer."

Every year, Dirty Diaper Laundry posts a challenge about Flats and Handwashing. You can handwash (I know...gasp!). I have not personally done it, but I have heard many good things about it, including how easy it can be. Using flats are also cheaper and you can use practically anything. You can also use a laundromat's washer and dryer every couple of days. It might seem costly, but it is still cheaper than disposables in the long run.

"I'm too overwhelmed."

In my opinion, all parents are overwhelmed. Whether you are working, going to school, or just staying home, there are still things to be overwhelmed with. Sometimes disposables can seem like a good idea, but is throwing out all the trash, including the stinkies? A load of laundry can be a nice break for 5 minutes. It could also motivate you to get your laundry done because you're already going there so why not make it for all of your laundry?

All of these are my own opinion and I know other people might disagree. But remember, you must ultimately choose what is right and best for you family. It was right for ours to use cloth to save money, but do use disposables (which are bought by his grandmother) for unexpected overnight trips. I hope these have helped you in not to make excuses.

Remember, it starts with one.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Drama Being A Single Mom

It's hard being a single mother with all the drama that it entails.

This post is really personal and I will not give out names.

His father wants to not see him until my son asks where he is because his father cannot handle babies. He doesn't want to be with me because it doesn't work. And he says he has no money but still continues to buy all this stuff for a teddy bear (Duffy) which he got mad at me for before I got pregnant when I did the same thing.

We have a child to raise together and he really doesn't want anything to do with us. He wants to "pursue" his dreams" and we are not included. He wants to see about joint custody, but my son is only 5 months old. He is in Florida and I am in Texas.

Some things in life are not alwas what they seem. I am happy on the outside but so stressed with going to school, dealing with a son who can be quite cranky and wanting his way sometimes, and dealing with "baby daddy" drama. That is mostly why I haven't updated: because life is a lot of pressure now and I don't want to include any specific names.