The Diaper Is Finally Finished!

A few weeks ago I posted about making a cloth diaper using the Rita's Rump Pocket pattern. I couldn't figure out how to put the elastic in, so I put the project on hold.

Until today.

A fellow cloth diapering momma on BabyCenter posted a link to this tutorial. The directions are well-written and easy to understand as long as you look closely at the pictures. I love the idea of using a safety pin to pull the elastic through the casing; it makes it easy to guide it through, and tacking it down at the end is wonderful.

Since this was my first time doing it, I didn't know how large or small to make the leg openings. They ended up being a bit too large, but I'm sure Monkey will grow into them.

The Mommy Club

Children have this odd way of touching every part of our lives. It's wonderful, but it can be frustrating at times as well. Yes, there are some things I have to miss out on, but those are generally few and far between, and the time spent with my husband and daughter more than makes up for what being a mommy prevented me from doing.

But that's not what this post is about. This post is about the biggest blessing my daughter has given me (aside from the blessing of being her mommy). She's given me friends.

What started as a quest to find playmates for Monkey has turned into me meeting a wonderful group of women that I've become very close to. Our daughters (yes, they're all moms of girls; I have yet to meet any moms of boys near Monkey's age) are all under 8 months old, and we're all first time moms. That means we're all learning the same lessons, and that makes it very easy to come out of my shell and really connect with these women.

 I've always been painfully shy. I was picked on in youth group, and had the same small group of friends from fifth grade until we graduated from high school. I loved them, and I still do, but the only other one that's a mommy lives 3 states away.

Becoming a mommy has changed all that. I'm now a member of MOPS at our church (teehee, I even got a gift card to a local restaurant when a pediatric dentist came and spoke to the group. I was the newest mommy, Monkey was only 7 weeks old). Monkey and I tend to have at least one playdate a week, usually with Anna and Smiley, but we've been meeting with other moms and babies as well. Yesterday my new friend Georgina brought her daughter Clara (who is about 2 weeks older than Monkey) over for playtime. Monkey and Clara played and "talked" while Georgina and I watched Gilmore Girls, talked diapers, feeding schedules, introducing solids ... you know, all that good mom stuff. We really enjoyed having them over!

I've also met one other full-time cloth diapering momma! It was so wonderful to meet someone that enjoys diapering as much as I do. She works full time, so we don't get together that often, but it's still nice to know she's got more experience, and that if I need to I can call her and get help troubleshooting any diapering issues we run into.

I love my daughter so much, and I am so grateful for the wonderful women that she's introduced me to.

Product Reviews

I'd love to start doing product reviews! If you know of anyone seeking an honest, unbiased opinion on their product, or if you have a product you'd like me to review, please contact me.

It's Amazing What A Vacuum Can Do

Confession time: I've never been a fan of vacuums. Until I started using them, when I was about 12, I was terrified of them. I would leave the room, or even leave the house, whenever my mom started that evil sucker up. Now that I'm all grown up, I honestly don't vacuum nearly as often as I should, but Monkey has proven that she can move herself around, so I'll have to start doing this most dreaded task daily.

In fact, just this morning I vacuumed the living room. It made such a huge difference! First off, I had to pick all the toys and blankets up off the floor, and then getting all the yucky stuff that we drag around the house just transformed the room! Yes, it's still cluttered, especially the table and the couch, but it looks so so so much cleaner!

I really do feel more relaxed and like a better wife and mom when my house feels clean and is somewhat tidy (I don't like everything to be perfect, because what fun is that?). I feel like I'm more able to focus on having fun with my daughter and like HubbyButt can come home from work and relax and focus on his family, rather than trying to find somewhere to sit down.

Works For Me Wednesday

This is gonna be a quick one! When Monkey gets hungry, she thinks she's going to starve to death. Unfortunately, her formula has to sit for 5 minutes after being mixed, to allow the rice starch to settle and thicken. While we're waiting for her bottle to be ready, I change her toosh. 5 minutes is the perfect amount of time for a diaper change, and she generally forgets how hungry she is during her time on the changing table.

That's what works for me this Wednesday, what works for you?

Sunday Update

 Goals For This Week
Prepare and stick to a meal plan
Clean and organize the kitchen
Clean and organize our closet
Clean and organize the laundry area
Slim down to 220 pounds
Keep up with Bible and Bible study readings
Take lots and lots of pictures of Monkey, HubbyButt and myself (I'll never be done with this one!)

So, I didn't stick to my goals for the week, but I did get other stuff done!

Update on Cleaning Goals

On Monday, HubbyButt and I got our room totally clean.

 It's now much more functional! I finally got HubbyButt to move the DVD player and PlayStation from our bedroom to the living room. The bookshelf in the first picture is now between our bed and the entertainment center, and it's totally organized, there's nothing spilling out of it now!

I WILL be tackling our closet this week, it's a disaster!

I also got the kitchen organized, but forgot to take before and after

pictures. I moved all the spices, baking supplies and bread to the pantry so the cats can't get to them, then I organized the kitchen rack with all the mixing and serving bowls. Pots and pans are still in a lower cabinet, but they are organized. The biggest surprise in completing this task was finding about 100 bags of popcorn! Yes, we eat a lot of popcorn, but not THAT much! Guess what we'll be snacking on? Can you say, "Date night?"


Update on Weight Loss Goals

Anna and I walked about 15 miles this week. I've been drinking a lot of water and a lot of Crystal Light, but I did have a few sodas. I gained .4 pounds this week and am now at 225. I really think it's muscle, as my clothes are fitting a lot better than they were two week ago. Monkey is still 13 pounds.

Update on Christ-relationship Goals

I am keeping up with my reading, and am on pace to read the whole Bible in 88 days (no, I'm not two days ahead, there are two grace days in the reading plan). Leviticus and Numbers were extremely difficult to complete, but I got through it with God's help!

Update on our Sam's Club Purchases

I didn't cook anything new this week, so these are unchanged from last week.

Goals For This Week

Prepare and stick to a meal plan
Clean and organize our closet
Clean and organize the laundry area
Slim down to 223 pounds (5 pound was not realistic, 2 is)
Keep up with Bible and Bible study readings
Take lots and lots of pictures of Monkey, HubbyButt and myself
Maintain the rooms I've already got clean and organize

 That's my Sunday Update and updated goals! What are your goals for this week?

It's Fit Friday!!

As I mentioned previously, my friend Anna and I started walking again this week. And did we ever! We logged nearly 16 miles between two walks! On Wednesday, we walked from a local lake to the zoo, about 3.75 miles each way. It was gorgeous, and I was so proud of myself for walking all that way, while pushing a stroller even!

We made it to the zoo!!! Next time, we might even go in!

Today, we met at a different local park and walked about half way to the NEXT park. Oh my goodness. I think it was around 4 (maybe 5) miles each way. I looked it up on Google Maps, but it refused to cooperate, so I'm just guessing here. I'm super sore and slightly sunburned, but really really proud of myself for sticking it out and just doing it!

It's amazing how easy it is to do things that are good for you, once you stop complaining and start smiling. What's something healthy you did this week, and how do you feel? Tell me in the comments! *Someone please please comment, I'm beginning to feel like I'm talking to myself here!*