Campbell's Cloth Diapers

I know what you're thinking. I'm either a hippie or crazy...and maybe I am, but I'm hoping to put some real effort into this cloth diapering thing. I have been researching it for, well, too long. I feel like an expert and I have never even done it before (with the exception of this kid I babysat one time). Cloth diapering ain't your mommas kind of cloth diapering though...although, if you want it to be it can be. They have CD (cloth diapers) now that are as easy to use as disposables. With the exception of you having to clean them! hehe. Washing CDs seems to be the only downfall of doing it. However, I have read of many-a-cloth diapering mom that says you're doing so much laundry anyway, you hardly notice one more load.

I wont go into all the different kinds of CDs that are out there. That would just take too long. I am going to tell you what kind of CD I will be trying out on Campbell though. Our little girl already has 8 CD. Ours aren't the kind that are as easy as disposables. I didn't really want that kind because while they are easy, after the child pees/poos in them, they have to be washed and cannot be used again. I will be using prefolds, or what we know as burp cloths, and diaper covers. These cost less money than the easy kind and the diaper covers can be used over and over again without being washed (given your child doesn't get poo on them, and they might). Prefolds, however, are what the child pees/poos in. They contain the mess and are changed at every diaper change. I don't know if that makes since or not, but I hope it does. The great thing about prefolds is you can get a dozen for the price of one really easy to use CDs. The more CDs you are able to purchase, the longer you can go without washing (although it's not highly recommended to go more than 3 days). And frankly, I don't consider myself a person who loves to do laundry. I will be purchasing 2 doz. prefolds and will hopefully only do laundry every other day. Now might be a good time to show some pictures of how prefolds and diaper covers work....

This is what a prefold looks like when it's used as a diaper. The little yellow thing holding it together is called a Snappi. It's what replaced the pins that our moms and G-ma's used.
There is a vast array of CD covers out there. The two I have chosen to use are called Booroi and Fleece Soakers (which were made by a woman in Charlestown, IN...not too far from Louisville).
These Booroi covers go right over the prefold pictured above.
Here is a sad little picture of our stash of Booroi (by the way, dont ask me how to pronounce that word...I don't know?!). I got all neutral colors because I plan to use these on future babies. And yes, I diapered the Teddy Bear....make something of it.
And here are the fleece soakers I ordered from Monster Fluff Studios. These are not so gender neutral, because it's a lot of fun buying little girl things!!! haha
I hope to use the cow print and the gray one very early on. These also just get pulled up over the prefold. Now that I've covered what we are using to CD Campbell, I want to give you just a couple of reasons WHY I plan to CD.

The main reason, for us, is because of the $$ money. As I have mentioned, I do not like spending money. I especially don't like spending money on something I know I will be throwing away within a few hours. Some people I know (ackhem, Sarah) spend next to nothing on their disposables, and if I were a coupon queen I might be able to pull that off too...but Im not. The average kid will go through $1,600 worth of disposables before potty training around 2 years old. By the end of my CD purchasing, I will spend probably close to $400 total. Maybe a bit more for cute prints and stuff. But the thing about that $400 dollars is that it's a one time cost. Sure I am buying these for Campbell, but I am also buying them for our future children. Spread $400 over 3 or 4 kids and that's $100ish to diaper each kid. I don't know about you, but I like those numbers. Nuff said.

The second most important reason I want to CD is because of the chemicals found in disposables. Sadly I haven't done a ton of research on this, but I do know that disposables contain trace amounts of Dioxin. That is a chemical used in the process of bleaching paper. It's a carcinogenic chemical linked to cancer and is banned in most countries. Nuff said.

And the last reason I want to CD is because of the environmental effects of disposables. For one, no one is sure how long in takes a disposable to decompose, but it's estimated to be between 200-500 yrs. Um....that means your children's great grandchildren, etc, etc. will be dealing with that waste someday. No thanks. Also, disposables are the third largest consumer item in landfills. In a house with one child in diapers, disposables make up 50% of that households waste. Nuff said. Here is where I got all my facts.

So that is my cloth diapering tangent. I don't look down on anyone who uses disposables. I think every family is different and CD for some people is just not doable. I'm not saying I will never use a disposable either...I think to say that would be borderline crazy and unrealistic. I am saying that we have already made a conscious decision that our family will make a valiant effort to CD as much as we possibly can. Here are some links to learn more about CD:

Cotton Babies
Mom's Milk Boutique
Green Mountain Diapers (great because it shows pictures of baby's in all the products)
And I find searching CD on You Tube really helpful.

Cheap Decor!

So we needed some wall art for Campbell's room, but frankly I hate spending a ton of money of stuff like that. Well, really I hate spending a ton of money on anything. So for a mere $15 bucks, Campbell's got 4 painted canvases, a bow holder, and I was able to use some left over supplies to put little touches around her room. Here's how I spent my money:

2- 2 pack canvases- $3.99e
Ribbon- $3.99
Round plaque- $1.00
Letter C- .99
Little Giraffe plaque- .59
Tacky glue- $1.59

Everything else I already had...which I guess is just the paint brushes, paint and painters tape. And maybe a little creativity. First I taped off 3 canvases. As you know I'm extremely eager, so I forgot to take pictures before I started painting, but I didn't get too far into it...
I taped across all three canvases so they would be the same when hung next to each other. I also taped all 4 sides of each canvas to the paint wouldn't run down the sides...even though it did a little anyway. My tape isn't a very good quality. Next I applied the rest of the paint!
Like I said, I used the same paint on these that I used for the polka dots on the little table. However, I did mix them with white this time to make the colors a little more subtle. Next I let the paint dry (which only took about 15 minutes...or maybe that's all I could wait) and then slowly pulled the painters tape off. This was the finished product!
I really meant for them to be a little more asymmetrical, but oh well. I really like how they turned out. I'm going to hang them above the dresser drawers/changing table. My next project was a bow holder. Here's what I started with (again, I got a little eager and glued the giraffe to the ribbon, oops).
I also got a little eager and glued the C to the wooden circle. I have a problem with this...I'll work on it. Why I didn't paint the C and the plaque individually before I glued them together will forever remain a mystery to me, but nevertheless it didn't happen. It took a while to paint them glued together. See...
Next, I glued on the ribbon and hung that bad boy. Get ready, this is enthralling.
Now I just need some bows to clip on it! So, I had one left over canvas that I felt like I should do something with since I had the colors mixed and ready. Whales are kind of my favorite kiddy animal so I went with that. My inspiration was a picture I saw at Pottery Barn Kids, but wouldn't dare pay $29.99 for it. Mine cost approximately $2.00.
Tada!!! I'm a little bit proud of it. I wasn't happy spending $4 on ribbon so I thought I would find somewhere else to use it in Campbell's room. I had these wire baskets that I put in here closet. I despise them, but after I added the ribbon I have a little bit more love for them.
So after an afternoon of painting and creating, I have to say I am well pleased. As is our bank account and mostly my husband. I just figure the less I spend on this stuff, the more I have to spend on clothes...just kidding honey!!

Just wanted to give a quick CONGRATS to my friend Sarah and her husband Billy. Their new baby boy, Cooper Levi, arrived July 17th and was 9lbs 15oz. Big Boy!!! He's super cute and I can't wait to kiss his cheeks!

Belly Pic!!

Almost 21 weeks! I don't feel like I have changed too much in the last few weeks and that's ok with me. I felt like I was growing so fast, it was kind of freaking me out and had me worried about how big I was going to be come 40 weeks. I've been feeling a bit more movement, nothing too consistent. While we were having the ultrasound done, Campbell did a full flip. I think this is something she is perfecting, because that's all I feel her do. I will feel the flip and then the part of my belly where Im guessing her bum is gets really hard. Derek can even feel it.

Sorry, I think the pic is a bit blurry.

Thanks Emily!! & more

So Campbell got another package in the mail today from my friend Emily. It was filled with lots of goodies: a pair of maternity jeans, Belly Laughs a book by Jenny McCarthy (that has already made me laugh out loud), a cute little romper, and Campbell's first Christmas ornament! This was extra special because Emily saves up to buy all her Hallmark ornaments...the fact that she thought about me made me feel so loved.
Special little ornament!
Sooooo sweet! Thanks again Em! In other good news...Derek is officially a 4th grade teacher at Covenant Classical Academy. The school is really small, which I think will be great for him, but he only has 7 students in his class...all girls! hahaha. Am I the only one who thinks that is hilarious?! The Lord's definitely going to be preparing him to have a little girl, I guess.

I meant to take pictures, but pregnancy often leaves my mind a little blank these days. Derek and I registered at Target. I had heard when you register you get a $20 gift card, but that was false. I did get a little goody bag, so I guess that will have to do. I also started registering at Babies-r-us a while ago (online). I know, I know...I really know how to jump the gun, but I just can't help myself. I have always been like this. I like to get stuff done, like yesterday.

Starbucks has been going well. A lot of the stuff is coming back to me. As far as the technique of making drink, I don't think that ever goes away...that's like riding a bike. As far as ingredients, well, I'm a little rusty. I'll get it though. You can look forward to (because I know you (whoever you are?!) do) a belly pic and the nitty-gritty nursery decorating plans (ie: paint colors, chair rails, etc). Coming soon to a blog near you!!

Thanks Aunt Les!!!

We were so excited to receive a package in the mail today from my sister Lesley! Where was this package from? Children's Place!! For those of you who don't speak baby that means cute clothes. They weren't just cute, they were adorable! See...
And her first 4th of July outfit!!
So stinkin' sweet. Thanks again Les! I'm off to watch the Bachelorette a day late...

Campbell's Room Fix-up - UPDATE!

So thing are just moving right along in her room. I wasn't joking when I said I wanted to have it done before school started! I spent all day yesterday and today painting a dresser and a little table for Campbell's room. You might remember the dresser from pics before. It was already white, but it was rather dingy. So I just gave it a new coat of white paint and smacked the knobs back on. Nothing too special, but it felt like a small feat.
These knobs were already on the dresser when we got it...I went back and forth about them, but decided to keep them. One knob is still awaiting a proper screw to hold it on.

This is the little table I painted. It was an orangey wood (with lots of clear coated something-or-another on it) before. My friend Lauren and I sanded that bad boy down and also painted it white. I took a before and after...but not before I got a little antsy and painted the top and the drawer (oops).
And the finished product...imagine a drum roll, if you will.


















Ironically, this little table was my PawPaw's, who Campbell is named after. Kinda special dontcha think?! The last big thing that happened in her room is girl got some bedding. Also handed down to me. It's from Pottery Barn kids and is a simple little design, which I like. No themes, really.
So when you throw all of that together you get something that looks a little like this....
Way to be, Ernie!

Campbell's first outfits!!

Derek says he and Campbell are going to watch the games together and she is going to wear this. I'm fairly certain his constant yelling will startle her to tears....so we will see about that! This one was his pick. I of course think it's darlin'.


Derek also picked this one out. I looked through the stuff for a little while, but I ended up getting overwhelmed by it all. I should add, while we were shopping Campbell was dancin' a little jig in my belly. Derek said she knew we were shopping for her.
Ruffled butt....
Ok, so these outfits were only her first NEW outfits. I've gotten tons of hand-me-downs that I am so excited to sort and put in her drawers. Can nesting last the whole 9 months?
...and that is just the begging of them. I have 3 other bins still in my car and I think that is only up to 12 months. I really am sooooo thankful for everything I am given. Knowing I would receive so much is one of the reasons we were able to go ahead and have a baby!! (and we all know how much I wanted that!)

It's a GIRL!!!!

Ok, so you already knew that....but what kind of mom would I be if I didn't officially announce it on my blog (that I'm convinced a has thousands of lurkers who aren't friends with me on Facebook and don't comment (shout out to my 1 commenter, Sarah!!))

Nevertheless, we found out on 7/7/10, Derek's birthday, that our baby is a girl. I was in shock. Derek knew it was a girl. So much for my motherly instincts. I thought for sure it was a boy for several reasons. Scientifically (and I won't go into that) I thought it would have been a boy, I craved things people usually crave with boys, I didn't have much sickness, etc. As soon as you see that little squirmy baby you fall in love...hard! The tech asked if we wanted to find out the sex, my response "Psshhht. Of course!" She said we would do it towards the end of the viewing or whatever it's called. Well she started measuring the femur and accidentally got a little booty shot and I saw it. I knew right then we had ourselves a little girl! I just kept saying, "I can't believe it, we're having a girl." Derek finally told me to shut it. Ok, he didn't really.

Campbell Avery will be her name. My mom asked me years ago if I would name my little girl Campbell after my Pawpaw. I agreed and have never forgotten my promise and plus I just really love the name! I love names that have a connection with something. Onto the ultrasound pics that I had to take pictures of. My apologies for the ghetto factor of it all...

Her profile...isn't it so sweet. I just love their little round heads. I'm convinced she looks just like me from the side, but lets be realistic....you can't really tell.

So I feel kind of bad for exposing her, but the three little lines is what I saw when the tech was measuring her femur. Campbell kept her ankles crossed. She's already a little lady.
And lastly, her little leg and foot. So cute.

In other exciting news...I will be a Starbuck's employee (again) starting this coming week!!
With a baby on the way, another steady income is in need. Hopefully I'll be able to juggle school, work and pregnancy. I'll be going back to the location I worked at in 2007 (I think). I could have worked at one closer to me, but I really like the manager where I used to work. We met and talked about everything. She's so open and willing to work with whatever situation you might be going through. Which is why I chose to go back there!! I'm really excited to start!

OH, one last thing. I just wanted to congratulate our friends Zac and Leah on finding out they are also having a baby girl, Ella Reese!! They are about to move (insert very sad face here), but hopefully we can still meet up and our girls can become good friends!!

Belly Pic!!

Nearing 19 weeks and 3 days until we find out what we're having!! I am having a hard time finding stuff to fit. I'm pretty sure I grew last night...no, seriously. A lot of the maternity pants I had handed down squeeze the BAJESUS out of my stomach (is that supposed to help my pea size bladder in anyway?! I dont think so). I'm just scrounging around wearing anything comfortable.