Ultimate Wisdom

My Mom possesses a skill. She is able to be diplomatic with even the most sensitive subjects. When I told her about EC, she politely and poetically told me she didn't think it was a good idea. Because she was so suave, I heard her words with an open-mind. She made valid points, some of which were:

There'd be less time devoted to Kellie's development.
I'd be focusing on when she had to pee instead of how much tummy time she'd had that day.

As I write these points, I realize they don't carry the full weight of my Mommy's wisdom, so they seem flimsy. But I've given it thought and decided that part-time ECing is best for us and our situation. Since her poops are few and far between (and very obvious in their coming), she'll be pooping on the potty. But since she was peeing two or three times an hour, she'll use her diaper to pee. This way, the benefits I'd listed previously are still enjoyed. And I spend less time running with a naked child to the potty. (In an eight hour period, we made this run at least sixteen times. Excessive. I know. And she didn't pee each time. Sometimes, it was just her making faces. And me being paranoid.)

Yet again, I change plans. :) Don't you love how predictable my unpredictability is??

Time to Kill

Kellie's sleeping and I have some time to kill before the spin cycle on the washer is done. So! A longer post, for my avid readers.

Thank you for your kind words about my weight. I don't know quite why the camera is so nice to me. I swear, those in real life don't react the way you fine people do when they hear my weight. I must have one of those magic cameras that takes away ten pounds instead of adding them.

Kellie and I (And maybe Brian, one day) are embarking on a little thing called "Elimination Communication" (aka "Trickle Treat" "EC" or "Infant Potty Training"). It's a belief that babies are born knowing how to communicate their need to defecate/eliminate.

Think about it, don't all newborns pee or poop the moment that diaper comes off? And you think, "I can't wait until they learn to keep it in the diaper!" When we go to potty train toddlers, it can be a frustrating ordeal because you are literally undoing their entire lifetime of diaper training.

Since Kellie has very obvious signs for when she needs to defecate, I tried helping her go potty in the toilet. I figured, "Hey! Why not?" And it worked!

I was immediately sold on the idea of Kellie feeling like she had effectively communicated the need to relieve herself.

And my poopy diaper washing basically being cut down to zip.

Plus, when you wipe after a poop in the potty, it's only at the site. When you wipe after a poopy diaper, who knows how far up their bum cheeks and thighs it can go. You know what I mean?

Granted, EC is not the norm. But ask yourself, when have I ever been the norm??

Emily, I really do intend to measure Kellie's walls! And one day, I hope to come out of my lurking closet and comment regularly once more. I just seem to have a zillion other things to do.

I'm excited to be going home soon! I am a paranoid person, so I'm leaving dates out of this. Just pure excitement!

I bought an infant potty for Kellie and Target won't let me change the color because they already printed a shipping label. No, they have not shipped it. They just printed a label. When I explained that I needed only to change my color choice, not the actual product, the representative asked why. I told her of our blue Bumbo and how I worried Kellie might be confused between her blue Bumbo and her blue potty seat.
She replies, "She won't."
"She won't?" I ask.
"I have five kids. She won't." she states in a matter-of-fact tone. Then, "Well, how old is she?"
"She's four months." I say.
Choking.
"What? You can't train a four month old baby! Maybe she will get confused! As to why you're putting her on a potty and not a diaper!"
I just smile and thank her for her "help."

Sigh. I guess I can make sure her Bumbo stays in one area and her potty in another. Never associating the two in the same room. Any other ideas?

A Day of Firsts

Today, Kellie:

Pulled her binky out of her mouth.
Kept it in her hand.
Put it back in her mouth.
Pulled the binky back out!

Peed in the potty.

Pooped in the potty.

Fell asleep without nursing.

I'm a proud Momma. :)

Thoughts

Those are leg warmers! They're homemade versions of Babylegs. They make diaper changes a breeze! And they're just tootin' cute.

Kellie is 23.5 inches long and weighs 13 pounds. Is that bigger than normal? Maybe it's the birdseye view I seem to favor when photographing her.

I was boiling my pump parts and spilled water on the floor. I slipped. I hit my shin, my ribs and my elbow on the counter and cabinets. I didn't curse. That's a big step for me. I'm on my way to becoming a suitable mother figure.

I don't want to do dishes. Five bucks for the first person to get over here and do 'em for me. Any takers? Anyone? Come on.

I curled my hair...I cut my bangs. I figure, if I can't go home thin, I'll be cute and stylish. (Something that's been somewhat out of reach since my second trimester of pregnancy.)


I weigh 172 pounds. When the doctor asks, I say it sheepishly, apologetically, quietly. What kind of resolve and determination do I posess? Little to none, apparently.

I couldn't take a photo of myself without giving the camera a "come hither" stare. So I posted the one of me looking at the viewer to make sure all 172 pounds of me was in the frame.

I'm trying to pump milk so that maybe one day we can have a date night. Any suggestions, tips or condolences, please leave them in the comments box.

Receiving Blankets... Useful Again

Thanks to a helpful MaMa on the Pin, our receiving blankets have a purpose once more! To be used as a flat diaper, simply fold origami style. I've taken a few shots of my pleased model. They are as trim as (if not more!) than disposables. And cute to boot! Who doesn't love to recycle household goods? I've shown one tied and one Snappi'd. Both need to be under a cover. The one in the photo is our new (gently used) Muttaqin wool cover. Oh-so-soft! Just wanted to share. :)

Just Noticed This...

I got Kellie's digital photos from her birthday just this week.
As I previewed my last post, I noticed this. Huh.

Cute Incarnate

Just thought I'd share.
Because, yes, I assume everyone is as taken with Kellie as I am.

She's having what I call a Mommy-day. She just wants Mommy.

Our compliant puppets.

Head control! We're in business, baby!

Uncle Phil holds her like a sack of potatoes and she passes out.
If anyone else tried it? They'd be sorry.

And Here I Though It Was B.O.

I've changed deodorant no less than four times since Kellie was born.
(That was three and half months ago)

I couldn't shake the funk.

I found the culprit!

Lovely little rivers of spit up down my shirt... down my arm... pooling in my pit.

There ya go.

Make of it what you will. I just know that I won't need to buy deodorant for quite some time. They all work fine at covering up B.O.

The labels don't specify their effectiveness on baby puke.

ETA: This handy diagram.

OMG!!!

Have you ever seen a more dainty line-up of little people jeans??

To answer your questions:

Yes. I line dry most of our clothes.

No. I do not normally arrange them in such a picturesque pattern. I only did this for the picture.

Half of these were given to Kellie by Mara, Meaghan's daughter. Mara is about 5 months older than Kellie. These are size 6-12 months and due to diaper butt, they fit Kellie like a glove.

Meaghan is one awesome gal and Mara is one well-dressed baby. :)

Thanks a million, Momma!

FreeCycle

You know about recycling. (Unless you've spent the last 30 years living under a rock.) I've recently made acquaintance with a little (BIG) thing called FreeCycling. Go ahead. Click on it. I'd be willing to bet good money that there's one in your area.

Last week, I cleaned out my basement and FreeCycled:
-Warm mist humidifier
-Analog bathroom scale
-VHS media shelving unit
-Boy-ish carseat
-Front-loading baby carrier

This week, I received from fellow FreeCyclers:
-A ridiculous amount of baby girl clothes
-Cloth diapers
-2 Suitcases

The whole idea behind FreeCycling is to recycle household goods. All the stuff you would be throwing away that someone would gladly take off your hands.

One woman's trash is another woman's treasure, afterall.

Girl Scout Cookie Season

I got three boxes of Girl Scout Cookies today! And I've already guiltlessly eaten a serving from each box. Mmmmmm...

I have photos I need to take to the post office for our parents. I don't want to leave the house because the last time I went out for a "quick trip" I was gone for two and a half hours thanks to a random security check on base. In that period of time, my boobs swelled near to bursting and Kellie screamed ferociously at her Daddy as he attempted to warm breastmilk and swiftly deliver it to her mouth. She was so worked up, she refused the bottle for a good three minutes. At least, that's what I've been told. :) So I'm putting it off until Wednesday. Or maybe I'll just make myself get up and do it. I can't stay holed up in here until Kellie is 16.

Or can I?

100 Things About Laura You'll Wish You Never Knew

I realized that my blog has become a one-way train that smacks you in the face with all things concerning baby. Boring! So, I wanted to remind everyone that I am a person who is multi-dimensional. I'm pulling a page from Julie's Blog and listing 100 things about me.

1. My name is Laura.
2. Laura is pronounced Law-Rah. Not Lor-uh.
3. Up until about three years ago, I'd cringe every time someone pronounced my name incorrectly.
4. Now I don't even notice and often introduce myself as "Laura or Lora. Whatever works for you!"
5. I've been married for 3 years and 2 months.
6. I barely graduated from high school.
7. I have no foreseeable plans for continuing my education.
8. I obsess daily over whether or not something I said was taken in a way it wasn't meant.
9. I'm an incredibly sensitive person...
10. But only after you tell me I've wronged you.
11. I'm blind to other people's emotions unless they're pointed out to me.
12. I don't know why.
13. I will always wonder.
14. I spend countless hours filling shopping carts on websites, only to empty them and feel completely satisified with my version of window shopping.
15. I have buyers' remorse...
16. Even with groceries.
17. I return small items...all. the. time.
18. I run a mean budgeting system with my favorite program, Excel.
19. I try to convert everyone who'll listen to my way of budgeting.
20. I think about numbers all day long.
21. I have a ridiculous amount of crap memorized.
22. Ask me what my best friend in fourth grade's phone number was. I know it.
23. I like people to ask my advice.
24. I don't like it when my advice steers people wrong.
25. If my advice steers someone wrong, I'll avoid talking to that person AT ALL until I think they've forgotten.
26. I never think people forget.
27. I have delusions that all people are as weird as I am.
28. And then I get slammed back to earth when someone points out how different I really am.
29. And I really am. Different.
30. But I'm used to me.
31. I want another baby one day.
32. I most likely won't have one.
33. I love kids, but I think the world is straining under our population as it is.
34. I feel tremendous personal guilt for that.
35. I didn't give birth to 6.6 billion people.
36. But I probably won't have another baby because of that guilt.
37. I'm complicated.
38. I wander through life feeling like I make no sense to anyone.
39. I like to think I'm pretty cool.
40. In junior high, I was fat, smelly, and totally unaware of either fact.
41. I hear about a disease and convince myself I have it.
42. Only my husband can make me believe otherwise.
43. I love to do laundry.
44. I'm not joking.
45. I get a thrill when I see the magic results of Oxiclean and hard labor.
46. I own more tupperware than is reasonable.
47. I am always hot.
48. I tend to go with the flow.
49. I avoid confrontation.
50. I will confront only when confronted.
51. Or if I think I'll never see you again.
52. Or if I have had an enormous amount of time to stew.
53. I broke up with my boyfriend in seventh grade because he tried to kiss me on the cheek.
54. I own a sewing machine.
55. I cannot sew.
56. I take on craft projects when I possess no crafting abilities.
57. I don't like to feel indebted to anyone.
58. I would rather be "ahead of the game" and have you owe me one.
59. My favorite color is green...yellow...pink...orange... I never can decide.
60. I razz my husband about not knowing my favorite color.
61. I don't think he knows that I don't know.
62. I rub my feet against my husband's legs while trying to fall asleep.
63. I considered that I may have Restless Leg Syndrome...
64. Nope. I just like the shade of red his face turns upon noticing that the rubbing hasn't stopped.
65. I like to push people's buttons.
66. Especially Brian's.
67. I have no tolerance for being the butt of a practical joke.
68. I've been known to end friendhsips over a joke gone wrong.
69. I've had a Mike and Ike dropped in my plumbers' crack while doing a pedicure in nail school.
70. I didn't talk to the offender for two days.
71. When I finally did, our friendship was never the same.
72. I have joined multiple online groups.
73. I want desperately for people to come to my house and spend hours chatting.
74. I leave the TV on in hopes of tricking my subconscioius into thinking there are people in the house.
75. I have seven siblings.
76. I don't know what "quiet" is.
77. I can't stand to be alone.
78. I even like company when I pee. (Thank you Zoe!)
79. I have relentless insomnia.
80. I do my best writing when sleep-deprived.
81. I once painted our bathroom in the middle of the night while Brian was sleeping. I seriously went out to WalMart and bought paint, curtains, towels, rugs, wall art, and a shelving unit. I stayed up all night and revamped our bathroom while Brian slept. He woke up and asked me what I was doing. I answered, "Painting our bathroom." He said, "Ok." And went back to sleep. That's how unimpressed he was by my behavior.
82. I can't bake chocolate chip cookies.
83. I really, honestly, can NOT. I've tried. I've failed. I've climbed right back up on the cookie-making bandwagon. I've fallen flat on my face every time.
84. I hate that I have fallen behind on my "Thank you" cards.
85. I used to be on top of it!
86. I can't sleep with pants on.
87. I hate socks on my feet.
88. I've had cellulite since I was 10.
89. I've had fat girl boobs since the same age.
90. I am no stranger to dieting.
91. Even at my thinnest, I feel like a whale crammed into a tube top.
92. I thought I couldn't come up with 100. Once you start, it's hard to stop.
93. I confess my sins to Terra.
94. I think writing a well-deserved, politely-worded email informing a company of misdeeds is a "sin". I would likely call Terra in a panic right after I clicked the send icon.
95. I'm a passive driver.
96. I've been in 8 car accidents.
97. All were my fault in one way or another.
98. My license was not suspended on a technicality.
99. I love the DMV.
100. I sleep with a fan, a humidifer, a night light, the window open, and my feet sticking out of the blankets at the bottom.

She's Not Nearly As Amused As I'd Hoped

As requested by Aunt Terra :)

I'm Too Tired To Title This One

I have a new obsession. Though I'm sure it will offer no shock value. :) Cloth diapers. I want to try every possible combination there is! When we go to Utah for a visit, we were considering using disposables to "make things easier." I see now that no way is easier than the other. Cloth diapering does require a small amount of dedication and a few more trips to the laundry room. But no extra trips to the dumpster! Having experienced both sides of the coin, I feel I can offer a fair (but short! I'll add more later) pros/cons list for those interested.

Disposable:
Pro - Easy. Everyone can do it.
Con - Expensive with no return.
Pro - The "norm." (No one calls you crazy.)
Con - It's the "norm" which means everyone and their neighbor uses disposable diapers. Which means more waste in our landfills. (And yes, being the "norm" can be both a pro and a con!)

Cloth:
Pro - Versatile. More combinations of absorbency to play with.
Con - Bulky. You have to size up on most pants and onesies. (Doesn't seem to affect the sleepers.)
Pro - What fun colors! (I'm just waiting for someone to notice Kellie's cute cloth-covered butt while I change it on the restroom changing table.)
Con - Some are intimidated by the cloth diapering system in general. (I have to attach what to where and make sure it does huh??) There is a definite learning curve.
Pro - Save money in the long run. Especially when you consider that you can trade diapers with other Mommas. Or sell your diapers. Or use them on your second, third, fourth... babies. Think. If you bought enough diapers to last one kid and then had a second child, it would cost you nothing to diaper your second child.
Con - The upfront inital cost can seem daunting. But that's why companies have come up with awesome packages to save you money! You can start your baby on cloth diapers for as little as $52! Other companies offer packages to diaper your child from birth through potty learning for $289.90!

To give you an idea, if you went with the $289 company:
You will break even in 22.02 weeks or 5.07 months.
You will save $53.37 in 6 months.
You will save $282.22 in 10 months.
You will save $396.65 in 1 year.
You will save $739.92 in 1 1/2 years.

I'm very for cloth diapers. I enjoy diaper change time because I never get bored with all the patterns and colors available. It's like every diaper change is a chance to play dress-up and Kellie's butt is my doll. Well, kinda. A little less creepy and you've got it.

So please feel free to offer your experienced pros and cons. I really want to know!