She Did This By Herself

I was folding diaper laundry and Kellie was playing with her toys. She gets quiet, so I look up and she's just laying there watching me like this.



Frantic Mommy takes over and I repeat "Don't move, don't move don't move!" Luckily, the camera was on the changing table for all the Tinkle Traps pictures I've been taking. I got a good photo in before she lost the pose. This is the cutest kandid pose I've ever seen!

Kellie Grooves With Snoop Dogg

Brian left for his TDY on Friday night.

The house feels so empty!

I haven't lived alone in a house...ever.

I didn't realize how much I planned my day around Brian and his schedule. I forget to eat because he didn't come home for lunch. I forget to go to bed because he's not yawning and telling me how early he has to get up. It's just weird.

Kellie and I have been hanging out Mommy-Daughter style. Though she was very excited to hear Daddy's voice on the phone.

While going down for a nap, we listened to Brian's clock radio. It's the easiest way to put Kellie to sleep without tears. It has to be his clock radio. Not her CD player or my iPod. Daddy's clock radio is the only suitable radio.

Usually, she lays very still on her back and listens to the music. With the occasional hip bumping, she falls asleep. Every now and then, a song comes on that speaks to her and she must get up and dance. Today, it was Snoop Dogg.

How To Lanolize Wool...Without Lanolin Spots!

How do you know if your cover needs lanolizing?

When you wash it, press it into the water. Look for the following signs:

If wool sits on top of the water and has little pools of water gathering on top - it does not need lanolizing.
If wool sits on top of the water and has some pools and some areas that absorbed water without assistance - it could use a good lanolizing soon.
If wool sinks and saturates completely - it is time to lanolize.

Now here's how to lanolize without those pesky lanolin spots. I've been very thorough, so there are quite a few pictures. Have fun!

Step 1: Locate wool and wash. I'll be using Aveeno baby wash because Kellie has sensitive skin and I know this doesn't bother her. We avoid any excess scents if possible. Wool-specific wash is available. But when this works, why pay extra?


Step 2: Fill the sink with tepid water. Test with wrist.


Step 3: Add baby wash.


Step 4: Add wool. Notice my wool soaked up water over it's entire body. This cover has never been lanolized.


Step 5: Swish wool around a bit. Make some bubbles.




Step 6: Check the clock. Let wool sit for five minutes.


In that five minutes you could:

Unload the dishwasher.


Make a pot of coffee.


Feed the dog.


Ding! Five minutes are up. Go back to your wool.


Step 8: Swish it around a bit more.


Step 9: Massage gently. Using both hands. Hey, someone has to hold the camera!




Step 10: Turn wool inside out.


Step 11: Rinse thoroughly in tepid water.




Step 12: Squeeze out excess water. Set aside.


Step 13: Locate your wool wash, your lanolin, and your mixing container with lid. I'm using regular solid lanolin purchased from a local retailer. Liquid lanolin will work, also. But this stuff is cheaper and it lasts longer. Remember, we're cloth diapering to save money.


Step 14: Add a pea-sized drop of lanolin to your mixing container.


Step 15: Add a pea-sized drop of wool wash to your container.


Step 16: Fill halfway with HOT water. As hot as your tap will go.


Step 17: Shake like mad until everything mixes into a nice creamy colored liquid.


Step 18: Fill sink with tepid water. Continue shaking like mad.









Step 19: Check for nice creamy mixture. No blobs of lanolin left.


Step 20: Put wool into sink full of tepid water.


Step 21: Add lanolin mixture a little bit at a time. My container has a squeeze top. If you're using a baby food jar or a tupperware, just try not to add it all in one spot.









Step 22: Rinse container with tepid water. Pour water into sink with the rest of the lanolin. Every bit counts!


All gone!


Step 23: Swish around your wool a bit. Turn wool over.




Step 24: Let wool sit for five to ten minutes. I chose five because I know Kellie is due to wake up from her nap any minute. If you have ten minutes, go for it.


In that five minutes you could:

Enjoy the cup of coffee you brewed earlier.


Make the dog move out of your chair so you can 'Pin.


Check your posts.


Start a load of diaper laundry.


Ding! Five minutes are up!


Step 27: Drain the water. Hold onto wool so it doesn't fall into your disposal. Believe me. It happens.


Step 28: Fold wool.


Step 29: Squeeze out excess water.


Step 30: Lay wool on towel.


Step 31: Roll it up and squeeze out excess water. It's amazing how much wool can absorb, isn't it??




Step 31: Unroll.


Step 30: Relocate wool to a drying rack or some other well-ventilated area to dry. The drying process can take up to 48 hours. Good thing I didn't take pictures of that, right?


And you're done! You lanolized your wool and didn't get a single lanolin spot! Give yourself a pat on the back. I'm off to get Kellie. She'll be hungry by now.