FNL: Rainbows To The Rescue

• I haven't dyed my hair since shortly before P was born.  There are A LOT of shiny silver hairs going all haywire up there.  I always forget how many there are and how old they make me feel.  Oh, well.  I earned them!
• Can someone please come winterize my garden for me?  Thanks.
• I have gotten more bug bites since Labor Day than the whole of summer.  WTF?  The lady doth protest.
• Not gonna lie...this single parenting thing is OVERWHELMING.  I feel that P is not getting enough of my attention as I try to keep up with everything on my own.
• My ability to have absolutely no filters on Twitter would frighten Hubby if he knew the things I shared.  My family, too.  They think I overshare to them?  Ha!
• Speaking of which, I want to thank everyone on there for cheering me on to pop the cherry!
• I am seemingly incapable of NOT tracking my cycle.  It's pointless and unneeded.  But it is now ingrained in me.  I am on CD40, and I swear I O'd 3x this cycle!  This is based on EWCM.  My body thinks it is pregnant.  Which is horrid if you aren't because it is a tease with all the bad symptoms.  Whatever.  I blame breastfeeding.  What else could it be?  Then again, no cramps and bleeding isn't so bad.
• I was told today at work that I am negative for pointing out some truths.  Not complaining even.  Just being straight-forward.  I smile all the time.  I encourage people.  I don't whine about the fact that I am exhausted and in pain ALL. THE. TIME.  I defend myself, yes.  But I really am positive almost all of the time.  But we all need to vent sometimes!  It really annoyed me.  And upset me.  It seemed like a very blindered view of my personality.  I bust my ass for something I do not enjoy, and there is "always room for improvement".  Sigh.  It's like sweeping away a flood with a broom: pointless. 
• Sometimes, on phone calls at work, I feel like I am talking to a wall where what I say is completely not received/comprehended.  Or it is totally ignored.  *it pays the rent it pays the rent it pays the rent*
• I saw a gigantic double rainbow after a storm yesterday (and, incidentally, the coolest clouds in a long time!).   I immediately thought that they had to be tidings of good omens.  I was right.
• Hubby officially has his CDL permit and drove for the first time yesterday.
• AND!  He won his SSD appeal for the time he was unable to work before and after his surgery.  We are owed 23 months of back pay for that time, less lawyer fees.  Did you just see me grow a couple inches?  Yeah, HUGE weight off.  I have no idea the amount or the time frame, but this is amazing.  
• Thank you rainbows.  And thank you storm clouds for giving me rainbows...

Fluff Review

I have been meaning to do this post for some time now.  A sort of overview of the cloth diapers we have used/are using.
So, to start...

CLOTH DIAPERS

bumGenius: I have about 10 of the 3.0's, and a couple AIO.  I use the 3.0 for overnights exclusively.  Double stuffed.  (You know, like an oreo!).  With very few exceptions he can go 10 hours easily overnight in these without leaks.  There are occasional ones, but no system is fool proof.  A note of importance: we do not use BG doublers...we use another full-size insert for greater coverage.  One of the things I adore about these is that the moisture wicks through to the inserts and keeps his bum/wobbly bits fairly dry, even with the dype being on for so long.  Downfall: BULKY.  But hey, I cloth diaper, he's going to have a fluffy bum :-)

Nubunz: I have...9 of these I think?  That seems to be what I remember buying.  Anywho, these are very similar to BG in design.  However, they are not as absorbent.  On the other hand, they are slimmer in fit!  We tried them for overnights...FAIL.  So, they are daytime diapers.  We double stuff these as well, but only because P is a heavy wetter.  It just makes everyone's lives easier.  Fewer full clothing changes.  I like them :-)  Plus, fun colors!  At least the ones I have.  Lime green?  Yes, please!

Apple Cheeks: I only have a couple of these.  I would honestly love to have more.  They are good for daycare as well, and super trim.  I have size 1 - supposed to go up to 20 lbs.  As I am learning, with ANY sizing, these are ESTIMATES. P is (I hope) not yet 20 lbs, but we are getting into some serious difficulties with fitting into these right now.  They take inserts as well, loading from the middle.  I would prefer if there was a little more PUL right around the legs.  I see more leakage on these than the nubunz at this point.  But, with double stuffing, it's not too bad.  Definitely not an overnight winner, though. NOTE: For size 1, I have found the doublers that BG makes actually fit perfectly into the stuff slot on these!  They are a smidge shorter, perfect for these!!!

Kushies: These are an AIO dype. There is a built-in flap, basically providing an extra layer.  For girls you leave it flat, for boys, fold up.  Now, it says to fold it for more protection, obviously in the front, for my boy.  Which means it would fasten in the back, like gDiapers (yes, I will cover these).  But...it doesn't look like they are supposed to, and I just leave the flap down.  The flap also will accommodate an insert for more absorbency! *Shrug*  Either way, they are a good daytime dype as well.  No stuffing/unstuffing, which is nice.  Sometimes velcro is rough because it wears out, but on an AIO it's nice because it mimics a disposable - easy on, easy off!  I likey! 

SposoEasy: These are very much like the Kushies.  They ALSO have a flap.  Again, if folding the flap, it appears that you fasten the diapers IN THE BACK.  Which looks kinda weird, but I suppose is totally irrelevant in terms of coverage.  I like them for the same reasons I like the Kushies.  I do not know which size I have of these OR the Kushies.  All I know is they still fit him and he still has room to grow.  This is all I care about, LOL.

gDiapers: We got the tiny size for when he was finally big enough for something other than those itty bitty preemie diapers.  For these, the insert goes straight into the dype.  All of theirs fasten in the back.  I really liked the tiny size, actually.  Now, poop leaks are the biggest issues with these.  We also used the small size up to about 12 lbs.  They are supposed to go to 14, but again, estimates.  For these there is a removable liner into which you put the insert.  Which means if no leakage, easy switch out if the liners are pre-stuffed.  I mentioned poop leaks.  Sometimes that liner simply doesn't hold things.  But, these are also very easily hand washed as they are not all crazy thick, and dry quickly.  Much easier to pack multiple dypes for a day out.  We used the biodegradeable, flushable liners at first.  We then switched to cloth liners, but didn't purchase their liners.  We used ones we had purchased generically. I think they were too big, really, as we started having more leakage issues.  Good to know.  I would have continued to use them (trim fit, easy to pack, etc) but we would have had to keep buying the next size up, so I made the move to OS (or so) to save money.  I really do love how trim they are.  And thus cute.  The leaks were worth it.

**We also have some pocket diapers coming from my sister from her former diaper service.  I don't know the brand, but they appear to be very much like BG.**

Prefolds: Apparently everyone but me (in our family) cannot stand these.  They really are not that difficult to use!  I like them.  They do stay very wet as they are not designed to wick moisture away. We have mostly Econobum covers, and one of some other variety that I currently cannot find, LOL.  We had some really cute tiny ones, but he has currently outgrown those. I like that I can reuse the cover as long as their isn't a poop blowout.  But NO ONE ELSE will use them if an easier one is around.  C'est la vie.  If you do prefolds, start with a medium - they fold to be made smaller, and go up to 29 lbs (approximately) - money saver!!! I do wish I had more covers...

Sometimes, even we "cheat".  There are reasons for this.  Either laundry day has been delayed, we are out for the day and don't want to carry dirty cloth diapers, etc.  In the beginning he was just too damn small!  Whatever it is, it happens sometimes.  With that in mind, here are the environmentally "friendly" brands we have tried once he was out of preemies!

7th Generation: These were AMAZING for absorbency!  Not even kidding.  All night.  No leaks.  Not gonna lie, makes me want to sometimes just use disposables at night.  Not to mention that there is no pee smell next to me in the morning!  Oh, sometimes I really do understand the draw.  Anywho, liked these a lot :-)

Full Circle: Pretty much the same make as the 7th Generation, but do have color and patterns (and therefore, one must assume, dyes).  Absorbency is excellent as well.  Hard to find.  Got them because there were packs on sale for $5 - umm, hello?  That is AWESOME!

So, as far as I can think, that wraps up my cloth diaper review (for what it's worth).

Look for a review on baby clothing sizes - the bane of my existence!  (could be worse, just sayin')
*I was NOT provided any diapers for review, compensated in any way, etc.  These are all my own opinions*

Cherry Pie With A Peanut On Top

Well, after much encouragement from my Tweeps, a plan in place, and a baby monitor next to us, Hubby and I FINALLY took the plunge and popped that postpartum cherry.

Yes.  6 MONTHS post partum.  8 months since any nookie. 

I have been soooo nervous about going there.  And so tired and with absolutely NO sex drive.  So. I just didn't care.  But with Hubby leaving for 3 months, I thought we ought to give it a shot.  After our date failed epically on Monday with only dinner, no movie, and me in bed at 8pm, I told him that Friday was IT. 

Yup, we scheduled it.  No shame here.  Ya gotta do what ya gotta do, right?

The plan was to put P down in the crib.  You know, that thing people buy for their children to sleep in?  One of those big, expensive items that we agonize over for weeks about?  Convertible, not convertible?  What type of mattress?  What color?  Matching set?  Too tall?  Too short?  You get the idea.  The same crib that 6 months later has held blankets, stuffed animals, clothing, diapers...pretty much anything BUT the kid.  He has been in there as much as...10 minutes at a stretch while I did things in the room.  Maybe. 

But Friday night was to be different.  P is usually (but never regularly) dozing on my boob by around 8 pm.  So into the crib he was to go.  He dozed.  I tweeted that THE DEED was about to happen. I stood up...

And he woke up. 

I sat back down, switched boobs.  Thought better of it.  Went upstairs to the nursery.  Changed his butt (and his clothes after he knocked the diaper wipe container on its side spilling diaper wipe solution on the table rendering it quite damp and slick).  Sat in the rocker.  Pulled out other boob.  And watched him chew on his fingers, grin at me, stare at the stuff on the walls, and babble away.  At 8:45 pm. 

Desperate times, folks, desperate times. 

I turned out the big light, turned on the small light and PUT HIM IN THE CRIB.  Awake.  Turned on the mobile (I hear babies like them...) (and which really ought to have a silent mode), and left the room.  With him awake. 

WHAAAAATTT????  I hear people do this.  As a matter of normal daily proceedings.  It is fairly incomprehensible to me. 

So, run upstairs, get undressed, climb in bed, Hubby is NAKED!  What is this naked thing?  He must actually want to get some nookie!  (Oh, please, please, PLEASE do not let my family be reading this!!!).  What comes next???  I honestly am not sure what to do now...

And all I can think about is the monitor right next to us...and all I hear is the music from the mobile, and I keep wondering if he is okay or still playing ...man, it is hard to concentrate! 

But, I did it!  Despite the fact that I don't feel in the least bit sexy.  And my tatas are sooo off limits because they are P's food source!  Back off everyone!  And while it was initially a bit hurty, it was so worth it.

And P was fussy within 5 minutes.  Soooo, no snuggle time.  P back in bed with us where I felt much better about his well-being.

Was it worth jumping that hurdle?  Absolutely :-)  Will it be a hurdle again?  I think so.  I have a mental block.  Sleep and time with baby trumps all unless I push it.  So, in the name of keeping my marriage sane, it is time to start making time for alone time with Hubby.  Especially with him being gone a lot. 

We need it.  I can't forget that our marriage is a priority, too. 



PMM: Mornings

I am a day late...the fact that today is my "Monday" always throws me off. 

It's been a rough few days at home.  And since Hubby has been doing the paper route.  It's rough.  I sleep alone a lot.  Now all the time. 

Saturday night I went to bed bawling my eyes out.  P was fussy, he woke up multiple times that night.  It was rough.  Sunday night was really no better.  P wouldn't let me put him down.  We were finally able to move to the bed, but he fussed off and on more than usual.  I ususally emerge from such nights terribly blurry eyed. 

The bonus was I didn't have to get up.  I could sleep until he woke me up.  In the mornings he stretches his little hands, squeaks, and slowly opens his eyes. If  I am already awake, I watch his process...because it ends with him realizng I am there and giving me the cutest sleepy morning grins. It can take a horrid morning and immediately make it all okay.

Monday morning I got to just "sleep in" (7am!).  I awoke to my son babbling away, chewing on his fingers and punching me in the back.  I rolled over, and was awarded by a big old french kiss/suck to the nose.  LOL. 

And for that moment, those few moments before we got out of the cocoon to face the day, it was okay.  Hubby was still here.  The day was full of possibilities.  Because really, how can you be out of sorts when your day starts like this:

Go link up with Lori, share your Perfect Moment, and read about others' perfect moments.  It will make you smile.  And sometimes, we all need a smile.



6 Months!

As you know, P turned 6 months young a week or so ago.  We have now had our checkup and are armed with stats!!!

Length: 25.5" - 25th percentile. (5th% 2 months ago)
Head Circumference: 17.25" - 50th percentile (5th% 2 months ago)
Weight: 18lb 5oz - 60th percentile (not even on the charts 2 months ago!!!)

As far as Doc is concerned, he is a normal, slightly above average weight 6 month old.  Healthy physically and developmentally.

What a journey, eh?

I pulled this from healthychildren.org to get an idea of where we stand.  These standards are for 4-7 month of development.

Physical Skills
•Rolls both ways: Well, hard to say.  He can roll from belly to back when he wants.  He can roll from back to side to side, but not to belly.

•Sits with and without support of hands: Sure, if he is leaning on something!  LOL.  Not quite on this.  But stronger every day!

•Supports whole weight on legs: Oh, yeah.  Been pushing back with his legs for a couple of months now. 

•Reaches with one hand:  Been doing this for ages as well.  Poor Hubbys facial and chest hair!  LOL.

•Transfers object from hand to hand: Umm...he tends to grab with both hands, so hard to say.

•Uses raking grasp: Absolutely.

Social Skills
•Enjoys social play: With adults, yes.  Does not mind when other kids show serious interest in him.

•Interested in mirror images: Mirror baby is a good friend of P's.

•Responds to expressions of emotion: He defintely smiles in response to smiles, others he isn't to sure of.

•Appears joyful often: My kid grins and chatters and squeals with delight all the time.  It makes us laugh.  There is a lot of laughter in our house thanks to him :-)  Even with all the stress.

Cognitive Thinking
•Finds partially hidden object:  He looks for an object he loses, does that count?

•Explores with hands and mouth: All items are fair game for P's mouth.  Must touch, must gum.  Yup yup.

•Struggles to get objects that are out of reach: He does this most when on his belly, but when he was too small to reach things in his jumper or on his mat, he definitely reached for them.  It is especially evident now.

So, what I see from this list is that really, he is on track!  Not bad for 5 weeks early!  Really, it's some of the physical strength stuff in which he is a little slow (sitting, trying to crawl), and his head is still a little bobbly.  Then again, he has quadrupled his birth weight, essentially, so getting the strength to match the weight could take a little longer!  Besides, I am so not ready to baby proof and worry about turning around and finding he is eating paper or something, LOL.

A look back over 6 amazing months:

My teeny little newborn!

Snuggling his daddy, 1 month old

The silliness begins...2 months old

Found his smile, 3 months

Found his hands, 4 months

Water baby, 5 months

Peanut the Porker, 6 months

Happy 6 month to my not so Peanut-y Peanut!  We are so blessed!

Saying Goodbye

These are my favorite photos of P and Hubby since shortly after he was born...

and there he goes....

I would be lying if I said I hadn't been crying for the last 90 minutes straight.  I am going to go get a drink or 2.  Don't judge me...

FNL: Changes

Linking up once again with Danifred for

• Tonight marks my last night with Hubby until sometime around Christmas.  Yup.  I am freaking out. 
• To make sure we get some, ahem, ALONE time tonight, we are putting P to bed in his crib.  For the first time.  That should get us, oh, maybe an hour, LOL. 
• Yes, he has a crib.  It stores blankets, stuffed animals, and occasionally diapers.  It's beautiful.  Tonight it will hopefully store a sleeping Peanut.
• I think I am going to clean the hell out of my house this weekend.  Gotta keep myself busy.  And catch up on premieres of the Fall TV season on HULU.  Must. Distract. Myself.
• STILL working on the giveaway post - this week has been hectic, and I haven't really had a chance to filddle around with the product to give a good review of it.  I am hoping to squeeze that in this weekend as well!
• I am excited for P's 6 month well-baby on Monday!  Squeee!  Let's see just how big the Porker is, LOL.
• The Save the Frosties campaign raised $350.  Thank you all SOOOOO much!  I have to call and pay the last 2 months that are now overdue and find out if I can pay a partial month for October and then move them to a new facility with my own wheels.  Cross your fingers.
• Also cross your fingers that maybe Hubby's new insurance will have IF benefits!  How cool would that be???
• My chronic headaches are back.  I think it's a combination of removing sugar from my diet and no longer being on my Zoloft.  I stopped taking it to save whatever little bit of money I could. I am going to have to go back on it.  I am emotionally all over the place, headaches are back.  It's just not pretty.
• We owe nearly a month's worth of rent to family/friends for getting us through rent the last 2 months.  Sigh.  Some day we won't go through this, right?
• I think it is "try not to murder your husband" week.  At least, it seems that way...it seems myself and some other friends are on the brink of justifiable homicide. 
• In case you are law enforcement and reading this, that is a JOKE.  Get it?
• For the record, I have no idea why anyone in Law Enforcement that I don't already know would be reading this.
• Note: I am giving up this train of thought as I am digging a bigger and bigger hole with this one.

It's officially Fall!  Go enjoy it!