tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22975252320660447782024-03-05T16:11:23.078-08:00To Make A NestOne new mom's attempt to create a perfect nest for her little flock of Siegels.Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-66503032300736710422014-01-07T16:37:00.001-08:002014-01-08T06:17:48.718-08:00What's In a Planet Wise Wet Bag?Ok. Let's get back to something lighter. Lets chat about some cute cloth diaper related gear... it's kind of my zen place. Since I am personally in the market for a great new Wet Bag, I think that's what we should talk about, and we're going to talk about my favorite kind. Because that's how I roll, and what is the point of talking about a brand I don't like? So there's that! <br />
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Have you heard of <a href="https://www.diaperjunction.com/Planet-Wise_bymfg_47-0-1.html" title="Planet Wise">Planet Wise</a> wet bags? I love them. For so many reasons. Let me count the ways...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RTK-eah9LFd2FlxQj4fLGr90p5QT20Wu7xE7RU3nnuIxOUPigbU-NNnzu805uS3A_lCY_9EE7K5gDkhSIxYWtVmrC0a0zMJ7JnRlxG1VZSjfWLBhgxOH4dHQlI8LnUtj-U4ZSjFG8Kk/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RTK-eah9LFd2FlxQj4fLGr90p5QT20Wu7xE7RU3nnuIxOUPigbU-NNnzu805uS3A_lCY_9EE7K5gDkhSIxYWtVmrC0a0zMJ7JnRlxG1VZSjfWLBhgxOH4dHQlI8LnUtj-U4ZSjFG8Kk/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" height="200" width="200" /></a><br />
1. They're <i>adorable</i>. I mean really, really adorable. There are so many prints that I'm having a hard time choosing which hanging wet bag to choose. (ok- it was difficult, but I just ordered the <a href="http://www.diaperjunction.com/planet-wise-hanging-wet-dry-bag.html" target="_blank">Laughing Leaf Hanging Bag</a>. So cute!) <br />
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2. They're durable. I've had diaper-bag sized Planet Wise wet bags for two years now, and they are still just as perfect as the day I got them. Definitely a worth-while investment. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BTPOW5n9ddXDvBNEWAmIBO9sOXwZJoOmiu1KAo_eFlCVhXziHhQL024WpGqAsNunOpV0Kjbr0WPvVheCz_Uq11r0ZOYYotqqI3wObkfovEiCMmPteAIc_m62v0PQB7QkavPzRsQQjDk/s1600/3bagbrochure600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BTPOW5n9ddXDvBNEWAmIBO9sOXwZJoOmiu1KAo_eFlCVhXziHhQL024WpGqAsNunOpV0Kjbr0WPvVheCz_Uq11r0ZOYYotqqI3wObkfovEiCMmPteAIc_m62v0PQB7QkavPzRsQQjDk/s1600/3bagbrochure600.jpg" height="155" width="200" /></a>3. They fit every need. Seriously though- Planet Wise bags come in so many sizes. They have Wipes Pouches that are the perfect size for your cloth wipes folded in half or rolled up, and it even has a snap down feature that keeps them from wicking and getting things in your diaper bag wet. Their small bags are perfect for a quick errand where you may need to change one or two diapers. Their medium bag is my diaper-bag staple. Big enough to fit several diapers and wipes, but small enough to fold up to a nice compact size, these are great for days out on the town. The Large size has a snap-closure handle, and it will fit about a dozen diapers- perfect for weekends away. Then there is the hanging wet bag. Which I can't say enough good things about if you don't use a pail. I just hang mine from a hook on the bathroom door, and it holds over two dozen diapers. Perfect for your laundry needs. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefYRZPf8LX3Bx5KOTa7elr19RhvCV-_cBf0O5zExB9RFfZJlNGr1Q6ZoPm3HIUOjF4NQ6vDfk0dMQM7WR2s0a7zoYjoF-3_mmVz9fZXEymC3M9pXQ41JJc3RvrKQeSbYiLnevN1Mp1g8/s1600/2012-07-26_10-21-58_35-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefYRZPf8LX3Bx5KOTa7elr19RhvCV-_cBf0O5zExB9RFfZJlNGr1Q6ZoPm3HIUOjF4NQ6vDfk0dMQM7WR2s0a7zoYjoF-3_mmVz9fZXEymC3M9pXQ41JJc3RvrKQeSbYiLnevN1Mp1g8/s1600/2012-07-26_10-21-58_35-1.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>4. They have tons of uses. I know you aware that wet bags are a must-have item for cloth diapering, but what about other daily needs? For instance, what do you do if your child has an accident and you need to transport soiled clothes? Toss them in a medium sized wet bag! What do you do with big wet beach towels and swim suits after you're done swimming? Toss them in a large wet bag! Wet, snowy boots driving you nuts? I give you the Planet Wise large wet bag. Did your child fall and hit their knees or head and you want to ice it to prevent a bump? Stick some ice in a small wet bag. Bam. Problems solved. *cue chorus of angels singing* <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk09VT9YQ8fMp9b1MRiPFcpqpSEHY6_1ki-V1qi0yzLRxJsIUArDMbLse-dpyQw4kMfsf3F7_MouQ0syF_323y7xTE7b8cpvgN5h3_VsvpAXbPmXLOCOIOZxtVqAvE7JLRUsBkPJfJ-Ws/s1600/wipepouch_new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk09VT9YQ8fMp9b1MRiPFcpqpSEHY6_1ki-V1qi0yzLRxJsIUArDMbLse-dpyQw4kMfsf3F7_MouQ0syF_323y7xTE7b8cpvgN5h3_VsvpAXbPmXLOCOIOZxtVqAvE7JLRUsBkPJfJ-Ws/s1600/wipepouch_new.jpg" height="320" width="292" /></a><br />
5. They're affordable. Topping out at $29.99 (for their enormous hanging wet bag), these are pretty great deal. They're not going to break the bank, and you're not going to have to replace them very often at all. A <a href="http://www.diaperjunction.com/planet-wise-wet-bag.html" target="_blank">Planet Wise Medium Wet Bag</a> is only $16.50. Not bad. <br />
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Well I have wet bags on the brain. I have been in desperate need of that extra hanging wet bag! Seriously though- if you haven't checked out Planet Wise bags, you must. They're definitely a cloth diapering/ every day parenting must have.<br />
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*Disclosure- this is a sponsored post. All opinions are honest and completely my own!Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-35010220518335406102014-01-06T18:51:00.000-08:002014-01-06T18:51:23.192-08:00Not AloneIt's been almost a week since my miscarriage. I'm not really sure how I'm feeling right now, actually. Grief is a funny thing, and it's completely unpredictable. Some days I go almost the entire day feeling ok, then one word will trigger these crazy emotions, and I lose it. Other days are just a full day of sadness. Thankfully I have a really great support system of friends and family that have been checking up on me, encouraging me, and praying for me. I feel really grateful for that. <br />
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Actually, one thing I did <i>not</i> expect were the stories and encouragement from <i>so many</i> friends who have also lost babies. I mean, I knew of a handful of friends who'd miscarried, but the sheer number... besides being completely heart breaking to see how many friends have gone through this, it also made me wonder...<br />
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How many women go through this silently without much support? Because sharing is scary, really. I happen to be a person with no filters, who would over-share even if the internet and social media <i>weren't </i>a thing, and I'm not really good with secrets (at least my own. Don't worry, yours are probably safe with me), and I felt like I just had to let it out. BUT not everyone feels like they can share, or open up about something like this. Which is totally ok, but it's so hard to feel alone in something so devastating and life altering and <i>isolating</i>. I mean, I had absolutely no idea that so many women I know and love have been through this too.<br />
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I'm not sure what I'm proposing here. I'm not sure what the solution is. I'm just saying that when we feel alone, in whatever situation or hardship we go through, we aren't. We're never alone. We're never the first to go through something, and we won't be the last. I guess I just feel like when you go through something like this, at some point, eventually you have wisdom and insight to offer to someone else. And that is an amazingly important thing. Something that shouldn't be kept quiet and secret and locked away. It is something to be shared and passed on. I fear that we, as a society, are losing the passing on of wisdom and knowledge, especially about primal, spiritual, and biological things. Mothering, birth, loss... these are universal experiences that so very many women go through, and yet they are things we feel so alone in. <br />
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Like I said; I have absolutely no idea what I am proposing here outside of this; if we don't let these experiences be so taboo, then we won't feel quite so alone. If we share (at least what we feel comfortable sharing) our experiences, maybe we can all heal a little faster. I can't tell you <i>why</i> it helped to hear that so many of my friends had survived this loss, but it <i>did.</i> It was so sad to see how many in number we were of course, but it wasn't just a "me" anymore, it was "we". There's something powerful to be said for that.<br />
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So. I'm still sad. It's still a deep ocean, this grief, but now I'm not swimming it alone. There are so many of you keeping me afloat with your prayers, your encouragement, and your simple yet profound "I've been there"s. Somehow not being alone is really helping me. <br />
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If you feel alone, if you feel like you are drowning in your grief, your anger, your struggles... just know you're not. You're not alone. You're never, ever alone. <br />
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Thank God for that.<br />
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<br />Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-44355868128914877312014-01-03T09:18:00.001-08:002014-01-08T06:46:33.724-08:00Grief and My Angel Baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't know where to start this. I'm not sure if I will post this. Actually, I don't know if I can keep this in my heart, and I know I don't want to pretend that this never happened. <br />
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In the beginning/middle of November we found out I was pregnant. We'd been trying for about five months, so obviously I was really excited. Eisley is adorable with babies and just LOVES them, so it was time to make her a big sister. I told a couple of friends who I would talk to about the trying process and my frustrations when another month would tick by and no pregnancy. I just couldn't keep all of that <i>joy</i> to myself. I was only two weeks pregnant when we found out, so it was super early.<br />
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The weeks flew by. I have a toddler now, after all, and time with a toddler just doesn't ever seem to slow down. I bought a few things for the new baby. Some cute gender-neutral moccasins (even though I was <i>convinced</i> from the moment that stick showed two lines that this baby was a girl), a beautiful woven wrap to snuggle her up to me. I was feeling tired, but good. With Eisley I was nauseous all day every day for the first trimester, but I really very rarely felt sick this time unless I waited too long to eat something after I awoke in the morning. <br />
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If I'm being honest, that always made me nervous. Especially since I felt so strongly that this was a girl. You know what the old wives tales say about being pregnant with girls- you're sick as a dog. But I just took it as a blessing. A little (or big) mercy since I have to keep track of a super active toddler all day long. <br />
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Over Christmas we told all of our family. They were so excited, and my heart just became more anxious to meet my beautiful baby and plan our lives as a family of four instead of three. Driving home on that saturday after Christmas I was ten weeks, and I felt totally fine.<br />
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On Monday or Tuesday I started spotting lightly, and of course I completely freaked out. I told God, "No way. This is nothing." But I think in my heart I knew that wasn't true. I called my midwife, talked to some friends, and they all tried to reassure me that it was probably nothing, and just to take it easy, get some rest, eat good foods, and drink lots of water. So that's what I did. By Wednesday, New years day, I was having some more intense spotting and was getting really worried. When I woke up to go to the bathroom at 3 am, I just knew. I just knew that all of my hopes and dreams for this baby were just not to be.<br />
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I can't write about what it was like. What happened to me. But I will say that New Years day one was of the worst days of my life, and as much as I'd like to forget it, I know I never ever will. I have never felt grief like this. Of course I grieved when my grandparents died, but to lose a baby. <br />
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I mean, there are no words that can describe how it feels. And to know that this is how too many of my friends have felt when they have lost their babies... my heart breaks even more. I never in a million years thought that this would happen when I peed on those two little sticks. I never thought that I would lose this baby. But here we are, at 10 1/2 weeks, I am no longer pregnant. Just devastated. <br />
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We named our baby. I think the thought that broke me more than almost anything else was imagining our beautiful baby meeting Jesus without a name. I'm not sure why that breaks my heart into a million tiny pieces, but it does. Since we can't know the gender for sure we picked a name that I've always loved that can be for a boy or a girl. I can't think of a middle name that works, but I feel like I need to. <br />
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Our angel baby's name is Avery. I hate the thought of waiting so long to meet my baby in heaven, but my sweet friend who has also lost a baby sent me this quote, which comforted me a lot-<br />
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"... and to think, when her little eyes opened, the first thing she saw was the face of Jesus."<br />
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My sweet Avery is being held and loved on by her Heavenly Father, meeting her great grandparents, her uncle Jessie, and her new BFF Ava. I can't say that I don't feel hurt that I didn't get to hold her in my arms. I can't say I don't feel cheated, and a little angry. I can't say I don't feel absolutely and completely heartbroken, but I do have hope. Hope that one day I will be able to hold my Avery in Heaven. Hope that she (or he, but I really, really felt that Avery was a girl) is in the most beautiful, amazing place that has ever existed. That she never felt the pain of this world. Just love. I hope in the deepest parts of my soul that she felt loved by me while she was with me. But I know she feels love now. <br />
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So if you see me, and I burst into tears for no apparent reason- I'm just thinking of my Avery. I'm just wishing she was here. I'm just mourning that I never got to feel her kick and tumble in my tummy. I'm mourning that I never got huge and had to sweat it out all the way to the end of July with an enormous pregnant belly. I'm mourning that Eisley won't be a big sister yet this summer. I'm grieving for my husband's pain and sadness. I'm grieving for shattered dreams and little feet I will never kiss. This grief is heavy and real and intense. It comes in waves, and it's overwhelming. I know we will be ok, but right now, I'm not. I'm not ok. I'm so devastatingly sad.<br />
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To all of my friends that have gone through this- I'm so sorry. This is horrible. I would never wish this on anyone, and I know there was nothing I really could have said or done to make it better, but I understand now. I understand the emptiness, and the fear. The fear that this will happen again. Oh God, that fear is so real. But I am trying to choose hope. I'm trying to choose faith. Our family could use your prayers, because I know this will be a long road. I'm not looking forward to July 26th this year... I think that her due date will be another level of grief. But I believe that God can use this for good in our family. I believe I will meet my daughter one day. I believe that God will bless us with more children. I believe that He will heal my broken heart and bind up my wounds. <br />
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I do want to say before I finish this up that I am so grateful, so incredibly grateful for every single friend and family member that has prayed for us through this, brought us a meal, watched Eisley, encouraged our hearts, and loved us. I wish Avery could have known you all. Because you are all the best, and I love you. So much. Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-2422352493780015962013-09-17T12:50:00.000-07:002014-01-08T06:18:25.732-08:00Be Gentle on Moms. We're New Here.I have been a stay stay at home mom for about two and a half months now (HUGE answer to prayer. Thank God for a husband that works hard so that I can stay home.) This was what I wanted from the moment I found out that I was pregnant. It has always been my heart's desire to be home with my babies when we had them. So I was obviously ridiculously happy and excited.<br />
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It's been the hardest two and a half months, well, pretty much ever.<br />
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Honestly, I feel guilty just admitting that. But let me break it down, because for the uninitiated I know that statement sounds really selfish. And I suppose that maybe it is, but just a little. Even my husband doesn't understand what I mean when I say that it's the hardest thing I've ever done. I suppose complaining about being tired and overwhelmed isn't helpful, but in the moment I always find it difficult to put a cohesive statement together about <i>why, </i>exactly, it is that what I have always said I wanted is also something that drives me to tears.<br />
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So here we go. Let me try to explain.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">A mom is no one and everyone-</b> A mom is no one. She is no longer the artist, the singer, the corporate lawyer. She is not the hardest working woman in her office, or the most successful and celebrated <i>anything</i> to anyone anymore. Whatever it was that a stay at home mom used to find her identity in, however she defined herself (outside of the Lord obviously) is gone. Which is ok at first. Imperceptible even. The honeymoon phase of baby snuggles and the idea of "open days" only lasts <i>so long. </i>Eventually in it's place the stay at home mom will probably find some grief. To the outsider this part may not make a whole lot of sense, and I totally get that, because I didn't understand until I experienced it either, but stay with me here. The mom often grieves or mourns over what feels like the loss or death of her <i>self.</i><br />
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It's the little things, and they aren't always tangible or quantifiable, but it feels so easy to fade away into this mommy-haze. Instead of thinking largely of her own and her husbands needs pre-baby, a mom might find an hour in a day to address her needs. The most basic ones, usually. It's a pretty intense death to self to go from girls-nights and coffee dates to simply feeling like you've gotten a break by showering alone, with no small child screaming on the other side of the curtain. <br />
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Some days you find yourself feeling like "woman" you no longer exists. You are now "mom." You change diapers, feed everyone, except yourself often, clean, do laundry, entertain, and occasionally you put on some makeup, and meet at the park with some other friends. Mostly so you can all run after your children communally, good luck holding an adult conversation. You are no one, but you are also everyone. You are a doctor, a sleep specialist, a food supply, a cook, a maid, a play-ground-referee, a chauffeur, a nutritionist, a comforter, a counselor, a disciplinarian, and anything else your child and spouse need on a daily basis. You are everything to everyone, and sometimes that is an overwhelming reality.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">A mom deals with incredible guilt all the time- </i>This one isn't exclusive to stay at home moms. I felt a ridiculous amount of guilt while I was working too. The reality doesn't change, just the source of the guilt. When you're working, the guilt lies in not being there for your child. Not tucking them in at night, not kissing their knees when they scrape them at the park. The guilt of waving goodbye to your distraught child as your drop them off at daycare, your friends house, your parents house, wherever. You feel guilty for <i>missing</i> things. <br />
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When you are a stay at home mom, the guilt stays, but the source of it changes. You feel guilty that your husband feels more pressure to provide. You feel guilty that the house isn't clean, and the dishes aren't done. You feel guilty that some days, you want to be <i>anywhere</i> but home, and you feel guilty that you find you sometimes want to run from the house and just be <i>alone</i>. You feel guilty for feeling any kind of desire to take care of your own basic needs and mental and emotional health. You feel guilty because you (unnecessarily) believe that you should be able to <i>turn off</i> your own needs so that you can devote yourself to the needs of your family, but quickly find that to be an impossible task.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">A mom is isolated-</i> I'm starting to see why large family units used to live together, or at least really close to each other. Being a stay at home mom can be <i>lonely</i>. Obviously I love love LOVE my daughter, and I am incredibly blessed, but sometimes you can go an entire day without any adult conversation, interaction, or company. It can make you feel a little crazy.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">We live in a society that doesn't value child-rearing-</i> We live in a society that places a higher value on careers, money, and possessions than on having and raising babies. People don't understand <i>why</i> you would want to leave your job, making less money on a whole because of it so that you aren't able to buy as many things or go on as many trips, and they're not afraid to tell you and look at you like you're nuts. Have more than 2 or 3 kids? I bet you've heard someone <i>"jokingly" </i>ask you if you've ever heard of birth control. That or they say "<i>You know how you got this way, right?"</i> when they find out you're pregnant again. How disheartening.<br />
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<b><i>Moms are judged. All the time- </i></b>Moms are judged, by just about everyone. Your kid throws a fit in the grocery store, you get head shakes and mean stares. Your baby cries in church, you feel the silent pressure to leave the room. Your baby is hungry while you're out and about, running errands that need to be run, or, <i>God forbid</i>, you are just OUT for the sake of going out so you sit down to nurse your baby and the dirty looks assail you constantly. <br />
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You're doing the best you can as a mom, and everywhere you look, someone is judging you. Possibly the worst of it is when you feel like you are being judged by other moms, your family, or even your spouse. It's easy to feel discouraged when nothing you do is good enough. When your accomplishments and work is so <i>intangible</i> that it is so easily and often overlooked, while your "faults" (or maybe just those chores or errands you didn't get done in the day) are so glaringly obvious. <br />
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But here's the thing. <br />
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<b><i>Here's the really important thing.</i></b><br />
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This is what I try to tell myself when I feel like no one notices how <i>much</i> of myself I pour out daily- being a mom is hard, really really hard, because <i><b>being a mom is being archetype of Christ to your family</b></i>. <br />
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Every day I am dying to myself for the good of my family. It hurts. It really does. But it's stretching me, changing me, making my heart capable of deeper love, deeper emotion, deeper strength. I'm certainly not always graceful in my state of perpetual death-to-self (ok, <i>most of the time</i> I am not graceful in death), but it gives me such a deeper appreciation for the sacrifice of Christ. That He died in every way for me. Because I finally understand (though to such a smaller degree) the level of sacrifice laid down on my behalf. <br />
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Being a mom is a noble calling. It is an awesome responsibility. It is a 24/7 job in which you are never off duty, and that's a big adjustment to make. I'll argue that being a mom, at least in your baby's early years, requires a level of adjustment that most mere mortals simply cannot understand. Sometimes that even includes dads. Of course dads feel the changes. They have to work harder, it's more pressure, more responsibility. They can't always chase their dreams the way they'd hoped to as an idealistic 18 year old man. However, on a daily basis, their routine stays much more the same than a mom's. <br />
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Sometimes I'm jealous of my husband's alone time as he drives to and from work.<br />
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I'm pretty sure that's a hard thing to understand if you're not staying home 24/7.<br />
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I'm pretty guilty of complaining lately. How tired I am, how overwhelming it can be to stay home, how frustrating my daughter can be. I know it doesn't make sense to complain, because <i>this is what I have wanted</i>. But I suppose that what I'm really doing is mourning. And dealing with my guilt. And feeling isolated, and judged. Sometimes I'm flat out feeling under-valued and misunderstood. <br />
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It's just really hard to put those things into a short fragmented sentence as I'm correcting my child for the umpteenth time after my husband gets home at night. <br />
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So here's one more thing that I'm going to put out there-<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">What a mom really needs is understanding, patience, and support</i>.<br />
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Here's why. A mom is a new creation, a newborn just as much as her baby. Everything is new, scary, and unknown. Thrown into the world without much preparation or support, and with the weight of the world on her tired and sleep deprived shoulders. A mom is a child struggling to take her first steps, often with no one to hold her hand and steady her as she trips and wobbles. A mom deserves grace.<br />
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I love this quote. Maybe you've heard it, but it puts it so much more eloquently than I can, and this is how I will leave you. I hope this post made sense. I hope it feels hopeful. I hope that if you're reading this, feeling the same things, that you feel now like you're not alone. Because you're not. You're just new. Like me.<br />
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<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.75em; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-size: x-large;">The moment a child is born, the mother is also</span></h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.75em; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-size: x-large;"> born. She never existed before. The woman</span></h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.75em; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-size: x-large;"> existed, but the mother, never. A mother is </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-size: x-large;">something absolutely new. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-size: x-large;">~Rajneesh</span></h3>
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Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-89561060880455176322013-08-07T15:15:00.000-07:002014-01-08T06:18:59.685-08:00Cloth Diapering for $30- It Really CAN Be Done!There's been a lot of talk lately about parents who are struggling financially <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/10/opinion/goldblum-diapers/index.html?hpt=hp_bn7" target="_blank">re-using disposable diapers</a>. It's a sad reality for more moms and dads than anyone probably even realizes, and it's got to be something that leaves these moms feeling a little hopeless. <br />
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Food or diapers.<br />
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That's a decision I'm glad I've never had to make, especially if I didn't know that there were options out there other than disposable diapers. So let me preface what I am about to say with this- you <i>can</i> diaper your baby for little to no money. It may require sacrifices of time and convenience, but it <i>can </i>be done. I'm not going to hit on all the nitty-gritty here because it is just too complex and it would take more than one blog post to do it. I'm just going to give you some options, some real, useable options. Because maybe <i>you</i> find yourself struggling to pay for diapers sometimes. Maybe you don't see a way out, and maybe you don't think cloth is an affordable option.<br />
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It can be both a way out, and an cheap, doable option.<br />
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Ok, let's break it down. You have one baby. You want to wash diapers every two days, because really, every day is just not always doable. You need enough supplies to get you through 48 hours plus some wiggle room. <br />
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Let's set a budget for ourselves. We've got $30 to diaper our baby with. 30 hard-saved, fought for dollars. I'm going to say $30 because it's about what you'd pay for a big case of name brand diapers when you factor in taxes. We've got to come up with two days worth of diapers for $30. Whew. Here we go.<br />
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<b>1.</b> Raid your closet. I know most people have those t-shirts that they just can't wear anymore. They've got holes in them, stains all over, and they just don't fit. Those old t-shirts? Use 'em as diapers. Really. They will function just like <a href="http://www.diaperjunction.com/diaper-rite-birdseye-cloth-diapers.html?=360" target="_blank">Flat Diapers</a>, will be easy to wash, and quick to dry. You can find instructions on different folds just about <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Fold-a-Cloth-Diaper" target="_blank">anywhere</a> online. <b>cost- free</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2FZNFztz4G8jUx776Lf4EVFaztgZROHxU_zcTIKCu5cxdXYSKNp2MaW-MAOzdpcub32RHg2846-_BlPyfbW_IaxPSc-iZYWydOtqDH7Z7DdvSNjiHyl1MRoWktdoi9Jx-0H2hw6oX5k/s1600/thumbnail-1.asp.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2FZNFztz4G8jUx776Lf4EVFaztgZROHxU_zcTIKCu5cxdXYSKNp2MaW-MAOzdpcub32RHg2846-_BlPyfbW_IaxPSc-iZYWydOtqDH7Z7DdvSNjiHyl1MRoWktdoi9Jx-0H2hw6oX5k/s1600/thumbnail-1.asp.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<b>2.</b> Go to resale shops! Search around and I bet you can find some old flour-sack dish-towels. Do you know what those are? Basically the same exact thing as flat diapers. Don't have enough old t-shirts at your house to use as flats? Pick some up here too! My guess is that if you hit your resale shops on days where they had a sale, you could pick these items up for as cheap as $.25 each. We'll guess a little more conservatively though to make sure we're being realistic just in case. You pick up about 15 tees and towels for $.50 each. <b>cost- $7.50</b><br />
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So far we've spent $7.50 and found ourselves anywhere from 15 to 20 diapers (depending on how many old t-shirts you had around your house) for just $7.50. <b>$7.50!!!!</b><br />
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<b>3.</b> Use those flannel receiving blankets that you have sitting around. Traditionally sized flannel receiving blankets are the perfect size to use as flat diapers. Really. I'm sure you can find some at a resale shop as well if you don't have any lying around. My guess is you could get a pack of four for about $1. <b>Cost- free to $1</b><br />
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Ok! So that puts us at a count of anywhere from 19 to 25 diapers depending on your resale scores, all for a cost of about<b> $9.00</b>. woo! That's enough to get one baby through about two days of diaper changes. Now we need to figure out a waterproof barrier. <br />
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<b>4.</b> <a href="http://www.diaperjunction.com/dritz-diaper-pins.html" target="_blank">Diaper Pins</a>. Gotta fasten those diapers! <b>Cost- $1.29</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08PjVnK1jlFlTOFCwT4vZR-V8QZxkENk6TJEj2fHOOtYzOaa6NJvX_wddDBP4MKLpfRoVBs4NVhJVYvKCjpRIL0d8shQs0xm7igGvWg_Rt6sByy519lPBhupHGwvxEz_pkibY2yzCcuw/s1600/thumbnail-2.asp.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08PjVnK1jlFlTOFCwT4vZR-V8QZxkENk6TJEj2fHOOtYzOaa6NJvX_wddDBP4MKLpfRoVBs4NVhJVYvKCjpRIL0d8shQs0xm7igGvWg_Rt6sByy519lPBhupHGwvxEz_pkibY2yzCcuw/s1600/thumbnail-2.asp.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<b>5.</b> <a href="http://www.diaperjunction.com/diaper-covers.html" target="_blank">Diaper Covers</a>- You have a lot of options here. Some are obviously not going to fit into our budget. Others will be perfect. <a href="http://www.diaperjunction.com/bummis-pull-on-diaper-cover.html" target="_blank">Bummis Pull On Diaper Covers</a> are breathable PUL pull-on covers that cost only $6.50 each. Pick up 3 and you can totally get through 2 days if you wipe down any messes in between changes.<b> </b>You can also pick up a two pack of Gerber plastic pants to cover those diapers for about $5.00 a pair, they won't be breathable like the Bummis PUL option, but they are cheaper, so theoretically you could cloth diaper for even less than $30! For this illustration lets go with the Bummis. <b>Cost- $19.50</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7YloLaJqpZDEhMTcQHdSxvoVSU46OQIfNFg3ZKIVjkvORlOS8HVto3cWoLgwh7RgDBUU0ouPnbDvLuEId0IKWj1I3TUDtvzzlxJOylOsE8qHj2EvuVla18gc4ctiU3pvozFgEcRlT1s/s1600/thumbnail.asp.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7YloLaJqpZDEhMTcQHdSxvoVSU46OQIfNFg3ZKIVjkvORlOS8HVto3cWoLgwh7RgDBUU0ouPnbDvLuEId0IKWj1I3TUDtvzzlxJOylOsE8qHj2EvuVla18gc4ctiU3pvozFgEcRlT1s/s1600/thumbnail.asp.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<b>Total cost for 2 days worth of cloth diapers- $29.79!!!</b><br />
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You really <i>can </i>diaper your baby for $30, and instead of buying disposable wipes, just cut up some t-shirts or receiving blankets, wet them, and use those instead! These diapers could be hand-washed, or done in a washer and dryer at home or in the laundry mat. It may not be the glamourous option, but it is a heck of a lot better for baby, and you won't have to decide between food and diapers again. <br />
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Spread the word cloth addicts, because this could save a lot of mommies a lot of heart-ache. <br />
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Oh, and if you're one of those mommies who struggles to buy diapers for your baby- you are a super-hero. You are doing the best you can for your baby. You are a <i style="font-weight: bold;">great</i> mom, and I know it is <i style="font-weight: bold;">hard</i>. But I applaud you, because I know you must make a million sacrifices for your baby. <br />
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<br />Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-49803270816414059302013-07-08T13:12:00.002-07:002013-07-08T13:12:40.613-07:00The Uncomfortable One.It's been a while since I've really gotten personal on here. Life, you know, sometimes it pulls you away from things. <br />
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So since I've last written I have been able to quit my job and be a stay at home mom. It's been about two weeks, and it still feels like maybe I'm just on vacation or something, but I know that it will sink in soon. Of course I have to give credit to my extremely hard working husband, because the man has worked himself raw to get us here. He is a great man, and I certainly know I am blessed. <br />
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The thing is- I'm still discontent. My heart is in rebellion against me, and it really sucks. I should be happy. I mean, I got what I wanted. I have a great husband, a sweet and hilarious daughter, and now I get to stay home with her. We have more than we need, most of what we want, and yet here I am, disgruntled and a little depressed. Which I know sounds ungrateful. Of course that makes me feel badly too. <br />
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I think I've gotten to this point where all the things I use as a crutch to make myself "happy" without putting in the time and the work that it takes to have a real and meaningful relationship with The Lord are finally losing their luster. Not that any of those things are bad in and of themselves, but my heart is a charred piece of coal without Jesus, sucking energy from my husband, my daughter, my friends, all in an effort to make my life feel meaningful. Then when I have sucked all there is to pull out of these things, I just feel dejected.<br />
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My husband and I experienced a significant amount of spiritual abuse at our old church, and even though it's been years and I like to tell myself that we're over it, in reality we aren't. When you trust and love someone and they talk about you behind your back, spreading rumors and breaking down your longstanding relationship with their own insecurities... it hurts. So we pushed away from God, because really, how the heck could He let this happen? I mean really, these were our spiritual leaders, family, and friends. This was the <i>church</i>. <br />
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This was not the way it was supposed to be.<br />
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So in the very beginning of our marriage, from the very first day when we should have been learning about each other, how to relate to one another, how to work out our issues, we were dealing with this horse poop. I often feel like we were robbed of our first year or two of marriage. We can't get that time back, and the damage has been done. It's not that it can't be fixed, I'm just mad that there is anything to <i>fix </i>in the first place. It's crappy. It really is.<br />
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The thing is, how can you really work on a relationship if you don't work on yourself first? And how can you expect your spouse to work on themselves when you don't take the time to work on yourself? It's a big messy merry-go-round, and I want off the ride. I want to have a heart that doesn't let the little things throw me off course, because really- my kid is going to throw tantrums, and my husband is going to piss me off. But those should be little things, and they shouldn't end my day, you know?<br />
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So this is me, saying publicly what I need to say, and if you're reading this, you know I'm talking to you. <br />
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You should feel ashamed of yourself. We loved you and your family and trusted you, and you manipulated us, abused us spiritually, then set yourself up as the martyr when we finally said enough is enough. The constant drama, guilt trips, and accusations took our focus away from what was most important, and I know you saw it. Instead of leading us to the Lord, you led us to gossip and complain, because bitter hearts love company. I can't blame you for the state of my heart of course, and I don't, but I hope you know that when you are leading young people spiritually, you have a responsibility. You can't take that lightly because the Lord doesn't take it lightly. You hurt us, and it was wrong.<br />
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That being said, I forgive you. And I hope you can take a look at your own heart and take steps to get it right with the Lord too. Because life is too short to live it in bitterness and unforgiveness. <br />
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SO. Here we go. I'm tired of being unhappy. And I'm tired of letting my happiness rest on other peoples' shoulders. It's really not fair to either of us. I'm so blessed... I don't want to take any of it for granted. Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-38419916549745171302013-06-29T19:24:00.000-07:002014-01-08T06:19:43.738-08:00Smart Snugs Simple Snug All in Two Review & GiveawayAlright fellow cloth diaper addicts- I've got a review of a brand spanking new product for you today! Oh- and a giveaway! woo hoo!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbgM9o2yYsPRv7TZSN8Av37CSUouznkgsOCKPSNYZ_XZIgivs3dKQKWKunkuqkm0LHFjJewwEwn9ltbcF4SJs3ZWJ6VMbm_LJ8PabRRldPW5q1R_ELAZntP4Ey3ZN1Qr3wHiuTA5OeAA/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbgM9o2yYsPRv7TZSN8Av37CSUouznkgsOCKPSNYZ_XZIgivs3dKQKWKunkuqkm0LHFjJewwEwn9ltbcF4SJs3ZWJ6VMbm_LJ8PabRRldPW5q1R_ELAZntP4Ey3ZN1Qr3wHiuTA5OeAA/s640/image.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaUb596MzhJx4w3ktkyCl7C0_v4EvGlzissrjnEthxWvkNESA4EWQKN0rN2vO1ml3i28wAm5-h6tNrgEEM4GOkfDjppl4UhFu5iyX8qAfg84vCBAeUoDPvpPXHI_kEsNZvaPuaWHtvLo/s1600/image_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaUb596MzhJx4w3ktkyCl7C0_v4EvGlzissrjnEthxWvkNESA4EWQKN0rN2vO1ml3i28wAm5-h6tNrgEEM4GOkfDjppl4UhFu5iyX8qAfg84vCBAeUoDPvpPXHI_kEsNZvaPuaWHtvLo/s640/image_1.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgoSABRT-yRk1YM10f49magFJAL1GRFKP7boAQRrrrhn_COQc0LQvq5zNlAjVDxbySONQKk7hGZlE9Hi3MS_3zU9jIfaTgCRu0sipdcr3zi6QPTiiU8oVaSNtyEIo_EWPWJSQtbtvsBs/s1600/image_3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgoSABRT-yRk1YM10f49magFJAL1GRFKP7boAQRrrrhn_COQc0LQvq5zNlAjVDxbySONQKk7hGZlE9Hi3MS_3zU9jIfaTgCRu0sipdcr3zi6QPTiiU8oVaSNtyEIo_EWPWJSQtbtvsBs/s320/image_3.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a>You all know that I like <a href="http://www.smartsnugs.com/" target="_blank">Smart Snugs</a> Diapers. A lot. They're cute, affordable, and work like a charm. So when they contacted me with the opportunity to review their new All-In-Two diaper line, along with a few other bloggers, of course I was excited. Being an almost strictly pocket diaper and all-in-one diaper fan, this was a great chance to try something new. Plus the diaper cover they sent me is black! Every baby should have a LBD (little black diaper)!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXi9S1lWJey95vr7f_sbhd7buw9mksNL85bn-uG_jiVOEfpOn6meF0-yV4wMfxeFn5bRg_oOSORrWnHbl5y6mq2XSvJk6FO5GJl79zv6WWr0iSfMS7heYVdlnRV-yHmqWqvr5u5TnRRjs/s1600/image_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXi9S1lWJey95vr7f_sbhd7buw9mksNL85bn-uG_jiVOEfpOn6meF0-yV4wMfxeFn5bRg_oOSORrWnHbl5y6mq2XSvJk6FO5GJl79zv6WWr0iSfMS7heYVdlnRV-yHmqWqvr5u5TnRRjs/s320/image_2.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The new <a href="https://www.smartsnugs.com/SimpleSnugAI2.html" target="_blank">Simple Snug AI2</a> is a cover-style system with stay-dry micro-fleece pockets in the front and the back of the diaper to hold the inserts securely in place while also keeping the sticky PUL away from your baby's body. Speaking of inserts, there are 5 that you have to choose from. Yeah, 5. That's a lot of great options! The covers also have double gussets to keep messes <i>inside </i>the diaper and not on your baby's clothes. And like all <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SmartSnugs" target="_blank">Smart Snugs</a> diapers, they have hip snaps and fold-over tabs that will ensure that this diaper will fit your baby for a long long time. <br />
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The insert that I was sent to test out with my new Simple Snug AI2 was the <a href="http://www.smartsnugs.com/6layerBCottonwgussets.html" target="_blank">6 Layer Bamboo Cotton with Gussets</a>. This insert is soft. Really really soft. I know that it's got to feel great on Eisley's little tushie, and that's important to me. It's also really absorbent. One 6 Layer insert is plenty for nap time protection. It didn't quite get us through the night, but Eisley has been drinking a whole lot of milk before bed time lately, so the only thing that tends to get us through is a hemp pre-fold tri-folded in a pocket diaper. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQwdBlth55WuvSUe5sbqh_6Bw7UHCvVhi2t5_udkYp9YJUqfinFyDtHiZ8g2DpO6tHng1dZ7I23R2ylyKgJq-18XyADVbCxih2h1I7GZChv12M0SzbGD8V1EfLHRcuhToog7pAgVzvr4/s750/6LayerBambooGusset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQwdBlth55WuvSUe5sbqh_6Bw7UHCvVhi2t5_udkYp9YJUqfinFyDtHiZ8g2DpO6tHng1dZ7I23R2ylyKgJq-18XyADVbCxih2h1I7GZChv12M0SzbGD8V1EfLHRcuhToog7pAgVzvr4/s640/6LayerBambooGusset.jpg" height="372" width="640" /></a></div>
Anywho, in case you're wondering exactly what is inside of the 6 layer bamboo insert, check out this handy dandy graphic from Smart Snugs. Two layers of thirsty bamboo cotton, three layers of microfiber, and a bottom layer of waterproof PUL which will let you switch out your inserts without wiping your cover very often. Which is awesome because I think that is what keeps me from using more covers and prefolds. The cleaning up of messes in between uses. I'm actually pretty lazy when it comes to diapers, so I typically like to just toss a dirty diaper right into the wet bag. With these, I have no problem just tossing the insert into the wetbag and popping a new one into the cover. Easy as pie. Which is an expression I've never fully understood because making a pie isn't super easy. But I digress...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiiX48rEmplUFfRVdSdPavA-pNrUNB2YGYfYO9hid3c-jXWKZQQ0p_YQ4bWza3BDPMU7KbHUD61FC4Nwn5BHykcGfTkbzi6HIiOn95zm5IEz38X23IrqmvUofOwo_Ve0D_k4gdfki2rM/s1600/image_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiiX48rEmplUFfRVdSdPavA-pNrUNB2YGYfYO9hid3c-jXWKZQQ0p_YQ4bWza3BDPMU7KbHUD61FC4Nwn5BHykcGfTkbzi6HIiOn95zm5IEz38X23IrqmvUofOwo_Ve0D_k4gdfki2rM/s320/image_1.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a> The only thing I'm not sure I am in love with are the gussets on the insert. The gussets don't seem to grab the four inside layers, and so it always seems a little bunchy when I pull the inserts out of the washer and dryer. I don't like when my underpants get all bunched up, so I tend to think my daughter must not like it either, so for me the bunching is con to this insert. It's not a deal breaker, with some effort I've been able to get everything smoothed back out, but in the future I'd love to see these inserts made with the gusset grabbing onto each layer. If that happens, I'll be a convert.<br />
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If you're not wild about the gussets on the insert, there are also non-gusseted options that will be just as absorbent and soft. The inserts also come in charcoal bamboo in place of the bamboo cotton. I do love options!<br />
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Ok. So here are the details-<br />
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Price- $14.99 for a Simple Snug cover with wipeable PUL inside that can be used for multiple diaper changes.<br />
$19.50 for a pack of three Cotton Bamboo Inserts with Gussets<br />
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Options- 6 great colors to choose from as well as two different pocket materials. (note that the charcoal bamboo pockets or Nature Snugs are $18.99 instead of $14.99) 5 different inserts to choose from!<br />
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Pros- Great fit that covers a <i>huge</i> range of weights and sizes thanks to the overlapping tabs and cross-over snaps.<br />
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The black color is <i>awesome</i>. Seriously, why haven't I gotten a black diaper before now? All of their colors are vibrant and gorgeous. <br />
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The covers can be used for multiple diaper changes and you can use so many different Smart Snugs inserts, prefolds, flats... just about anything in them.<br />
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The stay dry pockets really do keep the inserts in place, and keep baby comfortable. <br />
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These are affordable and fairly priced.<br />
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Cons- The gusseted inserts are a little bit bunchy. You have to mess with them a bit to get them to lay nice and straight. <br />
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There are only 6 colors! With colors that vibrant, I'd love to see some more modern options like a deep teal, hot pink, and some less primary colors. This isn't really a <i>con</i> as much as a wish for <i>more</i>.<br />
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Overall- I really like the new Smart Snug Simple Snug AI2. I think I'm going to have to add more to my stash because these are so easy and work so well. <br />
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Here's the Review! It goes live on July 1st! <br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/29d0c717/" id="rc-29d0c717" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Disclaimer- I was not compensated in any way for this review. I was sent a diaper for review, but all opinions are my own. Your experience may be different than my own. <br />
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<br />Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-79517832651371160552013-05-12T19:21:00.000-07:002013-05-12T19:21:42.071-07:00Hey First Time Moms & Dads! You Don't Need All That Stuff!Hey readers! This one goes out to all of you future moms and dads that are expecting your first baby. It's inspired by some good friends who are pregnant with their first babes as I type this, and the conversations we've had about what you do, and do <i>not</i> actually need. (Now, this is by no means a definitive list, and there may be a few things on here that really would make your life easier that I just didn't find necessary... but you get the picture here! It's always nice to know what other moms could have lived without, because magazines and stores will try to convince you that you need a whole lot of junk that you just don't need. Ever.)<br />
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Ok, so I'm going to start with a couple of things you need. And y'all know what #1 is going to be right?<br />
<br />
#1 must have for new parents- <b><a href="http://www.diaperjunction.com/?AffId=360">Cloth Diapers</a>! </b>Seriously now, if you didn't see that one coming... But really- I've said this before, and I'll say it again. And again. And again. Cloth is <b>EASY</b>, <b>Saves you money</b>, <b>keeps nasty chemicals away from your sweet babe's bum</b>, <b>and they are just so darn cute</b>! My favorite of all favorites right now happens to be <a href="http://www.diaperjunction.com/Thirsties_bymfg_44-0-1.html">Thirsties Cloth Diapers</a> AIO (that means All in One if you're new to cloth). I'll tell you why I love them because this will be a good jumping off point, and then you can look through some of my older posts about cloth diapering like <a href="http://tomakeanest.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-best-cloth-diaper-accessories-to.html">this one</a> or <a href="http://tomakeanest.blogspot.com/2012/07/starting-cloth-diapering-on-cheap.html">this one</a>, or even <a href="http://tomakeanest.blogspot.com/2012/04/cloth-diapering-also-known-as-my-new.html">this one here</a>. There are quite a few. Take a look around! Anywhoo- <a href="http://www.diaperjunction.com/thirsties-duo-aio-cloth-diaper.html">Thirsties Diapers</a> makes a few different styles of diapers, but my favorite by far (and even favorite out of anything right now) is their <a href="http://www.diaperjunction.com/thirsties-duo-aio-cloth-diaper.html">Duo All in One Diaper</a>. It's only about $15 a diaper, two sized for a great fit, and it's nice and absorbent. Also, it's my opinion that Thirsties has some of the best colors around on their diapers, and there are so many color options and prints to choose from.<br />
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#2 must have for new parents- a co-sleeper of some sort. With E we used a <a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/en_US/products/51903">Rock 'n Play Sleeper</a>, which worked great, but I think with baby #2 (whenever they decide to come into existence) we will get an <a href="http://www.armsreach.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=cPath=cPath=3_18_1">Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper</a> since babe #2 will be sharing our room longer than E did as we are currently living in only a 2 bedroom house. Either way, having a safe and easy way to keep baby right next to you in those first 3-5 months will be a sleep-saver. Trust me on that one. You don't want to be getting out of bed, leaving your room, feeding your baby in a chair for an hour, then dragging your tired feet back into bed a million times a night. With a co-sleeper you can just reach over and bring your baby into bed to nurse. So. Nice.<br />
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#3 must have for new parents- This one's for the moms. A really good, supportive nursing pillow. Especially if you are big chested like I am. I had a Boppy with E, but I always needed a pillow under it. It was a little bit of a head ache. Spend the extra money, and go with something like the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Balboa-Baby-Nursing-Pillow-Cream/dp/B002VXRY30/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1368212428&sr=8-20&keywords=nursing+pillow">Balboa Baby Nursing Pillow</a>. That extra support and firmness can make a big difference in how comfortable you are when nursing your baby.<br />
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So <i>now </i>let's get to the things that you really could live without. So save your money. Babies are expensive enough, right?<br />
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#1 thing I wish we hadn't registered for- a travel system. Yup. HUGE waste of money in my opinion, and here's why... when E was a tiny little baby I personally preferred to wear her. She preferred it too. There were times when a stroller came in handy at first, but we just didn't use our travel system stroller much in those first months. Now that E is older, we go on more walks, but I quickly found that the small hard wheels of the travel system stroller just wasn't going to cut it here in Kansas City. The sidewalks are <i>awful</i>. And they're definitely not made for trail walking. oi. So I bought a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/BOB-Revolution-Single-Stroller-Black/dp/B004DC9TAS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368213342&sr=8-1&keywords=bob+revolution">BOB</a> jogging stroller, and I LOVE it. Now I really don't see when I will use the stroller that came with our travel system. <br />
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What I <i>should </i>have done was this- buy a nice and safe infant car seat. Buy a stroller <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Graco-1793955-SnugRider-Elite/dp/B008OIPZW8/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1368213606&sr=1-1&keywords=stroller+frame">frame</a> that I could have just clicked the carseat into. Then bought a BOB. Had I done that, I wouldn't be sitting here trying to figure out what the heck to do with my travel system stroller. Lesson learned.<br />
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#2 thing I wish we hadn't registered for- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a
Bumbo. I thought I would love that thing, but man, I think I used it a
maximum of ten times, and now it's just taking up space in my daughter's room
while I try to think of where to store it. Seriously. They're cute,
and it seems like a great idea, but E never seemed comfortable in it. I
would say you can skip it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">#3
thing I wish we hadn't registered for- all those little odds and ends.
You know what I'm talking about. The cute little gadgets, the toys,
the socks. All that stuff that will clutter up your baby's room and look
cute, but never actually make your life easier. The little bath ducky
that is supposed to tell you if your baby's bath water is too hot (it doesn't
really work), the stuff that companies will market to you because they know
you're nervous because you've never had a baby before. Trust your
instincts, and save your money. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I
could go on and on and on with stuff you need and don't need. So before
you go and register, poll your mom friends, ask your sisters and your brothers
what they found helpful and what they didn't. Go buy yourself some <a href="http://www.diaperjunction.com/?AffId=360"><span style="color: #005ce7;"><b>Cloth
Diapers</b></span></a>, and ditch the useless gadgets. After all, you
know what the Beatles said- "All you need is love!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And
a bassinet. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times-Roman; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-58159249531758009822013-05-01T21:18:00.000-07:002014-01-08T06:20:47.773-08:00Do you have a love-hate relationship With your cloth diapers? <br />
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What I mean by that is, did you buy a whole lot of one brand of diaper when you started your stash after doing weeks of research, thinking you found the perfect one, only to find that they just aren't all you thought they'd be? Or maybe you just <i>love</i> them at one age, and <i>hate </i>them at another? I'm here to tell you, don't throw in the towel just yet!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Mr1L4zeAxhUMFTqrsPttUiEKJRSCpBR5OvlP80e2hb5hXlPAX7Xpu8Ow99ClOkT5UI_Q6vK-cmFlcFF7PVZR6e9ey-3JTJ-uXWHQX9q5KIB-KGAJBN3y0pqrXhporoZuWo740SYJWuM/s1600/303428_10200388933618994_1163296632_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Mr1L4zeAxhUMFTqrsPttUiEKJRSCpBR5OvlP80e2hb5hXlPAX7Xpu8Ow99ClOkT5UI_Q6vK-cmFlcFF7PVZR6e9ey-3JTJ-uXWHQX9q5KIB-KGAJBN3y0pqrXhporoZuWo740SYJWuM/s320/303428_10200388933618994_1163296632_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just hanging out in her Fuzzibunz</td></tr>
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Cloth diapers are a big expense, and it can be frustrating when they're just not working as well as you want them too. Whether they're just too bulky, you can't get the rise just right, or they're too tight in the legs, what doesn't work well for you right now may be just what you need three months from now. Of course that also means that what works for you now may not work for you in three months. Especially if you use one sized diapers.<br />
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The first diapers that fit E super well were our <a href="http://www.diaperjunction.com/FuzziBunz_bymfg_12-0-1.html" target="_blank">Fuzzi Bunz Cloth Diapers</a>. The rise was perfect, no leg gaps at all, and super trim. Of course she was tiny so one insert was all we needed, so her diapers fit perfectly in her clothes. They really were the <i>only </i>diaper that fit her for a while. Especially when she had newborn thighs. The adjustable leg elastic was a life-saver. <br />
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Now when E went through a super-heavy wetting stage, I had a little bit of a harder time figuring out how to make our Elites work for us. Two inserts just felt too bulky, so I kind of abandoned them for a few months. I moved on to some other one sized diapers. I never loved how bulky the others were on her when she was itty bitty though. I kept wanting to make those <a href="http://www.diaperjunction.com/fuzzi-bunz-one-size-pocket-diaper.html" target="_blank">Fuzzi Bunz Diapers</a> work for us!<br />
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A month or two later I decided to give the Elites another go. I realized I could trifold a small prefold and stuff that into the pocket. Problem solved! All it took was a month or two, and getting out of the super-heavy wetting stage, and they are one of the first diapers I reach for again. <br />
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And those other bulkier one sized diapers that fit so poorly on E when she was tiny- now they fit great! I've just learned in these past 14 months that babies change <i>so</i> quickly. Their little thighs go from chicken legs to roll-covered cherub legs in no time flat. Then just as quickly they're back to chicken legs when they start walking! So the moral of my story here is that if you bought a few diapers that you thought you would just <i>love</i>, but don't- you may not have to throw in the towel just yet. Give it some time because they could be just what you need a little further down the road. <br />
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That's also why I tell people to buy a few different brands of diapers when they're starting out. You just don't know what you're going to love, because you just don't know what your future little bundle might need. Give your diapers some time to prove themselves, and if after a six months or a year you just don't love them- you could always sell them and try something new. That's the beauty of cloth after all is that it holds its value so well. <br />
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So if at first you don't succeed, try try again. Or sell them off and buy something new. Whatever floats your boat! <br />
<a data-pin-color="red" data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fkentbrew%2F6851755809%2F&media=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7027%2F6851755809_df5b2051c9_z.jpg&description=Next%20stop%3A%20Pinterest"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_red_20.png" /></a>
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<br />Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-82252565119867363682013-05-01T08:36:00.000-07:002014-01-08T06:21:49.152-08:00Smart Bottoms AIO Diaper Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY15VLbdfxdZNtY2IFKLn1g9KffhwOohh_NF1Qlmamd5IMImD3OWPdepoW_cPCLIVSAYNyMit-swzJ4stA1-N6kJVgKzcAOBhp8wFCH6IrOJYwvyFkwByAdKvjGG9sDQ8nA-utX5WC8lQ/s1600/image_3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY15VLbdfxdZNtY2IFKLn1g9KffhwOohh_NF1Qlmamd5IMImD3OWPdepoW_cPCLIVSAYNyMit-swzJ4stA1-N6kJVgKzcAOBhp8wFCH6IrOJYwvyFkwByAdKvjGG9sDQ8nA-utX5WC8lQ/s320/image_3.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a>It's been a while since I've reviewed a diaper for you guys! Woo! Feeding your addiction one diaper at a time. I've got another one for you! <a href="http://lovelyecochic.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lovely Eco Chic</a> needed a second opinion on the <a href="http://www.smartbottoms.com/" target="_blank">Smart Bottoms</a><span id="goog_1614949987"></span><span id="goog_1614949988"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a> <a href="http://www.smartbottoms.com/Smart-One-3-0-AIO-p/smartone30.htm" target="_blank">Smart One 3.0 AIO</a>, and I was more than happy to give that second opinion as I'd never tried Smart Bottoms before. And y'all know I LOVE trying new diapers on E. We've talked about our addiction before. <br />
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We'll start that Cloth Diapers Anonymous group as soon as our stashes are done...<br />
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Yeah. Ok. Enough with the delusions and on to the good stuff! I know you want to hear all about this diaper, and I have a lot of great things to tell you about it!. Firstly, it's a one sized all in one- so if you're new to cloth and trying to figure out what in the heck that means- it's a diaper that can grow with your baby. Smart Bottoms says their diaper can fit a baby ranging from 8 lbs to 35 lbs. It's also an all in one which means no stuffing, no prefolds, no trying to figure out how to set it up- the organic cotton inner is sewn right in! Easy peasy. They come in a bunch of great colors and prints, and have a feature I <i>love</i>- some of their colored diapers have contrasting snap colors. <i>Cute!!!</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyavcKVNQbL2Y0akO1dJTlWqEviH0tooUeCDlAUmxCSv5SWHRKhU4qXfhJYmI1AoTpOHNUNAudkfQWC2OGhMvleJwg8evcVWr4Q8EvFAyoq4t4JiFJV07FD4dZZCnvNTSPOWOloWv-ZY/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyavcKVNQbL2Y0akO1dJTlWqEviH0tooUeCDlAUmxCSv5SWHRKhU4qXfhJYmI1AoTpOHNUNAudkfQWC2OGhMvleJwg8evcVWr4Q8EvFAyoq4t4JiFJV07FD4dZZCnvNTSPOWOloWv-ZY/s320/image.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a><i><br /></i>
The deets- The inner is a sewn in "snake style" insert. What that means is that it is one long insert that you can lay in the diaper however your baby needs it. I put it on E to sleep in one night and the girl is a tummy sleeper so I folded that little "snake" to have the most absorbency in the front, right where she gets the heaviest wetting at night. It's a feature I definitely love. It does <i>not</i> have a stay dry top on the insert, which is something some people love and others hate. I don't feel passionately one way or the other about that, but it's just something to keep in mind when you're ordering one of these. Some people <i>do</i> say that having a natural fiber against the skin with no stay dry inner can help babies potty learn faster because they can feel when they are wet. It's also just my personal feeling that a diaper without a stay dry inner has got to be more comfortable and much less hot in the summer. <br />
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The diaper has four rise snaps which means there is tons of room for customization on the fit. Which is awesome, because if you really do have an 8 lb newborn, the diaper will probably be pretty bulky snapped all the way down, but I think you probably would be able to get a good fit. Obviously E is 14 months and almost 20 lbs, so that isn't an issue with her, but it does fit her really well. It's not bulky at all, and she has plenty of room to grow into it. If she keeps her infant round-tummy I might worry about running out of room in the waist, but as I think that will go away as she grows, I think she will get a lot of use out of this diaper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyzXpC7mrdx6j1NJoLMRR_ojPeL5se8s3Vc9DKInmPDGxg6Aqq9Dt1BJUt9SZjQaaHCyNIl-sgnMnUX_nVdIeZMF1rE4p1QZ_zHYohAKQVXu08M-Dgq960_-Et2mReK-zigchaxnQAxc/s1600/image_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyzXpC7mrdx6j1NJoLMRR_ojPeL5se8s3Vc9DKInmPDGxg6Aqq9Dt1BJUt9SZjQaaHCyNIl-sgnMnUX_nVdIeZMF1rE4p1QZ_zHYohAKQVXu08M-Dgq960_-Et2mReK-zigchaxnQAxc/s320/image_1.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a>The way the waist snaps are set up is a little different than most diapers, and in a really great way. The female snaps are on the tabs, and the male snaps are on the tummy panel. So what does that mean for you and your little one? It means that there's no possibility of an errant tab snap digging into their skin. While I don't really think that would be an issue with this particular diaper since there are no hip-snaps, it is something that I think makes a whole lot of sense, and I'm not sure why other diapers aren't made that way. <br />
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So what do I love about this diaper?<br />
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*Organic cotton inner. No worrying about what kind of chemicals may be going up next to your baby's skin with this diaper. And if it <i>does</i> help with early potty learning- another <i>huge</i> plus.<br />
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*Great trim-fit. Even when the snake insert is folded into crazy positions, your baby will never look like she or he can't move in this diaper. But even being as trim as it is- E slept in this <i>all night long</i> with no extra absorbency added and had <i>NO LEAKS</i>! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjCKUab6Pvu331Cq54cad8pAsS1U10V1chl7FnNKLtH9z1lGeWhW42vY-6YpfiD2w_I2OLirDq4jE20GgSw6KzbsEYN_Nt59XWbELYpTe7ByrrdtyVUHbGC7riP0UM6SgRCWtzWibjI0/s1600/image_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjCKUab6Pvu331Cq54cad8pAsS1U10V1chl7FnNKLtH9z1lGeWhW42vY-6YpfiD2w_I2OLirDq4jE20GgSw6KzbsEYN_Nt59XWbELYpTe7ByrrdtyVUHbGC7riP0UM6SgRCWtzWibjI0/s320/image_2.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a>*I love that the snaps on the tummy panel are reversed from what most cloth diapers are. The female snaps are on the tabs, so they won't dig into your babe's skin.<br />
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*The colors and prints are so adorable. Seriously. I want them all. Which really shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, but they are just so cute. And the contrasting snap colors? Yes please!<br />
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*Super absorbent. Keep in mind that as this diaper is organic cotton- it will take 5 or 6 washes to be fully absorbent. If you only wash it once and then put it on your baby and it leaks- that is why. That being said- once it is prepped and ready, this diaper is awesome! It lasted E all night with no leaks. And that is saying something!<br />
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*Easy to size, easy to use. There's not much of a learning curve with this diaper, and there are so many ways you can fold the insert to get the right fit for your baby.<br />
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Is there anything I would change about this diaper?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFRNVoM1du5mog2JSmS6ztSpF1Na3YuefusmgdBVTiyXcwEnfOk-_nUVIgzzvb_uMW9Ble5gEpRl9HuDGTlgh6Xq3_jdvpR14Xz5bSlwA3nNUp8kjcSOACBzxgR5cXt3EPgOMhxdSYdU/s1600/IMG_1814-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFRNVoM1du5mog2JSmS6ztSpF1Na3YuefusmgdBVTiyXcwEnfOk-_nUVIgzzvb_uMW9Ble5gEpRl9HuDGTlgh6Xq3_jdvpR14Xz5bSlwA3nNUp8kjcSOACBzxgR5cXt3EPgOMhxdSYdU/s320/IMG_1814-1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>*The leg elastic. E has been having some <i>crazy</i> watery teething poops lately. It's unfortunate. And some diapers just don't hold it in at the legs. While E hasn't pooped in the Smart Bottoms yet, I do worry about it's ability to keep it in. I'd really love it if the leg elastic was top stitched. I feel like leg elastic that is top stitched just stays in place a little better, and holds everything in a little better. The way the elastic is on the Smart One is not bad- it's plenty snug, but I do worry about the watery teething poops. <br />
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*I'd like the tummy panel to have one more set of snaps and be just <i>slightly </i>wider. On a really chunky baby, I'm not sure this diaper would really fit up to 35 lbs. <br />
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But that's it! Just two things that I would improve on, and neither is even close to being a deal breaker for this gal! I think the <a href="http://www.smartbottoms.com/Smart-One-3-0-AIO-p/smartone30.htm" target="_blank">Smart One 3.0</a> is going to become one of those diapers that I reach for first. It's so easy to use, is super duper cute, and really absorbent. I also love the organic cotton inner, and think I'll probably need a couple more for the summer months because it just has to be a little cooler than most of E's fleece-inner diapers.<br />
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All in all, I really really love this diaper and I'd recommend it to anyone! At $23 it's not the most expensive AIO, but it's not the cheapest either. I'd say it's a pretty fair price for an organic cotton AIO and it certainly won't deter me from buying more. I'm already planning my purchase of a Berry Berry color. Pink with purple snaps! <br />
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Alright folks- hopefully I've just helped feed your cloth addiction today, and told you about a diaper you didn't know too much about before!
<a href="//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fkentbrew%2F6851755809%2F&media=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7027%2F6851755809_df5b2051c9_z.jpg&description=Next%20stop%3A%20Pinterest" data-pin-do="buttonPin" data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-color="red"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_red_20.png" /></a>Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-44325501781590960372013-04-08T08:26:00.000-07:002013-04-08T08:35:25.749-07:00If We Are What We Eat...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XccXf0NzAX8/Tvlcf9xYI_I/AAAAAAAA3xU/QF6htrfFj2g/s1600/zionpist-winston-churchill+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XccXf0NzAX8/Tvlcf9xYI_I/AAAAAAAA3xU/QF6htrfFj2g/s320/zionpist-winston-churchill+%25289%2529.jpg" width="284" /></a>Pretty soon we may all be mutants!<br />
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Oh gosh, I don't know if you all have been keeping up on our nation's food saga lately, but things are crazy! Monsanto, GMO's, "FrankenFish"... it seems nearly impossible to get food that is simply that. <i>FOOD.</i> I wish I could say that I have a ton of free time on my hands, and that I have a bright green thumb, but neither of those two statements are even remotely true. Seriously. I kill every plant I touch, and I am currently raising a 13 month old, cloth diapering, working a retail job about 25 hours a week, <i>and </i>running my own <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WondermentPhoto" target="_blank">portrait photography business</a>, and selling <a href="http://www.marykay.com/CopperS" target="_blank">Mary Kay</a> as an independent beauty consultant. <br />
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Bottom line- I barely have time to shower or go to the bathroom. <br />
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I am not one of those moms that effortlessly does it all. I'm not very organized, my house is <i>always</i> a disaster, and I'm just flat out tired most of the time from all of my responsibilities. I simply balk at the idea of turning my entire backyard into a garden, as wonderful as that would be. My problem here is that it seems like we're just going to be forced into that scenario at some point soon because I just can't stomach the idea of poisoning my daughter (and any future children) with produce laced with roundup. Gross. <br />
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I really have nothing super educated to say on this topic. I'd have to send you to other sources for that, such as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/100daysofrealfood" target="_blank">100 Days of Real Food</a> which is where I've been going to educate and inspire myself. I'm certainly not an expert on all things food, and I can't claim to even make many dinners from scratch. I simply work too late most nights and haven't just figured out a good crock-pot schedule yet. BUT- I do know that I am completely outraged at the state of food in this country. <br />
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If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the documentary <a href="http://www.hungryforchange.tv/" target="_blank">Hungry For Change</a>. You can watch it instantly on Netflix if you subscribe, and I'm sure you could find it to rent or watch elsewhere online. Basically the food industry in the US is trying to addict you to everything unnatural and horrible for you. Do you crave sweets all the time like I do? Yep, well, it's not <i>just</i> because we have an enormous sweet tooth. And really the only way to avoid all these additives is to ditch almost <i>all</i> processed foods. <br />
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Which is crazy.<br />
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It's crazy because I think about that and think to myself- how the heck am I going to have time to make <i>every single meal we eat during the day from scratch</i>. Just thinking about it makes me almost break out in anxious hives. Seriously. I have no idea how to do this! I love my mom, and she taught me SO much, but preparing meals wasn't one of them. I'm the oldest of five and my dad works for a major newspaper, so he had crazy hours when we were kids. I can't imagine trying to prepare three meals from scratch while trying to keep five crazy kids from killing each other. All this means is that I feel totally lost in this journey and have no clue where to start. <br />
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So I signed up for <a href="http://www.thefresh20.com/" target="_blank">The Fresh 20</a>. 5 dinners worth of recipes <i>and</i> a shopping list that I can just print off? Yes please! All the foods are fresh, and in season. Thank goodness for companies like this that realize some of us are completely clueless.<br />
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So now I have one more thing to add to the list of things to work on so E doesn't have to when she gets older. Oh Lord, there is so much to change, but as long as I try, we will make <i>some </i>progress. And that's what is really important I think. Educating yourself. Trying to change. Making small steps towards a goal.<br />
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But I think the time has also come to get outraged. Outraged that our government sanctions the slow and steady poisoning of it's people all in the name of money. If you think our elected officials are not getting kickbacks from the likes of <a href="http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/10006-monsanto-employees-in-the-halls-of-government" target="_blank">Monsanto</a>, then I think you are going to be very disappointed once you start to do some research. That's the thing though. Do some research. Decide for yourself what you are willing to accept for your family based on cold hard facts, not just the PR propaganda that is all over the place. <br />
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Oh man, I'm really starting to go off on a conspiratorial tangent here, but I'm telling you, this stuff is real, and it's so disturbing!<br />
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All I'm suggesting is that we all educate ourselves. Good, healthy, <i style="font-weight: bold;">safe</i> food should be the norm, not the exception to the rule. It also shouldn't cost an arm and a leg. We shouldn't have to decide between putting gas in the car, or putting safe food on the table. It's a sad state that we are in, and we need to stand up and demand change. <br />
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Because if we really <i>are</i> what we eat, we should be very <i style="font-weight: bold;">very</i> concerned.Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-50414523376046711032013-04-04T10:44:00.000-07:002014-01-08T06:22:09.531-08:00Attack of the Killer Molars or The Baby HulkOh my. <br />
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E has 3 molars coming in at the same time, and the fourth is not far behind. Um, I hate teething. It takes my sweet, funny, happy baby and turns her into what I can only describe as Baby Hulk.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_Ok55hKJXFfNtXaYm1SnVH3oQi-ZrLXf6hjxszhmVzq1Z3ZbtcY-Mg_83bgeTgjNsoPci6zmLjmzD-wuyCFA75gNSUcmy6-s1Ebuud-0xCjIlGP0eH3ZEZosm8YZGea5URAM_SxgwCE/s1600/20120816-20120816-BabyHulkforblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_Ok55hKJXFfNtXaYm1SnVH3oQi-ZrLXf6hjxszhmVzq1Z3ZbtcY-Mg_83bgeTgjNsoPci6zmLjmzD-wuyCFA75gNSUcmy6-s1Ebuud-0xCjIlGP0eH3ZEZosm8YZGea5URAM_SxgwCE/s640/20120816-20120816-BabyHulkforblog.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Baby Hulk angry.<br />
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Baby Hulk smash.<br />
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Baby Hulk poop nasty teething-poops.<br />
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Baby Hulk growl at getting her teething-induced runny nose wiped.<br />
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Baby Hulk wake up <i>way too freaking early </i>and <i>way too freaking crabby.</i><br />
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Seriously. Can I get my baby back now? I mean, the kid is growling at me right now as I type this. She is also hugging her lovey so intensely that I am worried his little stuffed monkey head may pop off. Oh the humanity!<br />
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I keep looking at those teething charts- you know the ones that tell you which teeth typically come in at what age, and the order they start showing up. Eisley is just blowing that chart out of the water. Geez. 13 months old and she is now working on her 11th tooth. Ok, so she's really doing pretty well all things considered. I have heard before (and everything you hear is <i>obviously true</i>, so I'm sure this is infallible information) that if we teethed as adults we would be reduced to drooling, blubbering, morphine-sucking balls of misery. <br />
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Our babies are tougher than we are. <br />
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I really have nothing philosophical to say on the topic of teething. I just have to say how much teething completely blows. I want my little sweetums back. Well, maybe sweetums is not <i>quite</i> the right nickname for my vivacious and spunky little 13 month old, but we'll just pretend that she is a perpetually sweet-tempered little angel who never fusses, arches her back and screams at the top of her (enormous) baby lungs when things don't go her way for the sake of my teething argument here. <br />
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Maybe one day scientists will find some magic pressure point or something to help our babies (and our tired nerves) get through teething gracefully and without pain. Maybe one day our teeth will just magically appear in our gums and be perfectly straight. <br />
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Maybe one day I will stop being delusional and tired and stop wishing for the impossible.<br />
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But alas, that is what motherhood is full of. <br />
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Baby Hulks, bruised knees, baby kisses, and very little sleep.<br />
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I wouldn't trade it for the world.<br />
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Baby Hulk SMASH!<br />
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<a href="//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fkentbrew%2F6851755809%2F&media=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7027%2F6851755809_df5b2051c9_z.jpg&description=Next%20stop%3A%20Pinterest" data-pin-do="buttonPin" data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-color="red"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_red_20.png" /></a>
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<br />Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-1186141578689675592013-03-05T10:41:00.001-08:002013-03-05T10:41:45.830-08:00The One Where I Admit How Tired I AmMan. Maybe it's the two nights of almost no sleep talking here, but I am run down. E has had what I think is the flu, and it has been both extremely sad, and extremely trying. I'm beat. I was beat way before she got sick though, and I suppose that is the problem. <br />
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I don't believe in pretending that motherhood (or life in general, really) is this perfect, lovely, hardship-free thing that it seems like all your friends are living. I suppose that's the danger of social media. It's so easy to showcase the moments where your house is clean, your children are smiling and happy, and you've actually showered. You childless people reading this will get the showering bit someday. Just wait. Who the heck ever thought showering daily was a luxury? <br />
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Oh yeah. Any mom ever. ;)<br />
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Seriously though. I think I unwittingly fall into that trap a lot. Post when things are good. Show how great my life is. (Don't get me wrong, it <i>is</i> great, just not <i>all </i>the time.) But what about those time when things just completely suck, you're overwhelmed, lonely, depressed, and wondering how you can continue juggling five million balls without dropping one or one thousand? Conversely I don't want to post all the time about how hard things are. I don't want to scare anyone into deciding not to have children.<br />
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I just think that things are hard for moms these days. The economy is awful, so there is a massive number of moms who have to work to keep the electricity on and food on the table. Lots of us are spread all over the country, far away from aunts, uncles, and grandparents who would otherwise love to help us when we are feeling completely overwhelmed and exhausted. Then there are the silly things like the "mommy wars" where every decision that you decide to make public can be ridiculed at any moment. You breastfeed? Cover those up! You formula feed? How could you do that to your baby?! I mean, really. Motherhood is tough enough without some ignorant acquaintance or perfect stranger telling you how to raise your children, or what they think you are "doing wrong."<br />
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I personally am dealing with feeling overwhelmed, run down, and just downright depressed right now. I am being pulled in so many directions that it's rare that I even get an hour out of the house and to myself. And running errands or going to work don't count. I watch my daughter 10-12 hours a day (sometimes more) without any help while my husband is at work or doing something that needs to be done, then I go directly to work several days a week on top of that. The days my husband has her most of the day, I am working an 8 hour shift. <br />
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I am tired.<br />
<br />
So tired.<br />
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If I'm being completely honest with myself, I have days where I actually <i>hope</i> I will get fired from work so that I can have <i>some</i> kind of a break. <br />
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I admire those moms that can work, take care of their kids, and still shower more than 4 times a week and manage to look put together. That, or I completely pity them because they've got to be just as tired as I am. I just haven't figured out how to balance everything, and maybe I never will. But I don't want to pretend that I'm awesome and life is just peachy all the time. It doesn't help anyone, least of all myself. Maybe if I admit that I am just two sleepless nights away from a mini-meltdown you will decide that it's ok to admit that you are too. <br />
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Seriously people. Being a mom is crazy hard. <br />
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It's crazy amazing too, but it is undoubtedly crazy hard.<br />
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I don't know where I would be without my amazing community of friends, lots of whom are in the same phase of life as me. We really try to help encourage each other, and it is so needed. I think I'd lose my darn mind if it wasn't for that group of girls! Even still- it's so easy to feel alone and overwhelmed. I mean, taking care of everyone's needs over your own is exhausting, and it is very easy to feel a little bitter and think "who the heck is taking care of <i>my</i> needs?" <br />
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Ok, now to be fair, when I think "who the heck is taking care of <i>my </i>needs?" it is an easy question to answer. Firstly and most obviously- God is. All the time. He has provided for us every time we've needed it. He just did it again yesterday. Secondly, my incredibly hard working husband who does whatever he can to help us get ahead and get into a position to keep me home.<br />
<br />
But I think what I really mean when I gripe about my needs being met is that I feel isolated, lonely, and suddenly in the last year my human interactions (ok- adult interactions) have decreased dramatically. There's an emotional need for connection that is hard to meet when you're at home alone with babies who <i>need</i> from you all the time. <br />
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Anywho, my point is this- social media is not always a good thing. #1- it clearly takes time away from my child. #2- it can make me feel like crap when I see friends who "have it all together" and get their kids out of the house dressed and happy to do fun stuff every day. Or so it seems. I don't see their messy moments, hear them complain about how tired they are, and how their husbands didn't change any diapers that day so why are they complaining about changing one, etc etc. It's like airbrushing in photos. Sure, you're still writing and posting about your life. You're just cleaning it up a little bit for the public. <br />
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I propose that we #1. Stop cleaning it up too much for the public. Let's make it easier on each other and be real. The amazing thing about that is when you let people know you're having a hard time, they can encourage you. If they don't know... well you're on your own. #2. Stop jumping down each others' throats about every little parenting decision someone makes that you don't agree with. You know what I'm talking about. "The Mommy Wars." Let's grow up, stop attacking each other, and start supporting each other. We get so up in arms about bullies when it comes to our children, so why are we teaching them how to be bullies by judging other moms and vocalizing it? <br />
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Seriously. Being a mom is hard. It's wonderful, and rewarding, and completely worth it, but it's hard. I'm just admitting it. Sometimes I need some "me time" or an ear to sound off on. Sometimes I feel completely at the point of melt down and I need someone to tell me that it's going to be ok. I also need someone to tell me that they go through <i>exactly the same thing</i>.<br />
<br />
That little statement can go a long way. <br />
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<br />Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-38754834416882952772013-02-26T08:36:00.000-08:002014-01-08T06:23:15.370-08:00Eisley's First Birthday Party!My daughter turned one last week, and we celebrated that milestone this past weekend. It was a little bit surreal to sing happy birthday to her and light that first birthday candle. She had a great time though, and a bunch of our friends came out (despite our foot of snowfall a few days earlier and the fact that they'd still only plowed one lane on our street). I had a lot of fun making decorations for Eisley's party, and I think everything looked super cute! I just had to share a couple of photos from her party. I think it was almost pinterest-worthy! ;)<br />
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As always all photos are copyrighted and cannot be used without permission. </div>
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<a data-pin-color="red" data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" data-pin-height="28" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fkentbrew%2F6851755809%2F&media=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7027%2F6851755809_df5b2051c9_z.jpg&description=Next%20stop%3A%20Pinterest"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_red_28.png" /></a>Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-67327431504080334062013-02-24T06:13:00.000-08:002014-01-08T06:23:50.298-08:00A First Birthday & A Cake SmashEisley is one!!!!<br />
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I think I'm still in denial, but it's true. In fact, Eisley is one year and one week old now! I have enjoyed this last year so much. She is such a joy and a light in our lives, and we are lucky lucky parents. Today I am going to share with you a few of her cake-smash photos! She wasn't too impressed with the cake (which I'm totally ok with- hopefully that means she doesn't have quite the sweet tooth that I have!) but she had a lot of fun making a total mess! =)<br />
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<br />Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-3130765927312299472013-02-20T13:55:00.001-08:002014-01-08T06:24:54.457-08:00My Creative Love- Photography!So you all know that I love to photograph my daughter, but did you know that I used to shoot weddings and portraits when we lived in Chicago?<br />
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Well, I did! When we moved to Kansas City I really did intend to start back up, but between setting up our house, working full time, then having a baby, photography kind of fell to the back-burner. BUT- Eisley is one now (!!I'll be writing a post about that- complete with cake smash photos soon) and it's time to get it started again. I just have to share a shoot I did of my friends and their beautiful daughter, because I love the way they turned out! I'll let you guys know when I get my website up and running, but here are a few for now. <br />
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If you are in the Kansas City area and need photos, let me know! <br />
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As always when I post photos or other content, all photos are Copyrighted and cannot be reproduced or used without permission.
<a data-pin-color="red" data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" data-pin-height="28" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fkentbrew%2F6851755809%2F&media=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7027%2F6851755809_df5b2051c9_z.jpg&description=Next%20stop%3A%20Pinterest"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_red_28.png" /></a>Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-18894904692338711042013-02-12T00:01:00.000-08:002013-02-12T00:01:00.827-08:00Sopora Perfect Crib Mattress Giveaway Event<br />
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</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MLb8-zdtQK72yooqMurxCkNqhCanwoTspFmkdzmEYF8CNup7L5wKsbV7WqKu1ATUWUPfzy3GIYczZnpG6k-25q8zvtZRxs31MDDdyBqIhuI8_iTdhk495z7F8FL5Slj2zu1AgoLrSqXR/s1600/Sopora-Giveaway-Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MLb8-zdtQK72yooqMurxCkNqhCanwoTspFmkdzmEYF8CNup7L5wKsbV7WqKu1ATUWUPfzy3GIYczZnpG6k-25q8zvtZRxs31MDDdyBqIhuI8_iTdhk495z7F8FL5Slj2zu1AgoLrSqXR/s1600/Sopora-Giveaway-Image.jpg" /></a></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
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</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Babies spend such a huge part of their day sleeping, shouldn't the surface they sleep on be safe for them? Unfortunately most conventional mattresses are loaded with toxic fire retardants and other chemicals, especially those that are imported, according to this <a href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-12-28/news/ct-met-flames-test-mattress-20121228_1_flame-retardants-heather-stapleton-foam-mattresses" target="_blank">test by Chicago Tribune</a>. Thankfully there are many safer options, including the line of U.S. made <a href="http://www.soporasleep.com/products.cfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">non-toxic crib mattresses</a> from Sopora. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
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</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Normally the caveat with Eco-friendly mattresses is that they are expensive, especially those that are made in the USA. Now, a safe sleeping surface is affordable with Sopora, the prices start at just $167 for a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008AX998S/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008AX998S&linkCode=as2&tag=ecobaby0f-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Classic Crib Mattress</a>! Why buy a conventional, imported mattress when you can get one for a comparable price that's made right in the U.S. and will let you sleep easy knowing your baby is safe?</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
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<li>Greenguard: Children & Schools certified for emissions and off-gassing </li>
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<li>Vinyl, PVC, lead, and phthaltes free</li>
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<li>Eco-friendly ultra firm high density foam is 100% renewable</li>
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<li>Fireproof Chemical Additive FREE</li>
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<li>Features new Celliant biologically responsive cover for optimum health, clinically proven to increase oxygen levels in the body</li>
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<li>Advanced CoolGel foam regulates body temperature</li>
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<li>Dust mite and bed bug proof</li>
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<li>Stain and Odor Resistant </li>
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<li>Medical Grade Nylon Fabric Cover, Waterproof</li>
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</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Purchase:</b> You can <a href="http://www.echelonfurniture.com/products-page/mattresses/sopora-perfect-mattress/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">purchase the Sopora Perfect Crib Mattress</a> directly from the brand. They have many <a href="http://www.echelonfurniture.com/products-page/mattresses/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">other options</a> available, including changing pads and bassinet/cradle mattresses. A few Sopora crib mattresses are also available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/mn/search/?_encoding=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&tag=ecobaby0f-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Win It!</b> Sopora is blessing one of you with the Perfect Crib Mattress.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>
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</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Special thanks to <a href="http://www.anabsocial.com/" target="_blank">AnaB Social</a> for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to all participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends March 6th at 12:01 am, open to US residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below (see directions on how to enter <a href="http://blog.rafflecopter.com/2012/02/how-to-enter-rafflecopter-giveaways-updated/" target="_blank">here</a>). Thank you!</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: center;">
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</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fdd79c142/" id="rc-fdd79c142" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="color: #444444;">Disclaimer: <span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">AnaB Social, Eco-Babyz, and all participating event bloggers are</span></span></i><i style="color: #444444;"> not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. </i></span>Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-15423890841170253462013-02-10T19:43:00.004-08:002013-02-10T19:43:28.352-08:00Dear Eisley, on the week before your birthdayDear Eisley,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQizQrR_QDPVdX9av8HYrVqLePBAUQiPq9jCbkkv7vmD2smRc4yiGbE0w0Ip3bPWC0LEARtx_-nPi4NGORIoU86y-c9u01TLDJS1YWHfCgYZOQoGbzLnDi5HnGxStGo8YSitGLlG7394Y/s1600/429876_3015778426545_212352335_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQizQrR_QDPVdX9av8HYrVqLePBAUQiPq9jCbkkv7vmD2smRc4yiGbE0w0Ip3bPWC0LEARtx_-nPi4NGORIoU86y-c9u01TLDJS1YWHfCgYZOQoGbzLnDi5HnGxStGo8YSitGLlG7394Y/s320/429876_3015778426545_212352335_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is you, only two days old!</td></tr>
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You will be one year old in 6 days. I think I am denial. I look at you, and I am having a harder and harder time time seeing the little newborn that I waited on so anxiously. Before my eyes you have turned into a spirited, hilarious, beautiful, cranky little girl who's cheeks don't touch her shoulders anymore. I feel so much. I know that sounds like a weird statement, but I don't know how else to say it. I feel so proud to be your mom. I feel so sad that you are no longer teeny tiny. I feel so blessed that you are growing and healthy and making such huge strides every day. I feel so honored that God chose me to be your mommy. I just <i>feel</i> so much more than I ever did before you came into my life, wide eyed and feisty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxwrr7GfvlZfz6JgJX_2a4Rj3JBg4guhnKKPudn6xGjIbkOwJ-SGMhWfiATZIa-uGM0ylT-qPi1nywJFSdptS8g8HFjlx1-CODI5D_89YxqxD4RCLGEsnERuQL1-3UTs_bBoCBPRKNfc/s1600/74666_4688375160418_317062577_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxwrr7GfvlZfz6JgJX_2a4Rj3JBg4guhnKKPudn6xGjIbkOwJ-SGMhWfiATZIa-uGM0ylT-qPi1nywJFSdptS8g8HFjlx1-CODI5D_89YxqxD4RCLGEsnERuQL1-3UTs_bBoCBPRKNfc/s320/74666_4688375160418_317062577_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is you now! So big!</td></tr>
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I can't wait to see what kind of little girl you will become this next year. I try to imagine you sometimes, but I feel like it's a wasted effort because I know you will be a million times more amazing than anything I could ever imagine. It's like looking at a beautiful painting, a masterpiece, without glasses on. You can catch some of the color and a bit of the form, but you miss the essence of the painting. I do know this, you will be amazing.<br />
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Sweet, wonderful Eisley- you have been the biggest blessing in our lives, and your daddy and I adore you more than you will ever know. Especially now that you have started sleeping through the night! *wink* But seriously now, I have so many hopes and dreams for you. I hope that you will know God so much more deeply than your father and I do. I hope that you will be confident, happy, and humble. I hope that you know so much joy in your life, and feel incredibly loved all the time. I hope your daddy and I do a good enough job of letting you know every day how much we love and adore you. How special you are, how beautiful inside and out. I dream that you will have so many good friends that you will have to schedule play-dates two weeks in advance. I dream that you will find a passion at a young age, and cultivate it throughout your life. <br />
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You have so much ahead of you, and I am so excited to cheer you on, kiss your boo boos, and teach you how to ride a bike. I can't wait to watch you get excited over the swimming polar bear the first time we go to the zoo. Seriously kiddo, you make this life a million times more beautiful. Even though you can be a big old crab sometimes, watching you change from a squishy little newborn into an adventuresome little toddler has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life.<br />
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Mommy loves you, so so much. I can't wait to watch you dig into your very own, very first birthday cake. It will be amazing and exciting. Just don't be surprised if I shed a tear or two. After all, you are my baby, and you are growing up. <br />
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Love Forever,<br />
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MommyCopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-56032088329350647802013-02-06T12:07:00.001-08:002013-02-06T12:07:31.773-08:00Wordless Wednesday- Messy Eater<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KagdUzg0S_vMu32zV0Hkf4Ig_qP4GePmdmBrli9rUNxAiYRijoKaJ40XqMmanwnHdts3NsIRE_lAlVbhlFxMzvs-_4DA_Tq8mgEPFtIUB6QXlfEx5TYxzeHOK3nV_NPI7HWfts1a8FM/s1600/531998_4839361574984_73343619_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KagdUzg0S_vMu32zV0Hkf4Ig_qP4GePmdmBrli9rUNxAiYRijoKaJ40XqMmanwnHdts3NsIRE_lAlVbhlFxMzvs-_4DA_Tq8mgEPFtIUB6QXlfEx5TYxzeHOK3nV_NPI7HWfts1a8FM/s1600/531998_4839361574984_73343619_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Copper Siegel, all rights reserved</td></tr>
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<br />Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-3186397279892547522013-02-06T11:39:00.001-08:002013-02-06T11:39:17.867-08:00Mama Baby Love Giveaway Event!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-hnHwvHS2yoXbMEeuZXEWc4u3NCfsyoFNCIYLLhJqbLD1YyM1xBqtzv5DDpqgujbLdX8-FrIC8aVkn9euz_8d-QylW_LLwMXnaQVm8HxLGbGIT65JSkBjhSky2qCA6AfOXRuC06t0cHB/s1600/OCM+Winter+2013+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-hnHwvHS2yoXbMEeuZXEWc4u3NCfsyoFNCIYLLhJqbLD1YyM1xBqtzv5DDpqgujbLdX8-FrIC8aVkn9euz_8d-QylW_LLwMXnaQVm8HxLGbGIT65JSkBjhSky2qCA6AfOXRuC06t0cHB/s1600/OCM+Winter+2013+large.jpg" /></a></div>
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There is something really special about that moment a mother first puts her newborn baby to her breast. A priceless moment filled with love. Though that moment really doesn't<i> need</i> anything extra, we're hosting a <i>Mama Baby Love</i> giveaway to make it even <i>more</i> special! <b>We will outfit <i>two</i> mamas and their babies for their breastfeeding</b><b> journey</b><b>. </b></div>
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Thanks to our generous sponsors, you can win some gift certificates from <a href="http://www.anneematthew.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Annee Matthew</a> ($100 ea) and <a href="http://www.mothersboutique.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Mother's Boutique</a> ($50 ea) to use toward nursing apparel as well as a <a href="http://amothersmaternity.com/mobrha.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">nursing hat</a> from Moboleez and <a href="http://onecreativemama.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">breastfeeding baby apparel</a> for your little one from One Creative Mama. </div>
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<b>Our Favorite Things About the Prizes: </b></div>
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<li>Huge selection of bras and nursing apparel at <i>A Mother's Boutique</i></li>
<li><i>Annee Matthew</i> nursing apparel has some of the most stylish nursing clothing on this planet!</li>
<li><i>One Creative Mama</i> breastfeeding advocacy baby shirts speak for themselves and break the ice</li>
<li><i>Moboleez</i> nursing hats make nursing in public so much easier and more convenient, especially helpful when you're new to breastfeeding and a nursing cover just makes things harder</li>
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<b>Purchase:</b> You can shop <a href="http://www.anneematthew.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Annee Matthew</a> and <a href="http://www.mothersboutique.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Mother's Boutique</a> for a great selection of nursing bras and nursing apparel. They carry some of our favorite brands like Cake Lingerie, Bamboobies, and Bella Materna. You may also acquire a <a href="http://www.mothersboutique.com/mobrha.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Moboleez</a> hat and check out the adorable baby apparel from <a href="http://onecreativemama.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">One Creative Mama</a> (pictured below).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaBTUsEPL9-GsBzcS0WpRqSVqoFxj9-q1eLKc0LHZWBQyN-obxgcGzjXzSFSAOuCR2BS0j7TA7dFgYPjUOH8SQB8AOkMWLJ8S2quCjWhKbKw3f1t0I_P1xXsYmkdMHruWKcIT2TInmlJn/s1600/one-creative-mama-nursing+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaBTUsEPL9-GsBzcS0WpRqSVqoFxj9-q1eLKc0LHZWBQyN-obxgcGzjXzSFSAOuCR2BS0j7TA7dFgYPjUOH8SQB8AOkMWLJ8S2quCjWhKbKw3f1t0I_P1xXsYmkdMHruWKcIT2TInmlJn/s1600/one-creative-mama-nursing+-+Copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Win The Package!</b> Our sponsors are blessing two of you with the entire package as outlined above.<br />
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Special thanks to <a href="http://www.anabsocial.com/" target="_blank">AnaB Social</a> for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to all participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends February 27th at 12:01 am, open to US residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Thank you!<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fdd79c136/" id="rc-fdd79c136" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<i style="color: #444444; text-align: start;">Disclaimer: <span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">AnaB Social, Eco-Babyz, and all participating event bloggers are</span></span></i><i style="color: #444444; text-align: start;"> not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. </i></div>
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Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-86198739342654543972013-01-29T17:30:00.000-08:002013-01-29T17:30:43.492-08:00Dear Eisley, I promise I won't always catch you when you fall...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreFXzMXo9DaXqHbCQCNDXIR5ZSS1wUJ4XPTjHwWnjX08Mcgf8zKlwAWOd3hLzn5urdJwmz5m-tQGAQXVObvLcWJ0viDQTjxu_vBBO6vsc3dRvUSyzPtGTH9SIh97UM3k2ZYyX1HC8XBk/s1600/74666_4688375160418_317062577_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreFXzMXo9DaXqHbCQCNDXIR5ZSS1wUJ4XPTjHwWnjX08Mcgf8zKlwAWOd3hLzn5urdJwmz5m-tQGAQXVObvLcWJ0viDQTjxu_vBBO6vsc3dRvUSyzPtGTH9SIh97UM3k2ZYyX1HC8XBk/s400/74666_4688375160418_317062577_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Tonight Eisley slipped and hit her chin on the coffee table she was holding on to. She bit her tongue as she fell, then hit her poor little head on the floor. It was horrible. I saw it all happen like it was in slow motion. Then the screaming and crying, and my baby's mouth was full of blood. Her sharp little teeth had cut into her tongue. As I held and rocked my baby and whispered calming words into her ear, I couldn't help but think about all the times that lay ahead of us like this. All the times that she will fall, both literally and metaphorically, as she grows into the lovely woman I know she will one day be. She is bound to stumble, to fall, to get hurt as she learns new skills and as she grows and matures. <br />
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And it's scarier than I'd like to admit. <br />
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Sometimes my motherly urge goes against what I know will be best for my daughter in the long run. The urge to catch her every time I see her beginning to slip. To shield her from all forms of pain and suffering, to hold her close to my breast and whisper constantly in her little ears that everything will be alright. That I will always be here for her. That I will always protect her. That I will never let her fall. <br />
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The thing is, I <i>know</i> that would be detrimental to my beautiful little girl's development both as she learns simple things like how to stand on her own and how to walk, and as she learns complicated things like how to navigate love and a broken heart. My own heart literally aches as I think about Eisley hurting in those deeper ways someday, but I also know that I cannot shield her from life. I cannot catch her ever time I see her slip. I cannot refuse to let her learn that she is, in fact, perfectly able to stand on her own. Well, not completely on her own. She can stand strong in Christ. <br />
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You see, as counter-intuitive as it seems sometimes, we have to let our children fall, fail, get hurt, and just plain mess up sometimes. Let the reader understand- I am NOT in any way shape or form saying that we shouldn't protect our children from real danger, and I am certainly NOT advocating negligence here. I am simply saying that if we refuse to let our children experience pain, disappointment, and failure that we are actually robbing them of something amazing. Something vital to their success in this life. <br />
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We are robbing them of the ability to see that they can pick themselves up, dust themselves off, have a good cry if they need to, but ultimately learn that they can <i>overcome</i> obstacles and pain. We steal from them the vital skill of learning from their mistakes. Because if we never let our children make mistakes in the first place, there is no way for them to learn from them. <br />
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So Eisley, this is my promise to you.<br />
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I promise to protect you from the things that would hurt you deeply as much as I can, but I also promise not to stand behind you like a shadow in your life, like a protective talisman to ward off all ills. I promise to let you fall sometimes, both literally and figuratively, so that you can learn that you are strong, resillient, and perfectly capable of getting back up and moving forward. I promise to teach you, to the best of my own broken ability, to put your faith in the strength of your Heavenly Father before your own. You see, sometimes we just can't pick ourselves back up in our own strength. You are bound to experience times like that, but the Lord will pick you up if you let Him. <br />
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Sweet Eisley, I promise to let you learn unhindered by my constant worrying. I don't want to be the thing that holds you back in this life. I want to cheer you on, encourage you, guide you, be there for you... but ultimately I want to instill this one thing in you- no one can live your life for you, and you cannot live in fear. So as terrified as I will inevitably be the first time you decide to run full-tilt down the hallway, I will cheer you on and stand to the side. Even if you stumble over your own inexperienced little feet and fall. I will try my best to give you a minute before running to save you so that you have the opportunity to brush it off, pick yourself back up, and continue running your race. As scared as I may be to drop you off for your first day of school- where I can't watch you and help you and teach you throughout the day- I promise not to hold on to you in a desperate hug if you are ready to walk away into your classroom, confident and excited. <br />
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There are so many things that I could promise in this life. There are so many responsibilities that I carry as your mommy. It is a terrifying and awe-filled thing to raise you knowing that one day you will walk away from my arms for good, a confident, strong, Godly woman. There is so much to consider and pray over, but for now this is what is on my heart for you. <br />
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Lovely, spirited, hilarious Eisley- I will do my best to help you without holding you back. But remember this my love, I am learning too. I will fall and slip up and screw up more than I would like along the way. Please try to be patient with me as I try to be the best mom I can be. It's not an easy thing, being a mom, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. <br />
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So as painful as it was for me to watch my daughter fall and hurt herself, I need to stop and remember that this is a part of her journey, one of the ways that she will discover who she is and what she is capable of. Fear is a learned behavior- Eisley proved that to me when she immediately pulled herself right back up after I finally set her down. Instead of picking her right back up again so she couldn't fall once more, I just watched my daughter try again, and I quietly cheered her on from the sidelines. <br />
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<br />Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-85113997737877950452013-01-27T16:46:00.001-08:002013-01-27T16:46:32.987-08:00Wait... it's been 11 months already?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5XgRObVqWlsyGO36fxcDdJpeJHEeLOF7bdHovcwaSc0c7tjt0qhh8CyklidOMU-Pg87RV5lYtzAnAltu-IN8dBfdzBYqHhCa4FqZM3RPDxwA53sEedv3om_xqXjwl_nG6BP4enOLHLU/s1600/398984_4698532734351_926580484_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5XgRObVqWlsyGO36fxcDdJpeJHEeLOF7bdHovcwaSc0c7tjt0qhh8CyklidOMU-Pg87RV5lYtzAnAltu-IN8dBfdzBYqHhCa4FqZM3RPDxwA53sEedv3om_xqXjwl_nG6BP4enOLHLU/s400/398984_4698532734351_926580484_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
My daughter is 11 months old. <br />
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Please give me a second so I can pick my jaw up off of the floor.<br />
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This is the last month of Eisley's babyhood. Yikes. I can't seem to wrap my mind around this. I keep looking back on photos from the day she was born and I feel like it was three weeks ago. I remember so vividly being pregnant, watching my stomach move and wave, feeling the braxton hicks contractions, and the beginning of a whole new kind of love. <br />
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Oh my, I need to get some more sleep because here I am getting all choked up about being pregnant with E and her first year of life. I used to be able to cradle her tiny head in one hand and her tiny little booty in the other and she weighed next to nothing. Now I have to cradle her head in the crook of my arm and put my other arm under her bum and legs. She's huge! Her legs dangle and everything!<br />
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She is just so much fun right now. I love this age. Well, honestly I've loved every age. She is such a goof ball. She loves to scrunch her nose up, part her lips into what looks like a snarl, and breathe loudly through her clenched teeth. She thinks it's hilarious to stick her tongue out. She loves to dance and shake her little booty, and she's standing up all the time (to the point that the kid doesn't sleep because she'd rather stand at the side of her crib and scream bloody murder in protest of bedtime). She likes shoes. A lot. She <i>really </i> likes to chew on shoes. Speaking of chewing, she likes to eat everything. I literally haven't found a food that she won't eat (which is awesome!)<br />
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I told myself three months ago that I would have her first birthday party planned by now, but do I? <br />
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I'll pause for dramatic effect so you can take a wild guess here.<br />
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I have done <i>nothing.</i><br />
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Oops. Time to get cracking. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIHUKRkDr5jkjwEMlHLrYLiK_mBPq8lDo7dtnyKfheOPdZT3-iVy3YB5xhNmcUzZ4fb1qCX1aFeYiFsvjBrkMAi0_hc_px3g33UQCLWynh8D-Q6WDdD9sEs80NkTNiWYnOxyfN_ucDzQ/s1600/552624_4703465577669_388056166_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIHUKRkDr5jkjwEMlHLrYLiK_mBPq8lDo7dtnyKfheOPdZT3-iVy3YB5xhNmcUzZ4fb1qCX1aFeYiFsvjBrkMAi0_hc_px3g33UQCLWynh8D-Q6WDdD9sEs80NkTNiWYnOxyfN_ucDzQ/s1600/552624_4703465577669_388056166_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please ignore the disaster that is my house in this photo! It's been a long week... ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I just can't believe my baby is going to be a toddler in a month. I can't wait to see how she changes and grows in this next month, and the little lady she is becoming. She's as beautiful as ever, and I am just as in love as ever (ok, well maybe even more so!)<br />
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I look at Eisley and she is changing. Her legs are getting longer, her cheeks no longer cover her neck. Her torso is elongating, and her face is thinning out. I look at my baby and she is starting to look like a little girl. I look at my daughter and I just can't believe that one year has brought so much change. I'm a little scared to see what this next year will bring. She's going to go from a toddler to big girl. Oh my. <br />
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So I have three more weeks to enjoy my baby while she is still a baby.<br />
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Oh Eisley, you will only be a baby for three more weeks. How you've grown and changed and turned into such a funny little one. <br />
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<br />Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-26803817218651951482013-01-07T08:20:00.003-08:002013-01-07T08:20:54.463-08:00I've dropped off the face of the earth, and other holiday happeningsMan, I pretty much missed the major holidays completely, didn't I? Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years... gone in the blink of my very sleepy eyes. Oh well, such is the mommy life, right? <br />
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I've admittedly been preoccupied lately. New business ventures (<a href="http://www.marykay.com/CopperS" target="_blank">Mary Kay</a>), plotting how to revive old ones (portrait photography! yay!), and lots of time enjoying my babe (who will not be a baby much longer, eek!). I'm going to be better about posting this year. New Years resolution. *wink*<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4OhCfUJ6U3wwO86EOeShWDHId8EDaHfNm-82lP4WQEFCrzNGG6CwcJJoVToGh8bBpRUDDBvpzEQkhEt_qzZuNxo1NSSGkrxIB3500HZydnqi3qQlmOeGS6hL1w16wdcAKStIMMPUhzo/s1600/58224_4598070742864_81848026_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4OhCfUJ6U3wwO86EOeShWDHId8EDaHfNm-82lP4WQEFCrzNGG6CwcJJoVToGh8bBpRUDDBvpzEQkhEt_qzZuNxo1NSSGkrxIB3500HZydnqi3qQlmOeGS6hL1w16wdcAKStIMMPUhzo/s400/58224_4598070742864_81848026_n.jpg" width="400" /></a>So in a nutshell, here's what is going on with me right now. I'm fat. No really, I am. Don't feel like you need to post a comment telling me I am not. I'm totally not being self-deprecating here, I'm just being honest with myself and all of you. It is, sadly, a fact. SO. What does that mean for me this year? It means I have a lot of work to do, because the hubs and I would like to start trying for baby number two probably some time this summer. And I don't want to be ridiculously overweight while I am pregnant. Not fun. At all. <br />
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So my goals for this year (notice I am calling them <i>goals</i> and not <i>resolutions...</i> who the heck ever sticks to their resolutions? Not me!) are to get my eating habits (and sometimes lack of eating) under control, and to exercise way way <i>way</i> more often than I do now. Which is to say, I am going to <i>start</i> exercising. Because I stepped on the scale this morning ladies, and while I am not quite honest or confident enough to admit the number, I will say that it is not good. Not good at all.<br />
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I almost peed myself.<br />
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SO. Today begins my new lifestyle. I'm going to juice fresh fruits and veggies, eat whole and healthy foods, and take Eisley for lots and lots of walks when the weather is not too frigid. It's probably going to suck completely at first. Let's be real here. <br />
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But I don't want to be a horrible example for my daughter as she starts to become more and more aware of everything I do. The child watches me like an adorable little hawk, and I see her taking it all in. I don't want to pass bad habits, poor self image, and most of all poor health on to my daughter. Not the kind of legacy that I am looking to leave. <br />
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I would love to hear your success stories, tips, tricks, and motivational anecdotes (as well as any awesome juicing recipes). We could all use a little encouragement sometimes, and I am sure I'm not the only one in this boat. We can do it ladies! <br />
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Now wish me luck, because this is going to be a long hard journey, though completely worth the struggle. Someday, hopefully some day this year, I will step on that scale and not have to fight the involuntary pee-myself reaction. Someday (soon!) I will be able to shop at whatever store I want for clothes. Someday (starting today!) I will have more energy to be a good mom and chase my little princess around. Here we go...<br />
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OH! And should you want to make some of that delicious looking juice for yourself, it's super easy. Just juice two oranges, two apples, one big carrot, and about a cup and a half of spinach. Yum! That was my breakfast this morning, and it was amazing. Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-24519506885872967082012-12-13T08:52:00.000-08:002012-12-13T08:52:13.248-08:00I LOVE Photographing My Daughter...Merry Christmas everyone!!!<br />
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I can't resist sharing this shot from our little photo shoot for our Christmas cards that I did with my daughter yesterday. This baby cracks me up!!<br />
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<br />Copperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16630395732057574788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2297525232066044778.post-50844678044204800562012-12-08T18:07:00.000-08:002012-12-08T18:07:04.225-08:00I Know You Think Your Baby Is The Cutest Baby Ever...So prove it! Show that cute baby off, and do it for a good cause! I have a super awesome, and really wonderful contest to share with you today. You all know about <a href="http://www.smartsnugs.com/CuteBabyContest.html" target="_blank">Smart Snugs</a> cloth diapers through our fall fluff giveaway, and you all know that I love their diapers. Well... I have a new reason to love them! They are doing a huge charity giveaway- you can start entering today. All you have to do is enter a photo of your adorable offspring. They don't even have to be in a cloth diaper! You just enter right through this blog, and the three cute babies that get the most votes win!<br />
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There are three grand prizes- <br />
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1st prize- 5 nature snugs diapers (you get to pick the colors. SWEET!), 1 wetbag, and 1 pack of bio liners.<br />
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2nd prize- 5 simple snug diapers (you get to pick these colors too. Heck yes!), 1 wetbag, and 1 pack of bio liners.<br />
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3rd prize- a $20 SmartSnugs.com gift card!<br />
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These are great prizes, and if you've been looking for a way to get started on cloth diapering, you will definitely want to enter this contest. Tell your friends who are pregnant, tell your co-workers, heck- tell your mail-lady! Why are you telling everyone and their moms about this contest?<br />
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I'll tell you!<br />
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Because if you all enter and get all your friends, family, dentists, pediatrician, co-workers and their moms to vote for your baby- you could help the charity of my choice (<a href="http://www.givingdiapersgivinghope.org/" target="_blank">Giving Diapers, Giving Hope</a>) get $1,000 worth of Smart Snugs cloth diapers to give away to low income families in the U.S. That is pretty darn cool. <br />
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So show off your cutie. Get everyone you know to vote. Because if you win, not only will you get some amazing prizes, but you will help a lot of mamas diaper their babies safely and without making them go without something else on their grocery list. Pretty darn sweet.<br />
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So enter away, and please share this with all of your friends! And make sure you stop by the Smart Snugs <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SmartSnugs" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a> and let them know how awesome you think this contest is!<br />
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Good luck mamas!<br />
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(oh- and you can enter more than one photo if you've got more than one baby! Yay! And like I said, they don't even need to be in cloth diapers.) Submit via the form below!<br />
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Fill out my <a href="http://smartsnugs.wufoo.com/forms/z7p8x1">online form</a>.
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