AquaHelix Review #2

By now I have had plenty of time to come to a better opinion of the AquaHelix showerhead. Do I like it? Yes! Would I recommend it? Yes, but...
and there's a but...
I am too scared to shower my baby in it. It has a strong spray, and it pokes hard on those tender spots. For instance, when I shower my face, I let the stream hit my flat hands and deflect the water for a finer, gentler spray.
So one last test, Does it use .5 gallons per minute?
According to my test with my shower, it uses .6 gallons a minute.
That's really close! And there may simply be a problem with the setting on our water pressure. Cool!

What a Month of Being a Mother!

I would like to bow to all the mothers out there.... A Deep bow....

Cloth Diapering 101

Yes, I have decided to go with the cloth on diapering. Looks like a big money saver and better on the environment. Zach's been here three weeks, and because he is a preemie, I had to figure out a system that would work for his size and my learning curve...

I have even started another blog! Cloth Diaper Bucket!

So, during the day, we use newborn sized prefolds from www.GreenMountainDiapers.com along with a Snappi, Bummis BioSoft Flushable Liner (large size, cut in half), and a cover. At night I am using disposable diapers, as I am half asleep. But soon I will make the switch to completely cloth. I cannot wait!

I must mention that I love the flatfolds... I use them for everything! For example, burp cloth, nursing top, diaper changing, diaper cover, etc... They're indispensable!

As far as laundry, I've been doing a load every other day. After the first week or so of using the dryer to fluff and de-lint the diapers, I am now drying on the clothes line, which Jason just put up a second line last week. Thankyou Jason, and no, I do not need another that attaches to your shed-ma-hall 50 feet away. Thanks for the offer, though...

The next issue to take care of is the "wipes". We have some store-bought wipes that we are going through like mad. I do have fabric wipes ready and willing to do the job, but I've decided to wait till I get a Thermos pump, so I can have warm water at hand... I think this will make the job easier, and get rid of the majority of the store-bought wipes.

That's that for the diapering... I think. Well, if there are any questions just ask. I studied the GreenMountainDiapers website for months just to get a competent start on all this. Definitely worth it, in my opinion! Go cloth!

Yay, White Oak!

Jason got his wood in last week to do his board and batting walls of the shed-ma-hall. Why white oak and not pressure treated pine? Cheaper (60 cents a board foot, no chemicals, and it is somewhat naturally rot resistant.

Picked my first potatoes. We ate some for lunch today. Yum! To know they came from my backyard gives me much pleasure. And now, to know how simple they are to produce, I will definitely grow them every year... In fact, I believe I have time to go at it again. I just need to prepare a spot for them. We already put in the sweet potatoes... I put cucumbers where the white potatoes were... and I want to plant more green beans... Yikes, my brain is starting to overload... My energies are not up for what my mind would like to do yet, so I must constantly remind myself that it is okay to take it easy and enjoy some slow time with Zachary.

So Zach and I have started going outside in the mornings. He naps in his jogger, and I piddle around in the garden... And each day is a new day.

Thirty Day Challenge?

Jason has gotten me to do this online marketing course with him called the Thirty Day Challenge.  Already we've come across some awesome stuff, starting with the Flock browser.  The "challenge" is to make $10 in 30 days online--basically learning to make money on the internet...

Sounds kind of cheesy, I know, but I am getting a refreshing perception about the internet!!!

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Zachary is here!

Zachary was born June 1, at 2:02am Sunday morning... in my bathroom! This was not the romantic homebirth I had envisioned, but is was at home nonetheless. My contractions started at 11:30pm Saturday, I hit minute long contractions around 1:30 am, and at 2am I was squatting and Jason was ready to catch! What a miracle! Zachary came out and cried immediately. Jason put him on my chest, and the ambulance arrived moments later. They cut the cord and we were transported to our local hospital.
Zach came at 36 weeks, so he was premature. 5lbs 3oz., 18.5 inches long.

So, now, he is 2 weeks old, breastfeeding like the boobie monster he is, and is over 5 and half pounds!

Our life has been completely revamped, but for the better. Who knows what will come about. Major "life" issues are in the forefront of our discussions, of course. What's important, what are our goals, etc...? Exciting and scary! After paying off our mortgage last month, anything is possible.

8th Month of Pregnancy

Not too much to say, really. Just slowing down and eating more, oh, and sleeping more. I've been away from home since March 29th. From EcoVillage Training Center at the Farm in TN to the in-laws in Massachusetts, "what a long, strange trip it's been." We leave to head home tomorrow and will arrive Thursday the 15th, just in time for Jason to play Ultimate Frisbee (hope the weather is good).

I have a little shopping to do for my baby shower, which is Saturday. I want to get some supplies to make a friendship baby quilt. I am thinking of butterflies...

So this is my 34th week of pregnancy, and all that is on my mind are plans for when I get home.

So let me indulge!
Clean the house
Purchase any necessary baby stuff
Set up laundry room and bedroom
Install doors on wardrobes
Need 2nd clothesline
Sew, sew, sew!
Do laundry
Stock pantry
Do photo albums
Read my books
Update my blogs
Thankyou cards, and Prepare Announcements