almost a memory

Here it is...our summer in review.  I'm more than a little sad that it will soon be a memory.  But I am thrilled to look back on it and say that we made the most of it.  Lots of laughs, a few tears and the first summer of the 4 of us. 

it.was.a.blast.

gum

she's been asking for it for weeks...gum

I kept telling her she could have some when she was "bigger".  Well, there's no telling this girl that she's not "big" .  After many days on her tip toes, trying to convince me that she was big enough, I finally relented.

The first three 1/2 sticks got swallowed.  Ever since, she's been a champ!  It is officially Peach's new favorite "snack".

I have to admit - she was right on this one.  Sometimes I am guilty of trying to keep her little.

mmmmm.....

farmer's markets

fresh produce

garden harvest

cheap, cheap, cheap veggies

The perfect recipe for baby food.  Tulip isn't quite old enough yet, but the planner in me is getting ready.  Here's what my kitchen has looked like for the past few days....

rice cooker/steamer...this is one kitchen appliance that I would be lost without

ice cube trays and baby freezer cups with summer squash and zuccini

beets, carrots and sweet potatoes, too!  all vaccum packed and ready to go!  more posts to come when she actually consumes these delicious little meals.  

...but for now, she's thinking that her hands taste just fine.  :)

a little bit goes a long way

I have 221 "friends" on facebook. That may not be all that impressive.  I'm sure there are lots of people who have hundreds more.  The only reason I mention it is because I'm about to tell you that of those 221, there is one who stands head and shoulders above the rest.

There she is.....my girl K.  Just seeing her face makes me bubble over with joy.  It also makes me sad.  She's so far away.  Our bond started in Dahl Hall our freshman year of college.  It grew over Bible Studies, garage sales, crafts, long nights in the library, wild adventures chasing rabbits and scrapbooking.  She's the one who inspired my love for all things natural.  Her calm spirit balances my wild side.  I laugh harder when I am with her, breathe easier and sit longer.  It is good for my heart to be around her.  I can't say that about just anyone.  She's the one that I see the least, but connect the most with.  Lucky me...I got to spend a whole weekend with K and her family.  It was a long drive and the stay seemed too short, but boy was that trip exactly what I needed.

Her little ones are the perfect mixture of her sweetness, peace and fun.  I always knew she'd be a great mom....but WOW!  I had such an amazing time just sitting back and learning from her.  She doesn't even have to say a thing.

And it doesn't hurt that our hubbies enjoy each other's company as well.

The conversations were interrupted.  The meals more chaotic than they used to be.  The time flew by.  But it was good.  It was good to be in the company of someone I love so much...someone who is experiencing the same things as me.  Someone who isn't afraid to admit that she's imperfect.  Someone who, like me, is trying her best to navigate this parenthood thing.  Someone who, like me, is doing her best to bring babies up in the Lord.  Someone I trust completely.  I let her peace wash over me as I enjoyed just being with her.

Like I said before, the trip was way too short.  She's the friend that I wish lived right next door.  I don't think I could ever get tired of her company.  But the one great thing about a friendship like this is that a little bit goes a long way.  It's been a few weeks since we were together and I'm still bursting at the seams.  

I'm so grateful that out of hundreds of wonderful people, God has given me one very special soul whose heart just seems to fit with mine.  We are very different....very much the same.  To see her love my girls and have the opportunity to enjoy her peanuts was a gift of pure joy.  I'm already counting the days until our paths cross again.

why i love cloth

I love cloth diapers.  Yes, you heard me right.  I know it sounds a little crazy.  And to be honest, there are times when I consider myself a little crazy.  But mostly, I adore the way these cozy cotton covers protect my babies.  So, I am devoting this post to the idea of cloth diapers in the hopes that it will explain why I am so committed to this time-consuming process.  

And so that someday my kids can understand why their bottoms looked so puffy.  :)

#1  They are soft...

#2  They must be changed often.  

Did you know that the chemicals in disposable diapers will hold up to 300 times their weight in tap water?  Most of the time, I like it that I have to change them frequently.  Just one more reason to peek at those chubby legs and kiss their sweet tummies.

#3.  They're kind to my babies and to the earth.

#4.  These diapers will have a purpose beyond my home.  

I'm planning to send them overseas to an orphanage when I'm done.

#5.  They're cute - just look at those buns! 

 (And with names like Happy Heinys, Bum Genius, Kissaluvs and Fuzzi Bunz, how could they not be adorable?)

...and the biggest reason I love them?  

#6.  I don't have to buy diapers every time I go to the grocery store.  :)  

Although I could never calculate exactly how much it would cost to use disposable diapers over the course of my children's babyhoods, I estimated around $2000-$3000 (depending on the brand) for two years of disposable diapers.  

Some websites I've checked out use similar figures.  I have gotten slightly addicted to trying new diapers and ordering online, but even with all I've invested, I've spent around $1000 and I'll be able to use these diapers for as many children as we decide to have.

But I haven't always loved cloth.  When I first started Peach in them (gosh...was she ever that small?) I had a love/hate relationship with these diapers.  The biggest problem was that I didn't know a single soul who used them.  I was completely in the dark.  

There were so many questions.  How do I wash them?  What kind of detergent should I use?  What happens when they start to stink?  Why are they leaking?  Hemp or cotton?  Bamboo or wool?  All-in-ones?  Pocket diapers?  What in the world does it mean to "strip" diapers?  How do I find clothes that don't make my babies look like they are wearing a mattress?  Will my day care be on board?  WHAT DO I DO WITH THE POOP?!  

One lone friend and I decided to give it a try.  We spent lots of time online and on the phone discussing the problems/issues we were having.  She and I could write a book about all we've learned.  It has been such an educational (and at times frustrating) process.

I must say that without Hubby's help, this would not have worked.  Not many men are willing to tackle something like this.  He's a gem for going along with these crazy ideas that I get. 

I'll admit that there were times I was ready to give up.  But, I had already invested money in these things and Hubby wasn't about to let me throw that away.  So, thanks to his encouragement (and the countless loads of diapers he has washed, dried and prepared for the next day), a few good blogs, and my stubbornness, we've stayed on this path...and I'm glad.   

Today, I can confidently say that I LOVE cloth diapers.  I mean I really love them...no amount of coaxing could bring me back to the days of disposables.

Don't get me wrong - there are MANY modern conveniences that I WOULD NOT BE WITHOUT!  We all choose the things that we are willing to invest in...the causes that we feel are most beneficial and purposeful.  I don't for one minute think that mommas who use disposable diapers are any less concerned for their babies than I am.  This is the thing that I'm willing to invest in.  Other moms have other passions that I admire, but just can't quite devote myself to.  I get that.  And I take my hat off to those of you who are fighting other worthy battles.

I'm still learning.  The more I read and try, the more I find that I need to adjust and change...maybe that is another reason that I've learned to appreciate these diapers.  They've taught me a lot about life.  It's a journey, right?  Nobody gets it right all the time.  But, if we keep persisting, we find that in the end, we really do love what we have.