I have had a diaper dilemma every since Reed was born...
Before he was born, I wanted to totally go cloth, so we got the cloth diapers, we went with the all-in-one variety, which seemed to be the simplest, but just navigating your way through all the choices was hard enough (and actually my parents got them for us...!) my mom also made extra inserts to double up for nighttime. I got the diaper pail, and I also got my mom to make cloth wipes.
We started out using disposables when Reed was newborn, everyone recommended that just so you could ease into life with a baby, also they are just so small!
Then at about 2 weeks, I started thinking I would try the cloth diapers. I also felt some pressure, maybe it was imagined, from the midwives who heartily recommended using cloth asap. Reed was having some sore, bum problems, he had a red raw bum, no matter how often I changed him and bathed him and kept him diaper-free to air out. I also started using vaseline to act as a barrier to the moisture. They suggested it was the disposable diapers that were causing the problem. So we had a few trial runs, I found it was all so new, and figuring out a good 'system' was a challenge...
First of all Reed was so small, even though he was a pretty big baby, the diapers were huge on him! He had this enormous bum and tiny body, and it was tough to get it snug enough so he wouldn't just pee and poo out the sides .... which he did a lot! We went through about 3-4 changes of clothes a day.
And then there were the wipes, I had found a good recipe for homemade wipe solution. You would premix in a jar and dip or pour over the wipes before use. It consisted of olive oil, baby wash, tea tree oil and lavender oil and water. You couldn't make too much ahead of time, because the wipes had be fresh and clean. I also bought a wipe-warmer so he would like getting his bum wiped by a nice warm wipe, it also acted as a good holder for the pre-soaked wipes.
There was also figuring out the diaper pail. At first I went with the wet pail. I would fill the pail up 1/2 way with water, sprinkling some baking soda and lavender to the water for smell, then when it would get full, I had to carefully cart the pail downstairs to the basement, dump diapers and water into the machine, do a quick spin out before the normal cycle. And then afterwards, it was all the folding of the wipes again, and I did this every 2 days. Not including all the rest of the laundry, mine and Colin's and then Reed's clothes and blankets etc. So laundry every day, fun!
I later changed to a dry pail, and just sprayed some baby stain remover on the bigger poop jobs. The diapers still came out as clean as when they were being pre-soaked in the wet pail.
But with all this extra work, Reed was still having a sore bum! It was getting worse, also diaper rash in the front now too! I felt like such a bad mom! But he wasn't at all fussed by it, didn't bother him the slightest.
About two weeks ago, I decided to go back to the disposables to see if it would solve the problem. I also bought store wipes, to see if the diy wipes were an issue. Well of course within 2 days it all cleared up. I still bathe his bum atleast twice a day, but what a difference the diapers have made! Plus it is a thousand more times easier, and less time consuming!
So I'm in a dilemma! Do I go back to the cloth diapers? Even though Reed's bum has never looked so perfect and I've have lessened my workload considerably?! I don't know. I feel guilty for all the waste we're creating throwing out so many diapers daily! Not to mention the extra weekly cost. I'm in limbo. But I guess my lack of decision is also a decision as I carry on using the the disposables... I want to be supermom, and do my part for the environment, but it is just soooooo much easier....... to cloth or not to cloth...
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Protein bars
I forgot to post the recipe... mom, you should try these for your apres-swim snack!
1C protein powder (vanilla or chocolate, tried both, very yummy!)
1/2C whole wheat flour
2C oats
1/2C oat bran
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp salt
2/3C brown sugar
1C nuts (I've used crushed walnuts, almonds)
1C chocolate chips (I've substituted half with raisins also coconut)
1.5C plain or vanilla yogurt, best with greek!
1/2C nut butter (I've only used pb, but I think almond butter would rock!)
2 tsp vanilla
Mix dry, add wet. Press into 13in dish, bake at 350 for 15ish min.
You can cut them up, wrap them individually and freeze them. But I stopped wrapping them individually, because we eat them within a week and it's a lot of extra trouble... just throw them into a freezer bag.
Thanks Sara! : )>
1C protein powder (vanilla or chocolate, tried both, very yummy!)
1/2C whole wheat flour
2C oats
1/2C oat bran
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp salt
2/3C brown sugar
1C nuts (I've used crushed walnuts, almonds)
1C chocolate chips (I've substituted half with raisins also coconut)
1.5C plain or vanilla yogurt, best with greek!
1/2C nut butter (I've only used pb, but I think almond butter would rock!)
2 tsp vanilla
Mix dry, add wet. Press into 13in dish, bake at 350 for 15ish min.
You can cut them up, wrap them individually and freeze them. But I stopped wrapping them individually, because we eat them within a week and it's a lot of extra trouble... just throw them into a freezer bag.
Thanks Sara! : )>
Sunday, February 26, 2012
A Day in the Life...
Yesterday was a pretty good example (albeit definitely on the more full side) of a day in the life at our house recently. We have learned the absolute necessity of planning out our day in order to make sure we both get to do the things we want.
Reed is becoming more and more of a little person. He is alert and awake the better part of the day now, he loves to talk, especially when getting his diaper changed, he is fascinated by faces of course and by bright contrasting colours. It is so neat to watch him take in the world.
I woke up around 730am, left Reed to carry on sleeping in our bed (I usually just bring him into bed and carry on sleeping after our early morning feed ~ 4-5am), I started breakfast and pumped some milk for the day (just a little bit as a last resort for Colin, as I am never out for more than 1.5hour). Colin left for the pool, to swim with a small group of triathletes. Then Reed was up, 8am seems to be his wake up lately. We ate breakfast, got changed, and then made some fabulous protein bars, that my very bestest of friends, Sara gave me the recipe for, delish! (See recipe below.) Reed sits up on the counter on his bouncy chair, he loves to watch everything happening. I also notice more and more that he likes to be on his own, independent, unless he is fussy and then needs a tight snuggle.
Colin came home at a leisurely 10:30am! I was getting slightly ticked at this point... he went for coffee and got to talking, not noticing the time ... picture the steam coming from my ears as I think about the fact that we have such a full day ahead and all needs to be done by 3pm (when Colin takes off for his nightshift).
Then I was off for a 45min run with Pearl, which was great. She and I are both slowly getting back into running form. The last few months, have seen Pearl pack on a couple pounds because she no longer gets 2 big huge walks / runs a day, with Reed around, she gets only one usually.... so she's getting fat, or just maturing as she gets closer to 2yrs old!
Came home, Reed had slept most the time I was away. I nursed him, we did a little tummy time, had a big long chat while I changed him and gave him a mini bath in the sink, basically just a good bum rinse. Then I was off again to go for a swim. I don't usually do 2 workouts in a day, it is a very special treat. But since the day before I stayed home all day with him, after he got his 2 month shots, as I was concerned he would get a fever, I decided I wanted to do a double. It's like I feel the need to explain why I did two workouts, why I left my baby not just once, but TWICE! Gone for a whopping hour and forty five minutes! Why do moms put so much guilt on themselves? I mean if anyone begrudges a mom for getting out to do something for herself, they are either not a mom, or a jealous mom. Anyways, I quickly got over my flash of guilt, and headed to the pool!
I had a good swim. I am now able to hold 1:30/100m, just barely. I did 400s and was coming in at 5:50, but giving myself a minute rest and leaving at 7:00min. I'll get there, it's only been a month back, I am sure that by the summer I'll be comfortably able to hold 1:25/100m for 2k. I guess I should do a 1500m test.... well I've since done an even better swim ... 10 x 200m, holding 1:25/100m, it has taken me a couple days to actually complete this post, not much down time...
Back at home, I was super excited to see my little man. He had had a good snack with daddy, finished a half bottle and was happy just talking away with him. Well after another diaper change (why don't dads think to change babies??), I aim for a diaper change every 2 hours, usually ends up being after every feed, yes he does feed every 2 hours during the day! Actually lately he's been going for only about an hour before he wants more, he must be going through a growth spurt... I gave up trying to stretch it out, why put everyone in a cranky mood? He wants to eat! He's a hungry baby, and a big baby, at 2mos his weight and length are that of a 4 month old... If he wants to eat lots in the day, that's fine because we are all very happy that he sleeps so well at night.
We then went for a big grocery shop. While Colin got on the bike to do 2x20. Reed fell asleep, as most babies do when lulled by a car ride, and I won the prize for the most full cart, then asking for assistance to my car, the young boy broke two bags, and then spilt the trail mix all over the back of the car, and I had to pretend not to be mad about it!
We were back at home altogether for about an hour before Colin had to take off for his night shift. I then bundled Reed up in the snuggly (baby Bjorn) and went for a big long walk out in the ranchelands with Pearl, about an hour and a half, she loves diving into the tall grass deep in the snow!
What a full day! Then the night, usually filled with fussiness, until he falls asleep at 10pm. I've been thinking about some baby-post topics:
Reed is becoming more and more of a little person. He is alert and awake the better part of the day now, he loves to talk, especially when getting his diaper changed, he is fascinated by faces of course and by bright contrasting colours. It is so neat to watch him take in the world.
I woke up around 730am, left Reed to carry on sleeping in our bed (I usually just bring him into bed and carry on sleeping after our early morning feed ~ 4-5am), I started breakfast and pumped some milk for the day (just a little bit as a last resort for Colin, as I am never out for more than 1.5hour). Colin left for the pool, to swim with a small group of triathletes. Then Reed was up, 8am seems to be his wake up lately. We ate breakfast, got changed, and then made some fabulous protein bars, that my very bestest of friends, Sara gave me the recipe for, delish! (See recipe below.) Reed sits up on the counter on his bouncy chair, he loves to watch everything happening. I also notice more and more that he likes to be on his own, independent, unless he is fussy and then needs a tight snuggle.
Colin came home at a leisurely 10:30am! I was getting slightly ticked at this point... he went for coffee and got to talking, not noticing the time ... picture the steam coming from my ears as I think about the fact that we have such a full day ahead and all needs to be done by 3pm (when Colin takes off for his nightshift).
Then I was off for a 45min run with Pearl, which was great. She and I are both slowly getting back into running form. The last few months, have seen Pearl pack on a couple pounds because she no longer gets 2 big huge walks / runs a day, with Reed around, she gets only one usually.... so she's getting fat, or just maturing as she gets closer to 2yrs old!
Came home, Reed had slept most the time I was away. I nursed him, we did a little tummy time, had a big long chat while I changed him and gave him a mini bath in the sink, basically just a good bum rinse. Then I was off again to go for a swim. I don't usually do 2 workouts in a day, it is a very special treat. But since the day before I stayed home all day with him, after he got his 2 month shots, as I was concerned he would get a fever, I decided I wanted to do a double. It's like I feel the need to explain why I did two workouts, why I left my baby not just once, but TWICE! Gone for a whopping hour and forty five minutes! Why do moms put so much guilt on themselves? I mean if anyone begrudges a mom for getting out to do something for herself, they are either not a mom, or a jealous mom. Anyways, I quickly got over my flash of guilt, and headed to the pool!
I had a good swim. I am now able to hold 1:30/100m, just barely. I did 400s and was coming in at 5:50, but giving myself a minute rest and leaving at 7:00min. I'll get there, it's only been a month back, I am sure that by the summer I'll be comfortably able to hold 1:25/100m for 2k. I guess I should do a 1500m test.... well I've since done an even better swim ... 10 x 200m, holding 1:25/100m, it has taken me a couple days to actually complete this post, not much down time...
Back at home, I was super excited to see my little man. He had had a good snack with daddy, finished a half bottle and was happy just talking away with him. Well after another diaper change (why don't dads think to change babies??), I aim for a diaper change every 2 hours, usually ends up being after every feed, yes he does feed every 2 hours during the day! Actually lately he's been going for only about an hour before he wants more, he must be going through a growth spurt... I gave up trying to stretch it out, why put everyone in a cranky mood? He wants to eat! He's a hungry baby, and a big baby, at 2mos his weight and length are that of a 4 month old... If he wants to eat lots in the day, that's fine because we are all very happy that he sleeps so well at night.
We then went for a big grocery shop. While Colin got on the bike to do 2x20. Reed fell asleep, as most babies do when lulled by a car ride, and I won the prize for the most full cart, then asking for assistance to my car, the young boy broke two bags, and then spilt the trail mix all over the back of the car, and I had to pretend not to be mad about it!
We were back at home altogether for about an hour before Colin had to take off for his night shift. I then bundled Reed up in the snuggly (baby Bjorn) and went for a big long walk out in the ranchelands with Pearl, about an hour and a half, she loves diving into the tall grass deep in the snow!
What a full day! Then the night, usually filled with fussiness, until he falls asleep at 10pm. I've been thinking about some baby-post topics:
Monday, February 20, 2012
Getting the work done and a tasty dinner...
So I am almost done month one of the plan I put together for getting back into shape, and be in some way ready for having some much anticipated fun racing this summer. And besides skipping one run, because of a little niggle in my knee, I have managed to get all the work done.
Yesterday I did my first 20min TT re-test, 3 weeks after starting this bike program... and of course I was thinking I would have made huge gains right away... but it turns out I need to be patient... not my strong suit! I did improve and have come to be happy with that, my watts/kg went up just over .10, sadly I'm still in the "new rider" category. But I refuse to let that get me down! I do have to consider that I haven't done any intensity on the bike (or the run for that matter) in about a year and half! I will continue to plug away on the trainer, I know it will come back!
Running is starting to become easier, much easier, even enjoyable! Today, my stride felt pretty quick, and my breating felt controlled, it was great. I only still go for about 45min, and today was a pretty funny story...
Pearl's paws were getting all gummed up with snow, and she was driving me nuts with stopping to chew the ice balls from her pads, so I let her off-leash. Well she was going a bit crazy, running all over the place as usual, we were running on a pretty deserted gravel road. First she fell through some ice in the ditch on the side of the road, and splashed around slightly frantic as she pulled herself out. Then, because she was all wet, she started to roll in the snow, gathering more and more snow and ice onto her fur, causing her to go even more crazy. She then ran full tilt into a barbed wire fence, she flew backward stunned. I was way more upset and concerned than she was, she just ran off tail wagging.
I end this post with an amazing recipe story...
The other day, I made Kashmiri Bean Soup. It was a vegetarian slow cooker recipe. I had to put dried beans and broth in for 8hrs to hydrate/cook, but I decide to add chicken. So 8 hours later, I checked the recipe to add the Indian spices, garam masala, tumeric, ginger, coriander etc, but it said I had to puree the beans and broth... so after trying to remove the chicken... it just fell to pieces... so I threw it all in the blender... I didn't think much of it, but apparently the thought of pureed chicken made Colin want vomit! I guess in retrospect it is pretty gross! More like Indian baby food... but spiced very yummily.... here's what the soup ended up looking like....
Anyone want to come over for dinner? Too funny!
Yesterday I did my first 20min TT re-test, 3 weeks after starting this bike program... and of course I was thinking I would have made huge gains right away... but it turns out I need to be patient... not my strong suit! I did improve and have come to be happy with that, my watts/kg went up just over .10, sadly I'm still in the "new rider" category. But I refuse to let that get me down! I do have to consider that I haven't done any intensity on the bike (or the run for that matter) in about a year and half! I will continue to plug away on the trainer, I know it will come back!
Running is starting to become easier, much easier, even enjoyable! Today, my stride felt pretty quick, and my breating felt controlled, it was great. I only still go for about 45min, and today was a pretty funny story...
Pearl's paws were getting all gummed up with snow, and she was driving me nuts with stopping to chew the ice balls from her pads, so I let her off-leash. Well she was going a bit crazy, running all over the place as usual, we were running on a pretty deserted gravel road. First she fell through some ice in the ditch on the side of the road, and splashed around slightly frantic as she pulled herself out. Then, because she was all wet, she started to roll in the snow, gathering more and more snow and ice onto her fur, causing her to go even more crazy. She then ran full tilt into a barbed wire fence, she flew backward stunned. I was way more upset and concerned than she was, she just ran off tail wagging.
I end this post with an amazing recipe story...
The other day, I made Kashmiri Bean Soup. It was a vegetarian slow cooker recipe. I had to put dried beans and broth in for 8hrs to hydrate/cook, but I decide to add chicken. So 8 hours later, I checked the recipe to add the Indian spices, garam masala, tumeric, ginger, coriander etc, but it said I had to puree the beans and broth... so after trying to remove the chicken... it just fell to pieces... so I threw it all in the blender... I didn't think much of it, but apparently the thought of pureed chicken made Colin want vomit! I guess in retrospect it is pretty gross! More like Indian baby food... but spiced very yummily.... here's what the soup ended up looking like....
Anyone want to come over for dinner? Too funny!
.JPG) |
| Not my finest culinary moment |
Friday, February 10, 2012
It has been super great to get back to solid daily exercise. It has been about two weeks now, and I feel awesome.
But the most exciting part of my day is Reed. It is amazing how much love and joy he brings to us. I get excited every time I go to pick him up, in the morning, from a nap, from someone else, when I come back from a run or the pool... He has started to smile and "talk" to us, he really a little social man, loves to chat while he gets his diaper changed, and I love it too!
For the most part, we have been really lucky so far, he is a great sleeper. I have always had good chunks of time at night and feel refreshed and so able to get lots done in a day. For the last 3 weeks he has only been waking up once in the middle of the night, around 3am. But yesterday we had our final midwife check-up and she suggested to try and skip this feeding by giving him his soother to get him back to sleep. Since he quite big (13lbs11oz) and hearty, he can start stretching out his feeds. And it worked like a charm! So he actually went from 11pm to 5am sleeping with no feeds!
So I am very lucky, he seemed to get the night versus day very early on.
Colin and I have been good at organizing our days so we can both get a chance to do some exercise. He is doing ironman Canada this summer, so I know it's important for him to put the time in. I have been able to swim, bike or run everyday, and some days even getting in two workouts! I spend a lot of time in my workout gear, either ready to go when he happens to fall asleep or after coming home, I have to wait again until I can get a chance to shower and change. I do sympathize with moms who aren't as lucky as I am, having a husband home 6 out of 8 days. I do find his day shifts harder, when it's just me, and the night shifts are even tougher, as nighttime is definitely Reed's most fussy time. I do also have grandmas who have come and helped me out. I think it's really good for Reed to spend time with other people who love him, so he doesn't get too hooked on me to soothe him.
I have most enjoyed swimming. It is amazing how fast I felt without having a huge sail on my belly dragging my down! I am super glad I kept swimming right up to the end, it has certainly made me feel strong. Getting back on the bike has beem good, very humbling, but fun. Fun, because Colin has been getting me set up with his powertap, and we have dome initial tests of my wattage (which told me I was at a "new rider" level - what!!?). I have never used power and heart rate before, so it's fun. Also very motivating knowing that we will test again in 3 weeks. I have never been so focused riding the trainer in my life. It makes sense, I don't have a lot of time, so I have to get on and get the work done fast! Been doing all high quality, not a lot of time, never on the trainer for more than an hour. Running has been the least wonderful... just slogging along, so far I've gone as long as 40min, I will just keep it to easy running for 10 weeks so I can my legs used to it. I know it probably won't feel good for months still but I am sure it will.
So eventhough I do get to get out for about an hour a day, the rest of the day, I'm on. And it can feel overwhelming. I get how moms who are sleep deprived, with fluctuating hormones, at home alone with brand new babies, can get depressed, and even get crazy. Five minutes with a crying baby feels like an eternity! I couldn't imagine what life would be like with a colicky baby, a nightmare! Or twins! Yikes! Moms do need an hour or two a day to pursue their own interests, it makes them better moms.
So I've been finding it so much fun (minus my moments of feeling overwhelmed, or cranky). Having Reed has made life more intense, with love and excitement and has made time more precious, with organizing and prioritizing. I just love it!
But the most exciting part of my day is Reed. It is amazing how much love and joy he brings to us. I get excited every time I go to pick him up, in the morning, from a nap, from someone else, when I come back from a run or the pool... He has started to smile and "talk" to us, he really a little social man, loves to chat while he gets his diaper changed, and I love it too!
For the most part, we have been really lucky so far, he is a great sleeper. I have always had good chunks of time at night and feel refreshed and so able to get lots done in a day. For the last 3 weeks he has only been waking up once in the middle of the night, around 3am. But yesterday we had our final midwife check-up and she suggested to try and skip this feeding by giving him his soother to get him back to sleep. Since he quite big (13lbs11oz) and hearty, he can start stretching out his feeds. And it worked like a charm! So he actually went from 11pm to 5am sleeping with no feeds!
So I am very lucky, he seemed to get the night versus day very early on.
Colin and I have been good at organizing our days so we can both get a chance to do some exercise. He is doing ironman Canada this summer, so I know it's important for him to put the time in. I have been able to swim, bike or run everyday, and some days even getting in two workouts! I spend a lot of time in my workout gear, either ready to go when he happens to fall asleep or after coming home, I have to wait again until I can get a chance to shower and change. I do sympathize with moms who aren't as lucky as I am, having a husband home 6 out of 8 days. I do find his day shifts harder, when it's just me, and the night shifts are even tougher, as nighttime is definitely Reed's most fussy time. I do also have grandmas who have come and helped me out. I think it's really good for Reed to spend time with other people who love him, so he doesn't get too hooked on me to soothe him.
I have most enjoyed swimming. It is amazing how fast I felt without having a huge sail on my belly dragging my down! I am super glad I kept swimming right up to the end, it has certainly made me feel strong. Getting back on the bike has beem good, very humbling, but fun. Fun, because Colin has been getting me set up with his powertap, and we have dome initial tests of my wattage (which told me I was at a "new rider" level - what!!?). I have never used power and heart rate before, so it's fun. Also very motivating knowing that we will test again in 3 weeks. I have never been so focused riding the trainer in my life. It makes sense, I don't have a lot of time, so I have to get on and get the work done fast! Been doing all high quality, not a lot of time, never on the trainer for more than an hour. Running has been the least wonderful... just slogging along, so far I've gone as long as 40min, I will just keep it to easy running for 10 weeks so I can my legs used to it. I know it probably won't feel good for months still but I am sure it will.
So eventhough I do get to get out for about an hour a day, the rest of the day, I'm on. And it can feel overwhelming. I get how moms who are sleep deprived, with fluctuating hormones, at home alone with brand new babies, can get depressed, and even get crazy. Five minutes with a crying baby feels like an eternity! I couldn't imagine what life would be like with a colicky baby, a nightmare! Or twins! Yikes! Moms do need an hour or two a day to pursue their own interests, it makes them better moms.
So I've been finding it so much fun (minus my moments of feeling overwhelmed, or cranky). Having Reed has made life more intense, with love and excitement and has made time more precious, with organizing and prioritizing. I just love it!
.JPG) |
| Pearl, ever vigilant over Reed! |
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