I feel like it has been a while since I posted, but it has been a busy few weeks! Several things have happened in the Williams household...
Grayson started Mother's Day Out Preschool (MDOCP) the last week of August. The week before that, we all volunteered to help watch the teacher's children so they could prepare their lessons and classrooms for the school year. Grayson, Ellie and I trooped to MDOCP every day for a week from 8-3. I was in the infant room with Ellie-bean and several other babies. The babies changed day to day, but I had 5 month old twins, a 9 month old, and a 13 month old through that time. A baby circus! It was a positive experience, and I came away from it more confident in my mothering and multi-tasking skills and $200 richer! The only downside was Ellie's constant attachment issues and her SCREAMING if I took two steps away from her during that time. Oh, I hope she grows out of this "phase"!
After that week, Grayson started MDOCP two days a week, Monday and Wednesday. This has been great for him, he seems to really enjoy "school". And Ellie and I have such restful days! I can watch all my DVR'd shows, get laundry done, eat a leisurely lunch, and Ellie gets to play with all the toys without Grayson snatching them away from her. But we are ready to pick up brother by 3:00, life is just not as interesting without him during the day.
I have also started working more days a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays. I am working at the Waxing Studio in San Marcos. As you can tell from the title, I am doing mainly waxes all day - the majority being bikini, brazilian, and eyebrow. I like waxing a lot, it is not as draining as facials are on your energy - but you do have to hustle more to make more money as they are not as expensive as facials. For those of you that are uninitiated in the spa world, most places pay estheticians a commission on the service, usually ranging from 30 to 50 percent. So don't forget to tip your esthetician, please! Of course, only if you were satisfied with the service. I am trying my best to be as speedy as they want you to be at the Waxing Studio, and that has been a learning process. I am of the mindset that slow and careful waxing is the best for the skin, so I am learning to combine my techniques with the "quickness" that the Studio is known for. Every new job is a learning opportunity, I guess!
Grayson and Ellie have gone to a babysitter's for the first time ever when I am working during the week. This is a big adjustment for Mommy and the kids. The babysitter is a sweet, caring lady, but it was still super hard to drop them off last Thursday. We are still working out scheduling kinks, and any wrench in my schedule gives me panic attacks. Bret forgot to pick up the container I make Ellie's milk in on Thursday and I have been panicking without it for three days! I like to make all the milk every morning, OK? He thought I was acting crazy (maybe so), but I am definitely borderline OCD, I admit it, and I need things to be - JUST - SO! :)
I am still working Saturdays at Cathleen and Company in Kyle. I wish I was a bit busier, but it has been picking up lately. Come see me there for everything - facials, waxing, and makeup application. Of course, they are also a full service salon and some great gals can do your hair and nails too.
As you know from my previous post, I have started cloth diapering Ellie-bean! And we both love it! I will post an update later about my favorite products so far that I've tried.
I found a dress for my upcoming high school reunion, the first weekend in October. This was no mean feat with two little kids in tow at La Cantera. Our shopping outing last weekend included: screaming fit in Nordstrom, more fits in Macy's, a first-time ever on the go cloth diaper change, a COACH purse (that I've longed for years and treasure highly) left in the bathroom at Macy's, a hurried rush from Dillard's to Macy's upon discovering purse was left, purse found in Macy's customer service, all cash and credit cards intact!, finding Bret a shirt and sportcoat, finally finding my dress, attempting to find appropriate undergarments (a.k.a. "sausage wraps" as my husband so delightfully calls them), and aborting that mission amidst more fits and calling it a day. (Just to clarify, the person(s) throwing the fits was Grayson for multiple offenses and Ellie for one offense) I still have to find hosiery and shoes. Why is it so difficult for women to put together a new outfit? Granted, my clothes for the last two years have been a combination of maternity clothes and larger-than-normal casual stay at home mommy clothes, so that is probably why I have to purchase everything from the ground up to look nice in front of my old high school friends. Anyway, I am looking forward to the reunion and to visiting my family at that time, because October 1st is Ellie's first birthday! My sweet girl.
Well, those have been the happenings for the last few weeks - I'm hoping to post a beauty related article soon, remember how I wanted that to be my focus? Family life and stories just crowd out everything else!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Cloth Diaper Revolution
I have recently decided to make the switch from disposable diapers to cloth for Ellie. This is something I wanted to do before she was born, but could not persuade Bret to accept the up-front cost. Back then I wanted to buy the whole she-bang at once, an arsenal of cloth diapers. This is probably because I was in "nesting" mode. But now, after much begging and cost comparison, I finally convinced him to let me get enough cloth diapers to get started and we can buy more along the way.
Why switch now, you ask? I've already spent 3 years with Grayson in disposables (by the way, I also broached the subject with him and was talked out of it then, too - I've finally prevailed!), and Ellie is nearly a year old. Well, here are my very good reasons -
I probably still spend 60-80 dollars a month on diapers. If Ellie is potty trained when she is two and a half, that will be 1400 more dollars sitting in the trashcan.
I try very hard to save money where I can - as a mostly stay-at-home mom, I think this IS my job. I clip coupons, buy everything on sale, shop the clearance racks, and plan meals two weeks out. So this seemed a logical step to further save money that we could use somewhere else - like to maybe go out once in a while and get some time away from our little darlings!
I try to be earth conscious and do the steps that I can to reduce my impact on the earth - I recycle everything I can, use cloth bags at the store, conserve water, and use energy-efficient everything. I can't afford expensive things like solar panels and water heaters, so this is something that I can do. Disposable diapers sit in a landfill for hundreds of years (not exaggeration) and ONE baby can contribute 2,000 pounds of diapers to the heap over its diaper years. I read an article about the "swirling garbage island" of plastic trash in the Pacific Ocean that is TWICE THE SIZE OF TEXAS. Not to sound preachy, but we as a species have irreparably damaged our earth and I feel guilty about it.
Why switch now, you ask? I've already spent 3 years with Grayson in disposables (by the way, I also broached the subject with him and was talked out of it then, too - I've finally prevailed!), and Ellie is nearly a year old. Well, here are my very good reasons -
I probably still spend 60-80 dollars a month on diapers. If Ellie is potty trained when she is two and a half, that will be 1400 more dollars sitting in the trashcan.
I try very hard to save money where I can - as a mostly stay-at-home mom, I think this IS my job. I clip coupons, buy everything on sale, shop the clearance racks, and plan meals two weeks out. So this seemed a logical step to further save money that we could use somewhere else - like to maybe go out once in a while and get some time away from our little darlings!
I try to be earth conscious and do the steps that I can to reduce my impact on the earth - I recycle everything I can, use cloth bags at the store, conserve water, and use energy-efficient everything. I can't afford expensive things like solar panels and water heaters, so this is something that I can do. Disposable diapers sit in a landfill for hundreds of years (not exaggeration) and ONE baby can contribute 2,000 pounds of diapers to the heap over its diaper years. I read an article about the "swirling garbage island" of plastic trash in the Pacific Ocean that is TWICE THE SIZE OF TEXAS. Not to sound preachy, but we as a species have irreparably damaged our earth and I feel guilty about it.
So, order away I did at http://www.cottonbabies.com/ - a fantastic website that is super informative and priced really well. Here is what I ordered:
A Try it Kit that included 6 prefold diapers (this is what you think of when you think "cloth diaper" - the flat piece of fabric that you pin together), two covers, a Snappi to secure the diapers. This is the most economical way to cloth diaper, but not the easiest.
Two bumGenius 3.0 pocket diapers - the new vanguard of cloth diapers, these have an insert that you change and an absorbent lining sewn in
One "repairable" bumGenius - a second I bought for less than half the price that only needed a small seam repaired. If you are handy with sewing, I definitely recommend this to save money and build your supply.
2 packs of cloth wipes - going all in here, I told you!
Extra prefold diapers and extra inserts for the pocket diapers
A wetbag to take in the diaper bag - the small size I ordered is too small so I will be exchanging it
All this cost me $135, which sounds like a lot of money, but it really isn't when you consider this is only a month and a half of disposables
Then I had to conduct the search for the right detergent. This is MUCH more important than I would have imagined. Detergents with softeners and additives can ruin the absorbency of your diapers. "Country Save" detergent was the most recommended on ALL the websites, so I looked high and low for it. Whole Foods in San Antonio, two health stores in New Braunfels, Amazon.com, and I finally found it at the Little Shoppe of Health in San Marcos, right next door to my new work. Is that fate or what?
Also you cannot use regular rash cream with the diapers because they leave a coating on them that makes them not absorb - so I found an all natural one I liked (beware of some of the natural ones that include fragrant oils, those are not good for any one's skin)
OKAY - after much preparation, they arrived in the mail yesterday! After washing them to get them ready, I strapped a prefold on Ellie and used the Bummis Whisper Wrap cover. Awesome! It is bulkier than a regular diaper, but soft and comfortable for her. Last night I used a bumGenius pocket diaper with an insert and a "doubler", which is basically just a smaller additional insert. No leaks at all this morning!
While we are at home, I plan to use the prefolds and covers, so that is what I did today. All went well, the cover lasted through three diaper changes until a poop happened. The poop was contained, but it did get on the cover a little bit, so it went in the pail. She wore the pockets the rest of the day, one pocket diaper that I changed the insert several times. I wiped the poop off into the toilet - something I'm used to because I regularly dump Grayson's poop out of his little potties. I did rinse the pooped prefold in the sink before I dumped it in the pail. While it seems like I purchased a lot, I am doing a load of diapers in the wash as we speak. But that seems right because I basically only have four "diapers" right now.
I know I'm a weirdo, but I actually like doing the wash if it's baby clothes. I love folding them and matching the outfits, and her cutely colored cloth diapers are just an extension of that.
I love them so far, and the only thing I wish is that I could have ordered more at a time. Here is what I will order next:
Cloth Diaper pail liner - the garbage bag I have now is just not working for me.
More pockets and a few more covers, along with more inserts.
I am still figuring out how to do the cloth wipes. I am now just using them with water in my plastic wipes tubs (of which I have about a thousand laying around), but I read that that can be too drying. Which is true, water evaporating on the skin will dry it out. So I think tomorrow I will try a dash of baby soap and baby oil (preferably unscented) in the water and see if that feels more "moisturizing".
I hope I've inspired you somewhat - it's never too late to save money and the environment! Let me know your thoughts or questions and I will keep you posted!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
I Dig the Duggars
I have just read that the Duggars are expecting their 19th child, according to Today online. If you do not have cable television, the Duggars are an Arkansas family that have their own TLC show based upon the amazing fact that they have 18 biological children. All of these children are the offspring of JimBob and Michelle Duggar - and she gave birth to all of them! Yikes!
The Duggars constantly have detractors in the media, people who usually say one of the following things -
The Duggars are religious freaks who need to use birth control, they are a strain on the overpopulated planet, they don't take care of their children properly, they are weirdos, the children are robots, etc. etc. etc.
Well, the Duggars are not cut of the same cloth as "Jon and Kate plus Eight" - there are no salacious scandals and paparazzi shots of JimBob Duggar canoodling with a coke-sniffing mistress. This is a geniunely good, wholesome, family who really have it together in many ways. I admire the following things about the Duggar brood:
Their religious views, while somewhat purist for my tastes, are believed and upheld. I am not particularly religious - I believe it's okay to be who you want to be, I believe in evolution, and sex before marriage, to name a few things. But the Duggars don't, and that's o.k. They are not hypocrites, and they definitely get the core values of Christian charity and love for others right. So let them believe what they want to - this is America after all!
I think it's O.K. that the older children have responsibilities and take care of younger ones. I took care of my (13 years younger) brother quite a bit. Making them do chores and help with the family prepares them for REAL life. These kids do not leave their clothes all over the floor, dishes on the table, towels in the tub, and expect $40 bucks to go the mall. (some of these are crimes of the aforementioned little brother)
The Duggars try to be "green" even though their huge motor bus gets 6 MPG. They make their own soap, grow a lot of their vegetables, and reuse everything. They get their clothes from thrift stores (so the show says), do their own haircuts, and many more things. I hope to GOD they recycle and use cloth diapers because the trash alone would fill a landfill! But we should all try to be so thrifty and waste less.
I like that the girls have long hair and wear modest clothes. Skirts all the time is a bit much, but I cringe when I see an 11 year old walk through the mall with her butt cheeks hanging out and a pound of makeup on her face. And I swear, some outfits I've looked at for Ellie have infant crop tops and hot pants. I'm not kidding.
The Duggar kids don't watch much television, and that could be good. Grayson mostly watches preschool shows and movies, but he has picked up enough "grown up" TV to know how swear words are used and to "shoot" at us all the time even though he has not a single toy gun. Hmmmmm....maybe TV does rot our brain and ruin the children.
A little healthy fear can go a long way for a kid. Some people have said that the Duggar kids act well behaved most of the time because the parents have taught them to be afraid of God. I don't really believe this is the case. I was "afraid" of misbehaving when I was little because I didn't want God and my mother to be mad at me. I tell you, Grayson is not afraid of either one! How can I make him fear me just a little bit?
I think Michelle should have as many babies as she wants. The Duggars take care of all of their children financially. They are not asking for handouts or welfare and have worked hard I'm sure to live the debt-free life they show on TV. In this age of modern medicine, she can successfully have so many pregnancies. They are not morally opposed to birth control, they have stated that she used it at the beginning of their marriage and decided to then have as "many children as God blessed them with". So that is her choice. This situation is not akin to the polygamist Mormon situations where a mother is to be "worn out in childbirth", having twenty (yes, I have read of twenty) children that a part-time patriarch cannot afford to take care of, and no real access to quality medical care. Michelle has her children in a hospital, and she seems healthy and fine to her doctor on the show. If I could afford it, I'd like to have a couple more babies myself!
One of the things I don't like is the emphasis on the girls to grow up and be good housewives. These girls, while definitely self-sufficient, should be encouraged to follow their dreams. But on the other side, the Duggars are very pragmatic and the children know they will have to grow up and work hard. I cannot say the same for a lot of young people I know who think they are going to grow up and automatically make 200,000 dollars a year.
I'm also not that keen on the homeschooling that Michelle gives all the kids. I am a firm believer in the public school system and the power of secular teaching. As a child I went to both a Christian private school and a public school, and while the children were generally sweeter at the private school, the curriculum was much more stimulating, educational, and challenging in the public schools. Plus, I was not as scared that God would smite me if I talked in class. Just kidding!
I'm also a little wary of the rules on dating. Apparently, there is no kissing (and most definitely no anything else) before MARRIAGE. I think it takes a little more than a shared attraction and mutual faith to make a lasting, happy, marriage. But at least they get to (sort of) date - a chaperone is present at all times. Also, a healthy sexual drive is part of being an adolescent and young adult. But I guess if you get married when you're 20 that's not so much you're missing out on! I can say that when I got married, I had regrets about some of those frogs I kissed (and sometimes more than kissed) before I found my husband. But maybe those actions led me to him? Or made me aware and ready when I found my life partner? I guess it would have been neat to experience all the wonderful things about a sexual relationship for the first time with my husband, but that is a lofty goal. And I also bet none of the Duggar kids will wait until they are 25 and 31 to get married like we did! Wink, wink!
So to sum up, go, Duggars, go! Have as many kids as you want. I can't wait to see how many grandkids come out of this bunch.
The Duggars constantly have detractors in the media, people who usually say one of the following things -
The Duggars are religious freaks who need to use birth control, they are a strain on the overpopulated planet, they don't take care of their children properly, they are weirdos, the children are robots, etc. etc. etc.
Well, the Duggars are not cut of the same cloth as "Jon and Kate plus Eight" - there are no salacious scandals and paparazzi shots of JimBob Duggar canoodling with a coke-sniffing mistress. This is a geniunely good, wholesome, family who really have it together in many ways. I admire the following things about the Duggar brood:
Their religious views, while somewhat purist for my tastes, are believed and upheld. I am not particularly religious - I believe it's okay to be who you want to be, I believe in evolution, and sex before marriage, to name a few things. But the Duggars don't, and that's o.k. They are not hypocrites, and they definitely get the core values of Christian charity and love for others right. So let them believe what they want to - this is America after all!
I think it's O.K. that the older children have responsibilities and take care of younger ones. I took care of my (13 years younger) brother quite a bit. Making them do chores and help with the family prepares them for REAL life. These kids do not leave their clothes all over the floor, dishes on the table, towels in the tub, and expect $40 bucks to go the mall. (some of these are crimes of the aforementioned little brother)
The Duggars try to be "green" even though their huge motor bus gets 6 MPG. They make their own soap, grow a lot of their vegetables, and reuse everything. They get their clothes from thrift stores (so the show says), do their own haircuts, and many more things. I hope to GOD they recycle and use cloth diapers because the trash alone would fill a landfill! But we should all try to be so thrifty and waste less.
I like that the girls have long hair and wear modest clothes. Skirts all the time is a bit much, but I cringe when I see an 11 year old walk through the mall with her butt cheeks hanging out and a pound of makeup on her face. And I swear, some outfits I've looked at for Ellie have infant crop tops and hot pants. I'm not kidding.
The Duggar kids don't watch much television, and that could be good. Grayson mostly watches preschool shows and movies, but he has picked up enough "grown up" TV to know how swear words are used and to "shoot" at us all the time even though he has not a single toy gun. Hmmmmm....maybe TV does rot our brain and ruin the children.
A little healthy fear can go a long way for a kid. Some people have said that the Duggar kids act well behaved most of the time because the parents have taught them to be afraid of God. I don't really believe this is the case. I was "afraid" of misbehaving when I was little because I didn't want God and my mother to be mad at me. I tell you, Grayson is not afraid of either one! How can I make him fear me just a little bit?
I think Michelle should have as many babies as she wants. The Duggars take care of all of their children financially. They are not asking for handouts or welfare and have worked hard I'm sure to live the debt-free life they show on TV. In this age of modern medicine, she can successfully have so many pregnancies. They are not morally opposed to birth control, they have stated that she used it at the beginning of their marriage and decided to then have as "many children as God blessed them with". So that is her choice. This situation is not akin to the polygamist Mormon situations where a mother is to be "worn out in childbirth", having twenty (yes, I have read of twenty) children that a part-time patriarch cannot afford to take care of, and no real access to quality medical care. Michelle has her children in a hospital, and she seems healthy and fine to her doctor on the show. If I could afford it, I'd like to have a couple more babies myself!
One of the things I don't like is the emphasis on the girls to grow up and be good housewives. These girls, while definitely self-sufficient, should be encouraged to follow their dreams. But on the other side, the Duggars are very pragmatic and the children know they will have to grow up and work hard. I cannot say the same for a lot of young people I know who think they are going to grow up and automatically make 200,000 dollars a year.
I'm also not that keen on the homeschooling that Michelle gives all the kids. I am a firm believer in the public school system and the power of secular teaching. As a child I went to both a Christian private school and a public school, and while the children were generally sweeter at the private school, the curriculum was much more stimulating, educational, and challenging in the public schools. Plus, I was not as scared that God would smite me if I talked in class. Just kidding!
I'm also a little wary of the rules on dating. Apparently, there is no kissing (and most definitely no anything else) before MARRIAGE. I think it takes a little more than a shared attraction and mutual faith to make a lasting, happy, marriage. But at least they get to (sort of) date - a chaperone is present at all times. Also, a healthy sexual drive is part of being an adolescent and young adult. But I guess if you get married when you're 20 that's not so much you're missing out on! I can say that when I got married, I had regrets about some of those frogs I kissed (and sometimes more than kissed) before I found my husband. But maybe those actions led me to him? Or made me aware and ready when I found my life partner? I guess it would have been neat to experience all the wonderful things about a sexual relationship for the first time with my husband, but that is a lofty goal. And I also bet none of the Duggar kids will wait until they are 25 and 31 to get married like we did! Wink, wink!
So to sum up, go, Duggars, go! Have as many kids as you want. I can't wait to see how many grandkids come out of this bunch.
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