Bradyn and Dawson sitting in a tree

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Her dad is freaking out.  I'm already planning on showing this at their wedding.  :)

I'm only 2 months late

Howdy for those still reading (hi Mother in Law!)

So I'm only 2 months late in posting about my newest family addition.  What's wrong with that?  Oh second child syndrome here I come!


Here's the details in case your not friends with me in real life or on facebook and still need to be caught up. 

I had a BOY.  I mean of course I did.  You saw that coming didn't you?  God likes to play practical jokes on people.  He has a great sense of humor.  Luckily he's cute so I'll keep him.  That is until he steals our car for a joy ride and breaks something and winds up in the emergency room.  Then I officially take no claim over the boy.  He then becomes his daddy's kid.  ;)

 Introducing

Blake Andrew

  January 29, 2011

7 pounds 10 ounces

20 inches

 First time holding Blake

 Hi buddy!

 Baby NippleGate

 First family shot getting into the car to go home

(I brought a pink shirt exactly like the one I'm wearing to the hospital so that I was prepared either way!)

 One month 

Big Sister Bradyn and baby brother Blake meeting for the very first time

Well now that I am coming up for air (and my dear sweet husband allowed me to get a cleaning crew in here twice a month), I feel like I have more time to devote to my poor abandoned blog and blogging friends.  Believe me I have lots more to say and more pictures to show off.  Because I'm that kind of annoying mommy blogger.

Emo-ness

So here I am nearing the end of my pregnancy and I have been dealing with many emotional rollercoasters. 

Since this is my second pregnancy, I'm really mourning the fact that it won't be just me and Bradyn anymore.  I mean this is my baby.  My sweet little girl who I love to see her smile and hear her laugh.  Once this new baby comes, our dynamic changes.  I know it will be ok, but it still hurts.  I never knew it could hurt this bad.

I'm really really really struggling with the fact that I may actually have *gasp* a boy.  I know for many of you, that would be your preference or you can't imagine what your life would be like without your sweet little son.  But for me, whose sister tragically passed away too early in life and left me an only child, a sister is something that I yearn for to this day.  I see other people who have sisters, especially ones they are close to and part of me weeps inside knowing I'll never have that.  I want that so desperately for my little girl.  Even typing this out makes me want to cry, but considering my eyes still burn from crying earlier, I'm going to resist the hormonal urge and move on to my next rollercoaster.

Good news: Jeff got another job, which is fantastic.  However, here's the Bad News: This puts him about an hour and half away from me this week and possibly next.  Um, don't know if anybody realizes this but my due date is Jan. 25.  People!  That's NEXT TUESDAY!  Which realistically means I can GO INTO LABOR AT ANY TIME.  So it sort of terrifies me that he will be stuck in traffic while I have to call someone to take me to the hospital while I have my baby without him.  Now I highly doubt this scenario, BUT..... it could happen.

And this brings me to another pin in my side.  I saw my doctor on Tuesday and he said that I was at station +1 and that I am so far from giving birth.  This sent me into an emotional tailspin.  Nobody wants to hear "Hey, you know how you have been mostly miserable in your own body for what seems like an eternity?  Well hon, your going to have to endure it longer than you want to."  NOT what you want to hear.  The upside is that Jeff and I have been able to conquer some of our long overdue house hold projects.  Its always nice to get things done.  Now if only I could have this pregnancy done.....

I apologize for the emo-ness of this post.  I have a lot to be thankful for but I just can't seem to get out of this funk.  I have more issues that I'm struggling with, but I think I'll leave that for another post. 

I know I should focus on this new bundle of joy that I'm about to be given.  I think it will really hit me once this new babycakes is placed in my awaiting arms.

Who is this in me?

I'm starting to REALLY notice the difference between this pregnancy and my pregnancy with Bradyn.  In the beginning there was zero difference.  This was great in my opinion.  I felt pretty good, things were going well.

Then the third trimester hit.  And all hell broke loose.

I have heartburn ALL.THE.DANG.TIME.  The baby is constantly moving.  Often times I'm like "honey do you ever sleep?"  I have a burning sensation at the top of my stomach, most likely because of stretching.    I'm just not comfortable.

Yes yes I know, I'm pregnant, and things aren't always peachy keen.

Let's be honest.  Because things are so different, I'm totally paranoid about this baby being a boy.  I desperately want Bradyn to have a sister.  I have nothing against boys, don't misunderstand.  I would love to have a boy.... the next pregnancy.

Have any of your pregnancies been totally different and did that mean they were different genders or just different personalities?

CD Trial #2

This batch of cloth diapers came from Kelly's Closet.  Here's what I bought to try.

Happy Heiny's One Size

Description:  A one size pocket diaper with milled fleece and four size options due to the sizing snaps.

Fit:  Again, because of the one size option, this is one of the bulkiest diapers I have.

Look:  While I didn't get a print for my trial, I did buy a couple of more of their prints including the cow print like above.  These out of all of the diapers I've tried are the cutest.  Not because of the fit, but because of the amazing collection of fun prints.

Function:  This became one of my favorite naptime or overnight diaper with a second insert.  

Price:  $18.95  one of the more expensive diapers

Grade:  B+

Flip Stay Dry Diaper System

Description:  A waterproof liner with an area to put in a prefold, insert or throw away insert.  This is not a pocket diaper.  It also is hybrid.

Fit:  Again, I enjoy the snaps, so that was a positive.  It wasn't a great fit through the legs but a decent fit through the tummy area.  Still a bit bulkier than I like.

Look:  Cute but nothing special.

Function:  This leaked half the time Bradyn wore it.  That became extremely frustrating.  Its one thing to have a diaper leak all the time because then you know not to use it.  But for it to work 1/2 the time, you think to yourself "sure I'll try it again" and then get screwed by that decision.  The only bonus is that when she did a #2, I was still able to use it after I changed the insert because I could easily wipe the cover (if needed, and it only needed that once).  

Price:  $16.95

Grade:  C

Rump a Rooz

Description:  OS pocket diaper with microfiber inner leg gussets (the only one like it on the market)

Fit:  Although I have a relatively tiny baby (re: short... like her momma), this diaper needed to be on its biggest setting because it was low rise in the back.  This seems to be a common problem.  Although she fits fine in it now, when she grows a bit, she will no longer be able to use it.

Look:  These diapers come in a variety of cute prints that I appreciate.  Plus I love a cute logo and this one has an adorable kangaroo for its label.

Function:  I do appreciate the inner leg guessets and was most excited to try this one out because of it.  However, I didn't feel like it did that great of a job over some of the other ones that I have.  It did do its job very well though.

Price:  $23.50  definitely one of the more pricier ones on the market.

Grade:  B

These next two came so highly recommended by Alysha or Emily that I just had to try them. 

GDiapers

Description:  The first hybrid on the market that has biodegradable flushable inserts as well as cloth soakers.  The outer cover is a cotton rather than a waterproof liner with velcro that shuts in the back rather than in the front like many others.

Fit:  This is one of the trimmest fitting diapers which I loved.  However, the back velcro took some getting used to and my husband didn't like that part at all.  Also, the inner snaps dug into Bradyn's skin which always made me sad to see.  I did really like the cotton feel of the cover though.  

Look:  I definitely appreciate the assortment of colors, although there doesn't seem to be any prints, which is a bummer.

Function:  This worked most of the time.  I believe it only leaked once.  I also tried the flushable disposable inserts which worked out great.  Although why use those if your going to go for cloth diapers.  I decided its a great alternative to disposable ones when your on the go.  Without the chemicals I didn't have to worry so much about diaper rash.

Price:  $17.99  not the cheapest but the best hybrid that I tried

Grade:  C

----Jeff's opinion---- (I tried to get him to have an opinion about all of them, to which he had none, but this one he definitely had some thoughts)

"I don't like this one.  The velcro in the back is a nuisance and the inner piece seems cheap"

Softbums

Description:  An All in 2 system that has there extra long soakers that snap in rather than stuff (although they just came out with their Omni System that allows you to either snap in or stuff!).  It also has a unique feature that has a toggle system in the front to get the perfect fit in the legs and velcro around the waist.

Fit:  Except for GDiapers, these diapers were the trimmest fit.  Plus I really love the toggle system to get that perfect fit around my chubby thighed baby girl.

Look:  They have the usual kinds of colors and there selection of prints leaves a lot to be desired.  But I am a fan of the hot pink.  :)

Function:  This one is absolutely terrific!  I LOVE the snap in feature of their soaker.  Plus it comes with THREE soakers AND a newborn soaker.  So you really feel like you can use it over and over, to which I absolutely did.  This quickly became my go to "outside the house" diaper.  So easy to bring one extra cover and a couple of soakers knowing that's all you need for your average day.  It has been recommended to use a different diaper for overnight by All About Cloth Diapers.

Price:  $36.95 on Amazon and Mothering Grace (where I bought mine), however if you want to upgrade to their amazing bamboo soakers  

Grade:  A+

Next up:  What I kept for my "stash" and the extras that I felt that I just couldn't live without!

I'm officially a convert

So I wanted to update you on my latest adventure into cloth diapering.  I told you before that I was interested in it to help with Bradyn's constant diaper rash.  Alysha from The Tarr Pit wisely advised me to begin with a cloth diaper trial so I could try out several kinds before buying a stash of one particular brand.

Here is a breakdown of the ones that I tried and what I thought of them.

Kissaluvs

Description:  An AIO (all in one) diaper with one set of snaps that has a microterry insert sewn in.
Fit:  Very nice and trim
Look:  This one was a surprise in the box and it was so soft to the touch and I was really excited to try this one on.
Function:  I wish upon wishes that this one worked as well as it looked.  It leaked 3 out of 3 times.  It was awful.  I was so surprised to find that it was highly recommended for newborns from a really good resource All About Cloth Diapers.
Price:  $12.95
Grade:  D-  The only reason why this isn't an F is because its still super cute.
(Ok, when I re-read my instruction sheet, I didn't realize that there was a TON of tips on the BACK.  DUH.  One of the tips was to cover this diaper with the Thirsties cover.  Yah, that probably would have helped.  This still wouldn't have been one of my favorites though)

Thirsties Duo Pocket Diaper

Description:  Pocket diaper with two inserts, one quick absorbing microfiber and one super absorbent hemp insert. Snap the two together at either end and stuff into the shell. Unique opening in the front allows inserts to come out by themselves in the wash.  (I wish I had known that last part...)

Fit:  It has inner gussets (a second leg lining) which was nice and overall it was an ok fit.  

Look:  At first glance it looked pretty cheap but it turned out alright, but certainly not the cutest diaper on the block.

Function:  The first time I tried this one, it leaked, but I think it was my fault for not adjusting it correctly.  Ever since, it has been fine. 

Price:  $17.50

Grade:  C+  It was a decent diaper and really nothing necessarily wrong, it just wasn't my favorite.  

Fuzzi Bunz

Description:  The original pocket diaper with snaps for fitting the waist and legs
Fit:  I didn't think that I would appreciate the snaps as much as I did.  It made all the difference in the world for not a) making red marks on my baby girl's chubby legs, and b) fitting her buddha belly.  This was a "perfect fit" rather than their OS (one size) so it was much less bulky and honestly became a perfect fit. 
Look:  I like that these have an assortment of bolder colors.  I just wish that it had more options for cute prints.
Function:  It never leaked and became one of my best day time diapers.  I also read that it was highly recommended to use as an overnight diaper with a Flip insert to double the soakers, which I tried once and worked out perfectly.
Price:  $17.95 although currently Fuzzi Bunz is having an ovestock sale for $14.95!  Score!
Grade:  A  This quickly became one of my favorite diapers. 

bumGenius OS

Description:  BumGenius One Size fits 7-35 lbs. with crossover velcro including an absorbent one size micro terry insert + a newborn insert. 

Fit:  For being a OS it wasn't too bad, but it was still bulkier than I would prefer

Look:  I got a sweet pink color and that may have persuaded me, but I thought it was cute.  They just came out with an artist selection which is a little underwhelming.

Function:  This was a great absorber and became my regular nap time diaper.  Great function.

Price:  $17.95

Grade:  B+  The only reason I didn't give this an A was because of the bulky factor and flimsy velcro. 

bumGenius V.3 AIO

  

Description:  All in One diaper which means that the soaker is sewn into the pocket.  The pocket still has an opening if you need or want to add in another soaker.

Fit:  Same as the other bumGenius (see above)

Look:  again (see above)

Function:  This worked the same as the other bumGenius but for one disappointing flaw.  Because it is an AIO it takes forever to dry.  I think because of that I have decided I do not like AIO diapers.  Plus I really like the option of using a diaper more than one time (with a change in the insert of course!)

Price:  $15.95

Grade:  B 

SmartiPants

Description:  OS pocket diaper

Fit:  Since it is a one size it is bulkier than I prefer

Look:  Pretty cute.  Nothing exceptional.

Function:  The insert has a pretty good absorption quality, not the best of the bunch, but certainly decent.  I also really like the snaps.

Price:  $14.95

Grade:  B

GroVia One Size Hybrid

Description:  The title says it all.  The throw away inserts did not come in my trial.  The inside double soaker snaps in.

Fit:  Bulky 

Look:  I liked the deep purple color that I received.  Other than that, nothing spectacular.

Function:  While it came with a double organic soaker, it did leak nearly every time Bradyn wore it.  It became very frustrating. 

Grade:  D

There were items that came in this trial that I didn't even try.  It also came with bleached chinese prefolds,  unbleached Indian prefolds, and a Snappi to help tie those prefolds.  I just decided that if I was going to go cloth, I knew in my heart that I was going to be too lazy to fold up all the prefolds.  I wanted it to be as simple as possible. 

Remember that this was just my 1st trial.  Post coming soon about my 2nd batch and what I thought about them.  

Fall Fun

Here are a few shots from our fall fun.  Yes, yes, I'm at least a week late.  So what's new?