big girl room

So with Siena coming in a short 8 weeks or so, we figured (with the nudges of Nina Tiffany) that we should get rockin and rollin on painting Lia's new [big girl!] room. We painted the room a nice soft, bright yellow that is so perfect when the window is open and all the lights set in.

My whole idea for the room is an antique-y/vintage-y feel. 

So my camera is not able to get wide-angles, meaning Befores & Afters don't really work, and you can't really see the difference in the paint color and all that jazz. My apologies! So, all you get are close-ups of the volunteers hard at work painting up a storm! Thank you to Michael, Uncle Mijo (Ross), and Nina Tiffy :)

Tiffany happened to turn into Hard Ass Tiffany - she's a paint nazi! But, thanks to her, we got the job done. This is a pic of Ross and her telling Mike what to do as we all just sit back and watch his job [semi] well-done.

Mike getting grief from all of us, but working hard!

This is a pic of the dresser that Tiff and I painted white and then used some special paint to antique the dresser for that feel that we wanted. Tiff also found some great handles at Hobby Lobby (I think?) that were super cheap and fit PERFECTLY into our decor! I really love the dresser and the handles... 

We also found some great frames at Goodwill. I wanted to do a lot of gold frames to put some antique pics in. The big frame in the middle had a really nasty print in it (that a woman at Goodwill just "loooooved," and was SO jealous that we got it). Anyhow, we painted chalkboard paint over the print that we will use to put some fun quotes/Good Morning Sunshine/Jesus Loves You/kind of stuff.

Although you can't see the Before & After - I hope you feel the idea of what Lia's Big Girl Room looks like!! We also got a twin bed from one of Tiffany's coworkers at a really great price, and she's been in the bed for FOUR days now! It's so weird to see our tiny baby girl in a big twin bed, but she's adapting well, and it makes my heart happy that she's still our happiest girl and adjusting well to this huge transition.

Now, we have Siena's nursery to work on, but luckily, we have NO furniture to buy since all of Lia's nursery stuff is going right to Siena. It's really perfect :)

hot day at the park

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Days at the park are getting hotter and hotter, and I accidentally put jeans on Lia. Poor girl was sweating bullets! Also, the park near us happens to be really silly because there is NO shade at the whole park! What kind of design is that?!?! Hello?! 

Oh well, we have fun no matter how hot and sweaty we get. She's my girl :)

a vid

 I just watched this video and got major chills - I have grown up with a great love of reading and of books and of words - and at times I fall into slumps where I don't read and savor the literary and poetic aspects of life that I wish I did. But I hope, with all my heart, that Lia and I will grow as readers together.. that we learn to express ourselves through words and through books - with all the yucky plotlines and the messy stories - and that we continue to unveil more of ourselves through all the reading and writing that we can muster.

crayons and such

 

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I finally got crayons for Lia because she's just been complaining and complaining about having nothing to color with! Ha - I felt like I was depriving her of some part of childhood without crayons or paints or colored pencils or something. So, crayons it was. 

Recently we just repainted her new big girl room and I set up a little table and couple of chairs and put her crayons and coloring book on the table. It will turn into her reading nook/art station/place to contemplate all of life's mysteries - you know, the typical 16 month old thing. As Tiffany and I were setting it up, Michael says, "What happens if she draws on the wall?" Where Tiffany responded, "We colored ONCE on the walls.... long pause... and we learned our lesson."

So, since I set up this area for Lia, she proceeded into her [new] room and sat down to color. I came in about five minutes later, and what did I find?!? Coloring on the walls!!!

Ah! What do you do when it's a 16 month old and you can't wash their mouth out with soap or or spank them or make them write 85 times "I WILL NOT DRAW ON THE WALLS."???

I learned MY lesson - I need to sit with her for a good while for her to understand that we DO NOT color on walls, but on paper. Dear child, the lessons you are teaching me :)

"I like taking time and I like your mind. And I like when your hand is in mine." ~Kate Nash

drumdrumdrum

 

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Our girl's newest hobby - playing "Da-da's" drums. It is seriously so stinking cute watching her bang on the drums, although she only really uses her right hand because her left hand - well, that's still a little weak ;)

And I'm sorry her clothes are almost falling on - the shirt was too cute to pass up (thanks, Nina!), so I had to put her in it - no matter if it's too big!!

Life is sweet with little Lia. I'm really treasuring these last few days with her where it's just her and me. Soon Siena will be here, and life will be different. I'm scared/anxious/nervous for that time because I don't want things to change. But alas, the Lord wills our lives to change, so we shall change. I'm trying to stay open to His will and desires for our life as a family. Lia will always be my favorite first girl in the whole world, and I want her to know that with all my heart.

"Children don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.”~ Jim Henson

two of those too

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Cecilia really loves to play with Acaiah - the way that they interact with each other is so fun for Maraeca and me to see. This is the girls hanging out, watching the cars go by. 

"And those were the times, the quietest days, we'll sit and smile and remember... We were so free." ~Maria Taylor

faces

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Sometimes I can catch a glimpse of Cecilia's crazy facial expressions and capture that moment - this was definitely one of those times. I mean, the face says it all. We can't wait until we hear the words that go with these expressions!

peekaboo, I see you

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"BOO!"

cloth diapering 201

So lately Mike and I have finally taken the leap - into cloth diapering! I know, I know, "Weren't you doing that before??" Yes, we were - but we have officially started doing it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I figured I would update anyone who cares to read about what we're using and what our favorites are tending to be at the moment.

Our Current Stash

Two Part Systems

2 Flip Diaper Covers (one size) with 6 Flip Organic Inserts
(These two items came in a Flip Day Pack which made the guessing game of What am I going to start with?? much easier - it all came in one package for me!)

1 Best Bottom Cover (one size) with 1 Stay Dry Insert

3 Softbums Echo Cover (one size) with 1 Dry Touch Pod (Insert) as well as 2 Organic Bamboo Pods (Insert)


1 GroBaby Cover (now called GroVia, and it's one size) with 1 Organic Cotton Insert


1 JamTots Berry Plush Lg Cover (fits 20-35lbs)


Random Inserts:
Thirsties Duo Stay Dry Inserts (size 2: 18-40lbs)
Thirsties Fab Doublers
Bambinex Fitted (sz 1 and 2 which fit babies 7-40 lbs)
BabyKicks Hemparoo (medium)

Why This Works

That's all for our two part systems. This means that when the Insert part is peed or pooed on, we just replace the insert and can reuse the cover. This is definitely a great option for Mike and me because of the ability to reuse the cover - that just means that we spend less money on throwing a dirty diaper in the wash every single time, we get to reuse the waterproof outer! We still throw the insert into the wash, but the outer shell that is waterproof is able to be reused. This is just a great economical option as well as convenient in terms of just replacing the Insert of the diaper.

All In One Systems

3 FuzziBunz Medium Perfect Size (fits 15-30lbs)


4 BumGenius 3.0's (one size)

Why This Works

That's all for our "pocket" systems. These "pockets" have a flapped opening in the back of the diapers that allows for an Insert to be stuffed inside. Whether it be microfiber, organic cotton, hemp, bamboo - we can stuff ANY insert inside these pockets. This allows us to adjust absorbency when we need/want. When Lia's in the diaper during the day, we just stuff in the one microfiber insert that the pockets come with. And then when we put her down for a nap or for at night, we can add more absorbency - I am still testing out my perfect combination - but I love the microfiber insert with a hemp insert underneath. Hemp does wonders in terms of absorbency. It is not a quick absorbing material (the microfiber is), but it can hold TONS and is so extremely trim! It's really quite amazing.

Our Total Amount of Diapers

These diapers - which, if you add them all up, are around 22 total diapers and 8 covers - last us about 2-3 days of diapers before they start getting stinky in her room or before we start running out. It has really been an incredible transition. I feel like we are making great strides in plugging along with our little family project - and supporting each other along the way for this to become successful at our home.

I'm happy that Lia doesn't have those chemicals from disposables on her bum, I'm overjoyed that we haven't bought disposables in over 2 months, and I'm so happy that our family has taken this leap together. It gives me honor to say that we have done this and that we will continue to overcome any obstacles that come our way in order to prevent added chemicals and costs into our life.

Further Explanation of "One Size" vs. "Sized"

I just wanted to explain what I mean by "one size" or "medium" next to the items listed above.

A "one size" diaper essentially means that that particular diaper is able to be sized in a certain way to fit from newborn all the way to 35 lbs. This means that you can use ONE diaper from the time your child is born, all the way until that child is potty trained. It is kind of amazing to think that something can be that adjustable to fit those size ranges.

The BumGenius, Flip and Best Bottom are all able to be sized with snap down rises.
The Softbums uses what they call "Slide2Size" - leg elastic adjustments - to adjust the rise.

All four of those diapers will fit from newborn-35lbs!

Now for the FuzziBunz Medium Pocket Diaper - this diaper requires no adjustments at all in terms of snaps or elastics - it is already SIZED for a child 15-30lbs. This is an incredible new thing for me to see because we started with Flips, which require adjustment to fit Lia. The FB's require NO adjusting for me to do!! Yay! Another checkmark in the "cloth diapering is not as awful as you think it is" category!

Okay, I hope that I haven't hurt your brain TOO much with all this CDing talk - so I'll leave you be for now. Please feel free to comment/question/concern any time, and I will try to be prompt in answering you!

it's been TOOOOOOO long

I realize it has been a while since I have updated on the blog - please keep holding your breath!!

I will be updating later this evening - life has been crazy, and I see in the near future some look at slowing down. This gives me hope to breathe for a little.... and blog for a little!

Lots of new things happening - more cloth diapering (of course!), redecorating and designing Lia's first big girl room as well as Siena's nursery, and, if you wish, more life musings.

I pray you are all well :)

paints

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This is Lia painting a card for her bestie Acaiah's first birthday - we had a blast at the party for Acaiah and also got to go to the splash pad at Tempe Marketplace with a bunch of girls for her birthday. It was so much fun! The girls really love each other and it makes play dates so exciting when they obviously know who each other is and react to each other so excitedly :)

We love the Butlers!! Now all I need to do is find where Lia put Acaiah's card after this painting photo op...