A break through!!!

I have had a headache/migraine EVERYDAY for the last week. It has been rough for me. And I have been having them more and more often.

So, last night, I found my glasses to use while I worked on the computer. I thought it couldn’t hurt, so I wore them. I was doing pretty good at the end of the night, and I didn’t think a thing about it.

Today during naptime, I was finally starting to get a handle on one of the worst headaches I’ve had in a while. I decided to wear my glasses again while I was working on my school work. Lo, and behold, my headache is totally gone.

My theory is that my glasses and having my vision corrected (it’s not even that bad) properly makes the difference in my headaches!! So, I am going to wearing my glasses everyday to experiment. I would wear my contacts if they hadn’t all expired. 😀

I’ll keep you posted.

The Great Cloth Experiment

It’s been quite a little while since I’ve added an update to the cloth diapering experiment.

We’ve been pluggin’ along. I still love it. Now that I’ve found the fuzzi bunz diapers, things have been going well. I have learned a few things along the way.

• Spencer is a heavy-wetter.
• My orginial laundry detergent, All Free and Clear, was causing build up and repealing problems.
• Most of the leaks that we get, are my fault

To combat heavy wetter problems, I have to use the normal absorbent pad PLUS a doubler (a thinner pad that just gives a little extra absorbency). My very favorite doublers are the Hemp Babies Fleece Hemp Doublers. They are thin and add just the right amount of absorbency. So, while I’ve grown to ADORE the puffy tush that some of the doublers give him, I’m so glad I’ve found the slimmer line ones.

For the detergent, I’m testing Rockin’ Green detergent. The All Free and Clear was just not rising clean enough, and some of the diapers were beginning to repel water. The Rockin’ Green rinses clean and has some lovely scents. I’m liking it thus far, but I think I need to “strip” my diapers so I get better absorbing.

***UPDATE 9/6/10****: I soaked the diapers in 3 TBSP of Rockin’ Green in the tub last night, and left them over night. Then I went through my normal wash routine (with the rockin’ green instead of All), and the diapers are all lovely and super soft once again. Stripping worked!! Go rockin’ green!

As far as the leaks go, when we get the leaks it is because I’ve given him A LOT to drink and left him in the diaper too long. Generally, I have a feeling when I need to change him, and when I ignore it, I get a leak.

Here are a couple pictures of Spencer in his way cute Fuzzi Bunz

Finally doing something

Both Adam and I have gotten sick and tired of me being sick and tired. So, we FINALLY did something about it.

A Little History:
For the last several months (I’d say since the beginning of the year or so), I’ve been getting sick to my stomach A LOT over weird little things; I’ve been getting headaches more frequently and have been exhausted after a normal day. There have been a few other things, but those are the major issues.

Wednesday:
We went to the doctor to see what’s going on. And he like the rest of the world we tell about this asks if I’m pregnant (which I’m NOT, so don’t ask). So, he decides to run a bunch of tests. And he covers just about every thing there is to cover in order to find a place to start. So, we have to go back the next day for the results.

Thursday:
We go back to the doctor. I was kind of nervous; I think I was afraid I was going to learn I had something serious (I don’t, but still) or that he had no idea what was wrong with me and all the “doing something” would stop there.

So while it wasn’t anything monumental, I learned that my good cholesterol is too low (apparently I wasn’t blessed with good genes that way) and that my Ferritin levels are CRAZY low. What is Ferritin you ask? Well, here:

Ferritin is a protein in the body that binds to iron; most of the iron stored in the body is bound to ferritin. Ferritin is found in the liver , spleen , skeletal muscles, and bone marrow. Only a small amount of ferritin is found in the blood. The amount of ferritin in the blood shows how much iron is stored in your body.

The Doctor said he likes to the see these levels at between 80 and 120 mg/L and mine are at 12. 🙂 No wonder I’ve been tired all the time. This might even explain some of my headaches.

I’ve been “ordered” to take an iron supplement and take a 30 to 40 minute walk 4 days a week. We’re going back in 6 weeks to see if these make a difference in how I’m feeling. Let’s hope.

A new leaf

I’ve been feeling lately that I can be doing SO much better than I am in a lot of different areas of my life. Starting on Sunday (as in a couple days ago), I decided I was going to do something about it instead of just thinking it.

I’ve made a goal to be more consistent with my scripture study and that will help me be a better seminary teacher. To help me with that, I’ve actually started the Young Women’s Personal Progress program. Since I’d be through the program it has changed, and I thought what a good way to keep me moving forward and goal oriented. I didn’t want to start with Faith, experience 1, but it really has been a great place to start.

I’ve also made a goal to exercise 3 times a week. My exercise of choice is yoga. I love the calm of it. I am using an online community called MyYogaOnline to help me. They have all kinds of videos of routines for me to follow so I never get bored of doing the same one over and over again. I can always just pick a different one.

I am planning on starting a running program with Adam, but I didn’t want to bite off more than I could chew to start. I want to stick with it, and starting to exercise 6 days a week (while good for me) is a sure fire way to make me stop. I’ll work up to it though.

I thought I would put these out there so others can see so that I might be held more accountable for what I’m doing. I need a little motivation to keep me on the path, so if you happen to remember I’m doing this, feel free to ask me about it.

Ah, my son…

My son is a busy body. He’s always going and always grabbing things. Especially things he shouldn’t have. So, today was no different than every other day, except that I walked away.

I’m in the process of reclaiming my room from the clutter than always seems to find it’s way into my room. I came out and sat down at the computer to check my email. That is Spencer’s cue that it is his turn to play on the computer, of course.

So, I get him playing on one of his favorite games at KneeBouncers.com, and then I walk back into my room to get something and come right back.

In the time it took me to go from my room back to the office, Spencer stood up on the car, found the ONLY Sharpie in my pencil cup, and proceeds to draw on his face (and probably taste the marker). I am just grateful that is was JUST his face, and not the desk, the computer, or his clothes. 🙂 I did get a couple of WAY cute pictures before I set to cleaning his face.

We did manage to get the Sharpie off. I took some Cover Girl Eye and Lip make-up remover and a cotton ball to it. It came off REALLY easily. It was no big deal at all. So, if you’re kids draw on themselves, make-up remover does a great job. 🙂

The Great Cloth Experiment, hope!

First of all, Thank you, Maura! You’re suggestion was just what I needed!!

My friend suggested Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers since she uses them, and I got a Fuzzi Bunz One-size diaper and it is my favorite!! I love it because I have complete control over the fit. I can adjust the waist to fit just right and the legs to fit perfectly. Since Spencer is tall and skinny he doesn’t fit into certain diapers well, because they are made for chubby babies.

I’ve only had it for a couple of days and have only used it a couple of times. But Spencer REALLY put it through it’s paces. He completely soaked it from the front to back and the diaper didn’t leak at all!! I’m so happy. We’ve had issues with leaks, and I’m so happy that it didn’t leak.

Even if I go and get enough of these to last for a couple of days, I’m still glad I have the covers and the cloth diapers I started with. They will be helpful if Spencer gets a rash since I’m not supposed to use rash ointment with my Fuzzi Bunz.

I’ll get a picture of Spencer in it to post soon. (I took them this morning, but smart me didn’t have the memory in the camera to actually get the pictures).

The Great Cloth Experiment, continues

We are still doing the great cloth experiment.  We are still having leaking issues.  I’ve gone in and talked with the shop owner, she’s looked at my diapers and says their absorbency is fine.  She is thinking that the diapers just don’t fit the tall and skinny kid very well.

So, we are re-grouping.  The shop owner and I are both looking into other products that might fit Spencer a little bit better.  I’ve actually taken his measurements to see how big his thighs are, his waist and his “rise” (from belly button, between his legs, to his lower back).  Some times I wonder it is just because the diaper is moving around within the wrap and other times  I wonder if Spencer is a big wetter.  Either way, we’re still doing it.

On another note, we re-arranged Spencer’s toy room now that he had a table and chairs.  As I was cleaning up, look what I found him doing.  He did this himself, I had absolutely nothing to do with it.

Needless to say, this makes me SO happy. I love that he loves to read. I’d been a little said that he wasn’t reading as much lately, but I know that he still loves it. 🙂 Have a great day!

The Great Cloth Experiment, Days 5,6 & 7

Well, it has easier and harder all at the same time.

I’ve learned how to better fold the diapers that need folding, and have a nice little system of employing them.  However, there is something WRONG with my system.  Everyone I’ve talked with who does cloth diapers says they have no problems with leaks, but I’ve had some major issues leaking.  😦  This is not the normal way of diapering.

I’ve been so frustrated by it in the last day or two that I’ve wanted to give it all up and go back to what was working before.  I’m still going to stick with this and learn it.

A lot of people probably think I’m nuts for dealing with this, but I’m looking at it like I looked at nursing.  It’s good for him (and for me).  It’s hard, but if you ask the people who can help for help, you can be successful.  And above all else, stick with it.  Give yourself a chance to learn how to do it properly before giving it up for lost.

So, that’s what we’re doing.  Soldiering on.

The Great Cloth Experiment, Day 3 & 4

Day 3:  Day Three was a good day.  I feel like we found a rhythm and a routine that works well for us.  We do cloth diapers all the time that Spencer is awake.  So, right before his nap we put a fresh disposable diaper on him, which was what we were doing before the cloth experiment (lest you think I would put him to bed in a nasty diaper).  He also gets an overnight disposable to sleep at night.  It seems that Spencer sleeps better when the wetness is wicked away from.  Am I surprised, not even a little bit.  I know I wouldn’t sleep very well if I was wet.  🙂

As of now, the diaper washing hasn’t been a hassle at all.  I really don’t mind the small load I’ve been doing every night.  I actually have enough diapers that I could MAYBE do the laundry every two days, but I need to wash the covers every night.  I don’t have enough of those.

Day 4:  Day 4 was a different day than yesterday.  Today is one of those days that puts the whole thing into perspective for you.  This is why we do the experiments for multiple days.  He did great this morning at the park and through our errands.  I even did an “in-the-field” diaper change into another cloth diaper.  (I do keep several disposables in the car for emergencies).  When we got home, he was running around and wet ALL the way through his diaper.  😦  One pair of pants down.

The rest of the day continued fairly normally.  I got Spencer up from his nap at 4:40 and put a new cloth diaper on him.  He was doing great.  I picked him up to go see Adam and he was dry.  The I passed him to Adam and he was ALL wet!  What the heck!!  Two pairs of pants down.   When we got the diaper off him, his poor little tushie was all red like I left it on him too long.  So sad.

So, we put on the Fab Fitted diapers with no cover and no pants to help his tushie since the allow air to get to him. (And they did).  But without the cover, he wizzed in Adam’s lab.  Adam didn’t get all wet or anything, but he noticed.  When he went through the other diaper, he was jumping into Adam’s arms and left wet marks on his shirt.  ***NOTE:  WE KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN WE DIDN’T PUT A COVER ON THE DIAPER.  IT IS NOT TYPICAL WHEN YOU USE THE COVERS***

So, I think I’m just a little discouraged today since I went through two pairs of pants and we got dirtier than I wanted too.  Tomorrow will be a better day.  🙂

The Great Cloth Experiment, Day 1 & 2

We learned an important lesson today… 6 diapers is not enough. I knew that in the back of my mind, but we had to start somewhere.

(cloth diaper in action)

I also learned that while the Fab Fitted diapers are really easy since they go on like a disposable, they add a TON of extra bulk. I’m pretty sure Spencer hated it. He whined every time I put those diapers on him.

So, after some research and math, I decided to tryThirsties Duo Diaper and their Stay Dry Duo Inserts to bring the bulk down.

So today, we went back to the Green Bambino (which is really close to your house, Amanda. If you want to look around, I’ll be happy to go with you. Although the shop owner is WAY better to talk to than I am). I left there today with 2 Duo Diapers, 1 extra Stay Dry Insert (since I can use them in the wraps I bought the first time too) and 5 pre-fold diapers.

I am up to 14 diapers now. I’m actually almost there to having all the diapers I would need (about 24), and I don’t have a TON of money invested either. We are going to stick with the 14 for the next couple of weeks and see what happens.

So far, I really do like it. Believe it or not, even though I am changing diapers more frequently, I actually enjoy it more. I guess there is something to be said about having a more active role in choosing colors and types of lining.

EDIT AFTER WASHING:  Spencer had a big messy poo today, and I tested the dump what you can and the rest will come out in the wash.  Well, most of the stuff came out, but there is still a stain (which doesn’t bother me).  I was impressed until, we smelled it and it still smelled like poo.  So, after scrubbing it a little bit, I am washing that one diaper again.  The rest are fine and ready for Day 3