Can we talk about weaning for a minute? No I don't mean When or How to wean, that's been discussed and argued over in every corner of the mommy-verse. No, I'm talking about what weaning does to the mother!
Do you know that since Bubby was born (nearly 10 months ago now) I have thought I was pregnant twice?!?
All because no one talks about the fact that weaning can (and often does) give the mother the Exact Same Symptoms as first trimester pregnancy! Morning sickness? Check. Bloating? Check. Cravings? Check. Emotional rollercoaster? Yup.
I'd have myself ready to take a test "just to be sure" ....and I'd start. Finally I went to Google and sure enough I wasn't the only one asking these questions!
It didn't help that it took three months for me to wean Bubby, stretching out the symptoms. For his sake I wouldn't have wanted to go cold turkey, but I think it wouldve been easier on me!
So tell me ladies, what did you go through when you weaned your children? Were you surprised or was someone nice enough to warn you?
What's your best symptom easing trick?
Two things that worked well for me when my breasts were really tender were the Earth Mama Angel Baby Booby Tubes (so nice!) And weird as it sounds, cabbage leaves in my bra! Both really helped when I was engorged or just plain really tender
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Teach Your Children Well
I was thinking about tradition today. It all started when I found myself humming a song that has a lot of memories attached to it for me. My first memory of it is when I learned it to sing with my extended family at my paternal grandfather’s funeral. After that it seemed that this song turned up at every wedding, funeral and family gathering we had. As a child growing up, it seemed to me it was a deliberate tradition, apparently it wasn’t! When my extended family came to celebrate my wedding with us I asked My Aunts and Uncles if we could sing “the song we sing at every family gathering” I got a lot of blank looks and was asked which song I was talking about! When I explained they were more than happy to comply but thinking about it today it makes me smile. This song has been sung throughout the years at all these gatherings because it means something. Our family is very music oriented so we always end up singing several songs and somehow this one always showed up, because it meant something, because it says something to us. Thinking about this today it makes me smile, isn’t that the way traditions should be? Doing something not because “we’ve always done it that way” but because it tugs at our hearts and has meaning for us. This is how I want Lil Buckaroo to see our family traditions and beliefs. Yes, we deliberately follow the traditions, commandments and ceremonies commanded in the Bible, but we do it because each one has meaning, a reason to be followed, and not just empty motions! It’s Biblical too!
Deuteronomy 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Deuteronomy 6:20 And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgements, which the Lord our GOD hath commanded you?
21a Then thou shalt say unto thy son….
24 And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our GOD, for our good always, that HE might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.
25 And it shall be our righteousness if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our GOD as HE hath commanded us.
Deuteronomy 11:19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
What song was I humming you ask? It’s a song called Thank You Mom and Daddy that was made famous by Brush Arbour, not many people know it now, in fact I couldn’t find the lyrics online and had to ask my mom to send them to me!
Deuteronomy 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Deuteronomy 6:20 And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgements, which the Lord our GOD hath commanded you?
21a Then thou shalt say unto thy son….
24 And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our GOD, for our good always, that HE might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.
25 And it shall be our righteousness if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our GOD as HE hath commanded us.
Deuteronomy 11:19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
What song was I humming you ask? It’s a song called Thank You Mom and Daddy that was made famous by Brush Arbour, not many people know it now, in fact I couldn’t find the lyrics online and had to ask my mom to send them to me!
If you're interested in listening to it, here's a video.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Farm Equipment Ahead
I saw what very nearly was a head on collision caused by pure stupidity.
But I should start from the beginning.
When I help Cowboy move tractors I am in a pickup truck, with the hazard lights flashing, following him on the tractor, which is also decked out with lights and slow moving vehicle signs.
Nearly every time we move equipment down the road (and sometimes more than one incident per trip!) Someone decides they're in too much of a rush to wait any longer and will pass us not bothering to wait until it is safe!
I have seen oncoming traffic have to hit their brakes to avoid an accident and of course the driver who caused the incident just keeps going.
Its not just 4 wheeled vehicles that cause problems though! I once had a cyclist ride so close behind the truck that I couldn't see him in any of my mirrors! When I looked through my back window to find him he was close enough he could easily have grabbed the tailgate. If I had needed to hit my brakes for any reason he wouldve gotten a faceful of that tailgate! And then we were slowing to make a left turn, and clearly signalling this, and he goes flying by, very nearly hitting the front of the tractor!
People please, We're just trying to do our jobs.
When you pull these stunts you put everyone around you in danger.
SLOW DOWN. SAVE A LIFE.
It might be the life of my toddler, my husband, the other driver, me, or you.
PLEASE, PLEASE SLOW DOWN.
If you don't mind, Please share this. This is one post I'd really love to see go viral!
Welcome To Our Learning Farm
I haven't been doing much blogging lately as you've probably noticed. You've probably also noticed that most of my posts lately have been to direct you to a post on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer. Sorry about that, there hasn't been a lot of blog worthy things going on around here, and what posts do pop into my brain are cloth diaper related (I can't imagine why. ...) so I've submitted the to TCDW to earn points toward a gift card for more diapers. Funny how as a mother you can constantly be doing SOMETHING and yet if you are asked what you've been up to the inevitable response is "not much" or the more accurate "same song, second verse". Our days are filled with dishes, laundry, fussy babies, cooking and lots of coffee. But we wouldn't trade it for the world (ok, yeah, there's those moments you'd like to run screaming into the night, but you'd come back!) There's the special moments where you see your child growing and learning before your eyes. Those special grins. Sleepy cuddles. Moments like this one that I posted on Facebook yesterday:
Or this one, where it seems I've traded humming "I Walk The Line" or "Amazing Grace" for "Welcome To our learning farm, we've so much to show you!...".
But there's other moments too. Moments where you wonder if GOD really thought long enough before HE entrusted the life of this little person to you. Before I had kids, I was full of confidence! After all, I had babysat thousands of times, had younger siblings and had helped with foster kids! I had even taught preschool! But all that doesn't help with big questions like: when do you wean? 6 months? A year? 10 years? And once you've picked an age, HOW do you wean? Well obviously you have to start the baby on solid food before cutting them off nursing, and that opens a whole new can of worms! Pablum? Canned babyfood? Baby Led Weaning? Oh! Can he eat that? Of course in the midst of all this, jr is happily picking up whatever treasures the vacuum missed and blissfully eating those!
I try not to stress, really I do. And usually I'm fairly successful. But sometimes it gets to me. Sometimes I just want someone to hand me a step by step manual of how to raise this child. The child GOD has entrusted to my care. I guess, as long as I'm praying for wisdom, doing the best I know how, that'll just have to be enough. Tell you what though, I'm sure glad I've got Cowboy to lean on, because I often just don't feel strong enough, wise enough, to raise this little boy. I don't know how the women do it whose husbands work away from home or are no longer with us. I just can't imagine.
Well I better get busy, I'm supposed to help Cowboy move a tractor this morning and I need to get that load of diapers washing first. Enjoy a coffee for me ladies!
Come to think of it "learning farm" is kind of appropriate; Bubby is learning to be a good man, but I'm learning to be a good mom. Hmm. I might never hear that song the same again
Or this one, where it seems I've traded humming "I Walk The Line" or "Amazing Grace" for "Welcome To our learning farm, we've so much to show you!...".
But there's other moments too. Moments where you wonder if GOD really thought long enough before HE entrusted the life of this little person to you. Before I had kids, I was full of confidence! After all, I had babysat thousands of times, had younger siblings and had helped with foster kids! I had even taught preschool! But all that doesn't help with big questions like: when do you wean? 6 months? A year? 10 years? And once you've picked an age, HOW do you wean? Well obviously you have to start the baby on solid food before cutting them off nursing, and that opens a whole new can of worms! Pablum? Canned babyfood? Baby Led Weaning? Oh! Can he eat that? Of course in the midst of all this, jr is happily picking up whatever treasures the vacuum missed and blissfully eating those!
I try not to stress, really I do. And usually I'm fairly successful. But sometimes it gets to me. Sometimes I just want someone to hand me a step by step manual of how to raise this child. The child GOD has entrusted to my care. I guess, as long as I'm praying for wisdom, doing the best I know how, that'll just have to be enough. Tell you what though, I'm sure glad I've got Cowboy to lean on, because I often just don't feel strong enough, wise enough, to raise this little boy. I don't know how the women do it whose husbands work away from home or are no longer with us. I just can't imagine.
Well I better get busy, I'm supposed to help Cowboy move a tractor this morning and I need to get that load of diapers washing first. Enjoy a coffee for me ladies!
Come to think of it "learning farm" is kind of appropriate; Bubby is learning to be a good man, but I'm learning to be a good mom. Hmm. I might never hear that song the same again
Friday, May 29, 2015
Products I Love
I have a new post up on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer blog!
I did a review on several products that I've won including Earth Mama Angel Baby and Buncha Farmers. Go check it out!
http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/2015/05/products-i-love.html
I did a review on several products that I've won including Earth Mama Angel Baby and Buncha Farmers. Go check it out!
http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/2015/05/products-i-love.html
Monday, May 18, 2015
MAN CRUSH MONDAY OR A Cowboy Valentine
I've meant for awhile to post about what Cowboy did for Valentine's Day and today is the day :)
Valentine's started like any normal day, we packed our Lil Buckaroo up into the truck and headed out to feed cattle.
We stopped after finishing feeding the herd and Cowboy looked them over while I fed and changed Lil Buckaroo and then Cowboy handed me a daisy with the words "there's a poem that goes with it, I'll tell you later"
That night he presented me with this poem, that he'd written for me!
A Cowboy's Flower
I'm bringin ya this Fl'r its'a tokin of my Love,
It didn't come from a box er store,
like you it'uz sent from above !
It came from the valley floor where its seed was planted there by GOD,
He planned fer me ta giv'it to ya, that'uz why He grew it here in my sod !!
They'z fellers that buy store bought thangs, but what I'm offerin cain't be bought'n sold,
They get their gals the chocolate deals and sometimes buy'm gold !!!
But I'm given ya my Love Forever, it'uz planted in my heart by GOD,
He planned fer me ta giv'it to ya that'uz why it grew here in this sod !!!!
So I'm offerin ya'a Fl'r that ain't usely bought'n sold,
But with GOD's continued Blessin I hope its worth more to you than all the gold !!!!!
Copyright 2015 Flyin W Productions
Now I'm not usually a crier but this made me tear up!
Ladies, some people will try to tell you that "Manly Men" don't know how to be romantic. I'm here to tell you it isn't true!
My man is THE manliest man I know, works harder each day than anyone I know and yet he's so gentle with me and Lil Buckaroo and the animals he works with.
I guess he's a strong enough man that he doesn't have to "prove" his strength to everyone around him!
When I was growing up I often prayed for a man who was tough but tender, strong but gentle and that is exactly what GOD gave me!
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Snugabums Review and GC Giveaway
Disclosure: All opinions are 100% mine. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network.. Open US & CA only must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Giveaway Sponsor will be responsible for product fulfillment to winner(s) of the giveaway. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising
I was given the chance to try Snugabums fitted diapers at a discount in exchange for a review. I'm SO glad I jumped at the chance!
I now understand why other cloth moms call their diapers "fluff". Before now we've had pockets and AIOs, and to me they were "just diapers" I opened this package and my instant response was "its so fluffy!" Hmmm, that could explain the term "fluffbum", doncha think? LOL
From first sight I was in love and after the first night, I was addicted! Lil Buckaroo was waking up with a wet sleeper at least once a night before snugabums, now he sleeps up to 7 hours and its ALL CONTAINED!
I use a Bummis cover with my fitted
and it makes a good combination.
Snugabums has a cover that I'm sure someday I'll add to my stash, for now I was just focusing on the fitted.
Snugabums is run by a WAHM and she does an excellent job! My diaper (I've gotta quit calling it that, people are gonna start looking at me funny...) is very well made with a woven cotton outer (I chose the print) and an inner of Velour. It came with two inserts, one that snaps in and one that lays in. The inserts are made of the same material as the inner diaper.
It arrived wrapped like a present
Which of course made opening that much more exciting!
Even after several washes "the diaper" still looks good!
I did an interview with Jais, the owner of Snugabums, to find out more about her:
Interview Questions.
1. Tell me a little about yourself and your family.
We are 6 strong followers of Christ. We homeschool, love music, and spending time together. I've always loved sewing. Ironically did not ever get that chance to try until around three or so years ago.
2. How did you get into sewing cloth diapers?
How I got into cloth sewing. Funny story. It started because of "snugamitts" which arrived out of SHEER frustration. When we found out we were pregnant with this last baby I DREADED the thought of baby mittens and had bad dreams about the scratching on the face. Literally. I don't know why it was so "dramatic". lol Could have been the pregnancy hormones or, even better, divine intervention, but nonetheless it was brutal and kept me up at night. So my heart became set on making mittens for our baby that would stay on and not fall off!!! But, I'm like wait "I cant sew"! LOL So I prayed about it. That same night (I'm a dreamer btw) in a dream, I kid you not, I was given a pattern from scratch and a real live tutorial if you will, as to how to make them with specific details. I woke up and wrote it all down in my journal. The next day I told hubby all about it, and went and bought way more fabric than necessary. Even the logo was given to me. so I used the machine I had just sitting around waiting for some attention, and went to it! "Success" on the first try. Not the third, fourth and fifth so much, but I persevered and voila.
Turns out that at that same time we were researching home births and while doing so, came across cloth diapers. We never knew you could make your own, just knew we wanted to save money. In the meantime, hubby suggested we make "snugamitts" for the pregnancy center in our area and do charity. I was like wow that's a great idea. I did, there became a demand, and we started selling. Ironically, we just happened to be in a financial crisis at that time, so it all worked out. God makes no mistakes. Like ever! So anyway, we went downtown and made it official and "Snugabums"was born. We wanted a company rooted on good
old-fashioned morals; with quality and affordability all in one. There was a lot to learn along the way, it's been tough and SOOOOO many times I've wanted to quit. But God has used this platform to allow me to lead someone to Christ, "an atheist at that", so I'm so grateful. If nothing else I can say it was worth it because of that one soul.!! But, I've made friends along the way, helped our family, and hopefully started a legacy. That to me is priceless.
3. What kinds of diapers do you make and what's your favorite to use? to make?
Our newest additon is the "Snugabums Scholars" It features our equally new Snugabum Elite diaper, which is the ultimate cloth diaper. It has 10 features all in one. It is a pocket, an ai2, and an ai1 with the drying time of a pocket. We make pockets, fitteds, AI1, AI2, inserts, cloth wipes, snugamitts and wetbags, to name a few ;)
My favorite thing to make would have to be ALL of My favorite thing to make would have to be ALL of it.. although I DO have a sweet sweet spot for our 'preemies". All but one of our children were preemie so it has a special place in my heart (the preemie line) They come in 4 amazing colors, are heat sealed for hospital grade protection and can stay sterile until opened by the parent/hospital staff.
4. What types of materials do you use? I saw bamboo on your etsy page; what else do you use?
I like to use bamboo as you know, hemp, cottons, microfleece and velour are the best.
5. What would you say is an average time that it takes you to make a diaper, start to finish, cutting and sewing? (Barring unavoidable "technical difficulties" )
From the time someone places an order; say two to three diapers, the average time it takes to get from etsy to their door is 3 business days. When we are "packed with orders" which is sort of rare (we usually have a steady flow), 5 to 7 days is the total processing time. If something is on back order, 2 weeks depending on when I can get the supplies back in. Another rarity though.
6. What's something you'd like potential customers to know about you, your company and products?
I'd like potential customers to know that when we return we are indroducing the new Buy two gift one policy. Where for every two diapers they buy, one will be gifted to our local charity by us!! Also coming up is our Spring collection release along with a new Scholar Series launch!! Lots of glorious things planned in the future! Exciting!! But more importantly, I'd like customers to know that at the end of the day, we are a small company that just wants to be a blessing. We want our diapers to last as well as our friendships. We love babies and want nothing but the best for every single one. We are a baby company; babies come first. :)
Snugabums is generously giving away a gift certificate for $30 with this review so YOU have a chance to try these awesome diapers!
I was given the chance to try Snugabums fitted diapers at a discount in exchange for a review. I'm SO glad I jumped at the chance!
I now understand why other cloth moms call their diapers "fluff". Before now we've had pockets and AIOs, and to me they were "just diapers" I opened this package and my instant response was "its so fluffy!" Hmmm, that could explain the term "fluffbum", doncha think? LOL
From first sight I was in love and after the first night, I was addicted! Lil Buckaroo was waking up with a wet sleeper at least once a night before snugabums, now he sleeps up to 7 hours and its ALL CONTAINED!
I use a Bummis cover with my fitted
Snugabums has a cover that I'm sure someday I'll add to my stash, for now I was just focusing on the fitted.
Snugabums is run by a WAHM and she does an excellent job! My diaper (I've gotta quit calling it that, people are gonna start looking at me funny...) is very well made with a woven cotton outer (I chose the print) and an inner of Velour. It came with two inserts, one that snaps in and one that lays in. The inserts are made of the same material as the inner diaper.
It arrived wrapped like a present
Even after several washes "the diaper" still looks good!
I did an interview with Jais, the owner of Snugabums, to find out more about her:
Interview Questions.
1. Tell me a little about yourself and your family.
We are 6 strong followers of Christ. We homeschool, love music, and spending time together. I've always loved sewing. Ironically did not ever get that chance to try until around three or so years ago.
2. How did you get into sewing cloth diapers?
How I got into cloth sewing. Funny story. It started because of "snugamitts" which arrived out of SHEER frustration. When we found out we were pregnant with this last baby I DREADED the thought of baby mittens and had bad dreams about the scratching on the face. Literally. I don't know why it was so "dramatic". lol Could have been the pregnancy hormones or, even better, divine intervention, but nonetheless it was brutal and kept me up at night. So my heart became set on making mittens for our baby that would stay on and not fall off!!! But, I'm like wait "I cant sew"! LOL So I prayed about it. That same night (I'm a dreamer btw) in a dream, I kid you not, I was given a pattern from scratch and a real live tutorial if you will, as to how to make them with specific details. I woke up and wrote it all down in my journal. The next day I told hubby all about it, and went and bought way more fabric than necessary. Even the logo was given to me. so I used the machine I had just sitting around waiting for some attention, and went to it! "Success" on the first try. Not the third, fourth and fifth so much, but I persevered and voila.
Turns out that at that same time we were researching home births and while doing so, came across cloth diapers. We never knew you could make your own, just knew we wanted to save money. In the meantime, hubby suggested we make "snugamitts" for the pregnancy center in our area and do charity. I was like wow that's a great idea. I did, there became a demand, and we started selling. Ironically, we just happened to be in a financial crisis at that time, so it all worked out. God makes no mistakes. Like ever! So anyway, we went downtown and made it official and "Snugabums"was born. We wanted a company rooted on good
old-fashioned morals; with quality and affordability all in one. There was a lot to learn along the way, it's been tough and SOOOOO many times I've wanted to quit. But God has used this platform to allow me to lead someone to Christ, "an atheist at that", so I'm so grateful. If nothing else I can say it was worth it because of that one soul.!! But, I've made friends along the way, helped our family, and hopefully started a legacy. That to me is priceless.
3. What kinds of diapers do you make and what's your favorite to use? to make?
Our newest additon is the "Snugabums Scholars" It features our equally new Snugabum Elite diaper, which is the ultimate cloth diaper. It has 10 features all in one. It is a pocket, an ai2, and an ai1 with the drying time of a pocket. We make pockets, fitteds, AI1, AI2, inserts, cloth wipes, snugamitts and wetbags, to name a few ;)
My favorite thing to make would have to be ALL of My favorite thing to make would have to be ALL of it.. although I DO have a sweet sweet spot for our 'preemies". All but one of our children were preemie so it has a special place in my heart (the preemie line) They come in 4 amazing colors, are heat sealed for hospital grade protection and can stay sterile until opened by the parent/hospital staff.
4. What types of materials do you use? I saw bamboo on your etsy page; what else do you use?
I like to use bamboo as you know, hemp, cottons, microfleece and velour are the best.
5. What would you say is an average time that it takes you to make a diaper, start to finish, cutting and sewing? (Barring unavoidable "technical difficulties" )
From the time someone places an order; say two to three diapers, the average time it takes to get from etsy to their door is 3 business days. When we are "packed with orders" which is sort of rare (we usually have a steady flow), 5 to 7 days is the total processing time. If something is on back order, 2 weeks depending on when I can get the supplies back in. Another rarity though.
6. What's something you'd like potential customers to know about you, your company and products?
I'd like potential customers to know that when we return we are indroducing the new Buy two gift one policy. Where for every two diapers they buy, one will be gifted to our local charity by us!! Also coming up is our Spring collection release along with a new Scholar Series launch!! Lots of glorious things planned in the future! Exciting!! But more importantly, I'd like customers to know that at the end of the day, we are a small company that just wants to be a blessing. We want our diapers to last as well as our friendships. We love babies and want nothing but the best for every single one. We are a baby company; babies come first. :)
Snugabums is generously giving away a gift certificate for $30 with this review so YOU have a chance to try these awesome diapers!
Entry-Form
Disclosure: All opinions are 100% mine. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network.. Open US & CA only must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Sponsers will be responsible for product fulfillment to winner(s) of the giveaway. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Disclosure: All opinions are 100% mine. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network.. Open US & CA only must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Sponsers will be responsible for product fulfillment to winner(s) of the giveaway. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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