Cloth Diapering-WHO KNEW!

I came upon an article @ Treehugger about How to Green your Baby. In honor of getting green, staying green and just passing on the info I find, I have been caught in the whirlwind of cloth diapering

I am a mom of 2 boys and disposable diped the whole way except for the intermittent G-Diapering of Maxten. Which I thought was super great, but being a working mom not every one else wanted to flush that diaper down there pipes :( So we got lazy and disposable.

Okay. Who knew that diapering a babies butt could be this complicated?
And by complicated I mean, there are A LOT of options out there, flat, prefolds, fitted, contoured,pocket diapers, AIO's.....AAAAHHHHHHH!!!! ( All-In-Ones) ;)

Here are some sites that have helped me understand this world a bit better, and really get excited about baby poop. Or just realize that there is a WHOLE WORLD of cloth diapers out there, really it is WAY more than soggy cotton and safety pins!

• Best How to's and store too @ SoftClothBunz.com

So much stuff on here, everything you want to know and need to know. From every type of dipe to cotton wipes and deodorizing discs.

• The Cloth Diapering Reviews@ DiaperPin.com

Great to spend time learning from other's research and trial and error. Awesome site.

• Cloth Diaper Blog so awesome!

The world of mommy bloggers who love to cloth diaper. Such an invaluable resource.

These are great, hemp diapers and wool fleece covers the wonder combo @ Sugar Peas.

The wool soakers, that go over the absorbent part of the diaper and help "soak" up leaks.
The cool thing about wool is when wet they feel dry and they have anti-microbial properties that keep the stink away! And they are just adorable. You can get them EVERYWHERE! Especially on Etsy.

Just type in cloth diapers in Google, and WHAM welcome to the world of cloth diapering.

Lottie Dottie Who likes to Pawtay!

Happy V-Day Lovers!

Scarf for Two print, The Black Apple's Shop. Click it.

Etsy Find- Lote Tree Soaps

Okay, I am a Etsy fanatic, I actually might be addicted! Seriously.
I kinda want EVERYTHING in my house to be made by artisan hands out of love and passion...it's one of those win-wins.

So my newest obsession is handmade soaps, catapulted by the sudden realization by the masses that your skin is the largest organ in/on your body and that chemicals actually seep in through this organ. With new articles like this released by the AAP and websites like Skin Deep ( a cosmetics database ) gaining momentum, I think it is time to pay attention not only to what we put in our bodies but also what we put ON or bodies. Natural gentle skin care is not just for babies!

In comes the Lote Tree, Lote Tree specializes in handmade luxury body care products. They offer several unique and beautiful products including cold process olive oil soaps, shea massage souffles and hempseed oil lip balms.

And I LOVE her story...Jessica of Lote Tree is a true inspiration to all us working Mom's.

"A little over 3 years ago, I was fired for being pregnant. Yes, it's true! I want to tell you, I was really upset at the time, but it changed my life for the better. I was able to devote my full attention to my growing natural body care business and my newborn. I'm 27 now and have had baby #2 in 2007. I have the full support of my family and am working hard to take Lote Tree to the next level.I tell you this to perhaps inspire those of you who may feel "trapped" or just down. You never know what is around the next corner." ~Jessica


After dreams of getting fired I bought 2 bars as a test run...and I am hooked. They are wonderful, smell so fresh AND they rinse so clean.

Bambini Bar is made just for babies! This mild and soothing bar is completely unscented and comes with an organic cotton and bamboo baby washcloth sewn by fellow etsian myfairbaglady.etsy.com

We use this from head to toe, body wash, shampoo, everywhere, it is simple, safe and smells just clean. I even use it to wash my face, works like a dream. Never gonna go back to the bottle!


GAIA: Gaia means Earth Mother.It has a mixture of skin softening cocoa butter and shea butter and essential oils of lavender, clary sage, ylang ylang and bergamot. Lavender promotes cell regeneration and is relaxing. Ylang ylang is a soothing aphrodisiac and soothing anti-stress oil that is sometimes used to treat PMS. Bergamot has antiseptic and skin healing properties and is also said to be an anti-depressant and appetite regulator. Clary sage is a soothing, relaxing stress reliever, especially balancing on female hormones, and can be used to treat PMS, menstrual cramps, post-natal depression, irregular cycles and symptoms of menopause.

My husband and I both use this wonder bar. He is hooked too, doesn't say much about it just that is is nice, but I know he loves it because he uses it every time he showers. I am going to have to stock up!

Her stock is always changing, she is always adding new great things. Convo her to ask about the above bars, she will be getting more in soon. :)

I have my eye on these...

LAVENDER LULLABY

PAW PAWS Persimmon

VERVEIN OLIVE LEAF

100 Loads All Natural Vegan Laundry Soap

mmm...

Etsy Find-Inspired By Finn

I stumbled upon some posts on Etsy for Amber teething necklaces. A while back I saw, a post on Etsy selling baby clothes not these necklaces but the baby was wearing one. Then again they popped up in a search so I had to do some more research...
After reading and reading about them I thought it was an awesome natural remedy for inflammations and teething.

So after filtering through all the Etsians who sell these Amber Teething necklaces I came upon Inspired by Finn. She by far is the most affordable and gracious enough to make ANY length my heart desired. ( I got one too, 30 inches at that)

Here is and excerpt from her site-will explain it a bit clearer!

Amber is a natural analgesic, pain reliever, and is a natural and traditional European remedy for teething discomfort. When amber is worn on the skin, the warmth of the skin releases trace amounts of healing oils on the skin, helping babies and young children stay calmer and more relaxed through teething. Amber is also recognized for its antiinflammatory properties and benefits to the skin and helps diaper rash too.

Just a note: Amber teething necklaces and bracelets are made to wear but not to chew.

Maxten and Grant looking so stylin' in there necklaces, they LOVE them.


We call Max's his pretty pretty (or I do), and he reaches up and put his hand on it. What a doll!


Grant is just like his Dad, he just goes along with what ever I want. He calls it his 'Magic' necklace, he says it makes him all warm when he puts it on. That works for me!

Let's Potty-Potty Training Finds

Thinking of potty training Max, cause he knows where his peepee is now and he hates his diaper changed. Having a 4 year old pottier, a soon to be pottier and 2 big pottier's in the same bathroom, of course I had to reassess and streamline the whole bathroom potty area and research the best of the best potties out there. So here are the 3 things we just gotta have....

The family potty seat, it is a toilet seat with 2 seperate rings, a little seat ring for the kids and a standard seat ring for the parents. It is made of MDF , so it looks and feels like a regular toilet seat. This is so great we won't have that toddler seat sitting on the floor next to the toilet! I love it, so smart and @ 39.99 it is worth it , especially since I just put a huge scratch in ours so we need a new one right? The cheapest I found this was on amazon.com and you get the free super shipping yippy!

Another awesome idea, a flushable wet wipe holder that attached to the toilet paper roll. Right now out wipes just sit on the floor next to the toilet just waiting to get peed on, we have boys! So this ingenious little guy just makes me happy...and @ $5.95 seems worth a shot. it is out of stock @ The Right Start, but I found it here too!

On to the POTTY! Oh who knew that buying a potty could be both a challenge and also OH so much fun. We have had 2 other potties, the Baby Bjorn (big daddy), and the Primo. The Baby Bjorn would be my second choice because they have redesigned the bowl and base to be contoured ( it used to be flat and would pinch Grant's bum). And The Primo is just awful, big bulky and the blue seat top falls off and has every crack and crevice to catch all the yuckies!
My FIRST choice is the Once Upon a Potty Bundle. Comes with the book, potty, plush doll with his own potty. Not only is is adorable but the potty is so ergonomic , and one soilid piece, it gets rave reviews everywhere I read. You can get this online a target.com for $29.99.

There will be an extensive review of all after all of our testing, wish us luck ;)

Etsy - Pretty Ditty

I just think I could be a better Wife and a better Mom if I had this apron. It is just so pretty, even prettier and more flattering than some of the clothes I own. Morning pancakes in my hubby's white tee and my oversized PJ pants... I could just throw it on and voila, I am beautiful.
Gotta have it!

PrettyDitty's Etsy shop, take a peek and get pretty!

OH there I am!

I really don't know what happened. So I have abandoned you, I have been so bad. I have the guilt, the shame and all to go with it. I am so overdue, 2008 has been treating me like a bastard, Or I to it.

So with all that said, I need to rev the engine and pop a couple Ginkgo's and get this all started again, I am seriously having a attention span problem, I feel like I am five.

So here are 2 things that I fancy right now.... and if I were five I would still fancy them!


I wanna Rock with you-The Ikea VIPPIG!

It is a seesaw ... Really just beautiful. Following the to drool for design style of the Svan scooter, Bouncer and also Bloom Coco Baby Bouncer.... but oh so much more affordable, like so affordable you can actually get it not just dream it. From Ikea @ $49 this little crafty modern seesaw in all it's bent wood glory is awesome enough for the living room.



Christmas Score- The Eyeclops...


Grandma C got this little wonder for Grant @ Christmas, oh the joy! At first jaded glance this "toy" has every thing stacked against it. The possibility of it being one of those "junk" toys was drastically high, one it is plastic and two it is suppose to work, and work well, with precision.

OH, silly little one don't be fooled I am here to tell you the Eyeclops is a wonder, and one of the few toys that has really kept our interest. The Eyeclops is a microscope for the TV, it magnifies things 200x, an at 200x things look GROSS, and by things I mean EVERYRHING!
IT WORKS, I mean it REALLY works. Here is a shortened list of things we ( I really mean ME) have magnified.

1. Hair ( eeww different hairs, everywhere, Dad's beard was the most shocking)
2. Well I guess not so freshly shaved leg hairs might been the most shocking.
3. A grub from the garden ( shivers)
4. Glitter
5. Fabric
6. Dry skin, especially heels and cuticles...EEEEWWW!
7. Pink inch worm
8. Random skin spots and blemishes, I wish I never saw these.
9. Printed Paper
10. Teeth

This little bugger is EASY to use and really quick to set up. You have to focus the eye by twisting the whole eye part, so an adult is needed for this. Takes 4 AA batteries and plugs straight in to the video plug on the TV. It is just great, Grant (4) is kinda interested in it but not as interested as I am. My favorite gift that wasn't for me but should have been.

The bad: Kinda makes me wanna itch.....