Baby's First Road Trip

We did it. 

We braved the impossible and took our baby on her first road trip. 

At just shy of her three months milestone, we began the 5 hour (usually) journey to Edmonton. 

If I didn't already think my baby was the best baby in the whole world, I would now!

She was amazing. 

It helped that we left for the drive at 8pm, which is her usual bed time. 

She just slept the whole way there, I fed her when we arrived, and she got right back into her usual sleeping routine for the rest of the weekend :) 

Best. Baby. Ever. 

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Learning to Run Again

Here we go again... learning to run for the third time in a couple of years. 

Every time starting back at ground zero. 

Run one minute. Walk two. Run one minute. Walk two. 

Is there such as thing as yo-yo running??

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Basic Bum Care

We are still on the cloth diaper journey. 

I already talked about why we chose to use cloth diapers (here), and how it's going so far (here), but there are a lot of other things to learn and adjust to. 

Before I decided to use cloth diapers, I did a lot of searching and asking around for advice and ideas. I really didn't know what I was getting into at all in the beginning!

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Owl Mobile for the Nursery

I'm so happy with this owl mobile that now sits in Ellie's room above her crib :)
I knew that Ellie's room would incorporate many homemade items, and a mobile was always on my list of things to design.
In keeping with the owl theme that I imagined for my nursery way back in this post, I decided to brainstorm ways to make my own owl mobile.
Although I have a sewing machine now, I didn't have one when the brainstorming began, and sewing by hand is not my forte, so I ixnayed that idea, leaving me with the option of knitting or crocheting.

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Independent Consultant as a Business?

I love scrapbooking. 

The idea of recording memories and photos on paper to last a lifetime :)

Handmade for me to enjoy now, and for my kids to look at and enjoy later (and by later, I mean when they are old enough not to ruin them with their sticky fingers! lol). 

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Our Baby Nursery

We did it!
I completed the beautiful nursery for Miss Ellie.
Aside from a few picture frames that are yet to be filled and a couple of art pieces unfinished, it's all done!

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My Doula Experience

I figured I should write down a few of my thoughts from my experience hiring a birthing doula before I forget everything. Ellie was only born three weeks ago but I already feel like the labour and delivery are a distant memory.

An even more distant memory is the internal debate I had about whether or not to hire a doula (you can read my thoughts on that in this blog post). Obviously we decided we would hire one, and if we can afford it, we probably will again for future babies. 

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Beginning Cloth Diapers

We did it. 

We took the plunge into the world of cloth diapering our little girl! 

We started about 10 days after she was born because we wanted to continue using disposable diapers while her umbilical cord was still on. 

Once we started, we were committed. 

We had doubts when the first three cloth diaper changes that Ellie gifted us with were full blown poops. I'm talking poop everywhere. Full. System. Failure. 

The brand that we decided to go with for cloth diapering was Peachy Baby
(You can read more about why we chose to cloth diaper here, and which brand we chose here).
The idea behind buying the Peachy Baby diapers with inserts was that I could replace the inserts and not have to replace the cover at each change. 

After three changes I was swiftly losing my confidence in this theory. 

Diaper after diaper thrown into the wet bag was looking less and less appealing. 

But after a few fumbles, things are looking up! 

We found that adapting to using cloth diapers was a bit of a learning curve, but it only took a couple days to get the hang of it.
[And by "get the hang of it" I mean, become moderately confident in what we're doing, lol]

Here are some of the lessons we had to learn:
1) Learning to place the inserts correctly. At first we weren't placing them evenly and they would bunch up. This resulted in many pooptastrophies. But if we placed them evenly and tucked them in at the edges, they worked like a charm!
2) Learning to make the diaper the right size. Another big reason we were having spillage, is that there was too much room for things to shift - diapers were too loose. I thought the tight settings would be too tight for her, but it isn't. Actually, it's perfect. And her pants fit better too :) 

3) Learning that almost every time she pees it stays within the liners (Hallelujah!), and after using the above two techniques even the occasional poop stays in! It's beginning to look like we will get multiple uses out of some of those covers after all.

So far, so good.
The cloth diapering adventure has begun! 

We're still adjusting to laundry loads every other day, and to our baby girl looking like she has a lot of junk in the trunk, but we are very happy with our new diapering routine!

{xoxo}

Knitted Nursery Owl

I love decorative owls.
I know owls are a bit of a trend right now... but I'd like to think started the trend, rather than jumped on the bandwagon....
When I began planning out a nursery, I knew I wanted to incorporate owls into the design somehow.
Even in this "early nursery ideas" post I highlighted the idea.

So when I saw this pattern for a snowy owl, I knew I had to make it! 

Finding the extremely soft alpaca wool turned out to be difficult in Grande Prairie, but luckily for me a trip to Edmonton was quickly approaching, and a stop at River City Yarns was only a small detour from where we were staying :)

I was VERY intimidated by the pattern when I first read it, but with help from some very skilled knitting friends, I was able to problem-solve my way though it. 

I sized mine down from the one in the pattern above, cause I didn't want to buy as much yarn, lol. The smaller version is just as cute as the big one I'd say! 

Here's the finished owl for the nursery:

What started out as a stuffed animal for the baby, may end up as a decoration... for mom, lol. 

After all that hard work, I don't want it to get ruined!
Next step is to use my newly acquired and specialized knitting skills to recreate a white owl - so they can sit on the shelf together :)

{xoxo}

[Last] Mama Update

Photo Credit: http://delightfullydomestic.typepad.com/

For those of you looking for an update: baby hasn't come yet. 

Overall, I've been feeling really good these days! 

I'm visiting my OB once a week now, getting checked on frequently. She reports that everything is good and healthy :) And that the baby has started to drop!

Still have no idea what sex it is, although the majority is definitely guessing boy for me! 

All of those lovely symptoms people complain about at the end of pregnancy... well I'm now experiencing those joys. Swelling a bit in my fingers and feet, Tired all the time. Can't sit up comfortably. Can't sleep at night due to EVERY position being uncomfortable, lol. Can't reach my feet to put on my own socks or boots. Lower back pain if I stand or walk too much.

These things are definitely taking away my pregnant glow!

I was getting use to feeling the baby all day long - now those movements have dulled because there's no longer any room for the baby to move. That also means that the husband can't feel the movements as much. I'll miss the stages where you could see my belly move from across the room!

Basically, I'm starting to feel like it's time for this baby to come out!

The house is spick and span, everything is washed and assembled, the crib is almost done...

I just have a few projects of my own that I would like to get done if I can before the baby gets here - a couple things to knit and clean :) But if the baby comes tomorrow, I'm ready!

Praise God the baby waited until January to make it's appearance!

Can't wait to meet you soon little one :)

{xoxo}

14 of 14

 Happy 2014!! 

Can't believe the New Year is here already! 

I'm predicting a very exciting year for the husband and I - filled with many firsts!

Photo Credit: http://delightfullydomestic.typepad.com/

You may have noticed my completed 13 of 13 goal list. 

I made a list of goals last year in lieu of a regular New Years Resolution. 

I had so much fun with the idea that I decided to make another list for 2014. 

It may be a bit ambitious to try and accomplish these things with a baby due any day, but what's life without a few challenges, right?!

So here goes:

1, Completely redecorate my bedroom

2. Learn to play a couple worship songs on the guitar
3. Leave Canada

4. Do devotions every day for a month
5. Host an BBQ

6. Finish a scrapbook album of the baby's first year
7. Learn to curl my hair
8. Complete the front garden

9. Run with the baby stroller (regularly!)

10. Learn to use a sewing machine
11. Write 200 blog posts
12. Get back to my pre-pregnancy weight

13. Make an angel food cake
14. Learn to drive standard
BONUS GOAL: Photograph all these goals! 

Wish me luck! 

{xoxo}

Cloth Diaper Considerations [Part II]

Spoiler Alert: We already bought some cloth diapers :)

If you read here, you'll know that we have decided to try cloth diapers with our first born (due this January!).

But deciding is only step one - then comes deciding which types to use. 

For those that don't know about cloth diapers, you may be thinking, "What? Types?", and for those of you that used cloth 30 years ago, you might be thinking "Isn't it just cloth and safety pins?". 

Cloth diapers have come a LONG way. Now there are types, and sizes, and colours, and companies. 

There is a LOT to think about. 

Since I don't have any skills in the sewing department, making my own was immediately out of the question. 

So I contacted an amazing lady in Grande Prairie who owns Belly Button Baby and sells cloth diapers and supplies out of her home :)

She sat down with us for free and first reviewed all of the advantages of using cloth (some I wrote about in my previous post) and showed us all of the different types and discussed pros and cons of all of them. It was extremely helpful and informative. 

So then we have some decisions to make. 

First, do we use all-in-one, pockets, or inserts for diapers?

All-in-ones are just like other diapers, except instead of throwing them away after use, you wash them. Probably the easiest type to use out there. Pocket diapers have inserts attached that stuff in to absorb everything. And the inserts have removable inserts that you can replace throughout the day as needed. 

We chose to start by buying the insert one-size diapers. We mostly chose these because I plan to take the baby out of the house with cloth diapers and I prefer the idea of carrying around a ton of extra inserts, to carrying around complete diapers. It also means I buy less shells (which may make my organizational life a bit easier. And this is the first type that I have any experience with, so I was biased from the beginning ;) Totally personal preference for me. 

But we did buy a few all-in-one diapers as well because I'm worried that my insert ones will be too bulky, and I'll need a few all-in-ones (a bit smaller in size) for some outfits (i.e. preventing some bulky bums).

We chose the brand Peachy Baby because the diapers are made in Canada, they come in loads of cute colours, and they are a soft fleece on the inside to prevent pinching on his or her little legs and keeps the insert in place nicely :)

Then, snaps or velcro?

You already know what kind I chose, so you know I picked snaps. Mostly because I think they will stand up longer, not get caught on outfits, blankets, materials, etc., and I think they look nicer :) 

I did buy a few velcro to try as well... so we'll see if I change my mind!

A couple of the All-In-One Diapers we bought :)

And then comes the extras.... 

We also bought wet bags to use in my diaper bag, and for laundry that have wet and dry sections for diapers. We bought reusable wipes, made of hemp and bamboo (I'll add some natural cleansers to them when we wipe). And we bought diaper friendly detergent. We should be all set!

I'm planning to just use disposables for the first couple weeks of baby. 1) to get past the first few days of yucky stuff, and 2) to get a routine and get my life together before introducing a new curve ball. 

But overall I'm feeling confident about my plan to use cloth diapers! And I'm excited to try now! 

Hopefully they are as easy as they sound! 

I'm sure I'll keep you updated :)

{xoxo}

Cloth Diaper Considerations

Spoiler Alert: We already decided to buy cloth diapers for baby V. Aaand we already bought some :)

But I still wanted to share some of my thoughts and questions as we went through the process of deciding if cloth diapering was something we wanted to try or not.  

Cloth diapering is the new thing (again). It seems like society has come full circle. I hear mamas talking about using cloth diapers with their kids all the time these days. And then I stayed at the home of one of those mamas. I watched her change her little girl in and out of cloth diapers all week. My initial "Eww, cleaning dirty cloth diapers would be disgusting" train of thought, quickly turned into a "Wow, it's really not that dirty or difficult" train of thought. By the end of the week I was practically sold on the idea.

So I went searching for information to convince my husband that keeping poopy diapers in the house and washing them over and over again was a good idea. I quickly found out that cloth diapering is:

1. Economical - They say the average cost of diapers from birth to potty training is between $2500 and $3500. Although we did have to pay a big lump sum in advance to buy all the diapers (We spent approx. $500), once you factor in all the costs (diapers, water costs for washing, etc.) you still end up with HUGE savings. Plus, if you have more than one kid, you can use them again, or you can resell them when you're done - they maintain great resale value!


2. Environmentally friendly - Disposable diapers take hundreds of years to decompose. Hundreds. Plus many cloth diapers are made with easily renewable resources: hemp, bamboo, and cotton.


3. Easy to use - Waterproof linings with easy snaps or velcro are simple to use (or so I've heard). And as long as you have a washing machine, the washing doesn't have to be all that combersome either! Easier than driving to the stores for more diapers....


4. Healthy  - Lastly, friends and strangers report that the natural fibres make these diapers more breathable. Sign me up for less rashes and health problems! I want to know what I'm putting on my baby's bum. 

So based on these ideas and more, we've decided to take the plunge into cloth diapering.
Now to decide what type to buy!

{xoxo}

Whirlwind Winter Weekend

That's right! Winter has arrived in Grande Prairie! 

I'm not complaining though... if you ask me it was right on schedule :) 

The entire weekend was full of blue skies and sunshine with fluffy white snow on the ground. 

We made sure to spend some time frolicking outdoors and cozying up indoors - best of both worlds!

More homemade trifles we served friends this weekend. They look fancy, but take 10 minutes to make!

Some activities I took part in this weekend:

The first winter walk of the season was fantastic! It was soooo nice out!

And the puppies will take every opportunity they can to run around!

I'm not the only one that got creative this weekend! The husband began working on some of his projects too. The truck is half built here - getting ready for our annual Christmas crafting :) 

And the wood below is ready for the husband to get started with his crib building!

One day of crib building down, two months to go! lol.

Sunshine and snow makes for a great combination :) 

Hope you enjoyed your long weekend! 

{xoxo}

13 Hours of Scrapbooking

 I really enjoy scrapbooking. 

Apparently, enough so that I would spend an entire day doing just that.

So when my friend (from this lovely blog) invited me to an all-day scrapbooking event, I couldn't resist! 

Not only did I get to meet some new people and visit with other scrapbook loving ladies all day - I've also never been so productive - definitely doing this again!

Here are some pictures of the pages I completed in a mere 13 hours:

This page was actually done just before I left... but I wanted to show it off anyway! 

Using CTMH Tommy paper.

And a couple of pages from camping with my bestie & my husband at Lake Louise and Banff!

The first one uses the CTMH Camping Delights stamp set.

 And a few wedding layouts :) 

This one is a favourite of mine! 

The honeycombs were cut using the CTMH artbooking cricut cartridge.

And my favourite of the night - also created using the CTMH artbooking cricut cartridge.

For more scrapbooking info visit the "Close To My Heart" tab at the top of the page :)

{create}