simplyAtomic is having a giveaway!!!

Head on over to simplyAtomic for a Playin' Footsie giveaway :)

Jessica makes adorable hats!

http://simplyatomic.net/playin-footsie-giveaway/

Sunbabys...I love you!

I recieved my stash of 12 sunbabys (from http://www.sunbabydiapers.com/) last week. I have to say that I am in love. They are pocket diapers, so you stuff one or several microfiber inserts into the pocket. Not only are they a workhorse diaper but they come in adorable prints. The price is what really got me, though. While it is shocking for an upfront price, it's worth it in the long run.

For 12 diapers and 12 inserts you pay $60.00 (That's $5/diaper) I purchased 12 diapers and 24 inserts so I could have extra inserts and paid $78.00.

I really see these diapers lasting a really long time. Fortunately potty training isn't too far away and I can sell my stash or pass them down to someone who needs them :)

Alva baby!

I recieved our package from Alvababy.com on Wednesday! I ordered two different pinks and a zebra print (I love me some animal print!) Total for this purchase was $16. It's a wonderful deal, the only downside is the shipping time. It took 1 week and 6 days. The website says it can be up to 3 weeks and I heard from someone else it took 25 days each time they ordered.
All of that aside, I'm sort of liking the diapers. They aren't tight around her legs and they don't leave marks. I did notice though that they need to be tightened a little more than the different brands I have bought previously.

http://www.alvababy.com/

This website has a lot of cute diapers, leggings, and wetbags. Go check it out!

Cloth Diapering: My journey

When I was pregnant with Mar it didn't even occur to me to cloth diaper. In fact I didn't even think that it was still being done. I mean that's so 1960's right?? Wrong. There are tons of mamas out there going green and skipping disposable diapers altogether.

I had thought about going cloth when Mar was about 5 months old. I was so sick of paying for disposables diapers and feeling like I was wasting money. The only thing that stopped me was the price. To start a reasonable cloth diaper stash you have to fork over some money. At that point I said "Hell no!".

Fast forward 13 months later...Mar has beyond sensitive skin. She has major eczema that affects her arms, legs, face, and groin. For a month we were clueless (her pediatricitian was litterally stumped) as to what the ugly rash on her thighs and the back of her knees was. Her dermatologist told us it was eczema, it's rare in that area but does happen. GREEAAAAT!!!!

Of course the nurturer in me racked my brain for ways to eliminate how aggrevated the rash got. The decision I came to was cloth diapering. And trust me, this isn't your grandmama's cloth diapering. This is fun, exciting, and saves you money in the long run! I wish I would have started this when she was a new born!!

I've bought a few different brands to try out; Nubunz, Sunbaby, Grovia, Lovely Pocket Diapers and Alvababy.

Yesterday I recieved my Nubunz and Lovely Pocket Diapers. Both brands are pockets. This means that the shell has an area to slide in microfiber inserts to absorb wetness. I started off with the LPD and one insert. This last a good two hours before needing to change her. One of the pros, in my opinion, is the lack of smell. Most disposable diapers have a smell. Whether is smell baby powdery or chemically, it has a smell. This was smelless. I couldn't smell the urine at all, either.

For bedtime I put her in the Nubunz with two inserts for more absorbency. I really had my fingers crossed on this because I have dealt with night time leaks since she turned a year old. Even the night time diapers leaked. She went down at 7:30 last night and woke up at 8:30 this morning...COMPLETELY DRY. I jumped for joy!

So far I'm really enjoying cloth diapers. Once I get the rest I will review them and tell all!


Websites:
www.Lovelypocketdiapers.com
www.Nubunz.com

Hello, from Winter Wonderland, TX!!

I'm always unsure of how correct the weathermen REALLY are when they predict winter storms around here. Usually it's nothing like they expect. Well, Weathermen, you were right on point this time! I woke up to a very white and cold scenery this morning.

Yesterday we drove to Mexia, TX  to pick up Lorie, Scot's mother. She is going to spend a few days with us (Such a blessing!)!!!! We knew that if we didn't pick her up then, it would be days before we would even think of making it out that way. We finally made it home around 9 last night and it was just starting to mist.

I try to be as prepared as possible for things; Extra pair of clothes in case of an explosive diaper, snacks in case she's hungry, extra sippy cups, etc. Well this one time I didn't stock up on groceries BEFORE the storm. I know, shameful. Luckily Lorie agreed to stay home while Marlee slept so Scot and I could get to Walmart and get some much needed food!

The ride there I was gripping my seat! The sand trucks didn't sand any of the roads around us (even though Davis BLVD is a 7 lane highway(!!) and super busy) so we were going 15 miles an hour! We grocery shopped and made our way home very safely!

After a nice lunch we decided to introduce Marlee to the snow for the third time. She was loving it! Crawling around all over, picking up partially hidden leaves and trying to eat them. We were only out there for a good five minutes because it's 19 degrees out and WINDY!!!

Oh slow down!

I would just like to say how amazed I am with my 13 month old daughter! My sadness for her never being a baby again has been replaced with awe and excitment. I swear that everyday she does or says something new!

Today I was teaching her body parts while I slathered her down with lotion. I started with elbow, she attempted but the word was nothing close! Then "Knnnnnnn-eeeee". I tried to enunciate as much as possible and she said it in the most adorable baby voice. I love that she tries to copy words and actions. (I need to really watch what I say these days!) She is an adorable little sponge!

Oh how I love winter

Every January it's time for the Live Stock Show here in Fort Worth. Ever since I remember my family and I went annually. I remember mostly the cows. I am terrified of cows for a few reasons. The first bad experience I had was right after I graduated highschool. My brother and I went to my Great Aunt Glenda's house out in Springtown, TX. They owned quite a bit of land and had TONS of cows. We all went to feed the catfish in their stock ponds and were having a pretty good time until hundreds of cows started swarming around us. I tried to keep my cool and did pretty well until Glenda said, "I think we should get into the truck". I could tell she was worried, which in turn worried the heck out of me! Of course nothing happened, but it was scary.

Fast forward a few years. My Papa, cousins Duke and Casey, and I were trying to section off a calf so we could take him to the vet. My Papa tells me to go around to the back of the trailer and makes sure all the cows go one way. Off I go on my merry way when number 20 sees me and charges...yes CHARGES...my way. I screamed and jumped into the truck. I'm positive they all got a good laugh out of it but I was scarred from then on.

When we would go to the Live Stock Show I loved seeing the cows. They're basically huge pets. I always saw the kids that owned them loving on them and cuddling them. If only that were the case with ALL cows.

My friend Emily and I took our little ones to the Live Stock Show on Sunday. I couldn't wait for Marlee to see all of the animals. The first thing we did was go to the petting zoo. There were Pygmy goats, bunnies, chickens, llamas, a calf, and a mini horse. We fed the goats and she was soooo excited. Petting all over them and squealing. I really hope that as she grows she stays excited to see and be around all types of animals and doesn't become a scaredy cat like her Mama!