Cloth Diapers

I finally decided to take the plunge and cloth diaper. I am actually really excited and I cannot wait to start. I received most of the items I ordered today which are 6 diapers with inserts. I have 2 styles of diapers so far, you would be shocked how many different styles of cloth diapers there are. I purchased 4 "all in 2s" or "AI2" with multiple inserts. This allows you to keep one shell till its soiled and change out the inserts for each change, super easy I'm thinking. Then I purchased 2 pocket diapers, I will stuff them with inserts but once I change her I will need to wash the entire diaper. I got these ones for night time, I will be as to get more absorbency in them I think.
I decided to go with cloth diapers for a couple reasons. First I figure since I will be diapering 2 kids at once I think cloth will be easier and a lot less expensive. Second, I have no idea where the economy is going and I don't want to depend on purchasing diapers every month. I look at it as preparing for the future and not relying on receiving goods from someone else. Third, it makes me feel sick putting all those diapers each week in the landfills and I like to do whatever I can to help the environment and provide a beautiful place for my future family to live.
Those are the main reasons I have decided to cloth diaper and I cannot wait to start. I have to prepare them and I am still waiting on the sprayer. It's a sprayer that attaches to the toilet so you can spray off all the poop. Ha, how awesome is that?!?! The only downside is Greg won't change any diapers now but hopefully once he sees how easy, economical and it's really not that bad he will help with the diapers. Wish me luck... I'll be sure to update once it actually begins.

5 Years

Wow, I cannot believe Greg and I have been married for 5 years. Time goes by way to fast! It seems like yesterday we were sealed for time and all eternity in the San Diego Temple and at the same time I feel like we have been together forever. Funny how that is. We have accomplished a lot the last 5 years. Greg graduated from college, we have a beautiful litttle girl and we have another on the way. Greg is growing his business so we can finally move out on our own...again... haha. Life is constantly changing and moving so fast, I don't think it will ever slow down. I am so thankful for my wonderful family and could be more grateful for Greg and all his hardwork. I love him more than I could ever express and I am incredibly lucky I found him.

Be Prepared

I have finally begun to do things to help prepare my family for the toughest situations. Greg and I both feel we need to beef up our food storage and learn important skills to help us survive any sitaution. Especially now with prices of food, gas and everything else going through the roof! I am taking an active roll every day to learn something new to help us save money now and not need to worry about spending it in the future. I think every family and every individual needs to better understand how important this is, especially since we do not have any idea what the future holds.
Today I was sitting around trying to figure out what to make for dinner and I really need to go to the grocery store. I have hamburger patties but no buns, then I decided why not make hamburger buns? So I went online and found this recipe. (Bread is actually very easy and quick to make when you have a mixer, it just takes planning because you need to wait for it to rise. I make bread once or twice a week with meals. Lately I have been making extra to freeze and use later so I dont have to make it so often.) I was pleasantly surprised by this recipe but there are some changes that need to be made to make it better. I suggest mixing the water, yeast and sugar together and let it bubble before adding the remaining ingredients. Our buns were a little dense and didn't rise very much. Next time we have hamburgers I will make these changes. Just because we are on a budget and learning how to use what we have in our food storage doesn't mean we can't eat delicious food.

It's Another Girl!

I knew right when I found out I was pregnant, it was a girl. I just knew! When we went and received the ultrasound I was not surprised at all. The ideas I have are endless for matching outfits. I have already purchased material to make some. I am glad I have a few months to stock pile clothes because we all know I wont have time once baby girl gets here.

Of course there is always a chance it isnt a girl, but I think this picture is pretty obvious.

Now comes the hard part, picking a name. I have a few on my list but I still don't know. Before I was pregnant with Bella Eve I knew her name so I never had this problem. I don't think we will know till she arrives... hopefully it is July 4th, how awesome would that be?!

Side note, Scott will be leaving on May 23rd, he finally received his actual mission call. So excited!

Also, this is a hilarious article. It totally made my day! http://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2012/1/17/porn-for-pregnant-ladies.html

Happy Hump Day!

Australia Perth Mission

My little brother, Scott received his mission call this week....kind of. So here is the story. Scott sent his papers in and waited around for his call, it normally takes 2-3 weeks to receive. Well he waited and waited and waited and still no call... Almost 4 weeks pass. So this past Friday he receives a letter from the travel department in Salt Lake. We were confused on what was going on. Scott opened the letter and it contained all the information he needs to get his Visa and such and it was from Australia! We didn't even know what mission he would be in... Then about a half hour later he finds an envelope that says Australia Perth Mission. But he still hasn't received his call, the stake president is calling Salt Lake tomorrow since today was a holiday. We think it must have gotten lost in the mail with all the holidays over the last month. We don't know when he is leaving but he is beyond thrilled. He almost passed out when he read Australia cause he was so excited. I should post the video, it's hilarious. I know Scott will be an amazing missionary and I am so happy with the choices he has made. Hopefully we find our when he is leaving next week!!!

Alone Once Again

Greg travels a lot for work, the next couple months he will be gone a lot. This morning Greg left for Illinois, he doesn't get back till Saturday night. Bummer!!! Then he needs to go to Utah and Arizona so he will be gone for another week. Let's just hope he doesn't have to be gone next week too. Bella and I will have lots of mommy time that will consist of Disneyland, the park, maybe the beach and anything else I can think of. We will have some fabulous adventures but wish he was here with us!

Crunchy, Hippie, Granola Kind of Mom

As I was driving today I started to think about how I live my life. I realized that I am what you might consider a hippie. Haha. I had never really thought about it before but it's true with a lot of stuff. And this is why...
- All about natural unmedicated birth, even home birth. (Hypnobabies is awesome!!!) Of course they should be assisted by a certified midwife, only if low risk. Medical interventions are great, when needed.
- I think exclusively breast feeding is very important, to wait 6 months before solids and child led weaning. If Bella is still nursing when I give birth then we will tandem nurse.
- Co-sleeping, it makes those first couple months so much easier.
- I enjoy baby wearing and think its great for mom or dad and baby to bond.
- Making baby food... Bella totally skipped this stage she only wanted solids but I did make a lot for her try.
- Organic when possible, especially hormone free milk and meat
- Cloth diapering. Now I am all about this, weird I know. Greg vetoed this idea but I think I might do it. It's great for baby (few if any rashes), cost effective and helps the environment. I think it's great if we can all do a little.
- Homeopathic remedies or other alternatives instead of traditional drugs.

Things that are a little different from some hippies...
- I am pro vaccine, but I may delay some depending on when and why.
- I am conservative, no liberal here!
- I'm not a vegetarian, we eat junk food and watch too much TV.

These are the main things that I agree with but I'm not all out "crunchy", at least I don't think. I just think its funny how much I have changed in the last few years. Knowledge is power!!!