Sweet Feet

Any way you look at them... Adorable!

Zombie Baby

Joseph often sleeps with his eyes open (briefly) when he's in REM sleep.

It's kinda freaky.

I know where he gets it though - T.J. does it, too.

My boys are strange.

Five things you didn't know about Joseph

1. He only poops in clean diapers
2. Sleeping with Daddy is his favorite activity
3. His nighttime "routine" includes a feeding and diaper change every 2 hours.
4. He's almost outgrown his 0-3 month footed p.j.'s (::tear::)
5. He loves naked baby time!

Cloth diapers revisited

I thought I'd give a quick review of how cloth diapering is going for us thus far.

We are currently using:
21 Kissaluv size 0 (KL0)
14 Green Mountain Diaper orange edge prefolds (PFs)
1 Kissaluv contour (KL contour)
2 Drybees all-in-one hybrids (AIO)
1 Happy Heiny pocket with a hemp insert from artsyfartsyfoofoo
3 prowrap newborn size
1 prowrap small size
1 imse vimse organic newborn size
1 pail liner
1 wet bag
2 snappis
40 cloth wipes

So far we can do laundry every 2-3 days - definitely can stretch 3 days, but it's easier and less funky in the pail to do it every other day. I like all of our diapers - we haven't had any "blow outs" and only a couple pee leaks - generally user error (not tucking the cotton inside the cover or forgetting to change him).

Prefolds: I prefer the PFs generally, as they seem more trim than the KL0's, but T.J. absolutely abhors them. I think mostly because he saw me put them on one time then attempted it on his own without me to help. The cons are that sometimes they seem so small on him, but they still fit and I should probably prep the next size up so I don't get taken unawares one day!

Contour: I also really like the contour, which surprised me, but obviously I only use it one time every few days. It's easier to get on him than regular pf's and very very trim. I don't think it's as absorbant though, and I have only had him pee in it so far, so I'm not sure how it'd do with runny breastfed baby poo.

AIOs and pocket: they are OK, but they are so costly compared to PFs, and I kind of like that I can tell right away if he's wet with fitteds by feeling under the cover. Definitely fast and easy to get on though, and I think Joseph sleeps better with them on because the inner fleece liner "wicks" moisture away from him.

I think I could use another cover, so I'm getting on the ball finally today and lanolizing the beautiful wool soakers that Tante Teresa made for Joseph. That'll give me another small cover to use, and wool longies as well.

We also ordered another pail liner and wet bag today, so we always have a clean one. So far we've been hanging them to dry, but then there is nowhere for the dirties to go! So that'll be remedied soon, and our floor will thank us, no doubt.

We have enough wipes to go three days as well (40) and you don't need more than 2 snappis so far as I can tell. I keep one in the diaper bag in case we switch to PFs while out, and one in the drawer or on him.

Our laundry is easy-peasy. In fact, it's way easier than regular baby laundry because it's a pain to fold all those bitty clothes. We do a "quick cycle" on cold with baking soda and vinegar, then a hot wash with detergent and an extra rinse. Then we toss them in the drier (hang the covers and AIOs and pocket) and we're done! I honestly don't know what all the fuss is about.

Fun with Grandma and Grandpa

Joseph had a great week being fawned over by his grandparents (my parents). We went sight-seeing around Atlanta, but everywhere we went, Joseph was the main attraction!

I don't know if it was because he's the cutest.baby.ever, or because people rarely see newborns, or if they do, they are usually in car seat carriers covered by sun shades and blankets, but he attracted pretty much every man, woman, and child within 50 feet of him. The elderly southern ladies especially loved him, and I only got the "it's a little early isn't it?" comment once!

At the Jimmy Carter Museum:

Grandpa and Grandma with Joseph

Joseph snug as a bug in his Moby Wrap

Grandpa keeping an eye on Joseph
At Home:

Joseph and Grandpa playingGrandma looks like she's up to something...She gave Joseph a baby mohawk!Dad pacing with JosephT.J. exhausted from working long hoursGrandpa is serious about his baby gamesJoseph says "Don't leave me with these amateurs!"
We had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa M!

Big Day!

We gave Joseph his very first bath in his little tub today! He seemed to like it reasonably well. At least, he didn't cry after we got the temperature right, so that's something. He is absolutely adorable in his little towel.

This evening I left the boys at home to run to the grocery store! I was gone exactly one hour, but that was plenty. T.J. did great with Joseph of course - apparently he didn't sleep at all, but T.J. knows how to handle him. It was nice to not have to worry about him for a little while, and my arms got a rest.

I also tried to take "newborn" photos of Joseph today, but I'm afraid I was too late. He's already "uncurled" and woke up immediately when I tried to position him. Darn it! But we got some cute shots regardless.

My parents arrive on Monday from Minnesota, so don't be alarmed if you don't hear from us for a while!

Friday Update

No new pictures, sorry! I overdid things yesterday and put myself on bed rest today, so Joseph and I have been just chilling in bed, eating and sleeping! I'm feeling better, just following orders from the midwife and taking it easy. It was good timing, as Joseph seems to be going through his first growth spurt and eating every hour or so.

T.J. has been busy at work, so Joseph and I have been on our own all day and most of the night this week, which can get sort of trying. Poor T.J. has it even worse though, at least I can get a little rest in the afternoons when Joseph takes his "big" (1.5 hr) nap. His project wraps up at the end of next week, so hopefully after that he'll get a break and get to come home at a more normal hour.

This weekend I'm going to try and take some fancy newborn photos of Joseph and get to work on birth announcements, so look for cute pictures galore soon!

Green Feeding

Someone passed this great article on to me about breastfeeding:

http://www.llli.org/Release/GoGreen

Breastfeeding not only provides babies with optimum nutrition, but also helps reduce landfill waste, preserves valued energy, and helps prevent deforestation. Human milk remains the ultimate natural renewable resource and perhaps the most overlooked way of helping to create a healthier planet.

Human milk requires no resources for packaging, shipping, or disposal. The production and disposal of artificial baby milk products add to environmental problems by consuming energy and producing waste. The 550 million tins of formula sold in the United States alone, placed end to end, would circle the earth one and a half times. Each year in the United States, the production of artificial baby milk produces 86,000 tons of tin and 1,230 tons of paper labels which add substantially to the landfill waste.

Breastfeeding preserves valued energy. No energy is wasted producing human milk the way it is wasted when producing artificial baby milk. Precious fuel is used to transport the ingredients of formula and baby milk products. Energy is used for sterilizing bottles and refrigerating them.

The environment also pays a price for growing soybeans or raising cattle to produce artificial baby milk. Clearing land for pasture results in deforestation, which then results in land depletion and soil erosion. Growing soy requires fertilization and irrigation.

While breastfeeding is a wondrous act of nurturing between a mother and child, it also has an enormous impact on the global ecosystem. Breastfeeding not only grows a healthy mother and child but also grows a healthier planet.

Although we live in a polluted world, scientists agree that human milk is still the very best food to nourish our babies. This is further reinforced by reports in recent years of processing errors in the production of infant formula and the contamination of plastic baby bottles with bisphenol-A.

Human milk is not only the very best food for our babies, but it may even protect babies from some of the effects of pollution and contamination.

To find out more about why human milk is "green," that is, the healthiest and most ecologically sound way to nurture babies, or for breastfeeding information and support, contact La Leche League International at www.llli.org or call 847-519-7730. Since 1956, La Leche League International has been providing breastfeeding assistance through mother-to-mother support, education, and information.

Other great quotes:

"There can be no food more locally produced, more sustainable or more
environmentally friendly than a mother's breastmilk, the only food required by
an infant for the first 6 months of life. It is a naturally renewable resource,
which requires no packaging or transport, results in no wastage and is free."
http://www.theecologist.org/pages/archive_detail.asp?content_id=586


"Breastfeeding is a very environmentally friendly thing to do."

"Breastmilk... the original RAW food."

"Breastfeeding leaves no carbon footprint."

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Little O'Cutie Pie

We have lots of Irish Digs!

Hello, Ladies.

"Rahr"

Welcome to my pad

Kung-Fu Baby - He can kill you with just 3 fingers

Is there a breeze in here?

Why yes, there is a breeze on my bum!

Joseph's Pediatritian Appointment

We went to the pedi yesterday for Joseph's 1 week appointment. He has exceeded his birth weight! He weighed 8lb3oz on their scale. Last Thursday he weighted 7lb12oz, so he gained 7oz in 4 days! Everything else checked out as well, and his newborn jaundice is pretty much gone!

I think Tante Teresa is right - this kid is going to be a bruiser! Who'd have thunk with parents like us!

Charlotte is coming today to weigh him with her scale and check us out, so it'll be interesting to see if there is a difference by the two scales.