More Adventures in Cloth Diapering

My completed diaper stash so far. 2 pocket diapers with fleece covers built in, 2 fleece covers, 3 newborn size Very Baby covers, 2 small size very baby covers, 1 medium Very Baby and one Large.

The Very Baby Wrap Cover. With Fold Over Elastic. One in Each size.

I wanted to sew diapers. Not wait for Fold Over Elastic to come in the mail. SO this is what I ended up with.

Pocket Diapers with Fleece Covers (Rita's Rump Pocket Pattern, its free online).

Adventures in making Diaper Covers

Because we are nuts we tried practice diapering a stuffed frog.

My first fleece diaper cover.

It's my Belly

9 years ago if you had asked us as college freshman where we would be today, the 3 of us would not have answered what we are doing right now. That is for sure (although my life comes the closest).

There we go. That is the Belly picture.

Buying things for Happiness

"But if a new care makes for a very happy wife, maybe the husband wouldn't be so grouchy"

I was told this on the WIR after I commented about how we know exactly what new to us vehicle we want that would be better for a new baby, we can't afford it right now. There were some other quotes in there going back and forth, but bottom lined remained the same. More money meant the ability to buy something to make your spouse happy. It wasn't a need. We have 2 working vehicles right now.

I think this a fundamental flaw in the thinking of a lot of people. You should never place your happiness in the ability or the position of an object. That new car won't last forever. If you had to buy something to make your spouse happy, how happy are you?

I'm not all zen or a minimalist, but I am trying not to put my worth and happiness in material possesions. Treasures on earth don't last. If you set yourself up to say that you will be happy once you have that new car, you will only be happy until you want the next new thing. Maybe I am just telling myself this to deal with what I can't have. But there are a lot of things in life I can't have. That is fine. I know I have the ability to be happy without them.

My other complaint is that I want to raise my children right. I want them to understand that hard work is worth it. That you can't always get what you want. What kind of example am I setting for them even before they are born if I don't follow that? I want to be the best mother I can be and I do believe part of that is not getting a new to us car right now. Sure it may not be trendy to follow this line of thinking, but this baby's daddy is going to get to stay home with her (or him, but I think it is a girl) and that is worth a lot more than being trending and having a new car.

Quick Update

I have not posted in a long time. Pregnant me has been kicking my butt. But I'm still here. Still working. Bill is staying home. He finally appears to have some projects. One under contract which he should be doing on Friday (we hope) and then 3 more pending. The money will be nice. THat is for sure.

Well, it is back to work I go.

How is it possibly the best thing for you child?

There is a regular poster on WIR whom I like. She is very smart, very motivated and has overcome a lot in her life. However, she is currently stuck in a position which she hates. That position is full time stay at home mom with minimal opportunities to work evenings. There are other posters on there that every single time just praise her so much for making that sacrifice because it is the "best thing for the child". All I can say is give me a freaking break... like baby doesn't know that mom is miserable. It just does not compute to me. Yes, you make sacrifices for your child, but being resentful about being a stay at home parent doesn't seem like a sacrifice. It seems like freaking prison sentence for this woman. The baby is 21 months and her husband is under contract for his position for another year. They live in LA where childcare costs $1500-$2000 a month (unlike here where for that age, unpotty trained child you are talking $400-$500 a month, goes up to $600 for infants).

I just don't get it. If Bill is miserable with Baby Yo and our situation, we will work something else out. Our child may go to childcare, but do not get me wrong we will still be raising our baby. We value you our happiness. I think we have proved this by having Bill not go back to work full time. We are happier with him at home. Sure right now things are a bit tight, but not unmanageable. We are going to do what makes us happy. Who knows maybe we will both work part time (as long as I work 1000 hours a year, I still get vested for that year and Derek will let me keep my insurance through them). Bill will work for himself and I will work for Derek. I personally cannot imagine staying in a situation where we are miserable again. Bill was miserable at his last job, but he stayed and it was hard on us. I felt he was staying in a miserable situation for me and I didn't want him to do that for me. That is my take. Ask me in February what I think about staying home and all that and home much Bill is really helping me and I may have a different answer, but for now I think people need to look beyond "Oh it really is best for the child to be with a Stay at home parent"...really? Gag me with a spoon. Are we back in the 60s? We are in the 21st century. Work days are no longer just 8-5; you can work from home, you can work from Starbucks; you can work 4-10s; you can work part time. Why does everything have to fit in a little box? And why do people feel content to stuff you in that box?

Back to the poster on WIR, I think her problems actually stem from her DH. But I feel the woman that "made the sacrifice to be a stay at home parent" and back up her DH to the extreme do a disservice to woman and to the working world we live in today.

Sigh...That is what I get for asking advice

So, we got back from vacation and I just was not doing very good at work. Really I was doing very poorly. I was passing the time and not focusing. So, I talked with Derek some to try to get my head around what was going on and oh I don't know the fact that I didn't know the hours I was suppose to have in the job and getting a lecture over it when I was over and the fact that I didn't know deadlines and all that stuff really bogged me down.

So, I posted on WIR and I painted myself in the worst possible light on purpose. I didn't want to go back and forth about what was right and wrong. I just wanted some advise to communicate better with my boss. I posted this thread on Tuesday evening. It is still going and the latest post is I don't know how your boss has done anything wrong. UGH!!! I don't want to complain about what is right or wrong because he is the boss. I have screwed up. Probably not as badly as you all think I have, and my boss is not a freaking saint!

Prior to leaving for vacation all I knew was I had to get Pt. 7 done. 8 days before I left, I finally said hey btw what else do I need to get done and he rattles off 5 other projects!!! So Pt. 7 does not get done. Not really even close. The scope is about twice what everyone thought it would be. D says no worries TRD and I will finish it while you are gone. Of course when I come back all D has done is call up the client's PM and the architect to get them to go our way on a few things and they don't go for it. Other than that it does not get touched. I should have put money down on it and I would have won.

So, I get home and I am out of it. Seriously out of it. The pregnancy is driving me nuts and I can't tell anyone and it is M.H. last day and ught. Ok, so for 4 days, I sucked. But I still got stuff done.

You know it doesn't matter. I know what I have to do or not do. I need to stay off WIR for a long while.

What my brother doesn't know....

The saturday before Mother's day we got up to my parents in time for supper. Just a few minutes before my brother and his family arrived. I love my brother and I love his wife, but lord do they love to tease. So they were teasing me like crazy being like so you are pregnant. (and if they knew we were trying it is because they found out from 3 people that they don't talk to). So they were just giving us a hard time. I was getting mad during there teasing. Thinking man what if I was pregnant and going to tell everyone and they just totally screwed up my big announcement. But as it is I'm just waiting on my period to try again. So I just kept telling my brother "what do you know that I don't".

Well, Sunday was 5 weeks post period and I was thinking all my "symptoms" were in my head. Monday night we were at the campground near Niagara and I was like when we stop by the drug store tomorrow lets pick up a pregnancy test. So, we do and we walk all over Niagara on Tuesday. We got back to the campground and watched the sunset and before we eat I go went to the bathroom and POAS. I am staring at it walking back to the campsite and one line of the plus is very strong and the other is pretty faint and I am in SHOCK. I hand it too DH and was like I need to look at the instructions. So I grab the instructions and the line that is faint is the one that shows up or -. The one that is strong is plus. OMG. I just laughed hysterically. We are going to have a baby! Seriously!!

Anyway, we are still on vacation which is going great and it is kind of nice to find out on vacation because we aren't tempted to tell everyone we know right now!

Put me in Coach

Well, beat the drum and hold the phone - the sun came out today!

We're born again, there's new grass on the field.A

-roundin' third, and headed for home, it's a brown-eyed handsome man;

Anyone can understand the way I feel.

CHORUS:Oh, put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;

Put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;

Look at me, I can be Centerfield.

Well, I spent some time in the Mudville Nine, watchin' it from the bench;

You know I took some lumps when the Mighty Casey struck out.

So Say Hey Willie, tell Ty Cobb and Joe DiMaggio;

Don't say "it ain't so", you know the time is now.

Oh, put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;
Put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;
Look at me, I can be Centerfield.

Yeah! I got it, I got it!

Got a beat-up glove, a homemade bat, and brand-new pair of shoes
;You know I think it's time to give this game a ride.

Just to hit the ball and touch 'em all - a moment in the sun;(pop)

It's gone and you can tell that one goodbye!

So I heard this song on my way home after a LONG day and I was like you know this is going to be my moto tomorrow. My "role model" for tomorrow will be Cubs "rookie" Bobby Scales. He spent 11 years in the minors! 11 years and got called up yesterday and played today and got his first major league hit. So when my boss calls on me tomorrow, even though I am probably more Aramis Rameriez (the "long tenured star" of the team) than Bobby Scales. I am going to say Coach (boss) put me in. I can do it.

(I do have to add that the sun DID NOT come out to stay today, but oh well).

Vacation Planning

We are getting excited. The time is getting close. Just 5 days of work and we are out of here. We have a list of places to camp and reservations at Acadia National Park. It was a struggle. Niagara is so expensive even to camp. Campgrounds aren't going to be open yet in the Adirondacks and White Mountain area. State Parks were closed for an extended period of time in the Boston area due to a December Ice storm. Private Parks were expensive ($30 a night). But we found some reasonably priced alternatives.

AMJ and UB are going to be at Grandma's this weekend just to see me. :) My brother and his family are going to come over for supper on Saturday. Mom says Elisabeth is talking a little! OMG! She is getting so grown up.

Speaking of babies...I don't think I am pregnant but no period just yet. That does not really surprise me.

Now back to writing a report for the Hidden Valley.

Rain Rain Go Away

For the first time in our life together, my DH and I allowed the weather to dictate a major change in plans. Oh it affects little things all the time ... do I go walk/run on the road or do I use the elliptical? Do we work in the yard or clean the house? But we have never cancelled a weekend away because of the weather and we did today. We are suppose to be camping with the church this weekend, but we said not in this rain. They are calling for buckets of rain to fall in the next 3 days. Like 2-5 inches (of rain, not snow). THe James River rose 10' overnight!! 10'! Yikes. So while I am bummed. There is an upside... I can hopefully get some more projects wrapped up at work. I can give the house a thorough cleaning before leaving. Anyway, it is still raining. It makes me glad I live on top of the mountain.

Hmmmm...maybe?

We couldn't be this lucky, could we? I mean we just went off BC, could I truly be pregnant. I was going through my "symptoms". I still think it might all be in my head. This morning I was like no, I'm not pregnant. This is in my head. While I was thinking that, bang I got this huge wave a nausea. Seriously. I am still feeling queasy. I guess we will find out Sunday...or maybe it is the Swine Flu (j/k).

A Clean Office

TD and I went nuts this morning at the office. We tackled BL's desk and ALL the mark ups that he kept under his desk. Then we hit the plan and server room and went through all the junk on there. Next was the flat files in the back room. When we got done, the only papers were those on TS's desk. Everything else has been properly filed (except what we are personally working on and even that is limited. It feels good to have th office cleaned up. We just get lazy and it is easier to put stuff on the flat surfaces to be filed later, but then later never comes. I know I do the same thing at home. The problem at home is that is just me and there is a greater diversification of papers. When it is plans it is ok this is old, this a copy, etc and I know what to do with it. At home, it is just oh crap, what do I do with this.

Last night I went to Aerobics at church. It was fun. Bill was feeling really bad yesterday. I wish I knew what to do with him. I was really looking forward to going home and see we couldn't get me knocked up and then he could barely move. Let alone that. Oh well, if it doesn't happen this month. There is always next month and the next month and the next one. :)

What a week

It was not personally overly crazy. I was just at Tan-Tar-A for a conference Wed-FRi. That was nice, but boohoo i missed Bill. I've been a bit clingy since I got home. But the conference was good and I plan on going back next year unless I have a newborn. :)

Mom said Tuesday both Sue R and Sue W died. I think they were both 70, which really isn't that old, is it? Sue R's daughter is 3 years older than me. She had contracted ensephilitius last summer and they treated it as a stroke for several days before they realized it wasn't a stroke. By then it was too late. The damage was done. Her poor daughter got married last summer and her mom was in a vegative state and just never came out of it. Sue W had pancreatic cancer. She went for emergancy surgury Monday and was gone on Tuesday. So sad. Mom said they were college roomies and came to Henry together to teach. I never knew that. Funny how you only learn about things when people die.

Then Wednesday Kristin emailed me and said she had moved in with Ian in Evanston. I am really happy for her. They are getting married in Nov and it makes me super happy. Then ironically Kathryn emailed me Thursday to say that she and Loan bought a house and she'll be moving in with him in May. Yeah. My engaged friends are finally going to get to live in the same town as their fiance's for the first time in years.

Today while the confirmation class was meeting I was talking to Daniel. He asked me when Bill and I were going to have kids and I was like whenever. You know 9 or 10 months. LOL. I kind of blushed when I said that. Then I asked if he and Michelle were going to have #2, he was like we're trying. We kind of laughed at the people who have it all planned out. I wish. God definately has a little something to say about it. Bill was a little embarassed that I actually told Daniel 9 or 10 months, but its Daniel. Plus it helped that he and Michelle are trying. While we aren't really close to them for a number of reasons, they are nice and good parents with similar values. (Although Michelle is super bossy).

Happy Easter and some randomness

This weekend was great. From getting off work early on Friday and making up a recipe for chicken cordon blea, to the easter egg hunt and watching little Delaney while confirmation class was going on on Saturday. Sunday was raining, but Sunrise service and breakfast was a blast. Plus we finally learned our song and regular service rocked. Watching Janine just belt out the songs and kind of dance it just is fun. Plus Alex was hilarious swaying between his brother and Lucas. Then yesterday Bill and I were all ummm romantic. Took a bath together cuddled on the couch. Then in the evening we played a firous game of dominos. Our poor children hopefully will never realize how uber competitve we are. I got pissy and told Bill to sleep on the couch (which I ironically he did, but not because I said so). All in all it was a good weekend.

My mom has repeatedly made the comment that when she is in her 80s that she will not have to be told to go to an assisted living, that she (and dad) will do it on their own. In fact, they have mentioned that in about 10 years they will probably sell the house and move to something smaller. It is a little crazy that they have planned that far ahead, but all the trouble that they have had with their parents and aunts have left them SAYING that they will move on their own. I guess every generation that lives a little longer has their own issues to think about. Hopefully, in 50 years I'll know my limitations as well.

RIP Nick Adenhart

I don't know him. Didn't know the name until about 11 am this morning. Oh, about 10 am there was an article on MSN about how the kid pitching for the Angels last night made them forget about their other injuries, but I skimmed the article. 2 hours later, we hear that kid is dead. Unbelievable. A drunk driver blows a stop light and 3 lives are lost. Nothing that doesn't happen every week across America, but for a kid who just pitched 6 scoreless innings in his 4th big league game it makes news. It makes us sit up and take notice. It is also unbelievable. He lived his dream the last night of his life. His last inning he through ALL strikes.

I've been reading all the comments and someone said "There is baseball in heaven and God needed another pitcher". It makes me cry. It is far sadder than Josh Hancock or Darryl Kile and on par with the football players that went missing at sea. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Maundy Thursday

Today is Maundy Thursday. The night that I believe really starts to define Christianity. After all, tonight is the night that Jesus took the bread and the wine for the last supper. Tonight is the night he goes to the garden and prays. Tonight is the night he is arrested and beaten. Tomorrow, Good Friday, he is put on "trial" forced to carry his cross and then hung on that cross to die. Saturday, all of his followers sat around and mourned, unable to do anything because it was their sabath. Then Sunday the tomb is empty. I think more momentous than the 4 days is that on Palm Sunday he rode into Jerusalum victorious. The people laid their coats on the ground. In a span of 4 days, public opinion changed that much. I mean public opinion on George W. Bush didn't change that fast in 4 days. How can you be victorious on Sunday and Public Executed on Friday? To this day it boggles my mind.

We're singing Go Cubs Go ...

Go Cubs Go
Hey Chicago What do you say
The Cubs are going to win today.

I know it is just opening day. 161 Regular season games remain. Up to 19 post season games are possible. But what a GREAT way to start the year. Beating the stalwart ace of a divisional rival. It doesn't matter that the 'Stros are going to send Wandy Rodrigios to the mound today. No not at all. What matters is the TEAM had an awesome day. Not just Big Z. Not just Soriano or Rameriez. But Fontenot, Soto, and Theriot (and I LOVE the combination of them hitting in that order, AWESOME fundementals ... although Theriot is the one without any power so maybe he needs to be higher up, but whatever). DLEE didn't get on base, but his D rocked our worlds. Milton Bradley (who names their child MILTON with a last name of Bradley, come on parents ... it is almost as good as Wandy) played a solid left field and drew a walk. Heilman threw 1 pitch and got 2 outs. Marmol was filthy (although a bit wild) and Gregg was interesting, but my god he reminds me of Charlie Sheen in Major League. Since the Cards blew it in the 9th to the Pirates, the Cubbies are currently tied for first with the Pirates. I can handle that.

It is a long year and I am sure my faith in the Cubs may waver from time to time, but playing like they did last night, it is going to be a great year. I will certainly enjoy the ride.

On a side note, since the game was at 6 pm, I decided I would work out during the game. Wow was that a good idea. I hadn't had a solid elipitcal work out in about a month and with Soriano leading off with a homerun it was the motivation I needed to get a 400+ cal burn in (I know that is not accurate, but I think it is a good way to judge the intensity of my workouts).

Just another day in the neighborhood

Well first off, I am definately not pregnant. I basically started my period in the middle of my solo. I'm ok with that. I want to be able to go to Kristin's wedding in November and I want to go home for Christmas and baby in the middle of December would put a damper on either of those.

Next up, the cantata went great. It really did. Anne had some trouble on her solo, but you know the audience did not know at ALL. Janine came up afterwards and slugged me in the arm and said "I crucified thee" (which was the last line of my solo and I tried to put some emotion and kind of belt it out there, which apparently I did a good job. :) ). Of course with our cantata we kind of skip the whole Palm Sunday experience. Which meant we didn't sing any of the good Palm Sunday songs. But eh. There is always next year. Besides we don't skip the Easter part of it. :)

Finally, Bill is a little concerned driving his car. I'm wondering if it might be worth it to spend $5000 on a commuter car for me and then he can have the truck. Because if he does go into business for himself, I am going to have to drive the car. It needs new tires (again, $500 worth of tires every year and half). I don't know. Something 4-door to bridge the gap between now and when we can spend $15k on a newer to us vehicle. But looking at stuff, what we get may not be that much better than what we have. But something 4-door would surely be better when we have a baby. I don't know. I guess I won't worry about it. Cars are hubby's thang. Not mine.

Psyching Myself Out

I don't know WHY I am even thinking this is possibe. I was on the pill as usual through the end of the pack (wednesday). Plus we barely had sex last month. But I have been nausous EVERY EVENING this week. Starting Sunday. Not puking, but just the stomach kind of rolls and I can't even think about eating. I'm suppose to start my period tomorrow or Monday. If I don't get it by Sunday, I am going to test. I want to be pregnant. I want to have Bill's baby and I am tired of waiting. But how wild would it be if I was pregnant. That would a miracle for sure. God has a plan and lord if I am pregnant I don't think I could possibly doubt again, because there should be no way. NONE. I hope I am. Even though a December baby is not in our plans, but whatever. A baby is always in God's plan. :)