6.18.11: My newest adventure

This week, by chance, I started cloth diapering Rex.

I had considered cloth when Rex was born but after doing a bit of reading and looking at the price of cloth diapers ($20 a piece) I decided against it.

But then my friend Amy started cloth diapering and she talked my other friend Mickelle into it and then Jami started cloth diapering and then I got pregnant and decided to join the club. About a month ago I started looking for deals on gDiapers (the brand of cloth I plan to use) and built my stash (cloth diapering lingo for my cloth diaper collection) for baby Alice up to 14 pounds. I spent $100, and it wasn't/isn't complete, so I continued to check KSL--a lot of people buy cloth and then change their minds so sell them, new, at reduced prices. People tend to like gDiapers so it's not often that they pop up on KSL. But this week some did. A lot of some. Used. This girl liked her gDiapers. No big deal. Poop is poop.

After thinking it over for a day and saying that if the diapers were gone after a day, it wasn't meant to be, I checked again and they were still there, so I bought them. $100 got me 6 medium gPants, 3 large gPants, 6 liners, and 18 inserts--6 of which were brand new. I was excited. I spent the day boiling and rewashing everything and then Wednesday night put Rex in his first blue diaper.

He loved it.

He asks for his blue diaper all day.

He only wears the blue diaper (gDiapers have removable inserts so I only have to wash the insert until Rex pees/poops through).

I also love it.

Maybe not love. Like.

I mean, cloth or disposable, I'm still wiping someone else's bodily fluids off his little bum.

But it hasn't been that different from disposables. It takes the same amount of time to change a diaper. The only difference so far is where I put the diaper--disposables into the trash can, cloth into the grocery bag (I still need a wet bag, hint, hint). I have had to do 2 extra loads of laundry. Boo hoo. But I don't use the dryer. I already have a drying rack, so I just walk upstairs and hang the diapers on my back porch where the sun bleaches them--white trash/environmentalist style. I think this is going to be a good investment, especially since I can use them on Rex now and save money on his diapers too.

Things that I don't like:

1. Rex loves his blue diaper--I had planned to potty train in about a month. I was thinking that getting new underwear would be really exciting for Rex, but looks like his blue diaper is just as exciting.

2. I haven't figured out how to get the pee smell out of the inserts yet. I think I need to use more detergent. Or some vinegar. I need my cloth diapering sage Amy to get back from vacation and tell me what to do.

3. I need new liners. gDiapers, unlike other cloth diapers, do have some recurring costs--like liners that wear out every 6 months or so. The ones I have for Rex are about worn out so I get a few more leaks than I'd like.

Things I do like:

1. Not filling up a land fill.

2. Knowing that I'll never run out of diapers again.

3. How cute Rex looks in just a diaper these days.

4. How slim the g's are.

5. Rex no longer leaks through at night (I double up liners).

6. For some reason, I feel more in control of my life when I use cloth diapers--no diaper company is going to tell me what to put on my kid's butt.

7. Feeling like a super mom because I cloth diaper my kid, even if it only takes about 2 seconds longer a week than disposables.

Above: Rex showing off his brown diaper--he peed on the blue one. Yes he still has an outtie and yes maybe I should be concerned about how willing he was to lift his shirt up for this picture.

Below: Rex admiring his own cloth diaper. Like I said, I think these might make potty training a little harder, not easier, as cloth diapers are supposed to do.

6.18.11: Adoption

My good friend Georgia has finally completed her adoption papers and is anxiously awaiting the little baby that is perfectly intended for her house (in my mind it's a little Chinese girl, but who knows).

Here's the link to her and her husband Rob's profile. If you know of anyone looking for adoptive parents, let them know about Rob and Georgia--they are wonderful people and will make amazing parents.

6.12.11: I quit

I quit.

Church that is.

At least for the next six months.

Last week we got assigned to a brand new ward. This was anticipated. I was hoping to get transferred to the building across the street and maintain our regularlly scheduled time of 11 o'clock.

But no.

We're in the same building, which is still less than a mile away so that's not a big deal, but we're at 1 o'clock now. I could not think of a worse time for church. Rex takes a nap at exactly 1 o'clock and I take my lunch break at 1:15, which, let's be honest here, usually turns into a nap. So not only was Rex particularly cranky at church today, but so was I.

Add to that that I didn't get out of being in the Relief Society presidency. I enjoyed the calling with Georgia, but I also knew that I only had a few months before I wouldn't be in the ward anymore and would get released. But no, here I am again, and now I'm over the activities. There's a reason I didn't have any friends in high school--I have no idea how to throw a party. I guess I'll just have to learn.

And so I quit until we get a more acceptable time--I would even take the old Tracy II ward's 8 am or even the Hidden Lake Ward's 4 pm to 1.

Rex and I do not like to miss our naps.

(Pictured below--this is how Rex feel asleep--mid tantrum and escape attempt. That's how tired he was)

6.9.11: My new bad habit

I've gotten into the habit of sneaking into Rex's room every night just to watch him sleep. I tell myself I'm just going to sneak in and put him back in his bed--he rarely falls asleep on his bed--and then leave. But I never do. I put him in his bed. Give him a little kiss. And then sit down, but just for a minute. I tell myself not to touch him. It's not fair to him to wake him up or disturb his sleep. But then I notice a naughty little hand combing and petting his hair. I tell the hand to stop, but it has such a hard time. Just one more little pet. Ok, I'll stop, says the hand. Next thing I know the hand is holding Rex's hand. I tell it to stop--don't wake him up. It's not fair to him to wake him up in the middle of the night because you want to hold his hand. The hand eventually complies but then I notice it doing something else mischievous--petting Rex's face, or poking his nose--and know that I must leave before I really do wake Rex up.

There's something about watching Rex sleep that is 1. creepy, but 2. is sweet and calming. Rex reminds me of the good things in the world. He keeps me in perspective. The most important thing is that Rex get what he needs--not wants, needs. He needs sleep, food (he got 3 dinners tonight because he was so hungry), and love. I like sneaking in on him at night and trying to review my day, but I can't. I can't review my day because much of what worries me or stresses me out, just doesn't matter when I look at my little Rex because my term paper or medical bills (looks like we're hitting our deductible again this year--go ahead, hit me with your car, it's free to me now) aren't that important as long as he's well-fed, well-slept, and loved.

And he sure is cute and precious to look at when he's unconscious and not being his normal devious self.

6.5.11: This week...again

While you have probably had enough of me this week, but I like these weekly updates. They allow me to reflect on my week and make sure I learn at least a little something even from the most mundane experiences.

This week I think a learned a lot of lessons.

Monday: Memorial Day. I had intended to do our ward's 5K but it was raining and I don't like running in the rain and I had Rex and felt bad about making him sit in the stroller and get all wet. We did go to the breakfast afterward and Rex played with the big kids. Then we went grocery shopping in the morning again--my new favorite thing. Then we cleaned while Greg worked outside and ended the day with an indoor barbecue with a few friends.

Tuesday: Well, we already went over Tuesday so I won't rehash that.

Wednesday: Same as Tuesday.

Thursday: I laid in bed all day while Greg took Rex all over the place and won him completely over. On the bright side, I did get caught up on my homework and even finished all the assignments for one class. I just have one more assignment to do and then I'm done for the term.

Friday: Greg went back to work and I stayed home with Rex. Greg was sweet enough to hire a sitter in the morning, but Rex didn't want to play with the sitter so I sent her home after a few hours. Then Rex and I took a short walk down the block where I sat on my friend's couch and Rex played with her son. Then lunch. Then I took a nap while Rex played in his room. I was feeling pretty crappy by this point, and couldn't really move around much. Then Rex and I colored in bed for a while and then Daddy came home early and put Rex down for a nap. Then Daddy and Rex went camping, leaving me home to get more rest. They had a great time and I needed some time to not feel guilty for not playing with Rex. My good friend Shaundria came over, brought me dinner, AND did my dishes. I have good friends. I also got even more homework done.

Saturday: The boys came home. I put Rex down for a nap, and then I worked on my research paper for a few hours while Greg worked in the yard. When Rex woke up, I was feeling pretty good and I needed to use a 20% off coupon at Babies R Us to get baby a carseat so we drove up there and got it! I'm pretty excited. Then we came up; I opened a can of spaghetti sauce and called it dinner. Then I went to stake conference while Greg watched Rex--I figured it would be easier to sit and listen then tend Rex.

Sunday: And this is the exciting part. Our ward finally split! We were in a super big ward--big enough that the Relief Society met in the cultural hall and the Elders met in the pavillion outside. We got put in a brand new ward--Town Hall Ward. It's a whole 13 blocks, and in true in true Utah style, our across the street neighbors are not in our ward. But I am excited about the new boundaries. Our ward now includes a few blocks of long-term Provo residents, which means that we won't have such a high turn over--not that that's bad, it's just exhausting to go to what feels like a new ward every week. After stake conference, we came home, Greg made everyone lunch, then put Rex down because Rex would not allow me to. Then I rested more. Then Kristi brought us a fabulous dinner. Then Greg took us to the park where he played with Rex while I sat on a bench and watched. And now this.

All-in-all, this week is looking up. Greg was a great dad and husband. He took excellent care of both of us.

And I'm beginning to accept my fate as being in near constant pain for the next few months. While the cramping is easing, I'm beginning to think that it's just normal pregnancy pain that comes from having a low-laying, violent baby stuck inside me. One day I will come to terms with it.

So lessons this week:

*Doctor's are sometimes right--I started icing my sore muscles like the doctor said Friday night and it's helped.

*I really did make a good choice in spouse.

*Pain sucks.

*I am grateful for previous perfect health up to this point.

*I have a new respect for people who live in constant pain without complaining.

And congratulations again for reading this whole blog.

6.2.11: The best day of Rex's life

I'm pretty sure that aside from the day Rex exited the womb and got to stretch his tiny little legs, today is the best day he's ever had..or maybe coming home from the hospital after a 13 day NICU stay. But I digress. The point is, he had a good day today.

He started the day by getting into bed with Mommy and Daddy and listening as Daddy read us stories. Then he got to watch way more Sesame Street than I want to admit while cuddling with Mommy and while Daddy showered. After Daddy got himself ready, he got Rex ready and then the two of them went to feed the ducks on campus and then to the pet store.

They got home around 10:30, said hi to Mommy and leaving again to go to Carl's Junior for lunch. Then they went to the library for make and take crafts and story time on the lawn. Daddy did say he felt a bit awkward being not only the only Dad there but the only one to bring fast food to the picnic--all the other moms brought cheese sticks and the like.

The boys got home just in time for a nap, so Daddy read Rex some more stories and then put Rex down. Dad had intended to then mow the lawn, go to the dump, and clean up the backyard, but he was too tired. Taking care of a toddler is hard work.

After nap time, Daddy and Rex went to a new park in Orem that Daddy said was simply amazing. Then they went to the Hobby Lobby to buy engines for Rex's rocket. Rex also got some Civil War army men.

Just as the boys were getting home, my good friend Merideth dropped off a pizza--Rex's favorite food. We ate pizza and then played Civil War before Rex took a bath, read scriptures, read a ton more stories, and then went to bed.

All-in-all, I'm pretty sure Rex got pretty spoiled today, and all while I sat in bed and got caught up on all the school work I never thought I'd finish.

It was a pretty good day. Except for Greg maybe, he's pretty tired.

6.1.11: My Evening

I must be fast. Greg has ordered me to sleep, not just be in bed, but to sleep. But he's out doing my bidding so I have a few minutes.

I'll tell you the end of the story first and then start from the beginning.

I am on semi-bed rest for the next few days.

Yesterday, I woke up with slight cramping. I thought I was just hungry so I got some food. This made the cramping worse, but I've experienced enough fast Sundays to know that's semi-normal. I went on a run and felt pretty good but by the afternoon, I was feeling worse and worse. I thought I had the flu. But by 9:30 last night, it was apparent that I did not. I was concerned about my low-lying placenta so called a few nurses. Nurse number one said I had appendictis and told me to go straight to the ER. I've heard about appendicits and knew I didn't have that so I called my midwife for a second opinion. She said I most likely had a uniary tract infection so told me to take some Tylenol and call in the morning if things weren't looking up.

Around 2 am the Tylenol wore off and I was in pain. I tried to sleep and succeed a bit. I got up with Rex at 6:30 ate, took more Tylenol, took a hot shower and got back in bed. Rex was very good about the whole thing and didn't bug me one bit. "Mom sick" he said as he left my room and closed the door. Greg got up and turned on Sesame Street for Rex so I had about an hour more to sleep. When I got up I was feeling great but decided to go in and see the midwives anyway. Rex and I took the car in and went to the part and then up to the doctor's. By this time the Tylenol was wearing off, but I was still functioning.

The midwife ran a few tests and determined that I do not have a UTI. I was just experiencing bad ligament stretching from a growth spurt the baby was going through. I should keep taking Tylenol and it would go away in a few weeks. Awesome.

I picked Rex up from Great-Grandma Robins house and came home. Rex feel asleep in the car so I decided to lie down for a bit to let the Tylenol that I took at Grandma's house take effect. I feel asleep for an hour. Oops.

When I woke up, I finally did the dishes that I hadn't done for a few days and then started working on my research paper. I got about three paragraphs written when I got really uncomfortable. I decided to lie down for a bit to let my cramping muscles relax. Then I decided to sit on the toilet a bit (TMI?), as I sat down the pain became intense and unbearable. I turned on the tub and got in, hopeing the hot water would help ease the cramping. I also called Greg and told him I needed him to come home, thinking he would play with Rex and I would rest.

A few minutes later, I was in immense pain and decided we needed to go to the hosptial. I carefully put my clothes back on, pretty much crawled downstairs, emailed my professors and explained why I would not be in class tonight, crawled back upstairs and waited for Greg.

Greg ran in the house, got Rex up, and we rushed to the hospital. I was in more pain than I was in when I was in labor with Rex. Greg got me checked in and then took Rex to a friend's house to play.

Meanwhile, I languished on the oh-so-comfortable hosptial bed trying to remember my Hypnobirthing while the nurse pushed and prodded and poked and tried to find the baby's heartbeat. I was about to punch her and tell her I didn't care, when she gave up and left. So there I lay, all alone in tons of pain and the nurse refused to give me anything because she couldn't find a doctor to ok it. By this time, Greg was back and was pretty upset that they wouldn't give me anything. He called my uncle who works at the hospital but he was with other patients so couldn't come. Greg continued to insist that we not wait for the doctor on call and that the nurse find another doctor--we were in a hospital afterall. She finally did and he came in and proceed to poke and prod--asking which hurts more. I don't care just give me something. But he refused. He wanted to run some tests first--really I can't just have a little Loratab?

He came up with a diagnosis that had something to do with muscle spasms, but I think he's wrong. After sitting in the hospital for a few hours, I was able to get my Hypnobirthing on and relax, at which point I could better distinguish the pain and it definately felt like labor--contractions and all. But I had it under control (ish). The nurse assured me it wasn't labor. Finally the test results came back, the doctor was still convinced of his muscle spasm theory, but agreed to give me something for the pain. This is after Greg had gone in search of my uncle to get his own perscription.

So after getting to the hosptial around 4:3o in more pain than labor, I got some Loratab around 7:20. Awesome. I laid in the bed waiting for it to take effect for about 40 minutes; Greg very kindly dressed me; got me a wheel chair and took me to the car.

And now I am in my bed still in a bit of pain but definately bearable. I plan to stay here for a few days. Doctor's orders. Semi-bed rest. Greg will take tomorrow off work to watch Rex and then we'll see what we need to do from there.

So what do I think is actually wrong? Stretching ligaments. I got cramps similar to this with Rex but they came more like contractions and were done in about 30 minutes. I think I'm just more stretched out than I was with Rex; this is my second after all. But I also think I'm done running. I had hoped to make it to 30 weeks like I did with Rex, but I'd rather not spend another evening in the hosptial begging for relief and being told to wait for the test results to come back.

So that's what we did tonight. Greg took excellent care of me and Rex. Rex even promised to stay in his bed because "Mommy sick. Res seep." I don't know how I got so lucky with the boys in my life.