is that suddenly--just when you think you can't take the heat one more day--you wake up and have to snuggle under the covers because you're just a little (dare I say it?) cold.
And even though it's still hot most of the day, you find yourself putting on your pajama pants instead of capris at night (and being glad with the decision).
And suddenly it's ok to take a walk a little later in the morning (than 7am) because there's a breeze coming in from somewhere that takes just enough of the heat off.
Mmmm fall. Autumn. My favorite season of all. I can smell and taste and feel your stealthy approach. Our front door is open and we've set a place at the table just for you. So come on in!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Today I am grateful for:
- Toys on the living room floor. Really I am. I love watching that little boy put his blocks in and out of the bag they came in. And then throwing them across the room.
- The fact that I only gained three pounds in the last four weeks. I was sure the amount of ice cream, brownies, and marshmallow maties I have eaten in the last week would have done more damage. Here's to a healthier week!
- Kind words. A friend gave me a little thank you note (for nothing in particuar) on Sunday... and it's still making my day.
- Living en route to Provo. It means we get to be a designated pitstop for family going back and forth to California. It's seriously the best.
- Good books. I am reading The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings--a book I remember loving in my youth (but remember very little else about). The father and son have the most tender relationship. The simple beauty of their lives and their relationships is inspiring.
- My pioneer heritage. Yesterday my dad brought me ALL of his family history stuff. I have been wanting to get my hands on it for a while--to make copies of the stories and start helping him weed through all the many (confusing) pedigree charts. I learned yesterday that Ann Roberts (my great-great-great-great grandmother had 15 children--five single births and five sets of twins (there is hope for me getting a set of twins someday!!). Her husband died when the oldest was 16 and she was three months pregnant with the last set of twins. Talk about a righteous and faithful woman.
- The fact that Raymond's blood type is O Negative.There seems to be significant confusion about what my and Jeremy's blood types are (new tests are pending). And when you're pregnant, the Rh factor matters. But I have the feeling I should have gotten a RhoGAM shot while pregnant with Raymond, and didn't. It's just lucky that since (I think) I'm A negative and not positive, he also ended up having a negative Rh. Or it could have been fatal. Long (confusing) story. But I'm glad. What would I do without that little fellow?
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Namesake
I love that Raymond is named after his Great Grandpa Raymond (Johan) Christiansen. I love that there is already a picture of Grandpa Raymond in his room. I hope his whole life long we (as in Jeremy, since I never met Grandpa Raymond) will tell him stories about his namesake. I hope it helps to instill a love for his ancestors--that little Raymond's heart will turn to his fathers, so to speak. And that he will have some of the characteristics that make all the Christiansen children talk fondly of their gandpa.
So as one of our Summer Break activities we planned to visit Grandpa Raymond's grave (and Grandma's, as they are side by side). Yesterday, after a very fun picnic in the park, we decided to head out to the Enoch cemetery where Grandma and Grandpa Christiansen are buried and to see a little bit of the town where they spent their whole married lives.
Unbeknownst to us, it was Grandpa's birthday. He would have been 97 yesterday. Raymond enjoyed leaving flowers. Jeremy joked about how Grandpa had hands like a compass. And Grandma loved Fiddler on the Roof just like we do.
It was a lovely afternoon.
So as one of our Summer Break activities we planned to visit Grandpa Raymond's grave (and Grandma's, as they are side by side). Yesterday, after a very fun picnic in the park, we decided to head out to the Enoch cemetery where Grandma and Grandpa Christiansen are buried and to see a little bit of the town where they spent their whole married lives.
Unbeknownst to us, it was Grandpa's birthday. He would have been 97 yesterday. Raymond enjoyed leaving flowers. Jeremy joked about how Grandpa had hands like a compass. And Grandma loved Fiddler on the Roof just like we do.
It was a lovely afternoon.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Cloth diaper report: one year later
It was the last week in July 2009 when our first package of (six) cloth diapers arrived and I mad-dashed to get them prewashed and on Raymond. A few weeks later we ordered twelve more and jumped in with both feet.
Since my last report I've gone from Fuzzibunz to homemade. We've battled the Yeast Monster and the dreaded Ammonia Smell. I've had my doctor fumble over the snaps (as we're his only cloth diapering patients) and gotten a few weird stares from neighbors as they look curiously at my diapers hanging on the line outside my apartment.
But all in all, I'm still on the bandwagon. Still glad we made the decision to go cloth.
It's funny to me that during probably the worst part of "how do I get this stink out of my diapers/bathroom/house" I also started cutting out some 30-40 more diapers. Still confident that I would figure it all out and that gearing up for the next sizes was the only option.
Let me remind you that I am not on a convert-the-world-to-cloth crusade. By any means. But for those of you curious about the whole program, here's my one year report:
My thoughts after a year
- At some point all cloth diapering mothers will talk/complain about the dreaded Ammonia Stink. Wow. Watch out. This has been harder to get rid of that I would have thought. Partly because everyone has a different opinion about how to do it. I think I've finally gotten rid of it (mostly) with 7 consecutive hot washes (sans detergent) to strip them clean of bacterias and residue. I've also been experimenting with Tea Tree Oil in the wash. We'll see if the TTO works in the future or if I have to do the multiwash again. Either way, from what I understand this is something I should be doing roughly once a month.
- I've also changed my diaper pail set up to help eliminate stink. We are using a regular kitchen trash can with a flip lid and a liner made from PUL fabric (the same fabric I use to make the outer shell of my diapers). When I throw the diapers in the wash, in goes the liner as well. I have also sews in a little piece of terry cloth to the liner to put some Tea Tree Oil on to help cut odors as well. The pail contains the stink pretty good when the lid is closed... but watch out if you leave it open! (But isn't that the same with disposables??). I'd also love to try this odor spray sometime. So far this system is working. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with the Little Lady's diapers as I probably will not be changing her as much in Raymond's room with easy access to that pail. I'm considering making a hanging diaper pail (much like this one) to put in my bedroom. We'll see.
- I've learned that yeast infections (or any diaper rash for that matter) and cloth diapers don't mix too well. Part of the problem is that most diaper creams you can buy at the grocery store will coat the diapers and cause repelling and staining. So you have to use liners or do disposables or use a cloth diaper friendly cream (I just bought this brand and so far am happy). The bigger problem is, however, that the yeast can continue to live in the diaper--even after it's been washed--and reinfect the baby if the diapers aren't cleaned and treated correctly. There are many suggested ways of doing this. I've even boiled the suckers. Let's all cross our fingers the yeast is officially dead (I think it is). In the meantime, I'm really happy to have a cloth-diaper friendly cream for everyday little rashes.
- While I am super glad to be making my own cloth diapers--and happy with the results (much much trimmer, much more cost effective, not too difficult, pretty cute still)--they are time consuming. It's taken me hours just to do the cutting out... let alone the sewing! But I guess I am making a lot of diapers, so that's to be expected. It sounds pretty easy to just order them though. But I'm saving hundreds of dollars by making my own, so can't complain there!
- Speaking of sewing my own, I am really happy with the pattern I bought. The diapers are probably the trimmest you can get (without doing disposables) and yet I've never had a blowout. Ever. Yes, they've leaked some when he's super wet (but that is more a problem of repelling or insert fabric choices), but no stinky diaper blow outs. The pattern designer has also been more than willing to email back and forth with me as I've worked on getting just the right fit. Seriously great customer service. The pattern is easy to read and understand and has lots of pictures. I know you can get a few free patterns online, but seriously, this one is worth every penny if you are thinking about making your own.
- I think they are much more comfortable for Raymond. While we were battling the yeast infection and in and out of disposables for about three weeks trying to get rid of it, it seemed like the poor kid was sweating to death. Not to mention cloth are cuter. I really do think so (oh you should see the newborns I'm making. Really, they are darling).
- While I really am in this for the money saving aspects, I find that I do really feel good about the environmental benefits. I guess I'm granola that way.
- I still don't think it's that much more work to wash and fold them.My routine has changed a bit from my six month report however. Even though Raymond goes through considerably less diapers than he used to, I still like to wash every two days. Up until about a month ago this meant that every other day I threw the diapers in the wash right after putting Raymond to bed, did the cold rinse, hot wash (now using Sun Free and Clear soap, not Tide... still debating getting a cloth diaper specific brand). Then I would hang dry the diapers and throw the inserts and wipe in the dryer. While I still (mostly) follow this routine, I find I like drying the diapers in the sun because of the bacteria-killing effects, so have started washing during the day rather than at night. I'll admit, the night routine was easier. But I like the sun bleaching, so for the next few weeks I'm sticking with the day-time routine.
Feel free to leave a comment or even email me if you have more questions! (carlyjane35@gmail.com)
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Red and White
I have a picture on my desk of me and my sisters on my wedding day. We are all in varying outfits of red and white and smiling.
I love this picture.
I love looking at it everyday when I glance up from scripture study or peeking out from behind my ever-busy sewing machine. It makes me smile in a very real-deep-down-that-makes-me-happy kind of way.
Sisters.
Heavenly Father just knew what he was doing when he made sisters, I tell ya. Those three ladies are three lights in my life. So smart. So funny. So kind and considerate. So sassy and fun.
Sara, the oldest, has always been the mold-breaker. She was not afraid to be her own self when we were kids, and she's not afraid to be it now. She is fun and spontaneous. And perhaps because she's my oldest sister, I always think of her as the experienced one. I have found in our adult years that she is infinitely thoughtful. She has a beautiful smile. She is an incredibly good gift giver.
Tasha, the sister just older than me, is stability itself. She is generous beyond measure--always concerned and thinking about the other person. In my youth she was my model--if Tasha did it, I should too. I'm not sure if that's really changed much. She is the peacemaker. But oh so feisty when we wants to be!
Paige, the baby of the family and my little twin, is the wild one. She is not afraid to do crazy things in public or tell it like it is. She has boundless amounts of energy and opinions of equal magnitude. And yet she has us all wrapped around her little finger with her fierce love and devotion to us. She doesn't judge. She is the girl I always thought I wanted to be.
When I look at our bright smiling faces in the picture on our desk--as unique as the stark contrasts between my white dress and Paige's bright red--I am grateful to have such wonderful women put their arms around me and want to pull me in close.
I love this picture.
I love looking at it everyday when I glance up from scripture study or peeking out from behind my ever-busy sewing machine. It makes me smile in a very real-deep-down-that-makes-me-happy kind of way.
Sisters.
Heavenly Father just knew what he was doing when he made sisters, I tell ya. Those three ladies are three lights in my life. So smart. So funny. So kind and considerate. So sassy and fun.
Sara, the oldest, has always been the mold-breaker. She was not afraid to be her own self when we were kids, and she's not afraid to be it now. She is fun and spontaneous. And perhaps because she's my oldest sister, I always think of her as the experienced one. I have found in our adult years that she is infinitely thoughtful. She has a beautiful smile. She is an incredibly good gift giver.
Tasha, the sister just older than me, is stability itself. She is generous beyond measure--always concerned and thinking about the other person. In my youth she was my model--if Tasha did it, I should too. I'm not sure if that's really changed much. She is the peacemaker. But oh so feisty when we wants to be!
Paige, the baby of the family and my little twin, is the wild one. She is not afraid to do crazy things in public or tell it like it is. She has boundless amounts of energy and opinions of equal magnitude. And yet she has us all wrapped around her little finger with her fierce love and devotion to us. She doesn't judge. She is the girl I always thought I wanted to be.
When I look at our bright smiling faces in the picture on our desk--as unique as the stark contrasts between my white dress and Paige's bright red--I am grateful to have such wonderful women put their arms around me and want to pull me in close.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Right on track
All my life (that I have noticed) I find myself following a predictable trend: I gain weight in the summer and lose weight in the winter. All summer long I crave sweets and snack foods. I want to spend my days digging around in watermelon rinds and eating popcycle after popcycle.
And then one crisp magical day my appetite dries up. I just don't want to eat as much anymore. I have to remind myself to eat lunch (rather than work to not plan all morning about what I will eat next). There is something about the fall/winter that makes me just not as hungry or something. And those five or ten pounds that creeped on during the summer months seem to come off without even thinking about it.
While annoying and frustrating during the summer, this trend always makes for a happy springtime surprise of fitting into even my smallest size jeans.
So when I first found out I was having a winter baby, I decided that as far as weight-gain/loss goes, this could be a good thing. The inevitable would happen: I gain in the summer not only from my typical summer appetite, but a growing baby belly (that cute growing belly makes it a little bit ok, doesn't it?), and then towards the end of the pregnancy slow down on the "I'm gaining way too much weight during this pregnancy" and really only gain the recommended amount for my pre-pregnancy height and weight. And then once the baby is born (in the heart of winter) more easily take it all off. Sounds like a pretty good little plan, doesn't it?
(Of course, I'm really trying hard to curtail the cravings for sweets and snacks and to keep myself healthy this summer. Just so you know. And of course I don't plan on starving myself come fall or winter. At all. But I know it will be easier to not overeat. That's always nice.)
Anyhow, I thought you would all like to know that so far things are going according to plan. I am definitely gaining some, ahem, "baby weight" during these hot summer months. And I am definitely looking forward to not craving food so often. Soon.
And in the meantime my belly is rounding itself out nicely, don't you think?? (ok so maybe this picture does not do the belly justice. I promise it's out there nice and prominent.)
I am 23 weeks today (which according to babycenter means the little lady is at least 1 pound and a good 11 inches long!).
And then one crisp magical day my appetite dries up. I just don't want to eat as much anymore. I have to remind myself to eat lunch (rather than work to not plan all morning about what I will eat next). There is something about the fall/winter that makes me just not as hungry or something. And those five or ten pounds that creeped on during the summer months seem to come off without even thinking about it.
While annoying and frustrating during the summer, this trend always makes for a happy springtime surprise of fitting into even my smallest size jeans.
So when I first found out I was having a winter baby, I decided that as far as weight-gain/loss goes, this could be a good thing. The inevitable would happen: I gain in the summer not only from my typical summer appetite, but a growing baby belly (that cute growing belly makes it a little bit ok, doesn't it?), and then towards the end of the pregnancy slow down on the "I'm gaining way too much weight during this pregnancy" and really only gain the recommended amount for my pre-pregnancy height and weight. And then once the baby is born (in the heart of winter) more easily take it all off. Sounds like a pretty good little plan, doesn't it?
(Of course, I'm really trying hard to curtail the cravings for sweets and snacks and to keep myself healthy this summer. Just so you know. And of course I don't plan on starving myself come fall or winter. At all. But I know it will be easier to not overeat. That's always nice.)
Anyhow, I thought you would all like to know that so far things are going according to plan. I am definitely gaining some, ahem, "baby weight" during these hot summer months. And I am definitely looking forward to not craving food so often. Soon.
And in the meantime my belly is rounding itself out nicely, don't you think?? (ok so maybe this picture does not do the belly justice. I promise it's out there nice and prominent.)
I am 23 weeks today (which according to babycenter means the little lady is at least 1 pound and a good 11 inches long!).
Friday, August 6, 2010
Summer has finally arrived!!
Well obviously the actual summer and the heat of summer have been underway for quite some time now. (Anybody else excited to see those leaves start changing colors soon?) But for Jeremy, summer break starts any minute now.
Finals will be over. Three more summer school classes will be done and gone. Summer break will be upon us! And boy are we excited around these parts.
Since he's been doing school fulltime for the last two years--fall, winter, spring, summer--our "breaks" are a three day weekend here, a few weeks there. The ones that count the most, however, are these glorious weeks between semesters when he doesn't have papers, tests, and endless reading hanging over his head. Or the LSAT looming. These next two weeks feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off this house.
Got to take advantage.
So first up on our "THINGS TO DO DURING THE BREAK" includes a quick overnight trip (leaving today) to Vegas to watch J's brother's kids (Hunter, Max, and Luci... the cutest trio around) while the parents get a quick getaway. Let's just say we're excited.
Then for the rest of the break I compiled a list of "family together time" activities to do each day (per Jeremy's request). Most of them are super low key and purposefully local and free. Things like "get out the sidewalk chalk" and "visit the new reservoir and get our feet wet" and "go camping in the living room." Just little things we can do to spend time together and not idle away the days.
I'm pretty excited about all of it. All of the above. Big smiles.
I hope your summer break--long or short--has been and will continue to be as lovely as I hope ours is going to be!
Finals will be over. Three more summer school classes will be done and gone. Summer break will be upon us! And boy are we excited around these parts.
Since he's been doing school fulltime for the last two years--fall, winter, spring, summer--our "breaks" are a three day weekend here, a few weeks there. The ones that count the most, however, are these glorious weeks between semesters when he doesn't have papers, tests, and endless reading hanging over his head. Or the LSAT looming. These next two weeks feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off this house.
Got to take advantage.
So first up on our "THINGS TO DO DURING THE BREAK" includes a quick overnight trip (leaving today) to Vegas to watch J's brother's kids (Hunter, Max, and Luci... the cutest trio around) while the parents get a quick getaway. Let's just say we're excited.
Then for the rest of the break I compiled a list of "family together time" activities to do each day (per Jeremy's request). Most of them are super low key and purposefully local and free. Things like "get out the sidewalk chalk" and "visit the new reservoir and get our feet wet" and "go camping in the living room." Just little things we can do to spend time together and not idle away the days.
I'm pretty excited about all of it. All of the above. Big smiles.
I hope your summer break--long or short--has been and will continue to be as lovely as I hope ours is going to be!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Little Lady Projects
Well, let me just assure you that sewing for the Lady Bug is in full swing around these parts. Is is normal for "nesting" to start this early?
Apart from the 20+ newborn cloth diapers (using this darling pattern) and 16+ large diapers (for Raymond to move into eventually) that I am in the throws of sewing, I have definitely been dreaming, scheming, and sewing with all the new fabric that made it's way to my house last week.
To start the sewing festivities, I needed to do something simple, but fun. Pretty much I really didn't like the boppy cover we bought when Raymond was born. There were no good options in the store, but I wasn't willing to go to the trouble of finding something decent online. I just made due. But that ugly little cover has come in handy for coming up with a pattern for a new one:
The fabric is from the Heather Bailey Pop Garden collection. Rather than the traditional zipper close (can you believe I've never sewn a zipper?), I opted to do a fold-over pillow cover with buttons. I love the buttons. I love it so much (should I love a boppy cover this much?) that I still have it sitting in my room rather than stashed in the closet with my growing collection of Little Lady things. Isn't it darling?
I also have decided that now is the perfect time to get over my fear of sewing clothes. Baby clothes to be exact. Since the Lady Bug will be born in December (aka the freezing cold), I've been at a loss for what to make her. I decided little jumpers to go over long sleeved onsies and leggings will be just the thing. Here is my first attempt at a jumper.
Since I made up the pattern, I didn't want to use any of the really darling fabric I have on something that could end up a disaster. While there needs to be some tweaking (and embellishing), I think my next one could be out of some red cherries, what do you think??
Apart from the 20+ newborn cloth diapers (using this darling pattern) and 16+ large diapers (for Raymond to move into eventually) that I am in the throws of sewing, I have definitely been dreaming, scheming, and sewing with all the new fabric that made it's way to my house last week.
To start the sewing festivities, I needed to do something simple, but fun. Pretty much I really didn't like the boppy cover we bought when Raymond was born. There were no good options in the store, but I wasn't willing to go to the trouble of finding something decent online. I just made due. But that ugly little cover has come in handy for coming up with a pattern for a new one:
The fabric is from the Heather Bailey Pop Garden collection. Rather than the traditional zipper close (can you believe I've never sewn a zipper?), I opted to do a fold-over pillow cover with buttons. I love the buttons. I love it so much (should I love a boppy cover this much?) that I still have it sitting in my room rather than stashed in the closet with my growing collection of Little Lady things. Isn't it darling?
I also have decided that now is the perfect time to get over my fear of sewing clothes. Baby clothes to be exact. Since the Lady Bug will be born in December (aka the freezing cold), I've been at a loss for what to make her. I decided little jumpers to go over long sleeved onsies and leggings will be just the thing. Here is my first attempt at a jumper.
Since I made up the pattern, I didn't want to use any of the really darling fabric I have on something that could end up a disaster. While there needs to be some tweaking (and embellishing), I think my next one could be out of some red cherries, what do you think??
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