Saturday, February 6, 2010

Cloth Diaper Questions?

Before you decide that cloth is too difficult or overwhelming, contact me! I also do home visits for anyone that lives in the Tri-State area. For Free! No, I am not going to run off with your jewerly, but I will help you get organized and do demonstrations if you have any questions. I am hoping to start going to organizations in the Cincinnati area to help at-risk or underprivileged parents, so I really need the practice and experience. Email me if you are interested! Don't live in the Cincy area? Email me anyway, and I would love to chat! Or better yet, leave a question or comment on this blog so others that may have the same question may be helped!

crazyforcloth AT gmail DOT com

IT CAN BE DONE! Happy Wiping!

Love,
Christie

Breastfeeding

This message is for all of my friends who have had or are having babies in the next month or so.

Tired much? Ha! You just pushed a watermelon out of an orange. Epidural or not, you pushed, and your body is exhausted. On top of that, you are determined to breastfeed (YAY!), which means you do not recover from labor until your baby sleeps through the night. I'm not sure if anyone told you, but breastfeeding is EXHAUSTING! Although, there is nothing like losing weight and eating all the time without working out.

If you are struggling with the breastfeeding thing, take heart! You are doing the best you can, and you will be rewarded in full! All throughout my pregnancy, people kept telling me that breastfeeding was painful, awful, and that I wouldn't last because it was just too difficult (I'm not one that deals with pain well). I think all that horrible advice made me even more stubborn to continue, and I'm so glad I did.

Alaina and I had almost every problem known to breastfeeding. We got to visit lactation consultant after lactation consultant. After about 2 weeks, I decided that I was just going to pump for the next year because I was determined to feed Alaina breast milk for health and financial reasons. Thankfully, we did not have to do that because I HATED pumping, with a passion! Even after she figured out how to latch on, we continued to have problems up until she was about 6 or 7 months. In fact, I think the only thing we didn't deal with was thrush (thank you Lord!).

So, if you feel like quitting, contact me for encouragement! We managed to make it to about 14-15 months before completely weaning, so I consider it a success! She has never had an ear infection, and the only times she got sick was when she was exposed to something that I was not.

Ok, new mama, if you are still reading this, here's my advice...know that you are a doing a wonderful job and, GO TAKE A NAP!

Love,
Christie

Friday, February 5, 2010

Thank you Alaina for taking a super long nap today! I not only got some precious sleep in myself, but I also managed to read my newest letter from Voice of the Martyrs, make some soap, and write a post! It feels forever since I have posted, and I apologize. I am not going to get any followers at this rate! Ha ha!

I think I will write about my soap project! I am excited to begin learning how to make cold-process soap. My first batch was finally ready to try at the beginning of February, and I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised!


It cleanses well, has a better lather than I thought, and wasn't as drying as I thought. It wasn't as creamy and conditioning as I would have liked, though. And I think I want some that have a scent. But, I have decided to try the same batch again, just to see if it turns out the same. I think I am going to donate this batch to a shelter in the area. My next soap challenge will be made from goat's milk. I am hoping to help my husband's eczema with it (we'll see if he is willing to try it...). I would also love something that I can use on Alaina. I just hate the thought spending so much on all natural soaps from the store. So, I'm going to make my own. I am thinking the goat's milk will be a good one to use.