Love These Things

So, it may just be a honeymoon phase, but I am super duper in love with these cloth diapers. We have also ordered a bunch of the KaWaii brand AIO pocket diapers which should arrive beginning of next week. Our total so far for all our diapers (which is - including the ones to arrive next week - 18 diapers and 40 inserts) is less than $300.

Beyond that, though, I love the feel and leak stoppageness of these things. Not only are they super cute, but they really do their job. They fit Riley wonderfully. And doubling the insert overnight has worked perfectly. So far (touch wood) we haven't had any leaks...at all.

And let me tell you, the softness of the microfleece lining is amazing. I am thinking I may have to start putting a microfleece lining in all my underwear! Damn kid is lucky as all sin to have that up against his little bottom all day. And it really does pull the moisture away from him and on to the insert.

Well, that is it for my raving. But check him out, being all happy with them:


I have also finished one of the glove/mittens for the hubby. (You know, the strange mittens with the first finger as a glove? Ya, those.) Ammy has been proudly sporting hers, and another little girl that I made them for has been declining to touch any one or thing with hers on, so I am guessing so far, so good. Oddly, I haven't even thought of making myself any. I am working on the sleeve for my cardigan (pictured below), and I guess I will make a pair for myself when that is done.

I also had a wonderful time hitting up the thrift shops this week. Riley is growing like a weed (is actually in 6 month clothing now), and Ammy seems to be in a new size every week. I bought her a pair of boots for winter (oddly enough, they are the "Riley" boot from walmart), and ended up getting the size 13. 13!!! Seriously? My main intent when I hit up the ValuVillage and local TS was to try to find a snow suit for Ammy (I don't want to spend $50 on something that will only last 1 season) and some warm winter sleepers for Riley. Ended up with several warm winter sleepers for Riley (the thick fleecey ones) for $2 each, and a few really cute outfits that I just couldn't resist (they were on sale at VV, and worked out to be about $3 each, so I can't complain in the least). I also got Am several pairs of pants, since we seem to have hit flood season. Couldn't find a snowsuit (apparently thrift shops understand that Christmas and Halloween stuff shouldn't be out at the same time) nor any pjs, but will likely go on another expedition in a few weeks time.

That is really all that is new and exciting, boys and girls.

ttfn
k.

Side Note: Most people don't realize this, and I know that I never noticed this before, but on the disposable diapers there is a notation that all fecal matter should be dumped into the toilet and flushed prior to throwing the diaper away. Do you do that? Do you know anyone who does?

Mittens Already?

Yeah, I broke and made a pair of mittens for Ammy already. But damn it is getting cold up here in the mornings. Seriously cold. I hate it. So, I have made the first pair of mittens of the season. I am sure that there will be more, many more, as the school has a "mitten tree" which I will be making several mittens for.

I'm also currently working on a new hat for Riley, since the ones that I have already made for him no longer fit his fat little head. (We are fifteen pounds now...just a side note.)

I'm also making great headway on the cropped cardigan I am making for myself. See:

I am hoping that I can get this finished sometime this week. The only things left, really, are the sleeves (and the collar, but that will be done when it is all put together so that I can judge it myself as to how big I want it).

And this, boys and girls, i why you shouldn't drink and drive:

(dont worry, no one was hurt). My sister and I were outside at my uncle`s place last weekend for the birthday party we held for all the nieces, and watched this happen. Buddy in the van took off down the road, until he realized that I was chasing him down the middle of it, and another girl was following from further up the road. Then he decided to come back, where he proceeded to fall over and claim that he couldn`t get any traction (though it had rained earlier in the day, everything was mostly dry by this point). Amazingly, when I took off, I threw the coffee cup I had in the middle of my uncle`s lawn, and somehow it didn`t break.

Well, that is really all that is new and wonderful in my world. Kinda slow, but that is okay. I am sure that it will get hectic soon enough. After much debating back and forth on the topic, we have decided that we are going to switch to cloth diapers for Riley. For starters, we are getting a trial package of 6 of them with 12 inserts, just to get us used to them, and will probably get another 6-10 of them as we see fit once we are used to them and ready to make the switch permanently. The cost for 12-16 in total with extra inserts will end up being about $350/400, which may seem like a lot, but while I was at my doctor's the other day, I found out that the average cost for diapers for a child until they are two and a half is $2,300. $2,300!!!! And that doesn't include pull up type of things. That is just purely diapers. Shocking, eh? Yeah, I think that I am okay with the extra effort and $350 vs. less effort and over $2,000. When I was younger, I babysat for a lady who had cloth diapers for her son. I remember what it was like with them. The ones that we are getting are super cute (Fuzzi Bunz, for those who are interested) and come with a pretty kick ass reputation.

I will likely update everyone on what an experience it is. :)

Until then, ttfn
k.

RIP Childhood Crush

Well, my first girlhood crush past today. I know, I know. He'd been sick for a while. (I still can't believe that the National Enquirer was right with their article about him being diagnosed with cancer last year.)

But I was just reading that it was announced that Patrick Swayze died this morning after his long battle with cancer from an actual new source.

So sad!

And, of course, "She's Like the Wind" is on a continual mental repeat play. I am thinking I will have to have a Swayze day tomorrow...Ghost, Dirty Dancing, Roadhouse...

ttfn
k

Changes and Other Events

Well, the wedding went great. Ok, our JP thought it was at 4, so didn't show up until 3:30 (the wedding was supposed to be at 3). BUT, the weather turned out to be great...not too hot, not too cold, and not a raincloud in the sky (after 1:00 p.m.).

Both the children were wonderful! Ammy looked adorable:


As did Riley:


And I realized that that was 2 weeks ago. But good lawd it has been a very busy two weeks.

After the wedding, we ended up staying down at the Royal York (won a free room from a 680 prize pack that my husband won). And we had room service. It was awesome. Sadly, though, my fries were undercooked and unedible. Really, that was extremely sad, given where we were. But the Alberta Steak Sandwich we had was amazing. As was the french onion soup (I love me some french onion soup).

Riley ended up being off his oxygen from the Wednesday before the wedding to the Tuesday after. We put him back on since we didn't want to get into any trouble with our RT about how long he'd been off (and he did awesome the entire time...especially with all the man-handling he was subjected to the night of the wedding). And then, to boot, our RT didn't come by...she called instead. I told her about Riley and how long he'd been off and that the only reason we put him back on was to avoid getting in trouble with her. She decided that we should give him a break for 24 hours, and take him back off for a week, if we were comfortable. So we left him on until Wednesday morning, and promptly took him back off. Which is how he still is right now. Off his oxygen, and rocking it.

And, of course, Ammy started Grade 1 on Tuesday. That was a little bit of a heartbreaker for me. She couldn't have cared less. But thankfully she remembered to turn and wave at me while she disappeared through the doors that would carry her on to her future. *sniff**sniff*

I discovered that, while I always just thought that it was normal with her, since we read a lot and all, she is "very advanced and ahead of all the other children" in her class given that she has the ability to read on her own. And not just "Dick and Jane" type books, but actual books. We got to the library at least once every 2 weeks and take out a bunch of books. Ones that she reads. Usually ones like the Little Miss books, and Dora books. She likes books. But hey, bonus if that makes her advanced. At least I know that she won't be struggling with it (touch wood).

Today we start jazz. Yes, jazz. I decided that she is now old enough to handle more than one weekend activity, and since I am still in the SAHM phase, I have the time and energy too. So I signed her up for Beginner Jazz at Futures Gymnastics (about 5 minutes up the road). I spoke with the lady who works there about which dance would be best for her, since she is high energy, but easily distracted, so I was thinking that ballet *might* not be the best choice for her (what, with the discipline and slow, repetitive movements), and we talked about jazz. She told me that it will likely be ideal for her, since it is a very high energy genre, but that at this stage, it wouldn't matter overmuch. Still, jazz it is.

My daughter's school also does the typical "we are looking for parent volunteers" thing. I was looking into it since, well, I do have time. Well, they sent home a notice about it the other day, and apparently I would have to pay for one of the long form criminal record checks in order to apply (I understand why they want them, but if I am reading this correctly, these are the ones that are, like, $55...seriously, I am a SAHM...where am I going to come up with the $55 just so I can volunteer to help them out??).

Also, Peel Region (I understand it is the entire region, and not just our school) has swtiched to a "two nutrition breaks" thing instead of a morning and afternoon recess and a lunch hour. I hate this. I really do. And it seems like there are so many conflicting reasons floating around about why. First off, I hate that they are given these 2 40 minute breaks. One is at 10:30 a.m. and the other is at 12:55 p.m. 10:30 a.m. is too early for a full lunch, and by 12:55 p.m., my daughter is starving. She is confused by this completely, as am I. One of the apparent reasons for the change is that "kids learn better when they eat periodically through the day". Um, so getting rid of the 2 different snacking times that are evenly spaced through the day is the way to achieve this??? Yes, I plan on finding out from the region what the basis was for this change and if they are only doing it as a trial. I personally think it is beyond asinine. Seriously...show me the work place where you get 2 lunch hours. If school is supposed to be about prepping kids for the future, show me the work place that does that, please.

Anywho, that is about all. I have to go get my little dancer fed, cleaned and dressed.

ttfn
k

Soon to be with 100% More Husband

Yes, I know...it has been a while. I have been slacking off on updating over the last few weeks. But come on, I am fully justified. Look at the wedding countdown clock beside this...seriously...check that out. Depending on when you are reading this, I am a few hours away from my wedding. I think I am allowed a little bit of time away from the big event.

So yes, that is really all that is new.

I have finished my socks for the wedding. I will post pictures when I can, cuz I just haven't even bothered to load them up on the computer yet.

Also, we got a new monitor for Riley. So far (touch wood) he is doing wonderful with the trial off oxygen. Seriously...really good!

Well, that is really all I have the thought control to write. I am suffering from a touch of ADD at the moment. I guess eventually I need to sleep (especially given that I will be up at about 5:30 with the little man for feeding...and have to stay up since the day is going to start very early tomorrow morning).

ttfn
k

6 Year Anniversary of the Ontario/New York Black Out

Yes, yes it is. How do I know this so certainly, you may be asking? Well, my little girl is 6 today. I know exactly where I was the day of the blackout. Do you remember where you were and what you were doing?

6...wow...where did the time go. She is going to be starting grade 1 in a few weeks. What the heck is that? I don't know if I am prepared for that yet. But, whether we are prepared for it or not, life tends to move forward.

We finally got Riley's monitor in yesterday. What fun. The thing doesn't particularly like to hold a signal too long, but it was like that in the hospital too. Once the baby moves, even the slightest, you tend to lose the signal. But, he has been doing great on it. High (and I mean 97-99) saturation. So, 4 p.m. today, we will get to remove the horrible prongs and tape and tubing from his little wee face...that will be so nice.

Wish us luck.

ttfn
k

Oh Whoa

So, this morning we have our first of many specialist follow ups down at Sick Kids hospital. Fun fun fun. And what makes it more fun, you may be asking yourself, since the drive down to Toronto through horrible traffic for someone who hates downtown driving might not be enough for you? Well, there is the fact that right on our referral form it clearly states "please be prepared to wait at least 2 hours". Um? What? Why not just book me an appointment 2 hours later than the one that I have been given, and actually, I don't know, let me in at that time?

I suppose that would be too easy.

Anywho, we are off to the immunology clinic today. They want to check him out before we meet with the surgeon next week to make sure that the urachal sinus hasn't caused him any additional problems or been the cause of any additional problems. So I suppose it is a necessary evil.

This month is just going to be one of too much. I have that appointment today; Ammy's 6th birthday on Friday (6...when the hell did that happen???); her birthday party on Saturday; Monday is our meeting with the reception hall director and cook; Tuesday Tony is heading down to Buffalo for a prize pack thing that he won which includes him going to the Bills training camp for the day while I take Riley to his surgery clinic appointment; the following Monday is Ammy's annual physical with Riley's pediatric follow up on the Tuesday; that Friday the out-laws fly in; and, of course, the wedding on Saturday. Yeah, it's going to be a little busy.

There are still a thousand and one things that need to be done for the wedding which is, as you can see from the countdown, 16 days away...and I have no clue when I will be able to get to them all. I finally finished the favors, but still need the tags for them. I also still need to get the centrepieces and all the flowers. :S I think I should make a list.

Anywho, off to my waiting period. :)

ttfn
k.