This post was written as part of the Breastfeeding Blog Hop, founded by Jen at Life with Levi. Check out the archives here. Last week, the reigns were handed over to a new host, Erin at The Slacker Mom. (Hi, Erin!) This week’s topic is “Celebrating One Year of the Breastfeeding Blog Hop! We did it!”
Tag Archives: parenting
Breastfeeding Blog Hop: A Dear Jen Letter
Filed under Breastfeeding, Green Living, Parenting & Family
A holiday wish.
From my family to yours…
Merry Christmas!
or, if you ask my little man, Happy Birthday! (he’s catching on, little by little…) 
Filed under The Everyday
Changing Diapers: Review and Fuzzibunz Giveaway!
Kelly Wels is on a mission to change your diapers.
Ok, maybe not your diapers. That would be silly. 
She’s on a mission to change the type of diapers you use. Unless you already use one of the many, many varieties of easy-to-use and uh-freakin’-dorable modern cloth diapers on the market–then she’s on a mission to make you feel like the coolest mom on Earth.
Either way, I think she’s succeeding. After reading through her new book, Changing Diapers: The Hip Mom’s Guide to Cloth Diapering, I’m feeling pretty hip and eco-fabulous, and if I didn’t already love cloth, the fluffy bums pictured in the book would change my mind for sure! 
Have you ever considered using cloth? Have questions? Come on – admit it. You’re wondering what happens to poop in your washing machine, right? Or maybe you’re worried about the “stink factor.” No matter what your questions or concerns might be, you can bet Kelly addresses them in this book.
I wish I had had a guide like this when I first started out. The choices were mind-boggling. Prefold? All-in-one? Pocket? Fitted with a cover? Hemp, bamboo, microfleece, PUL? What did it all mean? I was sure I wanted to try cloth, but also very sure I didn’t want to waste my money trying 25 different types before I landed on one I liked.
This book addresses that very issue perfectly, along with every other issue pertinent to cloth, in a relatable, understandable, friendly voice. The voice of another mother who really wants to make a difference. You’ll learn how to choose, how to clean, how to deal with nighttime, as well as details about different brands, accessories, the eco-benefits, helpful cloth diapering bloggers and so much more. Plus, you’ll find tons of fluffy baby bottoms that are reason enough to give cloth a try!
It’s hard to explain the heartwarming feeling of hanging your cute little dipes on the line to get some sun, or the feeling of knowing that your child’s most delicate parts are not wrapped up in toxic chemicals and plastic. With modern-day cloth, wet, poopy diapers actually verge on fun. No joke.
Join the movement! Just click the banner below (or the button on my sidebar) and get your very own 248 full-color pages of pure fluffy love! ….makes a great stocking stuffer or shower gift!
Have I convinced you to try cloth? Are you already a fluff addict? You’re in luck! Kelly has also offered one lucky reader ONE FUZZIBUNZ ONE-SIZE DIAPER and one “I’m a hip mom and love cloth diapers” ECO-FRIENDLY TATTOO!
Enter to win using the simple Rafflecopter form below.
The only mandatory entry is the first one on the form: Leave me a comment below telling me why you love cloth diapering OR why you’d like to give it a try. Make sure to leave your email address!
The Trouble with Shopping Early
As I recently explained, my Grinchiness is waning. My tiny little Who has brought out my long-lost festive side, and now I’m really starting to get into this whole holiday thing!
The only problem: I can’t stop buying gifts! 
Believe it or not, I like to start my shopping in January, right after the previous year’s holiday season ends. I begin by watching the many daily deal sites I belong to, stacking up half price vouchers and great deals to spend later. I enter some online contests, and buy things when I find an exceptionally good coupon code…and by the time Little Man’s birthday and Christmas roll around, I’m usually have quite a nice stash of things ready to be wrapped up and gifted (without breaking the bank all at once.)
It’s a good plan. I’m sure of it. But it has one glitch: When you’re done shopping midway through the year, what do you do when you find yourself feeling unexpectedly “spirited” in December? Especially when Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the like bombard you with so-good-you-can’t-pass-them-up deals?
I’ll tell you what you do. You spend more. And you end up with more gifts than a 2-year-old needs or expects.
When I was preparing to be a mom, I always said, “Oh, who needs lots of toys? A few blocks, a ball…he’ll be fine. Books are better.” I wanted my son to interact and be imaginative, not rely on some toys to entertain him. But then, as reality set in, I realized how important it is to have a good array of developmentally appropriate, stimulating toys around to encourage growth and challenge your child.
Plus, he just so darned sweet I just want to give him everything! I know. I’m a sucker. That smiley, happy, squishy little face just kills me.
So what does it hurt? A few extra Melissa and Doug toys here, a couple of wooden cars or animals there (Not to mention a few new diapers or some snuggly Aden and Anais blankets, especially when you find a rockin’ deal!) I mean, what could be more fun than finding truly great products your kid will love, at great prices to boot? I’m not quite sure if it does hurt anything, really.
But one thing I’m sure of is that I don’t want our holidays to become all about the stuff. Too much stuff is too much stuff, even if some of it happens to be free from a Twitter party or sweepstakes win. We’ve made some very carefully planned changes in our lives over the past several years in an effort to simplify and plan our escape from the proverbial rat race, so I really think I need to stick to those same ideals even when it’s challenging, like in December. Hoards of presents under the tree may be fun on Christmas morning, but I don’t think the long-term effects will be.
Note to self: You’ve caught your mistake early, now it’s time to reign it in, mama.
(But I’m still ordering a few new Aden and Anais swaddle blankets for nap time at Grammie’s…What? I have a great coupon code! 
)
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What are your thoughts? Do you set limits on the amount of presents your children receive during the holidays, or do you go as far as your budget allows?
Filed under Parenting & Family, The Everyday
