Eats

And the teeth come out...

First:
Today was the first full day at daycare in cloth diapers. So far, so good. Teachers are all on board, and I'm trying to make it as easy as possible. I brought a trashcan lined with the HUGEST wet bag in THE WHOLE WORLD. (I could fit in it. "What were you thinking?" you ask? I liked the print. Size be damned.) I brought six bumGs with liners. I bought a big smile. Perhaps, I should have brought tacos. In any case, no one freaked out. Emergency disposables are still in her cubby in case they use them all or one of the assistants can't figure out the snaps (it took me a few days, I don't blame anyone.)

Second:
Olive was mas cranky all morning. Not even bananas and blueberries appeased the beast. Seems like her entire classroom was transforming under the full moon and went batshitnuts until nap time. She had a fit at school of apocalyptic magnitude, then bit a friend after she tried to steal a toy by scratching her neck. I'm proud and worried.I don't want her to be the Biting Girl, but I'm glad she stood up for herself. When asked if she should bite friends or apples, she responded apples. I'm sure that doesn't mean she won't bite when provoked.
Maybe I should try this at work. :-)




**Testing out Wordpress as another platform**

Remember, remember...

Yep. It's the Fifth of November. If only I had time to watch V For Vendetta.

In the Pail
After much trial and error, I've decided to order at 12-pack of bumGenius from CottonBabies.com. (The buy five get one free hooked me). While I really liked the Fuzzibuns and Thirsties, here are my two issues:

• FuzziBs need to be stuffed. I have little patience to do this, unless I'm watching RHOWhatever
• Thirsties are taking too long to dry. I'd need a jillion. Or 40.

I may get a handful of FuzziBuns because they really are easy to use (once I figured it out). The daycare had an easier time with the bumGs, though. Now I need to patiently wait until my diapers arrive. This is not one of my best traits...

 

Learning At Home
Signed up for an online workshop with Red White and Grew starting today. I'm hoping this will help alleviate my anxiety about it.

¿Que pasó en SA?
Took a quickish trip to the new Trader Joe's that opened in the Quarry to rekindle my love for long-missed snacks. Sara and I braved the crowds, loaded up a cart, and made it through the checkout unscathed. And satisfied. Snacks for all!

Monkey Time
Ran the monkey around the backyard for fun. And because I love hearing her squeal with joy. Also discovered that the swing is a nap inducer. Noted.

What should I remember about today? Sweet baby kisses. Great husband hugs. Great friendship nonsense.

The Green Side

Last week I began my journey to the Green Side of Mothering: Cloth Diapers.

As much as I try to be environmentally aware at work and at home, I hesitated going down the path of CD when I found out I was pregnant. Too much work, I thought.

So here we are, 16 months later, and I finally feel ready to attempt it. Ok, finally feel BRAVE enough to do it.Plus, I have two friends who work for Rockin Green detergent, and was looking for an excuse to use their soap.

After a lesson at the pool, I hauled Olive to Go, Baby, Go for a quick "How To" and "What the?" session with the owner, Elizabeth, and walked out with this:

• bumGenius Freetime Albert Velcro
• bumGenius Freetime Lovelace 
• Fuzzibunz Watermelon 
• Fuzzibunz Mac N Cheese
• Thristies DUO AIO Meadow 2s
• Thirsties DUO AIO Hoot 2s

So far, I've only tried them at night. I haven't mentioned to the daycare that this is coming. Heh. In any case, here's the results so far:

Test 1: fuzzibunz overnight. Win. Full of overnight pee. No leaks.
Test 2: thirsties overnight. Minor front leak fail.*

Test 3: bumGenius overnight. Less than major front leak fail. **

* Maybe if I had figured out how to put it on correctly...

** See above comment. *Facepalm* 

Seriously, where are the instructions? Even youTube videos only include reviews. WHERE'S THE HOW TO? I have work getting in the way of researching this and it's irritating the f**ck out of me. I swear, I'm smarter than this. I WILL WIN!

Today, I swapped out her disposable as soon as we got home from daycare. Into the Meadow Thristies she went. And into it went a poop. So...where are those instructions again? Tonight's bedtime features Fuzzibunz Watermelon with THREE inserts and a better snap fit. Just in case.

*fingers crossed*

 

Lists

Normalcy is starting to peek around the corner:

• Most nights we all eat dinner together, Monkey included.
• There are nights with at least 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep.
• Post-weaning PPD has disappeared and I recognize myself.
• I've been to the gym and actually worked out.
• More than one room of this house is clean.
• I'm writing this post.

Now that the fog has lifted, I've started thinking about:

• Cloth diapering Monkey as we work on potty-training.
• Homeschooling in the Montessori method.
• Realizing homeschooling means I don't work.
• Working on Baby #2 this time next year.
• Buying another home.
• Trying not to scream and throat punch everyone at work.

Now, to read up on cloth diapers. Found a site that allows for a good deal on rentals, but I think I'm leaning towards bumGenius. Note: review this post for Baby #2. Found what to do with clothies when done.

And now for sleeps.

Olive Monkey

She is amazing.

Everyday.

She has a couple of words and a couple of signs ("more" and "please"). She shakes and nods her head appropriately, and she hollers at you when she's experiencing she doesn't like.

She loves anyone to sing "Row, Row Your Boat" while pushing and pulling her arms.

She eats EVERYTHING.

She loves going up and down the stairs.
After many months of trying everything to get her to sleep in her crib peacefully, we discovered on Monday that her Monkey blanket instantly signals that's time for bed (thank you, daycare!).

She has a toothy, cheesy grin. She kisses my face with her mouth open, often leaving a smear of drool and boogies.

She hates diaper changes, but is starting to tell me when she needs a new one or is about to poop.

She dances by crouching and jiggling, or swaying side to side. Her favorite bib is a yellow froggy bib that I made up a song and dance for (froggy, froggy, ribbit, ribbit).

She pretends to read when she has a book in her hand - her current favorite is "Jorge, El Chango Curioso" or "Curious George."

She has the sweetest sigh and laugh.

Her hugs help me forget the crappy day I've had.

She is the best thing in the whole world.

Wean

After mastitis on each side, more teeth, and more solids, weaning has begun. And it's wigging her out.

 

UPDATE:

She fully weaned while we were on vacation. Nursed her to sleep once, then she never asked for it.

:-(