As an expectant parent, diapering can be an easy decision or a tough one. No one looks forward to changing dirty diapers, but the decision on whether to go with disposable or cloth diapers has been on my mind during my pregnancy. I would like to “go green” as much as possible, but with convenience factored in, the decision is a tough one.
Here are our thoughts on options that have presented themselves.
Disposable diapers: Convenient and easy to use, disposable diapers have evolved to become super soft and super absorbent. Shying away from Pampers and Huggies due to the chemicals used to produce them, I thought that the Seventh Generation diapers would be a good comprise. These diapers are chlorine-free, causing less irritation for babies with ultra sensitive skin. Nature Babycare takes it to a greener level, using no petroleum-based products for their diapers. These are supposed to be biodegradable, but there is debate whether how our trash is treated in landfills will actually all the diapers to biodegrade. www.Diapers.com is a great site for your diapering needs. Add me as a referral (lindavu@gmail.com) to your first order and you’ll get $10 off your first order over $49 and I will receive $1 as a referral credit. I think that when we’re away from home and traveling, Nature Babycare disposables will be our choice.
Cloth diapers & washing them ourselves: If our grandmothers could do it, we would consider it. Cloth diapers are a one-time investment and seemed to be the most green choice. Equipped with a new washer and dryer, washing the diapers ourselves was a feasible option. We’re not that scared of dirty diapers! Factoring in the time, cost of water and electricity, and convenience factor for my super awesome mom who will be helping us with the baby, the cost outweighs the green benefits. We will reconsider this option once we become diapering experts with our precious little one.
Cloth diapers & diapering service: Can this really be the best of both worlds? We will do our part in contributing less to landfills and be cost effective with a diapering service. We are signing up with Tiny Tots diapering service. Based in Campbell, CA, Tiny Tots offers cloth diaper rentals - a diaper rotation service. We will just leave the soiled diapers on our porch for pick up and Tiny Tots will replace those with clean, 100% cotton cloth diapers each week. There is no rinsing or soaking of the diapers in preparation of the pick up. We’ll be using our Diaper Champ bin to store the dirty diapers awaiting pick up. Tiny Tots will provide hamper/bin bags, which will fit in the Diaper Champ. No need to buy special bags (yippee!). Tiny Tots offers a free one-hour Diapering 101 class too, where parents and caregivers can see for themselves how cloth diapering works. We’ll be buying some diaper covers to use with our cloth diapers, for leak-proofing the diapers. If you’re interested in signing up, please include me (Linda Vu-Nguyen, account # 20982) as your referral.
Related topic to consider: baby wipes! I just bought a pack of 12 boxes of Seventh Generation Baby Wipes (chlorine-free and unscented), so we’ll be using those for awhile. Once we’ve gone through those, we’ll be switching to cloth wipes when we’re at home with the baby. I’ll be buying fabric and cutting them into 8″ x 8″ squares. I’ve heard that either flannel or terry works best.
Here’s a handy recipe for a homemade solution for diaper wipes. Fill a spray bottle or your wipes warmer with this solution, and say goodbye to buying diapers and wipes!
homemade solution for baby wipes
2 cups water
2 TBSP olive oil
2 TBSP baby wash
2 drops of tea tree oil
August 11, 2008 at 2:31 pm | | No comment
As I found out so quickly, your short-term memory escapes you when you’re pregnant. I’m posting this blog as my pregnancy diary. I will update this throughout my pregnancy. Our due date is October 18th, 2008.
First Trimester
- Nausea - It lasted for 10 minutes and then it was gone! Whew!
- Eating - I’ve been making a conscience effort to eat more healthy, with the awesome help of my dear husband, Jim. All that stuff about having a balanced diet from all of the major food groups is an every meal, everyday consideration.
- Weight gain - I was able to gain 8lbs. Totally excited since putting on weight has always been a challenge for me.
- Working out - The pregnancy books all have suggested stretches and exercises, so I’ve just been following those.
- Sleeping - Boy, I get tired around 3pm. Naps are wonderful and I just listened to my body and slept whenever I could.
- Skincare - My skin isn’t cooperating too much, since I guess all of the hormone changes make that inevitable. Nothing that some good quality skincare can’t cure. I’m using Liz Earle’s cleanser, scrub, and eye gel, along with Mario Badescu’s SPF 30 moisturizer and vitamin C & E lotion. Mario Badescu’s Muscle Oil is my belly treatment of choice to ward off stretch marks.
Second Trimester
- Eating - No weird cravings, though I do NOT reject any food that comes my way. I am finding that I reach for fruits and dessert more and more.
- Weight gain - I was able to gain another 10 - 12lbs this trimester. I’m enjoying my new curves!
- Working out - I’m doing more stretches and have incorporated some prenatal yoga routines. I’ve been trying to walk 30 minutes during my lunch hour. I’ve been working on my squats, with the goal of being able to manage 3-minute long squats, 3 repetitions. Contractions can be over a minute long, so I keep telling myself during my workouts that “I can do anything for one minute.”
- Sleeping - I’m no longer need naps. I have much more energy throughout the day. Sleeping on my side took a few days to get used to, but with the help of a small beanie pillow, I can prop my top leg on it to support the weight.
- Skincare - My skin has normalized and I dare say has a little glow to it. I’m using Palmer’s cocoa butter/shea butter lotion in addition to my muscle oil for my belly bump, which has its itchy days.
Third Trimester
- Glucose testing - I am so relieved to share that I do not have gestational diabetes. I had to endure through the 3 hour test, which is absolute not pleasant; four blood tests in 3 hours in addition to drinking a syrupy “soda”.
- Eating - No weird cravings. I still do I do NOT reject any food that comes my way. My dear husband has been sharing his pearl tea drinks with me, making me the happiest mom on the block!
- Working out - I am going to ramp up my workout schedule, since I noticed that my flexibility is slowly decreasing and the added weight is taking a toll on my back. Leg lifts are getting much harder to do to.
- The baby - Our “+one” is moving around a lot now. I’m experiencing longer rolls, instead of quick punches/pushes. I find myself holding on to my belly more and more, so I don’t get to startled when the little one is moving around.
- Skincare - More lotion please! I have to reapply my belly creams at least 3 times a day now. My belly button is a way-outie, and it totally itches.
August 5, 2008 at 12:48 pm | | 1 comment
Since we’ve been so focused on learning more about the pregnancy, labor, and delivery, it’s time to move on with books and resources for after the baby arrives. From communication and baby care, here are the resources we have or will check out.
The Happiest Baby on the Block (DVD & booklet): a very brief, to-the-point DVD demonstrating how a combination of “the 5 S’s” will help calm your baby and help it sleep longer.
Swaddling
Side or Stomach position
Shushing
Swinging
Sucking
The 5 S’s seem simple enough, but the ground breaking aspect of it is seeing it work on crying babies. The reflex that the 5 S’s induces on the baby is almost instantaneous. I’d be very cautious when trying to do the swinging, since the amount of mild jiggling of the baby will be hard to figure out.
Dunstan Baby Language (DVD)
Priscilla Dunstan was interviewed on the Oprah Winfrey Show, demonstrating what her unique hearing gift and role as mother have led her to discover. The DVD teaches parents how to detect the 5 distinct cries of a baby, which communicates when the baby is hungry, tired, needs burping, has gas, or is simply uncomfortable. I imagine Jim and I will have to be very attentive to be able to distinguish the 5 cries, but we’re willing to give it a try.
SIGN with your BABY - Baby Sign Language (ASL) Kit (Book & DVD)
Sign language can be applied to babies as well, not to only the hearing impaired. We’re excited to try America Sign Language (ASL) with our baby. This will help our baby communicate with us before he/she can speak. From “I’m hungry” to “I want my choochoo train”, we believe that the use of hand gestures will alleviate the frustrations infants and toddlers have when they are not understood by their parents. Language development in a variety of forms will no doubt help our baby grow and communicate. My goal is to use ASL in the most basic form, building to more complex associations as our baby responds to it.
More books and references to come, as they arrive from Amazon! 
August 5, 2008 at 10:59 am | | No comment
As an expectant parent, I’ve tried to do as much research on baby products as possible. I came across this great reference site on BPA-free products: Z Recommends.Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical which is used to make polycarbonate plastic containers. Many plastic baby bottles are made with BPA. BPAs have been found to leach from bottles. In addition, BPAs have been linked to premature puberty in girls.
Here’s an excerpt from the Green Guide on BPAs.
According to its critics, BPA mimics naturally occurring estrogen, a hormone that is part of the endocrine system, the body’s finely tuned messaging service. “These hormones control the development of the brain, the reproductive system and many other systems in the developing fetus,” says Frederick vom Saal, Ph.D., a developmental biologist at the University of Missouri. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can duplicate, block or exaggerate hormonal responses. “The most harm is to the unborn or newborn child,” vom Saal says.
There are more and more BPA-free baby bottles available now. After extensive comparison, I will opt for traditional glass bottles as well as those from Born Free and Green to Grow.
July 14, 2008 at 1:08 pm | | No comment
If you haven’t seen Juno yet, run and see it now!! It’s about a teenager girl who gets pregnant and her growing pains in the following 9 months. It’’s sarcastic, funny, touching and in your face all at the same time. Highly entertaining and full of comedic surprises, if you’re in the mood for an untypical film, give “Juno” a try.
Once you leave the movie, I’m certain that you’ll be as addicted to “Anyone Else But You,” the ending song of the film.
Ratings: 5 out of 5
Reviewer Conclusions:
Should you see this in the theaters? Yes
Would I buy this on DVD? Yes
Is this kid friendly? No
Feel good movie? Yes
January 30, 2008 at 3:16 pm | | No comment
Hi all.
Check out this press release on FantasySportsMatrix.com. This is an exciting accomplishment for Jay, Mike, and Jim.
Go FSM!
January 30, 2008 at 1:05 pm | | No comment
As I peruse housewares’ websites, it may seem obvious to buy a knife set. Either JA Henkels or Wustof seem like safe choices. But then reality sets in, and I realize that I only use 3 knives when cooking with my mom.
My online scouring for advice has led me to this - buy only 3 knives to start, and then expand.
- 8″ chefs knife or 7″ santoku knife
- bread knife
- paring knife
And now where to shop for knives? The best place to shop for both price and quality is a restaurant supply store. Dexter Russell and Forschner Knives are safe bets for those who need and like to cook, but don’t aspire to become head chef. There brands are used in most restaurants. Check out Restaurant Source or Ace Mart .
So if it’s good enough for cooks and chefs, I’ll work fine in my little kitchen.
Bon appetit!
January 22, 2008 at 10:31 pm | | No comment
I’ve discovered Facebook and have made my brother oh-so proud for joining a social network. Watch out world! I’m having a great time posting on my friends’ walls, adding and tagging pictures, and keeping up to date on what others are up to.
Check out the apps you can add to make your facebook more robust. I’ve added Movies, YouTube, X Me, and Cities I’ve Been In.
Cheers and I’ll see you on Facebook!
August 16, 2007 at 10:06 pm | | No comment
I love the Wii.
It highlights my baseball batting skills and I find it addictive to hit one out of the park. I accept “slugger” as a nickname now.
My bowling display is very humbling. I curve right when I attempt to bowl straight.
I knocked down my hubby in boxing, but he knocked me out. A rematch is imminent.
The Wii is coming to our house soon… expect to see some invites from me soon!
March 2, 2007 at 3:24 pm | | No comment
Here’s a great article with tips on cleaning your kitchen.
http://www.thenest.com/articles/article_life.aspx?articleid=A60301105937
Below is an excerpt from the article.
Tricks of the trade:
* Sponges carry tons of bacteria. In fact, the average sponge contains about seven billion germs*. Zap a wet sponge in the microwave on high for 1 minute every day. This will kill the germs that have been festering, so you won’t spread them onto your countertops and dishes.
* Instead of using a sponge, use a clean rag (we like ones from Simple Solutions). Designate one rag for each room, and rinse it with hot water every 2 minutes as you clean.
* Start cleaning areas with the least germ potential (like where you eat) and work your way toward the areas with the highest concentration of grime (like food-prep spots).
* Keep garbage bags in the bottom of the can so replacing them is easy. DS [Darling Spouse] can’t whine about being assigned this stinky chore when you’ve made it even simpler.
* Sometimes a delicious home-cooked meal can leave behind a lingering unwanted odor (but hopefully not from indigestion). Eradicate the offending smells by setting out a bowl of vinegar on the counter to absorb them. Or drop your favorite herb or spice into a pot of boiling water to fill the kitchen with a pleasant scent (we love cinnamon or dried rosemary).
November 21, 2006 at 7:16 pm | | 1 comment