Tag Archives | keeping it real

From Cloth Diaper Advocate to Cloth Diaper Moderate

March 5, 2013 By Melissa

I know we haven’t talked about cloth diapers lately around here. And we started out as a “cloth diaper” blog. Don’t worry, it’s still something Jeniffer and I are pretty passionate about, and we don’t plan on cloth diapers disappearing from this space altogether. We have widened our focus, but we aren’t done talking cloth!

One of the reasons we’ve been talking about cloth less is because we both have a desire to see this blog be a broader space. We want to focus less on cloth, and more on the nitty-gritty of motherhood in general, and the ways we as sisters can support each other. But…. there is another reason, at least for me. When I started cloth diapering, I did it to save money. But I quickly went from doing it to save money to pretty much thinking it was the best thing since sliced bread. Cloth diapers are cheap! Cloth diapers are adorable! Basically, cloth diapers are awesome! And that led me to thinking, “Everyone should cloth diaper! There really aren’t any good reasons not too. And if you won’t try it out, don’t stick with it, or don’t do it full-time, you might just be a wimp.” Hey, I’m not proud of this, but I’m just trying to keep it real. It was my mission to convince everyone they should cloth diaper. It worked with Jen I also had some friends from college catch on to the cloth diapering love from Facebook pictures and statuses, and I was glad to be able to share with them about the amazing world of cloth diapers.

I cloth diapered full-time. None of this part-time business! That was for people less dedicated than me! I made cloth diapers work with a toddler and a newborn – twice! I cloth diapered at night. I cloth diapered on trips. I sent cloth diapers to church, even back when all I had were flats and covers. The only time I caved and bought disposables was if one of my kids got a really bad stomach bug, or if I was really sick myself. I. was. hard. core.

But over the last year, something has happened. It started when my dryer broke. I was having to line dry all my cloth diapers, indoors. Which took forever. I also added “getting ready to move overseas” to my list of responsibilities. Life slowly shifted, and I went through a season where I really did not love my cloth diapers. Thankfully, over time, with lots of breaks, I fell back in love. There is nothing quite so cute as a cloth diapered bum sticking out of a pair of jeans! But….

…I also figured out that my 2 year old sleeps a whole lot better at night in a disposable than he does in cloth. It doesn’t matter which of my “stay-dry” diapers I use at nighttime, he wakes up fussy about being wet. That doesn’t happen in a disposable. Here’s the thing…. I’m a big fan of sleep, especially when I’m pregnant! All of that led to using disposables consistently at night. Something I used to really shake my head at other people for doing.

We are also on the go a lot more right now. I have taken cloth diapers on many trips. But the truth is, it really is easier to just take disposables. They take up less space when we are leaving, and I’m not lugging back 3 days worth of dirty diapers on the return trip.

I’ve taken cloth diapers to church with us for years. For a long time, I’ve even been bringing my easy, aplix pocket diapers, that go on and off just like a disposable. But I still have to explain the cloth diaper situation every single time I drop my son off, and people always get the deer in the headlights look, and frequently seem confused about what to do. Since we aren’t cloth diapering exclusively anyways, most of the time I send disposables to church now.

I’ve gone from a hard core, full-time, exclusively cloth diapering ~~snob~~ activist to being a part-time cloth diapering mom. I love my cloth diapers, but we only use them about 70% of the time. Like so many areas of my parenting, I’ve eaten a good share of humble pie over this past year, and realized that whether I use cloth diapers full-time, part-time, or no-time does not determine whether I am “mom enough.”

Has your cloth diapering journey evolved over time? What areas of your parenting have you realized aren’t quite as important as you once thought?

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Never Overthink, or Overreact, or Give Up

February 26, 2013 By michal

The life of a mother is a challenge from the time of her baby’s conception until, well, forever after that… We all know the book and phrase, “You’ll always be my Baby.” The challenges seem to have the most impact on the mother at first. There are a few women who bypass it, but many suffer some pretty serious morning sickness with their little one. Once you’ve triumphed through that phase (if you ever do), the reality of hormones has definitely set in… They have made their home in your being and you may have thoughts you’ve NEVER had before now.

Of course, we mothers make it (some with a bumpier ride than others). And the day comes when our little mini arrives. Jackie was definitely a mini-Casey. She still is! I am still coping with the fact that she has not inherited any of my physical features (yet). So, here we go. New challenges arrive. Jackie was six weeks early and breastfeeding was our biggest obstacle. Her lungs were developed just fine, and her tests all came through with flying colors; however, she was too small for the right kind of latch.

Those first two months, there was an abundance of pumping, practice latching, over supply, painful size F breasts (lol), lots of spitting up, lots of laundry, 4 a.m. bottle cleanings, upset tummies (mommy and baby), mastitis, and emotional doctor visits. And even beyond those months, we still struggled with her little baby tummy. But, joy came in the learning!

The most earth-shattering realization that comes with your baby is that this world “does not in any way revolve around you.” Yes, this is what I came to know when I received Salvation. But, motherhood must be the way God confirms it in some lives (mine). Despite the struggles, my goal was for Jackie to partake in one of the most natural, biologically robust methods of gaining vitamins, growth, etc… And wouldn’t you know it, Jackie ended up being exclusively breastfed for her entire first year. And through this time of struggle, the Lord has shown me three simple things. Never overthink, overreact, or give up.

Never overthink. The Bible is very clear when it tells us to be “sober-minded” in all that we do. Yes, even in the midst of hormones. (GASP!) We MUST THINK in TRUTH in order to LIVE in TRUTH. Don’t become drunk on hormones, circumstances, or fear. They will lead you to a pit and that is a guarantee, my dear.

Never overreact! Colossians 3:8 says it all… And there are several proverbs that speak to the dangers of “reaction.” This may be the curse of all mothers. We react. My husband always tells me, “Think of what you will regret in this situation. Now, don’t do that thing.” Sounds kind of sarcastic, but it’s not. THINK in TRUTH about what you will REGRET and don’t do it!

Finally, dear sisters, NEVER ever ever ever ever ever ever give up. I am feeling SO inspirational with all my “evers!” But seriously, don’t give up. Your little one will be past this “rough phase” one day and if you don’t write it down, you won’t even remember it! It’s what kids do… It is what we all do. When the Lord gives you a task, it is His purpose for you to stand firm. These children are your ministry. They are important. Stand firm against this world and against satan himself. The Lord will be your strength in thought, reaction, and in sticktuitiveness (sticking-with-it-ness).

If you need specific Scripture for your thoughts, reactions, or for perseverance, any one of the ladies on this site would be glad to share the ones that they have experienced themselves.What Scriptures have helped you in these areas of mothering?

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Can I get a sick day?

February 12, 2013 By Faith

How many Momma’s have asked themselves that very question? I have, numerous times. Sadly my little family has been sick consistently over the last eight weeks and I actually took a “sick day” along the way with Daddy juggling full time baby duty. It is not ideal, I promise. Though I was incredibly grateful for all that my sweet husband accomplished while I was quite literally down and out.

Over the last few weeks I have learned a good bit about what it means to be a Momma in the good and the bad. On those days when the giggles and the playgrounds beckon; or the days filled with thermometers, tepid baths, and worry. Motherhood is a job full of sacrifice. We have to give fully of ourselves to these little ones we have been entrusted with. That isn’t always easy. Exhaustion sets in, dishes and laundry pile up, and we can find ourselves overwhelmed.

It is in that period when we seemed overwhelmed that we find ourselves making choices.

I made many of those choices over the last few weeks. Like switching to paper plates and disposable diapers. Sometimes survival means understanding you simply can’t do it all. It will take me a long while to catch up on the laundry, errands, and cleaning that was pushed to the side in lieu of sickly cuddles and naps.

It was worth it. It was also a good reminder to slow down and savor these quiet moments with my family.