M3 pregnancy - LOAD Day 20

LOAD Day 20 - M3 pregnancy
Originally uploaded by Alijoyc

The prompt today was to embrace imperfection. Couldn't really do it though - although I am likely to just leave some things if it does happen (for example see my layout with the cottage items? See if you can find the spelling error). Anyway, this layout is showing the progression of M3's pregnancy resulting in Mitchell.

It is a scraplift of a layout from Stacy Julian - a challenge that was presented on Scraphappy a few months ago. I've used this sketch a few times now. TFL!

The daily transportation dilemma

Living in the great white north presents some interesting challenges with an infant. 2 years ago when I walked my friend's school aged kids to school so she could stay with her baby, I had no idea what a favour I was providing!

So now that winter is coming to a close I'm going to walk you through my daily options and their pros and cons.

At first the sling was the primary way to go. He was little, compact and oh so cute. I'd walk to school, he'd then nurse when we got home and he'd go down for a nap. Depending on our afternoon plans this worked then as well. Often I'd walk with him in the stroller and take him out in the sling once we got to the park. Then winter came and the sling doesn't work so well over the heavy winter coat.

So we tried the wrap sling. Okay but he started to fall asleep and I couldn't get him out and then transferred. And he hated having a blanket over him so it was bad if it was windy (and it often is).

So I tried the back pack a few times. Another great option except for when he fell asleep. And then he wouldn't transfer and then we'd have a lousy morning...

So most days it became the 3-wheeled stroller. It is hard to push through the snow and many days we had to walk on the road because there was just too much on the sidewalks. Mitchell was usually in his car seat and the wind protector worked well. Some days he would transfer into the house in his seat, other days not.

When a friend offered his sled, I put it off but then finally decided to give it a try. I had a few plastic sleds but since he couldn't sit up right I didn't think it would work. I wasn't sure that the car seat would stay on one either as I had seen other people do it. Mitchell couldn't sit up in this one very well either but he did fall asleep after all. He didn't get a good sleep and since most of the roads we cross have no snow by the end of the day I wasn't all that happy with this option.
I think I need a convertable stroller/ sled.

I hate to admit but I resorted to the kiss and ride many more times then I would like to admit. It was just so much easier to put him in his car seat and drive and drop the kids off. I could then leave him in his seat for his nap. But I feel like such a hypocrite every time I do it.

And then just last week I had a few extra kids and we had to try something new. L is too little to walk on her own so I was going to use our double wide stroller. However the wheel was flat and I couldn't get it fixed in time. So Mitchell went on my back, L went in the blue stroller and L was able to stand on the back bar. You do what ya gotta do. Mitchell actually fell asleep, transferred off my back and stayed asleep like this for 45 minutes. He must have been really tired.

When I had L again the following week I decided to try yet another option. The wagon. This time Mitchell went in his car seat in the wagon and L sat beside him. It actually worked quite well.

I'm not too sure what I am going to do when Mitchell graduates out of his car seat. That day is coming quickly. But then again so is the snow. Finally. I usually love the winter but I admit that I am ready for it to be gone and to move on to perhaps a more easy season when it comes to transportation. Whatever happens I guess I know I have enough options don't I?

Baby equipment essentials

This post got me thinking about the baby paraphenilia that we have/ have not been using with Mitchell, our third. As I've previously mentioned, there are a number of things that we are doing a little differently, but now that we are pretty much established at the 6 month mark I thought I'd compare our items to hers...

Baby Items Used

0-3 months

Sleep
- Family Bassinet (2x)
- waterproof crib pad
- mini water proof pad (kushies and wipe off ones)
- bed rail
- pack and play
- receiving blankets
- light weight blankets
We decided we weren't going to go with the crib this time, primarily because we don't have a specific place to put it and secondly because we wanted to go with a more "attachment" model. When needed we will hope to use the pack and play.

Clothing
- mainly separates – s/s onsies and t-shirts, some pants (primarily for EC – easily taken off)
- l/s for sun exposure
- light weight hoody
- hat
- bibs! (Velcro or snap – no ties)
- Socks in early spring
- (Warm so no shoes, heavy clothing)

Diapering
- Munchkin Bums diaper service that picks up and drops off the diapers.

Mitchell tends to pee a lot and with attempting EC he is changed frequently. The diaper service does well but I often need back-ups before I get replenished.
- kushies, kooshies covers - probably about 15 (all used (.50 - $3 each)
- 3 bummies (purchased through the diaper service)
- 1 Flip expandable cover (16.95) (I like theirs the best so far) Flip also has an easy "growable" diaper that I like as well. I purchased 2 to try them out at 6.95 each.
- 6 "prefolds" from Sears that are simply white flannel receiving blankets (6/8.95).
- simple folded receiving blankets work in a pinch
- Vaseline
- Home made bum wipes from old receiving blankets
- Cloth change pads (used on bed, counter, wherever needed - I no longer use my actual change pad or dresser. The pool table has come in handy (great height) and just using a fabric change pad wherever we are works well. I thought I would use our upstairs bathroom counter but it hasn't proven practical - although it is good for using after he is bathed)
- Baby bjorn potty
- Mini squirt bottle with water for wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Olive oil
- Diaper service provided diapers, diaper bag/ pail liner and diaper pail

Feeding/ Nursing
- Reusable breast pads (twice)
- Lanolin cream (first week)
- Dr Newman’s cream (first week)
- Nursing bras, regular bras

Bathing/ Cleansing/ Hygiene
- bathroom sink
- baby washcloths
- Johnson’s baby wash
- Olive oil
- Nail clippers

Travel
- car seat system
- basic frame stroller
- 3 wheeled stroller
- lay flat stroller
- ring sling
- Little Star sling
- Kangaroo wrap
- Back pack aka diaper bag

Entertainment
- swing
- material archway toy – 5x?
- bouncy chair 5x?
- stuffed animals – for posing and to look at

Other
- baby monitor

*****************************************

3-6 months (as above except for noted changes below)

Sleep
- + bed rail x2 (for our bed)
- pack and play (started for nap and bed time at 5.5 months)

Clothing
Still the same – rarely bottoms, no full sleepers
- Sunglasses

Diapering
We are still using the diaper service and all previously mentioned supplies. He hasn’t had any diaper rash – have used Vaseline and oil to keep soft

Feeding/ nursing
- Nursing bras
- Nursing undershirt (made my own*)
- Nursing tank
- Nursing t-shirt
- Receiving blanket
- Started solids at 5 months 2 weeks – using homemade food
- food mill
- IKEA kids bowls, cutlery (colour system will continue to work well with our family)
- IKEA vinyl wipe-off bib
- Breast pump

Bathing/ cleansing
Same - still using bathroom sink
- finger toothbrush

Travel
- car seat system
- basic frame stroller
- 3 wheeled stroller – finally got air in the tires!
- Little Star sling
- Kangaroo wrap
- Back pack aka diaper bag
- Ring sling – washed and not put back together
- borrowed a backpack carrier but haven't used it yet

Entertainment
- swing (outgrown at 4.5 months - wriggling too much)
- archway toy with toys attached (pulling it over at 5 months)
- chewy toys
- links
- bumbo chair (retired at 5 months 1 week)
- exersaucer
- DVD Praise Baby
- soft and board books at bed time (pretty grabby)

Other
- baby monitor x2 (upstairs and downstairs)
- soother (for car**)

I just made up a chart to go through all of his clothing to see what we have and will still need to get. We have been really blessed with a lot of hand-me-downs so far and surprisingly I have a fair number of Matt's clothes left, in particular for the 18 month stage. I hope to continue to keep that area pretty simple. So far I am mostly surprised at the number of "entertainment" items we have for him. The house seems to have turned into baby central as much as we have tried to be simple. Why is it that all things baby take up so much space?

**He hasn't really taken to the soother. He used it for a week or two and then abandoned it.

Potty Progress!

So I haven't explained it much yet (if at all?) but I am attempting to use elimination communication (EC) with Mitchell this time around. Basically aiming to go diaper free as soon as possible. I'll admit that it was a bit ambitious for me to think that I could attempt to start it from day one, in the hospital. Not when I could hardly move. So fast forward to day 5 when we got home and yes I've been trying to hold Mitchell and catch his "cues" as much as possible.



So far I have learned that he is a good pooper. He likes to go at least 2 or 3 times while I am nursing him. Therefore out came the potty and/or the silver bowl. Not the easiest to hold mind you but I'm getting better. The whole point is to see when he is going and to start "cueing" him with a sound or action - I've chosen a grunting noise for poop and a "Tsss" for peeing. I make these noises when he is going so that eventually when I hold him over the receptacle or toilet and "cue" - he will go on his own.



Fast forward to yesterday - he went on cue for me 4 times!!! Unbelievable! It was really quite cool. I don't know if we are at the point that this will save diapers (we've had to have the diaper service come early both weeks because we have used all the ones we have), but I feel we are making progress! Drew is not impressed that we used the sink so I'll have to work on that.



I've been reading two good books about the topic from the library and there are a few good websites if you google "elimination communication" or "diaper free". The books are Early Start Potty Training by Linda Sonna and Diaper Free! The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene by Ingrid Bauer.



BTW, we also decided to go with a cloth diaper service (since there is one locally) and the experience so far has been worth it. As I mentioned, he goes through them rather quickly - often soiling one as I'm changing him! The service has been very accomodating but it does take some getting used to. When he wets he is definitly wet so I don't let him sit in it for long - if at all. This is actually supposed to help with the potty training though - not allowing him to get used to the feeling of being wet or dirty which disposables can sometimes do. Either way, I can tell that it is going to be an interesting learning experience.

Diaper discussion

I met today with a woman who I plan on signing up for a cloth diaper service with. She came to the house to show me her product and tell me about her washing service. I am totally excited! I had been debating about how to go about this whole issue since we found out about the baby. I really felt that cloth would be the way to go this time - especially since we can't recycle or compost the diapers through Small Planet anymore. I read some really good posts about cloth diapering on Simple Mom but have honestly left things till the last minute. I then came across an article in the paper about Munchkin Bums and put it on the back burner - still thinking I'd just do it myself. This week I went around to the used clothing stores and realized that there really aren't a lot of used diapers to get out there. Enter the service again - and when I asked Drew, he was totally on board with using a service and not doing anything ourselves. Works for me!


So anyway, I met with Lisa today, who apparently MAKES all of the diapers herself! They looked to be of great quality and the price is comparable to buying disposables. I am still totally on board with trying to go as diaper free (using elimination communication) as much as possible but I realize that I still have to have something around. I can't wait to see how this works out.