Adventures with Grandparents and FuzziBunz

Grandparents are fun! Lailey loves hers for sure. Last week while on a trip to the outlet mall, Grammy and Granddaddy put Lailey on a little ride outside one of the stores, and she loved it. Apparently she screamed when they took her off! So, like any decent, self-respecting and spoiling grandparent would do, Granddaddy ran around to stores trying to get change to keep his granddaughter happy. They told me she must have ridden about 10 times. Here's Lailey and Bob the Builder (just one of several rides, including Clifford, Garfield, and more).

While at Grammy and Granddaddy's house, Lailey likes to go look at the neighbor's horses and feed them apples. "Apple" is also one of her new words this week. I love how Grammy gets grossed out because she touches the horse's nostrils. Hehe.

And now for the thing I'm most excited about...dun dun dun. CLOTH DIAPERS!!! Why, you might ask, does this excite me so much? I don't know, except they're cute, economical, and something I've wanted to do for a long time. "Environmentally chic," if you will. (Ok, that's what the package says.) I have a few friends who "CD" or "cloth-diaper" in Internet terms, and after borrowing a cloth diaper for a weekend, I was hooked. I did a little math (thank you, college edumacation) and figured out that after just a few months they would pay for themselves compared to what we would have spent on disposables. Of course, we'll still use disposables from time to time I'm sure, but I plan on making these things save us money! To celebrate our new fun diapers, Lailey said she would model them. Here she is in a One-Size FuzziBunz Cloth Diaper in "Crushed Berries."

As you can see, trim fitting and snug.

Look out, here she is with her new favorite hat and sporting a sippy cup. This is also a good view of the adjustable snap system that is great about these diapers. No scratchy Velcro or - yikes! - pins from years ago.

I love Daddy.

Here is my new assortment. I was going to have to buy a lot more, but after talking with a friend whose daughter is now potty-trained, she offered me ALL her old cloth diapers! I love hand-me-downs. The light green one looks a little different because it's a medium size instead of the adjustable one-size. I ordered it first to try and it fits, but the other ones fit better to me. They're narrower in the middle and she's kinda little, so they're less bulky on her. They have adjustable elastic in the waist and leg-openings with different settings for 7 lbs.-30+ lbs! Unless a baby is on the large side, this would work from newborn to potty-training. Also, the wet bag is for dirty diapers on the go. I have a larger one to hang in her nursery. They're waterproof on the inside, machine washable, no PVC or other yucky stuff, and have many other uses once we're past the diapering stage. They're made by Planet Wise if anyone is curious.

While I'm on the subject and so excited about this whole thing, I must go on. If I'm boring you, sorry! The white diaper that's laid out shows how these things work. This was all new to me a few months ago, so I figured I'd explain it. The opening at the back of the diaper, where the tag is, is what makes it a "pocket diaper." Because the opening on the pocket is so big, you can just shake it out into the wash or a diaper pail or bag once it is wet or dirty. The long white rectangular thing is the insert, and it goes inside the pocket. It's the absorbent layer, and you can make these or buy them made from all sorts of materials depending on what you want. The outer layer of the diaper is waterproof, which is why you don't need plastic pants like our parents used many years ago. Anyone remember those awful things? Well, they are history now. It's all in one now. Genius!

Everything in the picture can be machine-washed and dried, but I mostly hang dry the diapers because they'll last longer that way. Another amazing benefit? These things will last for multiple kids! I've read of moms using FuzziBunz diapers for 3 or 4 of their babies. Now, that's a product with value. Next time around I'll probably use these from the beginning. They're supposed to be much better in preventing diaper rash too.

Okay, enough raving about our FuzziBunz. If you are interested in venturing into the world of cloth diapering, let me know and I'll point you to some good websites.

Stepping Out

Before today, as I've mentioned before, Lailey has been protesting us standing her up and trying to get her to walk. I don't know if she was nervous or what, but thanks to Grammy and Granddaddy's encouragement (and persistence through the whining!) and Goldfish crackers, cell phones, hairbrushes, and tv remotes (a.k.a bribery), I came home to a walking kid today. Check it out...

As you can see, she's much more brave now even amidst a few falls and will now let go of things to walk to us. All in a day. I know she's sleeping well tonight!

Popsicles, Singing in the Tub, and Happy Birthday Aunt Amy

Mmmm. Popsicles. I love them, and now Lailey does too. Poor kid had a fever last Thurs. and Friday and we found out at the doctor that she had a viral sore throat. What better excuse for a popsicle! She kept making funny faces when biting into it because it was so cold, but she finished off the entire thing and was very blue to show for it. As I tell Daddy whenever he comments on how gross or messy she is, "that's what baths are for." For whatever reason, the bathtub brings out Lailey's musical side. I think it's the combination of the echo-y acoustics and the reflection of herself ("Baby!") in the little metal thing under the faucet. It's her bathtub friend. Enjoy the song!

Saturday I went to Athens to hang out with my sister and celebrate her birthday. Davey and Lailey were supposed to go but we thought Lailey needed a little more recoup time before heading out, so I went alone. We had a great day though. Since Lailey couldn't be there, she and I sang to Aunt Amy and recorded it. We love you!

13 Months and First Steps!

Well, you get to enjoy 3 videos today. Here is the first. Thanks to Uncle Nick and his drum lessons, Lailey will be banging on things in no time.

The other night I made eggs and toast for dinner. After eating a scrambled egg and one piece of whole wheat toast with jelly and cream cheese, she kept signing "more" and pointing to the toast on our plates. I think she ended up eating another entire piece from all that we shared, plus milk to wash it down. New favorite thing!

Speaking of signing (and talking), Lailey's verbal skills continue to amaze us daily. She now enthusiastically signs more, food (eat), finished, please, thank you, and cheese. The last one I just showed her randomly one day for fun and she copied it! AND, to top it off, she actually said the words "cheese" and "eat" and "dog" today. She can also say "eye" and something close to "ear" which I knew because she pointed to my ear when she said it. My favorite words she says are "mama," because she always smiles when she says it and it sounds SO sweet, and "flower." She is getting better at the "f" sound now.

Tonight we had a wonderful evening. Lailey played in her pool with me while Davey grilled hamburgers. They turned out great! And I didn't even have to clean up. What a great hubby.

Lailey enjoyed her hamburger too. (just kidding...I cut it up. But the burger is as big as her face!)

Are you ready for this?

After all the resistance to walking (crying, stomping feet, sitting down, etc.) I discovered something tonight. She's not as likely to sit or crawl in the grass! I knew she could do it! Little stinker. It's just mind over matter now. Of course, she still wasn't crazy about the idea, once she realized what she was doing, but it won't be long now before she'll realize what she can get into once her hands are free. Sigh, life as I know it will change.

And here's the last video. I was being a goofball (not a difficult thing) and Lailey started seriously cracking up. I have never heard her laugh so hard, ever! It had us laughing so hard too. And this is why I keep my camera out all the time. For these precious moments.

Somebody tell Pampers they need to give us some diapers for our free advertising in this video.

Race for the Cure and Atlanta Botanical Gardens

This past weekend was a "mommy milestone." I took off to Atlanta to visit two of my dearest friends, Leslie and Stephanie, and spent my first night away from Lailey. She was with Davey, so I really wasn't worried about them, and in fact, they had a wonderful time. After a homemade meal (that I didn't have to cook!!!), we spent the evening just hanging out...and looking at old yearbooks. That was a laugh, let me tell you. On Saturday morning we woke up early to take our places in the sea of pink at Atlantic Station in ATL for the 20th Annual Susan B. Komen "Race For The Cure." We ran in honor of Leslie's coworker and friend, Catrina. (Please pray for Catrina in her fight against cancer.)There were an estimated 17,000 runners that morning. The weather was beautiful and cool, and it was much easier to jog without it pouring and without a stroller.

{Hooray! We finished! And I'm eating already. Most of our SWAG was food...nice. Particularly the Skinny Cow white mint ice cream bar. Double yum. Definitely using my coupon and getting those soon.}

After the race we went to the Green Market in Piedmont Park where local merchants sell all sorts of food and things. I came home with sun-dried tomato fettucine, which I prepared later that evening with broccoli, romano cheese, and grilled chicken for Davey and I. Mmmmmm.

After lunch (more homemade food, thank you Steph!) and showers, we spent the afternoon at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. I had never been so the girls insisted they take me. I don't know why I've never gone. I'm sure I'd heard of it before, but I never thought about it. It's now one of my favorite places in Atlanta. This froggy begged me to take a picture with him.

{Me and Leslie with our butterfly wings in the Children's Garden. Lailey is definitely coming here this summer.}

{HUGE bull frog, as in, at least 7 inches long!}

{Having a very "bunny" time in the Children's Garden}

{This blown glass sculpture is called a "Chihuly," named after the artist who creates them. They are quite spectacular.}

{Smelling the vertical herb garden wall}

{Georgia peaches sitting by...georgia peaches!}

{Cool quotation}

It was a great day, and I'm so thankful for my friends. I love you and miss you both! We have to do it again soon.

A Busy Few Weeks

The last few weekends have had us hopping. We've been a little busier than I'd like, but it's been fun. I'll highlight the important parts with my favorite pictures of what we've been up to.

{Lailey at the playground at our Sunday School Picnic}

{Checking out the horses at the Bailey's house)

{First ride on a miniature horse which was purchased at a garage sale. Yes, that is a true story.}

{Holding on tight!}

While at the Bailey's house, Davey and I had a new recreational experience: bow fishing. According to our friend John, who took us out on the river, bow fishing lies right between noodling and getting a spray tan at your house on the top 10 list of most redneck things you could ever do. If you are unfamiliar with noodling, check this out if you want a good laugh. Anyway, bow fishing is exactly what it sounds like. We didn't see many fish, but we came away with a favorite quote: "Come on, baby, kill a fish for me."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lailey continues to be a good eater, for which we are truly thankful. But with the acquisition of new skills (i.e. self-feeding) comes new messes. I believe this was oatmeal all over her face. I really don't remember why it got all over her, but it's funny, nonetheless.

{Smiling at Daddy}

{Lailey and her sippy cup straw had a fight...looks like the straw won.}

~~~~~~~~~Race For Riley 2010~~~~~~~~~

Last weekend we participated in the Race For Riley to benefit The Joseph Sams School where I work. Notice our numbers? Okay, okay, that's not our rank; it's because we're first alphabetically. But it sounded good for a second. Grandpa, Lailey and I walked with the stroller and Davey ran. He took 2nd place in his age group. Go Daddy!

Oh. And it rained. A LOT. Thank goodness for the poncho to cover the stroller. Just for participating, we received two hugely awesome bags of swag ("stuff we all get") from Proctor and Gamble (P & G). Inside was stuff like Duracell batteries, Zest bodywash, Herbal Essences shampoo, Dawn soap, a bunch of little samples of toothpaste, razors (the GOOD kind, as in Venus razors), and a Swiffer duster- which I love. On the way home, I was almost asleep in the car but I kept smelling a fragrance of some sort. I thought, "Wow, there must be something strong-smelling in those bags." Didn't think much more about it because I was too tired. When I got home and began delightedly checking out all our swag (I love free stuff), I pulled out my hand and it blue stuff all over it. Half of one of the Dawn bottles, I repeat, HALF, had spilled out due to a broken cap, and now half of my swag (I like this word, can you tell?) was covered in Dawn soap. Thus began the 30 min. process of rinsing every item, laying it out to dry, and then taking the large bag outside and hosing it off for. ev. er. Thankfully, everything got saved. I love swag. End of soap story. On to other things.

{Daddy and Lailey playing}

{While I was cleaning out Lailey closet, which is a monthly process since I'm constantly changing out her clothes - different seasons, different sizes- I found the little ukelele we used in her newborn pictures. Davey had fun making up songs about sippy cups and other nonsense.

~~~~~~~~~~~~Teething~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The last week has been...interesting. On Thursday, in particular, I came home to Lailey, who according to Davey had been perfectly happy all day, but around 4 or 5 o'clock started being extremely unhappy about everything. She's had some less happy days due to what I thought was her cutting her incisors, but Thursday topped it all. My usually happy, giggling, and playful child screamed, cried, and whined ALL EVENING. It was a serious test of my patience. I tried TLC, distracting her, holding her, even teething tablets and as a last resort, some Tylenol. It helped slightly, but she was still in a miserable state. Finally, after a bath and more love, she slept very well and was pretty much fine the next day. I hope those teeth come through soon.

On a different note, today was a delightfully joyful day. To begin, Lailey and I got to see my cousin Christy and her daughter Sadie. On the way to see them, I passed a huge yard sale and a jogging stroller caught my eye, even 100 yards from the road. We have recently considered getting one but they can be expensive and it's not a necessity, so we never really looked. I passed the yard sale again on the way home and then quickly decided to go back just to look. It was tagged for $50. After checking it out and bartering a little (thanks, Dave Ramsey), I walked away with a jogging stroller for $30 bucks! I'm so proud. I looked it up and I got it even cheaper than similar ones on Ebay. Maybe tomorrow I'll get it out of my trunk to clean it up and give it a go.

Other reasons today was great? No agenda at all, chocolate cake, Lailey being her VERY happy and non-teething self, both of us getting a long afternoon nap, spending time outside in her kiddie pool, a short visit with Grandpa, homemade pizza (wheat pitas, pureed spinach, tomato sauce, cheese, and turkey pepperoni, yum), playing with Lailey, reading together, and then watching Flywheel and reading a magazine after she went to bed. We miss Daddy, but he'll be home soon. I guess Saturday makes up for Teething Thursday.