Cloth Diapers... My Continuing Love Story

If you've seen some of my previous posts, you may have seen a reference to cloth diapering.  Now that Ruthie is one and I'm still cloth diapering her, I realize just how much I love it!  I also feel more able to come to some conclusions about the kind of cloth diapers that I like and other related diapering dilemmas:

• fitted diapers - these are easy to use, don't require stuffing or pulling out the insert when the diaper is wet or soiled.  The downside is that they do require a cover so there's one extra step involved.  It's a shorter step than fitting an insert in a cloth diaper.  My favorite thus far: sustainablebabyish (sloomb).
• pocket diapers - these are also relatively easy to use but require stuffing a diaper with an insert that will act as the absorbent layer in the diaper.  My favorite is smartipants because, while you still have to stuff the diaper, you do NOT have to touch the insert when you change the diaper.  The insert comes out in the wash!  Super smart!  Also, the snaps are VERY secure.
• natural fibers/fleece/etc. - We battled the stinks around here for a while and I tried lots of different things to eliminate them (changed the laundry routine, used additives, didn't use additives, pulled my hair out... well, I didn't go that far).  I went on an investigation online to try to find a possible culprit and found that many man-made fibers have the tendency to hold odors differently than natural fibers.  This lead me to try some natural fibers or organic options rather than the microfleece that's used in many inserts.  I have to say that I think that using the natural fibers has seemed to help a great deal!  I'm happy about that.  I changed to using some Indian prefolds as inserts rather than the microfleece and, voila!  I think it's significantly changed the stink issue... thankfully!

Our Visit With Santa

Ruthie had her first visit with Santa today.  We thought we'd try for a Ruthie-only picture but, by the photo, you can see how that went.  She started crying and getting upset when it was just her, so we decided I'd sit with Santa, too.  That calmed her down and then Tate joined us. She kept looking past me and to Santa and giving him very skeptical and questioning looks.  Once the picture was taken (a bit of a feat unto itself because of the aforementioned fixation with watching Santa), we packed her back into her stroller... where she started crying again.  Usually that's a happy place for her, but it was as if she remembered what happened moment earlier and needed to let us know that she continued not being happy about it.  Needless to say, we hastened to the car and to home where her crib awaited her.  Our normally happy and easygoing girl was definitely not a big fan of the experience, but you wouldn't necessarily know it by the photo.  It's a memory, though, and I'm glad to have done it (though Ruthie might beg to differ with me).

Fitness Takes No Holidays - Week of December 14

What great news!  Thus far, StrollerFit moms have raised enough money - simply by their presence at class! - to buy more than two goats through World Vision!  I am SO very glad and thankful that you all have joined me and participated thus far.  I was thinking tonight how very thankful and humbled I am to have such a loyal and faithful group of moms who spend their mornings at StrollerFit and restore the core with me.  How wonderful that is for me!  Thank you all!

Now, onto the standings (which I know Jaimie and Katie - competitive like I am - want to know).  The top five moms who have the most points are the following:

• Donna - 12
• Jaimie - 17
• Katie - 19
• Emily - 14

If your name isn't listed, don't fret!  There are almost two whole weeks left and lots of spontaneous points to be awarded.  Sometimes, I award points during class for various activities so, simply by being in class you can earn a point... and then some!

Fitness Takes No Holidays - Week 3

We only have three more weeks in our competition.  It's a pretty stiff competition amongst the StrollerFit moms so far!  Our leaders are Donna (10 points) and Katie H. (13 points) but a few others are very close behind!  Remember that there are some easy ways to earn extra points if you follow this blog and check my facebook updates.  


Quick fact for your week and to give you a boost at StrollerFit: Did you know that increasing your cardiovascular workout time can help REDUCE your appetite? Studies have shown this, but if it doesn’t happen to have that effect on you, at least you are burning more calories during those longer workouts. Also, working at a moderate level (aerobic) burns more fat, by percentage. Adding just 10 extra minutes can mean another 100 calories or more are gone.

Week 3

Want extra points this week, moms, in our Fitness Takes No Holidays promo?  We're having a colorful week this week at class!

Monday: Wear red and dress your child in something red, and you'll get an extra point.
Tuesday: Wear something orange or yellow and dress your child in orange or yellow and get an extra point.
Wednesday (possible make-up class): wear something plaid (do you have plaid workout gear?)
Thursday: Wear something green or red for Christmas and dress your child in green or red and get an extra point
Friday: Wear something blue or purple and dress your child in blue or purple and get an extra point.

PLEASE REMEMBER: Call me in the morning before class to verify the class location.  This is VERY important now that Renegade is closed.

Location, Location, Location

We have been so fortunate in the last four years of having mommymuscle classes that we've had a great indoor facility, Renegade Sports Center.  It's a wonderful place: indoor basketball courts, soccer fields, aerobics room, skate park, fitness center, childcare, and a great staff.  We've taken full advantage of Renegade's facility and have really enjoyed the luxury of having a primo indoor spot for classes.  I learned yesterday evening that Renegade will be closing, at least temporarily, due to financial difficulties.  I am so saddened for many reasons: for Laird and Nanette, the owners; for those who work there; for the kids and leagues that use the facility; and for StrollerFit/restore the core classes losing our location.  However, I am also heartened to see how God has already begun to remind me of His sovereignty, His being in control.  How thankful I am to know that He will provide for us... and already has begun to do just that.

I'll be posting updates on Facebook about class locations because the weather is beginning to be chilly in the mornings.  For those of you planning to come to StrollerFit during the week, please be sure that you call me to verify class location.

I'm looking forward to continuing my adventure with mommymuscle classes with each of you.  Remember: we're still in the middle of a heated competition for our Fitness Takes No Holidays promotion.  Extra points and giveaways happen when you're at class!

Fitness Takes No Holidays - Week 2

H1N1, regular flu, cold season, tamiflu, kleenex... ugh.  Just thinking about these illnesses and products makes me feel achy all over.  But, what's an easy thing to combat those illnesses?  EXERCISE!

Did you know that cardiovascular conditioning makes your immune cells function better every day due to increased oxygen uptake? StrollerFit and restore the core moms do this every class as they work HARD in class. Way to go, mamas!

Through week two, Katie H is leading the pack in our competition and we're now over halfway to buying a goat for children in need through World Vision.  Yea!