diaper obsessions

A small diaper on a larger tush

Before Ruthie was born, I'd done a little reading into cloth diapering.  I thought that it sounded like something I might want to attempt.  I liked the idea of being a little more environmentally friendly.  I liked not having quite as much trash leave our house.  I liked the idea of not spending so much money on disposable diapers.  I had no idea how... shall I say "obsessed" for the condition I have now?  I'll just say that I really like cloth diapering our little one's tush.  I do indeed like it for all the reasons stated above, but can I just brag on how cute her little cloth diapered bottom is?  The diapers themselves are so very easy to use.  I think that most people think of pins, folding, and agony when thinking about cloth diapers.  That's simply not the case for us.  They are quick to put on, quick to get off and easy to launder.  And, though I'm not a fashionista by any means - low maintenance is the name of my game - it's quite fun to match her diapers to her outfits!  I'm sure I'll have more to post on this later but I actually have a load of fluffy (cloth diapers) laundry to do now.

Messy, good-for-her, fun!

Nowdays at our house, the most commonly used kitchen apparatus is the mini food processor. This little contraption has lain dormant for most of our married life because I found that it tended to puree things rather than simply chop them. Why does that fact matter now? Enter baby. Partly because of my love for cooking, partly because of my desire to be thrifty, and partly because of my desire to know exactly what our family is injesting, I make the little one's food. The mini chopper is used a LOT in our household now and the little guy is a trooper. It now handles everything that the baby eats: dried apricots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, green beans, roasted bell peppers, lentil stew, everything.

We've experimented with quite a few veggies and fruits and, with her seven month birthday coming up, will be experimenting with meats now more often. She's eaten everything she's had and not refused anything yet, but she's certainly more amenable to some foods than others. (Like her dad, she's not wild about broccoli but, unlike her dad, she will at least eat it. Thankfully, it's about the only thing he won't eat.) What fun!

I have several resources I've been consulting for ideas on what to make her. The first is a book called First Meals by Annabel Karmel. It is a very helpful book with recipes divided into age groups. I'm currently working my way through the puree section for the baby's age group. The second helpful resource has been a website called weelicious.com. I'm just discovering this one, but it has pictures, step by step instructions and a peppy and "you can do it!" style. I'm sure I'll discover more helpful ideas along the way, but these are on my go-to list.

I have a crisper full of broccoli and cauliflower, sweet potatoes in the cabinet, and a bag of apples on the counter that all need to be tended to today if possible. Here I come, mini chopper!

coupons and freebies... i'm hooked!

I've started collecting coupons lately and following a few blogs online. I don't know what spurred this new burst of furvor, but I'm hooked. In a recent trip to Publix, I saved about $25 just from couponing and checking the Publix circular! Yippee! There are so many sites online with deals posted and lots with printable coupons. My favorite right now is The Thrifty Mama. She has deals, coupons, and a great forum with lots of people following and providing savings tips and deals. Just like facebook, I could spend (or waste) a LOT of time on this site and with this venture!


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