tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44193828389803258412024-03-14T00:30:57.981-04:00Journey of Grace~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-56053413021791047932013-08-01T01:52:00.001-04:002013-08-26T23:22:05.907-04:00Why you should avoid store-bought toothpaste + Homemade toothpaste recipe!<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>We're taking baby steps! I know we can't eliminate every single possible harmful substance from our lives. The world we live in is full of potentially harmful things. The best I can do is make little changes here and there in hopes to at least reduce the harmful substances in my home!</i><br />
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Journey%20of%20Grace/toothpaste_zps6b8946c6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo toothpaste_zps6b8946c6.jpg" border="0" height="640" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Journey%20of%20Grace/toothpaste_zps6b8946c6.jpg" width="502" /></a>
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This week I had another science class in my kitchen... throwing things together to see what natural products I can make to replace store-bought products with. Making my own toothpaste has been a desire for quite some time. After a botched attempt at an intricate recipe I gave up and put everything away. I suppose I felt something more involved would be better than something so simple.<br />
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Ultimately the recipe I tried likely would not have been a good fit even if I had not botched it. It costs more than simpler toothpaste recipes, had a shelf-life and the overall process of making it was a bit much for me. </div>
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<a href="http://creativechristianmama.com/fun-things-friday-homemade-toothpaste/">You can check it out for yourself if you are interested. It's by Creative Christian Mama :)</a><br />
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After a few months of sulking in failure at my original toothpaste making attempt (and cleaning out the bottles I had put the goop in) I resorted back to ol' faithful - Crest. But you can't put faith in Crest. Or almost any other toothpaste on the supermarket shelves anymore. It's actually quite scary!<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Research:</span></u></b></div>
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I have done a fair amount of research, looking at what is safe, not safe, what ingredients I already have handy, cost etc... I'll be honest, I'm no good at compiling information. I have been trying to hang on to stuff I read for use in posts so hopefully I have done a well enough job here to convince you that what is in your Crest, Colgate, Aquafresh, and even some of your "natural" toothpastes is no good. </div>
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<b><a href="http://www.diynatural.com/what-is-toothpaste-made-of/"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>DIY Natural</i></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i> & <a href="http://worldental.org/oral-hygiene/harmful-ingredients-toothpaste/8837/">World Dental</a> did great, to-the-point posts with resources about some of those ickies:</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></b></div>
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<i>- "<b><span style="font-size: large;">Triclosan</span></b> has been shown to be an endocrine disruptor, a skin irritant, and can cause allergic reactions in some cases."</i><br />
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<i>- "...<span style="font-size: large;"><b>sorbitol</b> </span>has laxative effects that can cause diarrhea if too much is swallowed."</i><br />
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<i>- "</i><a href="http://worldental.org/oral-hygiene/harmful-ingredients-toothpaste/8837/"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Saccharin</span></b> is only a petroleum based sugar substitute</i></a><i>, and other names that mean the same as saccharin include: sucralose, Acesulfame-K, alitame, or tagatose. Cancer and saccharin ingestion have been linked many times in the past." </i><br />
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<a href="http://www.westonaprice.org/modern-foods/sugar-free-blues"><i>HERE</i></a><i> is more information on sweeteners, the good (Stevia, for example) and the bad!</i></div>
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<i>- "...the production of<span style="font-size: large;"> <b>SLS (sodium laurel sulfate)</b></span> results in </i><a href="http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/07/13/sodium-lauryl-sulfate.aspx" target="_blank" title="Mercola article on SLS"><i>contamination with a carcinogenic by-product</i></a><i>."</i><br />
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<i>- <b><span style="font-size: large;">FD&C blue dyes</span></b>... "The </i><a href="http://www.cspinet.org/fooddyes/" target="_blank" title="Center for Science in the Public Interest"><i>Center for Science in the Public Interest</i></a><i> recommends avoiding these artificial dyes in personal care products because of the adverse impact they can have, including hyperactivity in children, allergic reactions, and even cancer (in animal studies)."</i><br />
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<i>- Just like the post says... <b><span style="font-size: large;">Flouride is BAD!</span> </b>It's toxic, and prompts a poison warning label on our toothpastes. It even has been linked to thyroid problems. Are you hypothyroid?? I am. And while I can't quite commit to a </i><a href="http://www.slightlysteady.com/healing-my-thyroid-the-plan/"><i>completely changed diet to help promote thyroid healing,</i></a><i> I can definitely avoid flouride as a baby step!</i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Glycerin</span></b> is another "hot topic" with toothpastes. From what I gather it's very 50/50 as to whether you should use it or not. I have decided not to use glycerin in my toothpastes although I do have it on hand for other natural products. I found </i><a href="http://artistta.blogspot.com/2011/04/closer-look-at-glyerin-and-whether-its.html"><i>this post that details and sources glycerin use for toothpastes</i></a><i>. Make your own choice :)</i><br />
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<b>Is that not enough to make you at least consider an alternative? If so, please continue to the recipe...</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Going for it:</u></b></span><br />
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I felt confident, gathered the ingredients, and made my own toothpaste!</div>
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I take no credit for this recipe. Ultimately it is based upon <a href="http://familysponge.com/health/coconut-oil/homemade-toothpaste-coconut-oil/">Family Sponge's post</a>. Truthfully, there are a ton of blogs that use a very similar recipe so I strongly suggest you do your research and pick what variation you feel most comfortable using.</div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Photos%20from%20Phone/c7c7305d-4e61-487e-b10b-3c21e8f66843_zps63f2b8f8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Journey%20of%20Grace/ingredients_zps50e0b7ea.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ingredients_zps50e0b7ea.jpg" border="0" height="374" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Journey%20of%20Grace/ingredients_zps50e0b7ea.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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6 TBSP Coconut Oil</div>
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6 TBSP Baking Soda</div>
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Stevia to taste (optional) </div>
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25 drops of essential oils (optional) </div>
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(I used Sweet Orange with a few drops of Eucalyptus)<br />
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<strong><em>**UPDATE** </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>I didn't do enough research early on with my essential oils and have recently learned that Eucalyptus can be poisonous if ingested, especially for children. I only used a few drops but I will be experimenting with a new recipe soon in order to replace the mix I made for my daughter which I added pure vanilla extract to as well. In mine and my husband's mixture I added some pure peppermint extract and peppermint oil.</em></strong><br />
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Journey%20of%20Grace/mixing_zps3efaf60c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo mixing_zps3efaf60c.jpg" border="0" height="640" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Journey%20of%20Grace/mixing_zps3efaf60c.jpg" width="480" /></a>
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- Recruit your children to help mix all of your ingredients in a bowl then pour in to a glass container. I used a little mason jar I had handy.<br />
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- Scoop the paste out on to your toothbrush and brush away! It absolutely makes your teeth feel wonderful. </div>
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I currently have a craft stick on top of the jar to use for scooping out the paste. Family Sponge said she sometimes uses her toothbrush. I personally don't want my funky toothbrush mixed around with everybody elses so I'll stick with the stick :p<br />
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This jar maayybe cost me $2. <br />
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<i>If you have all of these ingredients in a high grade organic form, yay! I don't. I do the best I can without spending more than is truly necessary. The only thing I had to purchase was stevia. I settled on <b>stevia</b> after I had initially wanted <b>xylitol</b>. I thought it was necessary and there were no alternatives but I was wrong. I just couldn't find it in stores locally and didn't feel like waiting to order it online. I had to use a ton of it because I can not stand the salty baking soda taste. I have to make it as sweet as possible in order to make it more marketable to my 5yr old... and my husband.</i> <br />
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I really want this to last. I recently started <a href="http://ashleysgreenlife.blogspot.com/2012/08/oil-pulling-what-is-it-how-to-do-it.html">oil pulling</a> and want to hold off on my long over-due dental exam for a couple of months until I brush with the natural toothpaste and get a good oil pulling routine down. I don't know if I'll have a better check-up than I have had in the past but it's worth a shot to try!<br />
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/signaturegreyborder_zps2d805835.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo signaturegreyborder_zps2d805835.png" border="0" height="150" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/signaturegreyborder_zps2d805835.png" width="200" /></a>~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-17683337988695285342013-07-29T21:51:00.000-04:002013-08-27T20:56:08.359-04:00From Mirrored Closet Doors to Homeschool Chalkboard!<div style="text-align: center;">
We're less than 2 weeks away from the beginning of kindergarten, and since I am homeschooling I've had to come up with some of my own ideas on how to cut costs and still maintain a functioning home + school environment. One dilemma has been a large writing surface (i.e. dry erase or chalk board). </div>
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After a little digging I picked the sliding mirror closet doors in my daughter's room as the victim. Normally I would hate to cover them... she loves to use them when she plays, but unfortunately one of the doors has a large crack and jagged edge that I've been itching to hide somehow. And available wall space is an issue so this was a win win!<br />
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/657a1830-b2e9-41f4-a9d8-80cae3586a93_zps161af847.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 657a1830-b2e9-41f4-a9d8-80cae3586a93_zps161af847.jpg" border="0" height="394" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/657a1830-b2e9-41f4-a9d8-80cae3586a93_zps161af847.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/4a6de734-7e5c-425f-a260-248a465f004b_zps4b1773c0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 4a6de734-7e5c-425f-a260-248a465f004b_zps4b1773c0.jpg" border="0" height="278" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/4a6de734-7e5c-425f-a260-248a465f004b_zps4b1773c0.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Here is what you will need:</strong></span></div>
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<strong>Glass cleaner</strong></div>
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<strong>Microfiber cloth</strong> </div>
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(or something that will pick up all the lint!)</div>
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<strong>**Primer**</strong></div>
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(I used a grey primer. If you don't prime you risk an uneven coat of paint resulting in more paint being used and possibly peeling prematurely.)</div>
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<strong>Chalkboard paint</strong><br />
(Valspar brand is what I used)<br />
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<strong>Foam roller</strong></div>
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(Don't use one with fibers... I'll show you why later)</div>
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<strong>Painter's tape & drop cloth</strong><br />
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<strong>Chalk & eraser</strong></div>
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Tape your surface anywhere you do not want paint. Clean your mirror very well and use a microfiber cloth to help grab up any extra linty pieces. Use a foam roller and begin priming your surface. Completely and evenly coat it and let dry. I let mine dry overnight.</div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/DSCN3865_zps6d4bf6e4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN3865_zps6d4bf6e4.jpg" border="0" height="640" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/DSCN3865_zps6d4bf6e4.jpg" width="480" /></a>
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<em>**I used a reguar cheap roller for my primer coat. I wish I had not done that. It resulted in fibers being pulled from the roller and left on the mirror. I didn't really catch it until it was too late and far too bad to pick out individual pieces. Once I added a coat of chalkboard paint I took a very fine grit sand paper and sanded down the rough fibers as much as I could.**</em></div>
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Here you can see the fibers sticking out after a coat of chalkboard paint was applied.<br />
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/DSCN3886_zpsa5ab4a90.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN3886_zpsa5ab4a90.jpg" border="0" height="300" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/DSCN3886_zpsa5ab4a90.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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You can see in this image where all the fibers caught the chalk later during the "priming" process. It's not a perfectly flat surface but it still writes very well, just a few little bumps here and there.<br />
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Photos%20from%20Phone/20130725_203949_zpsf5c2070b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 20130725_203949_zpsf5c2070b.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Photos%20from%20Phone/20130725_203949_zpsf5c2070b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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To fix the nasty chip in the mirror I took a quick and simple route of using painter's tape. I took a couple of small pieces and wrapped it around the chip then proceeded to paint over it. You can barely tell on the finished product.</div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/4a1150fa-260e-4344-9567-6e4436c3419a_zps57a508d6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 4a1150fa-260e-4344-9567-6e4436c3419a_zps57a508d6.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/4a1150fa-260e-4344-9567-6e4436c3419a_zps57a508d6.jpg" width="339" /></a>
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Apply 2 to 3 coats of chalkboard paint according to package instructions, prime the surface with chalk as shown above (I used sidewalk chalk for quick application), erase and you now have a great writing surface!!<br />
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The more I think about it the more excited I am to use the board for school. I can see the sliding doors coming in very handy for hiding subjects, revealing one letter, number or word at a time during different learning activities... yay! <br />
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/DSCN3932_zpse598cf35.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN3932_zpse598cf35.jpg" border="0" height="640" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/DSCN3932_zpse598cf35.jpg" width="385" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://kammyskorner.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff438/kammyskorner/TtoTKammyKorner.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://gingersnapcrafts.com/search/label/%7Bwow%20me%7D%20wednesday"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kFtfN67KadM/Tnsugs_MyyI/AAAAAAAAGwE/oWf6YALNB8I/s1600/wow-me.png" /></a></center>
~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-64657358133821461882013-07-05T01:16:00.001-04:002013-07-05T01:17:49.379-04:004th of July Craft Stick Flag on a Rainy Day!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3118_zps422d756b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN3118_zps422d756b.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3118_zps422d756b.jpg" width="355" /></a>
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In true fashion of being "essential personnel" I typically work on July 4th, but for the first time in a few years I had the night off! We had plans of going to the city festivities and making it one of our first big family outings but the weather had other plans. Everything was cancelled and moved to future dates so we spent our day inside playing video games, eating pizza, and my favorite part... making crafts!</div>
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First we had to get dolled up in our patriotic gear...<br />
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3030_zps02b3d4e5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN3030_zps02b3d4e5.jpg" border="0" height="361" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3030_zps02b3d4e5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3119_zps86052e12.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN3119_zps86052e12.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3119_zps86052e12.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>
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<i>Somebody</i> didn't want any part of putting clothes on.<br />
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3079_zps38d3413a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN3079_zps38d3413a.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3079_zps38d3413a.jpg" width="362" /></a>
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Woo, fun time!<br />
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<b><u>We made American flags with:</u> </b><br />
Craft sticks (regular and short)<br />
Hot glue for fast drying time<br />
Finger paint (red & blue)<br />
Glitter for the "stars" (we used gold)<br />
Scissors to cut down the craft sticks (I used a pair of sturdy handled kitchen sheers)<br />
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It
was a quick craft but Jaiden loved it! All I did was use 3 rows of
vertical small sticks along the back to hold several rows of horizontal
long sticks together. I cut down the blue/stars sticks so they would fit
across with small sticks. Nothing too fancy and I apologize ahead
of time for a lack of detailed photos. I'm not a good director to my
photographer ;)<br />
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3041_zps3a6a1b53.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN3041_zps3a6a1b53.jpg" border="0" height="372" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3041_zps3a6a1b53.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3059_zps61b01b39.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN3059_zps61b01b39.jpg" border="0" height="640" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3059_zps61b01b39.jpg" width="544" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3065_zpsb38df316.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN3065_zpsb38df316.jpg" border="0" height="592" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3065_zpsb38df316.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We made sure to have an actual American flag present. We also gave her a brief age appropriate description of our flag, what it means, and what July 4th is about. </div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3069_zps3d6d911d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN3069_zps3d6d911d.jpg" border="0" height="630" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3069_zps3d6d911d.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3073_zpsb50306bf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN3073_zpsb50306bf.jpg" border="0" height="640" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3073_zpsb50306bf.jpg" width="545" /></a>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3089_zps0c8c3251.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN3089_zps0c8c3251.jpg" border="0" height="480" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3089_zps0c8c3251.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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You can use these flags to decorate indoor or outdoor! Ideally you may wish to do this before the holiday but we're always a little behind. I had hoped to make several but a 9 month old crabby pants doesn't understand craft time so we cut it short with 2 flags and a few other sticks decorated with colors. </div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3118_zps422d756b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN3118_zps422d756b.jpg" border="0" height="640" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Journey%20of%20Grace/DSCN3118_zps422d756b.jpg" width="569" /></a><br />
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I do hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed holiday! <br />
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/signaturegreyborder_zps2d805835.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo signaturegreyborder_zps2d805835.png" border="0" height="150" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/signaturegreyborder_zps2d805835.png" width="200" /></a>~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-14377700315126386692013-06-26T00:30:00.000-04:002013-06-29T17:58:29.806-04:00The Pixie Cut Mom<div style="text-align: center;">
I am probably the last person on earth to feel fashionable, trendy or cute but sometimes I get a little spunk in me and go for it. I don't want to be stared at or the center of attention. Blending in is ok. Until I got the nerve to make a drastic change... to my hair.</div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/Thanksgiving%202012/100_6243.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 100_6243.jpg" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Thanksgiving%202012/100_6243.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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Long for me is a beautiful, stringy mess with few options and more headache than I care to deal with. Post-partum hair loss was my main motivation to make a change followed by the desperate grabbing hands of my little man while nursing.</div>
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The above was Thanksgiving 2012. A couple of weeks later I took the plunge to cut <em>several</em> inches off and go for a slight bob cut (thank you, Mary!)...</div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20121214_153229.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_20121214_153229.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20121214_153229.jpg" width="300" /></a>
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I let this grow out over the course of the next 4 or so months (laziness) and decided I was ready for yet another slightly more dramatic change. </div>
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My newest inspiration started here with <a href="http://whippycake.com/2011/10/dear-whippy-haircut-part-1/">Dear Whippy</a> and her longer pixie style. </div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/HC11_zps460e6b7e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo HC11_zps460e6b7e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/HC11_zps460e6b7e.jpg" /></a></div>
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And this was my result (thank you Sarah!)...</div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/966463_613055518707360_989933735_o_zps107ee3da.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 966463_613055518707360_989933735_o_zps107ee3da.jpg" border="0" height="210" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/966463_613055518707360_989933735_o_zps107ee3da.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/DSCN0389_zps8ee81832.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN0389_zps8ee81832.jpg" border="0" height="240" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/DSCN0389_zps8ee81832.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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I realized I was not much for the longer sideburns and hair around my ears. I was spending far too much time flat ironing to perfection, which seemed unachievable.</div>
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It felt almost like a Lego hair piece.</div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/lego_zps0651d997.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo lego_zps0651d997.jpg" border="0" height="300" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/lego_zps0651d997.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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After I decided I didn't like the Lego look I went back to my hair stylist with new inspiration from my good friend, Ginnifer Goodwin.</div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/ginnifer_zps1012a25f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ginnifer_zps1012a25f.jpg" border="0" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/ginnifer_zps1012a25f.jpg" /></a></div>
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Ok, so we're not "good" friends, but my minor obsession with the TV series <i>Once Upon A Time</i> made me absolutely fall in love with this style far more than I had previously thought I might.</div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20130611_143115_zpsd2ae1b2b.jpg.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_20130611_143115_zpsd2ae1b2b.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20130611_143115_zpsd2ae1b2b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/Photos%20from%20Phone/IMG_20130618_172237_zps1b84550d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_20130618_172237_zps1b84550d.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/Photos%20from%20Phone/IMG_20130618_172237_zps1b84550d.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<em>My husband recently took up photography and photo editing as a hobby. Enjoy his wonderful work!</em></div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/DSCN2432-2_zpse88cbe8b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN2432-2_zpse88cbe8b.jpg" border="0" height="480" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/DSCN2432-2_zpse88cbe8b.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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I couldn't be happier with the outcome of my hair!</div>
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I am still working on the styling aspect. There is so much to do with the pixie but many of the more fun styles need a fair amount of product and a bit of practice. Currently all I use to style my hair is my blow dryer, flat iron, hair spray and volumizing powder. It does require almost daily washing in order to have a clean styling slate. You're also looking at cutting it ever 4-5 weeks.</div>
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If you were considering the pixie don't expect to be able to jump out of bed in the A.M. and be on your merry way. If you do this you will look like, as I saw once described, a derranged teenage boy. </div>
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(<em>After I experiment more I will share with you the products I find work best for me and the respective style. I'm taking tips from several different pixie ladies!</em>)</div>
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You will begin to find that accessories such as head bands and clips become a necessity to avoiding the same look every day if you're like me and don't have much styling time on a busy day. There's no need to spend an arm and a leg on them though. Check local overstock stores like TJ Maxx or Ross. They often have them for $1-$5. If you are interested in the clips I'm sporting in some of my pictures you can find them <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B1M8YYK/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">here on Amazon</a>. In the future I plan to make my own assortment, of which you can find hundreds of tutorials if you simply use dear old Pinterest!</div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/DSCN2458-2_zpsdc283245.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN2458-2_zpsdc283245.jpg" border="0" height="305" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/DSCN2458-2_zpsdc283245.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Normally I wouldn't promote this aspect because "natural beauty is all you need" according to my husband... who is he kidding. I'm a woman! But honestly, make-up can really make this style pop and truly do its magic. Your face is fully exposed with little focus elsewhere and the before and after is surprising when it comes to putting your face on. There's no <i>need</i> to over do it but I feel like the fun part of the pixie is you can apply a more natural make-up coverage or an evening make-up coverage and still look fabulous! There will (hopefully) be more on that in the future as there isn't much opportunity for the evening look in my present daily life.</div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/DSCN2373-2_zps01a88a72.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN2373-2_zps01a88a72.jpg" border="0" height="480" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/DSCN2373-2_zps01a88a72.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<strong>I suppose I'll end with a thought:</strong></div>
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Long hair is elegant and is the timeless and modest picture of being a lady, but don't be afraid to take the plunge in to super short hair if you've considered it! You can still make it look beautiful and feminine! I did it somewhat gradually but I'll be honest, nothing can truly prepare you for this sort of drastic change no matter how short you thought you were before. You'll be shocked at first and likely question every ounce of you that ever thought it would be a good idea, but the compliments will pour in and probably overwhelm you (be humble!)... and confidence will gain. Learn from what others before you have done to make it work. Feel comfortable with your choice and embrace the short hair trend!</div>
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<a href="http://s931.photobucket.com/user/craigspostings/media/signaturegreyborder_zps2d805835.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo signaturegreyborder_zps2d805835.png" border="0" height="150" src="http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/craigspostings/signaturegreyborder_zps2d805835.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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</a><br />~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-84930789185102733352013-06-10T19:26:00.002-04:002013-06-29T18:04:03.898-04:00A Girl's Best Friend - Saying Goodbye<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Neha</span></div>
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(knee-uh)<br />
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In 2010 we decided to get a dog for our family. After some hunting I was able to rescue a pure-bred Yellow Labrador Retriever from foster care outside of a shelter. She was 11 months old, overweight, and in desperate need of a place to call her permanent home. She was a perfect match for us.<br />
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Neha had a few different medical problems but in general she was a happy and healthy friend. We've dealt with leg and hip issues and last year she developed seizures with an unknown cause. Despite all of that we were confident she'd be here for years to come. <br />
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She and Jaiden were the best of friends.<br />
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Sadly we were not to have many more years with our beautiful girl. She developed a serious and deadly condition known as "bloat." Although I've heard of stomach turning in dogs I really did not know the symptoms or even think it would happen.<br />
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<em>You can read more about bloat or stomach turning in dogs </em><a href="http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/bloat-dogs"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>here</em></span></a><em>.</em> <br />
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Neha lived nearly 24 hours from the onset before we had the chance to take her to our vet. The doctor was very surprised to see she had survived so long. I guess she had a will to hang in there. She had been trying all night to stay as far away from the house as possible but instinctively we continued to check on her and give her love.<br />
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We all had the opportunity to say goodbye to our clumsy horse of a dog before we made the decision to have her put to sleep. Jaiden took it pretty hard. As parents it was a devastating experience to watch your little girl go through her first loss. Thankfully she has recovered well since. It took some time and a lot of encouragement. She loves to reminisce about Neha and tell people about her. She even draws pictures of them together. <br />
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~~~~~<br />
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God gave our family a wonderful companion over the last 3 1/2 years and she will truly be missed.... </div>
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<em>Neha was the only Lab that couldn't swim. Kiddie pools saved the summers!</em></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/Photos%20from%20phone/35825971-e1cc-436b-be83-99e5a87b9beb_zps6c8d9bd6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 35825971-e1cc-436b-be83-99e5a87b9beb_zps6c8d9bd6.jpg" border="0" height="264" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/35825971-e1cc-436b-be83-99e5a87b9beb_zps6c8d9bd6.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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<em>A fitting seat for a little girl.</em><br />
<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/14118_118750698135794_27174_n_zpsd6b410e7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 14118_118750698135794_27174_n_zpsd6b410e7.jpg" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/14118_118750698135794_27174_n_zpsd6b410e7.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/175418_203425379668325_3054623_o_zps488f2ed1.jpg.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 175418_203425379668325_3054623_o_zps488f2ed1.jpg" border="0" height="239" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/175418_203425379668325_3054623_o_zps488f2ed1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em>A fitting seat for a big puppy.</em> </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20120819_020057.jpg.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_20120819_020057.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20120819_020057.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<em>If you could get past the attack of her tongue and sneak a hug you were lucky.</em> </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20120213_112548.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_20120213_112548.jpg" border="0" height="240" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20120213_112548.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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<em>If you had the pleasure of visiting our new Maddox you were surely greeted by a protective beast.</em> </div>
<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20120927_172102.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_20120927_172102.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20120927_172102.jpg" width="239" /></a>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20121205_192129.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_20121205_192129.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20121205_192129.jpg" width="238" /></a>
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<em>Always together...</em> </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/Photos%20from%20phone/20130307_113705_zpsec813370.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 20130307_113705_zpsec813370.jpg" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/20130307_113705_zpsec813370.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/Photos%20from%20phone/d24fa30b-996f-4020-a20d-4406b07bd737_zps07db8ad4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo d24fa30b-996f-4020-a20d-4406b07bd737_zps07db8ad4.jpg" border="0" height="640" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/d24fa30b-996f-4020-a20d-4406b07bd737_zps07db8ad4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~Lisa~</span></div>
~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-35546034392958372892013-05-10T00:06:00.000-04:002013-05-10T00:06:09.331-04:00Preparing My Heart to Homeschool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/2ee713c7-9521-43ad-a9a6-9eb94473a68b_zps19d804f5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 2ee713c7-9521-43ad-a9a6-9eb94473a68b_zps19d804f5.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/2ee713c7-9521-43ad-a9a6-9eb94473a68b_zps19d804f5.jpg" width="331" /></a>
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That's my little drama queen! </div>
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She sure is a handful, but what a joy! Almost 5 years old, growing taller every second, imagination that runs wild and free, legs that can't stay still and feet that have no concept of one in front of the other, not to mention she never ever puts her shoes on the correct feet. She'll dance like she owns the imaginary stage. My precious first-born... her first moments on earth were spent shedding tears with her mommy and daddy. I can't think of a day since where she hasn't cried! She sure keeps us on our toes.</div>
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As if her crazy dramatic personality isn't enough, next comes kindergarten. It scares me, but not like you may think... I'm not worried about sending my little girl off to a foreign place, the bus ride or the first day jitters of making new friends. I'm worried about me! It has been my prayer, desire, and determination since long before I had children to home school them. I have my days with highs and lows. I get so incredibly excited to teach her, then I panic and question what seems like an insane endeavor. I'm not a stay at home mom, and I'm not saying all homeschooling parents are but I work a full-time mostly 2nd shift job. If she goes to a school away from home I'll never see her! </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/DSCN0389_zps8ee81832.jpg.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSCN0389_zps8ee81832.jpg" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/DSCN0389_zps8ee81832.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I still have an obligation to be her mother and reducing the amount of time I spend with her any more than it already is will undoubtedly be damaging to our relationship both now and even more fearfully, in the future. But how on earth am I supposed to manage work, a 1yr old, a house, a husband, AND teach my little girl??<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Do I have the patience, organizational skills, or energy? </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I know I don't, not right now at least, but <u><b>God does</b></u><span style="font-size: large;">.</span> </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I'll draw from Him<span style="font-size: large;">!</span> </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">After all, He is who I lean on to get through every other day. </span></i></div>
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I look forward to blogging about the ups and downs, ins and outs of how it goes. I want to be encouraging to other mothers in a similar situation. I have been encouraged myself by working moms who home school! </div>
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In 3 short months the adventure begins. </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/49000a5a-6703-419a-a3c4-1d85212965ce_zpsb32acc7a.jpg.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 49000a5a-6703-419a-a3c4-1d85212965ce_zpsb32acc7a.jpg" border="0" height="347" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/49000a5a-6703-419a-a3c4-1d85212965ce_zpsb32acc7a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~Lisa~</span></div>
~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-2603805415867546292013-04-01T18:53:00.000-04:002013-06-29T18:08:45.543-04:00Natural Face Cleanser & Make-up Remover<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/Photos%20from%20phone/7280636f-c0c4-4d35-97f6-b69480dc956b_zps161d081e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 7280636f-c0c4-4d35-97f6-b69480dc956b_zps161d081e.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/7280636f-c0c4-4d35-97f6-b69480dc956b_zps161d081e.jpg" width="337" /></a></div>
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One of my favorite homemade health & beauty products so far is the natural face cleanser I found at <a href="http://prairiecottagerose.blogspot.com/">The Prairie Cottage</a>. Shelley shared <a href="http://prairiecottagerose.blogspot.com/2012/01/homemade-face-wash.html">this</a> simple 4-recipe cleanser that got pretty good reviews from followers.</div>
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If you're new to natural cleansers this one may sound completely strange to you... olive oil?! It is actually a great cleanser all by itself. You can read up more on it here at <a href="http://theoilcleansingmethod.com/">TheOilCleansingMethod.com</a> but the basic concept is that you're replacing the bad, hardened oils in your pores with fresh clean oils! </div>
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On to the very quick process. You'll need:</div>
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2 teaspoons liquid soap (I used Dr. Bronner's Almond castile soap) <br />
2 tablespoons water <br />
2 tablespoons glycerin (found at GNC or health food stores) <br />
1/2 cup olive oil </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/Photos%20from%20phone/ec624c15-6b85-49f0-80c6-594313f22d4f_zps2cdcf333.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ec624c15-6b85-49f0-80c6-594313f22d4f_zps2cdcf333.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/ec624c15-6b85-49f0-80c6-594313f22d4f_zps2cdcf333.jpg" width="345" /></a>
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Add the ingredients to a food processor or blender if you have one. I used my Ninja. Mix it until everything is well-blended and creamy. Pour it over in to your pump bottle and there you go! <br />
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I doubled my recipe which fit perfectly in a Wolfgang Puck spaghetti sauce jar (pictured above). Most of it is now in the pump but the jar works great for extras and is left under the bathroom sink to refill the pump as needed.<br />
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/media/Photos%20from%20phone/20130322_010725_zps58edfeb9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 20130322_010725_zps58edfeb9.jpg" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/20130322_010725_zps58edfeb9.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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This stuff is an AMAZING moisturizer and make-up remover. I used to use coconut oil as my eye make-up remover (which worked wonderfully btw) then wash with some other random cleanser then follow up with a small amount of coconut oil for my moisturizer. This new cleanser completely eliminates that three-step process and puts it all in to one!</div>
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I use a couple pumps in the bath, or at the sink. Massage it well all over your face and neck and gently around your eyes especially if you have mascara or eye make-up on. Then gently wash away with a wash cloth and warm/hot water, whatever you can stand. You may need to rinse the cloth then gently wipe away again, but don't be intimidated if your face feels slightly oily. This is ok. You don't want to strip your face dry because then you will over-produce oils to make up for it then you're back at quare one.</div>
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My husband does not like this. He said he used it a few days and swears it is the reason he broke out worse. Don't tell him I said this but I think he didn't give it a fair shot. I am planning to try a different recipe for him. He's stubborn and probably won't touch this stuff with a 10 foot pole again!</div>
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Try this out for yourself, I think you'll totally love it! Leave me and/or Shelley at The Prairie Cottage your feedback :)</div>
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~Lisa~</div>
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~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-30248450206115726372013-01-29T00:48:00.000-05:002013-03-25T18:42:09.757-04:00Cloth Diaper Follow-Up<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=gallery-2002756222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/gallery-2002756222.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It has been an exciting 4 months here in my cloth-diapering household! I'm proud to say that my son hasn't had a disposable diaper on his bum since he was about 2 weeks old! I've been meaning to come follow-up with how we're doing, what we like and don't like, and especially tell you how my DIY inserts have worked out. </div>
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My son has been oh so gracious as to let us experiment with his toosh. We haven't been too rough on him I don't think. </div>
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I <span style="font-size: large;">LOVE LOVE LOVE</span> a fluffy butt!! </div>
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I feel fantastic not tossing diapers in the trash can only to be sent to the curb to die (or live rather) in a landfill. </div>
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I don't have to run out to the store every or every other week to buy wipes and diapers because I ran out. </div>
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We have yet to have a oober poop blowout. I remember disposables with my daughter could barely handle a poop. These things can seriously handle a nightmare!</div>
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<strong>Here's my booger</strong></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20121225_123432-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="IMG_20121225_123432" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20121225_123432-1.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20130125_192745-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="IMG_20130125_192745" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20130125_192745-1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<strong>Here's my booger and his fluff</strong></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20130125_120853-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="IMG_20130125_120853" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20130125_120853-1.jpg" width="321" /></a> </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Inserts & Diapers</span></strong><br />
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Several months ago, back before my little dude came peeing in to the world, I posted about my DIY inserts <a href="http://ptlforgrace.blogspot.com/2012/05/diy-cloth-diaper-inserts-part-i.html"><strong>Part I</strong></a> & <a href="http://ptlforgrace.blogspot.com/2012/08/diy-cloth-diaper-inserts-part-ii.html"><strong>Part II</strong></a></div>
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<strong>Part I</strong> were the blend inserts with fleece and microfiber.<br />
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5542.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5542.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Part II</strong> were the microfiber.</div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5913.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5913.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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My goal was to use the blend inserts for my gDiapers. Since this is a follow-up I'll be honest:<br />
They did not work for my son :( I'm not saying they didn't work. They definitely absorbed pee but it was very quickly evident that I had a heavy wetter. They actually did better, in my opinion, than the actual gDiaper brand inserts.<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"> <span style="color: black;">Despite them not working in the gDiapers for us they eventually found a place as a doubler in overnight diapers. More on that later</span><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">...</span></span></span></span><br />
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When my son came home from the hospital we began using the tiny gDiapers with disposable inserts. It was far easier than using the cloth. You're changing diapers every hour and unless you're just gung-ho you don't really want to wash inserts every other day. I didn't. It was much easier to wash the gDiaper covers in a regular baby laundry load. Plus the entire gDiaper set was a gift that included two packages of disposable inserts, why not?!<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
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<strong>This is one of the only photos I have of him in a tiny gDiaper</strong></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20120924_202610.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20120924_202610.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
You can read more about gDiapers (including the tinies) at <a href="http://www.joyfulabode.com/2010/10/19/gwhiz-gdiapers-101-tiny-gpants-details/">Joyful Abode</a>. She helped convince me!<br />
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I LOVED the tinies. They were just so adorable, and although I was stuffing them with disposable inserts it felt great using the cloth. The set came with 12 which worked perfectly for the first 2 weeks. He came home weighing just a tad over 7lb and they fit him til he weighed approximately 9lb. At that point we were getting frequent leaks which meant it was time to move up.<br />
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Once he grew out of the tinies we put him in the smalls (we had 8 covers/liners and washed with regular laundry as needed). These were just a little bit too big in the legs at first with using the gCloth, which going back to the above, we learned did not absorb very well for him at all. I started stuffing them with the 5 layer charcoal bamboo inserts which were thick enough and absorbed enough to work beautifully! <br />
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=bamboocharcoalinsert.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="180" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/bamboocharcoalinsert.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_6114.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_6114.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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The charcoal bamboo are longer than the small gDiaper liner so you see a large bump on the front of his diaper due to folding it over. The inserts not only fit better that way but also provided more absorption where little boys need it most.<br />
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The smalls fit him until he was 6 or 7 weeks old. We began to get leaks again so it was time to go for the OS (one size) diapers. <span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">In order to </span><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">get a good fit </span><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">with the OS I was usually double stuffing with charcoal bamboo & my DIY inserts (blends & microfibers)</span><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">, ESPECIALLY a</span><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">t night. We no longer double stuff daytime diapers.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Just a quick note... in one of my original diaper posts I mentioned I ordered newborn Alva brand snap diapers. These were a no go for us. By the time they fit him in the leg area the leg gusset was too thin and any poop or pee would spill right out. They were an awkward fit for us. so I ended up selling them therefore decreasing my stash by 12 diapers :(</div>
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Anyway...</div>
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<strong>One of my early favorites</strong><br />
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<a href="http://www.bumkins.com/all-in-one-cloth-diapers-one-size.html">Bumkins All-In-One Cat In The Hat</a></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20121026_171314.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20121026_171314.jpg" width="239" /></a> </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Our changing area</span></strong></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_6188.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_6188.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_6190-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="100_6190" border="0" height="480" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_6190-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The diaper pail is a basic trash can with a lid I bought from Walmart for<span style="color: black;"> I</span> think $10-$15? I made a liner out of a shower curtain and sewed a little yellow fabric to it. It worked great for a few months but recently tore along one of my sewn seams. Not anything I recommend unless you just want to take a stab at it and need a cheap liner alternative to hold you over. I won't even make a tutorial for it. I currently use a massove Bububibi brand pail liner. <br />
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When possible I try to pre-stuff all the diapers to make it easier to grab and change. Sometimes it's not possible due to working full-time and everything else that's on my plate so we stuff as we go.</div>
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<strong>Our general rules of diaper stuffing:</strong> <br />
Daytime diapers can be stuffed with the white cotton bamboo (a 5 layer insert; 2 layers of cotton and 3 layers of microfiber) but preferably CBI (charcoal bamboo) and night time diapers must be stuffed with CBI and either MF (microfiber) or a DIY blend. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Cloth Wipes</strong></span></div>
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I used to use disposable wipes in my bedroom for nighttime changes. Now that he sleeps through the night with the same diaper (not that he actually sttn... just keeps the same diaper on lol) I only use disposable wipes in the diaper bag. </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_6191.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_6191.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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For regular household use wipes I went the free route and stripped several of my husband's old shirts he gained over the years from working at Blockbuster in a load of original Dawn dish soap. I then cut about 3 shirts in to 60 or so small wipes about 6x6-7x7inches. My wipe solution is water with <a href="http://www.californiababy.com/">California Baby</a> brand wash mixed in, (about 1 tbsp in the size bottle you see) and a couple drops of Tea Tree essential oil. Give it a generous shake before spraying, apply it to your wipes and wipe away!<br />
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The most amazing aspect of the entire cloth diapering process is... my husband doesn't complain a bit about it! He was very concerned about my plans when I was pregnant but I believe he knows that I had made up my mind and gave in. Giving in turned to "if it saves us money, let's do it" and saving money turned in to his incredible flexibility with everything I do. He gives me feedback on what diapers work or don't work. He even occasionally helps me with laundry.... that's a touchy subject. The washing routine is something I'm insanely particular about so the most I usually let him do is run an extra rinse cycle and toss them in the dryer if I didn't have time. My next cloth diaper post will revolve around washing routine. I hope to share step-by-step photos and resources for you to help get the routine that will work best for you.<br />
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If you have any questions about anything discussed here please feel free to contact me or visit my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/188067364630619/#!/pages/Journey-of-Grace/322403637793867">Facebook</a> page. As with almost everything I do, it's a learning process so my methods may change down the road but I'd love to help in any way I can if you need it. <br />
Stay tuned for my washing routine and cloth diaper investment posts!<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">~Lisa~</span></div>
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~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-55171599802647111312013-01-22T20:47:00.001-05:002013-02-01T14:36:53.114-05:00Part II - The Breastfeeding, Pumping, Working Mom<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In <a href="http://ptlforgrace.blogspot.com/2012/11/part-i-breastfeeding-pumping-working-mom.html"><i>Part I of my Breastfeeding, Pumping, Working Mom</i></a> series I introduced you to some information that will get you started in the right direction to be successful at continuing the breastfeeding relationship with your child once you return to work. Now I would like to introduce you to how I manage it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I work 10 hour shifts 4 days per week. I'm a telecommunicator for a police agency. There are always two of us on duty at a time (during the times I work at least) so when one breaks the other handles the job. There is no predicting what will or will not happen so taking a lunch or pump break is a gamble. Always has been, always will be. We just hope the worst holds out til the other can get back! I sometimes try to take a portable radio with me so I can keep up with how busy things may get.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A well-rounded pump break</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20121127_232931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" height="239" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20121127_232931.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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</b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">What my pump bag consists of:</span> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have the <i><a href="http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/463/freestyle-breastpump">Medela Freestyle</a></i> pump which comes with a very convenient shoulder bag. It also comes with a small cooler that I sometimes carry with me to place my bags of pumped milk in for discrete and more sterile storage in the refrigerator.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pump takes up next to no room in the bag leaving plenty of space for (my) necessities: </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Pump, tubing, and charger/batteries</b> - You really can't pump without the pump...</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Flanges, valves and membranes</b> - Other essential parts to the pumping process!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Nursing pads</b> - I prefer the disposable Lansinoh nursing pads. I do have some reusable pads but they don't fit very discretely, at least not the ones I own. I'm considering purchasing a better brand. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lanolin cream... just in case</b> - Pumping can be kind of rough for first timers or anybody with cracks or cuts so using lanolin to help lubricate the flange/nipple may come in handy. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Extra storage bottles or freezer bags</b> - I only carry two pump bottles with me (with lids) and a stash of freezer bags. I pump in to the bottles then transfer to the bags.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A ballpoint pen</b> - You will want this to label your storage bags</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wet bag or large Ziploc bag</b> - I use a small wet bag (like you'd use for cloth diapers or swim suits) to store my pump parts in. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hands-free pumping bra </b>- That says it all!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hand/Paper towel</b> - When I take my bra off and remove the flanges milk always drips. Even if I do my best to get everything in to the bottle it is inevitable. Laying down a hand towel or burp rag for you to put on your lap/table to catch the drippies is a helpful tool.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Quick clean wipes</b> - I use the Medela brand. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Baby clothing item or baby photo</b> - Having a baby clothing item such as a receiving blanket or a photo of your baby with you can help your pumping output and inhibit letdown. I personally do not do this with my son but did it with my daughter. </span></li>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20121106_180209-1.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="IMG_20121106_180209" border="0" height="446" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20121106_180209-1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>A typical night of pumping at work:</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After I had my daughter in 2008 I went back to work at 12 weeks. At that stage breastfeeding is well established in most cases and you likely know about how many times you'll need to pump per shift to keep from getting overly full and to ensure you are getting enough milk. I pumped 4 times per night in 15 or so minute increments for probably 4 or 5 weeks. I began to do my research and learned that I was over producing a LOT, and that my little girl was over eating LOT. I was seriously pumping about 30 ounces. We started putting the tips on <i><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/feeding-tools/bottle-feeding/">How to bottle feed the breastfed baby</a></i> in to play. I was then able to safely, without risk of not pumping enough milk, cut back to 3 times per night, sometimes I would only pump twice. I loved pumping then. It made me feel good about myself and gave me a sense of pride!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With my son I started back to work at 4 weeks post-partum. At that point my milk supply had not really leveled out and I got engorged fairly quickly. I pumped 3-4 times per night every couple of hours if possible. I hated (and still slightly dislike) pumping... My son hated not having mommy so the feeling was mutual! He wasn't eating much and once again I was way over-producing. After a couple of weeks I reduced pumping to 2-3 times per night. At the same time my son began to take bottles a little better and got on a more normal routine. I have been back to work about 3 months. I typically pump in the middle of my shift and then again when I get home at night. Sometimes I will manage to pump twice per shift and not have a need to pump once I get home. I have been maintaining my supply this way for approximately a 4 weeks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My son will take anywhere from 10-16 ounces when I'm working. I pump between 14-20 ounces per shift.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***Keep in mind that I over produce considerably in terms of average pumping output. In 15 minutes I can get upwards of 10oz total. Some people will get far less, and there are a few that could get far more especially if you have more time. It will also depend on how long it has been since you last pumped/nursed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This link will give you an idea of what is normal and what is abnormal: <i><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/pumping_decrease/">I'm not pumping enough milk. What can I do?</a></i>***</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Storing your pumped milk:</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I transfer my milk in to freezer bags once I'm finished pumping. I date my bags, list how many ounces are in the bag and give the bag an inventory number. Yes, I inventory my milk. There is a slight obsession I have with keeping count of how much milk I have in my freezer. I'll get to that in a minute.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the early weeks they suggest you freeze/store in small increments, like 2 ounces, because in all likelihood your baby will not eat that much if you introduce a bottle early, and they don't want you to risk wasting milk by thawing out too much. I always store in 4-5 ounce increments. The Lansinoh storage bags I use hold up to 6 ounces but to be safe 4 to 5 is my preferred maximum. That works for us. You can follow the <i><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/milkstorage/">Breastmilk Storage & Handling</a></i> guidelines to help make the choice of how many ounces per bag you'd like to freeze.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the end of the night I come home, add the milk I pumped to inventory sheets I have printed then place them in the freezer. I printed out several pages of an Excel spreadsheet that has Date, Inventory #, Ounces, and a column for notes. That milk then goes in my kitchen freezer before later going in to the deep freezer (which is inconveniently placed in an outside closet). I sort my milk in rows sequenced by inventory number. About 15 or so bags are put in a small basket that I set in the kitchen freezer for my husband to have easy access to throughout my work week, and also limits how often the deep freezer is open. He thaws one bag at a time as he needs them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My milk is used on a rotation ensuring I go back and use the oldest milk first. Breastmilk can be properly stored in a deep freezer for 6-12 months. Rotating my milk will keep anything from going bad that way down the road I can donate the freshest milk possible when Maddox weans or I decide to stop giving him expressed milk.</span><br />
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<i>This is my inventory sheet, basket of milk for hubby to use, and the unfortunate pile of milk I have gathered in the freezer that needs to go to the deep freezer... it's been too cold to go out there and sort it!</i></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=20130201013314139_zpsc6e3d470.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" height="640" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/20130201013314139_zpsc6e3d470.png" width="640" /></a>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Cleaning & Storing your pump parts while at work:</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my list above I suggested using a wet bag to store your parts when you are finished pumping. The awesome thing is you do not have to clean your parts in between every time you pump! As long as you have a refrigerator available you can use the parts again without washing. It only makes sense... as long as they are kept cold (just like your milk) they are safe to use again. A plastic bag will work just fine as well. Make sure you wash the parts at the end of the day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you need or want to clean your parts at work just make sure you have your basic necessities; dish soap, bottle brush or rag, and a towel/rag for drying. You can also use the microwave steam bags for sterilization. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the parts before using the steam bag. You can also sterilize them in the bag after a thorough soapy washing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Worst-case scenario option: Clean wipes. Medela, and a few other brands, make clean wipes you can use to wipe your pump parts in the event you need to pump and a cool storing place or water is unavailable. I have a pack of these that stay in my bag. I rarely if ever use them for my parts but they come in very handy at cleaning my pumping area. The room I use is also used occasionally during day-time hours for other departmental needs so I like to keep the desk clean. Breastfeeding is a wonderful thing. Breastmilk drops for others to see and deal with are not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That about does it... then we start all over the next day! Once you get back to work you'll get a routine going. Everybody has their own environment with different available options and needs. My goal is always to provide what information I can in order to help you succeed in yours. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you ever have any questions please leave me a comment and I will get back to you ASAP!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>~Lisa~</b></span>~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-63301411912533419582012-11-25T00:22:00.000-05:002013-01-22T22:26:45.404-05:00Crescent Wreath: Chicken Coop!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_6306-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="100_6306-1" border="0" height="480" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_6306-1.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love it when we don't have a lot of groceries in the house. (We really need to go to the store soon...) It forces us to improvise meals. Sometimes it's lame, but occasionally we get a winner! Bryan asked if we could figure something out with the crescent rolls. His idea was a Parmesan chicken style meal. I did a little recipe hunting but didn't have any solid luck so when I got home from work it became a matter of digging things out of the cabinet and taking it from there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">First of all, the chicken was not thawed. I forgot to have him pull it out of the fridge this afternoon. Fail :(</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Quick solution: Boil the chicken! WIN!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No joke, this is the first time I have EVER boiled chicken. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Boiled chicken is fantastic!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While the chicken was boiling I gathered my thoughts and this is what I came up with:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_6294.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_6294.jpg" width="400" /></a></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Plus mozzarella cheese... can't forget the cheese!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (or approximately 1 regular package)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 cans original Pillsbury Crescent Rolls</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/4 a can Hunt's tomato, basil, garlic & oregano sauce</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/8 C Parmesan and Romano cheese</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/8 C seasoned Italian bread crumbs</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 tbsp Olive oil (I substituted about 1/2 tbsp with my Tastefully Simple Balsamic & Basil dipping oil for added flavor)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">About 1 1/2 C shredded mozzarella cheese</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Each crescent roll is approximately 200 calories, give or take a few)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I came up with a quick name... Chicken Coop. No idea why but it sounds cute. I realize chicken coops are kind of funky. Embrace the name and give it a shot ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~~~~~~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you have a pizza stone that will cook this beautifully. If not, a cookie sheet will do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Boil your chicken for approximately 30 minutes. In a small prep bowl mix Parmesan and bread crumbs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Preheat your oven to 375 (as directed on the crescent roll packaging)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once chicken is done place in a large skillet. Use a spatula or your hands, whichever, and break/shred the chicken apart. Once you get it broken in to 1/2 to 1 inch pieces drizzle Olive oil over the chicken and add the Parmesan and bread crumb mixture. Toss to evenly coat with mixture and heat on Medium for about 10 minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_6292.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_6292.jpg" width="400" /></a></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While chicken is heating in skillet lay out your crescent rolls in a "wreath" pattern around the pizza stone. You'll probably have some pieces leftover from the last can. Keep those to the side once you have completed one circle to add to the middle once you've finished up making the outside part.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Spread chicken around the wreath evenly on each crescent roll.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_6295.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_6295.jpg" width="400" /></a></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Using a small spoon scoop out the tomato sauce and lay it over each bunch of chicken then sprinkle mozzarella over top.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_6297.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_6297.jpg" width="400" /></a></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fold the crescent rolls over the yummy mixture!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_6298.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_6298.jpg" width="400" /></a></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Add the remaining crescent rolls (if you had any) to the center and repeat the above steps. Place in the oven for about 10-15 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_6301.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_6301.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> When the crescent rolls begin to brown pull the stone out and sprinkle a little cheese on on top. Place back in the and broil on low for about a minute. Keep a close eye on it when you broil or you will very quickly have a burnt dinner!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_6306.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_6306.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Scoop a few pieces on to your plate and enjoy the awesomeness you just made :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_6308.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_6308.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> ~Lisa~</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span> </div>
~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-55616885064318732572012-11-11T23:30:00.001-05:002013-07-13T11:27:35.680-04:00Part I - The Breastfeeding, Pumping, Working Mom<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If there's one thing I'm incredibly passionate about it's breastfeeding. The passion drives me to encourage soon-to-be moms to do as much research as possible during pregnancy so that when baby comes along you can be more prepared to give your baby the best in the early days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But let me skip past the early days/weeks of initiating and mastering breastfeeding <i>(You can read more about that <a href="http://kellymom.com/category/ages/newborn/"><b>HERE</b></a>)</i> and move on to the next major phase for most women: Pumping and Employment. Aside from the lack of support, one of the biggest dilemmas for moms I believe comes from the need for many of us to return to work quite soon after delivery giving the idea that exclusive breastfeeding will be difficult if not impossible to accomplish at that point. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I say fooey on that! It's so possible, and in fact, it is a protected right! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My goal here is to give you tips, in a 2 part blog series, that will help you prepare for a breastfeeding, pumping and working lifestyle AND be successful at it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You CAN be Superwoman :)</span><br />
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<a href="http://s37.beta.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/library/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="320" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/superwomanbreastfeeding.png" width="223" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>~~~~</b></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first thing you should do is prepare. Research and get a head start on what you'll need to do BEFORE delivery of your baby so you have less to worry about AFTER.</span></span></i></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Choosing the pump -</span></span> <i><a href="http://www.workandpump.com/pumps.htm">http://www.workandpump.com/pumps.htm</a> </i></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>*My Choice*</b> Not listed in the above link is the <i><a href="http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/463/freestyle-breastpump">Medela Freestyle</a></i>. I opted to purchase this pump after looking at extended reviews and am very pleased with the portability and functionality. With my first daughter I had a Medela Pump In Style (PIS) and really loved it as well.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do research on the type of pump you would like. Get familiar with what is on the market, pricing, and see what you think would work best for your situation.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Check with your insurance company for reimbursement. From what I gather breast pumps are now considered medical equipment that can be billed to insurance. They may require you to order it from a specific company, or you can buy it yourself and submit receipts. <i><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/insurance-reimbursement-of-breast-pumps-sample-letter/">http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/insurance-reimbursement-of-breast-pumps-sample-letter/</a></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Breastpumps and breastfeeding accessories are considered tax deductible. If you participate in your employers FSA (Flexible Spending Account) you can use those allocated funds to purchase those items. I typically use <i><a href="http://www.drugstore.com/baby-and-mom/feeding-and-nursing/fsa/qxg180661-4d0d891">Drugstore.com</a></i> as my general go-to website to help me get an idea of what is FSA eligible. The site is not a complete list of FSA eligible breastfeeding items but it gives you a good idea. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Building a stash before you go back to work and learning how to use your pump to get the maximum benefit -</span></span> <i><a href="http://www.workandpump.com/pumping.htm">http://www.workandpump.com/pumping.htm</a></i></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> You're going to feel engorged in the first week or two after delivery. A good way to build a stash is to periodically pump for short periods when you feel full and store that expressed milk in the freezer for later use.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As an added bonus, you never know when you and your significant other or friend might want to go out, or if extenuating circumstances require you to be away from your baby for a period of time. Any amount of milk you have set aside for supplemental feeding is better than nothing, especially if you want to avoid artificial food sources (formula).</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to speak with your employer ahead of time to let them know your plans so the appropriate accommodations can be made and everybody can be on the same page when the time comes for you to return to work - </span></span><u><i><a href="http://www.workandpump.com/boss.htm">http://www.workandpump.com/boss.htm</a></i></u></b></span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://s37.beta.photobucket.com/user/Lisaannevb/library/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/pumpingatwork.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Become familiar with state and federal laws that protect breastfeeding mothers - <a href="http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/breastfeeding-state-laws.aspx"><i>http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/breastfee<span id="goog_349504487"></span><span id="goog_349504488"></span>ding-state-laws.aspx</i></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My employer has been very supportive of my needs with both of my children. I successfully pumped for approximately 10 months (from 12 weeks to about 12 months) with my daughter, and have been pumping for about 2 1/2 weeks back to work already with my 6 1/2 week old son.</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Educate childcare providers (whether your spouse, a family member, or a day care facility) on proper handling of breastmilk and especially proper bottle feeding of a breastfed baby. </b></span></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In order to make sure your milk doesn't go to waste by improper handling or overfeeding this is a very important bit of information you'll want to get to know so you can tell others! Check out these helpful links for further:</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <i><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/feeding-tools/bottle-feeding/">How to bottle feed the breastfed baby</a></i> - At the bottom of this page are several links that will also help you with the initial process of introducing a bottle to your baby.</span></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/">How much expressed milk will my baby need?</a></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/milkstorage/">Breastmilk storage and handling</a></span></i></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Choosing a feeding method (i.e. spoon, dropper or bottle) -</span></span> <a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/feeding-tools/alternative-feeding/"><i>http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/feeding-tools/alternative-feeding/</i></a></b><i><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/feeding-tools/alternative-feeding/"> </a></i></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Every baby is different. Where some may take a bottle easily, others may not.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> My input here consists of the bottles I have tried and recommend. The thing to remember, again, is there is no one baby the same so what works for me may not work for you. Register or purchase a few different kinds of recommended bottles and experiment.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My daughter took Playtex Drop-Ins bottles the best. She preferred the latex nipple. The silicone nipple was too slick and she had a hard time hanging on to it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My son seems so far to prefer the MAM bottles which is the exact opposite style of bottle and nipple to the Playtex Drop-Ins. A good reason why you should have a variety on hand.. you just never know :)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This should be a good start for you in your journey to a successful breastfeeding relationship with your baby, and a successful understanding among friends, family and coworkers about your choice to provide the best nutrition for your baby for as long as possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In <b><a href="http://ptlforgrace.blogspot.com/2013/01/part-ii-breastfeeding-pumping-working.html">Part II</a></b> I will show how I manage working full-time and pumping in order for my son to receive nothing but Mom's milk!</span></div>
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~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-41794446068484806482012-10-18T23:33:00.004-04:002013-01-22T22:25:49.927-05:00Welcoming Maddox!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My blog has been oh so neglected here lately, but with good reason! I've been on maternity leave but plan to get back in to the swing of things soon. I can't wait to post about my cloth diapering experience thus far! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My son's "due date" was September 19th but of course he didn't come that day. I went to work and sulked to myself over how bummed I was... how ready I was to have this baby! I was convinced at that point that he was going to take his sweet time and come 2 weeks late.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But at 5am September 20th I woke up with contractions that felt different. I wasn't convinced it was labor. Ok, I knew it was labor but I didn't truly think I was having a baby that day... the next day maybe, but not that day as you can see here from later in the day when the family decided to go out for a bit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Me being a goofus.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20120920_131558_zpsc1515715-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="IMG_20120920_131558_zpsc1515715" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20120920_131558_zpsc1515715-1.jpg" width="271" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I guess it was pretty serious. I think that photo was taken around 2pm? Wellll....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On September 20th at 6:47pm we welcomed our precious little boy with all his beautiful dark hair in to the world!</span><br />
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Maddox%20James/?action=view&current=100_6064-1.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="100_6064" border="0" height="333" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Maddox%20James/100_6064-1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Maddox James</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>7 pounds 7 ounces</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>19 inches long</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Maddox%20James/?action=view&current=100_6071-1.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="100_6071" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Maddox%20James/100_6071-1.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He was born with very little medical intervention aside from regular hospital procedure (fetal monitor, IV... I did have a spinal block to take the edge off. Thank the Lord for that considering a painful something that happened when pushing!), and boy did he come fast! I got to the hospital at 5cm after laboring at home for around 12 hours, and progressed to 10cm just 2 hours later. I pushed for approximately 45min and there he was crying and, according to my husband, peeing on all the nurses LOL. That's my boy... It took about a week before he initiated my husband and I in to the "We've been peed on by our boy" club :p</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Mom & Maddox - 1 day old</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Maddox%20James/?action=view&current=100_6077.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Maddox%20James/100_6077.jpg" width="400" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Dressed and ready for the trip home!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Maddox%20James/?action=view&current=100_6098.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Maddox%20James/100_6098.jpg" width="400" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hanging on tight to Daddy's finger.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Maddox%20James/?action=view&current=10.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="265" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Maddox%20James/10.jpg" width="400" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Our big girl, Neha, sniffing the new little creature out :)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20120927_172102.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" height="640" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20120927_172102.jpg" width="380" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Story time with Daddy before bed.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20121001_211306.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" height="239" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20121001_211306.jpg" width="400" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Family time at the "pone-kin" patch, as my daughter would say :p</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20121011_144247.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" height="640" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20121011_144247.jpg" width="382" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Maddox with big sister Jaiden!</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20121011_215523.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" height="640" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20121011_215523.jpg" width="382" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>My handsome man in his gDiaper. I loovvve cloth diapering!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_6112.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="640" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_6112.jpg" width="480" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Family photo including Grampa and Mimi!</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_4844-1.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="100_4844" border="0" height="423" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_4844-1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It has been a truly incredible experience as a mother of 2. My daughter is a huge help and loves her little brother so much! We couldn't possibly thank God enough for all he has provided us with and the way he has provided it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm excited to see what I can do with a little one around again. Maybe it will bring a whole new dynamic to my blog?! </span></div>
~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-79631625290115054392012-08-22T19:32:00.000-04:002013-08-10T10:26:53.509-04:00Baby Wearing - My 4 infant carriers for under $60!<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maddox's due date is fast approaching... We're down to less than 30 days!</span></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5964-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="100_5964" border="0" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5964-1.jpg" /></a>
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I've been busy the last few days making different baby wearing items to use when he comes along. My goal is always to save money. Truthfully I don't NEED any of this but knowing I can have something "designer" for a fraction of the cost by making it myself makes me feel like I NEED it, and I know they will get used so I don't see any waste in it. Now I just need the cute baby to put in them!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ok, let's get this baby-wearing party started! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First, meet my tester babies...</span></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5983.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5983.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>BabyBjorn</b></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">**UPDATE** </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I suppose I knew the Baby Bjorn wasn't a great option. Just never really looked in to it much. Now I'm inadvertently more knowledgable on the subject. If you simply do a Google search on the dangers of Baby Bjorn style carriers you'll get the hint really quickly. Use this with discretion if you choose to do so.</span> </span></strong></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ok, one thing I can't really make is a BabyBjorn carrier, but it falls in to the baby wearing category so I wanted to share my awesome find. Secretly I have wanted one of these since the early beginnings of my pregnancy. There are several different styles and prices starting around $55 if you wish to buy new.</span></em><br />
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5982-1.jpg" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img alt="100_5982" border="0" height="360" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5982-1.jpg" width="400" /></span></em></a><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">While at a kids consignment store a while back I found one on a rack with their baby carriers. I ignored it because I didn't really think we needed it until DH realized our old Snugli had pink accents. I told him about the black BabyBjorn I had seen so we took off to the store hoping it'd still be there.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thankfully it was still there and after using $10 left on a gift card we only paid $10 out of pocket for a great-looking <b><a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2267522">BabyBjorn Original</a></b>!</span></em> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Moby Wrap</b> </span></div>
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The <b><a href="http://www.mobywrap.com/default.aspx?">Moby Wrap</a></b> is definitely my "thing." Making your own Moby is incredibly easy. The hardest part is dealing with a ton of fabric but it's a minimal sacrifice for the savings!<br />
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Price out knit fabric first. I was able to buy mine for $5 a yard on an
end of bolt discount table. I bought the whole 7yds that was left. Keep
in mind when pricing it out that 5yds of fabric from the bolt will make 2
wraps as long as it's at least 40 inches wide. Unless you are buying
some outrageously expensive knit you will probably not exceed the retail
price of a Moby and making one will still be totally worth it.<br />
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I don't really know what my knit is technically called.. it's a very soft maybe medium weight(?) knit that stretches width-wise. In doing research I'm finding the best support comes in a 2-way stretch in the width rather than a 4-way stretch in both length and width. If it stretches in length the fabric is going to loosen up and give a little more over time and you may find yourself adjusting it. <br />
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You don't even need to have sewing skills to make this wrap unless you wish to serge the edges and/or add a fabric panel. Otherwise it can be simply knit. <br />
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<u><b>To make your own you will need:</b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>5 yards of cotton knit fabric cut to about 20-23 inches wide. Mine is about 23" wide. My knit was 60in wide so after cutting out my 23" I have plenty left over for another wrap. </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>**Optional** Square of fabric (in my case 24"x24") to use as a supporting/decorative panel. </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><ul>
<li><b><a href="http://www.aloadofcraft.com/2010/06/tutorial-how-to-make-baby-wrap-part-3.html">A Load of Craft shows you here how she made a panel for her wrap.</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.aloadofcraft.com/2010/05/tutorial-how-to-make-baby-wrap-part-2.html">In this one she used two pieces of different fabric in order to make the wrap reversible.</a></b></li>
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<li>**Optional** Serger if you want finished edges. I don't have one. I did a test strip to see if I could zig-zag the edges... I do not recommend that. Knit doesn't flow under the presser foot very well on edges so it tended to get bunched up a lot. </li>
<li>Scissors and/or rotary mat </li>
</ul>
<b> <a href="http://elleapparel.blogspot.com/2012/02/moby-wrap-tutorial.html">Elle Apparel has a good visual of the cutting process which is the way I cut mine.</a></b><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">(She uses a 4-way knit if you follow her tutorial and I have not seen any post regarding issues with support from her. Reading the comments in her post got me in to researching the differences and that's how I came up with the conclusion to use a knit that stretches in the width.)</span></i><br />
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5975.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5975.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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I really love my white Moby Wrap but life reminds me white will probably not look so white forever. This wrap has a more elegant look to it so it might be one I use for special occasions or to be a color-neutral option depending on what I'm wearing.<br />
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5962.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5962.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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In order to have another wrap available for more casual use I knew I needed a different color knit but I was not about to go buy more. Rit Dye to the rescue! Never used this stuff before but in order to get what I wanted for a minimal price, dying the fabric was my only option.<br />
<a href="http://ptlforgrace.blogspot.com/2012/08/rit-fabric-dye.html"><b>You can check out how I dyed all this fabric here!</b></a><br />
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Moby Wraps cost $45+ depending on the style you want.<br />
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The white wrap cost about $15 after adding the fabric panel.<br />
The brown wrap cost about $16 after adding the fabric panel and dying the knit.<br />
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5964-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="100_5964" border="0" height="320" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5964-1.jpg" width="273" />
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5980-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="100_5980" border="0" height="320" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5980-1.jpg" width="272" /></a>
<b> </b><br />
(I did the best fit I could considering I have a large belly in the way. What you are seeing is the newborn wrapping method so the panel is folded in half to create a pouch for baby.)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ring Sling </b></span></div>
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<u><b>To make your own you will need:</b></u></div>
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<ul style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<li>Between 2 and 2.5 yards of fabric in length and between 25-30in in width. I'm a small framed person so 2 yards x 30in works for me (<b><i><a href="http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/fabric.html">Fabric FAQ</a></i></b>) </li>
<li>Coordinating thread</li>
<li>2 Aluminum sling rings appropriate to the weight of your fabric (I used Large 3in rings from <b><i><a href="http://www.slingrings.com/">www.slingrings.com</a></i></b>). I ordered the 3-ring assorted size samples in neutral colors. It'll come with a set of large, medium, and small rings. I think I was given silver large, black medium, and navy small. </li>
<li>Sewing machine</li>
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The fabric I purchased is an embroidered fabric so it looks the same on both sides. This works perfectly because the tail of the fabric, once pulled through the rings, will show the back, or wrong side. If it looks the same on both sides it's not really an issue. If it doesn't, you can always choose a coordinating fabric to with the same dimensions to sew on to your fabric, or leave it as-is. Up to you :)</div>
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My fabric (what was left on the bolt) was 2yd4in x 60in. I simply cut down the center fold to get my 2yd4in x 30in fabric. Just like with the DIY Moby, once you've cut down the center you essentially have enough left over for another sling. I, however, used a chuck of that leftover fabric to make an elegant panel for my white Moby.</div>
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I hemmed my fabric on 3 sides to hide the raw edges. On the short side that will get tucked through the rings I only folded in once. There will be plenty of thick fabric to sew on that end once the rings get put on so one fold is plenty.. the raw edges will not be seen once it is completed.</div>
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<b>Adding the rings:</b></div>
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As illustrated in the "fanned/gathered technique" photo from <b><i><a href="http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/shoulders.html">Variations on ring sling shoulders</a></i></b>, mark your fabric at 1/2 in, 2in, then 2in again. This will help you to place your rings in the right spot and show what point to fold your fabric to so you can sew it down. </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5930.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5930.jpg" width="300" /></a>
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To make your sling without pleats you have to be patient,
pin a lot, and sew through several layers of bunched up fabric. It
wasn't so bad but I noticed when I was done the fan was quite
wide compared to a pleated fan. I've read that can be uncomfortable over time with the weight of a
baby if the fan of the shoulder goes too far down your arm. Makes for
less mobility of your arm. <br />
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I went back and bunched up the fabric more, sewing along the same line, then moving up and sewing a new line for added security. I even attempted a decorative stitch on top of that 2nd row of stitching. Attempted. It serves its purpose but didn't turn out so great probably because of the amount of uneven fabric it was working through. Good thing it was white thread and not incredibly visible.</div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5944.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5944.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/sling_pleat.html">If you wish to make pleats here is a step-by-step tutorial for you.</a></i></b> </div>
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Once you have your rings sewn securely in place for the shoulder (may want to do a decorative stitch or go back over with a couple more straight stitches) you can try it on and "thread" your rings! </div>
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This Ring Sling cost me about $10.</div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5958-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="100_5958" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5958-1.jpg" width="317" /></a><br />
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~~~~<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If I had went out and purchased a brand new BabyBjorn, 2 Moby Wraps, and a Ring Sling I'd be looking at over $200 worth of products. I'm very happy to have a variety of carriers for under $60!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>~Lisa~</b></i></span></div>
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~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-6406430741321437802012-08-22T16:58:00.000-04:002012-11-11T21:18:59.084-05:00Rit Fabric Dye<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
My new favorite invention... Rit fabric dye! How cool is this stuff??!! Uhm, VERY!</div>
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I've only used it once so far and I'm thrilled with it. I can't wait to try it on some more projects, woooo! </div>
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<b><a href="http://ptlforgrace.blogspot.com/2012/08/baby-wearing-my-4-infant-carriers-for.html">Here</a></b> you'll see where I posted about different baby carriers, one of them being the DIY Moby Wrap. I had purchased 7yds of white knit fabric. Some of it was used for a white Moby and I wanted to make another one but needed a different color fabric. I chose to dye the fabric with Dark Brown Rit.</div>
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(These are photos of my Moby Wraps, one with the regular white knit and the other with the dyed fabric)<br />
<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5973.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5973.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5963.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5963.jpg" width="300" /></a>
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<u><b>You will need:</b></u></div>
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<i>- Fabric (preferably a white color. If you are wanting to dye a different color you need to check out a color wheel to determine what color dye to purchase to get the desired outcome. Experimenting with swatches may be necessary)</i></div>
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<i>- Rit Dye of your choice (they sell it in liquid or powder form at craft stores, and places like Walmart or Target in the laundry detergent section)</i></div>
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<i>- Gloves</i></div>
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<i>- A spoon or long stirring item you don't care about</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>- If you choose to do the stove-top method, a large pot that you will never cook food in. I'm using the sink method so a pot is not really needed (except I did boil some water).</i></div>
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<b>~~~~</b><br />
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I'm working with a<b> ton</b> of fabric in this project: 5yds long by about 30in wide.</div>
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<li>First, especially if you are working with new fabric, wash it. I'd recommend not using any fabric softener, just regular detergent. You want to wash out the starchiness. If you add fabric softener to your washer or dryer load it will cause repelling (maybe more so over time, but just don't add it at all yet since you really want your fabric to grab the dye).</li>
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<li>While your fabric is washing get your dying method ready. I used the sink method since our sink is deep, black and won't stain. I brought water to a very early boil (I just wanted water that was slightly hotter than I could get out of the faucet) in a 6qt pot and poured it over in to the plugged sink. To fill the sink up a little more I turned the faucet on hot. </li>
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<b><i>** Now is a good time to glove up and put on some crummy pants along with one of your husband's undershirts because your belly is so big at 36 weeks the only shirts of your own that still fit are too nice ;) **</i></b></div>
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<li>The sink method says to use 1 cup of salt and 1/2 bottle of Rit dye. I added the salt first, stirred it to dissolve then added my 1/2 bottle of dye. Stir it around for a minute so the dye mixes in with the water</li>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5934.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5934.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<li>Rit recommends you add your wet fabric to the dye slowly and without folds. Oh boy. Luckily I used the washer so I don't have to wet the fabric. I just had to pull it all out and untwist it. I laid my heavy 5 yards of wet fabric on the counter and starting with one end slowly dipped the fabric in to the water making sure it went in with no folds or creases that would prevent dye from touching it evenly.</li>
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<li>Once it was all in I started the tedious task of stirring around fabric for nearly 30 minutes. Being 36 weeks pregnant I pulled up a stool and set there mixing and moving and re-situating the fabric with my gloved hand. I made sure to pull out pieces every now and then to make sure it was getting dye everywhere in hopes to prevent any blotchiness in the finished product.</li>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5937.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5937.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<li>After the 30 minutes (it says 30-60min.... 30 sounded just fine to me!) I drained the sink and pressed what excess water I could from the fabric. Rit says to rinse the fabric until the water runs clear. That would take literally centuries in the sink so I tossed my fabric in to a bucket and took it to the washing machine. </li>
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<li>I did 2 Delicate loads on warm both with extra rinse cycles, NO detergent. Then I did another load WITH detergent and the extra rinse cycle. This process kind of reminded me of coloring your own hair. They always tell you to rinse until the water runs clear but no matter what the next time you wash your hair the water is never clear. The first two wash cycles did a well enough job in my book even though during the 3rd cycle with detergent I still saw slight discoloration in the water.</li>
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You will need to wash your fabric separately or with like colors the next few times you decide it needs to be washed in case there is more bleeding.</div>
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Once I was done with the rinsing and washing I tossed the fabric in to the dryer. What a beautiful brown I got! I think it could have come out darker if I had either added the whole bottle of Rit or sat there for another 30min stirring it around, but I'm actually very very happy with the color!<br />
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5964-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="100_5964" border="0" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5964-1.jpg" /></a>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><b>~Lisa~ </b></i></div>
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~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-4339507667392616102012-08-10T23:44:00.000-04:002013-07-04T01:59:55.746-04:00DIY Cloth Diaper Inserts - Part II (Microfiber!)<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://ptlforgrace.blogspot.com/2012/05/diy-cloth-diaper-inserts-part-i.html">DIY Cloth Diaper Inserts - Part I</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">UPDATE: See </span><a href="http://ptlforgrace.blogspot.com/2013/01/cloth-diaper-follow-up.html"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Cloth Diaper Follow-Up</span></strong></a><span style="font-size: small;"> for a recent review!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the above link you'll find my very first post about cloth diaper inserts. In general it revolved around gDiapers however they can be used for any diapers as long you make them to fit. This tutorial is specifically for microfiber inserts. It's very simple so don't worry :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>What you will need:</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>~Dimensions of the inserts for your diaper</b></span></div>
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In my case, I have mostly Alva brand. Check with your favorite brands for insert dimensions before you get started.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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Alva (regular) - 12.99" x 5.32"<br />
Alva (newborn) - 12.60" x 4.33"<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>~Microfiber towels</b> </span><br />
The ones I used for the newborn inserts are 14x14 (pictured in white or blue)<br />
For the regular size inserts I used towels measuring 14x17 (pictured in yellow)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>~Sewing machine or serger </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #274e13;">~~~~</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There truly is no cutting involved in my case here unless you're looking for exact dimensions and rounded corners. All you need to do is tri-fold your microfiber towels evenly, pin (which I really didn't do) and zig-zag stitch all the way around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see my yellow towels were already creased for me. I folded in thirds along the longest part that way the inserts are 14 inches long and about 5.5 inches wide.</span></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5750.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5750.jpg" width="400" /></a>
<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5755.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5755.jpg" width="400" /></a>
<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5754.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5754.jpg" width="300" /></a>
<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5912.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="640" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5912.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The newborn inserts end up being 14 inches long and about 4.5 inches wide.</span></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5913.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="640" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5913.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is an Alva newborn microfiber insert next to my "newborn" microfiber insert. Slightly longer but that's ok. They are the same thickness and it should work just as well.</span></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="480" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">FYI: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have colorful microfiber towels like I do, be mindful that they may shine their colors through your white or lighter colored diapers. I still need to make many many more regular size inserts but it will be a while til our son fits those so I'm not yet worried about hunting down white towels. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>To prep:</u></b> Wash once in hot water with detergent </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I'm using All Free & Clear as my CD safe detergent for now)</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. Dry on low heat. NO FABRIC SOFTENERS! </span>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So there you have it! You now have easy microfiber inserts for your <i>pocket diapers</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Microfiber is not recommended for use against baby's skin. It's not a very pleasant feeling material and many people say it causes rashes and other issues with their babies. If you have diapers where the inserts are not put in a pocket but instead lay against baby's skin, refer to my <a href="http://ptlforgrace.blogspot.com/2012/05/diy-cloth-diaper-inserts-part-i.html%22%3EDIY%20Cloth%20Diaper%20Inserts%20-%20Part%20I">Part I</a> post about adding fleece or flannel as outer layers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>~Lisa~</i></span></div>
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~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-86003831793338867392012-07-31T13:23:00.000-04:002012-08-06T19:54:51.538-04:00Pregnancy & Post-Partum Helpful Tips!<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/LisaandMaddox.jpg" width="265" /></div>
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<div action="view&current=LisaandMaddox.jpg"" albums="" class="Mso<a href=" e80="" http:="" lisaannevb="" s37.photobucket.com="" target="_blank">
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With a new baby soon to be entering our lives I've been
poking around online at different baby-related things. One thing I have come
across a few times are "lists" or "things" to help you
prepare for baby. I guess as a blogger I felt the urge to make my own. My list consists of stuff I found helpful with my daughter,
things I wish I had done to prepare for her entry in to the world, or things
I'm currently doing to help prepare for our son.</div>
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Speaking of which, here is a side view (profile) of his
wittle face! About 7 more weeks to go :)</div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20120730_131443-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="IMG_20120730_131443" border="0" height="257" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20120730_131443-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #660000; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Before you have your baby</u></span></b></div>
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<u><b>Kegel Exercises: </b><b><br /></b></u></div>
<span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://www.babycenter.com/kegel-exercises">BabyCenter.com info on Kegel Exercises</a></b> </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">"Kegels are exercises you can do to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles – the muscles that support your urethra, bladder, uterus, and rectum. The exercises.... help women with urinary incontinence, or diminished bladder control, which can happen after childbirth."</span><br />
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<b><u>Perineal Massage:</u></b></div>
<u><b><a href="http://www.babycenter.com/404_can-perineal-massage-help-me-avoid-an-episiotomy_1955.bc">BabyCenter.com info on Perineal Massage</a> </b></u><br />
"Starting around 34 weeks, try massaging your perineum (the area around
your vagina). Daily perineal massage may increase the area's ability to
stretch, leading to less need for an episiotomy and fewer natural tears."<b> </b><br />
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<b><u>Hydrate:</u></b></div>
Drink plenty of water. I admit, I'm not so good at this, but you'll notice less swelling and things will "move" through your system a whole lot better! Hydration can also help your skins elasticity and could reduce cellulite and stretch marks. Plus baby wants water, too!</div>
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<b><u>Expect Swelling:</u></b></div>
I haven't experienced swelling in my extremities until around 8 months (32 weeks or so). Most likely you will swell before the baby gets here. Be ready to take off your wedding ring and wear it around your neck! With my daughter I gained weight pretty quickly in the last 8 weeks probably due to the swelling. Prop your feet up whenever you sit! The good thing is it will all melt away after delivery :)<br />
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<b><u>Prepare yourself with a list of items to get an RX for and provide it to your OB at one of your visits:</u></b></div>
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I have not done this particular step yet, but many OTC health items are no longer covered under the IRS with Flex Spending Accounts (FSAs) or tax deductions. For example: I can not buy Tylenol any longer with my Flex card unless I have a doctor's RX for it. You'll find that many of the items you need for baby and for yourself post-delivery fall under that category, so prepare yourself ahead of time! The hospital may provide you with an RX list upon discharge. Ours did, and it included many regular OTC items. That will cover it, but we were surprised by this massive list of needs. My husband had to rush to the store to go buy everything up so I could have it. I'm trying to make sure you buy it BEFORE you need it :)<br />
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<ul>
<li><b><i><u><span style="color: #0b5394;">Purchase necessities for BABY that you might not have been gifted from your baby shower: <a href="http://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/baby-care-products-you-really-need.aspx">Here is a general list from WhatToExpect.com</a></span></u></i></b></li>
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After the baby shower for our daughter we took a trip to Walmart and bought a few needs. You'll probably get a lot of the little things (shampoo, rash cream, extra diapers) but you may still need to fill in some gaps. We bought band-aids, Neosporine, a thermometer.. things like that.</div>
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<li><b><i><u><span style="color: #0b5394;"> Purchase necessities for YOU for after delivery:</span></u></i></b></li>
</ul>
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Little did I know (as stated above), you will actually need some stuff for yourself once baby is delivered. The hospital will provide you with most of it while you're there, but you'll need it for at home as well. Buy it now so your husband doesn't have to!</div>
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<li><u style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Tucks/Witchazel Pads</i></u> - Get lots. They'll help tremendously with healing. Whether you get a tear/episiotomy or not, it's going to be sore. I had an episiotomy and these came in super handy for the first couple weeks. </li>
<li><u style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Feminine sanitary pads </i></u>- Big ol' maxi pads! You're going to have bleeding and who knows how heavy or light it will be. Be prepared to change these frequently (especially if you have a tear or cut).</li>
<li><u style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Stool Softeners</i></u> - You don't want to strain any more than you already have. The hospital may start giving these to you along with any other medication you need after delivery. I personally try to take them daily throughout pregnancy since carrying a baby wreaks havoc on your digestive system.</li>
<li><u style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Comfy panties </i></u>- Buy some cute <i>cotton</i> "granny panties" (no laughing at that!) that will be comfortable and hold your pads. I remember preferring a boy short style. Don't get something that will fit you too tightly.</li>
<li><u style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Breastfeeding must-haves for mom</i></u><b> </b>-You will need certain items on hand to help with breastfeeding after delivery. In the hospital you may only need a couple of these items on hand (a couple bras and some nursing pads) but when you get home there may be more you find you will need! Check out this great source: <a href="http://kellymom.com/pregnancy/bf-prep/breastfeeding-supplies2/">What breastfeeding supplies do I need?</a></li>
</ul>
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<b><u>Research birthing options (hospitals, birthing centers, home
births):</u></b></div>
Talk to your doctor/midwife about your specific options (may vary according to your health risks/needs). Be sure to take a tour of the location.<br />
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<b><u>Research Breastfeeding:</u></b></div>
I'm a big advocate for breastfeeding. Doesn't mean I disagree with formula-feeding moms, but often-times breastfeeding is given up on so quickly due to lack of education and proper resources to assist you through the problems. Don't give up so easily. I had a horrible time initially with my daughter because I just flat out knew nothing, only that I wanted to breastfeed! Eventually I learned she had reflux which could have saved me a lot of heartache early on if I had know the signs/symptoms and how to handle it! <br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.kellymom.com/">www.KellyMom.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://lllusa.org/">http://lllusa.org/</a> - La Leche League </li>
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<b><u>Research Cloth diapering , homemade baby wipes, and other
environmentally safe or natural options:</u></b><br />
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5683.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="240" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5683.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I did not cloth diaper my daughter. Instead we preferred Luvs & Pampers (hooray for coupons!), but this time around<b> </b>I did a lot of research and wanted to take the plunge. I'm loving it so far and I haven't even had the baby yet to stick them in! <br />
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<b><u>Research postnatal procedures for your baby such as circumcision,
vaccinations, testing etc:</u></b></div>
As Mom/Dad you need to make the choices for your
baby you believe are the best, so educate yourself now!</div>
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<b><u style="color: #0b5394;">Take any classes you’d like that are offered by your local
hospital or Mommy stores:</u> </b><br />
Our local hospital offers several different class options ranging from breastfeeding, first aid, birthing techniques and classes for older siblings. We also have a "natural" Mommy store in town that offers classes (Lamaze, Cloth Diapering 101, Breastfeeding Essentials). The hospitals and stores both may charge for these classes. In my opinion the classes offered by the stores may be the best with better in-depth info although probably more expensive. Insurance may cover Lamaze classes.</div>
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<b><u>Consider your birthing options and research the
benefits/drawbacks of everything:</u></b></div>
Epidural? Pain medication? Laboring at home before going to the hospital? There's a lot to think of. See the next point below for a list to get you thinking about it!<br />
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<b><u>Create your own birth plan:</u></b></div>
<b><a href="http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/free-birth-plan">I used Earth Mama Angel Baby's birth plan form. </a></b><br />
You can find tons of websites online that offer "birth plan" print-outs. I highly suggest you take advantage of this, if not for anybody but yourself and your spouse! I asked my OB if they wanted a copy but advised me it is nothing they would keep in my file. She said it's up to me at the time of labor & delivery to ask for/refuse certain options. I have printed out my birth plan anyway to have on hand when we get there. My husband can refer to it if need-be. Things may change and certain procedures may become necessary but my hope is to ward off anything unnecessary. </div>
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<b><u>Organize your nursery:</u></b></div>
We started the nursery organization early due to minor home projects and room switches. We have the basic bit down but truthfully until you have a baby shower or have purchased everything this may be one of the last steps you take in preparation for baby. If you're cloth diapering look up different organizational tips from others who CD. Have the creams, ointments, wipes etc handy. Organize clothes in your closet/drawers by size. Get bottles and other items washed and ready if needed. Open and test your breast pump to make sure it works properly. Clean all of the accessories that come with so it will be ready for use if you need it soon after arriving home.<br />
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<b><u>Wash baby clothes/linens:</u></b></div>
Pick your preferred detergent for baby clothes and be sure everything (or at least everything you will need in the early months) is washed and ready. <u>Do not use fabric softeners</u> as these can compromise items that are meant to be fire retardant. Fabric softeners can also reduce absorption. If you have a baby with reflux you definitely don't want your burp rags to not absorb!<br />
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Here are some options: <br />
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<li><a href="http://ptlforgrace.blogspot.com/2012/06/adventures-in-homemade-laundry-soap.html">Homemade laundry detergent</a> (which is all we use now however not recommended for cloth diapers)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.target.com/p/dreft-2x-ultra-laundry-detergent-32-loads-50-oz/-/A-13508660#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink">Dreft</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.target.com/p/all-free-and-clear-high-efficiency-detergent-172-oz/-/A-13337504">All Free & Clear</a> (safe for cloth diapering)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.target.com/p/seventh-generation-2x-liquid-laundry-detergent-natural-free-clear-150-oz/-/A-13221031">Seventh Generation</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/160827177291?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649">Soap Nuts</a> (safe for cloth diapering)</li>
<li>Most anything without dyes or fragrances. At some point we did move on to washing baby clothes with our clothes, but in the first several months I feel it is safest to wash in a "baby friendly" detergent.</li>
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<b><u>Plan meals ahead for after baby’s birth:</u></b></div>
Take a few days in the weeks/month or two before your due date and prep or cook meals that you can freeze.You may have family or friends bring you meals but you'll want to be prepared for anything! There are so many sources online for plan-ahead meals I can't even begin to link just one. Pinterest is your friend here!<br />
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<b><u>Consider newborn photos
and schedule them now!</u></b></div>
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I have heard the best time for newborn photos is within the first couple of weeks. You have a baby that is easier to maneuver and slightly less active than one that has begun to discover their movements. Go ahead and set up an appointment or maybe a tentative date with someone, then be sure to notify them once you have the baby... or whatever it is you decide with the photographer.<br />
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<b><u>Pack your hospital bag:</u></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.babycenter.com/packing-for-the-hospital-or-birth-center">Here is a well-rounded list from BabyCenter.com </a></b><br />
Undoubtedly the hospital bag will be your best friend. And you never know when you'll need it, so have it ready! I suggest that you have it packed or in an accessible place with everything you can by week 33/34. You may still be using some of the things you need up until the last minute (like hopefully your tooth brush) so consider buying travel-size goodies or extras, or make a check list and be familiar with where everything is so your husband can do a quick grab-n-go as you're contracting out the door!<br />
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<b><u>Have your car seat installed:</u></b></div>
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Around the time you get your hospital bag together, install the carseat base in your vehicle(s). <u>I personally recommend you do NOT keep the seat in the vehicle until you need it.</u> In the event the vehicle is involved in an accident you are then supposed to replace the entire system. I'd rather replace a $30 base than an $80+ car seat.<br />
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Check the <b><a href="http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm">NHTSA</a></b> website for a list of local Car Seat Inspection Stations. Typically your local police department and sometimes fire departments have people certified to do them. At this point my husband and I are comfortable installing them ourselves, but initially with our first kiddo, we opted to have them installed by an officer. They gave all kinds of helpful tidbits at the time.<br />
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<b><u>Work out a “delivery” plan for older children: </u></b></div>
Will they be
with you? Do you have a baby sitter on-call? I'm not sure yet exactly what I'd like to do but this isn't something I necessarily want to take as it comes. I'd like to be slightly prepared just in case, but ultimately plans with labor can fall through very quickly so we're trying to not over think it. Even just a list of 3-4 willing helpers (you never know who is doing what & when so have more than 1 option!) with phone numbers to go through whenever you need them should suffice I hope. </div>
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<b><u>Cleaning:</u></b></div>
Just an idea... Have your spouse, significant other, or another family
member/friend come over and help you clean the house thoroughly a couple weeks
or so before your due date. Don’t overdo yourself even in the nesting phase,
but the more you can get done now the less you have to worry about after! If you have children already you may understand how keeping a house clean at times can be hard. I have yet to experience it in the final days of pregnancy with baby #2, but I can only imagine how difficult it will be! Maybe
even see if someone can go by your house while you’re at the hospital and do a
little cleaning ;)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>After Delivery & when you get home </u></b></span></div>
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<b><u>Nurse your baby as soon as possible:</u></b></div>
<u><b><a href="http://kellymom.com/category/ages/newborn/">Breastfeeding your Newborn</a> </b></u><br />
Even though your milk has yet to come in, allow your baby to nurse as soon as possible after delivery. I think after about 30 minutes or so is when I first tried. Things had finally settled down in the room for us. The nurse offered some fantastic initial help with latch and a little advice to get me through until a Lactation Consultant was able to visit the next day.</div>
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<b><u>Consider keeping your baby in the room with you:</u></b></div>
I opted to have my daughter with me in our room. It wasn't something I ever really thought about but I couldn't bear the idea of not having her near me once she finally arrived! We were able to feed on-demand, and I didn't have to wait for a nurse to bring her to me or go get her myself. Take a break if you'd like and don't be afraid to have the nursery watch her for a while, but I believe you'll truly enjoy having your baby with you.<br />
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<b><u>Take care of yourself:</u></b></div>
Looking back I felt incredibly lazy after I delivered my daughter. I took a shower but just laid up in the bed the entire time. I stayed an extra day in the hospital due to her being jaundice. I wish I had pampered myself a little, did my make-up, changed in to something other than a hospital gown, got up and moved around... This time I hope to actually have the will and motivation to do more for myself. You're going to be flat out exhausted but sometimes if you do a little for yourself it'll brighten your day!<br />
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<b><u>Have your meals & snacks easily accessible for when you’re
home alone with your baby:</u></b></div>
My husband had to go back to work just a couple of days after I got home with our daughter. As a manager he couldn't really leave work whenever I needed him so much of my day was spent alone with baby. There were few visitors and family wasn't very close. It was very frustrating at times that I had not prepared ahead of time to have meals and goodies right there where I needed them most. With a significant episiotomy, up and down movements were difficult at times. I'm looking forward to a basket of goodies at my fingertips this time (along with a very helpful 4yr old to go fridge digging for me heheh)!<br />
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<b><u>Consider a note on your door for visitors!</u></b></div>
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This cute door sign idea from <a href="http://theleakyboob.com/2012/07/help-them-help-you-new-baby-sign-with-ways-for-visitors-to-help/">The Leaky B@@b</a> (can't help but chuckle at that!) is perfect. It not only announces your bundle of joy, but also gives suggestions to visitors on what they can do to help! If you don't like this one, maybe it will give you some good ideas for how to word your own.<br />
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<b><u>Don’t be afraid to accept any help that is offered:</u></b></div>
If someone offers helps, let them! If there is ever a time that people want to help, it's after you have a baby, especially all the ladies. Most of them know what it's like and they only want to make life easier for you. Be grateful, thankful, and appreciative of course, but don't be afraid to say "yes!" <br />
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<b><u>Sleep when baby sleeps:</u></b><br />
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Jaiden%20Mackenzie%20I/?action=view&current=Jaiden083.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="240" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Jaiden%20Mackenzie%20I/Jaiden083.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Jaiden%20Mackenzie%20I/?action=view&current=019.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="240" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Jaiden%20Mackenzie%20I/019.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Sleep is almost non-existent when your baby comes, or at least you feel it is. When your baby drifts off, you have to drift off (same goes for Daddy, if you didn't already notice hehe)! Use a bedside sleeper, cosleeper, travel crib or pack n' play (<a href="http://ptlforgrace.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-girlish-to-boyish-travel-crib.html">here is what I used/use</a>) so that your baby is near you. If it weren't for cosleeping I may have never slept. I had an insane pillow set-up for those times I would drift off while nursing her. You'll figure out what works best for you, but be sure to take safe precautions in whatever you do!</div>
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<b><u>Follow all of your physician’s orders:</u></b></div>
The one big thing I was advised to do after delivery was avoid stairs and driving for 2 weeks due to my episiotomy. Unfortunately for me we lived in a little townhouse where the bedrooms and bathroom were upstairs. Avoiding steps was impossible but I still could have handled it better. If I had been more careful my recovery time would have probably been significantly less.<br />
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<b><u>Take lots of pictures:</u></b></div>
Don't worry about killing every battery in your house, just take ten tons of photos!! I took so many with my daughter but wish I had taken more... crazy huh?! But my husband and I thoroughly enjoy looking back on them now and again! And now that our daughter is 4 she enjoys looking at her baby pictures as well.<br />
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My hope is that this information and the links provided are helpful to you in some way as you prepare for your new baby! It's obviously not an exhaustive list but don't worry. Don't overwhelm yourself and panic about everything! Focus on the things that are important to you (maybe breastfeeding, laboring techniques etc..) and let everything else fall in to place. No matter what, it will be a new experience and later on down the road there will be thoughts of what could have been done differently and what you can focus on with your next baby! That's why I did this list.<br />
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Most of all, love your precious gifts from God! Love them and enjoy every single second you have with them!<br />
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<b style="color: #0b5394;"><i>~Lisa~</i></b></div>
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<br /></div>~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-47426304230051182782012-07-25T23:00:00.000-04:002012-07-26T02:59:23.678-04:00From Girlish to Boyish - Travel Crib Repurpose!<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Did you know?!?!<br />
Bassinets aren't cheap! You're looking at anywhere between $70-$150+ for something your baby will sleep in for all of a few months in many cases. I was definitely not looking to spend that for our 2nd baby when I already had a perfectly good bedside sleeper/travel crib leftover from my daughter. However, it was just that... leftover from my <i>daughter </i>complete with the cute pink accents!<br />
Nonetheless!! I was determined to make this work for our son!</div>
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<strike>Initially I thought I'd make one big ruffled/pleated "skirt" to go all the way around the outside from top to floor. But that's a lot of fabric, and it's still not going to cover the inside edges or the bumper pads on the bassinet. </strike><br />
Scratch that idea.</div>
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Then I thought, what about making strips of fabric to fit each side just enough to cover the pink in length and width... but how on earth am I going to attach it to the crib? Brainstorming and internet searches were coming up empty but I was <b>so</b> gonna figure this out even if I had to go buy a large sewing needle and hand-stitch with thick thread!<br />
I knew I'd be able to sew fabric on to the bumper pad so I wasn't too concerned about that part.</div>
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<b><u>So here it goes...</u></b><br />
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There is truly no strategy here, I figured it out as I went so I'll show you some pictures of what I did, explain a little bit, then show you the final product. I don't expect you to drop your jaw in sheer awe because this just isn't one of those projects.<br />
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The best part about this is I haven't ruined the original product to where it can't be sold/donated later in its original condition once we are done with it. It's simply a cosmetic fix to get us through.<br />
(hooray for seam rippers!) </div>
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Grab ya some scrap fabric (or go buy some, whichever!). I chose green and yellow from my stash.</div>
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I took a few measurements including the length and complete width, measuring from the bottom edge on the outside around to the bottom edge of the inside of the pink fabric in my case. This way once you attach the fabric it will fold over the side and cover all of the pink both inside and out of the crib.<br />
Cut your fabric along with a seam allowance, fold in (iron if needed) and sew up the edges all the way around. You will need 2 of these pieces, 1 for each long side.</div>
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The short edges might be a little more difficult since it's rounded on top, so I laid the crib on the ground on top of the fabric and traced it. Measure how tall you need the piece to be plus a little bit of seam allowance, then cut 4 pieces to match (2 for each side). </div>
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Fold in and sew the bottom and side edges of all 4 pieces.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Sew two of the pieces, right
sides together, around the top rounded part only! Don't sew the bottom or sides!
Once you've done that, flip it right side out. It should now slide
easily over the short rounded side of your travel crib.</span><br />
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<div ?action="view&current=IMG_20120607_231931.jpg"" albums="" e80="" http:="" lisaannevb="" photos%20from%20phone="" s37.photobucket.com="" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica <a href=;" target="_blank">
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<u><b>On to the bassinet bumper...</b></u></div>
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Measure the inside length all the way around your bassinet bumper. Measure the height and cut your fabric to match that including a seam allowance. Fold in and sew your seam all the way around. My fabric wasn't long enough so I did have to attach a few pieces to get the appropriate length.</div>
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This is probably the hardest part: Sewing your bumper fabric on. Make sure you have a good strong needle (like one used for denim) and a little patience to go slow. Shoving the end of your fabric in to a corner of the bumper, sew it from top to bottom to hold it securely in place.</div>
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Now you can start sewing the fabric on to the bumper. I started on top since that edge is easiest to reach with the machine and sewed down the length of one side as close as possible to the edge of the yellow fabric while keeping it as close as possible to the binding of the bumper. In the below photo you can see the stitching that was already on the yellow fabric and how my needle is positioned slightly to the right of it.</div>
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On the top of your long sides you are going to encounter the plastic clamps that hold the bumper to the crib. Because those boogers are sewn down in to the bumper pad you'll need to sew around this a little differently. I decided to skip over that part then go back to it after I'd sewn the rest of the top on either side of the clamps.</div>
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Alright, got all of the top sewn now except for the section around the clamp as shown above.</div>
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It was actually easier to sew this part with the clamp on the <b>left</b> of the presser foot which meant doing a lot of shoving of bumper fabric in the tiny spot between the presser foot and the machine lol, that was interesting, but otherwise the little screw to the right of the presser foot would not have allowed me to lift the plastic clamp up well enough sew. Trust me, I tried to work around that.</div>
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Once you've finished sewing the top of one side, go back and sew across the bottom. That will give you one side completely sewn. At the corner where you meet your new side, sew down the edge as close to the corner seam of the bumper as possible (just like you did at the very beginning). </div>
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In the below picture you can see how it's nice and secure and ready for you to move on to the next side and sew.</div>
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I made sure to be "safe" and not sew over top of the warning label. The yellow fabric is pretty see-through so it wouldn't look very good to cover it up. I just cut the fabric and sewed the edge along the label, then picked up with reattaching the rest of the yellow on the other side of the label.</div>
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Finish sewing all the way around your bumper, top and bottom. Since I had cut a large chunk of yellow out for the label I ended up with a bunch of leftovers at the end. All I had to do was cut it off, fold the edge under, tuck it in the corner and do the last bit of stitching.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The final step.... we get to attach those (green, in my case) edge pieces to the crib. I don't really have any pictures of that because there isn't much to show aside from how it looks once all the pieces are on. I decided to use safety pins. It took a little patience and finagling to get them on there and secure.</span></div>
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I'm not concerned about the baby getting to the pins because once the bumper is on they are covered up from the inside, and the crib will be put away long before he will ever walk or be able to mess with it. </div>
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Since the crib is wedged between my bed and the wall I opted not to mess with the cute pink skirt on the bottom aside from pinning it back on the one side that is visible. </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5905-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="100_5905" border="0" height="640" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5905-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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For now I covered the mattress pad with the blanket that
came with our crib bedding set. I will either buy or make a matching
sheet to cover the pad eventually. </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5906-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="100_5906" border="0" height="480" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5906-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<u><i>***I would not recommend doing this with a full-size Pack n' Play unless you plan to sew on ALL of the fabric you add like I mentioned in the beginning. In general you've got the older babies in these and the safety pins can be a hazard!! This mini travel crib can be used like a Pack n' Play by removing the bassinet... if an older baby that can stand and reach the added fabric is put in it, you need to remove the fabric and safety pins.***</i></u></div>
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Overall this was a pretty simple project and with using leftover fabric from my stash it really didn't cost me a penny! I'm very happy with not having to go spend $100 on a new bassinet. I hope this will encourage and inspire you to save a little bit of money and consider repurposing!! </div>
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<br /></div>~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-78633163168201746852012-07-25T14:42:00.000-04:002012-07-26T22:52:33.046-04:00Infant Tulle Tutu!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;">A few weeks ago I did a <a href="http://ptlforgrace.blogspot.com/2012/06/sewing-to-do-list.html">post about several craft/sewing projects</a> I need to get done before our little guy arrives. The first one was an outfit needed for a onesie exchange in a September due date mommy group. I have been procrastinating BIG time with this, and I need to have it mailed off by August 6th! I finally decided on what I would do and purchased a cute little onesie from Old Navy to get the project started. </span>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">I'm proud to say I'm finally done with it! I can cross it off my list!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">To follow the little bit of info I received about Mom, I needed something for a girl, with green, purples and/or browns, maybe owls or butterflies, along with a little sparkle. With the help of a lot of tulle leftover from projects I decided to not use tulle on, I got to work on making a tutu to go with the onesie! </span></div>
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<i><u><b><span style="color: #351c75;">If you would like to make your own tulle tutu for a little girl here is what you'll need:</span></b></u></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;">Elastic (I think I used 1/2 or 3/4inch since it's for a baby)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;">Tulle in the colors of your choice</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">I had a couple yards each of green and purple tulle and might have used about 1/2 yard of each for this project. That will of course depend on the length you want and size of the person you're making it for.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">I cut several pieces of each color approximately 7x13 inches. Some pieces were bigger, some were smaller. You can adjust all of it in the end.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">My onesie is a 3-6 months size. I only had a small bit of elastic left, but it was enough to go around the onesie plus extra. I used a safety pin to hold the elastic together where I wanted it. That's another thing you can adjust as needed. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Starting on one side of the safety pin I began tying on the tulle alternating colors as I went around.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;">Fold it in half...</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20120724_180943.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20120724_180943.jpg" /> </span></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;">Place the folded part behind your elastic...</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;">Then take the two ends, bring them down in front of the elastic and through the loop. Pull tightly and adjust as needed.</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20120724_181048.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20120724_181048.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">I used 16 pieces of each color. Really you won't know how many you'll use until you are finished. I had to cut extras as I went. It takes a little working with because the elastic likes to get twisted easily. I have seen where people stretch the elastic around a chair back to hold it in place and make it a little easier to work with. I don't have any 3-6mos size chairs handy so I worked it out as I went.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Once all of the tulle was on the elastic I had some adjustments to make... some of my tulle pieces were longer than others (it can be a pain to cut and get perfect) so I had to go around the bottom and trim it up a bit to make it somewhat even in length.It's going to poof out so there's no need for it to be perfect.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;">Use your needle and thread or sewing machine to do several stitches up and down the elastic where the two ends meet so it's secure! </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(You may have to loosen one of the tulle pieces next to where you sew that way you can move it over and cover up the elastic. Now that it is completely finished you can adjust the tulle around the elastic so it looks evenly spread out.)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5911-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="100_5911" border="0" height="538" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5911-1.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">I purchased a couple of little wooden craft accessories as extras to mail out with the onesie and tutu! Maybe she can use them for decor :)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">And there you have it, an adorable tulle skirt that should cost you no more than $5-$10+ depending on the amount of tulle you need and what you already have on hand! I purchased my tulle for about $1/yd and the elastic was a hand-me-down from a basket of sewing goodies I was given, so for me it was maybe a $1 project. </span></div>
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<br /></div>~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-37218526155996703742012-07-20T19:09:00.000-04:002012-07-20T19:37:54.144-04:00Personalized & Reusable Goodie Bags!<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
For my daughter's 4th birthday I decided to go a little outside the "normal" box of party stuff and rather than buy plastic bags and stuff them with goodies I opted to make my own bags. I went with the idea of giving each kid a reusable "snack bag" that is personalized with their initials!</div>
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Here is the original tutorial I found on Pinterest:</div>
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<i><a href="http://flyawayhome-4am.blogspot.ca/2011/01/going-green-tutorial.html">Going "green" tutorial - reusable snack bags</a></i></div>
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The girls got either pink or purple, and the boys got either green or brown. The embroidery, if you choose to do something similar, needs to be done once you attach your outside and inside fabric squares (pretty much after the first step that involves sewing). </div>
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I am not a master embroiderer... it's still fairly new to me even though I've had my machine a couple years (<a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-Computerized-Sewing-and-Embroidery-Machine-SE-400/14237607"><i>Brother SE400</i></a>). I just don't embroider often. If you follow your machine instructions it recommends you to use embroidery thread but that stuff can be very pricy. I use regular machine-grade thread for mine. </div>
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Once you get your pieces embroidered you can move on and follow the steps in the tutorial accordingly to get your finished product. </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5810.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="480" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5810.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Goodie bags labeled and ready to hand out at the party!</div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5812.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="480" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5812.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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They were are a HUGE hit! The kids loved them according to feedback from parents! I will definitely consider doing something similar again next year.</div>
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Oh, and for the cost?? About <b>$3</b>! </div>
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All I had to purchase was some off-brand sew on Velcro from Walmart. Everything else was fabric I had on hand which coincidentally was all given to me by either my grandmother or my sister. </div>
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<i style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;">~Lisa~</span></i></div>~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-15696369553478103492012-07-19T23:36:00.000-04:002012-07-19T23:37:01.271-04:00ABC Bible Flashcards for Kids!<div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/?action=view&current=IMG_20120623_125139-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="IMG_20120623_125139" border="0" height="400" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Photos%20from%20phone/IMG_20120623_125139-1.jpg" width="238" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On July 9th we celebrated our daughter's 4th birthday! Wow, my little girl is growing up so much! Literally.... this kid is 3ft 6in tall which puts her in the 91st percentile on height for her age. Do I have a basketball player in the making here?! It seems as though it was yesterday she was a little tiny baby in my arms....</span></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=Jaiden067-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="296" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/Jaiden067-1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sorry about my sappy mommy moment. On to the true purpose of this post!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not the best person when it comes to Bible knowledge. Although I was raised (off and on) in church, there is a lot I don't know even as an adult. In an effort to make sure our daughter has a better understanding and upbringing in this respect, as well as to help <i>me</i> out with baby steps, I have decided to make ABC Bible verse flashcards. Plus she really wants to be a big girl and recite a memory verse at church on Sunday nights!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found several great ideas online for making your own cards. They even have printables to make it super easy, but for me they would not work as we prefer the King James Bible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made a list of the verses I wanted to use for each letter in the KJB which you can find at the below link.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ABC King James Bible Verses</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to check out the way cuter-looking flashcard sets for use or inspiration in your own project, check out the link below. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They do utilize varying Bible translations (noted on each card). </span></div>
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<a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/04/free-downloadable-abc-bible-verse-cards.html"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Downloadable ABC Bible Verse Cards</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~</span></div>
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<i><u><b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Supplies I Used:</span></b></u></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Index cards (I used 4x6) - $.99</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Metal ring - $.20</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* A template on Microsoft Word, Publisher, or whatever your preferred program might be</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Verses for each letter</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Hole punch </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Contact or laminating paper </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I chose a local school supply store. They charge $.80/foot of laminate. I used 3ft but the nice gentleman only charged me $.85 for all of it!!) </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To get my daughter involved a little I let her pick out letter stickers in the color she wanted. I could easily have typed letters on my template to save $2.99 but these are for her and giving her a roll in this I believe is important even if it's a small roll.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once I created a basic 4x6 template with a simple purple border on Publisher I printed 26 of them blank. I don't have the capability to stick index cards in the printer so I also had to print my 26 verses out on the template, cut out around the border, then tape it all to my index cards. The blank pieces went on one side with the letter sticker, then the corresponding verse was taped to the other side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took the cards to the school supply store for laminating. Once I got them back I cut them all out, hole punched the top left corner, placed the metal ring, and voila! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ABC King James Bible verse flashcards!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5839.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="480" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5839.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5840.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="480" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5840.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The project cost me about $5 but it can very easily be done much more cheaply depending on what you have on hand and how you plan to make the cards themselves. I'm happy with the outcome and Jaiden seems to like it as well!</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~Lisa~</span></i></div>~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-34931516358269249792012-07-19T23:18:00.002-04:002012-07-19T23:21:15.198-04:00ABC King James Bible Verses<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<i>Here's a list of King James Bible verses set up in an "ABC" format. These are the same ones I used to make my <a href="http://ptlforgrace.blogspot.com/2012/07/abc-bible-flashcards-for-kids.html">ABC Bible verse flashcards</a>!</i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">A</span></b></div>
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For <b>a</b>ll have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.</div>
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- Romans 3:23</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">B </span></b></div>
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And they said, <b>b</b>elieve on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.</div>
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- Acts 16:31</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">C</span></b></div>
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Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right.</div>
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- Ephesians 6:1</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">D</span></b></div>
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Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.</div>
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- Psalms 34:14</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">E</span></b></div>
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Evan a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.</div>
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- Proverbs 20:11</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">F</span></b></div>
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Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west,</div>
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- Isaiah 43:5</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">G</span></b></div>
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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.</div>
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- Psalms 46:1</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">H</span></b></div>
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Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.</div>
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- Exodus 20:12</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I</span></b></div>
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If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.</div>
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- John 14:14</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">J</span></b></div>
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Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.</div>
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- John 14:6</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">K</span></b></div>
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Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.</div>
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- Psalms 34:13</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">L</span></b></div>
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Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.</div>
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- Isaiah 45:22</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">M</span></b></div>
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My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.</div>
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- Proverbs 23:26</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">N</span></b></div>
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Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.</div>
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- Hebrews 11:1</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">O</span></b></div>
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O give thanks unto the Lord: for he is good: because his mercy endureth forever.</div>
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- Psalms 118:1</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">P</span></b></div>
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Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.</div>
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- Psalms 147:1</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Q</span></b></div>
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Behold, I come <b>q</b>uickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.</div>
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- Revelation 22:7</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">R</span></b></div>
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Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.</div>
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- Exodus 20:8</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">S</span></b></div>
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Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.</div>
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- Isaiah 55:6</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">T</span></b></div>
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Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.</div>
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- Proverbs 3:5</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">U</span></b></div>
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Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.</div>
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- Proverbs 16:22</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">V</span></b></div>
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Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.</div>
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- John 6:47</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">W</span></b></div>
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What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.</div>
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- Psalms 56:3</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">X</span></b></div>
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O magnify the Lord with me, let us e<b>x</b>alt his name together.</div>
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- Psalms 34:3</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Y</span></b></div>
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Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.</div>
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- Matthew 5:14</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Z</span></b></div>
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As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be <b>z</b>ealous therefore, and repent.</div>
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- Revelation 3:19 </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><i>~Lisa~</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-47522320338497171342012-07-17T01:42:00.000-04:002012-07-19T23:21:29.252-04:00Mom's Cheesy Meatloaf<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
One of the meals you were always sure to find in our house growing up was mom's meatloaf. We loved it! Well, I hear my sister actually hated it but that's her loss ;)</div>
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My husband L-O-V-E-S my meatloaf. He will always be sure to let me know if I've gone too long without making it. </div>
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I have learned, however, not all meatloaves are created equal! What?? You mean not everybody makes their meatloaf like <i>MY</i> mom did?! <u>Apparently not.</u> And when I share my meatloaf recipe with others they seem to be dumbfounded by its simplicity and the fact it has cheese in it.<br />
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I remember as a kid my dad would eat it with ketchup on the side for dipping... to each their own!<br />
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I'm not a huge recipe sharing person but this is one I definitely would like to add to my blog. I hope you love it as much as my husband does!</div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5817.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5817.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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Yields 6 servings.<br />
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<u><b>Ingredients:</b></u></div>
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2 lb ground beef, preferably with a 20% fat content</div>
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2 eggs</div>
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3/4C milk</div>
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1C oatmeal</div>
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2C sharp or mild cheddar cheese.<br />
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<i>I think mom always used sharp but I use whichever I have on hand. We once used the little cheese cubes as an added cheesy bonus which was a HUGE hit... worth a shot to toss some of those in if they are on hand ;)</i></div>
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<u><b><i>Optional Ingredient:</i></b></u></div>
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Mushrooms </div>
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Mom always had mushrooms in her meatloaf and I learned to pick them out. We don't like mushrooms so they are a no-go in our house. </div>
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- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. </div>
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- Be sure to have everything pulled out and ready so you aren't contaminating the containers your ingredients are stored in. Use prep bowls or measuring cups. Or your husband if he is on hand ;) You may need to add to your mixture and having raw meaty hands will make the process more difficult. </div>
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- Mix all ingredients together by hand in a large mixing bowl. You can whisk the eggs before if you wish or just be sure to break them up well once you begin glooping it all together.</div>
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- If your meatloaf feels really sticky and dry, add a little more milk. If it seems way too moist (to where it can't hold a form), add more oatmeal. I think it's better if you start out too dry and add milk so it wouldn't hurt to experiment with your 3/4C by not adding it all initially then just taking it from there. </div>
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- Grab your glob of meat and form it in to a loaf in a 9x13 glass Pyrex pan.</div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5819.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5819.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5820.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="300" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5820.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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- Place in oven and cook approximately 30 minutes. At this point your meatloaf should be browned. <i>It's still not done yet!</i></div>
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- Slide out your oven rack and cut your meatloaf in to individual pieces with a spatula. I do this out of habit and believe it helps to cook the meatloaf evenly through.<br />
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<i>Be careful, grease is gathering at the bottom of your pan and may pop
when you start messing with the meatloaf in the following step. That's
why I suggested a 20% fat content meat to help cut back on the grease. </i><br />
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- Place the meatloaf back in the oven to finish cooking, approximately 10 - 15 minutes longer.</div>
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- Once the meatload has cooked completely (since you cut it in to individual pieces it should be easy to check!!) you can add some extra cheese to the top and let it melt for a minute or two longer in the oven.</div>
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- Remove meatloaf from the oven.</div>
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Serve & Enjoy!</div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5834-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="100_5834" border="0" height="500" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5834-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5837-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="100_5837" border="0" height="289" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5837-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>~Lisa~</i></span></div>
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</div>~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-55293107128224303622012-07-17T00:25:00.000-04:002013-01-28T23:23:07.653-05:00Stashin'!<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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We're 1 day shy of 31 weeks!! That leaves approximately 8 weeks left, whoa! Where is time going? The pressure is on, that's for sure. I am beginning to feel a little stressed and overwhelmed with all that needs to get done between now and then. Oh well, in the meantime I'll brag about my cloth diaper stash that I absolutely can't wait to put on my son's butt!</div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=255214_10151901590130527_381236796_n.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="448" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/255214_10151901590130527_381236796_n.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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Boy, has my understanding and knowledge of cloth diapering changed SO much in the months since I first posted about them! Early on I was so sure I'd be a gDiaper mom. Now I know better than to pick sides so soon because in all honesty, you just never know! I'm slowly building my little stash (48 diapers strong!) before my handsome fella gets here.</div>
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<u><b>So far we have:</b></u></div>
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<i>12 Newborn tiny gPants</i><br />
<i>With gDiapers, the Velcro and signature "g" side is actually is the back of the diaper!</i><br />
<i>On the tiny gPants the front has two sets of snaps (can't see them here) that allow you to fold the diaper down so that it will not obstruct the umbilical cord. </i></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5827.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="240" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5827.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<i>8 Small gPants </i></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5829.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="240" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5829.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<i>2 Small size WAHM diapers</i><br />
<i>WAHM stands for Work at Home Mom, basically just diapers made by someone. I found these at a consignment store.</i></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5831.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="240" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5831.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<i><br /></i><i>1 XS (newborn) & 1 Med. BumGenius (both used)</i></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5832.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="240" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5832.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<i>1 TrendLab OS (pictured in brown)</i></div>
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<i>1 FuzziBuns OS (pictured in red)</i></div>
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<i>3 OS generic diapers that look like Alvababy or Sunbaby brand (yellow, dark and light green)</i></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5833.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="320" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5833.jpg" width="240" /></a> <br />
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<i>19 Alvababy OS (not all pictured here) </i> </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5826.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="240" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5826.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5824.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="240" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5824.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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I have been making my own inserts <a href="http://ptlforgrace.blogspot.com/2012/05/diy-cloth-diaper-inserts-part-i.html">(as seen here)</a> and still plan to make a bazillion more, but I am about to order bamboo charcoal inserts.These things sound amazing! Can't wait to try them out! <a href="http://www.littlepreciousgarden.com/2011/04/bamboo-charcoal-insert.html">I found this website that provides great information on the amazing benefits of bamboo charcoal.</a></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=bamboocharcoalinsert.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/bamboocharcoalinsert.jpg" /></a> </div>
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Getting more diapers (the Alva's just arrived today) means more organizing. After my baby showers and our last minute shops I'll do my best to share photos of my organized mess :)<br />
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<i>~Lisa~ </i></div>
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~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-30809213192805049442012-06-27T01:04:00.000-04:002012-08-01T00:43:29.080-04:00Using Elastic Thread in Your Sewing Machine<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Not too many sewing projects (at least that I have come across) call for elastic thread, but when one does and you've never heard of such a thing or personally used it, it can throw you off a bit. I remember when I first went searching for it in-store I was having a heck of a time. It wasn't with all the thread?! Der, it was with the elastic, and it is definitely not as thin as regular thread! </div>
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Since there is a first time for everything and for everybody, here's a simple tutorial with photos to help you get started on using elastic thread in your sewing machine.</div>
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<i>As a heads up, in this case, I am </i><i>NOT changing the tension or thread
length settings on my machine. You'll do that for rouching projects.
Keep your settings at 'normal'!!</i> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> ~~~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Elastic thread can be purchased at most any craft/sewing supply stores pretty cheap and in several different colors (</span><a href="http://www.hancockfabrics.com/Elastic-Thread-11-Yards---Navy-Gutermann_stcVVproductId82436332VVcatId539563VVviewprod.htm" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Example</a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">). Here is a picture of my elastic thread... it didn't come on a spool like my example link does, it was in plastic packaging hanging on the wall.</span></div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5691-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="100_5691" border="0" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5691-1.jpg" /></a>
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Thread your upper thread with regular thread (<span style="font-size: x-small;">thread...thread...thread...</span>!!) of your choice for the project.</div>
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Take an empty bobbin and begin wrapping your elastic thread around it. Don't pull too tightly, just slightly! You don't want it wrapped really loose but you don't want too much tension, either. When I start wrapping mine I hang on to about 1.5 inches so that it won't slip around the bobbin as I get the first several rounds going. You can see my excess in this photo laying over my pinky.</div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5693.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="480" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5693.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Take your time winding it. I have accidentally dropped the bobbin, then it rolls away, and I have to start over! Argh!</div>
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Once you fill the bobbin about half-way, maybe a little more, go ahead and snip the loose end back to where it isn't hanging out, and of course detach the other end from the elastic thread roll. </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5695.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="480" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5695.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Follow the instructions for placing the bobbin in your machine.</div>
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I'm not sure if you really need to cut the end of the elastic thread like you do your regular thread, but I do anyway. Hold your finger over the bobbin (not on the camera like me) to keep it from moving then quickly yank the elastic in to the cutter. Pulling slowly like you do your regular thread doesn't work so well. </div>
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The very first time I ever used elastic thread I opted for some experimenting on scrap fabric (preferably scrap fabric just like whatever your project fabric is) to make sure I had it down. I suggest you try this too.</div>
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In this project I'm using a knit material. It's already stretchy but for a waistband I want to make sure the thread doesn't break. Using the elastic thread helps it have more give and leave the knit material with its stretchy quality. </div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5696.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="480" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5696.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've flipped the fabric over here to show you what it looks like coming out from under the foot.</div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5698.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="480" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5698.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When you are finished sewing and hit the 'cut thread' button (or however you do it on your machine) most likely the elastic will not cut. It's hit and miss in my case so be careful when pulling the fabric from the machine... you might accidentally yank several inches off your bobbin which could be frustrating especially if you aren't done using it. Pull the fabric away gently and if it is still attached, cut the thread with your scissors. You should be GTG now! </div>
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I'll be honest, this particular project was a flop but it had nothing to do with using the elastic. It was an experimental deal that I plan to try again and hope will be a success. My point here is just simply about the elastic thread and its use in your sewing machine :)</div>
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<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/?action=view&current=100_5699.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="640" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/Lisaannevb/100_5699.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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Happy elastic thread usage!</div>
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<i>~Lisa~ </i></div>~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419382838980325841.post-79940859204020941332012-06-26T18:51:00.000-04:002012-08-01T00:43:54.953-04:00Adventures in Homemade Laundry Soap!<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
I've been making my own laundry detergent for about 3 years now. I love it! Only twice in that 3 years have I messed up timing of making more vs. running out and had to go buy stuff from the store >_< I hate that! I'm all about saving money here and buying detergent is a waste, not a save!</div>
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I use the <a href="http://www.duggarfamily.com/content/duggar_recipes/30455/homemade_liquid_laundry_soap_front_or_top_load_machine_best_value">Duggar Family recipe for liquid laundry soap</a> with Fels-Naptha bar soap (found mine at Kroger). I won't go through every single step since Michelle has basically laid it out for you, but here's my pictorial post about it.</div>
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Aside from the ingredients listed in the recipe you'll need a few extra things, one being a 5 gallon bucket. It has been a while but I believe I paid $4-$5 for mine at Walmart. I learned this go 'round that my bucket had a crack in the bottom so I patched it with a pool repair kit I had handy (remember, I'm saving money!). To be safe I put a couple garbage bags in the bucket when I began to fill it up. Later I learned the bags had leaked but thankfully the bucket and my patch had not!</div>
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I recommend a blender or food processor (I used my Ninja) for grating
the soap. Faster and better than using the cheese grater, IMO. Also have
a large funnel and ladle on hand for when you begin to fill up your
smaller containers.<br />
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Here is what the soap looks like after it sets for 24hrs. It definitely takes on a creepy goo form!<br />
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I use all different sorts of containers to store the soap. These are glass jugs from Santa Cruz organic apple juice.<br />
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Where the funnel and ladle come in handy! </div>
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I am trying something new here... I decided to fill the lid of my Tide Stain Release bottle and dump it in one of my laundry detergent bottles. Yes, I make my own laundry detergent to save money but I still buy Tide Stain Release. But you better believe I buy that stuff on sale with coupons. I probably pay less $2 a bottle. Personally I really like it. Anyway, I usually only add the Tide to my laundry loads with clothes that I know have some stained items. With a 4yr old that's about every load of clothes. I'm going to test this out and see if it works just as well as adding the Stain Release separately. (BTW I do not use the recommended amount per the Tide bottle in each load, that's just outrageous. I use maybe 1/3 of what they suggest and have had good luck with it.)<br />
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Tideless detergent on the left - Tidefull detergent on the right</div>
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And here you have it... every bottle I could find filled with detergent!<br />
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I still have about 4 inches of soap left in the 5 gallon bucket to distribute in to containers once it empties.The cost is incredibly minimal. I used my last bar of soap this time but I still have the same boxes of Washing Soda and Borax (down to maybe 1/2 full) that I had when I first started making detergent. I believe this is my 4th batch in 3 years? It must only cost a penny per load, if that!<br />
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<i style="color: #073763;">~Lisa~</i></div>
</div>~Lisa~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00018756233955040534noreply@blogger.com5