Cloth Diapering!

I've been reading up about cloth diapering, preparing to at least try out cloth on my new little one.  The abundance of options is staggering.  Prefolds, pockets, all-in-ones, flour sack towels...there's so much to learn.

My decision to try cloth was more of a gradual process than an epiphany.  I have friends who have used cloth, though some ended up switching to disposables at least part time.  I was always ambivalent about the idea, unsure whether it's really better for the environment and whether it's worth the extra time.  But being one who likes to make fully informed choices, I started reading about the pros and cons, and realized that, convenience aside, cloth really is better in most every way.  It's not just better for the environment, but saves a lot of money in the long run.

Mainly I'm concerned with all the chemicals today's babies come in contact with, including fire-retardant chemicals in clothing, VOCs in nursery furniture, and whatever gajillion materials make up modern disposable diapers.  Cloth is so much safer, not to mention more comfortable on baby's sensitive parts.

So I'm going to try cloth.  I bought a few fitted diapers at a used baby sale (before I had done much research and determined that fitteds may not be my diaper of choice).  A friend of a friend said she has a few outgrown diapers she is willing to give me.  And I've won a couple in online giveaways.  Otherwise I have yet to start buying anything.  My plan is to start with some newborn sizes to use for the first couple months, mainly prefolds and covers, with a few all-in-ones or other types to try out.  I'm not planning to get more than one or two of any one kind, so I can try a variety and see what I like best.  That will help me decide what to buy for a more permanent stash.  Babies generally outgrow newborn sizes within 2-3 months, and then there are tons of good one-size options that they can wear until potty training.  So the newborn stage will prepare me to make some longer-lasting purchases.

And resale values seem to be very good, so if I end up with something I don't like, I feel comfortable knowing that I can always sell it on craigslist or back to the baby store.  All in all, even if I end up with a few things I don't use, I'm still sure to save hundreds over all the money I'd spend on disposables (I'm a pretty thrifty shopper).

I'm pretty set on using cloth for the long haul, though I'm not opposed to some disposables if I ever find that it makes more sense.  Like with most things in life, I don't feel the need to be all-or-nothing about this. Better to take it slow, check out my options, and determine what works best for me and my family, and, most importantly, for baby.

Enjoying Fall

It's been a beautiful fall here in the midwest.  We've been lucky to have had some pretty warm days, and the trees are at their peak fall colors.  I'm trying to keep reminding myself to enjoy fall this year.

Many people say fall is their favorite holiday, but I usually find it difficult to truly appreciate the season.  It lasts such a short time here, so when I'm busy it's easy to miss altogether.  Plus with our brutal winters, fall can feel like just a downward slide into the dark, cold months ahead.

In some ways this year it's as hard as ever, because I know I'm bringing a baby into the world in the dead of winter.  And in these last weeks of my pregnancy, my clothes are getting tighter and tighter, and I know my warm coats won't fit for too much longer.

But thinking about life with my baby is also helping me slow down and take some time to enjoy the world around me.  Life moves so fast, and sometimes it takes some reminders to take a breath and notice the little things that add pleasure to the days.  The red maple tree in my front yard.  The way the fallen leaves smell (and sound!) as I walk my dog down the block.  The sweet burning smell from neighbors' chimneys and backyard bonfires. The last calls of the geese as they head out of town.  The way the sun hits the trees in the afternoon.

So this is a reminder to myself and others to stop and look around once in a while.  These fall days are fleeting.  If leaves change colors in the woods and nobody is there to appreciate them, they are still beautiful. Let's try to appreciate them.

Nursery Planning

We got our crib yesterday!  I researched and agonized over what crib to choose, and then, of course, ended up going with one of the first ones I found.  I chose a Baby Mod Parklane after reading some positive feedback from other bloggers who have similar values and tastes as I do.  It was important to me to find a crib that will be safe for baby, which means solid wood is best (no fiberboard with toxic glues) and the company should make a commitment to using safe paints and finishes.  It's difficult to find good information (all companies claim their materials are safe), but others seem to trust the Parklane, and I wasn't willing to spend an arm and a leg for "luxury" or "designer" brands.

Right now the crib is still in the box--just bringing it inside was enough of a struggle for one day (for hubby, not me).  But this weekend we'll probably put it together or at least take it out and let it start airing out.

This weekend we also hope to move all the furniture out of the baby room, start prepping the walls for paint, and possibly get started on priming.  We haven't chosen a paint color yet, but I'm hoping to choose a soft color in the blue-gray range.  We'll definitely go with a zero-VOC paint.

I'm excited to have this phase done so we can start moving the furniture in and choosing accents and decorations!  There are so many decisions to make.  I'm hoping to have the baby room done in about 5 or 6 weeks just to give us a little cushion--who knows when baby will decide to make an appearance!

Maintaining Sanity while Preparing for Baby

Preparing for a new baby requires MAJOR shopping.  I didn't realize how many new things I would need to buy for my little one.  Wait.  Back up.  NEED to buy?  Maybe that should read "how many things I will be pressured to buy by the marketing geniuses at the baby stores."

Choosing where to shop and which items to choose (organic? natural? discount?) is a topic for another post, but here I would like to take a look at how much is really required for baby.

I haven't actually bought much yet, but I am in the process of preparing a registry in case others are kind enough to want to buy things for me.  Of course there are large items I'll need--crib, mattress, car seat, stroller (ok, a convenience, but one I'm willing to spend money on), carrier (or two), etc.  But in building my registry I need to find smaller items that friends and family may actually want to buy for me.

Of course my little one will need clothes and diapers (I'll be using cloth).  I hear the more of these you have the better.  But some of the other things?  I found myself stressing because I wasn't happy with the hooded towel choices at the baby store, until I stopped to think--is a hooded towel really necessary?  Wouldn't a regular towel (small size) work fine?  The baby towels I've found look cheap and rough, and cost twice as much as good regular towels.

I'm sure some of the baby-specific items are nice to have for the added convenience they provide.  But stressing myself out putting all this effort into choosing products that someone may or may not buy for me just seems going too far.

I generally don't put too much value in possessions and I don't really like to shop that much.  Expecting a baby has made me into much more of a consumer than I usually like to be.  I think it's time for me to take a step back and reevaluate what is important for me to focus on.  And the hooded towels, baby washcloths, coordinating nursery decorations--if any of my friends or family enjoy shopping and would like to choose something nice for me, I will be very appreciative.  But it's not worth making myself crazy over.

Life of Balance

My husband and I are getting ready for our first baby.  We're consumed with the normal tasks of preparing our home and lives: choosing a paint color for the baby room, buying furniture, making space in the house for baby's stuff, creating our registry.  Not to mention planning what our finances will look like once we have another tiny but expensive mouth to feed.

But I'm also consumed with determining how to maintain a balanced path for our new lives with baby.  I try to live an eco-conscious life, without losing my sanity.  I bring my own bags (most of the time), but because of the limited access in my area don't always buy organic.  I drive a very fuel-efficient car, but commute nearly 20 miles to work.  I cook meals at home, often vegetarian, usually healthy; I don't make my own bread, yogurt, or cheese (except occasionally in the bread machine).  I try to make good choices and always have sustainability in the back of my mind; however, I also try not to be obsessive about it.

Some may look at my life and think I'm not doing enough to live up to my values.  But I recognize that we all make numerous choices every day, about large things and small.  I try to make positive choices as often as I can without letting it take over my life.

So when thinking about the life I want to have as a mother, I strive to maintain a balanced perspective.  I researched eco-friendly and safe crib options, but I refuse to spend many hundreds or even thousands on a crib that will be used for a few years at most.  I was able to find a good compromise with an all-wood crib made of safe materials that didn't break the bank.  I'm putting effort into making the baby room as natural/organic/chemical-free as possible (no VOC paint, mattress with no harmful fire-retardants), but I will not insist on buying only organic clothes for my little one.  I don't think I could make the safest and most sustainable choice 100% of the time without an endless budget (and endless time spent researching).

So yes, I do plan to use cloth diapers (most of the time).  I do plan to limit the plastic my baby comes in contact with (especially for things that go in the mouth or rest near the head).  But yes, I will be doing some (most?) of my shopping at the local big box store, as the only "natural baby" stores nearby are far beyond my budget.

This is how I plan for my family to live a live of balance.