The Great Diaper Debate

There is a great debate at our house. We are debating cloth diapers versus disposable diapers versus a mixture of both.

We love that the cloth diapers are chemical free and friendlier for the environment. We really love that the cost is large up front but presents huge savings long term. But will our very old, hardly surviving on its last leg, tired washing machine survive the extra loads of not only a baby but also diapers?

We love the ease of disposable diapers and the fact that we don't have to worry about other people not wanting to deal with "the crazies" in the cloth diapers. But do we really want the extended expense of buying diapers every week?

No matter what we buy, how do you begin to choose a brand? And I've always been told that every baby hiney is different. How do you get ready for a baby who's hiney you've never met? What if we spend hundreds on cloth diapers (or even disposable) and our baby hiney won't work with what we've purchased?

How do you even begin to make these decisions? Moms out there - help! Did you consider cloth diapers? How did you decide what to use? Are you glad you made the choice you made? Do you ever wish you could change? Please help!

Morning Sickness

Dear Baby,

As we put away Christmas decorations today, we couldn't help but think about the fact that next Christmas we'll have you with us! It was very exciting to think that the next time I see that beautiful Christmas tree, you'll be seeing it with us.

Since I can't feel you move yet, I'm left to knowing you're in there by enjoying a beautiful round of "morning sickness". (Ironic, since I never seem to throw up in the morning!) I've decided that you must love celebrations and holidays like your momma! Everytime we celebrate something special, you jump up and let us know you're here. Like when I went to a wedding where no one knew you were hiding inside. We left the reception and got no more than 40 feet away from the celebration when I lept from the car and "watered" the grass. In the middle of the Christmas Eve service I realized I needed to throw up so I dashed out the back door of the sanctuary. When I got outside I remembered I was in the middle of downtown Dallas and realized there was no grass to water! So I found a pot containing a poor, dying tree and did my best to hide from the rain and the police officer directing traffic a few feet away. My favorite, however, was when your Daddy and I were ringing in the New Year. We kissed and cheered, "This is the year of the baby!" at which point I ran to the bathroom, shoving another pregnant mom out of the way to get there. I've decided you must really enjoy celebrating sweet little one! You're just like your momma - loving celebrations/holidays and everything that comes with it!

For years I've listened to other women complain about pregnancy symptoms and thought, "Are you kidding me? I'd give anything to be pregnant!" I promised myself I'd never be one of those women who complained. Tonight, as I was running for the toilet (despite the anti-nausea medicine) I told your Dad how sick I was of being sick. As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I regretted saying them. I'm so sorry Baby! I am not sick of carrying you around and I will never ever be sick of being your Mommy! I am so glad God gave me you. I still can't believe He chose me to be your Mom!

Your Daddy and I love you and are very excited to be your parents!

It's a baby!

I was thrilled to post this picture on Facebook today:

That, my friends, is a baby! And it just happens to be growing in my tummy! I'm still in shock, even though I've known for quite a while now. I'm pregnant! I'm going to have a baby! Wow!

So here are the details I know you're dying to know:

• Yes, we were trying. After the miscarriage and the diagnosis of PCOS we were very anxiously waiting for that little pink plus sign. However, we didn't think we would get pregnant for several more months. We were both shocked when it showed up.
• I am currently 9 wks and 2 days along. We are due July 30, 2012. We are hoping the baby decides to come earlier rather than later. DJ starts tennis camp the second week of August and if this baby is too late we'll have a serious problem on our hands!
• We told both sets of parents at Thanksgiving. They are thrilled more than words can say! Our grandparents found out at Christmas.
• I have been good and sick and have honestly loved it! After wanting a baby for so long, having a daily reminder that the baby is still in there is a wonderful blessing. I do not enjoy eating when I'm not hungry, but I am so thrilled to be pregnant I don't mind it that much. :) I don't mind the fact that I've lost 5 pounds, either!
• We will have a Winnie the Pooh nursery. Any contributions (Winnie the Pooh or otherwise) are welcomed!
• I don't have a gut instinct about whether it's a boy or a girl. It depends on the day. Today I truly can't decide. DJ is torn about what the baby will be, but he usually leans towards boy.
• My head is still swimming with questions and dreams and ideas. I am amazed that God has chosen me to be a part of His beautiful miracle. Where once there was nothing, now there's life!
• Seeing the baby and seeing that little heart beat was one of the more memorable moments in my life. I cried, DJ cried, the doctor cried. It was a heck of a moment.

I can't wait to see all the Lord has in store for us in this beautiful new chapter. I'm excited about all of the changes and I'm beyond thrilled to start life as a MOMMY!

Day 21

Today I'm thankful for friends and family that support and love my little family no matter what. My heart is full with the blessings of these friendships!

Day 20

Today I'm thankful for social media and cell phones! It's amazing to me that Facebook didn't even exist when I was in high school yet I now use it on a daily basis to connect with friends - old and new. I can tell you that the past few years would have not looked the same without this mode of communication! I'm also thankful for cell phones. I still remember when our family got our first "car phone" (that was the size of your face!) and we could only use it for emergencies. But now everyone has a phone and everyone can talk easily! I love that we can communicate with our families any time we want! I'm so thankful for the blessings of the modern age...

Days 18 and 19

Yesterday I was thankful for wonderful time with my sister! She has had a string of no good, very bad days over the course of the last month and it did both of us some good to just be together. Plus, I got a start on my Christmas shopping! Woo hoo!

Today, I'm thankful for little things. The little things that I almost always forget to be thankful for. Things like dirty dishes and a ton of laundry. Or stinky puppies, dusty furniture, or a broken vacuum cleaner that's still under waranty. My heart is full of things I forget to be thankful for. Today I want to focus on those things I need to thank God for. :)

Day 17

Today I'm thankful for cheese. (Except for when it dries onto a dish and becomes cheese glue!) I love this versatile food and eat it pretty much every day. I do not, however, love blue cheese. I can't get past the smell and it looks gross. Blue, if you will. But back to my point. I love cheese. (I also love Andrew Peterson.) Bonus points for you if you own that shirt. :)