This Unfamiliar Road

August 03, 2012

We Heart Cloth

Many of my friends have been asking how the cloth diapering is going. Well, I am happy to report that we are loving it! Yes, it does require a little extra work, but what I have learned is that babies require a lot of work. Since we started using cloth almost right away, we don't know a world without it...it just comes with baby territory!
I have perfected my wash routine and it's pretty much like doing an additional load of laundry.

This is where the dirty diapers go until I wash them-PlanetWise wetbag

First, I remove the microfiber insert from the liner and just throw both parts into the washing machine!

(Breastfed poop doesn't stain...so it all goes in the wash!)

My diapers have this 'laundry tab' you Velcro to prevent the diapers from sticking to each other

See? Easy

Then, I run a cold rinse cycle with no detergent.

Then, I run a wash cycle on warm. I use Rockin' Green detergent and I love it!

Then, I hang them on a drying rack!

Next, I stuff 'em. This is probably the most time consuming part of the whole process and it takes about 15 minutes max. I have actually found that stuffing diapers gives me a chance to sit down and watch some TV (read: The Olympics) while still feeling productive!

This is P-bug in her first cloth dipe- 1 1/2 weeks old!

And this is her now...so much has changed!

Do I ever use disposables?! Why, yes I do!

When we are out and about, I have found it easier to use a disposable diaper rather than carrying home a cloth diaper to be washed.

Also, on 'wash days' (about every 3 days) I use disposables for 2 reasons:

1) I need to invest in a third wetbag so I have a clean/dry one while the others are being washed (I throw the bags in with the dipes!)

2) You know how, sometimes, you want to do laundry in the nude just so that all of the laundry in the house is clean?! Well, that is how I feel sometimes on wash days. I want all the diapers to be clean...so we turn to disposables for the day!

I will continue to update as Peyton grows bigger and as I invest in different brands of diapers!

# Cloth Diapers

August 01, 2012

Family Times

Andrea 9:16 PM 0 Comments

We have been incredibly blessed by an amazing family! Peyton has awesome grandparents and I know they will do the best they can to spoil her rotten :)

We had a great week visiting with the Northern unit-Hamma and Great Grandma Sally came to visit!

Hamma feeding Peyton a bottle!

(Well, I guess Peyton is feeding Peyton a bottle)

Hamma & Peyton playing

Last day with Hamma :(

Great Grandma {Caroline} Sally

We miss our MI family when they are not here and hope we can all find a way to see each other more often!

Peyton studying her Grandma

Playtime with Nonna!

What would we do without the love and support from our family?!

July 18, 2012

Bacon & Mushroom Pasta

Andrea 12:16 PM 0 Comments

This pasta is my favorite go-to for a quick, delicious meal that looks pretty fancy. I really love that you can get creative with this one and add almost anything to it!
Here is the recipe (in basic form):

Ingredients: (4 servings)

-8 oz farfalle pasta

-4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

-8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced (larger groups-get 16 oz mushrooms)

-1/2 cup frozen peas

-1 lemon

-minced garlic

-1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:

**Let me start by saying that I have never measured anything when making this dish. I add until it looks/tastes right :)

1. Cook pasta according to directions.

Meanwhile...

2. Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Set aside.

3. Discard all but ~2Tbsp pan drippings

4. Saute garlic in pan drippings; add mushrooms and cook until tender (I will sometimes add a little butter too)

5. Add peas and cook until heated through

6. Grate 1/2 tsp (or more!) lemon zest and reserve rest of lemon

7. Toss cooked pasta with mushroom & pea mixture, then toss again with lemon zest, cheese & ground pepper. Squeeze in juice of lemon and toss again. Top with bacon.

Some fun add-ins: Shrimp, Sundried tomatoes, broccoli or another green veggie instead of peas...

Pretty, huh?

# Recipes

July 17, 2012

6 Weeks

Andrea 5:33 PM 0 Comments

I still plan on posting monthly updates, but I feel like 6 weeks is such an important milestone that it deserves a post!

Peyton is a lot more social these days! It's amazing how much she can change in just a week. She is perfectly content laying on her Boppy Lounger and staring at me, just studying every part. I love that I can now soothe her by talking or singing to her, and she has become a lot more interested in toys.

We are learning more and more every day

I love my new playmat!

"Sometimes, I've just had enough!"

...but most of the time I'm all smiles!

...unless Mommy forgets to take the bow off at naptime

Daddy dressed me today...at least it matches!

(Like I said...we are learning!)

I have now learned to LOVE bathtime!

Sweet sleeping girl

Yesterday, I packed away most of her newborn clothes and we had to move up a snap in diapers. It was a sad day for me, but it makes me feel good that she is growing strong!

# Milestones # Peyton

July 09, 2012

Summer Veggie Bake

Andrea 2:21 PM 0 Comments

Once again, I find myself with tons of summer veggies (from various friends/family with gardens) and running out of [fun] options for them. I've already done my Zucchini Fritters so of course I turned to Pinterest for some inspiration : )
I found this recipe and thought it would be a wonderful addition to a family potluck cookout.

Recipe

Ingredients: Summer vegetables! (I used squash, zucchini, tomatoes, and potatoes. I also think eggplant would have been great!)

-onion, garlic, butter, thyme, salt, pepper, cheese (I used mozzarella)

Directions: Saute onion in garlic until soft.

Meanwhile, thinly slice veggies of choice.

Butter the pan-I used a 9x13 and actually put a few chunks of butter in the bottom! Spread sauteed onions & garlic in bottom of pan, then alternate veggies vertically.

Sprinkle with thyme, salt & pepper

Cover with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes

Remove and top with cheese, then bake (uncovered) for another 15-20 minutes

ENJOY!

Step One: Place baby in swing :)

Aren't they beautiful?! (prior to roasting)

This is the only food picture I got because (of course) as soon as it was ready to come out of the oven, Miss P decided she was hungry too! But trust me-it was delicious

Cousins in their coordinating outfits!

# Family # Food

July 05, 2012

One Month

Andrea 5:59 PM 0 Comments

I cannot believe my sweet Peyton Caroline is already one month old. Time has flown by, and I know it will continue to gain speed as the months and years go by.
I am so excited to see P learn new things as she grows, but it also makes me so sad to see her getting bigger and maturing. Every day I inspect every little part just so I can [try to] remember how precious her little fingers, lips, nose, etc are. I remind myself that she will never be this little again, and as much as I would LOVE to get a full night of sleep, I need to cherish every moment now!

(Excuse me while I wipe away the tears...)

Right now, Peyton has four phases: Sleeping, Eating, Socializing (about 15-20 minutes after eating) and fussing because she wants to be rocked to sleep.

Monthly picture under the clock :)

We just tried out the playmat today, and she is doing a great job tracking! This is our spare that I intend to keep at my Mom's house. I will get out our fancy one with lots to look at this week!

P is starting to enjoy tummy time! She is getting some practice at holding her head up. I managed to capture this video and I just love it-I think she looks so proud of herself!

# Milestones # Peyton

Happy Independence Day!

Andrea 5:34 PM 0 Comments

Have I mentioned how much I love Ben's new job? Usually, every year on The 4th of July, he is working a major event at the country club- bounce houses, face painting, FOOD, fireworks...the whole bit!
This year...we got to attend this event and *enjoy* the fireworks! Amazing! It was great to see some of Ben's old coworkers too-many of them had not met Peyton yet, so she was doted on quite a bit :)

Happy 4th of July from Peyton!

Poppi came over for a visit (with Aunt Laurel and ~~Aunt~~ Maya)

P was quite the social butterfly before the fireworks, then slept through the whole show!

By the way, I love our MOBY! I will say that sometimes it is a little hot (it's a LOT of fabric) but who isn't hot these days?!

I use it around the house a lot too!

# Family # Holiday

This Unfamiliar Road

August 03, 2012

We Heart Cloth

August 01, 2012

Family Times

July 18, 2012

Bacon & Mushroom Pasta

July 17, 2012

6 Weeks

July 09, 2012

Summer Veggie Bake

July 05, 2012

One Month

Happy Independence Day!

Profile

About Me

Labels

Blog Archive

Search This Blog