Blog

There is a new blog that I found that you may be interested in if you are a cloth diapering mama.  It is going to be an event hosted by Grinning Cheek to Cheek, for 2 weeks lead by a mama named Amy with 2 boys and she will be describing her transition from disposables to cloth and having tons of giveaways.  You may want to check it out!  Enjoy!

Article

Ok, ok so now that I have been using cloth diapers on our son, Jackson, for several months.  I learned some pretty awesome concepts that will help other people along the way who are new or just interested in converting.  I have spent numerous hours describing cloth diapering to some open minded and many more close minded people.  I wish more people would be open minded to even trying cloth diapers, but as soon as the words POOP and WASH are uttered, they run.  When I say this, I mean it....IT REALLY ISN'T THAT BAD! There are so many inventions these days that make cloth diapering much more easy.  I currently have a diaper sprayer that easily installs onto the side of the toilet and hooks into your water line, and provides a high power spray to rinse off the diapers.  BAM! No dunking, plopping, or scrubbing.  Just hold over and spray, then chunk back into the pail or bag.  Then just dump it all into the washing machine.  Piece of cake and no poop handling necessary.  Also, most people are disgusted by the concept of having to put poopy diapers into your washing machine....the same one you wash your clothes with, OH MY! I have never ever ever had any poop on any of my clothes.  That is the God's honest truth.  Please, don't be afraid to ask questions or research about cloth diapering.  It is so easy to run out of disposable diapers and have to run to the store right before bedtime.  But when you run out of cloth, just toss them in the wash and bam, good as new! So easy, so convenient, and the best part about cloth is there are soooo many varieties, colors, designs, choices...they are adorable on any baby bum!  So, read my article on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer and consider Cloth Diapers!  Have a great Sunday Everyone!

Tabby

Coupons, Coupons

Well, I would like to take a minute to refer back to one of my new loves...COUPONS!  I have been clipping for a few months now and it is awesome!  I haven't been as obsessed lately because I have been busy and obsessed with FLUFF!!  But this week's coupons were awesome but to be expected, since the majority of those expired on Jackson's birthday, July 31, 2011!  So, the roll over starts!  I haven't gotten the chance to match anything yet because we had little man's 2 year checkup at Children's Medical Center of Powdersville today with Dr. Humphries.  I absolutely LOVE her, she is amazing and she loves Jackson!  But what's not to love, right?  He is cute, smart and very entertaining!  But he was in the 57% for weight at 28lbs 7oz and 76% for height at 35" tall. So, good reports!

But I had the opportuity to clip this weeks coupons finally and it took FOREVER!!! I did it while watching The Secret Life of the American Teenager on ABC Family.  It was a daunting task, but I got it knocked out and bagged them to later be stashed away in my coupon binder during my breaks at work this week.  I think couponing with organization is key to good and easy couponing.  I use a 1.5" binder with Avery pocket dividers that work well for my divisions.  I then have 3 different types of coupon storage sheets behind each divider...baseball card sheets which hold 9 coupons a sheet, business card sheets which hold 12 coupons a sheet, and 4x6 photo sheets which I put stacks of coupons in at a time (usually 4 stacks in one sheet).  I didn't  decide to have 3 different types but the stores are all out of the trading card sheets which are the best fit and I sacrificed to use the other types but it works out.  My categories of coupons that I divide the notebook into are...BODY PRODUCTS, HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS, FOOD, and BABY.

Body products consist of those items that are used on your body, hair products-shampoo, conditioner, style products, etc, Lotions, Deodorants, etc! I then subdivide in that to medicines.
Household products consist of all things cleaning, paper products, etc
Food is self-explanatory, anything you eat!
Baby is also self-explanatory, anything baby related!

I hope this makes your start in couponing an easier transition  .  If you have questions please feel free to ask me and I will help, I am the go-to couponer at work and people laugh at me but I tell them, I AM NOT POOR, I CHOOSE TO DO THIS.  And my reason for converting to coupons is because I WORK HARD FOR MY MONEY, IT IS MINE, NOT THE STORE AND I WANT TO KEEP IT AS LONG AS I CAN!!  Besides if you can get all the things you buy now for free or almost free why not?  It just takes a few hours a week to research and map out and clip coupons, but well worth the time.

I will leave you all with a few websites that are excellent help to new and current couponers:
Southern Savers is a great site that breaks it all down very simply and is my favorite!
Saving Money Plan  also a good one that offers match-ups and coupon classes, check it out!

So, get your scissors ready and go clip some!!

I got published!

Ok so I wrote an article and submitted it to The Cloth Diaper Whisperer and they chose me!!! My article was chosen and it took me by surprise but I was sooo happy to see it up there tonight, yay! Go check it out for yourself at www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com

Birthday Boy!

Well, yesterday was a success! Our baby boy celebrated his 2nd birthday. I don't have a lot of pictures just yet (will have to get them from the grandparents) we were too busy in the pool. The party was held at the pool and was lots of fun and accommodating for all! We had 16 kids that came out and 25 adults. So it was a rather large party and the pool was perfect! He received tons of great gifts thanks to everyone! We had a blast swimming, eating pizza, eating cute cupcakes, eating ice cream and swimming more! We were at the pool from 3pm until 7pm. It was a full day if fun! The birthday boy was exhausted after all the excitement! He wore his adorable Mickey Birthday shirt that was purchased from Etsy. They matched well with his Etsy purchased invitations and cupcake toppers. I made the cupcakes and I think they went over well! Jackson ate the frosting off of several, and I let him because it was his birthday!  I think he had a great day full of excitement and surrounded by all those that care about him.

Yay for one more year with our baby boy, and on to the next!!  Only to survive the terrible two's....

Fluffy Mail

So, I got some of my last bits of fluffy mail in this week.  I think I have been temporarily cut off since our stash is big enough to accommodate our single toddler child.  Well, soon I will be posting a review of my favorite brands and features of cloth diapers.  Since I have a collections now I can adequately review.  I will say I LOVE Kelly's Closet and Natural Baby!!  I am saddened by the fact that I keep diligently entering several giveaways and no luck yet!  These two places provide me with convenience, awesome products and support in my cloth endeavors.   I highly recommend these two for CD needs!! 

Flowers, Flowers and More Flowers

I keep reminding myself to post about all the beautiful "crafty" things I have done.  Well, my next step is to learn to sew.  My grandmother so graciously donated my great-grandmothers old sewing machine a few weeks ago.  It is solid metal and could kill someone it is so heavy.  Well, I shall try to learn on this beast soon.  But in the meantime, I will display my recent workings with florals.  Last year, I did the wedding flowers for my father and his wife's wedding...all of the flowers!  And last month, I did the flowers for my grandparents 25th wedding anniversary vow renewal.  I think they all turned out amazing for no experience.  So, I would like to share them with you!

Vow Renewal



I will have to hunt down the photos from the wedding, having trouble locating them currently.  But in the meantime, enjoy the roses!

Bathroom TA-DA!!

SOOOO.....After a lonnnngggg weekend of stinky paint and lots of "time outs," it is completed!  And I am soooo in love with the way it turned out.  I even ventured to tell Jackson that I was going to switch bathrooms with him because of the sirene, relaxing, "spa" like feel to his bathroom.  He just thinks I am crazy and in typical 2 year old fashion, he responded..."NO."  No, even though he had no idea what I was saying his all-time response still resonated.  Well, enough said about that, on to the pictures!

Primer on the walls, all WHITE and crisp. 

This is a "during" photo.  It was after the primer and before the border.

And The Finished Product REVEAL:

Jackson and I also bought big boy towels for him and his guests.  They match beautifully. 

So, yay for creativity and awesome bathrooms!  I did it all by myself....well, with the help of Jackson sometimes he kept running around saying "tools, tools."  Good luck to everyone in your future projects.  We are now trying to match hardwoods to hopefully get rid of the carpet in the living room!

Bathroom Update

Ok so I decided it was time for the UGLY UGLY UGLY, did I mention UGLY wallpaper to go in Jackson's bathroom.  When we bought the house, it was one of the worst features but I told myself, it is just wallpaper, it can be changed.  So, after trying to strip the wallpaper in the downstairs half bath for a week a few months ago, I decided to sand my efforts and paint over it with oil based primer.  That worked amazing and looks great in that bathroom so I didn't even try to strip his bathroom! 

Zinsser is the best oil based primer to seal wallpaper in so I used this stinky stuff again.  When you are using it, you will feel like you are getting high it has such a strong odor!

Well, here is the before picture of his hideous bathroom. It has 2 separate rooms, pocket doors and is a Jack and Jill type bathroom going between Jackson's bedroom and the guest bedroom.  So, not only will Jackson appreciate changing the ugly wallpaper but our guests will not be disgusted!

Up close, the swirly paper with the CHERUB border on top....WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?????  Who does this????

Well, soon it will be a soft baby blue...the color is Olympic Brand "Spa" a beautiful color thanks to Lowe's!

I also changed out the light fixture last night it was brass and silver base but now all silver, more up to date and neutral.  Hopefully it will look better when I am done this weekend.  I will post the pretty blue when it is completed! I just wish I had my partner to help me, but in typical Tabby fashion...I decide impulsively to make changes and have to get them done ASAP no procrastination and of course Matt is leaving this morning to go to Maryland for Richard's bachelor party weekend.  Oh well, I will conquer once again!  One day this house will be just how I want it, and then of course I will change it again, haha!

Our Life With Cloth

If you were to ask me 2 years ago if I were planning on using cloth diapers with my son, I would have said…No. However, when our first and only son was 22 months old I decided that it was something I was very interested in pursing. My interest began when we were planning on a family vacation to the beach and swim diapers came to mind. What was a frugal alternative to Little Swimmers? What could our son wear that I wouldn’t have to spend so much money on to throw in the trash? And in research, I decided to try a cloth swim diaper.


After reading a friends blog, I found she was cloth diapering and selling homemade products at a local store I did not know existed. The store provides amazing natural alternatives to baby products, some manufactured by local individuals and companies. I just HAD to go there to visit and get advice. I knew that once I saw cloth diapers in person, and had a professional explain the products, I would commit fully or resist. Well, before I made the trip I had to discuss this financially with my husband. When I brought up the concept of cloth diapering, he resisted 100%. He stated that we sacrificed in so many ways to save money and that this was not of interest to him. So, I further explained the swim diaper to him and he was much more open to try a cloth swim diaper than using them for all day, every day use. I did tell him I wanted to buy a few for our up coming vacation to try for myself, he apprehensively agreed to that.
Prior to my trip to the store,my research lead me to one size pocket diapers. They seemed most economical for our family. They sold a small variety of bumGenius, Flip, Econobum, and a few other items. Their major sellers were BG and Flip. I settled on 1 BG pocket, and a day pack of the Flip Stay-Dry System. I also purchased a Bummis Swimmi Diaper. I was so excited to have that soft fluff in my hands and be able to try this new world out. I went home and immediately began to prep the diapers. When they were all prepped and ready to apply to my little one’s bum, I was more excited than Christmas morning. He looked so adorable with his colored bottom and soft little tush! However, I always joke about how he needs to grow a booty, and this was the answer. Fluff gave him the bottom he has always needed.
In the month we have been cloth diapering, I have convinced my husband it is a great thing and can be economical with moderation. Our diaper stash has expanded to include more pockets, which are used for nighttime, Flip covers and many inserts, a few prefolds, Hemp Babies (which are amazing), and the newest addition…the Knickernappies diaper sprayer (best thought of invention since sliced bread). My husband is on board now and excited with the prospect that we are purchasing more diapers for an additional child in the future. He has wanted another baby for a while and this is a way to convince him that his dreams are in the closer future than originally thought. Our family is new to cloth diapering and we love it!

Return to "Normal"

So...the Lovelace clan has returned from vacation as of last Saturday.  And so far life has been busy, chaotic, sickly and always a blessing from God.  First of all, Jackson had pink eye, thank you very much beach house! Secondly, we all came back with sinus crud! I thought we were all equal in our symptoms but it is looking like mine is progressing to be worse.  I am pushing through, but in typical fashion the Nurse Practitioner at work said "you look like you have allergies."  I am beginning to think she isn't certified to give any other responses to employee problems that are somewhat upper respiratory related.  Then she continued to say..."but having said that if you develop facial pain, tooth pain or pressure in your face when you bend over, it could be a sinus infection, so since it is July 4th weekend and I don't want you to have to pay an ER bill, here is a prescription for Amoxicillin...but don't get it filled unless you have those symptoms and come back to me next week if you do fill it."  Well, guess what???????  Facial pain and pressure started TODAY! And no where to fill it until tomorrow!  YAY!  But the blessed CVS opens at 10am, and this little mommy will be sitting there waiting patiently because this is too much to deal with.  I kept up with the NP's original concoction of allergy meds...Allegra and Flonase, and no luck!  Also, if the post-nasal drip, runny nose, obvious congestion, cough, sneezing, sore throat, puffy face across the cheekbones, and swollen lymph nodes weren't enough for her....I will self diagnose SINUS INFECTION, probably induced by allergies! Afrin, you are my best friend!

Well, in the mean time Jackson's pink eye is worlds better and he is busy, and a definite handful the last few days! Funny story behind that is Matt swore cloth diapering was a horrible idea and by washing poop in the washing machine we would have pink eye!  HAHAHAHA....and someone did get pink eye without washing poop, no doubt!  But funny none the less.  I love you, honey!

Hope everyone has a wonderful July 4th, Happy Independence Day to all!

Update on Fluff

Ok so after almost 2 weeks of cloth diapering, I am loving it and committed. I have purchased many more and have a stash of enough to work for a toddler, but need more :) It worked well traveling since I have learned the ropes a little. But I like the Flips and love the pockets. However, I use Flips during the day and pockets at night since they are easier and require less total changes, highly recommended! Also, I love Hemp Babies...they work amazing at night, NO LEAKS! The Flip disposables are pretty good as my review, but bunch when wet so they aren't good alone but are great with some additional absorbent pad under them. They are good for heavy pooping days or days when you need to use diaper creams not recommended for cloth! These are my findings on cloth diapering so far, I am learning each day and trying to convince Matt it is a good idea!

Funny story is Matt, my hubby, was convinced it was gross and a horrible idea! He even said that he didn't want to save money by doing this he would rather spend the money on disposables. I am still in the process of convincing him, but it is looking good and he is warming up to the idea. He won't clean poop yet but I agreed to do it if he agreed to try cloth! Funny thing is I think he is more willing to give cloth a shot because I tell him we can use them with another baby. He gets excited about the prospect of "another baby." Haha!  We mommies and wives use whatever ammunition we can these days.

Fluffy Days

Well, unfortunately I haven't had a first full day of clothing diapering yet since I have worked third shift but since have been awake I used them. Used my Flip so far with the stay-dry insert and disposable liners. We met my family for dinner at Joe's Crab Shack and I used a Flip with a disposable and am learning it does fold up easily, so I put the stay-dry insert in too. Then we ate dinner and he went outside to play on the playset then, low and behold...A POOP! Matt had him and texted me..."poop diaper"! I immediately went outside and checked, sure enough there it was. And it was not bad to change because I had the disposable in so just trashed it and on we went, easy as pie! Maybe I can handle this cloth diapering! By the way, I bought more fluff today at Natural Baby and a wet bag from Grits and Giggles! Looks awesome Jenilyn!

And a good day!

So today has been awesome! Good results at the gym, and an amazing shopping trip.

First, the gym...
Lost another 6 lbs and dropped some additional inches from various parts of my body!!
So, a total of around 13 lbs dropped in 8 weeks of intense workouts and dieting!! YAY!

And as for the shopping...
Jackson and I visited Natural Baby as suggested by Jenilyn Mulkey at Grits and Giggles.  We LOVED the store and all the help they gave us.  I know it is really late in the game for cloth diapering but I have been interested for a while now and decided to bite the bullet and try!  Thanks Jenilyn for your information and love for cloth diapering!

So, I have a photo to advertise the Teething Pearls I saw today, compliments of Jenilyn and Grits and Giggles:

I decided to go with a hybrid system of cloth diapering for the most part with Jackson being older.

They are Flip Diapers by Cotton Babies.  They are more like a cover that comes with inserts and the cover can be used more than once and only the absorbent pads need changing.  They also have to option to insert disposable biodegradable liners in for traveling so that you don't have as much to wash, but still less to trash than a disposable diaper....still reducing your carbon footprint!

I also purchased a pocket diaper to try out, I am loving the snaps and One Size diapers as opposed to velcro and sized.  The pocket I bought was a bumGenius.

Well, as I continue on this new journey I will let you know how I feel!

Beach countdown....4 more days until vacation time!

We are sooooo excited for yet another year of vacation! Surfside Beach for a week each summer with a house full of adults almost over ran by children under 3 years old, whew! It is a busy and relaxing vacation, but the best time is when the babies go to bed. Hopefully I can continue my workouts and strict regime closely while I am gone.

Tomorrow is a nerve-racking but big milestone for me. It will be my 8 week weigh-in with my personal trainer whom I have come to absolutely LOVE! She is amazing and has helping me get to a healthier me! I lost almost 7 lbs at my 4 week weigh-in....what will the 8 week hold? :) WISH ME LUCK!

We made it a year of preschool!

Ok so tomorrow night is Jackson's first preschool end of the year program and I made cupcakes. They are a small practice for what is to come with grandma's vow renewal in June! But I think these are cute. They have sugar sprinkles on top too. Cute cute cute! Mommy is very proud of you Jackson, I love you!

Weekly Savings

Ok so this week I went to Walgreens, bought these:
2 packs of Huggies diapers
(8.99 each, had 2.50 coupon and a 2.00 coupon
Making both packs 13.48)
1 container of Huggies wipes (2.99, had 0.75 coupon making these 2.24 )
2 Tubes of Colgate Total Toothpaste (3.00 each)

1 Gillette Fusion Razor (9.99, had a 5.00 coupon and RR, making it FREE)
Pack of Ouchless Hair clips (3.00, no coupons but used RR, making them 1.61)

2 Printer Cartridge refills (12.99 each) used $7 RR from other 2 transactions and paid only $20)
2 Cans of Campbells Cream of Chicken soup ( Walgreens coupon for 0.79/can, and 0.40/4 coupon paid 2.76)

Paid $45.98  (64% savings excluding RR)

Went to CVS to buy my items:
Green bag tag---rain check
Reach Toothbrushes--rain check
Colgate Toothpaste--rain check
Clear Care contact solution Twin Pack (16.99 on sale)
         (3.00 coupon, and 3 ECB back, and 20% printable coupon, making it 8.79)
Butterfinger minis bag of candy (2.50 on sale)
         (0.55 coupon and 20% off making them 1.56)

Total Spent: $12 (60 % savings excluding ECB--left with $3 ECB)

It is finally "Our" House

It is "our" house now...not the previous owner. She had her bad color choices and outdated appliances. We have spruced it up a lot and changed the house to something we are very excited about and proud of. Here are some pictures to enjoy:

 This is the entryway from the living room to the dining room, it comes complete with a baby in a diaper, haha!



Dining Room 

This room is one of everyone's favorites.  It is a clay color earth tone with chair rail molding.  This room was pale yellow above and below the chair rail and had a VERY outdated chandelier (brass and lamp shades, ugh!) but is finished now with paint and a oil-rubbed bronze chandelier.  

 Half Bath Downstairs

This small space was completely transformed.  There was stripped wallpaper...GONE. There was an outdated light fixture and NO mirror (she took it)...BOTH GONE.  All new color and style.

 Jackson's Room

Not much done in here just hanging things and putting up curtains.  It was already green and it matches so it is staying for now.

 Our Masterbedroom

KITCHEN...The first big renovation

This is a little messy it was early stages of the renovation, the refrigerator was pulled from the cabinets to dry the flooring but it gives an idea of what the changes are. The second picture is the playroom/sitting room attached to the kitchen.  You can see the ugly vinyl flooring that was down in the kitchen before it HAD TO GO!

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

The Exterior Of Our Home

More to come.  The living room is painted now and grass is begining to fill in the front yard. Yay!

House

Ok so we officially are becoming "settled" into our new home.  Sad to say we have been there for 5 months now.  But we had an emergency that forced us to put now 500 sqft of tile flooring and buy new appliances.  However, now that that project is 98% complete and we are in living conditions again...the other projects continue.  But the kitchen is BEAUTIFUL and looks much better.  In the next few years we will replace the countertops, sink and add a backsplash that will complete the kitchen for good! But in the meantime it is much better! Pictures to come.  Also, painting the rooms is a challenge but currently we are working on planting flowers, and grass (also, I am starting a vegetable garden for the first time alone this year, yay!!) We shall see how that progresses.  And, painting the bedroom from the dark blue to a neutral tone is in the works as we speak! The house is becoming ours slowly but surely.