Waste Not, Want Not

I've been thinking a lot about cloth diapering lately. There's not much to think about, really. No rough paper on the bum, no contributing to the endless supply of disposables sitting around in landfills, no spending $60 + /month on diapers and wipes. So, what's the problem, you ask. Why don't I just go ahead and quit thinking about it and just buy the darn things? Well, I'm still trying to convince my husband. Any ideas on how to do this?

I may not be able to order my absolute dream diapers as of yet (cough, bumGenius 3.0, cough), but I can start using cloth wipes. It is embarassing how many wipes we go through. I haven't exactly counted, but I know it's a lot. Makenna has a sticky face, go grab a wipe. spilled some juice on the kitchen floor, grab a wipe. I've even caught the girls using wipes to (gasp) "clean" their shoes ~ don't ask. And that's not even including the wipes we use conventionally, you know, like on Kam's bum during diaper changes. Enough, I say.

My sister sent up a huge bag full of hand me downs from her daughter, Sonoma. Inside was an un-opened package of 100% cotton flannel receiving blankets, and they're cute! (Thanks, Ann!)Unfortunately Kam has about a bazillion blankets because I have an addiction to fabric ~ that's another post entirely. So, they've sat on her dresser, staring at me ever since. Well no longer, my friends. Those blankets have been put to good use. While Kam was taking one of the world's shortest naps earlier this afternoon, I made some cloth wipes. These will be great, and are virtually free, yay! Now all I need to do is make a solution of water, a splash of baby wash, and oil (Can I just mention how much I adore Burt's Bees Apricot Oil, mmm-yeah), mix it all together in a little spray bottle, and voila! Wipes!

Any of you other mamas interested in using cloth wipes? Stay tuned, I just might sense a giveaway coming on.

(

Wordless Wednesday ~ Shhhhhh

Um, should I be worried, that I am just now (a good hour or so after posting this) realizing that it is *NOT* Wednesday. Yeah, I think I might need a nap.

Extreme Makeover: Me Edition, Week 5

Whoa, whoa, whoa, where did the time go?! This last week just zoomed right on by me. First things first, if you are new to Extreme Makeover: Me Edition, please go visit Amber. She's the one who started this grand journey. You'll definitely want to join this fabulous group of ladies trying to get and stay fit and healthy. Go on, check it out why don'tcha!

So . . . this week wasn't too bad! Last week's question regarding tunes that you listen to while working out really got me motivated to fill up my iPod with some better music to get me goin'. And it worked! I actually fit 35-45 minutes of aerobic activity into several days last week. AND, thanks to Amber, I remembered that I really love doing isolated exercises, so I've picked that up again as well. (Think crunches and leg lifts). I've also been snacking less, and being more conscious of what I'm eating. And, while I've always been a water-drinker, I've upped my intake lately.

Amber's Question of the Week: Share with us a healthy recipe

Would you believe that this question is totally stumping me? I know, that's sad, but true. We don't eat a lot of junk, but I'm definitely NOT what you would consider a health nut. So, the following is pretty basic, and I wouldn't even call it a recipe, but here ya go:

We love fruit around here. And especially in the summer time when there are so many yummy fruits in season, I enjoy putting together a fruit salad. You can choose to add any fruit you like, but we enjoy:

*Sliced Strawberries* *Blueberries* *Raspberries* *Grapes*

*Sliced Bananas* *Sliced Kiwi*

I then make a fruit dip which consists of Fat Free Vanilla Yogurt

(Yoplait is the only kind I buy. I'm a yogurt snob like that)

and mix with Light Cool Whip

The girls love dippin' their fruit. I realize that this "recipe" would be healthier if we eliminated the cool whip, but c'mon Cool Whip makes everything a little more fun, right?

Time for the results: Why, oh why do I ALWAYS weigh less on Monday than I do on Wednesday? (Uh, Amber? Can we move EM:ME to Mondays?) I usually weigh myself daily, and Mondays I'm always like "Woohoo, look at that loss" Then we get to Wednesday and it's like "What the heck?!" Yep, that happened again this week, but I'm trying not to take my anger out on my scale. Soooooo (stupid stinkin' scale says) I have lost 1 pound this week.

So, what are you waiting for? Go take a look at what other moms are doing to get healthier over at Amber's and sign yourself up!

Until next week!

Three Months Ago Today . . .

My sweet Kameryn Faith, you are three months old today. My how time flies and stands still all at the same time. In some ways it seems only yesterday you were kicking away in my tummy (and boy did you kick! Even the nurses said they'd never seen a tummy change shapes like mine). Though in many others it seems like you've been with us forever.

A short NICU visit

Three months ago, today, you made your grand appearance into this world, albeit a little early, and a little forced. You weren't ready, were ya? Yeah, me neither. I cherished the time I had you all to myself. That day, your birth day, was an uncertain one. You were supposed to be on the brink of heart failure. You were supposed to need a blood transfusion. You were supposed to have a lengthy NICU stay ahead of you. But you didn't. You arrived screaming and yelling and putting up quite a fuss. And after a very short NICU visit (it was so short I'm not even going to call it a stay), you were right where you needed to be . . . in my arms, in my room, with me.

Wow, I look so pretty. Two weeks in the hospital and 26 hours of labor, later.

And that's pretty much where you've been ever since, isn't it? Nursing in my lap, cuddled in the sling, sleeping peacefully beside me in our bed at night. We're inseparable, you and me. And I'm not the only one who thinks you're something special. Your sisters cannot get enough of you. They, in fact, fight over who gets to be closest to you, who gets to give you a big smooch first, who loves you the most. And you've always got a grin for your daddy. I know there's a special place in his heart just for you.

Getting so big!

At three months old you weigh 14 pounds. Not so tiny anymore, are ya? You barely fit into 0-3 month clothing (though we're trying to squeeze you in a little longer as all your 3-6 month clothing is for warm weather, and we haven't had much of that lately!). You give the sweetest smiles, enjoy bath time, and LOOOVE to dance. Your sisters plug in the iPod, Mama scoops you up, and you show off your moves. You are spittier than your sisters were, and have the hiccups all.the.time. You're not a quiet little thing. No, not in the least. And you never want to be put down. No swing or bouncy seat for you. But that's okay, there's always someone waiting to hold you.

Precious Kam, we love you so much. You truly are the most special gift from God. Happy three months, darlin'!

That Sweet Little Bum

I cloth-diapered Sierra. It seems like just yesterday (not nearly 7 years ago) I sat on the couch, pregnant with my first child, poring over the cloth-diaper catalogs. (Yes, catalogs. This was before my days online, people). I so wanted to get just the right ones. Eventually I chose the Kissaluvs fitted diapers. I also got some Fuzzi Bunz ~ I think those were AIO. Anyway, I LOVED cloth-diapering. I didn't always do it. The first month was a little chaotic due to an infection and hospitalization. And if we were away from home, I typically used disposable. But when I did cloth diaper, I really felt good about it. Fast forward two and a half years and we welcomed another little pumpkin. For some reason I cannot explain (because I don't know why, myself), I chose not to cloth diaper. I'm pretty sure that I still had the diapers I used with Sierra. Good grief, it wouldn't have even been much of an investment.

Here I sit with my third baby quickly approaching 3 months (tomorrow is the big day, in fact), and I have this yearning to cloth diaper again. I want to keep her sweet little bum happy, I want to help the earth and all that jazz. And, don't hate me for being a little on the shallow side, but have you SEEN the adorable diapers out there? Can you say Cu-ute? Let me tell you, from what I've seen, they have come a loooo-oong way with cloth diapers in the last seven years! Okay, so where do I even start? I cannot afford to invest too much (my dearest husband is already pretty skeptical). Oh, and did I mention that somewhere along the way, I got rid of the cloth diapers I had? So, I'm starting from scratch. So, I ask for your help, all you cloth-diapering mamas out there. What do you use? Which are your favorites (and why!) I have to say that I'm dying to try out the Bum Genius (but do I choose AIO? Bamboo? One Size? All these choices!)

If you have a minute, please leave me a comment or send an email my way. I'd love to hear from you!

Random Picture Challenge

2002 ~ 8th folder ~ July

25th picture

{if you don't have this far back pick the next closest year}

Well, this computer is just over a year old, so I'm only going back to July 2008

Family Camp 2008

My extended family gets together for a reunion of sorts. The kids run and play, the guys fish, and my amazing aunt organizes games, crafts, and activities. It's great fun.

This picture was taken only 9 short months ago, but my how things have changed. We have added our sweet Kameryn to the family since then (I was only about 6 weeks pregnant when this photo was taken). And look at Sierra, she hadn't lost any of her top teeth (she's now missing both!) Makenna's hair I had cut short, and she had bangs. Her hair is now long and the bangs are gone (well, not really, ya'all know how long it takes to grow out bangs!) I love this picture because you can see how the little girls want to do whatever the big girls are doing.

Ahhh Summertime. I love it. I love the sun, I love the fun!

Now, go check out everyone else's random pictures at 4 little men and girly twins

Tears

My heart just breaks for MckMama and her family. Her story has weighed heavily on my mind and heart for awhile now, and I've quietly followed along for updates. But it is consuming my thoughts all.day.long. The girls and I were outside running around, playing ball, enjoying the sunshine and I kept thinking about how she couldn't do the same with her little ones because she's been in the hospital with Stellan for weeks now. Oh how her family must miss her. And she misses them. She must just want to hold Stellan to her heart and make a run for the door, not stopping until she gets HOME. It just brings me to tears. And all the while her faith never wavers.

So, here we sit continuing to pray . . .

Won't you join us?

Gratitude

Thanks so much to Jen, and Xazmin for bestowing upon me, the Attitude of Gratitude Award.

The Rules of Accepting and Sharing this Award

1.Put the logo on your blog or post

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude

3. Link to your nominees within your post

4.Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award

5.Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award.

Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude

I truly have so much to be grateful for. A wonderful husband who works terribly hard so that I may be at home with our precious princesses. He has put his dream of building a house on hold because he knows how important it is to me to be at home, homeschooling and raising our children. I'm equally grateful for my daughters. They are the sweetest children I could ask for, and such a blessing to me. Mostly I am grateful to the Lord, for He has given me all of these blessings.

Now, I'm fairly new to the blogging world, and I don't know too many of ya'all (and those of you I do know, have already received this lovely award), so I will pass this along to a few other special ladies.

Kristen, Michele, Flo, Jodi, and McVal

Thanks gals, I love keepin' up with ya!

It's been constant bickering at the Fraijo house these days. For some reason, my two oldest daughters cannot. get. along. Today I was just done, done, done listening to it. It was time for separation (why do they always whine about this? You would think that they would want to be separated if they truly cannot get along). They know the drill. Sierra on her bed, Makenna on hers.

Do not look at each other. Do not talk to each other.

They sulk their way to their beds . . .

A minute passes . . .

Makenna: Mama, but can I talk to myself?

Oy.

Extreme Makeover: Me Edition, Week 4

Alright ladies, I will not keep you in suspense any longer. The winner of the handy dandy Sportline Step and Distance Pedometer is . . .

Wait for it . . .

Wait for it . . .

#10 ~ Staci, from Playing House! Alrighty, Staci, if you could contact me ( sugarplumfraijo@yahoo.com ) with a mailing address, I will get this shipped right to ya! :)

Now, on with the show. This is week 4 (for me) of Extreme Makeover: Me Edition, courtesy of Amber. Amber started this journey to help us ladies get and stay motivated in becoming fit and healthy. Go check out her blog, and join us, why don'tcha?

I wish I could say that last week was the week that motivation struck. The week that I'd had enough, and really put my body to work with a brand new, super intense workout routine. Sadly, that was not the case. In reality, I went to my mom's birthday dinner at one of the yummiest restaurants ever (though I didn't do too horribly, a healthy choice dinner option and a sliver of cake), took the girls to the tulip festival where I had some fries and kettle corn, had lunch at the Olive Garden after family photos, and have been utterly exhausted due to an overly crabby baby who just can't seem to get settled into a sleeping groove.

On the positive side, I had been avoiding some of my pre-pregnancy clothes like the plague, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that almost everything fits pretty well these days. I may have a couple pairs of capris that are a tad snug, but the in-between-pants that I had bought to wear until I lost the weight are now too BIG, yay! Also, I'm still practicing some self-control in regard to food, which is a big step for me.

So, now, Amber's Question of the Week: Share some of the music that you work out to. What helps you rock it!? What gets your blood pumpin?

80's/90's Dance Music (think Blackbox, techno)

Disturbia-Rihanna (me too, Amber!)

Anything Black Eyed Peas

Milkshake - Kelis (do not laugh)

Missy Elliott (I know, I know, not suitable for little ears)

Timbaland/JT/Nelly Furtado

Outkast

Good grief, this list is almost embarassing ;) In defense, they are "clean" versions. Yep, time to stop trying to explain it.

And now, for the results: boy, it just keeps getting worse each week, doesn't it? I did lose, but just barely. A little over half a pound. Okay, this time, I mean it. More exercise, more exercise, more exercise. More water (only water?). Even a little more self-control regarding food.

Join in on the fun. Take a look at what other moms are doing to get healthier over at Amber's and sign up yourself, why don'tcha!

Until next week!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

If I had a green thumb, I'd plant fields full of tulips

Alas, I do not. The gardening gene missed me somehow (sorry Mom).

No worries. Just hop in the car and drive to the tulip festival.

I don't even have to get my hands dirty!

Can you sense the excitement? They can hardly contain themselves!

Looks like the rides may be a little more up their alley

Hey Mama

Mother to four, Nana to eight (so far).

Sister, and friend to many.

We've had so many good times, my Mom and me.

She was at every dance class, every recital,

every dance team competition, cheering me on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Coaching together, sharing lifelong memories

Always encouraging, having faith in me when I had none in myself

I love you, Mom

Happy Birthday!

Who Knew . . .

. . . that this little pumpkin, this sweet, peaceful-looking sugarplum (look at those adorable little tootsies! Ooops, getting off track) could make such a racket! I mean, I know all about the set of lungs on Kameryn. She spends many an evening giving those lungs quite the exercise when she can't get settled in for the night. But typically we're easy-going during daylight hours. Not so yesterday.

We've ventured out before, just the four of us, though not often. Usually my mom tags along. But since Mom's birthday is Sunday, and the purpose of the outing was to pick out a gift for her, we had to leave her behind ;) We waited until Kam was good and sleepy, loaded her up, and away we went. By the time we got to town, she was awake. A little background info, in case you couldn't already tell, Kam is not content to hang out in her car seat. She's not content to hang out, period. She doesn't like the swing or the bouncy seat. The only way you can get her to stay in the carseat is if she is asleep (and that happens less and less as she gets a little older).

No problem, she'll surely drift back to dreamland. All the while, Sierra and Makenna had chosen the "big cart". You know the one? It has two plastic seats attached to the already large cart. It's impossible to maneuver, especially with a four year old and six year old occupying the seats. It's like driving a bus, I tell you. Normally I stay as far away from those carts as possible, but apparently I was feeling overly optimistic yesterday. So, here I am driving the bus down the (very narrow) aisles while Kameryn proceeds to scream. and scream. and scream. No problem, you say, just whip out your sling and be on your way. I do a quick search of the diaper bag and find no sling. Nope, it had been taken out of the bag, and hadn't been put away (shame, shame on me). Good news, though, I do find my brand new freehand mei-tai. Surely she will love this pouch, snuggle right up, and go back to sleep. It looks so inviting and comfy. I put it on (this takes a few minutes as I'm new to the contraption) Um, no. No, she doesn't love it. No she doesn't snuggle right up and go back to sleep. She proceeds to scream, even louder than before. By this time she's gotten herself quite worked up, and I have yet to find even a card for my mom, let alone some of the groceries we stopped there for in the first place! It became clear that the carrier was out of the question (though I'd like to clarify that I *do* love it, and know that she will too ~ once she's a bit older), the car seat was out of the question. The only thing left to do was hold her. Of course, she's still a little wiggly, and doesn't have complete head control (she's only 11 weeks, 6 weeks if you consider she was born 5 weeks early). AND have you forgotten, I'm driving the bus?

It was an absolute miracle that we made it out of the store only a little worse for wear. Kam stopped the crying once I held her ~ sans mei-tai, Sierra helped me steer the massive cart, and by the time we made it to our next stop (no, we didn't go running home in fear), Kam was back to her easy-going self, hallelujah! We even managed to get a few groceries home, AND find some extra cool stuff for Mom. And, of course, Kam slept the rest of the afternoon (partly in the carseat, wouldn't ya know!)

Next time, it's Etsy. I found this and this for Mom on Etsy for Christmas. Need.to.be.better.prepared. (Repeat this mantra to myself)

One Year Ago Today . . .

We were headed to sunny California to . . .
DISNEYLAND!!!

Oh, what a fabulous trip.
I miss Disneyland, I surely do.
Can't wait to go again someday
so that Kameryn can experience the magic too!

Feeling like Princesses!

Whew, it was warm that day!

Sierra and Daddy

So sad to be going home :(

Extreme Makeover: Me Edition, Week 3 ANNNNND A GiveAway!!!

(Don't forget to "enter" the giveaway!!!)

I am finishing up Week 3 of Extreme Makeover: Me Edition, Courtesy of Amber. Let's start off with some honesty, this week hasn't been the greatest. I am a sweets person, and guess what, there were a lot of sweets floating around this house last week. Though really, it seems there has been candy in the house non-stop since Halloween! But I'll save that rant for another day. On a positive note, though, I'm still refraining from visiting the fridge during the night, AND I think I may be gaining some willpower.

Exercise: not so much. I know, bad, bad, bad, right? Exercise is really all that is going to help the jiggle after having a baby. And, let's face it, exercise is just plain good for ya! Yes, it's helpful to cut out some sweets, and I'm happy to be gaining some willpower regarding food, BUT, I need to step up my exercise game. Besides the usual running around (what I affectionately call my "mommy steps") and a couple of "dance days" with the girls, I really have not done any formal aerobic activity this week.

Alright, on to Amber's Question of the Week: What do you do to get yourself back on track?

Yep, I definitely need to get back on track. I like to set goals for myself and write them down so that I'm held accountable. This week my number one goal is to get moving more. I really need to get more exercise in. I seem to be doing better with food. Besides a couple of pieces of candy, I really stayed away from it over the week. I ate a little more at Easter dinner than I normally would have, but didn't have much in the way of dessert. Overall I feel like my willpower is coming back. It just has to be more important to me to be fit and healthy than it is to taste that cheesecake, chocolate bar, etc.

Now . . . for the results . . . not actually as horrible as I thought it might be. I am down 1.2 pounds. For a grand total of 4.8 pounds since this little journey began 3 weeks ago. I am genuinely happy about that. More importantly, I seem to be taking a little off at a time and it's staying off.

Time for the fun part! The GIVEAWAY!!!! I love giveaways, LOVE them, I tell you. So, after a lot of talk about my beloved pedometer, and many comments and emails from others about wanting to try one, I decided to pick one up for a Giveaway this week. That's right, folks, I'll be giving away one fabulous Sportline Step and Distance Pedometer (you're so excited you can hardly stand it, am I right?). Now, for entry rules. Simply leave me a little comment under this blog post. I won't make ya follow me or anything (though I'd be thrilled if ya did, I want you to follow along because you WANT to, not because of a giveaway!) I will draw a name at random next Wednesday, April 22nd, and this little pedometer will be on its way to a new home.

(If, for some reason, you do NOT want to be entered in the giveaway, but would like to leave a comment, please note that in your comment, or pass along an email to me, and I won't put your name in the drawing.)

***Update****

(I forgot to mention, silly me!)

Please leave me an email address so that I can get in touch with you. If you are the big winner (hehe), and I don't have a way to contact you, then I will have to choose a new winner (that is sad news, I say!), so please don't forget to leave me your contact info.

Wanna join in on the fun? Take a look at what other moms are doing to get healthier over at Amber's and sign up yourself, why don'tcha!

Until next week!

Library Trips and Dance Class Days

Whew! Dancing is hard work!

Spring is here!!! *Though I'm not sure if Mother Nature got the memo ~ after our two sunshiney days we've had rain, rain, hail, and more rain coupled with temps in the forties, yuck!* Dance classes have resumed, and we are now feeling more comfortable taking Kam out and about without the great fear of exposing her to something! I must say, it's nice for life to be resembling normalcy.

Last week, during our brief warm-weather teaser, Sierra and I hit the library and park (Kam came too, of course). While we were swingin' from the monkey bars, Makenna got to enjoy a special afternoon at Nana's house. The break from each other was much-needed. Whether it's being cooped up day after day due to months of winter weather, or if it is a natural reaction to change within our family, I'm not sure, but Sierra and Makenna have not been getting along these days. A little time apart was just what the doctor ordered!

A little bark dust in the sandal

Chatting away in the car while I fed Kam. And yes, that is McDonalds you see.

All tuckered out after a day at the park

He Lives!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

On this Easter day let us remember the gift that we have been given, life everlasting.

How I Wear . . .

Steph, from Adventures in Babywearing, has encouraged us to post our favorite babywearing shots, stories, questions, etc. How fun! Wanna join in? Go visit Steph's post to link up and read about others who wear their little ones, and also to take a peek at her sugarplum, Ivy ~ what a doll baby!

I wore Sierra in a sling all.the.time. I remember one bitter cold day in January (she'd have been about 5 months old) our dog, Grizzly, "escaped" for a play day of his own (for the millionth time, and, as always, on a day that Jeremy was at work). I bundled little Sierra up, plopped her in the sling, and away we went chasing after that silly dog!

Makenna didn't love the sling, and I didn't push it; she seemed happier in the front carrier. Overall I didn't wear her as much, as she's always been the type to like her own space.

Then came little Kam. I was in the hospital for two weeks before delivering our tiniest miracle. I was induced 5 weeks early, and we were all unsure of her future. But the Lord truly blessed us the day she was born. I didn't want to put her down for even a minute. Sitting on the couch all day cuddling Kameryn wasn't an option ~ I have two other children and a husband to take care of. Once again the sling came to my rescue.

Kam doesn't descriminate ~ she loves the sling AND the Baby Bjorn. As long as we're together, she's happy. I wear her while the girls and I dance, I wear her when I clean house, I wear her when we shop, and even when I'm preparing dinner (Preparing, people, I do NOT wear her while cooking over the stove, please don't send hate mail ).

The downside to baby-wearing . . . I am now a little preoccupied with all of the beautiful slings and carriers out there. And I want them, I want them all.