A few years ago, I had two littles in diapers. I was using disposables, and had always cringed at the idea of cloth diapering. It seemed 'yucky'. Then something happened to change my perspective of how much waste our family was producing. Our somewhat-behind-the-times town began offering curbside recycling services.
Once we began recycling the majority of our waste - I realized how much of our weekly 'garbage' was dirty diapers! Those two tiny kids were using about 2 garbage bags full of diapers per week. Ick.
While I cannot be responsible for what other people choose to throw in the landfill, I can be responsible for what our family deems waste. So, I began looking into cloth diapering.
I found I could purchase a set of cloth diapers for about what I was paying for 2 months of disposables. So, there's the economic side of it, which is pretty outstanding, purchase a set of diapers, and actually save money. But there are things that I didn't expect - both Pete and Ella have very sensitive skin, and their eczema was actually soothed by the change from disposables. There is also huge satisfaction in not feeling like you're a slave to the 'throw-away' diapers. Yes, you have to wash cloth diapers, but is that really more effort than the panicky rush to the store when you're down to your last disposable diaper? I have found that it's a relief to know I always have a cloth diaper in reserve, and without leaving the house, I can have a pile of clean, dry, good-as-new diapers filling my diaper drawer again in a matter of hours.
Here's the part that you might like to know : I don't use cloth diapers 100% of the time. When I'm out and about, I usually use disposables. I don't usually travel with cloth. I usually use a disposable for a nighttime diaper.
So, there it is - I use cloth diapers most of the time, and I have reduced the amount of unnecessary waste leaving our home. When I encounter someone considering cloth diapering, my advice is usually 'you can do it!' but don't feel bad if you use some disposables sometimes. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Even if you replace one diaper a day with cloth, you're reducing your waste, and saving money.
Right now, there's a campaign to replace 3 disposables a day with cloth - Change 3 Things. And I think that's a pretty great place to start - any little bit helps.
I have used a variety of covers and diapers - and really, all I have to say about that is : "buy what you think you'll use" - they all really work about the same. I'm using plain old organic cotton prefolds, right now and handmade covers from Swaddle In Cloth.
The only real difference with my babe, is 'cloth diaper bum' - which doesn't fit in regular sized pants. This is no problem, especially if you have big sisters, or a mom who likes to make fancy pants for you.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Purposefully Detached
For the exchange of a mis-fitting gift, our family headed to 'the mall'. Don't get me wrong, I remember when it was built, and how awe-inspiring it was at the time... and I even worked there for a few months over a decade ago. So, I am familiar with it's layout and parking lot, etc. But in the last few years, we've made a very conscious decision to avoid doing business with most national chains and focus on local companies. We've also stopped watching television (yes we have one, we just stream Netflix) so we don't see commercials. We don't subscribe to magazines, so we don't see advertisements. We don't get the paper, so we don't have piles of advertisements. I would say our home has, for the most part, become pretty sheltered from unwanted outside influences.
Upon entering 'the mall', our family paused for a moment just inside those giant, beautiful, doors. Our senses were overpowered immediately. The children stood, with mouths open, eyes - wide, utter amazement. My gut-instinct was to run. I knew we had a goal, but I just wanted to turn on my heels and run back to the car! Flashing lights, millions of products, loud music, thousands of humans, an immense cloud of a toxic perfume cocktail, signs, and traffic. We didn't even know where we were going, but we just started moving, at as brisk a pace a family of 6 can traverse through those narrow halls. We came closer and closer to the toxic perfume cloud and the children covered their faces. We moved quickly to the escalator. The kids didn't even know how one worked and were nervous about stepping onto the first stair. We hitched our ride to the next level, the kids 'ooh-ed and aah-ed' all the way to the second floor. Dave and I exchanged looks, which we understood to mean 'let's get out of here!'. A flock of enthusiastic shopping women passed us on their way down the other escalator, and for a split-second, I felt as if I had glimpse of another dimension. The women all had hands full of bags, filled with purchases from different stores - they were dressed as though they had just walked off a runway, and perhaps took several hours to achieve the perfectly quaffed hair and incredible layers of makeup. I glanced down at myself - I had showered that day, and combed my hair (that is my daily beauty regimen) - I had on thrifted pants, which had been worn the day before, thrifted shirt, thrifted winter coat, sensible shoes. I was pushing a stroller, with the most beautiful child in it, and above me on the escalator were my 3 older, beautiful children and their handsome father - all of us, out of our element. We stepped off the escalator (the children quite reluctantly), and made our way to the housewares department. There we were met with pyramids of glassware, small appliances and cutlery - all perfectly neat and tidy, shiny, glowing - and priced as if they were made of solid gold. The wall of choices for a stand mixer, was staggering - twenty different colors, 3 different sizes, 5 different bowls, every kind of accessory. I began to feel dizzy. Dave had done a quick overview and proclaimed the shoes were nowhere in sight, so we consulted a nearby map to find we needed to descend the escalator and make our way back down to the first floor. Again, through the narrow halls, again through the cloud of perfume, around the center of the store, down another hall, finally seeing the light of open space through a mall exit, past the $130 jeans, priced to sell, at a mere $90. We found some shoes, after being unenthusiastically greeted by an employee, who was obviously preoccupied chattering away with her co-worker. And now, we were free to go! As we made our escape, back through the circus, I faltered for a moment upon seeing the women working behind the make-up counter. The harshness of their art covering every trace of human skin, got me in the gut, and my eyes welled up with tears. This place... 'stuff-mart'... is not for me.
Upon entering 'the mall', our family paused for a moment just inside those giant, beautiful, doors. Our senses were overpowered immediately. The children stood, with mouths open, eyes - wide, utter amazement. My gut-instinct was to run. I knew we had a goal, but I just wanted to turn on my heels and run back to the car! Flashing lights, millions of products, loud music, thousands of humans, an immense cloud of a toxic perfume cocktail, signs, and traffic. We didn't even know where we were going, but we just started moving, at as brisk a pace a family of 6 can traverse through those narrow halls. We came closer and closer to the toxic perfume cloud and the children covered their faces. We moved quickly to the escalator. The kids didn't even know how one worked and were nervous about stepping onto the first stair. We hitched our ride to the next level, the kids 'ooh-ed and aah-ed' all the way to the second floor. Dave and I exchanged looks, which we understood to mean 'let's get out of here!'. A flock of enthusiastic shopping women passed us on their way down the other escalator, and for a split-second, I felt as if I had glimpse of another dimension. The women all had hands full of bags, filled with purchases from different stores - they were dressed as though they had just walked off a runway, and perhaps took several hours to achieve the perfectly quaffed hair and incredible layers of makeup. I glanced down at myself - I had showered that day, and combed my hair (that is my daily beauty regimen) - I had on thrifted pants, which had been worn the day before, thrifted shirt, thrifted winter coat, sensible shoes. I was pushing a stroller, with the most beautiful child in it, and above me on the escalator were my 3 older, beautiful children and their handsome father - all of us, out of our element. We stepped off the escalator (the children quite reluctantly), and made our way to the housewares department. There we were met with pyramids of glassware, small appliances and cutlery - all perfectly neat and tidy, shiny, glowing - and priced as if they were made of solid gold. The wall of choices for a stand mixer, was staggering - twenty different colors, 3 different sizes, 5 different bowls, every kind of accessory. I began to feel dizzy. Dave had done a quick overview and proclaimed the shoes were nowhere in sight, so we consulted a nearby map to find we needed to descend the escalator and make our way back down to the first floor. Again, through the narrow halls, again through the cloud of perfume, around the center of the store, down another hall, finally seeing the light of open space through a mall exit, past the $130 jeans, priced to sell, at a mere $90. We found some shoes, after being unenthusiastically greeted by an employee, who was obviously preoccupied chattering away with her co-worker. And now, we were free to go! As we made our escape, back through the circus, I faltered for a moment upon seeing the women working behind the make-up counter. The harshness of their art covering every trace of human skin, got me in the gut, and my eyes welled up with tears. This place... 'stuff-mart'... is not for me.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
For the Love of Baby Sis
In keeping with our tradition of holiday simplicity, I asked the kids in December if there was anything they'd like to make as gifts for Christmas.
All three of them piped up with ideas for special gifts for their baby sister, who is finally old enough to pay attention to the items she gets shoved in her hands all day.
Gracie suggested making a baby-doll for Iris. We searched etsy.com for patterns we liked, and decided this one was super-cute! The pattern was easy enough to read and comprehend, but I would definitely make some minor adjustments to the arms and legs, if I ever try it again. (they are far too narrow to invert, and with an gaping opening in each appendage you end up hand stitching each one. a machine-sewn seam would be much more hearty)
Gracie embroidered the faces and we worked together with the sewing machine on the other stitching and stuffing.
Overall, I think 'Ginger' is pretty cute, and Iris likes to chomp on her hair and arms. We did purchase bamboo fiber for her filling, but other than that, she was made entirely of scraps of fabric. (my kind of gifting and crafting).
Peter suggested making a Tigger doll for Iris. He likes to sing the
Tigger song to her while she's jumping in her bouncer. "Their tops are
made of rubber, their bottoms are made of springs... bouncy, bouncy,
bouncy, bouncy... f-f-f-f-fun, the wonderful thing about Tiggers is... I'm
the only one!" So, together we drew a pattern for a Tigger rag-doll for
Iris. He embroidered his face, helped me with my sewing machine, and
stuffed him full of strips of rags he tore.
Ella had some ideas for making Iris a book about rainbows, but like with most projects with Ella, she likes the brainstorming, and the sorting of materials.... but usually wanders away by the time we were putting things together. And that's ok - Iris can have a Valentine Rainbow book instead, and she'll never know the difference!
The week before Christmas it was Pete's turn to bring something for show-and-tell at school. He chose a fabric pirate map, I had made a couple years ago. When filling out his interview for this item, he said that 'when people make things for you, they're really special because they take time, and because no one else has something just like yours'. - and that makes Mommy so proud!
In keeping with the handmade holidays, Dave baked LOTS of bread in his brick oven, I made cranberry and pumpkin breads and Dave made a batch of chipotle hot spicy sauce. Lots of love went into all of those projects, from grinding our own wheat, to smoking jalapeno peppers and stoking the brick oven with apple wood from our local orchard. Generosity of time and effort, is good for your soul!
All three of them piped up with ideas for special gifts for their baby sister, who is finally old enough to pay attention to the items she gets shoved in her hands all day.
Gracie suggested making a baby-doll for Iris. We searched etsy.com for patterns we liked, and decided this one was super-cute! The pattern was easy enough to read and comprehend, but I would definitely make some minor adjustments to the arms and legs, if I ever try it again. (they are far too narrow to invert, and with an gaping opening in each appendage you end up hand stitching each one. a machine-sewn seam would be much more hearty)
Gracie embroidered the faces and we worked together with the sewing machine on the other stitching and stuffing.
Overall, I think 'Ginger' is pretty cute, and Iris likes to chomp on her hair and arms. We did purchase bamboo fiber for her filling, but other than that, she was made entirely of scraps of fabric. (my kind of gifting and crafting).
Ella had some ideas for making Iris a book about rainbows, but like with most projects with Ella, she likes the brainstorming, and the sorting of materials.... but usually wanders away by the time we were putting things together. And that's ok - Iris can have a Valentine Rainbow book instead, and she'll never know the difference!
The week before Christmas it was Pete's turn to bring something for show-and-tell at school. He chose a fabric pirate map, I had made a couple years ago. When filling out his interview for this item, he said that 'when people make things for you, they're really special because they take time, and because no one else has something just like yours'. - and that makes Mommy so proud!
In keeping with the handmade holidays, Dave baked LOTS of bread in his brick oven, I made cranberry and pumpkin breads and Dave made a batch of chipotle hot spicy sauce. Lots of love went into all of those projects, from grinding our own wheat, to smoking jalapeno peppers and stoking the brick oven with apple wood from our local orchard. Generosity of time and effort, is good for your soul!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Satisfaction...
A 7 year old, who wants her bangs to grow 'like mommy's'... and is being patient through the awkward parts.
A 6 year old, who draws his scientific observations for his mommy.
A 4 year old, whose favorite lunch is the one she makes all by herself... cheese + pickle sandwich with Daddy's bread.
A 7 month old, who really thinks her homemade baby food is awesome... on her face and smashed in her hair.
They are all learning so quickly and I am so satisfied knowing that they already understand that they are capable of big (and not so big) things!
Monday, January 9, 2012
The Schramlets
Things that make me smile -
Gracie loves to read.
She has new 'adult' teeth.
She gets so frustrated when the littles pester her.
She will not stand for insensitive language.
She emails Daddy at work.
She likes to talk about the future.
She knows she can learn about anything she wants.
She tells me when she's mad at me.
She fights for justice.
Peter loves to learn.
When he reads he can't help but smile, he's so proud!
He is not afraid to ask questions.
He dances with his sisters.
He is snarky.
He likes to find solutions.
He is so kind.
He buttons his top button, and tucks in his shirt.
He looks like his daddy.
Ella loves to talk.
She talks to anyone who will listen.
She is very serious about dancing.
She is sassy.
She's not afraid to stick up for herself (or her brother or sisters).
She wants to be a big kid.
She is hilarious.
She is so thoughtful, and makes gifts for everyone in the family, and leaves them on our pillows.
Iris is joyful.
She loves to observe her big brother and sisters.
She loves music.
She loves to snuggle.
She trusts me.
She has a beautiful voice.
I have four of the greatest kids around. Each of their personalities will translate so well into adulthood. I am learning to take in the moments when we are together and hoping to find balance between school time and family time. They just went back to school from Winter break and I am sure they are absorbing knowledge and loving every bit of it. Here's to a Spring semester full of living life!
Gracie loves to read.
She has new 'adult' teeth.
She gets so frustrated when the littles pester her.
She will not stand for insensitive language.
She emails Daddy at work.
She likes to talk about the future.
She knows she can learn about anything she wants.
She tells me when she's mad at me.
She fights for justice.
Peter loves to learn.
When he reads he can't help but smile, he's so proud!
He is not afraid to ask questions.
He dances with his sisters.
He is snarky.
He likes to find solutions.
He is so kind.
He buttons his top button, and tucks in his shirt.
He looks like his daddy.
Ella loves to talk.
She talks to anyone who will listen.
She is very serious about dancing.
She is sassy.
She's not afraid to stick up for herself (or her brother or sisters).
She wants to be a big kid.
She is hilarious.
She is so thoughtful, and makes gifts for everyone in the family, and leaves them on our pillows.
Iris is joyful.
She loves to observe her big brother and sisters.
She loves music.
She loves to snuggle.
She trusts me.
She has a beautiful voice.
I have four of the greatest kids around. Each of their personalities will translate so well into adulthood. I am learning to take in the moments when we are together and hoping to find balance between school time and family time. They just went back to school from Winter break and I am sure they are absorbing knowledge and loving every bit of it. Here's to a Spring semester full of living life!
Moving Forward
A new year brings a strange cloud of contemplation. I want to make goals, be healthy, strive for new things, dream big, and move forward. The thought process often falls back on the last year and all the things I would have, could have, should have done. I am tired of wasting energy on the past, yet it feels so attached right now.
In order to shake off the dust I am certain I must remain focused on the life I live... the responsibility of myself and my family. The End. I cannot be responsible for what anyone else does, or how anyone else lives life, no matter when it bleeds onto mine.
So, my humble 'goal' is to share the good stuff. Share my process. Share what and why.
The last four years our family has been on a journey of deconstructing why we do what we do. From what we do on Sunday morning to where we get our apples. I'd love to share what I've learned and unlearned along the way.
In order to shake off the dust I am certain I must remain focused on the life I live... the responsibility of myself and my family. The End. I cannot be responsible for what anyone else does, or how anyone else lives life, no matter when it bleeds onto mine.
So, my humble 'goal' is to share the good stuff. Share my process. Share what and why.
The last four years our family has been on a journey of deconstructing why we do what we do. From what we do on Sunday morning to where we get our apples. I'd love to share what I've learned and unlearned along the way.
Rhythm
flicker
light
explosion
focus
guide
thank
share
direct
release
enjoy
pride
joy
peace
love
explosion
focus
dream
create
engage
nourish
gain
rest
light
explosion
focus
guide
thank
share
direct
release
enjoy
pride
joy
peace
love
explosion
focus
dream
create
engage
nourish
gain
rest
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