A blog with a porpoise

When I was younger, I used to think those Highlights magazines said "Fun with a porpoise". For the longest time, I just couldn't figure out what a dolphin had to do with the magazine.

... and then I learned to read... well.

In an effort to give this blog a bit of a purpose beyond talking about my day to day life, I'm going to post weekly one way that we strive to be "Green" or one way that we are "economical" in our home. Some of these things may have already been addressed in previous posts, some of these things might be pretty obvious, but I'm going to cover them.

If it's a specific item that we personally love in our home, I (from time to time) will have a blog giveaway for that item. I'll create a fun game or something that encourages my readers to get involved and will give away said item to the winner.

Also, I will add any of these items to my Amazon tool bar to the right for easy/convenient shopping.

I hope to put up my green/economical posts on Mondays... So, this Monday, look for my new post (and maybe a give away!).

Ebay

Another thing off the list!

I sold my first item on ebay the other day!

I was so super excited when I got my baby food cooker from my coworkers. I took it home, and placed the fancy box among all of the other "to be used later" items for Jude.

Well, by the time food rolled around, we had pretty much decided against purees and so there was no need for the cooker any more. Of course by the time I decided there was no need for it, it was already out of the box and played with.

Recently I've been having a bit of a "get rid of shit" urge. Anymore, the thought of having things piled up around the house that we don't need frustrates me. Perhaps it's because of all the construction. I mean our house has holes in the walls and wires exposed... the last thing I need on top of that is clutter. Maybe it's my newly emerging 'minimalist' self, where I'm losing attachment to almost any 'thing'. Maybe it's my fear that I'll become that woman with 50 boxes of baby clothes/toys/gear in my basement that hasn't been touched in 10+ years.

Whatever the reason, the baby cooker (among other things) just had to go. I first tried selling it on craigs list. No Go. I did my blog sale. No Go. Knowing I've eventually have to face the beast that is ebay to cross something off my 101 list, I decided to give it a whirl.

The cooker usually retails for $150. I was hoping to get $100 + shipping. The auction ended up closing at $84 + $15 for shipping. So, $99.00 total. Not too bad.

My newly earned $99 is now sitting in my Paypal account, to be used for a future purchase, a rainy day fund, vacation spending money or whatever-else.

SNOW MAN!

Yesterday, Jude and I had (yet another) lovely day together!

He's on his new/old sleeping routine, so I got a later start than expected... but it was still great. I'll first say that by "new/old" I mean he's back on the routine he was on before his sleep hick up around thanksgiving. He goes to bed at 7:30, wakes up around 4 or 5 in the morning and either nurses or just goes to sleep in my arms (don't judge me) until about 6:30 or 7:00. Before, he was sleeping terribly through the night, but would not 'wake up' until about 9:00 in the morning. Because of this, his 11:00 nap is now his 9:00 nap... so we're all off. But anyway...

I planned to treck outside at 9:30 and play in the snow. He was asleep in my arms at 9:30 though, so we never made it out until closer to 11. By then, some of the snow was beginning to melt and so I'm glad we got out when we did. My number one priority was to build a snow man. The past snow we had this year was that light fluffy snow that is terrible for forming any kind of ball. This snow was PERFECT for a snow man.

It took us awhile to get bundled up. Without a doubt, bundling up is the worst part of the snow for me. Every time I have to do it, I think "this is just not worth it". I'll put on five layers, go outside for 20 mintues and come back in with a whole load worth of wet/dirty clothes. I so badly want to order a pair of coveralls for myself so that I don't hate it nearly as much, but I have yet to do it. Jude got a snow suit after Christmas, so getting him ready wasn't nearly as tough.





Jude didn't mind his coveralls, but hated his coat. I was glad when we finally got outside and I realized it wasn't THAT cold. I eventually let him take off the coat so he could move his hands and touch the snow.

I LOVE this one... he looks so 'regal'.

After a few minutes, we got right down to business: a snow man. I let Jude sit in the snow/area that was de-snowed by the snow man. Once I let his arms move, he was just as content as can be and watched me push this big ball of snow around the front yard. About half way through making the base I was getting tired, but kept going. I was planning on making a two part snowman, but ended up giving him the standard three balls. Because Ryan and I don't rake our leaves, our snow man ended up having 'freckles'.

starring each other down...

After we were done with the snow man, I got my tripod so I could get some pictures of Jude and I in front of our creation.






Shortly afterwards, Katy showed up and I shoveled the sidewalk/drive way for Ryan before heading out for the day.



Next year I need to get one of those snowman kits so that I don't have to give him broccoli eyes, a baby-carrot nose and a pea mouth.

Stinky Diapers

I recently posted about my experience so far with my cloth diapers. I think I was jinxed. I had never had an issue with overly stinky diapers, but the past few day, I have. To clarify, I'm specifically talking about the actual diaper having an odor, not the poop in the diaper having an odor.

I have heard before this, that there are three common ways to get them back to normal:

Option One: Wash them as usual and lay them out in the sun to dry. the sun's healing power would make it all better.

Option Two: Wash them as usual (which consists of one wash cycle and two rinse cycles) and then do two extra rinse cycles without detergent.

Option Three: Wash them with Dial soap

Typically, the smell comes from a build up of detergent and all of these options apparently aid in stripping the diapers of excess and get them fresh again.

Regardless of whether they smelled or not, I had plans to air dry them in the sun when a nice spring day rolled around, but I didn't make it to spring. One day last week I woke up to a smell that I just couldn't place. It was clearly coming from Jude. It didn't smell like poop, it didn't smell like pee... it just smelled... funny. I immediately determined that the smell was what other cloth diapering mothers had been talking about. I wasn't going to just wash the 2-3 diapers that were currently in the dirty pail, so I had to get through them all. Some had the odor, others did not. When wash time came around, I washed them as normal and then turned the washer back on for a couple extra rinse cycles.

So far, it seems to have been effective, but I did an extra rinse for the last time I washed them also. I figured if I add an extra rinse regularly, it would be effective in keeping them from getting the odor in the future.

In addition to this apparently being 'normal' for them to get a funny smell every now and then, I was recently presented with some information that basically says the two types of detergent I use are probably the worse you could use on cloth diapers. Go figure. I specifically use "Bright Green Free and Clear" or homemade detergent. Both contain soaps that cause a build up which can cause leaks and stinky diapers. Considering I've been using these detergents for over 8+ months now, I'm hesitant to believe it's as bad as they say, but I am currently considering alternate detergent options for our diapers (and possibly our clothes).

Homemade Hot Chocolate

I touched on this briefly in my earlier post, but thought I'd elaborate with a little more back story.

While we were in Costa Rica on our honeymoon, Ryan and I took a day trip to "The Villa Vanilla". I personally was super excited about this place! Ryan on the other hand was only going because he knew I wanted to go. I vaguely remember it being a new attraction that the hotel was offering (all of our excursions were through the hotel) and almost not going because it became a hassle.

Well, it all got worked out and we took the long drive to this farm in the middle of no where. I didn't totally know what to expect, but knew it would be something I'd enjoy. We get there and everything is semi-shady. There are Costa Ricans sitting on logs craving some sort of wood, small little farm style houses and not much else. Eventually a hiker-looking gentleman come out - the first person who seemed to speak any considerable English. He happened to be an American who had moved to Costa Rica a few years earlier, bought this massive piece of property and grew out of it, the Villa Vanilla. Ryan and I mentioned more than once while we were there that this guy was a genius. What money he didn't make off of selling his produce, he made off of tours and stupid tourists like us.

First we did a tour of his barn-type area, where he had samples of his different products. We played a little game where he would let us smell, touch or taste certain things and we had to guess what it was. I was the only person interested in cooking/baking on the tour and had to stop myself at one point from being the only person making guesses :(

Afterwards, we did a tour of his organic 'farm'. It was the most interesting farm/garden. It was all settled in around trees. Vines of different things were growing up the trees, I learned sooo much! For example the cinnamon we eat is tree trunks. They literally would cut limbs off of their cinnamon trees, carve off slivers of the bark (so THAT's what those costa rican's were doing) and grind up the sheets of wood into powder for us to eat (and also that his cinnamon was the 'good' cinnamon)!

We learned about the different stages of the vanilla bean, he showed up different species of pepper and so much more.

Afterwards we took a short hike to my absolute favorite part of the whole experience. He had a little 3-wall 'house' type thing that stood at the top of a mountain/cliff and over looked his property. It was TO DIE FOR! He had the most beautiful, unobstructed view of the rain forest! While we were there he let us sample different drinks and stuff that he had made with his products while we just enjoyed the view. Perhaps even cooler than the view was that while we were standing there, WE SAW A TREE FALL IN THE RAIN FOREST! Maybe it doesn't sound that cool, but it was freakin' awesome! All of the sudden the peaceful silence was obstructed with a load cracking and BAM there was this void in the middle of all the trees were a tree had just fallen. We both assumed it fell naturally... (did I mention I forgot my camera that day??? of all days!!!)

After the tasting we were lead back to a little gift shop where we could purchase some products. I had warned Ryan that I would probably be spending a good bit of money - and I did.

I bought vanilla extract, cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon, cocoa beans, ground cocoa, oregano, pepper, and more. (SHHH - don't tell Obama - I brought it home)

Most of this stuff I've used over the course of the last year and a half, but I still had some in the cabinet. In particular I had the ground cocoa. Half the reason I still had it was because I forgot it was there. The other half of the reason was because I just couldn't remember how the guy told us to make hot chocolate out of it (ah - yes, I'm getting to the point now...). Yesterday with the snow and the family time, I decided to just go for it. It would either go to waste and not be used or go to waste because it tasted terrible.

I assumed it wasn't sweetened, but wasn't sure. I boiled some milk and added the cocoa and sampled. Sure enough it was still bitter chocolate. Hmm...

Next step we added some brown sugar. I considered adding plain white sugar, but thought brown sugar would be a little more rich. It was well on it's way... but it was still missing something... VANILLA! I added a dash of vanilla and tried it again... PERFECT! I let Ryan taste it (the true test) and he LOVED it! So much so, that when he was outside today he requested I mix up some more. Sadly though, we only have enough left for about 1 more cup...

I could alway buy more here, but would much rather go back and get it myself...

because I love our honeymoon soooo much....

Question: I love going to new places and while I typically enjoy them all, usually end up saying I loved it, but don't plan to go back. Mostly my reason is because there's somewhere else new I'd rather go. I loved Spain and would love to take Ryan, but I'm sure we'd hit a number of other places before considering it. I loved Paris, but would never plan a trip specifically to Paris (maybe a day trip or a couple of days if we ever went to London...to see the stuff we missed)... but I would with out a doubt go back to Costa Rica. What's you're favorite place you've been? The one place you can't get enough of?

This will probably give it away...

... but here's a sneak peak at my costume!!!

My Costume: Revealed?

Question: are you keeping your halloween costume a secret from the general public? if not, let's talk about it. Maybe post pix as you make it.

Answer:

I'm not keeping it top secret. People know. It's not that big of a deal even though when I first thought of it I thought it was a great idea and that it would keep it a secret BECAUSE it was such a great idea! However, I told a few people and the responses aren't bad, but I'm thinking it's not as GREAT as I thought it would be.

I'm one of the biggest advocates of "if you're coming to our halloween party, you better have a good costume!" when in reality mine are never really THAT great. I'm really hoping to go all out on my costume this year and I hope that it will turn out great even thought it's such a pretty simple idea.

Oh - and that being said. If you don't know what it is yet... you have to ask and hope I am in a mood to tell you!

MwahahahahahaHalloween

Every year, Ryan and I throw a halloween party.

We set this year's date on October 30th! Since we now have a child to take trick or treating, we couldn't hold it on the 31st (a Saturday) as we normally would so opted for the 30th instead. It'll probably get started later than usual as a result, but I think that a Friday party will work out well!

In anticipation we have been thinking of costume ideas. I have had mine set for a little while now and am pretty excited about it! Ryan and Jude just recently confirmed what they'd be (they'll be kind of related) and I will be responsible for making them.

I hope to get started on them in the near future in order to make them the best they can be!

No! We will not tell anyone what they are! :)

Another Photo Update

Every now and then I get a little behind on pictures. I've been trying to be good, but sometimes it's a flop. Below is a little update of pictures:

Something I think I skipped blogging about was our block party. Ryan and I saw a sign one week about an upcoming block party at the front of our neighborhood. At the time I was still working, but knew I'd be home shortly after. As lame as it sounds, I was hoping to meet some other at-home mothers to bond with. I met one mother with a child slightly older than Jude, but she worked during the day :(

Even though I didn't make any mom-friends, we still had a good time.

Jude and his older buddy Trent:

Jude was rockin; out at the luau themed party:

We invited the Woodlands:

Mommy and her munchkin:

What's up G?:

One morning I let Buddy outside and there was this PERFECT patch of mushrooms in the front yard:

The t-shirt I made for Jude at the t-shirt party (for those people who think his name is "june"):

I posted previously about showering with Jude or giving him sink baths in the bathroom. I've given up both of these and have tried to accept that my bathroom will probably not be done for a few years (oh goodness... please don't make it years...). Instead we set up his baby bathtub on the counter and he gets all cleaned up in the kitchen.

A little out of order... but here's Trent - another block party photo. The sweetest little face.

"Do you know how easy that would be to make??"

... oh the ever repeating words of my childhood...

I remember specifically one year finding a black dress with silver sparkles all over that I just HAD to have for homecoming. I can't remember the cost, but it was a little more than what I'm assuming my mom had budgeted for homecoming, so she threw out the classic "do you know how easy that would be to make!" line.

At this moment I had two options. Let her make the dress that I determined was "the" dress or find another dress in my budget off the rack. I went with the first option. Looking back it was a mild disaster. I decided after the project went underway that I wanted a short/knee length version of the dress, instead of the long ankle length version. Sadly we cut the dress too short and so I was left with an uncomfortably short dress for someone who at the time was terribly uncomfortable with herself. Of course I trucked through it and came out unscathed, but when faced with this decision after that, I typically leaned towards purchasing, not making.

Let's fast forward to present day when it's clear that everyone is in a penny pinching state of mind. Especially now that I'll be staying home, cutting back is getting more important. Knowing this, after Barbie invited me to a t-shirt/onesie making party, I was more than thrilled! I had seen a tie dye onesie a few weeks back that I just had to have and saw this get together as the perfect opportunity to make one of my own. In addition we had talked about making our own nursing wraps and cart/highchair covers so I figured I'd bring along the supplies for them as well.

Saturday night (we had our get together this past Sunday) I head into Joann's with three goals in mind. I immediately find a couple of different fabrics that I thought would work for the cart cover and wrap.

I fumbled around with the idea of tie dye and decide that I'll skip the onesie that I know he'll grow out of too quickly. The thought of gathering all the supplies and making a mess for one tiny little onesie just didn't seem practical since I'm sure it wouldn't get much wear.

Sunday I arrive at Barbies prepared to make some stuff! I have my bag of goodies and sewing machine in hand. However, when I first pulled all of the items out of the bag I kind of just sat there staring out into space. I couldn't quite see my plan and didn't want to chop up all my fabric and waste it on something that just wouldn't turn out 100% the way I wanted it.

Instead, I pulled out the onesies I had found in Jude's closet and ironed on some little letters spelling "jude" across the front of one and called it a day.

While the crafty portion of the day turned out to be a flop for me, the getting together and just hanging out with other people who shared my growing love to do super lame things in a "baby play date" environment was pretty fun and enjoyable.

Hopefully in the near future I'll tackle my projects and come out successful!

SOLD!

One of my 101 was to sell something I've made/done.

As indicated by Barbie, I already have!

When Barbie and I made laundry detergent we had about 10 gallons worth of goods! I brought home 3 gallons and still had some of my store bought detergent before I'd start on the home made (at a 1/4 cup per load, it was sure to last awhile). My brother Bryan needed some detergent and asked if he could get some from us.

Since the whole point was to SAVE money by making my own, I couldn't just GIVE it away (no matter how much I love my little brother), so I told him for 5 bucks he could have a gallon (still a great deal compared to regular detergent). So, I have in fact sold something I've made.

I don't know about Barbie, but I'm totally down for selling more!!

Homemade

It's been my personal observation (and I could be wrong) that more and more people seem to be regressing to some of the practices of the past. While we have so much technology, I still feel like there are some things that people seem to be going "old school" on.

I for one am catching on to this little trend (is it a trend? i don't know...). For example with our child I plan to breast feed (something that for awhile was fairly uncommon), use cloth diapers and make my own baby food. Recently Barbie mentioned that she had found a recipe to make homemade laundry detergent and I was all about trying it out!

Yesterday we met at her house and gave it a shot. For about $10.00 (well, $10.00 for the first batch - about $2.00 every time after) we will have TEN GALLONS of laundry between the two of us! It seriously only took like... 10 minutes?

After we were done, it needed to sit overnight to thicken and then we will add water to the mixture to get our ten gallons. I'm very eager to see how it turned out! I'm even more excited to actually use it to see how it works. I still have a good bit of my store bought detergent to use but I'll be sure to post on how it worked out!