Over the past sixteen months, we have tried a lot of different brands of diapers. If you are not interested in diapers, please excuse this post and don't read any further.

I have had a lot of unfortunate diapering discussions. I think different kinds of diapers work better with different babies. Here are my thoughts on what we've tried:

1) Parent's Choice/Walmart- cheap,terrible, and beyond leaky! I did not even finish using them, and decided they would be perfectly used as game props at a baby shower.

2) Teddy's Choice- great sales, but not a nice fit. Very rigid, and I found Josiah getting those red lines around his legs. They also leaked for us every night, so I just used them as spares during the day.

3) Pamper's- the swaddlers were the best for new babies; however, the chemical smell was very strong as we got to the bigger sizes. I did not feel they held up to leaks as well as our favorites.

4) Huggies- we have used these the most. Quite cheap at Costco, and have good coupons and sales elsewhere. Good fit for Josiah and hold up to most leaks.

5) Kirkland (Costco version made by Huggies)- better price than Huggies/Pampers. I was very hesitant to try them. What if I wasted money on a whole giant box and they proved to be like all of the other cheapies? Honestly, we are almost at the end of the big box, and I will be buying more. They aren't quite as good as Huggies for one reason, that if it is a major #2 it leaks out the inside of the legs a bit. But considering the price difference, I'll be sticking with these until the end!

And that's what I've found! Anyone used any other generic brands that worked/didn't work?

This past weekend, starting early Friday morning, my mom and aunt stayed with Josiah so that Chris and I could get away. It was kind of an early birthday surprise for him. He had no idea.

He pulled up on Thursday night, and saw my mom's car. He thought I had either gotten him, or that I had had a break-down and needed to call in the troops! Either was quite possible! I knew on Friday that it had been too long since my last break from kids. I think I slept most of Friday away.

People keep asking what we did, and although there were some fun things planned, I think we wanted to feel bored/rested/not rushed/etc. We've often talked about that bored feeling before kids. Not that we couldn't find lots to fill it most of the time, but every once in a while we'd find ourselves restless. I had a bit of that feeling later on Saturday. It was the first time in 16 months!

So we did things that we never make time for...watched television (way too much of the Olympics), rented movies, read, napped, slept in, and Chris went skiing. I actually even felt rested during my work day today.

I did miss Josiah like crazy, and it was great to see him again when we got back last night. I have a feeling based on his behavior today that he was a very loved boy on the weekend!

- This picture of Josiah reminds me of how far he has come in his playing in the past couple of months. It is fun to watch him really engage, and be creative with toys!

- Feeling frustrated at times with the extent to which we have to baby proof. He has now broken every baby proofing lock in our house except for the one under the bathroom sink. I think the only reason this one has lasted is because he isn't allowed in that room very often!

- Although we are thinking that he might be starting to visit the bathroom in the near future. I am so not ready for potty training, but feel that Josiah could be. He has been telling us for months when he needs a new diaper. He often tries to find one. Now, he yells 'peeee' and grabs his diaper. He has also been trying to climb up onto our toilet when he needs to go. I don't know the first thing about potty training, so I need to do a lot of reading up! Any tips?

- Had two very early mornings the last couple of days. Josiah was awake at 4:00 am yesterday and 5:30 am today. I just can't figure out why!

- We went to our first Kindermusik class yesterday, and it was so much fun! I think that Josiah will really enjoy it. He came home trying some of the actions. I am so glad that we have this opportunity.

- Starting to feel the winter blaws. I love winter, but usually around this time of year, I just want it to be done. Trying to stay positive, and get out more.

- Reading an amazing book called "When a Woman Trusts God." I am so challenged by this, more than by anything else I've read in quite while.

- Need to go get Josiah right now...sometimes naps seem way too short!

I took these pictures a while ago and have been meaning to post them. This is the progression of Josiah trying to sit himself down in his little chair. He does a much better job of it now, but it was very funny to watch at first!





Sleeping continues to go fairly well in our house-YAY! I hesitate to write this, but I can't remember the last time he was up in the night. He has even been sleeping in until 6:30/6:45, which is very late for him!! It feels so great to be having hours of uninterrupted sleep again.

What I've Been Up To...

- Sorting baby clothes (no,there is not any news!)

- Sorting Josiah's clothes and packing up the small stuff.

- Baby-proofing more of my house than I ever thought would be necessary.

- Reading a lot, and fun stuff too!

- Reading a letter from two dear old friends from our apartment building in Kleefeld, MB.

- Enjoying some new worship songs.

- Visiting my sister and nephew in Halifax while my mom kept Josiah (last week). Baby time, talking, shopping, sleeping...it was wonderful!

- Drinking too much coffee.

- Cleaning. I think the spring cleaning bug hit me with all of those plus temperatures we had last week.

- Writing reports and trying to stay caught up at work. It's going really well, and it feels so great to not have mounds of paper looming.

- Getting a long overdue haircut (thanks to Barb taking Josiah off my hands!).

- Thinking a lot. About what my interests were before diapers and trucks. It's all starting to come back...

- Beating Chris at board games (I guess I've let him win a couple!).

- Enjoying some great talks with friends.

- Loving the new 'Women of Faith' video series in my small group. The speaker is Sheila Walsh. I've never really seen her presentations before, but she's great. Just the right mix of funny, real and super challenging. I just ordered one of her books and am looking forward to digging in.

- Appreciating a couple of girls who come regularly to visit and pray. Such a blessing.

- Trying to get uncomfortable.

- Really wanting to go skating. Anyone interested? Chris does not skate because of a previous foot injury, so I'm always on my own!

- Trying new recipes. Most have turned out great. One bombed, really badly. I still haven't admitted it to Chris (if you are reading this, you don't have to eat anymore of the muffins). His exact comment was, "they taste...healthy." The key to a good muffin is that it is healthy, but that it doesn't taste healthy (like cardboard). I think I'll stick with my old recipes.

And that's just a little bit of me!

Being the mother of a sixteen-month-old
(as of today!) means...

...cleaning up a ton of messes.

...trying to keep Josiah's hands out of his diaper and his clothes on.

...starting to think about potty training.

...trying to interpret a huge list of words that are sounding more and more like the real thing.

...hearing new phrases, like "bye-bye mama" when I leave for work. And "bye-bye poop-poop" when he hears the toilet flush (thanks Chris!). I am responsible for "Oh no...dirty."

...trying to teach him how to say "mom." So far, it has been "mem" and "mama."

...building very strong muscles from carrying around a 35 pound kid! (And starting to get a sore back!)

...always planning, organizing, shopping, thinking, praying...

...reading hundreds of stories a week (sometimes the same six repeatedly) with an intense amount of enthusiasm each and every time.

...teaching someone else to eat with a fork (this is not as easy as it sounds like it should be!)

...getting up early (4:30 this morning) and sometimes staying up late.

...being patient and looking for productive ways to discipline.

...responding/not responding to the tantrums.

...having a new helper! Josiah is so thrilled to help clean up his toys (he reminds me when I forget in the bath tub), sweep the floor, put laundry away and unpack new grocery items like toilet paper.

...watching Josiah make connections between stories, and connecting those stories to real life (very exciting as a kindergarten teacher and a mom!).

...frequenting the YMCA, moms groups, and, starting in February, Kindermusik.

...tolerating 'Bob the Builder' because Josiah is infatuated.

...saying good-bye to some of the things that are turning my baby into a little boy.

...allowing and offering him the space for independence.

...running all day long, often feeling tired, and not having even close to enough breaks!

...trying to enjoy the day-to-day, with all of the messes, surprises, mundane tasks, fun, excitement, loneliness, suffocation, and wonder.

...feeling closer to and more proud of Josiah than I ever thought I could.

Haiti

Not sure about you, but I have been feeling so overwhelmed with the rescue/recovery of Haiti. I know that prayer and money is desparately needed; however, I also discovered that a shoe store in Moncton called Softmocs (in Champlain Mall across from Second Cup) is taking used (or new) shoe donations. They are accepting shoes in good condition (not torn) for men/women/children. The shoes should be also appropriate for warm weather conditions (no boots!). They are taking donations until Saturday (Sunday at the latest).  I know I have a few pairs laying around that I may or may not wear again.  I was happy to know of another way to help out, so I thought I would share in case any of you have some shoes taking up closet space too!