February 2013 - Bare Feet on the Dashboard

Month: February 2013

27
Feb
2013

Pregnancy 2.0 Update: 32 Weeks

It is has been a shamefully long time since I’ve posted an update on pregnancy #2, and I have a myriad of excuses you don’t want to hear. The most common are: I didn’t fix my hair or put on make up so I can’t take a picture or Jed’s not home so I can’t take a picture. I apologize for the photo quality above, but I cannot procrastinate another day or this child will be here. Poor second child, already lacking the documentation of the oldest child. It stops today. I’m 32 weeks along and feeling great most of the time. Here’s the rundown:

32 Weeks Update

Feeling: great, alternating with tired, large

Wearing: anything that fits, lots of flowy skirts, wide shoes

Weight Gain: not telling, but significantly less than last time

Pregnancy Side Effects: feet swell when I walk too much, tons of Braxton Hicks contractions

Belly Button: Still in. It never popped with Bear so I’m assuming that it won’t this time either.

Craving: Sweets! But I gave them up for Lent… 🙁

Baby: weighs close to 4 pounds and is about 17 inches long,

moving around like a champ

Gender: Girl! (We sure hope that ultrasound was right or we’ll have a lot of pink stuff going to waste.)

Name: undecided – We have a few front runners, but haven’t decided on a final winner.

Nursery: We have the paint, but haven’t painted. Bear will continue to live in there until he is ready to move to a big boy room this summer. Mini Bear will room with us for the first few months for convenient night time breastfeeding and mommy’s paranoia.

Preparations: We toured our new hospital Monday, and will meet with our doula in the next few weeks to prepare the birth plan and work on pain management techniques. We are trying for a VBAC. We’ve stocked up on cloth diapers and have a few more things to buy for our sweet girl.

To-Do List: work on decorations for the nursery, make headbands and bows, practice relaxation techniques for labor

What is one thing you did to prepare for the birth of your child?

25
Feb
2013

5 Things We’ve Learned From Cloth Diapering (Almost) 2 Years In

categories: baby, cloth diaper, toddlers

We are now almost 2 years into this little cloth diaper experiment. I’ve learned so much and am still picking up new info every week. I’ll probably get the whole thing totally mastered by the time Mini Bear potty trains. Today I’m sharing with you the top five things I’ve learned from our first 20+ months of using cloth.

1. Diapers We Love:
If you read our about Great Cloth Diaper Trials you know that we’ve tried and tested 11 different kinds of cloth diapers. We are now up to 14. Out of control. Not all of the brands we tried worked for us, but we do have a few that we absolutely love and we are always looking to try more. Our all time favorite brand is Softbums. We’re obsessed and they make up the bulk of our diaper stash. We also love the Bumgenius 4.0 and Freetime. We use our Bumgenius Elemental, but the drying time takes it from a love to a like. I love Apple Cheeks diapers, but Jed is not as big of a fan. I loved the 1 size two AC we had so hard the elastic is now busted. Anyone want to fix it for me? We love our Bummis swim diaper, and our Bunzuke bandana diaper is still in the rotation as well. That Bunzuke is so cute and hard to find I will never give it up. The rest we’ve sold. Which brings me to #2.

2. The Cloth Diaper World:
Did you know there is a whole underground world of cloth diaper people out there? We DO exist. There are Buy/Sell/Trade groups and fan pages on Facebook for every major brand. There are local cloth diaper swaps. There are forums where you can learn everything you every wanted to know about every diaper on the market. I’ve sold all of our used cloth diapers we didn’t love because they work really well for other people. I’ve bought used diapers from people who didn’t like our favorite brands. There are cloth diaper meet ups and mom groups in most major cities. The cloth diaper world is amazing, and I love being part of it. Before we started this experiment, I looked to blogs to learn everything I could. That’s why I now post about what I’ve learned to share with you.

3. The Laundry:
The cloth diaper laundry is no longer intimidating. You can read about our original simple cloth diaper laundry routine here. We just switched to Rockin Green detergent because of a hard water issue at the new house. Our new routine is one cold wash, one hot wash, extra rinse. We use 1 TBSP of Rockin Green in both cycles. That’s it. Then we hang the dipes up to dry and dry the pods and inserts on low. We now have the routine down pretty well and do a load every other day and never run out, even giving the diapers overnight to dry.

4. Over Night Cloth Solutions:
We struggled with this for a LONG time. Bear is a super heavy wetter and I thought we would never find the right fix. Bear would literally explode an over night disposable diaper, but we couldn’t find a cloth solution that worked either. Finally after begging for help from Twitter and Facebook friends as well as in cloth diaper forums, and visiting my two local shops, we have found a solution that works for our super heavy wetter. We use a waterproof cover (Rumparooz and Tiny Tush), two Grovia bamboo prefolds with one of them folded in half towards the front, two microfiber inserts (one in half towards the front and one flat on top of everything else), and two fleece liners covering the microfiber. It makes the fluffiest booty you’ve ever seen, but it works.

5. Cloth Diapering Really is Easy, Cheap, and Doable
It’s true. Maybe not for everyone, but it is true for me. I had many doubters when I first started talking about cloth, but thankfully I’m stubborn enough to prove them wrong. If you are interested in using cloth diapers, do your research and go for it. Don’t buy all one brand though, because that brand might not work for your babe. There are a few specific things that have made it easier on me as we have gone on. Our diaper sprayer is magnificent. We bought the Bumgenius diaper sprayer and have it attached to the toilet in one of our bathrooms. We keep our diaper pail beside it and after the dipes get sprayed they go straight into the potty. Totally easy. We use a simple Ikea pail with a lid. The other thing that makes it easier is having a bigger stash. We wash every other day and let them dry overnight, and still have enough to make it through. It just makes my life better if I’m not doing laundry every day, and is totally worth the investment. You can do this. If you want to. You will save around $2000 per kid and thousands of disposable diapers from the landfill (which don’t biodegrade for over 500 years!). I believe it’s worth it.

Do you use cloth diapers? If so, what’s one thing you’ve learned from cloth diapering?

22
Feb
2013

Frugal Friday: Shopping Big Consignment Sales

categories: baby, DFW, family, frugal, kids, pregnancy, shopping

Have you ever shopped a BIG consignment sale? We are thrift store regulars, but have fallen in love with the world of big consignment sales. This time around I’m consigning at the upcoming Rhea Lana sale in Frisco and hoping to make money. I’m also planning to shop. When you consign you get to shop early, and let me tell you that these sales get competitive. I’m hoping to find a birthday present for Bear, as well as summer clothes for both kiddos. To see details about the Rhea Lana Frisco sale or find a RL sale near you check out the website here.

So, you might be thinking that the big sale atmosphere is a little intimidating. The first time around is, but you get the hang of it. Everything is marked down to at least 70% off retail, so the prices are fantastic. I also feel good about helping other families to clear out their stash and make money, all while saving money myself. We all win. These sales are especially great for pregnant mamas because you can find maternity clothes AND tons of newborn to 6 months clothes because they wear them for such a brief period of time. I’ll give you a few tips to succeed at a big sale like Rhea Lana.
1) Arrive early. Do your research and find out if you can get an early shopping pass. Most sales have these available online for pregnant or expectant adopting mamas. You can also volunteer or consign at the sale and get to shop REALLY early. Whatever your time slot is, get there before it starts because there will be a line.
2) Bring a collapsible laundry hamper. Trust me on this. You want a lightweight carrier for all your finds. That way you can toss everything you like into the basket and sort through it while you are in line.
3) Bring a list of everything you are looking for so you don’t get confused or forget something important. I would break it down like this: big items to look for first (strollers, ride on toys, playhouses,etc); small toys; clothes by age/gender/season. For instance, I’ll be looking for a tricycle, board books, summer shoes in size 6 & 7, 0-6 and 6-12 month soft leather girl shoes, and 3T summer clothes for Bear. I will have a list of everything detailed and in my purse, so my pregnant brain doesn’t have to concentrate too hard.
4) Come back for the Half Price Sale. Most big sales have several half price time slots at the end of the sale, so again check online and find the time slot for you. Everything will drop from 30% of the retail price (70% off) down to 15% of the retail price. Heck yes.

Have you ever shopped a BIG consignment sale like Rhea Lana?

What is your favorite big consignment sale?

18
Feb
2013

Let’s Make Healthy Breakfasts for a Week in 10 Minutes or Less

categories: meal planning, recipes

I learned a version of this homemade instant oatmeal recipe at MOPS last year, and then shared it again with our group of mamas and it was a big hit. I make it almost every week and it provides about 9 breakfasts. It takes about ten minutes to prepare the whole batch to store. I reuse the same gallon ziplock bag over and over to store the mix in my pantry. Each morning you just scoop out a half cup of mix, add 1 cup of water or milk, and microwave for 90 seconds. I let mine set for a few minutes and then stir and eat. Easy and yummy and quick.

Homemade Instant Oatmeal:
4 cups oats
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1/2 cup dried fruit bits
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1 large ziplock bag or other storage container

Measure your ingredients and toss them into a storage container like a gallon ziplock bag or pyrex dish. Stir or toss to combine well. To serve – add 1/2 cup mix to 1 cup milk or water and microwave for 90 seconds (ish). Let set for 2 minutes, stir, and enjoy.
Feel free to add fresh fruit after cooking for more deliciousness. Other fun add ons: pecans, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, cocoa powder, etc.

What’s your go-to meal for a quick and healthy breakfast?

14
Feb
2013

I Belong With You, You Belong With Me, You’re My Sweetheart

categories: family, valentine's day

These are the two men who stole my heart.

They are both so incredible and I love them more every day.

My sweet husband loves me like Jesus, giving me grace when I don’t deserve it and truly being my partner in this life. Our little boy brings so much joy with his big smile and happy giggles. When he grabs my face for a big kiss or runs up to mama and daddy for a family hug, my heart melts all over again. I am so thankful for the love of my two men today and every day. I can’t wait to bring our daughter into the family this spring.

We are blessed beyond all reason and my cup overflows.

Happy Valentine’s Day from the Eby family

and Bare Feet on the Dashboard!

13
Feb
2013

On Lent, Spiritual Discipline, and Rebellion

categories: jesus

Although I’ve been a follower of Christ for 14 years, my rebellious spirit hasn’t changed. The season of Lent is so good for me because it causes me to embrace spiritual discipline and die to myself over little, insignificant sacrifices. As any good rebel knows, our instinct is to fight anything that goes against us having our own way, sometimes to our own detriment. Lent is just that. We are supposed to give up things that get in the way of our relationship with Jesus and be reminded of His sacrifice. My very nature fights this so hard. I’ve come to the conclusion that for me at least, Lent is less about what you give up and more about the spirit of sacrificing a bit of what you want on a daily basis to have a bit more of Jesus. For me, Lent is not about dogma or rules or punishment. Lent is about reminding myself of the suffering my Savior endured so that I could have the life of freedom I embrace the other 325 days of the year.

It is for this freedom that Christ has set us free. Do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galations 5:1). I refuse to let myself become a slave to anything, not my own wants, not religion, not anything of this world. Lent reminds me of how selfish and sinful I really am, and makes me ever so much more grateful that Jesus died for me WHILE I am still a sinner. Not after I cleaned myself up. Not after I got my act together. Right in the middle of my mess He gave His life to pay the ransom for mine. And yours. While I’m still sinning. Amazing grace indeed.

Will you sacrifice anything this Lenten season? I plan to, but I know I’ll mess up, cheat, give in, and start again, probably by the end of this week. You probably will too, but remember this spiritual discipline is teaching us through our mistakes and helping us to grow in our faith as we struggle against our own sinful self.

12
Feb
2013

Trying for a VBAC: Risks vs Benefits

categories: baby, birth, medical, pregnancy, vbac

Today I’m addressing the most common question about our quest for a VBAC: What are the risks and benefits of a VBAC vs a repeat cesarean? A little about this series: Our second baby is due at the end of April, and we are hoping and trying for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean section). There are many reasons why we are heading this direction and I hope to share them with y’all over the next few months. You can read the other posts in my Trying for a VBAC series here. You can read the Bear’s full birth story here to see what our first child’s birth entailed. If you read that story you will get a little glimpse into why we are now on this journey to VBAC and a normal birth. This process has been all consuming for me and this blog is my space to express the way I feel about the whole situation. Many folks have strong opinions about VBAC vs. repeat cesarean, and I hope that whatever your opinion might be you will respect mine. VBAC is not the right decision for every c-mama, and it doesn’t always work out no matter how you prepare. Our hope and prayer is that we can have the best birth possible for our little girl. I am not in any way a medical professional, just a mama who loves nerding out over research.

Risks VS Benefits of a VBAC or Elective Repeat Cesarean Section

First lets look at the risks of both, lined up together. I’ll start with what I like to call the “Big Scaries”.

Big Scary #1: Risk of Baby Dying

VBAC – 0.2% vs C-Section (ERCS) – 0.1%

Both rates are very low, but slightly higher for VBAC.

Big Scary #2: Risk of Uterine Rupture

VBAC – 0.4% vs C-Section (ERCS) – 0.2%

Did you know you could have a rupture with an ERCS? I didn’t either. The next facts really shocked me. Let’s look at the risk of uterine rupture for 1st time moms in natural births vs those induced and augmented with pitocin and/or prostoglandins.

Natural, spontaneous labor – 0.012%

Spontaneous labor augmented (prostoglandins, pitocin, etc) – 0.9%

Induced Labor – 1% (WHAT???)

When I read those numbers from multiple scientific studies, I was seriously angry at my previous OB who mentioned none of the risks of induction. If you were induced or had augmentation during labor, did your OB mention the more than doubled risk of uterine rupture? I’d really like to know. I’ve asked a lot of mamas and across the board I’ve not heard of anyone being told this by their OB. Not cool.

Big Scary #3: Risk of Mom Dying

VBAC – 0.02% vs C-Section (ERCS) – 0.04%

Both rates are very low, but slightly higher for c-section. The problem is that this rate increases greatly with each repeat c-section, limiting the potential of family by putting mom at risk.

The other risks of VBAC are the same as normal first time birth, but many other risks increase greatly with a repeat c-section and continue to increase even more with a 3rd, 4th, etc c-section. I’ve found that most women are told the risks of VBAC I mentioned above but not the risks of repeat c-section. Why is this? Many birth professionals believe it because of 2 things: 1)the bad rap VBACs got during the 1990s when it was common to use drugs like Cytotec to induce labor, greatly increasing the risk of uterine rupture and 2)because a c-section is easier to control for the physician, takes less time, and makes more money. A VBAC or other vaginal birth costs around $3-5000 while a c-section costs upwards of $25,000 for the patient. I support every woman’s right to choose the birth that she feels is best for her baby and herself, but I believe we also have the right to know the risks and benefits of each choice.

Risks to Baby that Increase with Repeat C-Section:

being cut during the surgery

premature birth (and all the risks that come with that)

respiratory problems at birth and lifelong

readmission to hospital or NICU time

risk of death in first month of life

allergies

asthma

Type 1 Diabetes

problems breastfeeding

Risks to Mom that Increase with Repeat C-Section:

unintended cuts or damage during the surgery

major infection

emergency hysterectomy

blood clots

stroke

ICU time

complications from anesthesia

endometriosis

appendicitis

gallstones

depression and other negative psychological issues

infertility

problems breastfeeding

future pregnancy issues including placenta previa, stillbirth, low birth weight, and ectopic pregnancy

There are plenty of benefits to both choices. Let’s take a look at them.

Benefits of Repeat C-Section:

scheduled birth – easier to have support network and preparations in place

controlled situation

time to prepare a support network for post op

much faster method for emergencies that threaten the life of baby or mom

less liability for the doctor and hospital

Benefits of VBAC:

faster recovery

better immediate bonding with baby (lack of drugs, etc)

better breastfeeding results

avoid major abdominal surgery and all the risks that entails

birth the way God created our bodies to function

much less expensive

less hospital time

fewer complications for mom and baby

Every mama has to weigh these risks and benefits and come to a decision with their partner and an OB they trust. My former OB told me I was a great candidate for VBAC but that she didn’t do them, so I looked to my local ICAN chapter to find recommendations for VBAC friendly OBs in my area. I found an awesome doctor and am so happy with the prenatal care I’ve received. The information that helped me make my decision to try for a VBAC is the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s (governing body of OB/GYN) recent statement on VBAC. The most important quote is below and you can find a link to the full statement under the resource links at the bottom of the post.

“The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) agree that that most women with a history of one or two uncomplicated low transverse caesarean sections, in an otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy at term and with no contraindications to vaginal birth, are candidates for and should be counseled about VBAC.”

If your OB tells you differently, they are going against the policy of their own governing body and you should probably question their motives.

Looking for resources and information about birth, VBAC, and cesarean recovery? Try these:

ACOG Statement about VBAC vs ERCS

International Cesarean Awareness Network

Best of Bare Feet on the Dashboard: Baby and Pregnancy Edition

categories: baby, best of bare feet on the dashboard, breastfeeding, cloth diaper, parenting, pregnancy

Looking back over my Best of Bare Feet on the Dashboard series I realized I left out a crucial category, baby and pregnancy posts from the last 3 years. We remedy that situation today. I have so many baby and pregnancy posts I love so I’ll break them up by category below. Enjoy and please feel free to share the love.

Cloth Diaper Posts:

The Great Cloth Diaper Trials: 11 Brands Tried and Tested

We do the leg work so you don’t have to.

Choosing Cloth Diapers

Why did we choose them over disposables?

Our Easy Cloth Diaper Routine

Figuring out how to wash cloth diapers can be complicated, so I show you our simple routine.

Saving Money with Reusable Cloth Swim Diapers

One simple change can save you up to 90% on the cost of disposable swim diapers.

Breastfeeding Posts:

*Cute nursing cover by Hope Springs Etsy Shop

Our Breastfeeding Battle Part 1

Our Breastfeeding Battle Part 2

The Big Latch On

Pregnancy Posts:

The Top Ten Things I’ll Miss About Being Pregnant

My Hometown Baby Shower

Maternity Photo Shoot from My First Pregnancy

Frugal Pregnancy Tips

Taking the 3 Hour Glucose Tolerance Test: What is it like?

Weirdest Pregnancy Dreams Ever

Our Homemade Baby Book with Free Printables

A Big Brother T-Shirt to Announce Our 2nd Pregnancy

A Morning Sickness Cure with No Side Effects

Seriously.

My Postpartum Fashion Crisis

The Battle of the Baby Weight

Child Birth Posts:

The Bear’s Birth Story

Trying for a VBAC: Why?

Saving Big Money on Medical Bills

We saved 20% on Bear’s birth bills!

Decorating the Nursery Posts:

Birds in Flight Nursery Mobile with Tutorial

The Bear’s Nursery Part 1

The Bear’s Nursery Part 2

The Bear’s Nursery Part 3

The Bear’s Nursery Part 4

A Ribbon Mobile for Baby’s Nursery

I hope you enjoyed my Best of Bare Feet on the Dashboard series. I have so much more planned for this blog and can’t wait to see what the next 3 years bring. I’m now accepting sponsors AND swapping ads with other bloggers. Check out my Sponsor page for more info. Thanks so much for reading!

08
Feb
2013

Frugal Friday: Reusable Swim Diapers for Your Wee One

categories: baby, cloth diaper, frugal, kids

If you are anything like us, you are so over this whole winter thing and ready for summer. Our new neighborhood has 5 community pools we can use for the whole summer for $60! So excited… For this week’s Frugal Friday edition I’m sharing one of my favorite summer money savers, the reusable swim diaper. No, I’m not talking about reusing the Little Swimmers or Splashers. That would be nasty and impossible. I’m talking about using cloth swim diapers that are made to be worn all summer long. We’ve actually used the same Bummis swim diaper the last two summers because of the wide weight range. It will probably work again this year. I also have 2 teeny tiny i-play swim diapers lined up for Mini Bear to wear. Yay for water babies!

How much can you really save by using cloth swim diapers? About 90%. I did a little research, and the cheapest I could find disposable swim diapers for was $11.13 for an 18 count pack of diapers ($.62 each). For the price of one pack of disposables (or less) you can buy a reusable swim diaper that will last all summer. You can find a ton of sales right now on many great brands like Bummis, i play, Imse Vimse, My Swim Baby, and Apple Cheeks. If you are at the pool or beach all summer going through one pack of disposables per week you could spend as much as $156 per kid on swim diapers. Yikes.

How do cloth swim diapers work? Just like disposable swim diapers. They hold in the poop and let out the pee. Once they are soiled you just rinse them out (like you would a swim suit) after dumping the solids in the toilet, then hang them up to dry for tomorrow. Easy.

Why should I think about swim diapers right now? They are on sale!!! Buying off season is a fabulous way to save even more money on seasonal items.

If you are interested in shopping for reusable swim diapers, I’d love for you to use my affiliate links below to find deals at Kelly’s Closet and Amazon. If not, check out your local cloth diaper shop where swim diapers are probably in the off season sale section right now. Thanks!
– Swim Diapers from several brands starting at $9.95
Amazon links are below to my two favorite brands of swim diapers.

Do you use cloth or disposable swim diapers? On a scale from one to “get me to a beach before I hurt someone”, how ready are you for summer? I’m at a strong 8 right now.

06
Feb
2013

Trying for a VBAC: Why?

categories: baby, birth, breastfeeding, pregnancy, vbac

Our second baby is due at the end of April, and we are hoping and trying for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean section). There are many reasons why we are heading this direction and I hope to share them with y’all over the next few months. You can read the Bear’s full birth story here to see what our first child’s birth entailed. If you read that story you will get a little glimpse into why we are now on this journey to VBAC and a normal birth. This process has been all consuming for me and this blog is my space to express the way I feel about the whole situation. Many folks have strong opinions about VBAC vs. repeat cesarean, and I hope that whatever your opinion might be you will respect mine. VBAC is not the right decision for every c-mama, and it doesn’t always work out no matter how you prepare. Our hope and prayer is that we can have the best birth possible for our little girl.

Why try for a VBAC?

After a ton of research and prayer, we feel it is the best option for the health of our baby and my health. I want a normal birth because it is the way God designed my body, and He made me this way for a reason. I struggled with the trauma of Bear’s birth for months afterward, and breastfeeding was a HUGE battle. I’ve since learned those issues are typical with c-section. If you have had a cesarean and fought through the emotions of losing the birth you hoped and planned for, you are not alone. C-section is meant to be an emergency last ditch option when the life of mom or baby is in jeopardy. There are many occasions when it is completely necessary and in those cases we thank God it is available. Having had a prior c-section is just not always one of those. It turns out that induction without medical reason increases your chance of a c-section by up to 75%. My previous doctor failed to mention that when she tried to schedule Bear’s birth around a holiday.

C-section can be a literal life saver, but it does not come without cost. Any c-mama will tell you that recovery is a beast. I don’t remember the first few weeks of Bear’s life because of the pain medication. The only things I could do were sleep and try to nurse. It was rough, people. I’m hoping this time around will be very different. C-section babies have higher rates of asthma and allergies, as well as many other risk factors. I’ll go in to those in another post. Even if Mini Bear’s birth does end a c-section because of medical necessity, at least I will know that is a possibility going in and be prepared for that alternative.

I hear a lot of the same questions over and over about this road we are on. Why not just schedule a repeat c-section? Aren’t you putting yourself and the baby at risk? What do you have to do to get a VBAC? I hope to answer those here on the blog over the next few weeks.

You can read more about our breastfeeding battles here: Breastfeeding Part 1 and Breastfeeding Part 2. The great news is that even though it was a battle at first, we fought through and Bear nursed until he was a little over a year.

Looking for resources and information about VBAC and cesarean recovery? Try these:

International Cesarean Awareness Network