Cloth Diapering a Newborn

3 day old Ethan in extra-small FuzziBunz

When I was pregnant with Braden I knew I was going to cloth diaper him. But I also knew, that I didn't want to learn how to do the cloth diapering thing and learn how to take care of a newborn in a sleep deprived state at the same time. So, I started at 1 month old with size small FuzziBunz. He swam in them a bit...but in no time we were using cloth 100% and did so until he was potty trained.

Ethan in Rumparooz Lil Joeys

This time, it was a different story. I felt confident in my mother-of-a-newborn skills, so I wanted to use cloth from the moment he was born - literally. My sisters-in-law and I all went in on a newborn stash of fluff together. Abigail was born in April, Blake was born in August and then Ethan made his early arrival in October, so we knew the babies would each get their turn in fluff and could pass on to the next! Plus, babies are only in newborn size for anywhere from a week to a month or so. Ethan is now 3 weeks old and has outgrown his Lil Joeys...technically they still fit but with how heavy of a wetter he is...they only last an hour, two tops.

So here's what I've found most useful this time around!

• Go in on your stash with a friend or family member - it literally cuts the cost in half...or thirds...or fourths! Even if your babies are months or years apart, you know you'll use them eventually.
• Don't fear meconium! You can use them in the hospital, from day 1! All I did was use fleece liners and you know what...it washed out perfectly. I had heard a "myth" to absolutely NO meconium on cloth...but I didn't have a problem at all, it washed out perfectly.
• Don't bring a lot of diapers to the hospital. I brought a bag full as I forgot that newborns literally only pee & poop once or twice the first couple of days of their life! I was checking his bum every few hours and it always seemed to be dry. I think I changed about 4 or 5 diapers in the first 24 hours he was born.
• Don't buy preemie sized diapers, unless you know you're going to have a baby on the smaller side, there are other options that will work on a smaller baby and still fit a bigger newborn. We had about a dozen preemie sized cloth diapers (5-8lbs) and my baby was the only of 3 who could use them!
• Umbilical snap down feature was really handy to have, but not necessary.
• Buy used diapers on sites such as DiaperSwappers.com. Newborns are only in newborn size anywhere from 1 week to 1 month+ depending on their size, so we bought mostly used and they were in excellent condition...because babies grow so quickly and don't use them that long!
• Look on bargain sites such as MamaBargains.com, BabySteals.com, BabyHalfOff.com, & EcoBabyBuys.com for cloth diaper & accessory deals. I have bought from all of those sites and they do sell newborn stuff on occasion.
• Have some prefolds, hemp, and/or bamboo inserts in your newborn stash to use for extra absorbancy! Once my baby turned 2 weeks he suddenly became a super soaker and needed extra inserts/absorbancy for his longer stretches of sleep at night.
• While not essential, the bigger your stash, the better. My SIL's and I went a little crazy and have a HUGE stash of newborn diapers. I'm talking about 40+! But you know what? It's come in really, really useful. I only wash my diapers every 2-3 days or whenever my diaper pail is full and still have a day's worth of diapers to use. I don't feel rushed or like I'm waiting for my diapers to dry to keep using them. Plus, you're changing a newborn bum every 1-3 hours!
• If you you're using cloth diapers, use cloth wipes too! I have a wipes warmer full of cloth wipes and it's so nice to be able to reuse my wipes too and to have them nice and warm to use on his little bum!
• Just a personal one from me...take lots of pics of your newborn in their fluff - how cute!

I absolutely love using soft, fuzzy, cloth on my newborn's bum! And moms and moms-to-be...it's really not that scary! I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have, please feel free to leave a comment (I always reply!) or fire off an email!

Sew, I Have This Goal...

Back in junior high (I don't even want to count how many years ago that was!), I loved sewing in home economics. We never had a sewing machine that I used at home, but I really did love it and was pretty good at following the tutorials. I made my own wheat bag and a nice little tote too, among other things! Well, I've had my "One Day I Will Sew" board brewing on Pinterest and have accumulated 74 pins. Seventy-four. There's ~8 weeks left until baby and I want to start BEFORE s/he comes! Jay bought me a sewing machine for my birthday, back in April...and it sits untouched! Also, it's one of my 30 before 30 goals, so I need to get on this!

Source: frecklednest.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

So I call on you, my sewing friends, bloggers, and readers! Give me your tips! I haven't even looked at these pins yet, but I plan on doing it as soon as this post is published!

Source: discountformom.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I want to do simple things for baby like receiving blankets, burp clothes, and maybe even a car seat cover or something!

Source: made-by-rae.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Here are my questions, don't laugh, it's been almost 2 decades since I've sewn!

• I have the sewing machine....what else do I need to buy other than fabric? Spools? Needles?
• Do you have your favorite tutorials pinned or bookmarked somewhere? YouTube?
• Where is the best (Canadian) place to buy sewing stuff?
• Where do you recommend to buy fabric?
• Any and all tips/tricks/advice are appreciated!

Source: alinasadventuresinhomemaking.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I need something to do in my evenings other than being a zombie on the couch getting lost in TV land. I don't usually go on the internet much at night, that's what my mornings are for. I want to be productive for this babe and make him/her some things before s/he gets here!

Thanks in advance!

Layered Lemon Dessert

This is, by far, my favorite dessert at harvest time. I first came across it from one of the nurses I worked with in the pediatric operating room. She was a wonderful baker and cook, and even did catering, I believe. At one of our many potlucks (nurses love potlucks!) she brought this and I had to have the recipe! The family all loves it and I am a sucker for anything lemon or citrusy so I had to share with you now!

Since this is a layered dessert, each layer requires different ingredients, but for the purposes of your shopping list, here is what you need for them all:

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter or margarine + 2 tbsp separated
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2   8 oz. packages of cream cheese
• 1 cup icing sugar + 2 tbsp separated
• 3 cups whipping cream separated 
• 2 packages lemon pie filling
• 4 eggs
• 2 lemons
• 2 tbsp vanilla
• Sliced almonds to garnish

And now the break down! But first, might as well preheat your oven to 350!

First Layer

• Mix 1 cup butter, 2 cups flour, and 1 cup chopped pecans well with electric mixer 
• Pat into greased 9x13 pan
• Bake at 350 for 15 minutes

Second Layer

• Beat both the cream cheeses and 1 cup of icing sugar together
• Whip 1 cup of whipping cream
• Mix whipping cream into cream cheese/sugar mixture (reeeeeeeally mix it up good!)
• Spread over crust (easier if crust is cooled, even slightly)

Third Layer

• Make the 2 lemon pie fillings according to package directions, but use whole eggs
• Add zest and juice of 2 lemons
• Cook and pour on top of cream cheese layer

Fourth Layer 

• Combine remaining 2 cups whipping cream, 2 tbsp icing sugar, & 1 tbsp vanilla
• Whip it, whip it good
• Cover lemon layer
• Garnish with sliced almonds!

Then you refrigerate it and EAT IT! It is divine I tells ya!

And for your ease of following the directions saving you scrolling up and down:

 First Layer

• Mix 1 cup butter, 2 cups flour, and 1 cup chopped pecans well with electric mixer 
• Pat into greased 9x13 pan
• Bake at 350 for 15 minutes 

 Second Layer

• Beat both the cream cheeses and 1 cup of icing sugar together
• Whip 1 cup of whipping cream
• Mix whipping cream into cream cheese/sugar mixture (reeeeeeeally mix it up good!)
• Spread over crust (easier if crust is cooled, even slightly)

 Third Layer

• Make the 2 lemon pie fillings according to package directions, but use whole eggs
• Add zest and juice of 2 lemons
• Cook and pour on top of cream cheese layer

Fourth Layer 

• Combine remaining 2 cups whipping cream, 2 tbsp icing sugar, & 1 tbsp vanilla
• Whip it, whip it good
• Cover lemon layer
• Garnish with sliced almonds!

 Thanks for stopping by, please let me know if you make it and what you think!
 

Free Font Finds!

[ Passion ] [ dhe child font ] [ Things We Said ] [ Senandung Malum ] [ Indy Pimp ] [ The Idiot ] [ SF Distant Galaxy ] [ Drift Type ] [ Star Wonder ] [ English Essay ] [ Pulse Sans Virgin ] [ MTF Toast ] [ Simon Script ] [ Skinny ] [ Ashley ] [ Impact Label] [ Toy Train ]

One of my favorite things to find on Pinterest are free fonts! So I thought I would pay it forward and share some of the neat ones I've come across lately! Since the closure of a certain photo editing site...I have happily been forced to get more acquainted with PhotoShop Elements (PSE). I've actually taken a bigger liking to it because I don't have the same fonts as everyone else out there that uses the free apps. So, if you want to add to your font collection, I hope you like some of these ones! Slowly I am becoming a font junkie! Just take a look at this one I randomly came across on my search!

It chopped it off a bit...but it's called "Bipolar Braden" and it's made by Sarah Braden. Kinda freaky...and no, I didn't humor myself and download it!

The Best Summer {Strawberry} Spinach Salad

My mother-in-law introduced us to this salad last year from a community church cook book...and it is ah-may-zing! Since summer is seemingly upon us I decided to share it with you, it is simply delicious!

Ingredients

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp raspberry vinegar (may use white to substitute)
• 1/2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 tsp poppy seeds
• 1 green onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp paprika

Mix well!

The rest:

• 1/2 cup slivered almonds or pecans
• 1 tbsp white sugar
• 2 tbsp water
• 2 cups sliced strawberries
• 1 bag of baby spinach

Directions

You need to candy the nuts. How? Cook sugar and water together in frying pan over medium heat until sugar melts stirring often with wooden spoon. When sugar melts to golden brown, add nuts stirring constantly until coated, about 6-8 minutes. Immediately turn onto tin foil to cool.

Finally, add all your ingredients together in a salad-like fashion, toss with dressing before you're ready to serve. Enjoy!

A Light Bulb Moment on Being Super Mom

My SIL Laura posted a link to this awesome blog post on Facebook. THIS is why I missed being on Facebook, seeing all the links and videos that my friends and family were thought worthy of sharing. Let me tell you, I had a major "ah-ha" or "light bulb" moment along my journey towards motherhood from reading that article. You should go read that post now...and come back, I'll wait for you!

Essentially, I would like to thank the writer of this post, April, for reaffirming to me that Braden and Jay love me just the way I am. They don't care if I do crafts every day, they don't care about the decor in our home, they don't care if I make sandwiches that look like Mater. Okay, Braden probably would LOVE that, but as Laura said on Facebook...if I make it once he'll never eat a non-Mater sandwich again!

Source: funkylunchbunch.com via Sarah on Pinterest

A lot of the article did focus on Pinterest, if you didn't read it. I do love me some Pinning...but if you recall, it stressed the HECK out of me at Christmas. I was trying to be Martha Stewart or something. I had all these craft projects I wanted to do, among countless other holiday activites...and who am I kidding? I am NOT that person. That wife. That mother. I do like crafts, but only when it's on MY time and I can have the time to enjoy it. I enjoy cooking and baking items off Pinterest the most. So if I don't get time in my life to learn how to make a felt flower, I'm not going to feel like a bad person for it!

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I feel this immense pressure that I put on myself to be crafty, thrifty, adventurous in the kitchen, and to always try new things. I follow a lot of blogs who have tutorials and crafts every week, or more than once per week. Good for you all, but I'm human and sometimes I succumb to peer pressure and just feel like I'm not "good enough". Why didn't I think of that? How come I'm not so crafty? Should I be doing more tutorials on my blog? The answer is no. Don't get me wrong, if you're a blogger who's crafty and reading this - I admire you! It's just so not me and I often wonder how you have the time to do it all! But as of right now, I am a mom who works as a nurse up to 40 hours a week, plus a mom who has standards to keep a very clean house and keep up with my laundry and other errands at home. April reminded me that I don't have to be a "Perfect Pinterest Mom". The only thing that matters in my life is what Jay and Braden think of me as a wife and mother....and of course what I think of myself. I'm going to be a better wife and mom if I'm not stressed out because I can't get all my Christmas crafts done on time! Who cares if my house isn't decorated for each and every holiday? Maybe it will come over the years as my kids get older, but for now...I JUST DON'T CARE. Phew, that felt good to say!

I certainly do love Pinterest and it has made me a more crafty person and I've found a lot of new recipes to put in my rotation...but at the end of the day, I just have to think: don't do it if it's going to cause more stress than fun. A stressed wife and mommy ain't a good wife and mommy!

I may not be Super-Crafty-Pinterest-Mom...but I think I'm a pretty super mom in my own rights!

"Make Me Another Margarita" Lime Pie

Pin It

This seems like and odd time of year to post a recipe like this, but we've had such beautiful weather this year, I indulged in one of my favorite, most easy desserts to make early this year!

14 oz of condensed milk goes into the blender...

 

Next break off pieces of cream cheese, gradually add to blender and blend...

 

Add egg yolks and blend (so disappointed that 1 yolk broke!)

The best part - add the lime juice! I always opt for the higher volume of 5 oz vs the 4...

Blend until smooth!

What to do with the egg whites? I am not an egg-white omelet kind of girl, so I use a bit of the egg white, brush it on the prepared graham pie crust and bake for 5 minutes at 375 F.

Then pour mixture into the pie crust...

And bake for 10 minutes at 350 F. It might not look pretty, but it tastes DELICIOUS!

Enjoy!

Y3W: Lemon Crinkle Cookies

I cannot take credit for this recipe. It's not an old family recipe, but I found it off Pinterest and couldn't resist sharing! It won the LDS Living cookie contest and is worth making, trust me!

Ingredients:

• ½ cups butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 whole egg
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoons salt
• ¼ teaspoons baking powder
• ⅛ teaspoons baking soda
• 1-½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cups powdered sugar

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
• Grease light colored baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. 
• Whip in vanilla, egg, lemon zest, and juice. Scrape sides and mix again. 
• Stir in all dry ingredients slowly until just combined, excluding the powdered sugar. Scrape sides of bowl and mix again briefly. 
• Pour powdered sugar onto a large plate. 
• Roll a heaping teaspoon of dough into a ball and roll in powdered sugar. Place on baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake for 9-11 minutes or until bottoms begin to barely brown and cookies look matte {not melty or shiny}. 
• Remove from oven and cool cookies about 3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

*If using a non-stick darker baking tray, reduce baking time by about 2 minutes. 

I doubled the recipe and still got about 3 dozen or so cookies. If you do double the recipe it works out to use the zest and juice of 1 medium lemon so it worked out perfectly! 

I hope you enjoy, everyone in my family who tried them loved them! 

Pinning!

I've been doing lots of Pinteresting things lately! I posted pictures on Instagram last week of this recipe (which I can't find now!!) and got lots of wonderful compliments and even a request to put this recipe on the blog!

Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken

Source: foodgawker.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I had you at cream cheese didn't I? This recipe is so easy and doesn't take a lot of time - I promise you can do it! It tastes and looks so professional too! The blog that this is from calls it "Kaytucky Chicken"

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 4 frozen puff pastry sheets
• 4 oz cream cheese (the firm kind)
• 2 strips of cooked bacon
• flat-leaf parsley
• 1 green onion
• 1 large egg
• pepper
• salt

Directions:

• chop up bacon, parsley, and green onion
• smush (cooking term) into cream cheese
• make fairly deep cut into centre of chicken breasts
• spread cream cheese mixture equally into each breast
• make sure puff pastry is thawed at room temperature
• roll out into 4 equal pieces
• place chicken on top of puff patsry, cream cheese side down
• season chicken with generous amounts of salt & pepper (I needed more)
• beat a large egg, brush a little on the edges of the pastry
• fold pastry over chicken, like a little package!
• lightly brush top of puff pastry with egg to
• cook them at 400F for about 30-35 minutes until lightly golden brown

[Please click here to see this recipe with AMAZING pictures at Kayotic Kitchen!]

Then I did this Christmas craft with Braden the other day!

Source: asortafairytaleblog.com via Sarah on Pinterest

And here is my version:

I couldn't take pictures of the whole process for obvious reasons! :) I like how it turned out. It's not perfect, but I like it! The craft ornament cost $0.89 from Walmart, Dollarama sparkles...can't get much cheaper than that!

And for the future...I've already done my twist on this, which I hope to have crafted next week!

Source: etsy.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I might do my own twist on this to hang the Christmas cards we receive this year:

Source: twochics.wordpress.com via Sarah on Pinterest

And I keep meaning to do this, in Christmas papers, and give as stocking stuffers!

Source: lightrefreshmentsserved.com via Sarah on Pinterest