As I have just narrowly avoided being branded a reproductive heretic by most of our family by sharing our decision to homebirth, I have not even mentioned the fact that I want to use cloth diapers for this baby. I fear it might cause fits of apoplexy, so out of love for my neighbor I'm keeping my plans on the QT.
Here are the reasons I want to make it work, in order of importance:
1) CDing is healthier for baby. Most disposable diapers stake their claim to fame on absorbency. The reason they are so absorbent is due to sodium polyacrylate gel embedded in the paper fibers of the diaper. From what I understand, the gel sticks to baby's bottom and can be seen when doing a diaper change. For those who may not know, sodium polyacrylate is the gel that was banned from tampons back in the 80's/90's as it caused toxic shock syndrome. Albeit that the gel is not applied internally to baby, I really do not want that substance in contact 24/7 with baby's most sensitive areas.
Most disposables also contain dioxin, a known carcinogen, which is a by-product of the chlorine bleaching of paper fibers. The exceptions to this rule are diapers made by Seventh Generation.
Another health benefit of cloth is less diaper rash. Because the cloth diapers must be changed more frequently, the yeast and bacteria that can cause diaper rash do not have as much opportunity to establish themselves and cause discomfort. CD's and their covers are generally more breathable as well, also contributing to less bouts with diaper rash.
2) Budget. You can save buku bucks by cloth diapering. That being said, you can also spend a small fortune buying "boutique" products to cover baby's tush. (Sorry kiddo, you don't need a Cadillac on your bum when a Ford Escort will do you just fine.) The Real Diaper Association has a good summary of the potential savings, and they touch on the health benefits too. The cost effectiveness of CD's really comes into play when there will be multiple children in diapers.
3) Environment. Again, I defer to the Real Diaper Association. Poo getting into the water table via the landfill is just icky.
4) They're really cute!
5) Babies who are cloth diapered tend to potty train earlier since they are able to better discern when they are wet.
Part II will include an overview of the various types of cloth diapers. Stay tuned!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Moving...
...is like tearing off your own skin. And I'm only moving next door. I don't deal with this kind of monumental change very well to begin with, and the pregnancy hormones aren't making it any easier. My hat is way off to those folks who are forced to do this on a fairly regular basis because of job transfers and such. I hope Manny is willing to just tack another couple of bedrooms on the back of this place should more space become necessary. Because I really don't ever want to have to do this again!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Feast of St. Patrick
Yes, today is our family's annual St. Patrick's day feast. My dad's cousin makes the corned beef and cabbage the same way my paternal grandfather used to, or so I'm told. He passed from this life before I was born, so I never got to meet him. However, he was a fireman for the Biggest Metropolis Closest to Here, and was a good cook because of it.
To combat the silly commemorations of a very religious day (like dyeing beers, rivers, hair and whatever else you can think of green), I'll leave you with some videos from a few of my very favorite traditional Irish bands. This is no Tommy Makem folks!
Up first is Dervish. We went to see them last year when they came through a great little folk music venue in the Metropolis. The lead singer, Cathy Jordan, is just a hoot. She is singing in the Irish here, but she's a pure joy to listen to and watch even if you can't understand the lyrics. (Lyrics with translations are in the comments on the actual YouTube post.)
Next is Altan. If they ever come through town, I will definitely be there with bells on. They always seem to tour in places just out of my comfortable driving distance. Wonderful fiddlers in this group, and Mairead, the lead fiddler and vocalist is incredibly talented. Here they are doing a set of reels. As this is a set of tunes, she doesn't sing here, but what a great folksy voice she has. I highly recommend any of their albums.
Last but not least, we have the Chieftains. They have been together over 46 years, have won 6 Grammy awards and even at their advanced ages put on a wonderful show. They have been coming through the Metropolis once a year, and we've been able to see them three times. This recording is from some years ago and features member Matt Molloy, one of the top, if not THE top flautist in the world. He has his own pub somewhere in Galway I believe, if you ever happen to be in that part of the world and are looking for a good place to have a pint.
Hope you enjoyed it!
To combat the silly commemorations of a very religious day (like dyeing beers, rivers, hair and whatever else you can think of green), I'll leave you with some videos from a few of my very favorite traditional Irish bands. This is no Tommy Makem folks!
Up first is Dervish. We went to see them last year when they came through a great little folk music venue in the Metropolis. The lead singer, Cathy Jordan, is just a hoot. She is singing in the Irish here, but she's a pure joy to listen to and watch even if you can't understand the lyrics. (Lyrics with translations are in the comments on the actual YouTube post.)
Next is Altan. If they ever come through town, I will definitely be there with bells on. They always seem to tour in places just out of my comfortable driving distance. Wonderful fiddlers in this group, and Mairead, the lead fiddler and vocalist is incredibly talented. Here they are doing a set of reels. As this is a set of tunes, she doesn't sing here, but what a great folksy voice she has. I highly recommend any of their albums.
Last but not least, we have the Chieftains. They have been together over 46 years, have won 6 Grammy awards and even at their advanced ages put on a wonderful show. They have been coming through the Metropolis once a year, and we've been able to see them three times. This recording is from some years ago and features member Matt Molloy, one of the top, if not THE top flautist in the world. He has his own pub somewhere in Galway I believe, if you ever happen to be in that part of the world and are looking for a good place to have a pint.
Hope you enjoyed it!
Flutters
After a few days of wondering whether the rumblings I'd felt were digestive in nature or not, I can now positively say that I am feeling baby move. Apparently he already knows when mealtimes are and has no qualms about giving me a poke to remind me to get us to the kitchen in short order. After eating he seems to do a celebratory little dance before going back to sleep. I usually don't feel anything more until bedtime, when I get a few good-night flicks for good measure. It is starting to hit home that there is actually someone in there. : )
At this point, I'm getting a definite boy vibe, though I'd be equally as delighted if baby is a girl. I just pray that he or she is healthy, and that we all (Manny included) make it through this process with lives, sanity, and bodies unharmed. Manny and I don't plan to find out baby's sex before the birth, a decision which has been met with some very vocal displeasure from Manny's side of the family. As of right now, I most likely will not have an ultrasound unless the doctor deems it necessary. I get the big hairy eyebrow when people find that out, and if you think that's bad, you should see the reaction when I tell them we're planning a homebirth. Honestly, you'd think I had just told them that I belong to a cult that sacrifices small animals.
The birth will be attended by a physician. I am fortunate to be near one of the few physician-attended homebirth practices in the nation. If it were not for stumbling upon this practice two years ago, I would have been content to remain Sulvan forever. People would always try to convince me of how natural pregnancy and childbirth are, all the while sharing war stories about being strapped to a hospital bed with a ginormous needle stuck in their back, (I am a HUGE needlephobe) and various and sundry other tubes and devices where they do not naturally belong. And, if this process is such natural one, why on earth must I go to a place where the order of the day is sickness and death? No thanks, I'll pass on that one.
Then I found this practice on the internet and saw that their philosophy completely meshed with mine. I am confident that there will be no interventions pushed on me, and that they will not even be suggested unless they are absolutely medically necessary. Should there be complications and I need to be transferred to the hospital, I know that it will be in the best interests of both baby and me. It is a relief not to have to worry about being gutted like a fish simply because someone has to hurry up and make their tee-time. (Not to say all doctors would, but there are plenty that do.)
Crunch. Now where'd I put those Birkenstocks? :P
At this point, I'm getting a definite boy vibe, though I'd be equally as delighted if baby is a girl. I just pray that he or she is healthy, and that we all (Manny included) make it through this process with lives, sanity, and bodies unharmed. Manny and I don't plan to find out baby's sex before the birth, a decision which has been met with some very vocal displeasure from Manny's side of the family. As of right now, I most likely will not have an ultrasound unless the doctor deems it necessary. I get the big hairy eyebrow when people find that out, and if you think that's bad, you should see the reaction when I tell them we're planning a homebirth. Honestly, you'd think I had just told them that I belong to a cult that sacrifices small animals.
The birth will be attended by a physician. I am fortunate to be near one of the few physician-attended homebirth practices in the nation. If it were not for stumbling upon this practice two years ago, I would have been content to remain Sulvan forever. People would always try to convince me of how natural pregnancy and childbirth are, all the while sharing war stories about being strapped to a hospital bed with a ginormous needle stuck in their back, (I am a HUGE needlephobe) and various and sundry other tubes and devices where they do not naturally belong. And, if this process is such natural one, why on earth must I go to a place where the order of the day is sickness and death? No thanks, I'll pass on that one.
Then I found this practice on the internet and saw that their philosophy completely meshed with mine. I am confident that there will be no interventions pushed on me, and that they will not even be suggested unless they are absolutely medically necessary. Should there be complications and I need to be transferred to the hospital, I know that it will be in the best interests of both baby and me. It is a relief not to have to worry about being gutted like a fish simply because someone has to hurry up and make their tee-time. (Not to say all doctors would, but there are plenty that do.)
Crunch. Now where'd I put those Birkenstocks? :P
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Socialist Pope?
After reading about the brand spankin' new deadly sins, what I want to know is when the armed revolutionaries are going to be allowed to storm the Vatican. According to the report, "being obscenely rich" is now a harbinger of eternal damnation. Well, unless you buy enough plenary indulgences or some such to get you out of dutch. And if one were obscenely rich that would ostensibly not be a problem.
So what qualifies as "obscenely rich"? If you roll around in a bulletproof Mercedes (or Rolls, or Bentley or whatever the Popemobile happens to be these days), doesn't that kind of put you in the position of being materially better off than most of the rest of the world? I doubt that the Vatican is lacking in priceless assets. Seems a little odd to be throwing stones when you live in a very lovely glass house. Not to mention the juxtaposition of the condemnation of wealth with the commoditization of absolution.
To be fair, since I have not read the original edict from Rome, I would hope that the type of "obscene" wealth in question is limited to what the article mentions in passing - that which is gained nefariously and at the expense of others. That is a grave sin indeed. But simply condemning wealth for wealth's sake is not a prudent thing to do. There are plenty of rich people who have come by their fortunes legitimately - either through inheritance or good old fashioned hard work. The issue that those fortunate individuals must wrestle with is not letting God's material blessings become their god. You can't serve two masters after all.
Most likely, I will never be obscenely rich. I doubt I will ever even qualify for mildly profane. And that's okay, because the Lord has always provided above and beyond my needs and has promised that, like the birds of the air or the lilies of the field, everything needful will be given. Showing love to one's less fortunate neighbor through charity, goodwill, and defense of the defenseless should be a part of the life of the Christian, in response to the mercy that has been shown unto him. In contrast, pursuing "social justice" by blanketly disparaging all wealthy people is Robin Hoodery run amok. It's that kind of thinking that brought this world Marx, Stalin, and Castro. Social justice is a pretty phrase, but it has a way of escaping the noble intentions of its users and converting itself into an argument against the "opiate of the masses."
So what qualifies as "obscenely rich"? If you roll around in a bulletproof Mercedes (or Rolls, or Bentley or whatever the Popemobile happens to be these days), doesn't that kind of put you in the position of being materially better off than most of the rest of the world? I doubt that the Vatican is lacking in priceless assets. Seems a little odd to be throwing stones when you live in a very lovely glass house. Not to mention the juxtaposition of the condemnation of wealth with the commoditization of absolution.
To be fair, since I have not read the original edict from Rome, I would hope that the type of "obscene" wealth in question is limited to what the article mentions in passing - that which is gained nefariously and at the expense of others. That is a grave sin indeed. But simply condemning wealth for wealth's sake is not a prudent thing to do. There are plenty of rich people who have come by their fortunes legitimately - either through inheritance or good old fashioned hard work. The issue that those fortunate individuals must wrestle with is not letting God's material blessings become their god. You can't serve two masters after all.
Most likely, I will never be obscenely rich. I doubt I will ever even qualify for mildly profane. And that's okay, because the Lord has always provided above and beyond my needs and has promised that, like the birds of the air or the lilies of the field, everything needful will be given. Showing love to one's less fortunate neighbor through charity, goodwill, and defense of the defenseless should be a part of the life of the Christian, in response to the mercy that has been shown unto him. In contrast, pursuing "social justice" by blanketly disparaging all wealthy people is Robin Hoodery run amok. It's that kind of thinking that brought this world Marx, Stalin, and Castro. Social justice is a pretty phrase, but it has a way of escaping the noble intentions of its users and converting itself into an argument against the "opiate of the masses."
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Still Here
Things have been extremely busy lately at the two casas. Manny has been working strange and awful hours – 12 to 30 hour straight shifts, with almost no down time. My mom and I have been making final preparations to start to move into casa #2. The central air is being installed this week. How ironic that in the middle of the coldest winter in 10 years, we’ve got a/c going in. However, this is one luxury that I refuse to do without – especially considering that during the doggiest of the dog days of summer I will be approximately the size of a bus. For a while, it felt like we would not be anywhere near move in ready until bebé #1 entered university. Now I will need to Craigslist some furniture that will not be making the move with us, as well as try to find some reputable renters for casa #1.
Baby seems to be doing well. Manny was finally able to hear the heartbeat at my last appointment, and we know that this is going to be one active kiddo. The doctor had trouble finding the heartbeat at first due to all of the pops and scratches on the Doppler which apparently are indicative of movement. In related news, most of my regular clothes are getting too close for comfort. Fortunately, this is the clearance season, and I was able to clean up pretty well at Sears and Penny’s this weekend. Who doesn’t love getting shirts for a $1.97 each? The oddest part about shopping for maternity wear is that, when you walk into a misses or juniors department nowadays, you honestly could mistake it for the maternity section. And strangely enough, so many of the styles they are showing for pregnant women are tight around the middle and meant to show off the belly. Note to clothing designers – if I wanted to make a spectacle of my rapidly expanding waistline, I wouldn’t be buying anything new! In any case, it is a wonderful thing not to feel like an overstuffed sausage any longer, even if it does seem like Omar the Tent Maker breezed through town and left me his castoffs.
I was also glad to hear the announcement that the Pastor to whom the church we attend had extended a call has accepted it. I don't know much about him, but the head elder says that he is a good choice, and I am inclined to believe him. Hopefully all will be well and we will finally be able to have our papers transferred. It kind of makes my mind reel when I think that this will be the person who will in all likelihood baptize this baby!
Baby seems to be doing well. Manny was finally able to hear the heartbeat at my last appointment, and we know that this is going to be one active kiddo. The doctor had trouble finding the heartbeat at first due to all of the pops and scratches on the Doppler which apparently are indicative of movement. In related news, most of my regular clothes are getting too close for comfort. Fortunately, this is the clearance season, and I was able to clean up pretty well at Sears and Penny’s this weekend. Who doesn’t love getting shirts for a $1.97 each? The oddest part about shopping for maternity wear is that, when you walk into a misses or juniors department nowadays, you honestly could mistake it for the maternity section. And strangely enough, so many of the styles they are showing for pregnant women are tight around the middle and meant to show off the belly. Note to clothing designers – if I wanted to make a spectacle of my rapidly expanding waistline, I wouldn’t be buying anything new! In any case, it is a wonderful thing not to feel like an overstuffed sausage any longer, even if it does seem like Omar the Tent Maker breezed through town and left me his castoffs.
I was also glad to hear the announcement that the Pastor to whom the church we attend had extended a call has accepted it. I don't know much about him, but the head elder says that he is a good choice, and I am inclined to believe him. Hopefully all will be well and we will finally be able to have our papers transferred. It kind of makes my mind reel when I think that this will be the person who will in all likelihood baptize this baby!
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