Hey all,
Just a quick update. Hunter is making a concerted effort to crawl these days. He can push himself up on his arms, but when he goes to drive him self forward, he pushes too hard with his arms and scoots back. Looks pretty annoying to him. Sometimes you gotta back up to get where you need to go. If he crawls or I get video of him scooting back, I'll let you all know.
Jon.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Spring and St. Patrick's Day
Hey All,
Not a lot of changes around here. Hunter is still growing well. No major changes. He has learned how to clap and will clap several times in a row, and is pretty excited about it. Spring is beginning to show it's self around here, take a look:
A few of the flowers and such poking out around the yard. Hunter and I were able to get out a bit and hang out in the back yard.
Hunter loves to be outside pretty much anytime he can. Jon likes to get out of the house as well. Got some pictures taken and some yard work done while Hunter played on the blanket.
Hunter got some cute stuff to wear for St. Patrick's Day. Took some work and timing to get a few good pics but here they are.
Gotta keep breakfast off those jammies!
Even though it's warming up, still gotta keep those tootsies warm!
He was pretty excited to wear those socks!
Hunter says BYE!
Not a lot of changes around here. Hunter is still growing well. No major changes. He has learned how to clap and will clap several times in a row, and is pretty excited about it. Spring is beginning to show it's self around here, take a look:
A few of the flowers and such poking out around the yard. Hunter and I were able to get out a bit and hang out in the back yard.
Hunter loves to be outside pretty much anytime he can. Jon likes to get out of the house as well. Got some pictures taken and some yard work done while Hunter played on the blanket.
Hunter got some cute stuff to wear for St. Patrick's Day. Took some work and timing to get a few good pics but here they are.
Gotta keep breakfast off those jammies!
Even though it's warming up, still gotta keep those tootsies warm!
He was pretty excited to wear those socks!
Hunter says BYE!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Cloth Diappers
Hey All,
Call us hippies or long hairs or even Boulderites. But we use cloth diapers. Works for us. We have one big advantage that I stay home with the kiddo so doing laundry and things like that aren't all having to be done between 5-10pm or taking up our weekends. It also reduces the number, 2 a week, of days that Hunter is in Day Care. Lots of Day Cares don't take cloth diapers. We use disposable diapers for him those two days. I don't know what the numbers are on the "green" side of using cloth diapers over disposables. Based on the volume of trash we throw out and the number of diapers we change, I'm pretty sure we're in the black on that one. If some one knows those numbers I'd love to see them! We could be totally wrong, numbers and feelings don't always agree. But, I do have some numbers. The good ones, the ones that start with these $.
We've just made our last round of cloth diaper purchases, big ones at least. These diapers should be the last ones we have to buy. There will be some additional purchases, like more larger covers and snappies and maybe another tube of butt cream and wipes. But overall our diaper spending is mostly done. So lets look at some numbers, these are the total value new, some of these were gifts:
Cloth Diapers: $300 or so including 2 sizes of prefolds and covers and other types of diapers.
Disposables: $60 or so. We bought some little guy diapers in the first month or so and we have some for Day Care.
Sundries: $50 or so in diaper cream and wipes.
Tools: $20, I built a rig to wash poop out of diapers into the toilet.
Upcoming: $50, guessing on more wipes and such.
I think that's it. So looking at $480 total investment to get the kid in and out of diapers. Which is about 2 years or so (I hope). Looking at $20 a month. Not terrible. You can compare that to what it would be to do the disposable diaper route.
Granted there is additional water and electric used as well as wear and tear on our machines. But I think it's minimal in comparison to having to run the heat between 68 and 70 to keep the kid warm over the 66 we used to set the thermostat.
I've just been thinking about it and if you are looking at changing your income, because of an up coming kid. This might be a money saver. Not sure as I don't really buy diapers so I could be way off base and they could be really cheap. Also as a side note, he doesn't need very much diaper cream because the cloth is softer on him. He does need cream after a day in disposables at daycare. Since we are moving up to bigger stuff for him all the old smaller stuff is unneeded. We can send those back for credit, they go to needy familes, which is good for the $'s and for my heart (Le Sigh). But, if someone wanted to try them out on their babies ass, just let us know. Lastly, I'm a lazy SOB, and I can pull this off, so it can't be that hard.
Questions: There are a few questions we always get. Here they are with our answers.
Q. Isn't it gross that you wash your clothes in the same washing machine as his poopy diapers?
A. 3 things on that. One, We wash and rinse the diapers each time we wash them to make sure it all comes out of the diaper, and the machine. Two, as I mentioned above We thoroughly rinse the solid material out of the diaper before washing. Lastly, kids shit their pants, that is a reality. You don't just throw those pants/onsies/bed sheets away. They get washed as well, we just tack those in with the diapers, not his other clothes.
Q. Don't you spend more on water washing all those diapers?
A. Nope. We spend the minimum that Louisville is willing to charge us on water. There hasn't been a noticeable increase in electric or water bills since moving in. We do two loads a week of diapers only, and one extra a week for baby clothes.
Q. How can you afford to buy all the stuff?
A. Looking at the numbers how can you not afford it? Also, the upfront cost is intimidating and it was a big step for us. The gifts helped a lot (Baby Shower) and I JUST told you we would let you use our old stuff. Now that's cheap!
Call us hippies or long hairs or even Boulderites. But we use cloth diapers. Works for us. We have one big advantage that I stay home with the kiddo so doing laundry and things like that aren't all having to be done between 5-10pm or taking up our weekends. It also reduces the number, 2 a week, of days that Hunter is in Day Care. Lots of Day Cares don't take cloth diapers. We use disposable diapers for him those two days. I don't know what the numbers are on the "green" side of using cloth diapers over disposables. Based on the volume of trash we throw out and the number of diapers we change, I'm pretty sure we're in the black on that one. If some one knows those numbers I'd love to see them! We could be totally wrong, numbers and feelings don't always agree. But, I do have some numbers. The good ones, the ones that start with these $.
We've just made our last round of cloth diaper purchases, big ones at least. These diapers should be the last ones we have to buy. There will be some additional purchases, like more larger covers and snappies and maybe another tube of butt cream and wipes. But overall our diaper spending is mostly done. So lets look at some numbers, these are the total value new, some of these were gifts:
Cloth Diapers: $300 or so including 2 sizes of prefolds and covers and other types of diapers.
Disposables: $60 or so. We bought some little guy diapers in the first month or so and we have some for Day Care.
Sundries: $50 or so in diaper cream and wipes.
Tools: $20, I built a rig to wash poop out of diapers into the toilet.
Upcoming: $50, guessing on more wipes and such.
I think that's it. So looking at $480 total investment to get the kid in and out of diapers. Which is about 2 years or so (I hope). Looking at $20 a month. Not terrible. You can compare that to what it would be to do the disposable diaper route.
Granted there is additional water and electric used as well as wear and tear on our machines. But I think it's minimal in comparison to having to run the heat between 68 and 70 to keep the kid warm over the 66 we used to set the thermostat.
I've just been thinking about it and if you are looking at changing your income, because of an up coming kid. This might be a money saver. Not sure as I don't really buy diapers so I could be way off base and they could be really cheap. Also as a side note, he doesn't need very much diaper cream because the cloth is softer on him. He does need cream after a day in disposables at daycare. Since we are moving up to bigger stuff for him all the old smaller stuff is unneeded. We can send those back for credit, they go to needy familes, which is good for the $'s and for my heart (Le Sigh). But, if someone wanted to try them out on their babies ass, just let us know. Lastly, I'm a lazy SOB, and I can pull this off, so it can't be that hard.
Questions: There are a few questions we always get. Here they are with our answers.
Q. Isn't it gross that you wash your clothes in the same washing machine as his poopy diapers?
A. 3 things on that. One, We wash and rinse the diapers each time we wash them to make sure it all comes out of the diaper, and the machine. Two, as I mentioned above We thoroughly rinse the solid material out of the diaper before washing. Lastly, kids shit their pants, that is a reality. You don't just throw those pants/onsies/bed sheets away. They get washed as well, we just tack those in with the diapers, not his other clothes.
Q. Don't you spend more on water washing all those diapers?
A. Nope. We spend the minimum that Louisville is willing to charge us on water. There hasn't been a noticeable increase in electric or water bills since moving in. We do two loads a week of diapers only, and one extra a week for baby clothes.
Q. How can you afford to buy all the stuff?
A. Looking at the numbers how can you not afford it? Also, the upfront cost is intimidating and it was a big step for us. The gifts helped a lot (Baby Shower) and I JUST told you we would let you use our old stuff. Now that's cheap!
Monday, February 7, 2011
The Haps!
Alrighty folks. In an effort to continue to be the most excellent wifey that I am.... Emily is blogging. (Someone might have dropped a hint!)
Hunter is 9 months! HOLY COW! Where has the time gone?! He's really growing up now and showing his personality (demanding) and learning so fast! Pooh Bear now just gets in the way, move Pooh, I'm trying to play!
First, the stats:
Head 17 and 3/4 inches... blargh, I know Jon just wants him to get to the magical 18" so hopefully his little helmet will fit! So close! (40%)
Height 27 and 3/4 inches. Sorry short stuff, neither of us are that tall, though you have some history of height around, not sure it's gonna happen for ya! (35%)
Weight- 17 lbs 13 oz! Mom would have guessed 18 lbs (pretty darn close if you ask me)but... this only puts you in the 10%.... shocking considering the size of your chipmunk cheeks!
Dr. thinks you are growing great and doing well!
And some fun stuff, someone is figuring something new out everyday. His current favorites are turning pages in books (and has a particular dinosaur in one that he prefers)
learned where to put the ball in one of his toys, (looks like he can't find it this time!)
and loves to put objects in the bowl shaped part of his shape sorter and shake them around!
Sometimes not everything fits in the bowl like he wants it to!
And maybe, just maybe someone is getting down an army crawl. Jon and I don't think he realizes that he is moving himself forward... but he is!
And one of mom's favorites, getting some snuggles! I had some videos... but the battery died on the camera... maybe later!
Hunter is 9 months! HOLY COW! Where has the time gone?! He's really growing up now and showing his personality (demanding) and learning so fast! Pooh Bear now just gets in the way, move Pooh, I'm trying to play!
First, the stats:
Head 17 and 3/4 inches... blargh, I know Jon just wants him to get to the magical 18" so hopefully his little helmet will fit! So close! (40%)
Height 27 and 3/4 inches. Sorry short stuff, neither of us are that tall, though you have some history of height around, not sure it's gonna happen for ya! (35%)
Weight- 17 lbs 13 oz! Mom would have guessed 18 lbs (pretty darn close if you ask me)but... this only puts you in the 10%.... shocking considering the size of your chipmunk cheeks!
Dr. thinks you are growing great and doing well!
And some fun stuff, someone is figuring something new out everyday. His current favorites are turning pages in books (and has a particular dinosaur in one that he prefers)
learned where to put the ball in one of his toys, (looks like he can't find it this time!)
and loves to put objects in the bowl shaped part of his shape sorter and shake them around!
Sometimes not everything fits in the bowl like he wants it to!
And maybe, just maybe someone is getting down an army crawl. Jon and I don't think he realizes that he is moving himself forward... but he is!
And one of mom's favorites, getting some snuggles! I had some videos... but the battery died on the camera... maybe later!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Your Contributions
Hey All,
Dad is getting a lot of good work, hopefully by the end of Q2 I'll be able to point you to a stores website to see my products. We'll see. But for now I have more work than I can get done in just one day. Starting in February Hunter will be doing two days of daycare a week. Also sounds like swim lessons are coming up in Feb or March. Fun stuff. Hoping to get out on the bikes soon to, especially if we keep having these 60+ degree days.
Got a few cute pics of Hunter utilizing gifts from you all out there. The first ones are of Hunter playing with a mosaic that his Great Aunt Barb made for him. The Monkey usually hangs out, get it, by Hunter's changing pad. He doesn't really like to get dressed for bedtime so the Monkey and it's googley eyes usually keep him happy. It has made a big difference for us in keeping bed time from being a scream fest.
This Second Group of pics is Hunter in his "Toothless but Ruthless" bib. This was a gift from Emily's Cousin Amy. She's into the Harley's(side note: somebody send her a link to this!). Hunter has become quite an eater these days. In the pics he is chowing down on some sweet potatoes, yum! Figured we better get him into this bib pretty quick as he has two little white bumps in front on his lower gum that look like they could turn into teeth pretty quickly. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy the pics and the updates.
Dad is getting a lot of good work, hopefully by the end of Q2 I'll be able to point you to a stores website to see my products. We'll see. But for now I have more work than I can get done in just one day. Starting in February Hunter will be doing two days of daycare a week. Also sounds like swim lessons are coming up in Feb or March. Fun stuff. Hoping to get out on the bikes soon to, especially if we keep having these 60+ degree days.
Got a few cute pics of Hunter utilizing gifts from you all out there. The first ones are of Hunter playing with a mosaic that his Great Aunt Barb made for him. The Monkey usually hangs out, get it, by Hunter's changing pad. He doesn't really like to get dressed for bedtime so the Monkey and it's googley eyes usually keep him happy. It has made a big difference for us in keeping bed time from being a scream fest.
This Second Group of pics is Hunter in his "Toothless but Ruthless" bib. This was a gift from Emily's Cousin Amy. She's into the Harley's(side note: somebody send her a link to this!). Hunter has become quite an eater these days. In the pics he is chowing down on some sweet potatoes, yum! Figured we better get him into this bib pretty quick as he has two little white bumps in front on his lower gum that look like they could turn into teeth pretty quickly. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy the pics and the updates.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The Haps
Hey All,
Not a whole lot going on around here. Just day to day stuff. No major milestones or doctors appointments lately. Deb was in town for Hillary and James' Baby shower. Thanks again to her for watching Hunter so I could go for a bike ride. Thanks also to James and Hillary for staying the night and watching Hunter so Emily and I could go to the FF banquet. Continual thanks to the Vollmers for watching Hunter so Emily and I could go to the Ave's game. Now, enjoy some pictures.
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