Day 147

NO... we have not abandoned EC!!! Quite the contrary, we have actually been so busy practicing EC that I have not had a chance to blog in a few weeks.
I was going to play catch up and back blog... but with all the energy it takes to do that I thought I'd ask for your forgiveness and move forward!
Annie has been doing GREAT GREAT GREAT!!! I can't believe how well she continues to catch on. Each day she usually poops in her potty. I have to say usually because in the past 3 months we've had to change a few (probably about 5) poopy diapers. Annie uses her diaper only when we are gone somewhere OR when she's sleeping. She's surprisingly been better about pooping in public so that is an excellent thing! I have 6 days to order cloth diapers and I am SOOO close to making my decision! I have talked to a few people about cloth and have decided on prefolds (for now). I hear they are a little more work but you get used to them. The benefit of them, the cost is a lot less for start up purposes.
Annie has started moving... ALMOST crawling! It's crazy to me how she is no longer a tiny baby that love to snuggle... nope... she likes to go go go go. Joe and I are VERY busy baby proofing the house and chasing after her. We are getting plenty of exercise, which is a great thing. I definitely miss her 'tiny' days but LOVE how she interacts with us during play time.
Other great news... she LOVES to eat! Much like her parents except she does not care for anything sweet. I must be eating enough sweets for the both of us! Carrots, green beans, peas, squash, and rice cereal are among her favorites. I've been making all her food which also keeps us busy!
I've realized at the end of a long, fun day when Annie is asleep I don't always have the energy to blog and I won't lose sleep over it! (Sorry) But I will be blogging regularly and almost daily... life is too short to miss any of it when Annie is awake! Stay tuned... cloth diaper purchase is fast approaching!

Today I learned: Sometimes that best plan is to make a new plan!
Diapers saved today =3
Money saved today = $0.60
Money saved to date = $147.40

Day 141

Another week to try and get back on schedule.


Today I learned: Everyone has to adjust after vacation... even Annie
Diapers saved today =4
Money saved today = $0.40
Money saved to date = $146.80

Day 139

We did not give up on EC... although sometimes I wonder why in the world are we doing this?!


Over the weekend we had our first family vacation! YIPEE!!! Joe and I did not change ONE poopy diaper... I repeat we did NOT change a single poopy diaper in 4 days!!! Weekends like this I remember that EC is TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!
We had a blast on vacation!! Annie LOVED swimming and it was very relaxing to be up north with nature! Joe and I had a ton of fun watching cable and hiking with Annie. EC proved to be amazing and we were able to travel with potty and all.

Today I learned: Vacation has a WHOLE new meaning with a baby!!!
Diapers saved today =10
Money saved today = $1.00
Money saved to date = $146.40

Day 135

Today I learned: Life is too busy today to blog!!!
Diapers saved today =4
Money saved today = $0.80
Money saved to date = $145.40

Day 134

Today I learned: Life is too busy today to blog!!!
Diapers saved today =3
Money saved today = $0.60
Money saved to date = $144.60

Day 133

First time in an outward facing stroller....I was feeling brave. Not much time to blog and nothing new today....check back in a couple days!


Today I learned: Bravery is the simple things, like going out of your comfort zone.
Diapers saved today =3
Money saved today = $0.60
Money saved to date = $144.00

Day 132

Monday! YEAH! Yes, I know you working folk out there hate that I'm cheering on a Monday. With all the hustle and bustle of the weekend can you blame me? It's nice to know that there's a day that we all get back to our 'normal' routines... isn't it?
For me at least it's comforting to know that when Monday comes around again Annie will try to be back on schedule. My theory held true today. Annie was back on track with EC... we'll see what the week holds in store for us. Stay tuned...


Today I learned: Some people may hate Mondays but I LOVE them... back to a routine and a 'normal' schedule!
Diapers saved today =5
Money saved today = $1.00
Money saved to date = $143.40

Day 131

Happy Mothers' Day! Growing up I always dreamed of being a mom. I played with dolls probably until it was socially unacceptable for me to play house any longer. I loved holding babies (as I never had younger siblings). Babysitting was always on the top of my list of favorite things to do (not to mention there was usually pretty good money in it). I always loved kids, their infectious smiles and laughs brought a smile to my face time and time again. Even with all the love of children I never thought, in a million years, that I would have a little girl of my own to love and play real 'house.'
Not until I was a mother myself did I realize the immense love that comes on the day you find out a child will enter your life. Immediately you feel a connection, whether with a tiny baby growing inside of you, or with a picture you hold close to your heart of your baby in another country waiting to meet you, it's an indescribable connection.
Today I was looking at Annie and thinking about all the blessings she has provided me. Of course the obvious... I'm working my dream job and living my dream life by having a family. The little things don't seem to matter anymore. Our house is almost NEVER clean or organized. Projects will forever be on the to-do list. Laundry is always piling higher than the week before. Crazy enough, these things don't matter like they used to. Annie smiles each and every morning when I walk into her room, she has plenty of toys to play with and learn, we sing songs all day, there is food on the table each night, and my husband is by my side when I shut my eyes at the end of the day.

Today I learned: Being a MOM is the BEST job in the WHOLE WORLD!!!
Diapers saved today =3
Money saved today = $0.60
Money saved to date = $142.40

Day 130

It's the weekend yet again. Most people are elated that another week has passed, they are able to sleep in, and potentially get some much needed R & R. In my mind I'm thinking oh great, another weekend to get off schedule. The problem isn't the weekend itself, rather all the fun activities we try and cram into the weekend. Weekend means play time with Daddy, extended family, a break from the norm of day to day living. The weekend for Annie means a break from EC... not that we intend for that to happen. It just happens that way. I guess it's natures way of saying Annie needs a break and a couple of days peeing in her diaper won't do her any harm. Or maybe it's natures way of saying mommy needs a break and does not want to stress over schedules. Either way... EC tends to be placed on the back burner every single weekend. I don't know how to get out of the funk... please help!

Today I learned: Strict schedules could be a really good thing... for some people!
Diapers saved today =2
Money saved today = $0.60
Money saved to date = $141.80

Day 129

Realized today that more diaper free time is needed. Annie has become WAY too comfortable in her pampers! In about a month we will be using cloth diapers which I am convinced will help Annie in staying dry. Although I still have to order them...
I guess I'll try more diaper free time next week... or maybe a little this weekend if we are around. Part of the issue is that I have become WAY too comfortable in letting Annie use her pampers...especially when we are out. At times I don't want to explain what we are doing for her or even get the looks that I get when people say "you're what?!" Amazingly EC can make me extremely self conscious. Of course I'm doing this so in about a year I can say I tried my best and __________ was the final result. I suppose time will tell... as for the present... I need to start diaper free time! Stay tuned... this will get interesting!


Today I learned: We have taken a step backward in the world of EC... hopefully that means soon we will be taking 2 steps forward!
Diapers saved today =2
Money saved today = $0.60
Money saved to date = $141.20

Day 128

After a L O N G day away from Annie yesterday... today was time to get 'reacquainted' and enjoy time with extended family. We went to visit Great-Grandma, Great Aunties, and a Great cousin (but I think technically she's called a second cousin to Annie...). Annie followed theme and was in a GREAT mood. All day she was laughing, cooing and having a ball while being the center of attention. Great Grandma showed Annie how to play the slot machine and win big!
While we were there I was interested in hearing what types of diapers Grandma used with her children (she had 6 of 'em). Cloth diapers were the only thing available, plus the cheapest. Grandma said that she used cloth but her children were not potty trained any earlier. They were 100% potty trained usually by 2-3 years of age. Not any younger than toddlers today. This really got my brain thinking. Is EC the only way to help your child be potty trained before age of 2? I'm not even sure that this will work. Although I'm not a 'die hard' ECer either.... perhaps I should be. Very interesting thought that really, not much has changed in 60 years. It's amazing to me that even 'back then' Grandma got the same 'results' as today's parents of toddlers. I think this calls for more in-depth research... stay tuned...


Today I learned: Gaining knowledge from much more experienced mothers is so enlightening! (especially when it's from your own grandmother)
Diapers saved today =2
Money saved today = $0.60
Money saved to date = $140.60

Day 127

This morning started out with quite the challenge. First let's start with EARLY morning (around midnight) Annie started crying so logically I thought she was hungry. I guess when I'm half asleep I automatically feed her to make her sleep faster... I need to stop doing that. Anyways... fed Annie and we all slept until 7ish when I had to get ready for work.
I usually change Annie at Nana and Grandpa's but today I decided to get her fully dressed at home, new diaper and all...GOOD THING! She had pooped in her diaper... no biggie... I took her to the potty and she peed. Well she must have pooped on our way to her potty because after I laid her on the changing table I wondered what she was playing with... POOP! OH ICK! Then the REAL clean up began. It was in her hands, feet, close to getting in her hair, and on my shirt! Thank GOD I don't wear nice clothes to work! After about 15 minutes of clean up and lots of laughing (both Annie and I were cracking up) we were ready to face the day!

Needless to say I am thankful poopy diapers do not happen too often. Although I suppose if they happened more, I wouldn't think they were so gross. Hmmm... interesting concept!





Today I learned: They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder.. 'they' never had a child who rarely pooped in her diaper then got to change a poopy mess!
Diapers saved today =4
Money saved today = $0.80
Money saved to date = $140.00

Day 126

Another fun filled day in the life of Annie. It's only Tuesday and like everyone else, we are ready for the weekend! Annie has been especially clingy these past few days which makes it tough on me (and Joe). We are hoping for a few Mommy free nights to get her to 'kick the habit' so to speak. Although it is really great to feel so loved (and needed) I guess she needs her space too. Stay tuned for more EC fun sure to come this week...

Today I learned: A baby tells you exactly what you need to hear...without using words!
Diapers saved today =3
Money saved today = $0.60
Money saved to date = $139.20

Day 125

"If you don't succeed, try, try again." "Practice makes perfect." We've all heard these phrases (and others like them) time and time again. This evening as Joe and I were finishing up dinner and working on some things Annie was signaling to use the potty. Joe took her twice with no success. Dry diaper, nothing in the potty, then five minutes later she signaled again. Once again... dry diaper and nothing in the potty. About ten minutes later Annie signals again and again (almost like a constant alarm clock with no snooze button) I say she needs to use the bathroom, yet Joe says he just took her twice with nothing! SO, up I go to take her for the third time... SUCCESS!!!! I guess even though she signals she may not quite be ready to go... but with persistence Annie was able to use her potty and keep a dry diaper all evening! AMAZING! I certainly learned my lesson today. Now if only I could keep up this great listening so she can be totally diaper free... stay tuned...


Today I learned: If you don't succeed at first, try try again!
Diapers saved today =5
Money saved today = $1.00
Money saved to date = $138.60

Day 124

Sunday has come and almost gone. Once again I'm left scratching my head after a great weekend thinking Perhaps I shouldn't try to keep a schedule on the weekends. Maybe for us the best thing would be to schedule a non schedule. Then I think to myself that life is full of non schedules... you can try and prepare everything JUST RIGHT... and then something gets tweaked. So I suppose it's best to roll with the punches.
Tonight I realized that when Annie fusses I don't always listen. I go through everything else before I think of the bathroom. When we first started to use EC with Annie every fuss or cry or whine we jumped up to take her potty. Even though this was a LOT of work... it made sure Annie knew we were listening to her signals. Now when I hear Annie's signal I don't think that it's her signal... weird, yes I know. I really just think why in the world are you whining? Today it hit me like a ton of bricks... I need to pay closer attention to my little girl. Maybe our non schedule days wouldn't matter so much then... no matter what the schedule I would be in tune to her needs and try my best to fulfill them! Wish me luck! Stay tuned...

Today I learned: I need to pay more attention to my daughter and her signals!
Diapers saved today =3
Money saved today = $0.60
Money saved to date = $137.60

Day 123

Today was Annie's first experience at the zoo. Of course we decided that if you have children under 2 (or 3) years of age the zoo is really for parents to get out and walk around with a different scenery other than the mall or neighborhood. Joe and I had fun while Annie stayed snuggled up in her car seat stroller nice and warm. Yes, it was 65 degrees outside but the wind was COLD and maybe if it were warmer I would have tried to show Annie some animals. I was enjoying my walk too much and the conversation of my husband to interrupt it with a baby who could become crabby from the cold. Did you know that at the zoo their bathrooms are few and far between? For a place that has children crawling all over, there are points where you need to walk a long way to find a restroom. Needless to say we were horrible parents and let Annie use her diaper. Now most people wouldn't say they are 'horrible parents' when they let their 6 month old eliminate in his/her diaper, but when we're trying to EC and get her used to the potty... that makes us pretty bad. (In a good way though...)
Annie ended up pooping in her diaper which was about the 2nd time in the past 2 months. Let me tell you that each time it happens I'm reminded how wonderful EC is and how great it is that Annie is catching onto this whole potty thing. Once again... our weekend is all off schedule. I guess we'll try harder tomorrow!


Today I learned: The zoo really isn't for kids... it's a great place for parents to walk with an ever changing scenery.
Diapers saved today =2
Money saved today = $0.40
Money saved to date = $137.00