I am jealous. Jealous of the Mamas who can stay at home (whether they work from home or not). I love my job, I'm a dispatcher for a high volume animal shelter's animal control department. Don't get me wrong it's very emotionally stressful and some days I cry but I'm making a difference and working in a field that shares my passion. Not many people can say that they love their job....I can and it took me a long time to get where I am. That said, I miss my baby. I took 10 weeks after he was born and it was VERY hard for me to go back to work, I was having borderline panic attacks for weeks and then found out I had to go back 2 weeks earlier then planned. Dropping Minion off at my In Laws that first day was the single hardest thing I have ever done in my life and I cried the while way to work, barely got a thing done and couldn't get home fast enough. I've been back to work since September and it's still hard, especially when I get 3 amazing days off every other weekend. Everyone keeps telling me I'll get over it and it will be OK but I just don't see it getting any better. Here is a run down of my day:
Minion gets up between 6-8am to nurse, then we usually go back to bed until around 10-11am. We nurse again, play for about an hour then I give him some fruit or veggie puree or baby food. After that I put him in his jumparoo or entertainment seat with his favorite educational channel on while I get ready for work and pack his things for the sitter to pick him up. By the time I'm done It's about 1:30pm and I have to change him out of jammies, nurse him and then it's 2:30pm and the sitter is there to pick him up. I go to work when they leave and get home at 12:30am (Hubby picks Minion up when he is done work) unpack my things, pump on side then nursing Minion (sometimes he's awake sometimes I wake him) and we go to bed. In between all that I have to take care of the dogs.
I feel like I never see him! It's getting quite depressing actually. I'm a bit crafty and I have been thinking about trying to sell some of the things I make, but I'm afraid I won't make enough for us to pay the bills. Another problem is I have our health insurance, Hubby's job won't cover all 3 of us and it's way to expensive even for just him. I'm not sure if you can just get insurance through the state or not or if it's only a welfare thing and I would never quit my job just for us to have to go on welfare. I'm so torn. I don't even think I could go just part time because then I would lose our insurance. Minion will be 7 months old tomorrow, he's getting big so fast and I'm terrified I won't be there when he says his first word or takes his first steps...what kind of mother would I be if I wasn't there for that?
Before anyone says it, yes I know I'm doing what I must to provide for my family but I just wish there was another way. In Canada, they get 1 year maternity leave! Here in the US, we are one of the only countries that doesn't provide financial support for mothers. We are supposed to be so advanced and think so highly of ourselves yet we force mothers to leave their children just so they can out food on the table. Side-note: We are also have some of the lowest stats when it comes to breastfeeding. If only we could get our act together... Maybe I'll write a letter to the powers that be in Washington.
Well, now that's I'm done my rant I'm sorry if I depressed anyone. I just really needed to get this off my chest. Now, to go spend some quality time with Hubby & Minion before bed :-)
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
My Addiction to All Things g
A few years ago if someone had told me I would not only cloth diaper my child(ren) but also become addicted I would have laughed in there face, but here I am with my beautiful baby boy and a nice stash of adorable fluff. When we found out I was pregnant I immediately started researching all things baby (as I'm sure every FTM does); all I knew was that I had an overwhelming desire to breastfeed which surprised me because I was not breastfed myself, nor were any of my siblings and I have never really been around anyone who breastfed their children (so I thought). We did toy around with the idea of cloth diapering but only to save money, I did a little bit of research on it and eventually we stopped talking about it and were probably just going to use disposables like "normal" people. One day I decided to drag Hubby to a Babies R Us expo event so we could see some of the cool baby stuff in action (and maybe win some of it), one of the demonstrators was for gDiapers. She started wooing me with talk about less diaper rash and eco-friendly and easier potty training, I was sold and a Newborn starter kit was added to me registry. Of course no one bought it however we did receive an overwhelming amount of Pampers... and no I'm not complaining because after having an emergency c-section that opened up less then a week later I was not up for going up & down the stairs that often to do laundry.
We started using gs when Minion was about 6 weeks old and there has been no turning back. I am constantly stalking Facebook buy/sell/trade groups and Craigslist for different patterns, having customs made and wanting anything that says gDiapers on it (especially the coveted gMug!). I even co-hosted a gGathering in the fall where I met a bunch of other mamas who love gs, and I can't wait to plan another one. So far I have about 17 different gPants, a gMum shirt, striped gLegs and I can't even tell you how many pouches (I refuse to run out). I also have about 36 gCloths but will most likely start selling them once I get my new inserts. And that's only my mediums :)
Hubby was totally on board in the beginning but now claims it's to complicated and prefers to use disposables, honestly I think he is just revolting against my addiction hoping I will stop and agree with him...YEAH RIGHT. So we compromised, most of the time (including while at the babysitters) Minion is in a cute fluffy g but at night and when Hubby has him while I'm at work he wears disposables. I love my gs and will not back down!
I do have one complaint though, I have terrible luck with gCloths, Minion leaks right through them in about an hour. I don't like the way they fit into the pouch, I feel they are much to small and recently started using charcoal/bamboo inserts and and in love all over again. I bought 5 to start and less then a week later I bought 15 more (can't wait for them to arrive!), and I still want more. The biodegradable/flushable (A.K.A. flushies) inserts are great for going out (I don't flush them though I just throw them away, the flushing is a bit complicated and you still have to throw part of it in the trash anyway). Many people compost the non-poop flushies but I'm not a composter either. They also make liners to put over the cloths for easy poop clean up but to me it's not really a big deal, it's only poop after all and since Minion is breast fed it comes right off.
I'm also not a fan of gInflation, which has nothing to do with the gDiapers company. That happens when a solid or pattern gPant becomes hard to find and so people charge crazy amounts of money for them, which only works because people are willing to pay it. I am not one of those people, I refuse to let myself pay more then $25 and have only gone over once or twice and not by much. Sure I may miss out on some of the greats like a Cycle but I did manage to score a Camper for $31 and part of the money went to charity so I didn't mind.
All in all, I highly recommend gDiapers and talk them up to people all the time. I leave coupons from my gMum kit at my local Babies R Us and other Mama's do too. A gMum is someone who signs up with gDiapers to promote and every now and then the company will send out a package with a ton of coupons and a present for the Mama (which doubles as advertising for the company). Another downside...the gDiapers.com does not take their own coupons but any store who sells them in the store, not online (Babies R Us, BuyBuy Baby and Target in some states) and some smaller online companies will also take them if you email them ahead of time. The company does offer fantastic customer service, the few times I have had an issue someone got right back to me.
The cloth diaper community is awesome! I have met so many wonderful Mamas who are always willing to offer advice if you need it. I have noticed that gDiapers seems to be the red-headed step child of the cloth diaper world, I'm not really sure why though. To be fair I have never tried any other types of cloth diapers but the way I see it is they work for us, why mess with a good thing. The brand you use all comes down to personal preference...as for me, I'll keep my gs. And keep buying more too, sorry Hubby :)
We started using gs when Minion was about 6 weeks old and there has been no turning back. I am constantly stalking Facebook buy/sell/trade groups and Craigslist for different patterns, having customs made and wanting anything that says gDiapers on it (especially the coveted gMug!). I even co-hosted a gGathering in the fall where I met a bunch of other mamas who love gs, and I can't wait to plan another one. So far I have about 17 different gPants, a gMum shirt, striped gLegs and I can't even tell you how many pouches (I refuse to run out). I also have about 36 gCloths but will most likely start selling them once I get my new inserts. And that's only my mediums :)
Hubby was totally on board in the beginning but now claims it's to complicated and prefers to use disposables, honestly I think he is just revolting against my addiction hoping I will stop and agree with him...YEAH RIGHT. So we compromised, most of the time (including while at the babysitters) Minion is in a cute fluffy g but at night and when Hubby has him while I'm at work he wears disposables. I love my gs and will not back down!
I do have one complaint though, I have terrible luck with gCloths, Minion leaks right through them in about an hour. I don't like the way they fit into the pouch, I feel they are much to small and recently started using charcoal/bamboo inserts and and in love all over again. I bought 5 to start and less then a week later I bought 15 more (can't wait for them to arrive!), and I still want more. The biodegradable/flushable (A.K.A. flushies) inserts are great for going out (I don't flush them though I just throw them away, the flushing is a bit complicated and you still have to throw part of it in the trash anyway). Many people compost the non-poop flushies but I'm not a composter either. They also make liners to put over the cloths for easy poop clean up but to me it's not really a big deal, it's only poop after all and since Minion is breast fed it comes right off.
I'm also not a fan of gInflation, which has nothing to do with the gDiapers company. That happens when a solid or pattern gPant becomes hard to find and so people charge crazy amounts of money for them, which only works because people are willing to pay it. I am not one of those people, I refuse to let myself pay more then $25 and have only gone over once or twice and not by much. Sure I may miss out on some of the greats like a Cycle but I did manage to score a Camper for $31 and part of the money went to charity so I didn't mind.
All in all, I highly recommend gDiapers and talk them up to people all the time. I leave coupons from my gMum kit at my local Babies R Us and other Mama's do too. A gMum is someone who signs up with gDiapers to promote and every now and then the company will send out a package with a ton of coupons and a present for the Mama (which doubles as advertising for the company). Another downside...the gDiapers.com does not take their own coupons but any store who sells them in the store, not online (Babies R Us, BuyBuy Baby and Target in some states) and some smaller online companies will also take them if you email them ahead of time. The company does offer fantastic customer service, the few times I have had an issue someone got right back to me.
The cloth diaper community is awesome! I have met so many wonderful Mamas who are always willing to offer advice if you need it. I have noticed that gDiapers seems to be the red-headed step child of the cloth diaper world, I'm not really sure why though. To be fair I have never tried any other types of cloth diapers but the way I see it is they work for us, why mess with a good thing. The brand you use all comes down to personal preference...as for me, I'll keep my gs. And keep buying more too, sorry Hubby :)
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Our Story Begins...
So I've never written a blog before and as a child I failed at keeping a diary, but who knows maybe now that I'm "older and wiser" I'll be a little better at it. As you can gather from the title I'm a first time mom and yes I do believe my life is amazingly epic so I thought I would share my stories, opinions and things I've learned with the world. Who knows, maybe I'll help someone out.
I guess a brief introduction is in order. I am married to my best friend and love of my life, he made me believe in love at first sight (no I'm not trying to be cheesy, it's a fact). On June 30, 2012 after 22 hours of labor, 3 hours of pushing and an emergency c-section I gave birth to the happiest, most adorably perfect little boy I've ever seen. My little Minion is what makes my life so epic and I love every minute of it. I always wanted kids but never had that "I'm made for this feeling" until I knew I was pregnant (at about 2-3 weeks along), it was like a light switch clicked and I became a totally different person but still myself all at the same time. It was strange but I liked it and I'm very confident in my motherly abilities.
The other loves of my life (who I will also talk about frequently) are Deuce and Alice (both rescued dogs ages 11 & 4 years), Monkey, Freddie Mercury, Sage and Floyd (cats of various ages, 2 of the 4 are rescues and the other 2 came from the accidental litter of a friend's cat). I also work full time at an animal shelter...yes I really love animals.
Enjoy.
I guess a brief introduction is in order. I am married to my best friend and love of my life, he made me believe in love at first sight (no I'm not trying to be cheesy, it's a fact). On June 30, 2012 after 22 hours of labor, 3 hours of pushing and an emergency c-section I gave birth to the happiest, most adorably perfect little boy I've ever seen. My little Minion is what makes my life so epic and I love every minute of it. I always wanted kids but never had that "I'm made for this feeling" until I knew I was pregnant (at about 2-3 weeks along), it was like a light switch clicked and I became a totally different person but still myself all at the same time. It was strange but I liked it and I'm very confident in my motherly abilities.
The other loves of my life (who I will also talk about frequently) are Deuce and Alice (both rescued dogs ages 11 & 4 years), Monkey, Freddie Mercury, Sage and Floyd (cats of various ages, 2 of the 4 are rescues and the other 2 came from the accidental litter of a friend's cat). I also work full time at an animal shelter...yes I really love animals.
Enjoy.
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