Bum Genius

In yet another effort to save a little $, I just bought some cloth diapers! Joe are you proud?I know nothing about cloth diapering and after going cross eyed reading online this morning, I decided on the Bum Genius 3.0. It's supposed to be the most like disposables. We shall see! I must admit I'm skeptical... ready to try but bit afraid... mainly about the washing. I know that women did it for years... but washing poopie diapers in the same washing machine as our clothes and washcloths that wash our face??!?!?! I'm not so sure about that!! But considering that every diaper I changed was costing a quarter.... this makes sense and we'll also be helping the earth. I will probably just use this on John, because I hope Ava won't need ANY diapers soon, but it's one size fit all so I could. Speaking of Ava... I just got the library to get "Toilet training in less than a day." Jenni had recommended this book after having success with Drew. Ava was almost potty trained before John came, but Mama's laziness after he arrived, didn't help matters. But, now I'm ready... beyond ready, and I think Ava is too! If anyone one has ideas on pottying or knows anything about cloth diapers let me know. So, maybe in a couple of weeks I really will be a Bum genius!!!

Driving with Mrs. Daisy

Well, I've gone and done it... I've gotten old... at least I'm driving like it! My brilliant husband has discovered that if you drive as if you are an 80 year old, then you can see an increase of at least 5 MPG! As my last post expressed, the lack of funds has become a serious issue, SO extreme situations call for extreme measures. I am now driving at least 5 MPH BELOW the speed limit and shifting the car into neutral whenever possible. At first, the extremely fast, driver daughter of John Cox (those of you who raced me in high school know what I mean!) had serious issues with this and almost broke out in a sweat when someone passed me on the 4 lane. But now, it's become somewhat of a game. I actually enjoy seeing how far the van will coast and how many cars are following me way too close! Just kidding, I enjoy the coasting, but I try to pull off to let the normal folks pass me. When I had just gotten my license and was driving to high school (usually late...imagine that!) I ALWAYS got behind Fred Jackson. (He's passed away now, bless his heart.) His car never topped 25 MPH the whole 5 mile journey into town and he usually had between 15 -20 cars behind him until he pulled off at the Hub to eat his breakfast. So, with that still fresh in my mind... I will be a slow, but courteous driver whenever possible. So if you spot a tan Honda Odyssey moving at a snails pace, you can say a little prayer that I don't make too many people mad and that we arrive at our destination with just a little bit more gas in our tank and a little more money in our wallet!

Money, Money, Money

Necessary evil isn't it? God knew that we would have struggles with money. Did you know it's mentioned in the Bible more than ANYTHING? We must have it to survive in today's world, but it can totally ruin you if not managed properly. Well, that's what we're trying to do... manage the stuff!! Our church sponsored a great financial seminar a few weeks ago with Joe Sangl. Here is a guy that is FIRED UP about money and helping people manage it and get out of debt. Check out his website for great tools and I also recommend his book, it's easy and not "over your head!" One of the things that he stressed strongly is a monthly budget. Is your skin crawling yet? Mine was at first, but after I realized the importance of it, I have overcome the dread! With our loft almost to completion, we'll really have to buckle down and be good citizens with our money. Some of his ideas include....
Give - 10% (That's a no brainer!)
Save - 10% (ooow... that's hard!) We know Christmas comes at the same time every year.. save for it... don't put it on the card!
Cash Envelopes - Put your budgeted amount of cash for things like eating out and groceries in an envelope, when it's gone....that's it. (Yes, apparently places still accept cash!)
Work together - Work on this together with your spouse.. make it fun!!

We've done our budget and ick... not pretty! For those you you that normally receive gifts (birthday, Christmas etc.) from us.. get ready for some pipe cleaner, felt cut-out, homemade creations from the kids! No.. it's just going to be an adjustment from spending carelessly and without much thought and planning. And maybe if all our money is not spent on GAS, you might have a Birthday present after all!!

Hoo Hoos

After attending our local La Leche League meeting today, as we do every second Wednesday of the month, I realized that I had never done a post about breastfeeding. I guess it's become just the norm around here since Ava's birth 2 years and almost 4 months ago. Being breastfed myself as a child, (Thanks Mom!) made it just the normal thing to do, and we never put much thought into it, it just happened. Ava had no problems at all and loves her "Hoo hoos" as she has named them, and John has loved every minute of it. Are you reading that last line again? Yes, Ava STILL loves her "Hoo Hoos." We've been tandem nursing since John's birth 7 months ago. It's not something most choose to do but it has worked well for us.

I've yet to figure out why some folks are bothered by breastfeeding. In todays society where you see boobs on tv and in ads everywhere you turn, why are some bothered when they see someone using them for what they were designed for? God has designed the perfect tools for feeding our children, giving them just what they need; not too much, not too little... why not use them? Why would someone WANT to give their little baby formula? Looks like I'm asking a lot of whys... well, why breastfeed?... here's why...

BENEFITS FOR BABY:

• Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. A mother's milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development. Most babies find it easier to digest breast milk than they do formula.

• As a result, breastfed infants grow exactly the way they should. They tend to gain less unnecessary weight and to be leaner. This may result in being less overweight later in life.

• Premature babies do better when breastfed compared to premature babies who are fed formula.

• Breastfed babies score slightly higher on IQ tests, especially babies who were born pre-maturely.

BENEFITS FOR MOM:

• Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose the pounds of pregnancy. It also helps the uterus to get back to its original size and lessens any bleeding a woman may have after giving birth.

• Breastfeeding, especially exclusive breastfeeding (no supplementing with formula), delays the return of normal ovulation and menstrual cycles.

• Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and possibly the risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause.

• Breastfeeding makes your life easier. It saves time and money. You do not have to purchase, measure, and mix formula. There are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night!

• A mother can give her baby immediate satisfaction by providing her breast milk when her baby is hungry.

• Breastfeeding requires a mother to take some quiet relaxed time for herself and her baby.

• Breastfeeding can help a mother to bond with her baby. Physical contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, warm and comforted.

• Breastfeeding mothers may have increased self-confidence and feelings of closeness and bonding with their infants.

BENEFITS FOR SOCIETY:

• Breastfeeding saves on health care costs. Total medical care costs for the nation are lower for fully breastfed infants than never-breastfed infants since breastfed infants typically need fewer sick care visits, prescriptions, and hospitalizations.

• Breastfeeding contributes to a more productive workforce. Breastfeeding mothers miss less work, as their infants are sick less often. Employer medical costs also are lower and employee productivity is higher.

• Breastfeeding is better for our environment because there is less trash and plastic waste compared to that produced by formula cans and bottle supplies.

So, there you go! I'm off to go give someone some Hoo Hoo!

Almost "Ping"

After the long winter cold season, the whole family is ready for spring. We spent lots of time outside yesterday, having a picnic, playing in the grass and going for a long stroll downtown. Every time we saw a bird or a flower, Ava said "It's Ping Mama." Yeah! It is almost spring, Ava! The kids are finally getting over the cold/bronchitis mess, but now Daddy has it. No fun!

Spring will bring lots of exciting changes. We should be in the loft fairly soon, (sheetrock is 3/4 done) our church will be downtown, (2 blocks from our loft!) and my favorite... the kids will be growing and doing new things everyday. We are so blessed!