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Cloth Diapering: Is it worth it?

By on January 30, 2008 in bellies & babies, natural & green

Karis in her BumGenius!

Cloth diapers! There are so many cute diapers out there now and it’s so simple! No dunking necessary! Why in the world would I pursue this route? My main reason for cloth diapering was so I could spend more of our budget on good wholesome food (prioritizing my spending). But there are several other benefits…

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Making Wholesome Baby Food

By on January 28, 2008 in bellies & babies, recipes & kitchen tips

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I am sure all of you are way ahead of me in this area, but I am in the learning process of making my own baby food for Karis. This week I was evaluating if the extra work was really worth it. The convenience of buying prepared baby food in the jars is so tempting for me. Earth’s Best has organic baby food! I have proven that it is indeed true.

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Diaper Rash Salve & Other Products

By on November 30, 2007 in bellies & babies

Northern Essence is a wonderful online store for all your natural body care needs, including facial, scrubs, soaps, baby products, pregnant mommy items, etc. Northern Essence is re-opening their doors today after a two month transition while moving. I have been anticipating this greatly as I am completely out of my products!

They make the best natural diaper rash salve I have tried! It is an excellent combination of fresh beeswax, calendula infused olive oil, avacado oil, emu oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, tea tree & lavender essential oils. I love the sweet smell that it provides for my girl’s little bum. She had been plagued since birth with repeated diaper rashes, and this creme has been the only one to solve that problem completely! Being a cloth diaper mommy, I was having to use disposables at night just to keep the rashes away. I tried many others cremes including desitin, meleda, nature’s gate, and vasaline. I love the texture of it too. No more sticky, hard to scrub off, white stuff. It is a clear and fragrant salve. Now I can’t give any guarantees, as every baby might be different, but this salve is well worth the try! Safe with cloth diapers as well. Plus one 2oz container ($4.95) lasted around 3 months for us. For more reviews click here.

By the way, if you are concerned about the lavender oil for your little guy, you can also purchase a version without this addition.

For my fellow cloth diapering mommy’s, I have also really enjoyed the diaper wipe solution. I have made my own in the past without much success. Karis’ little bum was always reacting to them. I tried this product out and was pleasantly surprised.

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When to start solid foods and what?

By on November 20, 2007 in bellies & babies

I need advice…Karis is 6 1/2 months old and it seems about right to start her on solids. She has been wanting to eat more frequently, waking up early, not being satisfied with my breastmilk (or my supply is not sufficient for her). I have already been supplementing a little with formula for her last feeding if I am not able to pump in the morning. I thought at first it was a growth spirt, but this has been going on for three weeks now.

When did you start on solids and what food items did you start with first?

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Preserved through childbearing

By on September 19, 2007 in bellies & babies, faith & womanhood

1 Tim. 2:15
“But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”

God has purposefully designed women for the amazing ability to carry and bring forth children. The bearing and rearing of children brings about the beautiful work of sanctification in our lives. It is through them that we are pruned and grow in Christ-likeness. The word “preserved” here means “sanctified”. It does not mean we will escape all pain and trials in the process. It means that through this process, Christ will make us fit for His presence.

Secondly, it reveals the truth that being a wife and mother is the role God designed for women, and walking in that role we will find our fulfillment! Interesting to note: it says “children” in the plural. Are we limiting God’s design by taking the number of children we have into our own hands? It does not say, “women will be preserved through the bearing of a child”. Just a thought.

Lastly, we must walk in faith, love and self-restraint. I think God knew what areas women would struggle in the most. These seem to be them.

Faith – we must be fully reliant upon God with childlike trust and dependence. We must trust that the pain and struggles of child rearing are working a perfect work within us. Faith is trusting in God even when we cannot see the future, we cannot see the results of our labors. Worry and anxiety are the opposite of faith.

Love – sacrificial love. Rising in the middle of the night for a teething baby, making meal after meal for a hungry family, and washing one more load of laundry…each task must be done in love. Perfect love casts out all fear. Isn’t that interesting? Love ties in with faith.

Self-restraint – in my book this is self-control. Whether it be food, appearance, emotions…each area of our lives must be managed with self-control.

What a beautiful work God has created women to do!

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