Author Archives: Chantel

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Breastfeeding product thing – what do you think?

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I’m not sure how I feel about this product. I plan to breastfeed because I have the increasingly abundant equipment (ahem), it supposedly makes babies smarter, and, well, it’s free food. Apparently there are all these accessories that are necessary to do so: breast pumps, nursing bras, nursing pads, etc. This product sounds kind of like a combo of all three. If you’re not too weirded out, please comment about what you think of it. My overall thoughts are that it’s a good product because it catches leaks while allowing me to store that milk and means less pumping which does not sound pleasant. Oh it’s so weird though! 🙂 $25.95 each or $44.95 for two. Worth it?

Milk Saver Image Our patented design allows you to breastfeed anywhere without worrying about embarrassing leaks or uncomfortable nursing pads. Slim and portable, no one will even know you are wearing it. Best of all — it collects your leaking breast milk when you nurse, allowing you to store extra breast milk effortlessly.

At Milkies, we care about the safety of the materials that make up our products. The Milk-Saver has been rigorously tested to ensure zero chemical leaching and contains no BPA or phthalates. Download our test results to learn more.

As an environmentally conscious company, we give breastfeeding moms an alternative to disposable products. The Milk-Saver has exceeded all expectations for functionality and simplicity. It has received accolades from lactation specialists, pediatricians, and breastfeeding moms the world over.

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First ultrasound – 11 weeks

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Baby at 11 weeks

On Thursday, May 6, 2010, I went in for my first ultrasound. You can make out the head and some of the body. It came out pretty dark. But man, was it clear on the screen!

First the baby was laying like this. Then the doc moved the camera thingy a certain way across my belly that must have pissed off baby because he/she (still don’t know yet) started kicking and flailing. At one point, the baby turned toward me and I could see the face. Wicked creepy! But all in all breathtaking. Yeah, I got all girly and teary eyed.

A clearer idea of what the baby looks like at 11 weeks.

My next ultrasound/sonogram is in 3-4 weeks. It’ll be at the hospital which apparently has better equipment so hopefully we’ll get a better photo.

So the baby is supposedly as big as a fig now. My pants are getting tight. I think I’ll be going out today to get some belly bands – I write more about that later.

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Diapers

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We will be using gDiapers, an easy yet eco-friendly type of diaper that is a cross between a cloth diaper and a throw-away diaper. The diaper consists of 2 parts: a cloth shell, shaped like a diaper, with Velcro fasteners, and either a flushable or cloth inserts that you change each time the baby potties. You read/see more about these diapers below. We plan to avoid the traditional disposable diapers because they are terrible for the environment, expensive, and can be irritating on the skin – not good if the baby inherits my very temperamental skin (just look at me wrong and BREAKOUT!).

More information from the gDiaper website:

gDiapers starter kit

“The most eco-friendly diaper available, gDiapers provides parents with a diapering solution that is good for babies, parents and the planet. You can have the flexibility of a disposable diaper with a 100% biodegradable gRefill, or opt for reusability with super soft and trim-fitting gCloth inserts. gDiapers are plastic-free, elemental chlorine free, latex free, and perfume free.

Use a biodegradable gRefill or re-usable gCloth inside our newborn tiny gPants and our cotton little gPants. All materials are breathable, just like sports clothing, so babies are far less likely to get diaper rash. And did we mention they’re cute? Babies can flaunt their eco-friendly diapers in a rainbow of adorable colors. Because green diapers don’t need to be bland.

No landfill required.

50 million diapers get tossed each day and each one takes up to 500 years to biodegrade. Ick. Home compost, toss, or flush the biodegradable gRefill for the smallest footprint on earth. gDiapers break down in 50-150 days.

flush, compost or toss

A totally new way to think about diapers.

All new things can take getting used to. Remember when you learned to separate your recycling? And now it’s second nature.

Learn how to flush the biodegradable gRefills and how to get the perfect gDiaper fit. You can also compost the wet ones or simply toss the soiled refill. It will break down in the landfill a lot faster than the 500 years for a conventional disposable diaper. Or learn more about re-usable gCloth. Go green diapers. Go gDiapers. Breathe easy no matter what.”

Using gDiapers

Some Targets and Babies R Us-type stores sell the flushable liners, but the diapers themselves really need to be purchased from the gDiapers website. For the newborn, this kit will be helpful because it has the size for newborns and heavier babies:

“Newborns are tiny, so at first you’ll need specially-sized tiny gPants. They fit new babies best from 6 – 10 lbs. Tiny gPants snap down in front to allow room for the umbilical cord to heal, and a wide leg opening gives plenty of room for newborn legs to curl up. In a few weeks baby will be ready for size small little gPants (fits best from 8 – 14 lbs). The new baby bundle includes 12 tiny gPants, 6 small little gPants (in a rainbow of gender neutral colors), a case of size small biodegradable gRefills (160 count), and a swishstick. Enough to have that precious bum covered from day one.”

This kit costs $149.99. We plan to purchase this kit on our own but if anyone wants to help us stock up, we appreciate the assistance. gDiapers

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Minimalism and a baby

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If you are reading this, then you know me and Blake and the fact that we are hippie minimalist conservationists. Some examples:

  • We don’t like stuff – just ask our parents who keep attempting to give us gifts and we either decline or freecycle the item.
  • We live in a relatively small apartment, our walls are bare, and we continually get rid of more and more of our possessions.
  • We don’t watch TV to avoid the ads.
  • We recycle everything – if there’s a way to recycle it, we do.
  • Our apartment is usually uncomfortably hot, although I never think so, to conserve energy.
  • Showers occur less frequently in our home than in others to save water.

But to summarize, we keep it simple.

The whole baby process, as I understand, can be quite contrary to this way of life. But it doesn’t have to be.

I tell everyone this so they understand that, and I mean it in no way rudely or disrespectfully or maliciously, if you want to get us a gift, don’t. We’re what our parents would consider obnoxiously picky about everything. We’d just appreciate your gift of continued love and friendship. If you do want to go the material route, please please please check with us first or include a receipt. You can also check on here as I add things we DO want. We appreciate your understanding as we try to keep it simple and minimize our footprint. Thank you! Love you!

XO

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My Little Kumquat: 10 Weeks

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Thing's gotten big in just a few weeks.

This week the thing in my uterus is the size of a kumquat, which is just fun to say. Now the thing has fingernails and is kicking.

I went to my first OB/GYN appointment this week. I just met with the nurse to do the medical history stuff. I also did lab work to make sure I’m not a drug addict. I’m awaiting the results because I’ve always wondered about that – can you be addicted to crack without partaking in said substance? Hmm, something to ponder.

Anyways, next week I have my first doctor’s appointment. I hate doctors, especially those with penises who have no business messing with my undercarriage. Fortunately, I found an all-female practice which calms me significantly. At this upcoming appointment, I’ll get to hear the heartbeat via some Doppler device and if the doctor suspects twins, which I’m predisposed to, she may do the first ultrasound. We’ll see!

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Buck-ito at 8 weeks

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Tail’s almost gone at 8 weeks

This week I told folks at work, my boss Bebe in particular. They’re all super excited and supportive. I also found out, now that I am officially insured from work, that the pregnancy business is also covered because I have no pre-existing whatever on my plan. Woo hoo!

Still genderless, the uterine growth is now the size of a kidney bean.

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Telling the Parents, Part 2

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Grandma and mom with the pacifier

March 27, 2010 – I told my mom and grandma. They came out to visit me. I presented my mom with a Dakota watch box – perfect because my mom loves jewelry and she thought is was actually a watch. Inside, there was a pacifier with a cute illustration of a baby on it. My mom didn’t get it: “What am I supposed to do with this?” as though I were sending her some sort of message about her being juvenile or something. My grandma said, “What’s wrong with you?! She’s pregnant.” My mom’s jaw dropped and my grandma kinda laughed at her.

We celebrated by going to a cafe in downtown Eustis then thrift store shopping for maternity clothes.