pamper me

So maybe it doesn't make sense to follow a blog post about the stress of parenting with a blog post about using cloth diapers. After all, what about cloth diapers are going to make your life easier? Weren't disposable diapers invented to make your life as a parent less of a burden?

Many people greeted our declaration to attempt using cloth diapers with skepticism. The nicer ones simply nodded but looked mildly concerned. Some more vocal parent friends indicated that there was no way we would ever be able to do it. Admittedly, we have faced parenting challenges that we never knew would exist. But, surprisingly, transitioning to cloth diapers, which we've done this past week, was not one of them. If anything, the whole system is a lot easier than we ever anticipated - especially with the help of our trusty friend the Internet.

We decided to use disposable when Baby Beeton was little because, on some level, those vocal parent friends were right. Adjusting to life with baby was hard enough without an added complication. But, this past week, we decided to switch over to cloth diapers because we're on (a little) firmer ground as parents and because Baby Beeton has grown in size and fits into the cloth diapers much better. It helped, too, that most of the moms in the mom group I started attending use cloth diapers, so we've got a built in support system of other parents who share such tips like which are the best diapers to buy (Blueberry) and which laundry detergents work without fail (Charlie's Soap).

My initial inspiration to use cloth diapers came from this post that I read on one of my favorite blogs Young House Love. Like us, these bloggers were initially motivated by money (a motivating factor for us when it came to breastfeeding as well); they are thrifty and love a bargain (also like us), so they did some calculations and realized that cloth diapering could save them in the long run. And, they seemed to find cloth diapering to be rather simple, so we thought, upon reading, what the heck. Let's try it.

We had put twelve cloth diapers from Bum Genius on our baby registry. We got six from friends and family at various showers, and after experimenting with those six, we decided we'd take the plunge and buy six more. We also bought a hanging diaper bag from FuzziBunz (in chocolate brown to match Baby Beeton's room... I never did post nursery pictures, did I? I'll add that to my ever-growing "To Do" list). This purchase was suggested by our friends from Savannah, K&D, have a little girl just a few months older than Baby Beeton; they are in our cloth diapering support group as well and found the bag to be super useful. It unzips at the bottom so you just throw it (and the diapers) in the laundry when you are ready to go. I've been relying on this site for information about washing, detergents to use, etc. It's been very helpful. So now, during the week, when we are home, we use the cloth diapers. We still use disposable at night and when we travel, but we've cut down considerably.

I have to admit that my impetus for cloth diapering is a vain one. They are just so darn cute - as you can see from this picture (I don't usually post in color, but how adorable is he in this one - color "Ribbit").


But, I've found that I like them for a lot of other reasons, too. They seem softer and more comfortable; they do help with the environment. And, since I like doing laundry, I don't find the whole cleaning thing onerous (the tips from the site listed above work really well... they have come out clean - i.e. not stained - each and every time so far). Of course, if I were back at work (did I mention I have until Fall 2012 off!!!), this would be a whole different story (in fact, a lot of things would be different... the little Prince would take a bottle, I'd be even more of a nervous wreck, the house would be even more messy), but for now, I have the time to indulge myself in a little over-the-top, stay-at-home mothering.

I got an email the other day with a link to this article and found that quite a few of the "things" really resonate with me. Of course, not the part about your dog being just a dog now that you have a baby. Never.

Keep sweeping, Martha

Finished reading Stranger Here Below by Joyce Hinnefeld.

simple kind of life

Holy cow. This parenting thing is hard.

When I was pregnant, I got a kick out of how all the doctors I saw insisted on bringing up repeatedly the fact that I was A.M.A. For those of you who are not in the know, that means "Advanced Maternal Age." I laughed when they said it. After all, though I may be 37 years old, I still feel like a 14 year old. But lately, I've been wondering if they were right to draw my attention to my A.M.A. Parenting certainly is exhausting. Teaching, researching, writing can in no way compare. Caring for Baby Beeton day in and day out is like an extended lesson on a really boring topic, like the proper use of the semi-colon - you've got to get psyched to face your audience, you've got to make it entertaining, and you've got to be energetic. When Baby Beeton hits the sack at 8 pm, I feel all of the energy drain out of my body... until he wakes up again for that 1 am feeding. Then, I've got to switch it on again.

Maybe I would have been better off starting this family a little earlier.

After Baby Beeton was born, I found myself thinking with nostalgia about when I first moved to D.C. I lived in a tiny studio apartment on Wisconsin Avenue. I taught only two classes a semester. And, most days, when I finished teaching class at 2:15 pm, I'd head home to walk Ella and take a snooze on my balcony. I was spoiled, even if I didn't know it at the time. In that actual moment, I remember being pretty miserable. I didn't have many friends; I struggled to make sense of my students who were so very different from the students at the University of Delaware. I felt like I was super busy and super stressed. I didn't know what busy and stressed really look like.

But this past week was a nice calm. It made me think that maybe - just maybe - this is what is in store for me. And, if so, I like it. Monday, Baby Beeton and I walked up to McDonald's for a coffee. We came home and napped together. On Wednesday, we went to the local new moms' group, and when we got home, Baby Beeton napped while I read. Thursday, I headed to Figs to have lunch by myself and really start working on this book I'm supposed to be writing. On Friday, Baby Beeton and I drove out to Leesburg to spent the day shopping with Grammy Beeton. And, on Saturday, we had our neighbors now friends over for dinner. I found myself - during this week - finding pockets of time where everything felt like my same old normal life, only quite a bit better. Like I said, if most weeks are going to be like this, I'll take it. I've got to remember these moments for what they really are.

Keep sweeping, Martha

Finished reading A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (definitely going on my top books of all time list).

a few good dips

This post is long overdue.

When we moved last spring, we received this really thoughtful housewarming gift from my college roommate of four years (!) and her family.

It consists of some terrific recipes, but the true beauty of it rests with what you can't see in this photograph. There is a pocket in the back that contains tiny slips of paper that list a bunch of terrific dips that we went to college with (I won't name names). The recipe book has been on my mind lately because I've been thinking a lot about my roommate and her family, because our fifteen-year reunion is on the horizon, and because Mr. Beeton and I have gone to two parties in the past week where we've had to bring something (and dip is what we brought... nevermind that we had to leave both parties early because it was Baby Beeton's bedtime and he let everyone know it). In my new mom frenzy, I fell back on a tried and true dip - taco dip. But, like my roommate who I always considered one of the most fearless people I've ever met (even if I didn't ever tell her), I should have been more daring and branched out. After all, I was promised I'd impress at least a couple of people.

Tried and True Taco Dip

• Mix half a container of cream cheese with half a container of sour cream.
• Add taco seasoning.
• Transfer to a flat casserole pan or other fancy dip dish.
• Top with salsa, grated cheese, shredded lettuce, and tiny tomatoes.

Keep sweeping, Martha