Our Gender Reveal and Homemade Scratch Card Instructions

    This weekend we revealed to our family what our next baby would be.  We are having another BOY! That makes 3 boys for us!  I had my heart set on using balloons for the reveal but when we realized that wasn't going to work (due to city ordinances), I decided on making some homemade scratch cards. They were super easy to make!  Here's how:  

•Choose your paint color to scratch off and mix it with dish soap; 2 parts dish soap, 1 part paint 

•Paint your mixture onto contact paper or packing tape (I stuck strips of packing tape on wax paper)

•Let dry over night (or at least for several hours, but the longer it dries the less likely you will be to accidentally scratch it) 

•Cut the painted tape into the size and shape you want for the scratch pad

•Peel the backing off and stick it over the area you have prepared for the reveal. 

•Give to your lucky guests, and make sure to take pictures of their faces! 

*I used Glue Dots to attach the popsicle stick that I had painted for them to use to scratch it off.  You could use coins.  The Glue Dots worked well, because then were able to easily pop off the popsicle stick, and reattach it when they were finished. 

Boaz's 3rd Diagnosis....

    Early last week, we had to get blood work done for Boaz. It was just routine endocrine blood work and he did AMAZINGLY getting it drawn. Then we got a call that some of his levels were elevated and we needed to do a repeat.  So we went back to Nemours (which thankfully is only 30 minutes away now) and had more blood drawn.  I got a call from his doctor ealier today telling me that his levels were indeed too high, and that he officially has Hashimotos's.  We are starting him on some thyroid hormone therapy, and....yeah, that's all I've got to say.  We have a lot to learn! 

    Hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is when the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood are abnormally low. Thyroid hormone deficiency slows body processes and may lead to fatigue, a slow heart rate, dry skin, weight gain, constipation, and, in kids, slowing of growth and delayed puberty.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which results from an autoimmune process that damages the thyroid and blocks thyroid hormone production, is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in kids. Infants can also be born with an absent or underdeveloped thyroid gland, resulting in hypothyroidism. It can be treated with oral thyroid hormone replacement.

Cloth Diapering: Rookie Mistakes

    I have only been cloth diapering for two months, (except for that week where I couldn't get them clean, but we'll get there), so I know I will have many more rookie mistakes but I figured I could share what I have learned so far. 

1. Not owning enough.  I made this mistake when I first started cloth diapering. I was so excited about the concept of cloth diapering, and I bought as much as I could afford: two. Now quit laughing. Ok. I knew then that two wasn't enough, but I was determined to cloth diaper. But even with determination and excitement, part cloth diapering and part disposables, does not work for one day.  

2. Not having a network of cloth diapering friends.  I had ONE friend that cloth diapered, but that is not enough.  I found a couple cloth diapering groups on Facebook, and have never looked back. They are SO useful, I don't know what I would do without them. I also have a couple of internet friends that I have bought cloth diapers from (and also some that have given me a couple). Without my internet friends, I would only have 4 diapers. Also, make sure to find your local babywearing/cloth diapering group on Facebook.  I have only met a couple of those 'friends' in person, but it is very helpful to have local people to help answer questions.  

3. Using 'Cloth Diaper Safe Detergent'.   Ok this is a super easy rookie mistake to make.  It says it's FOR cloth diapers, so why wouldn't you use it?  Well, because it doesn't clean well, that's why!  This is what happened when I had to quit for a week.  I had been using a cloth diaper safe detergent, and I COULD. NOT. GET. THEM. CLEAN. It was driving me insane. I posted in tons of different cloth diaper groups and could not figure out what was wrong. My cleaning ritual was perfect, so what could be going wrong? Finally someone asked what I was using for detergent and she told me to use an all and clear detergent instead of a cloth diapering one. Sounded insane, but she has been CDing for a lot longer than I have so I gave it a try. A lot if people use tide, but I LOVE all things Method, so of course I used my Method Free and Clear Detergent. Completely solved the issues of smelly diapers even after washing!    I did strip (or bleach) a couple of inserts that I was still having problems with, but for the most part just switching detergents took care of all my issues! 

4. Not putting an extra insert in the diaper for nighttime. This one didn't take long to figure out.  Once your child soaks through his diaper, you'll realize that you need an extra insert. 

That's all the rookie mistakes that I can think of, so when I make more, I will let you know so you don't have to make them too!  

A Great Reminder!

Matthew 5:14-16;6:1-4

      "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.......Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.  Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."