DIY Travel Changing Pad

Changing diapers on the fly!!

Whenever I have had to change Remy on the fly I have been bummed that he has had to be on a hard surface.  They range in cost from $10 and up.  I just wanted a simple pad though.  Easy to clean, stylish, and comfortable for Remy.  

I have gotten a lot of use out of the crib bedding that I purchased while pregnant.  I used one of those pads and simply wrapped it with a durable fabric that I like.

Sewing machine is still broken (and I haven’t made a good attempt to fix it, boo I know).  So I just cut and wrapped the fabric around the pad and hand sewed it up.  I left the ends opened so I can slip the pad in and out.

Then just folded the ends in like a pillow case.

Then you just need to roll it up and tie it with a ribbon.  Done and done!

I got going on this project before I thought I should share this on my blog!!  So I missed the beginning.  I do think this is pretty self explanatory, but if not I can make another one and take more shots.

Product Review: Baby Stuff

Baby Stuff Product Review!!

I have another baby product review.  There are a couple things that I have been loving and some stuff that I haven’t.  On to the carriers I really like.

I have two different kinds of carriers.   It is nice having two for different purposes.  The Moby Wrap is great.  It isn’t cheap, at about $50 from target, but it is worth it.  
This is the carrier that I go to most of the time.  It is very comfortable and Remy is very secure in the wrap.  The down side is, it is huge.  There is a lot of fabric and it takes up a ton of space in the diaper bag.  Since that is the cause it is awesome we have Infantino Union Baby Carrier.

This is cheaper $30 at target, and works pretty darn good.  I don’t feel like Remy is as comfortable, but he is very secure.  It is also nice that it doesn’t take up too much space when I have to carry it around.

Now on to the disappointment.  The Homedics Sound Spa Lullaby Relaxation Machine has been a disappointment.  
 
It makes noise which is great.  There is also a good sleep timer option.  What sucks is the projection broke a couple months in.  There is a projection screen that rotates different images.  It worked great in the beginning.  But after some time the motor started to get louder and louder and then finally it just stopped rotating.  It is a bummer because Homedics is a good brand and the fact that the project screen didn’t last totally sucked.

Saving Money With Vinegar

Vinegar...Yuck!!

While disgusting all by itself, vinegar can be a very useful tool.  On an April Fools when I was about 8, my best friend offered me a glass of water because we had been playing very hard in the front law.  I took a huge gulp and promptly was thoroughly disgusted and spit it out.  She gave me a cup of vinegar.  YUCK!!

Now, years and years later, I use vinegar almost daily.  It is an ingredient everyone should buy in bulk and keep in their kitchen.  Apart of baking & pickling uses, there are other great uses of vinegar.

Everyday I use vinegar as a cleaning solution.  We have our standard cleaning supplies (Simple Green, Comet etc.) but for an everyday cleaner we use diluted vinegar.  Utilize an old cleaning bottle so you don’t have to purchase a new one of those & mix in distilled white vinegar on a 1:1 ratio.  This is a terrific everyday cleaner.  Works great, inexpensive, and non-toxic.

Additionally vinegar can be used as a fabric softener.  It doesn’t work quite at the same level as your standard fabric softener, but it is significantly less expensive and better for sensitive skin.  Just use the same volume of vinegar as you would have used fabric softener and away you go!  Just like you use vinegar to kill out perfume that is too strong, the vinegar will cut through any smells in your clothes without leaving a vinegar smell.

Great way to pinch pennies with a healthful product.

Health Quest Update

Health Quest Update

So I have a mid way update on my quest for better health.  I am working on diet and exercise.  I have been doing good on exercise and still working on the diet.

My running program is shaping up nicely.  I am not up running 2 miles very hard but I am proud that I am doing it.  The program wasn’t designed for someone who has recently delivered a baby so I have modified a bit.  If you want to try it yourself, talk to your doctor and listen to you body.  Post delivery it is extremely important to listen to your body and go only as hard as your body will let you.  Here is the program and my modifications.  I run 3 days a week:

Week 1:
Run ½ a mile walk ½ mile and do that twice.  
My twist: Run ¼ mile walk ¼ mile and do that twice

Week 2:
Run ¾ mile walk ¾ mile and do that twice
My twist: Run ¾ mile and walk ¾ mile

Week 3:
Run 1 mile walk ¼ mile run ¾ mile
My twist: run 1 mile walk ¼ mile

Week 4:
Run 1 ½ mile walk ½ mile
My twist: Run 1 ½ mile walk ¾ mile

Week 5 (My twist)
Run 1 ¾ mile walk ¼ mile

Right now I am on Week 6.  When I am running 2 miles, it isn’t pretty and sometimes I do have to walk.  But I listen to my body, I want to push myself but not over the top.  I am not a college athlete anymore :)  I run through our neighborhood which has some subtle hills that kick my butt.  I will keep working towards a solid 2 mile run and then move to the next challenge: Running 2 miles up a steep hill.  I am also still loving my Baboosh.  I run with it and I truly think it helps me run hard and lose inches.

Twice a week I do strength training.  See my blog: http://sarahdozamommalove.blogspot.com/2013/02/workout-review.html

Now onto diet.  When you are breastfeeding you need about 500 extra calories a day.  I am trying to stick around 1,600 calories however sometimes I do need more.  I don’t deny myself if I need them I just really try to make sure that I need them.  Key things I try to hit: 2 tablespoons of flax seed, one cup of spinach, one cup of broccoli or cauliflower, one fruit.  Now I need more of all veggies.  It would be great to get three cups of spinach (or another dark leafy green) and three cups of broccoli or cauliflower, and three cups of colorful veggies and fruit.  However, today I am just not going to eat that many veggies.  Working towards it though.  Whenever I get hunger pains, I drink a glass of water and have a Cert.  Sounds funny but it helps me not eat when I am thirsty or when I am bored.

This is working for me.  The lbs. aren’t flying off, however I am losing a 1/2lb to 1lb a week.  Anytime I have dropped 3 pounds in a week I have gained it back right away if I have a big dinner or a salty lunch.  If there is anything that works well for anyone here let me know!

Timbers Home Opener

Remy in Action!!

Timbers home opener.  We had so much fun!  It reminded me that we really haven’t been leaving the house that much.  With the baby we have become a bit recluse.  Getting out into one of the loudest and packed places in Portland reminded us that Remy is fine!!  He can get out into the public and be okay.  He might actually have fun as well :)


Additionally it gives me and Rudy practice just functioning outside the home.  Breastfeeding, using the different carriers etc. etc.  I recommend anyone with a new baby force yourself out of the house :)  You will feel bettering and have more fun with your baby.  And who knows, they might start enjoying it too :)

Healthy Quest Working Out With Baby

Working out with my baby!!

So this is a little update on my back to health quest.   Twice a week I do strength training.  I am still breastfeeding which keeps ones joints loose.  Because of that I haven’t felt that I can amp up my strength training.  A day after my workout I can feel the stress in my joints and the stress in my muscle.  I am looking forward to ramping it up more and more, but right now this is working well.

Simples workout which I blogged about previously.  And very easy to get Remy involved:

Plank-a-licous

Hip-Hip-Horray!

To the Side Sweetheart

Squat...ug nothing cutesy about squats

Money Saving Tools: Olive Oil

You can use Olive Oil for EVERYTHING!!!

Like I have said before, my husband and I are always looking for money saving tools and practices.  One thing we always look for (as I have said before) are things that have multiple purposes and/or can become something else when they are done.  Olive Oil is one of those kinds of products.  

Olive Oil can be used for many different things.  It has great medicinal values and taste.  The traditional use, cooking.  We cook with Olive Oil almost everyday.  It is great in food, to cook food in, and to boil with pasta or rice.  The non traditional uses though are what can really keep this oil out on the kitchen counter.

It all comes down to it’s healing values & non-harsh acidic content.  First, it can heal cuts.  Our puppy Lobo had licked a sore onto his body.  I needed to help it heal, but I needed something non-toxic.  I dabbed Olive Oil on it a couple times a day and it healed his sores quickly.  Additionally, since I breastfeed, I have used it when I had cracked and dry nipples when I was just starting to breastfeed.  That kept me feeling good and there wasn’t anything that was too harsh for Remy if I didn’t clean it well enough.  Finally, with Olive Oil’s healing powers, I have used it on Remy’s head.  He has a little bit of cradle cap so I have rubbed it on his head and it has cleared nicely!

Other uses include eye-makeup remover.  It isn’t harsh on my eyes but works really well.  I don’t break out from it and I get all my make-up off!

This ends up saving you money because you are able to get more bang for your buck and either buy in bulk and/or saving on the fancy eye makeup remover, nipple creams, etc. etc.