November To Do's UPDATE

Make Laundry Detergent - I now have everything I need except the Orange 5 Fold (Trader Joes does not sell essential Oils...  I thought they were kinda like Market of Choice, which sells that kind of stuff, but they're NOT!  Kinda like a ma and pop store....  I didn't like being in there... felt funny)
Make Dishwasher Detergent  - DONE!!!!!

Here's my recipe:  1/2 C salt, 1 C Mule Borax, 1 C Baking Soda, 2 packages unsweetened Lemon KoolAid, Mix well, use 1-2 TB/load (we have good water in Oregon... so that's all I've been using)

The dishes are coming out nice and clean!  And I love that there is no smell while they're washing.  But the BEST thing about it is - When I pour water in a glass there aren't bubbles!  Makes me think all the other detergent wasn't rinsing well and we'd been eating/drinking small quantites of it!  Gross... I think I'll stick to making my own!


Sew 1 diaper / business day to sell (22)  - hahaha  This is my goal every month, and it never happens... right now I have 27 waiting to sell.  I did make up a stack of inserts with my new serger though!  I LOVE it... makes me want a new sewing machine, but that will have to wait until after I aquire an embroidery machine.... 

Some of my new diaper fabric is here and the rest of it has been shipped. I ordered some Eco Bamboo Lining - it's a semi-stay-dry fabric made from bamboo/cotton and backed with polyester.  It is SO soft, I wish I had ordered more!  I also got some bamboo terry for soakers.  I'm going to sew up my "hours upon hours" worth of research and see how they fair.  It really helps if you pay attention to the people who manufacture the fabrics and do what they say!  I just hope the Eco Bamboo Lining holds up nicely!  I only have enough for six!

Will be making bibs soon (maybe this evening if Trevor plays COD again)....  went to get zippers today for the wet bags, but they weren't on sale so will have to do those another time.
Skirt for me - On hold until I find a better pattern.  The material I picked up is kinda Autumny - so I cant wait too long!
Zip Up Vest in 2T for Kamrynn  - going to try to copy one she already has.  I got out some of her 2T clothes already... her 18mos PJ's were getting too small.

Longsleeved shirt in 2T for Kamrynn - not started

Going to use THIS Tutorial, have materials

Shirt for me  - Found a shirt in my closet that I really like how it fits... constructing a pattern using the above tutorial.
Trevor a Travel Pillow  - Not sure how to make this... he wants it to wrap around the seatbelt...

Kamrynn Unders   - Decided not to make any more absorbent semi-waterproof undies for her because she's doing so well.  Need to make 3 overnight trainers and some actual underwear.

Added:
 
Feliz Party Dress - The forup I participate in for the diapers has a group of ladies called "Hot Seamstress Mama's" who are doing a "Sew-Along" for this dress.  They are INCREDIBLE!!!  AND I LOVE THEM!!!  So, I'm making Kamrynn a Christmas Feliz Part Dress.  I want to get her pictures taken in it, and she can wear it for Christmas Dinners.  I need to get going on it... most of the ladies are almost finished or finished with their dresses, and I want Kamrynn's pictures back in time to give out AT Christmas gatherings, so I need to get her in for her pictures!  We got the pattern book and fabrics today.  As soon as she's up from her nap, I'll get them washing so I'm not touching icky chemicals while I sew it!

 

PJ's - I'm going to make Kamrynn two pairs of PJ's using Butterick B4647 style B.  We found some snowman flannel that we both agreed on.  I really liked the frogs on ice skates but she kept shaking her head every time I showed it to her.  She wanted to hold the snowman so I took that to mean she wanted it.  The other pair will just be red flannel I got to make her a crib sheet, but never got around to.  I have the pattern all cut out.  I did the 1T size and lengthened it to the 2T size.
 

Soaping

I've recently been having trouble with my laundry detergent rinsing completely during the wash cycle.  So, I started researching how to make laundry detergent.  It is REALLY SIMPLE:

Grate 1 Bar of Soap, add 1/2 C. Washing Soda (not baking soda, but you can easily turn baking soda into washing soda with your handy-dandy oven), and 1/2C. Mull Team Borax (not the toxic Borax, make sure it is MULE TEAM borax!).  Mix well.  Use 1 TB in HE machines and 2-3TB in regular machines.

It's low sudsing and rinses well.

The PROBLEM:
The recommended Bar Soaps all contain ingredients I dont want to wash diapers with (Ivory), some even contain ingredients I dont want touching our clothes (Fels-Naptha).

The SOLUTION:
Make my own Laundry Bar, grate it up and make my detergent!

NEW PROBLEM:
Making the Laundry Bar!

But I'm still going to try it!

Supplies
Digital Thermometer
Thick bucket or glass container/jar
Stainless Steel Pot
Mold & saran wrap or wax paper
Blanket
Digital Scale
Stiring Stick
Stick Blender (or arm muscle endurance)

Recipe
This is the recipe I'm going to use.  It will make a small batch so I can see how it works.  If it works well, I'll make a larger batch so I dont have to keep making it.

5 tsp Lye
1/2 C Water
1 C Lard
Orange 5 Fold (will have to look up how much to use)




I still need to gather all my ingredients and supplies... until then, I'll keep rinsing, and rinsing, and rinsing, and rinsing.....

Soaping

I've recently been having trouble with my laundry detergent rinsing completely during the wash cycle.  So, I started researching how to make laundry detergent.  It is REALLY SIMPLE:

Grate 1 Bar of Soap, add 1/2 C. Washing Soda (not baking soda, but you can easily turn baking soda into washing soda with your handy-dandy oven), and 1/2C. Mull Team Borax (not the toxic Borax, make sure it is MULE TEAM borax!).  Mix well.  Use 1 TB in HE machines and 2-3TB in regular machines.

It's low sudsing and rinses well.

The PROBLEM:
The recommended Bar Soaps all contain ingredients I dont want to wash diapers with (Ivory), some even contain ingredients I dont want touching our clothes (Fels-Naptha).

The SOLUTION:
Make my own Laundry Bar, grate it up and make my detergent!

NEW PROBLEM:
Making the Laundry Bar!

But I'm still going to try it!

Supplies
Digital Thermometer
Thick bucket or glass container/jar
Stainless Steel Pot
Mold & saran wrap or wax paper
Blanket
Digital Scale
Stiring Stick
Stick Blender (or arm muscle endurance)

Recipe
This is the recipe I'm going to use.  It will make a small batch so I can see how it works.  If it works well, I'll make a larger batch so I dont have to keep making it.

5 tsp Lye
1/2 C Water
1 C Lard
Orange 5 Fold (will have to look up how much to use)




I still need to gather all my ingredients and supplies... until then, I'll keep rinsing, and rinsing, and rinsing, and rinsing.....

November To Do's

Here's a list of all the things I want to do before the end of November!  Not in any particular order.

• Make Laundry Detergent
• Requires making Laundry Bar Soap because I dont like the ingredients in Fels-Naptha
• Still researching how to make it/supplies/ingredients
• Make Dishwasher Detergent
• 1/2 C salt, 1 C Mule Borax, 1 C Baking Soda, 2 packages unsweetened Lemon KoolAid
• Have everything but the KoolAid
• Sew 1 diaper / business day to sell (22)
• 9 Cut out
• need to order more fabric
• 3 bibs to sell
• 2 wetbags to sell
• cut out, need zippers
• Skirt for me
• Have material, going to use THIS tutorial
• Made a practice one, and I need more than 1.5 times hip measurement...  going to use ALL remaining fabric.
• Zip Up Vest in 2T for Kamrynn
• Have materials, need pattern
• Longsleeved shirt in 2T for Kamrynn
• Going to use THIS Tutorial, have materials
• Shirt for me
• Have material, thinking about using tutorial above for me too!
• Trevor a Travel Pillow
• Finish 9 Remaining Pairs of Semi-Waterproof Absorbent Panties for Kamrynn, already cut out
• 3 Finished

Catcher's Diaper Company

The diaper business is finally up and running.  It's been a very slow process.  I've done A LOT of research.  There are so many regulations to conform to when selling children's products!

I have a Website, which has answers to some diapering FAQ's, diaper sewing supplies,a section for custom orders, and a link to my Etsy Shop.  Most recently I started writing Blog posts!

Sewing diapers is a slow process.  Kamrynn requires a great deal of attention, so I can only "work" while she is sleeping, this limits me to about 4 hours a day, minus time I spend doing dishes, laundry, cooking, groceries, etc., and if we go somewhere for the day I don't get anything done!  My goal is five diapers a week, which I think has happened maybe once!  November I'm starting fresh with my goal!

Happy diapering!

PS:  Kamrynn is now in "Absorbent Panties," and only wet two pairs today, with some dribbles in the third pair!  I'm SO excited for her!

Kamrynn Update: 1 Year!

FIRE!

No, she didn't try to touch it, just looked at it!

Wondering why everyone was staring at her!

Sucking all the frosting off the top.  (Cream Cheese Frosting)

yummy frosting!

What Kamrynn would look like as a man... ;)   

(frosting mustache!)

At one year, Kamrynn weighed about 21lbs, I dont remember how long she was... that will teach me for writing this almost a month late!  She was walking and we got her a first pair of "Walking Shoes."  She has "Running Shoes" in the next size up for when she starts that!  For now, I really like that she is walking.  It is much easier to go out to the car because she can walk.  And now, with her in a convertable carseat, I no longer have the bucket to put all my stuff in to carry to the car!

She still doesn't like confined to a shopping cart or stroller (tries to climb out, even strapped in), so I made a new baby carrier for her....  It is a Mei Tai and I LOVE it.  Super comfy and she can ride on my back at the grocery store!

Kamrynn

• waves Bye Bye and cries when Dada goes to work
• has 8 teeth which she brushes with a tooth brush and water
• goes potty on the big potty (we got tired of the Bjorn Little Potty, so we have an insert for the toilet) and waves bye bye when we flush it!
• Loves Tacos, PBJ Sandwiches, LIME yogurt, Whole Grain Gold Fish, and All Natural Popcicles!
• Helps unload the dishwasher by throwing the silverware on the ground!
• Helps do the laundry by throwing the clean clothes I just folded on the ground!  She also hands me the wet clothes from the washer so I can put them in the dryer (THAT is actually helpful, even though she only give me one article of clothing at a time!)
• Loves going outside, dirt, leaves, grass, and water!
• Tries to pick up small animals (dogs/cats) and is nice to them... no more pinching or pulling fur!
• Likes to send email on the computer (mama translates)
• Wakes up once or twice a night to potty, and has dry diapers all night and naps!
• Signs "num nums" (to nurse), all done/no more, dog, potty, more.  Working on Fish, Book, Mama, Dada, Grandmother, Grandfather, Cat, Banana, Eat, Hungry
• Gives the sweetest little Kamrynn Hugs EVER!

Off to bed!  Here are a few more pictues!

Reading a Birthday Book

Daddy's idea of putting the baby to bed....

Playing at the river

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

What is this stuff?  I must taste!

Likes to ride in her new carseat!  Sunshine Kids "Radian XTSL"  One of the only carseats that will fit in my car (Ford Focus) Rear Facing.  (We're doing Extended Rear Facing to the maximum of the carseat, and this seat has higher maximums than any other seat available in the US)

At the coast!  Fishing Trip for our anniversary!

First Popsicle!

See my teeth!  Gotta brush those pearly whites!

Kamrynn Update: 10 Months, Part 2

In my last post, I forgot to write about all the things Kamrynn can do! 

She can:

• Find the correct hole in the "shape ball" for the shape in her hand.  She tries to put the shape in, but cant get it lined up quite yet.
• Stand up all by herself, with nothing to hang on to.
• Squat down and pick up HEAVY objects and stand back up.
• Kick the ball.
• Go underwater with out sputtering when she comes back up.
• Say: Mama, Dada, Papa, Nana, Babababab (whatever that means, but it is the favorite word), and Up (for Tub)
• Find me if I hide from her (hide & go seek is a favorite game!)
• Chew her food with her mouth closed!
• Go up and down stairs safely (she slides down on her bottom with minimal help)
• Follow simple directions
• Go as much as 40 hours and only potty in her diaper 4 times (this has happend once, the day I finished 6 new diapers for her... she made me think I should have made Trainers instead of diapers because she's getting pretty good about going in the potty again, but the next day she only pottied in the potty twice and I had to clean out 3 poopy diapers... not my favorite chore!)
• Sleep from 8:30-ish to 7:30-ish waking around 4 and 6 (huge improvement from 2 months ago)
• Cruise the furniture a little
• Walk hanging on to one finger
• Climb out of our bed without falling (she rolls to her tummy and very, very, very, slowly slides off onto her feet)

That's all I can think of right now!  More next month I'm sure... maybe even some walking!

Kamrynn Update: 10mos

I dont usually write updates every month, but Kamrynn has mastered so many new things, I'd have too much to write at 12months!

Not sure on the weight or length, but I know she's close to 32" because we need a new carseat ASAP.  We're dangerously close to the 1" mark!  The carseat we wanted was the Safety 1st Complete Air.  Same type as her infant seat (with the airbags for her noggin), but a Convertable.  We will do extended Rear Facing, so we wanted a seat that has the tallest RF limit.  This is THE seat.  It's reasonably priced at just over $150, so we could eventually get one for each vehicle.  Unfortunately, it does NOT fit in my car.  Well, it does fit, but no one could drive or ride in the passenger seat!  So, our next choice is the Britax something or other.  I dont like how hard the location her head would be hitting in a crash is, but it has other safe aspects, like in a crash in lowers the center of gravity, and it is reinforced with steel rather than plastic.  It is over $300, so we'd be switching it between the two cars.  I'm not buying 2 $300 carseats!

Kamrynn has been keeping me busy!  She knows quite a few signs, but still isn't "requesting" yet, she only signs after I sign asking if that is what she wants.  She's also gotten really lazy with her signs.  For example, "potty" has become shaking her hands up and down further and faster than "bye bye."  "No More" or "All Done" is also the same sign.  "More" is still clapping her hands...she's never put her fingertips together.  She can sign "Dad" but not "Mom."  Just today she kinda signed "banana," one we've been working on for over a week!  Sometimes I just have to go through the list until I find the right one.  I do think she understands language pretty well.  She will sit down when asked, if she wants to.  She understands and obeys when I tell her not to touch something, if she wants to, and until I look away.  She knows what the bath is.

She got really fussy around 7pm one night.  She didn't want to nurse, wasn't thirsty, didn't need changed or have to go potty.  Finally I asked her if she was just ready for her bath.  She took off at "head down" crawl speed towards the bathroom!  (Kamrynn has two crawl speeds, Head Up, and Head Down.  Head up is slow, Head Down is FAST!)

Not much new on the eating.  We haven't tried any new foods....  We've had tacos a couple times and she takes bites out if mine.  I hold it for her and she bites down and gives her head a little shake, effectively taking a "bite."  She does the same thing when eating bananas now.  She takes the biggest bites I've ever seen.  Probably about the size Trevor takes!  She manages to chew it all up and swallow without losing any, even though there's so much in there she cant keep her lips closed!

Ok, past my bedtime!  Kamrynn has been grumpy the past few days and I need my sleep...  The neighbor got a drumset and has been playing ALL DAY.  I take that back.  Not playing.  Randomly beating on the drums!  Cant hear it outside, only in our bedroom.  One more day, and I'm going to go not-so-randomly beating on doors!  ;)

G'Night!

Kamrynn Update: 9 Months!

Time is flying!  I cannot beleive Kamrynn is nine months already!  She has grown and changed so much, so quickly!  At nine months, she weighs 21 pounds and is 29.5" tall and has four teeth (two new ones on top, and two on the bottom).

New Top Teeth

Kamrynn loves to have a finger in each hand and RUN around the house.  There is not walking for these feet... she moves them as fast as can be!  She is also becoming quite the crawler... she not only crawls on flat surfaces, but over boxes I used to baracade her out of my sewing area, and on her daddy's new gun case.  The gun case is her favorite.  When laying on the ground, it sits about 6 inches off the ground, and she like to climb up and sit on top... usually falling off backwards and having Dada catch her.  :)  She also loves to climb up and down the stairs at Gama and Papa's house.  I have a LONG video, when I get some spare time, I'll edit it down and post it.

New foods Kamrynn likes include, raspberries, watermelon, cheese, plain yogurt (w/blackberries), steak, stuffed mushrooms (she had already had mushrooms, but apparently they're better stuffed), triscuts, and scrambled eggs.  She gobbles up almost everything I put in front of her!

Stuffed Mushroom

Cantelope - I have to cut bigger chunks now.....

Spaghetti - the all time favorite!



Kamrynn has been learning sign language since she was about 5 months old and is starting to sign.  Currently, she can sign "milk," "more" (she claps her hands), and today signed "potty" correctly (she had just been shaking her hand, but today she put her thumb under her finger)!  She didn't potty when I took her, she had already gone, but that's OK!

We are all finally starting to sleep better.  Kamrynn only woke once at 3:30 last night.  I changed her, offered the potty, then nursed and put her back in her bed wide awake.  She woke me up, happily jabbering away, a little after seven.  I was incredibly tired of being up every hour or so all night and up for the day at 4:30AM, SO, Kamrynn went on a schedule that includeds Plenty of sleep!  The schedule starts at night and is as follows:

8:30pm - Bath time, Potty, lotion/massage, songs & PJ's, prayer, nursing until drowsy. 
9pm - ASLEEP - she MUST be asleep by this time or I leave the room for 60 seconds come back and do more nursing until drowsy.
8AM - Wild Wake-up, Potty, Nurse- Anytime she wakes up before 8am we change diaper and nurse until drowsy, any time after 8am we throw open the curtains and act all excited that it is time to get up, potty and nurse.  Then we have some breakfast and shower and go through a modified bed time routine getting ready for our nap.
10AM - Nap Time - Whatever time we get up for the day, she must be ASLEEP no more than two hours later for her morning nap.
NOON - Wild Wake-Up, potty, nurse - then we have lunch, then either have play time or we run erands.
3pm - Nap Time - no more than three hourse after wakeup from morning nap.
5pm - Wild Wake-up, potty, nurse, fix dinner/eat, nurse (for some reason, she likes to nurse before and after meals), then play time
5:30 - Optional Nap Time (If she didn't sleep for 2 hours in the morning and atleast 1.5 hours in the afternoon, she takes a 45 minute nap)

The schedule has been modified from "The Sleep Lady."  The Sleep Lady has babies going to bed and getting up at 7pm and 7am.  For Kamrynn's age, she should be getting 11-12hrs of sleep at night and taking one 2hr. nap and one 1.5hr. nap.  Currently, Kamrynn is getting about 10.5hrs. at night and taking two 2hr. naps.

Here are some super cute pictures of my cutie!

Her "I'm gonna get you" face.  :)

Up to no good.... she's knows she's not to touch the fan!

Fishing with Dada

Driving Papa's boat in the driveway!  Cant wait for the lake!