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Baby Rabies

pregnancy & parenting

  • Start Here
    • About Baby Rabies
    • Baby Registry Top Picks
    • Favorite Pregnancy Apps
  • The Book
  • Pregnancy
    • Birth Stories
    • Perinatal Mood Disorders
  • Parenthood
    • Babies
    • Toddlers
    • School Age Kids
    • Parenting LOLZ
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    • Photography

      6 Stunning Photos You Would Never Guess Were…

      February 11, 2019

      Photography

      Simple Tips For Editing Snow Photos On Your…

      December 13, 2018

      Photography

      I Wrote A Photography eBook And This Is…

      December 6, 2018

      Photography

      Creative Lighting Ideas To Help You Take Great…

      November 27, 2018

      Photography

      Learn How To Take And Edit Photos On…

      November 19, 2018

  • Reviews
    • Reviews

      The Answer To Last Minute Holiday Gifting For…

      December 19, 2018

      Reviews

      I Was Never A Barbie Girl Until Now

      October 1, 2018

      Reviews

      Finally! Jeans For My Jean-Averse Kids!

      August 22, 2018

      Reviews

      If Your Kid Loves Dump Trucks & Garbage…

      August 13, 2018

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      Nobody Tell My Kids ABC Mouse Is Part…

      September 4, 2017

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Green Living

Tried & True Baby Items I’m Happy To Use Again For Baby #4
BabiesGreen LivingParenthoodReviews

Tried & True Baby Items I’m Happy To Use Again For Baby #4

by Jill November 4, 2016
written by Jill

You’d think after 3 other babies that I’d have a huge stash of stuff ready for this one. I mean, yes and no. There isn’t a ton we need for this baby, but I also haven’t kept every single thing I’ve ever used with the other 3, either. For good reason. Half of it was crap.

And while there are some awesome new things that have come out over the last few years that I do plan on getting, I am pretty confident in all the good stuff that I’ve kept.

Tried & True Baby Items I'm Happy To Use Again For Baby #4 | BabyRabies.com

This includes our bumGenius cloth diapers by Cotton Babies, who is also sponsoring this post. 

If you’re a first time parent, I think these are some quality items to put on your registry. Of course, everything in parenthood is subjective and really relative to your lifestyle, so take this for what it’s worth- just my opinion… my opinion based on having 3 other babies in 8 years, with a 4th on the way.

Fisher Price Bouncer SeatTried & True Baby Items I'm Happy To Use Again For Baby #4 | BabyRabies.com
There are a few variations of this, but I’m partial to the most basic. The vibration function is nice, but what we use this for the most is to manually bounce our babies to sleep because our babies love them a good, hard bounce.

My favorite pro-parent tip is to master how to bounce a baby to sleep with your foot with the seat on the floor in front of you while you sit at your desk and work, sit on the couch and watch TV, or sit at the table and eat. It’s also the perfect place to put a newborn while you shower. Yeah, there’s going to come a moment when you’re alone with a baby, and you can’t stand your own stench, and then you’re going to be like, “Uhhhh… so like, what do I DO with you?”

bumGenius Cloth Diapers by Cotton Babies

Tried & True Baby Items I'm Happy To Use Again For Baby #4 | BabyRabies.comI can’t even begin to quantify how much money cloth diapering has saved us while raising 3 kids. bumGenius diapers are the most reliable, longest lasting brand I’ve tried. I’ve got some bumGenius Original pocket diapers that I used on my first baby 8 years ago, that I’m prepping for baby #4 now, along with a nice stash of new Freetimes and Elementals.

I’ve been all over the place with cloth diapering, from using them ALL THE TIME with my first (road trips included) to using them just at home with baby #3. Even if you’re not planning to commit to full-time cloth diapering, I think it’s great to have at least 6 on hand. Then you don’t have to stress if you run out of diapers in the middle of the night, or if the brand you’re using suddenly seems to be giving your baby a rash.

Not to mention, they’re ADORABLE. (Look at those prints!)

Tried & True Baby Items I'm Happy To Use Again For Baby #4 | BabyRabies.com
I’ll be sharing a lot more about cloth diapering over the next year!

Miracle Blanket & Woombie
Tried & True Baby Items I'm Happy To Use Again For Baby #4 | BabyRabies.com
These are the only 2 swaddles that have ever contained our hulk-smashing newborns. (They are all born with super strength.) The Miracle Blanket helped save my sanity when my first baby had colic. The Woombie came about in time for our 2nd, though she seemed to prefer having her arms at her side in the Miracle Blanket. But, our 3rd LOVED having the freedom to scoot his hands up a bit in the Woombie. I’m going to have both washed and ready to see what works best for baby #4.

Aden & Anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets and Dream Blankets Tried & True Baby Items I'm Happy To Use Again For Baby #4 | BabyRabies.com
The basic swaddle blankets are such workhorses. They make excellent nursing covers, spit up rags, car seat covers, light blankets, and plain ol’ swaddles. They are HUGE, which is really useful. The Dream Blankets (like that star one up there) are several layers of the basic swaddle, and they are the perfect weight blanket for when you need something a little heavier. They get softer with every wash, and soon you’ll be wishing you had one in your size (which they actually make).

Fisher Price Rock & Play
Tried & True Baby Items I'm Happy To Use Again For Baby #4 | BabyRabies.com
I’ve only had the Rock & Play for my 3rd baby, and man, I wish I had it for the other 2. My babies all love to sleep in a slight incline, and this thing is PERFECT for that. The Bouncer seat is, too, but it’s not always convenient to sit it on the floor, especially with older kids and dogs running around. Lowell napped in this all the time, and even spent a few fussy nights in it. I hear there’s one now that automatically rocks itself?! Yeah, getting it.

Diono Radian RXT Car Seat
Tried & True Baby Items I'm Happy To Use Again For Baby #4 | BabyRabies.com
These seats are WONDERFUL if you need to fit 3 carseats across one row of your car. With just one Radian RXT in the middle, we were able to get 3 carseats across the back of our Infiniti G35. Leyna, at nearly 6, just outgrew hers and is switching to a Britax Frontier.

Medela Harmony Breast Pump
Tried & True Baby Items I'm Happy To Use Again For Baby #4 | BabyRabies.com
If you think you’re going to even try to breastfeed, I can’t recommend having a manual pump enough. I have used this so much with 3 kids that I’m actually on my 2nd one now. The first lived a long, hard life. Even if you think you’re going to exclusively breastfeed and never give your baby a bottle, and even if you already have a fancy double electric pump, here’s why you need it:
1. Sometimes you need to pump a little bit to relieve engorgement to get a newborn to latch, and having to bust out the electric pump for that can be overwhelming.
2. If you unfortunately wind up with a clogged duct or mastitis, this can really help you get milk moving to help it clear up faster.
3. If you travel, a small manual pump is immensely easier to throw in your bag and take on an airplane with you.

Stokke Tripp Trapp
Tried & True Baby Items I'm Happy To Use Again For Baby #4 | BabyRabies.comThis is the only high chair we’ve ever had, and I fully expect we will still have it when we have grandchildren. It’s easy to clean, impossible to destroy, and functions as a high chair, booster seat, and adult size chair. It’s a fantastic investment that you can feel confident will not wind up in a landfill anytime soon. You can read a more thorough review of it here.

 

Boppy Feeding Pillow
Tried & True Baby Items I'm Happy To Use Again For Baby #4 | BabyRabies.comNot only does it make a great nursing/feeding pillow (and mine looks a little deflated here because it’s been used A LOT)…
Tried & True Baby Items I'm Happy To Use Again For Baby #4 | BabyRabies.com
But it’s also wonderful for tummy time, and helping babies sit up. I love that it’s uncomplicated, and you can find a ton of cute, custom covers on Etsy or from sellers on Instagram. Get you a couple because this thing gets covered in a lot of bodily fluids on the regular.

Bonus- I also need to add some sort of baby carrier to this list, but since I can’t narrow down a specific favorite, and we’ve used several over the years, I’m just going to encourage you to do some research and find a good quality baby carrier (that you can usually find 2nd hand for a great price if you’re not sure it will work out) that works well with your lifestyle.

Tried & True Baby Items I'm Happy To Use Again For Baby #4 | BabyRabies.com

I do love a stretchy Moby Wrap for those newborn days. This saved me when my oldest had colic. I also love soft structured carriers when they get older.

What about you, seasoned parents? What are some of your tried & true baby items you’d recommend a new parent get?

Thanks to Cotton Babies for sponsoring this post. Many of these items, plus so much more, can be found at CottonBabies.com, and shipping is FREE with every order.

November 4, 2016 2 comments
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When Your Fetus Hates Mint Toothpaste- Hello to the Rescue!
Green LivingPregnancyReviews

When Your Fetus Hates Mint Toothpaste- Hello to the Rescue!

by Jill June 20, 2016
written by Jill

The first trimester is OVER!

via GIPHY

So now I can mostly talk about how sick I felt without feeling sick just thinking about it.

I’m not a throw-up-er. My body refuses to let that happen. I think I have a mild form of an actual phobia of it. BUT I did throw up once, and it will not surprise many of you when I say that it was while I was brushing my teeth (ever so delicately so as not to let the brush get anywhere near the back of my throat) while using mint toothpaste.

I know, mistake #1 – never use mint toothpaste when you’re pregnant. I’VE LEARNED MY LESSON.

hello products is sponsoring this post because I told them you all HAVE to know about how great their stuff is. 

IMG_0775

Now I happily brush away with hello products Bubble Gum flavor with fluoride. I know it says “kids” on the tube, but that’s just a suggestion, right? (Actually, it is.)

I started working with hello earlier this year after meeting them and trying out some of their stuff at a blog conference in February. I was so impressed by how well their naturally friendly products actually worked AND how great they taste that I sought them out and told them all about y’all, my readers, because I knew you’d be super into this stuff, too.

So luckily, when the mint episode happened (and this is nothing against their Mojito Mint flavor, which I LOVED prior to becoming pregnant), I had a cabinet full of flavors they’d sent our whole family to choose from, and three of them were completely mint free- Blue Raspberry with fluoride, Natural Watermelon without fluoride, and Bubblegum with fluoride. I tried the Bubblegum first (since it’s what the kids were already using) and it was great! Not a gag or vurp to be had.

So I’m sticking with that for now. I mean, it’s entirely possible it will also become an aversion at some point (thanks, fetus), but I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to find something else from the hello products line to get me through if it does.

IMG_0773

Since 4 out of 5 of us are stuck on this one flavor right now, it’s gonna run out real quick, but they are available at Target & Walmart (and other places), so no big deal!

Want to give them a try? Here’s a $2 off coupon. 

All hello products are vegan and free of environmentally unfriendly ingredients like triclosan and microbeads. Plus, really, they taste awesome AND they leave my mouth feeling clean and fresh with no gritty aftertaste or film that some other alternative toothpastes have.

I hope you get a chance to try them. I think they’re pretty awesome, and I’m super happy they’re working with me this year on this sponsored post and others.

 

 

June 20, 2016 4 comments
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I’m Pregnant & Smells Make Me Cry – So Here’s What I’m Using
Green LivingPregnancyReviews

I’m Pregnant & Smells Make Me Cry – So Here’s What I’m Using

by Jill June 7, 2016
written by Jill

Scott asked me to “sniff out” where the dog peed in the playroom last week.

Let me pause to breathe through these emotions I’m feeling right now.

Alro, our 7 month old English Mastiff, has taken to marking spots… spots that have carpet. Beyond this, he is also terribly disgusting and eats mud/poop frequently, and he farts a lot.

OMG you guys. I don’t know if I can get through this post. Just thinking about his smells is making me so sick I want to cry. BRB, gonna go hold this Fresh Wave gel under my nose real quick. It’s on my desk for a reason.

This post is sponsored by Fresh Wave.

IMG_0070

I was in a really agitated, frustrated, disgusted state of first trimester smell overload when Fresh Wave reached out to me about working together on this sponsored post. Never before do I think the stars have so perfectly aligned. I was like, “YES, LET ME TELL MY PEOPLE THE POWER OF YOUR SMELL ELIMINATING STUFF! And also, please send it all to me as soon as humanly possible.”

And lo, they did. And it was good.

A huge basket full of Fresh Wave products (that I didn’t get a chance to take a proper picture of because I ripped into like a kid on Christmas) arrived at my door a few days later. We’ve been in a serious relationship ever since.

IMG_0064

That Fresh Wave candle has been burning every day, so it’s time for me to stock up on some from their website.  I’m going to run to Target and get another one of those gels sometime this week. They work REALLY well, but it’s not because they cover up the smells with artificial fragrance. Instead, they use plant oils and water to actually remove odors from your home. That’s super great, especially right now when too much “good” smell can be even worse than some bed smells when it comes to my nausea.

Plus, it’s just better for you to not be breathing in synthetic fragrances all day. All Fresh Wave products are phthalate free, and don’t contain harsh chemicals.

They do have a bit of a scent to them, from what I’ve noticed with my hyper-sensitive nose. It’s very mild and almost earthy, though. So far, it hasn’t made me sick at all.

IMG_0076

We steam cleaned the carpets as best we could, and now I’m spraying spots that still bother me with the Odor Removing Spray. (Though, honestly, I’m convinced we’ll have to replace the carpet at some point.) It’s enough to keep the smell from making me rage… most of the time.

Oh, so much rage.

This dog! He was totally, fully potty trained, and now this? Brilliant timing. Thank you for regressing at the exact moment I am cursed with a super nose.

We are meeting with a trainer tonight and we understand it’s puppy behavior that can be worked through. Do not fret, he’s our forever dog, and we do love him deeply. I just… you guys, sometimes my own children disgust me to the point of not wanting to touch them right now. So these feelings toward Arlo are normal, I’d say.

I also feel a lot of rage when it comes to the smell of our laundry room (where the litter box is), and for now a Fresh Pod stuck to the back of the door is helping a bit.

IMG_0065

I basically have this stuff everywhere, and I could use more. GOOD NEWS! As I mentioned, you can get the gel, spray, and packs at Target (!!) and more Fresh Wave products at Whole Foods, Bed Bath & Beyond, and some other places.

It may seem a little crazy and over the top how excited I am about odor removing products, but this is the struggle of MY LIFE right now. I actually cry when I smell some things, it makes me that sick. Clearly, I am the rational voice you are looking for when it comes to making purchasing decisions (or I represent your current struggle, as well, and I’m SO sorry).

Huge thanks to Fresh Wave for sponsoring this post and sending me all your miraculous science-y products. 

 

June 7, 2016 5 comments
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25 Year Old Me Was Dumb, Part 2
BabiesGreen LivingParenthoodPregnancySchool Age DaysToddlers

25 Year Old Me Was Dumb, Part 2

by Jill June 23, 2015
written by Jill

Did you read Part 1? 

Dear pregnant me,

I know you think you have this figured out. You did your research, read the websites, the forums, the books. You have a plan.

You’ve pledged to a brand of parenting that you believe will provide you with all the answers. You will be an attachment parent who cloth diapers, breastfeeds, and has a med-free birth with a midwife. Your research tells you this is the BEST kind of parent to be, so naturally you could choose no other method.

You plan to fill your baby’s room with a few carefully chosen wooden toys. He will sleep on an organic sheet. You will wrap him tight to you and wear him all day.

This will make him a kind, obedient, well-mannered and confident child. And you will be zen and bonded.

Because you think you have the answers. 

Oh, sweetie. KARMA IS COMING.

F_JillMaternity2008_044

Dear new mom me,

I see you awkwardly wearing this role, struggling to ace your first performance review. There are a lot of emotions.

Of course, you expected to feel exhausted and overwhelmed with love. You didn’t expect to feel just plain overwhelmed all. the. time.

He never stops crying. He is literally sucking chunks of flesh off your nipples. You HATE breastfeeding him.

You don’t look at him lovingly while he nurses. Instead, you throw tubes of lanolin across the room, dropping f-bombs and tears on the top of his head.

 

You wrap him tightly and wear him because that is SUPPOSED to calm him. But he only sleeps if you are constantly walking AND jumping at the same time.

Sometimes… a lot of times, you are so over holding him that you want to put him down, walk away, and let him cry.

You are drowning in guilt… because you are mad at him, because your plan isn’t working, because you think you are failing your job.

crawling

Somehow – you really don’t know how because you block it from your memory – you make it through colic.

Your nipples heal, breastfeeding becomes almost enjoyable, you make your first batch of baby food, and sign up for Gymboree classes.

You feel like you’re beginning to ace this gig, with the exception of one small detail.

He. Never. Sleeps. You breastfeed him almost every hour at night. You run to his every cry. He is your entire world, and he is sucking the life out of you.

And you’re beyond exhausted, you’ve been sick for 3 months, but you push through because good moms must always be exhausted, you think.

feb09

He grows into toddlerhood, and you struggle with discipline. Mostly because it seems you can’t MAKE him do anything, no matter what you try.

You are torn between being the gentle parent you pledged to be, and the parent with a kid who behaves perfectly.

Why isn’t this approach working? Isn’t he supposed to trust me? To feel bonded to me? Isn’t he supposed to be calm and sweet?

Would it be different if I spanked him? Would he listen better? Would he sit still at restaurants? Stop throwing forks from the table and crying for cookies in the grocery store?

You feel judged, and get hot and angry, hovering over him in public to be sure he doesn’t annoy others with his behavior.

You are quick to correct him, scold him, you are ALWAYS telling him no.

Don’t these people understand I’m TRYING? Why are they looking at me? Don’t they understand timeouts don’t work? Nothing works.

Hang in there, momma.

With a 2nd baby comes a little wisdom… an epiphany.

Other people aren’t judging you. Well, maybe they are, but their voices aren’t the ones in your head telling you you’re a bad mother.

That? Would be YOU – 25 year old you.

Sure, other people shoot you a look when your toddler throws himself to the ground in a parking lot while you’re struggling to get your baby into your Ergo, but who wouldn’t look at that scene?

They’re probably just glad it’s not them…. this time.

YOUR voice is the one in your head, hours later, mocking your parenting in-abilities. YOUR voice is the one that needs to be silenced- your 25 year old voice.

And not only do you need to tell her to shut the eff up, but you need to give yourself permission to stray from the rigid standards you pledged yourself to.

 

ONE of the smartest things you do is reclassify yourself as a hybrid parent, which is really just a way of saying you’re the kind of parent who’s going to do whatever works- gently sleep training your one year old, breastfeeding your toddler, and buying them chicken nuggets.

THE smartest thing you do is get help for postpartum anxiety and OCD. Because all these feelings you’ve been struggling with for 3 years of impending doom, anger, and the idea you were never meant to have children?

They didn’t bubble up because you’re a bad mom. They were symptoms of being sick.

In so many ways you’ve become the mother you never thought you’d be.

IMG_9787

Your 25 year old self would die if she got a whiff of your SUV (though she would be quite happy you haven’t given into the minivan).

She would definitely judge you if she saw you with all 3 kids at Target.

IMG_7070-2

Your 7 year old would be running down the aisles, like an animal off his leash.
Your 4 year old would look like her hair had never been brushed, and she’d be carrying some hideous plastic toy.
Your toddler would be wearing a Thomas the Train shirt and no shoes.
Your cart would be full of organic milk, cheese puffs, and chicken nuggets. (And wine because somethings never change.)

She would side eye you, and go down the next aisle to avoid your traveling circus.

But don’t you worry. She is the dumbest, and she would make a TERRIBLE mother.

Rock on, me. You’ve got this.

Love,
You

June 23, 2015 5 comments
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An Update On The House Buying/Selling Situation
BabiesGreen LivingHome Decor & DIY

An Update On The House Buying/Selling Situation

by Jill November 6, 2014
written by Jill

SponsoredBySeventhGeneration

The experience of selling our house and buying a new one has been pretty similar to planning our wedding. At first, we were like, “OMG YES! So fun! Make it so pretty! Allllll the ideas!” And then I started pinning things like crazy (except that Pinterest didn’t exist when I got married and BACK IN MY DAY we cut ideas out of magazines that were MADE FROM PAPER).

But then there were contracts and vendors, and we started bleeding money, and days before the big day we’re like, “Why didn’t we run off to a romantic island and build a hut from grass at sunset with our closest friends and family?”

The biggest similarity is that by the end of the planning and prepping, we are both like, “Welp, I hope we love each other (and the house) forever because NEVER DOING THIS AGAIN. Stuck for life.”

It’s been hard to get excited about the new house because it’s been a rocky few weeks with our buyers. And then there’s always the fear that something random will happen before closing, like the zombie apocalypse or a massive Ebola outbreak that shuts down the entire city.

I have an overactive imagination.

Assuming nothing blows up over the next 4 days, though, we are all set to close on both houses next Monday. Like, we will be moving boxes into our new house this time next week.

Seventh Generation diapers when I can't cloth diaper- BabyRabies.com

GET EXCITED!

So now it’s full-on packing mode. The house is covered in giant boxes, which is a toddler wonderland!

Seventh Generation diapers when I can't cloth diaper- BabyRabies.com

Seventh Generation diapers when I can't cloth diaper- BabyRabies.com

The sacrifices and the stress will be worth it in the end. We are all looking forward to moving on and settling in. We know quite a few of our new neighbors, and we each have big plans for different parts of the house. Scott is already dreaming up a new garden. The kids are looking forward to playing in the big driveway. I am so pumped to decorate my new craft/photo studio!

All that’s standing in our way is a little ol’ move, and writing a giant check.

And lots of boxes.

Seventh Generation diapers when I can't cloth diaper- BabyRabies.com

A huge thanks to Seventh Generation for sponsoring this post and sending Lowell a ton of their new Touch of Cloth disposable diapers. When Lowell isn’t in cloth diapers, he’s been in Seventh Generation diapers since the day he was born, so this is such a natural fit for us.

I had to pack up the cloth diapers when we put the house on the market because it just wasn’t something I could keep up with right now. The upside is those diaper boxes are the perfect size for Lowell to help pack his own toys.

Yeah, get to work, buddy.

November 6, 2014 13 comments
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A Place For Everything- Even Essential Oils
Green LivingHome Decor & DIYReviews

A Place For Everything- Even Essential Oils

by Jill September 25, 2014
written by Jill

In my dream world, in my dream house, I am a hyper-organized person.

In my dream world, in my dream house, PopTarts don’t fall on your face when you open the pantry.

This little bit of my wall? This looks a little like my dream house in my dream world, with all (the very few) of my essential oils in one beautiful place (in a cool hallway, away from the direct sunlight).

Essential Oil Rack, Handcrafted by The Oil Tree for BabyRabies.com

This was a gift from a dear friend who’s husband is now building these shelves for sale through their new venture The Oil Tree. 

Essential Oil Rack, Handcrafted by The Oil Tree for BabyRabies.com

To be completely honest, I’m not super into oils in that I don’t really know what to do with them other than diffuse them and make the house smell less like 3 kids, a dog, and a cat live here. But hey, I’m happy with that!

Essential Oil Rack, Handcrafted by The Oil Tree for BabyRabies.com

The shelf comes with some really strong magnets and adhere to the top of the bottle lids. Then they stick onto metal strips embedded in the bottom of each shelf. There’s actually room for a ton more bottles on this one.

Anyway, if you want one of these handcrafted beauties for your own, check out The Oil Tree on Etsy.  You can also follow them on Instagram @TheOilTree.

September 25, 2014 4 comments
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Let It Grow
BabiesGreen LivingSchool Age DaysToddlers

Let It Grow

by Jill August 5, 2014
written by Jill

A few years ago, when Leyna was a baby, our backyard got a little out of control. Because babies make yard work fall to the bottom of priority lists.Easter image in overgrown yard

Look at wee Leyna and Kendall!

The tall grass and weeds made for a fun photo background, but eventually we had to mow it. (And by “we” of course I mean “Scott.”)

There was a huge, robust weed sprouting against our fence, but it was a pretty weed. Scott thought maybe it could be a bush of some sort. It was where our compost box once was. We moved it every year to a new spot, and always had random things sprouting up where it used to be.

So we left it. I think we mostly just wanted to see how big it would get before it died.

Except it never did.

And for a couple years after, we’d discuss pulling it each spring. If it was a tree, did we really want a random tree growing there? If it was a weed, it was clearly on crack, and did we want a cracked out weed in our backyard? It might eat the children.


But then, this year, it sprouted fuzzy little buds, and we confirmed that it was not a possessed weed, and was indeed the kind of tree we wanted to keep. It’s a peach tree.

Texas peaches from compost

We haphazardly sprouted a peach tree from our compost 4 years ago, and this year it yielded buckets full of delicious Texas peaches.

Texas peaches from compost

All we can guess is it must have come from a peach pit that originally belonged to a peach from a tree at my mom’s house.

Texas peaches from compost

I’m glad we let it grow.

Texas peaches from compostTexas peaches from compost

August 5, 2014 22 comments
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Green LivingReviews

Sippy Cup Love- Re Play Recycled No-Spill Cups

by Jill May 21, 2013
written by Jill

Last week I headed to Target for 2 things, and one of them was not new sippy cups. But, in my defense, we did actually NEED them. I just forgot that we needed them until I saw them as I walked past the toddler feeding aisle.

Don’t ask me what I was doing on that side of the store, the opposite end from the two things I went there for. I was without children, okay? Obviously, I was enjoying myself, walking around. It was my workout for the week.

My point is, these cups by Re Play caught my eye. Amidst a sea of licensed character cups, and gimmicky cups, and cups I KNOW leak even when they swear they don’t- there they were. Made from recycled milk jugs, made in the US, 2 to a pack for less than $7. Plain and simple. It was love at first sight.

targetcups

Of course, I fully expected to get them home and see they disintegrate into shards of compost after one wash, but I was willing to give them a shot.

I’m happy to report, after nearly a full week of use, they are holding up beautifully. They don’t leak. At all. They are easy to wash.

I couldn’t find them on the Target website. I’m assuming they are a pretty new product for them because I’d never seen them up until last week, and I could probably inventory the entirety of our Super Target with my eyes closed. So I can’t say whether or not they will be at your location, but they are available on the Re Play website and they are available on Amazon with free Prime shipping.

Not a sponsored post. Not paid to tell you this. Just love them, and wanted to share.

May 21, 2013 23 comments
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CharitableGreen LivingReviews

How To Win At Life With The Help of Soap- SoapBox Soaps

by Jill January 15, 2013
written by Jill

More than 3,000 children’s lives could be saved every day with something as simple as a bar of soap and clean water. – SoapBox Soaps

If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for a good cause. When a Soapbox Soaps rep emailed me earlier this month and introduced me to their company mission, I was intrigued. Sure, she could go ahead and send over some soap. I’d give it a try, I said.

When the boxes arrived in my mailbox, I started to do a little research on their company. I was pulled in by their Vimeo channel, and immediately fell in love with the cause and the people behind it (who I’ve never met!).

It’s simple. You buy a bar of soap – a vegan, cruelty free, gluten free, eco friendly, made in America, free of nasty chemicals bar of soap– and they give a bar of soap to someone in need.

But Jill, it’s just… soap. What is there to get so excited about? People around the world need much more than just soap.

Right? Is that what you’re thinking? Because I sorta thought that when I got the email, I’ll admit. But then I realized that soap is such a small thing to me because I take it for granted. SoapBox Soaps is giving bars of soap to kids all over the world who can use it to prevent (potentially life-threatening) disease. They’re are giving bars to homeless shelters across America, and to disaster survivors.

I’m sold. I signed up for my 2 random bars of soap (you can also pick which scent you want) to be delivered to our house every month for $10 a month with free shipping. $10 a month to do something and get something we actually need.

And the actual bars? I tried them out, and they’re great! They smell wonderful, the lather is nice, and they don’t leave your hands feeling dry, but also don’t leave a residue.

Leyna approves, too.

I didn’t get paid to tell y’all about this. I didn’t even promise to put them on my blog. I’m just a little smitten by this company and their mission, and I think it’s something you might like, too. It’s $10 a month. You get something useful. You help save lives. I’d call that a win.

January 15, 2013 10 comments
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Green LivingPregnancyThe Story

12 Weeks Pregnant And Still Disbelieving

by Jill January 14, 2013
written by Jill

You know that thing some women do where they surprise their partner with the news that they’re pregnant, sometimes accompanied by cute things like tiny onesies that say Daddy Is My Homeboy? Yeah, I’ve never done that. Not that I see anything wrong with that approach, just that my style is more:

“HERE, LOOK, OMG.” ::shoves pee stick in husband’s face::

Actually, this is exactly how it went down this time:

I noticed toward the end of the 3rd week of November that I was super tired. Like, so tired I couldn’t stay up past 8, which is odd for me since I’m normally up working until midnight most nights. That Friday, I laid in bed after I woke and it hit me. I did the math in my head, and looked at my calendar on my phone. I was pretty sure my period was a few days late.

On my way through Target that afternoon, I picked up a test just so I could pee on it and get on with my weekend. I’ve had plenty of moments the last few years when I thought I was somehow magically pregnant, and it all turned out just fine after I took a test.

When I got home, arms full of groceries, tripping over baseballs in the hall, the kids were driving. me. bonkers. and I snapped. I yelled at everyone. The kids, the dogs, my husband.

“What is your problem today?” Scott asked.

OH. I WILL SHOW YOU MY PROBLEM. I thought, and I skipped off to the bathroom to pee on the test. Half hoping it was positive so I could make sense of my rage.

And then it was positive, and then I just did that thing where I was like, “Scott! Please come here…. Now… No, I’m serious…. JUST COME HERE AND I WILL TELL YOU.”

But instead of telling him, I just shoved the test in his face and said, “THIS is my problem, ” and we laughed… after about 15 minutes of shock.

This 3rd pregnancy was a “surprise.” I mean, not in an “I can’t understand how that happened” kind of way because we know how it happens, but in an “I can’t believe we got that lucky without trying at. all. or even thinking about it” kind of way.

If I was 16, it would be the “OMG, health class was right, sperm really CAN live forever, I’m so screwed” kind of way.

The last 2 pregnancies were very, very planned. Like, you’re familiar with why I started this blog, right? Why it’s named Baby Rabies? Because my baby fever was so out of control and I was so rabid for a baby that getting pregnant was basically a science experiment. And the 2nd time around, we approached things the same because we knew it worked.

This time, I’ve spent the last couple of months feeling like I’m living some sort of lie. I was 50% convinced I’d show up and my 8 week appointment and they’d be like, “Uhm, right… you’re not pregnant, silly.” And I’d be like, “I thought so. I’m just crazy and probably have cancer.” But even when they showed me that “baby” (blob with a heartbeat) on the ultrasound, I wasn’t 100% buying it. I thought something would likely go wrong. This was too easy.

Even hearing the heartbeat last week didn’t ease this feeling of disbelief for me. I actually have a 14 week ultrasound scheduled for next week (which I opted out of the last 2 pregnancies) mainly for the purpose of seeing something that resembles a baby, in hopes it will make it more real for me.

I’m 12ish weeks now, and so looking forward to the 2nd trimester. Some days I’m able to drink a cup of coffee (and some days I can’t handle looking at it). Those days are really good days because I’m able to do just a little more than put on a bra and check the mail.

So this begins the official belly pics. I didn’t do this with my  other 2 pregnancies, but I’m excited to document my last one this way. I don’t know if I’ll have the followthrough to do a belly pic every week, but I’ll for sure shoot for one every month.

Also, so strange, but so far I’ve put on 0 lbs. In fact, I’m about 1-2 lbs below what I was before I got pregnant. I usually gain weight steadily throughout my entire pregnancy, but I think having the flu may have had quite a bit to do with the difference this time. Be sure, I’m dedicated to making up for it. Last night I had TWO candy bars for desert. Just taking one for the team.

****

If you’re pregnant, a new mom, have babies in your life or are thinking of having babies in your life, you should come to the #MyGreenBaby Baby Shower on Twitter tomorrow, the 15th! I’m one of the guest panelists (@BabyRabies), and there are some really fantastic sponsors who are throwing in lots of great prizes. Check out more info in the invite below, and don’t forget to RSVP HERE! 

 

 

January 14, 2013 34 comments
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