Camp Kids

When we come to do camps as a family we are trying to teach our kids what we are REALLY here to do.

They know we are here to clap

We're here to help each other

We're here to lift our hands in praise

We're here to dance

We're here to jam out to Jesus

But ultimately we're here to help students get closer to Jesus!

They KNOW that is why we are here.

BUT

Swimming is a pretty close second!

11 Months

We're at the beach again for Cai's monthly checkup.

In fact, we're at the exact same hotel as we were when he turned 10 months:)

Therefore, I don't have a weight update but I can guarantee he is at least 22 pounds!

Here are some things he's been working on this month:

He stands all by himself, even to play for extended periods of time

His sign language is picking up.

He still isn't an avid waver, but he does wave on occasion.

Does NOT like to have things taken away from him.

Gets sad when we walk past him.

Apparently he thinks we should always pick him up when we walk by him.

He has begun some separation anxiety,

but not nearly as bad as Zeke used to be.

He has taken several stand-alone steps this month.

He is into EVERYTHING! That's why you don't get a still photo of him this month.

Likes to steal his cousin's paci, her food, and her toys.

As soon as she sees him she starts crying, ha!

I can't go through a single monthly update without a food update.

He likes, pizza, chicken nuggets, almost ALL fruit and vegetables I give him, rice and bean burritos, mac-n-cheese...I could go on and on. I still make him normal baby food, but as soon as the "real" food comes out he won't have anything to do with the baby food.

Started cloth diapering his chubby little bootie this month and STILL love it!

Loves reading and being read to.

He is still as snuggly as ever...

...BUT...

...he is ALL boy! He is SO rough and can wrestle with the roughest of 'em.

The 4th And The Big 4

Zeke turned the big "4" today!

Since we knew we'd be at the beach this week, we threw an awesome birthday party together on the 4th with his cousin Karis who turned 1. The whole town of Rolesville was invited. Actually, not really, but the whole town of Rolesville DID park beside and behind our house to watch the fireworks. Yup, there were actually "Event Parking" signs all around our house.

We had an awesome view right from our backyard. It was fun to have all our family and tons of people from church to join us! Have I ever mentioned how much I love being in Raleigh?!

But today has been a fun day too. We've gone swimming in 4 pools, the ocean, played on the beach, walked the pier, seen jelly fish, sung worship with the Journey students and had a lot of cousin time.

I can't believe Zeke is 4!

He is such a fun kid. How do I even begin to describe the little man he is becoming?

He is:

Such a sensitive little guy. He gets his feelings hurt very easily.

A rock star. He can jam out with the best of them. Music runs in his veins. He watches and studies the band and then goes home and practices. I mean, I know he's my son, but he is pretty amazing. Josh and I will be totally shocked if he doesn't do something with his music. He loves guitar, keys but drums might be his thing.

Along with the rock star in him, come the emotions. Josh has even told him, "Gosh, Zeke, you're such a musician." after Zeke was freaking out about something insignificant!

Very observant. He notices home decor and clothing accessories before Areyna does.

Creative thinker. If you ask him what shape a round object is he will make the shape with his hands and say, "O" not circle. A square is a "box". He is VERY descriptive! Teaching him should be interesting:)

He still LOVES to cuddle. But will turn around and wrestle a minute later.

Is into sharing with Josh (and everybody else for that matter). He ALWAYS saves his last bite or sip for Josh and will make sure he got it and that I don't throw it away.

Always makes sure I eat my meals.

So, to my little man who turns 4 today, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my little hopper!

Potty Mouth

We are in the thick of our cloth diaper experience and still loving it! It's been almost 2 weeks and here's our experience with cloth diapering so far.

Yes, I love it!

No, I don't have to change diapers any more or less than normal. He goes through 4-5 a day.

Yes, I have used ones.

No, I don't have to do laundry any more than normal. Let me take that back...I am keeping up with my dirty laundry more efficiently!

Yes, they really work.

No, I don't have to use a single diaper pin.

Yes, I plan on using them when I travel. I'll definitely let you know how that goes! We have our first road trip this week.

Here's my stash and what I like/dislike about each one:)

BUMMIS SUPER WHISPER WRAP

I love this wrap. I use this mainly at night because it seems to keep him dry all night. This is all trial and error for me, so if it works then we repeat:) I like this one because the elastic is snug enough to keep everything in, but doesn't rub on his skin. Also, the velcro is low enough to stay off his chubby tummy.

I'll probably use this one in the car when we travel.

Leaks: NONE

DIAPERAPS

There are so many diaper wraps around but this is the particular one that was handed down to me. I have several of these. I let Cai crawl around in this one for a while and it started to give him little red lines from rubbing him up where the velcro was. Not my favorite, but works fine as a backup.

Leaks: TWO - I've tried it with 2 different kinds of inserts and he has been wet both mornings. It may only be used as a daytime backup diaper, although the print is a little misleading.

PREFOLDS

My Fuzzibunz didn't come with inserts so I've been using prefolds as my inserts and they have been working great. They are really bulky, though, so I have invested in some regular inserts. The time Cai leaked out of his wrap I had tried to wrap him up a special way instead of tri-folding it and just wrapping it up. Let's just say that the stuffed animal that I practiced on was a bit smaller and quite a bit more stationary. I don't like to use these alone but are excellent for diaper wraps as a tri-fold or as an insert to a pocket diaper.

FUZZIBUNZ

These are my absolute favorite! You put an insert or prefold inside of the little pocket (hence the name "pocket diaper") and the only thing left to go around your babies bootie is the fleece. It's so soft and even after already going through 2 kids there are NO stains! The snaps are adjustable around the legs and tummy.

I also like that you can use the Fuzzibunz as a wrap and put the insert or prefold against the booty. That way you don't have to go through so many covers. This is probably the route we'll go when traveling.

You can visit their seconds factory to get discounts on new diapers!

Leaks: NONE

BIODEGRADABLE LINERS

These are what make cloth diapering SO easy! They look like dryer sheets. You can buy these to line your prefold, wrap or fuzzybunz so all the poop and pee go directly on it. When you take the diaper off all you have to do is dump the mess in the toilet and flush it down. It's that easy!

Rash: NONE

INSERTS

I was realizing how bulky the prefolds were and was interested in getting some inserts to go in my Fuzzibunz. I found a store that sells cloth diapers and accessories locally so the kids and I headed out to see what they had to offer. They didn't sell Fuzzibunz but they did sell Thirsties, BumGenius and Flip, all of which I've heard excellent things about. I bought a Flip insert and it worked GREAT! I literally got HOURS out of that insert with my Fuzzibunz cover.

I ordered the rest of my inserts off of the Fuzzibunz website. They even sent me an extra 3-pack of the 4-layered insert! They work awesome! I tried to use 1 with my Bummis wrap 2 nights ago and he leaked through so I'll either need to try to double up or just stick with the night-time pre-fold for bedtime.

WET BAG

I am going to try cloth diapering on the road so I needed to get something to put all our soiled diapers in until we can wash them. I got the green Bummis Wet Bag. We don't use a diaper pail.

When we used disposables we just threw them right in the trash can. Now instead of the trash we take a step to the left of the trash and throw them in the washing machine instead. I put a little water and vinegar in the washing machine to soak them until I have a full load.

CLIPPIES

This is the substitute to diaper pins. They are for those brave souls who like to use the prefolds on their own or with their wrap in other folding styles besides the trifold.

Swim Diaper

This has worked well so far for swimming. I may get another 1 or 2:)

Here are a list of reputable websites to get cloth diapers from:

Cotton Babies

Diaper Junction

The Happy Baby - this one has free shipping

Remember - check to see if your brand has a seconds factory or store for discounted new diapers!

Here is what my typical nighttime gettup consists of:

A Bummis wrap...a prefold which is trifolded inside the wrap...I double up the front a little bit for some extra absorbency in the front since he's a boy...biodegradable liner on top. Every time I've used this method he's been dry in the morning and can make it through breakfast until he poops:)

So, questions...concerns...suggestions?

Welcome Home Chala Eli Hambrick

We went to meet our new nephew at the airport yesterday.

How awesome to think that this little boy is part of the family now!

ALL the kids loved him:)

Welcome Home Eli...we love you already!

When All Your Cousins Are Girls

When all your cousins are girls,

and your visit at their house is longer than anticipated,

and the watermelon was messier than anticipated,

and the visit consists of a bath before we go that wasn't anticipated...

the only boy becomes very secure in his masculinity!

Fun Facts For Friday - Bonus Facts Included

1 - When I'm stressed or nervous I always find myself chomping on food. I don't care what it tastes like, it just has to be crunchy!

2 - I could swear that someone is living in the cellar under our house sometimes. I hear noises...scary...

3 - Josh was supposed to get home today from his camp. He said he couldn't wait another night and drove in after his 9pm session. He rolled up the driveway at a quarter to 3am. It was nice to have him in bed to cuddle with last night.

4 - Josh has connections with the student pastor at Journey (as in, it's his brother!) who he is doing a camp for starting on Monday. I was supposed to stay at home with the kids another week by myself, but he pulled some strings and now we ALL get to go! Bring on the fort and family togetherness!

5 - Here are some pictures of our kitchen and bathroom that I painted, per request. They are pretty bad pictures because it was dark outside but you can get the gist of it. The kitchen was just too white and bland. It needed a little color. Still deciding which curtains I like better.

BEFORE

AFTER

Our bathroom is pretty tiny and had horrid wallpaper.

We tore that down and I painted a couple of sections with the same dark brown as the other rooms to add some color and then the rest of the walls are the same brown as the kids room.

6 - Jeremiah and Jenn get back with their sweet Eli on Saturday. We're going to go meet them at the airport to welcome him into the family!

7 - I am taking the plunge this week and cloth diapering on the road. I'll let you know how it goes...eek...this will be the true test I suppose.

8 - You know how females supposedly have way more words to use up in one day than males? Well, since Josh has been gone the majority of my days have been spent with the kids, and adult conversation has been at an all-time low. I always have to apologise for talking so much when Josh gets back from being out of town. I think my words are kind of like Sprint's roll-over minutes, they just keep adding up until I can use them up:)

9 - Zeke's 4th birthday is on the 6th. This makes me feel old...

10 - Have a GREAT 4th of July weekend!

PRAYER REQUEST FACT - My future brother-in-law had an accident with boiling wax and is in the burn unit at UNC Chapel Hill and is undergoing skin graft surgery sometime today. Hence the reason for all the crunchy food in #1. Please pray for him. Pray for Josh's sister, Joy, who has been selflessly taking care of him in the hospital. Pray that his body won't reject the pig skin they will be using and that there will be NO infection. They say that hopefully he will be out of the hospital in about a week if all goes well.

Busy Bee

So, I haven't gotten around to posting my cloth diaper experiences yet, but I haven't forgotten. I just got a little carried away this week because I dove into some painting projects (thanks Aunt Joy for keeping an eye on the kids for me).

I FINALLY painted the kids room. I also painted our bathroom and some dark accents in our kitchen to add color. My body is telling me that I'm 75 years old after all of this in less than 24 hours, but it's done. Remind me to punch the inventor of wall paper when I see him, 'cause getting that stuff down is NO FUN!

BEFORE

AFTER

New Angle

BEFORE

AFTER

That's 3 less projects that Josh will have to help me with when he gets home:)

3 More Days Until Daddy Gets Home!