The Great American Bearden Family Blog

Cloth Diapers

Travis and Lindsey — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:05:20 +0000

I have a confession: we use cloth diapers. Don’t be so shocked, they aren’t the folded cloth and pins you’re thinking of. They’re actually very easy and pretty good looking. I’ve had a bunch of people interested, so I though I’d share this post. Keep in mind, this is only after 3 months experience, and my opinions and suggestions may change depending on new products and discoveries. So, please email or call me if you’re considering going cloth, and I’d love to give you my advice!

(Hint: Just skip to the pros & cons section at the bottom if you’re only mildly interested in this post)

What to Buy:

Bum Genius snaps only! I’ve had friends try multiple varieties and they all say they wish this was the only kind they bought.

All-in-one vs 4.0:

I personally have the 4.0, but I really want to try the all-in-ones. They’re new so I don’t know how well they work, but they sound ideal. The benefit of the all-in-ones is that laundry is so much easier because you don’t have to stuff the insert into the diaper- they’re permanently in place. They say you can still add extra inserts, but I’m not sure how that works. The reviews say they wash out well, but take a little longer to dry. If I could do it all over again, I would get a set of six 4.0s and they rest all-in-ones. The reviews have nothing negative to say.

One-size vs newborn + one-size:

I have the one-size variety, and I’m happy with them. Newborns would be beneficial for the first 6 weeks or so, but the all-in-ones are also supposed to work for 7lbs and up. All-in-ones are supposed to last you through at least one kid, so theoretically if you bought newborns too and you used them on multiple kids, the cost would average out.

Colors:

I had a hard time deciding if I wanted bold colors or white when I was ordering. This was because I was concerned about color showing through white onesies. My personal opinion is to get all fun colors. They really are cute, and Titus hardly ever wears white anyways. You could get a few white or light colors if you’re still concerned, but I have no white ones, and I’m glad I made that decision.

Where to buy:

Kelly’s Closet
They have the best deal I could find: Buy 5 get 1 free. They run this deal every month or two, so don’t feel pressured to make the deadline. If you google Bum Genius, there are also similar websites that sell them.

Accessories:

1 large wet bag for nursery
1 medium wet bag for diaper bag (1 for each bag)
1 toilet sprayer or shower head extension sprayer
2 peri bottles or spray bottles (1 for home, 1 for diaper bag)
1.5 cloth wipes per cloth diaper (I made my own and can send you an email with instructions if you want. It’s as easy as sewing a pillow case.)
Cloth diaper detergent

Cloth Diaper detergent:

You can order some online, or you can buy some in local stores. They important thing is that the detergent doesn’t include dyes, enzymes, fragrance, brighteners, and softeners. There is a website that makes it easy to find detergents in the store. We use this site all the time. You can pull it up on your smart phone at the store. Just make sure all the boxes say no.

Washing instructions:

I don’t spray off or prewash the diapers, unless there’s alot of poop in the creases. In this case, I spray it off, but it doesn’t completely clean it until it goes through the cycle. One cycle works well for me.Use hot water and only cloth diaper detergent. I separate the inserts from the shells because it washes a little better. The inserts have to be removed anyways to dry, otherwise it takes forever. Friends of mine have to prewash and run it through a couple cycles. I just have a regular washer and dryer and this is never needed. Also, you technically aren’t supposed to dry them, but I always do. You’re supposed to line dry them. Bum Genius gives trouble shooting advice and washing instructions. These include occasionally adding 1/4 cup of bleach occasionally, dealing with detergent buildup, and stain preventing advice (which includes drying out in the sun).

Spraying instructions:

We hooked up a shower sprayer as a shower head. Make sure the hose is long enough. They also have toilet wands. I kept making a mess spraying it into the toilet, so we found the shower sprayer more convenient. Plus it makes bathing my water-phobic dog about 10x easier!

When the baby starts eating solids, you can just plop the poop into the toilet (or so I’ve heard). So much better.

Cloth wipes pros and con:

You can leave the wipes in the diaper and wash it all together- no separating and getting your hands dirty!
No trash can needed in the nursery
Cloth wipes are better for babies’ bottoms. My pediatrician told me not to use disposable wipes when he has a rash because of the harsh contents in the solution.
You don’t have to worry about them drying out.
con- you have to carry around a sprayer

Wipes solutions:

You can google wipes solutions. There are tons. I just add 10-20mls each of baby oil and baby soap to an 8oz bottle.

Diaper pros and cons:

Pros:

economical. Think of a the land fills that are full of diapers. Being green is very popular.
good for baby’s bottom. The contents of disposable diapers aren’t regulated by the FDA or any other agency. Who knows how harmful the contents are? Babies are supposed to get less diaper rashes with cloth diapers because they’re stay-dry.
money friendly. We spend $286 on all the diapers we’ll ever need for him compared to thousands with disposable. Just google how much you spend per kid on diapers throughout their lifetime. Sickening.
cute colors
I’ve never had poop leaking out of cloth diapers
You can add extra inserts to prevent leaking at night

Cons:

more laundry (I wash them about once every 2-3 days)
you can’t use diaper cream (but they’re supposed to have less rashes)
people aren’t used to cloth diapers and may be intimidated (in reality, they’re just as easy!)
you have to spray off really poopy diapers that get in the creases
I’ve had an issue with urine leaking, but I think it’s because I’m waiting to change it more than 3 hours.

Momma Bear + Pappa Bear = Baby Bear

Travis and Lindsey — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:00:56 +0000

Wow, it has been a while since I’ve blogged. As you may remember (or are now reading below) my last blog was about how I was going to get my BSN. Goal achieved! I graduated this past May much to my surprise as summa cum laude. No, it hasn’t made one bit of difference at my current job, but I feel accomplished and proud finishing something that I started so long ago. I did not, however, start sewing lessons. Oh well, something to work on.

As everyone already knows (because I’m pretty sure only 1 or 2 people read this blog anyways), we had our first child, a boy, on September 29, 2011.

Titus Steele Bearden

We absolutely adore him! Every time I’ve been away from him for more than an hour, I get so excited to see his beautiful face again. I am always surprised at how much I love him and by how much he makes me melt.

We were not expecting him until October 11th. I had my routine appointment on September 27th and my blood pressure was high. They talked about inducing me, but they let me go home (after many tears on my part) on strict bedrest. I am very grateful for this because it allowed me to slowly adjust to the idea that he was going to come early. Then, on September 29th at 1225 am, my contractions started. I wasn’t sure of what to think at first: nervous, uncertainty, excited. It really hit me when I got into the hospital bed. For me, that was the mental transition from nurse to patient. We got to the hospital around 3:30 am after a hectic rush to pack our bags. My labor had progressed very fast. By the time I got my epidural, I was almost ready to push. They gave me a 30 minute break while my doctor had other things to tend to. The night nurse was convinced Titus would be born on her shift.

Finally it came time to push. With the first push, Titus’ heart rate and oxygen levels started to drop. All of a sudden the mood in the room changed. The nurses called out for help, the OBGYN and anesthesiologist came in, an oxygen mask was placed on my face, and they put a fetal scalp monitor on Titus. I was so scared. I knew those things meant trouble. They got him stable, but the heart decelerations continued. We would have to take breaks so that I could breathe deeply in order to give him more oxygen. After 5 hours of pushing, Titus was born completely healthy. I was so relieved!

Titus was born at 10:18am weighing 6lbs 9oz and measuring 19 3/4 inches long. I can’t describe the wonder I felt holding him for the first time. Those first moments (and days afterwards) I fell in love again. Every time I closed by eyes, I would picture his face. I couldn’t stop thinking about him.

I loved watching Travis around him. That first day especially was so emotional for both of us. Travis is such a proud dad! Every morning he peeks into Titus’ crib just to see him again before going to work. Titus and I aren’t quite on a schedule yet. We’re both learning how to adjust to this new life. It’s a lot of fun but trying at times. I thoroughly enjoy being a mommy, and I can’t get used to the fact that I’m going to forever have this new precious boy that I love.

Whoops

Travis and Lindsey — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:16:30 +0000

I’m the worst blogger ever.

- Mr. B

coasting

Travis and Lindsey — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:59:31 +0000

I love my life. I am genuinely content with the way things are going. No, it’s not perfect. I have things I need to work on, areas to improve. But then I would be stagnant and bored.

I also love my job. I am constantly saying I would not want to work anywhere else. Yes, lately I come home feeling beat up afterwards, but in a way, I enjoy feeling challenged. I’ve seen myself grow professionally over the past couple months, and if this is what it takes, bring it on.

I have often said that my dream job is working at a pediatrician’s office or school nurse. “Why?” you ask. Mostly because its just about the easiest job you can get as a nurse. Also, I think I would enjoy the relationships I could form by seeing some of the same kids on a more routine basis. The hours, especially as a school nurse, would be pretty good for having kids.

So my plan from here on out was to coast. I’m just fine with the way things are going, thank you very much. I’m fine with my “sub par” associates degree, because it virtually makes no difference what degree I have, as long as I’m an RN. Well, that was until I had my Peac. Children’s has this great idea to have a yearly eval and rank your job performace and set your raise based on that (yes, I know most companies do this). The unfair thing is, they rank all the management and CEO’s and what not on the same scale. There’s almost no way to compete. My team leader advised me to do something extra. But what?

Well, I decided to sign up as an asthma educator. Originally, I didn’t want to do this, as it would mean more work. However, a coworker pointed out that if I got certified, I would be more likely to be assigned to the asthma hall (which happens to be my favorite). I signed up immediately after that.

So, inadvertently, this got the wheels turning in my head. I really, really, really wanted to coast through the rest of my life with the amazing RN liscence that I have. I really don’t need my BSN (bachelors in nursing) or MSN (masters). All that would help is if I wanted to be management or a prof. Ew, no thanks!

The lovely Julie Prothro, if you haven’t found out by now, has become obsessed with New Year’s resolutions. I secretly think its because hers are so good. She asked me several times what mine were, and I responded with something generic because I couldn’t think of anything better. Wheels in motion even more.

Well yesterday I woke up not only feeling better (I had been sick for a couple days), I also woke up feeling inspired. I want to get my bachelor’s degree in nursing. I realized the amazing opportunity I could be missing out on. Children’s pays for everything except books. Wow. I want to be challenged. I want to improve professionally and mentally even if I end up only working another year or so. Just a phase you say? Already enrolled. Yep, starting January 17th I’ll be a college student again. Well kind of, but not really. The beauty of it all? Its all online. All of it. I could be done with all but one class by next February. All while still working at Children’s. We’ll see how it goes…

I also found a friend who bought a sewing machine and has been taking classes locally. She brings in her projects, and they help her learn how to do them. Sewing lessons here I come.

So much for coasting. I think I’m better off already.

Rhymes & Riddles

Travis and Lindsey — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:38:53 +0000

A friend of ours, Lauren Martyn, was very kind to help us paint our house this past week. In order to keep her Aggie ring clean, she took it off and ended up leaving it at our house. Travis made her answer the following questions in order to get it back. Can anyone solve them all? If you care about someone using your answers, send your responses in a email, otherwise go ahead and post your guesses!

This next little ditty

May not be so pretty

However, it must be solved

to get back your beloved.

An Aggie Ring is on the loose

the right answers you must choose,

to gain it back in your control

these riddles you need to know.

Google can solve it but that is lame

your mind alone must win you this fame.

Lauren Lauren, your ring was on the curb

which left me and Linds in a state of disturb

So careless to loose the fine piece of gold

next time I find it, on eBay it will be sold!

1. What is the longest word in the dictionary? (A clue: The answer is the plural form of the word.)

2. I am a three digit number. My second digit is four times more than my third digit. My first digit is seven less than my second digit. What number am I?

3. Every day the man saw his dog ran into the woods. However, he noticed that the dog never ran more than halfway into the woods. Why?

4. What can you hold without it ever using your arms or hands?

The Circus

Travis and Lindsey — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:29:05 +0000

As some of you might know, I turned 25 on the 20th. What a great birthday! The highlight of my birthday would be going to the circus. Not just any circus, mind you, but Britney’s circus. I really wasn’t sure what to expect, but I can tell you I wasn’t expecting it to be anything near as good as it was. Talk about entertaining. I mean, forget the fact that you’re in the same room as Britney while she’s performing, there was so much going on! Lights, fog, flame throwers, clowns, acrobats, dancers, magicians, ninjas… I can’t even tell you how great it was. And so elaborate too! They had a really cool setup- a three ring circus with lifts so that the performers kept coming up through the floor.

You notice the red top? They used it for intro videos, visual effects, and a close up of Britney while the concert was going on. Pretty cool.

Here’s a youtube video of the opening act.

Do you see what I mean now by entertaining? Notice those guys on the rings on the ground. There was one point they were spinning round in them on the ground. I though for sure they’d crush their fingers! So cool! I have a feeling my brother Ryan would like one of those to play with. And you can’t see it from this view, but those acrobats were spinning the whole time! And yes, the next song she cage dances. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the show, there were times I was a little uncomfortable… definitely not a G rated show. So the coolest acts between was the typical magic trick where they cut Britney in half, tramp0line artists, and a ballerina gymnast who did flips on a flexible balance beam suspended by 2 guys. Very impressive. My favorite part by far was the finale. Warning, I stopped after a while because I wanted the full enjoyment of watching it through my own eyes, but here’s a little taste. (Ok, so I temporarily admit defeat. Here’s a youtube video for the meantime)

In case you’re interested, this girl has alot more videos. I’m pretty sure Britney actually only sang 2 songs. One was a ballad, and the other was “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette, which was surprisingly done very well. Yes, Britney also took it old school with Hit Me Baby One More Time, Crazy, and Slave for You.

The rest of the night we went to the W hotel and ate at Craft:

Small Desserts

We also went up to the Ghost Bar. If you don’t know what the Ghost Bar is, its a very trendy, very expensive bar located on the 33rd floor of the W hotel. It has sections made of glass (floor, walls, everything) that make you feel like you’re suspended over Dallas. Pretty cool, but I got a little freaked out, so we spent most of our time on the dance floor. I’m telling you, I was inspired by Britney and I haven’t had that much fun dancing since, well, ever.

Saturday night was also so much fun! We went out to Luna de Noche with a group of friends, and headed back to our house for some fun. Sunday was topped off by winning our intermural sand volleyball tournament! Go Bayside Tigers! Court season here we come!

Being Neighborly

Travis and Lindsey — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:58:48 +0000

We are members of a young marrieds small group, which we very much enjoy. Our wonderful small group leaders, Team Wakeem, encouraged us to bring our left over dessert to our neighbors after we had leftovers on Tuesday night. Now why didn’t that thought come to mind on its own? It makes me sad to think I needed to be reminded to branch out and form relationships with people that are right next to me! Our neighbors are really great, we’ve talked several times before, but no backyard grillouts or anything yet. They’re from East Texas, and although they have kids our age, I really feel that this could be the begining of a great friendship. We weren’t there for 5 minutes before they offered to nanny our kids (I’m not even pregnant), fix our fence, and babysit our dog. They’re the kind of people that make you feel comfortable with right off the bat (not just because they offered their service! =)) They have a daughter about our age too, and although we’ve only talked twice, I can tell she’s a sweetheart. That could be just because I know she’s an Aggie.

Sunday is going to be my birthday, which is always a bittersweet day. Sweet for obvious reasons (me, of course) and bitter because it marks the last day of summer. Where did all that time go? I took for granted all that sunshine. Next year, I will make the resolution to spend more days by pool, by the lake, or just outside in general.

Labor day weekend this year was great! Julie Prothro and I kicked it off by shopping in Canton. Although we didn’t buy too much, we saw some great items and ate really great catfish! We also got to park for free- thanks Jeff! After Canton, Travis and I went to the Cedars of Lebanon club in Tyler, Texas where his granny was being honored as a senior member. She has been a a part of the Cedards since it first founded 60 years ago. If you can’t tell by the name, the Cedars of Lebanon was founded by immigrants from Lebanon who wanted to create a community where their families could gather. We had a wonderful time eating betleyawa (or for you non-Lebanese folk “baklava”), kibbe, grape leaves and other yummy foods. After dinner, Travis’s mom tried to get me to dance Dobki with her, which is a Lebanese line dance. Seeing as how I didn’t know the moves, and I was the only blonde in the room, I’m pretty sure I’d get alot of people looking my way, and I wasn’t really wanting too much attention at this point. Maybe I’ll have her teach me the moves, so next time I’ll be more prepared. The rest of the weekend was filled with fun and relaxing at the lake and the Prothro’s wonderful home. We had humming bird breakfast at my parents. My dad has 5 feeders on our back porch, and every year we get 20-50 hummingbirds zooming around the porch. Travis tried unsucessfuly to capture one of them on his iphone. I don’t know what the shutterspeed is, but I’m pretty sure its slow, seeing how he was unsucessful. Good idea though, Travis. The Prothros are amazing chefs, now I know where Evan gets it from. We ate like royalty all weekend. Of course there was jet skiing, domino dominating (by team doubleXX of course), silent marco-polo playing, and fantasy football auto-drafting. I’m pretty sure that my favorite part was the company. We are very blessed to have such great friends in our lives.

Cheers for 2 Years

Travis and Lindsey — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:22:38 +0000

It’s official! The Beardens have been married for two whole years!!

Lucky for us, it was restaurant week here in Dallas. Apparently, the best of the best restaurants have a 3 course meal for a set price. Tuesday (the actual anniversary) we went to one of our restaurant favorites- Texas de Brazil. It’s a Brazilian style steakhouse, meaning they come by with meats on skillets and cut you off a fresh of whatever meats you’d like to try. The buffet is pretty awesome too. Sushi, lobster bisque, sun dried tomatoes, smoked salmon, and fresh cheese are just some of our favorites.

Thursday, Matt and Karen Skaies invited us, Daniel Weizel and Jenny Diamond to III Forks with them for the evening. Talk about rich food! We had a great time making conversation over wine, dinner, and dessert. Matt entertained us with stories of fast cars from high school, and Jenny told us all about her trip to Spain! Fun times with fun friends. I think this is a tradition that needs to be continued.

Friday night, we went salsa dancing! We had a late dinner at Gloria’s in Addison. After a couple dances, Travis and I decided we probably need to brush up on our salsa skills (especially me!). There are some really serious dancers that go to Glorias.

Saturday morning we went to the Galleria for tax free weekend. We started off at the Grand Lux for brunch. I discovered a new favorite drink- Strawberry Bellitoni (I think thats the name). Its champagne, Triple Sec, and a purreed strawberry/ sugar mix. So delicious and sweet! After getting some great deals at Forever 21, we headed to Hotel Zaza for the rest of the weekend. Talk about a treat! We started out at the Zaspa with the rockstar couples massage! After 1 hour of heaven, we went down to the pool for some drinks at the cabana and reading in the sun. Dinner at the Dragonfly was delicious, and we followed that up by going back outside to the Oasis cabana. With that many people drinking alcohol around a pool, its amazing only one person fell in. Luckily it wasn’t us!

Sunday morning we returned to the Dragonfly for some brunch. We had belguim waffles and steak and eggs. Yum!

What a relaxing weekend. I think we’re going to start a new Bearden anniversary tradition by staying at a hotel. Even if we stay in town, its nice to get away from the distractions we have at home and really enjoy being together and in love.

Lindsey, for both of us

Hello world!

Travis and Lindsey — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:25:10 +0000

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