Just call me Dr. Diaper

Holy! I have officially been inducted into the wild, wonderful and sometimes bizarre world of cloth diapers. If it isn't already in motion, I think parents should be handed some kind of honorary degree with their child for their educational training in cloth diapers.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon at Moonsprout, the eco-friendly baby store in downtown Hilo, where I got the most thorough run down of the most modern cloth diaper options on the market today. I had a faint clue about this world as my sister has gone through the trails and tribulations of finding the right diaper choice, and it is a daunting task at best. It is wonderful to see that the cloth option has ample representation in the public consciousness. However, the choices are almost paralyzing, necessitating a personal liaison to guide you through these important and costly decisions.

Phil and I are totally on board with using cloth diapers and we are starting with a variety of types to find what works best. We have some prefolds with trendy, gusseted covers, we have the Fuzzibunz pocket diapers with ultra absorbent hemp inserts, and don't forget the All-in-ones which are more like a Huggies except washable and reusable. It's no wonder I walked into Moonsprout totally lost and left, hours later, feeling empowered and ready to go.

I really want to thank Geana, the owner of Moonsprout, for her time, assistance, and obvious passion for helping new parents embark on this very worthwhile, yet daunting mission of using cloth diapers.

I have to laugh as I write this, for even though I feel good about what we have learned, and the choices we are making, I can't help but wonder "Is this what my life is about now? Waxing philosophical about baby poop?" Oh well, I guess there is nothing to do but embrace it full on, and hope for the best!

The Bradley Method

Phil and I started a birthing class a couple of weeks ago and we are really enjoying it. I think we will also take the hospital's birthing class, but right now we are enrolled in a class that teaches the Bradley Method. The Bradley Method is designed for couples who will birth in either a hospital, birthing center, or home environment and it emphasizes ideas such as good nutrition, stretching and relaxation, and partner-coached birthing techniques.

It is a super small class, just the instructor, Phil and I, and one other couple. It is small and intimate and is held at the instructor's house out in Leilani estates on Saturday afternoons. Phil and I have complete two classes so far and are both excited about the education we are receiving. We get assigned homework for the week and Phil has been really good about making sure we do it.

One of the assignments is keeping a nutrition log with the emphasis on protein intake. The goal is 100g of protein a day which I have not yet reached! Keeping the log has been tedious, but it has really brought our eating habits into focus. We were eating well before, but now we are much more conscious of how we get our protein, iron, and calcium, making sure we are eating leafy greens and root vegetables and all the good stuff. I think Phil has taken it as his personal mission to make sure I am eating right. This, of course is a huge bonus, as it means Phil has been doing a lot of the shopping and a majority of the cooking! Today had got 63 g of protein - getting there!

Our other essential homework are stretches and exercises. Phil reminds me every chance he gets to do my Kegel exercises (150/day), squat when I need to bend down and then we practice some other stretches before bed. One thing I really like about this program is that it really involves the partners in the process. I think Phil has gotten a sense of purpose and direction in terms of how he can best play his role in the pregnancy. He takes his job seriously!

Other than that Bean is well and kicking! I am definitely growing and becoming increasingly awkward, but that is alright! I am practicing yoga and walking and just trying to make the next couple of weeks of school and work fly by as easily as possible!