Ignorant Claudia - weekly question (week 23)

The first thing Dan and I started to do when I got pregnant is to visit Value Village after brunch on Saturdays and get little bodysuits and one-pieces. How can you say no to almost new baby Gap outfits for 2.99$? However, one rational person must eventually ask how many striped PJs is too much.

This week question is a little tricky but if you want to give it a try I would really appreciate it. So, what should I buy for my little one's closet (for the first few months)?

And talking about closets, it is getting more and more difficult to create appropriate outfits for the office. For a strange reason, the dresses are getting shorter at the front ;)

Yeah, no! I don't think so!!! In 4 months, I should give birth to a small pumpkin??? Pardon me but I shall go in denial for a while!!!!

Love at first sight!

I like everything about the French company Janod!!!

The fine art of swaddling

In a world of plastic-fantastic baby toys (or glorified dog toys that my cocker-poodle mix will destroy in 5 minutes), purple giraffes with blue polka dots bed sheets and psychedelic mobiles that would give a newborn epilepsy, it is refreshing to receive as a gift a simple pack of bamboo muslin wraps.

I didn't know much about the fine art of swaddling until I got preganant. As far as I understand the concept, swaddling is the age-old practice of wrapping a baby like a burrito!

I obviously didn't try the muslin wraps from little bamboo yet but the lovely couple who gave them to me really enjoy this product because it is super soft (like silk), breathable for more comfort and helps the baby stay warm in winter and cool in summer.

And as they said when they surprised me with the present: "It is a great gift for you because we know that you are picky and a little hippie"!!!

They were totally right :)

Merci beaucoup Jacinthe et Simon...et bébé PO! xox

Mommy talks with Martha (part 1)

Martha has it all! She is a creative photographer and blogger, a wonderful crafter, a lovely mother of two boys (A is 5 and W is 3) and she naturally incorporate eco-friendly actions in her everyday life...and she has a beautiful collection of wooden spoons (totally jealous)!!!

Did you do any eco-friendly initiatives when decorating the nursery?
We didn’t really have a nursery (just a crib and a rocker in a room that weren’t used) and we lived in an apartment where we couldn’t redecorate. But if I had one I would have used low VOC paint.

Do you think that going the eco-friendly way is more complicated?
Of course, things have to be on a budget, but you do everything you can to have a healthy pregnancy, why change that when the baby is born? Feeding organic foods, nursing/breast-feeding when possible and using reusable objects are really important in my mind.

I feel very strongly about having eco-friendly options for childhood, especially about not using plastics. If you decide to use bottles, there are a lot of glass options with silicone holders if you’re concerned about dropping them. Also once baby is eating solids there are wooden dishes or sturdy pyrex bowls that won’t break if dropped.

Did you buy any second-hand items?
We do buy a lot of items second-hand. However, there are safety precautions you have to take, so I would be careful buying a crib second hand and you should always buy a car seat new, unless you know its exact background.

Did you opt for cloth or disposable diapers?
We used both cloth and disposable diapers. I highly recommend the cloth diapers, especially the fitted ones with wool covers over top. It is not that gross to dump out the yuck and you get used to it. You have to change them more frequently but I never worried about a chemical rash from the absorbent gel inside the diaper when I used cloth - not to mention the environmental hazards.

The expense of disposable diapers is outrageous. We estimate that we spent over $2000usd on diapers for the time we used disposables, while a whole set up of cloth diapers is just a few hundred. I really liked buying diapers off Etsy (my favourite were from fluffymail). There are great wool soaker patterns for knitting on Ravelry and in books.

However, you may want a package of newborn disposables until the meconium is gone – that tar-like poop is difficult to wash out. I would also recommend trying a few different models of cloth diapers until you find one that works well for you. I know our local cloth diapering store has trial rentals that give you a chance to find a diaper that suits your taste.

What is your favourite eco-friendly product?
Oh boy, that is a really difficult question! There are so many great options out there; I’d have to say anything reusable is what I like best: cloth diapers, burp cloths, wipes, etc.

What is your best baby / kid eco-friendly advice?
Be open to spending a little more for quality and sustainability. And keep an open mind when it comes to things like cloth diapers, if you can find another mom that uses them it will help tremendously.

Thank you so much Martha.
xox

I didn't know what meconium was until I read your text. Yeah, it is good to be prepared!

Squirrely love

I always had a thing for squirrels. However, most people think that they are only glorified rats. I totally disagree! I would be more than happy to have this little critter in my tree this year.

from Le Souk

Week 22

When I started to write about my pregnancy I decided that I would not shy away from any subject or picture. After all, maternity is not just about the quest to find the perfect stroller. It is also (mostly) about femininity, self esteem and empowerment.

When I think about it, pregnancy is a lot like being a teenager all over again. I remember, when I was in high school, looking at myself and having a difficult time processing what I was seeing. Many moons later, when I see my reflection, I gasp at my new silhouette: a round belly, a wider torso, a few blue veins on my chest and obviously much bigger breasts.

After 22 weeks, I'm slowly leaving this awkward acceptancy phase and I'm starting to fully embrace pregnancy. As soon as I moved on, I became much aware of the natural strengths given to me as a pregnant woman. This morning, with my 34C (and not 32A) red bra and my full panel maternity jeans, I looked at myself in the mirror and felt pretty sexy! And it made my day :)

(and yes, I know, the bra is badly adjusted...oups!)

Right this second I want to get...

...an awesome pigeon onesie for Dan, well for the baby (Dan has a soft spot for pigeons) from Designedthreads.