Juliet is going green!

Well, maybe...

After being inspired by many women, including Jenn from our playgroup and Beth and Kristi from my mom's forum, I've decided to give cloth diapering a shot!

I just received my trail package of cloth diapers from Jillian's Drawers. It's a great program- you pay a $151 deposit to try out a decent variety of cloth diapers for 21 days. You can send it all back and get all but $10 back. (The program fee). There are SO many choices in cloth diapering, it's overwhelming to a newbie. But, this will let us see what we like w/o a huge monetary commitment.

I'll be honest when ranking my motivation to switch to cloth.

#1. The environment. We're still crazy enough to think we want 4 kids. Aidric was potty trained right around 2.5. That means we'd be contributing approximately 10 years worth of disposable diapers to the landfills. UGH!! I'm already feeling guilty about the 4 years we've contributed.

#2. These diapers are CUTE! There are different designs and colors. And they seem so much comfier too.

#3. I've been working on the math. With Juliet already being 1.5, I don't think we'll save a LOT of money with her. My guess is it will really only be about $100. Right now, we spend about $40 a month on disposables. It's going to cost AROUND $400 to get fully set up with cloth. That means in 10 months, we'll be even. But, then we'll save that last $80 =) However....the savings on the next babies will be huge!! 2.5 years X 2 kids X $40 a month huge.

and did I mention how cute they are???

bubbles in the back yard

I've been a serious blog slacker lately! Here are a few very quick snapshots from yesterday.

Family Picture!!

As I've already confessed on my cousin's blog, this is definitely not a straight out of the camera shot. You would guess that it was one of the kids not looking or making a funny expression, right? Nope...I had to borrow Chris's head from one of the other shots =) Nonetheless, I love it! Thanks Sarah for taking it for us!

Juliet's rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Juliet is constantly "singing" her little heart out. It's clearly more of a hum than anything, but she definitely hums to the tune of whatever song she is "singing"! I have been trying to get her to do it on video for awhile, but she apparently has stage fright and refuses to do it on demand. The first time I heard her hum this was actually February, which I have to say I was pretty impressed with!

Anyway, I was shocked when she appeased me this morning. I decided to go for the bonus and ended up getting her version of "Swiper, no swiping!" at the same time =)

Happy Mother's Day!

I have tons of pics from today to edit, but I'm sure it will be a few days before I get through them, so for now...just one of me with my munchkins!

Rewind to Kansas

Almost a month ago, Juliet and I had a girl's weekend in Kansas! My cousin Shannon was getting married and Jules and I left the boys behind to attend. I had such a great time giving her that 1:1 time and my mom and dad loved doting on her too. A rare thing for a 2nd child to be the center of attention, but that she was!

Mother and Brother of the Bride


Matron of Honor, sister of the bride


The bride..and her dad, of course


After the ceremony, I took advantage of the gorgeous backdrop to take a few pics of family members.

Grandma and Papa with Juliet


Ray, Jen and youngest daughter, Josie


Blake


The girls


Those eyes...


Jules made the rounds. Here she is spending a little time with Aunt Sheila. (and Aunt Sheila's M&Ms)


Sisters .... Aunt Sheila, mom, Aunt Barb and Aunt Gloria


more attention..


My mom picked up her dress on sale at Target for $12. TWELVE DOLLARS!!! And I loved it. So cute. She refused to pose for a picture for me, so this is the best full body shot I have.


A rare picture of me with one of my children.


Here's the reason she was so popular with the big kids. She was fussing at the table, so I gave her my old iphone. (screen cracked and no service, but it still plays Dora)


Jules getting some time in with Great Grandma Ruth


And finally, the day after the wedding, Juliet and I had the opportunity to meet some friends for lunch and shopping. Kate and Kristi are members of an on-line mom's forum I've been a part of for almost 3 years!! It was sooo fun to meet them!!

Dinner conversation tonight...

We all know that Juliet is sassy. So, as she was doing something sassy (I think it was her little, "Nnnnnnnno!", but can't honestly remember), Chris told her to stop and then he stepped out of the kitchen for something. She kept on and then I hear Aidric telling her, "Did you hear daddy, Juliet? That is a NO-NO!" As she continued, he then said, (VERY non-chalantly)....."Well, I guess you won't be reading stories tonight."

Chris and I both about died laughing. Apparently, bedtime stories are the first to go when misbehaving.