Cloth Diapering

Call me crazy - but we have decided to use cloth diapers with Fox. Before you judge me or think I'm a looney toon, check out our reasoning. You might be surprised!

Reason #1: Budget

After comparing numbers, there is no arguing that, while cloth diapers may involve a bit of an initial investment, over the long haul they save a TON of money over using disposables.

Reason #2: Comfort

Would you want to wear plastic underwear? I didn't think so.

Reason #3: Mother Earth

As much as we love convenience, we do also feel compelled to do what we can to reduce our waste. Normally I would consider us to be "lazy environmentalists," but I'm not sure that term can apply once you venture into the land of cloth diapers. Maybe I watched too much Captain Planet as a child - who knows? At any rate, the thought of all those dirty diapers filling up the landfills somewhat gives me a bit of a complex. So I'm going to do my best to go green in this area.

Reason #4: Nut and Granola

Okay, so maybe I am a bit of a looney toon. But I just don't feel completely comfortable putting Fox in diapers made super-absorbant by the use of chemicals and other unknown substances. This is not to say that, if you use disposables, I think you are harming your child. I am most definitely NOT saying anything of the sort. All I'm saying is that, for me, the jury is still out on this, and I feel better moving away from chemicals as much as possible (in all aspects of our lives, not just baby poop).

Reason #5: Posterity

Is there any merit to the theory that the rise in male infertility over the past 25 years is in correlation to the increased use of disposable diapers during the same time period? Probably not. But hey - I'd like to give the kid the best possible chance I can!

So, that just about sums up our reasons for deciding to do cloth. Now, if you wish, you may feel free to call me crazy. Doesn't bother me! If you would like to read more about cloth diapering, check out these sites: www.diaperpin.com

Awaiting Fox Marcus

Well, I should have known I couldn't remain private forever.

As part of my nesting phase, I have recently felt compelled to share about this adventure in the blogosphere (from which I have conveniently been absent for a very, very long time). So, here is my outlet for sharing my pregnancy journey and everything in the great unknown beyond that!

Fox Marcus Cochran should enter the world sometime in early May (the official due date is May 2, but really - who knows?). I am currently 27 weeks along in my pregnancy (hello month 7!), and I'm already impatient (big surprise). I feel and look like a blimp. The first trimester was hellish ("morning" sickness is a misnomer, as the nausea is most certainly NOT limited to the morning). The second trimester sped by (seriously, where did the time go?). Now that I'm entering the third trimester, I'm starting to experience all the "fun" things like serious aches and pains, swelling feet and ankles, moodiness (sorry Michael), sleeplessness, the works.

And yet - I love being pregnant. I love feeling Fox kick and squirm inside my belly. I love knowing that, in three (hopefully short) months, I'll get to hold my son in my arms. It's amazing how the "switch" happened: a few months ago, I was still a little weirded out at the idea of having a living being inside me; somewhere in the last month or two, however, something clicked, and now everything in my life is geared toward being a mom. And every time I feel him move inside me, I am reminded of the great gift I have been given, and what a miracle it really is to make a new life inside of me.

Forgive me if I'm a little rusty - blogging has been the last thing on my mind for the majority of these last few years. I look forward to keeping you updated on everything as we get ready for this new chapter in our life!