What Kind of Diapers??? Results are in...

Diaper poll results...

Pampers was the most popular.

For T Rex we started out using Huggies because we seemed to always have coupons. Then we started getting them at Costco. One day, the day care accidentally switched our diapers and we started getting the Costco Kirkland brand and decided they were better and cheaper. From there, T Rex started potty training at 14 months and diaper usage went way down. We still have a big box in the garage for nights but mostly we use his underwear and Pull-ups for going out. We did try 7th Generation chlorine free diapers when T Rex had his bad rash and they were actually pretty good.

I think for the next little one we are going to give cloth diapers a try - at least once we are past the newborn stage - I remember changing T Rex 20 times a day when he was between 2 weeks and 6 weeks old (and EVERY diaper had stool in it). I don't think I want to buy or wash that many cloth diapers.

I am going to try to make some and also put my mom on diaper sewing duty. Ally at Mommy Love (sorry, it's private or I would give you the link) makes her own and it seems like it's not too tough. And since I have miles of fabric in the closet it will go to good use. In those early newborn days we'll probably use the chlorine free kind again. I might even give those new G diapers a try too. I'd love to hear any feed back you have on any of these thoughts.

Moving on...

(I know you are all in suspence!!!)

The winner of the Target Gift Card - Katie!!!

Katie and I actually went to high school together oh so long ago. I love that we have been able to connect again so many years later. And now she has a cute little toddler just a bit younger than our T Rex!

A small tidbit about Katie that I remember (other than she was one of the few other girls with me in all those honors and AP classes) - she seemed to always be winning the state spelling bee championship. That girl could spell anything from A to Z!

Congratulations, Katie!!!

Stay tuned for the next giveaway coming soon...

Fruits of My Labor...

It's that time of year again...

Peach canning!!!

Every year I can peaches and peach jam- mostly for Christmas gifts and the rest for us. I've actually become quite efficient at it these days. It used to take me all day and I would need at least 3 - 4 people helping.

Yesterday, my mom came to help. She was supposed to just be watching T Rex while I worked but she started helping while he napped. Since he took a 2 hour nap, we pretty much finished everything and just had to let the peaches process for 40 minutes. I had already cleaned the jars the night before.

I ordered a case of organic peaches from a local company who delivers right to the door step. I purchased organic sugar from Costco - jam takes about 7 1/2 cups and I used about 4 cups for the sugar syrup for the peaches. A case was roughly 20 lbs and it yielded: 11 cups of jam and 8 jars of peaches. Everything turned out so lovely I might get another case to do more next week. The quality of peaches makes all the difference. I also use "Kerr" brand pectin for the jam - it's never failed me yet and the jam is setting up nicely as of this morning. Always follow the instructions exactly!!! And never double it!

Here is the website I have used for years for all my canning needs.

Because I do so much canning I have a fair stockpile of jars. Plus, I always tell everyone I give jam or peaches to, "If you return the jars, you might get more!" Works like a charm. Remember this if you receive a package with canned goods from me this year!

(P.S. Visit T Rex's blog to see what I mean when I say he loves it! Which, by the way, he still has more followers that me! Is that funny or what?!?)

Giveaway Updates...

A couple of giveaway updates...

June's giveaway winner was Kim over at "The Child". After a couple of delays, the toddler pack for her little one was completed and put in the mail - for a second time. Yes, the US Postal Service worker was so distracted playing with T Rex that she forgot to have me complete the customs paperwork so the package could be shipped to Canada. Luckily, the second time we saw her it was resolved. I think she just wanted us to stop in again. How can I be too down on someone who thinks my kid is cute?!? Too bad she didn't give him any free stickers (i.e. stamps) to play with!!!

Here are some photos of the completed toddler backpack...

Front view - you might be able to see the pocket I added.


Rear view - yes, those are Thomas the Tank Engines

By the way, you should read Kim's posting about their recent adventures to see Thomas - it was pretty funny!

Secondly, July's giveaway winner for the Goat's Milk Soap is Caitlin over at "It's Spelled C-A-I-T-L-I-N". Totally ironic that she would win because she was the one who introduced me to this latest indulgence of mine! Caitlin is also having her second baby about 3 weeks after we are. I'm telling you - it's in the water here in Idaho! Does anyone need me to ship you some of our water?

Lastly, I have decided to make the "What Kind of Diapers?" posting August's giveaway. Remember one person will be randomly selected to receive a Target gift card. Six days left to get those comments in and cast your vote.

I am loving all the comments I am getting but I can hardly keep up assigning a number to each and then randomly selecting one after adjusting for followers. So, this is how I will probably start running the giveaways from now on. However, please do not stop those comments from coming. I really do absolutely love reading them. And T Rex LOVES to check his. You'll see what I mean in a few days on his blog!

Congratulations to my winners - maybe it will be you next time!!!

Just Because...

Just because I'm feeling a little proud at the moment...

Grades were just posted for my graduate level human pathophysiology class.

I got an A!

Why am I excited? Well, it's my first graduate level class, it was a four credit class done in six weeks, and I was puking my guts out most of those six weeks as well as chasing the T Rex. A small victory, but it's the small ones that make up the big ones!

Thanks for sharing the moment with me!

What Kind of Diapers???

I'm starting a poll to run through August 11th. I want to know what kind of diapers you use or if your kids are past that stage, what kind you used on them. And why?

I'm strongly considering diapers for T Rex Family Baby and want to gather some opinions before moving forward.

And as an added bonus a Target gift card will be given to one lucky commenter (randomly selected) on this posting. Poll closes on August 11th so I will be accepting comments until then!

(Today is the last day for July giveaway...)

Wordful Wednesday - Praying Mantis Friend

I've mentioned before that we put out praying mantis egg sacs every year and use them to control our bug problems. Last weekend our neighbors found one in their bedroom and scooped it up and put it back outside. We were all charmed. Luckily, they like them too. (I had to confess that we might have placed a hatching egg sac in their tree earlier in the spring.)

Well, last week when T Rex Dad was on vacation and at home with T Rex when they discovered this on one of the speakers...

I love how you can see its shadow.

It's a really large mantis so it could not have been living in the house. He took it back outside and placed it on the Japanese maple tree. We consider mantids good luck and treat them with care.

Looking over its domicile from the maple.

Today when T Rex and I were eating lunch and watching the hummingbirds fight over the newly filled feeder I noticed our praying mantis friend crawling along the window. I could look right out the window and peer into its eyes. Very cool! My camera would not focus so I could take a shot from the inside but I did walk out and take its photo. Wow! It has grown huge! It is as long as my index finger. I would not be surprised if it eats one of those hummers (although, I really hope not)!

Over4 inches long (not including antennae)

We've been getting some good photos of the hummers so as soon as I upload those I will post them. In the mean time, I hope you enjoyed the photos of our favorite mantis.

For more Wordful Wednesday fun visit:


Don't forget, July Giveaway nearly over.
Giveaway rules are the same - entries are counted as one comment per blog posting per blog either T Rex Mom and Dad Tales or T Rex Tales. The entries are doubled at the end for followers. Get those comments in for your chance to win a free bar of Goats Milk Soap.

Where We're At...

We're at our family reunion (T Rex Dad's side). They are the most organized family - totally impressed. Did I marry good or what?!? I put up a few more photos from last night's dinner on T Rex Tales if you're interested in viewing them.

When T Rex Dad and I were not chasing T Rex around EVERYWHERE here's a little something fun we were able to do thanks to T Rex Aunt Terri and Uncle Doc...

T Rex liked the boat but hated the life vest. But we insisted and think eventually he will get used to it.

I've also been working on the final few bits of my online pathophysiology class which finishes up next week. Luckily, our amazing hotel suite has fast internet. It's truly an awesome place to stay in the middle of No Where, Idaho. There's a giant bath tub that we are all enjoying and beds for everyone - literally! And as frosting on the cake, T Rex has been sleeping in until 7:45 and taking 3 hour naps (probably from all the stairs we've been making him climb)!

Off for breakfast in the mountains...