Another Day, Another Splash Pad

Matt was off the past two days and we had so much fun doing summery things.

In two days we went to two different splash pads that I didn't even know existed a week and a half ago! It took Logan a little bit each time to get comfortable, but then he was running around with the crowds of kids like he was just as big as them. I think he liked climbing on the rocks even more than splashing in the water! We need to find some more places for our little monkey to climb! 

We also made our second trip to a local farmer's market. It feels so good to buy local! 

Our haul, small but delicious.

Summer is my favorite time of year. It makes me think of fun and the outdoors. I love being outside, and that is one of the things I dislike most about living in an apartment. We know we will be moving sometime in the next 6 months We aren't sure where, but criteria #1 is a yard! I dream of having a garden next summer and seeing my son run around in our own backyard!

 

Since Matt was off for two days the apartment is in a state of shambles. For some reason I let all cleaning go by the wayside when he is home. Too much fun to be had! Now I am off to whip things back into shape. 

2013 Great Cloth Diaper Change

This past weekend was the annual Great Cloth Diaper Change. It is an event that takes place internationally to help raise awareness and inform people about cloth diapering. I won't go too deep into just how awesome using cloth is, but know that it is and feel free to ask any questions you may have! I attended last year, and was merely an observer as I was just weeks away from my due date. This year I was so excited to be able to participate and I brought my sister along with me!

I was oh so thankful that my mom and sister made the drive up to go with me. I had 1000 times more fun with them with me than I would have by myself. So to both of you thank you and thank you again for coming! They also brought two little ones along, Daniel and Brooklyn.

We had a little time to kill before the official change, and Logan decided to use that time to practice standing alone. I was very excited as you can tell by my mile high eyebrows. Hello!

During the actual change, only active participants are allowed in the designated changing area. When the whistle is blown everyone changes the diapers at the same time.

After the change all of the little cloth bottoms get raised in the air! It was so sweet to hear all of the mamas (and some daddys!) oooing to their babies, and all of the happy baby sounds as they were being held above our heads. 

There were prizes and drawings and a diaper swap afterward. I snagged a few new (to us) diapers and a new wet bag for the diaper bag!

It was so wonderful to be with so many like minded people. Obviously we all cloth diapered, but there were also so many mamas wearing their babies in all different kinds of carriers. When I go out and about I can pretty much assume that I will get a few second glances if I am wearing Logan. Saturday I was just one of the crowd. Also, when he tugged on my shirt and wanted some "num num," I didn't feel the least bit self conscious about giving him a little snack right then and there. 

Just like last year, our change was part of an Earth Day festival. So when we finished we still had plenty to do and see. 

The Heifer foundation had some of the animals from their local ranch there. 

We saw sheep,

chickens, ducks,

goats, and a very large rabbit.

Here's our crew, minus my mom:

Overall I would call the day a huge success. My mom even scored us some kombucha! We are going today to pick up our scobys. 

My little man couldn't even handle all of the excitement.

I can't wait til next year! I wonder if Logan will still be in diapers... hmm...

Zoo Trip!

Yesterday we took Logan to the zoo for the first time! Lately he has really been into animals and making animal sounds, so we were excited to show him some of those animals in person.

It was a big hit with him, and we are both so glad we decided to go. He could see a lot of the animals from his stroller, but every once in a while we would get him out for optimal animal viewing. It was so sweet to watch him point at all of the animals. Pointing is something relatively new for him, and turned out to be a most useful skill at the zoo!

Up close and personal with a large swan.

He enjoyed watching the "monkeys" of all types, and some of the chimps gave us quite the show.

Working out that pointing finger!

Hello there!

Our fearless leader.

While we were looking at the lions, I was roaring for Logan. He continued roaring as we rolled on to the next animals. Talk about the most adorable sound ever!

"Hold on, I've got to adjust my hat!"

Seeing him enjoy something so much was absolutely wonderful. He isn't be able to talk about it afterward and go over his favorite parts with us, but we could see the excitement and wonder in his eyes with each animal they spotted. That little sparkle was, without a doubt, my favorite part of the day.

Picnic in the Park

The weather was absolutely beautiful yesterday. We took advantage of it and headed to the park for a picnic supper! I can see us repeating this many time this spring.

Logan is very into Daddy these days. "Where are you going, Daddy? Wait for me!"

"No hands!"

Wearing Daddy's hat.

Blooper reel: Logan's got me in the choke hold! Or at least that is what is looks like.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

This weekend we took Logan to his first baseball game! We live close to our local minor league baseball field, and love attending their games. The best part is, it only takes ten minutes to get home!

We weren't sure how Little Man would do, out with crowds, noise, and past his bedtime. He did great and had lots of fun!

While the sun was still beating down on our seats we walked around up in the shade and he had lots of tell me. Bonus: this talking shot is a great view of his two little teeth!

Logan's favorite part of the game was definitely all of the clapping. Whenever the crowd clapped and cheered, he joined right in. Oh so precious. His least favorite part was Daddy's yelling. Poor Matt, he said he is going to have to re-learn how to cheer. Haha. I assured him Logan would probably get used to it. It isn't angry yelling, just excitement! We love baseball!

We stayed for the first game of a double header (only 7 innings), and the Travs won! 7-0! Yay!

Celebrate the Earth!

There is a wonderful place in Little Rock called Heifer International. They do so many great things in other countries and right here at home. You can read all about them here, on their website.

This Saturday they hosted the Arkansas Earth Day Festival!

I had been looking forward to this day for several months. I can't even remember how I found this event. (Somewhere on the wonderful world wide web.) I actually didn't know that there was an Earth Day festival. I just knew that I was going to attend The Great Cloth Diaper Change!

It was a great event that informed people about the world of cloth diapering. The event took place at 305 changing stations in 16 countries! They broke their own Guinness World Record from last year, and next year I am going to be a part of breaking this years record!

A few facts:

Cost comparison: 

The text above is a little hard to read, here is what it says:

*Reusable diaper costs include diapers, cloth wipes, detergent, and out personal laundry costs, including electricity and water.

Disposable Diaper costs include diapers and wipes. Other products such as diaper pails, trash bags, and diaper creams are not included.

Costs are based on local stores and prices may vary in your area.

The great change occurred at 11:30 am. All of the Mamas (and a few Daddys!) held up their cloth diapers first

and their cloth covered bottoms after!

It was so amazing to see so many cloth diapering parents in my local area! I had no idea there were so many families that used cloth diapers around here. It is hard to describe how excited and emotional I felt at the sight. I may or may not have teared up a little bit, but shh, we don't need to share that information!

As soon as we arrived we discovered that the diapering event was a part of the larger event. So while we were there we joined in on the rest of the fun!

The Mustard Seed Club (I couldn't find a link for them) was giving away patio gardens! Since we live in a small apartment and have only a small patio, this was perfect. I "dug" right in! Now we have chives and basil growing on our patio. 

While we were hanging around the cloth diaper booth, a woman approached me and told me that there was going to be henna belly painting over at the Birth Works tent.

After we saw all of the bottoms get covered in cloth, we found the booth and I was the first to get my belly painted!

Here I am being filmed for the Fox 16 news! You can watch the clip here. 

At first it was a little strange to have my belly exposed in public, but after my Mama told me to "own it," and all of the doulas told me what a beautiful pregnant belly I have, it felt pretty good.

I am so glad that I stepped outside of my comfort zone. It was such a fun experience, and I got to talk to the doulas a little about natural childbirth, my doctor, and my hospital. They were some awesome women.

Now I have a sweet henna tattoo to enjoy while we continue to wait for Logan to make his arrival.

I am so glad my personal photographer was there to take pictures. I was able to enjoy the day and just know that there would be great pictures to remember it by later. Thanks Mama!