Eco-Footprints

Top ten natural baby shower gifts

2009-05-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

I wrote a little article and put it on squidoo. (Which is way fun and I plan to do more!) I put together a little list of natural baby shower gifts. There are lots of great choices, these are the ones that were on my mind that day. (Including some items from my store, of course!)

Here's the link: http://www.squidoo.com/toptennaturalbaby

2009-04-22T21:13:00.000-07:00

I set up a little blow-up pool in the backyard today. I got this picture using my zoom lens, since if I get close with the camera, Hannah usually looks down. Is she cute or what?

Happy Birthday, Hannah!

2009-04-06T18:21:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Hannah at her birthday party. She had fun, even with the crowd! She just ate a little cake, it was more fun to play with new toys and new people! So now she's one year old! I can hardly believe it! She's been walking across the floor, too!

This is a collage our friend Chris made. It's a special treasure!

Almost One!

2009-04-03T07:59:00.000-07:00

Hannah's birthday is in three days. I'm having fun remembering this week last year. I knew I was going to have a baby soon, but I didn't know when!!

And I can't believe my baby is almost one! It's amazing!

Eco-Footprints

2009-03-28T18:39:00.001-07:00

Well, I've decided to change the name of my business! It's more of an expansion, really. It is now the Eco-Footprints and is "home of The Sox Club." As things have been rolling along, I have had more orders for just a few pairs of socks, rather than for a sock subscription. I still have that option, and I know some people are interested in becoming subscribers, they just haven't done it yet. I decided to change the name. The "footprints" part of the name definitely goes along with socks, but allows me to have a few more items as well. I started carrying some really nice soft bamboo scarves and a couple of bamboo tops. (I was given a bamboo top as a sample, and was told, "you're going to live in it." That has turned out to be true! I wear it during the day, and I love sleeping in it!!!)

So, we just move along. I'm having fun shaping this new business! And just seeing what it does! I have a new domain name to go with the new name: The .com version was already taken.

Hannah is sound asleep next to me as I write this. She's so sweet!

Sock photo and baby's first steps

2009-03-16T21:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday when I had hung my laundry to dry, I noticed the dark socks lined up in a row in the shade and decided to take a picture! I added the lighter colored socks for the photo, and took a bunch of shots. This one was my favorite!! I put it on the home page of my site!

And while I'm posting, I will mention that Hannah has taken a couple of steps unassisted! Go Hannah! It's neat to watch her move around. She's very stable. It'll be fun to see her take a few steps in a row!

2009-03-08T17:20:00.000-07:00

I wrote a little article

2009-03-05T21:07:00.000-08:00

I put a little something together about sweatshops. Here's the link: sweatshop article

I haven't written anything like this for awhile. I'm a bit rusty, but I quite enjoyed it! I have always enjoyed writing. I had to write a lot of reports as an audiologist, and I hated it. There's nothing creative about writing a report! I finally stopped writing those reports, unless absolutely necessary! (As in, need to have one in the file in case of audit.)

So, anyway, I wrote an article!!

Paper made without waste

2009-03-03T09:32:00.001-08:00

Here's a link to an article about a company that makes paper in a unique environmentally-friendly way! Actually, it is made with "waste"- elephant waste! read the article here

I love reading how companies make products that help animals and people (and plants!) rather than harming them. This company supports a conservation program by providing jobs in areas where elephants are being destroyed.

Enjoy the read!

Girl Scout Cookies!

2009-02-28T15:23:00.000-08:00

I bought some girl scout cookies today- yum!!! When I was in line to buy them I was looking at the cute little girls, and I got all choked up! I'm so happy to have a cute little girl of my own!!! I could barely talk to tell them what kind of cookies I wanted, then I cried on the way to my car. Just one of those mommy moments, I guess! I love have a tiny person around!

Baby socks that don't fall off!!

2009-02-20T17:26:00.001-08:00

I have been loving the bamboo baby socks that don't fall off! Yes, these baby socks really do stay on!! I especially like to have Hannah wear them when it's cold and I don't want to be worrying about her socks slipping or falling off. Here's a link to the bamboo baby socks in my online sock store! I had 18 other moms test them out, and they stayed put on all but one baby! I think that baby only kicked them off a couple of times, too. I know that typically with wiggly little baby feet, baby socks just do not stay on. These socks stay on, and they're cute, too! They come in pink, natural, green, and blue. I love bamboo socks! They are made by Bamboosa, and made in the U.S.A., too!

It was only a matter of time

2009-02-18T18:26:00.000-08:00

I thought I had a little more time before Hannah would be crawling through the dog door, but here she is!

Yes, I am a cute baby!

2009-02-12T12:06:00.000-08:00

OK, gotta post a naked baby pic!

Still Made in USA

2009-02-07T20:15:00.001-08:00

Here's a website that lists companies that sell items made in the U.S.A. Still Made in USA

My first subscriber!

2009-02-06T18:37:00.000-08:00

I have a subscriber to my sox club! My first subscriber is a male and he ordered the quarterly sock subscription! I hope I'm not violating any kind of confidentiality, I don't know the rules here. Is there HIPAA for clothing? Anyway, how exciting to have a sock subscriber!!!

www.thesoxclub.com is live!!!

2009-02-03T19:20:00.000-08:00

We're up and running! The website has been "live" for a little while, but I haven't been ready to say that we're "open" yet, but now we are! I have some socks that came in today (organic cotton socks that come in burgundy- my only socks that are even close to the color red!) that I need to photograph and get on the website, hopefully tomorrow. I'm also going to add some socks made from alpaca fibers, which I will do as soon as I have a moment to get my first order in with the alpaca people. I keep starting an order just before Hannah wakes up, and I don't get to finish! All in due time. That's what being on "baby time" is all about.

The socks in my store are all made from natural fibers grown without pesticides, from manufacturers that also use fair trade/fair wage practices. The organic label makes a big difference with cotton and wool, as I'm finding out! Better for the land, and the people living in the communities where cotton is grown, and better for the sheep! I also have socks made with hemp/cotton blends, and bamboo. So far!

The other aspect of my sock store is a subscription, or "sock club." I have three kinds of clubs that people can sign up for. The "kaleidoscope" club will have a different "eco-friendly" sock each month. I also have a "dress sox" club and a club for sport socks, which will have the same (dress, or sports) socks each month, again, all eco-friendly. Or each quarter, if people prefer quarterly.

Please check out my store and let me know what you think! Leave a comment and/or sign the guestbook! http://www.thesoxclub.com/

Some teeth!

2009-01-28T16:59:00.000-08:00

You can kind of see Hannah's two bottom teeth. So cute!!!

If you're in the market for a high chair

2009-01-28T16:36:00.000-08:00

The kind with a net at the bottom is very handy for little Chihuahuas who want to catch any dropped food before it even hits the floor!

Wow, a new catalog

2009-01-25T18:47:00.000-08:00

So I'm basically putting together an online catalog for my sock store. For some reason I didn't think it would be this much work, but I don't know why I thought that! I actually have more varieties of socks than I thought I would at first, and I'm excited about that! I've been entering the descriptions of the socks and also retrieving info on each type of fiber, and learning more about designing websites than I ever imagined! Fortunately the template I'm using is awesome and there are great tutorials. (I'm using shop kit plus http://www.waterswebshops.com/ and I recommend them.) It's overwhelming at first, but I'm slowly but surely figuring out what I need to know. I was able to successfuly point my domain name to my shop kit plus store and also redirect the nameservers, when a week ago I didn't know what a nameserver was. (Oh, I still don't know, but I know how to redirect them!)

I bought a new camera today, too! I'm excited about that, my old was was getting kind of limited. I'll have even better pictures of Hannah! I took some sample photos of my mom's socks while we were in the store and I liked the way they came out. So the project this week will be photographing socks and uploading the photos. We'll be ready to go soon!

Bamboo-licious

2009-01-20T23:36:00.001-08:00

I've been trying out new socks as they come in. The most recent pair was a pair of bamboo socks, and they are so nice! They are soft and obviously very durable and strong. They feel silky! Another nice quality is that they do not slip around on my feet! They are quite thin, and typically I don't care for thin socks, but even though they are thin they feel good with shoes! They come out looking nice after being washed also.

Bamboo is a great source for fiber for clothing. It requires very little, if any, watering; it mostly is watered by rain water. No pesticides are required, so bamboo is easily and naturally organic. Bamboo is a grass, so when it is harvested, it simply continues to grow, which improves soil stability. Bamboo also grows very quickly. Bamboo fabric is naturally bacteria-resistant, it also offers UV protection (not a big deal with socks, I suppose!) and also absorbs moisture. Compared to cotton, bamboo will feel dryer against the skin. (That is a good quality to have for socks!) The fabric is breathable. Bamboo fabric keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

The main down side is that most if not all of the bamboo used for textiles is grown in China. I will have bamboo socks in my store and will look for companies that employ fair labor practices.

Bamboo is good stuff!!

My 16 year old poodle

2009-01-16T18:51:00.000-08:00

This is Rudy. He turned 16 in August! He has slowed down quite a bit over the last few years, but he's doing pretty well for an old guy. When he was a puppy, I told him I wanted him to hang out with me at least until I was 40. I turned 40 this week, so he made it! Rudy came to live with me when he was four months old, the best Christmas present ever! His parents were my parents' dogs, Molly and Scooter. I was living in Sacramento at the time, in graduate school. I even moved into a different apartment so I could have Rudy! He was such a fun puppy! Such a little cutie! Since he was small, he didn't do a whole lot of damage, although he did tear up a stuffed fish. He's been on a lot of road trips with me, been camping, and been a good buddy all these years. At times, he was the only consistent thing in my life! Or so it seemed. When I found out I was pregnant, I was really hoping Rudy would still be around to meet my baby, and she's nine months old already! Yay, Rudy! Sometimes it seems like his last day will be soon, but for the most part he's doing really well and doesn't seem to be in pain. When I take him for a walk, though, the only thing that gets exercised is my patience! He is SO slow! He's had a good life, but I will be so sad when he does go.

I showed up on Google!

2009-01-12T20:35:00.001-08:00

I just googled "the sox club" and my web page was first! That is the name of my new business, so how exciting to see that! The web page is still under construction, but hopefully will be up in a couple of weeks. I just signed up for my shopping cart, and I have to learn how to put all that together. Maybe I'll have it ready by the time the socks get here, we shall see. It'll be ready when it's ready. So the search engines have found me! This is a good thing!

We interrupt this blog with some grunting

2009-01-12T20:09:00.000-08:00

Hannah was in her high chair playing with some cereal and pizza crust (yes, I let her eat pizza crust!) when I was typing in my last blog entry. I hadn't finished the first sentence when I heard her start grunting. This is a grunt that any parent of any baby would recognize- it's the grunt that means "I'm pooping" or "I'm about to poop." Since I was fortunate enough to learn about EC (elimination communication) before Hannah was born, what I did when I heard the grunting was pick her up and take her to a potty. She has a little potty that she sits on, and that's where she, well, goes potty. So instead of changing a poopy diaper, I clean out a little potty bowl. Much cleaner! Much less messy! Much preferred to poopy diapers! Oh, I haven't changed a poopy diaper in a month, and have only changed two since Thanksgiving. When she used to poop multiple times a day, we would still have days without a poopy diaper, or days with only one instead of five. Pretty cool, I think!

There's lots of information about EC on the internet, and it's not as weird as it sounds! I say that, because it sounded weird to me at first. In fact, I wasn't going to try it at first, but eventually I did decide to try it. Here's a website: http://www.diaperfreebaby.com/ Note: "diaper free" and "diaperless" are not the same thing. I use diapers with Hannah, it's just that diapers generally aren't our primary place for going potty. They are "back up" or like really thick underwear. Underwear that gets peed in from time to time!

The idea with EC is to learn when your baby needs to eliminate, and provide them with a place to do so. When Hannah was first born, her signals for potty were very strong, once I knew what I was looking for. Now they are more subtle, and what I try to do is offer her a chance to go potty when she wakes up from a nap, after nursing, and throughout the day when I think about it. Some days she is dry all day long, other days I have six or more "misses." It's pretty cool! At night, if she's squirmy, I take her potty. If she doesn't squirm, I don't take her. Some nights she wakes up dry in the same diaper she wore to bed. Other nights I change her diaper two or three times and she soaks her diaper. It's not a big deal, either way!

EC can be practiced part time or full time, one time per day or all day long. Some moms who do it do choose not to use diapers. I think that's neat, but that's not what would work fo rus. Hannah has on a diaper or training pants most of the time. (Sometimes she doesn't, but I think most babies have some nakey bum time from time to time!)

We started doing this when Hannah was four or five days old. I was going to start at birth, but since I ended up having a c-section, I really wasn't able to hold her over a potty at first. (I couldn't even change her diaper myself at first.) When she was four or five days old, she pooped all over the wall near the changing table during a diaper change. I was so excited, because I figured she was telling me she didn't want to poop in her diaper! So shortly after that I held her over my bathroom sink, made a "s-s-" sound, and she peed! At home I use the little potty or my sink, when we're out and about we use a potty that I have in the car, or a toilet. Actually, from very early on, she began to "hold it" while we were out and about and wait until we got home to go potty.

The two obvious benefits are fewer poopy diapers and no diaper rash! It's a neat communication that we have, too. It's definitely an interesting journey! It's just part of how I take care of her.

An oatmeal tip

2009-01-12T19:53:00.000-08:00

I eat oatmeal every day, sometimes twice a day. I read that it is good for breastmilk production, so I eat it. I'd be content to eat it with tons of sugar every day, but that just doesn't seem like a good idea! So instead, I put some cinnamon and some nutmeg in my oatmeal. It tastes like a warm little oatmeal cookie! Yum!

I just ordered a bunch of socks!

2009-01-11T18:14:00.001-08:00

I've ordered socks from three different companies now. I have a selection of organic cotton, cotton and hemp blend, wool, and bamboo! I'm still waiting for a catalog and some samples from another manufacturer, and I plan to order from them as well. I also ordered sock monkeys from Maggie's organics, and I can't wait to see them in person! Now my job is to figure out how to do the web site thing. When the socks come in I'll take pictures of them and then get rolling. Paula says she'll subscribe to my sock club, she may be my first customer! My mom wants to buy some new socks, too!

I'm pretty excited!!

More thoughts on the nine month mark

2009-01-07T18:05:00.000-08:00

I was just thinking about how very different the last nine months have been compared to the previous nine months! I thought that when I became pregnant, my entire world changed. In retrospect, it was just a minor shift compared to having a baby! I am really enjoying my nine month old baby.

A photo from New Year's Day

2009-01-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

This is Hannah on New Year's Day. She's wearing a bamboo sweatshirt over her organic cotton t-shirt. She has organic cotton legwarmers, as well, and even a bamboo diaper! Not all of her clothes are made from these materials, but on New Year's Day I felt like dressing her that way! She's cute no matter what, that is for sure!

Christmas photo

2009-01-07T14:58:00.000-08:00

A little late, but here's a picture of Hannah Christmas morning. It was fun watching her with the boxes, bows, paper, and new things with tags! Tags are a big favorite of hers. She got some new toys and clothes and books from some family members, not too much, just the right amount! We got to see lots of family members! It was a nice Christmas.

Ecological savings

2009-01-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

I just found this link where you can enter a quantity of t-shirts and it will calculate the "ecological savings" of purchasing hemp t-shirts rather than a shirt made from cotton grown with pesticides. For 20 shirts, which most of us will use in the next 10 years, the savings in water is 14,900 gallons. The savings in terms of chemical fertilizer is 3.36 pounds. The savings in terms of pesticides is .02 pounds. That just for 20 shirts!! Here's the link, it's in about the middle of the page: http://www.threehighguys.com/theguys/Ecological.html

Nine in, Nine out

2009-01-06T19:04:00.000-08:00

Hannah is nine months old today! When I was pregnant, I remember reading about the concept of "nine in, nine out" meaning that a baby gestates inside the womb for nine months, and should be held or carried for the nine months after birth. (And beyond, of course, but in particular for the first nine months.) I have made it a point to carry her or have her on me in a wrap, sling, or carrier since she was born. In the beginning I struggled with people wanting to hold her, then setting her down when they were done holding her. (Why didn't they just give her back to me??) I remember even at one potluck a friend was holding her, then put her down and said, "So and so told me to put her down." Well, that person is not her mother, I am! So I just held her myself, for the most part. My parents have held her a lot, too, but it's mostly just been me holding her. How lucky am I! The idea behind this, as I understand it, is to hold them close and give them all the security and touch they need, and when they are ready, they will be more independent.

Hannah must have known that the nine month mark was a time to become more independent, because JUST THIS WEEK she has shown many signs of being independent! She even crawls into another room, out of my line of vision! I mean, with me out of her line of vision. Up until this week, when I needed to go to the bathroom, typically I would plop her down on the floor while I went, then scoop her back up when I was done. Sometimes I would even hold her then, but mostly not after the first three months. She would frequently fuss when I set her down, and I would talk to her and pick her back up as soon as I could. Just the other day, she just crawled away! It was so funny to see! Later that day, she was playing not too far from the bathroom, and I just casually went to the bathroom without moving her. It was so nice! Honestly, for the first hour or so, it was so strange to have her be so independent. I didn't even recognize her. But then I embraced the transition and have been enjoying a little bit of time to get some things done. She still needs to be close, and spends a lot of time in the carrier, but she is definitely maturing in the area of being independent.

I feel so good about this! I am happy that her independence is something that she has matured into, and not something that I have forced onto her. I'm happy about how the last nine moths have gone!! And happy 9 month birthday, Hannah!

(photo taken back in August)

Last Day of 2008

2008-12-31T15:10:00.000-08:00

It's New Year's Eve Day, December 31, 2008. Even though it doesn't make sense, I am sad to see the end of 2008. It was definitely the best year of my life! The year Hannah was born! I have been thinking about "2008" ever since I found out I was pregnant and realized I was having a baby in 2008. So basically since the beginning of August, 2007! So much for living in the present moment! I do always like New Year's, it's a neat time of year. 2008 will always hold a special place in my heart!

We're home!

2008-12-30T10:36:00.000-08:00

We're home from our holiday travels. We left the afternoon of Christmas Eve for my mom's. We stayed there through Saturday morning. Saturday we drove (Grandpa Roy drove!) to Ventura to hang out with relatives there. We spent Sunday night back at Mom's, then home yesterday. Hannah still isn't much for traveling, but it was easier once I figured that out. After our two previous trips, she had a couple of rough days, and this time is no exception. It reminds me of when I have a particularly crazy or emotional trip, it takes me a few days to unwind, too! By Sunday she only wanted to hang out with me (more than usual! she usually only wants to hang out with me or on me!) and she woke up crying several times in the night. She rarely cries in the night. Right now she's napping peacefully and I need to unpack from our travels! Most of the time during our travels I was exhausted, but it was nice to see family. Christmas day she went a long time without napping, and I learned that day to make sure she gets a nap! Soon I will upload pictures of her unwrapping presents!

Business License

2008-12-23T18:52:00.000-08:00

I just found out today that I my business license application was approved! So I can start selling socks any time! Right now I'm looking into web sites for my store. I like one that Marija from EC Wear uses (http://www.ecwear.com/) and I will probably go with them. The owner of the company is a WAHM and I like the idea of supporting another WAHM. I need to order some socks and start taking pictures of them! I would like to find a few more suppliers, I suppose that will take time and some more phone calls.

How exciting!!!!!

Henna!

2008-12-21T14:59:00.001-08:00

Today I hennaed my hair for the third time. I discovered "body art quality" henna when Hannah was about 4 months old. Before that, I hadn't had my hair colored since the week before I got pregnant. I had looked into henna when I was pregnant, actually, but only came across products that included henna and a mix of lots of harmful chemicals. I made a query on MDC and was directed to the henna for hair website: http://www.hennaforhair.com/
What I learned there is that only henna sold as "body art quality" is pure henna and is completely safe and natural. I loved that I mixed it with orange juice! Then I mixed it with some tea the next day, and drank the tea that I didn't need! (You can't do that with the hair dye from a box!) I also love that I can use my regular kitchen utensils to stir it, and I can wash them in the sink and not worry about getting chemicals on my dishes. So from a non-hazardous perspective, it's great! I also love how it conditions my hair! Whatever I don't use, I just put in the freezer and take it out when I'm ready to do it again.

Putting it on is a completely yummy process, too. The first time I put on way too much, and it started to drip. I learn each time! I love the earthy smell of the henna. I love the way it feels. This time it was pretty cold when I put it on, but at least that way I could tell where I'd applied it. I can see why it is considered a luxury treatment. On the website, the woman who put it together says to relax while letting the henna work its magic on your hair. I don't think those directions were directed at moms of babies!

The first two times I hennaed my hair, I timed it around Hannah's naps. Currently, she only naps when she's on me, so that wasn't going to work this time. I started the process right after she woke up from one of her naps. I let her play with my camera and my cell phone and a bunch of other new things while I put it on. She was fine, and I put it on pretty quickly! We hung out for two hours and then I took a shower. Now my hair is drying, and I can tell I not longer have grey roots! Mmmmmm, I do love the smell!

I bought some indigo, which I haven't used yet. I would like to, one of these days. It's so easy for now to pull out the mix that I already made. Maybe next time I start a new mix I'll add the indigo.

I'm a definite henna convert!

Christmas giving

2008-12-20T19:22:00.000-08:00

I bought two wooden puzzles today for Hannah for a Christmas present. As I was leaving the store, I was thinking about wrapping them and putting on a tag that says TO: Hannah FROM: Mommy. I got all teared up thinking about that! How lucky I am to have a child this Christmas! It makes me teary even now thinking about it! I just think to-Hannah-from-Mommy and I cry. I started thinking about Christmas gift giving. Sure, it's annoying sometimes to have to shop for people you don't know all that well, or for people who just buy what they want whenever they want it, and any other shopping that is out of a sense of obligation. I don't intend to even talk about out-of-control materialism and consumerism. But, today I thought this: at least once a year we take the opportunity to intentionally give someone a gift. All of a sudden Christmas gift-giving became a beautiful thing to me!

This year I got presents for the little ones in my family- my cousin Ian, my nephew Michael, my niece Bridget, my niece Cassandra's kids, Jennifer and Daniel, and also my parents. And of course my precious daughter Hannah! She's getting the two wooden puzzles and a handmade giraffe I bought from an etsy.com store. I am in the process of making some cards for my mom's favorite game, too. Her cards are all worn out and they don't make replacements anymore. It's taking me a little longer to stencil 0-99 on cards, but I am enjoying each and every one! It's nice to really feel a Christmas spirit!

Picture with Santa

2008-12-08T19:46:00.000-08:00

Yes, we had our picture taken with Santa! The ones with Hannah and Santa came out the best, of course! As we stood in line, I was thinking about how Christmas is a special time, and I'm looking forward to this Christmas and many future Christmases with my baby girl!

ten fingers, ten toes

2008-12-08T17:26:00.000-08:00

When I was pregnant and when Hannah was first born, I got a lot of cards that had pictures of baby feet or baby hands. They are pretty amazing! From the beginning, I noticed that Hannah has beautiful hands! Her feet are pretty neat, she moves them a lot and spreads out her toes. My mom says she has expressive feet.

The other night I had Hannah in the Moby wrap (for the first time in about four months, it felt nice) and her toes were at the perfect level for me to cup them in my fingers. All of a sudden I was completely mesmerized by the feel of those toes! They are amazing! They are exquisite! The next day I felt her fingers, too. All I can say is that they are incredible. Now I understand why people think baby toes and baby fingers are so cool.

Cloth diapering

2008-12-06T09:54:00.000-08:00

I just put a diaper cover on Hannah that I bought when she was one week old. She's 8 months old today. I love that! I don't know how cloth vs. disposable in terms of economics is even open for debate! Particularly if buying them used and/or reselling them, and with multiple children. The cover I'm using this morning is over a pair of training pants, not full cloth diaper, which is why it still fits after 8 months. That's because we're doing EC, which I will post about later!

I also love that I'm not buying diapers every week. I invested in some cloth diapers a few months ago (for her current size) and won't need new ones for awhile. I also like that she's not seeing me throw something away after just using it one time.

I decided to use disposable diapers on our trip to Arcata last month, one of the reasons being the weight limits on the airplane. I figured that wet diapers would be heavier coming home than on the way there, and I was already at my limit. I much prefer the cloth, but it worked. I used the diapers given to me at my baby showers up until she was three months old (with a combo of a few cloth dipes and the occasional nakey bum time) and then at three months I just couldn't use them anymore. I still have one package that I never opened. I do use the Nature Baby Care diapers from Target on rare occasion, our rate of use of those is about one pack every three months. That's what works for us.

As for the laundry, I don't mind doing laundry, and since I don't have time to take a bath anymore, I don't think I'm using any more water than I was before! (Especially now that we're going to take out the front lawn and put something else in, yippee!!)

So yes, I'm an eager cloth diaper convert! On the subject of organic cotton, I have an organic cotton diaper made by Under the Nile that I bought from Marija at EC Wear and I use it just about every night! It is so nice! She's about ready to outgrow it, but that under a wool cover has solved our recent leak situation. I only bought one of that particular diaper to try it out, but if I have another baby I will get some more! I also like the bamboo diapers for night time, and the one Thirstie's diaper I have that just BARELY fits! What is it about diapers???

Autumn leaves

2008-12-04T17:50:00.000-08:00

I raked leaves this afternoon. I spread out three blankets and Hannah sat and watched me for a little while. It used to be one blanket was enough! I know she only sat and watched because she'd never seen me rake leaves before, next time I'm sure she'll be crawling off the blankets immediately. I filled up a bin, and then sat by her and kept her company while she moved the blankets around and played with the grass. She was laughing almost the whole time! I think she likes being outside. It was a nice day, too. I was thinking about how next year when I rake leaves she'll be 20 months and probably wanting to jump in the leaves. It will be different, for sure. We might make some pretty cards or something with the leaves, or at the very least look at them together and enjoy the pretty colors. I am loving this journey of motherhood, that's for sure.

That was fast!

2008-12-01T20:26:00.000-08:00

I applied for a resale number last week. I thought I faxed my application to the board of equalization on Wednesday, but maybe it was Tuesday. Thursday was Thanksgiving and I had a packet with the resale number and some information in my mailbox on Friday! I guess there aren't a lot of new businesses starting up right now!

Why am I starting a new business when everyone is all worried about the economy? There are a couple of reasons. One, I don't read all the news stories, so I don't have the fearful messages coming at me all the time. Two, I'm following my heart, and for that the economy doesn't matter! I'm not trying to "make a buck"- I'm already in business so I wouldn't need to start another one if that were my goal. I'm starting something that is exciting to me!

I registered my domain name, www.thesoxclub.com this evening. I have a "this page is under construction" message at the moment! Tomorrow I'll work on my fictitious business paperwork.

Unconscious Shopping :-(

2008-12-01T16:11:00.000-08:00

I was just at the department store looking for toys for Hannah and her cousin for Christmas. While I prefer to buy Hannah's clothes from the consignment store, or Good will, or wear hand-me-downs, I couldn't resist taking a look at the new baby clothes at the department store. They are so darn cute!!! I bought a few things on clearance, including a long-sleeved onesie that says "Baby's First Thanksgiving." When I got home, I noticed that the "Baby's First Thanksgiving" part was sewn on upside down. Then I noticed the onesie was made in Thailand. Then I got really sad. I have no idea if that item was made in a sweat shop or not, but it made me think of people working in sweat shops, and I was no longer happy with my cute little purchase.

I made a renewed commitment to be a conscious and conscientious shopper, no matter how cute the clothes are.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-26T15:30:00.000-08:00

This year I am thankful for my baby girl more than anything else! I used to be uncomfortable "going around the table and saying what we're thankful for." I'm not sure why. Maybe because I couldn't think of anything I wanted to share with a group of people, maybe I just didn't have much of an attitude of gratitude. I don't know. But now I know I am thankful for many things, and Hannah tops that list!

You make bath time so much fun!

2008-11-25T14:17:00.000-08:00

I just took a bath and got a shower, too! Hannah was playing next to the tub, and she seemed pretty interested in the water and the suds, so I stripped off her clothes and socks and she came in the tub with me! I've had her in with me before, mostly at times when I didn't want to get out but she needed my attention. This time it seemed like she wanted in, and she had a lot of fun! She splashed and splashed! (Hence the shower!) I got some extra soaking time, too, and it was nice for both of us!

She leaned forward a little too far and got some water in her face and mouth. She started crying. My first thought was to get out of the tub immediately, but I was thinking about what I've been reading in "Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves" where she talks about babies and children needing to feel their emotions and reactions. I was thinking if we got out of the tub, it might distract her, and she was probably a little scared from getting her face wet and just needed to cry about that for a bit. So I just held her while she cried and she cried for about 45 seconds, then went back to splashing! That seems better than rushing out of the tub with an upset (and slippery) baby. I'm learning a lot along the way, hopefully the mistakes I make won't be too catastrophic or tramautic for my little love!

Hannah does have quite the rubber duckie collection, but today we bathed duckless. All the duckies were in her bathroom! We still had lots of fun!

Organically grown carrots taste better

2008-11-24T16:14:00.000-08:00

They just do!!

Why am I starting a new business? How did I choose this one?

2008-11-24T15:53:00.000-08:00

I am about ready to place my first order for sox! Yippeee!!! Why am I starting this business? There are two ways of looking at it, I am moving toward something, and I am moving away from something. I am moving toward something that is becoming increasingly important to me, clothing made from good quality natural fibers, organically grown, and made in the U.S. or as part of a fair trade agreement. Why is this becoming important to me? I think it has to do with becoming a mother, and really thinking about these kinds of things! My perspective on so much changed when I became a mom. I began to understand why a group of women would form to make the group "Mothers Against Drunk Driving" for example. I understand why people would think it's important not to cloud our water sources with pesticides and other nasty chemicals. I also understand why it's important to make conscious choices when making a purchase, and to buy used and recycled as much as possible. I think socks are a good choice for me for a business, because I don't feel like I would be selling someone something they don't need. I am moving towards something that is becoming a passion.

I'm also moving away from a career that I no longer have a passion for. I think audiology is a fine profession, and I am still an audiologist, and still practicing, for that matter. I look at others in my profession, though, and I can honestly say that I do not have the passion I see in them. With Hannah, too, it is so difficult to see people by appointment, and it's frustrating dealing with insurance companies and other contracting groups. Seriously, I just want to sell socks!

I have always struggled with mixing business and health care. It's a tough mix, really. It takes forever to get paid and so many people expect me to take care of them for free. I have always loved volunteer work, I was brought up that way, but the fact is, audiology is what I do for a living, not as a volunteer. Yes, it is wonderful to help people hear better, to help relationships be healed and restored because one aspect of a communication problem is resolved. It's great! Still, at the end of the day, my heart is not in it. It hasn't been for a couple of years, as anyone who's worked with me probably has noticed. Now that Hannah is here, I am inspired to do something I love.

This sock subscription idea has been brewing for awhile. My friend Katie mentioned it to me about 7 or 8 years ago, that she thought it would be a neat idea. Even back then, I started thinking how I could do it. The internet was a totally different story "back in those days." (!!!) Now, it seems like something that will work.

When I first started thinking of how I would put this together, I was just thinking socks. Fun colors, neat patterns, a new pair of nice thick yummy socks each month. Once I started looking at socks, I realized that they were going to have to be organic cotton and other natural fibers, or recycled fibers, for me to put my heart into this business. Finding vendors has not been easy, with the exception of Maggies organics. They are awesome and responsive and I am really looking forward to working with them!

I have a few more details to take care of, and then I am going to make my first order! I'm going to start with the organic cotton and maybe wool, and I would love to add things as we go along.

All of a sudden I have hope and passion and excitement with regards to how I am going to make a living! What a wonderful change for me!

Maggie's Soap Nuts

2008-11-22T08:45:00.000-08:00

I can't remember when I started using Maggie's Soap Nuts for my laundry, I think it was a little over a year ago. I was maybe 2 months pregnant with Hannah. I do remember giving Poppy a bath with them when she first came to me, so it was sometime in the Fall of last year. Anyway, they are awesome! They are the berry from a certain tree. They are a little sticky, and that sticky I guess is what turns soapy in water. It's a completely natural cleaning product, yippee!! My clothes look nicer after each wash! I just started using them to wash dishes (a lot of times I just rinse dishes if no soap is needed) and everything, especially glassware, comes out so nice! I love them! For laundry I usually just use 5 of the soap berries in the little bag, and for dishes I use the liquid that I made from boiling the soap berries.

I want to keep learning ways to use them!

I wanted to post a link but I haven't figured that out yet. You can google soap berries for more info!

Book- Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves

2008-11-20T11:18:00.000-08:00

I just started reading this book. I love the quote at the beginning! It's what I was thinking when I was writing my previous post. Here it is:

"Nothing you become will disappoint me; I have no preconception that I'd like to see you be or do. I have no desire to forsee you, only to discover you. You cannot disappoint me."
-Mary Haskell

That is beautiful! I like the "only to discover you." Sometimes I think of Hannah as a flower that is blooming and unfolding. It's neat!

Hannah might read this some day

2008-11-19T17:39:00.000-08:00

It just occurred to me (well, earlier today it occurred to me) that Hannah might read this blog someday. I'm sure she'll know her way around a computer soon enough! Maybe when she's four I can ask her what tags and labels are all about, if I haven't figured it out by then. (She loves tags, the real kind that stick out of towels and blankets and pillows!)

So, Hannah, when you read this, I hope you know how much your mom loves you! Right now as I type this you are asleep in the carrier, in front of me, and I can kiss the top of your head any time I want. (Which is often!) When you're awake in the carrier I like to kiss the side of your head. Sometimes I wonder what you're going to like- are you going to like dancing, drawing, singing, reading, running, swimming? Maybe cooking? My hope for you is that you just be the person you're supposed to be and that you have the chance to explore the things you want to explore. I will do my best to give you these opportunities!

Lately you've been trying to stand up. You're very strong! I will not be surprised at all to see you walking around! You have some teeth coming in, so you've been a little cranky lately, but I try to help you get comfortable. We do a LOT of walking around the neighborhood with you in the carrier, it helps you get settled and you usally take a little snooze. Sometimes we walk around six times a day!

Will you remember the time you spent close to my chest as I carried you around? Will you remember snuggling in the middle of the night, and waking to nurse? Will you remember me singing you the ch-ch song so you would smile? I guess these are just special memories for me! In Luke I think it is, it says that Mary treasured the early days with the baby Jesus in her heart. Now I know what that means! You are a wonderful, beautiful baby! I have lots to treasure in my heart right now!

My first post

2008-11-18T22:49:00.000-08:00

It's late in the evening and Hannah is asleep. I decided to finally start a blog! I have been spending more time online since Hannah was born. I have enjoyed reading others' blogs, getting to know new people, and re-connecting with old friends.

Everything has changed since Hannah was born! Some things are much harder, everything is much more wonderful! Today she spent some time screaming, presumably because she is teething (still) but the second half of the day was pleasant and fun. She's even smiling again!! Her smile melts my heart and makes everything worthwhile. She has inspired me to be the best I can be! I have learned a lot about healthy eating and healthy living since I first became pregnant in the summer of 2007. She turned 7 months old at the beginning of the month.

Right now I'm on a quest to learn all I can about organic cotton socks, hemp socks, bamboo socks, and socks made from recycled materials. Do you notice a theme here?

I need to learn about blogs and the features, for example, labels. What is a label for and how do I decide which labels to associate with a post?