http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/08/27/police-shoot-suspected-drunk-driver-during-webster-city-traffic-stop/#comments
And here's my handsome hubby!
August 27, 2010
Man Shot During Police Stop At McDonald's - Des Moines News Story - KCCI Des Moines
For anyone that heard this, I just wanted to let them know that it wasn't Joel involved, although he was on duty and arrived at the scene just after. We had a pretty sleepless night, but are just fine! It certainly puts the reality of his career in our minds though, knowing that at any time, a routine traffic stop or routine call can become anything but routine. Luckily, the training for this career is pretty extensive. But still, it makes the possibility a complete reality when it happens. I like to think that he is safe always and that people are innately good, but I can't convince myself of that. I know that it is dangerous and that the reason Joel has a career is because crimes are committed and not everyone is good.
Man Shot During Police Stop At McDonald's - Des Moines News Story - KCCI Des Moines
But, I'm glad he's at home sleeping and that the other officer was able to go home to his family this morning after work. That's the important part, that they are all safe and home sleeping, because it just as easily could have been one of them that was life-flighted and in the hospital now.
Man Shot During Police Stop At McDonald's - Des Moines News Story - KCCI Des Moines
But, I'm glad he's at home sleeping and that the other officer was able to go home to his family this morning after work. That's the important part, that they are all safe and home sleeping, because it just as easily could have been one of them that was life-flighted and in the hospital now.
August 17, 2010
Week 30
We have 10 weeks left! October seems so far away, but saying ten weeks make it seem so short! I can't believe in 10 weeks (ok definitely by 11 weeks) we will meet our girl Tessa! I am still sleeping pretty well, although Benadryl is helping my cause!
I have been having some itching on my arms and legs in the last couple weeks so I asked the doctor what the deal was. He said I had excess bilirubin, which apparently is a side effect of pregnancy. When the body breaks it down it can cause itching, and since I had so much it was busy breaking down more than normal, which is why I was so itchy, especially in the places that are more sun exposed. He said it's just one of the fun things about pregnancy that affects some and not others. It's no big deal though, and he said Benadryl was my friend since it's one of the very few allergy medications that are safe during pregnancy. So, taking Benadryl has been great because it also helps me sleep at night, something I obviously need!
In other news, baby Tessa is almost three pounds and 16 inches long! She is definitely a growing girl and Joel and I have so much fun watching her move. She is head down now, and hopefully stays that way. We can see her stick her butt out by my belly button a couple times a day so we push her back in and she pushes it back out. It's so fun to watch!
I have been having some itching on my arms and legs in the last couple weeks so I asked the doctor what the deal was. He said I had excess bilirubin, which apparently is a side effect of pregnancy. When the body breaks it down it can cause itching, and since I had so much it was busy breaking down more than normal, which is why I was so itchy, especially in the places that are more sun exposed. He said it's just one of the fun things about pregnancy that affects some and not others. It's no big deal though, and he said Benadryl was my friend since it's one of the very few allergy medications that are safe during pregnancy. So, taking Benadryl has been great because it also helps me sleep at night, something I obviously need!
In other news, baby Tessa is almost three pounds and 16 inches long! She is definitely a growing girl and Joel and I have so much fun watching her move. She is head down now, and hopefully stays that way. We can see her stick her butt out by my belly button a couple times a day so we push her back in and she pushes it back out. It's so fun to watch!
August 12, 2010
Cloth Diapers
Joel and I have decided that we are going to cloth diaper this little peanut we've got coming. Not only are cloth diapers cheaper in the long run than buying disposables, they have many other added benefits. We did a lot of research before deciding this, and determined it was great decision for us.
Here is a cost comparison of cloth to disposables:
Grand Total: $2577.35
Grand Total: $381.00
We have started building our stash of diapers as we see sales. There are some great websites and resources available to those interested. Beyond the money savings, here is a list of other added bonuses of cloth diapering!
#1. Your baby's comfort.
Would you like to wear stiff paper (and/or plastic) underwear 24 hours a day? The comfort of cotton and knowing I was providing the best possible comfort for my daughter was the #1 reason I switched to cloth diapers, and why I still love them so much today.
#2. The environment.
Leave a cleaner world behind for your baby, and your grandchildren. Disposables leave behind an average of 2.7 tons* of non-biodegradable waste (not to mention the waste produced by manufacturing them alone) per child. Compare that to a few dozen cotton diapers, and the responsible choice also becomes an easy one.
#3. Save money.
With disposables, some estimate you spend an average of $2000 per child. Cloth compares at only an average of $150-$350 per child (with the added but minimal cost of electricity and water to launder them). What a great excuse to start a college fund for your baby now, and you can rest assure that your money is being well-spent and not going to "waste" in a land-fill!
#4. Potty training is easier, and happens earlier.
It's a little-known fact that cloth diaper children potty train earlier, and with less effort on their parent's part. This has mostly to do with the fact that when a cloth diaper is wet, they can feel the sensation. Chemical laden disposables can feel so dry, your baby never gets a chance to understand what their body is doing.
#5. Cotton diapers are gel free.
Polyacrylate gel in diapers is a relatively new phenomenon, and no one really knows what the long term effects are. It also leaches moisture from your babies skin. Additionally, disposables are full of dioxins. While non-organic cotton cloth diapers can also have dioxins, they typically are washed out within the first few pre-washes (before your baby will ever wear them), however one-use-only disposables are never rid of them. Additionally, and perhaps the most compelling reason to use cloth diapers, is that disposable diapers containing polyacrylate gel are suspected of exacerbating and potentially causing asthma.
#6. Cloth diapers are so much better looking.
Photographers still traditionally photograph diapered babies in cloth diapers, simply because they are so much cuter! Today they are available in as many prints and colors as their are fabrics available, not to mention the combination of choices you have with twill, flannel, hemp, terry and more. Imagine how many classic baby photos would suddenly become less "quaint" with a baby wrapped in a disposable diaper. I prefer to bring my groceries home in paper and plastic, not my baby!
#7. More fun for Mom.
While not every mother (or woman, for that matter) is a born "shopaholic", most moms I know just love how fun it is to shop for cloth diapers. There are unlimited choices today in cloth diapering, like all-in-one, terry, flannel, contour, prefold, fitted and other contemporary-style cloth diapers. And when you are on a budget, swapping is a great, and economical, way to try the latest new "rage" in cloth diapers.
#8. Better cushioning for baby's bum.
We all know that babies and toddlers have their fair share of bumps and spills! Cushy cotton provides a much softer "landing pad" than a flat paper diaper.
#9. Convenience.
Convenience? Yes, convenience! You'll never have to worry about making another late-night trip to your grocery store for a package of disposable diapers.. You'll never have to hold your nose while emptying and re-bagging one of those complicated "Diaper Genie®" contraptions.. And you'll have approximately two bags less of garbage to haul to the curb every week!
#10. Being a leader is much more fun than being a follower.
Stand out from the crowd and show you care to give your baby the very best, including the way you diaper. It's so much more fun to share the joy of cloth diapering with other mothers (who are usually very curious!), than to waste time clipping the latest coupons for the cheapest disposable paper diaper.
These were from here!
Check out the link below for a great resource on all things Eco-Friendly!
For more information, check out this link: Cloth diapers
Here is a cost comparison of cloth to disposables:
Disposable Diapers
Prices for disposable diapers come from the least expensive package of 2 popular brands from a discount chain store.
Size | Length of time in size | Changes per day | Diapers used | Cost per change | Total Cost |
Newborn | 2 weeks | 12-16 | 48 in package 196 used 5 packages | $0.41 | 5 packages x $16.23= $81.15 |
Size 1 | 10 weeks | 10-12 | 104 in package 770 used 8 packages | $0.24 | 8 packages x $22.88= $183.04 |
Size 2 | 12 weeks | 10-12 | 88 in package 924 used 11 packages | $0.27 | 11 packages x $22.88= $251.68 |
Size 3 | 12 weeks | 8-10 | 96 in package 756 used 8 packages | $0.33 | 8 packages x $30.72= $245.76 |
Size 4 | 12 weeks | 6-8 changes | 64 in package 588 used 9 packages | $0.36 | 9 packages x $23.68= $213.12 |
Size 5 | 24 weeks | 6-8 changes | 58 in package 1176 used 20 packages | $0.40 | 20 packages x $23.78= $475.60 |
Size 6 Training pants | 48 weeks | 6-8 changes | 48 in package 2352 used 49 packages | $0.48 | 49 packages x $23.00= $1127.00 |
Grand Total: $2577.35
Average cost per change: $0.36
Prefolds and covers
Prices for prefolds and covers come from www.TheStorkWearhouse.com
Size | Length of time in size | Changes per day | Total diapers/changes | Cost per change | Total cost |
Infant | 6 months | 12-16 for the first 2 weeks and 10-12 for the next 2 months and 8-10 thereafter | 36 infant prefolds, 6 small covers and 6 medium covers Average changes: 1998 | $0.10 | 12 prefolds package for $24.00 x 3 = $72.00 12 x $11.00 = $132.00 Total = $204.00 |
Premium | 24 months | 8-10 for 6 months and 6-8 thereafter | 36 premium prefolds and 6 large covers Average changes: 5400 | $0.03 | 12 prefolds package for $37.00 x 3 = $111.00 6 x $11.00 = $66.00 Total = $177.00 |
Energy costs | 30 months | 3 times a week | Electric water heater: approx. $0.34/load Gas water heater: approx. $0.10/load | Add approximately $0.01 to every change | Total washing costs = $36.00 - $122.40 depending on your water heater. |
Grand Total: $381.00
Average cost per change (including washing): $0.06
We are doing a combination system of prefolds and pocket diapers. The pocket diapers we have chosen are mostly BumGenius with a few of the Fuzzibunz brand mixed in. Pictured below are the BumGenius diapers. These are great because you only have to buy them once! These diapers are designed to grow with the baby and come with snaps to make them bigger or smaller so they fit babies from 9-30 pounds. These will most likely be Daddy Diapers since they are much faster and easier than the prefold diapers with a cover.
We have started building our stash of diapers as we see sales. There are some great websites and resources available to those interested. Beyond the money savings, here is a list of other added bonuses of cloth diapering!
#1. Your baby's comfort.
Would you like to wear stiff paper (and/or plastic) underwear 24 hours a day? The comfort of cotton and knowing I was providing the best possible comfort for my daughter was the #1 reason I switched to cloth diapers, and why I still love them so much today.
#2. The environment.
Leave a cleaner world behind for your baby, and your grandchildren. Disposables leave behind an average of 2.7 tons* of non-biodegradable waste (not to mention the waste produced by manufacturing them alone) per child. Compare that to a few dozen cotton diapers, and the responsible choice also becomes an easy one.
#3. Save money.
With disposables, some estimate you spend an average of $2000 per child. Cloth compares at only an average of $150-$350 per child (with the added but minimal cost of electricity and water to launder them). What a great excuse to start a college fund for your baby now, and you can rest assure that your money is being well-spent and not going to "waste" in a land-fill!
#4. Potty training is easier, and happens earlier.
It's a little-known fact that cloth diaper children potty train earlier, and with less effort on their parent's part. This has mostly to do with the fact that when a cloth diaper is wet, they can feel the sensation. Chemical laden disposables can feel so dry, your baby never gets a chance to understand what their body is doing.
#5. Cotton diapers are gel free.
Polyacrylate gel in diapers is a relatively new phenomenon, and no one really knows what the long term effects are. It also leaches moisture from your babies skin. Additionally, disposables are full of dioxins. While non-organic cotton cloth diapers can also have dioxins, they typically are washed out within the first few pre-washes (before your baby will ever wear them), however one-use-only disposables are never rid of them. Additionally, and perhaps the most compelling reason to use cloth diapers, is that disposable diapers containing polyacrylate gel are suspected of exacerbating and potentially causing asthma.
#6. Cloth diapers are so much better looking.
Photographers still traditionally photograph diapered babies in cloth diapers, simply because they are so much cuter! Today they are available in as many prints and colors as their are fabrics available, not to mention the combination of choices you have with twill, flannel, hemp, terry and more. Imagine how many classic baby photos would suddenly become less "quaint" with a baby wrapped in a disposable diaper. I prefer to bring my groceries home in paper and plastic, not my baby!
#7. More fun for Mom.
While not every mother (or woman, for that matter) is a born "shopaholic", most moms I know just love how fun it is to shop for cloth diapers. There are unlimited choices today in cloth diapering, like all-in-one, terry, flannel, contour, prefold, fitted and other contemporary-style cloth diapers. And when you are on a budget, swapping is a great, and economical, way to try the latest new "rage" in cloth diapers.
#8. Better cushioning for baby's bum.
We all know that babies and toddlers have their fair share of bumps and spills! Cushy cotton provides a much softer "landing pad" than a flat paper diaper.
#9. Convenience.
Convenience? Yes, convenience! You'll never have to worry about making another late-night trip to your grocery store for a package of disposable diapers.. You'll never have to hold your nose while emptying and re-bagging one of those complicated "Diaper Genie®" contraptions.. And you'll have approximately two bags less of garbage to haul to the curb every week!
#10. Being a leader is much more fun than being a follower.
Stand out from the crowd and show you care to give your baby the very best, including the way you diaper. It's so much more fun to share the joy of cloth diapering with other mothers (who are usually very curious!), than to waste time clipping the latest coupons for the cheapest disposable paper diaper.
These were from here!
Check out the link below for a great resource on all things Eco-Friendly!
For more information, check out this link: Cloth diapers
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