A Very Surprising Use for Johnson's Head-to-Toe Baby Wash

I've used Johnson and Johnson's Head to Toe Baby Wash in the past as a make-up remover. It works really well at removing eye make-up because it's pretty gentle (vs. soap), especially when I'm trying to wash off dark eyeshadow. Well, apparently, it also makes for an amazing stain remover. Breastfed baby poop is a pain to get out of clothes, even though it's water soluble. But since it's yellowy/green to orangey in color, it stains. She's already had a few blow-outs that have gotten on her clothes - usually while wearing disposable diapers. I immediately put her clothes in cold water, tried to get off as much as possible, and then tried pretreating it with our regular detergent, cloth diaper detergent, and baking soda...I tried gently scrubbing with an old toothbrush, rubbing it against itself, etc, etc. It was still there before and after I put it in the wash. Well, a nice neighbor of ours had given us some newborn disposables (I didn't have the heart to tell her I was using cloth). I put it on Kyri as well as a brand new, never-worn outfit that I utterly adore. Something deep down told me she was going to poop all over it. Sure enough she did... I got to thinking about how other baby products have surprising uses (baby wipes for spot cleaning carpet) and decided to give the Head-to-Toe Baby Wash a try. I rinsed off as much poop as I could, applied a bit, and got to scrubbing and rubbing. It worked almost immediately!! I was shocked (and really happy because the best stain remover for baby poop is sunning it and I live in Ohio, n'uff said). Later on, Dan made chili dogs and Bucket got some on her brand new teal colored panda shirt. I jumped on the chance to try it again. This would come as a surprise to those who know me... It took just a little more effort to get it out of the fabric, but it came out. I could not, however, get it off of the screenprint. And unfortunately, it's white. Most of it should come out over time, though. My favorite things about it are it's cheap, has fewer chemicals, and has multiple uses. And the messes come out quickly - anything that is a time-saver is a winner to me! The only thing I'm hesitant to use it on is cloth diapers. I'm not sure if there's an ingredient in it that may mess up my diapers. I need to do some research first... Who'dve thunk, huh?? Next time I'll be sure to take pictures to show you...And perhaps a video?

Nervous...

So, last week I went in for an ultrasound on Thursday or Friday (suddenly I can't remember). I was 37 weeks.. I guess she was weighing a little over 8 lbs & my AFI was 33. AFI means amniotic fluid index & the normal range is between 12 to 18. they are worried about her being a big baby. Plus, with all that extra fluid its possible that the cord can relapse, killing her. So they advised I be induced. As much as I dont want to be induced, I've been through far too much for something to happen now...

I have an amniocentecis tomorrow morning to check her lung & see if her lungs are developed enough. If they are we'll talk about induction within the next week. If not we'll have to wait until 39 weeks. I'm nervous about the amnio. But they also scheduled me for an NST right after to make sure she's ok and I also have a regular check-up with my OB.

I'm so ready for her to be born. I wish I could enjoy these last moments of pregnancy considering it'll probably be my last...but I'm in so much pain. It hurts to walk, sit, or lay down for too long...

Anyway, it's late and I have to be up super early so I'm headed to bed now. Night!   

Little baby nudges at 23 weeks 5 days

Most of the action is going on to my right... All the nudges you see are her head.... And this is her being calm. Usually, she's a lot more active but she's been lazy lately.

We Have Reached an Official Verdict

It's a girl! She's measuring right on time. The AFP tests came back looking good. No gestational diabetes. No clots. Woo hoo! So far, everything's completely uncomplicated! It's so nice compared to my horrifying pregnancy with my son (he was conceived two months after a miscarriage, and then I started bleeding at 12 weeks and continued bleeding for about two and a half months).

Here are some of the sonogram pictures. The first one here is from when I was 12 weeks.



And these are from the 1st (18 1/2 weeks), weighing 11 oz

Here, her cheek is resting on her shoulders

Kitty Eared Bib

Skill level: Easy

Abbreviations:
sts = stitches
k2tog = knit to together
DPNs = double pointed needles

Materials:
Size 8 US straight needles
Size 7 US DPNs
Worsted weight cotton yarn

Guage: Not important

Instructions:
CO 30 sts
Knit every row until piece is squared

Neck
Knit 6 sts. BO 18 sts. Knit remaining 6.
Ignoring the first live 6 sts, turn work and knit the "kitty ear" as follows:
[*K 5 rows even
K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog*
Repeat * until you have 2 sts remaining.
Switch to DPNs and work an I-Cord for about 11-12 inches.]

Repeat [ ] for second "kitty ear"

A few FO's for my friend's baby

My best friend is pregnant with her first child. She'll be having a little girl some time around December 20th. She is, as all first time mothers are, very nervous.

I, on the other hand, am very excited. I know she'll make a great mother. Although, she does have much learning to do. But I feel this will bring us closer together. Ever since I got married and had kids, we've drifted a bit. Not so much in our love for each other (I love this girl to death), but I could tell she felt distant. Understandably though, because I know she doesn't understand. As sappy as this may sound, no one can understand love until they look into the eyes of their child. It doesn't necessarily happen instantly, but as you watch your child grow, the love for them grows that much more.

Anyway. Sap-fest over. Here are the things I've made for her.



The hat is tiny. Which is how I wanted it to be. I wanted it to fit for those first few weeks, since she'll be born in December and no "newborn" hat ever fits a baby that early. I am a little worried that it may be just a tad bit too small.




These leg warmers are not what I made for her. However, I did use the Peppermint (red and white) yarn pictured to make her a cotton baby bib. It was done in stockinette stitch with a garter stitch border. It only has one strap and buttons closed with a white button sewn on with red thread. I realized, as I went to upload the photos, that I'd completely forgotten to take pictures of it when I was done. (T_T)

I also intend on making her a few more things, such as baby leg warmers. However, I need to wait until she is born because I've forgotten how skinny a baby's legs really are.