Cloth Diapers

Miles wears cloth diapers. A few months ago, a friend asked why we chose to do cloth. In typical fashion, I drew a blank, even though there were many reasons that I decided to do cloth when I made the decision. Think on my feet? Not so much. I'd like to answer that question for the blogosphere, except Miles has worn cloth diapers pretty much exclusively (except for a quick trip to Fresno in June) for the last eight months, so I can't say how cloth diapers stack up to disposables, which would be helpful opinionation.

I do have a strong preference for cloth diapers for young, exclusively breastfed babies. We started Miles on cloth right when he turned one month. Pre-cloth he had blow outs every day. Nasty and a pain and stains. No bueno. After the switch, no blowouts. Plus, at this stage it is super easy to wash the diapers. Also, disposable diapers stink! No offense to all of you sposies users. But seriously, sposies have a strong chemically smell that I hate. Cloth diapers don't smell like anything until befragranced by the little one. I admit that I have an abnormally strong sense of smell, probably the result of an abnormally large schnaz, so the aversion to the diaper smell may be unique to me, and I only used normal disposables, not any green varieties, so I can't speak to those. Cloth are also cheaper, especially since I got a sweet deal on the ones we used when he was little, and they are still in great shape so I'll probably be able to use them for two more kids. For all of these reasons, cds are the undisputed winners for the first six months.

Once babes start on solids, things become a little more complicated. I admit that I still have a bias towards cloth, but Miles and I are leaving for a grand adventure on Tuesday to Utah and then Mexico. We'll be gone almost two weeks and he will be wearing disposable diapers for that time. When we get home, I will have a more informed opinion to post about.

Miles the Model

He's still working on blue steel.

Nature Reserve Adventure

On Gary's day off last week, we went to a nature reserve a little bit outside of town that borders a local lake. We had a great time and saw lots of wildlife, which of course we loved. Gary half teased that there were alligators in the lake, which I did not believe, until we pulled up to a sign on the shore that warned of alligator sightings. Point for Gary. But I saved him from a water moccasin, so point for me. Miles had a great time, too, and got his first taste of dirt.

We started our adventure on a long bridge that stretched over the marsh. We spotted tons of dragonflies, wasps, and giant spiders.

This spider wasn't giant, but was so cute!

Gary went to take a picture of me and Miles on the bridge, and I noticed a snake slithering very close to Gary's feet. He stepped away and we investigated (from a distance). Our limited knowledge of snakeology told us that this snake may very well be poisonous, due to it's semi-triangular shaped head. Notice the scary cobra-like wings behind the head. When we got home, we investigated our little snake online and decided it was a water mocassin.




Funny thing about that snake encounter was that Gary was thinking to himself as he was going to take our picture, oh this is just the stereotypical sitcom situation for something bad to happen to me. Like the dad is backing up to get a picture of the family and he falls off the cliff. I guess you don't see that in many sitcoms, but you get the point. Luckily his premonition didn't come true.

We saw a few young deer on our way to the marsh and then saw many more as we drove around the reserve. Like our little Bambi friend above. So cute!

There were two rescued owls in cages near the nature center. Miles couldn't get enough of them! He was cooing and reaching for them for at least fifteen minutes. He loved those owls. We need to get Miles to the Zoo, it just needs to get about ten degrees cooler.


Our final wildlife sighting of the trip was two armadillos! That was pretty cool. Apparently armadillos make great roadkill because they can jump to about fender height when they get scared. I would be pretty scared if I saw an armadillo jump that high.

Gary also got this sweet macro shot.

All in all, a great day. If only Gary got more than one day off a week!

Roper Visit 3

At first, Miles was a bit timid around his visitors from Colorado, but it didn't take long for him to warm up to them.

Miles' latest trick is raising the roof when he's happy.

Barb and Ray gave Miles some fun texture and flap books. He LOVES them.

Patty Cake/Pat-a-cake

Barb taught Miles how to play Pat-a-cake. Miles wasn't too sure about it.

The Ropers Came to Town

Nana and Papa (Gary's parents) came to visit two weekends ago. It was so nice of them to make the trip and it was great to see them. Their brief visit consisted mainly of the Miles show, trying out new eateries, and playing games. I won zero games, but I still felt like a winner because it was my birthday weekend. Here are some pics.

Checking out the Stockyards district to see the longhorns.

You choose: I was too excited by my visitors to nap, or cattle bore me.

Nana helping Miles stay hydrated. It was hot. Of course.

Since Barb and Ray had traveled so far to see Miles, I really wanted them to get their money's worth. We had taken Miles to a little petting zoo a couple months ago and he had LOVED the animals, so we hyped it up, promising kicking legs, squeals, and laughs. This time, this was about the only smile he cracked. Miles was like, I don't perform on command. Actually, he was just really tired. Nana and Papa pics to come.